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

He knew the director Zhang Lai that Wang Mingliang mentioned.

"He's good enough at directing TV dramas, but I don't know if he can make good movies." Lin Bufan frowned slightly.

After all, the first installment of the Three Kingdoms IP is actually very important.

If the foundation laid in the first part isn't solid, then the second and even the third part can forget about achieving good results.

In fact, Zhang Lai had acted in movies in his early years, but the box office performance was only so-so. Later, he started acting in TV series.

"Zhang Lai was the cinematographer for 'The Banquet' and 'Red Cliff,' so he should be able to handle it." Wang Mingliang thought for a moment, not daring to say he was completely confident, but he was about 60-70% sure it would be fine.

In the film industry, countless directors started as cinematographers.

Moreover, Zhang Lai is a relatively well-known TV drama director, and he has also been in charge of cinematography for films, so there shouldn't be any major problems.

"Here's what we'll do: go talk to him. If he's willing to sign with Kyoto, we can let him give it a try," Lin Bufan thought for a moment and finally made his decision.

Currently, there are indeed no film directors in China who are good at shooting historical films. Zhang Yimou can, but he is currently in charge of the Olympic Games opening ceremony.

And even waiting for him won't work.

Zhang Yimou is now with New Pictures, so if they were to ask Zhang Yimou to direct, New Pictures would definitely want to get involved.

The Three Kingdoms IP belongs to Kyoto, and Lin Bufan doesn't want other companies involved.

"Yes, Mr. Lin, I'll talk to him later."

Wang Mingliang nodded.

……

"Jiajia, will you marry me?"

After everything calmed down, Zhang Lai looked at Xiao Song Jia.

The two met last year. Under Xiao Songjia's deliberate approach, Zhang Lai couldn't resist and had a relationship with her.

Unfortunately, the media discovered it.

At this time, Zhang Lai's wife, Liu Pei, had just given birth and was in her postpartum confinement period. After learning about this, she resolutely chose to divorce Zhang Lai.

No matter how much Zhang Lai begged, it was no use. Liu Pei was determined to divorce him, and not long after, she remarried her ex-husband.

Not many people may know Liu Pei, but if you mention the cool and sassy girl in "The Dream Factory", that's her.

She also has another identity, namely Zhang Ruoyun's stepmother. In fact, the relationships in the Beijing circle are quite complicated. Whether it is Zhang Pei, her ex-husband, or Zhang Lai, they are all considered to be involved in this circle.

Of course, they don't actually have much say in the Beijing circle, and they're not even core members. They're only considered part of the Beijing circle because they live in Beijing.

But that was before; now Zhang Lai is a true member of Beijing's elite circle.

Just two days ago, Zhang Lai joined the "Kyoto Club" through connections and became a white card member.

During this period, many people in the industry have joined the Kyoto Club.

Those with significant influence and high status within the industry can obtain silver membership, while those with moderate influence can only obtain white membership.

Joining the Kyoto Club has certain requirements; only top-tier celebrities are eligible, not even white-card members.

Unless you're a star with exceptional potential, or at the very least a strong second-tier celebrity, you're not eligible to join the Kyoto Club.

"Director Zhang, is our relationship not good right now?"

Xiao Songjia looked at Zhang Lai and said gently, "Besides, you just got divorced, and we're getting married right away. I'm worried about what people will say. You know I'm in the prime of my career right now. Can you give me a little more time?"

"All right!"

Hearing what Xiao Songjia said, Zhang Lai didn't say anything more.

Little did he know that Xiao Songjia was just using him as a stepping stone, and that she really thought she would like an old and ugly man.

It's all because Zhang Lai is a well-known director.

For celebrities in the industry who want to climb the ladder, if they can't find a wealthy patron, cultivating good relationships with directors in the industry is the most important thing.

Celebrities have their own circles, and directors have their own circles.

Once there are any roles, they are all shared and exchanged.

Song Jia is confident that she is using Zhang Lai as a stepping stone now, and that she will kick him away when she becomes famous and no longer needs him.

If it's about marriage, then things will be much more complicated.

"Ring ring ring"

Just then, the landline in the living room rang.

"I'm going to answer a phone call."

As Zhang Lai spoke, he got up and walked towards the living room.

Lying on the bed, Xiao Songjia blinked, thought for a moment, picked up a sheet from the side, wrapped it around herself, and followed them over.

"Feed?"

Seeing Xiao Songjia come out, Zhang Lai didn't think much of it and answered the phone.

"Excuse me, are you director Zhang Lai?"

"Yes, it's me. May I ask who you are?"

Zhang Lai nodded slightly and then asked the other party.

"I am Wang Mingliang from Beijing Film Academy."

Wang Mingliang's voice came through the phone.

After leaving Lin Bufan's place and returning to the company, Wang Mingliang sent someone to inquire about Zhang Lai. They couldn't get through to Zhang Lai's cell phone, so they had to call his home landline.

"Mr. Wang?"

When Zhang Lai heard the other party introduce himself, he was surprised for a moment, and then his tone became respectful.

The entertainment industry has a clearly defined food chain.

Although directors are at the top of the food chain, above them are the financiers, or investors.

Above the big spenders are the true entertainment moguls, the kind who have both resources and money.

Clearly, Wang Mingliang of Beijing Film Studio is a big shot in the entertainment industry, as the studio produces quite a few films every year.

Furthermore, all of them were exclusively invested and produced by Kyoto Film Group, and the distribution of the films was handled by a subsidiary of Kyoto Entertainment.

The entire entertainment industry in Kyoto is a complete industrial chain.

Now that Wang Mingliang is calling him, Zhang Lai feels a little excited. He has a vague guess that his dream of making a movie might just come true.

Even though they are both directors, there are differences between television drama directors and film directors.

No director doesn't want to make movies, but they have no choice; resources are limited, and so are their abilities.

Some directors can make good TV series, but they are completely different when it comes to making movies.

To be honest, TV dramas are all about the plot. As long as the acting isn't too bad and doesn't break the audience's immersion, it's acceptable.

After all, TV dramas are shown on small screens, and there are very few close-up shots of faces.

But movies are different. Telling a good story within a limited time is a real test of a director's ability.

Especially in terms of camera work, close-up shots are frequently filmed, and if an actor's acting skills are not up to par, it will be immediately apparent.