Chinese entertainment starts with Hong Shixian

Chapter 311 New Play, If You Don't Act, Then You Can Find Yang Mi
The premiere of "Up in the Wind" in Beijing.

As a second-generation director and the son of fourth-generation director Teng Wenji, Teng Huatao had quite a few people come to support him.

Representatives from Feng Xiaogang, Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, the Wang brothers, as well as companies such as Xiaoma Benteng, Hualu Baina, China Film Group, and LeTV Pictures all participated.

It can truly be said that he converses with celebrities and has no commoners among his acquaintances.

Before the premiere even started, people gathered in small groups, chatting about this and that.

However, the topic of their conversation was not Teng Huatao's "Waiting for the Wind".

"Qi Hui is a very interesting person; the web series he produced has caused quite a stir," Zhang Yimou said first.

He enjoys trying new things; although he's not young, he's young at heart.

“Yes, a web series made 200 million yuan,” Chen Kaige said. “Your 'Hero' also had a similar box office figure, right?”

"Hehehe..." The people present chuckled. The box office figures were this high, but the profits were not.

Everyone present was from the film industry, so they were all very clear about how movies were distributed.

With a box office of 200 million, it would be considered good if the production company could get 100 million in revenue.

Moreover, "Hero" was made using film, so the cost of producing the film must be deducted.

Qi Hui, on the other hand, directly invested in the company and received 200 million yuan.

Even though they are used to seeing big money, they can't help but yearn for it.

"With the emergence of new platforms, online dramas have great potential," Feng Xiaogang said with a smile.

He also likes to try new things, but unlike Zhang Yimou, he likes to make fun of these new things in his movies.

I enjoy exploring the changes, impacts, and transformations that new things bring to people.

His film "Cellphone" was like that, and he almost fell out with Cui Yongyuan because of it.

"I don't think so." Chen Kaige's smile faded, and his expression became somewhat serious.
"The emergence of web series will inevitably impact the film market, just like television series did more than a decade ago."

He has no fondness for the internet, and the online video "A Bloodbath Caused by a Steamed Bun" still bothers him to this day.

He really didn't expect that people could be so shameless!

Of course, Chen Kaige is not the kind of person who holds grudges and will not ignore everything because of personal grievances.

However, the development of online dramas will inevitably divert investment funds from movies.

Moreover, given the scale of Qi Hui's web series productions—investing tens of millions to create a few high-quality episodes—who will still watch movies in the future?
"Times are developing, and the internet is advancing; this is what the country has decided," Wang Zongjun said with a smile. "Science and technology are the primary productive forces, and we filmmakers should also embrace progress."

He desperately wants internet companies to flock to the film and television industry.

This is Huayi's home turf; they have plenty of ways to make money off it.

Huayi Brothers has a wealth of talent, including actors, directors, and various copyrights. If you want to collaborate, internet companies can only turn to them.

But then again, the internet really is a money-making machine; everyone here is like a Middle Eastern tycoon.

"Haha, the way 'The Beginning' was used was very novel, using the pace of filming a movie to shoot a TV series," Wang Zonglei interjected, shifting the topic to the areas that the directors were good at, giving them room to develop their talents.

He was Huayi's social butterfly, very adept at interpersonal relationships, and made people feel comfortable.

Upon hearing this, Feng Xiaogang, Zhang Yimou, and Chen Kaige immediately became interested, and when they started talking about creation, they were no longer sleepy.

“Indeed, it has a bit of the feel of the old Prison Break,” Zhang Yimou said.

“The story is quite similar to Source Code from a few years ago,” Feng Xiaogang said. “One is a bus, the other a train, and both involve finding bombs.”

Chen Kaige said, "It's not similar; the core is different."

"The source code is a display of humanity under absolute desperation, while the beginning is..."

Master Chen truly lives up to his name; his very words reveal the depths of humanity and the depths of despair.

"It's been a long time, seniors. Thank you for coming." Teng Huatao, accompanied by Ni Ni and Jing Boran, interrupted Chen Kaige.

He had to interrupt him; he knew Chen Kaige's personality. If he continued, Chen would ramble on and on, eventually turning it into a human nature seminar about the passengers on that bus in "The Beginning."

Moreover, these people have gone too far.

This is his movie premiere, why are you discussing Qi Hui's work for no reason?
This is utter contempt for him, it's outrageous!

Teng Huatao grew increasingly angry. But he couldn't lash out; these were all big names in Chinese-language cinema, having been deeply involved in the industry for many years.

Teng Huatao was no match for these people; only his father, Teng Wenji, could.

"Seniors, please offer your suggestions later." Teng Huatao said with utmost humility.

"Haha, Director Teng is joking," Wang Zonglei laughed, a hint of amusement in his expression.

"I believe in Director Teng's abilities, and I'm sure 'Up in the Wind' will be a huge hit."

Although Teng Huatao was a contracted director with Huayi Brothers, he relied on his father's obedience to orders and not to public pronouncements. Although Wang Zonglei didn't say anything, he harbored some resentment in his heart.

Teng Huatao's eye twitched. He wasn't blind; he could see the schadenfreude in Wang Zonglei's eyes.

Currently, online discussions and media are all about "The Beginning," and the popularity of his song "Waiting for the Wind" has been consistently suppressed by "The Beginning."

Even LeTV, which participated in the joint distribution, did not promote his song "Waiting for the Wind".

Damn it, this is so annoying!

……

Jing Tian was a little confused recently. Looking at the netizens' reactions, she knew that "The Beginning" had become a hit.

She also knew that she had become famous as the female lead.

The talent agency sent over several scripts, all for college student roles.

In the past, if she wanted to act, she would basically bring her own investment to join the production team and spend a lot of money.

Since "The Warring States", no one has offered her any acting roles anymore; everyone says she's a flop.

It wasn't just the film and television companies that felt this way; even the audience and netizens said the same thing, offering all sorts of hurtful and sharp comments and giving her nicknames, which made her feel uncomfortable.

Of course, some people defended her, but... how should I put it?

She remembered that comment vividly: "Don't keep saying Jing Tian got the role with her own investment or that she has connections. You've all seen her situation: poor acting skills, no talent, she's useless except as a pretty face. If she didn't get the role with her own investment, who would let her act?"

These comments upset her for days. Sharp criticism and angry words are not scary; what is scary is this kind of sincere defense.

Because everything he said was true.

If it weren't for Qi Hui's comfort, she probably would have been upset for a long time.

"What are you looking at?" Qi Hui walked over shirtless and picked up Jing Tian.

“Look at the comments from netizens, hehe~” Jing Tian laughed, “They all say we have great chemistry as a couple.”

"That's right!" Qi Hui laughed heartily, "We were a couple to begin with."

"Honey, the agency sent me a few scripts. Which one do you think I should play?" Jing Tian switched screens, opened her email, and pulled up a few files.

Qi Hui glanced at it, didn't see any familiar names, but said helplessly, "You forgot? We still have a scene to film."

"Huh?" Jing Tian looked confused, both bewildered and adorable.

Qi Hui couldn't help but pinch her cheek and said, "Battle of Changsha, a war drama, produced by Daylight Entertainment."

"Didn't I just fool... cough, by hiring Lao Sun as my assistant director back then?"

"He came to invite me to play the male lead in 'Battle of Changsha' and, incidentally, gave me the power to choose the female lead."

"Oh, so I'm playing the female lead?" Jing Tian suddenly realized.

“Of course, you were the first choice, and you're playing my girlfriend,” Qi Hui said.
"However, if you don't act, Director Sun said he'll probably look for Yang Mi..."

This is not just idle talk. Before the time travel, the first choice for the female lead in "Battle of Changsha" was a young, beautiful, and talented actress born in 85.

It is said to be Yang Mi

But then that person backed out, and it was right before filming started. Left with no other option, Daylight Entertainment accepted a recommendation and chose Yang Zi.

"What?" Jing Tian's eyebrows shot up. "No way! Why choose Yang Mi?"

Did I say I wouldn't act?

(End of this chapter)