Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 73, Section 72: Clashes Within Beijing's Elite Circle

In August, Beijing is like a large pot that is gradually boiling.

The summer heat was oppressive, and the cicadas chirped incessantly, but even hotter than the weather was a piece of news that suddenly exploded in Beijing's arts and culture circles—

The Beijing Television Art Center has officially launched a project to produce a three-episode Lunar New Year drama series, "The Story of the Editorial Department: Everything Goes Well," directed by Zhao Baogang and written by Feng Xiaogang. The series will feature the original cast and crew of "The Story of the Editorial Department" and is targeting the Lunar New Year holiday season.

This news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

Wang Sheng's "Harmony Brings Prosperity" project has just completed its preliminary preparations and entered the stage of actor readings and storyboard refinement. The entire Beijing Film Studio is gearing up for the project.

The art center's sudden announcement of projects of the same type, in the same time slot, and even with the same "New Year's greetings" concept, makes its intentions all too clear.

In no time, various rumors spread like wildfire, such as "the internal war in the Beijing film circle," "Beijing Film Studio VS Art Center," "Han Sanping and Zheng Xiaolong arm wrestling," and "Wang Sheng and Zhao Baogang competing against each other," becoming a hot topic among tabloid editors and film crew dinners.

Those who enjoy watching the spectacle speculate that behind it lies a struggle for resources, a struggle over policy, or even a power struggle at a higher level.

"Have you heard? Director Zheng is indignant. That kid Wang Sheng is rising too fast and has taken away a lot of people's interests!"

"I think Director Yu wants to maintain a balance and can't let the Beijing Film Studio have a monopoly, right?"

"Feng Xiaogang has finally seized his chance to turn things around and go head-to-head with Wang Sheng. How interesting!"

"Can Han Sanping swallow this insult? The Beijing Film Studio is now a powerful and well-equipped force."

After several days of public opinion fermenting, the two parties at the eye of the storm—Wang Sheng and Han Sanping—remained unusually silent.

Everything at the Beijing Film Studio was as usual. The progress of "Harmony Brings Prosperity" proceeded as planned. Wang Sheng even took time to attend the preparatory meeting for the Youth Science and Technology Development Forum, as if he didn't care about the art center's actions at all.

To some, this silence is more like the calm before the storm.

On the afternoon of August 7, Wang Sheng was discussing the shot design of several key scenes with Huo Jianqi in the dispatch center when the Nokia 2110 on the table rang.

The caller ID showed an unfamiliar landline number with an area code from the arts center area.

Wang Sheng glanced at it, but didn't take it immediately. Instead, he smiled at Huo Jianqi and said, "Director Huo, look at this camera angle. If we shoot from a slightly lower angle, wouldn't it better highlight the feeling that Grandpa had back then—a feeling that was both comical and heartbreaking?"

Huo Jiandian nodded in agreement, and the two discussed it for a few more minutes.

The phone kept ringing, and it wasn't until the third time that Wang Sheng finally picked up the phone unhurriedly, pressed the answer button, and said in a calm, even tone, "Hello, who is this?"

A steady, mature middle-aged male voice came from the other end of the phone: "Is this Mr. Wang from Shengying Media? I am Zheng Xiaolong from Beijing Television Art Center."

A faint smile appeared on Wang Sheng's face, but his tone remained calm: "Oh, Director Zheng, hello."

"Haha, Mr. Wang, long time no see." Zheng Xiaolong's laughter came through the receiver, carrying his usual friendliness.

Wang Sheng: "Director Zheng is a very busy person, I understand."

"Mr. Wang..."

Zheng Xiaolong suppressed his laughter and explained, "To be honest, I just heard about it myself. There are rumors circulating outside lately, saying that there's infighting and a bloodbath in the Beijing entertainment circle. It's really ridiculous."

Director Yu also expressed concern about this matter, feeling that since everyone works in the same industry and sees each other frequently, there was no need to strain relationships. Healthy competition is a good thing, but the overall atmosphere should be harmonious.

Wang Sheng said calmly, "Director Yu and Director Zheng are right. The market is so big, it can accommodate many good shows. Competition drives progress, which is good for the industry and the audience. Our Shengying Media is just starting out, and it's precisely the time to learn from established organizations like the Arts Center." "I'm relieved that you think this way, Mr. Wang," Zheng Xiaolong said, his tone seemingly more relaxed. "To be honest, we at our center had no choice but to produce 'Everything Goes Well.' With such a large team, everyone needs to eat. Seeing how well you've made the concept of New Year's dramas so successful, Mr. Wang, we wanted to ride the wave, learn from you, and benefit from your success. Mr. Wang won't mind, will he?"

"Director Zheng, you flatter me." Wang Sheng's lips curled into a smile, but his tone was unusually "generous": "The east wind is something that everyone blows together. I welcome the art center's willingness to work together to expand the New Year's drama market."

I just hope that Director Zheng and your team will keep up with the pace and not fall behind. After all, the audience's eyes are discerning, and in the end, it's the work that speaks for itself.

Zheng Xiaolong on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment, clearly sensing the hidden barb in Wang Sheng's words.

He quickly recovered, laughed heartily, and said with a hint of seniority: "Mr. Wang is young and ambitious, and it's a good thing that he has confidence."

However, there are many intricacies involved in making TV dramas, especially those with commercial attributes.

Putting aside other things, there are many nuances to product placement.

When we filmed "Stories from the Editorial Department," we pioneered product placement in domestic TV dramas and accumulated a lot of experience.

If Mr. Wang needs any help in this regard, please don't hesitate to ask. The arts center can provide some support; after all, we're all working together to make the play a success.

These words, though seemingly well-intentioned, were actually a reminder to Wang Sheng: in terms of seniority and experience, the Arts Center is the elder brother, while you, Wang Sheng, are just a rising star, so don't be too arrogant.

Wang Sheng could easily understand this implication. He chuckled and replied, "Thank you for your kind offer, Director Zheng. We are indeed still exploring product placement. However, our approach at Shengying Media might be a little different. We prefer deep integration, making the brand a part of the storyline, rather than simply placing it around."

After all, times are changing, and so are audience tastes. Director Zheng's experience is invaluable, but we also need to try new approaches—what if they work?
Just like when we started making wedding films, nobody thought it would be successful, but now it's become quite popular, isn't it? If the arts center is interested in this new approach, we can also exchange ideas.”

On the other end of the phone, Zheng Xiaolong's smile faded slightly again.

He chuckled and said, "Haha, good, it's great that young people have ideas! Then let's look forward to Mr. Wang's new approach. In short, I hope both of our projects will be successful and add color to the Spring Festival television screens in Beijing!"

"Of course, I wish Director Zheng's 'May All Your Wishes Come True' a successful filming and great ratings," Wang Sheng said, adding politely.

"Alright, then I won't bother you any longer, Mr. Wang. Let's chat again when we have time."

"Goodbye, Director Zheng."

……

Inside the office of the deputy director of the art center.

Zheng Xiaolong slowly put down the phone receiver, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table.

"How is it, Director?" Zhao Baogang asked with concern as he sat on the sofa.

Zheng Xiaolong shook his head, then nodded, his expression somewhat complicated: "It all comes down to skill; the battlefield will tell. He didn't take our art center's traditional strengths seriously at all."

Zhao Baogang said with dissatisfaction, "This kid is too arrogant. Let's see who has the best skills. Xiaogang's script is not bad, about 60 or 70% of Wang Shuo's level."

"Yes, when you're filming, polish it up a lot more."

"Yes."

(End of this chapter)