After rebirth, I became a great master

Chapter 518 Shanghai Circle
Good news is coming.

Haiyan, take it!
These days, the cost of producing a TV series is generally only a few million yuan. It's conceivable that the copyright fee for a novel and the screenwriter's fee combined would only amount to a few hundred thousand yuan. Tangren Media's offer of double that is naturally very competitive.

Unexpectedly, two days later, when Tang Shiyi and Dong Lan wanted to formally discuss cooperation with Hai Yan and his novel copyright management company Hairun, the other party reneged on the deal.

Raising the price again won't help.

"It has nothing to do with money."

Tang Shiyi sighed softly.

Zhou Haoran frowned. "What is that?"

Dong Lan said from the side, "Opportunity."

Because the deal fell through, even the hot pot at Donglaishun didn't taste good anymore.

Zhou Haoran didn't seem to care much and ate heartily. "What opportunity?"

Dong Lan said, "It's a threat. Someone warned them that if they switch to the port, they won't get any opportunities in the capital. They're traitors to the Beijing entertainment circle. Even many directors and actors will face obstacles when they try to work with them."

"Hey, you two eat up..." Zhou Haoran really liked the northern flavors. "This northern hot pot is really different from the southern hot pot. The sesame sauce and the dipping sauce are two completely different styles. I heard it tastes even better in winter."

Dong Lan was speechless. "I'm not in the mood anymore."

"Lu Ming, eat up!"

Zhou Haoran served her some mutton.

Tang Shiyi hummed in agreement and quietly ate in small bites.

“Some people, taking advantage of policy benefits to enter the market early and seize the opportunity, really think the entire industry belongs to them.” Zhou Haoran served meat and vegetables to Tang Shiyi without any panic. “They’re really asking for trouble.”

"Who is it? Hai Yan?" Dong Lan's expression changed slightly, and she quickly explained, "It has nothing to do with him. He's quite easy to talk to, and he'd like to cooperate with us, but the film and television rights to his novels are held by Hairun. Hairun's main business is an advertising company, and they need to survive in the capital."

Zhou Haoran said, "It's okay, I'll find a senior tomorrow and ask him!"

His senior was Wang Changlian, a graduate of the Journalism Department of Fudan University, who was working as a producer at Beijing TV at the time.

Previously, he had attended a training course at Red Star TV.

The two had spoken.

Wang Changlian felt constrained at work and wanted to resign and start his own business.

"Senior, how have you been lately?"

The next morning, Zhou Haoran invited him out for tea.

"Not good." Wang Changlian shook his head, not taking it to heart. "It doesn't matter anyway, I'm resigning anyway."

Zhou Haoran chuckled and said, "Is it because you're from out of town that everyone's shunning you?"

"Anyway, when a good opportunity arises, I'm not the first person they think of."

Wang Changlian considers himself very knowledgeable about television, but he is not valued enough at his workplace.

Zhou Haoran said, "What are your plans? If you want to go to Red Star Terrace, I'll help you make arrangements."

"Let's start a company first and give it a try."

Wang Changlian had had enough of the constraints imposed on him by the system and wanted to break free and fight for himself.

Zhou Haoran nodded. "Then let's go back to the harbor. I have a friend who owns Tangren Film & Television Company, and it's developing rapidly. You might be able to work together with him there. These people in the Beijing circle are too hostile."

Wang Changlian asked, "Have you been in contact with them?"

Zhou Haoran then told him about the Haiyan drama.

"Oh, I know!" Wang Changlian works at the Capital TV station and had heard some news. "Hai Yan's first TV series was called 'Plainclothes Policeman,' which was very successful. A few years ago, he made another one, which was also a collaboration with the Capital TV station. He invested more than 400 million yuan, and it was all finished, but it was rejected."

"Dead?"

Zhou Haoran twitched the corners of his mouth.

Wang Changlian said, "Yes, the script passed the review, but then the environment changed, and after it was filmed, it failed the review. The station lost a lot of money, so they stopped the cooperation with Haiyan."

Zhou Haoran then understood the underlying reason: "That's why Haiyan sought cooperation with Red Star TV."

Wang Changlian said, "The drama 'A Romantic Affair' received rave reviews and won the audience's approval. The station leaders regretted their decision and wanted to continue working with Haiyan. There was a previous project that was rejected, and Haiyan also felt indebted to the Capital TV station, so he turned back."

"The harbor is still not attractive enough."

"That's normal. We have CCTV-16 and CCTV-16 here, as well as the Central Academy of Drama and Beijing Film Academy. We have directors, actors, and industry professionals from all over the country. The capital city does indeed have more resources in the film and television industry than the port city."

"We can't let them have a monopoly."

Zhou Haoran has already made up his mind.

They wanted to bring Wang Changlian to the harbor because the company he founded was called Enlight Media.

The goal is to have this company located in the Zhongbo Industrial and Cultural Park.

Wang Changlian chuckled and said, "You're not thinking of creating a Shanghai circle to compete with the Beijing circle, are you?"

"Can't you?"

Zhou Haoran asked back.

“The port city certainly has the qualifications, but it lacks people,” Wang Changlian pointed out. “In this industry, the most important thing is talent. The port city has the funds, that’s definitely not a problem. But to produce an excellent TV series or movie, you need good directors and good actors. These resources are all concentrated in the capital now.”

Zhou Haoran nodded. "Yes, this trip north failed."

“However…” Wang Changlian narrowed his eyes, “it’s not like there’s no way!”

"Ok?"

"If the road north is blocked, we can still go south!"

“Great minds think alike.” Zhou Haoran laughed heartily.

Wang Changlian said, "I've heard that the film and television industries in Hong Kong and Taiwan have also entered a period of decline. Now that domestic policies have opened up and the Hong Kong government has returned to China, the port lacks resources in this area. If we can take advantage of our geographical location and connect with the Hong Kong government, then our Shanghai film and television circle will not only be on par with the Beijing film and television circle, but will surpass the Beijing film and television circle!"

Why is the film and television industry in Hong Kong so developed?
This is because during the Republic of China era, the harbor was known as the Hollywood of the East, with hundreds of film companies.

It has produced a group of superstars who have become famous in film history.

Later, because of war.

As well as policy factors, many filmmakers from the golden age of Hong Kong cinema moved south to develop their careers in the Hong Kong government, which led to the later flourishing of the Hong Kong film industry.

Hong Kong government films are the offspring of old Hong Kong films.

Now, the Hong Kong government has returned to China.

The policy has been relaxed.

It's time to acknowledge our roots.

Zhou Haoran asked, "When do you plan to quit your job and start your own business?"

Wang Changlian said, "Within six months."

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "That's what I'm thinking too."

What are you considering?

Wang Changlian was puzzled.

Zhou Haoran said calmly, "Within six months, we will acquire a powerful entertainment company from the Hong Kong government, and then connect the Hong Kong government's film and television resources back to the port to promote the great development of the port's film and television industry!"

"Acquisition?"

Wang Changlian's eyes widened.

Zhou Haoran nodded. "Acquisitions and gradual development are definitely not going to work. We need to use large-scale mergers and acquisitions to integrate and connect resources."

“The film and television companies in Hong Kong…” Wang Changlian took a deep breath, “Their prices aren’t low!”

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "Money is not a problem."

Wang Changlian was secretly alarmed.

It seems this junior is really rich.

If I had money...

That would be easy.

"Are you still working at Hongxing TV?" Wang Changlian asked.

Zhou Haoran said, "Yes, this will make resource integration easier. In the film and television industry in Haigang, you can't do without Red Star TV. I plan to train a producer to oversee Red Star TV's film and television copyright acquisition; they really need to generate results right now."

Wang Changlian laughed and said, "No wonder you wanted to contact Haiyan!"

"That's why."

Zhou Haoran didn't hide anything from him and even planned to have a longer-term business relationship with him.

Wang Changlian said with a smile, "Haiyan's dramas are great, but there are two mountains that Haiyan's dramas can never surpass in terms of TV remakes!"

"Jin Yong dramas and Qiong Yao dramas."

Zhou Haoran immediately understood what he meant.

Wang Changlian said slowly, "A Jin Yong adaptation might not be suitable."

"why?"

"There's a martial arts craze in China right now, and any Jin Yong drama that airs is a guarantee of high ratings. However, these are all Hong Kong dramas, and the production quality is very poor. This displeases some leaders, who feel that such terrible films can sweep the country and are a poison to the spiritual civilization of the people."

“Uh…” Zhou Haoran’s lips twitched. “Some things in Hong Kong movies and TV dramas are indeed poison.”

Wang Changlian said, "So I heard that Crown TV is going to film a Jin Yong drama and has already contacted the old man."

"Ok?"

Zhou Haoran raised his eyebrows.

Wang Changlian said, "In the past few years, the flagship TV series of Crown TV has been the Four Great Classical Novels. Now the last one, 'Water Margin,' has been filmed and has achieved a 70% viewership rating, which has become a nationwide sensation. The next big drama to air will likely be a Jin Yong drama."

Zhou Haoran then remembered.

In the previous life, Crown TV did indeed launch such a grand plan, successively remaking dramas such as "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer", "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils", "The Return of the Condor Heroes", and "The Legend of the Condor Heroes".

Wang Changlian said, "It might be a bit difficult to compete with Crown TV for Jin Yong dramas. However, it might be very easy to compete with Volcano TV for Qiong Yao dramas! Hong Kong and Taiwan have always had close ties, which gives us a great advantage in this regard."

Zhou Haoran didn't understand, "Volcano platform?"

Wang Changlian said, "In the past few years, the copyrights of Qiong Yao dramas have all been sold to Volcano TV."

"Oh."

"Qiong Yao dramas are different from Jin Yong dramas. For Jin Yong dramas, you have to buy the novel rights from Jin Yong and then finance the production. Qiong Yao dramas are different; she has her own film and television company, and she finances and produces them herself. Red Star TV has money, connections, and relationships; they can just snatch them from Volcano TV. If they can't beat Crown TV, they can at least beat Volcano TV, right?"

"Makes sense."

Zhou Haoran finally obtained a highly feasible plan in the near future, which was the perfect solution to promote Dong Lan to replace Hai Yan's drama.

Wang Changlian laughed and said, "In short, if you want to build a Shanghai circle to compete with others, you must rely on the film and entertainment industry of Hong Kong and Taiwan in the short term. This is the biggest advantage of the port."

"We can do it together when you come!"

Zhou Haoran extended another invitation to him, asking him to come to the harbor.

(End of this chapter)