Super Zoo

The news that Suming was going to make a movie still inevitably spread.

Cooperation between the two coasts requires approval from higher-level departments, and it is impossible for the government not to know; with the filming location chosen to be the zoo, it is necessary to prepare for filming reception in advance, and sometimes even evacuate the site, so the zoo staff would definitely receive related notifications.

The number of Weibo followers of Taoyuan Yiqu kept increasing every day, and after the incident of '57 nationalities,' it finally broke through the two million mark, the best platform for promotion, allowing for initial promotion without spending a dime, which couldn't be better for a small production with limited funds. Suming certainly wouldn't hide it. The crew hadn't even arrived in Yangchuan City, when he posted on Weibo, 'Movie in production, stay tuned...'

The reactions from all quarters were bubbling over.

Upon hearing the news, Mr. He from the Bureau of Gardens was stunned for quite a while, this Suming, just a few days ago, was discussing buying the zoo, and he was busy running around behind the scenes. How could he suddenly make a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn in his approach and go make a movie? He had never heard of Suming having any relationship with the entertainment industry.

Unpredictable, completely unpredictable.

At the city government's side, Wang Jian She felt a thump in his heart, he could guess that Suming was probably out of money, hoping to make some through movie making, and then accumulate enough funds to buy the zoo.

Theoretically, it was feasible; a movie could generate benefits from shooting to release in as fast as three months, and if it was a box-office hit, earning several hundred million wasn't impossible. But Wang Jian She was a government official, who favored stability. Movie making could lead to gains as well as losses, and Suming, an outsider, how could he be sure he would definitely make a profit?

Besides, he had never heard before that Suming had any experience in the film industry. Others' information might be inaccurate, but Wang Jian She's information was definitely correct, Wang Hao was Suming's closest comrade-in-arms, and even Wang Hao didn't know, which meant that Suming indeed was a novice.

A novice, without any foundation, rashly engaging in an unfamiliar industry in a bid to gather a large sum of money in a short time?

This was almost no different from gambling, even more risky than gambling.

Gambling might still depend on luck, but filmmaking is a professional job, luck is irrelevant. It's like swimming, a person who can't swim plunging into the water, no matter how lucky, how brave, or how determined they are, it's useless, they are more likely to end up drowned.

"What on earth is this kid thinking?" Wang Jian She frowned, he had seen Suming work quite steadily before, who would have thought he'd do something so sudden, it was too risky, it gave off a very frivolous impression.

After pondering for a moment, Wang Jian She dialed his secretary's number: "Zhang, is the material for the privatization of the zoo prepared for this afternoon's municipal committee meeting? Oh, still preparing? Put it aside for now, it's not needed at the moment."

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He had also guessed before that Suming didn't have enough money and would probably have to find a way to raise funds, like getting a bank loan.

But he didn't expect Suming would actually go and make a movie.

If he mentioned it at the municipal committee meeting, even persuaded other leaders to agree to the privatization of the zoo---something he was eighty to ninety percent confident about, but Suming dropped the ball and lost money making the movie, and then couldn't afford the zoo after all, it would be a huge joke. How could he continue working in the municipal committee after that, how would the leaders view him, it was too unsteady, it would be like Suming dug a hole for him, the deputy mayor, to jump in.

Of course, he believed that Suming definitely did not intend to trap him, Suming himself wanted to make money too. But to Wang Jian She, making a movie seemed too unreliable. To be safe, it was better to pause for now, not to mention privatization at the meeting, and wait until after the movie was released to decide.

Wang Jian She rubbed his forehead and shook his head with a laugh. Were it before, without full confidence, he certainly wouldn't have taken the initiative to suggest privatization. This year, he seemed to have been overly enthusiastic about Suming's affairs, taking any small request from Suming seriously, even taking certain risks to help.

"I just hope that this time, this kid can bring me a surprise as usual," Wang Jian She thought.

The government's considerations were comparatively complicated; ordinary people's reactions were much simpler.

Upon hearing about the movie making on Weibo, the excitement was indescribable.

"What movie is it? Spoil it a bit!"

"Is it 'Animal World'? Are they inviting Teacher Zhao Zhongxiang?"

"Silly, that wouldn't be a movie, it'd be a documentary..."

"Fake documentaries aren't bad, the director should invite Bear Grylls to see who is the strongest man in the world!"

"You guys have veered off topic, the director already said it's a movie!"

"I bet it's a movie with a wildlife protection theme, like 'Kekexili'."

"Wolf Totem?"

"My cousin's aunt's third uncle's elementary school classmate's neighbor works as a gatekeeper at the zoo, they have insider information, saying it's a horror film..."

"..."

"****, have they got no brains? Who shoots a horror film? That's utter nonsense!"

"Could it be about a giant bear eating people alive?"

"Listen to him making up stuff, who even watches horror films these days?"

"That's not necessarily true, have any of you seen that American TV series called 'Zoo'? It's about animals all over the world gaining intelligence and joining forces to rebel against humans..."

"I've seen it, it flopped after the first season, didn't even get renewed for a second."

"Who's the director, and who are the stars?"

"The zoo director doesn't have time to bother with us, he's definitely busy discussing life and dreams with the female actresses now!"

"I'm so jealous, I want to be part of that 'under-the-table' action too!"

"Do they need extras? Sign me up, I'll do it for free..."

Compared to the intangible discussions online, the zoo employees were much more directly enthusiastic.

It had already been announced that the filming location would be the zoo from start to finish, and they would finally have the chance to meet celebrities up close!

As soon as they arrived at work, the office was abuzz with chatter about the movie.

"Who do you think the zoo director is going to choose for the male lead?"

"Mrs. Tong, talk to the director and ask him to get TFboys, their youthful, sunny image fits our zoo perfectly!"

"Wow, TFboys, yes please, I'd be so happy to sneak a touch..."

"Two fools drooling over boys, be careful you might end up with a handful of poop instead..."

"Go away, I'm not talking to you for five minutes! No, make it ten!"

"I wonder if they'll get Liu Yifei or Fan Bingbing? Just not Bai Baihe, she's too flat-chested..." The male employees had pretty much the same thoughts.

Mrs. Tong pondered, "What if the zoo director himself took the lead role, what do you think?"

"Eh, Mrs. Tong, you've got a sharp mind!" The employees laughed and joked, "Might as well have all the zoo staff join in, each playing a role."

Nangong Huang wasn't making grand statements in public for the first time; he was filled with worry. The zoo employees were only thinking about the fun, not considering the box office. Nangong Huang saw himself as a young man with a sense of mission; his brother-in-law had invested so much money, shooting a horror film was almost certain to make a loss!

As the younger brother-in-law, who was deeply grateful for his brother-in-law's great kindness, he felt he should do something!

"Brother-in-law, how about I play the male lead for you for free?" Nangong Huang said with a face full of tragic determination to sacrifice himself.

"You... we'll talk about it later. If I ever go to Japan to invest in a film, I might consider you," Suming glanced at him, then turned his attention to the distant airport where the film crew's flight had finally arrived.