Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 195 Is Wu Chen too confident?

The news of Starry Night Pictures and Ningbo Film Studio finalizing their cooperation quickly spread throughout the industry.

Because Yang Hongtao, the director of Ningxia Film Studio, and Pang Hong, a senior producer, were both waiting at the Ningxia office of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, respectively.

The news that has been circulating is that Ning Ying is determined to borrow some money to make a movie.

Many state-owned film studios in China were stunned.

How come the bottom-ranked guy is suddenly so arrogant, even daring to block the entrance of the bureau's office?

Don't ask, don't know, I'm startled when I ask.

Surprisingly, they finalized a cooperation agreement with Starry Night Pictures, the company behind Wu Chen, a rising star in the industry.

Suddenly, the few remaining state-owned film studios, such as Inner Mongolia Film Studio and Shanxi Film Studio, were filled with resentment.

We were all at the bottom of the class, how come you're trying to rise to the top and become a phoenix?

Some large state-owned factories were also puzzled.

Ningbo Film Studio is just a small film production studio with no reputation in China. It is located in a remote area and has never produced any influential blockbusters. It doesn't even have the funds for a low-budget production. So how did it get involved with Xingchen Pictures and start cooperating with them?
On an autumn morning, the thin mist had not yet dissipated.

Outside the China Film Group building, the shadows of trees slant across the damp bluestone path, and the cool morning breeze rustles the national flag on the flagpole.

In Han Sanping's office, the wooden desktop was gleaming, and a glass water glass was steaming slightly.

The sunlight streaming in through the window cast dappled shadows on the red seals atop the pile of documents.

"You mean Ningying's Pang Hong has been staying in the Beijing office for several days?" Han Sanping put down his teacup, his tone tinged with amusement and exasperation, and asked, "Has it arrived yet?"

"The bureau wouldn't dare lend it, especially since it's a whopping ten million. What if it all goes down the drain?"

"However, after Pang Hong brought out Xingchen Pictures' letter of intent for cooperation, the bureau's office said they would consider it. Now we don't even know if this cooperation intention is real or not?" Gao Chengsheng replied with a smile.

Do you know which project Ning Ying and Xing Chen are planning to collaborate on?

"I didn't find out clearly. I guess I'll have to ask Director Wu to find out."

"Could it be the script he asked me about the other day?" Han Sanping tapped his fingers lightly on his desk, unsure of what to do.

Meanwhile, a similar scene was unfolding at the headquarters of Shanghai Film Group.

"What projects does Ning Ying have that Wu Chen could collaborate on?"

Ren Zhonglun pondered carefully, his tone revealing hesitation and confusion.

To be honest, I've never paid attention to factories that rank last or second to last.

"President Ren, I heard some time ago that Ningying had a script that had been abandoned in the industry for many years, the story of 'Painted Skin' from Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio."

However, the script has been circulated in both mainland China and Hong Kong, and both sides think the story is clichéd and the subject matter is sensitive, so no one is willing to take it on.

The assistant beside him responded softly.

"Hmm?" Ren Zhonglun was slightly taken aback, unable to figure out what Wu Chen was up to for a moment.

Wu Chen, on the other hand, received a call from the bureau. He thought it was something important, but it turned out to be a call to verify whether Ningying Film Studio had really cooperated with Xingchen.

Wu Chen chuckled upon hearing this, thinking, "No wonder it's a poor film studio; even the bureau doesn't trust it." In the end, Wu Chen offered a special explanation.

After hanging up the phone, Wu Chen thought for a moment and then called Mu Deyuan.

Anyway, it's better to benefit our own family than outsiders.

"Teacher, it's like this, I've partnered with Ningbo Film Studio on a new project, and I need a group of screenwriters to help me rewrite the script."

Thinking about screenwriting, our school has some senior students majoring in screenwriting, and the company also wants to recruit a group of people to create some jobs for the school.

Part-time or full-time is fine
I'll set the framework for the new script; they can fill in the details. As for the initial training, I personally have great respect for the screenwriting profession, especially regarding compensation.

Wu Chen said with a smile. There's actually a severe shortage of behind-the-scenes talent in the industry, and the Beijing Film Academy is considered to have the best training system for such talent.

"Oh dear, you should have gone directly to Principal Zhang about this." Mu Deyuan was delighted to hear this. "But it's perfect timing. I'm also familiar with the School of Literature. I'll put in a good word for you. They'd be more than happy to help."

After hanging up the phone, Mu Deyuan was in high spirits, a slight smile playing on his lips, and immediately dialed Huang Dan from the Literature Department:
"Director Huang, yes, there's something I need to trouble you with."

Upon hearing this, Huang Dan thought she really needed to trouble him, but since the other party was the head of the department of the college's top major and held a very high position in the college, she couldn't help but say politely, "Director Mu, please speak."

"That's right, Xingchen Pictures, yes, the company Wu Chen started, needs a group of screenwriters. He thought it was good to keep the profits in the family, so the company also needs a group of permanent screenwriters, or part-time ones if needed."

The compensation is definitely excellent; unlike other directors, Wu Chen is also the screenwriter.

As Huang Dan listened, she became increasingly excited.

Listen to this, isn't this a wonderful thing?

Let alone Mu Deyuan looking for him, even if it were the recruitment manager of Xingchen Pictures, he would have to greet him with a smile.

Isn't this just a way to solve employment problems for literature majors?

"Oh, Director Mu, you're too kind. I wholeheartedly support this. Wu Chen is a student at the school, and I would never do anything to harm him."

I'll find a group of outstanding graduates to recommend. As for part-time jobs, some professors at the university occasionally write proposals for others; I'll inquire about that.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Deyuan's eyes narrowed. "That would be wonderful. Thank you, Director Huang."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all. I'll treat Director Mu to dinner tomorrow. Please don't refuse; it's been a long time since we've had a meal together, hasn't it?"

At that moment, not long after Wu Chen hung up the phone, Xiang Zhuo came over and recommended something.

"Brother Chen, I know a director who is also a screenwriter. We're looking to sign someone, right? Why don't we give him a try?"

"Hmm? Tell me about it."

Wu Chen asked curiously. He already had someone in mind for Xingchen Pictures' future contracted director, but Xiang Zhuo's words made him quite curious.

"Brother Chen, last time, when you gave a lecture at the school, I met a senior from the directing department. He's a graduate student and will graduate next year."

I've kept in touch with him, and he's actually a fan of yours, highly praising your films.

His name is Lu Yang. He worked as an assistant director last year, and his short film "Going Home," which he directed this year, won first prize at the National College Film Festival.

Wu Chen paused for a moment, then gently looked up at Xiang Zhuo.

"Brother Chen, what's wrong? You know him too?" Xiang Zhuo asked, puzzled.

"It's nothing." Wu Chen smiled and patted Xiang Zhuo on the shoulder. "How about this, ask him if he's interested. If he is, we can talk in person."

"Got it."

Seeing that Wu Chen agreed immediately, Xiang Zhuo was also very excited and became smug, "Hehe, I was born to be a producer."

But while Starry Night Pictures' "Painted Skin" project was progressing rapidly, the outside world was stunned.

As information about the collaboration gradually spread, many production companies found out the source of the project—it was "Painted Skin," and were immediately stunned.

"No way, that script has been circulating for years, Wu Chen can't be that short-sighted!"

"I remember our company had a special discussion back then, and the conclusion was that the subject matter was sensitive and the story was old-fashioned, so no one dared to film it in the end."

"Xingchen really dares to accept?"

"Isn't he being overconfident?"

"."

The industry was abuzz with discussion, and the production company that had once received the script for "Painted Skin" but then turned it down was full of questions.

Although puzzled, I dared not mock him. After all, Wu Chen is now a top international director. You can doubt anyone's ability to read a script, but you can't doubt Wu Chen's.
(End of this chapter)