The atmosphere in the projection room relaxed slightly, and the sound of the film projector's motor gradually subsided.
Gary Payton flexed his fingers adorned with four rings, muttering curses under his breath, but the excitement in his eyes clearly hadn't subsided.
" Gary will need at least four or five more months of recovery. He basically won't be able to play high-intensity full-court games for the first half of the regular season." Lin Qi leaned back in his chair and turned to Fincher. "You can use him however you want. Whether it's voice-over narration or close-ups that need reshoots in the second half, use him like crazy. Also, the entire Celtics team is in Milan right now— Raja, Chris Paul, and Big Ben are all there. If you need a few more shots of current players, you'd better send the crew over there in the next few days. They'll probably be even busier once they get back to the United States."
Fincher took the viewfinder hanging around his neck and nodded. "This has solved a major worry for me. With Gary here as an advisor, I won't be nitpicked by film critics."
"Also, let's add something to the film," Lin Qi said casually, taking a sip of his now slightly cold coffee. "Add a one-on-one scene to the script. Keanu and Pete are playing a half-court one-on-one game in an empty old arena. They have a disagreement about their team-building strategies, and whoever wins gets to decide. Keanu is wearing Puma, and Pete is wearing Converse. No need for any harsh close-ups of the shoes; just let the camera pan across their footwork."
Fincher frowned. As a pedantic art film director, he was always sensitive to product placement. But after hearing this design, he pondered for a moment and a hint of approval appeared in his eyes.
"The rational data-driven scout wears retro Germany Puma, while the old-school traditional scout wears classic United States Converse... That actually fits their personas quite well." Fincher jotted a note in his notebook. "Using on-field wins and losses to determine management decisions—that's dramatic enough."
"When will the upper part be completely completed?" Lin Qi asked.
"The rough cut has basically finalized the structure; next comes the fine cut and the score." Fincher closed the script. "At the current pace, it should be ready for the Christmas season at the end of this year. This timing is perfect for the prelude to awards season, and all the major film critics' associations in the US will be watching closely."
"The pacing is just right." Lin Qi nodded. "As for the second half, the scope needs to be even grander than the first. The climax of the second half can't just be about the internal conflicts within the NBA; it must include the global championship battle between the NBA and EBA. That's the true turning point for the globalization of professional basketball."
Fincher looked up at him. "Filming resources in Europe are difficult to coordinate; the venues and image rights of those top clubs are a real problem."
"Go find EBA President Maurizio," Lin Qi said calmly. "I've already spoken to him; he'll give you the green light from start to finish. The arena, the broadcast cameras, the players' associations across Europe —they'll all cooperate fully with the film crew."
Fincher whistled. "Lin, you've given me so many surprises."
At that moment, Lin Qi's cell phone vibrated twice in his pocket.
He took it out and turned on the screen; it showed two work briefings sent by his assistant Margaret.
The first piece of news from Herzogenaurach Zeitz Germany is progressing smoothly. The sports science lab has completed data modeling for the entire team, and the production cycle for the first batch of custom test shoes with miniature pressure sensors is about two to three weeks, allowing them to be worn in actual matches before the team finishes its training camp and leaves Milan. Subsequent adjustments to the upper's torsional rigidity and the sole's cushioning will require long-term dynamic fine-tuning. When the team returns to the United States, a group of Germany biomechanical engineers will accompany them back to Boston.
The second one is shorter and more intriguing: David Stern contacted Margaret through the Alliance office, asking Lin Qi to take some time to visit the New York headquarters after returning home from his Europe trip.
"I have important matters to discuss."
Lin Qi glanced at the last few words of the text message, calmly turned off the screen, and tucked the phone back into his suit jacket.
David Stern's true intentions remained a mystery in the text message. Lin Qi couldn't fathom the details, but the fact that this highly controlling league leader would proactively request a meeting with him during the offseason suggested something unusual had happened in New York.
Bringing his thoughts back, Lin Qi stood up and straightened the hem of his suit jacket. "Is there anything else the production crew can't handle? Bring it up while I'm still in Europe."
Fincher adjusted his glasses, a slightly mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"The production team has all the necessary equipment. But if you really want the second half to become an unsurpassable classic, Lin, it would be great if you could get Michael Jordan to make a cameo appearance. The ultimate climax of the second half is how the Celtics defeat him, and without Jordan himself showing up and saying a few words, the whole movie just feels like it's missing something."
Hearing this, Gary Payton nearly swallowed his chewing gum and waved his hands frantically, " David, are you crazy? Ask Michael to have a cameo in a movie about how he got eliminated? That guy's as petty as a pinhead, there's no way he'd agree!"
"I'll give it a try; I feel like I can persuade him," Lin Qi replied calmly.
Fincher was taken aback, clearly not expecting Lin Qi to give such an the Answer.
Gary Payton looked at Lin Qi with suspicion. But Lin Qi didn't explain further, he just patted Gary Payton on the shoulder, signaling him to follow Fincher to the studio.
Stepping out of the old screening room, the damp sea breeze of Venice at dusk hit him. Lin Qi stood by the dock, watching the gondolas gliding along the canals, lost in thought.
Asking Michael Jordan to make a cameo appearance in a biopic about the Boston Celtics dynasty seemed like a pipe dream to outsiders. Jordan's competitiveness and pride would never allow him to become someone else's background character.
However, in the real business world, every seemingly unbreakable position has its corresponding price.
Jordan's desire for control of the team is at an unprecedented peak. With the Charlotte Bobcats ' expansion imminent, and following the course of history, Jordan will inevitably try to get involved and become the owner of this new team.
Lin Qi knew better than anyone how difficult it was for a newly formed team to get started. Jordan would need reliable allies to help him in the expansion draft and trade market.
If the talks were merely about former on-court rivals, Jordan would never have given in. But if the discussions were about becoming equal team owners in the future, then it would be a purely transactional exchange of interests.
As long as the footage is presented as a tribute to Jordan's legendary status, and some incentives are promised...
A meaningful smile appeared on Lin Qi's lips.
Jordan was actually easy to deal with; the more difficult one was David Stern.
What exactly is he trying to do?