A grand feast for the Chinese entertainment industry

Chapter 65: Going with the flow
Lin Jianlu was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously waved her hand, "No need!"

Of course, after all that boasting, and the fact that he had indeed invested in both movies and TV series, and especially since the two people in front of him were both in the film industry and were even government officials, it wouldn't be appropriate to say that he was worried about losing money on his film investments. "Busy! To be honest, do you two know what she's here for?"

He pointed to Brigitte Lin sitting next to him, "She was specially sent by my agent, Sylvia Chang, to urge me to go to Hong Kong and Taiwan! Sigh... I'm too busy!"

Lin Qingxia only smiled and didn't say anything.

To avoid offending anyone, I had to explain a bit more: "I was totally fooled when I invested in Zhang Yang's 'Spicy Love Soup'! This guy insisted that I act in a movie for him so it would help him get investment from Xi'an Film Studio, and I stupidly agreed. We filmed for over a week! Then this guy started complaining about being broke. We're friends, so I couldn't really refuse him. Anyway, it was only a million, oh well, never mind..."

"And then there's Guoli. He brought Zhang Zien along. Old Zhang directed two music videos for me, so we're all familiar with each other. Guoli said he wanted to make a TV series, and Old Zhang would direct it. The two of them kept dragging me to drink...sigh..."

Han Shanping chuckled, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Zhang Heping laughed along, remaining silent.

Lin Jianlu didn't know that after having dinner with Feng Xiaogang and his wife last night, he vaguely promised to help him get back on track and try to get his film, which had been halted halfway through, to resume production. However, after dinner, Han Shanping and Zhang Heping went to another place and continued chatting for a long time.

The topic is Lin Jianlu.

In fact, only Lin Jianlu himself doesn't understand the true value of the name Lin Jianlu in today's world.

Han Shanping and Zhang Heping were indeed considering establishing a private film company. The Beijing Film Studio was burdened with heavy responsibilities. It received a certain amount of funding from above every year, but along with the funding came corresponding filming tasks. Although the Beijing Film Studio was considered to be the largest state-owned film studio in China at present, it had been stagnant for many years.

It's only thanks to some funding from above that we can barely get anything done and make a few commissioned films.

In fact, the current situation in China is not limited to film studios.
Art troupes, large and small, were established one after another after the founding of the People's Republic of China. During the planned economy era, they all thrived. Regardless of their abilities, as long as they entered the system, they were guaranteed a livelihood. However, in the last decade or so, things have changed. The entire system suddenly couldn't hold on any longer. Those with connections and talent who could do commercial performances certainly lived well. Others took on private jobs, shooting commercials, music videos, or even wedding photography, or simply working for private companies. In short, if you wanted to make money, you had to find all sorts of ways to succeed!
Those who cannot adapt to the new situation may face severe consequences, ranging from layoffs in the theater troupe to going hungry three times a day.

Otherwise, would Liu Xiaoli, a national first-class actress who has won the "Five-One Project Award," have been reduced to being a backup dancer for a singer? To put it bluntly, dancers actually have even less of a future!

However, individuals can be clever and adapt to the situation. As long as they are flexible, they will not starve. How can a huge film studio like Beijing Film Studio be clever?

Han Shanping was promoted to this position with the important task of reform.

However, large-scale initiatives are not easy to implement. His longtime friend Zhang Heping suggested that the Beijing Film Studio contribute some funds as a catalyst to attract capable private capital. He also proposed that the studio unite with some local entities in the capital, such as the Capital Television Station, the Capital Television Art Center, the Capital Film Company, and the Capital Culture and Art Audio-Visual Publishing House, to pool their resources and jointly establish a company. Although the old tree was dying, it still had deep roots, and cutting it down was neither feasible nor desirable. So, they decided to let the old tree sprout new buds and, by leveraging the flexibility of private capital, see if they could secure a glimmer of hope for survival.

Thus, the two came up with this plan, and even came up with a name: Forbidden City Film Studio.

In reality, the main players were several cultural enterprises in the capital city, with Beijing Film Studio only participating. They only planned to invest one million yuan. The main purpose was to find new forces or individuals who understood film and could truly create films that met the needs of the film market to invest in, so that everyone could work together. Beijing Film Studio would provide various conveniences in production and policy, while the other party would be responsible for controlling new production ideas and striving to revitalize the industry.

This plan has been in the works for quite some time now, and the two of them have met with many people. These days, there are already quite a few private film and television companies, and the two of them have even initially identified potential partners.

However, no matter who it is, no matter how suitable they seemed before, how could they possibly compare to Lin Jianlu!

Everyone says the mainland's film market and system need reform, but how? In what direction? What's the best approach? — Han Shanping's idea is to vigorously introduce film technology, capital, and advanced production experience from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and even overseas. Mainly Hong Kong!

Well, this is called learning by trial and error! After all, it has to be admitted that, compared to other countries, Hong Kong films are incredibly advanced!
This was also the first plan Han Shanping formulated after taking office: once conditions permit, he would vigorously promote cooperation with the Hong Kong film industry, and the mainland could use its market to exchange for their mature production teams and production experience, thereby creating and cultivating its own mature film commercialization.

But there has to be a beginning!

Hey, here comes Lin Jianlu! This kid's perfect!
These days in China, when it comes to music, film, and television dramas, the mainland has to bow down to its Hong Kong and Taiwanese counterparts, even in normal collaborations. Even if the mainland acknowledges the strength of the other side and is willing to let them take the lead, it's still inappropriate to put itself in such a passive position. We've collaborated before, and there were many opinions from all levels. Some said that Hong Kong and Taiwanese filmmakers were arrogant and disrespectful, while others said that completely rejecting the mainland's film experience was a form of surrender. In short, it's not good to force things forward!

But Lin Jianlu, this great singer, was very successful in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and even Southeast Asia. It can be said without hesitation that he was the only person in mainland China at that time who could command respect and deference from the art circles of Hong Kong and Taiwan!

Looking at his profile, he's not just a singer in Taiwan and Hong Kong; he also has a wide circle of friends, including big names, directors, and stars in the Hong Kong and Taiwan film and television industry such as Sylvia Chang, Wong Jing, Derek Yee, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Brigitte Lin, and Rosamund Kwan. He's acquainted with all of them and can talk to them!

Let's not talk about anyone else, look, Brigitte Lin is right in front of us!

Lin Qingxia didn't even bring an assistant and went to Beijing alone. When the two of them had dinner together, their behavior was incredibly intimate. This is a superstar who has dominated Hong Kong and Taiwan for twenty years. When Hong Kong people talk about "Xia, Yu, Fang, and Hong", she is ranked first. She is definitely an important figure who can connect Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the mainland!

As long as she's willing to help!
Therefore, no one is more suitable than Lin Jianlu to be the middleman connecting the three places!
As long as he's willing to step forward and stand there, he can leverage a lot of collaborations!
"What need is there for you to be busy here!"

Han Shanping chuckled and said, "As long as you stand there, with just a greeting, you'll have so many friends—from the mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. What can't you do?"

"For example, Ms. Qingxia, if Jianlu were to invest in a film and invite you to play the lead role, wouldn't it be difficult for you to refuse?"

"Uh, haha..."

Lin Qingxia, being a seasoned veteran, had long understood what the other party meant, but since Lin Jianlu herself hadn't agreed, she certainly couldn't speak up for the other party, so she could only laugh it off.

Lin Jianlu rubbed his temples in exasperation, but then he thought for a moment and asked, "I previously invested one million in Zhang Yang, and a few days ago I promised Zhang Guoli and Zhang Zien that I would invest three and a half million in them to make a TV series. I'm worried about how to manage it. How about I put these two investments into the project?"

Han Shanping and Zhang Heping's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

Whether it's cash or a project, as long as we get him in, we're halfway there!
“Sure! Both projects are sure to be great! You're in Zhang Yang's show, so it's guaranteed to be a success. As for Zhang Guoli's TV series, their previous collaboration, ‘Prime Minister Liu Luo Guo,’ was excellent, and I have high hopes for their second collaboration! So, bring both of these projects in! Let's work on them together!”

Partly forced into it, and partly going with the flow, the cooperation was actually reached just like that.

The two parties quickly finalized the agreement: Lin Jianlu would put his 50% investment rights in "Spicy Love Soup" for 100 million yuan, plus 350 million yuan that would be specifically invested in Zhang Guoli and Zhang Zien's new drama "Kangxi's Private Visits", into Forbidden City Film Studio. Beijing Film Studio would contribute 100 million yuan to invest in the new drama.

In addition, Zhang Heping, representing several state-owned enterprises under the cultural bureau in the capital city, said that there should also be four to six million yuan coming in from there, so in nature it should still be considered as state-owned holding.

After settling things off in a few words, Han Shanping suddenly turned to Lin Qingxia, "Miss Qingxia, how about you invest some money and we all do it together? If you invest, you can also help us turn it into a joint venture, hahaha!"

Lin Qingxia smiled, and to Lin Jianlu's surprise, she immediately said, "Okay!"

(End of this chapter)