Entertainment Era: Starting with Teaching Sister Meng to Sing

Meng Xiaoyou is in her early thirties. To be able to reach the position of head of Tencent's Shanghai business department at this age, she must either have a powerful background or be extremely capable.

Wang Xiaozhou believed she was the former because when she talked to him about film investment, she was so calm that she spoke of millions as if they were just a few hundred dollars.

The specific dialogue is as follows.

"Yesterday our minister mentioned that you're going to be making a new movie. Could you tell me the approximate budget for that film?"

"There's no specific budget yet, but all expenses are estimated to be around eight million?"

"How much more is needed?"

"Four million, I guess."

"You mean we're jointly investing, right? Four million, and we, the penguins, will take 50% of the total revenue."

"You penguins also need to be responsible for publicity and marketing."

"Okay, deal."

Seeing Meng Xiaoyou extend her hand again, Wang Xiaozhou was somewhat incredulous: "Is it really that simple? Don't you need to do any market research or anything?"

Meng Xiaoyou waved her hand dismissively: "When it comes to film investment, what we're investing in is the director. What we value is you as a person."

incredible.

Wang Xiaozhou and Meng Ziyi shook hands: "Then I will try my best to make sure you don't misjudge me. It's a pleasure to work with you."

The initial cooperation intention has been finalized. The specific terms were not discussed by the two of them. Later, someone from the Ministry of Commerce will come to sign the contract on behalf of Wang Xiaozhou, and then the two parties will say goodbye.

Just as Mao Xiaotong was about to ask about the new movie after leaving the coffee shop, Wang Xiaozhou hailed a taxi and headed to the airport.

The two sat together in the back seat, and Mao Xiaotong finally had a chance to speak: "Why are we going to the airport? Are we picking someone up?"

Wang Xiaozhou nodded: "Of course, how can I make a movie by myself? Not only will Wenye arrive later, but Huangmao and the others will also be in position soon."

"what?"

Mao Xiaotong seemed a little reluctant: "Where will they stay when they come? I can't just give up my dorm room and have to rent an apartment myself, can I?"

Wang Xiaozhou reached out and touched Mao Xiaotong's forehead: "You don't have a fever, so why are you talking nonsense? Tell me, is it because you're too ambitious and want to become an investor in my movie!"

Mao Xiaotong shoved Wang Xiaozhou's hand away impatiently: "What nonsense are you talking about? I don't have any money. I can't even afford to rent a place, let alone be an investor."

"Then why are you worrying about this? My movie costs eight million to make. If just a few people come to Shanghai, I can't even afford to find them accommodation."

Mao Xiaotong then realized that those people didn't come to Shanghai for fun. In Wang Xiaozhou's words, they were on official payroll. Her concern about accommodation was really... unnecessary.

However, money shouldn't be spent recklessly. Mao Xiaotong asked, "You're not thinking of opening a hotel for them, are you? This is our first time investing in a movie, so we can't spend too much money on useless things. If we can't recoup our costs, we won't be able to explain it to Tencent. If we offend them, it will be difficult for us to continue in the entertainment industry."

She's certainly good at managing a household, but this kind of personality will likely lead to trouble in the real world, especially in the profit-driven entertainment industry.

Wang Xiaozhou nodded and said, "Thanks to you, otherwise I wouldn't have thought of this."

Seeing that Wang Xiaozhou had listened to her advice, Mao Xiaotong finally brought up the question she had wanted to ask before getting in the car: "You're amazing! Just by providing a name, Tencent is willing to invest four million in you and even handle the distribution and promotion. This movie must make a lot of money, right?"

Wang Xiaozhou shook his head and didn't say anything.

Mao Xiaotong asked curiously, "What does shaking your head mean? Are you unsure?"

Wang Xiaozhou then spoke up: "Shaking my head means it's unpredictable. Anyway, after this movie, I can be considered to have truly crossed a social class."

"Pretentious..."

Mao Xiaotong even speaks swear words fluently.

The two arrived at the airport and soon Wenye came out of the arrival gate. Upon seeing Wang Xiaozhou, he gave him a big hug and repeatedly thanked Director Wang for giving him the opportunity.

When Wang Xiaozhou filmed a short video with him last time, it really made him look good at school. Whether it was classmates or teachers, they all asked him where he got the connections to get close to Wang Xiaozhou.

A short film with a 500% return on investment is definitely top-tier in the industry.

Don't assume that all the professors at universities are top experts. The ones who are truly successful are either honorary professors or long-established top figures who have barely attended a few classes a semester.

The rest of the teachers who treat teaching as their main job, very few of whom can make a lot of money outside, are just stuck in a mediocre situation and only stay at the school for a stable job. If they really have the opportunity to get close to the top figures outside, they will fawn over them just as much as others.

So during the time Wenye spent in his hometown after the New Year, he received quite a few calls from his advisor or main subject teacher, and the feeling of being blessed with divine intervention was indescribable.

After catching up with Wenye in the parking lot, Huang Mao and the others arrived one after another. Wang Xiaozhou took them to a restaurant for a meal and then paid them their wages in advance.

"Don't waste this money. I'm not covering your food and lodging this time in Shanghai. Think about it yourselves. After you finish eating, find a place to stay on your own. My advice is that even if you have money, don't stay in hotels all the time. It's best to rent a place. That way, you can cook for yourself and save a lot of money on eating out. As for whether you share a place or what, I don't care."

Wenye was paid 50,000 yuan, and Huang Mao and the others were paid 10,000 yuan each. After distributing the 80,000 yuan, Wang Xiaozhou wiped his mouth, got up, and took Mao Xiaotong home, leaving them to arrange their own lives.

I'm not a mother hen; I can't arrange everything for them after bringing them out here. These brothers have to train themselves first.

On the way home, Mao Xiaotong hesitated to speak.

Wang Xiaozhou knew what she was thinking at a glance, and without beating around the bush, he asked directly, "You also want to get your salary ahead of time?"

Mao Xiaotong nodded happily, so cute...

Wang Xiaozhou held up two fingers to her: "You're different from them. You have some acting experience, and you've accumulated quite a few fans from your previous two dramas, so I'll give you two choices."

First, a buyout at a fixed price. I'll give you 300,000 yuan, and in return, you need to cooperate with me unconditionally in this film.

Second, the profit-sharing model: you invest as an actor and receive 5% of the profits.

Mao Xiaotong gasped. A 5% dividend, based on the current investment of eight million, was already worth four hundred thousand—a huge sum of money...

"If I choose a fixed-price buyout, do I still have to pay you 90% of the profits?"

Wang Xiaozhou laughed: "No matter which one we choose, 90% of the profits are a must. We have a contract in place."

However, considering you're facing difficulties right now, I'll waive this fee this time, but only once.

"That's wonderful!" Mao Xiaotong replied happily. "Then I'll choose profit sharing."