Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 450 The Wind Gradually Rises
At the end of June, the entire film and television industry was ablaze with excitement, as if ignited by the summer sun.

The news that "The Martian" had surpassed 600 million yuan in box office revenue was like a thunderclap, causing a huge uproar within the industry.

Beyond shock and admiration, the most important thing was that everyone realized that times had truly changed.

Box office miracles may no longer be the exclusive domain of Hollywood. The mainland market is leaping forward at an unprecedented speed, and this speed is forcing everyone to speed up their pace.

Wang Changtian of Enlight Media is one of the fastest to act. He actively transformed his business in the past few years and has made frequent big moves in the last two years.

Now, they have partnered with Beijing Bank to secure a loan of 200 million yuan using a copyright pledge-backed guarantee.
Wang Changtian also called Wu Chen:

"Director Wu, Enlight Media has undergone a complete transformation. Hopefully, you'll give them some support if they have any good projects."

A hearty laugh came from the other end of the phone.

"I'll share anything good with Mr. Wang, but I think Mr. Wang currently has some pretty good projects," Wu Chen replied with a faint smile.

The company is finally taking off, with a series of plans in recent years.

That's how it works. Once you get on a good track, it will keep going smoothly. Add to that industry trends, and you're on a fast track.
"Even if it's not bad, can it be better than Director Wu's?"

"Mr. Wang, what are you saying?"

"."

Aside from Enlight Media, established film and television companies like Bona Film Group, Huayi Brothers Media, Stellar Media, and Orange Sky Entertainment, as well as companies like Pegasus Media, Huace Media, and Century Partners that are transforming into film and television companies, have been making a series of moves.

Starry Night Pictures is no exception.

Chen Tianqiao has already set the date; the announcement of the strategic cooperation between the two companies will be held on the first of next month.

Meanwhile, at this very moment, New Pictures' "A Simple Noodle Story" was in full swing.

Not long after Xiao Shenyang and Sun Honglei got into a fight, the production team suddenly announced a change in the female lead – originally Wang Xiaohua, but temporarily replaced by Yan Ni, who played "Tong Zhanggui" in "My Own Swordsman".

As soon as the news came out, public opinion was in an uproar.

"They've been filming for a month or so, how can they just change the female lead at the last minute?"

"It's only because of Zhang Yimou; anyone else would have been yelled at by the producer long ago. Oh, sorry, the producer is also from New Pictures."

"Wow, so many outrageous tricks! I wonder how the video will be!"

This series of events further fueled Zhang Yi's dissatisfaction with Zhang Weiping, and he became increasingly impatient.
"I'm doing this all for the good of the film. For the next movie, I'll listen to your casting choices."

Seeing this, Zhang Weiping quickly tried to comfort him.

He knew that Zhang Yimou wanted the filming rights to "Under the Hawthorn Tree," and that the other party seemed willing to give Zhang Yimou the opportunity to direct it.

He didn't particularly value this art film.

How much box office revenue can art films generate? They're money-losing films; they still have to rely on selling copyrights.
Hearing this, Zhang Yi's expression softened considerably.

Meanwhile, a strategic partnership between Shanda Literature and Starry Night Pictures was quietly brewing.

A vague rumor quietly leaked from within Shanda Literature.

"Shanda Literature is about to undergo a change in its shareholding structure and is about to reach a strategic cooperation agreement with a film and television company."

Financial reporters were the first to sense the impending news, with the First Financial Daily subtly reporting a story:
"It is rumored that a domestic online literature platform and a leading private film and television company are about to reach a deep strategic agreement."

Southern Weekly followed suit, publishing an article in its cultural supplement titled "What kind of sparks can be generated by the combination of the film and television industry and the cultural industry?" which sparked much speculation.

As soon as the news broke, film and television companies from several sectors began to speculate.

Which company is it?

"Is it Orange Sky or Enlight Media? Could it be Huayi Brothers? Wang Zhongjun seems to have always wanted to collaborate across industries."

Shanda remained noncommittal, but this only fueled the itch to see what was going on.

On June 29, a press conference invitation, featuring a red background with gold lettering, a thick card with gold foil stamping, and a white silk backing paper inserted diagonally on the cover, began to be sent to various media outlets and industry professionals.

This invitation clearly confirmed the rumors circulating in the financial world, and the film and television industry immediately turned its attention to it.

Shanda is no ordinary company. When it went public on NASDAQ, it created China's youngest richest man.

Meanwhile, Shanda Literature, which integrates multiple platforms such as Qidian, Jinjiang, and Hongxiu Tianxiang, controls more than 70% of the Chinese online novel market, and its valuation continues to rise.

Cai Yinong has been inquiring about the strategic cooperation with Shanda Literature for the past few days.

Tong Hua's "Scarlet Heart" is Tangren's next TV series project.

It's a fictional Qing Dynasty time-travel story with a clear structure and delicate emotions.
Almost the instant she read the novel, she felt that it would be perfect for a TV series.

But then a roadblock suddenly appeared.

Shanda Literature is about to launch a strategic cooperation with a film and television company, which has led to the temporary suspension of the sale of the copyrights of some high-quality novels, including "Scarlet Heart".

"Hopefully, this obstacle hasn't recognized the novel's potential. And it's best if it's not a company in the television industry."

Cai Yinong inexplicably started praying.

She certainly didn't want the film and television rights to this novel to fall into the hands of other television drama companies. If it were a film company, at least they could have a proper discussion.

Meanwhile, at the Shanghai Film Group headquarters on Caoxi North Road, Ren Zhonglun had just finished signing the documents from the morning and was preparing to make a cup of tea to calm himself down.

There was a gentle knock on the door, and the secretary peeked in:
"Chairman Ren, I just heard some news. The film and television company that is cooperating with Shanda Literature has been confirmed to be Xingchen Pictures, directed by Wu Chen."

Upon hearing this, Ren Zhonglun gently put down his pen with a "snap," a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"Starry Sky Pictures?"

He raised an eyebrow: "Are you sure?"

"The source of the information is not the problem."

"Okay, you can go now."

The secretary nodded, tactfully withdrew, and closed the door behind her.

Ren Zhonglun leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the table, his expression calm yet thoughtful. After a moment's hesitation, he picked up his phone and dialed a number.

The call was quickly answered.

"Hello, Chairman Ren."

"Director Wu, you've kept this from us for so long!" Ren Zhonglun said, half-jokingly. "The collaboration with Shanda has been going on for so long, and not a single word has come out."

Wu Chen chuckled on the other end of the phone: "Chairman Ren, I haven't kept it from you, this matter was only recently finalized. The cooperation agreement will have to be signed on the spot at the press conference."

Besides, Chairman Ren, don't you already know that?

"Haha, Director Wu, what is it about Shanda Literature that attracts you? Or is Xingchen Pictures also preparing to open up to the outside world and seek financing?"

"No, that's not it. It's mainly because I've always worked in the content industry, and that's about all I know. I don't know much about anything else. Rather than blindly trying to figure things out in other industries, it's better to explore the ones I do know. Mr. Ren, you agree, right?"

"Too!"

Ren Zhonglun nodded slightly.

This is indeed the truth.

Human energy is limited; it's impossible to be involved in every industry.
(End of this chapter)