Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 49: The Road is Winding (Bonus Chapter, Please Vote for More)

Monday, June 3, 1996.

The morning in Beijing was filled with the restlessness of early summer, and the shouts of newspaper vendors were more urgent than usual.

The reports from Zhejiang media were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, the ripples of which quickly spread to the national public opinion arena, sparking controversy far beyond Lucheng.

Beijing Film Studio, Director's Office.

Han Sanping sat behind his large desk, with seven or eight newspapers published in Beijing spread out in front of him, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

He had just returned to Beijing from the south last night, and hadn't had time to learn more about the "big news" Wang Sheng had stirred up in Lucheng.

Looking at these reports right now, I feel a throbbing pain in my temples.

This kid...

Wasn't it supposed to be about promoting our business?

You call this advertising?!
He picked up the article in the Beijing Morning Post and read Wang Sheng's speech again carefully.

With clear logic and appropriate citations, it firmly stands on the high ground of reform and opening up and economic development, managing to tear open a gap amidst a chorus of criticism, making it difficult for anyone to completely refute it from the front.

This courage to speak out is something only inexperienced young people, unaware of the true depths of the situation, would dare to do, but this keen sense of public opinion...

No wonder even a seasoned veteran like Boss Chen could be fooled into calling him brother.

Put down the newspaper.

Han Sanping didn't have much to say.

It's too late to regret now.

It would be better to do what Wang Sheng did: directly expose this risk, seize the initiative, use public opinion to gain attention from higher authorities, and deter those who are unscrupulous.

After all, it's a business worth hundreds of millions, and Han Sanping understands this hurdle better than anyone else.

Talent...

Just as he was reflecting on this, the phone on Han Sanping's desk rang.

He answered the phone, and a steady voice came through the receiver: "Comrade Sanping, hello, I am Liang Zheng, deputy director of the interview department of China Youth Daily."

"Oh, Comrade Liang Zheng, hello, hello, what can I do for you?" Han Sanping immediately responded politely.

"That's how it is, Comrade Sanping..." Liang Zheng explained the whole story.

In short, some organization wanted their newspaper to conduct an exclusive interview with Wang Sheng.

Countless thoughts flashed through Han Sanping's mind in an instant.

The China Youth Daily has a huge influence, especially among young and middle-aged people.

He hesitated for a moment, then cautiously replied, "Director Liang, thank you for your newspaper's attention."

However, Comrade Wang Sheng is too young, and his words may be rather direct. Of course, his initial intention was good; he wanted to explore new paths for the factory's reform and development.

Therefore, I need to consult with him first regarding the interview, since he is now the head of an independent company. I will get back to you as soon as possible, is that alright with you?

"Okay, I'll wait for your reply," the other party readily agreed.

After hanging up the phone, Han Sanping immediately asked his secretary to call Wang Sheng.

……

Arrived at Han Sanping's office.

"This is a good thing..."

Upon hearing that the China Youth Daily was coming to conduct an exclusive interview, Wang Sheng immediately agreed and urged Han Sanping to reply as soon as possible.

After Han Sanping finished his call.

Wang Sheng inquired, "Factory manager, how's the equipment loan going?"

Han Sanping rubbed his temples, his cigarette still in hand, and said, "I contacted Emei Film Studio. They said they could lend us their equipment and manpower, and we would bear the costs ourselves. But there's a condition: they want to take 30% of their profits, and the rest is ours. I mean, 50% goes to your Shengying Media, and Beijing Film Studio takes 20% for equipment and personnel management fees."

These people brought their equipment and were going to settle in the Beijing Film Studio.

I did the math; the combined personnel and equipment of both factories are enough to complete at least twenty-five 16mm-level 'custom-made' orders per day, if we really manage to get that many.

That's fifty 16mm cameras.

Is it too much?

It's actually quite normal.

Film studios receive subsidies every year, but if the subsidy is not used up in the current year, the subsidy amount will be reduced in the following year.

Therefore, purchasing equipment became the first choice for various film studios. It could both use up the subsidies and add fixed assets to the studio, which could be said to be the best of both worlds. For example, the Beijing Film Studio purchased broadcast-grade Betacam SP cameras. Such cameras are rarely used in filmmaking. The Beijing Film Studio bought them only to quickly use up the subsidies, and incidentally, they were used for filming TV series, or rented to TV series production crews, or rented to TV stations.

Buying equipment and then renting it out – this is the same business model that film studios will still be using 20 or 30 years from now.

"Very reasonable."

Wang Sheng nodded and then asked, "Has Yu Dong returned?"

"I have already asked my assistant to tell him to hand over his work to someone else and come back as soon as possible. I estimate he will arrive either today or tomorrow."

"..."

The two then discussed the details of the interview, with Han Sanping advising Wang Sheng to be as subtle as possible in his remarks.

"Don't worry, factory manager."

Han Sanping looked at Wang Sheng, hesitant to speak, yet still wanting to.

Oh well, he's young. Even if he said something wrong, he'll probably be forgiven.

……

in the afternoon.

The office of Shengying Media was temporarily used as an interview room.

Zhang Jianwei, a senior reporter from China Youth Daily specializing in economic and macroeconomic policy reporting, and a photographer arrived as scheduled.

Zhang Jianwei is about forty years old, with sharp eyes and a professional and prudent attitude.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the interview began.

Zhang Jianwei's questions went straight to the heart of the matter, from the controversy sparked by the "boundary justice theory" to the rationality of exorbitant service prices, and then to his original intention as a child of the Beijing Film Studio to start his own business.

Wang Sheng was prepared. He did not dwell on defending himself, but instead steered the conversation toward a grander, more tragic, and more relatable topic.

When asked why he chose such a seemingly "unconventional" entrepreneurial path, Wang Sheng paused for a moment, and when he looked up again, his eyes were heavy with sincerity: "Reporter Zhang, you asked me why I did these things? First of all, please understand that I am a child who grew up in the Beijing Film Studio. My parents and my neighbors are all people who have worked for Chinese films all their lives."

"I have personally witnessed this place, which was once glittering with stars and created countless classic films, become struggling under the impact of the market."

Watching top-of-the-line cameras gather dust in the warehouse, seeing the best cinematographers, lighting technicians, and sound engineers have no work to shoot, seeing ordinary workers like my parents worrying themselves sick over medical expenses and their children's jobs.

Wang Sheng's tone suddenly became more serious: "I cannot accept the Beijing Film Studio declining silently like this. If even a long-established base like the Beijing Film Studio cannot survive, what does that mean for the future of Chinese cinema? The loss is too great!"

Zhang Jianwei's expression also turned serious, and he gestured for Wang Sheng to continue.

"Many people say I'm not doing my job properly, and that making wedding videos is a disgrace to the film studio."

Wang Sheng gave a wry smile: "But all that I've done, fundamentally speaking, isn't about destruction, but about salvation!"

"save?"

Zhang Jianwei captured this key word.

“Yes, to save!” Wang Sheng said firmly: “To save the crafts that are about to be abandoned, to save the equipment that is about to rust, to save the workers who may be forced to leave the industry, I am using market-oriented methods to preserve the spark and hardware foundation of Chinese films.”

His tone became increasingly earnest and profound: "What is film? It is art, but also an industry! Without advanced equipment and skilled workers, even the best script and director are like a skilled cook without rice!"
We may not be able to produce world-shaking blockbusters right now, but as long as our industrial system continues to function, our technicians continue to hone their skills, and our equipment continues to be upgraded, as long as the hardware survives, good film content will eventually return!

"What I'm doing now is working hard to make money, using the money to support this team, maintain this equipment, and even upgrade it!"
Give our photographers the opportunity to handle the latest equipment and let our lighting technicians know what kind of lighting effects the market needs now!
Isn't this building up strength for the future, so that Chinese cinema can take off again someday?

"So, you ask me why? My answer is that I am first and foremost the son of a film studio, and I cannot stand by and watch my 'home' fall apart."

My decision to make wedding films may seem like a detour, but in reality, I'm using my own methods to save Chinese cinema—at least, to preserve its potential for growth!

After he finished speaking, the office remained silent for a long time.

Reporter Zhang Jianwei forgot to take notes, and just stared intently at the young man in front of him.

The many pointed questions he had prepared seemed somewhat pale and narrow in the face of this discourse that mixed personal emotions, industry concerns, and grand narratives.

This is no longer a debate about whether "flaunting wealth" is reasonable, but has risen to a young person's reflection on the fate of traditional industries in the midst of societal changes, and an almost tragic, pragmatic effort to survive.

Zhang Jianwei slowly closed the interview notebook and said solemnly, "Comrade Wang Sheng, thank you for your candor. Your views are very insightful and moving. I think we need to re-examine you and what you have done."

"Thank you for your understanding, Reporter Zhang, but I firmly believe that 'the road is tortuous, but the future is bright.'"

As you know, in the past, Chinese films attracted tens of billions of viewers annually.

In other words, the huge movie-going population still exists, but the film market has temporarily entered a period of turbulence.

I believe that as people's economic living standards improve and market reforms succeed, once we revitalize this huge movie-going audience with excellent film content, the box office revenue of a single film could very well reach an astronomical figure that we cannot even imagine!

　It probably won't get published on Sanjiang (a popular Chinese literature platform), but it's expected to be released this week. I'll add an extra chapter as a token gesture.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)