Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, I became a legend in the entertainment industry by avo

Chapter 185 We've invested in this project!

Zhang Qilin sensed the lack of confidence in her voice and patiently said, "Didn't you say before that you wanted to learn acting from me? This is the best opportunity. With the rehearsal system of the Beijing People's Art Theatre and the guidance of professional directors, you will definitely make great progress in a few months."

"But----"

"Moreover," Zhang Qilin interrupted her, "this role is very suitable for you. It's heroic, dashing, and righteous, which has something in common with your own temperament. As long as you put in the effort, you can definitely play it well."

Listening to Zhang Qilin's explanation, Jing Tian was somewhat intrigued and then asked, "What about the funding you mentioned?"

Zhang Qilin explained with a smile, "The play needs investment, and that's what I wanted to talk to you about. You'd play the female lead and also participate in the investment, how about that?"

"You want me to act and pay up at the same time?" Jing Tian laughed. "Da Lin, you're trying to get something for nothing."

"How can you call this getting something for nothing?" Zhang Qilin said seriously. "You have money, I have projects, this is called a powerful alliance."

"Don't give me that," Jing Tian shook her head with a smile, "but seriously, how confident are you about this project?"

Zhang Qilin said proudly, "I invited two teachers from the Beijing People's Art Theatre to co-write the script, Ren Ming is the director, and all the actors are pillars of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, including Mr. Lan Tianye and Mr. Zhu Xu. With this kind of lineup, do you think the work would be bad?"

Upon hearing Lan Tianye and Zhu Xu's names, even Jing Tian couldn't help but gasp: "Really? I can act alongside these two old gentlemen?"

Zhang Qilin said with a smile, "Of course it's true. As long as the funds are in place and the project starts, none of these will be a problem."

37

Jing Tian's voice was filled with excitement: "Come to my company tomorrow to meet and discuss in detail. Investment matters are always decided by President Wang, but if it's the lineup you mentioned, I believe President Wang will definitely invest."

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

The next day, Zhang Qilin went to the agency where Jing Tian worked.

After being informed by the receptionist, he was led to a small meeting room.

Soon, Jing Tian walked in.

Behind him was a woman in her thirties, with short, neat hair and wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

"This is Mr. Wang, the person in charge of the company," Jing Tian introduced.

"Hello, Mr. Wang," Zhang Qilin said, extending his hand.

"Mr. Zhang, I've heard so much about you," Wang Lan said with a smile, shaking his hand. "Tian Tian mentioned to me that you wanted to discuss cooperation. Let's sit down and talk."

The three of them took their seats.

Wang Lan cut to the chase: "Tian Tian said you have a stage play project and want to cast her as the lead actress, but you also need investment?"

"Yes," Zhang Qilin handed the project proposal to Jing Tian and Wang Lan respectively. "The project is about Qin Liangyu, a female general of the Ming Dynasty, and I plan to bring it to the stage of the Beijing People's Art Theatre."

Jing Tian took the letter of intent and curiously opened it.

Wang Lan looked more carefully, her eyes quickly scanning the project overview, production team, budget estimate, and market analysis sections.

"Qin Liangyu—" Wang Lan pondered, "This subject matter is quite unique, a female hero, loyal to the emperor and serving the country, which fits the mainstream ideology. The production company is the Beijing People's Art Theatre, so the quality is guaranteed. Mr. Zhang is the producer?"

"I am one of the initiators," Zhang Qilin explained.

Wang Lan nodded; the reputation of the Beijing People's Art Theatre was still guaranteed.

She continued, "What about the budget?"

"The initial estimate is that the production cost will be around ten million," Zhang Qilin explained. "I hope that everything, including scriptwriting, rehearsals, stage design, costumes, and promotion, will be top-notch, creating a classic work that can be restaged every year."

Upon hearing about the classic works, Jing Tian's eyes lit up.

"Dalin, do you think—I can play Qin Liangyu well?" Her tone was a mix of eagerness and uncertainty.

"I think you have potential," Zhang Qilin said, looking at her earnestly. "The role of Qin Liangyu has a wide range, from a young girl to a female general, to a commander, and then to a lonely minister in her later years. It is very challenging and also very demanding. Developing such a role on the stage of the Beijing People's Art Theatre will be of great help to your future acting career."

He repeatedly emphasized training and the future.

This captivated Jing Tian.

Wang Lan, on the other hand, focused more on practical issues: "Mr. Zhang, the investment return cycle for stage plays is long, and the commercial return rate is usually not as good as that of film and television dramas. In addition to supporting Tian Tian's career development, we also hope to see other possibilities for the project."

"For example, what are the future development plans for the IP? Or, are there any specific plans to enhance Tian Tian's personal image?"

Zhang Qilin laughed upon hearing this: "Mr. Wang, ten million can only be used for the stage play. If you want to participate in subsequent projects—"

Wang Lan pressed on, "How is it?"

Zhang Qilin said with a smile, "It'll cost extra."

Wang Lan was taken aback at first, then laughed: "Mr. Zhang, your negotiation style is quite direct."

Zhang Qilin said in a relaxed tone, "President Wang, ten million can only be used for stage plays. In addition to stage plays, there are TV series, movies, merchandise, cultural tourism projects—these subsequent developments require a considerable amount of funding and resources."

Wang Lan pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses: "Judging from your tone, this project is more than just a stage play?"

Zhang Qilin nodded, took out another document from his briefcase, and pushed it in front of Wang Lan.

Wang Lan took it and began browsing.

"Lecture Room—was that also arranged by you?" Her tone was incredulous.

"It's part of the overall project planning," Zhang Qilin nodded. "The Hundred Schools Forum is about establishing an authoritative image, while the drama is about making that image more three-dimensional and truly bringing it into people's hearts. The two complement each other."

Wang Lan put down the documents and looked at the young man in front of her again.

She originally thought it was just a normal business negotiation for an actor to attract investment for a project.

But now she realizes that things are not that simple.

Being able to promote a project on the "Lecture Room" program, even if it's just a series of lectures, means that he has at least one powerful backer behind him.

She remembered what Jing Tian had mentioned about Zhang Qilin before.

At the time, she didn't pay much attention, assuming that the young man was just lucky and had genuine talent.

But now it seems that there are more real things besides luck and talent.

"Mr. Zhang's ambitions are even greater than I imagined," Wang Lan said tentatively.

Zhang Qilin smiled and looked at Jing Tian: "If you play the role of Qin Liangyu well, Jing Tian will become a hero in the hearts of all women."

Wang Lan's eyes narrowed.

The hero in every woman's heart?

In the entertainment industry, whoever wins over female fans wins the world, and Wang Lan knows this all too well.

Hearing this, Jing Tian involuntarily sat up straight.

Zhang Qilin slowly described the future: "Experts from the Hundred Schools Forum will tell the legend of Qin Liangyu, and on the stage of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, Jing Tian will hold a long sword and portray the heroine's loyalty, bravery, and tenderness—these two images will overlap and merge in the hearts of the audience."

"People will remember that it was Jing Tian who brought Qin Liangyu to life on the stage of the People's Art Theatre. The recognition brought by that profound sense of history is something that no amount of commercial film leading ladies can match."

"Once you succeed, you will become a hero in the hearts of countless young women and even male viewers. Mr. Wang should know better than me what this kind of image value and social recognition means for an actor's career."

Wang Lan listened in silence.

Zhang Qilin's words hit the nail on the head.

Jing Tian has no shortage of acting opportunities, but what she lacks are solid works and roles that can establish her industry status and change public stereotypes.

The Beijing People's Art Theatre's stage, coupled with a highly influential character like Qin Liangyu, is undoubtedly a shortcut.

Although this shortcut requires tremendous effort and solid performance.

Wang Lan then raised a crucial question: "Whether the play will be successful or not is uncertain, and whether Jing Tian can handle such a role is also unknown. If the effect is not satisfactory, it's a small matter if the investment goes down the drain, but we have to consider the damage to her image and the possible negative reviews."

Zhang Qilin almost burst out laughing when he heard that.

After the release of "The Warring States" in April, what image will Jing Tian have?

The film's poor reception will have a significant impact on Jing Tian's image.

But he couldn't say these things.

Zhang Qilin said, "There are risks in doing anything, but we can try our best to minimize them. The script, director, and actors are all top-notch, and the rehearsal period is long, giving her enough time to hone her character under the guidance of the teachers. As for public feedback—"

He smiled and said, "Mr. Wang, this project has been building momentum since it started with the 'Lecture Room' program. We're not betting on a sudden trend, but rather systematically shaping a cultural trend."

"When our play was staged, the name Qin Liangyu was already familiar to the target audience. We were welcoming an audience that had already been warmed up, rather than starting from scratch. The difference in success rate between these two approaches is enormous."

Upon hearing this, Jing Tian couldn't help but say, "I think this project is worth investing in."

Wang Lan glanced at her and continued to ask Zhang Qilin, "Mr. Zhang, what is your role in this project?"

"One of the initiators," Zhang Qilin said frankly, "I will participate in the entire project's advancement."

Wang Lan nodded, then asked, "Besides us, are there any other investors?"

"Yes," Zhang Qilin nodded, "but each company is only responsible for its own project, and they only sit down together to negotiate when cooperation is needed."

Wang Lan fell silent.

She was quickly calculating the risks.

For Jing Tian's personal development, if she can truly be deeply associated with the image of Qin Liangyu, as Zhang Qilin said, then the return on this investment will be immeasurable by money.

Moreover, with resources like Lecture Room, Beijing People's Art Theatre, and CCTV all gathered together, the probability of the project failing is not high.

After a moment, she closed the letter of intent: "Mr. Zhang, you are very persuasive. You don't just make empty promises; most importantly, you show me that this is indeed a strategic opportunity for Tian Tian."

"Okay, we'll invest in this project, but we have conditions."

>