Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 140 Change your stage name to Bai Lu
After internal discussions at Wanda Pictures, Detective Chinatown began its limited screenings on December 10th.

The scale of the preview screenings was controlled to 5-10 screenings per day. The cinema manager would ask moviegoers about their viewing experience, and the attendance rate for each screening would be statistically reported.

After the first week of preview screenings, moviegoers' reviews of "Detective Chinatown" were generally positive, with negative reviews accounting for only 20% of the total comments, indicating that its reputation has stabilized.

Some moviegoers who had read the original novel also expressed their approval of the film adaptation.

Then, the occupancy rate of movies is generally between 50% and 60%, and the box office of a single screening, due to the fluctuation of ticket prices and the number of seats in the theater, ranges from 3000 to 6000 yuan (data from Maoyan Movies).

All of this data was compiled by staff inside Wanda Cinemas.

Ultimately, Ye Ning would use these resources to communicate with the heads of several chain cinemas, including Jinyi, Dadi, and Hengdian, in an effort to secure more screenings for "Detective Chinatown".

Based on market feedback, these cinema chains have adjusted the first-week screening ratio of "Detective Chinatown" to 25%.

The movie's release date has been set for December 25th, Friday, Christmas Day!

The premiere was held the day before.

……

Inside the CEO's office at Datang Film & Television.

Chen Xiu, dressed in a hunting trench coat and formal attire, asked Yang Ming, who was sitting on the opposite sofa, "The premiere of 'Detective Chinatown' is in a week. Is Peng Peng ready?"

“I have told him what to do then, and we have also practiced asking questions. The dress for the premiere has already been rented.”

Among the artists currently under Datang Film & Television, Chen Xiu and Reba are those who don't require too much attention, while Papi Jiang Yilei is still an internet celebrity.

Therefore, Yang Ming personally handled the affairs of the three newcomers, Peng Yuchang, Bai Mengyan, and Zhou Yutong.

Seeing the man looking somewhat tired, Chen Xiu comforted him, "Once 'Detective Chinatown' is released and the box office results are in, and the company secures Series A funding, you can hire a few more agents and distribute the work!"
"Boss, all of these things have been arranged in the plan. Mr. Zhong and I are suggesting that the signing of new employees next year be scheduled for September, when the three major universities are recruiting new students."

"No problem, just send me the time in advance."

When it comes to signing new talent, Chen Xiu still needs to be careful, because it doesn't take long but can be very profitable.

After discussing the specific matters concerning the artists with Yang Ming, Chen Xiu took him to the outer reception room to prepare for the final year-end summary.

Normally, a year-end summary is a review of this year's achievements and a look ahead to next year's plans.

Chen Xiu had discussed these tasks in a small meeting with Zhong Lifang, Yang Ming, and Wei Feng some time ago.

After discussing the company's development direction, Chen Xiu, who usually doesn't get involved in specific matters, added the task of communicating with the artists to her schedule.

Communicating one-on-one with frontline employees is a habit he has maintained since Didi started the company; it's a job that requires very little effort but yields great results.

As the year draws to a close, apart from Dilraba, who just finished filming "Candle in the Tomb" and is still out and won't be back until tonight, all the other signed artists are at the company.

Chen Xiu only needs to chat with Peng Yuchang, Bai Mengyan, Zhou Yutong, and Jiang Yilei separately.

Each person can chat for a few minutes, which doesn't take much time.

As for Reba... it doesn't matter. She'll arrive in Beijing a little later, and Chen Xiu's communication time with her will be much longer than just a few minutes.

Once the boss has made a decision, the subordinates naturally won't have any objections.

Therefore, Yang Ming, the artist management director, became the only observer, whose role was to adjust the development direction of these artists in real time based on the content of Chen Xiu's conversations with them.

The first one to be brought in is Peng Yuchang, who is currently the most successful among the newly signed artists.

"Boss, Director Yang, hello."

Looking at the other person's somewhat dazed face, Chen Xiu smiled gently and said, "Peng Peng, come and sit down."

"Oh well."

Upon hearing the greeting, Peng Yuchang walked somewhat awkwardly to the opposite side of Chen Xiu, and then sat down at Chen Xiu's second gesture.

"How are you feeling about the upcoming premiere of 'Detective Chinatown'?"

"I'm a little nervous and a bit uncertain."

Peng Yuchang's smile was somewhat embarrassed, and the light in his eyes was filled with uncertainty, tension, and anticipation.

At the beginning of the year, he was just a student majoring in puppetry at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, but now he has already starred in a movie and a web series, and his works are being released one after another.

The prospect of overnight fame seems so close, it's understandable to feel a little hesitant and confused.

Chen Xiu reached out and patted his shoulder: "Do you remember what I said to you when we were filming in Bangkok?"

"I remember, I remember everything."

Peng Yuchang answered without hesitation, his gaze meeting Chen Xiu's with exceptional sincerity.

Seeing this, Chen Xiu didn't say much, but offered a word of advice.

"That's all. The company will pay your salary as it's due and then send it to you. As for your personal life, be careful and don't get arrogant before you've even become famous."

"Boss, I won't mess around with women, I still am..."

In his emotional outburst, Peng Yuchang blurted out something and only then realized that Chen Xiu and Yang Ming were both looking at him.

Peng Yuchang hesitated for a moment, feeling as if Zhang Chulan had possessed him from another time, and awkwardly lowered his head: "I don't have a girlfriend yet, commonly known as..." "I understand, I understand. The company doesn't object to you dating, as long as it doesn't affect your work."

Chen Xiu interrupted urgently, saying that some things didn't need to be said.

Peng Yuchang's inability to pursue an idol career, and whether or not he's in a relationship, won't have a significant impact on Datang Film and Television.

After calming down the loyal newcomer who still had an 11-year management contract with the company, Chen Xiu asked him to go out and called Bai Mengyan, who was waiting outside, in.

"Boss, Director Yang, hello!"

With her hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a brown cotton jacket with a fur collar and gray fleece pants, Bai Mengyan looked youthful and energetic, and her voice was also full of vigor.

Her movements upon entering the room showed no sign of restraint, a stark contrast to Peng Yuchang's earlier demeanor.

Looking at this energetic girl, Chen Xiu's impression of her was still that of her secretly working hard in front of the mirror in the training room when she was alone.

"Come sit down, let's chat casually."

He waved to her, and Chen Xiu's attitude was the same as when he faced Peng Yuchang earlier.

Bai Mengyan, who wasn't nervous standing at the door, felt a little lost when she walked to the opposite side of Chen Xiu.

Just as she sat down, unsure of where to put her hands, Chen Xiu's voice rang out again.

“I remember the last time we met, I said that once your acting skills were up to par, I would arrange acting opportunities for you. I didn’t expect that the actual situation would be even faster.”

"Boss, Director Yang said that you helped me get that role back then."

Bai Mengyan looked at Chen Xiu with bright eyes, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

"Saying you're helping is an exaggeration. I just thought that the TV series starring Peng Peng is a youth campus drama, which doesn't require that much acting skill. So I asked Yang Ming to take you there to give it a try. Whether you can get the role or not depends on your efforts."

Chen Xiu waved his hand and said, but after seeing Bai Mengyan's smile widen and reveal her teeth, a thoughtful look appeared on his face.

"Bai Mengyan, that's a very classical-sounding name."

"This is the name my dad gave me after looking it up in the dictionary. My maternal grandfather originally wanted to call me Bai Honglian..."

Bai Mengyan pursed her lips, looked up to see Chen Xiu's reaction, and only released her lips when she saw that he didn't seem to be making fun of her name.

Chen Xiu would never do something as impolite as joking about someone else's name.

He brought up this topic mainly because he was thinking of something else.

"Your name isn't bad, it's just not easy for the audience to remember. For example, Peng Peng is definitely easier to remember than Peng Yuchang."

After laying the groundwork, Chen Xiu finally said, "Would you mind if I changed to a stage name that's easier to remember?"

"I don't mind at all. Actually, I've even thought of a stage name for myself."

"Sharing?"

Chen Xiu wondered if the stage name Bai Mengyan had come up with was the one she knew from her past life.

Bai Mengyan hesitated for a moment and said, "Um, back in 12, I came up with the online name Bai Lu, and I've been using it ever since."

Chen Xiu glanced at her with bright eyes, thinking to herself: She saved me a lot of trouble.

"This stage name is easy to remember. It used to mean auspiciousness. I hope you will become more and more popular in the entertainment industry in the future."

After offering Bai Lu a blessing, Chen Xiu briefly inquired about her recent studies.

This post-90s actress had a pretty good reputation and public image in her previous life. Apart from her poor acting skills, there was nothing else to worry about.

Chen Xiu's advice to her seemed much more practical.

"OK, just do your best! There are no complicated things here. Just practice your acting skills and focus on filming."

"Boss, I will try my best."

Bai Lu clenched his fists, still looking full of energy.

After she left, Chen Xiu went to chat briefly with Zhou Yutong and Papi Jiang Yilei.

For the former, Chen Xiu's instructions were simpler. In addition to telling Zhou Yutong to practice her acting skills, he also asked Yang Ming to keep an eye out for her on offers for workplace dramas, hoping to put this working-class actress in the right position.

As for Papi Jiang Yilei, she actually presented an internet variety show proposal, and Chen Xiu promised to help her communicate with Tencent Video to try to collaborate on developing this talk show online variety show.

After finishing her work at Datang Film and Television, Chen Xiu had a phone conversation with Meng Ziyi, who was in Hengdian.

Since they finished working together on "Love O2O," the silly beauty seems to have become even more clingy; for the past month, the two have been chatting almost every day...

During the conversation, Chen Xiu learned that Meng Ziyi's important audition was for "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," and she was competing for the role of Mu Nianci, the second female lead.

This role was probably the best opportunity she could get during her early career.

Later that evening, Chen Xiu received news of Reba's arrival.

A minivan drove out from downstairs at Datang Film and Television Building and headed straight onto Airport Avenue.

　I'm a corporate slave and have to go back to work, so my daily updates will have to drop from 10,000 to 6,000. All I can promise is to try my best not to padded out the content and to keep updating. By the way, here's a plot preview: the hellish scene you've been waiting for is coming!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)