Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 487-485: Believers

After the wind and rain subsided and the intense lovemaking subsided, a languid and contented atmosphere filled the bedroom.

Gao Yuanyuan leaned softly against Wang Sheng's chest, letting him carefully wash her. The blush on her cheeks had not faded, but her eyes were even brighter and more charming than before.

After rinsing off and changing into refreshing silk robes, the two lay back down on the bed.

The central air conditioning silently delivers a cool breeze, completely isolating the humid heat of Yalong Bay from the outside, making the indoor temperature pleasant.

Gao Yuanyuan curled up beside Wang Sheng like a satisfied cat, her head resting on his arm, her fingers unconsciously playing with the sash of his robe.

After a brief silence, Gao Yuanyuan spoke softly, breaking the stillness: "Let me tell you about the development of the Star Era?"

"Mmm." Wang Sheng responded with his eyes closed, indicating that she was listening.

He knew that Gao Yuanyuan was not a woman content to be just a caged canary; she had her own ambition and plans, which was something he admired and was willing to support.

"The company has signed two girls now, and they both have pretty good looks."

“One of them is my junior classmate, Dong Xuan,” Gao Yuanyuan introduced. “She’s from the 2000 undergraduate class of the Performance Department at Beijing Film Academy, one year below me. She has a very distinctive look and a strong classical temperament.”

Wang Sheng went through the name and related information in his mind, and he did indeed have some impression of it.

Dong Xuan has a beautiful and elegant appearance, making her suitable for period dramas and serious dramas.

"At the time, Mr. Cai also took a liking to her and wanted to sign her to act in the period idol dramas she was involved in."

Gao Yuanyuan's tone carried a hint of smugness, "But when President Cai heard that it was me who wanted to sign, he was very accommodating and didn't mention it again. Dong Xuan is also quick-witted; she immediately realized something about this and signed it smoothly."

Wang Sheng listened silently.

"After signing Dong Xuan, I cast her in several martial arts-themed TV movies and TV series produced by our Shengying Group. Although she wasn't the female lead, the roles were all quite appealing and her screen time was substantial."

Gao Yuanyuan continued her report, speaking in a tone like a parent showing their child's report card: "She's also doing well, her acting skills have improved a lot, and she's gradually building up her popularity with the audience. As for her current fame, it's hovering between the third and second tiers. She's established herself, and it just depends on whether she gets a breakout role to give her a boost."

As she spoke, she turned to the side, propped her elbow on a pillow, and looked at Wang Sheng's closed profile, half-jokingly and half-probingly saying, "This girl is indeed quite pretty, and has a clean and pure air about her... If you're interested, I..."

Wang Sheng opened his eyes, glanced at her sideways, his gaze calm and indifferent: "Let's get down to business."

“(ˉ▽￣～)Tch~ Pretending to be serious~”

Gao Yuanyuan continued, "The other one is named Huang Yi, stage name Haiqing. She is my senior, from the 1997 undergraduate class of the Performance Department of Beijing Film Academy."

When Gao Yuanyuan mentioned this name, her tone carried a strange smile. "Speaking of which, she was in the same grade as you. Moreover, she was in the same class as Xiaoran."

Wang Sheng hummed in agreement.

Hai Qing possesses solid acting skills, especially excelling in portraying ordinary people and housewives. She has strong explosive power and is a typical "chameleon actress".

"This senior sister is quite interesting."

Gao Yuanyuan couldn't help but laugh. "When she was in school, she had a nickname: 'Wang Sheng's follower.' Do you know why?"

Wang Sheng raised an eyebrow and recalled.

"It's said that it happened at the cultural performance after the freshman military training..."

Gao Yuanyuan vividly described, "This Haiqing, as a representative of the freshmen, went up to present you with flowers, and in front of the whole school, she excitedly shouted, 'You are my god!'"
My God, the scene was incredible... I heard the audience went wild! This incident later became one of the eternal 'campus legends' of the Beijing Film Academy. Everyone says there was a girl in the '97 acting class whose first act upon entering the academy was to become a legend—and that legend was none other than you, Director Wang.

After listening, Wang Sheng said quietly, "Yuanyuan, you're not trying to get revenge on me, are you?" "No way, listen to me."

Gao Yuanyuan: "When I signed her, I mentioned that it was your... um, your company,"

She cleverly rephrased it: "She agreed almost without hesitation."

This young lady has real explosive power in her acting and a solid foundation. However, she is still young and has too much collagen in her face. When playing roles that require a sense of life's hardships, such as middle-aged women, she is a little unable to pull it off and appears too young.

But she's particularly good at playing urban housewives and young mothers in family dramas. Her performances are very lifelike, her delivery of lines is excellent, and her starring role in the family drama "Little Daughter-in-Law" was a huge hit in the first half of the year.

After talking about the two who had already signed contracts, Gao Yuanyuan changed the subject and talked about her next target: "There is another girl I really like and want to sign, but it's a bit difficult."

"Who?"

"Liu Yifei, from the 02 undergraduate class of the Performance Department at Beijing Film Academy. She's an international student, she came back from the United States."

Gao Yuanyuan said, "This girl... how should I put it, she's so beautiful and ethereal, she doesn't seem like someone from the mortal world at all. She's only fifteen or sixteen, but she already has that aloof and otherworldly air about her. If she's properly nurtured, she's definitely got the makings of a big star. I think she's especially suited for those otherworldly, ethereal roles."

Wang Sheng gave a faint "hmm" to signal Gao Yuanyuan to continue.

Seeing Wang Sheng's lukewarm reaction, Gao Yuanyuan continued, "There are two difficulties. One is that she seems to have a powerful godfather behind her, managing her career and possessing considerable resources, so he might not be willing to let her sign with a newly established small agency. The other is her mother,"

Gao Yuanyuan frowned slightly. "I've met with them twice. They're quite opinionated, and also quite... protective of their daughters. They're very strict about their daughters' career plans, so they're not easy to deal with. If we want to sign them, it will probably take a lot of effort and we'll have to offer them very attractive terms."

Wang Sheng listened, but still didn't react.

For him, if Gao Yuanyuan hadn't been lying next to him at this moment, with whom he had this intimate relationship, and who was enthusiastically planning her career, the name "Liu Yifei" would never have appeared in his sight.

She's just a promising newcomer; in the talent-filled entertainment industry, she's really nothing special.

Drawing on his past life's understanding of entertainment industry management models and his current experience managing the Sheng Ying Group, he offered Gao Yuanyuan a few words of advice: "The core of a talent agency is resources and vision. With the Sheng Ying Group as your backer, you won't lack resources, giving you a head start over many smaller companies. The key is to have accurate vision and professional operation."

"First, when signing artists, we must be selective and not settle for less. They must either have top-notch looks and recognizability, solid acting skills and audience appeal, or unique personal charm or generate buzz. Liu Yifei belongs to the former, Hai Qing is in the middle, and Dong Xuan is somewhere in between. You need to understand each person's core selling point."

"Second, the plan must be clear. When casting them, don't just look at the salary and the amount of screen time, but consider whether the role fits their own characteristics and whether it can improve their reputation and national recognition."

Dong Xuan can continue to cultivate her skills in period dramas and martial arts films; Hai Qing should patiently wait for a suitable slice-of-life or family drama to take off; as for someone like Liu Yifei… if they can really sign her, she should start high, directly into big-budget productions with top-notch teams, establishing her 'fairy' persona.”

"Third, the operation needs to be modernized. It's not just about acting; endorsements, fashion, public opinion management, and fan management all need to keep up. 'Star Era' should not just be a traditional intermediary, but a professional agency that can comprehensively build and manage artists' brands."

"Finally, it's important to maintain a proper balance. You are the boss, and also their mentor within the Shengying Group. You can utilize my name and some resources, but ultimately, they must let their work and abilities speak for themselves. An overly obvious dependency relationship may not be good for their long-term development."

Wang Sheng's voice was steady and calm.

Gao Yuanyuan listened attentively.

In just a few words, Wang Sheng outlined a clear blueprint and core principles for the future development of "Star Era." This was far more efficient than her figuring it out on her own.

"I understand." Gao Yuanyuan nodded vigorously, firmly remembering Wang Sheng's words. She knew that with Wang Sheng's guidance, her "Star Era" had already won at the starting line.

After finishing our business, fatigue returned.

Gao Yuanyuan nestled contentedly into Wang Sheng's arms, found a comfortable position, and quickly fell into a deep sleep, a smile of anticipation for the future still lingering on her lips.

Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, Wang Sheng pondered for a while before also drifting off to sleep.

(End of this chapter)