Chapter 323 Aesthetic Change
Shao Yitao rejected Hu Xiaoxiao's offer not only because he was older and less driven than before, but also because he knew he was a TV drama director and not suited to film. If he switched jobs, he'd have to learn everything from scratch. Even though they were both directors, filming TV and film was a whole different ballgame. It was much harder than TV.
Shengshi Entertainment does not produce TV series, but if it were to do so, he could still give it a try.
Although Hu Xiaoxiao felt sorry for them, she also knew that she couldn't pry them out. Seeing Nie Jinlong coming down from upstairs with a cup of water, she explained the purpose of her visit. "Teacher Nie, you are familiar with martial arts people. Do you have a suitable martial arts instructor? Please introduce me to one."
Nie Jinlong first found the God of Wealth seat for the day, then put down his water cup before asking Hu Xiaoxiao, "Are you going to make a new movie? What genre? What kind of martial arts instructor do you need?"
"The new film hasn't been decided yet, but our company is in need of a martial arts instructor. If you know anyone, Teacher Nie, and think he's a good fit, please introduce him to me." Hu Xiaoxiao picked out his favorite snacks and put them on the fruit plate so that he could eat them while fighting later.
Nie Jinlong pulled out the chair in front of the mahjong table and was about to sit down to shuffle the cards, but after hearing Hu Xiaoxiao's words, he stopped shuffling and walked over to the sofa to sit down. He asked Hu Xiaoxiao seriously, "Shengshi Entertainment is looking for a martial arts instructor? How much is the salary?"
"Base salary plus bonuses, it depends on your ability. The stronger your ability, the more money you get." Hu Xiaoxiao advertised his company. "Our company offers higher wages than other companies, and the bonuses are generous. Don't worry about not getting enough money, just worry about not having enough ability. If you have the ability and skills, you can name your own price. As long as you dare to ask, our company will dare to meet it."
Hu Xiaoxiao wasn't exaggerating; the company had just made a ton of money and was incredibly wealthy, never worried about running out of cash. Huang Yuliang had also acquired a plot of land in District 5, and some other high-quality properties he hadn't sold yet, collecting rent every month. All of this was transferred to the company's finances.
Hu Xiaoxiao glanced at Gao Zhiyuan again and said, "Our company is not only hiring full-time, but also part-time. If Director Gao doesn't have any films coming up, you can cooperate with our company and get dividends."
Gao Zhiyuan was a little tempted by this, but he had too many films on hand and couldn't leave, so he couldn't earn this extra money.
"Xiaoxiao, what do you think of me?" Nie Jinlong recommended himself.
Hu Xiaoxiao came here with the intention of asking Nie Jinlong to recommend someone, but she didn't expect Nie Jinlong to actually be willing. She quickly asked, "Are you serious?"
She had worked with Nie Jinlong on several dramas and was very confident in his professionalism. However, he had worked at the TV station for so many years and, like Director Shao, he just wanted to retire there.
"Of course it's true. When have I ever lied to you?" Nie Jinlong, seeing that everyone here was familiar, spoke his mind without reservation. "I've been planning to leave for a long time, but the film industry isn't easy to make it in. I have elderly parents and young children to support, and I was afraid I'd end up with nothing. That's why I stayed at the TV station."
"Xiaoxiao, ever since you left the TV station, I've never felt comfortable filming this drama, no matter how I do it." Nie Jinlong was the one who was most reluctant to see Hu Xiaoxiao leave the TV station. After she left, none of the actors who followed could give him a sense of accomplishment or artistic sense. With Hu Xiaoxiao gone, it felt like his life and career were gone too. "Don't you know those actors nowadays? They fight so effortlessly, they dangle so precariously from wires. None of the men can compare to Mingxu, and none of the women can compare to you. The dramas they produce can't even be compared to when you were here..."
When Hu Xiaoxiao was around, it was the most unrestrained time in his career as a martial arts director. No matter how many wild ideas he had in his mind, Hu Xiaoxiao could make them come true, making all his ambitions and dreams come true.
Perhaps it was because the past was too good that we cannot accept the mediocrity of today.
If life continues to be mediocre, he can still endure it.
But having seen and created glory, how can one be willing to return to mediocrity?
Shao Yitao was an old friend of Nie Jinlong's, and he spoke on his behalf, saying, "Xiaoxiao, if Jinlong wants to go, let him give it a try. The TV station has conducted market research, and martial arts dramas are starting to lag behind modern dramas and lighthearted costume dramas in ratings. Both last year and this year, the ratings champions were modern dramas. The company's top executives plan to gradually reduce the number of pure martial arts films. Costume dramas are mainly about comedy, love-hate relationships, or crime-solving mysteries, like Justice Bao. The market for pure martial arts dramas is fading. Even Charlie has reduced the number of martial arts dramas he airs each year, focusing on modern dramas and heartwarming and funny costume dramas."
Nie Jinlong nodded and said, "Charlie now likes to make dramas about lawyers or police officers. He doesn't want to make martial arts films unless they are martial arts dramas written by famous writers and have their own popularity. Especially since Linda's modern dramas have been hitting new highs in ratings in recent years, he is even more reluctant to give up the modern drama market."
Hu Xiaoxiao reflected on recent TV dramas, and it seemed to be true. Modern dramas were more common. Linda's lawyer dramas were mostly family-friendly, while Charlie's were mostly crime-solving and police dramas. Pure martial arts dramas were rare, with most being lighthearted costume dramas. Sometimes, modern elements were even parodied into period dramas, creating a new style of nonsensical costume dramas.
This is related to the audience's aesthetic taste. The audience prefers to watch lighter TV dramas to pass the time. The audience is mostly housewives, so the market for warm, funny and romantic dramas is larger.
"Teacher Nie, it would be great if you were willing to join Shengshi. As long as you are willing, I will invite you over even if Ji Sheng has objections." Hu Xiaoxiao said.
Nie Jinlong smiled and said, "Ji Sheng won't care. It's not like the TV station will be without a martial arts instructor after I leave. My assistant and apprentice Li Shen could have graduated long ago, and he can just take my place. Li Shen has been working at the TV station for so many years, and his salary has always been the same. After I leave, I can give up my position and he can even get a raise."
"In that case, you can report to Shengshi Entertainment at any time." Hu Xiaoxiao said happily, and today's mission was completed perfectly.
Hu Xiaoxiao was so happy that he let the other three win from time to time while playing cards. Finally, it was not like before when the three of them became one. This time, the other three won a lot.
Nie Jinlong went to the TV station to hand in his resignation letter the next day. Since there were no martial arts dramas being released recently, he did not have to wait and could go to the human resources department to handle the formalities immediately.
The TV station knew that Li Shen was capable of the job of martial arts instructor, so they promoted him and gave him a raise. Of course, this salary was nothing compared to Nie Jinlong's previous salary, as Nie Jinlong was more famous and had more experience in the industry.
Even so, Li Shen was very satisfied.
Nie Jinlong is more satisfied. The salary in his new job is high, several times higher than before, and there is a bonus at the end of the year. He also has work freedom. He cherishes this job very much and vows to do his best to help Hu Xiaoxiao train artists.
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