Chapter 38: Narrating the Script and Attending the Project Approval Meeting

Asaf took the script but did not immediately open it.

Tim Burton asked with a puzzled expression, "Qin Feng, I don't understand. Why didn't you pitch this to Universal Pictures? Aren't you working over there?"

Qin Feng explained, "I haven't signed a long-term contract, and besides..."

"I just left that place, and to be honest with you both, I have a bit of a personal agenda. I want to direct this film myself, but currently, I don't meet the conditions required by Universal."

"So, I'm out here looking for other opportunities."

"I see," Tim Burton said, a look of realization dawning on him.

"So..." Asaf asked, "What is your estimate for the production budget of this film?"

"Around fifty to sixty million, I'd say."

"Haha, no wonder."

Asaf and Tim Burton exchanged glances. A production budget of fifty to sixty million was not insignificant; the types of films they typically worked on usually wrapped up around forty million.

High investment meant high risk.

Of course, it also meant high profit—take *Jurassic Park*, for instance.

In short, there were still many uncertain factors.

Seeing their hesitation, Qin Feng continued, "Gentlemen, I have great confidence in this script. It contains many novel concepts. As long as it is filmed properly, I am certain it will be profitable."

Asaf pondered for a moment. "Qin Feng, how about this? I won't look at the script yet. Why don't you pitch it to us orally? How does that sound?"

Since you wrote the script yourself, you should have no trouble expressing it through your own words.

Tim Burton also turned his gaze toward Qin Feng.

"Very well." Qin Feng set down his knife and fork and took a sip of red wine.

"The protagonist of the film is named Neo, and he is a computer hacker."

"One day, he has a fantastical dream. In this dream, he receives a series of messages through his computer, and following these messages, he makes contact with a beautiful woman named Trinity..."

He did not speak quickly, striving to tell the story clearly.

The story of *The Matrix* encompasses both the real world and a virtual one, blending martial arts action with human philosophy.

It isn't just about imaginative ideas for a future world; more importantly, it is a discussion on the nature of reality and a reflection on human existence.

Within a short time, Asaf and Tim Burton were completely engrossed. They sat quietly, listening intently, afraid to miss a single detail.

They were amazed by Qin Feng's imagination.

They were awestruck that he had constructed such a grand worldview within his mind!

Time ticked by, and twenty minutes later, the story concluded.

Tim Burton folded his hands, his eyes shining as he nodded repeatedly. "Brilliant! Simply brilliant! It has been a long time since I've heard or read a film script this spectacular."

Asaf also praised him: "I have to say, Qin Feng, you are truly a genius."

"Switching back and forth between reality and virtuality—I feel a sense of destiny in Neo."

Qin Feng took a sip of wine.

Asaf glanced at Tim Burton. "Tim, Qin Feng wants to direct this film himself. What do you think?"

"Hmm..."

Tim Burton looked at him, thinking: You're the producer, why are you asking me?

Nevertheless, he said, "Although Qin Feng is young, his achievements are clear for all to see, especially his deep research in the field of science fiction. I believe we can help him realize this dream."

Qin Feng felt a stir in his heart and looked at Tim Burton with gratitude.

Asaf nodded to himself, folded his arms, and finally made up his mind.

"Qin Feng, as far as this project goes, Warner Bros. is in!"

"However... we will need to hold a meeting tomorrow to finalize everything."

A bright light shone in Qin Feng's eyes. "That's wonderful! Thank you, Manager Asaf and Director Burton."

"Don't thank me just yet; wait for the final result... By the way, you need to send the complete script to my email," Asaf laughed.

"OK, no problem."

"Now," Tim Burton picked up his knife and fork, smiling, "can we finally eat?"

Qin Feng's script had been so captivating that they had been listening with such intense focus that their food was getting cold.

Qin Feng laughed and picked up his cutlery. "Please, Director, go ahead."

...

*Jurassic Park* and *The Man from Earth* were in the midst of a heated theatrical run, and their box office numbers were climbing higher every day.

Qin Feng only checked the box office data when he had spare time; he did not need to worry much about those two films.

The next afternoon, he received a call from Asaf.

"Qin Feng, I've received the script. The company's senior management has no issues with it, and no one has any objections to you directing it."

"Come to the headquarters tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM. We will hold our first project meeting."

"That's fantastic! Thank you, Manager Asaf."

"You're welcome."

...

The next day.

Warner Bros. headquarters.

The location was in Burbank, a satellite city north of Los Angeles.

Founded in 1918, Warner Bros. was the third-oldest film studio in the United States.

The company logo resembled a shield, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, containing two clear letters: WB.

Qin Feng drove there early in the morning and was led by a staff member into a conference room.

After waiting for a short while, he was taken to a larger conference room.

Over a dozen people were already seated around a table.

Sitting in the center was the portly Asaf. Tim Burton was not present.

Asaf gestured for him to take a seat.

"Alright, everyone is here."

Asaf smoothed his handlebar mustache and said with a smile, "I assume everyone has read the script? Let me make an introduction."

"This is the screenwriter of the script—Qin Feng. From now on, he will be the director of this project."

Qin Feng stood up. "Hello everyone, I am Qin Feng. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

The group applauded in welcome, with whispers breaking out among them.

"Wow, so that's Qin Feng!"

"I've seen both of his films. He's amazing, and so young, too."

"I was wondering who wrote this script. So, it's the assistant director from *Jurassic Park*!"

"Not bad, not bad. A promising young talent."

"..."

Asaf proceeded to introduce them to Qin Feng:

"This is the producer, Stoff."

"This is the art director, Thoom."

"This is the casting director, Loria."

"This is the director of photography, Pope."

"This is the lead editor, Zack."

"This is the visual effects supervisor, Gaieta."

"This is the sound supervisor, Reese."

"..."

After the introductions were finished, everyone greeted Qin Feng warmly.

"Alright, all the key heads are present," Asaf said. "First, let's make one thing clear: the *Matrix* project is officially greenlit as of today!"

"The script is already complete, and I see no need for changes."

"Secondly, our production budget must not exceed 60 million US dollars, and it is best to keep it within 55 million. For a film with such a grand worldview, this should be quite a challenge."

"Finally, science fiction films are showing a trend of resurgence. I require everyone to start working as soon as possible and strive to finish filming early."

"Director Qin Feng, do you have any thoughts on this?"