Shadow Empire

Chapter 765 Combination Punch and Discovery
The gentlemen in the room remained silent, thinking.

There is no doubt that Lance is the biggest gangster in Likalai State, but what does he mean by saying this now?
People have to think about deeper issues, wondering if there are traps that they cannot see, and also wondering if there are any special opportunities.

The director glanced at Lance, who didn't look at him but nodded slightly.

The director coughed at this time. "This time, the Federal Arts Committee is responsible for forming the Film Committee. There are a total of five people on the executive list. According to them, these five people will serve as executive members of the Film Committee."

“There will be no chairman position, but there will be an honorary chairman position.”

"The honorary chairman is Mr. ..."

Everyone's expression changed subtly when they heard the name. He said that this gentleman had a nickname in the Federation, called "Opera Emperor."

This nickname describes his status in the opera world very well!

He won numerous awards. At that time, the federal opera world had been divided into several major groups. Practitioners were classified according to their backgrounds and teachers. Among them, the faction to which the Opera Emperor belonged was the largest.

They have established many rules of their own in the opera world, such as certain roles can only be performed by people designated by them, and even some opera scripts are not allowed to be performed without their consent.

It is not an exaggeration to describe these people as “drama tyrants”.

And the five people on this list are almost all their people.

As a group that has gained huge benefits from opera, these vested interests will be more stubborn than the most stubborn people and more conservative than the most conservative people!

Seeing everyone's thoughtful expressions, Lance continued, "Once they take the lead in establishing a film committee and gain the support of the Federal Arts Council and the recognition of the federal government, it will be a devastating blow to us and the film industry!"

Those who sing opera look down on those who act in movies. After all, as the most brilliant art form of the "last era", it has produced too many famous people.

They are not only active in the opera world, but also involved in business and political circles. People are proud to know those famous opera performers.

This is a collective social craze. Kings and emperors of some countries and even some opera performers are loyal fans.

There was even a king who lent his palace to opera performers for opera performances!
The new era has set sail, and everyone sitting here is on this great ship heading for the new era.

But if we were to assign them a captain from the old times...

Just like Lance said, everything is catastrophic!

They only need a little trick to kill the development of the film industry.

In fact, many people have already seen that this cheap art form that does not require much cultural background will become a torrent sweeping the performing arts circle!

Some people can’t sit still, especially those who have bet everything on the future of the film industry!
They built a large number of studios in Valley City, opened a production company here, recruited many directors, actors, screenwriters and the like, and really let those opera people manage the film industry.

They just need to make it illegal to use scripts other than opera librettos, or require a certain amount of singing, or have other culturally rigid regulations.

Then the movie is over!
"We can't let them do this, Mr. Lance!", a production company manager stood up with a firm and serious expression on his face.

Once someone spoke up, the others stopped remaining silent and said that they couldn't let those bastards mess around.

Lance also nodded. "That's true. We have invested so much in the film industry and it has finally started to develop. No one can destroy our future, no matter who they are or where they come from."

"As I said just now, I plan to set up a federal film commission first. We are the real practitioners, and the rules should be made by us, not them!"

Someone immediately responded loudly, "Yes, that's right, Mr. Lance, you are great, we support you!"

When a lot of people gather together, a collective emotion comes into play and people lose themselves.

However, this process was very subtle and they could not feel it. They could only feel that their emotions were inexplicably becoming agitated.

My brain seemed to say goodbye to my rational self, and then started to follow other people's ideas.

More people expressed their support for Lans' idea of ​​establishing a film committee for filmmakers.

Lance nodded slightly, "Since everyone has this idea, then let's compete with them in speed."

"It just so happens that I know some people in the Golden State. If nothing unexpected happens, we will be the first to establish a federal film commission."

"Before that, you need to sign a letter of intent. You here represent half of the film industry. Only unity can make us stronger!"

People expressed their agreement and simply signed their names to indicate their voluntary participation.

In fact, non-governmental organizations do not need interference from the federal government. They are still quite free in this regard. However, they want to gain recognition from society and the federal government, and then "explain" who should be the standard when disputes arise in the future.

You definitely need to register with the federal government, and the procedures are very complicated.

What Lance meant by this sentence was actually very simple. Without him, the Federal Film Commission would be controlled by a group of opera people, and then the industry would be ruined.

Only by relying on Lance would they have a chance to finalize this "officially recognized non-governmental organization" before those bastards.

The power of this kind of non-governmental organization lies in its ability to regulate the behavior of the entire industry and even has certain law enforcement powers!
Therefore, if you want to successfully register a trademark, it is not enough to just register it. There must be some political relationships and influences involved.

The film industry is indeed a rapidly developing industry, but it is still in its infancy.

Yes, some capital has begun to enter the market early, but for those capital giants, the pool is still too shallow, and they are still waiting and watching.

So there are few of these people who can connect with Congress or get senators to do something for them.

They can only rely on Lance!

After discussing this matter for a while, everyone decided on it. Then Lance brought up the second thing, the influence of gangs on the film industry.

At first they didn't actually intend to support Lance in this matter. They didn't oppose it, but they didn't support it either, because supporting such a thing would definitely require effort.

Lance made it clear from the beginning that he was going to protest.

How to protest?

Sitting in your office, shaking your fist at your employees and shouting "I protest"?
No, we took our employees to the busy streets and held up signs to protest!
They didn't really want to do it, and some even thought of reasons to refuse.

For example, the shooting schedule is tight, or I have no say in the matter and can only go back and discuss it with the shareholders.

Anyway, let's just get through today and wait for next time... No, there won't be a next time, at least not until the thing Lance mentioned is resolved!

But now, they suddenly realized that they were kidnapped!

If they object, the entire industry may face an uncertain future. No one can guarantee that those involved in opera and art will really lower their heads to look at the development of film.

They can only rely on Lance, and when they have to rely on Lance, now that Lance has made a request, wouldn't it be inappropriate for them to refuse?

Some people look like they are constipated. They can't poop, but they want to. When the time comes to poop, neither side can go in or out. It's extremely uncomfortable.

Lance continued to talk about something as if he didn't know these things.

"I asked the director to collect some materials. You may not feel it at ordinary times, but it seems that gangs and other things do not seem to have any impact on our industry."

"But after he collected some materials, I found that the damage and influence of the mafia on the film industry was so huge that we could hardly imagine it."

He gave an example, "Last summer, a crew was blackmailed by local gangsters while filming on location. Because they couldn't reach an agreement, the gangsters smashed their props, filming equipment, and destroyed the film."

“In addition to causing financial losses, the lead actor was beaten, resulting in a delay of more than a month before the filming could resume.”

"Also last year, a film crew was filming in a neighboring state and was asked by local gangs to use the props and houses they provided, and they took the opportunity to charge extremely high fees."

"Also because they couldn't reach an agreement, a conflict broke out between the two sides, which led to the suspension of the entire filming plan. Filming has not resumed yet." He looked at the people inside and casually said something that everyone knew.

"There are many such cases, and you know more about them than I do, so I say that evil forces are becoming one of the biggest problems facing the development of the film industry."

"The burning of my cinema is just one manifestation of this. It also includes illegal copying of films, theft of original films, and even looting."

"If we are hurt but remain silent, the perpetrators will only become more cruel."

"Only by loudly stopping them and drawing the attention of the whole society can they feel scared."

Lance looked at these people and lit a cigarette. "Of course, I'm not asking you to participate. It's all voluntary."

"If there are any of you who think that what I said is right, that we really can't continue to suffer in silence, and that we need to unite to protect the film industry and ourselves."

"Then we will hold a massive demonstration in Xinjin City later."

"If you feel that... we have gone too far in these matters and think that it is inappropriate to do so, you don't have to participate."

After he finished speaking, he smiled, a meaningful smile. Although he looked young, handsome and cool, his smile gave people a kind of... indescribable "evil" feeling.

After waiting for about ten seconds, giving these people time to understand and think, he pointed to the director next to him.

"Whether you are planning to set up a film committee with us or protest with us, you can come to the director and leave your phone number and name, or company name, and I will contact you when the time comes."

"I reiterate again that everything is voluntary and there is no coercion!"

He looked at the professor and nodded slightly, then stood up and said, "That's it for today!"

"If there is anything you don't understand and you need to communicate with me, you can tell the professor. He has my phone number."

Lance left quickly, and after he left, the others stood up.

Some people walked towards the director, while others quietly left the scene after being surrounded by the director.

It is normal that some people are willing to be speculators, while others are willing to continue to wait and see.

It’s like everyone tells you that now is the bottom, some people believe it and some people don’t.

As for how things will develop in the future, no one knows.

After waiting for more than two hours, the director returned to the hotel. He handed two forms to Lance and said, "Not all people participated."

Lance glanced at the two forms. The names of units on the list willing to form a film committee were obviously more than those who were protesting together, about one-third more.

Lance nodded slightly. He took out the list of people who were willing to join the film committee and gave it to the director. "Cross out the names of those who didn't participate in the protest from here. When they ask about it, just say that you missed it when you were sorting out the materials."

The director was a little stunned after hearing this, "Isn't it a bad idea to do this?"

Lance shook his head and said, "You are an expert in filming movies or anything related to movies."

"But other than that, you're too 'young'."

"I have been recognized by the Congressional Cultural Development Committee. I am 'official'. It is the same with them or without them."

"And they will want to join us now more than ever!"

"By then, they will know the price of only thinking about taking advantage of me!"

This officially recognized industry self-regulatory organization has the power to set industry standards.

For example, the Federal Steel Institute, the steel specification standards they set are national standards that the entire federal steel industry must comply with!
You think the steel bars you produce are hard enough and tough enough, but the industry association says they are unqualified. Then you are unqualified and no one dares to buy your products.

Because they bought it, they have to take on possible and great responsibilities.

After the film committee is established, Lance will just have to come up with a rule that "the film must be reviewed by the committee before it can be screened", and these non-member units will just have to wait and see!
This is also why the Federal Arts Council is keen on establishing various subordinate committees and industry associations.

There are too many powers and interests involved!
It’s just that the director doesn’t understand what he says or what he thinks now. He knows nothing about this.

The next day, Lance asked the director to contact them to discuss the process of the demonstration and protest, and also contacted the chief of the police department of Xinjin City.

Although this guy didn't like Lance that much, he still said he would handle it.

The federal government also has relevant laws, but the application is not to ask the federal government or the police department to approve them to hold demonstrations, but to ask them to convey the message to all sectors of society.

On a certain day and at a certain time, there will be a demonstration in a certain place. They have to notify nearby residents and shops, make corresponding preparations, and arrange for mounted police to be responsible for traffic stops.

Later, Jack (Patricia's cousin, a customs officer) called Lance and asked, "I heard that you had some conflicts with the Perez family these days?"

Lance stopped what he was doing and focused on the call. "Yeah, you knew that too?"

Jack laughed, "Get rid of it, you are a big celebrity in Jingang City, the news about you is spreading like crazy down there, they are even discussing how heavy your shit can be!"

"Please, don't say such disgusting things!" Lance cursed with a smile, "What's the matter?"

Jack didn't continue chatting with him and explained the purpose of the call. "I have a batch of goods here, and the delivery address on it is Jinzhou."

"When I was looking up information, I found that the buyer of this batch of goods was a company controlled by the Perez family."

Lance, who was still a little confused about what he wanted to say, gradually smiled and said, "Contact Erwin and stop the cargo at the dock."

"I know what to do, don't worry."

The two chatted for a while and then hung up the phone.

As soon as the phone stopped ringing, it rang again, "Is there anything you forgot to say?"

He thought it was from Jack, but this time it was from Burton, who sounded a little excited.

"It's me, Bolton."

"You have no idea what I found in the next state over!"

The Perez family has no industries in Jingang City or even in Likalai State.

On the one hand, they are not involved in much shipping demand, so there is no need to do anything here.

Secondly, when the five major families in Jingang City were at their peak, they were still very combat-capable. Coupled with a group of superstitious Saint Bell Party members, unless they planned to start a large-scale cross-regional war, they would not consider taking root here at all.

But what made Lance curious was, what were they doing in the next state?
In just a moment, a lot of things passed through Lance's mind. "What did you find?" he asked.

"I discovered they have a 'farm', Maple Kite Farm!"

"Fuck!" Lance couldn't help but swear this time.

Maple hollyhock contains highly hallucinogenic alkaloids. If it weren’t for the outrageous prices of those special painkillers, it might be irreplaceable now!
However, it still has huge sales due to its hallucinogenic properties.

Just like those poisonous mushrooms that are not very toxic, there are always some people who like to eat them because they want to see villains and those bizarre worlds.

The same goes for those who use maple kite grass. This thing is not cheap on the black market!

"Is it on a large scale?" Lance asked softly.

(End of this chapter)