I'm just trying to ride the wave of popularity!

Chapter 252 I'm here to take on Hollywood!

The meeting room fell into an instant silence so profound you could hear a pin drop.

Chen Kai stared wide-eyed, as if he had heard something unbelievable.

Madman, arrogant, unbelievable, shocking...

In an instant, all sorts of emotions swirled in his mind.

what did he say?
Is he coming to take over Hollywood?

he comes?

Is this young man crazy?
At this moment, not only were everyone present stunned, but even Chen Li and Zhang Changlong on the stage were dumbfounded.

Zhang Changlong frowned slightly, his emotions gradually becoming a mix of feelings.

"Director Zhou, you should know what the 'Domestic Film Protection Month' means, right?"

actually!

This time, we invited them over.

He was trying to imply to everyone that Zhou Yang was part of the group sitting at this table, and that Zhou Yang was also entitled to a piece of the pie during the "Domestic Film Protection Month"!
He had been following this young man since last year, and he knew very well how this young man had stumbled and struggled his way up from the bottom...

He saw how the five major film studios and three major cinema chains used their resources to block him...

I also saw how these directors suppressed and slandered Zhou Yang, and even the joint letter "begging for a ban" on Zhou Yang, which appeared here several times.

In such an almost impossible and harsh environment, the guy who climbed up step by step, given his previous personality, would inevitably be sharp-tongued and hate evil as soon as he gained power...

He once thought that this battle for the "Domestic Film Protection Month" would be fought to the bitter end!

He had already made contingency plans and preparations. If Zhou Yang were to have a major falling out with these veteran directors, he would speak up to smooth things over and prevent the newcomer from suffering a loss. At the very least, he would have to be on the table and have a piece of the cake!
However, when Zhou Yang suddenly stood up and said something, it overturned his perception of this young man.

"Along my journey, I've met many people and witnessed many things..."

He saw Zhou Yang look around at everyone and say, "I entered this industry with nothing, and I made my first film because of my dream..."

"In the past year or so, I have witnessed the most devastating bans and the most brutal slander. The constant stream of insults and accusations that rang in my ears once plunged me into darkness from which I could not escape!"

“Even now, many people are still trying to use various resources to blacklist me…”

Zhou Yang looked out the window, his smile vanished, and his voice was tinged with melancholy and a hint of wistfulness.

His words, however, were like a slap in the face to everyone...

Chen Kai's face was flushed, and he was panting heavily. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he couldn't utter a single word.

Liang Xiaogang, who is usually known for his outspokenness, didn't lash out on the spot. Instead, he looked away, seemingly not having heard a thing...

When Zhou Yang looked at Zhang Changlong again, his gaze was unusually sincere.

"Of course, all of that is in the past now!"

"Director Zhang, I am naturally aware of the many benefits of the 'Domestic Film Protection Month'..."

"but……"

"The comforts of a domestic dog are not suitable for a wolf pack fighting outside..."

"..."

Zhou Yang had just finished speaking.

Chen Kai's expression changed drastically!

What the hell does this guy mean?
Comparing them to dogs?
I'll fuck your ****!
He was about to unleash a torrent of abuse, but seeing Zhang Changlong listening intently, he took a deep breath and suppressed his rage.

This guy is overestimating himself and wants to go to war with Hollywood. Let him be. It's better if there's one less person to share the "domestic film protection month" pie!
"Director Zhang, I have only one request..."

"Director Li's suggestion was quite good, offering around 10% tax relief. I hope you can be more flexible and implement a tiered system: 20% relief for films exceeding 2 million, 30% relief for films exceeding 3 million... In principle, unless a domestic film is truly a disaster, my films will not be released during the 'Domestic Film Protection Month,' unless, of course, theaters extend screenings if the box office is exceptionally good... Of course, I'm forgoing the 'Domestic Film Protection Month,' but I hope the support I receive will be higher than the tax relief and subsidies offered during that month..."

Zhou Yang stared at Zhang Changlong.

Zhang Changlong paused for a moment, then nodded: "If the tax relief can be approved, I have no problem with it in principle. What about you directors?"

All the directors on set nodded.

At this moment, they saw a foolish man who overestimated himself and was about to give up the piece of cake that was already in his mouth, and they couldn't be happier!

"besides!"

"What else?"

"I hope there can be a special review channel for [Xuanshi Entertainment]. As long as our films don't have too many problems, whether they are movies or scripts, I hope they can be approved as quickly as possible..."

"That's fine. I can expedite the review process for films under your [Xuan Shi Entertainment] umbrella..."

"Also, Director Zhang, I have conflicts with the three major cinema chains. I don't need the relevant departments to take sides with me, but, matters of the underworld should be settled within the underworld... Regarding some authorizations, well, for all future films under our [Xuanshi Entertainment] umbrella, including authorizations for films from our partners, we can refuse to authorize them. I hope the authorities won't interfere..."

“In principle, we never interfere with business freedom, but if you want to sign the ‘Domestic Film Protection Month’ agreement, your cinemas must also sign it… Of course…” Zhang Changlong looked at all the directors: “Directors, I am well aware of the minor frictions between you and Director Zhou… But after signing the agreement today, I hope everyone can start afresh… No company may use film resources to block Director Zhou’s cinemas… We need to include this in the ‘Cinema Cooperation’ clause…”

All the directors were taken aback for a moment, then nodded!
Then Chen Kesen suddenly thought of something and stared at Zhou Yang.

"Director Zhou... I've been thinking about this carefully just now. You mean, half of the film release dates, excluding the domestic film protection month, should be taken?"

"Yes." "Young man, do you know what you're saying?" Chen Kesen sneered, "There are 52 weeks in a year, and after deducting the protection month, there are 40 weeks left. You [Xuanshi Entertainment] want to monopolize 20 weeks, is that what you mean? Can your company support such a large market!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yang looked at Chen Kesen with a smile: "You don't need to trouble yourself with that. Of course, I want more than just that..."

Zhou Yang turned to Zhang Changlong, "Director Zhang, what I'm asking for isn't just release dates, but also policy support. For example, domestic films that gross over $100 million overseas should be exempt from value-added tax in China; directors whose films gross over $10 million in North America should automatically receive the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television's 'Key Support Director' designation. Besides that, I hope that my films can have a separate export review channel... um, just give me a few more slots. Some films, I feel, don't need to be exported..."

Chen Kai slammed his fist on the table: "Absurd! You're trying to hold the entire Chinese film industry hostage! Do you know what export quotas mean?"

“Director Chen,” Zhou Yang said calmly, looking at him, “what was the North American box office for your film *Extreme*? $18? Oh, my half-day box office was about $18, right?”

He turned to the other directors: "Apart from 'Qin,' does anyone here have a single film that grossed over $500 million at the North American box office?"

Chen Kai's face instantly turned a deep liver color, and he was so angry with Zhou Yang that he couldn't speak and his whole body trembled.

The meeting room was completely silent.

Zhang Changlong suddenly laughed: "Director Zhou's proposal is very bold. However..."

He tapped the stack of documents. "If this can really open up the North American market, it would indeed be a new path."

"Director Zhang!" Chen Kai's face was ashen. "This is simply..."

“Alright then,” Zhang Changlong made the final decision. “Let’s try it for a year first. The protection month will be set for July and August, as per your proposals. Zhou Yang’s team will have priority for screenings during other periods. Furthermore, we will give priority to films under Director Zhou’s name for export approval, but there’s one condition—”

He looked directly at Zhou Yang: "By this time next year, I want to see your company's exported films gross at least 30 million US dollars, including co-productions!"

Zhou Yang stood up and straightened his suit collar: "Okay!"

Outside the window, the moonlight lingered.

In front of the conference table inside the room.

Zhou Yang signed a line of text, then stood up and glanced at the veteran directors present.

He smiled, then straightened his suit again, and walked step by step toward the door, looking down at the faces that were either shocked or ashen...

These directors, who had once shone brightly in the film era, were now collectively speechless as they looked at this arrogant young man.

this moment.

as if.

The silence of the old era.

The rise of a new era!

.......................................

night.

It got deeper and deeper.

Shen Long returned to his old rented room.

He spent over a million dollars and took out a loan to buy the house.

Everything in the room remained the same as when Zhou Yang first met it. The only difference was that the room was cleaner and there were a few more computers.

At this moment...

He was sitting in the room, nervously waiting for Zhou Yang.

Around 1 a.m.

There was a knock at the door.

Shen Long immediately stood up and excitedly rushed towards Zhou Yang!

"Mr. Zhou, how is it?"

"From now on, we will be the sixth Chinese film and television company. We will definitely get a bigger slice of the pie in the Chinese film industry!"

Zhou Yang smiled, looked out the window, and said those words casually.

Looking at Shen Long, whom I hadn't seen for half a year.

Shen Long was slightly startled!
Then he became excited: "You mean, in the future we..."

He said it in disbelief!
"Yes, we're on equal footing with everyone! No one can overshadow our film!"

"My grass!"

Shen Long trembled all over and jumped up abruptly: "Then what about my movie...?"

"Director Shen, Spider-Man will officially be taken off the screens the day after tomorrow, right?"

"Yes!"

"What's the current status of the 'Spider-Man' version from 'Black Robe Alliance' that uses webs to shoot from the buttocks, produced by [XuanShi Entertainment]?"

"Everything's been cut and approved! We're just waiting for your word!"

"it is good!"

Zhou Yang nodded.
(End of this chapter)