Entertainment: I am the peak

Chapter 679 Eating and drinking together
Autumn Pictures has supported so many young directors, but which one is most favored by management?

It wasn't Han Yan, nor even Chen Sicheng, nor Xin Yukun, whom Li Qiutang personally selected and gave the script to, but Tian Yusheng.

Nothing more than stable output and stable profits.

In 14, there was "The Ex-Files," in 15, there was "The Ex-Files 2," and now he brings us "The Ex-Files 3."

The first two installments of the "Ex-Files" series were profitable, though not by much. The combined earnings of the two "Ex-Files" films were less than the earnings of Li Qiutang's single "Mojin: The Lost Legend".

But that's not how it works. Tian Yusheng releases one film a year, while Li Qiutang spent three years filming "Mojin: The Lost Legend".

Any company would appreciate a director and projects that consistently deliver stable output and generate consistent profits.

The quality doesn't need to be high, and the profit doesn't even need to be much; just having some is enough.

Just like Lionsgate's Saw series, what they want is a stable output of profits.

The Ex-Files series has never been well-received since its inception, but the project is undeniably profitable, and the company is willing to continue making it.

Another point is that actors Han Gen and Zheng Kai have only been able to keep their careers going with "The Ex-Files" in recent years. You have to consider the feelings of these actors.
But this year, with the third installment in the series, Tian Yusheng publicly stated during the promotional period that this is the final chapter of the "Ex-Files" series: "Because my current emotional experiences and understanding of emotions have been exhausted in these three films, I have no more understanding, or I have not found more emotional stories that I want to express."

This isn't about copying Michael Bay's marketing; Tian Yusheng genuinely told the company he wanted to suspend the "Ex-Files" series.

The company assumed he was tired of filming "The Ex-Files" and wanted to try something different, so they agreed to let him do it. They figured they could restart it in a couple of years; there was no need to force the director to do something he didn't want to do.

It seems that all film and television sequels follow an inescapable trilogy rule.

Therefore, this year's "The Ex-Files 3" has an additional special meaning as a final chapter.

The "Ex-Files" series has established its own appeal, and lovestruck men and women love it. This year is the final installment, and the pre-sales for "Ex-Files 3" are soaring.

However, his competitors should not be underestimated. "Youth," as an art film, has grossed over 10 billion yuan, sweeping away Huayi's slump throughout the year.

"The Legend of the Demon Cat" has helped director Chen Kaige regain some public favor, and its opening weekend box office of 2.4 million yuan is a satisfactory result.

While "Bleeding Steel" and "Psychological Crime" declined, they still faced stiff competition from other shows like "Hanson and the Beast," "Miracles of the Namiya General Store," and "Goldbuster." With so many shows competing, even a small share from each one could still take away a significant portion of the market.

Let's talk about the movie "Goldbuster". This movie was invested in by Mahua FunAge and starred Shen Teng, but it has nothing to do with Qiu Tian. Qiu Tian is only responsible for movies controlled by Mahua FunAge and does not interfere with Mahua FunAge's operation and investment.

Qiu Tian had advised Mahua not to invest in this film, but Mahua wouldn't listen and was determined to expand their network within the industry.

This film was primarily funded by Jia Ying. Unfamiliar with Jia Ying? After Xingmei was embroiled in a defaulter scandal, Qin Hong successfully extricated himself; Jia Ying is his new company.

Jia Ying is doing quite well now, having held a film slate launch event and released over twenty films. These old hands, as long as they aren't completely wiped out, might just make a comeback someday.

The Lunar New Year film season is none of Li Qiutang's business. He only has three jobs right now: the post-production of "The Wandering Earth," which his team is working on and he doesn't need to keep an eye on it all the time; the publicity and distribution of "Operation Red Sea" and "Detective Chinatown 2," which he is personally overseeing; and how to spend the 20 billion yuan from Century Autumn.

The last one, in particular, was considered by Li Qiutang to be one of his most important tasks for the next two years.

He hasn't been involved in TV dramas for a long time, and he knows that many people won't listen to his sudden proposal this year to stockpile a large number of dramas to prepare for future development. It can't be said that he is outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant. Every company has its own development inertia, and this inertia cannot be reversed by the chairman's words.

Therefore, he has to oversee it personally, otherwise this crucial task might not be able to proceed. As for setting up an artist management team, this is not something Li Qiutang needs to push forward. Setting up an artist management team is a cost-reduction measure for the company, and the company has a strong incentive to do it.

He is currently working on the set of "The Longest Day in Chang'an" at Xiangshan Film and Television City.

Watch Lei Jiayin eat mutton soup.

"Is this stuff tasty?"

"He's eaten three bowls." The director of this drama is Cao Dun, Li Qiutang's old friend. He pointed at Lei Jiayin on the monitor and cursed, "That son of a bitch deliberately doesn't eat and comes to the set to freeload."

"Click. One more time."

Lei Jiayin, who was on set, had something to say. He picked up the assistant director's walkie-talkie and said to Cao Dun, "Director, I can't eat anymore."

"Didn't you skip a meal specifically for this scene?"

"Even so, I can't keep eating like this. Let me take a break."

"Okay, the crew will take a ten-minute break." Cao Dun said with a smile. "Come on, props, bring another bowl over for our Director Li to try." He said to Li Qiutang, "Try it, it won't be a wasted trip. The food on our set is very good."

Li Qiutang, who was also a bit of a foodie, said, "Now that you mention it, I really want to eat it. You need to have sesame seed cakes with your soup. Do you have any?"

Just then, Lei Jiayin came over, sucking on a persimmon. Hearing what Li Qiutang said, he teased her with a line from the play: "You said you'd eat, but you really are eating?"

"We don't have any sesame cakes, so have a bowl of water instead." The prop master brought over a bowl and chopsticks and handed it to Li Qiutang.

It's winter now, and Xiangshan is damp and cold. Li Qiutang, a Northeasterner, is not used to it. Drinking a sip of hot mutton soup makes her feel incredibly comfortable.

"Ah." Li Qiutang breathed a sigh of relief.

That "ah" struck Lei Jiayin like a thunderbolt. He smiled and said, "I was wondering why I couldn't find the right feeling no matter how I acted. It was because I was missing that 'ah.' With that 'ah,' the character of Zhang Xiaojing is just right. I understand now."

“Zhang Xiaojing is a prisoner who has just been released from death row. He doesn’t know where his next meal will come from. The first thing he does after he gets out of prison is to eat. When I got the script, I kept thinking about how to eat in a way that would bring out the character of Zhang Xiaojing. It was all about that one 'ah' sound.” Lei Jiayin finished speaking and snatched the bowl from Li Qiutang’s hand. “Director, let’s do it once. This time it’ll definitely be right. Come on, come on.” He carried the bowl into the film set.

Li Qiutang only had one pair of chopsticks left in her hand. After being stunned for a while when someone snatched her bowl, she said, "No, you come and make yourself a new bowl. Why did you take mine? I just ate two bites."

The staff were all laughing so hard they were dumbfounded. They quickly comforted her, saying, "Make Teacher Li another bowl, with extra mutton."

Seeing that Lei Jiayin was in excellent condition and had already returned to the set, Cao Dun didn't linger and immediately organized the work: "Come on, actors, keep in good condition, the crew will start work right away."

Li Qiutang leaned closer, also wanting to see how Lei Jiayin would perform this time.

Lei Jiayin's voice came through Cao Dun's walkie-talkie: "Director, watch me get it right in one take."

Cao Dun said, "Alright, let's begin immediately."

(End of this chapter)