Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 15 Victory Banquet, President Wang's Attempt to Win Him Over
"Welcome to China Film Group, Director Chen."

Upon seeing Han Sanping, Chen Shouzhe hurriedly stepped forward and shook hands with the outstretched hand of the other man.

"Third Master, hello." Chen Shou said nervously.

Han Sanping wasn't unhappy at all, and said with a smile, "You're young and promising. Congratulations on breaking the domestic box office record and finally breaking the foreign film record."

The domestic box office record has been dominated by a foreign film for a long time. As the top figure in the domestic film industry, he is under tremendous pressure. Now, a film has finally broken the record, and it is produced by China Film Group. He can now write a good chapter in his political achievements.

Recently, he has been sitting up much straighter in meetings, and he speaks more confidently among the state-owned enterprises. Although many people say he is just lucky, he laughs and says they don't even have that kind of luck, especially Shanghai Film Group, which he mocks as "blind to talent".

"I didn't expect to break the record either. It shows that the domestic film market is getting better and better. It is because of you that we can have such a high box office result," Chen Shou said sincerely.

The "domestic film protection month" is an open secret within the industry, but it's an unspoken agreement that foreign films won't be shown during important holiday periods. Otherwise, San Ye wouldn't have been repeatedly called out by foreign filmmakers to be removed from the screen.

Because he was too domineering, he set a minimum number of films to be released in the domestic market each year, and reserved the best slots for domestic films, while only allowing his films to be released in the worst slots.

Foreign countries have been eyeing the Lunar New Year film season for a long time. After all, the Lunar New Year film season evolved from Christmas in other countries. For foreign films, this is the best time to release. However, due to the interference of the Third Master, they either do not allow the films to be released or release some garbage movies.

"I don't make movies, so we still need filmmakers like you. It seems we should give more opportunities to young people."

After this incident, Han Sanping understood a principle even more clearly: those old guys were just freeloaders, and it would be better to give young people a chance to take a chance.

One Chen Shouzhe is better than a hundred old guys. Those people have nothing but seniority and age. What kind of works can they produce? They haven't produced a single thing in decades. Do you expect them to have a breakthrough before they die?
Chen Shouzhe didn't know how to respond to this, so they chatted for a while longer, such as asking Chen Shouzhe if he had any other plans.

Chen Shouzhe had actually been writing a script, but he didn't say it out loud, saying he would talk about it after the New Year.

After leaving China Film Group, Chen Shouzhe experienced for the first time what it meant to be famous. People were staring at him as he walked down the street. Fortunately, he drove himself, as he had not yet bought a house or a car.

Based on the current box office of 1.4 billion, after deducting the theater's share, publicity and distribution costs, costs, taxes, etc., he can get about 70 million in the end, which is 10% of the total.

There are still copyright fees to pay, but fortunately, the world is cracking down on piracy quite hard, and the pirated copies that appeared a couple of days ago have already been removed.

Copyright holders have already contacted him, and with some overseas copyrights included, he should be able to sell them for some money, which will all be his own income.

The studio has already started recruiting. Accounting is necessary, and we also need to build our own team. We can't keep using China Film's equipment forever. In the end, China Film will invest money and still make a profit.

After a month in theaters, they still haven't received the key to an extension. Huayi Brothers had already announced a two-week extension two weeks ago, since their subject matter is more advantageous.

It's still showing in theaters and has managed to climb to 600 million yuan at the box office, thanks to the 'buying out' of theaters and the need to meet certain targets.

There's been a lot of criticism within the industry; the practice of booking out entire venues has severely disrupted market order.

Many veterans in the industry have come out to criticize Huayi Brothers and China Film Group, saying they are shameless.

Chen Shouzhe didn't care and quickly urged Guangxian to ask for the money.

The money for the theatrical release needs to be chased by the marketing team, and the marketing team was given to Enlight Media. Chairman Wang of Enlight Media was very frustrated because he couldn't make any money. The marketing for "Goodbye Mr. Loser" was a one-off deal. If it were based on a profit-sharing system, he would have made a fortune long ago.

After the film's run ended, China Film Group organized a celebration banquet before the Lunar New Year. With so many records broken, how could they not hold a celebration banquet?

Seven production companies were present. In addition, Wang Zonglei from Huayi Brothers, Zhong Lifan from Xiaoma Film Group, Yu Dong from Bona Film Group, and a vice chairman from Shanghai Film Group were also present. These companies now have only one idea: to win over Chen Shouzhe.

The first movie has already made them famous. If Chen Shou can maintain this level of quality in the second movie, he can make a lot of money with a small investment. They can't wait to get on board.

We need to prioritize building good relationships now, since when Chen Shouzhe came to our door before, they refused him without hesitation and kicked him out.

When they saw Han Sanping, Chen Shouzhe, and others standing on the stage, smashing the 1.5 billion block of ice with hammers, everyone in the audience was envious.

Next was a cocktail party, which was essentially a social gathering. Chen Shou squeezed his way out from the China Film Group and Xi'an Film Group, only to be pulled away by his master, Yu Qian.

"Director Chen, that's really unfair of you. I was there that day, and you didn't even invite me. Are you looking down on me?"

Before Chen Shouzhe could see clearly, he heard a smoky voice in his ear.

"Aunt Xun!"

"Don't call me 'auntie,' you guys in this industry are so rigid. I'm only in my early thirties, and you're already making me sound old," Zhou Xun said, patting Chen Shouzhe's arm in dissatisfaction. Chen Shouzhe smiled. The last time he called an actor "grandpa," the result was the same. There was nothing he could do; after all, he was older than his master, Yu Qian, and according to the rules, he should call him "grandpa."

"Thank you, Xiao Chen. This glass is for you. I wish your next movie great success." Na Ying raised her glass of red wine and drank it all in one gulp.

"Thank you for your help, Sister Na. Without you, the box office wouldn't have been so high," Chen Shou said.

"Thanks is fine, I've already received your red envelope," Nayoung smiled.

The red envelopes had already been given out at the celebration banquet, and Chen Shouzhe also received a large one. He was the producer, after all, and made the greatest contribution, so he deserved a red envelope.

In addition to the main actors and guest stars, everyone who came received a red envelope.

"Director Chen!"

While exchanging pleasantries with Zhou Xun and the others, he suddenly heard someone call his name from behind. Turning around, he saw a man with short hair, wearing a black suit, walking over with a glass of red wine.

The people around Chen Shou immediately fell silent. The person in front of him was Wang Zonglei, the second-in-command of Huayi, a notorious smiling tiger in the industry.

"Mr. Wang, thank you for coming to the celebration banquet." Yu Qian stepped forward and said with a smile.

"Teacher Yu, congratulations! With this apprentice, you won't need to perform crosstalk anymore," Wang Zonglei said with a forced smile.

"Hey, I'm just destined to be a comedian, I can't compare to Boss Wang," Yu Qian said, waving his hand.

"Let me introduce you to Mr. Wang, the general manager of Huayi."

"Hello, Mr. Wang," Chen Shou said obediently, standing to the side.

"Director Chen, I'm here to apologize to you. I've already dismissed that marketing manager. Consider this glass of wine my apology." After saying that, Wang Zonglei drank it all in one gulp, and the person next to him poured him some more red wine.

"Mr. Wang, you're too kind. I'll drink it all too." Chen Shou also finished his red wine. After all, he was Yu Qian's apprentice and had been training for several years. He could easily finish a bottle of red wine.

"Great! If Director Chen is interested, he can come and develop his career at Huayi. We welcome you and will definitely treat you well." Wang Zonglei finally revealed his true colors, revealing that he wanted to bring Chen Shouzhe under his wing.

"Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Wang. I feel that I am not good enough yet and need to hone my skills for a while. I estimate that I will need to rest for a long time," Chen Shouzhe said sincerely.

“Okay, you can consider it. Huayi is a listed company, it has plenty of money. Director Chen, you can come to me if you need anything in the future.” Wang Zonglei glanced at Chen Shouzhe’s back, raised his wine glass, and gestured to turn and leave.

"I'll excuse you for a moment."

Chen Shouzhe also raised his wine glass in a gesture of respect. After watching Wang Zonglei leave, he turned around and realized that Master Han was coming over. No wonder he didn't dare to stay here any longer.

If someone dares to poach people right in front of Third Master, Third Master won't be polite to him.

"Xiao Chen, I think I'll have you stay here. What are the plans for next?" Third Master asked with a smile.

"The professors at the college asked me if I wanted to go back to school for graduate studies, and I've already agreed," Chen Shouzhe said.

As the first director in China to gross over 1 billion yuan at the box office, how could the Beijing Film Academy let him go? They had already put up banners and included his name in the list of outstanding alumni.

To achieve such results only a few months after graduation demonstrates the strength of the Beijing Film Academy. With such a prestigious recruitment platform, they should certainly take advantage of it.

Chen Shouzhe graduated with a bachelor's degree. A few days ago, Professor Hou called to ask him if he wanted to pursue a master's degree, as he could be directly recommended for a master's program.

After discussing it with Yu Qian, Chen Shouzhe decided to pursue a master's degree. This would strengthen his relationship with the school and improve his abilities, since the original owner wanted to perform crosstalk for the rest of his life and wasn't very serious about his studies.

“Going to graduate school? That’s a good thing. If you have any film projects planned, remember to come to China Film Group,” Third Master said.

"Definitely." Chen Shou nodded vigorously.

"Chairman Han, Director Chen..." At this moment, a woman's voice rang out behind Chen Shouzhe.

(End of this chapter)