Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

"Senior, congratulations! I don't even have any fans picking me up at the airport yet."

Looking at the messages on his phone, Zhuang Huai'an said to Zhang Lu with an annoyance, "It's one thing for you to chat with her about gossip in the industry, but do you have to report my news in real time?"

"It wasn't me," Zhang Lu said calmly, "I haven't been in contact with Qianqian recently."

"If it wasn't you, Du Hua wouldn't have said something like that, so it must be Wan Qian."

Zhuang Huai'an knew Zhang Lu's style; she knew what she should and shouldn't say or do.

"Maybe," Zhang Lu replied ambiguously, while inwardly she breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that she had stopped in time and hadn't acted rashly.

"never mind."

Zhuang Huai'an shook his head and ignored it. Everyone in 91 Company could see the subtle actions between the two. It was normal for Wan Qian to want to get closer to Liu Yifei, and it wasn't a big deal.

"You go and rest first. Have Wang Zhiyong and Zhong Lifang come over."

"it is good."

Shortly after, the two entered the office.

"Please sit down."

Zhuang Huai'an walked to the tea table and personally brewed tea. "Let's briefly go over the recent events at the company. Zhiyong, you go first."

With Zhuang Huai'an and Yang Chen both out of the company, Wang Zhiyong had no choice but to continue serving as the temporary head housekeeper.

"Okay." Wang Zhiyong took out the folder and began his report.

"Phoenix Legends' self-titled album has been completed. Wang Zhengliang handled the post-production. Since these songs are all old songs they sang before, which have already become popular all over the country, the company did not spend much money on promotion. Currently, sales have exceeded 20 copies."

Selling albums doesn't make much money. Singers mainly earn income from commercial performances and variety shows. In the internet age, selling 20 albums is already quite impressive.

Zhuang Huai'an nodded, signaling him to continue.

"Zhang Liangying's debut album 'The One' has also been completed. There is no doubt about Luo Dayou's production level. Several songs you specified have been used as insert songs and theme songs in 'Chinese Paladin' and 'A Deadly Secret'. My point is to release them first to generate buzz and boost the ratings."

"Okay, let's play those two poems from 'A Deadly Secret' first."

"Okay." Wang Zhiyong took out a pen and wrote on a piece of paper, then continued, "Yifei's album is also finished. My analysis is that we should wait until after 'Chinese Paladin' is released before releasing it. The song will promote the drama, and the drama will promote the song. We'll do it both ways."

Zhuang Huai'an thought for a moment. The songs in Liu Yifei's album "Little" had absolutely nothing to do with "Chinese Paladin". Moreover, the young girl had already accumulated a lot of fans with her beautiful face through "The Story of a Noble Family" and "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils". Under such circumstances, it would be better to release the album directly to solidify her fan base.

"How's the post-production of 'The Legend of Sword and Fairy' going?" Zhuang Huai'an asked Zhong Lifang.

"It's almost done. There are about 300 more special effects to render. The special effects company said it will take about 20 more days."

Chung Lai-Fong was in charge of the TV series production, and she took it very seriously, asking about it almost every day as if it were her own treasure.

"Too slow."

Zhuang Huai'an frowned slightly. Although this version of "Chinese Paladin" was better than the one produced by Tangren Media, it was still a TV series. And how many shots did all the special effects and renderings add up to? It had been almost four months since filming wrapped up, and it was still not finished.

It seems I need to assemble my own special effects team as soon as possible, since I'm going to Hollywood for the Oscars in a few days.

The reason why he hadn't set up a special effects company before was simple: it was too expensive, and Zhuang Huai'an couldn't handle it. Now it's different; he can borrow MGM's team first.

The principle of "borrowing" has always been effective.

"Never mind that for now. Anyway, 'Chinese Paladin' is scheduled to air during the summer season. Let them do what they want. I want to see the results."

"Okay, boss." Zhong Lifang nodded a few times.

"As for Sissi's album, it can be released gradually."

Zhuang Huai'an looked at Wang Zhiyong and said, "Place it on major radio stations, and then ask Guangming to help with comprehensive promotion. Also, make sure to notify Hongxing House. But try to schedule interviews and events for the weekend."

Wang Zhiyong asked, puzzled, "Is it because students only have time to watch TV on weekends?"

"No," Zhuang Huai'an said with a mischievous grin, "it's because she lost a bet with me and has to go to school every Monday to Friday this semester."

Wang Zhiyong chuckled, "Well, Yifei's acting is very talented, but she really needs to practice her delivery of lines more."

Liu Yifei has a very nice voice, but her breath control is too short, and she always seems to misjudge the stress and emphasis when she pronounces words. This is actually a fatal flaw for an actor.

Fortunately, the young girl has always wanted to play the female lead in Zhuang Huai'an's film, and she has a strong will and is willing to learn. I believe that with systematic training from the school, she will be able to correct many of her old bad habits.

"Lifang, tell me."

"Okay, boss," Zhong Lifang also pulled out a notebook. "The post-production of 'Liancheng Jue' is complete. After hearing the news, Director Huang of the purchasing department of Beijing TV quoted 45 yuan per episode without even watching the sample episodes."

"45 million?"

"Yes, and then Shanghai TV also came to us. They didn't even see the sample footage, but quoted 48 yuan."

Zhuang Huai'an was somewhat surprised. Was this the value of Jin Yong's dramas in this era? They didn't even need to see a sample; they set a price just based on the name.

"Forget it, let's just send out invitations and organize a screening."

What if there's a surprise?

"Okay, boss."

Zhong Lifang turned the page and continued, "Director Wang Jing's film 'Veteran' has also been completed. It was just delivered a few days ago. I watched it with Director Wang and a few of his colleagues, and we thought the quality was acceptable. Director Wang Jing's suggestion was to change the title, as 'Veteran' lacked a bit of excitement."

Zhuang Huai'an looked at Wang Zhiyong, who nodded. Wang Jing's level was indeed quite high.

"Alright, let's change it then. I have a suggestion: let's call them 'Big Shots'. Whether they use it or not is up to them."

"Okay, I'll inform Director Wang Jing later." Zhong Lifang closed her notebook, indicating that her report was complete.

"Well done."

Zhuang Huai'an sighed in admiration. With such talented people around, he really didn't need to manage company affairs much; he only needed to keep an eye on the overall direction.

Everyone understood that the reason 91 Company was able to survive was because of Zhuang Huai'an.

"I'm going to Hollywood in a few days. Do you and Haozi have any ideas?" Zhuang Huai'an handed Wolong a cigarette.

"Not for now," Wang Zhiyong shook his head. "Didn't you say that we two would follow Wang Jing to level up in the second half of the year? Haozi and I were thinking of staying at school this semester to study some more."

"The idea was good, but the approach was wrong."

Zhuang Huai'an disagreed, "To put it bluntly, how many of our teachers have actually acted? Most of them have only theoretical knowledge. Going back to school is not as good as going to a film crew. Directing requires talent and experience, not just theoretical knowledge."

Seeing Wang Zhiyong deep in thought, Zhuang Huai'an continued, "Of course, it's not that schools are useless, but that was useful to us two years ago. Now you and Haozi have worked with me on several film crews and each filmed a TV series. With this kind of resume, which teacher would dare to teach you?"

This is just adding trouble for the teachers.

Like himself, the school also exempted Wolong and Fengchu from coursework and exams.

After all, the school's ultimate goal is to cultivate a qualified director. Now that the person has skipped the learning stage and directly taken up the director's chair, the school is overjoyed and would not possibly stop them.

When students achieve good results in school, it's because the school taught well. But if you succeed after graduation, people will talk more about your own efforts. Which is more important? Beijing Film Academy knows how to be flexible.

"Huai'an, so what do you mean?"

"Simple,"

Zhuang Huai'an snapped his fingers, "Why don't we just make another TV series for the two of you? Anyway, the company has so many people. After filming the TV series, you can go to Wang Jing's place to work on the set."

"Okay, then I'll do as you say." Wang Zhiyong nodded.

Frankly speaking, Zhuge Liang and Feng Chu are qualified to be TV drama directors, but far from enough to make movies. Therefore, Zhuang Huai'an did not tell them that he had a ticket to next year's Berlin Film Festival.

There was no other reason than the fear that the two of them would become impetuous.

Let the two of them reflect on their actions further; forcing things to grow too quickly is not advisable.