Top Management Chapter 207-208

Chapter 207: Once You Start Being Swayed (5)

TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir

"About investments."

The project producer hung up and approached us.

"Team Leader Jung, can you open up some time? Our CEO is currently talking with Well-Made Pictures about investments and distribution, and they said that they would like to discuss it with you."

"Well-Made Pictures?"

The wilting Forest's CEO was the first to perk up. Well-Made Pictures was one of the top investment distribution companies in the country. They were also the main investment distribution company for Alive as well.

I readily replied,

"Let's go."

Well-Made Picture's building was in the middle of Gangnam. SBE Film's CEO, who had arrived ahead of us, was sitting in a large meeting room by himself. With his arms crossed and head down, he gave off a gloomy mood.

"Why is your expression like that? I think we can consider this is a green light if they want to talk."

SBE Film's CEO's eyes shot up at the project producer's question.

"No, back with Alive, we received a call an hour and a half after sending them the scenario. That their investment screening committee unanimously decided to invest. That is a green light."

"The situation is different though. Alive was Director Choi Sungwon's work, and we had Lee Kihwan and Park Saeryung already cast. City Jungle is…"

Remembering Director Oh Hyunkyung and I were present, the chatting project producer changed the subject.

"Anyways, we need to try hard to persuade them. It's not like they are going to slam the door in our faces after making a lot of money with Alive, right?"

As soon as he sat down, the project producer asked,

"Director, CEO, what is the budget you thought about for City Jungle?"

"The budget?"

"You probably crunched the numbers."

Director Oh Hyunkyung and Forest's CEO exchanged looks. Soon, Director Oh Hyunkyung answered as though she was applying for a loan,

"3-2.5 billion won."

"2.5 billion won?"

The project producer couldn't help but laugh.

"I read your scenario, and I don't think 2.5 billion is anywhere near enough."

"We can trim down the number of shoots."

"So you're going to jump straight into the deep end? If you set your budget too low and we exceed it later, we'll need to cling to the investor's legs and beg for more. Just say what the initial budget you calculated was."

"… If possible, 3.5 billion won."

Director Oh Hyunkyung cautiously raised the amount. The project producer scratched his chin.

I listened to them discussing financial matters while drinking the coffee an employee got me.

3.5 billion won at most. It fell short of the average commercial film budget.

Well, this was because my first film was Alive, whose total production budget was over 30 billion won. Such blockbusters were rare. If I lowered my standards, there were many more films that were created below budget due to lack of funds.

"Excuse me…"

Forest's CEO cautiously spoke,

"What if we tried talking to Director Hw.a.n.g from Ant Capital?"

"The person who mocked us by telling us to do whatever we want?"

"Still, we were in talks for a 50 billion won investment…"

The project producer firmly shook his head.

"Don't hold onto broken relationships. Also, Ant Capital wouldn't have given you all 50 billion won. Their methods are a bit malicious."

"Pardon?"

"They come in as the main investor and act like they are going to invest the full amount, but they'll drop the amount when it comes time to sign the contract. That way, they hold influence and can sway you however they want. The production company and director have to film with the budget with tears."

Forest's CEO's mouth was agape.

The project producer continued,

"If we had prints and advertising to the 3.5-billion budget, let's go with 5 billion as the total budget. While it's normal to have 30-40% of it from investment distribution company and 60-70% from partial investors, we should be able to make up the difference with partial investors if we get Well-Made Pictures…"

He swallowed his words.

A man wearing a vintage pair of gla.s.ses pushed the door open with his shoulder and came in. He was the general manager of the Korean Film Production Department at Well-Made Pictures. I had seen him at the Alive press distribution screening. He had a notebook, files, and a copy of City Jungle in his hands.

SBE Film's CEO immediately asked,

"How was the meeting?"

"CEO, let's sit before we discuss things."

"Of course, please sit. How was the meeting?"

There was a hasty exchange of hands. Holding my hand last, the general manager asked,

"Do you have any thoughts on changing the lead?"

"Is that the result of the meeting?"

I asked back.

The general manager looked at the everyone before looking back at me.

"There were many comments about the director and scenario, but more people are against the male lead than anything else. With Ms. Lee Songha as the lead and SBE Film producing, investors will invest if the level of the male lead was increased. Perhaps other male actors from W&U…"

"We already handed him the scenario, and the actor agreed to do it. We can't overturn this and hand the role over to another actor in the company. We have never done it nor have we ever been asked to consider it."

The mood became strange.

I had never been treated like a piddling manager since Neptune was no longer considered a 'washed up' idol group and Lee Songha became an international star.

Well, this was expected in this place.

If I wasn't a team leader at W&U and didn't have other actors in my care. If I was only the manager to Nam Joyoon, they wouldn't have been suggested his. All I would have been able to do is wait endlessly for the meeting results. I might not have even been informed that the male lead had been changed.

This should leave a bitter taste in my mouth, but a smile crept up my lips.

Fervor surged within me.

Fervor to make the film a success and change people's opinions on Nam Joyoon.

"This, this is a scenario Director Choi Sungwon read and said was good."

SBE Film's CEO said while tapping on the City Jungle scenario.

"When I told him the male lead, the artist, was Mr. Nam Joyoon, he said that there was a role he wanted Mr. Nam Joyoon to play in his upcoming work and that he needed to get a verbal agreement before Mr. Nam Joyoon's fame skyrockets with City Jungle's success."

Here I thought SBE Film had agreed faster than expected.

I should thank Director Choi Sungwon later. And make a verbal agreement.

"… Is that so?"

The Well-Made general manager scratched his cheek. SBE Film's CEO continued,

"It's not a blockbuster needing tens of billions of won. The total budget for this is 5 billion won. It's not that big of a burden. You already have a s.p.a.ce to fill in next year's lineup after Director Park Hyungil's work fell through."

"That's true."

"Ace and AK Entertainment's lineups seem to be made up of similar works. Isn't Well-Made's motto 'variety'? It'll be good to have a polished action noir flick in your lineup. Let's invest a small amount into its potential."

SBE Film's CEO slowly talked Well-Made's general manager into it. Director Oh Hyunkyung was firm that she wanted Nam Joyoon as the male lead. Soon, Well-Made's general manager said in a half-convinced face,

"Even if we do invest, it won't be a lot. Everyone's clamoring for more."

"We need to continue looking at venture capitals and financial companies. With Ms. Lee Songha as the star."

The project producer glanced at me and continued,

"Also, since Team Leader Jung Sunwoo said he would actively help out, there'll definitely be more people enticed by this opportunity. We were able to easily promote Alive thanks to Team Leader Jung. He's more a hot topic now than he was…"

"Ah, about that."

Well-Made's general manager abruptly cut in.

"I heard this in the meeting just now."

"That?"

"That Team Leader Jung Sunwoo developed a panic disorder due to the burden of picking his next project."

I barely managed to hold onto my coffee cup. Other people's gazes turned odd as they looked at me. That rumor was like a c.o.c.kroach. How was it spreading outside when we finally managed to quell it internally?

"Who told you that?"

"I think it's spreading amongst directors and production companies? Discussions about Team Leader Jung Sunwoo are of highest interest in this industry. I heard that Director Cha Jaeho, in particular, has said it on multiple private occasions."

Director Cha Jaeho?

"The one who's working on Supernatural right now?"

"Yes, I heard Director Cha worked hard to get Ms. Lee Songha. It seems he was upset after being rejected. I think he's been saying how it was no wonder your sense of judgment fell after he heard you had a panic disorder. Having rejected the male lead, Mr. Heo Kakyung."

These fellows…

"Those are all false rumors."

"That's what I thought. The problem is, no matter how big or small it is, a false rumor…"

Well-Made's general manager clicked his tongue,

"Will have an effect on investors."

While Well-Made Pictures was reviewing the investment, I attended multiple meetings SBE Film arranged. There were many who outright refused after seeing that the project had an unknown director and a supporting role male lead, but there were also some who were interested.

And, whether it was as a joke or not, the investors always brought up the panic disorder rumor. It seems that the fact I chose City Jungle over other great works, including Supernatural, gave credibility to the rumor.

It was to the point where I wondered if I should carry around a doctor's note saying I was fine.

I even had reporters contact me about it. While the rumor didn't spread in the media thanks to the PR Team, this still resulted in a small wrench in my plans of using my t.i.tle as 'Midas's Hand' to bring in investments.

While City Jungle's production issues were being handled…

I got on track to handle other actor's next projects.

Maybe it was because I had a change of heart, but I no longer saw other projects as flops. I sent the scenarios and scripts I reviewed and selected with chiefs to each actor. Then I asked for their opinion.

Seo Jijoon was first.

"I saw that scenario."

Seo Jijoon suddenly said as he walked into the meeting room with Chief Lee Bongjoon.

"Which one?"

"City Jungle."

I unconsciously flinched.

"The scenario was fun. So about that."

Seo Jijoon slowly rubbed his lips.

"I was thinking about investing in it."

I relaxed my shoulders. My heart belatedly started to race. In that short moment, I had thought about 20 different ways to handle the situation if he said he was interested in the male lead.

"I'm not interested in appearing on it since I've done a lot of serious roles. I'm currently interested in works that I can act with a smile, but I was thinking about investing because the scenario is fun. I heard other actors do this when they see good projects."

"… How much are you thinking of?"

"Not a lot. Maybe 500 million won?"

"How much?"

"500 million."

This guy.

"That's an excessive amount. You might not even get your money back."

"Then well, I guess I was wrong about the scenario."

He replied with a light laugh. Chief Lee Bongjoon simply shook his head at the side like he couldn't deal with him. I decided to talk to SBE Film about Seo Jijoon's interest in investing and brought the conversation to his next project.

Seo Jijoon's eyes, which shined at the prospect of investing, dimmed.

"There aren't any I really feel like I want to act in."

"You didn't even give the scripts a close look!"

Chief Lee Bongjoon glared at him. Seo Jijoon, who feigned ignorance, let out a sigh.

"Team leader. I wasn't able to say this when the Team 2 Leader was around."

"Don't worry and you can tell me"

"I worked like a dog until now. I was thinking that maybe I could take longer breaks between projects…"

"You can."

The eyes of the two people in front of me bulged.

Before the fl.u.s.tered Chief Lee Bongjoon could open his mouth, Seo Jijoon brightened.

"Really?"

"Yes, I think it'll be good if you go do your mandatory military service while taking a break."

As soon as I said that, Seo Jijoon got up.

"Of course, I have to go do mandatory service. I'm thinking about going after one more project."

"And not take a break?"

"I need to work like a dog when I can, why would I take a break? Let's go take a look at those scripts, hyung!"

Chief Lee Bongjoon chuckled as he was dragged out by Seo Jijoon.

Next was Im Joowon.

As soon as he entered the meeting room, he took off his shirt.

"Team leader, look at this."

"… At what?"

"What do you think?"

"I'm not sure what you want me to say."

He pointed to his stomach. His face looked so uncontrollably happy.

"I have a six pack! I worked so hard at the gym to make this!"

"Ah, it does seem like you have one."

It also seemed like you don't.

When I looked beside him, Chief Sung Uimin was smiling with a Buddha's face.

"You know the work drawn up by IBC? The one with Bok Seoin as the male lead. He wants to do that."

"… Why that?"

It wasn't one of the projects we looked favorably on.

What happened to the scenarios and scripts we gave him and why did he settle on this on?

"He obstinately says he wants to do that one."

He gave me a look, asking me to persuade him because he couldn't.

Im Joowon was still bragging about his flat belly. He was so jealous whenever Yoon Taekyung took his shirt off for a scene during Royal Family. First, I got Im Joowon to put his shirt back on and said,

"The problem with that role isn't your body though."

Of course, his body was the biggest problem.

"Lee Boyeon is the female lead. I don't think there'll be any chemistry with you two as love interests because you look so young. Rather than showing off your manly side, it might have a negative effect."

"… Really?"

"You'll probably look like an aunt and nephew."

It wasn't that bad, to be honest.

Chief Sung Uimin dragged Im Joowon, who was intently looking at the mirror, off.

Song Inho was last.

He came with the independent film director, who was again doing reshoots and additional shoots.

The bearded directors entered the room like he was entering a tiger's den.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"Ah, that is. Last time I came here, Chief Jo Byunghwan said that they wanted to cancel Song Inho's contract and were willing to pay the fee. I've been avoiding him since then. I don't even come near W&U anymore."

"It's fine now, director. Those days have pa.s.sed."

Song Inho held the director's arm while smiling.

Checking my expression, the director cautiously said,

"There have been people wanting to invest now that Inho's fame skyrocketed. I would like to shoot scenes we had to skip due to budget restraints, so if you could free up Inho's schedule a few times…"

"It might become a posthumous work at this rate."

"Pardon?"

The director was shocked as though he felt his life was at risk.

Song Inho spoke as if trying to calm his worries,

"It's a joke. Hyung, no, the team leader is a bit of a mischievous joker."

"It's not a joke."

"… Hyung?"

"Up until that was all a joke."

I added with a laugh. Only now did the mood relax.

"All you need to do is adjust when it overlaps with other schedules. We're reviewing a few dramas, but as a rookie, there'll probably be many days where he has to wait day and night on set."

"Of course. We can definitely…!"

The concern in the director's face was washed away. After those two left with faces like they were about to play pattycake, I organized my thoughts in the meeting room. I twirled the pen in my hand.

This was the second meeting with Well-Made Pictures.

The general manager, who had been slowly been thinking over this, finally nodded his head.

"We decided to invest in the film's potential with a small investment. We will invest 20% of your budget. There are many employees who are against this still, so we couldn't take out a lot of money. Let's fill the remaining 80% with partial investors."

"We are working hard to gather the funds."

The project producer replied as he relaxed.

I silently listened to them before saying,

"I did think about the matter of investments."

Their gazes gathered on me.

"How about we ask the public to invest through crowdfunding?"

/ /

Chapter 208: Once You Start Being Swayed (6)

TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir

"Crowdfunding?"

The project producer scratched beneath his ear.

"I don't know. There's a limit to the amount of money you can gather through crowdfunding. It's also used a lot for charity or sponsorships than investments. It may be useful for an independent or a low budget film, but it probably won't be of much use for our film."

"A lot of blockbusters do it these days though."

"That's more for marketing than investments."

"Yes, for marketing."

Their expressions became strange.

I laid out the plain I had organized in my mind.

"We set a small target amount for funding. Although we say that it's investing in the film, it's simply giving the public an interesting event to partic.i.p.ate in. We increased the public's interest in Pretty Girls' alb.u.m with the production of Making Film, and it was received quite well."

"It wasn't 'quite'. It was great."

The project producer said in astonishment.

"This will also increase the public's interest. There are tons of people who are interested in whether the project I'm set on will be a success or a flop. Whether it's a thousand or ten thousand won, once the audience's money comes in as an investment, even more people will be interested in the result. Of course, it'll help with marketing the film as well."

"… It'll probably be incomparably more helpful than an interview."

"If the general public's interest surges, there will also be venture capitals that'll decide to belatedly invest."

"We might even receive too much and be unable to accept any more."

"I think the public will be more interested the more I take part in the production of the film."

The reason people used top stars as leads was, in the end, to increase public interest. Unlike drama that air whenever you turn on the TV, films put more burden on the audience as they had to physically go to the theatres to watch it. That was why companies spent billions of won making posters and promoting the movie.

A power to bring people to the theatres.

If Nam Joyoon lacked ticket-selling power, then I simply had to make up the difference.

"So, are you saying that you'll partic.i.p.ate in full force?"

"It's not unexpected."

"No, but what if…"

The project producer hesitated. Well-Made's general manager picked up after him.

"This film might be a complete flop. If the crowdfunding partic.i.p.ants and partial investors cannot get a return on their investments, the image you built up will worsen drastically. It could also destroy your 'Midas's Hand' t.i.tle."

"That's true."

I nodded candidly. The project producer asked with a fl.u.s.tered expression,

"Are you certain that we'll at least breakeven?"

"I can't say that I'm 100% certain."

Or to be exact, I personally decided to step on the uncertain path.

"Then why do you want to take on more risk?"

"This film. I want to make it a success."

It was a path of uncertainty, but for some reason, I began to be certain.

It wasn't the lukewarm certainty that it wouldn't be a complete flop even if it wasn't as big as a success as the version I saw in my visions.

The movie City Jungle, in which Lee Songha and Nam Joyoon starred in, directed by Director Oh Hyunkyung, produced by Forest and SBE Film, invested by investors who took a risk in its low possibility of success, and distributed by Well-Made Pictures.

The certainty that this film would be a success.

No, I began to become certain that I can make this film into a success.

The project producer and Well-Made's general manager's eyes darted back and forth. They seemed to be calculating how to use me, the promotional item, as effectively as possible. Their pens quickly scribbled on their notebooks.

Seeing this, I brought up another condition.

"Of course, if things progress like this, I need to receive something in return."

"Of course, if there's something you want, then please say it."

Well-Made's general manager said with a face of a salesman.

I leisurely said,

"First, regarding the actors' contract fee."

"The fee. That makes me nervous."

Well-Made's general manager laughed jokingly. As he said, his face became tense. Was he worried I would ask for an absurd amount? Of course, I wasn't planning on taking out a huge chunk of our insufficient production budget. Only…

"I hope we could sign with running guarantee than a full contract."

"A running guarantee?"

"Yes, in a way where they get additional money when after the film breaks even."

It was similar to how investors split their shares. It would be a useless contract if the film didn't break even, but they would gradually acc.u.mulate money once the film broke even and began making profits.

"I think our side will be more motivated."

At my words, Well-Made's general manager and project producer exchanged looks before nodding.

"It isn't a hard condition. Let's go with that."

"It's great that you're quick."

The corners of my lips rose as I continued,

"And another…"

{'Midas's Hand' Jung Sunwoo, who has had no failures, his next project City Jungle, what kind of film is it?}

{W&Y's 'Jung Sunwoo's Team' Lee Songha and Nam Joyoon confirmed for film City Jungle.}

{Director Oh Hyunkyung, the director Midas's Hand teamed up with for City Jungle, will she able to break the prejudice against 'Unknown' and 'Female' Directors?}

The bait we sent as a press release instantly spread like wildfire. Because Pretty Girls and Neptune's new songs were still at the top of the charts and were appearing on TV and stages, nothing else had to be done for City Jungle and my name to hit the real-time search rankings.

We sent out short details about City Jungle and crowdfunding.

We set the period for crowdfunding after the film has been shot. That was when we need to put our efforts into promoting the film. The small funding target will be reached quickly, so if we started it too early, people might have already forgotten about the crowdfunding event by the time the movie releases.

As expected, the public's interests were peaked.

-Oh, my G.o.d. A director I've never heard of and Nam Joyoon as the lead? This is a real gamble.

-According to someone from Chungmuro, that scenario has been rolling around with any investments.

-Trash journalists predicted that Jung Sunwoo's next project would be a safe blockbuster, but Jung Sunwoo's completely doing things his way LOL 'Move, I'm going down my own path'/

-How will this funding work? Maybe I should put all the money I spend on the lottery and put it in there.

-You should only invest a small amount and consider it gone when investing in films. Return rates are a mess.

-A guy I know's a director, and apparently, there are bad rumors about Jung Sunwoo these days. They're out of money.

It wasn't just online. People I met were all eager to talk about it.

I received as many questions as lead actors at a VIP Film Festival I was invited to.

"Team Leader Jung, is City Jungle's scenario really that good?"

"It really is."

"Should we send some of our rookies for supporting role auditions?"

"Wait, wait. Did you also invest your own money into the film?"

"I don't know."

The majority seemed interested and supported the film, but there also many who whispered about how it was a foolish decision. That I would have been better off picking a relatively safer project.

Ah, there were also people who mocked me in my face.

"Here I was wondering which great director you would work with after rejecting me."

Director Cha Jaeho, who I encountered in front of the washroom, snorted.

"Director Oh Hyunkyung? Who's that?"

"She's the director of City Jungle of course."

"There are differences between directors. Team Leader Jung Sunwoo, you really work foolishly. I heard you've developed a panic disorder while picking your next project. The female lead role you rejected, we cast Han Seoyeon instead. I think she's much better than Lee Songha."

This fellow was making blunt remarks.

Director Cha Jaeho smirked as he patted my shoulder.

"You should come watch my film when it releases. I'll send you a screening ticket. You need to see what you missed so that you don't make the same mistake again. Ah, if the film flops after all this media hubbub, there might be no next time. CEO Baek Hansung's cold-hearted."

While leisurely walking past me, he added,

"City Jungle or whatever. I'll pay my own money and watch it. That's the least I can do."

"Director."

Director Cha Jaeho looked back at me.

I spoke with a gentle voice,

"I'm only saying this since you keep saying I missed out on your project."

"What?"

"I rejected that film because I thought it would flop."

"… What did you say?"

"Supernatural. I rejected it because I thought it would flop. Won't you need around 4 million viewers to break even? I think it'll be a complete failure. There is no need to send my actress to a failing film so that she can fail together."

"What, you, just what…!"

Director Cha Jaeho's eyes bulged like a fish.

Seeing him stutter with a stiff tongue, I smiled.

"Why are you so serious when I'm just guy with poor judgment?"

I brushed off his hand, which was still on my shoulder, and walked away.

After a long while, I heard him burst into swears behind me.

After the heat wave pa.s.sed, and a cool breeze now blew on mornings and evenings.

With Well-Made's investments and investments from partial investors we've sc.r.a.ped together, we finally began preparing to film. The film schedule and content meetings progressed day and night, and we filled our staff with SBE Film's leadership.

At the same time, we were looking to cast supporting and minor roles.

"Actor casting?"

"Yes, we were hoping you would partic.i.p.ate in auditions and the casting process."

SBE Film's project producer handed me a thick file. Opening it, it was full of actor profiles. There were some familiar faces, but the majority were new to me.

"We discussed what would be something you can partic.i.p.ate in and be a hot topic when released in articles, and we concluded that it would be most interesting if you partic.i.p.ated in casting actors. Your eye for actors is very good."

The project producer added two more similarly thick files as he said,

"These are all the ones we received at our company so far, so take a look at their pictures. We made an announcement, so we'll have to hold auditions soon. We are trying to approach actors with enough popularity to play supporting roles, but it might not work out since Mr. Nam Joyoon is the lead."

"… Ah, that could happen."

They might not be satisfied with a lead with less fame than them.

"It'll be difficult to fill all our minor roles through just auditions. Auditions are also differentiated between big budgets and smaller budgets. Good actors aim for auditions for blockbusters that are likely to be a success or films of well-known directors to get close to them."

"I bet Alive had it easy."

"Then, we were overflowing with applicants. I wonder when we'll ever be able to experience that boom again."

Licking his lips, the project producer led me to the office. Perhaps it was because they were working throughout the night finishing up preparations before the filming began, but SBE Film and Forest's employees were flopped over chairs and desks and sleeping.

Someone with their arms crossed was standing beside a sofa messily stacked with files.

His clothes were so tidy that it was borderline mysophobia. He was a man in his thirties, who looked like he would smell like ink if you got close. After seeing us, he uncrossed his arms and came over. His eyes were filled with interest as they looked at me.

"Team Leader Jung, which is Chief Lee Kyojin. He's the casting director."

Casting director?

CEO Baek Hansung was staring out the window.

The director, who was sitting on the sofa, glanced at him while asking,

"What are you planning on doing about Jung Sunwoo, Team Leader Jung, if City Jungle fails?"

There was no reply. The director scratched his round chin.

"Since you've been quiet on the matter, everyone's been making their own predictions. There are also rumors that you're going to fire him."

There still was no answer.

Swirling his tea with a teaspoon, the director raised his head before flinching.

CEO Baek Hansung was silently laughing.

/ /