Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 134: Encounter on the Plane
The approval of the Ghost Blows Out the Light script is certainly not as important as news from Warner Bros. within the film and television industry, since they are not on the same level at all.

They already know Warner Bros. movies are impossible, so they might try to get Ghost Blows Out the Light.

Shouzhe Film Industry has a good relationship with many artists because they don't have any artists under their own company, unlike Huayi Brothers and Emperor Entertainment, which have a large number of artists in their own company and don't give outsiders any resources.

"Notify several production companies to come to the company to sign contracts and transfer the money as soon as possible. Also, have Wuershan prepare for the audition. Filming should start around August," Chen Shou said.

“We’ve already notified them, and Director Wuershan is ready,” Zhong Lifan nodded.

"Thank you for your hard work, Sister Zhong," Chen Shou said.

"Are you going to the United States at the end of July?" Zhong Lifan asked.

"We'll probably go in mid-July, ahead of schedule," Chen Shou said.

“Then I’ll talk to Wu Jing and ask them to try to move the premiere forward. His movie is already at a disadvantage, and I don’t know what will happen if you’re not there,” Zhong Lifan said, shaking her head.

Chen Shouzhe hadn't thought of that either; Zhong Lifan's reminder was very timely.

"Then let's communicate with Wu Jing first, in case I'm not in the country at the time," Chen Shou nodded.

“Okay, besides that, there are quite a few movies being released in July. Director Chen Kaige’s movie will be released, and Anle Pictures will also have a movie released on the 16th, but they won’t have a big impact on our box office,” Zhong Lifan said.

"Anle Pictures, that remake of the movie?"

“Yes.” Zhong Lifan nodded.

Like Anle, their film had to be reshot due to certain actors. However, Anle was in a worse situation because the lead actors flopped, which led to a lot of reshoots, including many special effects scenes, even though it was originally a story about a little monster.

There were so many scenes of the main character that needed to be reshot, so the cost was extremely high.

The same was true for their film "Let the Bullets Fly". Fortunately, Liu Zi didn't have many scenes and died early. In addition, Jiang Wen funded the reshoots, so Chen Shou's side was not affected. It's just that the film, which was originally scheduled for the first half of the year, was postponed to the Lunar New Year season.

"The impact isn't too great, and Director Chen Kai might be facing some trouble," Chen Shou said with a smile.

He heard some rumors that the Dragon Prince's scenes were included in director Chen Kaige's movie and had not been cut.

One document affected several film companies, including Bona Film Group, Anle Films, Bu Yi Shuo Hu, Huayi Films, and The Great Poet. Anle Films suffered the most, as its lead actor was removed from the film.

The great poet is indeed a great poet; his background is indeed powerful. He actually withstood the pressure and brought out the Dragon Prince.

Chen Shou thought about it and decided not to provoke him. The audience would be enough to make him suffer. If he were to leave the stage, given the great poet's personality, he might be able to tolerate Yang Mi, but that didn't mean he could tolerate someone directly slapping him in the face.

Chen Shouzhe looked at Zhong Lifan curiously. After Chen Shouzhe explained, Zhong Lifan's eyes widened in disbelief. "They really dare to do this?"

"So those old dogs who review films have very flexible review standards, just like the judges of those awards. If you ask them what's good about a film, they can't say. If you ask them how they choose, they don't know either. A bunch of guys who haven't made any good films, yet they can control the entertainment industry's pie. They deserve to fail. Why don't they just entertain themselves?"

This wasn't the first time Chen Shou had criticized those old guys in front of them; the executives present were already used to it.

Even if word gets out, no one will say anything; this isn't the first time Chen Shouzhe has fired a shot.

"Many people have been passing on messages to me, asking if your company has any plans to raise funds!" Zhong Lifan said with a smile.

"Does our company lack funds?" Chen Shou asked.

“We don’t lack anything, and we have plenty of money,” Zhong Lifan said.

"We need to find a way to spend the money. What do you think about me buying some stocks?" Chen Shou said.

"Buying stocks? Are you crazy? The stock market is so high right now, do you want to buy them?" Zhong Lifan exclaimed.

"You're overthinking it. We definitely won't buy it now. We'll talk about it later," Chen Shou said.

"You'd better calm down. The stock market is too high right now. Who knows when it will collapse?"

"Relax, look for an opportunity to buy at the bottom."

Zhong Lifan and the others shook their heads helplessly. Chen Shou had all the money; let him do whatever he wanted with it.

The movie "Mojin: The Lost Legend" stirred up the film and television industry. As everyone knows, the real big IPs have been taken over, leaving the film industry with its three major IPs: Journey to the West, Ghost Blows Out the Light, and Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.

Only Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio and Journey to the West have been adapted into TV series and animated films, but Ghost Blows Out the Light has remained largely untouched.

Previously, a novel website owned by Tencent that had purchased the online copyright wanted to create some fan fiction, but Chen Shouzhe refused.

Do fan works have copyright?

Does the copyright belong to Tencent?
Use my novel's world view to write your story, and then generate derivative copyrights.

This kind of thing happens a lot; it's a matter of copyright.

Chen Shouzhe naturally disagreed. Although there was a collaboration with Tencent, it shouldn't have been like this, which resulted in the copyright being fragmented.

The Ghost Blows Out the Light movie is out, but what about the TV series?

It might not be suitable for broadcast on television, but it's fine for web series.

In the afternoon, Zhong Lifan met with the leaders of Tencent Video. Their intention was clear: to buy the TV series copyrights and produce the series.

The company currently focuses on film production, with less involvement in television dramas, and collaborates primarily with Yang Mi's studio.

In the end, we decided to sell the TV series rights to Tencent. There was no other way; the price they offered was too good to pass up.

The Shanghai International Film Festival has arrived as scheduled. It's another year; last year Chen Shouzhe premiered *The Martian* at the festival, and this year he's bringing three films: *A Chinese Ghost Story*, Wu Jing's *Wolf Warrior*, and *Let the Bullets Fly*.

All three films will be released in the second half of the year. Chen Shouzhe mainly promotes A Chinese Ghost Story, since it is an independently produced film by his own company and he is taking all the credit.

"Director Chen, you're on this flight too?"

Chen Shouzhe boarded the plane from the capital to Shanghai. He had booked first class, but he didn't expect to run into acquaintances as soon as he entered. There were more than one or two of them. Some of the others who were chatting immediately turned around when they heard Director Chen's name.

"Director Chen, what a coincidence."

Is Director Chen also going to the Shanghai Film Festival?

"Hello, Director Chen."

Regardless of whether they knew each other or not, everyone greeted Chen Shouzhe.

Presumably due to the Shanghai Film Festival, all ten first-class seats were occupied by people from the entertainment industry.

"Uh, hello everyone, I didn't expect we were all on the same flight." Chen Shou was surprised by so many people. The first person to greet him was Huang Bo, who is known for his high EQ and is also a movie star.

“Director Chen, you’re sitting here all by yourself,” Huang Bo said.

"The assistant is behind us," Chen Shouzhe said.

"Isn't President Zhong here?"

"You know Sister Zhong?"

“I know him, and Director Ning goes without saying. Xiao Ma has invested in him several times before, and I’ve gotten to know him well by working with him,” Huang Bo said.

Chen Shouzhe then noticed the person next to him; he was missing his big gold chain and was almost unrecognizable.

"Director Ning." Chen Shou nodded. Although they were both directors, they weren't very familiar with each other.

"Director Chen, are you preparing a premiere for this film festival?" Ning Hao asked.

"Yes, the premiere of A Chinese Ghost Story will be at the Shanghai Film Festival. I would appreciate any feedback from Director Ning and everyone else then," Chen Shou said.

"Director Chen is joking. Who would dare to correct your film?" said a second-tier male star from Huayi Brothers.

"That's right, you hold all the box office records now, and you're even directing movies in Hollywood. You're really busy," another second-tier actress said with a smile.

"We're all just trying to make a living, so it's good to be busy." Chen Shou smiled and sat down.

First-class seats are all by the window, and for short flights there are no beds or anything like that; each person has a large sofa.

"Director Chen, when will the casting for Ghost Blows Out the Light begin?" Huang Bo suddenly asked.

"What, are you interested?" Chen Shou was putting his things away and was about to take a break when he heard Huang Bo crane his neck and ask.

"Although I've made quite a few films, I've never worked with Director Chen before, and I'd like to work with him," Huang Bo said with a smile.

High emotional intelligence makes all the difference. Huang Bo has truly worked his way up through hard work, and Chen Shouzhe has a very good impression of him.

"The film is directed by Urshan, and casting should be at the end of the month. Director Urshan will make the decisions then, so your chances of success are quite high," Chen Shou said.

"I can play Hu Bayi," Huang Bo said with a smile.

"You Hu Bayi..." Chen Shou chuckled, thinking that the fat man's role was more like it.

"What's wrong? Don't look down on me," Huang Bo said.

"You can try for the second male lead; the first male lead isn't suitable for you," Chen Shouzhe shook his head.

"That works too." With Chen Shou's words, Huang Bo felt he was already halfway to success. He could just mention it at the audition, and with his acting skills, what problem could there be?

Seeing Huang Bo chatting so casually with Chen Shou, the others were even more envious. Several wanted a role but found themselves too afraid to ask.

Despite Chen Shouzhe's young age, his status is not something that can be seen but not seen. Although Chen Shouzhe had a cold and aloof expression, they could still tell that only a movie star like Huang Bo would dare to chat with Chen Shouzhe like this, especially since the two already knew each other.

The flight attendants came over to check; the plane was about to take off. They were used to seeing rich people and celebrities, and quite a few people were asking Huang Bo for his autograph. Although he wasn't the most handsome man, he was very popular with the audience.

This is what a real movie actor is like.

With Huang Bo, there's a guarantee of quality in the film industry. People feel he won't make bad movies, and even if he does, his acting skills can salvage them.

Directors also prefer this type of actor because they are easy to work with and have great potential.

Instead of those young, handsome male celebrities with a huge online following, who are actually just a mob.

Brother Tiantian works so hard, why don't you go to the construction site and see how hard the workers are working?

Isn't it a given that we should work hard?

When can hard work become something to brag about?
Anyway, if your acting skills aren't good enough, you won't pass Chen Shou's test.

After the plane took off and stabilized, Ning Hao suddenly said, "Director Chen, is there any chance we could collaborate sometime?"

The moment he said that, the entire first-class cabin fell silent. Everyone pricked up their ears to listen, something even Huang Bo hadn't expected.

(End of this chapter)