Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 394 Pulling out the thorns

Zhang Guojun instinctively tried to stand up, but was pulled back by Pan Hongye next to him.

This calmed Zhang Guojun down a bit. Recalling the recent rumors, he took a deep breath and tried to compose himself. He forced a smile and said, "Mr. Zhang, it's my job as a producer to help choose actors. Since you've made me a producer, of course I have to do my best."

"Haha, brother, you're underestimating yourself too much."

Zhang Yan still adopted a flattering tone, but his words were a warning to Zhang Guojun: "You are first and foremost the boss of Tianyin Film and Television, and the second-highest investor after our Yuanmeng. Although your investment is less, you cannot belittle yourself and position yourself as a member of the crew, rather than someone at a higher level."

To put it bluntly, Zhang Guojun, you are not only a producer but also a partner. Since it is a collaboration between the two parties, there must be rules for cooperation. You can't apply the principle of "trusting people without reservation" to yourself; that applies to your subordinates, not to you, Zhang Guojun!

Although Zhang Guojun was impulsive and stubborn, he was not stupid and quickly understood the implied meaning in Zhang Yan's words.

His face hesitated unnaturally for a few moments, his eyes showing both anger and resentment, as well as a hint of helplessness.

Ultimately, it was because he couldn't adjust his mindset; he still thought he was at the Beijing Film Studio and regarded Zhang Yan as the director of the studio.

In that era, it was common for experienced and accomplished producers to retort to factory directors, let alone when the director felt he was in the right.

However, this approach is completely different when applied to the business world and commercial partnerships.

"Old Zhang."

Seeing this, Pan Hongye quickly interrupted, saying, "You really have a knack for picking actors. Since Director Zhang has entrusted you with this important task, you must do it well and not let Director Zhang find any fault with it."

Although these words were meant to give Zhang Guojun a way out, Zhang Guojun was not grateful to Pan Hongye. Instead, he glared at his old friend unhappily.

This statement also acknowledges Zhang Yan's arrangement.

Am I really going to have to swallow this bitter pill without saying a word?!
"Brother Zhang."

At this point, Zhang Yan added, "In the end, we are all working to make this drama a success. As the saying goes, 'A snake cannot function without a head.' You are the one who is expected to take on the responsibility of selecting actors, so you must not shirk it."

As he spoke, he looked at Shi Ling, who was sitting next to Zhang Guojun: "Assistant Director Shi, don't you think this makes sense?"

Shi Ling is the screenwriter and assistant director.

He had previously thought that Zhang Guojun's selection of actors was something that had been agreed upon by both parties, but after listening to the subtly pointed conversation just now, he realized that it was actually Zhang Guojun who had made the decision on his own.

Zhang Yan's so-called "thinking is for the sake of making a good TV series" and "a snake cannot function without a head" actually implies that in order to make a good TV series, the production team can only leave one head, and this head is obviously not Zhang Guojun.

Shi Ling glanced at Zhang Guojun somewhat awkwardly. Seeing Zhang Guojun's unpleasant expression and slightly trembling lips, she guessed that he must be trying his best to endure.

Based on their friendship and relationship, he should have supported Zhang Guojun.

But on the other side is Zhang Yan, who has come true to his dream!

He had heard about the inside story; how could a screenwriter and assistant director like him possibly compete with such a person?
Besides, he also agreed with Zhang Yan's words to some extent. There can only be one person in charge in a production team, and Zhang Guoli has already proven himself in this field. What's wrong with handing the reins to him?

So, gritting his teeth, he forced a smile and said, "Mr. Zhang is right. I also think that Brother Guojun has a unique eye and is the only one who can be responsible for selecting actors. Of course, in the end, it still depends on Director Zhang to make the final decision, after all, he is the core creator."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guojun's expression darkened further, but he didn't say anything more.

After all, the two people at the table who were his supporters both expressed their support for Zhang Yan's opinion. He was all alone and even if he really made a scene, he would only make a fool of himself and lose his last bit of dignity.

Of course, more importantly, he genuinely hoped that the filming of this drama would go smoothly.

At this moment, Li Ding slapped his forehead, staring wide-eyed, and said, "My God, all those 'General Manager Zhang,' 'Director Zhang,' and 'Producer Zhang' stuff you're talking about has me completely confused. Can someone explain to me who they are?"

This person was clearly a master of feigning ignorance, and he aptly interrupted the tense atmosphere.

Wang Gang then laughed and said, "Old man, your words have the air of the Sixth Prince. It seems you don't need to go to the trouble of showing yourself like I have." Everyone else also burst into laughter.

Zhang Guojun didn't laugh. He took a swig of wine, as if suppressing all his complaints with the alcohol, and then he didn't speak again.

This troublemaker was suppressed.

After finishing his meal, Zhang Yan called Zhang Guoli and briefly recounted what had happened at the dinner table.

Although Zhang Guoli didn't want the crew to be full of people chosen by Zhang Guojun, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that Zhang Yan had excluded him from the crew.

Zhang Yan was dissatisfied with Zhang Guojun's domineering attitude, and how could the director not be worried? Now it was a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils. As long as Zhang Guojun was not on set, even if all the actors were handpicked by him, they could not go against the director.

As for Pan Hongye, he has always been low-key and knows how to conduct himself. When he goes to the film crew, he will only play a supporting role and will not help lead the actors to cause trouble.

Actually, compared to the "Prime Minister Liu Luoguo" incident, Zhang Guoli is more concerned about the arrangements for Feng Xiaogang after he joined the company.

After all, he was well aware of Lao Feng's talent. Although both of them were self-taught, Lao Feng was clearly superior in directing.

What if Lao Feng were to overtake him and take his place...

But he couldn't ask too many questions, as that would only make him seem timid.

After all, judging solely by reputation, Zhang Guoli is the true director of television, while Feng Xiaogang is merely a disappointment.

So Zhang Guoli gave Wang Gang and Li Ding their contact information, and the call ended.

Zhang Yan had nothing to do in the afternoon and could have gone back, but Guan Zhilin was going to Beijing in the evening—there are no direct flights from Hong Kong Island to Tianjin.

Zhang Yimou called and said he wanted Zhang Yan to take Guan Zhilin back to Tianjin, so he couldn't leave that night.

So he simply arranged to meet Zhou Tao and asked her if she had decided what kind of business she wanted to start.

Zhou Tao tentatively asked, "I heard that bars are quite popular lately, with lots of people from the arts and culture scene..."

"Inappropriate!"

Zhang Yan immediately rejected the idea: "Quiet bars don't make money now, and those nightclubs are all messy and disreputable. Getting involved with them will definitely not end well, and might even affect your future at CCTV."

Zhou Tao actually wanted to open a bar, the kind of quiet bar that resembles an art salon, where she could occasionally bring colleagues or friends and family to sit and relax, which would also make her seem sophisticated.

But since Zhang Yan refused so readily, she didn't want to bring it up again, so she changed her mind and said, "Restaurants are a business that Tao Hong and I can't keep an eye on. We just don't feel comfortable doing it. How about we open a clothing store instead?"

"Then let's start a clothing brand."

Zhang Yan said, "I'll come up with a solution for clothing design. We can source the goods from the Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Zone. You and Tao Hong just need to choose a store location—let's set up a flagship store first, and then expand as needed later."

He has many classic designs for the future in mind, and recently, through labor export, he has also gotten to know some textile and garment factory owners.

As for advertising and promotion, that's even more of a piece of cake.

I wouldn't dare say much, but it shouldn't be difficult for the two of them to establish a niche brand.

When Zhou Tao heard that Zhang Yan was going to personally handle the costume design, he excitedly hugged Zhang Yan and said, "Darling, is there anything in this world that you can't do?"

The rest is pretty much the same as the content that was cut from Chapter 392...

(End of this chapter)