The entertainment empire began with Liu Yifei's premarital pregnancy.

"Crazy Stone" is not yet finished editing, and Lin Bufan has not seen the final cut.

However, he believed in Ning Hao's abilities, and there was no reason why "Crazy Stone," which had already been successful in later generations, would fail when it came to Kyoto Entertainment Investment.

"Director Lin, what's the schedule...?"

Ning Hao looked at Lin Bufan with some anticipation.

A film's box office performance depends not only on its reputation but also on its release date.

There is no such thing as a "New Year's film season" yet. The best film seasons of the year are the May Day film season, the summer film season, the National Day film season, and the Lunar New Year film season.

"Flying Swords of Dragon Gate" was released during the summer season and has been showing for ten days so far. The current box office is 3.52 million yuan, and the daily box office is around 10 million yuan.

With 20 days left in the release period, a box office of 4 million is certain, and 5 million is also possible.

"Crazy Stone" is Ning Hao's first commercial directorial work and can be considered his transitional work, so of course he wants a better release date.

"How about releasing it during the National Day holiday?"

Lin Bufan thought for a moment and looked at Ning Hao.

With Zhang Yimou's "Curse of the Golden Flower" in the Lunar New Year film season, "Crazy Stone" was not the best choice due to the competition from this film.

If a movie has a particularly high box office during a release period, it will create a siphon effect.

Just like the currently showing "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate," it practically siphoned off the entire summer box office; otherwise, it wouldn't have achieved such a terrifying box office record.

Conversely, before the National Day holiday, there was only one film, Feng Xiaogang's "The Banquet," which, despite being a so-called blockbuster, ultimately failed in both box office and critical reception.

With "The Banquet" preceding it, it might even boost the box office of "Crazy Stone".

Besides, they could have easily used "The Banquet" to gain fame before the movie's release, which would have only offended Huayi Brothers and Feng Xiaogang. Lin Bufan and Kyoto naturally didn't care about that.

"Thank you, Director Lin!"

Ning Hao could not hide his joy.

As a B-signed director at Kyoto Entertainment, Ning Hao is entitled to a 5% share of the box office revenue; the higher the box office, the more he receives.

……

The next day, July 26th.

It was the day of the press conference for the start of filming of the movie "Painted Skin".

In the past few days, due to the casting of "Painted Skin" and the fact that the film's publicity campaign has invested over 100 million yuan, it has already attracted attention both inside and outside the industry.

What everyone is most curious about is who the main actors in "Painted Skin" are.

It wasn't until this moment, when Xu Ke, Liu Yifei, Zhou Xun, Deng Chao, Zhang Jin, and others took the stage, that the reporters below realized what was happening.

In terms of star power, Zhou Xun is undoubtedly the most deserving, but during the interviews, Liu Yifei was the one who was interviewed the most.

Since Liu Yifei became pregnant and gave birth, she has not appeared in the public eye except for one appearance at the premiere of "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate".

"Ms. Liu Yifei, was your casting as Pei Rong predetermined?"

Reporters raised their microphones and looked at Liu Yifei.

In reality, everyone knows that Liu Yifei's casting as the female lead in this blockbuster production costing over 100 million yuan was pre-arranged; it's just that people wanted her to say it.

"The question should be asked of Director Xu: was this role predetermined for me?"

Liu Yifei stood on the stage, holding a microphone, her voice exceptionally gentle, showing no emotional fluctuation whatsoever due to the questions from the reporters below.

"I'll answer that question for you!"

Xu Ke picked up the microphone and looked at the reporters below the stage: "That's right, Yifei was the one who was chosen for this role, but it was something I negotiated with Director Lin with great effort..."

According to Xu Ke, both Lin Bufan and Liu Yifei initially refused, but he persisted in begging Liu Yifei until she finally agreed to play the role.

When it comes to interpersonal relationships, Xu Ke, having been a director for so many years, naturally knows how to say things in a way that is most beneficial to himself, the film, and the other party.

Some of the reporters below believed Xu Ke's words, while others did not. But in any case, no one could find fault with what he said.

……

Lin Bufan did not attend the opening ceremony of "Painted Skin" this time; if he had gone, he would have overshadowed the event.

Moreover, no matter what he says, the reporters will definitely keep asking him and Liu Yifei questions, which is not what he wants.

Lin Bufan's departure date for Hollywood has been set for the 28th of this month. China Eastern Airlines has already notified him that the flight route has been approved.

Before going abroad, Lin Bufan decided to visit the set first.

The TV series "Zhu Yuanzhang" and "My Own Swordsman" have already started filming.

"Let's go to the set of the TV series 'Zhu Yuanzhang'!"

Sitting in the car, Lin Bufan gave instructions to the driver, Liu Meng.

"Yes, boss!"

"Is everything prepared?"

Lin Bufan turned his head to look at Bai Bing sitting next to him.

"Everything is ready."

Bai Bing nodded.

Lin Bufan went to visit the set. He was not only a director, but also the boss of Kyoto Entertainment. Kyoto Entertainment invested in the film "Zhu Yuanzhang". How could he visit the set without bringing anything?

"Old Liu, has everyone arrived?"

Lin Bufan remembered something and then looked at the driver in front, Liu Meng.

As Lin Bufan's fame grows, he will definitely need to prepare bodyguards for his trip to Hollywood.

Free America, shootings every day, and that's no joke.

Lin Bufan couldn't trust American bodyguards; he trusted his own people more.

So, half a month ago, he asked Liu Meng to use his connections to find some professionals to protect him.

"The last group arrived at 3 pm today; everyone else has arrived."

This time, Liu Meng used his connections to introduce 12 bodyguards to Lin Bufan. These people came from all over the country, but their only identity was that of retired special forces veterans, and some even had combat experience.

"Xiao Bai, arrange a private room at the Beijing Hotel tonight."

Lin Bufan turned to look at Bai Bing.

These bodyguards represent my future safety, so no amount of hospitality is too much.

"Understood, boss!"

Bai Bing nodded.

During a casual chat, Liu Meng drove his Rolls-Royce to the set of "Zhu Yuanzhang".

"Director Lin!"

As soon as Lin Bufan got out of the car, director Zhang Ting, who had already been informed by the crew, was waiting at the door. Behind Zhang Ting were several main actors from the "Zhu Yuanzhang" crew.

Zhang Ting, the director of the later TV series "Ming Dynasty", is now signed with Kyoto Entertainment and is currently the director of "Zhu Yuanzhang".

Lin Bufan's gaze swept over Zhang Ting and the group of actors. He didn't recognize many of them, and the only familiar faces were Hu Jun and He Shengming.

As Lin Bufan arrived, the cargo boxes that followed also arrived, and Bai Bing arranged for people to distribute some milk tea, pastries and other snacks to the crew.