Chapter 389 Film and Television Resources

On February 18th, a preparatory meeting for the film "Chinese Partners" was held at the headquarters of China Film Group.

Although it was still chilly in February, the conference room was warm and cozy.

Zhao Haicheng smiled brightly as he introduced the film's creative team to the prototypes of the two characters in the film, New Oriental Education founders Xu Xiaoping and Wang Qiang.

"Mr. Xu, Mr. Wang, let me introduce you two. This is the film producer Ms. Liu Shishi, the producer Ms. Cai Yinong, the president of Tangren Films, and Director Huang Jianxin, the president of the National Directors Association."

As they are all heavyweights in the film and television industry, Xu Xiaoping and Wang Qiang did not dare to neglect them and immediately stepped forward to shake hands warmly.

After the staff served tea, everyone sat down and started talking about business.

Xu Xiaoping calmly recounted the origin of the project: "In 2002, a reporter named Lu from Youth Daily worked at New Oriental for two years and published a book called Oriental Carriage.

But the image of me, Lao Wang and Lao Yu in the book is not very positive. Lao Wang and I feel that the portrayal of reporter Lu in the book is biased.

In order to let the public have a more comprehensive understanding of New Oriental's founding aspirations and development history, Lao Wang and I decided to make this film, and Lao Yu also readily agreed. So please take care of the filming, Chairman Huang."

After saying this, Xu Xiaoping pushed up his glasses. Originally, he wanted Chen Kexin to direct the film, but the investors recommended Huang Jianxin to direct it.

He was the president of the National Directors Association, and his status was no less than that of Chen Kexin, so he agreed, but some things had to be said in advance.

Huang Jianxin nodded in response: "Mr. Xu, you're welcome!" He naturally heard the hidden meaning of Xu Xiaoping's words, which was nothing more than hoping that the characters in the movie could be portrayed in a more three-dimensional, full and positive way.

Zhao Haicheng also helped out: "Boss Xu, Boss Wang, rest assured, Director Huang is a great film director, and his artistic creation ability will not disappoint you two."

The director and producer expressed their opinions, causing Xu Xiaoping and Wang Qiang to nod in satisfaction.

As the project leader, Zhao Haicheng then raised a new topic: "What do you think of the three leading actors?"

Everyone turned their attention to Huang Jianxin. In the domestic film production system, the director has always had the most say.

Even though this film is backed by powerful investors such as Huaying and Liu Shishi Studio, Huang Jianxin's qualifications and status are there, and he still has a lot of say in casting.

Huang Jianxin pondered for a moment, then turned to ask the producer: "Mr. Liu, do you have any suggestions for the lead actor?"

He had his reasons for asking this. His son Huang Lei is now a contracted director of Tengda Culture. Thanks to Liu Shishi's recommendation, he was able to direct a big production like "Painted Skin 2". The entertainment industry is a world where personal connections and interests are intertwined.

Cai Yinong looked at Liu Shishi with anticipation. She had previously mentioned vaguely that she hoped to arrange a role for Hu Ge.

Liu Shishi understood what he meant and said politely, "Director Huang, President Wang, can you give my senior brother Hu Ge a chance to audition for the role of Wang Yang?"

Wang Qiang smiled heartily and immediately said, "Hu Ge is a handsome guy. If he plays Wang Yang, I will get a bargain!"

How could Huang Jianxin not understand what Sister Yi meant? "Let Hu Ge prepare well for the audition next week."

Although Liu Shishi only mentioned "audition", everyone present understood the deeper meaning. The investor only wanted a third male role, and this request was reasonable.

Everyone discussed the audition plan for the leading roles and preliminarily finalized the early preparations for the filming of "Chinese Partners", and then started chatting.

Xu Xiaoping spoke eloquently about his founding journey over the past decade: "...After Lao Wang and I left New Oriental, we co-founded Zhen Angel Investment Fund.

Focusing on early angel round investment in enterprises. Currently cooperating with Sequoia Capital, the second phase fund is preparing to raise 30 million US dollars. "

Wang Qiang glanced at Liu Shishi and half-jokingly asked, "Mr. Liu, the rate of return of our Zhen Fund is well known in the industry. Are you interested in cooperating with us?"

Liu Shishi smiled and declined: "I'm sorry, Mr. Wang, my husband has a good personal relationship with Mr. Lei, the CEO of Xiaomi. I just invested in Mr. Lei's Shunwei Capital some time ago. The remaining funds are used to ensure the daily operation of the company. We can only wait for the next opportunity to cooperate again."

Wang Qiang showed a look of regret, although he knew in his heart that a small-scale private equity fund like Zhen Fund had limited appeal to Liu Shishi, the wife of the richest man.

After all, her husband is a big shot in the investment world, but she still had some hope in her heart and couldn't help but invite him. If this goes through, it would be of great benefit to the fund's brand reputation.

"Liu..." Wang Qiang was about to persuade him again, but he caught a glimpse of Xu Xiaoping winking at him, so he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

The talks lasted until noon, and everyone declined Zhao Haicheng's invitation to lunch and went their separate ways.

On the way back, Xu Xiaoping sat in the back seat of the car and asked his friend, "Lao Wang, just now, did you want to ask Liu Shishi to introduce us to Song Ci?"

"That's right. It's said that Tengda Group is about to start the last round of financing before listing. Sequoia Chen Nanpeng has mentioned many times that he wants to meet Song Ci. Since I have the opportunity to meet Liu Shishi today, I want to ask her to help introduce me."

"It's not appropriate to bring this up on our first meeting." Xu Xiaoping shook his head. "Tengda Group's current valuation is close to 150 billion US dollars. This amount of financing has long been beyond our capabilities. It's better not to get involved lightly."

“I understand, I just want to give Mr. Shen a chance.”

Xu Xiaoping glanced at his old partner: “You want Shen Nanpeng to owe you a favor, but have you ever considered why Liu Shishi should give you face?

He ranks much higher than us on the rich list. It is really too presumptuous to bring up these things when we first meet. Fortunately, you noticed my look in time. "

Wang Qiang seemed to be thinking about something: "It is true that I have not thought it through. Let Mr. Shen worry about Tengda's financing himself."

In another car, Cai Yinong was thanking Yijie repeatedly: "Shishi, I thank you on behalf of Hu Ge."

Liu Shishi waved her hands: "It's just the third male role, a small thing that can be done with just a little effort. Lao Hu and I have been friends for many years, so I will definitely support him.

Moreover, after Lao Hu's training in the drama club, his acting skills and popularity are both good, so he is just right for the role of Wang Yang."

"Master."

Sister Yi was slightly startled. Sister K's tone was very serious: "What's wrong, Sister K? You are so serious that it makes me a little nervous. If you have something to say, just say it directly."

Cai Yinong stared at Yijie's pretty face with a burning gaze, and sighed softly, "Shishi, seven years have passed in a flash. In one year, your contract with Tangren Film and Television will expire!"

"It's already been seven years!" Liu Shishi murmured, memories of the past constantly emerging in her mind.

"Ms. K, I understand what you mean. Over the years, you, and everyone else have gotten along very well, but can I think carefully about the renewal?"

Cai Yinong held Sister Yi's hand and played the emotional card: "Shishi, I don't mean to force you. We have worked together for so many years, and you know me well.

To be honest, the current brokerage agreement between the company and you is 10:90, which means there is almost no financial benefit.

But as long as you stay at Tangren for one day, the implicit support the company receives will be immeasurable, and the entire entertainment industry will look up to Tangren.

I sincerely thank you for extending a helping hand to the company when it was in the most difficult time and leading Tangren out of the trough.

Tangren Films is what it is today, thanks to you! I sincerely hope that you can continue to stay at Tangren, and we can work together to create greater success.”

Cai Yinong's heartfelt words moved Yijie.

Liu Shishi gently leaned her head on Sister K's shoulder, her voice soft and sincere: "Sister K, thank you for taking care of me over the years.

To be honest, after seven years of getting along, I have gradually gotten used to you taking care of me. From "Chinese Paladin III" to "Startling by Each Step", my most precious acting memories are all in Tangren.

In short, don't worry. No matter what, I am a shareholder of Tangren. No matter when and where, my support for Tangren will remain the same as always."

Looking at the street scenes passing by quickly outside the window, Cai Yinong showed a gratified smile on his face and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Yijie has a very good impression of Tangren. With her loyal and righteous character, and this one-year buffer period, I believe that by constantly appealing to Yijie's emotions and reasoning with her, there is a greater hope of keeping Yijie in Tangren.

After having lunch at a specialty restaurant with Cai Yinong, Liu Shishi hurried to the Wanda Hotel with her assistant in the afternoon.

The crew of "Silent Shorthand" was holding an audition here today, so I came over to take a look at the situation when I had time.

In the waiting room, there were many female celebrities who had heard the news and rushed to attend the interview.

The combination of Hou Hongliang and Kong Sheng is a golden signboard in the film and television industry. Even if she is only the second female lead, she is still a rare good resource in the circle, attracting a number of non-first-tier female artists.

When Wan Qian, Tong Yao, Jiang Xin, Wang Ou, Wang Likun and other female artists who were auditioning saw Liu Shishi, they immediately started talking about it.

Wang Ou was surprised and asked, "Why is this person here? If she auditioned, wouldn't our trip be in vain?"

Jiang Xin, who became popular again with the role of Concubine Hua in "The Legend of Zhen Huan", sneered: "Are you kidding? Liu Shishi plays the second female lead, you are so bold! With her current status, she can only play the leading female role."

Wan Qian agreed softly, "Liu Shishi is most likely the leading actress of this drama. She probably came here to discuss things with the producer and director."

On the side, Tong Yao's eyes were shining and her mind was working fast, thinking about how to get closer to Sister Yi and take advantage of the situation to get resources.

I couldn't help but regret that I didn't make good use of the friendship I had with Liu Shishi on the set of "Young Generals of the Yang Family". If I had known that Liu Shishi's husband was the richest man, I would have done everything I could to get in touch with him.

In the audition room, Hou Hongliang and Kong Sheng saw Liu Shishi knocking on the door and immediately stood up to greet her: "Boss Liu, why are you here?"

Sister Yi smiled sweetly: "I'll discuss some things at Huaying this morning. I'll come over to see you when I'm free in the afternoon."

Ma Sichun, who was auditioning, quickly greeted: "Hello, Mr. Liu, I am Ma Sichun. My aunt Jiang Wenli and I met you at the last Magnolia Awards Ceremony."

Liu Shishi looked at the slightly shy girl in front of her and nodded, "Hello."

Ma Sichun wanted to say something else, but was interrupted by Hou Hongliang, who waved his hand: "The audition ends here. We will notify you if there is any news."

The girl could only leave the audition room in disappointment, and she did not forget to close the door gently before leaving.

Hou Hongliang turned to explain to Sister Yi: "Jiang Wenli greeted me about this girl, but I didn't respond."

Naturally, he didn't dare to arrange people with connections to play the drama invested by Liu Shishi. What's more, he and his teacher were from the Shanying Department and had no contact with the Northwest circle, so there was no need for him to do this favor for Ma Sichun.

Hou Hongliang didn't care about Jiang Wenli's face, and Liu Shishi didn't care either: "Director Kong can decide who to use as the second female lead."

Seeing that the first actress did not interfere with the casting, Kong Sheng smiled and responded: "I am not very satisfied with the actresses I have auditioned so far. The second female role is a middle school teacher, who needs an intellectual temperament, but the previous actresses did not meet my expectations."

"There are still many actresses out there. Director Kong, take your time to choose. You will eventually find the right one." Liu Shishi changed the subject and asked, "How was the result of the audition for the second male lead this morning?"

Hou Hongliang turned around and picked up two resumes from the table and handed them to Sister Yi: "These two are quite outstanding. Mr. Liu will decide the final candidate."

Liu Shishi took the materials and checked them: "Huang Xuan, graduated from Beijing Dance Academy!" When she saw that they were schoolmates, she felt a sense of closeness.

Kong Sheng commented: "She has good dancing skills, good temperament and image, and her acting skills are also remarkable."

When Liu Shishi saw the second resume, she was surprised and a little confused: "Wang Kai? He is a top artist of Tengda and has no shortage of resources. Why is he here to interview for the second male lead?"

Hou Hongliang smiled and explained: "Mr. Liu, you underestimate the appeal of Silent Shorthand. Excellent scripts are extremely scarce resources, not to mention that Mr. Song is a screenwriter!

If we hadn’t been so low-key and didn’t dare to promote it, I don’t know how many people would have fought hard to get the role of the second male lead. The second male lead in a hit drama is better than the first male lead in four or five dramas with average ratings.”

Seeing the stars under Tengda Culture, the balance in Yijie's heart instantly tilted: "Wang Kai must have received some inside information before coming to the audition.

But it doesn’t matter, he’s an artist of Tengda, he’s half our own, so just give him the role.”

"Okay, then we'll choose Wang Kai." Kong Sheng immediately decided, "Mr. Liu, let's continue the interview and see if there are any outstanding actresses later."

At the same time, Liu Rong, president of Tengda Culture, was discussing the project establishment of the film "Left Ear" with Ma Xin.

Liu Rong flipped through the budget report submitted by the project department: "Director Ma, the total investment in "Left Ear" is 50 million. The company will invest 30 million, and Wanda Pictures and Starry Sky Company will each invest 20%."

"Do the leading actor selection company and the other two investors have any demands?" Ma Xin is knowledgeable and sensible. He knows very well that he was able to become a "billion-dollar director" thanks to the company's support, and now he has no qualifications to negotiate terms with Tengda Culture.

Liu Rong said directly: "You get to choose the leading female role, but the final choice needs the approval of Director Song. I have promised the second female role to Yang Zi.

As for the third female role, Starry Sky Company strongly recommends Jing Tian. They are investing at a 10% premium, so there is no reason for me not to agree."

Ma Xin smiled bitterly. As a director, he had no say in the choice of the female lead. "What about the male lead? If you have any plans, please let me know."

Liu Rong smiled and said, "The leading male role is Lin Gengxin. He follows the path of Wanda Film and Television's Mr. Wang, and he has a good relationship with his wife, you know!"

(End of this chapter)