This director is so innocent.

Chapter 153 Tangtang's Deposit

The film crew, on the other side of the set.

Lu Fangsheng and Zu Feng squatted together, smoking and chatting.

"I really didn't expect this! The former 'flower vase' from the Beijing Film Academy has become a prominent figure in the film and television industry in just two years." Zu Feng said to Su Jin with emotion.

He was one of the proctors when Su Jin took the art exam.

If Su Jin hadn't been so incredibly beautiful, she wouldn't have even gotten a pass certificate for that amazing performance.

He gave a low score, but other teachers gave him high scores!

"Actually, Su Jin has always worked very hard. When the class put on a play, he was the director."

"He actually has this skill?"

"Yes, he minored in directing in his sophomore year and often went out to shoot music videos with Ning Hao, who was also in the directing department. He's also good at getting things done."

Just as Zu Feng was about to say something, he saw that the two seemed to be arguing on the monitor. In order to get a clearer view, he unconsciously stood up to watch.

Lu Fangsheng noticed this too and stood up. He asked uncertainly, "Teacher, are Su Jin and the director arguing?"

"It seems so."

"Did you hear what they were arguing about?"

"no."

They watched for a long time, and then they saw Su Jin call his assistant Xiao Ying over, and then they saw Xiao Ying walk towards them.

"Teacher Zufeng, my boss would like to ask you to come over."

"You want me to come over? Su Jin—no, Producer Su, why do you want me to come over?"

"The matter of rewriting the play."

Su Jin explained the script revisions to Zu Feng, and then the two rehearsed for a while before filming began.

The slap wasn't a real slap; it was filmed using camera angles.

The photographer was standing behind Zufeng on the right side with his camera when Su Jin slapped him, and Zufeng turned his head to the side.

Although the effect wasn't as good as a real slap, this slap was delivered in anger. A real slap would have left the victim bruised.

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As for the shooting effect, it is definitely better than before the changes were made; anyway, Jiang Wei didn't say anything.

In the time that followed, Su Jin focused on filming without causing any trouble.

Actually, there wasn't anything particularly strange about it, and he had no interest in doing anything.

However, he later changed a part of the scene.

Zuo Lan sacrificed his life, and the only relic he left behind was "Yan'an Anthology," with Zuo Lan's signature on the title page.

It contains three articles: "The Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains", "Serving the People", and "In Memory of Norman Bethune".

The script described Yu Zecheng reciting the article "The Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains." When Su Jin and Yan Ni auditioned, they read it several times but still felt it wasn't good.

The story of "The Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains" tells of a great man using the Wangwu and Taihang Mountains as metaphors for the two great mountains of imperialism and feudalism. What does this have to do with Zuo Lan's sacrifice?

"Serve the People" is different; it commemorates Comrade Zhang Side, which fits the theme of Zuo Lan's sacrifice and Yu Zecheng's remembrance.

Su Jin felt something was off after reading this passage, so she changed "The Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains" to "Serve the People".

After the change, things went much more smoothly.

"Comrade Zuo Lan is one of our comrades."

"Everyone has to die, but the meaning of death is different."

"As the ancient Chinese writer Sima Qian once said, 'Death is inevitable for everyone, but its weight can be heavier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather.'"

""

"To die for the people's interests is heavier than Mount Tai; to die for fascism, for those who exploit and oppress the people, is lighter than a feather."

"Comrade Zuo Lan died for the people's interests; her death is more important than Mount Tai."

From an artistic point of view, this is two "repetitions".

First, the entire passage repeats "Serve the People," which is a repetition of the previous scene; second, Yu Zecheng repeats the two sentences involving "Comrade Zuo Lan."

This long repetition reflects Yu Zecheng's deepening revolutionary beliefs and his unwavering love and comradeship.

The repetition of these two sentences is specifically highlighted by Yu Zecheng to emphasize his unforgettable love and comradeship.

After watching Su Jin's performance, Secretary Dakang, one of the four great stars of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, completely changed his impression of Su Jin.

He liked the script the moment he saw it, thinking it was great, but after learning that Su Jin was the lead actress, he was less inclined to come.

He knew Su Jin; she was a pretty boy with mediocre acting skills. If he played the lead role, he would be ruining the script!

But that performance just now really captivated him.

The dialogue should have a strong intonation and rhythm. Su Jin emphasized the word "Comrade Zuo Lan" and her voice started to tremble towards the end.

Silent tears streamed from the corners of her eyes, and her expression was one of profound grief.

In that instant, you wouldn't even notice his handsome face; you'd be completely immersed in the emotion. That's what makes a good actor.

Jiang Wei is no longer opposed to Su Jin changing the script. Ultimately, he dislikes actors changing the script because they do it haphazardly.

Su Jin's alteration of the play was truly ingenious.

Changing "The Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains" to "Serve the People" better suits the current situation.

Changing "Comrade Zhang Side" to "Comrade Zuo Lan" was a stroke of genius.

Tangtang immediately became a little fangirl, her eyes sparkling.

She used to think her acting was alright, not much different from Su Jin's, but now she feels the gap between them is like a chasm.

At night, Tangtang, like a docile kitten, lay on Su Jin's broad and warm chest, gently drawing circles on it with her fingers.

"Su Jin, how come your acting skills have changed so much?" Tangtang asked softly, her tone filled with curiosity and doubt.

"Read more books and do more research, and your acting skills will become just as good as mine," Su Jin replied with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Tangtang's face immediately turned sour. She was a poor student and hated reading the most.

"Is there any other way?"

"Hire a tutor to teach you."

"So, how much do you think my acting skills will improve if I hire a teacher?"

"About 20%!"

"Only 20%?"

"20% is enough for you to handle the dramas on the market. Of course, you can't challenge your weaknesses, such as art films."

"I'd love to challenge my weaknesses, but no directors have invited me!"

"Hahaha—don't think too much about it. Just watch more of Ni Dahong, Wang Jinsong, and Wu Gang's shows every day, and write a summary diary after each show. You'll make great progress."

After listening, Tangtang nodded thoughtfully.

Then, as if she had suddenly thought of something, she said, "Su Jin, Xu Mama is leaving."

Xu's mother is Tangtang's agent, Xu Li. Most of the artists at Chengtian Shijiu call her that.

"Where does she plan to go next?"

"It seems like I need to go back to Ciwen Oriental."

After a moment's hesitation, Su Jin asked, "How's your relationship with Xu Li?"

"It's fine, Aunt Xu takes good care of me. What's wrong?" Tangtang looked up at Su Jin, full of doubt.

Su Jin didn't answer, but instead asked, "Have you ever thought about opening your own studio?"

"Open a studio? What kind of studio could a nobody like me open? If I leave Chengtian Entertainment, where am I supposed to find resources?"

"You don't have the resources right now!"

"Of course I have them. Modern Beauty, Sharpshooter and Strategist, and that 'Stick, Tiger and Chicken' series, as well as many other films, were all arranged for me by Chengtian Entertainment."

"But all three of them flopped. As a newcomer heavily promoted by Chengtian Entertainment, you didn't even get a minor role in such a big production as 'Red Cliff.' You should prepare a backup plan for yourself."

Upon hearing this, Tangtang was speechless.

Su Jin smiled, touched her smooth and delicate back, and continued, "Now that Xu Li is leaving, why don't you leave too? Then the two of you can set up a studio together and be affiliated with my company."

After listening, Xintangtang thought about it carefully and felt it was feasible.

That way, you won't have to share your earnings with the company; you can be your own boss.

But there's another problem: resources.

If this problem isn't solved, her coming out is just asking for trouble.

Tangtang sat up and said seriously, "Su Jin, if my studio is affiliated with your company, will you give me resources?"

Are you tempted?

"Answer my question first."

"Of course I'll give you resources! Otherwise, why would I call you out here!"

"Then why can't I just switch jobs and work for your company?"

"No need, the studios will be the future."

"Why will studios dominate the future?"

"After an artist becomes famous, if they don't want to be exploited by their management company and want more autonomy and choices, they can only set up their own studio and then be affiliated with the company."

"So, how many shares of my studio are you planning to take?"

"Oh my—you're already in the boss's role?"

"Can you be serious for once?" Tangtang pinched the soft flesh on Su Jin's waist.

"Okay, I'll be serious." Su Jin thought for a moment and said, "Fifty, what do you think?"

"I don't think it's very good; there's too much of it."

"Then forty-five?"

"That's still a bit too much."

"Forty." Su Jin interrupted Tangtang when she saw that she still wanted to refuse, "Forty is the bottom line. Any less, and I won't be able to get past the company."

"Isn't Jianmu Media yours alone?"

"It's mine alone, but I have to be fair! Running a company isn't child's play. If I only own about 30% of the shares and keep giving you all the resources, the others will have complaints. How can I gain their trust?"

"Okay! Forty it is then." Tangtang agreed, and continued, "Then how many shares do you think I should own?"

"It's not a matter of how much is appropriate, it depends on your worth and how much money you have." Su Jin paused, then suddenly became interested and asked, "Wait! How much savings do you have right now?"

"It should be around six or seven hundred thousand!"

"Then you definitely don't have as much as Xu Li, probably around twenty."

"So I'd just be working for the two of you? I'd rather not have come at all!!"

"I can lend you money! I'll lend you two million, and with your savings and net worth, you should be able to get 40%."

"Forty is fine, but Xu's mother is only twenty. Will she agree?"

"If you don't agree, find someone else! There are agents everywhere. If all else fails, you can come to my company."

"OK, I'll call my mother-in-law and ask."

Tangtang called Xu Li and explained the situation. The next day, Xu Li rushed to Hengdian.

Actually, she didn't want to leave Chengtian Entertainment, but the power struggles within the company were too intense, and she was no match for Wang Jinghua.

I'm really tired of this these past two years, and I don't want to fight anymore.

It's not just her who's leaving; the head of the agency, Liu Na, the head of the film company, Wang Wei, and the distribution director of the film company, Ma Jie, will probably be leaving soon as well.

Zhuang Liqi, president of Chengtian Group and general manager of the TV series, is also leaving.

After much discussion, Su Jin and Xu Li finally agreed that Jianmu Media would invest 400 million yuan for a 40% stake, while Tangtang would invest 350 million yuan.

10,000, accounting for 35% of the shares, with the remaining 25% acquired by Xu Li.

After the negotiations, Xu Li did not stay in Hengdian. That night, she flew back to Beijing and met with Wu Kebo, the CEO of Chengtian Entertainment, the next day to discuss Tangtang's management contract.

After a heated debate, Xu Li left Tangtang without spending a penny.

Tangtang signed a five-year management contract with Orange Sky Entertainment, with a penalty of five million for breach of contract.

Upon learning that Xu Li was leaving, Wang Jinghua immediately rushed back to Chengtian Entertainment.

At this time, Wang Jinghua and Wu Kebo had a serious conflict, almost to the point of tearing each other apart. Just last week, Chengtian Shiba moved out of Chengtian Building and moved to SOHO Modern City.

"Turbulent times" is how the media describes Chengtian Entertainment today.

However, they are not worried at all. Wu Kebo is currently acquiring Jiahe Shares and seeking a backdoor listing.

In November of last year, Chengtian Entertainment acquired 24.78% of Golden Harvest shares held by Golden Harvest founder Raymond Chow and his daughter, Chow Chung-yin, for HK$2.02 million.

Orange Sky Entertainment became the largest shareholder of Golden Harvest, with Li Ka-shing as the second largest shareholder.

In July, Chengtian Entertainment spent HK$4.06 million to acquire 89.06% of Golden Harvest's shares.

However, Hong Kong stocks require shareholders to hold a maximum of 70% of the shares, so the excess shares were returned to the market.

In July of the following year, Golden Harvest acquired Zhihong Film Industry, an important asset under Chengtian Entertainment, for 8060 million yuan, and the company name was subsequently changed to Chengtian Golden Harvest.

With this, Chengtian Entertainment successfully completed its backdoor listing, becoming the first listed film and television company in mainland China.

Wang Jinghua came to Chengtian Entertainment with no other purpose than to dig for Tangtang.

She had been eyeing Tangtang for a long time, for no other reason than that she was beautiful.

There are many beautiful girls in the circle, but very few are as memorable as Tangtang.

She genuinely felt that Tangtang was doing terribly under Xu Li's management; after nearly two years in the industry, she was still a nobody.

If it were her, she would have been promoted to a second or third-tier celebrity long ago.

She has already made a good plan. She can't make it to "Dream of the Red Chamber", but "New Three Kingdoms" is about to start filming. She can give him any one of Diao Chan, Xiao Qiao, or Da Qiao.

Da Gangzi's new drama is about to start, and Zhang Li's drama is also about to start. I heard that Xiao Long recently acquired a Qing Dynasty novel.

She's determined to become famous if she throws in four or five films.

But when she found Wu Kebo, she was told that Tangtang had gone with Xu Li.

Damn it—you deserve to be called a shoddy, amateurish company like Chengtian Entertainment.

They actually let the artists follow their managers around freely.

There are not many outdoor scenes in "Lurking"; most of the scenes are indoor scenes.

Having many indoor scenes is a huge challenge for actors, as they often have long lines that they need to recite in one go.

Fortunately, apart from Tangtang's slightly lacking acting skills, everyone else in the crew was fine.

Otherwise, this dialogue issue alone would have caused a long delay.

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