51: The Legend of Sword and Fairy Project Approved

Shen Xinghao told Li Xiuwu what he knew, all while complaining about Big Beard Zhang's character.

Because Zhou Xiaowen was just a behind-the-scenes staff member, he didn't attract much public attention, so the media didn't keep hyping it up.

He checked with others, and the situation was roughly the same as what Shen Xinghao had said.

Li Xiuwu was speechless; that Big Beard Zhang really had terrible character.

He ordered a table of food at a hotel and then returned to Zhou Xiaowen's home.

He rang the doorbell, and Liu Yifei opened the door for him.

"Teacher Zhou, let's eat before you look at it anymore." He set out the food and reminded Zhou Xiaowen.

Zhou Xiaowen, who had been immersed in the script, was startled out of his trance. He glanced at Li Xiuwu, looking a bit dazed.

He turned his head to see several dishes already laid out on the dining table, and Liu Yifei was bringing out bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen.

"Alright." Zhou Xiaowen nodded and went to the kitchen to wash his hands.

While eating, his mind was still on the script. He suddenly looked up at Li Xiuwu.

"You said this is your company's script?"

"Yes." Li Xiuwu nodded.

"The core of the story in the script is outstanding, and the immortal heroes genre is excellent too. Once it's filmed, it might create a whole new genre."

Zhou Xiaowen felt that the spells, immortal swords, and magical artifacts in the script were all very interesting.

He thought of The Legend of Zu; the special effects for the magical artifacts were excellent, but the plot was a mess.

This script was the exact opposite: the plot was captivating, and the various spells and immortal swords served the story.

"Teacher Zhou, are you interested in directing it?" Seeing that Zhou Xiaowen was interested, Li Xiuwu asked him directly.

"Let me direct?" Zhou Xiaowen was stunned. He looked at Li Xiuwu with a bit of confusion.

"Can you make that call?"

"The company asked me to recommend a director, and I think Teacher Zhou is a perfect fit." Li Xiuwu said with a smile.

"If you want me to direct, everything has to be done my way." Zhou Xiaowen really liked the script, but he still put forward his requirements, bluntly demanding full authority over the production crew.

Li Xiuwu frowned. He thought for a moment and didn't commit immediately.

"Let's exchange our opinions and confirm the style and vision. If we can reach a consensus, I'll hand the crew over to you. The filming and editing will all be up to Teacher Zhou."

Zhou Xiaowen looked at Li Xiuwu and nodded slowly. He was choosing a crew, and the crew was also choosing him. If their creative philosophies didn't align and neither side was willing to compromise, then it just wouldn't work out.

Liu Yifei watched Zhou Xiaowen and Li Xiuwu, feeling that Li Xiuwu was incredibly calm and handsome at this moment.

After the meal, Liu Yifei cleared the table, and Li Xiuwu and Zhou Xiaowen went to the living room to sit down.

"For this TV series, the spells and immortal swords will require special effects, and special effects aren't cheap. I want to know, what is the investment for this series?" Zhou Xiaowen asked the most direct question.

"Including special effects, we initially estimate an investment of 20 million. If that's not enough, we can add more."

Hearing this, Zhou Xiaowen did a rough calculation in his mind. The actual filming should cost around 10 million. He wasn't too clear on the price of special effects, but 10 million should be enough.

The two discussed the filming style and the philosophy of the immortal heroes genre.

Overall, there wasn't much difference in their opinions; they prioritized the plot, with special effects serving the story.

"Teacher Zhou, there's one more thing I need to clarify."

Li Xiuwu explained the casting arrangements, not wanting to wait until the crew was formed and risk new issues: "I'll play the male lead, Yifei will play Zhao Ling'er, and Character Name has been given to Shu Chang. The three leads are already set."

Zhou Xiaowen looked at Li Xiuwu, thinking that it would actually be quite fitting for him to play Li Xiaoyao in the show.

Liu Yifei would play Zhao Ling'er; she was sitting there quietly, pure and ethereal, making her very similar to Zhao Ling'er.

As for Shu Chang, he had no objections. In their collaboration on demi-gods and semi-devils, Shu Chang was able to handle the role of the ninety-year-old Elder.

"The three of you are quite suitable for the roles. I have no objections." Zhou Xiaowen nodded.

"Welcome to the project, Teacher." A look of joy appeared on Li Xiuwu's face.

Director Zhou Xiaowen was experienced and had extensive connections; he could basically solve any problems related to the script and filming.

Li Xiuwu notified Xu Muyang.

"Boss, why don't you hire someone professional?" Xu Muyang said to Li Xiuwu with a bit of helplessness.

He was professional in music production, but he had no experience in film and television production.

Li Xiuwu was silent for a while. Xu Muyang felt a bit uneasy; logically, since Li Xiuwu had given him such great authority, he should seize it and take charge of all of Golden Culture.

"Alright, I'll keep an eye out. You first sign the contract for the immortal heroes project and hand the crew over to Director Zhou Xiaowen. Also, go negotiate the mainland adaptation rights for the return of the condor heroes."

He had no interest in working with Big Beard Zhang; he wanted to secure the works he liked first.

After hanging up the phone, Li Xiuwu thought about the issue Xu Muyang raised. It was indeed time to properly flesh out Golden Culture.

Finance and legal counsel were currently outsourced. Even if Golden Culture only served itself, the framework should still be built.

Zhou Xiaowen signed the contract, the immortal heroes project was officially approved, and Xu Muyang completed the investment payment.

Having received the money, Zhou Xiaowen quickly recruited a filming team.

In Wang Jinsong's office, Li Xiuwu sat there.

"The the great emperor wu of han crew has invited you to play Liu Ju." Wang Jinsong looked at Li Xiuwu.

"Not interested." Li Xiuwu shook his head.

He only wanted to join the the great emperor wu of han crew because of Emperor Wu of Han. Since he couldn't play Emperor Wu of Han, other roles held no interest for him.

The the great emperor wu of han was not a show that promoted actors; whoever went would be overshadowed by the brilliance of Emperor Wu of Han.

"This role is quite good. In the entertainment industry, you have to cherish every opportunity. Having good achievements is great, but the entertainment industry values relationships and resources." Wang Jinsong reminded Li Xiuwu.

"Thank you, Teacher." Li Xiuwu nodded. He understood all of this, but he didn't care.

"There's no need to be stubborn." Wang Jinsong urged Li Xiuwu to accept the role.

"Forget about the the great emperor wu of han. Our company has invested in a TV series, and it's confirmed that I will play the male lead." Li Xiuwu revealed the news.

"It's a 20 million investment, directed by Zhou Xiaowen." Wang Jinsong was stunned; this investment was already considered quite substantial.

"Yes."

"Since you already have a choice, I'll help you talk to the people over at the the great emperor wu of han." Wang Jinsong looked at Li Xiuwu deeply.

The news of Zhou Xiaowen preparing the project couldn't be kept secret at all and spread quickly.

Many actors pulled strings wanting to join the crew.

In a hotel room, Li Xiuwu listened in as Director Zhou Xiaowen, cinematographer Shen Xinghao, screenwriter Yang Qilin, and art director Tu Bin discussed the crew's preparation work.

"The action in the immortal heroes genre is different from martial arts. Does anyone have any recommendations for an action director?" Zhou Xiaowen looked at everyone, his gaze finally landing on Li Xiuwu.

"I'll leave it to you, Teachers." Li Xiuwu said.

"How about Zhao Jian? He is a very representative action director for new-school martial arts, and he has experience with mythological dramas." Shen Xinghao suggested.

"For action directors, those from Hong Kong have more experience. I recommend Wu Jianfeng." Yang Qilin spoke up.

Hearing the two recommendations, Zhou Xiaowen thought for a moment and said: "Call both of them and invite them for a meeting to discuss their action philosophies. Whichever one is more suitable, we'll use."

"How is the selection of locations going?" Zhou Xiaowen asked.

Art director Tu Bin stood up immediately: "Director Zhou, basically all the scenes have been finalized. The only exception is Peach Blossom Island. We expect to be filming between October and December, and during this period, we can't find any location where peach blossoms are in bloom."

Zhou Xiaowen frowned. This was a realistic problem, and they couldn't wait until spring; that would drag the timeline out too long, which was completely unnecessary.

"What about using special effects?" Screenwriter Yang Qilin suggested.

"Special effects never have the same sense of depth as actual filming." Shen Xinghao spoke up; as a cinematographer, he knew more about special effects.

"What about using fake peach blossoms?" Yang Qilin asked again.

Tu Bin shook his head. If it's an entire peach blossom forest, a fake setup would feel very stiff. No matter how it's made, it wouldn't look as good as real flowers.

Li Xiuwu raised his hand: "Find a forest with trees similar to peach trees. For the few peach blossoms in front of the camera, use fake flowers, and shoot the long shots with normal flowers."

Tu Bin's eyes lit up. If it were just a few branches of peach blossoms in front of the camera, it would be easy to control.