Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 208, Section 206: My 1998
On January 7, 1999, the cold wind still blew in Beijing.

In the property office of Jingxin Building on North Third Ring Road East, Wang Sheng, representing Shengying Media and its affiliated company Enlight Media, completed the signing ceremony of the lease contract with the representative of the building's property owner.

The pen tip glided across the paper with a soft rustling sound, eventually settling on two strong signatures.

The contract stipulates that Shengying Media will lease the entire ninth floor of Jingxin Building, and Enlight Media will lease the entire tenth floor, for a term of five years.

This means that, legally speaking, the two companies have officially begun separating from the physical space of Beijing Film Studio, taking a crucial step towards independent operation.

"Mr. Wang, it's a pleasure to cooperate with you." The property manager extended his hand warmly.

"Pleasant to work with."

Wang Sheng shook hands with him, a formulaic smile on his face, but his heart was in turmoil.

These few thin pages not only separate the distance of a floor, but also mark the boundary of an era.

……

Back at Beijing Film Studio.

Wang Sheng gave orders to Li Tingting.

"The renovation team should start work immediately. I've already had the design company work overtime to produce a first draft of the plans. You'll be responsible for coordinating and supervising the work. I only have one request,"

"Speed! Quality! After the Spring Festival, the main office area of ​​Shengying Media on the ninth floor must meet the basic conditions for occupancy! The office of Guangming Media on the tenth floor can be a little slower, but it can't be too far behind."

He paused, then offered a deal that invigorated everyone: "Tell the construction team and our coordinators that from now until the Spring Festival, they can work overtime, and I'll pay double wages! If we need to rush work during the statutory Spring Festival holiday, it'll be triple!"

Under the reward, there must be a brave man.

The news spread quickly, and the construction team and the company personnel responsible for coordination, who had initially felt pressed for time, instantly became highly motivated.

The power of money is often more direct and effective than any slogan.

……

While finalizing the renovation plans for the new home.

The process of separating from Beijing Film Studio is also underway.

The once deeply intertwined "Alliance Production Center" was officially dissolved. The sign was removed and stored in the archives of the Beijing Film Studio, becoming history.

What followed was a thorough overhaul of the business and personnel.

First and foremost is the core business, which currently boasts the most stable cash flow: "customized" wedding film services.

This business, which was created and expanded by Wang Sheng, requires Shengying Media to sign independent commercial cooperation contracts with 31 film studios, including Beijing Film Studio.

At the negotiating table, the warmth of "family" was gone, replaced by a more businesslike and calculating atmosphere.

Despite its brand, equipment, and core technology support, Beijing Film Studio still managed to take the lion's share of the profits from each deal—a 60% cut.

There is nothing to say about this.

With its stable technical team and market contribution in Southwest China, Emei Film Studio was one of the earliest to join the industry, and its commission rate was 40%.

The remaining film studios all received a uniform 20%.

Meanwhile, equipment rental and personnel dispatch costs are calculated separately, which is clear and transparent.

This new contractual system, while sacrificing some profits, also clarified the rights, responsibilities, and benefits of all parties from a legal and commercial perspective, making the business more standardized. More importantly, it remains the main channel for maintaining the employment and income of the technical backbone of those thirty film studios, preserving the alliance's personnel foundation.

As for the "Golden Jubilee Collection" series, it is clearly stated that it is a completely self-operated business of Shengying Media, which does not participate in revenue sharing and only pays possible equipment or venue rental fees at market prices.

The "Image Memory" service, which has a wider coverage and more affordable prices, has expanded over the past few years to include the two municipalities of Beijing and Tianjin, as well as major cities in Hebei Province.

This business has become the main platform for absorbing and arranging employment for unemployed children of film studio workers and training new talent.

Shengying Media is responsible for operations and distribution channels. The children of factory workers are trained and assessed before taking up their posts and are paid according to their work, forming a relatively virtuous cycle of talent incubation.

The most significant change was to the "TV Movie" business, which was previously led by the "Alliance Production Center." This business was transferred to Shengying Media and a "TV Movie Business Unit" was officially established.

This means that from now on, for every TV movie, from project initiation, script development, team formation, filming and production to distribution and promotion, Shengying Media will need to sign a separate project cooperation contract with the restructured "Beijing Film Studio" (formerly Beijing Film Studio), with each case handled on a case-by-case basis, costs shared, and profits split according to the agreement.

What was once internal collaboration has transformed into a client-vendor relationship.

What put the most pressure on Wang Sheng, but was also a great asset, was the huge screenwriting team composed of screenwriters from various film studios and externally recruited writers.

Under the Beijing Film Studio's strategy of streamlining its organization and focusing on core production capabilities, this large creative team was essentially "thrown" to Shengying Media for management and salary payments.

"This is quite a mouth," said Chen Yu, the finance manager, frowning as she looked at the newly added monthly fixed personnel cost expenditure report.

"But it is also the source of our future content production."

Wang Sheng sees things even further ahead: "Talent is the most valuable asset. If we can properly utilize their talents and streamline the creative mechanism, the future value will be immeasurable."

Beijing Film Studio (Plant) has completed its "slimming down" and retained only its own formal employees, preparing to integrate into China Film Group.

All external personnel recruited during the periods of secondment, cooperation, and alliance were transferred to Shengying Media in a package, along with their personnel relations, management responsibilities, and even the handling of some historical issues.

Dealing with these myriad "separation" matters, coordinating the renovation of the new office, adjusting the internal organizational structure, and re-signing countless contracts... time flew by in the midst of the busyness.

When Wang Sheng was finally able to look up from the mountain of documents and organizational charts, it was already evening on the 2th day of the twelfth lunar month (February 11, 1999).

The festive atmosphere on the streets is gradually getting stronger. Shops are hanging red lanterns, and pedestrians are busier and more eager to buy New Year's goods.

There are only a few days left until the Lunar New Year of the Rabbit.

This past month of busy work has been like fighting another tough battle.

Independence means more autonomy, but also greater responsibility and higher operating costs.

But this step is unavoidable.

Wang Sheng walked out of the office.

The first floor of the main building of Beijing Film Studio was quiet.

"Mr. Wang."

Chen Yu then came out of the finance department office and greeted him.

"Still not off work?"

"Hmm, I was a little reluctant to leave, so I stayed a little longer. By the way, the New Year's red envelopes have all been given out. The employees of Beijing Film Studio, the employees of other factories, and the employees of Shengying Media all received 300 yuan each. They all said they would come back to work for you after the Spring Festival," Chen Yu said playfully.

Wang Sheng smiled and said, "Great! Let's join hands to welcome 1999 and stride into the 21st century."

(End of this chapter)