In the entertainment industry, everyone has been reborn, but who will be their servant?

Chapter 109 One must rely on oneself

Shen Ao and his team were at a loss for words, unsure how to express themselves or explain their situation. They were simply saddened and deeply disappointed.

They idolized Zuo Shandiao so much, making movies and creating a "one-click triple combo," but Zuo Shandiao didn't acknowledge them.

It's like you're trying hard to prove to your parents that you can do it, that you've grown up and can handle things, but they still treat you like a child.

Such examples abound, and there are countless examples in society. For instance, there was a child who was exceptionally intelligent and could have studied abroad at the age of 14, but his parents refused because they thought he was too young.

The only thing he did was propose buying a house in Beijing, otherwise he wouldn't pursue a doctorate. His parents verbally agreed, but only agreed to rent a place, and said the child was being unreasonable.

Finally, he was heartbroken and lost all desire to study.

If those parents had followed their child's line of thinking the whole time, regardless of their academic achievements, their wealth would have multiplied many times over. And that was only 11 years ago, before Beijing's housing prices were at their most outrageous. They could have made a fortune just by taking out a mortgage on a property.

Zuo Shandiao's denial of them can be seen as a blow to Shen Ao and others' admiration for him, making them realize even more how precious it was to be recognized by Xuan Zong.

In fact, Qin Xuan had long anticipated this outcome. The Beijing entertainment circle is a very closed circle, and it's not as simple as just proving your abilities if you want to integrate into it. There are some things that are best left unsaid.

The blockbuster strategy is all about big directors; behind the scenes, it's all about traditional old-timers, people from that circle, who share the profits.

How will those people survive if the newcomers rise up and snatch food from their mouths?
If we accept it, the cinematographer, art director, screenwriter, producer, and everyone else will have to be replaced. It's like a complete overhaul. It's not like we're just replacing Qin Xuan and adding a name instead.

The real emergence of new talents in the entertainment industry and film industry didn't happen until 14 years later.

At that time, Chen Sicheng, Dapeng, Wen Muye, Shen Ao, Jiaozi, Liu Xunzi Mo, and others basically had no connection with the Beijing circle, but were instead pushed out.

Looking at their investors, you can tell that Wanda, Ruyi, Bad Monkey, and others have already broken away from the Beijing investment circle.

Ruyi, Zhuiguang, Bad Monkey, Tingdong, and Lianrui were all rising stars in the private film industry in the south. Lianrui initially operated in Beijing, but began to flourish after moving to Shanghai in 18.

So you can imagine how closed off the circles are here. Apart from Huayi, Bona, and Enlight Media, it's been the same three for decades, and even Enlight Media doesn't get along with them.

Although Happy Twist is based in Beijing, it is actually a Southern-based company. It was initially supported by Tencent, then collaborated with New Classics Media, and later merged with Ruyi Entertainment. Tencent is the major shareholder behind Ruyi Entertainment.

Ironically, many people were initially excluded from the Beijing circle, but later began to gain momentum in the south.

Of course, this is also thanks to the later relaxation of policies. If they hadn't, the winter of the film market would have come sooner. How many people would like to watch the films made by those directors from the Beijing circle? They were all flops.

It's not that those works in the South are any better; they treat the audience like monkeys just the same way. Works like "Lively and Hot" and "Man Jiang Hong" were created by those same people.

Later, there were also some influential figures in the Beijing circle, such as Wu Jin and Guo Fan. Guo Fan was strongly promoted by them!
"In that case, let's not bother you any longer. We'll cooperate again if fate allows." Qin Xuan didn't say anything more.

They also stood up in disappointment after the Olympic bid.

"and many more!"

Zuo Shandiao gestured for them to be patient, and then said, "If the cooperation doesn't work out, we can still talk about distribution. When your movie is finished, bring it over for me to take a look."

We should still give Zhang Hongsen some face, after all, he's been pushing it so hard.

"We'll talk about it later!" Qin Xuan said.

"Alright!" Zuo Shandiao nodded and gestured for them to leave.

Shen Ao and his group made way for Qin Xuan, who walked out first. They followed until the group left the office and disappeared from sight, at which point the secretary closed the door.

Fatty Yu then said, "We really aren't getting involved!"

“This guy is building his own power base. He’s unruly and won’t listen to anyone. Feeding him won’t do him any good,” Zuo Shandiao shook his head.

If you feed the other party, they might end up fighting with the underlings you've recruited.

“That’s true. He fought so fiercely with Huayi before, and some people in the industry said they wanted to kick him out.” Fatty Yu nodded silently.

He wasn't disappointed; as long as he followed Zuo Shandiao's lead, he would have food to eat.

Qin Xuan and the others walked out of the China Film Building in silence. Seeing their dejected appearance, Qin Xuan couldn't help but laugh and ask, "What's wrong with you all? What happened?"

"I'm a bit taken aback. I didn't expect that this is how Zuo Shandiao views us," Zhang Linke said dejectedly.

Everyone else was in the same boat, suffering setbacks to varying degrees, feeling unappreciated, and as if their efforts had been in vain.

"You think only Zuo Shandiao sees you this way? The entire Beijing and Hong Kong entertainment circles see you this way."

Qin Xuan paused for a moment and then said, "Let me tell you, it's not that they don't want to vote, it's that they won't get any benefits from voting."

"How can we not benefit from this? Our movie is pretty good, and Director Sen is so supportive," Shen Ao said, puzzled.

Zhang Hongsen is known as "Director Sen" in this circle, but Qin Xuan calling him "Old Zhang" is just a random nickname.
He just never shouted it in front of Zhang Hongsen.

"Director Sen is Director Sen. He controls the direction of the film market, but he doesn't control resources. It is Zuo Shandiao who controls the production and distribution resources of the film and television industry. They are two different systems. Simply put, whatever direction Director Sen wants to convey, China Film Group needs to execute it."

Qin Xuan continued, "For example, our film 'Nanjing Photo Studio' is positive, so he supports it, which is his responsibility. But how to implement it requires production companies like us, and China Film Group plays that role."

"Oh, so if China Film Group supports us, how come we don't get any benefits?" Li Miao was still puzzled.

"Let me ask you this: are you part of their circle? They want to replace you as the art director, to replace you with their own. Their circle needs to make a living. Do you agree?" Qin Xuan looked at him. Li Miao immediately fell silent. President Xuan's words were subtle but hit the nail on the head. President Xuan had connections and needed to protect their jobs, and they also had their own connections and jobs to protect.

It's very simple. Even though there's only one director, there's only one art director and one director of photography. So who gets those positions?

"The Beijing film circle is so dominant in the film and television industry because it was protected by Zuo Shandiao. Before Huayi Brothers and Bona Film Group rose to prominence, you could pick any movie and see if it had anything to do with him," Qin Xuan said to the crowd surrounding him.

This is to make it clear to them that you are not part of their circle, and to dissuade them from pursuing this idea.

He brought them here so they would clearly understand which circle they belonged to, and not to think about fitting in or anything like that, that's pure nonsense.

"It's true. China Film Group was involved in Huayi Brothers' early films such as 'The Dream Factory,' 'Big Shot's Funeral,' and 'Cell Phone.' It's said that Zuo Shandiao helped solve the funding problem for 'The Missing Gun.'"

Wang Chaowen said to them again: "Xu Cai Nu was supported by Zuo Shan Diao to become a director. To put it simply, it was he who integrated the resources of the Beijing circle that created Huayi."

Everyone nodded, understanding why Zuo Shandiao stopped investing. It wasn't about the movie itself, but rather that the other party simply wouldn't accept them.

If we don't accept them, then naturally we have to film according to their team's style.

"In addition, Bona distributes 80% of Hong Kong films, which is almost a monopoly. To put it simply, Bona is the fulcrum of the bandit leader Zuo Shandiao in the Hong Kong film industry."

Remember *CJ7*? That movie was about Stephen Chow having a falling out with the Xiang family, and the bandit leader Zuo Shandiao protecting him, getting Bona Film Group to invest in it—essentially acting as his agent.

Wang Chaowen said again.

“No wonder Fatty Yu acts like a dog,” Zhang Linke couldn’t help but say.

Everyone around grinned; the metaphor was quite apt.

Li Miao was worried: "China Film Group accounts for more than 90% of the national digital film distribution market and 80% of digital cinema screens. Will they target us?"

This company is truly terrifying; it handles the distribution of 70% of the films.

"Don't worry, this year the Film Bureau will allow all cinemas to choose to join mainstream cinema chains and allow joint ventures and cooperation. Huayi's active preparation for listing is a signal that social capital investment will be allowed. In the future, the influence of China Film Group will be gradually weakened." Qin Xuan was very clear about the future policies.

Against this backdrop, companies like Enlight Media and LeTV entered the market, while cinema chains such as Wanda and Hengdian have been expanding rapidly in recent years, causing China Film Group's influence to weaken year by year.

Of course, they will always be the leader, but they will never become the hegemon.

Every few years, the Film Bureau will organize directors to go to Hollywood to study. These are all ways to introduce competition and break down barriers. All of these were organized during Zhang Hongsen's tenure.

This is also why Qin Xuan was willing to work with Zhang Hongsen; the two share the same ideals of breaking down barriers between social circles.

"I'm just worried they might release a Hollywood blockbuster to compete with our film?" Li Miao added.

"This concern exists, but it's not a reason for us to compromise. First, you need to recognize a reality: we can't rise up by relying on other people's charity. That would taint us with their atmosphere, which is unacceptable. Instead, we must rely on our own strength to create our own atmosphere." Qin Xuan paused here.

Let them process this. Actually, the Olympic bidders are quite smart; they understand what he's saying. It's like toasting; how many young people actually enjoy drinking culture?

It's all unavoidable; the party that controls the resources prefers it this way. That's just their atmosphere.

But they also have their own atmosphere, which is incompatible with the old traditions.

"Besides, so what if it's a Hollywood blockbuster? Does that mean we can't compete? Aside from the special effects, are their stories better than ours? We also have the home advantage!"

Qin Xuan looked at them and said firmly, "People must rely on themselves!"

When he spoke the last few words, he emphasized them heavily, which gradually made the gazes of the people present become firm, as if they had returned to that passionate year.

At that time, they were determined to do it, no matter what.

It's the same now. We still have that same determination. Just do it! So what if it's a domestic blockbuster? So what if it's a Hollywood blockbuster? It's just competition.

They talked a lot that day, until late at night. Of course, they talked most about China Film Group and the bandit leader, but they also talked about how movies are made.

How to film and how to carry out the work are their main concerns.

Qin Xuan first divided them into two groups, one going to Nanjing and the other to Shanghai. The group going to Nanjing was to find the local cultural relics bureau and ask them to guide the restoration of Nanjing city, its street scenes, and the scenery of the photo studio.

Without the cooperation of the cultural relics bureau, the details cannot be restored. In addition, we need to go to Shanghai to scout locations.

Qin Xuan plans to film at the Shanghai Film and Television Park, where a 1:1 scale replica of Jinling City will be built for filming.

This is also to create a tourist attraction for them to visit. After they go there, the local cultural and broadcasting departments will coordinate, and Wang Chaowen will contact Shanghai Film Studio. They will provide support.

Wang Chaowen does this job, and Ye Ning from Wanda will also help with the overall coordination, so Qin Xuan doesn't need to worry too much about the preparations.

Qin Xuan, on the other hand, stayed in the capital to continue attracting investment, with Wanda's 30 million yuan expected to arrive first.

This time, Qin Xuan met with Wang Changtian, who personally came to the New Force's branch office in the 798 Art District.

There was no other way; Qin Xuan, mindful of his position, refused to talk to his deputy, so the boss had to come in person, otherwise he couldn't participate.

(End of this chapter)