Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

If we're talking about the most eye-catching thing in the entertainment industry in 2002,

First is Zhuang Huai'an, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and second is Zhang Yimou's film "Hero".

This film reportedly had an investment of 3000 million US dollars, setting a record for the largest investment in a mainland Chinese film. The premiere was held at the Great Hall of the People, and 1500 million RMB was spent on publicity and distribution.

The amount of money allocated for publicity and distribution is enough for Zhuang Huai'an to make two movies and still have some left over.

Zhuang Huai'an hadn't paid attention to it before, but Zhang Yimou personally called to invite him, and Zhang Huijun also said that a group of teachers from the Beijing Film Academy would be attending, and asked him to go if he had time.

Since the sect leader has issued a mission, the sect's holy son still has to go and show his support.

On the day of the premiere, Zhuang Huai'an brought Yang Chen, Zhang Lu, and the Wolong and Fengchu to the auditorium. Zhang Weiping was quite stingy and only gave them five tickets.

The event was indeed grand, with the main cast including Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Chen Daoming, and Zhang Ziyi all in attendance.

More than 600 media outlets from home and abroad participated, and the security at the venue was extremely tight. Apart from the invited celebrities, everyone else had to go through metal detectors and store their mobile phones, cameras and other electronic devices, making it a top-notch anti-piracy measure.

A banner hangs high above the gate: "Go China's film industry! Cheer on China's films for the Oscars!"

Two hundred students dressed as Qin soldiers stood on both sides of the red carpet, shouting every now and then: "Wind, strong wind!"

The group of people were speechless with amazement. Yang Chen said enviously, "When Zhuang Huai'an plans to make a big production, 91 Company will also do something like this."

After walking the red carpet, the group arrived at the Golden Hall on the third floor, where a small cocktail party was being held.

Yang Chen and the others went off to chat with people they knew, while Zhuang Huai'an sat in a corner, watching the people in the room with a bored expression.

Many people don't understand why TV dramas have higher exposure, but actors in them don't have the same status as movie actors.

It's very simple, because watching TV dramas is free now, but you have to buy tickets to go to the cinema.

The current development of the entertainment industry follows a relatively normal logic, unlike the later era of internet traffic, where movies have become purely a tool for harvesting fans.

Nowadays, box office success depends on the fame of the lead actor or the director; big-name actors are merely supporting actors.

Looking back on the various bizarre actions of directors in later generations, Zhuang Huai'an found it quite laughable. In the director-centric system of mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, the quality of a film is primarily the director's responsibility.

If you can't tell a story and can't direct actors, what kind of director are you?

Therefore, the so-called "film and television winter" of later generations was entirely deserved.

Can you imagine that Han Hong, a singer, would openly allow men and women from Beijing to make an appearance at the premiere of Feng Xiaogang's movie?

Do you expect me, an ordinary citizen, to give face to a group of billionaires?

Come on.

But those things had nothing to do with Zhuang Huai'an anymore; by then, he had already changed careers and left.

Save the Chinese entertainment industry?

No, he doesn't have such lofty ambitions; he just wants to make money.

People arrived in the auditorium one after another. At first, Zhuang Huai'an sat in a corner cosplaying as Tony Leung, pretending to be socially awkward and nodding to the actors who came to greet him.

There's an unspoken rule in the entertainment industry: the later you arrive, the higher your status.

With the arrival of Mr. Yang from Yinghuang, followed by Wang Changtian from Enlight Media, Yu Dong from Bona Film Group, the two Wangs from Huayi Media, and finally Dong Ping from Huayi Media.

These people are all valuable assets. No matter how arrogant Zhang Weiping is, he doesn't dare to offend them all at once, so he can only personally chat with them.

Wang Changtian was absentmindedly making conversation when he turned his head and inadvertently saw Zhuang Huai'an sitting in the corner. Old Wang's eyes lit up, and he secretly left the group chat and crept over.

"Director Zhuang?" Wang Changtian smiled broadly. "You've found a good spot."

"Chairman Wang has sharp eyes; he can even spot me here." Zhuang Huai'an stood up and moved the Tony Leung poster in front of him a little, gesturing for him to sit down and chat.

Wang Changtian sat down with a smile, took out a box of cigars from his pocket, and said, "Director Zhuang, would you like one?"

"No, I'll smoke this." Zhuang Huai'an waved his hand in refusal and handed him a Huazi cigarette.

"Tsk," Wang Changtian exhaled a puff of smoke and joked, "It's only now. A few years ago, we wouldn't have had the chance to sit here and smoke. We'd probably be pinned down by the guards the moment we pulled out our lighters at the door."

That's true, Zhuang Huai'an nodded in agreement.

He's getting better; maybe the instructors even had a meeting in this room.

Wang Changtian flicked some ash into the ashtray and asked casually, "I heard Director Zhuang's new movie is planned to be filmed in Hong Kong?"

Zhuang Huai'an looked at him, "Chairman Wang is certainly well-informed."

"Hey, I overheard Lao Dong mention that when I came in."

Wang Changtian smiled and took the initiative, "To be honest, we at Enlight Media also aspire to enter the film industry, but we haven't been able to find the right opportunity. If Director Zhuang has a suitable project, you can also take a look at Enlight Media. After all, we do have some resources in media promotion."

"Great, there's still a 10% share left in this film. If Chairman Wang is interested, I'll have him send you the budget sheet."

what?

Wang Changtian was a little stunned to see Zhuang Huai'an agree so readily. He had only come to build a relationship so that he could get on the bus in the future, but he did not expect to have such an unexpected surprise.

"I hope Chairman Wang won't think it's too little?" Zhuang Huai'an joked.

"Oh, how could that be?"

Wang Changtian snapped out of his daze and laughed, "With Director Zhuang's abilities, even if you only allocate 1% to me, it would still be a huge favor."

Wang Changtian's words were sincere, as everyone in the industry knew. Zhuang Huai'an had just secured a 6.6 million yuan investment from a coal mine owner. If he wanted, that amount of money could fund three "Hero" films. He certainly wasn't short of money.

Needless to say, everyone is after Zhuang Huai'an's ability to win awards.

So why would Zhuang Huai'an still want to bring Wang Changtian into the group under such circumstances?

It all comes down to connections and resources.

Enlight Media originated as a media company, and its publicity channels are unmatched by other companies. Moreover, Wang Changtian has good relationships with many local TV stations.

91 Company has no successful TV series to date, and getting Enlight Media's help is a good way to break into the market with "The Disguiser".

People who watch TV dramas don't care which company produces them; they only care about the stars and the plot.

This is also why Jin Yong dramas are so popular right now.

Why is Zhuang Huai'an in such a hurry to expand his television drama empire?

Because it was hailed as the first wave of benefits for the entertainment industry, the "Home Appliances to the Countryside" policy was about to be implemented. Televisions that originally cost several thousand yuan could be bought for a few hundred yuan. This beneficial policy once made many actors household names.

The luckiest couple among them were Huang Xiaoming and Liu Yifei.

With the immense popularity of "The Return of the Condor Heroes," the two established themselves as the leading young actors and actresses of the new generation, and remained popular for the next 20 years.

For Zhuang Huai'an, this was all money!

After the two talked for a while, staff came over and invited them to sit down in the screening room.

It was only then that the other film and television company owners realized that Wang Changtian, this guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, was actually walking with Zhuang Huai'an.

Moreover, judging from the rosy complexion of this grandson, he has gained quite a lot.

Yu Dong regretted it so much that he slapped his thigh until it was bruised.

...

After the screening, Zhuang Huai'an was invited to the stage for an interview. As the saying goes, everyone wants to carry a sedan chair, and "Hero" was indeed well made. Apart from some flaws in the plot, the visuals were simply superb.

Zhuang Huai'an didn't hold back his praise, showering the movie screen with compliments, while Zhang Yimou, sitting next to him, laughed so hard his eyes were almost closed.

Kai, sitting in the audience, looked on with a jealous expression.

Well, kid, you have two faces, huh?

Didn't you say I was your idol?