Huayu: Starting from managing the Mahua FunAge Theater Troupe

It was a little after six in the evening.

Lobby of Beijing Hotel.

Shen Feiyang met Liu Hongtao, who had come with Yu Kai.

He was a middle-aged man nearing forty, wearing glasses, with a refined and gentle demeanor. He was slightly overweight, had lost a lot of hair, and his eyes revealed a shrewdness.

Liu Hongtao also sized up Shen Feiyang.

He has a strong physique, a typical handsome face from the North, and looks very energetic.

With a smile on his face, Shen Feiyang extended his hand to Liu Hongtao: "You must be President Liu? I've heard so much about you."

"I've long admired Mr. Shen's reputation." Liu Hongtao shook hands with Shen Feiyang.

"I didn't realize I was so famous." Making a casual joke, Shen Feiyang gestured for them to go inside and talk.

"I often see President Shen's deeds in various newspapers, it's hard not to pay attention to him," Liu Hongtao joked, walking side by side with Shen Feiyang and Yu Kai toward the elevator.

Shen Feiyang laughed and said, "Then it seems I didn't waste my money buying the space."

……

The three of them entered the private room.

The dishes were ordered before Liu Hongtao arrived.

Take your seat.

After exchanging a few words, the cold dishes were served first.

Shen Feiyang opened a bottle of thatch.

Yu Kai and Liu Hongtao hadn't seen each other for a long time, so they drank some wine.

The three of them drank a few cups together.

Liu Hongtao casually ate a bite of food and introduced his workplace to Shen Feiyang: "Our predecessor, Nanhai Film Industry, was the China News Service Film Team, which was established in 1956. In 1978, after the China News Service was re-established, it set up a film department and simultaneously established Nanhai Film Industry Company. In 1981, our company released its first feature film, 'The Wilderness,' under the name of Nanhai Film Industry Company."

Liu Hongtao adjusted his posture and said with a hint of pride, "After more than 20 years of development, our company has won many honors. Last year, a light comedy film we produced, 'One Million,' was shortlisted for the New York International Independent Film Festival and received a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film."

Yu Kai added, "The male lead in 'One Million' is Zhu Yuchen."

"There's such a connection?" Shen Feiyang was genuinely surprised.

Although Shen Feiyang had never heard of Nanhai Film Industry, the fact that they were involved in filmmaking in the late 70s and early 80s meant they were definitely veterans in the industry with extensive connections.

Liu Hongtao chuckled and continued to flex his muscles, following Yu Kai's lead: "The film and television industry isn't small, but it's not huge either. I wonder if President Shen has heard of China Film Group? Several of the CEOs at China Film Group are my senior classmates, and I've had quite a few collaborations with them."

That's incredibly impressive!

No wonder Happy Twist hired Liu Hongtao to oversee their film business in the future.

Shen Feiyang originally thought of connecting with China Film Group through Lao Zhao's connections, but unexpectedly, a new path opened up for him.

Shen Feiyang said admiringly, "President Liu really has a wide network of connections. I feel much more at ease knowing that the 'Crazy Stone' project can be managed by President Liu."

Shen Feiyang raised his glass: "President Liu, just name your price."

Shen Feiyang was asking Liu Hongtao to propose the conditions for switching to Feiyang Film and Television.

"No rush. Let's see how things go after we finish this project," Liu Hongtao said, raising his glass as well.

"it is good."

I drank a glass.

Shen Feiyang asked with some curiosity, "Since Nanhai Film Industry makes movies, what does the Film and Television Department of China News Service do?"

Liu Hongtao only serves as the general manager of Nanhai Film Industry; his official position is the director of the film and television department of China News Service.

Liu Hongtao succinctly stated, "My main job is to produce news videos and then sell them to television stations."

"I see." Shen Feiyang understood.

At this point, Liu Hongtao remembered something and asked Shen Feiyang, "Mr. Shen, have you ever heard of online video?"

Shen Feiyang thought about it seriously for a moment and replied, "Some time ago, I saw a news report that a video website called LeTV was launched, which focuses on genuine long videos. I went online to take a look and found it quite interesting. I think online video platforms may be able to break the monopoly of TV stations on the broadcasting end in the future."

Liu Hongtao was quite surprised by Shen Feiyang's judgment.

Although he had heard from Yu Kai that Shen Feiyang was quite farsighted, seeing is believing.

Liu Hongtao nodded slightly: "President Shen's insight is indeed extraordinary. I have a similar judgment. Assuming that the internet speed gets faster and faster, and that computers enter every household like televisions, the traditional television news releases will eventually come to an end, and the way news is disseminated will completely shift to the internet in the future."

Liu Hongtao added, "That's why I called on the organization last year to create the 'China News Video' brand, distribute content through various channels such as television stations and websites, and provide video news services to ordinary netizens through China News Network."

"President Liu has a lot of ideas. He watches news videos online, and they're very interesting to listen to," Shen Feiyang casually praised.

Liu Hongtao waved his hand: "It's all stuff the US has already done; they're just exploiting an information gap."

"Mr. Liu is being too modest. Every industry makes money by exploiting information gaps; being able to find those gaps is a real skill," Shen Feiyang said.

After a long silence, Yu Kai spoke up at the opportune moment: "What President Shen said is true. Many domestic film and television works directly borrow story frameworks from mature foreign works. They are just people who opened their eyes to the world a little earlier than ordinary people."

"That makes sense." Liu Hongtao nodded, then asked Shen Feiyang, "Mr. Shen, do you have a positive outlook on LeTV?"

Shen Feiyang waited two or three seconds before speaking: "Watch closely. LeTV is essentially hoarding the copyrights of legal online videos of film and television works. In time, when the online video market grows and copyright prices skyrocket, LeTV may not necessarily become the market leader, but other video websites will have to rely on it."

Liu Hongtao had been observing LeTV for the past two months. He originally just wanted to see what Shen Feiyang thought of the leading companies in the industry, but Shen Feiyang directly pointed out LeTV's business logic of hoarding copyrights, its predictions for the future, and its position in the industry.

This ability is quite extraordinary.

It's even more unusual for this to happen to a 19-year-old.

Liu Hongtao was quite impressed: "President Shen's insight is brilliant."

Then.

The three discussed the details of their collaboration on the film project.

Simply put, the project was handed over to Nanhai Film Industry for production, with Liu Hongtao in charge of management and operation, and Feiyang Film & Television acting as the investor.

Shen Feiyang had only one requirement: matters involving the filming, such as directing, scriptwriting, and casting, must revolve around the director; this was the bottom line.

Liu Hongtao assured him, "President Shen, don't worry. I know how important the film's content is. I will only be responsible for the work I am supposed to do."

Shen Feiyang nodded slightly: "In short, the total budget is ten million, but the actual production cost should be controlled below six million. The remaining funds should be used for publicity and distribution. We are newcomers, so we need to be well prepared."

"President Shen's considerations are very thorough." Liu Hongtao fully acknowledged Shen Feiyang's abilities.