Role b: The Production Manager

You are responsible for the everyday running of the company, and for all the rapid growth and good ideas of the last five years. Your colleagues have no right to doubt your ability to make this new project into a fabulous hit. You think you can make Thana so big it will start to compete with major American film production companies. Choosing the $100+ million project would allow you to film on location in China, and to choose world-famous American actors, film director, and screenwriter. If you also found an American film producer to co-produce the film with you, you are sure you would be able to get financial backing from a major American film studio.

You feel that it would be a terrible mistake to choose the $50 million budget. Everyone can understand that an Indian location could not possibly replace China, for a story set in China. What’s more, you are sure that, as a low budget would mean working with unknown actors, director and screenwriter, the Americans would not then be interested in a financial or production partnership. You are worried that, without the Americans to back and distribute the film, it would be a failure outside India.

Role c: The Company Accountant

It would be an error not to make La Cantonaise. It’s a wonderful book, and it would make a wonderful film. With a good British film director and screenwriter, a suitable location in India, and little-known but up-and- coming Indian actors of Chinese ethnic origin, it would be possible to find financial backing from several major Indian television or film companies, make the film for $50 million, and then sell it to an American distributor.

But you must not co-produce and co-finance this film with the Americans, as they will make it into an American film and take all the profits.

Role d: The Production Assistant

This is a wonderful project and La Cantonaise must be made. A Singaporean television channel you work with is prepared to invest $25 million in the film provided they can co-produce the film with Thana. You favour the $ 100+ million budget with a location in China. But you refuse to work with American actors, directors and producers because they will insist on making the film on their terms. It would become an American film, which is quite inappropriate, as it will be based on a French book and made by Indian producers.

The Singaporean channel and you have already worked together on several successful television films and series. You have succeeded without the Americans up to now, and don’t see why you should bring them in on this film.

Role e: The Head of Casting

You have a very good friend who is the president of a major American film production company. This company is quite ready to invest heavily in La Cantonaise, provided the $50 million budget is chosen. You are sure that the Americans must distribute the film if you want it to be a worldwide box-office success. But you know that they will not distribute it if Thana does not take an American partner.

It is not necessary to use big names. Although the film will be made in English, Indian actors and an Indian director and screenwriter could be used, and a suitable location, that looks like China, found in a region of India.