"The studio currently mainly lacks the budget for post-production special effects."

While showing Chen Yiyang some sample footage, Yang Zhou explained, "We finalized our storyline a long time ago, and most of the content is almost done. But for a few critical scenes with special effects, we're currently lacking funds, so we need to bring in some investors."

"Are these special effects very crucial?" Chen Yiyang asked.

"Not really crucial, but without them, it would greatly affect the viewing experience of the final product."

Yang Zhou said, "That's why I hope we can get funding to complete these effects, so the film can be perfect. My belief is, if creators of art choose to be half-hearted and not pursue ultimate perfection, the audience won't buy it."

"Let me take a look at your film first."

Chen Yiyang watched through the storyline of the animated film Yang Zhou had created.

The theme is somewhat old, it's the familiar story of Nezha Conquers the Sea.

However, there's been significant innovation in the content.

The story has been transformed from a tale of rebellion against patriarchy into one about parents' selfless love for their children.

While it's not groundbreaking, it suits the contemporary audience, perfect for family viewing.

If filmed according to the original plot, fathers might feel awkward watching it.

"What's the total cost of this animated movie so far?" Chen Yiyang asked.

"It's reached 60 million, and it's taken five years," Yang Zhou replied.

Five years, 60 million.

Doesn't sound like much.

But this is an animated movie.

The pinnacle of domestic animated films remains Monkey King: Hero Is Back, with a box office result of just about one billion.

If Yang Zhou's Nezha could also achieve a billion at the box office,

the studio could get approximately 30% of that.

Which would be 300 million.

After deducting bonuses for the director, scriptwriter, and other staff,

investors might get 200 million.

Invest 60 million, earn 200 million after five years.

This business, well, you might as well just buy a house instead.

And this is calculated with the best expectations.

Using a typical scenario, let's take the Kuiba series as an example.

The first film made 3.05 million at the box office, the second 25.35 million, the third 24.25 million.

Calculating like this, they couldn't even break even.

Of course, the Kuiba series is too old. In recent years, the White Snake animated series also had decent box office results.

But the final box office for this animated film was only 468 million.

If Nezha hits around 500 million, investors can just about break even.

Five years in, 60 million invested, and the prospects for breaking even are worrying.

Now Yang Zhou still hopes someone can continue to invest in special effects, no wonder there's no interest.

"How much more would it take to complete all the special effects?" Chen Yiyang asked.

"That depends on whether it's rushed or done gradually," Yang Zhou said, "If you want it finished around the National Day holiday, it needs to be rushed, requiring over 20 million. If released next year, it could be about 13 or 14 million."

"Let's have it premiered during National Day," Chen Yiyang nodded.

"You're willing to invest in my animated film?" Yang Zhou was pleasantly surprised.

"Of course, but I have an additional condition."

"Please go ahead." Yang Zhou realized this might be the main point, and Chen Yiyang's willingness to invest wasn't so simple.

"Regardless of the first film's performance, I want at least a 30% stake in the investment for the second film, and we need to write this into the contract."

Yang Zhou never expected Chen Yiyang's investment requirement to be this.

He was a bit taken aback and didn't immediately respond.

Because the investors they sought before, upon hearing an investment of one or two million more was needed,

would either demand priority bonuses or guaranteed returns.

But Chen Yiyang was unique in wanting a 30% share in the next film's investment returns.

He himself wasn't confident that the animated series could continue to the next film.

If this film's box office falls short of expectations, his dream of making animated films might shatter then and there.

"You have so much faith in my animated film?" Yang Zhou cautiously asked.

"I have faith in you."

The reason Chen Yiyang requested a 30% investment stake in Yang Zhou's next animated movie was well justified.

Because Yang Zhou's first directed animated short film was astonishingly impressive.

Now, his first animated feature has been identified by the system as a potential success.

Chen Yiyang previously invested in two films that turned a huge profit, with box office earnings exceeding ten billion each.

So Chen Yiyang had reason to believe that Director Yang Zhou's animated film could definitely surpass a billion in box office earnings.

Though the box office might hit a billion, the actual return on a 20 million investment wouldn't be much.

Hence, Chen Yiyang hoped to invest in Yang Zhou's next animated film.

Plus, the Nezha storyline Chen Yiyang just saw clearly left ample scope for a sequel.

As long as the first movie makes money, shooting the second is a sure thing.

Yang Zhou had no reason to refuse Chen Yiyang's demand.

It wasn't even a demand—it was Chen Yiyang recognizing Yang Zhou's potential.

"Let's celebrate tonight," Yang Zhou suddenly stood up and said to Chen Yiyang, "Otherwise, I can't feel assured taking this money."

"Hahaha, sure." Although Chen Yiyang already had plans for the night,

he was very optimistic about Yang Zhou and was willing to make time for a gathering.

Yang Zhou currently gave him a feeling akin to what Gong Fan once did.

However, Gong Fan was in heavy industrial sci-fi films, directly achieving over five billion at the box office.

For Yang Zhou's animated film, the audience might be smaller.

Expecting around one or two billion seems more reasonable.

It couldn't possibly match Wandering Earth, also hitting over five billion.

Chen Yiyang mentally ruled out this possibility.

However, if the first film does well, and they invest enough in the sequel, doing good promotion and marketing.

Choosing to release it during the Spring Festival might give them a shot at over five billion.

After all, on regular days, a kid typically brings only two parents to the cinema.

During Spring Festival, a kid can bring the whole family to the theater.

Thus, in the afternoon, Chen Yiyang headed to Yan Qi's place early to meet with some businessmen and collaborators from Chuanyin.

"Join us for dinner tonight, I've arranged something special," Yan Qi said mysteriously.

"No, I've got plans tonight," Chen Yiyang quickly declined.

"Do you have a date?" Yan Qi could only imagine this possibility.

"No, I invested in an animated film in Shudu. I have dinner with the director tonight," Chen Yiyang said as he left.

Watching Chen Yiyang's departing figure, Yan Qi was puzzled.

They were discussing projects worth over 10 billion tonight.

Chen Yiyang left so abruptly; could it be that the animated film director also had a billion-dollar project to discuss?

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