Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 458 Two things

Filming for "Inception" will take a long time; the overall filming schedule is six months.
The morning in Meknes was slightly chilly.

It was still early, so Wu Chen boarded a business vehicle arranged by the film crew and headed to Fez-Saïss Airport.

He leaned against the car window, gazing at the castle and street scenes gradually receding into the distance, his thoughts still lingering on that moment when they parted that morning.

Especially when he thought of how she tiptoed and kissed him passionately on the face that morning, her eyes filled with tender affection, even the surrounding air seemed to become gentle and sweet.

However, despite the sweetness, awkwardness was still inevitable.

Just as Liu Yifei planted that kiss, Liu Xiaoli was pushing open the door and bumped right into her. The mother and daughter froze on the spot.

Recalling Liu Yifei's momentarily embarrassed face, Wu Chen couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.

He had many things to deal with after returning to China. Casting for "1939" was imperative, but he didn't need to worry too much about "Scarlet Heart".

Zhong Lifang has already contacted him.

Xiaoma Benteng isn't stupid. They have a good working relationship, so why would they give up such an opportunity?

Although they have started to get involved in the film business, television dramas remain their main business.

With more than an hour to go before his flight, Wu Chen sat on a sofa in the airport lounge, flipping through a magazine.

My phone vibrated; the caller ID read "Hou Xiaoqiang".

"Hello, Mr. Hou?" Wu Chen casually put down the magazine and asked softly.

On the phone, Hou Xiaoqiang spoke with a laugh:
"Mr. Wu, it's like this, Cai Yinong from Tangren Media contacted us through someone, saying that Tangren has done a lot of research on 'Scarlet Heart' in the early stages, and if we can cooperate, it will greatly shorten the production cycle."

I just heard the news and wanted to let you know.

Upon hearing this, Wu Chen smiled and said, "Oh? Cai Yinong just contacted me a few days ago."

Hou Xiaoqiang was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood.

Tangren Media approached Wu Chen, so this situation likely means that Tangren Media failed to reach an agreement with Wu Chen and is looking for other channels to see if there is an opportunity to get involved.
Not long after Xingchen Pictures and Shanda Literature entered into a strategic partnership, the TV series adapted from their novels became so popular that Hou Xiaoqiang was immediately filled with confidence in the adaptation of IPs into film and television.

Hou Xiaoqiang immediately chuckled twice and said:
"I see. I really didn't know about this relationship. Haha, then I, an outsider, won't cause any more trouble for Mr. Wu."

"Not at all, Mr. Hou, you're too kind," Wu Chen replied calmly.

For IP adaptations into films and television series, Shanda Literature provides the content IPs, while Star Pictures selects suitable IPs for adaptation. The two parties collaborate on development, each with their own division of labor.

One advantage of collaborating with companies outside the industry is that most of these partners won't blindly offer unsolicited advice; they'll focus more on profit growth and whether the collaboration can bring positive feedback to the company.
Meanwhile, the two upcoming tribute films are each making their own noise.

Post-production of "The Founding of a Republic" is in full swing, and the publicity campaign is massive, with major cinemas under China Film Group setting up posters early on.

Huayi Brothers' production of "The Message" has been met with a variety of opinions both on and off stage. Even at a media conference in Shanghai, the discord between Zhou Xun and Li Binbin was made public.

But Li Binbin seemed more like a victor. When the media asked the two to take a photo together, he generously reached out and pulled Zhou Xun to his side, acting like a big sister.
However, Zhou Xun didn't seem to appreciate it. As soon as the photos were taken, she quickly walked away from the side of the stage, completely avoiding the same path as Li Binbin.

The media naturally wouldn't miss such a scene, and a flood of reports emerged in an instant.

The entertainment section spared no effort in describing the rivalry between the two leading actresses.

Fans of both sides engaged in fierce battles on various forums.

"The competition is really fierce now."

At Xingchen Pictures, Zhong Lifang looked at the newspaper spread out on the table, her gaze sweeping over the headlines, and casually said to Wu Chen.

Upon hearing this, Wu Chen smiled lightly, "It's normal to have conflicts and competition." In the world of martial arts, it's perfectly normal to dislike someone.

"By the way, Mr. Zhong, how are the movies that Xiaoma Benteng has invested in going recently?"

"It's alright, the overall quality isn't great, it can't compare to Director Wu's." Zhong Lifang smiled slightly, her words carrying a hint of polite flattery.

"I've heard that President Zhong's financial cost thinking is quite impressive!" Wu Chen said with a smile as he poured Zhong Lifang a cup of tea and pushed it towards her.

It must be said that Zhong Lifang is indeed a capable manager.

Although Xiaoma Benteng is currently only making small-scale trial films, mostly co-investing and not having a controlling stake, the industry is amazed by Zhong Lifang's operations.

Zhong Lifang took the teacup and nodded slightly: "You flatter me. We're just learning from each other."

After some casual conversation, Wu Chen got straight to the point: "Regarding the script, let's get the screenwriters from both sides together."

Shanda Literature invited the original author, Tong Hua, to participate. I just gave the scriptwriting team a general direction today, and we'll work together to implement it as soon as possible.”

"Okay, if there's a problem, I'll talk to Director Wu again."

Zhong Lifang was always efficient and capable, so she immediately agreed.

Meanwhile, at Hengdian World Studios, inside Tangren Media Company.

Cai Yinong sat on the office sofa with his brows furrowed, arms crossed, his expression clearly not good.

She has been having a lot of bad luck lately.

It would be a good thing if there were no further news about "Scarlet Heart," but bad news has come from the other side. There are rumors in the industry that Starry Night Pictures, Pegasus Media, and Shanda Literature have quickly reached an agreement and the three parties have begun to develop the script.
If that's the case, then wouldn't the Tang people have absolutely no chance?
It is important to understand that becoming a co-producer or the main producer and creating successful works is the best way to enhance Tangren's influence in the industry.

This is a brand, it represents stable value, and it can also help cultivate artists.

Otherwise, simply successfully cultivating artists is not advisable for Tangren Media.

Firstly, in the long run, the money earned is less than that of the former. Secondly, the training period for artists is long, and the risk of contract termination is high.
To make matters worse, Yang Mi has directly tricked Tangren Media, taking on the role in "Chinese Paladin 3" and then brazenly preparing to move to a bigger company.

Liu Shisi, who seems indifferent and unambitious, has recently been actively seeking resources in an effort to advance her career.

Cai Yinong sighed deeply as he thought about everything that had happened recently.
On the other hand, after dealing with matters related to "Scarlet Heart", Wu Chen directly met with Han Sanping and Ming Zhenjiang.

"Director Wu, is the script for '1939' finished?" Ming Zhenjiang asked excitedly. "Great, let's meet and discuss it the day after tomorrow."

Upon hearing that the script was finished, Han Sanping immediately perked up and called his secretary to inquire about the arrangements for the day after tomorrow.

"Chairman Han, there are only a few departmental reporting meetings the day after tomorrow."

“Alright, contact Vice Chairman Jiao and ask him to chair the meeting the day after tomorrow, with Vice President Fu Ruoqing assisting him.”

The secretary nodded slightly upon hearing this.

He was the person closest to the leader and one of the people most familiar with him.

Every word and action of a leader can be carefully analyzed.

Jiao Hongfen had no problem presiding over the work, because the other party was the vice chairman and participated in the meeting himself. Since the chairman was not present, he was the one who presided over the meeting.

However, Han Sanping's special arrangement of Fu Ruoqing, a key figure in the middle generation, was quite ingenious.

At this moment, Han Sanping tapped the table lightly, thinking to himself, "Later would allow Ruoqing and Wu Chen to have more contact."

Fu Ruoqing is a versatile talent with both technical and managerial skills, and is of middle age. He sees Fu Ruoqing as a promising successor and hopes that Fu Ruoqing can achieve even greater success in the future.
(End of this chapter)