Abstract Art Award Winner

Zhou Le is an artist, and also the now widely recognized Warren Buffett of the entertainment industry.

He has made three film and television investments: "The Wandering Earth," "Ne Zha," and "Story of Yanxi Palace," all of which have been profitable so far.

"Ne Zha" and "The Wandering Earth" earned Zhou Le over a billion yuan at the box office, while "Story of Yanxi Palace" earned money from copyright and advertisers.

In other words, investing in these three film and television works would net you two billion yuan.

Regardless of whether he had money or not, Zhou Le couldn't afford to eat too shabbily, so he basically ordered all the expensive dishes here.

There were only about twenty people in total.

"Eat as much as you want, don't worry about anything else."

As soon as Zhou Le spoke, everyone cheered.

Other artists' studios may face all sorts of abuse from fans, such as poor photo editing, unreasonable work schedules, being bullied on shows, or inadequate public relations after being attacked.

But for Zhou Le, none of that matters.

Everyone just needs to do their own job well.

When they were halfway through the meal, Zhou Le stood up again: "We're going to sing some more songs later, but considering it's getting late and some people might be tired, if anyone wants to go back and rest, I'll take a taxi to send you home."

Of course, it's all voluntary. We don't force anyone here. You can go back or go if you want. Everyone will have a day off tomorrow morning and can go back to work in the afternoon.

If you're staying far away, then let's book a hotel nearby; otherwise, I'm not comfortable with you traveling so late at night.

Apart from the employees who had just joined the company, the remaining long-term employees all knew Zhou Le's personality. Perhaps other bosses would just be being polite, but since Zhou Le had said so, it meant that if they didn't want to go, they could go home.

Sure enough, after the meal, two girls planned to go home.

"Brother Le, we're both really tired, and we still have a lot of work to do tomorrow. We probably won't be able to finish it all in one afternoon, so we'd like to go back and rest first. We can just take a taxi back."

"It's alright. Where do you live?"

We both live near Zhuxinzhuang.

"Zhuxinzhuang? That's a bit far. How about this, let Xiao Su book a hotel room for you two. Let's go tomorrow afternoon. It's okay if you can't finish your work. If you can't finish it tomorrow, you can do it the day after. Anyway, there's a reason for today's situation."

"Boss, it's alright."

"Alright, don't be so polite with me. Today's team building activity was already taking up everyone's rest time, and I already feel bad about it. How could I let you spend any more money?"

"Thank you, boss. Then we can share a room."

"Okay, if two people share a room, they can talk to each other and stuff."

Afterwards, Zhou Le arranged for Su Yingxia to book a room for the two of them.

Su Yingxia took out her phone and found a room that cost a little over a thousand yuan a night. After booking it for the two of them, she sent the hotel address to one of their phones.

"It's all arranged. Although it's not far, let's wait a bit before taking the car. We're going that way anyway, so we can drop you off there."

This gesture deeply moved everyone present.

The team building location wasn't far from the company, but Zhou Le had chartered several vans to come, and they would be traveling by car again later.

"That boss, me..."

"Big sister, are you going back too?"

"Yes, after all, I'm getting old." The cleaning lady said this with a look of guilt on her face, because in her opinion, it was a happy thing for everyone to get together and have a good time.

The young people wanted to leave because they had a lot of work to do the next day, but she only had so much area to clean, and she was afraid that leaving early would spoil everyone's fun.

"It's okay, sis. Your house is closer, so I'll call you a car."

"It's okay, I can walk back. It's only a ten-minute walk."

"No need, it's too tiring to walk. I'll call a car to take you back. As for your electric scooter, just leave it at the company for now. You can take a taxi to work tomorrow. Get an invoice then and we'll reimburse you through the finance department."

After seeing the cleaning lady off in a taxi, Zhou Le then called the others to get in as well.

Zhou Le booked a private room for four hours, but only sang three or four songs in total; the rest of the time he just watched everyone else sing.

Snacks, fruit platters, beer, and drinks are all-you-can-eat.

Only after the event was over did Zhou Le arrange for his employees to stay at a hotel.

As for the artists, they all went home, each accompanied by their managers, who do not drink alcohol in such situations.

They all had cars in Beijing, so they each drove back.

Zhou Le was driven back by Su Yingxia.

"Ugh."

"night."

"It's still night? It's almost dawn. I'll just stay here."

"That's what I mean. I'm just worried about you going back alone."

"Are you genuinely worried? My rented apartment is in the same neighborhood as yours, only a five or six-minute walk away."

"If you insist on going back, that's fine too. How do you want to go back? I'll take you back."

Su Yingxia gave Zhou Le a long look, then wrapped her arms around his neck: "Are you going to take me back properly? Or should we just stay here? I spend more time here than at home."

Zhou Le naturally wouldn't refuse.

However, while in Beijing, Zhou Le visited Han Sanping again, mainly because of the movie.

After all, the movie "Making a Name for Oneself" which will be filmed next year is based on the Three Elders Case, and the plot may have some allusions, so Zhou Le simply went to find them.

The saying goes, "It's good to have a big tree to lean on." If the other party is willing to serve as the producer, then the movie is completely secure. Even if Han Sanping is unwilling to appear in person, it's no problem to have one of his subordinates or Han Jianu lend their names to the production.

Anyway, we can just give Han Han the role of producer; the producer position is just sitting vacant anyway.

Han Sanping was in a meeting at the moment, and Zhou Le waited for a while before he finally saw her.

When Zhou Le brought him the script and asked him to be a producer, Han Sanping was quite willing to take a look at it. After reading the entire script, Han Sanping put down the folder in his hand and thought about it.

How much money are you planning to invest in this movie?

"Within 50 million, we won't need too many scenes. The main focus will be on escape room mystery games. If we don't count marketing costs, 20 million should be enough."

"Then there's no need to spend too much. Aren't you good at publicity? Sometimes, a casual remark is more effective than spending a lot of money on advertising." "Third Master, you're flattering me. I'll still spend a little money then, after all, it's the first movie I'll ever make."

"That's good. Being a director is a good option while still being able to act. Even if you don't make money, you won't lose too much. At least you can afford it now. And if it works out, it will pave the way for the future."

So what brings you here this time?

"Third Master, it's like this. You've seen it too. Some of the content is quite sensitive, so I was thinking of asking you to be a producer."

"Haha, a producer? No problem, but if I'm the producer, China Film Group has to get involved."

"Okay, you decide how much to add."

"Let me think about it. For this kind of low-budget film, if your total investment is 50 million, China Film Group could invest about 5 million. Also, I have a friend who is quite interested in investing in the film industry. I can ask him to invest some money with you as well."

They were talking about friends, but everyone knew who it was without needing to say it, so Zhou Le immediately broke off the donkey.

Although Zhou Le felt that with an investment of 50 million, the film was unlikely to lose money, the box office performance might not be very high. It could only be considered a trial project.

"Alright, I'll follow Third Master's arrangements."

"Okay, send me a copy of the materials you've prepared later. I'll show it to my friend, and then you can discuss the investment. As for the producer, just write my name on the list."

"Third Master is so generous, he doesn't even know it's noon."

"I probably won't be able to make it for the next few days. I have to go to the airport soon, and I'll probably have to eat lunch on the plane. I won't be back until next week at the earliest."

"How about we schedule it for next week?"

"Sure, I'll invite a few more people later, and we can all sit together."

In this way, Zhou Le easily filled the producer's vacancy.

Although the revenue share will decrease after friends from China Film Group and Han Sanping join in, Zhou Le's goal in making this film was never to make money.

This is mainly why I got the job of a director.

Moreover, if you want someone to endorse you, you'll naturally have to share some of the profits. It's not just about finding Han Sanping; if the producer chooses Xu Zheng, Xu Zheng will also have to be involved.

After reaching an agreement, Zhou Le immediately called Han Han.

"Young Master Han, the producer's matter has been settled. Han Sanping will be listed on the board."

"Wow, that was quick!"

"That is required."

Zhou Le actually admired Han Han. When they hung out together, they called each other brothers, but in many ways, Zhou Le regarded Han Han as his teacher.

The first is directing, and the second is racing.

But compared to Han Han, Zhou Le admired him more.

He achieved fame at a young age through his own abilities. Although he suffered losses in investments later, he is still quite a unique individual.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be possible for him to be invited by various mainstream and non-mainstream film festivals every year, but he rarely goes.

After all, for most directors, winning an award represents honor. Even if the box office flops and only makes a few million or a few hundred thousand, winning an award can still be a topic of conversation and a sign of seniority.

If Han Han were truly willing to engage in hype, he would absolutely not be able to lose to any internet celebrity, star, or director now.

Whether or not to attend the film festival, or whether or not to participate in other events, is Han Han's own business. But if it were Zhou Le, he would definitely have to go.

In the following days, Zhou Le went to the Galaxy Science Fiction Awards and the Macau Film Festival.

The winner of the Galaxy Awards was still "The Wandering Earth," but Liu Cixin, a leading figure in Chinese science fiction, was also successfully inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame and received an honorary certificate.

He then went to the Macau Film Festival, where he received a Best Actor nomination.

Although he ultimately failed to win the Best Actor award, Zhou Le showed no resentment whatsoever as he watched the person on stage holding the trophy.

"It's quite a surprise. I never thought that I, an amateur in the film industry, would be able to stand on this stage and participate in this event with everyone."

I am very excited and grateful for everyone's recognition of this play. Although I received this award today, I feel that I should be the one accepting it on behalf of others, because this award should belong to teachers all over the country.

Thank you everyone, thank you to the crew. Finally, I want to thank Zhou Le. Two of the very talented actors in our crew were recommended by him. Thank you all. Of course, if you have any good scripts in the future, you can also consider casting Zhou Le. I think he is an outstanding and excellent actor.

When Yu Qian was giving her acceptance speech on stage with the Golden Lotus Award, she mentioned Zhou Le, which surprised Zhou Le.

He came with Yu Qian, but he never expected that his godfather would be able to go on stage and accept the award, and even mention his name at the end of his acceptance speech.

After Yu Qian came down, other awards were presented on stage. Zhou Le hadn't really planned to win, but when the Best Newcomer Award was announced, Zhou Le was the next to be awarded.

As Zhou Le stood up and gestured to those around him, he saw that everyone he knew was clapping, and Qian even gave him two thumbs up.

Only Chen Feiyu, who was sitting slightly back, seemed expressionless.

This made Zhou Le a little uneasy.

"Well, logically speaking, the chairman of the jury this time is Ge You, the artistic director is Feng Xiaogang, and the award presenter is Zhang Guoli. These are all people from Huayi Brothers, but in terms of relationships, Feng Xiaogang and Chen Kaige are closer."

"But how did this award end up on my head? Logically, Director Chen should have been promoting his son."

Just as he was walking onto the stage, his eyes met Zhang Guoli's, and Zhou Le suddenly felt that he understood something.

Although all the people at the Macau Film Festival were from Huayi Brothers, apart from director Feng Xiaogang, Zhang Guoli and Ge You also had a very good relationship with Zhang Yimou.

After all, as an actor, one cannot be too limited in one's perspective.

Moreover, both of them became famous earlier than Feng Xiaogang, and they are known as good-natured people in the industry, with good relationships with everyone.

Of course, Chen Feiyu has Chen Kaige on his side, but Zhou Le also has quite a few, such as middle-generation directors like Wu Jing, Xu Zheng, and Ning Hao, as well as new generation directors like Guo Fan and Han Han.

Among the older generation of filmmakers, although Zhang Yimou is from the Northwest circle, Zhang Yibo is definitely from the Beijing circle.

All things considered, this award could go to anyone.

Zhou Le's acceptance speech naturally included a list of people he thanked, with Yu Qian being the first person he mentioned, followed by Wu Jing.

After Zhou Le stepped down from the stage, after announcing the Best Producer Award, the host suddenly mentioned an award called Most Popular New Actor, and this time the name announced was Chen Feiyu.

"Wait a minute, was there such an award before? I don't remember there being any popularity award before. Aren't popularity awards usually only given out at film festivals or similar events organized by internet platforms or TV stations?"

Guo Fan, who was standing to the side, asked in bewilderment.

"Who knows? But since they've already come all this way, we can't let them leave empty-handed." (End of Chapter)