Huayu: This celebrity doesn't follow the rules.

Chapter 119 New Project: Adaptation of Foreign Works

Administrative Director Zhang Xin added, "After General Manager Lin took office, we adjusted the departmental communication process. From now on, General Manager Lin will lead the project advancement meetings, and we will hold cross-departmental coordination meetings every Wednesday afternoon to avoid information delays."

"In addition, the company's newly leased film and television post-production base will be delivered next week, and Zhao Feng's team's equipment can be moved in one after another. There is a dedicated special effects rendering room there, which can improve post-production efficiency."

Lin Jianjun continued, "I'd like to add a few points. First, the financing for 'One Life, One Love' is almost finalized. Tencent Pictures is interested in investing 30%, on the condition that we share some of the rights to develop derivative products. Mr. Jiang and I will finalize this later."

"Secondly, the Twin Flower Project of the Artists Department is very good. The company needs to reserve new generation artists. Director Wang can propose suitable talents at any time, and I will support them in terms of budget."

"The third one is..."

After Lin Jianjun finished speaking, Jiang Ye began to arrange the company's key battle cases.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable determination: "There is one thing that must be made clear at today's meeting: from this moment forward, the company will officially begin preparations for its Series A financing."

There was a moment of silence in the conference room, and everyone looked up at him.

Jiang Ye continued, "In the past two years, we have relied on rolling projects for development, but if we want to gain a foothold in the film and television industry, relying solely on our own funds is far from enough."

"The post-production promotion of 'Zhou Sheng Ru Meng' and 'One Life One Love', the copyright reserves of new IPs, the development of the artist team, and our planned expansion into drama series and derivative businesses all require more sufficient financial support."

"The goals of the Series A funding are very clear: first, to supplement the funds for the production of large projects; second, to improve the team structure; and third, to pave the way for expanding the IP reserve pool for next year."

He looked at Lin Jianjun beside him: "This matter will be fully handled by President Lin. President Lin has extensive experience in film and television investment and financing. Next, President Lin will take the lead in contacting investment institutions, preparing due diligence materials, and sorting out the company's financial model and valuation logic. All departments must fully cooperate."

"Whatever information Mr. Lin needs from the finance, legal, and business departments, you must provide it immediately without delay."

Lin Jianjun immediately nodded: "Don't worry, President Jiang, I will set up a special team in the next two days and come up with a preliminary financing plan next week."

Jiang Ye nodded slightly, then changed the subject and looked at the management team present: "In addition, there is one thing that must be finalized before the financing: I will reserve 15% of the options pool."

Upon hearing this, a collective gasp of excitement filled the conference room.

Jiang Ye met everyone's gazes, his tone sincere yet firm: "The core of a film and television company is its people and its content. Everyone here is the backbone of Jiang Ying."

"The option pool is reserved for management and core employees so that everyone can truly become shareholders of the company. Once the Series A funding is secured, we will develop a detailed option allocation plan based on job contributions, years of service, and future potential, so that those who have worked hard with Jiangying can truly enjoy the benefits of the company's development."

He paused for a moment, then said, "President Lin, the framework design of the option pool should also be included in your financing preparations, and the legal department should cooperate to develop a compliance plan. What I need is not just a sum of money, but a team cohesion that can help Jiangying go further. Only when everyone is of one mind can we gain more say in the upcoming fierce competition in the film and television industry."

The last sentence was resounding, and the atmosphere in the meeting room instantly shifted from somber to exhilarating.

Lin Jianjun quickly jotted down the key points in his notebook, and when he looked up, a smile was already in his eyes.

It's true what they say, a nephew resembles his maternal uncle!

Jiang Ye chose this juncture to launch a fundraising campaign, which is a good timing.

This not only stabilized the company's cash flow but also provided ample resources for the subsequent IP-related development of "One Life, One Love," the copyright reserves for new dramas, and even the launch of large-scale production projects.

More importantly, by introducing powerful investors, Jiangying can gain multiple benefits such as resource integration and industry endorsement, giving the company more confidence in the fierce competition in the film and television industry.

The decision to reserve an option pool is also very necessary.

This will allow core management and key employees to see the tangible benefits of growing together with the company, and firmly link their personal development with the company's fate.

That's quite thoughtful!

Lin Jianjun looked down and circled the words "option pool framework" in his notebook. When he looked up, he heard Jiang Ye change the subject, his tone becoming more spirited: "After talking about financing and the team, I need to give everyone a sneak peek."

"The company's key project for the second half of the year has been finalized, which is the Chinese fantasy drama 'A Thousand Years of Song' that we have been preparing for more than half a year."

"The project approval was granted last December!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo immediately straightened his back.

As the core of content production, he understood the significance of this project better than anyone else.

The company has been quietly preparing for various preliminary tasks in preparation for this project.

Jiang Ye tapped his fingertip lightly on the table, his gaze sweeping across the room: "This is my original script!"

"Xiao Che, the God of War of a fictional dynasty, has never been defeated in protecting the country for decades, but is framed for treason by the treacherous minister Qin Zhongyuan."

“The emperor listened to slander and, on trumped-up charges, used a heavy sword to execute him and slaughter his entire clan.”

"Xiao Che died with resentment, but was unexpectedly resurrected thanks to the people's prayers."

"A great sword of black iron was pierced into his chest, granting him immortality but trapping him in time. Whenever he faces death or separation, the sword tassel burns and aches. Only by finding the destined person who can pull out the great sword can the shackles of immortality be broken."

"A thousand years later, he became the night watchman of an ancient city, watching the city transform from ruins into prosperity, but he remained a lonely bystander."

"Until he met Su Wan, a girl who could see the obsessions of the dead, her appearance caused the greatsword to stir for the first time..."

"This is not a simple fantasy romance; it is the redemption of the immortals and the healing of lonely souls by the warmth of everyday life."

Chen Mo added from the side, "The script has been polished to its third draft, with a focus on strengthening the protection storyline."

"Xiao Che's greatsword is not only a cursed token, but also a magical weapon to protect the city. Over the past thousand years, he has used his sword to slay evil spirits that cause chaos and to protect countless people. This responsibility adds a layer of tragic grandeur to the curse."

"Su Wan's character has also been adjusted. She is an intangible cultural heritage craftswoman in the ancient city who can soothe the obsessions of the dead through paper-cutting, which echoes Xiao Che's responsibility to protect the city and avoids a purely supernatural setting."

The drama that Jiang Ye is going to film is the Korean drama "Goblin".

The full title is "Goblin" (also known as "The Lonely and Great God").

The drama premiered on South Korea's tvN television station in December 2016. It consists of 16 episodes and revolves around the intertwined fates of an "immortal goblin" and a "human bride." It blends elements of fantasy, romance, family, and redemption, and has become a classic in the history of Korean dramas.

Needless to say, the local awards they have received go without saying.

The series was broadcast globally through platforms such as Netflix, sparking a viewing frenzy in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Although it has not been officially introduced to China, it has become a hot topic on social media platform Weibo, with lines and scenes such as "Goblin Bride," "sword-drawing trope," and "first snow confession" being widely spread, and related topics have garnered over 10 billion views.

The filming locations in the drama, the Ghost Forest in Jeongseon County, Gangwon Province, and Quebec City, Canada, have become popular tourist destinations and are incredibly popular.

Jiang Ye wanted to film this web series, and technically and in terms of production, it wasn't difficult at all; it was quite easy to do.

The biggest problem is the policy issue.

In 2015, the policy review process for online dramas in China was very easy.

"The Ferryman" is about ghosts and gods, and "The Lost Tomb" is about digging up graves. These somewhat sensitive topics were successfully broadcast in this year.

But things changed in 2016.

At the National Conference on the Management of Online Audiovisual Programs in February, it was clearly stated that "the review standards for online dramas and traditional TV dramas should be unified," and that "they must not contain content related to feudal superstition, supernatural phenomena, or strange and bizarre phenomena."

In other words, at this time, the censorship of online dramas suddenly tightened.

However, there is still room for maneuver; it all depends on how well the script optimizes these sensitive elements and how well it finds a capable partner.

The meeting in December 2016 was to issue the "Notice on Further Strengthening the Planning, Construction and Management of Original Online Audiovisual Programs" and its subsequent detailed rules, at which point the process would essentially be stalled.

The new regulations not only raised the entry threshold, but also wielded the big stick of "removal and rectification," carrying out a large-scale cleanup of online dramas that had already been broadcast and were deemed not to meet the requirements of the new regulations.

In November, more than 60 online movies, including "The Great Feng Shui Master", "The Lactation Master" and "The Super Eunuch's Golden Right Hand", were all taken down.

Actually, a batch of them had already been taken off the shelves in January of this year.

Six popular online dramas, including "The Lost Tomb," "Princess Promotion," "Psychological Crime," and "Soul Ferry," were taken down due to issues such as "blood and violence, pornography and vulgarity, and feudal superstition."

Jiang Ye had already optimized many aspects during the filming of "Princess", but he still couldn't escape this fate.

However, at the end of February, the censored version of "Princess Promotion" was released online as normal.

This is normal industry practice; you can't just stop filming because you're afraid of industry rectification!
Jiang Ye's idea was simple: find a well-connected partner in China to collaborate on this film, sell it, and recoup the costs.

Launch it as soon as possible.

We will try our best to optimize and make it reasonable. If it is taken down in the future, we will gradually make corrections.

His goal is overseas.

He wants to partner with Netflix! They are currently looking for a partner in the Chinese market!

Normally, in 2017, Netflix established a long-term partnership with Huace Film & TV to promote 17 Chinese dramas, including "Eternal Love," "The Rise of Phoenixes," and "Where the Wind Blows," to 190 countries around the world.

Especially the drama "Go to the Windy Place".

With Yunnan's natural scenery and intangible cultural heritage at its core, and reaching over 5 million overseas viewers through the Netflix platform, The New York Times praised it for "redefining Eastern healing aesthetics".

Huace Films recoups 70% of its production costs through global revenue sharing and leverages Netflix's distribution network to enhance its international influence.

Jiang Ye wanted to try his luck; this adaptation of the ghost story, "A Thousand-Year Song," was his stepping stone to the overseas market.

……

Yanjing, a certain residential community
The morning sunlight slanted into the living room through the half-drawn curtains. Pan Leming stood on the scale, looked down at the numbers, remained silent for a few seconds, and then sighed.

Four years after his divorce, he was no longer the slender man he once was.

The person in the mirror had rounder cheeks, a less defined jawline, and a slightly protruding belly that was faintly visible under their T-shirt.

He scratched his slightly messy hair, turned and walked to the kitchen, taking a can of beer from the refrigerator.

This is one of the few pastimes he has now.

The divorce scandal in 2012 almost destroyed his career.

Once a "republic-era heartthrob" and "darling of art films," he suddenly became a "scumbag" in the media's eyes.

His advertising contracts were canceled, his movie roles were replaced, and even his friends began to distance themselves from him.

During the most difficult times, he could only make a living by taking on low-budget web dramas and variety shows.

Several well-worn scripts lay open on the coffee table, all offering roles in low-tier productions.

He picked up a book at random, flipped through it, and then tossed it back.

They're either greasy, middle-aged villains or insignificant plot devices.

My phone suddenly vibrated; it was an unknown number.

"Hello, how are you?"

Pan Leming answered the phone, his tone indifferent.

"Hello, Ms. Pan, this is Wang Pu, the artist director of Jiangying Media." A young and capable female voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Our company is preparing two web series, and we think you would be very suitable for them. We would like to invite you to audition."

Pan Leming froze, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the beer can: "...The male lead?"

"Yes," Wang Pu added. "When are you free? Let's schedule a time?"

After hanging up the phone, Pan Leming sat blankly on the sofa, unable to come to his senses for a long time.

Over the past few years, he has been approached by production teams, but they have all been for minor roles.

Suddenly, someone approached him to play the male lead, and in such a significant role at that.
He thought for a moment and then called his former agent.

Chen Zhixi is also a very important friend in my life.

At the time, Dong Jie Studio preemptively launched an attack, claiming that Pan Leming was addicted to gambling and rude.

Public opinion was almost unanimously against it.

Only Chen Zhixi stepped forward and directly confronted those netizens who supported Dong Jie on Weibo, publicly exposing Dong Jie's various acts of smearing Pan Leming.

The relationship between the two is complicated!

"Hey, Lao Pan?"

Chen Zhixi's voice came through the receiver, accompanied by background noise, suggesting he was on a film set.

"Zhixi, I just got a call." Pan Leming's voice was a little tense. "Jiangying Media wants me to play the male lead in two dramas!"

There was a sudden silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, followed by a loud bang, as if Chen Zhixi had kicked something over.

"Really?" Her voice instantly rose eight octaves. "Jiang Ying? That up-and-coming company that produced 'The Princess' and 'Si Teng'? They want you to play the male lead?!"

Hearing his old friend's excited voice, Pan Leming couldn't help but smile: "Yeah, it's just an audition!"

"I knew it! I knew it!" Chen Zhixi almost jumped up on the other end. "Those old saga will be over eventually! You wait, I'll investigate their new project right now!"

The sound of rapid typing came from the phone.

"Found it!" Chen Zhixi suddenly shouted, "They have two dramas, one called 'A Thousand Years of Song' and the other called 'Day and Night'."

"The production team is Yuan Guangxian's people. Wait, why is Lin Jianjun's name still on this project?"

Pan Leming was taken aback: "Lin Jianjun, who's just appeared?"

"Yes, it's that Fatty Lin who's dug up half the entertainment industry!" Chen Zhixi laughed happily. "Old Pan, you should give it a try!"

Pan Leming looked down at his slightly protruding belly and suddenly felt a little dazed.

Four years ago, on that rainy night, Chen Zhixi came to his house amidst a barrage of online criticism, saying in the same tone, "Old Pan, you better hold on, this isn't over!"

"Zhi Xi," his voice was a little hoarse, "what if... what if I don't act well?"

"Bullshit!" Chen Zhixi cursed directly, "You're the one who brought Zeng Sunya to life in 'Moment in Peking' back in the day!"

She paused, then her tone suddenly softened, "Old Pan, I'll go with you to the audition this time."

Outside the window, a sparrow landed on the balcony railing, tilting its head to peek at the middle-aged man inside, whose eyes were red-rimmed.

Pan Leming took a deep breath: "Okay, let's go together."

After hanging up the phone, he got up and went to the bathroom, where he poured the remaining half-can of beer into the sink.

The person in the mirror had bright eyes and even resembled the "Xu Xian" of yesteryear.

Jiangying Media, Office
Lin Jianjun sat with his legs crossed, holding the cast list in his hand, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

“Ono, tell me the truth,” he said, shaking the list, “why does it have to be Pan Leming?”

"It's cheap!"

"Who are you trying to fool? You're after Chen Zhixi's resources, aren't you?"

"That's also related!"

Chen Zhixi was trying his best to help Pan Leming make a comeback at this time.

Whoever helps Pan Leming will gain her friendship.

And her friendships are very valuable!

She is currently the president of Ruyi Pictures. When Ruyi is acquired by Hengten Networks in 21, she will be promoted to executive director.

In 24, Ruyi Pictures became a major shareholder of Wanda Film, and she served as its CEO.

She is also a well-known producer with billions in revenue in the industry, and has many big IPs under her control!

For him, once this connection is established and funding is secured, he will be eligible to participate in some film projects.

"Uncle, have Wang Pu inform the female artists in our company."

"Meet at the rehearsal room at 3 pm tomorrow to have them audition internally first, and see who is suitable for the female lead and the second female lead in the new drama 'A Thousand Years of Song'."

(End of this chapter)