The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 7 A True Shandong Native (Third Update)

Zhou Qifeng was full of questions: "Senior, you just confidently analyzed the industry, the market, and the content. How confident you were just now!"

"He also expressed his determination, and I think even President Han was moved."

Shen Shandeng remained unmoved.

Why is my junior brother so naive?

Do you believe everything you're told?
Some people claim they'll land on the moon in 2020, and you believe them?!
Thinking that he would need to rely on his junior brother for work in the future, Shen Shandeng explained, "The market is unpredictable, and no one can guarantee success."

"It's true that I've made two short films, but for projects at this level, whether or not I've made them doesn't make a big difference."

The typical path for a director usually involves making short films and winning some low-budget awards or college student awards.

To prove that you have certain talents.

This process can take anywhere from one to two years to much longer.

Those with some connections will try to apply for support from the Youth Film Fund.

This is even more of a case of too many monks and too little meat.

Or perhaps they've encountered a nouveau riche who's been taken advantage of and wants to get a taste of "art."

Or perhaps it's about washing rice (money), praising someone, and getting a feature film opportunity.

A young director with no background can make money by shooting music videos and commercials, and then sell everything he owns to produce a feature film. Ideally, it should be shown on a movie channel, which would be a TV movie, to prove that he has the ability to handle feature films.

So far, this is just a TV movie; there will be a theatrical release later.

Only directors who can make money from theatrical releases can attract star actors.

It usually takes ten to twenty years to get to this stage, and many young directors never get their films released in theaters in their entire lives.

A director who has one theatrical film is already a top performer in the industry, at the very top.

Shen Shandeng plagiarized dozens of songs and gained some fame, but he was just an online singer who didn't work in the physical world, so his social status and fame didn't match.

Even for top-tier singers, becoming a director is difficult.

Jay Chou was able to get the filming done not only because of his own fame, but also because he had the support of people in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and even then, it was just a nominal role.

On the mainland, it's incredibly difficult for actors like Xu Zheng and Chen Sicheng to transition into directing.

Xu Zheng entered the film production field with the help of Enlight Media, while Chen Sicheng entered the film production field with the help of theatrical releases.

Both of them caught the wave of opportunity and reached the top of the acting industry to have such a chance.

In short.

For an individual, ability is certainly important, but the platform and opportunities also matter.

The film industry is currently on the eve of a major rise in Chinese film capital.

The night before was the darkest hour before dawn.

Shen Shandeng doesn't believe that he can get people to help him put together a 100 million yuan production simply by presenting a detailed script and proposal, along with a clear marketing strategy.

Even with Han Sanping's strong support, there were other voices within China Film Group.

Even if China Film Group fully supports him, it's impossible for them to invest all of it. If he leads the investment, how can he convince other investors to support Shen Shandeng as well?

Shen Shandeng's boasting is nothing more than a desire for a small to medium-sized production.

He will gain a certain share and increase his influence.

With the help of China Film Group to organize the project, distribution and theater chains were guaranteed.

Zhou Qifeng was deeply shocked; his senior brother was really something else.

"But."

Even after entering the school, Zhou Qifeng still hadn't recovered.

Shen Shandeng said meaningfully, "There's no 'but.' You should know that of all the meals, government-provided meals are the best. If I don't eat this meal, someone else will. Why shouldn't I?"

We must find a way to eat this!

The film fund is there; it can handle projects like "The Warlords" and "Red Cliff".

They offered a 100 million yuan salary to the lead actor who paid outsiders to act in the film.

In comparison, if it were really worth 100 million yuan to make "Brotherhood of Blades", Shen Shandeng would definitely dare to do it!
There is no psychological burden.

And there were no other easy routes to take.

Shen Shandeng could invest himself, but it wouldn't make a difference if he led the investment.

He had no theatrical releases and no track record of success, so people didn't believe him.

Without trying, you can't succeed; but without success, it's hard to even begin.

Blocked at both ends!
Shen Shandeng considered contacting the coal mine owner, but after learning about the situation, he gave up.

Putting aside the current time, it seems that small coal mines have not yet undergone large-scale remediation.

Even if things are regulated, do you think coal mine owners are just sitting around doing nothing?
They treat money like a bathtub, that's the first point.

The second man wanted to play with women.

There are plenty of people who can swindle coal mine owners.

But the question is, is Shen Shandeng a director from Hong Kong Island, or is he from a privileged background?
In his previous life, he worked in construction. He would sometimes fight to the death for a basketball court, a playground, or a school cafeteria, even though those projects only cost a few hundred thousand.

The later version of "In the Name of the Law" is simply laughable.

Yu Tiancheng is not clean, and Wan Hai is just like a white lotus flower. Who are they trying to fool?

In engineering and coal mining, you can't survive without ruthless methods.

Coal mine owners haven't entered the market on a large scale yet, so it's not easy for them to take advantage of others.

Without connections or anyone backing you up, people who lose money will try to get it back through other means.

As for coal mine owners who aren't afraid of losses, they were never in the business of making movies in the first place.

It's about washing rice, and it's also about actresses. If Shen Shandeng sends actresses up there, and he's still like this even after being reborn, then he's truly useless.

As for Enlight Media, its current focus is on distribution.

Huayi has a serious problem with its social circles; once you're involved, it's hard to shake them off.

Entering the industry through China Film Group is the path with the fewest hidden dangers.

China is already on the eve of a transformation in its film industry, needing to break free from external dependence and serve domestic demand. Furthermore, the strategy of producing period dramas and blockbuster films is also in a period of transformation.

Shen Shandeng worked tirelessly for Han Sanping, yet he could still claim to have contributed to Chinese cinema.

What's the point of working so hard for other private companies?
Even if he has a falling out with Han Sanping in the future, as long as he continues to serve the film industry, no one can say anything about it.

Yes.

Shen Shandeng had just established a friendship with Han Sanping and was already considering fleeing.

Of course, now that I'm on Han Sanping's side, there are huge benefits.

By linking himself to the other party's large-scale strategy, Shen Shandeng is not afraid of falling as long as Han Sanping is around.

Ning Hao could also do it, but he lacks the necessary knowledge in this area.

Shen Shandeng used his fame to advocate for Han Sanping's film reforms.

Like some celebrities in later generations, they often travel back to their hometowns to cultivate good relationships with the local governments.

If something happens, having this connection will at least save face.

This is not just a personal matter for the celebrity; the impact must also be considered.

Even if things go wrong, celebrities often visit their hometowns and become associated with the image of those hometowns. From a broader perspective, if something goes wrong, it will have a negative impact.

This isn't bureaucratic behavior; it's covering up fundamental issues.

For a leader to get things done, he must have prestige. Unless it's a matter of principle, how can he get anything done if he can't protect his own people?

As you can see, Elon Musk, the brilliant tech pioneer, doesn't make money through rockets, cars, or technology; that's just his persona.

People rely on subsidies for their livelihood, while a large portion of the profits from car sales comes from carbon credit trading.

As a native of Shandong, I definitely need to work for the government.

What's wrong with telling a white lie when you're working for the government?
And it's not a lie. The script is real, the theme song is real, the project plan is real, and the analysis of theater development and industry development is real.

The old man should thank Han Sanping for outlining the future of the industry!

No sooner had Shen Shandeng and his junior brother left China Film Group than Wang Zhongjun, who was playing golf at the clubhouse, heard the news.

When they received the news, everyone was stunned.

what?
China Film Group has a big project about to start!

Okay, Hua Yi will see if he can get a share.

what?
One billion!

It’s really not small.

what?
The initial review has passed; they say Third Master has been persuaded.

It's definitely a big project.

Who is the director? It's unlikely to be Chen Kaige.

what?
Are they trying to promote a new director?

and many more!

wrong!

Sources close to Han Sanping also said that it was a song that captivated him.

Wang Zhongjun was completely confused.

After finishing the game and parting ways with my friend, I casually tipped the caddie.

Wang Zhongjun boarded the golf cart, puzzled: "Who is this Shen Shandeng?"

Wang Zhonglei, who had also come to join the fun, asked, "Brother, what's wrong?"

Wang Zhongjun briefly explained the information he had.

A song got an old man to support a 100 million yuan project? Wang Zhonglei was dumbfounded!

That expression seemed to say, "Brother, do you even believe what you're saying?"
Unable to bear the way his younger brother looked at him like he was an idiot, Wang Zhongjun added, "He's a graduate student at the Beijing Film Academy, studying film management."

"You're kidding me!" Wang Zhonglei didn't believe it at all: "Is it because he's learning about cars that we're going to build him a factory to play around with? Whose factory is it?"

“Given President Han’s style, anything he puts in there won’t pass through his hands; it must be a legitimate project,” Wang Zhongjun said. “We don’t have much information right now, but it has caught President Han’s eye, so it’s worth making contact with first.”

No matter how new the person is, with China Film Group leading the way, there's bound to be profit in China. That's the current strength of Han Sanping.

Wang Zhongjun had other ideas.

Huayi is pushing for a company listing, which is unprecedented for mainland entertainment companies and can be considered a pioneering move.

Huayi currently relies heavily on Feng Xiaogang and needs new directors to at least demonstrate a less singular approach.

People have path dependence. Wang Zhongjun had tasted the sweetness of poaching talent. Feng Xiaogang's New Year's film was decided by Han Sanping, which opened up the New Year's film season for domestic films.

Han Sanping is optimistic now; what if it turns out to be another small but powerful machine?
Shen Shandeng returned to his teacher's office.

"What a beautiful place"

The phone kept ringing.

Blinded.

The phone kept ringing; the news spread way too fast!

(End of this chapter)