Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 304 Under My Control
"Sisi, will you and Director Wu go to the Golden Rooster Awards this year?"

In the morning, Zhang Liangying called me.

Curled up on the sofa, Liu Yifei mumbled a reply: "We're not going."

"Huh?" Zhang Liangying paused for a moment. "Didn't you send your film over? And Director Wu should be invited, right?"

"The movie wasn't sent, but the invitation was, and Wu Chen said he wouldn't be going."

"you."

Zhang Liangying was about to ask if they would get into trouble for doing this, but then she thought about Wu Chen's status in the industry and realized that even if he offended the Golden Rooster Awards, nothing would happen to him, so she could only smile wryly.

“I was thinking of getting together in Suzhou. I was invited to be a guest performer, but I heard from people in the industry that the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress has already been decided. It’s fine if you don’t participate.”

"Pre-arranged?" Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei sat up, her gossip-loving nature ignited.

"Hmm, you didn't know?" Zhang Liangying also recounted the gossip in detail.

The news was only circulating within the industry at the moment, but just two days later, an article titled "Is Liu Jialing Definitely Going to Win the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress?" was reprinted by a portal website, causing a huge uproar.

The nominations for this year's Golden Rooster Awards were already a mess, and the overly obvious hints and promotions for the Best Actress award have drawn criticism from movie fans.

"Tsk, this thing can be pre-selected? I've never seen anything like it in my life."

In the corridor of the China Film Group post-production base, Ning Hao shook his head, sighing helplessly.

The whole thing about the pre-selection has already caused quite a stir.

"So what? Carina Lau brought in Wong Kar-wai, Tony Leung, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Faye Wong, and Shu Qi. She's worked tirelessly for the Golden Rooster Award, and she's also the festival's ambassador. Her activities span the entire festival. So what if she's already slated for Best Actress?"

Wu Chen turned his head to look at him and smiled, "Never mind, let's watch your movie instead. When will the final cut be ready?"

"Next month will be fine." Ning Hao nodded.

The two pushed open the door to the editing room. The lights were dim, the machines were humming, and images were flashing rapidly on the screen.

The film intertwines multiple storylines, exuding a dark sense of humor. The editing is clean and crisp, and the overall style is unique.

"It's quite interesting!" Wu Chen nodded after watching the initial cut.

Ning Hao was overjoyed: "You approve?"

"What else? You don't agree with how I invested in your film in the first place."

He slapped his arm, grinned, and said with a laugh, "Damn, I thought you voted for me."

Although he also felt that the film had no major problems and was promising, Wu Chen's approval gave him a lot of confidence, as the other party's box office revenue was in the billions of RMB.

"People are the main reason, but it is undeniable that Na Ying and her team polished the script well enough."

"Hehe, but it's not that I didn't capture the essence," Ning Hao said confidently. "What do you think about using it to anchor the Lunar New Year film season this year?"

“No problem, the publicity campaign will start next month, there’s plenty of time.” Wu Chen thought for a moment and agreed.

"Alright, let's go find President Han."

Without saying a word, Ning Hao grabbed Wu Chen and headed over to China Film Group.

The first film was commissioned by Wu Chen to be released during the Lunar New Year holiday season, a highly competitive period for top directors. At that time, he was a little hesitant, but things are different now, and Ning Hao is now actively vying for this release window.

Inside the China Film Group building, the two stepped out of the elevator and ran into Gao Chengsheng.

"Director Wu, Director Ning!"

"Brother Gao, it's rare to see you at the company these days," Wu Chen joked first.

"Brother Gao got promoted and is now busy contributing to Chinese films and television dramas!"

Ning Hao nodded in agreement, and the two continued their banter. Gao Chengsheng chuckled, "Director Wu, Director Ning, you don't need to tease me like that. This is hard work for me."

After exchanging pleasantries, Gao Chengsheng watched the two men enter Han Sanping's office with a sigh. He had witnessed the rise of Wu Chen and Ning Hao, especially Wu Chen, whose rapid development was astonishing, culminating in another major Sino-US co-production.
In the office, Han Sanping picked up the desk calendar and drew a picture: "China Film Group and Media Asia plan to release 'The Warlords' on December 12th, and Huayi Brothers also has 'Assembly' on the 20th."
"Take a look and see where would be a good time to put it? It's either at the beginning or end of the month, and there aren't any big movies scheduled for release in January."

Wu Chen looked at Ning Hao, feeling that the beginning and end of the month were about the same, so he decided to let Ning Hao make the decision.

"Let's do it on the 28th!" Ning Hao thought for a moment and decided to put it at the end of the month.

Han Sanping's eyes flickered slightly. This timing was perfect; China Film Group had essentially monopolized the beginning and end of the Lunar New Year film season. "Alright, then we'll announce it in a couple of days."

The National Day Golden Week has arrived this year, but the market is generally experiencing a decline in box office revenue.

The highest-grossing film, "Triangle," topped the list with 16 million yuan, followed by the South Korean romantic comedy "200 Pounds Beauty" and the German-American co-production "Misguided Path."

The cinemas were frustrated, as the entire National Day Golden Week had been wasted without them making much money. They then appealed to major production companies and directors to make more commercial films, but were met with fierce criticism from all sides.

"Damn it, you got caught up in a Hollywood blockbuster in your theaters, and now you're cutting my screenings again."

"Hehe, they thought of us when there were no movies."

"."

It has to be said that the relationship between film producers and theaters is indeed one of love and hate, but in China, the relationship between film producers and theaters is more like a couple going through a seven-year itch, while Hollywood blockbusters are like a charming mistress, with theaters falling for them every time they come to the theaters.

"Is Xingchen Pictures' cinema chain losing money? Are they short of funds? Do you need my help?"

That evening, Liu Yifei leaned against Wu Chen's leg, asking questions in a daze. She didn't know much about this, but seeing the cinemas advertising made her a little worried.

"With your meager funds, what kind of subsidies can you offer? There's no loss, just not much profit." Wu Chen smiled, stroking Liu Yifei's hair. "Don't listen to their complaints; Xingchen is currently heavily investing in developing cinemas in first-tier cities."

At this point, Wu Chen thought of Xu Dong.

It has to be said that Xu Dong is indeed a talent. He has already integrated all the cinemas except for those in first-tier cities. Now he just needs to work on a few cinemas in a few first-tier cities.

"Okay, by the way, aren't you going to Hollywood next week?"

Wu Chen saw the reluctance in Liu Yifei's eyes and gently stroked her nose. "Well, you can come visit the set. The first part is filmed in New York, and the second part is filmed at Paramount's studio in Los Angeles. Anyway, your 'Bad Genius' won't be filmed anytime soon."

"That's right!" Liu Yifei suddenly wrapped her arms around Wu Chen's neck. "Then kiss me quickly, we need to make up for the next two months!"

Wu Chen was taken aback: "Huh? We've been kissing for half the day already, isn't that enough?"

"That would have been enough, but I wanted to do something else with you." Liu Yifei whispered in his ear, "But circumstances don't allow it, so we'll have to use a kiss instead!"

"You little devil!" Wu Chen laughed and scolded, "Then what am I supposed to do?"

"I don't care about that!" Liu Yifei replied with a grin.

A soft smacking sound came from the living room.

"Senior sister, don't move."

"I'm playing with my boyfriend, what's it to you, junior brother?" Liu Yifei breathed a sigh of relief, a teasing smile appearing on her face.

Helpless, Wu Chen went to the bathroom to take a shower an hour later to calm down. When he came back, he saw Liu Yifei already on the bed, smiling at him.

"Stop it"

"Okay, stop fooling around. Come here quickly." Liu Yifei lifted the blanket, patted the sheets, and waved to him.

Wu Chen sensed something was off about the scene and cautiously moved closer. Liu Yifei came over and hugged him without moving, which reassured him.

"Senior sister, I hope you don't take advantage of this special time to flirt around, or you'll be in for it in a few days. You know, men can sometimes be out of control."

"Ah? Really?"

"Junior brother, don't you know that it's actually under my control?"

(End of this chapter)