Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 227

"What do you think?"

Li Yishu looked up at Jiang Qinqin: "Do you want me to help her?"

"I…"

Jiang Qinqin didn't expect Li Yishu to throw the question to her. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded and said, "Brother Yishu, if I can help, I still hope you can help her. Jia Jingwen is a very good girl. She is very smart. She will definitely make a lot of money for you in the future."

“Haha, money is not a problem.”

Li Yishu smiled cheerfully and said, "Okay, then give her a call and ask her to return to Yanjing as soon as possible."

"Yes! I'll call her now!" Jiang Qinqin's face lit up with joy, and she quickly ran outside with her cell phone to make a call.

Looking at Jiang Qinqin who ran out in a hurry to make a phone call, Li Yishu smiled. The little girl was really innocent.

A few minutes later, Jiang Qinqin came back again, and said with a happy face: "Brother Yishu, I have already told Jia Jingwen that she will be back by car tomorrow morning."

Li Yishu said, "Then take her to Chang'an Street tomorrow at noon and go directly to Yongmei. I will let her know."

It would be better to let Yongmei be responsible for signing the contract, as it is not convenient for him to talk directly with Jia Jingwen.

"Yeah! Got it, Yishu bro."

"Are you feeling better now? Then hurry up and eat, the mutton hotpot is getting old."

“It’s still delicious even when it’s old!”

Jiang Qinqin happily picked up a piece of overcooked mutton with chopsticks, dipped it in chili oil, and swallowed it. When she took a bite, the juice instantly flowed down the corners of her mouth.

"Eat slowly." Li Yishu took a tissue and helped her wipe the chili oil from the corners of her mouth.

"I understand, Yishu."

Jiang Qinqin smiled and continued to eat. The mutton in clear soup was indeed very delicious, but it still tasted better with chili.

"Jingle Bell……"

At this moment, Li Yishu's cell phone rang. He took it out and saw that it was an unfamiliar number. He answered without thinking too much, "Hello, yes, I remember it. Zhou Xun? OK, I remember it. Are you sure? Sure, then come to Chang'an Street Art Film Company tomorrow."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Qinqin asked curiously, "Who is it, Brother Yishu?"

"No one, eat, I'll take you back to school after you finish eating."

"Uh-huh."

A newsstand near Sanlitun.

"marvelous!!"

Zhou Xun waved her fists excitedly. She didn't expect that the other party really remembered her and that he didn't just give her a business card casually to get by.

The newsstand owner suddenly shouted, "Little girl, the call is over, but you haven't paid yet!"

"Oh, sorry."

Zhou Xun quickly paid the money, then turned around and left excitedly. She had to go back and find a nice set of clothes.

Although Zhou Xun still didn't know what Li Yishu wanted him to do at the art film company tomorrow, he was most likely discussing signing a contract with the company.

Zhou Xun, who has been hanging out in Sanlitun bars for nearly half a year, has heard about a lot of signings.

For example, Dou Wei, Zhang Chu and others who are very popular in the Yanjing rock circle signed contracts with Magic Stone Records under Formosa Rolling Stone Records this year.

There are also countless stories about singers becoming famous overnight in Sanlitun and being signed by record companies.

Zhou Xun is also fascinated by this and hopes that he can become one of them.

Although it wasn't the record company that approached her this time, a film company would also be fine!

Not to mention that this is the company of Li Yishu, the top Chinese director.

From the name "Yishu" Film Company, you can tell that this is the great director's own company.

After returning to the rental house, Zhou Xun began to look for clothes in the closet, but after a thorough search, he found nothing good to look at.

Finally, she gritted her teeth, took out her savings from the cabinet, and ran to Xidan to buy two nice sets of clothes and find someone to do a hairstyle for her.

I can't bear to let the child catch the wolf.

The next morning.

Zhou Xun got up early, changed into beautiful clothes, and then endured the cold weather to wash her hair and blew it dry with a hair dryer.

Fortunately, she had short hair, so it dried quickly indoors. Then she took out a special round-bar curling iron and made the ends of her hair slightly curled. After finishing, she walked out of the house with her dream in her heart.

Chang'an Avenue.

"Art Film Company?"

Half an hour later, looking at the big sign above his head, Zhou Xun took a deep breath and walked in. He walked upstairs and when he reached the second floor, he saw the front desk inside the door.

Seeing someone coming, the receptionist stood up politely and said, "Hello, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Um... I'm here to see Director Lee Ye-seo."

"Do you have a reservation?"

"I...I didn't, but I contacted Director Li by phone yesterday."

"OK, just a second."

The female receptionist picked up the notebook on the table and looked around, then looked up and asked, "Are you Zhou Xun?"

"it's me!"

"Okay, please follow me, the boss is waiting for you inside."

Hearing this, Zhou Xun excitedly followed the female receptionist and came to the door of an office.

Dongdong, they knocked on the door until someone said "come in". The receptionist opened the door and said, "Boss, Manager Yong, Miss Zhou Xun is here."

"Let her in."

Not long after, Zhou Xun walked in. What he saw was Li Yishu sitting on the sofa. Next to her was a woman who looked very intellectual. This should be the Manager Yong that the female receptionist had mentioned just now, right?
Seeing Zhou Xun, who seemed to have dressed up carefully and was wearing heavy makeup, Li Yishu couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Zhou Xun, right? You don't really suit heavy makeup."

"Ah? I..." Zhou Xun's face turned red instantly. She was wearing the most popular Hong Kong style makeup, with heavy makeup and her hair was deliberately slightly curled.

I didn't expect Li Yishu to say it was not suitable, which really hit her self-esteem.

"I think she's pretty." Yongmei smiled and waved, "Zhou Xun, right? Come and sit down." Zhou Xun quickly thanked her, "Thank you, Manager Yong."

Yongmei raised her eyebrows. This girl is quite smart and can remember things.

Li Yishu deliberately asked, "Zhou Xun, you played in "The Tomb of the Ancients" before, why didn't you develop in this direction, but instead went to a bar to be a singer?"

"Director Li, the main reason is that there is no opportunity. I also want to continue to be an actor."

Zhou Xun said: "I just graduated this year. I studied dance choreography and folk dance. After graduation, although I was assigned a job, I didn't like it very much. So I thought about coming to Yanjing to see if there is any opportunity..."

"Are you studying dance choreography?" Yongmei looked Zhou Xun up and down. This little guy seemed to have a good figure.

Zhou Xun nodded: "Yes, Manager Yong, Zhejiang Art School."

Hearing this, Yongmei smiled and said, "Boss, it seems that Zhou Xun has a connection with our company. He studied at Zhejiang Art School, and now he is here for an interview at our Art Film Company."

“It’s quite predestined.”

Li Yishu glanced at Zhou Xun, who was looking expectant, thought for a moment, and said, "Manager Yong, show the contract to Zhou Xun."

"Okay, boss." Yongmei stood up and walked to the desk, took out a pre-prepared contract and walked over: "Zhou Xun, our company is interested in signing you, take a look at the contract."

"No need to look!" Zhou Xun said without hesitation: "I believe Director Li will not lie to me, and there is nothing to lie about me."

Hearing this, Li Yishu smiled and said, "You still have to watch it. You are the first artist signed by our company. We are also trying our best to explore this aspect. You should take a closer look at it yourself."

In terms of artist contracts, it is still in the early stages in mainland China. Li Yishu does not play the 46: capital split that was later adopted. The split is : during the newcomer period. At the same time, the company will provide accommodation, assistants, and agents.

Once they become famous, the commission will probably be maintained at 55%. Later, depending on the situation, the company will gradually reduce the commission rate, and even set up a studio for each artist in the end.

At that time, the company will invest and hold a portion of the shares, and the artist will take the majority of the shares and become the boss.

This model was the most common brokerage model in mainland China before 2013. The four Dans and two Bings selected in the Millennium Awards basically all followed this path.

The main reason why we don’t learn from Hong Kong or Europe and the United States is that they are not suitable.

Of course, it is very difficult for artists to set up studios nowadays. When Li Yishu was formulating this contract with Yongmei, they also had a special chat about it. This studio can be launched in the future, but for now, a normal agency contract is still adopted.

Seeing that Li Yishu was not joking, Zhou Xun hesitated and picked up the contract on the table to read it. She couldn't understand the legal provisions, but she understood the salary very clearly.

The commission rate is 4-6%, which Zhou Xun can accept. After all, the company also rents a house for you, provides you with an assistant and an agent, all of which are paid by the company. At the same time, the company also promises that no less than two TV series will be filmed every year, and the contract term is 10 years.

For Zhou Xun, this is undoubtedly a great contract from heaven! !
Zhou Xun just saw these salary issues and immediately looked up and said, "Director Li, I have no problem. If I don't sign such a good contract, I would be stupid."

At this point, she quickly looked at Yongmei beside her and said, "Manager Yong, do you have a pen? I'll sign the contract now."

Yongmei subconsciously looked at Li Yishu, and when she saw him nod slightly, she stood up and walked to the desk and took out a pen.

Taking the pen, Zhou Xun quickly signed his name, and with a smile, he extended his hand: "Manager Yong, from now on I will be your soldier, and I will do whatever you ask me to do."

Hearing this, Yongmei smiled from ear to ear and took the initiative to extend her hand: "Congratulations on joining our Art Times."

"Art Times?" Zhou Xun was slightly stunned. Isn't this an art film company?
Yongmei explained: "Art Times is an agency, and it is registered under the name of our art film company. There is no difference. It is mainly for the convenience of management."

"oh oh!!"

Zhou Xun smiled and said, "Then I am the number one artist of Wen Yi Shi Dai, am I considered the number one celebrity?"

Yongmei nodded: "Yes, you are the number one lady in the company!"

"Director Li, oh, no, it should be the boss! Boss, please give me more guidance in the future."

Zhou Xun had been working in bars for nearly half a year, so he had a good grasp of the social skills. He immediately became active as soon as he signed the contract.

Li Yishu smiled and said, "Well, the company will participate in the production of a TV series next. You will be arranged to start with a supporting role and work your way up step by step. As for the movie, the company will invest in a big production next, and you will be allowed to participate in it then."

"That's great!" Zhou Xun's eyes lit up. She didn't expect to have a job right after signing the contract. It turned out that joining the company had its benefits.

After they chatted for a while, Yongmei went out and called an assistant to show Zhou Xun around the company. Then she talked to Li Yishu about the future development of Wen Yi Shidai.

"Recruit more people. Next, Art Times can start signing artists on a large scale. However, it is better to have fewer people than too many. We will try to choose those with good looks and good acting skills."

Li Yishu gave Yongmei some pointers, and then talked about Jia Jingwen. This girl is going to sign a 20-year contract, which theoretically means she is tied to the company forever.

After all, the best age for a female star is between 20 and 35 years old.

20 years have passed, and it is already after 2014, which was the era of the 85 flowers.

Yongmei asked, "Boss, is the contract as we discussed before?"

"Well, according to what we discussed, we will give her 4-6 points, but we have to deduct the money she borrowed from the company. The company will cover her food, accommodation and lodging for the time being."

Although Li Yishu is not a capitalist, she is not a philanthropist either. The money she paid to Jia Jingwen is estimated to be several million. It is highly likely that this girl will not be able to bring so much profit to the company in a short period of time.

What's more, Jia Jingwen was still in college, and Li Yishu didn't want her to give up her studies. She wanted her to take on acting jobs while studying for a few years. When she graduated from college, it would be the peak period for the booming development of TV dramas in mainland China.

By then, Jia Jingwen will be able to start speeding up commercial performances, taking on acting roles and endorsements.

After chatting for a while, Li Yishu saw that it was getting late, so he stood up and said, "I have something else to do, so I'll leave first. As for the TV series, you can hire some screenwriters to try to write them. For now, focus on historical dramas, similar to the Hong Kong drama "The Story of Qianlong" two years ago."

"Okay, boss." Yongmei nodded. She was also recruiting screenwriters recently, but not many applicants came for the interview.

It was still inconvenient for Li Yishu to meet Jia Jingwen because Jiang Qinqin was there, and he couldn't talk to her, so he handed it over to Yongmei directly.

Around noon, Jiang Qinqin brought Jia Jingwen here, and Yongmei signed a 20-year contract with Jia Jingwen according to the contract she had discussed with Li Yishu before.

Yongmei looked at the contract and found no problems, so she said, "Jingwen, the boss has already told me that you can arrange for your father to be transferred to a hospital in Hong Kong. The company will help contact a hospital that treats lymphoma there, and the company will help advance the medical expenses."

"Thank you, thank you Manager Yong!"

Jia Jingwen was so moved that she burst into tears.

Ever since she learned yesterday that her father went bankrupt due to business failure and was diagnosed with lymphoma, she felt like the sky was falling.

Fortunately, Jia Jingwen thought of Jiang Qinqin's brother, the famous director Li Yishu, and after much deliberation, she decided to sell herself to the other party's company.

Selling oneself to pay off debts is very common in Hong Kong and Taiwan, but there are only a few cases like Jia Jingwen who voluntarily sells herself to pay off her father's illness. Most of the time, it is bad parents forcing their daughters to do so.

The more famous ones are Ada Choi and Chen Baolian. Both of them had to enter the entertainment industry early because their mothers were addicted to gambling.

The former is kept by Liu Cixin and has debts that he cannot repay; the latter shoots pornographic films and has endless clothes to take off.

The experiences of these two people are no secret in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Various gossip news have already revealed the news, and Jia Jingwen has read many related articles before.

Therefore, Jia Jingwen felt extremely fortunate to be able to sell herself to Li Yishu's company.

She was glad that she applied to the Beijing Film Academy and that she met Jiang Qinqin, so that she would not become like Cai Shaofen and Chen Baolian, with debts to repay and clothes to take off.

(End of this chapter)