A writer has arrived in the Chinese entertainment industry.

Chapter 104 The Pitfall of China Film Group

Su Liu followed Liu Tong to the president's office in Building 1 of the Guangxian headquarters. Just as the two were about to enter, they suddenly heard someone shout from behind them.

"Liu Tong, I happen to need to talk to you about something."

A man in his fifties, with a refined and prosperous appearance, walked down the corridor. He had a round head and his hair was cut very short, close to his scalp like a Catholic cap.

"Chairman Wang, what's wrong?" Liu Tong turned around and asked.

This man with the round head is Wang Changtian, the chairman of Enlight Media.

"How are our negotiations with Seven Star Entertainment going?"

"Oh, this."

As Liu Tong pushed open the office door, he gestured for Su Liu and Wang Changtian to come in. "Their idea is to establish a joint venture with us in Shanghai to handle some international cooperation projects."

"Yes, we need to expedite this and finalize the cooperation details with them as soon as possible." Wang Changtian nodded, then turned his gaze to Su Liu beside him and asked, "And who is this?"

Liu Tong quickly introduced, "Chairman Wang, this is General Manager Su of Fuxing Culture. General Manager Su, this is the chairman of our Enlight Media."

"Oh, Mr. Su, the great writer Su." Wang Changtian's plump face immediately showed a gentle smile, and he was the first to extend his hand. "I've heard Liu Tong talk about you, this young genius, for a long time. You are indeed a handsome and talented man."

Su Liu wasn't good at flattering people, so he simply said, "Haha, Chairman Wang is quite remarkable too."

Upon hearing this, Liu Tong, who was expecting a string of humble words, paused for half a second, thinking to himself that this President Su was really a straightforward guy, even his greetings were so stiff.

Wang Changtian was amused by the bluntness of the words. He released his grip, gestured to the sofa, and motioned for Su Liu to sit down. "Talented people are just naturally individualistic. Mr. Su, did you come to our company, Guangxian, because you have another great project that you've thought of?"

"Chairman Wang," Liu Tong continued, "President Su is here to attend the China Film Group's promotional event."

"Oh, is that it?" Wang Changtian sat down with a smile. "China Film Group has indeed brought out some good stuff this time."

"Oh?" Su Liu leaned forward slightly, pretending to listen attentively. "When I received the notification, I was still on set. I only knew that China Film Group was inviting film companies and investors to jointly invest to diversify risks. I don't know the specific projects involved."

Liu Tong chuckled softly from the side, "President Su, China Film Group has dug a huge pit for us this time. You're young, so don't let those people incite you and make you rush in headfirst."

"A huge pit? You're making me a little scared."

Wang Changtian laughed heartily, "There's no need to be afraid, but those people always use grand narratives like the industry's prospects and development to manipulate capital. President Su, your Fuxing Culture is currently riding high, so you'd better be careful."

As the chairman of Enlight Media, Wang Changtian was certainly not a pushover. In his eyes, Su Liu's Fushou Culture was a highly promising partner, and his casual reminder was merely a favor.

Seeing how much these two were avoiding this promotional event, Su Liu muttered to himself, "What kind of huge trap could it be?"

"What exactly is going on? Mr. Liu, Chairman Wang, do you guys even bother with the techniques of fiction? You've been talking for so long, and I'm still completely confused."

Upon hearing this, Wang Changtian exchanged a glance with Liu Tong, then chuckled softly, "President Su, what do you think is the weakest genre of film in our country?"

"Well... there are many, for example... suspense films are quite weak."

"Think about it again, it's the kind of film that you can't film even if you want to, the kind that everyone in the industry avoids like the plague."

A flash of inspiration struck Su Liu; at this point in 2014, the answer was almost obvious.

"Science fiction film."

"Right, and it's the kind of hard science fiction film with heavy industry." Wang Changtian tapped his fingers heavily on the table twice. "China Film Group said this time, 'Gathering China Film Group, Openness and Win-Win,' but in reality, all other projects are just a smokescreen. There's only one ultimate goal."

"What is it?" A name had already surfaced in Su Liu's mind.

"They bought the rights to three of Liu Cixin's novels two years ago. You know Liu Cixin, right?"

"Of course I know." Su Liu nodded.

"A couple of years ago, they didn't dare to start this kind of project, but now they probably can't resist anymore. But we know our own situation best; domestic science fiction... tsk tsk..."

At this point, Wang Changtian involuntarily shook his head, his face showing a clear sense of respect and distance.

Liu Tong chimed in, his tone also full of skepticism, "China doesn't even have a decent special effects industry system right now. If we rush in to do hard science fiction now, even if China Film Group takes the lead, it will be a hot potato."

"But everything has to have a beginning!" Su Liu couldn't help but reply, looking at the two of them who seemed to be facing a formidable enemy.

"Look," Wang Changtian leaned back, revealing a helpless smile of someone who's been through it all, "young people just think too simply."

A few years ago, China Film Group brought in Wang Jin and Andy Lau to make "Future X-Cops," which was heavily promoted as a new chapter in Chinese science fiction. And what happened?

"That's not all," Liu Tong added. "Before that, there was another film called 'Metallic Attraction: Kung Fu Cyborg,' which also marketed itself as a domestic sci-fi film. This film was mainly produced by Shanghai Film Group. Mr. Su, you can look into it."

A brief silence fell over the office. Su Liu understood perfectly well that at this point in time, the word "science fiction" was synonymous with financial ruin in the eyes of these filmmakers.

Not only them, but even domestic audiences look down on Chinese science fiction with disdain. They complain about cheap special effects.

The plot is melodramatic. This can't be called prejudice; it's a physiological reaction based on reality.

"Alright, thank you both for reminding me." Su Liu's tone sounded gentle and polite.

Seeing his sincere attitude, Wang Changtian immediately smiled with satisfaction and nodded, saying, "That's right, President Su. We filmmakers should go with the flow. In the future, our two companies can cooperate well. If Fuxing Culture has any good scripts, just come to me."

"Of course, there will be many times in the future when we'll need the help of light."

The three chatted and laughed. Liu Tong asked about Fusu Films' future plans, and Su Liu also told him about the plans for the two movies.

Sure enough, the two senior executives from Enlight Media immediately expressed their interest, saying they could discuss the details after the presentation, and the office was filled with a harmonious atmosphere.

However, a surge of heroic spirit rose in Su Liu's heart; he couldn't convince anyone.

However, he knew that things wouldn't develop the way they thought.