The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

"Passed!"

Gu Ning smiled and said, "That's a wrap. Producer Liu has booked a restaurant for everyone tonight."

Everyone in the crew, including the actors, was delighted to hear the news and expressed their gratitude to Liu Sanxi.

After the crew finished packing, the group of several dozen people took separate cars to the hotel that Liu Sanxi had booked.

"Old Gu, Lu Chuan's movie is about to be released, shouldn't the short film be sent out by now?" Liu Sanxi asked.

"Look at you, you're in such a hurry."

Gu Ning, driving, said, "His movie hasn't even been released yet, what's the point of releasing it?"

"If we release it now, and then compare it with the movie when it's released, wouldn't that have a significant impact on the box office?" Liu Sanxi said.

"It's useless. Those movies released by big companies don't have any negative news at all in the first few days after they're released."

Gu Ning shook his head and said, "The best time to release the short film is a few days after his movie is released, when there are criticisms and doubts online."

Aside from small film crews who don't have much money, most films give kickbacks to reporters and film critics when they are released.

If you take someone's money, you're obligated to help them brag a little, right?

The larger the investor behind it, the fewer negative reviews it received in the past few days.

Even a small lump of food takes several days to start to smell bad.

Once the stench spreads, those media outlets that previously praised him will turn around and start criticizing him.

Only by releasing it at that time can the audience's anger be fully ignited.

"Fine, you decide."

Liu Sanxi wanted to release it early to affect the box office.

But Gu Ning's words made sense, and he trusted Gu Ning's judgment more in this regard.

"You still haven't told me why you brought her here?"

Gu Ning said disdainfully, "Didn't you say you weren't going to pursue Hao Hao anymore?"

"This time, I really didn't tell Hao Hao."

Liu Sanxi said, "It was just a coincidence. I ran into them when I was driving out of the community today, so I stopped and said hello."

Jing Tian asked me, and without much thought, I told her I was coming to the film set to see you. She then suggested visiting you on set, and I couldn't refuse.

The two of them got into the car immediately; I didn't even have a chance to inform you.

"Come on, you just want to see me make a fool of myself."

Gu Ning said irritably, "If you really wanted to notify me, was it so hard to just call me from the restroom on the way?"

"I never expected you to have such good luck with women. If I had known you and Liu Yifei..."

"Don't talk nonsense, there's nothing between her and me."

"I understand."

Liu Sanxi winked ambiguously.

In his opinion, Liu Yifei was already working as Gu Ning's assistant, so there was no way the two of them were really anything going on.

Gu Ning was speechless and too lazy to explain.

"By the way, Jing Tian said you asked her to get a script, and she already did. From what she said, she wants you to direct it," Liu Sanxi reminded her.

"If she really wins, it wouldn't be a problem if she let me participate in the investment and offer guidance," Gu Ning said.

He wasn't surprised that Jing Tian was able to acquire the adaptation rights to that novel.

If he hadn't tried it himself and found that the other party was unwilling to sell, he would never have recommended it to Jing Tian.

"What script is it that you think so highly of?" Liu Sanxi asked in surprise.

"I think a novel about youth and campus romance would make a great movie."

Gu Ning was actually referring to "You Are the Apple of My Eye." For him now, choosing a movie has only one goal.

That means a short preparation period, a fast filming period, and still good box office results.

Big productions are time-consuming and labor-intensive, and it's difficult to recoup the costs.

Those with long preparation and filming periods make money too slowly.

For his second film, he actually had several options, but after the final selection, he was left with "Back to 20" and "You Are the Apple of My Eye".

Gu Ning ultimately chose to film "Back to 20," firstly because she could use the film to launch a variety show, and secondly because the film had been made in different versions in multiple countries.

If we film it, we might be able to sell the copyright and make another fortune.

This method of cooking the fish in three ways maximizes profits.

However, he did not give up on "You Are the Apple of My Eye" and had someone contact the original author.

But when they heard that he was a director from mainland China, and a relatively unknown newcomer at that, they immediately refused.

Because he owed Jing Tian a favor, he decided to make use of her resources and recommended her.

Gu Ning felt that Jing Tian was most suitable for playing some naive school beauties now.

Because of her age, Jing Tian is not as bright and dignified as she is now. She has a sweet smile, which makes her very suitable for acting in campus-themed TV dramas.

After driving to the hotel, the two were led by a waiter to a small banquet hall.

"Director Gu, Producer Liu."

Those who arrived first stood up and greeted them.

"Um."

Gu Ning smiled and nodded in response, saying, "Everyone, eat as much as you like later. As long as you don't waste food, feel free to add more dishes. Don't try to save money for Producer Liu."

"Okay, thank you, Director Gu."

"Why thank me? Thank you, Producer Lau!"

"Thank you, Producer Liu."

After exchanging pleasantries, Gu Ning and Liu Sanxi went to the main table.

Soon, the others arrived one after another. Jing Tian and Hao Hao chatted and laughed as they followed Fan Chunxi toward the main table.

"Senior Brother Gu."

Jing Tian pulled out the seat next to Gu Ning, sat down, and greeted Gu Ning with a smile.

"Mm." Gu Ning nodded slightly.

"Director Gu, Consort Yi said she's not feeling well and has gone back to the hotel to rest," Fan Chunxi said.

"I understand. When we're almost done, I'll have the waiter pack two dishes for her to take home," Gu Ning said.

"Okay, I'll arrange it in a bit." Fan Chunxi nodded.

Once everyone had arrived, Liu Sanxi instructed the waiter to serve the dishes.

At the main table, besides Gu Ning and Jing Tian, ​​there were also Fan Chunxi, people from China Film Group, and several lead actors.

Gu Ning thought Jing Tian would be eager to talk to him about the script, but to his surprise, she quietly ate her food and occasionally whispered a few words to Hao Hao.

Gu Ning and Fan Chunxi chatted and drank, and she didn't interrupt. When Gu Ning finished his drink, she would smile and pour him more wine.

Gu Ning was momentarily lost in thought at their docile and obedient demeanor.

Because we had to film the next day, we didn't drink much during the meal.

If the film crew stops for a day, it will waste a lot of money.

After dinner, the person who hadn't been drinking drove back to the hotel.

"Have you booked your rooms yet?" Gu Ning asked.

"Director Fan has already made the decision."

Jing Tian said, "I have something to discuss with Senior Brother Gu. Is now a convenient time for you, Senior Brother Gu?"

"There's a coffee shop in the hotel, let's talk there," Gu Ning said.

"Director Gu!"

At this moment, Fan Chunxi got out of the car and jogged over with the packed food in his arms.

"This is a meal for Consort Yi. Director Gu lives across the hall from her. Could you please take it upstairs?"

"Um."

Gu Ning took the food and looked at Liu Sanxi, saying, "Take them to the coffee shop for a while, I'll be there in a bit."

"OK!"

Liu Sanxi looked at Jing Tian and Hao Hao and said, "Junior sisters, let's go."

.........

"Knock knock~"

Gu Ning knocked on the door, and after a moment, Liu Yifei's somewhat wary voice came from inside: "Who is it?"

"I brought you some food, please open the door," Gu Ning said.

Liu Yifei opened the door and said, "I've already eaten."

"I heard you weren't feeling well, are you alright?" Gu Ning asked as she walked into the house.