Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 590, Episode 588: Public Screening

At 9:00 AM on December 1st, a senior management meeting of Shengying Media, Enlight Media, and core subsidiaries was held in the top-floor conference room of Jingxin Building.

The meeting was chaired by Song Xinmin, General Manager of the Group's Strategic Development Department. Although Wang Sheng did not attend in person, his will was clearly conveyed through Li Tingting.

"Everyone, starting today, the 'Star Trail Project' will officially begin trial operation within the Sheng Ying Group." Song Xinmin stood in front of the projection screen, his tone calm yet carrying an unquestionable authority. "This is not a simple internal assessment, but a pilot test of industry standards."

The screen displays a complex framework diagram of the rating system.

"Directors, screenwriters, actors, producers, cinematographers, art directors... all core creative positions will be included in the rating system. The rating results will be appropriately linked to project opportunities and resource allocation."

Song Xinmin adjusted his glasses. "Please note, it's linked to 'moderation.' During the trial period, we are more focused on establishing standards, collecting feedback, and improving mechanisms."

Wang Changtian, General Manager of Enlight Media, was the first to speak: "President Song, the rating criteria mention 'cultural examination' and 'professional competence assessment.' How exactly will this be conducted? Many of our artists have very full schedules..."

“That’s a good question, Mr. Wang.” Song Xinmin was prepared. “During the trial period, we will adopt flexible methods. We will organize centralized training and open-book tests, focusing on guiding learning awareness rather than deliberately making things difficult.”

"What about the ratings for directors and screenwriters?" the head of Shengying Media's content production division asked. "Artistic creation is sometimes difficult to quantify."

"Therefore, we have established a multi-dimensional evaluation system."

Song Xinmin switched slides, “Taking a director as an example, ‘project control ability’ is judged by the budget execution rate and the compliance of the shooting cycle; ‘team collaboration ability’ is judged by the anonymous evaluation of crew members; ‘industry contribution’ is judged by the investment in the training of newcomers.”

Of course, for the most important part, 'achievements in the work,' we will assemble an expert committee composed of retired directors, academic professors, and senior film critics for review.

"The composition of the expert committee..." someone asked hesitantly.

"Ensure balance."

Song Xinmin said firmly, “Shengying has the right to recommend, but not the right to decide. We will invite professors from Beijing Film Academy and Central Academy of Drama, veteran artists from the China Film Association, or experts from Shanghai and Qincheng Prison who have no direct working relationship with Shengying. Credibility is the lifeblood of this system.”

The meeting lasted for two hours.

After the meeting, the news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching every corner of the Sheng Ying Group.

……

The celebrities reacted the most directly.

Fan Xiaopang was filming "Twilight 2" in Los Angeles when she received a call from her agent while she was touching up her makeup in the dressing room.

"A written exam?" Fan Xiaopang raised an eyebrow, looked at his makeup in the mirror, and said, "Wang Sheng is serious about this."

"The company has issued a notice requiring all contracted artists, regardless of their status, to participate in the first phase of online cultural literacy training," the agent said on the phone. "The course includes a brief history of Chinese literature, basic film theory, an introduction to art appreciation, etc., totaling thirty class hours, which must be completed within three months."

Fan Xiaopang was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: "Okay, I got it. Help me register, I'll take the course after I finish work tonight."

"Little Fatty, do you really want to learn? We can figure out a way..."

“No need,” Fan Xiaopang interrupted. “Since Wang Sheng set this rule, he must have his reasons. Besides…”

She paused for a moment, then added, "I really should recharge myself."

……

Gao Yuanyuan's "Starry Era" reacted the fastest.

That afternoon, Gao Yuanyuan convened a short meeting with all the artists under her management.

In the conference room, Zhang Hanyun, who had just won the "Super Girl" competition, sat in the front row, still somewhat reserved.

“Starting today, the company will develop a systematic learning plan for everyone.” Gao Yuanyuan stood in front of the conference table, her tone gentle but firm. “It’s not just performance courses, but also cultural courses. I know everyone is busy with work, but you can always find the time.”

She looked at Zhang Hanyun: "Especially Hanyun, you are young, which is the perfect time for you to study. The company will hire a tutor for you to ensure that your studies and career go smoothly."

Zhang Hanyun nodded vigorously: "Thank you, Mr. Gao, I will work hard!"

Compared to the entertainment industry, the reactions from directors and screenwriters were more complex.

When Huo Jianqi received the notification, he was in the production team of "A Star Is Born" preparing for the casting of Liu Xiang's biographical film.

He carefully read the rating criteria, especially the clause on "mentorship," and seemed to be deep in thought.

"Director Huo, this rating system..." the assistant said with some concern.

“That’s a good thing.” Huo Jianqi put down the documents. “The industry really needs a set of rules. Especially the training of young directors, we can’t always rely on luck and connections.”

However, he also saw potential resistance: "It won't be easy to implement. Some people are used to being free and easy, and they will definitely not be used to being rated and assessed suddenly."

Just as Huo Jianqi had predicted, that evening, several directors who had close ties with Shengying Film Studio held a private dinner party.

"Isn't this treating us like civil servants?" complained a director known for making urban comedies. "Creative work requires freedom. How can we create with so many rules and regulations?"

"But then again, some rules really do need to be established." Another older director was more rational. "Look at how chaotic the industry is now. A newly debuted director might get hundreds of millions in investment next time just because he made a blockbuster film. Is that normal?"

"Wang Sheng is trying to become the 'patriarch of the film industry'."

“He already was,” someone said with a wry smile. “Now it’s just making the rules public.”

The atmosphere at the dinner was somewhat awkward.

……

Compared to the heated discussions on the creative side, the responses from production companies and talent agencies were more pragmatic.

Upon learning the news, Wang Zhongjun of Huayi immediately convened an internal meeting.

“We need to study Shengying’s ‘Star Trail Project’ seriously,” Wang Zhongjun told his executives. “If this system is really implemented, the rules of the game in the industry will be completely changed.”

"Mr. Wang, should we follow up?"

“Following up is certain, but it shouldn’t be a direct copy,” Wang Zhongjun said thoughtfully. “We can first try some similar standards within our own system. At least in artist management, strengthening professional training is always a good idea.”

Ren Zhonglun of Shanghai Film Group saw something deeper.

“Wang Sheng is trying to ‘rectify’ the industry’s reputation,” he said in an internal interview. “The film and television industry has long been regarded as the ‘entertainment circle’ and lacks serious professional standards. If the ‘Star Track Project’ is successful, it will establish a clear career development path for industry practitioners, which will be beneficial to improving the industry’s social status.”

He paused for a moment: "Of course, this also means that the industry's entry barriers will be raised in the future. Those who just coast along and lack real skills will find it increasingly difficult to survive."

"Then let's..."

"Let's wait and see, and participate appropriately." Ren Zhonglun made the judgment: "As a state-owned enterprise, Shanghai Film Group should play a role in the construction of industry standards. We can send people to participate in Sheng Ying's pilot work and learn from their experience."

Just as the industry and the public were discussing the "Star Trail Project," the clock quietly ticked toward December.

……

Friday, September 12st.

As 2004 entered its final month, the streets of Beijing were filled with the atmosphere of Christmas and the New Year.

For the Chinese film market, this day holds special significance – the most anticipated domestic blockbuster of the year, "Havoc in Heaven," will be released simultaneously in theaters nationwide.

After nearly a decade of development, the number of movie screens in China's film market has increased significantly.

By the end of 2004, the total number of cinema screens in China had exceeded 4000. Although this was still not comparable to the North American market, it was the highest level since the market-oriented reform of China's film industry.

As Sheng Ying Media's year-end blockbuster, "Havoc in Heaven" enjoyed top-tier resources. On its opening day, its nationwide screening rate was controlled at 50%—not because it couldn't be higher, but because the producers intentionally set this limit to leave room for other films.

However, during prime time, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the vast majority of IMAX and giant screen theaters in cinemas across the country are exclusively showing "Havoc in Heaven".

At 4:30 p.m., a long queue had already formed in front of a "China Film Grand Cinema" in downtown Beijing.

This cinema, located in the Wangfujing business district, is one of the flagship stores of "China Film Grand Cinema Circuit". It has twelve screening rooms, including a giant screen theater that can accommodate 500 people.

The cinema lobby is spacious and bright, with a huge poster of "Havoc in Heaven" hanging on the wall: Sun Wukong holding the golden cudgel, riding on auspicious clouds, with thousands of heavenly soldiers and generals behind him. The picture is magnificent and colorful.

Lin Xiaoyue, arm in arm with her fiancé Zhang Heng, stood in line in front of the ticket machine.

"There are so many people," Zhang Heng remarked, looking at the crowded scene around him.

“It’s the same every year around this time,” Lin Xiaoyue said with a smile. “From ‘30 Days’ to ‘Night at the Museum’, and now to ‘Havoc in Heaven’ this year, Shengying’s New Year blockbusters have become a habit.”

As she spoke, she took out her phone to check the time: "Luckily, we bought tickets in advance on Maoyan, otherwise we definitely wouldn't have been able to get good seats." Zhang Heng nodded.

As a programmer, he was very interested in the technical implementation of "Maoyan Movies," an online seat selection platform.

Although the platform has only been running for a little over a year, it has already changed the movie-watching habits of many people—no need to queue at the cinema in advance, no need to worry about not being able to buy good seats, everything can be done with just a few taps on your phone.

After picking up the tickets, there were still more than forty minutes before the movie started.

The two went to the coffee shop on the second floor of the cinema and found a seat by the window.

Outside the window, the lights of Wangfujing Street were just coming on, and the streets were bustling with people.

"Time flies." Lin Xiaoyue stirred her latte. "I remember the first time I watched a Sheng Ying movie was '30 Days' in 98. I was still in high school then."

“That was six years ago,” Zhang Heng calculated. “You’ve been working for almost two years now.”

“Yes.” Lin Xiaoyue looked out the window, her eyes somewhat dazed. “Chinese cinema has changed so much in the last six years. I remember when I used to watch movies, it was mostly Hollywood blockbusters, and domestic films were either art films or low-budget comedies. But now…”

She looked away and stared at the four words "Havoc in Heaven" on the movie ticket in her hand: "Domestic blockbusters can also produce such visual effects, have such a global premiere, and attract so many people to line up to buy tickets."

“We have to thank Wang Sheng for this,” Zhang Heng said. “Although there is a lot of controversy surrounding him online, it is undeniable that he has indeed changed the industry.”

“It’s not just about changing the industry,” Lin Xiaoyue said earnestly. “It has also changed us ordinary viewers. Now, when people mention ‘Shengying Productions,’ their first reaction is ‘quality is guaranteed.’ This kind of brand trust cannot be built through marketing; it is accumulated through a series of good works.”

Zhang Heng nodded in agreement.

As someone working in the technology industry, he deeply understands the importance of brand value.

In just a few years, Shengying Media has grown from a small wedding video production company into a film and television empire spanning production, distribution, theaters, talent management, and even international film festivals, thanks to its continuous content production and quality control.

The two chatted, and time passed by unnoticed.

Ticket checking for the IMAX theater began at 6:20 p.m.

Lin Xiaoyue and Zhang Heng followed the flow of people into the theater.

The 500 seats were almost full, with the audience mainly consisting of young people, but there were also many middle-aged people and families with children.

"I heard this movie cost over 200 million?" Zhang Heng asked quietly after sitting down.

"The official figure is 300 million." Lin Xiaoyue had checked the data. "Most of it was spent on special effects. Director Xu Ke and Wang Sheng personally oversaw the work, and the post-production alone took more than half a year, which is already very fast."

As the lights dimmed, the whispers in the theater subsided.

The screen lights up, first displaying the dragon logo, then the logos of the production companies such as "Shengying Media" and "China Film Group".

Then, the scene transitions to the main feature.

The opening scene depicts the primordial chaos of the universe.

As nebulae spun and the world was first separated, a celestial stone, nourished by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, began to nurture life.

The opening shot alone, with its grand vision and exquisite special effects, elicited low gasps of amazement from the audience.

"This effect... is no worse than 'The Lord of the Rings'," Zhang Heng couldn't help but whisper.

Lin Xiaoyue did not answer; she was completely captivated by the scene.

The immortal stone burst open, and the stone monkey was born, with golden light in its eyes, shooting into Dou Mansion.

Although Liu Xiao Ling Tong's portrayal of Sun Wukong is middle-aged, with the help of makeup and special effects, he perfectly replicates the classic image from the TV series, while adding a touch of the subtlety and layers required for a cinematic feel.

The following scenes—borrowing treasures from the Dragon Palace, settling accounts in the Underworld, and being appointed as the Keeper of the Heavenly Horses—are all reinterpreted with brand-new audiovisual language.

The Dragon Palace's deep and mysterious atmosphere, the Heavenly Court's majestic grandeur, and the Peach Garden's ethereal beauty—every scene is a visual feast, rich in color and detail, preserving the essence of traditional Chinese aesthetics while incorporating the imagination of modern cinema.

When Sun Wukong learned that Bi Ma Wen was just an insignificant official, he angrily stormed out of the South Heavenly Gate, and the young audience in the theater let out knowing laughter.

"This monkey has quite a temper," Zhang Heng said with a laugh.

“But don’t you think he’s very genuine?” Lin Xiaoyue said. “He has the ability, but he doesn’t get the respect he deserves. Anyone would be angry in his shoes.”

The plot progresses to the point where the chaos at the Peach Banquet is a major event.

Sun Wukong, completely drunk, stormed into the Jade Pool, turning the Queen Mother of the West's meticulously prepared Peach Banquet upside down.

The staging of this scene was extremely complex, with hundreds and thousands of fairies, heavenly soldiers, and immortals moving through the magnificent Yaochi scene. Sun Wukong moved through it as if it were his own, his movements fluid and graceful, a blend of humor and destructive power.

The visual effects reached their first climax here.

The golden cudgel transformed into a thousand-foot golden light, sweeping away thousands of troops; celestial fruits and nectar flew everywhere, colorful and vibrant; heavenly soldiers and generals laid out a net, but Sun Wukong broke through it one by one.

"The design of this fight scene is brilliant." Zhang Heng watched intently. "It has the charm of Chinese martial arts, as well as the unique rhythm of film."

Lin Xiaoyue nodded, but she was more concerned about the emotional core of the film.

When Sun Wukong was thrown into Laozi's Eight Trigrams Furnace and refined for forty-nine days, he unexpectedly gained fiery eyes and broke out of the furnace. His indomitable spirit brought tears to her eyes.

“He has always been rebelling,” she said softly. “Rebelling against fate, against the rules, against all the injustices imposed on him.”

"But in the end he still lost," Zhang Heng said. "He was suppressed under the Five Elements Mountain by the Buddha."

"Did he lose?" Lin Xiaoyue pondered. "Physically, he was indeed suppressed, but his spirit... You see, five hundred years later, he will still come out and continue his story."

The film is about to reach its climax.

The dialogue between Sun Wukong and the Buddha is brief yet profound.

"Buddha, on what grounds do you condemn me?" Sun Wukong stood before the Lingxiao Palace, his golden cudgel pointing at the Buddha sitting on the lotus throne.

"It is not I who condemn you, but you who have brought trouble upon yourself." The Buddha's voice was calm. "Heaven and earth are in order, and all things have rules. If you were to be law-abiding and obedient, you could attain carefree longevity. But you have disregarded the rules of heaven and disturbed the three realms, which is not the right path."

"The righteous path?" Sun Wukong laughed loudly. "Your heavenly rules are the righteous path? Your order is the truth? I, Old Sun, refuse to believe in such nonsense!"

"Stubborn."

Buddha stretched out his palm, and Sun Wukong somersaulted away, but he could never escape the Five Fingers Mountain.

In the end, he was pressed under the Five Elements Mountain, with only his head sticking out, gazing at the distant sky.

The film's final shot is of Sun Wukong's eyes. Those eyes hold anger, resentment, but also a hint of confusion and contemplation.

As the end credits rolled, the background music became grand and tragic.

The lights in the theater slowly came on, but the audience did not leave immediately.

Many people were still seated, immersed in the impact of the film.

A moment later, applause broke out.

It started as sporadic applause, then spread like a tide, and finally turned into thunderous applause that lasted for a full minute.

As they walked out of the theater, Lin Xiaoyue and Zhang Heng were still somewhat dazed.

“This movie… is not quite what I expected,” Zhang Heng said. “I thought it was just a simple mythological story, but there are many things to think about in it.”

“Wang Sheng’s films are never simple,” Lin Xiaoyue said. “From ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ to ‘Night at the Museum’, and now to ‘The Monkey King,’ he always puts something deeper into the entertainment.”

The two followed the flow of people out of the cinema. The neon lights of Wangfujing Street illuminated the winter night sky.

"Tell me," Lin Xiaoyue suddenly asked, "what is Wang Sheng doing right now?"

Zhang Heng thought for a moment and joked, "Maybe somewhere, he's with some female celebrity?"

Lin Xiaoyue smiled knowingly: "He has too many scandals. It is said that Gao Yuanyuan's retirement from the spotlight seems to have some hidden reasons."

"..."

The two chatted about Wang Sheng's gossip.

(End of this chapter)