Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 432, Section 430: You guys just need to start the team fight.

As the saying goes, you just need to initiate the team fight, and your teammates will follow.

The first to catch up with the trend, and make no attempt to hide their schadenfreude, were some Hong Kong filmmakers.

Since Wang Sheng put forward the cooperation principle that was privately called "overbearing terms" and "bombarded" Hong Kong films at the Hong Kong Film Awards, he has made many enemies in the Hong Kong film industry.

Now that Wang Sheng is caught in a media storm in mainland China, some Hong Kong directors and producers who were previously "suppressed" or refused to cooperate with the Sheng Film Group have spoken out through Hong Kong media with which they have close ties.

A director surnamed L who went north to develop his career remarked to a familiar reporter: "The mainland market is big, but there are also many rules. Some people are too eager to succeed quickly, and it's no surprise that they're now facing backlash."

A senior producer surnamed W wrote sarcastically in his column: "Cooperation should be based on equality and mutual benefit. If one party always thinks of taking all the credit and even tries to change the industry ecosystem, it will inevitably arouse public anger sooner or later. Film is not just a business, but also a culture. Without cultural foundation, even the greatest commercial success is just a castle in the air."

These backstabbings from "our own people" (fellow Chinese filmmakers) are often more damaging, attempting to portray Wang Sheng as a cultural traitor who is "ungrateful," "arrogant," and "only knows how to make a profit."

……

Within the deeply entrenched "Beijing Circle," the feelings towards Wang Sheng and the Shengying Group are even more complex.

Wang Sheng, this outlier in the Beijing art circle, not only stole the market's attention but also attracted many creative talents who were originally dependent on the Beijing circle with his strong capital and distribution capabilities.

Although Wang Sheng had a close working relationship with the Beijing Film Studio faction led by Han Sanping (which can be considered part of the Beijing film circle), his relationship with other factions within the Beijing film circle, such as those centered around children of high-ranking officials and more inclined towards art and ideology, was quite delicate.

Faced with the overwhelming public opinion, many people in Beijing's elite circles have chosen to remain indifferent or even secretly fuel the flames.

Some film and television companies that compete with Sheng Ying for resources are happy to see him get into trouble; some directors and screenwriters who claim to uphold "artistic integrity" have always scorned Wang Sheng's "commercialization" approach, believing that he has lowered the standard of Chinese films.

They may not have personally engaged in the attack, but in private gatherings and industry exchanges, they intentionally or unintentionally spread unfavorable views against Wang Sheng and Sheng Ying, tacitly approving or even encouraging this "criticism" against Wang Sheng.

……

The "Shanghai circle," represented by Shanghai Film Group, has a more conflicted feeling.

On the one hand, they had just reached a co-production agreement with Wang Sheng and Disney for "The Pursuit of Happyness," making them a community of shared interests.

On the other hand, the strong rise of Wang Sheng and Shengying Group also poses a potential threat to the Shanghai-based entertainment circle.

If Shengying Media successfully goes public and becomes the "first listed film company in China," it will greatly consolidate its leading position in the industry and further squeeze the space for other state-owned film groups.

Zhu Yongde privately called Wang Sheng to express his concern, but also subtly reminded him: "Mr. Wang, the bigger the tree, the more the wind blows. Will the current public opinion situation affect our cooperative project? Disney is also paying close attention to the public opinion environment in China."

Within the Shanghai film circle, there is not a monolithic support for Wang Sheng. Some voices believe that this opportunity should be used to give Shengying a warning and ensure that Shanghai Film Group's interests are fully protected in its cooperation with Shengying.

In short, they want to reap the rewards.

……

Across the ocean, Kevin Brown of New Line Cinema and Robert Iger of Disney were also following this sudden storm through their staff in China and by monitoring public opinion.

Their concern isn't about abstract concepts like "cultural security," but rather about tangible commercial interests.

Brown called Wang Sheng, his tone serious: "Wang, our collaboration on 'Shaolin Soccer' has been very successful in North America, but the media here have started citing criticisms from China, questioning our partnership with a company that 'lacks cultural responsibility'."

This could affect the progress of our subsequent projects, especially the North American release plans for "Night at the Museum."

Iger was more diplomatic, but his concern was no less: "Mr. Wang, Disney values ​​its cooperation with you very much."

We trust your judgment and capabilities, but the stability of the Chinese market and the reputation of our partners are of paramount importance to us.

Hopefully, this minor incident will subside soon.

They wanted to tame Wang Sheng.

……

However, the most insidious and destructive attacks are hidden beneath the clamor of public opinion.

"Well-informed sources" have begun to "reveal" to several securities firms and law firms preparing to take on the Shengying Media IPO project that "the higher-ups" are "very dissatisfied" with Shengying Media becoming the focus of public opinion at such a sensitive time, believing that its "business model is controversial" and its "cultural stance is questionable", and that its listing plan "may need to be re-evaluated".

Furthermore, an "internal reference" document, written in the name of "some veteran comrades in the film industry," was quietly delivered to the relevant authorities.

The material not only reiterated accusations from the public regarding "cultural compradors" and "impacting domestic films," but also emphasized:
"Shengying Media, with its huge capital and channel advantages, has formed a de facto market monopoly, which is not conducive to the flourishing of diverse industries."

"Its content production is overly inclined towards commercial entertainment, lacks the promotion of the mainstream ideology and excellent traditional culture, and its social benefits are questionable."

"If such capital is allowed to expand unchecked and enter the capital market, it could have an immeasurable negative impact on the healthy development of China's film industry and cultural security." This tactic of "using someone else's knife to kill someone" is clearly intended to use public opinion and political accusations to directly sabotage Shengying Media's IPO plans!
……

Jingxin Building.

Wang Sheng stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the bustling Third Ring Road.

Li Tingting placed a series of public opinion briefings and privately received "warnings" on his desk.

He wasn't angry; instead, he was unusually calm.

“Boss, the situation is very unfavorable for us. The forces behind this are very mixed. The Hong Kong group is the most vocal, those in the Beijing group who don't like us are also trying to trip us up, the Shanghai group is watching from the sidelines... and there are even people stabbing us in the back, trying to prevent us from going public.” Li Tingting’s tone was grave.

Wang Sheng said calmly, "Shengying has come this far by taking away the interests of too many people, so naturally there are many who want us dead."

“Those people in Hong Kong are nothing but the barking of defeated dogs. Their old way of life is dying out, and they're just venting their anger on me. If no one in the mainland helps them, they'll die on their own. They're nothing to be afraid of.”

"Some people in Beijing's social circle are clinging to their little trinkets, afraid that we'll break their comfort zone. They want to make money but can't bring themselves to do it. It's ridiculous."

"The Shanghai circle... is driven by self-interest, which is understandable, but as long as the cooperative project can bring tangible benefits, they will not really turn against us."

"As for those hiding in the deepest recesses, trying to use 'cultural security' as a weapon to kill..."

"They are nothing more than those competitors who have been left far behind us. If Shengying falls, the market, talent, and resources that are vacated will be enough for them to feast on."

Wang Sheng turned around, walked to his desk, picked up the report on "internal reference," and sneered: "They've twisted the policy of importing revenue-sharing blockbusters into my personal actions, and they've attributed all the competition and growing pains that the Chinese film industry will inevitably face after joining the WTO to a private enterprise that's struggling to survive and seek development... What a huge accusation!"

Wang Sheng was well aware that the decision to introduce revenue-sharing blockbusters was a higher-level strategy formulated to promote the opening up of the Chinese film market and force industrial upgrading.

China Film Group is merely the executor.

The rise of Shengying Media is precisely in line with this trend, proving in a market-oriented way that domestic films can also achieve commercial success and even expand overseas.

The attacks on Sheng Ying by this group are essentially attacks on the achievements of China's film market reform. They want to drag the domestic film industry, which has just seen a glimmer of hope, back to the old state of stagnation and dependence on protection!
"They're not helping me, they're clearing obstacles for Hollywood!"

Wang Sheng pointed out incisively, "If we ourselves don't support our own people making commercial genre films, and don't encourage innovation and marketization, then that's the real surrender to Hollywood! That's the end of Chinese cinema!"

Think about it for a moment.

Wang Sheng had already made up his mind.

Suck it up?

Seeking reconciliation?

That's not his style.

Making concessions on such matters of principle will only embolden the other party, making them think you are weak and easily bullied.

Since you've started this group, don't blame me for being ruthless!
"Tingting."

"exist."

Wang Sheng gave Li Tingting the following instructions:

"First, have our public relations department and partner media prepare counter-arguments immediately! The core argument is this: Shengying Media's success is a success of China's film market reform! Attacking Shengying is attacking the reform! Raise the bar high!"

"Secondly, we need to contact Chairman Han Sanping and China Film Group to express our position and seek their support. Importing blockbusters is a national policy, and this must be made clear!"

"Third, let's bring out all the art films and mainstream projects we've invested in over the years, such as 'Postmen in the Mountains,' 'Red Flag,' and 'The Birth of a Warrior,' etc.! Let's prove with facts that Shengying Media has never given up its social responsibility and cultural commitment!"

"fourth,"

Wang Sheng paused, his tone growing colder, "Get the legal department and information security department moving. Collect all evidence of malicious rumors and defamation, especially from those so-called 'experts' and 'media' who are jumping the gun the most. Prepare lawyer's letters; sue those who deserve it, without hesitation!"

Fifth, notify the listing task force to proceed as planned without any impact.

"Sixth, have the public relations department organize a press conference, and I will personally go and explain things clearly!"

Wang Sheng's strategy is very clear.

You play your cultural pathos card, I'll play my market-oriented reform and industrial development card; you hide in the shadows stirring up trouble, I'll step into the limelight and fight back with real swords and spears; you try to use public opinion to pressure me, I'll fight back with the law and even stronger public opinion!
Sensing the immense danger involved, Li Tingting pursed her lips, put away her work notebook, nodded, and said, "Yes, I'll go and carry it out right away."

(End of this chapter)