1994: I Became a Literary Master in America

Chapter 86: Searching for the Rookie Screenwriter - Please Read, Add to Favorites, and Vote!

"How much?"

Xu Shengjie went straight to the heart of the problem.

Susanna couldn't help but laugh!

"You really don't look like a Chinese person. No wonder James said you look more like an American."

"what?"

"I've met some Chinese people, older and younger... especially the older ones, who seem ashamed to talk about money."

"You're something else, you just ask about the price directly..."

That's because you don't know that in the future, China will also be all about money!

Susanna then said, "You're a newcomer, so the price won't be too high."

According to WGA's regulations, a single episode would cost between $8000 and $12000.

This includes the script and one round of revisions, after which a script doctor will evaluate and address any shortcomings. ABC's starting fee is quite generous, $15000. However, Diane has high hopes for you and is willing to offer $1.

That's definitely not low!

Twelve episodes, that's 240,000.

Xu Shengjie scratched his head, looking a little troubled.

He's too busy!

I'm already feeling like I don't have enough time, and if I take on this script adaptation project, I'm afraid I'll have even less time...

"Aunt Susan, may I think about it?"

"sure!"

Susanna said, "After all, Harris's contract is still going through the process, and I expect it to be completed in five to ten business days. After that, Diane will need to prepare a complete plan. Before that, you can seriously consider it."

However, I suggest you take this job.

Although ABC is a television station, it only broadcasts dramas.

However, it has abundant resources and the backing of The Walt Disney Television Group. Although television networks and Disney Studios are not in the same industry, they are closely connected. If your script gets approved this time, it will benefit you greatly.

By the way, do you know Jos Windon?

Xu Shengjie was stunned for a moment.

That's exactly what I knew! Joss Windon is the creator of Buffy!

"I know."

"He now works as a script doctor at ABC, earning up to $100,000 a week."

hiss!

It must be said, these big companies are rich.

He worked very hard, writing books and screenplays.

And what happens? People sit in their offices, reading newspapers, drinking premium coffee, smoking cigars, pointing fingers at your script, nitpicking and finding fault, and then easily earn a monthly salary of four hundred thousand dollars... Where the hell is that any justice?

According to the US working hours system, a year consists of 52 weeks.

That guy makes five million two hundred thousand dollars a year!

Writing another script and doing some side hustles might be difficult to earn ten million, but getting close to ten million would be a piece of cake.

Oh, and this guy is also a producer and director!

I just don't know if I'll fall below the cutoff line 20 years from now.

Xu Shengjie harbored a malicious suspicion.

Susanna's suggestion is excellent.

However, she was unaware of the intensity of Xu Shengjie's current workload.

Xu Shengjie, on the other hand, was also a little tempted, after all, such an opportunity was hard to come by.

He has been in a busy state for the past three months since his transmigration and rebirth.

Walt Disney?

He didn't have any particular fondness for her.

But making money isn't something to be ashamed of...

As long as Disney doesn't mess with him!

"I understand, Aunt Susan, I will consider it seriously."

……

According to Susanna, Diane should be given an answer before September.

Therefore, there is no need to make a decision immediately.

Xu Shengjie's current focus is mainly on writing the "Resident Evil" novel, and "Run Lola Run" which will be completed in two months, or less.

Spike sent Jon a check, which he accepted without hesitation.

He told Gong Xue to go to the bank, withdraw the money, and put it in the safe at home.

Xu Shengjie rarely goes out, and he has a gun at home. His apartment building has good security, so there's no real danger.

Exactly, it's tiring!

During the day, I went to Vanessa's studio to discuss the shooting plan with the crew and make minor adjustments to the script.

Most of the people Danny Airo recruited are currently unknown.

But each one of them is very experienced and capable; even the least experienced have gone through the trials of four or five film crews.

In comparison, Xu Shengjie was just a novice in their eyes.

However, after several discussions, their views have also changed.

This newbie is something else!

He seemed very familiar with the affairs of the film crew.

Moreover, they already had a clear plan for the filming mission...

Originally, everyone was just thinking about making a little money and didn't take it very seriously.

However, as Xu Shengjie continued to demonstrate his understanding and knowledge of the directing job, even the veterans couldn't help but get nervous.

The production crew's account has been created.

The funds were deposited in one by one in an orderly manner.

Funded by Spike, Verhoeven, Robert Gottlieb, and Danny Airo.

A total of $900,000 was received ahead of schedule.

Xu Shengjie's 600,000 yuan has not yet arrived, but no one is worried.

After all, he has seven million dollars sitting in his personal account... he's just waiting for the trust fund's procedures to be completed.

Jessica and Gong Xue said that all procedures could be completed by early September at the latest.

Xu Shengjie will then invest the money in his personal account into the trust fund, which will then control the entire project.

There is plenty of time.

"Vivian, do you know the screenwriter?"

One day in August, Xu Shengjie drove home after finishing a meeting with the film crew.

However, he had to take Zhou Wenqiong home first; she had been busy at the studio all day.

It was already dark when a woman walked alone on the street.

It's not too far to take the subway from Broadway to Canal Street, but what is the New York subway like at night?

Those who understand, understand!

That place was a chaotic scene of demons and monsters running rampant.

If nothing goes wrong, nothing goes wrong; but if something does go wrong, then you're completely helpless.

Therefore, Xu Shengjie took the initiative to undertake the escort work.

Zhou Wenqiong yawned, looking completely bewildered.

"You're asking me?"

"yes!"

"How could I possibly..."

Eh?

"You know what, I actually know one."

Who is it?

Xu Shengjie hadn't had high hopes. How long had Zhou Wenqiong been in New York? And at first, she was hanging out with Cheng and his group. She only got a formal job in May, and even then, it was just odd jobs in the theater troupe.

Zhou Wenqiong was very pleased with Xu Shengjie's surprise.

She said proudly, "Henry Hwang, whose full name is David Henry Hwang, and whose Chinese name is Huang Zhelun, is a playwright on Broadway. He is very familiar with Teacher Zhang and often comes to our theater company to give guidance. I have met him twice."

David Hwang?

This is somewhat beyond Xu Shengjie's knowledge.

"I heard from Teacher Zhang that his ancestral home is Huai'an, and his ancestors immigrated to the United States.

His father was a banker, and the family was quite wealthy, residing in Los Angeles. His mother was a Filipino-Chinese pianist. He graduated from the Yale School of Drama and composed "The New Immigrant" in 78, which was reportedly performed at Yale University.

By the way, do you know "M. Butterfly"?

"certainly!"

"That seems to be his signature work!"

"Wait a minute, how old is he?"

"Around thirty."

Nonsense, he's already achieved great success. What merit does Xu Shengjie have to have a Tony Award winner work for him as a ghostwriter?

Zhou Wenqiong just mentioned "M. Butterfly," and Xu Shengjie has already remembered who Hwang Davidson is!

American, of Chinese descent.

In 88, he won the Tony Award for Best Play for his role in M. Butterfly.

She is the first Asian American to receive this award...

"Their status is too high, I can't handle it."

Don't you know anything about newbies?

"Newbie?"

Zhou Wenqiong seemed to be deep in thought.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she laughed, "There really is one!"

"Who?"

"His name is Jeffrey Xu."

"Jeffrey Xu... Sister, are you kidding me?"

"Hehehe, aren't you just a newbie?"

If you put it that way, it does make some sense.

Xu Shengjie glanced at her and focused on driving.

The car stopped in front of Zhou Wenqiong's residence. Zhou Wenqiong said, "Jeffrey, I really don't know much about this kind of thing. However, I do know a screenwriter from China named Gu Xiaoyang."

He seems to have graduated from the Chinese Department of Renmin University and worked as an editor.

I studied in Japan in 87, immigrated to Los Angeles in 90, and have been living in New York for the past few years.

He's incredibly arrogant, always quoting Hai Zi, Bei Dao, and Gu Cheng, and speaks with a roguish air. He's quite close to Cheng Danqing and others… Oh, and there's also Wang Xiaoping, a woman. You should know her husband; he's the one who directed "A Native of Beijing in New York." They got married here, and afterwards she stayed in New York, supposedly for further studies.

She seems to be a screenwriter too.

Then forget it!

Gu Xiaoyang actually knew.

We even crossed paths in a past life. Back then, he made a movie called "The Sound of Flowers Blooming," which was invested in by Brothers Pictures.

Xu Shengjie is the assistant cinematographer for this film crew.

His other screenwriting work, which is probably more familiar to everyone, is called "Be There or Be Square".

It's said that some of the plot points were adapted from his life in Los Angeles...

As for Wang Xiaoping?

It seems that in the future, he also had a high-profile lawsuit with a certain writer over the screenwriting credits for a certain TV series.

How so?

They're all from that circle!

Xu Shengjie thought about it and decided it was best to keep his distance.

"Actually, you can consult Ms. Harris about this; she definitely knows more people than I do."

"That makes sense!"

Xu Shengjie nodded, looking just like Teacher Jia Bing.

"Alright, I'm home. You should go home and get some rest too."

"OK, tomorrow's a day off, get some rest."

Zhou Wenqiong smiled and gave him an OK sign.

For the next thirty years, this gesture of yours will be considered treasonous and anti-Y!

Xu Shengjie stepped on the gas and sped away.

……