Shen Fang nodded: "I understand. But I don't intend to create a circle like the Beijing circle. What I want to do is new media, to build the Shanghai circle into a new source of film, television and variety shows. With the support of Hengdian, we can work together to create a variety of hit film and television and variety shows. This will not only attract audiences, but also boost the flow of people in the Shanghai area and increase the local economy. We can make this place develop rapidly and become a new media and entertainment center."
"As for film development, if we have the opportunity to obtain independent censorship rights later, we will naturally open a branch in Shanghai."
Song Jiongming raised his glass: "President Shen, you really are playing both sides. You're already part of the Beijing circle, and now you're trying to get involved in the Shanghai circle too."
Shen Fang shook his head: "I never said I was part of the Beijing entertainment circle. What I want is to establish my own independent entity. With my current strength and resources in the entertainment industry, and the booming Longteng Media, can't I form my own Longteng Group?"
Song Jiongming, Wu Shaohua, Zhang Tianliang, and Li Changming exchanged glances, realizing that he was indeed a powerful outsider.
"President Shen, we are naturally very happy that you are willing to develop your career in Shanghai. To be honest, the higher-ups have long wanted Longteng to settle down in Shanghai. The Tang family also talked to me about this before they came."
Shen Fang looked at Li Changming: "Whether Longteng can land in Shanghai depends on how much sincerity the Shanghai circle shows."
Li Changming smiled and said, "I can't control other things. As long as President Shen can implement the plan you just mentioned to promote the culture of Shanghai and Longteng can take root in Shanghai, we will meet all the requirements. However, we need to satisfy the higher-ups."
Shen Fang flashed his bright white teeth: "I don't have many requirements. Right now, I only have two: the Shanghai SFC cinema chain and the green light for the film review."
Song Jiongming was speechless: "Little Shen, you're not trying to poach my talent, I'm also the general manager of SFC Cinemas."
Shen Fang said in surprise, "Really? I really didn't know about Song Tai."
Song Jiongming's lips twitched as he watched Shen Fang's clumsy acting.
Shen Fang picked up his wine glass and laughed loudly: "Song Tai, it's my fault, let's have a drink."
The two clinked glasses.
“Song Tai, the global cinema industry is considered a sunset industry. SFC has been declining in recent years. And what has become of this old brand, one of the eight major cinema chains in China? If SFC doesn’t change, its former glory will be gone.”
Song Jiong glanced at Shen Fang and said, "Our cinema chain is doing very well. If it weren't for Longteng Jiahe's rapid expansion in Shanghai, we would be living a very comfortable life."
"Song Tai, the number of movie screens in China is increasing rapidly, and private cinema chains are all operating independently. The strong will thrive, and the weak will perish. SFC has never upgraded its products. Do you think it's possible for you to compete with cinema chains like Dadi, Shidai, and Xinganxian, which are constantly upgrading their products?"
"Mr. Shen, you don't understand. SFC is different from other cinema brands. SFC belongs to Shanghai Film Studio. Upgrading the equipment requires approval at every level. You think I don't want to upgrade? But Shanghai Film Studio doesn't have the money."
SFC is a government agency.
"No money, so you're just half-dead? Then why can't you sell it to me?"
Song Jiongming smiled: "The employees here are all civil servants, all with official positions. If we suddenly change their work system to the same level as other private cinema chains, they won't be able to adapt. This involves the interests of a large number of people. If we sell it to you, you will definitely have to carry out sweeping reforms, and then there will definitely be a lot of people making trouble."
Shen Fang scoffed at this: "Song Tai, are you going to support these people who are paid by the government? If it's for nothing else but the development of Shanghai's film industry, SFC must also be reformed."
Li Changming glanced at Song Jiongming and then at Chen Fang.
"President Shen, let's leave it at that for now. I'll talk to Lao Song and a few other leaders from Shanghai Film Studio later, and we'll discuss it then."
Shen Fang glanced at Yan and said, "You two aren't trying to play games, are you?"
Li Changming waved his hand: "No, it's not up to us two to decide. We need to consult with the higher-ups. Although Lao Song is the general manager, it's a concurrent position. The real power is still in the hands of the top boss, President Jiang. But I will go over and act as an intermediary."
"As for the green light for review, there's no major problem with that. Old Song is in charge of this, so you can't go wrong by talking to him."
Shen Fang looked at Song Jiongming, who smiled and said, "As long as it complies with the regulations, I will naturally give it the green light and provide some support as well."
Why does the government want to give TV dramas the green light for censorship? Although TV dramas are not as strictly censored as movies, they have one major drawback: they are subject to censorship delays. Movies, no matter how long it takes, will eventually have a result, but TV dramas are different. Take 2003 for example: as many as 2,120 TV dramas were produced, totaling 100 episodes, but only 505 episodes were actually filmed, approved for broadcast, and released to the market.
What about the remaining episodes of TV series? They'll just sit in the warehouse collecting dust. The vast majority of these 40,000+ episodes are because they lack connections, the productions weren't up to standard, and they failed censorship.
For TV dramas like this, without asking for help, it's basically impossible to air them. If you have connections and are lucky, the process might take another year or two. You want to be able to film and air them anytime? Sorry, unless you have real talent.
Only films by big-name directors like Zheng Xiaolong and Zhao Baogang are acceptable. This is why Shen Fang sought to collaborate with them. If you collaborate with an unknown director, even if you manage to film the work, you'll face a one- or two-year waiting period just for censorship, not to mention the various delays that may occur.
This bowl of rice isn't very tasty.
After toasting and exchanging pleasantries, the dinner ended. As they left, the three station directors pledged that once the Binjiang Road residential project was completed, they would help provide promotional channels within the city.
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