Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 334 Action Film Talent

“Brother, you’re right.”

As Han Sanping led Zhang Yan inside, he said, "Ever since that 'mad dog' was caught, the attitudes of those film and television companies have become much more submissive, and no one dares to provoke us anymore..."

Zhang Yan interrupted him, shaking his head and saying, "I definitely didn't do that."

"But it does have something to do with you, doesn't it?"

Han Sanping winked at Zhang Yan, giving him a knowing look that suggested he genuinely knew the inside story, but still attributed the credit to Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan wanted to ask more questions, but since they had already arrived at Leader Lin's study, he quickly put on a smile and went up to greet him.

Since they were all acquaintances, Leader Lin didn't exchange many pleasantries with Zhang Yan. He pointed to the mahogany sofa chair opposite them, indicating for the two to sit down, and then said, "The main reason I invited you here this time is to hear what Sanping has gained this time. It would be good if you could help us analyze it as well, Xiao Zhang."

Since the goal is to hear Han Sanping's findings, it's natural for Han Sanping to speak first.

Han Sanping usually has a calm and capable demeanor, and is somewhat assertive—of course, this "somewhat" refers to his presence in front of Zhang Yan; in front of the employees of Beijing Film Studio, he exudes authority.

But in front of Director Lin, he naturally dared not be presumptuous. Before even speaking, he showed a slight smile: "Director Lin, you must have already made up your mind. But since you want to hear it, I'll just throw out a few words to get the ball rolling."

In my opinion, if our state-owned film studios want to survive, the only option right now is to focus on low- to medium-budget commercial films. We also need to break away from the habit of hoarding our own talent and start discovering commercial film talent from outside.

Of course, there is another way, which is to learn from Hong Kong Island's experience and reform the cinema system, allowing film studios to transform from production to sales.

However, this latter path seems to be only viable for Beijing Film Studio and Shanghai Film Studio, as these two locations are the most important box office markets in the country. Even if other film studios obtain the rights to operate cinemas, they can only barely survive.

The idea of ​​commercial films is old news, but the idea of ​​film studios taking over cinema chains is somewhat novel.

But this involves many aspects. Not to mention Han Sanping now, even Leader Lin can only make a suggestion and wait for the higher-ups to make a decision.

So instead of asking about the cinema chain, Director Lin pressed on, saying, "You said you want to invest in low- to medium-budget commercial films, which is a bit too broad. Could you elaborate?"

"It is like this, Director Lin. During my inspection in Hong Kong Island, I found that in recent years, comedy films have supported half of Hong Kong Island, while martial arts films are rapidly declining."

My idea is to discover comedy film talent in mainland China, while also bringing in action film talent from Hong Kong. Things that people in Hong Kong are tired of should still have a market here, so we can take advantage of the downturn in Hong Kong to buy in at the bottom of the market.

Once we've absorbed the essence of Hong Kong's action films, we can produce our own large-scale action movies, just like those starring Chen Long and Jet Li.

Although Hollywood had risen to prominence, eleven years before its dominance over mainland China, people did not have a clear impression of the strength of industrial films.

In contrast, the impact of Chen Long and Jet Li's films on Asia is more directly apparent. Therefore, the blockbusters that Han Sanping currently envisions are action movies made by Chen Long and Jet Li.

After hearing Han Sanping's words, Leader Lin nodded slightly and looked at Zhang Yan beside him, saying, "This is similar to your idea—when you left Hong Kong, didn't you ask Yindu to help you find a suitable martial arts instructor?"

"I focused more on martial arts TV dramas."

Zhang Yan hurriedly said, "Movies and martial arts dramas are different. Movies require more sophisticated action design and rely more on top talents."

After a pause, he added, "Excuse me for speaking frankly, although martial arts dramas are declining, it will probably not be so easy to poach the talent of Hong Kong martial arts films, because although martial arts films are showing signs of decline, other types of films also have action elements."

Furthermore, the economic gap between Hong Kong Island and the mainland is still quite significant. Hiring Hong Kong and Taiwan crews and producing low-budget productions would likely be difficult to integrate, unless they hire unknown individuals.

But what makes an unknown person think they can gamble on his abilities? Our private company, Yuanmeng, which operates on a self-sustaining basis, dares to take that gamble, and Brother Han, with his considerable courage, should also dare to do so, but I suspect most state-owned film studios wouldn't.

Han Sanping wasn't annoyed that half of his idea had been rejected. He lowered his head and pondered for a moment before questioning Zhang Yan: "Don't you have any problems with bringing in martial arts talents from Hong Kong to make TV series?"

Zhang Yan explained confidently, "It's not that there aren't any, but I don't want the top batch. Also, the actors are newcomers from martial arts schools."

After all, television dramas and movies are different. Television viewers are more receptive to newcomers, while movies require a certain level of box office appeal. Therefore, even in Hong Kong, few film companies dare to gamble on newcomers these days—and even if they do, they'll definitely add other elements, such as riding the coattails of a blockbuster film or having a well-known director involved.

After Zhang Yan's reminder, Han Sanping also realized that there were indeed fewer newcomers emerging in Hong Kong films with original works in the past two years than before.

Even those who have made it big often try to ride on the coattails of their predecessors.

For example, Zhao Wenzhuo first played the villain in "Fong Sai-yuk", and then replaced Jet Li in the Wong Fei-hung series, riding on Jet Li's popularity both times.

A number of actresses have emerged, but that's because actresses are usually not responsible for box office success, so they have more opportunities to try and fail.

Thinking of this, Han Sanping couldn't help but secretly admire Zhang Yan's insight; this kid really saw things more deeply and meticulously than others.

So he asked, "Brother Zhang, what do you suggest we do? We can't just watch this great opportunity slip away, can we?"

"Is this..."

Zhang Yan hesitated for a moment, then said seriously, "If our state-owned factory really wants to develop action films, I think we should lower ourselves and try to shoot some martial arts TV series."

Brother Han, you're absolutely right. What Hong Kong audiences are tired of watching, mainland audiences still enjoy watching. And as provincial TV stations gradually go satellite, the demand for high-quality programs will only increase.

The film studio could certainly focus on martial arts dramas, aiming to turn a profit while recruiting talent from Hong Kong and simultaneously cultivating action film crews from the mainland.

Yuanmeng also wants to produce martial arts dramas. This is not exactly inviting trouble, but it's at least creating some competitors for himself.

But Zhang Yan still felt that building good relationships and connections was more beneficial to realizing his dream in the future than trying to keep everything to himself.

"This……"

Han Sanping hesitated. Although the eight major film studios had all produced some TV series, they were mostly documentaries and art films, and were all practice works by newcomers.

This suddenly led filmmakers to lower their standards and rely on making martial arts dramas to earn money...

At this point, Leader Lin said with satisfaction, "Xiao Zhang's suggestion can be brought up at the summary meeting first—we won't force it. If the film studio can find a more suitable method, that would be even better."

He wasn't a supervisor anyway; he was just leading this inspection team on this trip. If he could offer some practical suggestions, it would be a plus for him in his unit, which is why he summoned Han Sanping and Zhang Yan.

The idea Zhang Yan has come up with is reasonable and in line with current trends. The biggest obstacle is simply the issue of saving face by not being able to put it on the table, which is enough for him to use to get by.

Han Sanping clearly realized this as well, so the rest of the conversation consisted mostly of casual conversation.

However, once he left Leader Lin's house, he immediately dragged Zhang Yan to a nearby restaurant to discuss whether producing martial arts dramas by the film studio was a good way out.

“Your Beijing Film Studio’s reputation still carries a lot of weight,” Zhang Yan said slowly after ordering. “At least buying the adaptation rights from martial arts masters like Jin Yong and Liang Yusheng would be easier than realizing our dream, especially around 97.”

Han Sanping lowered his head and pondered for a moment, clearly showing that he was interested.

After all, compared to investing in low-budget films, collaborating with people in Hong Kong to adapt novels by Jin Yong and Liang Yusheng is clearly a safer bet and more likely to change the current predicament of Beijing Film Studio.

This also aligns with his desire to make action movies.

As for the issue of face...

Does it make you look good if you can't pay salaries?

Having figured this out, he poured Zhang Yan a cup of tea, raised his wine glass and said, "Brother, this is the second time you've given me guidance. I won't say anything more; it's all in the wine!"

(End of this chapter)