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

Chapter 331 Jiang Wen's Shock!
Chen Jin was unaware of the change in mindset of the two frogs behind him. He genuinely didn't want to stay with these people and just wanted to end this trip to Taiwan as soon as possible.

After arriving near the Hsinchu Cultural Affairs Bureau Performing Arts Hall in Lin Ruiqi's car, Chen Jin, Guo Fan, Tian Zhuangzhuang, and a few others got out and headed straight for the hotel.

This was booked in advance; I needed to get my makeup done and change into the dress for the awards ceremony.

Although Chen Jin doesn't endorse any big brands, with his current popularity, many high-end luxury brands actually want to collaborate with him. Even just showing off his clothes and accessories on stage would be a worthwhile deal.

It would be even better if we won an award.

An absolute win-win.

Moreover, it was Chen Jin who selected the brands, which is why many high-end luxury brands in later generations like to collaborate with high-profile celebrities.

Because this represents exposure, which is what brands need, not how many awards you've won or how long you've been in the industry.

In an era dominated by capital, traffic truly reigns supreme.

You can lack acting skills and works, but as long as you generate enough buzz, even if the whole world criticizes you, there will still be capital chasing after you and showering you with money.

And they don't care about the lives of the audience; they'll even catch the shit being fed to them.

The deterioration of some things actually begins with traffic, including internet celebrities, trending topics, and so on in later generations.

If internet celebrities can become actors, what is the lowest possible standard?

"Brother Jin, there are quite a few people from mainland China who came to the Golden Horse Awards this year, aren't there?"

As a director, and with only average popularity in Taiwan, Guo Fan's makeup didn't take long.

As for clothes, they were just things I bought casually from brand stores.

Chen Jin is a celebrity, so there are many considerations. Armani specially hired a team of professional makeup artists from Taiwan to do her styling; her clothes are also a high-end custom-made outfit that was just launched this fall/winter.

"How do you know it?"

Chen Jin asked while putting on her makeup.

"News!"

Guo Fan was scrolling through his phone: "Several media outlets from the mainland have come. They've made quite a show of it. Do they all think you can win Best Actor?"

"It's possible!"

"However, there are probably more people from our mainland!"

The reason Chen Jin asked that question was actually to confirm Guo Fan's source of information, as he assumed the other party had guessed.

Because there are indeed several mainland Chinese films nominated for the Golden Horse Awards this time.

Leaving aside "Life's Big Events," "Let the Bullets Fly" and "The Piano in a Factory" are second only to the Taiwanese film "Seediq Bale," receiving 9 and 7 nominations respectively.

"Life's Big Events" happens to fall right in the middle of them, earning them 8 nominations.

Guo Fan won the Best Director award again with "Love is Not Blind".

However, he's unlikely to win this time either, because Wu Ershan is also nominated. With Fox International backing him up, he's competing on home soil and has a strong advantage.

All I can say is that Guo Fan is really unlucky.

I'm going to lose the "Best New Director" award for the third time in a row.

Huabiao (ornamental column), Golden Rooster, Golden Horse.

He missed out on the award three times in a row.

Chen Jin wanted to help but was powerless to do so, since she didn't know any of the judges, unlike Venice where she could at least try to find a solution.

Fox International was able to help Chen Jin with public relations because of the transfer of benefits. If Chen Jin were to ask them to help Guo Fan get one as well, it would be asking too much of them.

Guo Fan was actually aware of the situation.

This trip is just to make an appearance and, incidentally, mingle with Chen Jin in the social circle.

He believes that getting to know more people is never a bad thing.

Their next stop was a direct flight to Hollywood, where the filming crew was almost ready and just waiting for Chen Jin to arrive and start filming.

As for Guo Fan, he can be sent to Nolan's side. Chen Jin has experience working with Hollywood crews and can also grasp some of the Hollywood filming processes.

He's a new director, he has plenty of time to figure things out; unlike Guo Fan, who has big ambitions for his next film, "The Wandering Earth," and will definitely need Nolan to give him some serious guidance.

Chen Jin, on the contrary, was not in a hurry.

"Let's go, let's go to the third floor first!"

After finishing her makeup, Chen Jin led Guo Fan out of the room.

Tian Zhuangzhuang and the others have already gone down.

"How to say?"

Guo Fan saw Chen Jin scrolling through his phone. Chen Jin waved his phone in front of him; it was a message Tian Zhuangzhuang had just sent him.

"For both professional and personal reasons, shouldn't we speak to the reviewers about this?"

Chen Jin teased, before Guo Fan could react: "You know any Golden Horse Awards judges?"

"No, isn't there one from our mainland?"

"Oh, Brother Bo!"

Guo Fan smiled and realized what was going on.

Among the 15 judges for this year's Golden Horse Awards, the only judge from mainland China is Huang Bo.

"Haha, Director Tian, ​​you're too kind. You're more famous than me now!"

Before even reaching the room door, Chen Jin heard a very familiar, loud voice; the voice was very deep. Guo Fan, who was next to her, also looked up sharply. Basically, anyone in the film industry would recognize that voice.

Jiang Wen!

Director Jiang sat there with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, puffing away with Huang Bo and a few others.

Chen Jin knocked on the door frame, and everyone turned around. Jiang Wen immediately laughed: "Hey, look who's here?"

"Director Jiang, Brother Bo, Brother Zhao..."

Chen Jin greeted everyone one by one, and Jiang Wen also stood up, laughing loudly: "Brother Jin, this is amazing! I've heard so much about you, and today I finally get to meet you! Hahahaha!"

"Director Jiang, just call me Xiao Chen, I'm your junior!"

Chen Jin politely accepted the cigarette thrown to her by Zhao Fei, the cinematographer of "Let the Bullets Fly," and glanced around the room; there were quite a few people there.

Because he's a strong contender for the Golden Horse Awards, Jiang Wen brought the entire crew with him, including the screenwriter and lead actors. Some of them are probably still in their rooms, such as his wife, Jiang Yun.

This place is really not suitable for actresses; it's all men.

"Jin-ge's outfit, tsk tsk, makes us look so poor. Look, Armani, a designer brand!"

Huang Bo circled around Chen Jin, his face full of wrinkles from smiling.

In the current mainland entertainment industry, Huang Bo is considered a big name among middle-aged actors.

His words amused everyone, and the room was filled with laughter.

Jiang Wen sighed, "There's no comparison. The film market changes every year. It's astonishing. Damn, we can actually have a film that grossed 15 billion yuan in China?"

Let alone Jiang Wen, anyone present who had told him before that a domestic film could break 15 billion yuan in box office revenue would have thought he was crazy.

Because it's not very realistic.

It's worth noting that just two years ago, in 2009, the box office record for domestic films was 420 million yuan, set by "The Founding of a Republic"!
Next up are "Red Cliff" with 2.6 million and Zhang Yimou's "A Simple Noodle Story"!
"2012" won the box office champion in mainland China in 09, barely approaching 5 million yuan.

However, last year, the box office revenue increased several times over.

First, Avatar raked in over 13 billion, then Aftershock grossed 650 million, and then on Singles' Day, Love is Not Blind emerged, shocking the entire film industry with 8.21 million.

In just one year, the box office record doubled.

This year, it's even more incredible.

"Let the Bullets Fly" grossed nearly 9 million, "The Founding of a Republic" 9.18 million, "Life's Big Events" 8.78 million, "Transformers 3" 10.7 billion... Where would you find such terrifying box office numbers before?!
One film grossing around 900 million is one thing, but four or five films have appeared in a single year.

It's not even the end of the year yet, and another 15 billion yuan blockbuster has suddenly appeared, almost turning the entire film industry upside down.

This is not simply a matter of breaking 15 billion.

The subsequent impact of this movie's box office performance is actually very far-reaching.

First, the market will be reassessed, including overseas markets, especially Hollywood, which will once again take notice of the mainland market; second, there will be more film professionals in China.

Finally, there's the film's derivative market, cinemas, and so on... A phenomenal film can involve industries worth tens of billions.

In later generations, the figure would be in the hundreds of billions. Therefore, the overall value of the film market is not measured by box office revenue; rather, box office revenue is merely the foundation.

Only with box office success can there be a follow-up.

"Actually, we should thank Avatar!"

Guo Fan had already spoken to Jiang Wen and a few others. He was considered a rising star, and with two hit films, he was qualified to sit here and "make wild pronouncements," even though Jiang Wen was sitting in front of him.

"Avatar showed us the potential of the mainland Chinese movie-going market, which could exceed 10 billion or even more!"

"But..."

Guo Fan sighed: "Actually, there are many things that China still needs to catch up with!"

"For example, if a movie like 'Transformers 3' had been made by Chinese filmmakers, its box office would definitely not have been as low as 10.7 billion!"

"Definitely!"

Jiang Wen, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, exhaled a smoke ring and glanced at Guo Fan: "Looks like Guo Fan has big ambitions for his next project!"

"No, it's just something I felt compelled to say!"

Since the project wasn't finalized, Guo Fan didn't dare to show off in front of Jiang Wen: "It just feels like we have a huge market in China, but many things haven't caught up yet. Society is developing too fast!"

"for example?"

Photographer Zhao Fei smiled.

"Special effects, industrial design!"

Guo Fan saw that mainland filmmakers were all here, and this was a good opportunity.

Because Chen Jin had told him that after returning from Hollywood, they would set up a special effects department to "upgrade the industry"!
However, special effects require a lot of money.

Chen Jin cannot support such a "gluttonous beast" on her own; it requires the support of all the top directors in the Chinese film industry.

In short, the more movies that require special effects, the faster the industry will upgrade.

Jiang Wen, who is in front of us, has already made a bold statement for his new film: he will continue to make films set in the Republican era, and in IMAX 3D no less, which will definitely require a lot of special effects.

Chen Jin was too embarrassed to say it, but Guo Fan casually mentioned it, and Jiang Wen was sure to be moved.

Sure enough, after hearing Guo Fan's words, Jiang Wen frowned and said, "The commercialization of domestic films has only just begun to take off, and industrialization cannot be built in a day or two; as for special effects and visual effects, we need talented people!"

His meaning couldn't be clearer: Xiao Guo, you're still too green.

Do you think Jiang Wen doesn't want to?

That requires money and talent!
"Someone has to do it!"

"Director Jiang, could you give us a chance with the special effects for the new movie?"

Chen Jin said to Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahaha, so you guys... came prepared?"

"No, it's just a trial. If our team doesn't meet the requirements, we won't charge you a single penny!"

Since Chen Jin had already put it that way, Jiang Wen could certainly understand: "Brother Jin, have you started your own special effects company?"

He was well aware that Chen Jin owned her own film company, and that "So Young" and "Love is Not Blind" were "self-produced and self-sold," making a fortune—more than all the films he had ever made in his entire life combined.

This is only possible in the context of "Let the Bullets Fly," otherwise he would be green with envy.

"We're preparing to open, so I'd like to take on some jobs to support our staff!"

"What a bastard!"

Jiang Wen cursed inwardly.

These movies have made a fortune, proving that the producers are indeed very wealthy.

"I can try it, but if it doesn't work, I won't pay!"

Jiang Wen said casually.

Everyone knows that this guy has very high standards for special effects; his filming is incredibly expensive. If the effects are good, everything else is fine. He's someone who doesn't skimp on money.

The main thing is that he can get funding, and investors are willing to throw money at him!
"No problem, thank you Director Jiang for supporting the domestic special effects industry..."

Chen Jin was smiling there, and everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. This guy... was far from the actor they had imagined.

Everyone else is desperately climbing to the top of the pyramid, afraid that others will squeeze out their resources, but he's investing in some special effects company instead!

This step might have been a bit too big, so it's normal for the fall to be horrific.

But on the surface, it must be maintained.

"Almost?"

Grandpa Ge was looking at his phone when he suddenly said, "Let's get ready and set off!"

"Let's go!"

Jiang Wen stubbed out his cigarette, patted Huang Bo on the shoulder, and the group filed out of the room.

In fact, the Golden Horse Awards red carpet ceremony had already begun at this time.

Unlike film festivals, the jury is always the last to appear, unlike the three major film festivals where the jury is the first to appear.

Chen Jin's several film crews were also ranked quite low, because they were all strong contenders for awards.

After getting into the official vehicle provided by the Golden Horse Awards, we arrived at the roadside of the Hsinchu Cultural Affairs Bureau Performing Arts Hall in less than 5 minutes. It actually looked quite shabby.

It's comparable to this year's Golden Rooster Awards.

The domestic economy hasn't caught up yet, while Hsinchu's economy was already struggling on the island.

The hosts for the red carpet, also known as the red carpet, were Yang Qianpei and Lin Yuzhi, two well-known hosts from Taiwan.

Every time a film crew walks the red carpet, the two of them will take turns asking each other gossip.

That's how it is in Taiwan. Entertainment is very popular, and people often speak their minds without restraint. For example, the question I just asked was about the crew of "The Swordsman".

Is Director Wu married?

"no!"

"Did you have any feelings for the female lead in the movie?"

"No, that belongs to Young Master Wang..."

"Ooh ooh ooh~~~"

The female lead in "The Swordsman" is Zhang Yuqi, who is currently dating Wang Xiaofei of South Beauty. As a result, the movie "The Swordsman" is full of South Beauty product placements.

The product placement in this period drama felt somewhat out of place.

"Were the questions asked by these two hosts really that stupid?"

Guo Fan found it somewhat amusing, but Chen Jin glanced at him and said, "Be careful, you might not be laughing about this later!"

"???"

Guo Fan looked at Chen Jin with an old man's face: "What, are they going to ask me something else?"

"What do you say?"

The fact that a young director is the highest-grossing domestic director in terms of box office revenue will generate a huge buzz in mainland China, let alone Taiwanese media, which have been exposed to online traffic for a longer period.

They have no reason not to follow.

"Damn, does that mean I need to make some preparations?"

"By the way, will you be asked that too?"

Guo Fan blinked, and Chen Jin nodded: "Of course, but I still have time to think, while it's difficult for you!"

Guo Fan is next to walk the red carpet.

Chen Jin did not intend to go with him.

In other words, he went up there all by himself.

Guo Fan: "..."

"No way, you fucking have to come with me! You're a lead actor too!"

Guo Fan was furious and desperately grabbed Chen Jin!

We'll die together!
(End of this chapter)