Rebirth of the Industrial Tycoon

The white man with the shoehorn face in front of him made Li Weidong feel very familiar.

This person's facial features were hurriedly crowded together, completely irrelevant to the word "handsome", and with his head that was already somewhat Mediterranean, the whole face looked like a perverted murderer.

This kind of image, even if it is an actor, is estimated to be a trick with a few lines. If you want to be a male supporting role, you have to go to the director and go through the back door, let alone win the Oscar statuette.

However, it is not only the actors who can win the Oscar statuette, but also the director.

The trophy for the best director is also a golden man.

At this time, Li Weidong already remembered the identity of the shoehorn face.

"Isn't this Quentin!" Li Weidong thought to himself.

The ugly man with a shoehorn face in front of him is the future director Quentin Tarantino. It is indeed a director who often opens the back door for himself and arranges some special scenes.

When you see a celebrity, of course you have to take a photo together and post a circle of friends after 30 years to show off.

So Li Weidong stepped forward and asked, "Are you Director Quentin?"

"Do you recognize me?" Quentin looked surprised. He obviously didn't expect that he had fans!

Then Quentin said excitedly to his companions: "Have you seen it? Someone recognizes me, and I have fans too!"

Quentin's companion also showed a surprised expression, and he quickly asked, "Then do you know me?"

Li Weidong looked at Quentin's companion, who was a very simple and honest-looking young man. The elder had an ordinary American face, which was far less distinctive than Quentin's pig kidney face.

Li Weidong shook his head, indicating that he did not know this person.

The man immediately looked frustrated, and he said, "I'm Roger Avari, the writer of Reservoir Dogs!"

"Okay, Roger, I only know the director, not the screenwriter!" Quentin said triumphantly, thinking that Li Weidong would only know about himself after watching the "Reservoir Dogs".

Quentin's real debut "Reservoir Dogs" was released in January 1992. The film invested 1.2 million US dollars and earned 2.82 million at the box office. If it was released by a big company, it would definitely be a loss.

However, the distributor of "Reservoir Dogs" is Miramax Films, an independent film company, mainly making some niche films and small production films with higher artistic or less popular.

This kind of independent film company is more cost-effective when releasing films, so "Reservoir Dogs" is barely at a loss. Reservoir Dogs ended up making some money, if you factor in the subsequent DVD releases.

After all, DVD became popular after 2000. At that time, Quentin was already a well-known director. For the debut work of a famous director, DVD is definitely a better seller.

Ordinary movie fans will probably only remember the actors,

It has to be the kind of famous director to be remembered by people.

There are so many new directors like Quentin in Hollywood, people in the industry have to think for a long time before they can think of who Quentin is, and it is even more impossible for ordinary movie fans to remember which onion Quentin is!

So when Li Weidong recognized Quentin, Quentin seemed very excited. He thought that Li Weidong was his fan, and being recognized by the fans was the greatest encouragement and affirmation for him as a new director.

At this time, Quentin is probably like a newcomer who has just started writing online articles. He has received the first fan reward, and his heart is full of joy.

I saw Quentin asked, "Sir, are you Japanese?"

"No." Li Weidong shook his head: "I am Chinese."

"Then you came from China on the other side of the world?" Quentin's face was even more curious. For Americans in this era, China is much more mysterious than Japan.

"Yes." Li Weidong thought about it and said, "It's the China you think of, isn't it different from the Chinese in your Hollywood movies?"

"It's not the same." Quentin asked again, "Is this your first time getting up from Hollywood?"

Li Weidong nodded, and Quentin probably felt that he rarely had a Chinese movie fan, so he became enthusiastic: "There are many interesting places in Hollywood, and tourists may be hard to find, so let me show you around the neighborhood. Go for a walk, I know the best around here and there!"

Li Weidong is naturally eager for a future great director to be a tour guide.

"That's great. With your director leading the way, I can definitely see a different Hollywood!" Li Weidong said and introduced himself: "My surname is Li."

"Lee? Bruce Lee?" Quentin snapped out Bruce Lee's name.

"Yes, we are a surname." Li Weidong replied.

"I've seen a Bruce Lee action movie, and it's cool, but I don't think it's true. How can a human body do that!" Quentin said casually.

Li Weidong did not refute, it is difficult for you to explain the profoundness of martial arts culture to a foreigner.

He Anan tugged on Li Weidong's sleeve next to him, and she whispered in Chinese; "I don't think this person looks like a good person, let's stay away from him!"

Li Weidong smiled dumbly, although Quentin's face looks like a pervert, and the movies he made are also perverted, but he is really a serious director.

Fortunately, Quentin went to make a movie, otherwise, there might really be one more perverted murderer in the world.

Although Quentin didn't understand Chinese, he could see He An'an's worries. He seemed to know that he had a perverted face.

I just heard Quentin say; "Beautiful lady, I'm a director. If you want, I can take you to the set to see it."

Quentin is obviously very clear that every tourist who visits Hollywood cannot withstand the temptation of the studio, and definitely wants to go and see how Hollywood movies are made.

Li Weidong also said to He An'an: "Don't worry, although he looks a little fierce, he is really a very good director. Except for some foot fetishes, he doesn't seem to have any shortcomings."

"Foot fetish? This should be a pervert!" He Anan whispered.

"For a normal person, foot fetish may be considered a pervert. But for the director, foot fetish should be considered a normal person..." Li Weidong said with a smile.

Although Quentin is a rookie director, but after all, there have been officially released movies, and it is still very easy to take friends around the studio.

However, Li Weidong soon discovered that Quentin was not taking him to the studio at all, but was showing off that he had a fan from China.

I saw Quentin say every person, these two fans from far away China, as if he has become an international director.

In the end, Quentin took Li Weidong to his own film company.

Quentin has a film production company called Band Apart, whose partner is the famous future Hollywood screenwriter Lawrence Bander.

It doesn't cost much to register such a small film production company. There are so many in Hollywood that many film companies have gone bankrupt before they even started.

However, Quentin's film company has better luck, because of the existence of Quentin, the great god, and many of Quentin's works will be named Band Apart later.

"Lee, this is my film company!" Quentin said proudly, pointing to a slightly humble office.

Just as Quentin's voice fell, a man's voice suddenly sounded from behind.

"Quentin, I finally found you!"

Everyone looked back and saw a middle-aged man of about forty years old appearing in front of everyone.

This man is dressed in hip-hop, looks a little burly, with a bald head and a beard, and tattoos on his arms. He feels like a gangster who has just come out of prison. .

"Hey, James, long time no see!" Quentin walked over with a smile and opened his arms to give each other a hug.

The bald man ignored Quentin and said, "Quentin, should we settle our accounts? Your movie has been out for a month, when can you give me the money!"

"James, listen to my explanation, the distribution of the movie box office is not as fast as you think. It needs to go from the theater to the distribution company, and then from the distribution company to the production company, and then I can get my share of remuneration. , this process may take a year or two. Now my share of the money has not arrived, so naturally there is no way to pay you." Quentin said.

James' expression looked very bad, and he said, "Quentin, you shouldn't lie to me!"

"James, the process of movie box office splitting is very transparent. You ask every director or producer and you get the same answer. I don't need to lie to you." Quentin said.

"Damn, I knew that if you paid so slowly, I shouldn't have taken your work. Now, I spent my time designing clothes for you, but I couldn't receive the money!" James said cursingly.

"James, it's nothing more than a few months, can't you wait for a few months!" Quentin said.

James shook his head: "Can't wait, my studio, I need money now to pay the rent and utility bills! In any case, you have to give me some money first, otherwise, my studio will be closed!"

"That's it!" Quentin showed a helpless expression, and he said; "James, you know, I'm just a director who made a movie, not a producer with money and connections. I am also Waiting for the money to arrive."

Li Weidong basically understood what was going on. He looked at Quentin with a smile, then took down the camera and pressed the shutter.

The big director is so embarrassed by the scene, it must be more rare than the stills of licking his toes.

"Hey, why are you photographing me! Believe it or not, I smashed your camera." The bald James looked at Li Weidong with dissatisfaction.

"James, don't get excited, he's just a tourist and my fan! He's not filming you, he's filming me!"

Quentin pointed to the bald James and said, "This is James Bond, a costume designer!"

"James Bond?" Li Weidong was stunned when he heard the name.

"Yes, the same name as 007, you see, his body is as strong as 007, so let's not mess with him!" Quentin said half-jokingly.

Li Weidong looked at the bald James thoughtfully, and then asked, "Mr. Bond, are you proficient in fighting like 007?"

"I learned a little Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, what's the matter? Do you want to try it?" James said in a tone of offer.

"It's really him!" A smile appeared on Li Weidong's face.

"I was still thinking about how to operate the Feiyue brand after I bought it. I didn't expect this to make me meet a professional!"

...

In Los Angeles in 2002, there was a famous fashion store called Undefeated, which means "undefeated" in Chinese. This store quickly became the first choice for sports shoes lovers in Los Angeles.

Later, this trendy boutique gradually developed into a trendy brand with its own clothes, shoes and accessories.

Later, Undefeated not only opened stores in the United States, but also opened stores all over the world. There are also Undefeated branches in London, Paris, Tokyo, and even in Sanlitun.

Undefeated should be one of the top five brands in the US.

The brand Undefeated has cooperated with many American sports brands, such as Nike, Puma, and NB, which are all partners of Undefeated. In particular, the co-branded sneakers with Nike are even more popular. Among them, the Air Max 97 has won the sales champion of the annual sneaker.

And this Undefeated has two founders, one of whom is James Bond.

This name is so recognizable that no matter who mentions this name, they will think of the famous 007.

It is for this reason that Li Weidong remembered this name.

Li Weidong once saw an interview about this James Bond. He once revealed that he practiced BJJ, so he often looked for inspiration from BJJ, so when James said that he knew BJJ, Li Weidong immediately realized that this James Bond is the founder of Undefeated that he knows.

Li Weidong wants to take over the "Feiyue" brand from Dafu Rubber Co., Ltd. Naturally, he cannot let this national brand rot in his own hands. He wants to make the Feiyue brand bigger and stronger.

However, it is not easy to become a sports brand!

Sports brands need not only practicality, but also fashion, good looks, and sometimes even gimmicks.

In the early 1990s, domestic sports brands obviously did not realize this.

At that time, the thinking of domestic designers was still stuck in the era of the women's volleyball team winning five consecutive championships in the 1980s. The sportswear and sports shoes they designed were really ugly and ugly, and they were completely powerless to complain.

If Li Weidong wants to strengthen Feiyue brand, it is definitely impossible to rely on domestic designers. As for the two brushes of domestic designers, Li Weidong will lose money and even his mother does not know.

So before that, Li Weidong had been thinking about what strategic development direction he should adopt after he got the Feiyue brand.

Now seeing James Bond, Li Weidong's mind flashed, and he felt a sense of clarity.

"Why do I have to be confined to China? I can move Feiyue abroad first, and then go back to China after I become famous abroad! I happen to have the founder of a top trendy sports brand in front of me. God-given opportunity!"

Thinking of this, Li Weidong looked at James Bond with a smile, and asked, "Mr. Bond, I'm very interested in your studio, why don't you tell me about your studio?"

"Who are you?" James Bond asked cautiously.

"I'm an angel investor!" Li Weidong smiled and said; "If your studio is more distinctive, I think I can sponsor you a fund!"

...

Li Weidong came to James Bond's studio.

The so-called studio is actually a large warehouse, even simpler than Quentin's leather bag film company.

In the face of investors, James Bond no longer had the gangster attitude just now, but a kind smile on his face, like a docile cat.

On the shelf beside the wall, there are more than a dozen pieces of clothing related to James Bond. Li Weidong stepped forward and began to ask about James Bond's design concept.

Then James Bond began to gushed about it.

American fashion trends for half a century, as well as the names of clothing designers, kept appearing in James Bond's mouth, but Li Weidong didn't understand it at all.

The trend is something that a fool like Li Weidong can understand!

Although he didn't understand, Li Weidong nodded from time to time, and occasionally made a frowning expression, as if he was a student who listened carefully. After James Bond finished spraying the spit, Li Weidong said; "Mr. Bond, your The design concept deeply moved me, and I very much agree with your design concept!"

"Really?" James Bond suddenly looked surprised.

Li Weidong nodded: "Mr. Bond, I can feel that you are a designer with great dreams. I decided to give you some sponsorship to help you fulfill your dreams!"

If you want to fool artists, the best way is to talk about ideas and dreams! The more artistic cells in the body, the more they eat this set.

Li Weidong said, swept around, and said, "How much does it cost you to rent here for a month?"

"There are 3,000 feet here, and if you include water, electricity, and air conditioning, it's about $400 a month!" James Bond went on to add: "The rent in Los Angeles is still relatively expensive."

Li Weidong thought about it and said, "Well, I will sponsor you five hundred dollars every month!"

"Five hundred dollars? Mr. Li, you are so generous!" James Bond said excitedly.

Five hundred dollars a month is enough for James Bond to pay rent and utilities. Without the worries of rent and utilities, James Bond can pursue his "dream" more freely.

For Li Weidong, he is equivalent to spending $500 a month to raise the founder of this top fashion brand.

After all, the Feiyue brand has not been officially obtained. Before the official operation of the Feiyue brand, it is necessary to stabilize James Bond.

Even if the Feiyue brand was in hand, Li Weidong could not have brought Feiyue to the American market in 1992.

In the era of the dual-track exchange rate system, it is very difficult to exchange US dollars. Even if Li Weidong wants to operate the Feiyue brand overseas, he will not be able to exchange enough US dollars.

If you want to make a profit from overseas investment, you have to wait until 1994. After the exchange rate is unified, it will be much easier for companies to exchange foreign exchange.