Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 417, Section 415: Face and Substance
In late April, spring was in full bloom in Beijing. The Chinese scholar trees along the roadside sprouted tender green leaves, which gleamed with a glossy sheen in the afternoon sun.

Even the air seemed to have lost some of the dryness of the north and gained a touch of the moisture of the Jiangnan region.

Wang Shenggang had just left the bustling construction site of "Jackie Chan Happy Park" in Huairou, as well as the seemingly endless post-production meetings for "Night at the Museum".

Back in my office in the Jingxin Building, overlooking the bustling city, before I could even have a sip of tea to catch my breath, the confidential telephone on my desk rang.

The caller ID showed Han Sanping.

"Teacher," Wang Sheng answered the phone.

"where is it?"

Han Sanping's voice came through the receiver, as strong as ever, but today it seemed to carry an indescribable, subtle emotion that was a mixture of solemnity and a sense of opportunity.

"Just got back to the company and was about to check the latest North American data report for 'Shaolin Soccer'," Wang Sheng replied truthfully, picking up a folder his assistant had already placed on the corner of the table. It contained the latest box office statistics that New Line Cinema had just faxed over.

"We'll look at the data later, let's get down to business first." Han Sanping's tone became more serious. "I just came back from a meeting at the General Administration and received a notification that I need to formally convey to you."

Wang Sheng put down the folder and unconsciously sat up straighter.

The fact that Han Sanping could convey a "notice" in such a formal tone is certainly not ordinary.

"You say."

"The Walt Disney Company," Han Sanping enunciated the name clearly, "has officially extended an invitation to our State Administration of Radio, Film and Television through official channels. They are inviting a delegation from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television to visit the United States next month, in May."

Disney?
Wang Sheng raised an eyebrow slightly.

This timing is interesting.

"What's the pretext for the visit?" Wang Sheng asked, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the smooth mahogany table.

"Nominally, it's a cultural exchange, a remake of an old collaborative project—'Glimpses of China'."

Han Sanping explained, "Now that Disney is bringing up this old issue again, it's probably because they've their eyes on the huge market potential after our accession to the WTO, and they want to pave the way in advance and make some good sales."

Wang Sheng understood.

The "China Pavilion" at Disneyland has been showing "Glimpses of China" for a long time. It is a film made in the 80s, and its content is outdated and cannot show the new face of China after the reform and opening up.

China also has an updated need for this.

This collaborative remake directly led to Disney's landing in Shanghai.

This seems to be the beginning of the amusement park war?
Wang Sheng pondered for a moment and asked, "Rebooting 'Glimpses of China'...then, besides the leaders from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the delegation will inevitably need a film production team?"

"Yes."

Han Sanping affirmed Wang Sheng's judgment, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible complexity, "The production team has been decided. It will be led by Shanghai Film Studio, now known as Shanghai Film Group, with Zhu Yongde in charge."

Old Zhu.

acquaintance.

Let him lead the team?

Wang Sheng could almost instantly imagine Zhu Yongde's smug expression upon learning the news in Shanghai, as if he had been granted the status of an "imperial envoy."

This is indeed a great opportunity to gain exposure, especially internationally, and particularly on platforms like Disney.

“Shanghai Film Studio has a rich history, and General Manager Zhu is very experienced. It’s appropriate for them to be in charge of this project.” Wang Sheng’s tone was flat, revealing no emotion.

"Hmph, don't give me that crap."

Han Sanping laughed and scolded on the other end of the phone, clearly seeing through Wang Sheng's hypocrisy, "Who doesn't know what Zhu Yongde is thinking?"

He wanted to use Disney as a springboard to gain international recognition for himself and the Shanghai Film Studio, ideally establishing connections to increase his share of co-productions and imported films in the future. He paused, lowering his voice, revealing a tacit understanding and openness unique to their mentor-student relationship: "However, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television's intentions are not so simple. They want you to go along too."

"Me?" Wang Sheng appropriately expressed a hint of surprise.

"Yes, you. As an advisor."

Han Sanping's tone became meaningful. "The leader's exact words were: 'Let Wang Sheng go along too, take a look. He's quick-witted and resourceful. Besides this "Glimpses of China," let's see if he can get any other benefits from the Americans. We can't let Zhu Yongde and his gang get all the advantages.'"

Understood.

A knowing smile appeared on Wang Sheng's lips.

The leaders of the General Administration see this clearly.

The official cultural propaganda project "Glimpses of China" was legitimately and politically soundly entrusted to the Shanghai Film Studio, which is part of the state-run system, for its execution.

However, the top management also knew that such projects often had more symbolic significance than actual commercial benefits.

The ones who can truly make waves in the market, substantially drive industrial progress, and even bring in real money are the "unorthodox" methods like those of Wang Sheng, who have carved out their own path in the market.

By including him in the delegation as an "advisor," a position with flexible and ambiguous authority, it would not affect Zhu Yongde's overt dominance, but would also ensure that the delegation has someone who truly understands the market, dares to take action, and can reap tangible benefits.

This was a way of "killing two birds with one stone"—his main job was to accompany the prince in his studies, and his side job was to see if he could bring back a few fat sheep along the way.

"Understood, teacher." Wang Sheng suppressed his smile, his voice steady. "I will be prepared."

"Yes, the Foreign Affairs Department of the General Administration will contact your company directly regarding the specific itinerary and procedures. Please arrange your time in advance and prepare your passport, visa, and other necessary documents."

After giving his instructions, Han Sanping asked, "What data have they reported from North America?"

"Let me see..."

Wang Sheng's gaze immediately fell upon the briefing he hadn't yet read, quickly flipping to the last page displaying the cumulative box office data—

55,340,000 USD (approximately US$5534 million).

After one month in theaters, the cumulative box office has reached more than 55 million US dollars!
This has completely exceeded New Line's initial optimistic estimate of 30 to 40 million, and even surpassed the 53 million US dollars that "Hero" ultimately earned in North America on the original timeline!

And this was achieved without fully benefiting from the peak popularity of the World Cup.

also……

There's also some big news: taking advantage of the global buzz surrounding the upcoming World Cup, New Line Cinema has decided to extend the run of "Shaolin Soccer" to a longer run, which will span at least the entire World Cup.

Wang Sheng finished delivering these two messages.

"Long-term screening..."

Han Sanping muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with calculation.

The World Cup is a global sporting extravaganza, generating phenomenal levels of attention and buzz.

"Shaolin Soccer" cleverly combines "kung fu" and "soccer," two elements that are highly recognized in the West. Its long-term release at this time is like a favorable east wind, propelling it to great heights!
It is foreseeable that as the World Cup progresses, especially when Asian teams participate, or when there are exciting goals or upsets, this football movie full of passion, dreams, and Eastern humor will attract many sports enthusiasts who are not originally movie fans to the theater.
This long-distance streaming is like putting the fast ship that "Shaolin Soccer" has already set sail directly into a surging global river of traffic!
How high will it eventually rise?
Sixty million? Seventy million? Or even... touching the almost legendary threshold of eighty million, or even one hundred million US dollars for non-English films?
Han Sanping took a deep breath, and even with his composure and foresight, his heart couldn't help but beat faster at this moment.

This is not just about accumulating box office numbers, but also about establishing a cultural symbol and directly reflecting the weight of "Shengying Productions" in the international market!
"It seems I'm more confident about this trip to the United States." Han Sanping said into the phone, his tone returning to its usual calmness, but the underlying sharpness seemed to penetrate the receiver.

Wang Sheng exclaimed, "Yes, the east wind has come."

"Let's see how far your ship can sail with the wind," Han Sanping said. "Once you get there, keep your eyes open. Disney animation, Pixar technology, Hollywood distribution networks... take a look at everything you can, learn everything you can, and don't hold back when it comes to digging for information."

“I understand.” Wang Sheng nodded. “The ‘Glimpses of China’ is the facade; the real benefits are the ones we reap ourselves.”

(End of this chapter)