The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

Some people's success can be said to be inevitable, such as Xu Zheng right now.

When Gu Ning learned that Xu Zheng wanted more money, he asked Liu Sanxi to give him an extra 200,000 yuan.

But Xu Zheng said he would only agree if he could meet Gu Ning in person.

Many viewers have a paradox: they believe that certain roles can only be brought to life by a particular actor and are irreplaceable.

This is similar to some snacks we ate as children; when we eat them again as adults, we find the taste to be very different.

But actually, the taste hasn't changed; it's just the people who have changed.

Without any changes to the plot, a remake can never surpass the original version.

Because any remake is bound to be a huge hit from the original.

The previous version has become a memory symbol that cannot be replaced.

Even after more than a decade, it's still enjoyable to watch.

But if you ask young people who haven't seen those movies and TV shows to watch those old films from over a decade ago, most of them won't be able to get into them.

Of course, some actors with distinctive characteristics are indeed irreplaceable.

In his view, Xu Zheng did not belong to that category.

However, Xu Zheng is indeed a more suitable choice among celebrities of the same caliber.

Therefore, when Xu Zheng asked to see him, Gu Ning agreed without much hesitation.

He thought Xu Zheng would take the opportunity to make some demands, or ask for a higher salary or something.

But Xu Zheng didn't do that when they met. Instead, he talked to him about the script and some filming-related matters.

Then he agreed to take the role, with a salary of one million.

After signing the contract, Xu Zheng smiled and extended his hand: "Director Gu, it's a pleasure working with you."

"Welcome to the team!" Gu Ning reached out and shook hands with him.

"If there's nothing else, I'll go back and study the script, ready to join the crew at any time," Xu Zheng said with a smile.

"Okay, I'll get everything ready on my end and let you know in advance."

Gu Ning and Liu Sanpang saw Xu Zheng off at the coffee shop and watched him get into his car and leave.

"I don't understand. He didn't mention any conditions, so why does he insist on seeing you?"

Liu Sanxi looked Gu Ning up and down with some suspicion.

"What kind of look is that?" Gu Ning said irritably.

"I want to see if you have any domineering aura."

"Get lost."

Gu Ning rolled her eyes at him and said, "He's doing me a favor."

"Selling favors?"

Liu Sanxi was taken aback and asked, "As a new director, are personal connections really that valuable?"

"What do you know?"

Gu Ning explained, "Although he is quite famous, it's all in dramas. He doesn't have any notable achievements in movies."

For him, getting movie roles is the most important thing.

This is also why many actors are willing to lower their fees to accept film roles.

We're not in the era of internet traffic yet; television actors have a much lower profile than film actors.

Moreover, in the past, mainland China preferred to use Hong Kong stars as leading actors, while mainland actors could only play supporting roles.

Until the beginning of this year, Mr. Chan single-handedly brought the Hong Kong entertainment circle, which was still barely surviving, to its knees.

Even so, Hong Kong actors are still popular in mainland China.

For mainland Chinese television actors, if they want to rise in status, they must act in movies. As long as they can get the lead role, they don't care about anything else.

Xu Zheng even took no pay when he starred in "Crazy Stone".

My goal was to get into the film industry.

Xu Zheng has now entered the industry and acted in several movies, so naturally he won't work for free.

"I see."

Liu Sanxi said, "If he had agreed directly, it wouldn't have shown any consideration. He seemed reluctant before, but agreed after meeting you, which shows that he only agreed because of you."

"That's right."

Gu Ning nodded and said, "If the movie becomes a hit, and he does me a favor, I'll definitely want to work with him again when I make movies in the future."

Even if the movie flops, I'm a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy, and I'll praise him within the industry as compensation.

Adding a few hundred thousand yuan to his salary wouldn't mean much to him.

"This person is truly remarkable; his future achievements are likely to be substantial," Liu Sanxi praised.

"His achievements are considerable, but he's too calculating; we shouldn't get too close to him," Gu Ning said.

There are few simple ways for an actor to become a business tycoon.

Xu Zheng's kind of capital is not like the kind of capital that some celebrities in the era of internet traffic can claim simply by opening a studio and participating in some film and television investments.

Popular celebrities typically invest their earnings in television dramas; only those who can carry a drama series are qualified to enter the industry.

Real capitalists are capable of organizing their own events; it's a completely different concept.

"I think so too, but we're just doing normal business. We'll repay this favor when we have the chance," Liu Sanxi said.

"Um."

Gu Ning nodded and asked, "How's the contact with the filming location going?"

"I hired a senior executive director, and he has already gone to Wushi to contact local companies and help coordinate filming locations," Liu Sanxi said.

"Yes, tell him not to be afraid to spend money, find the most reputable company in the area, and make sure that the filming won't be delayed due to location issues," Gu Ning said.

Road movies require frequent location changes, which is quite troublesome.

If the location cannot be coordinated, it will delay the filming of the movie.

Each province has similar service companies that specialize in handling these matters for film crews; they are commonly known as local "street thugs."

These companies are all connected to us; without their help, it would be extremely difficult to film a movie in a particular location.

For example, if a scene needs to be filmed on a highway, local authorities need to cooperate by closing the road for filming.

If you have a filming permit, go to the local authorities, and they will help you coordinate.

But when the road will be closed is hard to say.

Once the film crew starts shooting, each additional day of filming adds up to a significant amount of money.

They were already pressed for time and couldn't afford to waste any more time.

"Don't worry, I understand," Liu Sanxi said.

…………

It's said that it's good to have a big tree to lean on. With Xu Bing's help in making connections, the script review was completed by the end of October, and Gu Ning also obtained the filming permit, so filming could officially begin.

On November 1st, Gu Ning and Liu Sanxi took a plane and arrived in Wushi.

After meeting up with the crew, Gu Ning, led by Fan Chunxi, went to see several locations where the filming had taken place in the early stages.

Fan Chunxi has been working as an assistant director and executive director since 05, and he is very skilled in these roles.

The venues they found basically met Gu Ning's requirements.

For those that don't fit, just make some modifications and they'll be fine.

In the evening, Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang, who were the lead actors, arrived at the set one after the other.

Gu Ning gathered the two of them for a script reading.

The core of this movie revolves around these two; the other characters have very little screen time and are concentrated in the later stages.

"Director Gu, I haven't acted in many films. If there's anything I did wrong, feel free to criticize me," Wang Baoqiang said with a simple smile, extending his hand.

"It's okay, this is my first time making a movie too, we're all newcomers," Gu Ning said with a smile.

Xu Zheng laughed and said, "Although Director Gu has never directed a film, I heard that your short films have been submitted to the Berlin Film Festival for selection, so you can't be considered a newcomer."

"Just joining in the fun."

Gu Ning smiled, gestured for the two to sit down, and said, "Let's talk about the script first. You've had it for a while now, so tell me your thoughts on the characters."

"Brother Xu, you go first," Wang Baoqiang said.

Xu Zheng didn't hold back either; his status was already higher than Wang Baoqiang's.

"Li Chenggong is the boss of a construction company. He is pragmatic and indifferent, which is in stark contrast to Niu Geng's optimism and simplicity."