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

Chapter 399 Hollywood's Top Circle!

"Jinling is coming to North America!"

Breaking News! China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) is set to collaborate with Hollywood's rising star, Relativity Media, on a zombie blockbuster!

Chen Jin and Bale reunite; other lead actors are being recruited globally!

Has it successfully landed a Hollywood film? Chen Jin's new work receives support from Relativity Media!

Chen Jin and Christian Bale's new Hollywood project will hold a global audition!

……

The next day, domestic media outlets were already reporting extensively on the news about "A Trip to Hong Kong".

Before the official movie title is determined, the publicity and distribution will continue to use this name. Of course, this is the practice for many movies before their release. Many films only officially determine their movie title when they face publicity and distribution before their release.

"Brother Jin, is there a suitable role for me in your new work?"

"How long has it been since you went back to school?"

"Brother Jin, are you there?"

"..."

After the news of the audition broke, Chen Jin's phone kept ringing.

Including those I've worked with before, as well as classmates, friends, and so on, many people want to play a role, even if it's just to show their face.

Just like how many Chinese actors will fight tooth and nail for a few seconds of minor role in many future Hollywood blockbusters; many people understand that the key to going international is to have a film that is internationally renowned.

This is the calling card for many actors as they enter the European and American markets.

Now, Chen Jin has clearly broken free from this constraint, not only collaborating with Hollywood film studios, but also securing leading roles and opportunities to work with Christian Bale.

In China today, this is arguably the best person in this age group, or even the best person in the domestic entertainment industry.

Many people only knew that Chen Jin had kept a low profile during this period and thought that he had been marginalized by certain groups. Unexpectedly, after a few months, such a sensational news came out that shook the Chinese entertainment industry.

Reporters contacted Chen Jin immediately to find out more inside information, but Chen Jin's "hype of the audition" is definitely not limited to this wave.

Going forward, we'll need to continue generating buzz through this preliminary selection process.

Therefore, nothing can be said.

He is currently traveling in a Porsche-sponsored vehicle to the Beverly Hills theater for the North American premiere of "The Golden City".

It has to be said that Harvey really has connections. There were many big stars attending the premiere of "Jinling", and even brand sponsors. For example, the Cayenne GTS he is sitting in now has not yet been launched, but it has already gained a lot of exposure through various exhibitions.

In North America, premieres, sporting events, and other major events are highly commercialized. In contrast, premieres in China often involve spending money. Apart from a few commercially renowned directors like Zhang Yimou, premieres can generate revenue through advertising sponsorships, product placements, and other forms of entertainment.

In North America, premieres are basically free, and sometimes they even make money.

The reason is quite simple: popularity means viewership, and viewership can be used for advertising, so North American premieres rarely lose money.

They all contacted television stations to broadcast live in North America.

It's clear that Harvey takes "The Golden Age" very seriously this time, having invited almost every friend in the industry he could, including global superstar Leonardo DiCaprio.

Besides him, there are other North American celebrities such as Nolan, Spielberg, Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), and George Clooney.

These are all renowned filmmakers in North American entertainment circles, whose fame resounds globally.

In terms of publicity alone, "The Battle of Jinling" was probably the most grand ever for a Chinese film to be released in North America.

Honestly, this kind of promotion for a film doesn't really fit the subject matter; but considering that this isn't China, and Harvey is just promoting the film like a product, Chen Jin felt relieved.

Same way!
Chen Jin simply wants people to face this history squarely and for more people around the world to know about the suffering the Chinese people once endured.

Regardless of the process, the ultimate goal for Chen Jin and Zhang Yimou is to gain wider recognition.

Regardless of the process, Chen Jin only wanted this result.

Click! Click!
As soon as Chen Jin got out of the car, reporters from North America and Hollywood swarmed towards him.

Some of them knew Chen Jin, while others had prepared their speeches in advance; these were all media outlets that Harvey had found.

"Hi, Chan, do you still recognize me?"

A blonde woman with "The Hollywood Reporter" written on her microphone greeted Chen Jin and squeezed in front of her.

Chen Jin still had some impression of her, but for the moment... she couldn't quite remember her.

"Sorry, I remember, but..."

"Venice, the Venice closing ceremony red carpet!"

The beautiful woman reminded him, and Chen Jin smiled politely: "Yes, I remember now. Hello, beautiful lady, good evening!"

Good evening! The whole of America is very interested in your novel, *Jinling*!

"And that film that was produced through a global audition in collaboration with Relativity, Kavanaugh called you a magical kung fu kid. Do you acknowledge this nickname he gave you?"

"Ha ha!"

Many reporters around laughed.

"Of course!"

Chen Jin adapted to local customs. He wasn't new to the US; he had been there for almost half a year. Many Americans like to throw in a little humor out of the blue, which is normal social etiquette.

"I really like the title 'Kung Fu Kid'!"

"Actually, I know kung fu!"

Chen Jin suddenly struck a pose, which immediately caused a stir among the crowd.

These reporters were just looking for a stir, and many of those who knew Chen Jin beforehand were actually hearing for the first time that he knew martial arts.

They were more interested in his Venice Film Festival Best Actor title.

"Chinese male actors really all know kung fu!"

One reporter emphasized that Kavanaugh's reference to Chen Jin as a "kung fu kid" was, of course, derived from Li Lianjie, Cheng Long, and the early Bruce Lee.

All three of them are related to kung fu.

If we're talking about the three generations, the oldest is definitely Bruce Lee, followed by Jackie Chan and Jet Li. If Chen Jin is considered a rising star from China who has made it to Hollywood, then the nickname "Kung Fu Kid" isn't bad at all.

In North America, and even in China, nicknames are actually a very useful means of communication.

You may not know the other person's name, but many movie fans will recognize names like Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Leonardo DiCaprio, etc.

Therefore, if the nickname "Kung Fu Kid" spreads, it will be very helpful to Chen Jin's career in Hollywood.

The reporters kept asking questions until the cars behind them arrived, finally allowing Chen Jin to slip away and enter the Beverly Hills movie theater, where a portly Harvey was already standing there with a beaming smile.

Chen Jin arrived relatively early, but this was Harvey's arrangement.

Chen Jin isn't very famous in North America right now, so she has to act quickly. As for actors like Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio, they're the ones who are the main attraction.

"Chan, how's the production of 'The Flower of War'?"

Harvey pointed to the grand platform and set behind him, showing that the old man had indeed put a lot of thought into this premiere.

However, Chen Jin didn't hesitate to expose him: "Wayne, we have to do this for the sake of the box office. Do you really expect a Chinese film to make tens of millions at the box office without any publicity?"

"Haha, you guy!"

Harvey seemed to be in a good mood: "Your two new films, and you didn't even call me? We had such a pleasant collaboration on 'Jinling'!"

"Weinstein could also release films!"

Harvey was obviously referring to "Killer Dragon" and "Hong Kong Trip".

“Wayne, let’s not beat around the bush. If I were to work with you on these two films, you’d definitely want a buyout!” “But I’m thinking of trying co-distribution…”

Chen Jin was speaking the truth; the two had dealt with each other several times and clearly knew each other well.

Harvey knew about Chen Jin's schemes, and Chen Jin understood Harvey's cunning; he was willing to spend so much money on "Nanjing" because it was profitable, but he was unwilling to spend so much on films with uncertain prospects like "Killer: Dragon" and "Hong Kong Trip".

Moreover, the buyout price is even lower, not to mention the price of issuing the rights.

He has no advantage in issuing this; this guy just broke away from the Big Six, and obviously can't compare to Relativity, which is currently in the midst of the Big Six's honeymoon phase.

Chen Jin had weighed the pros and cons beforehand.

"You better watch out for Kavanaugh..."

Harvey pretended to be on good terms with Chen Jin and gave her a reminder.

"How to say?"

Chen Jin raised an eyebrow, and the two of them went to the backstage area of ​​the premiere.

There were many female models, all with various skin tones; they were exactly Harvey's type. They would be performing on stage soon, and as Harvey walked past them, he openly flirted with and touched them.

"Kavano is good at packaging himself, but in my opinion, he's just a good-for-nothing!"

Harvey's words were utterly contemptuous.

This is something that many people in Hollywood are aware of.

Just as there are distinct political circles in China, such as the Beijing circle and the Hong Kong circle, Hollywood naturally rejects these outsiders from Wall Street, embracing the Big Six studios. Harvey Weasley, on the other hand, represents a group of independent filmmakers who broke the monopoly of the Big Six.

Chen Jin was aware of Kavanaugh's potential shady moves, but compared to the one in front of her, it would be better to cooperate with someone a little less clever.

Chen Jin only needed his channels, and it was precisely because many people in Hollywood rejected him that this collaboration became possible. Huayi Brothers and Relativity Media collaborated on several films for the same reason.

If outsiders are not welcomed, then they can only follow the example of others and work internally.

"If the box office of 'The Flower of War' exceeds expectations, I can appropriately raise the buyout price!"

In the end, Harvey still hasn't given up on Chen Jin's "Killer: Dragon".

In fact, this is normal.

Even if the film doesn't have any big stars, it still has value in Harvey's eyes. He has connections and promotional skills; he can buy it at a low price and release it to the market—what if it becomes a hit?!

That's what this guy is planning.

Unfortunately, Chen Jin wanted to replicate the success of "John Wick" from her previous life, so it was impossible for her to sell the distribution rights to him.

"Wayne, I want to try!"

Chen Jin's acting reached its peak at this moment. The sincerity and longing in his eyes, along with the ambition of an outsider eager to prove himself in Hollywood, were perfectly displayed on his face.

So... Harvey understood.

"Alright, best of luck to you, my Chinese friend!"

Harvey rarely showed a warm smile, and patted Chen Jin on the shoulder. He understood the determination of outsiders to prove themselves in Hollywood.

But 99% of them died beyond redemption. The most prominent examples in China are Chow Yun-fat and Zhang Ziyi... Even Jet Li didn't do very well and has now returned to China in disgrace.

Oh, he went to the mainland to make money; he's from Singapore.

"Thank you!"

Chen Jin smiled slightly, and Harvey waved his hand: "Let's go, those bastards should be done with their interviews. I'll take you to meet some Hollywood celebrities!"

"chan!"

Harvey, unusually, spoke frankly to Chen Jin: "If you want to integrate into Hollywood, you have to get to know them, and it's best if you can become one of them!"

This is actually a universal formula in any country.

For example, someone like Harvey, if you go to a Lolita Island or something with him, you're guaranteed to be one of our own.

It's not as simple as just dropping a dog.

However, there are exceptions.

If you have value to them, something they value, even if you don't play with them, these players who are obsessed with capital and money will still flock to you.

This is the pursuit of profit by capital.

Just like Jackie Chan, back then everyone knew that his movies were box office hits and could make money, so the six major film studios would follow him around, giving him resources and pushing him to the forefront.

Because it can make money.

"Hi, Leon, it's so great that you could come!"

Harvey and Leonardo DiCaprio hugged tightly. DiCaprio had a scruffy beard and looked somewhat unkempt. Next to him stood a white man with a slightly flushed face who looked strange and had a rather lewd smile.

Quentin Tarantino!

Chen Jin met the most notorious scoundrel in the directing world in Venice two years ago.

He was one of the founders of The Weinstein Company, and was considered a close friend of Harvey. The two of them, or even the three of them, had one thing in common—a womanizer.

Leonardo DiCaprio changes women like he changes clothes.

And Quentin and Harvey go without saying.

Leonardo DiCaprio's big beard is actually related to a movie he just finished filming.

Django Unchained!
This film is Quentin Tarantino's latest work.

It was jointly invested by Weinstein and Columbia.

"chan!"

Harvey pointed to Chen Jin beside him, and was about to introduce them to the two when Quentin burst out laughing.

"Haha, I know him... Chan, Zhang Yimou's go-to actor!"

"Hello, Taren!"

Chen Jin gave Quentin a big hug, and Leonardo DiCaprio, standing next to her, extended his hand to Chen Jin: "Hello, Ryan!"

"Hello, Jin Chan!"

"Wayne has mentioned to me many times that your company is China's Weinstein!"

Little Li was laughing, while Chen Jin looked completely bewildered: "..."

China's Weinstein?
Harvey, you're really trying to glorify this; this is the worst instance of science fiction being denigrated in film.

"I saw him two years ago; he stood next to Zhang like a student, and now..."

Quentin shrugged, looking incredulous: "That's how amazing the film industry is; it can make someone famous overnight!"

"Perhaps I'm just lucky!"

Chen Jin chatted with these three like-minded people, and soon Bell, Spielberg, and others joined in the conversation.

Meanwhile, the premiere of "Jinling" is in full swing.

A female host from CBS was introducing the film "The Flower of War," including its awards, while Chen Jin and the others waited backstage for the host to call them.

They will go on stage later to share information about the film with some invited audience members and film distributors, while Spielberg and others will sit below and also go on stage later to give "Jinling" a good shout-out.

With so many big names involved, many North American audiences who weren't initially interested in the film will buy tickets to show their support.

These people are what drove the initial surge in popularity and the opening weekend box office!
(End of this chapter)