The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

"We got carried away talking and forgot that Director Zheng hasn't agreed yet."

Gu Ning looked at Zheng Xiaolong and smiled, "I wonder if Director Zheng would be willing to cooperate?"

"I wonder how Director Gu intends to collaborate?"

Zheng Xiaolong accepted Gu Ning's invitation to meet, actually because he intended to film "Empresses in the Palace".

He originally wanted to test Gu Ning's intentions first, to see if she wanted him to film or to participate in the investment.

If it's just about asking him to film, no matter how generous the offer is, he has no interest.

With his current fame, he has so many people asking him to direct that he's never short of acting opportunities.

"How to collaborate depends on Director Zheng's wishes; he can either invest or accept a director's fee," Gu Ning said with a smile.

Zheng Xiaolong asked, "If I want to participate in the investment, what's the maximum share that Mr. Gu can give me?"

"Thirty percent!" Gu Ning said.

This 30% is not Zheng Xiaolong's director's fee; his director's fee will be calculated according to the normal price and included in the investment.

If Zheng Xiaolong wants to take 30%, the rest will need to be paid in cash.

"If I were to direct, I would have full control over casting. Would Director Gu be able to accept that?" Zheng Xiaolong asked.

The fact that Shu Chang is here says a lot.

His wife had discussed with him the direction of the adaptation of "Empresses in the Palace," and he already had a choice for the actress to play Zhen Huan in his mind.

Shu Chang's acting skills are indeed good, but the role of Zhen Huan is too complex, and her acting skills did not meet Zheng Xiaolong's expectations.

"As a director myself, I naturally understand that film and television creation requires autonomy."

Gu Ning said, "Once the final script is finalized, I will not interfere with the filming and casting."

Shu Chang is not suitable to play the female lead in "Empresses in the Palace", but she should be fine in "Scarlet Heart", right?

Although she certainly can't compare to the blind woman in terms of looks, this isn't an idol drama, so the requirements for appearance aren't that high.

If we're really talking about looks, how many of the concubines in "Empresses in the Palace" could be considered absolutely stunning?

Generally speaking, apart from a few who were brought into the palace for political reasons, the emperor's concubines were all carefully selected.

Gu Ning admitted that Sun Li's acting skills were very good, but in terms of looks, she was not among the top in the Chinese entertainment industry.

He said he wouldn't interfere, but as long as Shu Chang was suitable, Zheng Xiaolong would use Shu Chang without him saying anything.

Having been in this industry for so many years, how could I possibly lack even this basic emotional intelligence?

"Since Director Gu is so sincere, I'll take these two roles," Zheng Xiaolong said.

"Director Zheng, it's a pleasure working with you!"

Zheng Xiaolong agreed, and the next step was to discuss the specific details.

The script adaptation was handled by Wang Xiaoping, while Zheng Xiaolong was responsible for the preparation and filming of the production.

Once the approximate investment amount is estimated, the investment share will be further determined.

After discussing for more than an hour, Gu Ning saw Zheng Xiaolong and his wife off, gave Liu Yang a few more instructions, and then drove away with Shu Chang.

"Since you've been free lately, read through the novel 'Scarlet Heart,' and you'll play the female lead," Gu Ning said.

"I'm playing the female lead?"

Shu Chang asked in surprise, "Didn't you say you wouldn't interfere with Director Zheng's casting decisions?"

"Although Director Zheng seems to prefer 'Scarlet Heart,' he actually values ​​'Empresses in the Palace' more. I said I wouldn't interfere, and he couldn't possibly have remained silent," Gu Ning explained.

I like "Scarlet Heart" but value "Empresses in the Palace" even more, which seems contradictory at first glance.

In fact, they are not contradictory.

TV dramas need to be considered by the market. "Scarlet Heart" is more historically accurate. Although it contains love and hate, it also has a significant amount of political intrigue.

This type of drama has a relatively smaller audience.

However, "Empresses in the Palace" is a palace intrigue drama, which is loved by both men and women.

"I understand," Shu Chang nodded.

"You've only just signed with the company, and they've already arranged a leading role for you in a period drama. How are you going to repay me?" Gu Ning said with a smile.

"Let's talk about it later. I'm too tired. Go find Qianqian. After all, she's your real girlfriend. If you don't spend time with her when you come back, she'll start to overthink things," Shu Chang said.

She was really exhausted last night and this morning.

Although it's very comfortable, it's become a bit too much to keep doing it all the time.

Moreover, excessive water loss is also bad for people.

"What's wrong, are you jealous?"

"Who's jealous?" Shu Chang denied it outright.

Gu Ning smiled and didn't continue the topic.

After dropping Shu Chang off at home, he was about to head to the company when Han Sanpin called.

So he turned the car around and headed to China Film Group.

…………

"President Han!"

Gu Ning walked into the office carrying a box of tea.

"You're here, why did you bring anything?"

Han Sanpin said irritably, "Is it acceptable to give gifts so openly?"

"It's nothing valuable, just some Lu'an melon seed tea from my hometown, the new tea harvested this year. My dad mailed it to me, so I brought some for Mr. Han to try."

Gu Ning smiled, placed the tea leaves on the table, and pulled out a chair to sit down.

"If I take it openly and honestly, others won't think too much about it."

Stop being so sarcastic.

Han Sanpin said, "I heard you and Xinghan are planning to collaborate on a movie, and you even chose the script?"

"President Han is very well-informed."

Gu Ning said, "As you know, Jing Tian has helped me a lot before, so making a movie is a way of repaying her kindness."

"Can China Film Group get involved?" Han Sanpin asked.

"I can't make that decision. You'll have to ask President Lu. My company is short on funds. We're just participating in the investment and taking a small share; we're not in control," Gu Ning said, shaking his head.

"Then I'll ask them later."

Han Sanpin didn't value low-budget films that much.

He prefers big-budget productions; regardless of profit or loss, at least they can improve the technology of the domestic film industry.

If Gu Ning knew what Han Sanpin was thinking, she would definitely grumble to herself.

Han Sanpin's idea was good, and his contribution to the film industry was indeed real.

Unfortunately, most of the directors in China are hopeless.

"By the way, filming for 'Back to 20' has wrapped up. When will your editing be finished? I'd like to arrange the promotion and schedule in advance."

Han Sanpin asked, "Wouldn't it be enough to release it in early August?"

August is considered the tail end of the summer movie season, which is a pretty good time to watch movies.

Actually, the National Day holiday is better; the summer holiday is just more convenient for students to watch movies.

But in reality, students who have the means to watch movies still have time to go on weekends.

The National Day holiday is different; it's a long break, making the film season much better than the summer season.

However, China Film Group 05 is preparing a tribute film, "The Founding of a Republic," which was recently completed and is scheduled for release in mid-September this year.

The film took four years to prepare and shoot. It not only required a lot of manpower and resources, but was also a political task.

After its release, all of China Film Group's projects had to give way to it.

Gu Ning has only made two movies; he can't withstand this kind of turmoil.

Gu Ning thought for a moment and said, "There's enough time. Editing and post-production can be completed by mid-June at the latest, and the film will be released in August. There's still more than a month in between for promotion."

"That's good. You keep things in order, and come to me if you encounter any difficulties," Han Sanpin said.

"Then I certainly won't be polite," Gu Ning said with a smile.

"I heard your company is preparing to film a TV series?" Han Sanpin asked.