Huayu Entertainment, all I can do is make bad movies.

The copper pot shop is separate.

Yu Dong enthusiastically made every effort to connect with the network of contacts he had built up over the years.

Even after drinking and getting quite tipsy, Wang Hai didn't stay idle. He took a taxi to the set of "Devils on the Doorstep".

"Boss, this trip isn't short. It's outside Beijing, in Hebei. It'll take at least five or six hours."

Wang Hai: "Just tell me how much!"

"It should cost at least 250."

"80, if you don't want to go, I'll get another one."

"Let's go, let's go, it's hot and there's no business, we'll just have to take a loss."

Wang Hai plopped down in the passenger seat, handed the driver a cigarette, and complained, "You old driver, your judgment isn't very good. I don't look like a local. You're exaggerating a two- or three-hour journey into five or six hours."

"It doesn't seem like it. Judging from the bag you're carrying, I'd think you were an out-of-towner who came to Beijing with your boss to get approvals."

Wang Hai laughed and said, "You're not wrong, we did get the approval today."

Beijing is the political, economic, and cultural center of the country, and its residents naturally have a sense of superiority. Taxi drivers, in particular, are all very talkative.

From the global war situation to the secrets of the Forbidden City, and even to the daily lives of ordinary people, from food and clothing to housing and transportation.

Throughout the journey, Wang Hai's ears were constantly busy as the driver kept bragging.

"Let me tell you, that computer fortune teller is incredibly accurate. When you have some free time, go to my son's shop in Dongcheng and have him do a reading for you. This stuff isn't just superstition. Take those high-ranking officials in the city, which one doesn't believe in feng shui..."

"Okay, then how about we settle the fare with your son next time?"

"That won't do, let's settle now."

Wang Hai smiled and gave the driver 80 yuan.

The car stopped, but that didn't mean we had arrived at our destination.

But it will be soon; just take a boat to the other side and you'll find the film crew of "Devils on the Doorstep".

Upon entering the village, Wang Hai was once again awestruck by Jiang Wen's extravagant gesture.

They literally built a village out of thin air.

In 98, this investment amount was terrifying; most directors wouldn't dare to undertake it.

Wang Hai first sought out Jiang Wu, and with Jiang Wu's introduction, he naturally met Jiang Wen, who was discussing set construction with the art department.

Not bad, after so many days, I actually remember such a nobody as Wang Hai.

Jiang Wen wasn't surprised to see the "Public Screening Permit" that Wang Hai pulled out; he had already learned about "Titanic 2" from his younger brother.

I was shocked at the time.

The play-within-a-play relies on its ingenious plot design, but the filming difficulty is not that high.

A single, continuous shot was a filming technique he dared not attempt.

Of course, if he's going to do a one-shot film, there will definitely be more than just a few actors in the shot.

There are also aspects that I don't think are good enough.

Like my younger brother, I don't like movie titles.

A man must earn money standing up.

Wang Hai did not refute.

How can a sparrow know the ambition of a swan? All I'm doing is making money, buddy.

Our ideal is to revitalize domestically produced cultural and entertainment works!

It's to help you great directors make more good movies!

"I'm a man of my word. If I said I'd introduce you to someone, I'd do it. You've come at just the right time; the person you need will be here shortly."

Wang Hai understood immediately and took Jiang Wu to stroll around the small village, no longer disturbing Jiang Wen's work.

Jiang Wen's assistant came looking for them after they had been wandering around for a short time.

"Wang Zhongjun, General Manager of Huayi."

"This is Wang Hai. He owns a private film production company and has a film waiting to be released. You guys can discuss the rest; I'm not involved."

After giving a concise introduction, Jiang ran off.

Wang Zhongjun understood and took the initiative to extend his hand, saying, "President Wang is young, promising, and has great vision. Where is your company located? I will definitely visit you when I have time."

While Wang Hai was still pondering his answer, Jiang Wu preemptively said, "Donghu Street, the company isn't small, it must have several hundred people, right?"

Wang Zhongjun looked on with surprise.

Damn it.

What kind of family is that?

A film and television company with a few hundred employees?

He has been back from abroad for several years and has always wanted to learn from Hollywood's operating methods to open a film and television company in China.

Struggling with policy uncertainty, the company still operates with only twenty or thirty employees, primarily producing GG films and occasionally investing in small-scale movies when the opportunity arises.

Wang Hai is doing well.

With private film and television companies on the table, it seems that making films and television dramas is a sure path to success.

There are hundreds of employees?

What makes this company able to support so many people?

You probably can't find another private film and television company this big in the whole country.

Wang Zhongjun was truly stunned.

Wang Hai is either a complete idiot who knows nothing about business, or he has a powerful figure protecting him.

Wang Hai smiled calmly and said to Wang Zhongjun, "Director Jiang has made himself clear enough. I would like to collaborate with your company on a comedy film."

"You don't need to worry about the release procedures; they've already been completed. What we lack is the support of the distribution company and the theaters."

Wang Zhongjun hadn't seen the movie, so he couldn't agree directly.

But that doesn't stop him from making a good sale.

Wang Hai seems to have a lot of depth; he might become a great asset in the future.

"Mr. Wang, how about this: let's schedule a time to watch the film. As long as the quality isn't too bad, everything is negotiable. What do you think?"

"It's not that complicated." Wang Hai casually repeated what he had told Yu Dong.

The meaning is clear.

I'm not pretending anymore, I'm laying my cards on the table.

The quality of his films is irrelevant; he only hopes that the titles will attract audiences to the cinema, aiming for box office success.

"Holy crap, that's a brilliant idea! How come I didn't think of that!"

Wang Zhongjun clapped his hands excitedly.

Wang Hai unconsciously curled the corners of his mouth.

No wonder Huayi in later years was in a state of near bankruptcy; the boss was truly shameless.

My shamelessness is forced upon me by the system.

The guy surnamed Wang is fine; he doesn't need to be forced, he's shameless to begin with.

"I'm better off without this confidant," Wang Hai thought to himself as he shook hands with Wang Zhongjun and asked the crucial question: "Mr. Wang, if the contract is reached, how much of the box office revenue will Haiwang Company receive?"

"Normally it's 20-30%."

Wang Hai frowned: "So low?"

It's common practice for cinemas to have the largest share of box office revenue, so taking 70% or 80% is a bit too much.

In this era, box office data is not transparent, so the production company will inevitably receive even less.

"The theater chains are powerful, we're weak, and it's pointless to overthink it. Even for films by Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou, the revenue share won't exceed 35%, and yours will be even less, unless..."

Wang Zhongjun glanced at Wang Hai: "Unless someone can influence the cinema chain."

Wang Hai squinted and remained silent, trying his best to appear inscrutable. After a long while, he finally said, "Let's talk to the theater chains first."

"Okay, Mr. Wang, shall we go back to the city together later? Let's arrange another meeting tomorrow or the day after, I'll bring some people to see the sample photos."

Wang Hai nodded and said, "You go first, I have to rush to Tangshan for dinner tonight."

Goodbye!

After Wang Zhongjun walked away, Wang Hai said to Jiang Wu, "How much foreign education did he receive to be showing off like this?"

"Not really. Who doesn't envy the comfortable life of Americans? They live in high-rise buildings, and every family has a car. It's not surprising that they would imitate foreigners' speech."

"The TV series 'A Native of Beijing in New York' bears some responsibility for making so many people desperate to go abroad."

Wang Hai laughed heartily.

There are indeed many people who idolize foreign things and fawn over foreigners in this era.

Ultimately, the gap between China and the West in various aspects is too large, and admiring the strong is the nature of most people.

This situation will continue for a long time.

It wasn't until China rose to prominence while various crises unfolded across the ocean that the Chinese people's idealized view of the West was completely shattered.

At that time, anyone who dares to sing patriotic songs in the US will be torn apart by netizens.