The entertainment industry: My 99 future timelines!

As the banquet reached its climax, a huge multi-tiered cake with "1.37 million" written on it in chocolate was cut open.

Amid cheers and applause, Li Xu, Liu Yifei, Jing Tian, ​​and others cut the cake together and then distributed it to the guests.

The multi-tiered champagne tower also sprayed out celebratory liquor.

The lively celebration lasted until late at night before finally coming to an end.

Li Xu hadn't drunk too much; he remained sober.

So Jing Tian first had the driver take Liu Yifei, who had a lower alcohol tolerance, home. Only after Liu Xiaoli came up to greet them did the car head towards Li Xu's studio.

The car was very quiet.

Jing Tian rubbed her temples. Her usually lively face now showed a hint of fatigue, though her eyes remained excited.

"Tired?"

"Then close your eyes and lie down to rest for a while. I don't need you to take care of me."

Li Xu, who was lying in the back seat of the car with his eyes closed, couldn't help but ask with concern when he saw this.

"It's a bit tiring, but it's worth it."

"Besides, I don't want to rest right now, my billion-dollar director. Right now, I just want to have a good talk with our company, and with you, Shen Jiayi!"

Outside the window, the night view of Beijing rushed past.

The driver in the front seat wisely lowered the screen.

Although Li Xu and Jing Tian didn't do anything, after a long and serious discussion about company issues and the movie "You Are the Apple of My Eye," Jing Tian simply nestled gently in Li Xu's arms.

Li Xu tensed slightly, but still reached out and gently put his arm around her shoulder.

The atmosphere inside the car couldn't help but take on a slightly ambiguous and cozy feel.

-

Noon on the third day after the celebration banquet.

Li Xu Studio.

On the long conference table, financial statements, legal documents, and calculators were laid out.

Despite his dark circles and exhaustion, Wang Jing was in high spirits. He was holding a preliminary settlement sheet and reporting to Li Xu, Jing Tian, ​​Liu Yifei, representatives from China Film Group, and Mr. Qian, the coal boss who was rushing back to Shanxi Province after the celebration banquet the day before yesterday but had his computer video call turned on.

"According to the distribution contract, our box office revenue share is a little over 37%, of course, this is after deducting the tax payable to the State Film Administration."

"If we include the portion that cannot be shared—the 5% film fund that must be paid to the state, and the 3.3% tax."

"There are also additional distribution fees to pay to China Film Group. The actual percentage of the box office revenue we receive is 31.5%, or 1.37 million yuan. Our actual profit is about 4338 million yuan."

"Adding the 2100 million in overseas copyright revenue that has already been received, as well as subsequent TV broadcasting rights, online copyrights, and GG product placements, the total revenue is approximately 7000 million."

"After deducting our film's total cost of approximately 1100 million, the preliminary estimated net profit is..."

Wang Jing paused for a moment, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, before adding, "Approximately 5900 million RMB!"

From the other end of the video call, a loud "Good!" came from Mr. Qian.

You could even faintly hear him slapping his thigh.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei's face lost its usual aloofness and was filled with joy.

Although she wasn't particularly fond of money, she couldn't ignore such a large return on investment.

Shen Ao, Li Xu, and representatives from China Film Group were all deeply moved.

Only Jing Tian remained completely calm. She could easily afford a mere few tens of millions and didn't care about it.

After recounting the astonishing profit figures...

Ignoring the dark circles under his eyes and his exhaustion, Wang Jing spoke up excitedly again:

"Now that we've calculated the total profits for the film, we'll begin distributing them according to the pre-arranged contract."

"The first step is profit sharing for the creative team."

"Director Li, as the director, screenwriter, and male lead, is entitled to 8% of the net profit."

Wang Jing pressed a few keys on the calculator. "This is 472 million."

Li Xu nodded without saying anything more.

470 million is indeed not high compared to the total profit of 5900 million.

But this is his first film after all, and he has used a lot of other people's investments. The profit figure that his next film, "You Are the Apple of My Eye," will definitely increase significantly.

Wang Jing continued speaking:

"The second step is for Ms. Liu Yifei to act as the female lead without receiving any payment, and to receive 5% of the net profit as a special bonus, which is 295 million."

Liu Yifei raised her head, a happy expression on her face, and nodded gently.

295 million, which is much higher than the salary she received for any TV series or movie she had ever filmed before, and even more than the money she earned in the entire year of 2006, even including the GG endorsement.

And this is only her share of the profits as the female lead in the movie.

She also has another share as an investor.

"The third step is to subtract 767 million from the remaining distributable profit, which is 5900 million, or 5133 million. This portion will be distributed among the three investors according to their investment ratios."

Wang Jing looked at the report:

"Ms. Liu Yifei invested 500 million, accounting for 45.45% of the total investment of 1100 million, and can receive approximately 2333 million."

"China Film Group invested 300 million, accounting for 27.27%, and can receive about 1400 million. Qian Zong invested 300 million, also accounting for 27.27%, and can receive about 1400 million."

Finally, Wang Jing concluded: "Therefore, Ms. Liu Yifei received a total of 295 million + 2333 million = 2628 million, while China Film Group and Mr. Qian each received 1400 million."

In the video, Mr. Qian was grinning from ear to ear: "Hahaha, good, good, Director Li, remember to contact me again next time you need investment!"

The China Film representative was all smiles, extremely satisfied with the return on investment, and laughed out loud, saying, "Director Li, if you come to China Film again for your next film, we guarantee we'll keep the marketing and distribution costs as low as possible."

Li Xu nodded and smiled in agreement.

This time, China Film Group, as the distributor, took a full 12% of the net profit as dividends. This was in addition to the 1400 million yuan it received from BOC Investment, amounting to a total of six or seven million yuan.

Given his great success this time, it's only natural that China Film Group would reduce the proportion of publicity and distribution expenses for his next film.

-

After Mr. Qian hung up the video call, the China Film representative left.

The "protagonist" at the scene changed from Wang Jing to Zhao Shanshan.

Miss Jing Tian's agent hadn't attended the meeting before; he only came in after the profit-sharing was finished.

She clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention to her, including Li Xu's:

"Alright everyone, the money distribution is now complete. The finance and legal teams will follow up to ensure that every payment is received legally and compliantly."

"Now, let me speak on behalf of our Tian Tian and talk to you about something more important."

As she spoke, Zhao Shanshan pushed two beautifully bound project proposals in front of Li Xu and Liu Yifei respectively.

Then he handed two thinner contracts to Shen Ao and Wang Jing.

"Xujing Pictures has a registered capital of 5000 million yuan. Our Tiantian is willing to contribute 2900 million yuan, which is only 49% of the shares."

"Li Xu, you will contribute your creative management shares, holding 10% of the pure equity, while Ms. Liu Yifei can hold 5% of the pure equity."

"You can discuss the allocation of the remaining 35% of the shares with Ms. Liu Yifei."

"As for Shen'ao, Wang Jing, you two can look at the terms in the contract. They are guaranteed to be generous, but shares will not be given out at the moment."

"If they perform well later on, we can consider it."

At this point, Li Xu, Liu Yifei, Shen Ao, and Wang Jing were all carefully reviewing the documents in front of them.

Zhao Shanshan continued, without stopping: "Also, I want to mention that our company's new movie, 'You Are the Apple of My Eye,' which is about to start filming, is directed, written, and stars Li Xu. The initial budget for this movie is set at under 2000 million yuan, with actual expenses reimbursed."

"And the female lead..."

At this point, Zhao Shanshan paused, a hint of excitement, as if she were watching gossip, showing on her face. After glancing at Liu Yifei's expression, she said softly:

"The female lead, Shen Jiayi, in this film is played by Jing Tian."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei's expression remained unchanged, as if she hadn't seen Zhao Shanshan's gaze at all. Apart from her fingers involuntarily stopping their flipping through the documents and contracts in front of her, a slight smile appeared on her lips: "It's very suitable. I agree."

After saying that, she reached out and hugged Jing Tian, ​​who was standing next to her with a big smile: "Tian Tian, ​​I'm really looking forward to seeing a different side of you."

"hiss……"

Upon seeing this, Shen Ao couldn't help but gasp.

Goodness, it's been a while since I've seen this senior, Yifei, and she's developed such a mindset and methods. It's truly frightening.

Seeing this, Zhao Shanshan looked disappointed.

Wang Jing simply pretended not to see anything.

Li Xu met Jing Tian's probing gaze and nodded slightly: "Okay, this was agreed upon long ago, so let's decide on this."

Zhao Shanshan sighed inwardly.

After realizing she wasn't getting any gossip to watch, Jing Tian's manager and close friend also started to put aside her spectator mentality and spoke seriously:

"Very well, since no one objects to this, let's make it a decision."

"However, I propose that, to generate buzz for the film, we should hold a nationwide audition for Shen Jiayi!"

Li Xu raised an eyebrow and immediately understood Zhao Shanshan's intention.

This is hype, publicity, and a gesture to show the outside world.

Although the actual female lead had already been cast.

However, this process can attract the attention of countless people in China, generate buzz for the movie "You Are the Apple of My Eye" in advance, and even take the opportunity to discover some potential new talents and sign them to the company.

Although if we were to discuss this matter, it might seem a bit underhanded.

However, such shady practices have always existed in the film and television industry. After thinking for a moment, Li Xu did not object but said, "Okay, let's do it this way."

-

the next day.

The audition information for "You Are the Apple of My Eye" was released directly through major news media outlets.

The rules are simple: 16-22 years old, female, with a student-like appearance, pure and lively.

Xujing Pictures will collect information through the official website to be established and cooperative platforms, conduct preliminary selection and secondary selection, and finally... Director Li Xu will personally interview and decide.

The release of this news.

In the domestic film and television industry, it was as if a massive boulder weighing tens of thousands of tons had been thrown into a calm lake.

"New director Li Xu, who has won over 100 million yuan, is holding open auditions for the female lead, Shen Jiayi, in his new film 'Those Years'!"

"Li Xu, a rising star director in China, directs and stars in a film that rekindles his youth!"

"I heard that Jing Tian, ​​Li Xu's confidante, has been confirmed to participate, but her role is yet to be determined?"

For the next week or two.

The entertainment sections of major news media outlets were completely dominated by news related to "You Are the Apple of My Eye".

Female students at major art schools and even regular universities were in an uproar.

Whether it's Li Xu's directorial talent, the box office miracle he just created, or his own leading role, it's all thanks to him.

This is undoubtedly a fatal attraction for all young girls who dream of becoming stars.

Registration emails and mailed materials poured into the temporary office of "Xujing Film Industry" like snowflakes.

The entertainment sections of major media outlets have also begun to speculate and analyze, listing the new actresses who may be selected for the leading role.

On online forums, discussions about "who is most suitable for Shen Jiayi" have reached a fever pitch.

Liu Yifei's fans couldn't help but feel both excited and worried. They hoped that their idol could become "Shen Jiayi," but they were also worried that she would continue to have the same image.

Li Xu paid little attention to the noise from the outside world.

During this period, he has been in seclusion revising the script for "You Are the Apple of My Eye".

I only occasionally take a little time to look through the flood of audition materials.

The information of these audition girls is mostly the same.

Pretty.

But he lacked the quality that resonated with him.

Fortunately, Li Xu didn't need to actually search for "Shen Jiayi"; he knew where she was.

However, among these mountains of documents, Li Xu did see some information about unknown actresses he had worked with in his future memories.

"Liu Shishi... Yang Mi... Jin Chen... Zhao Liying... Song Tie..."

In the end, he kept the information that he remembered.

As for the others, he didn't look at them much.

Throughout December 2007, the buzz surrounding the auditions continued to intensify across the country.

The internal work of "Xujing Pictures" also proceeded in an orderly manner.

Inside the newly rented office of Xujing Film Industry, the sounds of telephones ringing, keyboards clattering, and staff discussing things mingled together, creating the bustling and vibrant atmosphere typical of a new startup.

And this will happen.

Li Xu also finalized the last details of Xujing Film Industry with Jing Tian, ​​Zhao Shanshan, and Liu Yifei.

The company logo is a simple lens aperture outlined by lines, with the light of dawn shining through its center.

The equity structure is clear: Jing Tian, ​​as the main investor and operations manager, holds 49% of the shares; Li Xu ultimately holds 41%; and Liu Yifei holds 10% of the shares through investment and artist contracts.

"Alright, the legal documents will be ready soon."

Closing her latest iPad, Zhao Shanshan said in a light tone, "Next, we'll start preparations for filming 'Those Years.' I'll try my best to expedite these aspects. As for the script's approval, Director Li, you don't need to worry at all."

Li Xu smiled. Having a vague understanding of Jing Tian's true background, he had no doubt about the truthfulness of Zhao Shanshan's words and immediately said:

"Okay, next, I will carefully select the other supporting actors besides Shen Jiayi."

"I've also discovered a few promising talents. I'll send their names to you, Sister Shanshan, later. Could you take a look and see which ones I can sign or poach? I'll try my best to get them roles in movies."