If I had to use a metaphor, a TV series is like a steamed bun with meat filling, which can satisfy fans for a long time, bringing a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment; a movie is like a delicate royal pastry, which melts in your mouth, tastes good, has an unforgettable texture, and can be boasted about—but it doesn't fill you up. The Ye buds are now asking Shang Ye Chu for steamed buns.
Lying on the chair with her eyes closed, the sunlight streamed through the wide window, warming her eyelids. The chair rocked gently beneath her, like a swaddled baby, and Shang Yechu drifted off to sleep.
It's a pity she can't sleep yet. The Russian tutor Ji Juntao hired for her will be arriving soon.
Learning and progressing during rest is true reflection; indulging in rest and sleeping in is simply slacking off. Shang Yechu divides his reflection time into three main parts: reading Russian literature, watching Russian films, and learning Russian. In short, everything is in preparation for the Sino-Russian co-production project.
This international co-production actually had limited commercial value. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian films were not very competitive in the Chinese market, with box office revenue remaining low for many years, rarely exceeding 50 million yuan. Shang Yechu couldn't recall a single Sino-Russian co-production that had achieved high box office returns. It was conceivable that in his previous life, this film had most likely flopped.
Nevertheless, this film should not be underestimated. It's a cultural collaboration project jointly produced by multiple state-owned and provincial film and television institutions—essentially an official cooperation project within the film industry. It's not market-driven, but rather mission-driven. More than raking in box office profits, it serves as a model for the industry.
Capital is important, but so are connections. For an entertainment company seeking industry dominance, securing partnerships with established or semi-established entities is an invaluable asset.
Qingping Entertainment is currently pursuing a massive expansion plan, pushing forward industry reforms, which will inevitably impact many people's livelihoods, making the road ahead fraught with difficulties. Building credit and expanding resources in certain areas is essential. If these channels can be established, it will also facilitate subsequent film and television development, project approval, and other processes.
Following the box office success of the "Martyrs" series, a flood of patriotic films have emerged, with many starting production. Unfortunately, these films feature very few female characters; let alone second or third leads, most don't even qualify as the eighteenth female lead. It's impossible for Shang Yechu to play the lead role in two films and then go on to play the eighteenth female lead in someone else's movie. That wouldn't achieve her goal of expanding her network, and no one would credit her for the box office success; even recognizing her hard work would be a favor. In contrast, this Sino-Russian co-production at least has a lead actress.
Furthermore, aside from the screenwriters and directors of the "Martyr" series, Shang Yechu coldly observed that many of the patriotic films that started production after "Martyr" were actually directed by the same group of directors from the Ma Dai Cult. Their shift from accusation to obsequiousness is truly laughable.
For a confluence of reasons, Shang Yechu had to get her hands on this piece of the pie. Even if the script was a drowsy sleeping pill, she would take it on.
...Hopefully, the script isn't a sleeping pill. Soviet films had top-notch aesthetics; Russian films shouldn't be too bad either.
As her status has risen, many drawbacks have gradually emerged. The issue of billing order and role selection are two of them. Now, apart from films produced by Qingping Entertainment or by herself, Shang Yechu can no longer freely play minor supporting roles, or even second billing.
The doorbell rang, and Shang Yechu snapped out of her daze. She lingered on the chair for a while before standing up.
Compared to the hectic life on a film set, this kind of life is quite leisurely.
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