The birth of an actor

Chapter 54 Broker

If the girl was absent-minded yesterday, then after today's meal, Fan Bing has already returned to her energetic self.

Through Anxin, she met a manager who impressed her, and even got a significant supporting role in Qiong Yao's script—the role of Jin Suo.

Although it wasn't Ziwei... compared to the cold reality, these two things were enough to make her happy. She wasn't the fragile type; since she couldn't achieve her dream, choosing the most suitable opportunity now was definitely the right thing to do.

After finishing the meal, around 1:00 PM, Fan Bing left with the script.

As for the role contract, it should be signed in the next couple of days if nothing unexpected happens.

He Xiuqiong said that the role contract needs to be issued by the Taiwanese side first, and then the company will review it to make sure there are no problems before faxing it over here. It will take a few days.

The same applies to the previously secure contracts.

The girl readily agreed, but after saying goodbye to He Xiuqiong and getting on the motorcycle, she said:
"I think I understand what Sister Wang is saying."

"what?"

"Efficiency. Just think about it, it takes two or three days just to process an actor's contract... They have to review it there, then fax it here, and after I sign it, they send it back to get the official seal. By the time I get the two copies of the contract, it takes ten days to half a month. If they had an office in mainland China, the process would be much faster, right?"

"Ah."

Anxin responded and, after checking the time, took out the business card that Wang Jinghua had given her.

Yanjing Wansen Cultural Development Co., Ltd. – Agent: Wang Jinghua.

After checking the address, he rode his motorcycle there immediately.

After riding for less than half an hour, the two arrived at their destination and entered an office building.

Upon arriving at the corresponding floor and standing in the corridor, Fan Bing stared wide-eyed in surprise at the photos hanging on the walls:

"Oh, Qingwen."

"Who?"

He looked at the girl pointing to a photo with a very ancient style, puzzled:

"This is Qingwen from 'Dream of the Red Chamber'."

Anxin didn't recognize them; after glancing at them twice, her gaze fell on the other photos on the wall.

"Wow, 'The Loess Plateau' is a work by this company?"

As soon as he spoke, Fan Bing also quickly looked over...

"Gao Feng's 'Great China' is also... Ah, 'The Bloodstained Glory'... Are they both from this company?"

At this moment, a hint of surprise appeared in their eyes.

But one has to admit that the names and photos on this wall of honor... Fan Bingbing and even An Xin remember them.

This is awesome.

"It seems Sister Wang isn't a liar."

Fan Bing's murmurs were met with a reassuring nod.

Now it seems that it is indeed the case.

Then, the two walked through the company's glass doors. A young woman in her early twenties was sitting at the reception desk. Fan Bing directly stated her purpose:

"Hello, we are looking for Ms. Wang Jinghua."

"May I ask your surnames?"

"Anhe Fan".

Hearing the noise, the two saw the girl professionally checking a notebook... until she pointed to a certain spot and made a gesture of invitation:
"plz follow me."

Putting everything else aside, just this level of professionalism... it feels like watching a Hong Kong or Taiwanese movie to Fan Bingbing.

This overwhelming sense of professionalism gave her an intuitive feeling that "this company is reliable."

Then, when the girl opened an office door, the two of them immediately saw Wang Jinghua sitting at her desk...

Her office was small and not particularly luxuriously decorated.

Instead, it was filled with documents and various boxes, making it look like a very ordinary office.

"Coming."

Wang Jinghua stood up with a smile:

"welcome."

"Sister Wang."

Anxin smiled and called out, then looked at the older woman who was about to pour water for her and Fan Bing and asked:
"Did I disturb your rest?"

No. Have you eaten?

"I've already eaten... thank you."

After taking the cup, he looked around and asked:
"Sister Wang, I noticed there were many songs on the honor wall when I came in. Were they all produced by your company?"

"Correct."

Wang Jinghua naturally knew how to showcase the company's strength:

"The company's chairman is Su Yue. Have you heard of that name before?"

Looking at the two children shaking their heads, she said:

"They are the authors of 'The Loess Plateau' and 'Great China' that you see at the entrance. Not only that, but also musical poet Xie Dong, melancholic prince Huang Gexuan, Chu Qi and Chu Tong, and others are all artists under our company."

"...?"

"????"

The two were stunned.

Fan Bing subconsciously asked:

"Is Xie Dong... the Xie Dong from 'Smiling Face'?"

"Correct."

Wang Jinghua smiled and nodded:
"His music video was just filmed a few days ago. Actually, it would have been better if we had known each other earlier. If we had, we could have just sent you two over for a tryout..."

"..."

"..."

After she finished speaking, both of their expressions turned strange.

Wang Jinghua was taken aback and asked in confusion:
"what happened?"

"...Sister Wang, I'm the female lead in the music video."

"?" Wang Jinghua was stunned the moment she heard Fan Bing's words:
"you?"

"Yes. Not just me, but him too... We acted together."

"???"

moment.

Wang Jinghua stared blankly at the girl's short hair:
"So... he told you to cut it, and you did?"

"……Yes."

"...You were too impulsive. Bingbing, an artist's image and styling are very important. Short hair and long hair are two completely different career paths. You were too impulsive in this matter."

Wang Jinghua frowned. Just as she finished speaking to the girl, An Xin, who had been mostly silent, suddenly interjected:
"Aren't you bringing Xie Dong?"

"Yes, I don't manage them. Among the company's artists, the only ones I've managed are Gao Feng, Chu Qi, Chu Tong, Bai Xue, and Gao Huizhen. The others are managed by other agents."

"So you're now becoming Mr. Chen Daoming's full-time agent?"

"Uh...right."

Instinctively, Wang Jinghua felt that the question the boy asked was quite important.

But for a moment I didn't quite realize it.

Until Anxin asked the next question:

"So... are there any other film and television actors in the company?"

In an instant, she understood what it meant to feel at ease.

After pausing for a moment, he laughed:
"To be frank, as far as professional actors are concerned, I am just Chen Daoming's agent. If we can work together, then you will be the second or third."

Fan Bing was still stunned and confused, but An Xin already understood the situation.

At this moment, Wang Jinghua said:
"Actually, it's like this, don't worry, you know, a few years ago, at least in mainland China, the concept of 'agent' didn't exist. The general perception was that an agent was no different from an artist's nanny."

Anxin remained silent and listened quietly.

"But in Hong Kong and Taiwan, there is already a relatively clear division of personnel around artists. Managers are responsible for the artist's development and career planning, while assistants take care of their daily lives. When I first entered the industry, I was just a 'nanny' for those people I just mentioned. But... in recent years, people's understanding of managers has gradually become clearer. To be honest, until the end of last year, my monthly salary was a fixed salary rather than a commission split."

"So, the profit-sharing contract was actually learned from Hong Kong and Taiwan?"

"Yes, that's right. Compared to singers, the professionalism of agents is actually inherited from singers."

Hearing this, Anxin thought for a moment and asked:
"Sister Wang, may I hear about your plans?... Or, in your opinion, your personal plans for an actor's agent."

As soon as he said those words, Wang Jinghua sensed something different.

The child's clarity and maturity made her feel as if the person sitting in front of her was a peer.

In stark contrast to Fan Bingbing's bewildered expression beside her.

But precisely because of this, she became happy.

Because sometimes the pros and cons are easier to discuss than feelings...

So she nodded:
"You know what? In my opinion, the film and television industry today is a highly concentrated and relatively closed industry..."

The conversation began a little after 2 p.m.

In the following period, in industry jargon, both sides fully exchanged opinions and had good communication.

In Wang Jinghua's view, this highly concentrated resource ecosystem is gradually disintegrating with the influx of Hong Kong and Taiwanese influence. Every film and television professional needs an agent to help them secure as many resources as possible during this transformation.

Anxin agrees with this point.

Furthermore, Wong Jinghua's plan was actually very clear: to provide suitable scripts based on the two actors' strengths, and after gaining fame, to expand their commercial capabilities, etc.

What would become commonplace in later generations is now considered utterly superior when proposed in this era.

Didn't you see Fan Bingbing's eyes sparkling?

But Anxin maintained a calm mindset throughout.

Until one question was asked:

"Can I understand that... you are actually actively cutting ties with the singer management business? You want to work full-time as a film and television agent?"

"!"

Wang Jinghua's eyes widened instantly.

After staring blankly at Anxin for a few seconds, he suddenly smiled.

"Yes."

She admitted it without any hesitation:
“I am indeed making a cut. And Chen Daoming does not belong to Wansen Culture.”

"...You want to start your own company?"

"..."

The amazement and admiration in Wang Jinghua's eyes were palpable.

This kid...

No wonder he was able to get into Renmin University at the age of sixteen.

His sharp mind and insight alone have already surpassed those of countless others.

However... she did not answer that question.

Just said:

“When you sign a contract, you are only signing a contract with me personally. We are signing a cooperation agreement, not a fixed-term contract like Yiren’s.”

"I understand."

Although she didn't say it explicitly, Anxin already understood what she meant.

Her collaboration with Wansen is temporary; in the future... she plans to start her own agency.

Furthermore, this brokerage contract, as she said, is a cooperation agreement, not a mandatory contract that binds someone to a five- or seven-year contract.

In this respect, Anxin is the most satisfied.

And just like that, I instantly knew what to do.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, which was then pushed open.

A figure that looked extremely familiar to both of them walked in.

"Jinghua, where's the script?"

"Fortress Besieged," Chen Daoming, walked in.

(End of this chapter)