Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 378, Section 376: Commissioner Smith
Saturday, September 2001, 10.

In the late autumn of Beijing, the morning light was faint, and the air was filled with a biting chill.

The terminal building at Beijing Capital International Airport was already packed with people.

Wang Sheng wore a tailor-made, well-tailored dark gray cashmere suit with a black cashmere overcoat. He stood tall and exuded a composed demeanor.

Following behind was a capable negotiation team led by Li Tingting, consisting of four people: a legal professional with expertise in international copyright law, a financial analyst, and a senior secretariat specialist responsible for record-keeping and coordination.

In addition, there are two security personnel, and upon landing, there will be specially hired armed security personnel.

Everyone was dressed formally and looked solemn, exuding professionalism and competence.

"Mr. Wang, the boarding procedures are complete. We're on Air China CA983, a direct flight to Los Angeles," Li Tingting reported quickly as she approached. She was dressed in a sharp business suit, her makeup impeccable, and her eyes piercing.

Wang Sheng nodded slightly.

Air China's CA983, a direct flight from Beijing to Los Angeles, was one of the most important air bridges connecting China and the United States in those days.

The flight will be operated by a Boeing 747 and will take nearly twelve hours.

This was in 2001. The selection of direct trans-Pacific routes was far less abundant than in later years. Air China's route, with its stability and the convenience of direct flights, became the first choice for many business people.

After passing through security and customs, and entering the waiting area, the surrounding noise seemed to be shut out.

Wang Sheng watched through the huge glass window as the massive Boeing 747 passenger plane slowly moved under the tractor, its metal fuselage reflecting the cool morning light.

"Let's go." Wang Sheng withdrew his gaze, his voice calm and even.

First class offers relatively spacious seating, which can be adjusted to a near-flat position to accommodate long flights.

The flight attendants are well-trained and provide standard service.

After Wang Sheng sat down, fastened his seatbelt, ordered a glass of warm water, and then closed his eyes to rest.

Li Tingting and her team members were still exchanging opinions in hushed tones, checking the electronic version of the negotiation materials one last time.

In recent years, Wang Sheng has been making continuous progress, and so has she.

The plane accelerated on the runway, roaring loudly as it defied gravity and soared into the sky.

The capital city shrank continuously outside the porthole until it was finally covered by thick clouds.

……

Wang Sheng did not fall asleep.

His mind was racing, repeatedly replaying the various scenarios he might face upon arriving in Los Angeles.

The meeting with New Line Cinema, ostensibly about discussing the North American distribution of "Shaolin Soccer," was in reality the first collision and exploration of two market forces and two industry rules.

The Hollywood system is mature yet exclusive, filled with sophisticated egoism and invisible barriers.

Jackie Chan's personal connections might get you a foothold, but to truly gain entry and secure real benefits, you'll need more leverage and more meticulous planning.

This is why Wang Sheng, through his connection with Jackie Chan, contacted and hired Robert White, a seasoned broker.

Personal relationships are personal relationships, and business is business; this principle applies universally.

In Hollywood, a place of fame and fortune, there's no such thing as a free lunch; professional services come at a professional price.

Wang Sheng paid a public relations consulting fee of up to $300,000 for this.

In 2001, this was an enormous sum of money, both in China and the United States, demonstrating Wang Sheng's sincerity and the importance he attached to the talks.

Robert White was paid to do this job. In addition to using his personal connections with New Line executives to make connections, he also needed to provide comprehensive support in terms of information, strategy, and local coordination to ensure that Wang Sheng's team would not be completely clueless in an unfamiliar battlefield.

Thinking of this, Wang Sheng couldn't help but recall the corruption and waste scandals that later came to light in the US military and government procurement systems.

For example, reports have revealed that the U.S. Air Force has purchased coffee pots worth hundreds of dollars each, or the Navy has purchased ordinary screws worth thousands of dollars.

These examples fully demonstrate that the so-called "transparent" Western business world is no less rife with undercurrents and filth than other places; it's just that these are often concealed within more complex rules and contractual terms.

The $300,000 paid to Robert White was a legitimate "public relations consulting fee" within the bounds of the rules; but in essence, it was just like those exorbitantly priced coffees and screws—a tool for exchanging benefits under specific rules of the game.

……

The long flight was spent alternating between meals, short naps, and work.

As the plane began its descent, the captain announced over the loudspeaker that they were preparing to land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). It was already the morning of October 27th, local time.

The sun was shining brightly, and visibility was excellent, allowing a clear view of the sprawling city skyline, the crisscrossing highways, and the blue swimming pools scattered throughout.

After going through immigration checks and baggage claim, when Wang Sheng and his group walked out of the arrival hall, they immediately saw Robert White and others holding signs and waiting for them.

White was about fifty years old, slightly overweight, wearing a somewhat worn brown leather jacket, his hair was neatly combed, and he wore the warm yet shrewd smile common among American real estate agents. He was accompanied by a young Chinese-American assistant.

“Mr. Wang! Welcome to Los Angeles!” White strode forward, extending his hand warmly, speaking fluent English with a distinct California accent.

"I am Robert White, a friend of Mr. Jackie Chan. Have a long and tiring flight!"

“Mr. White, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for picking us up.” Wang Sheng shook hands with him, his grip firm but not too tight.

Li Tingting acted as the translator. Although Wang Sheng's English was good enough, he preferred to use his native language in formal business situations to ensure absolute accuracy in his expression.

"The car is ready. Let's head to the hotel first. Everyone can rest for a bit and adjust to the time difference. If Mr. Wang doesn't mind, we can have lunch together and chat." White was clearly very capable, and the arrangements were very well-organized.

……

The group left the bustling airport in a black van arranged by White.

The Los Angeles sunshine contrasts sharply with the autumn chill in Beijing. The roadsides are lined with typical Southern California-style buildings, swaying palm trees, and bustling traffic, creating a vibrant scene.

The hotel where I stayed was located near Beverly Hills. It was a rather luxurious star-rated hotel with a quiet environment and attentive service.

After checking in, Wang Sheng and Li Tingting quickly washed up in the suite, changed into more casual clothes, and then accepted the invitation to have lunch with White at the hotel restaurant.

We chose a relatively quiet corner of the restaurant for lunch.

After taking their seats, White didn't engage in much small talk and went straight to the point, demonstrating his professionalism in getting things done for money.

"Mr. Wang, first of all, welcome to Los Angeles again. I have already done some preliminary communication regarding the talks with New Line Cinema."

"The person in charge of your meeting this time is Mr. Kevin Brown, Senior Vice President of the International Department," White said calmly, cutting his steak.

Wang Sheng slowly drank his ice water, listening attentively.

"Kevin Brown has worked at New Line Cinema for over fifteen years and is one of the key figures responsible for overseas distribution and co-productions."

He wasn't a typical, artistically inclined Hollywood executive; he was more like a shrewd businessman.

White began to elaborate on the key services included in his public relations fee, saying, "He's pragmatic, even a bit... meticulous."

Data, market analysis, and risk assessment are what he values ​​most.

He likes to control the pace of negotiations and may initially set up some obstacles or present rather harsh conditions to test your bottom line.

White paused, then added, "He's interested in Asian markets, including China, but his understanding is limited, and he carries a... well, a certain degree of superiority and skepticism."

He acknowledged the success of *Shaolin Soccer* in Asia, but he was more concerned about how the film's comedic elements and soccer theme could be accepted by mainstream North American audiences. He would likely repeatedly emphasize the term 'cultural differences.'

“Furthermore,” White lowered his voice, “Brown is a YT guy, part of the inner circle of Hollywood.”

He pays great attention to contract details, scrutinizing everything from revenue sharing ratios and copyright durations to ancillary rights.

He didn't like the other party's excessive 'artistic insistence' during negotiations; in his view, film was first and foremost a commodity.

Wang Sheng listened quietly, taking the information to heart.

Kevin Brown's image gradually became clear: a shrewd, pragmatic, data-driven, slightly arrogant, and tough negotiating Hollywood professional manager.

"There are also disagreements within the new line regarding this cooperation."

White continued to provide intelligence, saying, "Some people are optimistic about the future of the Chinese market and believe that establishing a relationship with you is a strategic investment; others are more conservative and feel that investing too many resources in an Asian film is too risky."

Brown himself is a centrist; he's willing to talk, but he needs to see tangible benefits and flexibility from your side.

“I understand.” Wang Sheng put down his water glass, his gaze calm. “Thank you for the information, Mr. White. It’s very valuable. It helps us better prepare our response strategy.”

“This is my job, Mr. Wang.”

White smiled. "You paid a generous fee, so I will naturally provide equivalent service."

Rest assured, in the upcoming formal talks, I will do my best to facilitate communication, ensure smooth information flow, and, if necessary, act as a mediator.

Lunch continued, and the conversation gradually expanded to the local customs and culture of Los Angeles and some interesting anecdotes from Hollywood.

Robert White certainly knows a lot, and he's not afraid of Wang Sheng spreading it around; Hollywood is notoriously rubbish.

Here, as long as you have enough money, you can do whatever you want.

Robert White then asked Wang Sheng if he wanted to throw a party that night, saying he could invite the hottest girls in Los Angeles.

Wang Sheng refused.

(End of this chapter)