Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

This private party was targeted.

Although the two did not confess their feelings or make an official announcement, the grand gesture Zhuang Huai'an made, the song "Why Not," and the nine-tiered cake that was brought out at the end, were enough to say everything.

To fix the bug, he gave Liu Yifei a three-flowered goddess the next day and named her Gromi.

【detail】

The nearly 100 media outlets present, after receiving the red envelopes prepared by Du Hua, only released photos of the red carpet show, guiding the public to discuss which female celebrity's dress was more beautiful. In addition, the network information team of 91 Company kept stirring up trouble.

In addition, the next day was the final of the annual hit show Super Girl. Long Danni, who had partnered with Du Hua, did not manipulate the vote count. Chun Ge won with 380 million votes, becoming famous and taking the top spot, thus beginning her magical and long-lasting popularity for 20 years.

The market for grassroots talent shows has been completely revitalized.

Amidst all the commotion, September arrived.

91 Company's undefeated record in the TV drama field has finally been broken. The mythological drama "Jingwei", starring Shu Chang and incorporating elements of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, only achieved a 3% viewership rating on its premiere.

Outside of the summer season, this result is actually quite good, but compared to other TV series from the company that easily break 5 or 10, it is somewhat mediocre.

This also allowed many film and television production companies to breathe a sigh of relief. After all, 91's productions are always of high quality, and their self-produced dramas in the past two years would not dare to compete in the summer season without a certain level of confidence.

There have been rumors in the industry: if you're that good, don't show off here, go try your luck in the summer movie season.

Actually, the idea for "Jingwei" was very good. With investment from 91 Company, the production was also better than the original series. Unfortunately, the timing was not right. During the time when middle-aged and elderly people had remote control access, this type of TV series was less attractive to them than "Bright Sword," which had been replayed dozens of times.

Back to school season,

After two years of lackluster performance, the Beijing Film Academy has finally welcomed a star-studded class.

Big Boobs whose luck was stolen, Yuan Shanshan, the first person to be kicked out of the entertainment industry, Zhang Xiaofei, the actress with 50 billion yuan in box office revenue, Jiao Junyan, who was complained about by her own father for not being able to get married, young character actor Wang Renjun, and Zhuang Huai'an thought the most interesting one was...

One monkey, one way to tie it up; the first person to openly live off a woman; the only true god in Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace; the pinnacle of language art; Jingchao.

The Central Academy of Drama is also pretty good.

Chen Xiao, the male god who would rather die than surrender, Ying Er, who is speechless like Zhu Dan, Zhang Wansen, the creator of Snowfall, Zhang Jianing, Ren Suxi from the directing and acting class, Papi Jiang, and Mao Xiaotong, the scumbag from the junior college class.

The 04 class of the Shanghai Theatre Academy was too outstanding, so this year only Jin Sijia can carry the banner. She is also a powerful actress whose roles limit her. Even when Zhou Xun appeared carrying a speaker, he still couldn't shake the impression of Zhanbo.

Cherish the love~

Although Company 91 is full of talented people, there are almost none who can take on a major role on their own. They can make a TV series together or co-direct a movie, but even if Zhuang Huai'an dares to delegate authority, neither of them has the confidence to take on the task of independently directing a movie.

Limited by a talent shortage, the company has very few plans to produce its own dramas this year.

The three high school students continued to hone their skills. Zhang Songwen, Zhou Yiwei, and Sun Hao followed Professor Xie to Japan to film "Departures". Lin Jiachuan and Wang Zhiyong teamed up with Mu Deyuan, the head of the photography department at Beijing Film Academy, to go to South Korea to film "Train to Busan".

The reason why "Train to Busan" was given to Mu Deyuan was because Wang Hongwei himself did not want to film the recommended Professor Mu.

Many people don't know much about this expert. He worked on horror films in the 90s, which were then called ghost films. He had a very good grasp of the psychological aspect of horror.

Suddenly, the huge 91 Company had no one available.

The main reason is that Zhuang Huai'an's approach is too unconventional; no film and television company dares to do it like him nowadays.

Alternatively, companies like Huayi Brothers focus on the film market while also managing talent agencies, or companies like Enlight Media rely on media to focus on the small screen. Bona Film Group's Fish Cave is involved in research, distribution, and production, while Huayi Brothers and Yinghuang simply invest money and recruit people.

Company 91 has money and fame, and most importantly, it has Zhuang Huai'an, the super brain, which is why it has good resources but no manpower to implement them.

Whatever you wish for comes true.

My old friend Shi Hang has brought another talented person with him.

"Director Zhuang, I'm bothering you again." Shi Hang has a distinctive beard and looks more like a catfish than a parrot.

"Teacher Shi, are we not friends if you say that?"

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and led the two to sit down at the tea table, then extended his hand to the person behind Shi Hang.

"Director Shang, I've heard so much about you. The Story of the Cooking Crew is my go-to show to watch while eating."

"Director Zhuang, I have long admired you. I have studied your depressing trilogy repeatedly."

Shang Jin shook hands with the big shot with some excitement. He never expected that he, a TV drama director, could catch the eye of an internationally renowned director.

"Please have a seat. I just received a batch of July tea, which has a unique flavor compared to Qingming tea."

Zhuang Huai'an skillfully arranged the Kung Fu tea set while exchanging pleasantries with the two men.

After three rounds of tea,

Seeing his old friend's troubled expression, Shi Hang shook his head, chuckled, and put down his teacup: "What's wrong, Lao Shang? Do I have to bring this up myself?"

"Is something wrong, Director Shang?"

Zhuang Huai'an's heart stirred, and he began to cosplay as Brother Gongming, "You are Teacher Shi's friend, so you are my friend. Since we are friends, we might as well speak our minds. We still have some influence in the industry."

Shang Jin nodded in approval after hearing this. As expected of the big shot in the circle known as "Little Mengchang Timely Rain," this behavior was truly commendable.

Shi Hang smiled without saying a word, clearly pleased with Zhuang Huai'an's words.

"Director Zhuang, to be honest, the reason I shamelessly asked Teacher Shi to bring me here is because I have a notebook and I'd like to solicit investment."

The conversation started, and Shang Jin didn't dwell on it. "It's a sitcom similar to 'Cooking Crew,' or more precisely, a period sitcom."

"Is this such a small matter worth making trouble for you?" Zhuang Huai'an laughed. "Did you bring the proposal? If it's suitable, I'll cover all the investment."

"I brought it." Shang Jin hurriedly took a script out of his bag and handed it over.

Zhuang Huai'an took a look and it was indeed the legendary drama he remembered, "My Own Swordsman," which was considered one of the four great shows to watch while eating, along with "Bright Sword," "Empresses in the Palace," and "It Started With a Kiss."

Of course, it hasn't been named yet, but the plot is exactly the same.

"The screenwriter is a friend of mine and Lao Shi's. You've made a fortune, to be honest, we had already found investors, but when they heard it was an 80-episode period sitcom, they were only willing to offer 1000 million. I'm really a cook without rice to cook... so..."

"Hey~ no need for further words," Zhuang Huai'an waved his hand and said generously, "1000 million isn't enough! I'll give you a budget of 25 per episode! Go all out!"

Shang Jin was overjoyed upon hearing this. It was like a beggar who only wanted two steamed buns to fill his stomach, but someone directly told him, "I'll treat you to a Manchu Han Imperial Feast."

"But there's one thing I have to make clear to you: if I were to invest, the director and screenwriter would only receive their labor fees, not any investment compensation, which would be equivalent to independent copyright."

"That's how it should be."

Shang Jin nodded. This is the current practice in the market. Only a foolish director would invest his own money, because the market is unpredictable.

Taking other people's money to do what you want to do—that's the only right thing to do.

"Okay, I'll have someone calculate the costs right away. Director Shang, you can start setting up the film crew now."

"Huh? So rushed? But the actors..."

"Sigh~"

Zhuang Huai'an waved his hand again, "You decide on the actors and directors, I only want one role, and I have one more condition."

"Director Zhuang, please speak."

"I want the role of Guo Furong, on the condition that Yao Dazui from your Air Force Political Department cannot play any role in this film."

"Okay... then."

Shang Jin nodded helplessly in agreement. It was reasonable for the investors to arrange for someone to join the group, and it was fine if Yao Dazui didn't join the crew.

After the two left,

Zhuang Huai'an fell into deep thought as he stared at the tea table. The path of the Flower of Evil had been cut off for her. Now that "Lurking" was in his hands, even if she had other resources, without these two main roles, she would be at best a second or third-tier actress.

So, should we lock you in a dark room and make you keep creating?

The ending of "Longmen Express" mentioned next spring, but how many next years have passed in the blink of an eye?

Forget it, once he finishes these TV series, I'll give him an apartment in Chaoyang District.

(Actually, Wulin started filming in 04, so this part can't be changed. I planted the foreshadowing of Shi Hang earlier to introduce Lan Xiaolong and Shang Jin, so it's a small bug and doesn't affect the plot. I'm very sorry.)