Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 64 Cooperation Achieved

The atmosphere at the table relaxed.

Cai Yinong readily chimed in, speaking with a smile.

"Chairman Han and General Manager Fu are talking about the big picture, but we, Tangren, are a small business, and we don't have that kind of thinking."

"Mr. Fu, now that you've won the Golden Bear trophy, I can't sit still at home!"

She put down her chopsticks with an elegant posture, but her tone carried a genuine and earnest enthusiasm.

"Sugar Man has been deeply involved in the TV drama industry for many years and believes he has some resources."

But when it comes to movies, we are complete novices.

You're an expert, and you've won one of Europe's three highest awards. Could you give us some pointers?

This is a humble statement, even bordering on self-deprecation.

But everyone present could understand that Tsai Yinong wasn't just being polite; she genuinely wanted to board the ship of dawn and knock on the door of the film industry.

Fu Yibai did not answer immediately.

He put down his wine glass and tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice, as if he were thinking or waiting for something.

Sure enough, Wang Changtian also spoke up.

"Mr. Cai's words resonated with me perfectly."

Wang Changtian pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his smile revealing the shrewdness and honesty characteristic of a businessman.

"Enlight Media started by making TV programs, so it has some advantages in distribution and promotion channels."

But in terms of production, especially film content, we really lack good projects and good partners.

Director Fu, if you have any suitable scripts, or if Morningstar needs to share some of its financial risks, Enlight Media is always willing to lend a hand.

At this point, it's no longer just polite talk.

One company wants to move from television dramas into the film industry, while the other wants to extend from distribution to upstream production.

Chenxi has projects, a good reputation, and the prestigious brand of Fu Yibai, which is exactly the kind of opportunity they all want to seize.

As soon as Cai Yinong finished speaking, Wang Changtian followed suit with his statement, and the air in the private room seemed to freeze for a moment.

Li Ming, holding a wine glass, wanted to interject, but swallowed his words back.

Xiao Ma Ben Teng has a deep foundation in the field of television dramas, but he is even more clueless about the path of film than Cai Yinong.

At this moment, all I can say is shout, "Director Fu, take me under your wing!" I can't say anything more substantial.

Han Shanping put down his chopsticks, slowly wiped the corner of his mouth, and glanced at the people present with interest before finally landing on Fu Yibai's face.

His eyes clearly said: Kid, let's see how you respond.

Fu Yibai did not speak immediately.

"President Cai, President Wang, thank you both for your kind invitation."

His tone was calm and unhurried.

"I've only been on the film path for two years, so I can't really offer guidance. I can only share some lessons learned for your reference."

Cai Yinong immediately sat up straighter.

Wang Changtian adjusted his glasses, his gaze focused.

"Making movies, especially impactful ones, boils down to three things: a good story, a good team, and good distribution channels."

Fu Yibai tapped the table three times with his finger.

He paused, then looked at Tsai Yinong.

"If Mr. Cai really wants to knock on the door of the film industry, the first way is to pay tuition."

Choose a small-scale, genre-specific project that is easy to pass censorship, invest a sum of money you can afford to lose, and find a reliable young director to practice with.

Chenxi can help with the script, but Cai Zong has to choose the director himself, set up the stage himself, and even calculate the accounts himself.

Cai Yinong listened attentively but did not respond immediately.

"What about the second way?" she asked.

"The second way is to borrow a boat and go to sea."

Fu Yibai slowed down his speech.

"Chenxi has a high-budget commercial film with special effects next year, a fantasy romance film."

If Mr. Cai is interested, we can retain a 5% investment share.

Chenxi is the main controller, and Tangren is a co-investor. They do not participate in creative decisions, but can send producers to the crew to learn.

The film was completed, and Sugar Man earned box office revenue and experience.

The film flopped, Dawn covered the losses, and Sugar Man only lost a small portion.

Tsai Yinong's eyes lit up for a moment, then she suppressed them again.

She didn't ask which movie it was, nor did she ask about the specific conditions.

Asking too many detailed questions in this kind of situation would make you seem petty.

"We appreciate Mr. Fu's kind gesture."

She picked up her wine glass, taking it very seriously.

"I'll have my legal and finance departments settle the accounts when I get back, and we can discuss it in detail when it's convenient for you."

As soon as Cai Yinong finished speaking, Han Shanping coughed lightly.

Although nothing was said, the meaning was self-evident.

"Mr. Han, if China Film Group is interested, we can also co-invest, but it cannot exceed 30%."

"A blockbuster?"

"Blockbuster."

"What is the investment budget?"

"It hasn't been done yet, but it's at least fifty million."

Han Shanping's eyes lit up when he heard that it would cost at least fifty million.

This is truly a blockbuster.

"You've finally stopped making small-scale mistakes."

Okay, China Film Group is following suit.

Once you've completed your project proposal, come to China Film Group to discuss it in detail.

Fu Yibai smiled bitterly to himself. It wasn't that he didn't want to make blockbusters, but at this time, the pressure to recoup the costs of high-budget commercial films was simply too great.

If it weren't to establish Chenxi's position in the industry, Fu Yibai would never have started a high-cost commercial film so early.

He can only hope that the expansion of domestic cinemas this year will be effective.

Otherwise, they can only rely on selling copyrights to recoup their costs.

"Director Fu, the fiber optic side is also willing to support you, what do you think…"

"5%, just like with sugar figurines, we can send people in to learn alongside the team."

Fu Yibai didn't waste any words. The reason he invited them to today's "victory celebration banquet" was to cooperate with them and form an alliance.

Because of Fan Binbin, Chenxi has fallen out with Huayi, and now can only try its best to win over some allies in the industry.

That way, if Chenxi really uses her methods against Huayi in the future, she won't be all alone and helpless.

"Director Fu, Xiao Ma doesn't have many distribution channels or much film experience, but he has money and sincerity!"

Li Ming paused, seemingly feeling that the words were too blunt, and then added.

"Please don't think I'm too blunt; I'm not one to beat around the bush."

Xiao Ma is willing to co-invest in any projects that Chenxi will be short of funding for in the future.

Xiao Ma is willing to take over the projects that Chenxi doesn't want to take risks on.

"As long as you agree, we can discuss the specific terms behind closed doors."

Fu Yibai's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't laugh out loud; however, a faint smile flickered in his eyes.

Li Ming is a man who is both rough and straightforward.

But being straightforward has its advantages—such people won't hide their true intentions when faced with personal gain.

"Mr. Li, you flatter me."

His tone was gentle.

"Xiao Ma Ben Teng has been deeply involved in the TV drama field for many years, and its strengths lie in production management and cost control."

Chenxi will be quite active in the drama series sector in the future, and Mr. Li is open to collaboration, so there will be many opportunities.

If Mr. Li is also interested in this project, Xiao Ma can also invest 5%.

Li Ming understood the weight of those words, and a smile immediately spread across his face as he picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"Thank you very much!"

The celebration banquet was coming to an end at nine o'clock in the evening.

Han Shanping, Wang Changtian, Li Ming, and Cai Yinong took their leave one after another, and Fu Yibai personally saw them off at the entrance of the club.

"Let's go back too."

Sister Qi, please organize the materials for "The Search" by tomorrow.

"We're not only submitting 'Caught in the Web' for the Golden Rooster Awards, but we're also going to participate in this year's Golden Horse Awards."

"Okay, I'll prepare the registration materials tomorrow."

After saying goodbye to Zhao Qi, Fu Yibai led Fan Binbin and Hu Jing into the car.

Liu Yan acted as the driver, taking the three of them towards Fan Binbin's apartment.