Chapter 3: Full Support

"That’s right! If we film according to your script, it will require at least a hundred million in funding."

The film *Hero*, released in 2002, had a total investment of 30 million USD. Although that was even more than what Cheng Sheng had invested, it all depended on who was directing.

For a historical film like *The Great Tang Dynasty: Origins*, hoping to recoup the investment through domestic box office alone was nothing more than a pipe dream.

If it relied on the global box office like *Hero* did, the chances were even slimmer.

Although *Hero* was based on Qin Dynasty history, it was considered a commercial blockbuster.

Cheng Sheng’s *The Great Tang Dynasty: Origins*, judging by its content, was a pure Chinese historical documentary film, and it was being shot with the mindset of an art-house film.

Art-house films!

They rarely represent high box office returns.

From this perspective, no one would invest in a film that was clearly going to lose money.

Cheng Sheng’s script was of top-tier quality; it would be a pity if it were filmed haphazardly due to budget constraints.

Generally speaking, the school might provide some funding, but it usually required students to apply for relevant projects or obtain the support of a mentor.

But for Cheng Sheng’s film, the capital required was too massive; the school likely couldn't afford it.

The funding gap was too large.

"Cheng Sheng, since you showed us the script, do you have some sort of plan?"

Seeing Cheng Sheng’s calm demeanor, Yang Chao couldn't help but feel a stir and asked.

Just as Cheng Sheng was thinking about how to explain the funding, Yang Chao handed him the pillow he needed to sleep on, prompting him to say, "I plan to find actors from the school and personnel from the military to help. As for the funding, I have already secured it."

When filming this kind of historical movie, it would be difficult to capture the feeling of "golden spears and iron horses" in war without the help of the military.

"You’ve already found a hundred million?"

Yang Chao and Zhang Yang looked at each other in shock.

They hadn't paid much attention to the actors or the military help.

What they cared about was how Cheng Sheng had managed to get the funding.

The corners of Cheng Sheng’s mouth lifted slightly as he smiled and said, "That’s right. The investment capital is already in place; we are just waiting to assemble the crew and cast the actors."

"Holy crap!"

"Damn!"

Hearing this news, the two educators immediately blurted out profanities; clearly, the news was too shocking.

"You... how did you do it? Are you a 'rich second generation'?" Yang Chao gasped.

A hundred million!

Who would be so bold and reckless as to invest in a rookie director to shoot a historical film?

They weren't afraid of losing everything?

It wasn't that the two didn't believe in Cheng Sheng’s ability; it was mainly because this film looked like it would be very difficult to recoup its costs.

Cheng Sheng shook his head and said, "I come from the countryside; how could I be a rich second generation? As for the source of the funds, teacher, please forgive me for keeping it confidential."

Cheng Sheng didn't want to reveal the details about hoodwinking the Xishan coal boss or the contract he had signed until the film was finished, mainly for fear of complications.

Hearing their student speak so mysteriously, the two didn't think too much of it. As long as the source of the funds wasn't problematic, it didn't matter where he got the investment.

"Since you’ve solved the biggest problem yourself, leave the rest to the school! As for the actors, I will have a word with the Acting Department. As for the military, I will find the principal and have him help communicate with them."

It wasn't easy for the Central Academy of Drama’s Directing Department to produce a talent like Cheng Sheng, so Yang Chao and Zhang Yang, as his teachers, would naturally support him with all their might.

Moreover, this provided internship opportunities for the school's students, which was a mutually beneficial arrangement for the school.

The outside world always said that directors from the Central Academy of Drama were obscure and inferior to those from the Beijing Film Academy, and they had been holding their breath over it.

"Teachers, to film this well, the most important things are the costumes, makeup, and props. I will draw sketches for the costumes, and I hope you can contact a good factory to help me customize a batch. For makeup, we need top-tier makeup artists, and the props must also be custom-made to the highest standard," Cheng Sheng said.

With a hundred million, Cheng Sheng was determined to make full use of every cent.

He would produce the props and costumes exactly according to the script.

As for the set, Hengdian already had a ready-made imperial palace, so there was no need to build another one.

The script formulated by the simulation panel was based entirely on real history. As long as he invested in these two areas, he could absolutely replicate the magnificent Great Tang Dynasty of history.

"That’s a small matter; leave it to us."

As one of the best film academies in China, the Central Academy of Drama had cooperative relationships with many factories.

"I’d like to borrow the school’s equipment to save a bit..."

Before Cheng Sheng could finish, Yang Chao interrupted him without hesitation: "That won't do. The equipment in the school is too old. It’s fine for lectures, but you are shooting a major film. You cannot be sloppy with equipment. I suggest you rent from China Film Group; our school has a partnership with them."

"Alright."

Cheng Sheng had wanted to save on equipment costs, but it seemed that for the sake of the film, he couldn't afford to be stingy.

"Cheng Sheng, what are your plans for the actors? The two most important roles in this film should be Emperor Yang of Sui and the young Li Shimin," Zhang Yang said.

"Are there no suitable candidates in the school?"

Aside from the older actors, Cheng Sheng hoped to use people from the school for the younger roles.

This was a benefit Cheng Sheng was giving to the school, and it was also to save on talent fees. They were college students, after all! They were cheap, and he might not even have to pay them.

"These two roles are too special; they are the core of the entire film. If the wrong actors are chosen, the film will be ruined," Zhang Yang said with a frown.

"Let’s put the actors aside for now. First, we should take the script for review and get the filming permit," Yang Chao said.

"Cheng Sheng, don't worry about the review process. With the school’s help, it will pass quickly."

There were no hard-and-fast rules for domestic film censorship; it all depended on whether you had connections behind the scenes.

The Central Academy of Drama was a giant in the industry, after all. As long as he didn't touch any red lines, the review process would be easy to pass.

Moreover, Cheng Sheng’s script didn't harm the country, didn't violate social morality, and contained no bloody violence or ghost stories.

If this didn't pass, then no script would.

The most important thing was time, and time was exactly what Cheng Sheng lacked.

After leaving the teachers' office, Cheng Sheng returned to his dormitory.

Classes would resume tomorrow, and students would be returning one after another today.

There were two others living in his dorm, both students from the Directing Department.

According to the memories of the original person, there wasn't a single particularly famous director in his class at the Central Academy of Drama.

No wonder people said the Central Academy of Drama produced actors, while the Beijing Film Academy produced directors.

Their ability to cultivate directors was truly lacking.

In the afternoon.

His two roommates returned to school from home one after another.

Cheng Sheng only had a nodding acquaintance with them, so after exchanging greetings, they each went about their own business.

Cheng Sheng listed out all the actors he needed.

Except for the two male leads and the female lead, Cheng Sheng planned to leave the rest of the roles to the school.

The film *The Great Tang Dynasty: Origins* was about three hours long, so it required a lot of actors. Counting everyone with lines, there were 103 in total.

If he handed so many roles to the school, the school would probably gasp in surprise!