Entertainment: Since 1990

Chapter 199 The Real Boss of the Entertainment Industry
In the office of the TVB Broadcasting Department Manager, a man is watching the TV series "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," starring Cao Jian, which he starred in in Taiwan last year.

This drama premiered in Taiwan in March.

Because of its astonishingly high viewership rating of 41%, not only is TVB preparing to import and broadcast it on its Jade channel, but mainland China is also in talks about importing it.

"This movie is really well made."

As the television broadcasting business manager responsible for the final review, this man named Chen Zhiyun gave it a very high rating.

During this time, he naturally watched clips of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" filmed by TVB. Cao Jian portrayed Guo Jing's initial dazed feeling and later heroic demeanor very well.

However, in this version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber", Zhang Wuji's indecisive and fussy style was also portrayed.

It is clear that Cao Jian, though young, is indeed a good actor.

More importantly, the theme song of this "Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber" is sung very well, and even the interlude "Forget Each Other" is written at a very high level.

"Hopefully, his starring role in 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' will achieve similar ratings, which will enhance TVB's influence in mainland China."

He had just finished watching an episode and was marveling at the rise of Taiwan in the film and television industry when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

Chen Zhiyun paused the videotape, turned to look at the door, and found that another manager, Zheng Shanqiang, had entered.

"Mr. Chen, are you reviewing the film? When will this show air?"

Zheng Shanqiang, a manager at the same level, had already seen this version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" and was equally envious.

Late May, I guess.

Chen Zhiyun picked up a document, which showed that the broadcast time of "Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre" was scheduled for May 23.

"can."

Zheng Shanqiang signed his name on it, and that's how the broadcast time for this drama on TVB was set.

After handing the documents to his secretary, Zheng Shanqiang showed no sign of leaving. Instead, he took out a script outline and asked, "President Chen, have you read this script?"

"I've already reviewed it, and it's ready for filming. Could there be a problem with the script?"

Chan Chi-wan discovered it was the script for "Armed Reaction" and wondered why his colleague had asked that question.

"It's not that there's a problem with the script, it's that the writer, Cao Jian, doesn't want to sell the script to us."

"Not selling?"

Chen Zhiyun was taken aback when he heard this, and asked, "You think the money is too little?"

“I didn’t even ask about the price. He wasn’t just selling the script; he wanted to collaborate with us on filming.”

"Cooperation? Impossible. TVB doesn't cooperate with others on filming."

Chen Zhiyun shook his head, feeling that Cao Jian was really having some wild ideas.

Back then, Hui Kwan-man collaborated with TVB boss Shaw Yat-fu on a film, proposing a 50/50 split of profits, but the boss refused.

You, Cao Jian, actually want to cooperate too?
Will the boss agree?
"Mr. Chen, times have changed. Although TVB is the leader in Hong Kong television dramas, if it doesn't change, its path may become narrower and narrower. Did you know that this 'Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre' was co-produced by Cao Jian's film and television company and TTV? He has an investment in it."

After hearing that Cao Jian wanted to collaborate rather than just sell scripts, Zheng Shanqiang did consider the benefits of such a collaboration.

He continued, "Mr. Shao now attaches great importance to the mainland market. I think we can try to persuade him to agree to this."

"hiss"

Chen Zhiyun lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

He knew that Zheng Shanqiang had some truth to what he said.

But they are just managers hired by the company; they can't make these kinds of decisions themselves.

Zheng Shanqiang then said, "I came to find you because I wanted you to come with me to talk to the boss."

"alright."

Chen Zhiyun hesitated for a moment, then suddenly had an idea.

In the middle of this year, TVB will be holding a re-selection for the Director of Programming, a position that is higher than the Television Broadcasting Business Manager. If he can convince the boss with what he just said, perhaps Mr. Shao will realize his foresight, and then the position of Director of Programming would be a sure thing, wouldn't it?

Thinking about this, and looking at this colleague again, I felt that he was rather handsome.

Shaw Yat-fu, the founder of TVB and Shaw Brothers, was an absolute bigwig in the Hong Kong entertainment industry.

In recent years, he has donated to many schools and libraries in mainland China, making his name known to many people there.

Regarding the company's operations, he, now in his eighties, no longer manages the company's operations.

However, he keeps a tight grip on the financial budget, and he personally handles and oversees important company matters.

This is also the style of this big boss. On the one hand, he is very stingy with his employees, but he is keen on doing charity. This has led to many TVB actors saying, "I am very famous, but I am very poor."

At that moment, Run Run Shaw was checking the accounts when two managers from the company's television broadcasting business department knocked on the door and came in.

"What important matter do you have? If it's nothing serious, go talk to the general manager."

Shaw now only cares about numbers; he doesn't bother asking about or caring about anything that isn't important.

"Boss, this matter is indeed important, and I'm afraid the general manager can't make the decision."

As Chen Zhiyun spoke, he approached the boss, only to find that the boss was busy putting the ledger into a drawer.

He didn't mind, and he knew that the boss's reputation for being stingy was not a rumor.

He took out a script for "Armed Reaction" and said, "It's like this, this is the script that Cao Jian showed us a while ago. It's very well written. We originally planned to buy it and invest in its production, but Cao Jian didn't want to sell it. He said he wanted to co-produce it with us."

"A co-production?"

Shao Yifu must have known Cao Jian, the young man hailed as a genius.

But having lived for over eighty years, he had seen all kinds of geniuses and refused, saying, "We at TVB never lack scripts. If he won't sell, let him keep them for himself."

"Boss, this script is really well written."

Zheng Shanqiang then stepped forward and said, "Cao Jian is a very talented person. He has already started cooperating with Taiwan Television in Taiwan Province. I think this approach is very good. In fact, we can also follow suit, which can save costs."

"Cost saving?"

The previous words were basically ignored by Shaw.

Having been in the entertainment industry for so long, would he really make changes for a script?
But the words "saving costs" made him waver.

But he only moved it slightly, then remembered the numbers in the ledger and felt it was unnecessary.

He said calmly, "We've saved on costs, but we'll have to share the profits. Let's forget about the co-production. You guys should try to get the script."

Just as Zheng Shanqiang was about to continue, Chen Zhiyun interrupted, "Boss, in the past two years, our TVB dramas have indeed not been as famous as those from Taiwan. If we can collaborate with Cao Jian, we might discover more and better scripts and be able to produce more and better films."

Moreover, if you want to expand into the mainland market, Cao Jian is a very good springboard.

"Mainland market."

Chan Chi-wan's last words really touched Shaw Yi-fu, who looked up at Chan Chi-wan.

This subordinate has some strategic vision, not bad.
I gently closed my eyes and thought of Cao Jian, who had starred in several blockbuster movies and released several albums that now dominate the top of the sales charts.

He is also a student of the composer Hu Weili, and has produced some famous works.

More importantly, Cao Jian, who was originally from mainland China, is now very popular there.

He had to take the mainland market of over a billion people seriously.

Thinking of this, he opened his eyes and said, "Help me invite Cao Jian here to talk. I want to hear his thoughts first."

"it is good."

Chen Zhiyun readily agreed.

The look the boss gave me just now means that I'm probably not far from a promotion and a raise.

(End of this chapter)