Entertainment Era: My Good Sister Is All Over the World

In the factory director's office.

Wang Yang and Wu Tianming are in talks.

When Huang Wenbin arrived, they were chatting happily, so he knocked on the door.

"You're here." Wang Yang heard the voice, looked up slightly, saw Huang Wenbin, and waved: "What are you standing there for? Come in."

Huang Wenbin went in, and Director Wang and Wu Tianming greeted him: "Old Director, Director Wu."

Wu Tianming is forty years old this year. He has a shaved head and a dark complexion, but he looks kind and easy to talk to.

I had already met Huang Wenbin when I came to buy the script last time.

Wu Tianming graduated from the Xi'an Film Studio's actor training class. After working as an actor for several years, he was admitted to the director training class, the predecessor of Yenching Film Academy, in 1974. The first film he made after returning to Xi'an Film Studio was "The Trembling of Life," which he co-starred in with director Teng Wenji and caused quite a stir.

However, Wu Tianming knew very well that it would be difficult to save Xi'an Film Studio with just one or two feature films; entertainment films were what could really increase the acquisition price.

The current factory director, Tian Wei, was only in his sixties, but his health was poor. He suffered from a serious stomach ailment, making it difficult for him to manage affairs. He passed away from stomach cancer in 1982.

However, he mentored and supported young talents like Wu Tianming, enabling them to grow rapidly and gradually become the pillars of Xi'an Film Studio. Wu Tianming was later elected as the new director of Xi'an Film Studio in 1983.

Huang Wenbin knew Wu Tianming because he had seen Wu's film "Old Well" years ago, the one starring Zhang Yimou, which also helped Zhang Yimou win three Best Actor awards.

Wu Tianming's last moment of fame came from his posthumous work, "Song of the Phoenix." The publicity team at the time knelt down and begged theaters to show the film more often, which caused a huge controversy. The film and Wu Tianming were also hotly discussed for a long time.

Wu Tianming had already passed away several years prior.

"Comrade Xiao Huang, I'm counting on you this time!"

Wu Tianming also adopted a very humble attitude, stepping forward to shake hands with Huang Wenbin and saying very modestly, "Xi'an Film Studio is really having a tough time, I hope you can help us out."

Huang Wenbin didn't dare to be arrogant and quickly said, "I'm just a screenwriter, I don't have that much power!"

"No, your energy is beyond your imagination!"

Wu Tianming shook his head and looked at Huang Wenbin very seriously: "Originally, China Film Group only allocated 30 yuan to this film. Although even if it turned out to be a bad film, China Film Group would still cover the losses, and we might even make more money. But Xi'an Film Studio also has its pride; how could we do such a thing?"

China Film Group Corporation was not founded for profit, but to support China's film industry. Therefore, after setting a range for acquisition prices, both below and above this range were subject to the same acquisition price. In essence, it was using high-profit films to subsidize low-profit studios.

But nowadays filmmakers care about their reputation. Nobody wants their studio to always be at the bottom, constantly relying on subsidies from other studios. Otherwise, they'll be constantly talked about behind their backs.

Wu Tianming continued, "As soon as we mentioned that you would be coming to assist with the filming, China Film Group increased the funding by another 20 yuan. With this 50 yuan, we can finally make a decent film."

Huang Wenbin turned to Wang Yang: "Factory Manager, have you discussed the co-production with Director Wu?"

Wang Yang smiled and nodded: "I have already said that. China Film Group has agreed, and the co-production company is contacting the Hong Kong side, ah, that is, the director Xu Xiaoming you mentioned."

"Our former factory director has also agreed to this," Wu Tianming said sincerely. "You've helped Xi'an Film Studio this time, so you'll be in charge of all filming matters. We will not interfere without your consent."

"No, no, don't do that!" Huang Wenbin was startled by Wu Tianming's words and quickly explained, "I'm just the screenwriter; Xu Xiaoming is the director. You and Director Xu will take the lead, and I'll just assist from the side."

Wu Tianming waved his hand, his attitude still very sincere: "Our factory has too few talented people, so this time we will mainly rely on you. However, we also have our own selfish reasons. We would like you to help mentor the young people in our factory."

Huang Wenbin thought to himself, "I'm still a young man myself."

However, he understood Wu Tianming's meaning. This man had indeed devoted himself to the development of Xi'an Film Studio, and it was under his leadership that Xi'an Film Studio emerged from its predicament.

Wu Tianming came here for two reasons: first, to thank the Beijing Film Studio for its assistance, and second, to express his feelings in order to avoid any conflicts caused by disagreements during future filming.

The three discussed the matter and quickly finalized the production team's structure. For example, Huang Wenbin's role was that of both planner and screenwriter, thus granting him the authority to participate in the filming process. Xu Xiaoming was the director, and Wu Tianming was the co-director.

Of course, the final details of the cooperation will only be confirmed after Xu Xiaoming arrives, and the four parties, including China Film Co-production Company, will discuss and finalize the details.

Huang Wenbin certainly couldn't just wait around, so he decided to go and select a few suitable actors first.

Thanks to director Chen Huaikai's deliberate promotion, people in the directing circle now know that Huang Wenbin has a knack for selecting actors.

"Regarding the lead actor, Huang, do you already have any ideas?"

Wu Moming looked at Huang Wenbin with anticipation.

Huang Wenbin casually replied, "I haven't thought about it yet. We'll go and select suitable actors together when Director Xu arrives."

"Okay then." Wu Tianming nodded and didn't press further.

Huang Wenbin is indeed already considering this issue.

The original version starred Xu Xiangdong, a member of the Hebei Wushu Team, who was skilled in Eagle Claw Kung Fu. At the recently concluded 4th National Games, he amazed everyone with this style of kung fu and earned the nickname "Eagle Claw King".

He was born in 1961, two years older than Jet Li. He is still quite suitable for playing leading roles, so we can continue to cast him as a lead actor.

However, if a more suitable actor can be found, it is acceptable to replace him. Xu Xiangdong's performance as the lead actor was not particularly outstanding; it was merely adequate.

As for the villain, there's no need to think about it; it will definitely be Yu Rongguang. He rose to fame with this role, which is how he entered the film and television industry.

Now that Yu Rongguang and he have a good relationship, there's no reason not to recruit him. In the future, he will be a general who charges into traps for him, after all, "my second brother is invincible."

As for the female lead, Lin Qiuping, who was originally cast, is now only 15 years old, which is obviously a bit too young.

Huang Qiuyan from the Yanjing Wushu Team is a perfect fit; she is Li Lianjie's senior martial arts sister.

The two acted together in "Shaolin Temple" and "North and South Shaolin". During Li Lianjie's injury period, Huang Qiuyan took good care of him, and their relationship warmed up. They registered their marriage in 1987 and had two daughters.

However, Li Lianjie met Li Zhi while filming in Hong Kong, and then fell in love with her, divorcing Huang Qiuyan in 1990.

The remaining roles can be selected from various martial arts teams later.

As for why Li Lianjie wasn't chosen for the lead role, the reason is naturally that Zhang Xinyan has already picked him, and he's currently undergoing intensive training.

According to the original timeline, they should have started their intensive training after May 1980. However, because Huang Wenbin's script for "Shaolin Temple" appeared earlier than expected, Zhang Xinyan's preparations were also accelerated.

About ten days later, Xu Xiaoming finally arrived in Yanjing, bringing his own small team, including stuntmen, photographers, and other staff, totaling seven people.

As soon as he arrived in Yanjing, he went to the Beijing Film Studio and talked to Huang Wenbin about the company's affairs.

However, there is a slight change: Xu Xiaoming has also brought Liu Songren into the picture, and the current shareholding structure is that Huang Wenbin holds 40%, while Xu Xiaoming and Liu Songren each hold 30%.

Huang Wenbin had no objection to this, since Liu Songren was also his friend, and the leader's character was beyond reproach.

The company's name is "Civilized People's Film Industry," which is quite ordinary.

It's simply a combination of Huang Wenbin's "Wen" character, Xu Xiaoming's "Ming" character, and Liu Songren's "Ren" character, which are homophones.

Once everyone was present, the natural next step was to hold a meeting and sign the contract.

Thus, the four parties—Beijing Film Studio, Xi'an Film Studio, Wenmingren Film Industry, and China Film Co-production Company—signed various contracts together in the director's office at Beijing Film Studio.

Civilized People Pictures also invested 50 yuan to acquire all the film's rights in Hong Kong and overseas, but 10% of the box office revenue in Hong Kong had to be shared with the mainland.

As for why there is this 10% profit sharing, it is the result of Huang Wenbin's instructions.

The purpose was to show mainland film companies the terrifying extent of box office revenue sharing, thereby facilitating continuous reform of the mainland film system.

At the same time, he also wanted to set a precedent for future co-productions and establish a basic standard to prevent absurd situations such as Hong Kong actors receiving 500 yuan a day while mainland actors only receive 1 yuan a day.

All of this needs to be done gradually.

Huang Wenbin was not in a hurry; his plan had just begun.

Taking too big a step can easily lead to trouble.

Although his egg was as hard as a rock.