I was just thinking about taking the arts exam and you said I've been playing supporting roles

Chapter 328: Ginger is still hotter than old!
Wednesday, November 2011, 11.

There are 3 days left until the Golden Horse Awards.

Chen Jin returned to her home in Beijing yesterday, and this morning she went straight to the Directing Department of Beijing Film Academy.

Instead of going directly to Zhang Huijun, he planned to talk to Tian Zhuangzhuang first.

If we're talking about people with connections in this industry, then it has to be Old Tian. Even Zhang Yimou can't compare to this old man.

Zhang Yimou is highly experienced, but when he is criticized and insulted, he remains silent. This is partly due to his personality and partly because he has no connections. Zhang Weiping, to put it bluntly, is just a small business owner with some connections.

He usually bullies others because of his power and wealth, and he doesn't respect anyone. But if Huayi wants to deal with him, it would actually be very easy.

This is also why Zhang Yimou was ostracized by the Beijing entertainment circle.

But Lao Tian is different!
Despite the ban on directing, his parents were influential figures from the previous generation; his father was the second-in-command of the Film Bureau, and his mother was a successful businesswoman who founded a children's film studio, making them highly respected figures in the film industry.

In this circle, seniority-based ranking is still quite feudal.

Although Lao Tian didn't rely on his family's influence to build up his own faction, people in the circle actually gave him face.

This is the confidence his family provides.

You may not need it, but you can't live without it.

Many veterans from the Beijing Film Academy published articles hurling insults at Chen Kaige, Huayi Brothers, Wanda Group, and others without any fear, because they were certain that the other party wouldn't dare to touch them.

Seniority is a very important asset.

Even though Hua Yi hated him to the core, he could only ignore it; sometimes those old guys are just that difficult to deal with.

Now that Chen Jin is facing a problem, she naturally needs to find someone to have a proper talk with.

……

"Oh, what brings you here?"

In the director's office, Tian Zhuangzhuang, who was brewing tea, was taken aback when Chen Jin knocked and entered. "Isn't your new film showing in theaters right now?"

"The roadshow just ended, so I came back to visit the school!"

Chen Jin placed the two boxes of Da Hong Pao tea she had bought during the roadshow aside.

"Is something wrong?"

Seeing Chen Jin's attitude, Tian Zhuangzhuang narrowed his eyes and pointed at the crimson robe, saying, "Take it back. This isn't allowed here!"

"It's worthless, I'm not here to bribe you!"

"If there's going to be a bribe, it'll be a small amount of money, just two boxes of tea!"

Chen Jin remained unmoved, scratched his head, and only sat down in front of him at Tian Zhuangzhuang's prompting.

"You've really changed, haven't you? Even the finest Wuyi Da Hong Pao tea looks worthless to you now?"

"It's almost reached 12 billion in box office revenue, right?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang watched Chen Jin brewing tea for him and was surprised to find that the kid was quite skilled.

"We should be here!"

"Yesterday was exactly nine..."

Chen Jin poured a cup for Lao Tian and also served herself a small bowl.

"Speak up, you don't come here unless you need something!"

Tian Zhuangzhuang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and seemed quite pleased with himself: "Not bad, you didn't even make a movie, but you brewed the tea quite well!"

"A couple of days ago, Mr. Wang from Huayi Brothers called me and invited me to make a movie together!"

"That's great news!"

Tian Zhuangzhuang laughed and said, "What, you don't want to?"

He put down his teacup, and Chen Jin quickly refilled it, saying as she did so, "It's not that I'm busy, I don't know how to refuse!"

"Afraid of offending them?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang said thoughtfully, "I know you're a cautious person. To be honest, I didn't expect your new film to be so bad. It really surprised everyone, including some of the so-called giants in the industry!"

"It's normal for them to be wary!"

"But since you're in this industry, there are some things you still have to be mindful of!"

This is a common piece of advice that the older generation gives to the younger generation, since that's how each generation has gotten by.

You can't be an outlier in this circle.

Embracing the mainstream is the safest approach. Even if you don't like it, you still have to maintain appearances. This is why this circle is so feudal, and it's very difficult for outsiders to get in.

If you go along with the crowd, the innocent will never be able to cleanse themselves; if you are too innocent, then I'm sorry, you will be tainted, or you will be eliminated.

These are the two methods.

"Director, what can I do if I don't want to give them face?"

Chen Jin's purpose in coming was this, and Tian Zhuangzhuang had actually guessed it. If he had chosen to cooperate with Huayi, there would have been no need for him to make this special trip.

Shouldn't we be making preparations for heading to Kinmen these next few days?
"Don't go too far if you're not going to give me face. Did you just refuse outright?"

"Not yet, but I told Mr. Wang I was unavailable, but he insisted I take the job!"

Chen Jin smiled. Tian Zhuangzhuang looked up and realized that Chen Jin wasn't afraid, but was trying to find a way for everyone to get along peacefully for the time being.

If pushed too far, Hua Yi might not be able to touch this child.

"So Young" will most likely push the box office record for Chinese-language films to a range of 15 billion or even 16 billion yuan.

This is a phenomenal leap forward.

Just like the movie "Hero" that appeared out of nowhere back then.

Therefore, it was destined that the higher-ups would definitely pay attention to this matter. Unless Huayi was out of its mind, it would be impossible for them to touch such a "meritorious official". They could only resort to some underhanded tactics.

For example, buying some dirt on someone, stirring up some scandals, etc., is a traditional tactic that Huayi has always used.

Their current approach is to first try to see if they can cooperate, which is a standard practice in the industry for attracting new users and integrating them into the community.

Unfortunately, they ran into a tough nut to crack.

The development of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) has been so rapid that by the time several major discoveries in the industry were made, it was already too late.

This is a case of locking the barn door after the horse has bolted.

Fortunately, it was because Chen Jin rose to fame so quickly that his background and connections hadn't even been built up yet.

That's why Huayi thought of playing this trick first.

If they can really cooperate, it would indeed be a good thing for Huayi.

As for Chen Jin, having Huayi as a powerful backer can prevent others from coveting her position.

The cooperation appears to be a win-win situation.

What are you worried about right now?

Tian Zhuangzhuang asked casually.

Chen Jin took a sip of tea, and without beating around the bush, said directly, "Director, you should already know what kind of reputation Huayi has..."

"Hmm, I've heard about it!"

"Capitalists, as the saying goes, come into this world dripping with blood and filth from head to toe, from every pore!"

"We artists really can't stand it!"

Tian Zhuangzhuang could understand Chen Jin's reluctance to cooperate with Huayi.

Chen Jin can be said to have grown up to where he is today. Although he also owns a film company, he is still a young man who is involved in the arts, with a naive and proud side to him.

Also, the character he played was too righteous.

Good and evil cannot coexist.

He didn't even want to pretend to cooperate with the other party.

"So, I'd like to learn from your experience!"

"Actually, without your current box office success, Huayi wouldn't dare to touch you!" Tian Zhuangzhuang said. "After all, you're still my student, and there's also Dean Lin Zhaohua from Peking University. What you're mainly worried about now is them stabbing you in the back!"

"Yes, that's the method for dealing with celebrities!"

Chen Jin recalled the Liu Yifei incident that caused a stir online a few years ago: "Back then, Liu Yifei from Beijing Film Academy was targeted by Huayi Brothers!"

"no the same!"

"The girl's backer had fallen from grace back then, but they wouldn't be so brazen towards you!"

Old Tian, ​​you're still thinking too naively.

Wasn't their so-called powerful backer also brought down by Huayi?
"I'm planning ahead and want to solve this problem once and for all!"

Huayi is currently at its peak, and Chen Jin knows it's not the right time to bring him down, nor does he have the means.

Capital games are not something that can be accomplished overnight; they require several real battles to determine the outcome.

Unlike children's fights, where one person falls down after exchanging blows, this is not like a fight between children.

The battle for box office revenue cannot directly destroy the other party. It will only collapse completely if multiple dominoes fall, just like Huayi Brothers that Chen Jin saw in her autobiographical film yesterday.

It first invested in several blockbuster films that failed at the box office, and then suffered a profit collapse, leaving it in a tight cash flow. Only when the rival behind it saw the giant was seriously injured did it send Cui Yongyuan to take action and completely expose the dual contracts.

When a whale falls, all things are born.

Of Huayi Brothers' major films for next year, only "1942" (starring Xiao Gangpao) didn't perform well, but it still grossed nearly 4 million yuan, so the losses weren't too severe.

Huayi can definitely withstand it.

The three films, mainly Jackie Chan's "CZ12", Stephen Chow's "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons", and the unexpectedly successful "Painted Skin 2", grossed a total of nearly 3 billion yuan.

Huayi Brothers produces 10-15 films a year, and next year's total revenue will be close to 50 billion yuan.

With that kind of power, even if you have evidence, Huayi will have someone protecting him.

If you can make money, you can't possibly give up your chess pieces.

"You really want to be the industry leader?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang laughed and waved his hand: "Take it slow. You're not fully grown yet. Even if you really reject Huayi, they won't do anything to you. First, join the Film Association. The re-election is coming up soon. Get yourself a board member!"

"The Directors Guild has joined too, oh, and political parties too!"

"You haven't joined the Party yet, have you?"

"no!"

"Add the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang to your resume, and the Beijing Film Academy will help you apply for a position in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference... After a few years, once you've obtained your official status, no one will dare to do anything to you!"

"Tell your company to get those done as soon as possible!"

Tian Zhuangzhuang spoke casually, but Chen Jin felt a sense of relief; coming to find Old Tian first was definitely the right thing to do.

"Also, there will definitely be a meeting at the bureau about your movie. You should prepare to go on stage and make a speech to leave a good impression on the leaders!"

"I don't need to teach you these things, right? Just like that Beijing Film Academy celebration party before!"

"Meetings aren't the key thing; it doesn't hurt to get to know more people!"

Chen Jin's seniority, despite his young age, is his strongest asset and advantage.

Tian Zhuangzhuang couldn't figure out why Chen Jin wouldn't be valued by those above.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a young talent among his peers.

Top scorer in the college entrance examination, Venice Film Festival Best Actor, and starred in multiple films that broke box office records?
This kid is worrying way too much.

"Tell me honestly, you haven't done anything that could give anyone leverage against you, have you?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang suddenly thought of something.

Chen Jin quickly shook her head: "No, really no!"

"It's not a big deal if there are any. As long as it's not a mistake that violates the bottom line or principles, the higher-ups will turn a blind eye. The main thing is to avoid creating a media storm!"

"After all, you played that character!"

Public opinion, in this context, refers to being reported or exposed by others.

Actually, none of this matters. You can find someone to suppress it or prevent it from causing adverse consequences. After the public relations cool down, you can still appear on screen as usual.

What I'm afraid of is that the public opinion will escalate and become difficult to manage, which will have a negative impact, and then the higher authorities will definitely intervene.

Chen Jin was quite confident about this.

Even if the paparazzi come to take pictures every day, the most they can capture is him dating Zhu Yanmanzi.

The two are legally of legal age and dating. At most, fans might not approve, and it might trend on social media, but there won't be any other negative impact.

Having seen many news reports about scandals involving celebrities in her autobiographical film, Chen Jin feels that the country has a very high tolerance for celebrities.

Many artists are blacklisted, which is entirely their own fault.

Chen Jin is definitely a "rare breed" in the industry.

"Then what are you afraid of?"

“If you are upright, you fear no slander!”

Tian Zhuangzhuang still has high hopes for this nominal student: "Being number one in the industry isn't necessarily a bad thing; no matter how high Huayi climbs, hehe..."

Just as Chen Jin said to Zhu Yanmanz.

The wood show will be destroyed by the forest wind.

Huayi was also one of those being pressured, and it wasn't just Chen Jin.

"Understood, Director!"

Chen Jin benefited greatly from her conversation with Tian Zhuangzhuang.

While the system experience is one thing, the revolutionary experience of the older generation in reality is also very important.

Old ginger is spicier!

When are we leaving for Kinmen?

This is actually something that Tian Zhuangzhuang values ​​very much right now.

The Golden Horse Awards are currently the most prestigious award in the Chinese film industry, far more valuable than the Golden Rooster Awards held earlier this month.

To date, the Beijing Film Academy has only produced one Golden Horse Award-winning actor and has never won Best Director; moreover... it's a little embarrassing to say, because it's a vocational high school student.

And it's not a performing arts major.

That is Huang Bo, who won the Best Actor award at the 09 Golden Horse Awards for his role in "Cow".

At this point, Huang Bo became a household name in the entertainment industry.

As for the Central Academy of Drama, there are many more.

Therefore, the prestige of this award is widely recognized within the industry, at least before that major incident happened later.

"My flight is at 3 PM tomorrow!"

"Guo Fan is also going with a few of us; we still need to discuss the distribution of 'So Young'!"

"Alright, you don't need to worry about Huayi's matter. I'll talk to Dean Zhang about it later. Jinma is the most important thing!"

"When we get to Taiwan, I'll introduce you to a few directors..."

Chen Jin had never cared about connections before, but since it was involved, Tian Zhuangzhuang still wanted to lend him a hand.

"Life's Big Events" was nominated for many Golden Horse Awards, so Tien Chuang-chuang naturally had to attend.

"Let Makino give Grandma's script a try!"

"I'll go to the set and see what happens, maybe even make a run for it... Cannes would be the earliest!"

"It should be enough by May next year!"

There are still six months left. The shooting and post-production of art films are quick, unlike special effects and action blockbusters, which take at least a year!
"Ok!"

"Actually, I also think Brother Wen is quite suitable..."

(End of this chapter)