Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 55: Lunar New Year Drama
The summer morning breeze brushed against my face, carrying the unique heat and dust of the capital city.

Sitting in the taxi on his way back to the Beijing Film Studio, Wang Sheng recalled Han Sanping's mention of the "Forbidden City model" at yesterday's welcome banquet and couldn't help but ponder what the next step should be.

The company's main businesses, including wedding videography, wedding movies, and related supporting services, are now on track and can generate continuous revenue.

They've also gained some say in the Beijing Film Studio's small territory.

The connections with Beijing TV have also been established.

From any perspective, Shengying Media already possesses the strength to enter the film and television industry.

Beijing Circle...

Wang Sheng recalled the inescapable clique culture within Beijing's film and television industry.

Wang Shuo, the creative core of the Beijing film circle and who founded "Good Dream Company" a few years ago in an attempt to connect film and television resources in Beijing, seems to have lost his career.

In other words, whoever can consistently produce hit content will be able to take the place vacated by Wang Shuo.

In the original timeline, this position was divided between Feng Xiaogang and Zhao Baogang.

Zhao Baogang inherited the position of the leading figure in Beijing's television drama circle by relying on Haiyan's dramas, while Feng Xiaogang inherited the position of the leading figure in Beijing's film circle by taking advantage of the opportunity to produce New Year's films with Forbidden City Film Studio.

However, "The Dream Factory" did not come out of thin air; there was a little-known "preview" before it was released.

Wang Sheng carefully recalled the gossip about the film and television industry he had read in his previous life.

Around this autumn, Zheng Xiaolong, director of the Beijing Television Art Center, attempted to introduce the mature Lunar New Year film season concept from Hong Kong and Taiwan to the mainland.

To mitigate the risks, he chose to continue writing the IP of "Stories from the Editorial Department," which was once a huge hit across the country, and partnered with Feng Xiaogang.

Thus came the three-episode Lunar New Year TV series "Everything Goes Well" which aired during the Spring Festival of 1997. It featured the original cast of "Stories from the Editorial Department," with Feng Xiaogang as the screenwriter and Zhao Baogang as the director.

Unfortunately, lacking Wang Shuo's "uninhibited" spirit, the final result was mediocre, and it could only be considered a less than successful practice.

"Lunar New Year films, Lunar New Year dramas..."

Wang Sheng muttered to himself.

It's already the end of July, and there are only about six months left until the Spring Festival and less than five months until the New Year.

Making a Lunar New Year film?

If you can't establish a distribution network at the lower levels, producing a film is like casting pearls before swine—it's all for nothing.

But it seems like the perfect time to produce a well-made and attention-grabbing Lunar New Year TV series.

This will not only expand new businesses and seize the discourse power in the Beijing film circle, but also demonstrate its strength and value to the soon-to-be-established "Forbidden City Film Industry", paving the way for future in-depth cooperation.

If successful, Shengying Media will no longer be just a "quasi-regular army" shooting wedding videos, but a "regular army" with the ability to produce film and television content.

As his thoughts gradually became clearer, Wang Sheng's eyes lit up.

It's time to crack down hard on the Beijing elite!
Before "Everything Goes Well" even airs, let's create a truly blockbuster Lunar New Year drama!

So, what to film?
Wang Sheng's brain was racing, searching through the numerous Lunar New Year films and television shows he had watched in his previous life.

Soon, a drama title popped up—"Family Harmony Brings Prosperity: Love Returns in the Year of the Dragon"!
If I remember correctly, this show aired around the year 2000, starring Zhao Benshan, Guo Da Statham, and others. It was lively, festive, and full of family warmth and New Year's atmosphere, which was very much in line with the tone of the Lunar New Year season.

He carefully recalled the plot, the core of which was that a man dressed as a woman to take care of his family, which triggered a series of laughs and heartwarming stories.

This setting... seems a bit familiar.

Wang Sheng frowned, then suddenly realized.

Released in 1993, "Mrs. Doubtfire," directed by Chris Columbus, followed the same formula.

Harm~
Copying foreign works is a traditional skill in the industry; from music to film, there's nothing that isn't copied.

However, "Harmony Brings Prosperity" has been extremely successful in localization, making it more down-to-earth and in line with the values ​​and humor of Chinese families. Zhao Benshan's performance is also a classic.

That's it!

Wang Sheng slapped his thigh, making up his mind. ...

back home.

Wang Baoguo and Zhang Xiulan went to work early.

Wang Sheng changed his clothes, went out again, and headed towards the company.

……

As Shengying Media expands, it has rented five offices on the first floor of the Beijing Film Studio's main building, and recently rented another one.

Two rooms were used as equipment rooms, two rooms were used as business and customer service departments to handle 'image memory' and 'personal customization' services respectively, and one room was used as a dispatch center.

Wang Sheng's workstation is currently located in the dispatch center, which was also the first office that Shengying Media rented.

Of course, the factory waives the rent.

The expansion of Shengying Media has restored the first floor of the Beijing Film Studio's main building to its former glory, a vibrant and bustling scene.

People came and went, and the sounds of telephones ringing and discussions were constant.

Good morning, Mr. Wang!

"Brother Sheng!"

"Gang leader!"

Employees greeted him along the way, and Wang Sheng nodded in response to each one, continuing on his way into the dispatch center.

I sat down at my desk and spread out my manuscript paper.

Harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things.

Wang Sheng wrote down a provisional title, and then began to try to recall and construct a story outline and main characters.

The story revolves around an old man from Northeast China.

Because his daughter divorced and his son-in-law gained custody of his grandson, he was unable to visit his beloved grandson regularly.

Driven by an intense longing for family affection, he devised an absurd plan—to dress as a woman and impersonate a nanny named "Grandma Yu," successfully infiltrating his former son-in-law's home.

This led to a series of hilarious misunderstandings and conflicts, ultimately revealing the truth about the family and facilitating reconciliation and the restoration of kinship.

Main characters:

Grandpa/Grandma Yu: A witty yet slightly stubborn old man from Northeast China who deeply loves his grandson. Actor: Zhao Benshan is the first choice.
Among all comedians in China, Zhao Benshan's acting skills are absolutely top-notch, without a doubt.

Unfortunately, despite its immense popularity, it just couldn't carry the box office, and I don't know why.

Son-in-law (Mr. Zhang): A successful but somewhat chauvinistic boss. Actor: Fan Wei (first choice).

With his big head and thick neck, he's either a boss or a cook; Fan Wei was born to play a boss.

The in-laws (Zhang's father): The son-in-law's father, a warm-hearted but somewhat lonely old man. He develops feelings for "Grandma Yu" and becomes jealous of her, even competing with the old man next door. Actor: Guo Da is the first choice.

Guo Da is also a versatile actor who excels in comedy and is even better at serious drama.

Daughter (Juanjuan): The old man's daughter, a modern woman struggling between family and career. Cast: To be determined.
Secretary: Young and beautiful, the instigator of conflict in the "mistress" subplot. Actress: Li Xiaoran

The highlight of this drama is all about Lao Zhao, while the two female characters have roughly equal amount of screen time.

The elderly neighbor: He is a "love rival" to the in-law played by Guo Da, and the two engage in a fierce competition to win over "Grandma Yu's" favor. Actor: Gong Hanlin is the first choice.

Imperial Jade Liquor, 180 yuan a glass~
Grandson: The central link connecting all the adults' conflicts and emotions; the initial intention and ultimate goal of all of Grandpa's actions. Cast: To be determined.
After writing this down, looking at the names Zhao Benshan, Guo Da, and Gong Hanlin, Wang Sheng couldn't help but wonder, "Isn't this cast a bit too extravagant? Can I afford to hire them now?"

……

(End of this chapter)