America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM...

Chapter 198, Section 197: Highlighting a lack of naivety.

"Could you please do me a favor and invite Michael Jackson to sing a song on the Spring Festival Gala?"

Eric was taken aback when he heard Chen Ou's request.

He had never even entertained such an idea.

Although I never participated in the Spring Festival Gala in my previous life, watching it was a must.

Even as censorship became stricter and language-based programs fell apart, all they did was make dumplings, and the screen was filled with didacticism.

However, the language-based programs were lackluster, while the music and dance programs were generally quite good, featuring international stars such as Sophie Marceau and Celine Dion.

However, that was ten years later. It's only 2003 now, and I don't recall any real international superstars appearing on the Spring Festival Gala.

Leaving aside ordinary foreigners, people like Dashan and Carlo, who have lived in China for many years and speak fluent Chinese enough to perform crosstalk on stage, are already considered half-Chinese.

"Is this going to be Michael setting a precedent? Isn't that setting the bar a bit too high?" Eric thought to himself.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Chen Ou added, "Eric, I also know that Michael Jackson is too famous, and it might be difficult to ask him."

"But actually, China has had international singers before. A few months ago, the Irish National Dance Company performed Riverdance at the Great Hall of the People. They performed eight shows in a row, and every show was sold out."

"In 2001, the world's three tenors, Pavarotti, Domingo, and Carreras, held a concert together at the Forbidden City."

"Further back, Yanni also held a concert at the Forbidden City, as did many rock bands. In fact, the music scene in China is still very strong, and there are many fans of Michael Jackson."

"Of course, it doesn't have to be Jackson. Other stars are fine too, even if they're not singers or movie stars."

"You're a big boss in Hollywood. With just a word from you, inviting an actor is a piece of cake. It's not like they'll perform a show; it'll just be a New Year's greeting and a few auspicious words."

"Nicolas Cage is great; he's very famous in China and has a wide audience among young and middle-aged people. It would be even better if it were Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, or Arnold Schwarzenegger."

He was just reminiscing about the past when Chen Ou suddenly started rambling on and on, so he quickly shut him up.

"Director Chen, since you've made the request, I'll definitely help you no matter how difficult it is. Friends are meant to help each other."

"Besides, China has 13 billion people, which is a huge market. I think Michael must also hope that more people can hear his music. No artist doesn't want to be recognized by more people."

"Don't worry, I'll talk to Michael when I get back. Wait for my good news."

Chen Ou immediately beamed with joy. Both of them had drunk quite a bit of alcohol, and he shook Eric's arm vigorously.

"That's well said. Friends are meant to help each other, and we're happy to do business and do things with a good friend like you."

"Old Han, I do have other things to do, but I have a task for you: make sure Eric is well taken care of. If he's not satisfied, I'll hold you responsible!"

Han Sanping reeked of alcohol, his face flushed. He had drunk the most, at least a pound, maybe even close to a pound and a half.

Old Han patted his chest forcefully with a dazed look in his eyes: "Don't worry, Director Chen, I will definitely exceed the task you assign me. Even if you didn't assign it, I would still exceed it. I still owe my brother a debt of gratitude."

Chen Ou nodded: "Then you guys keep having fun. Next time there's a chance, I'll treat you."

Watching Chen Ou get into his car and leave, Zhou Xiaopeng remarked thoughtfully, "Inviting foreign stars to the Spring Festival Gala is indeed an interesting move."

"From the 90s to the present, the widespread use of pirated CDs and cassette tapes has given many foreign celebrities extremely high popularity in China."

"Even though they've never been here, in many people's hearts, their status is no less than that of the Four Heavenly Kings of Hong Kong and Taiwan."

"Eric, do you know the Four Heavenly Kings?"

Eric thought to himself, "Of course I know. Teacher Zhao Lirong once said that the first king was Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King."

"Forget the Four Heavenly Kings, get in the car, let's go to the next show."

Late at night, when Eric returned to the hotel, Gadot was already asleep. He tiptoed in, just in time to avoid waking her.

If he wakes her up, she will definitely cling to him. Given Gadot's special constitution, it will take her more than half an hour to have her first time.

He had just been taken by Lao Han to a private club and experienced a luxurious lifestyle.

Choose whatever you want for every age group and every industry, from teenagers to those in their fifties, with no upper limit.

Some people just have unique tastes, otherwise why would there be study materials on topics like the 50s and 60s in Xiao Ri Zi?

Students from major universities, elite lawyers from various law firms, white-collar workers from large companies, bank employees, doctors and nurses from hospitals, flight attendants and crew members, and teachers who educate and nurture students.

Whether it's real or fake, at least they're wearing business attire and look professional enough.

There are many ways to play, including regular, special, and extreme games. There are many people who like the BDSM community, both actively and passively.

Playing with celebrities is possible, but it's difficult for the average person. It's no problem for Lao Han.

Big stars value their privacy and would never come to this kind of club, but third- or fourth-tier celebrities do as they please, with plenty of people eager to curry favor and climb the ladder.

As for whether it will be exposed and cause negative public opinion.

Are you kidding me? You don't want to keep your job?

After several hours of activity, even though Eric was young and strong, he felt a bit tired and went to bed early to rest.

Today, a film exchange event is being held at Beijing Film Academy, organized by CCTV6. Eric, Zhang Yimou, and Lou Ye are participating, along with a representative from each of the Fifth and Sixth Generation directors.

Although CCTV6 bears the CCTV logo, it is not actually under CCTV's jurisdiction. It is a channel directly under the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, and is even more formidable than CCTV.

Gal Gadot went to participate in an interview with Sina.com, and afterwards she was to participate in a program on Phoenix TV.

Today's host is Tu Jingwei, who just joined CCTV6 this year and is currently the host of "China Movie Report".

Looking at Tu Jingwei, who had a youthful face and dressed somewhat unfashionably, and then thinking about her in later years, it was as if the development of the times was best reflected in one person.

The program was still conducted in an interview-style format, and when asked for feedback, Eric refused to hold it in the auditorium.

We're just doing a movie promotion, not giving a report or attending a premiere. Why make it so serious? The more relaxed the atmosphere, the better.

Finally, the setting was a group of college students who love movies sitting together, with the four of them sitting in the middle, quite close to each other, as if they were chatting and gossiping together.

If it weren't for the cold weather, it would be best to move the event to an outdoor lawn or pavilion.

Eric looked around and indeed spotted many familiar faces, including Zhu Yawen, Luo Jin, Jiang Yiyan, Huang Shengyi, and Jia Nailiang.

These people's faces screamed two words—naivety and inexperience!

There was another eye-catching person in the crowd, Huang Bo, the Qingdao socialite and man of high emotional intelligence. His face was really out of place with the people around him.

As the time was almost up, Tu Jingwei prepared to begin when he saw another girl running over from a distance, hurriedly joining the crowd of onlookers.

Eric was a little surprised to see Liu Yifei. At this time, she should be filming Supernatural in the United States. Why did she come back?

Liu Yifei calmed her heaving chest and smiled at him.

Nearby, several female students who were unaware of the truth immediately cursed her in their hearts, calling her a slut who had just arrived and was already seducing that young foreign director.

How old are you? You have no figure, your upper body is as flat as an airport runway.

It's just that you're lucky to have someone supporting you, and your show became a hit. If we had a sugar daddy, we'd definitely be better than you!

At the start of the event, Tu Jingwei gave an opening speech, and then steered the conversation to Transformers.

"Director Cooper, although I didn't study directing, I've always had a question in my mind: how did you manage to make such a special effects blockbuster in just one year?"

"The time is too short. As far as I know, it's normal for a blockbuster to take two years to shoot."

Many directing students immediately turned their attention to Eric, who was younger than them but had already achieved remarkable success. The facts were right in front of them, making it seem like a fantasy.

Eric chuckled: "I think it's mainly because there are so many people. If you don't count the extras, MGM used more than 500 professionals."

"Normally, three teams would be shooting simultaneously: I would lead one team, the assistant director would lead one team, and the director's assistant would lead one team for location shooting."

"Can an assistant director lead a team?" Tu Jingwei was somewhat surprised.

"Of course, provided that I have prepared a detailed storyboard and insist on shooting it this way. I heard that Director Zhang also likes to use this method."

Zhang Yimou picked up the microphone: "I will also draw more detailed storyboards, but while shooting in groups is possible, I will definitely keep switching between scenes to keep control."

"To be honest, I don't have the courage to let go and delegate like director Cooper did. If the film is not suitable, we have to reshoot it, which is a waste of time."

Lou Ye smiled and said, "I'm even less capable. Let alone a crew of 500 people, even 50 people would be a lot. It's actually very difficult to control a large number of people."

"So I think the key is that director Cooper is also a producer and the owner of MGM. No one dares to disobey his orders, which is why the crew can operate efficiently."

"Director Zhang and I can't do it; we're not the big bosses!"

Hahahaha

Tu Jingwei and the students around him burst into laughter.

"Director Lou Ye is right. This is indeed my advantage. Unlike the director-centric system in China, Hollywood has a producer-centric system."

"Are the two systems very different?" Tu Jingwei asked.

"It is indeed very significant, especially in commercial films, where the producer-centric system is superior to the director-centric system. However, in art films, the director-centric system often produces better results."

"I remember that Lou Ye's film 'Purple Butterfly' was nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, so he must have felt that way."

Lou Ye nodded slightly: "Actually, the role of a producer, to put it simply, is to be responsible for choosing scripts, finding funding, assembling a crew, and selling the film. They handle everything from the beginning to the end of the film's creation."

"Our domestic film market is not mature enough, so there is no such position at present because the professional knowledge required is too high."

"We have an alternative position called producer, but to be honest, often the producer ends up being produced by the director." Lou Ye said with a self-deprecating laugh.

Zhang Yimou felt this even more deeply: "Now, looking across all the universities in the country, there isn't a single one that offers a film production major; the requirements are indeed too high."

"Personally, I'm definitely more suited to a director-centric system, after all, I came from the era of big studios."

"But for the development of the film industry as a whole, the producer-centric system is actually a better solution. Only with more commercial films can the market be expanded."

"A larger market can attract more practitioners, thus providing more fertile ground for art films to thrive."

The three of them followed Tu Jingwei's lead in discussing movies, the market, and creative processes. The exchange of ideas broadened the horizons of the students present.

Some people then realized that the content in books and classrooms was ultimately too superficial and rigid, and that listening to these famous directors was more relevant and interesting.

Half an hour passed quickly, and Tu Jingwei signaled to the students that they could ask questions, and many people immediately raised their hands.

Several teachers couldn't help but roll their eyes; they never saw you this enthusiastic in class.

That makes sense, though. In the entertainment industry, you have to know how to fight for opportunities. If a director remembers one of your questions, then an opportunity will come.

Eric pointed at Huang Bo: "You ask him, but classmate, are you really a student here? You seem like an imposter."

Hahahaha

Huang Bo was also amused. Anyway, he is often teased, and the atmosphere of the show was very harmonious, so this was obviously just a joke.

He suddenly changed the subject: "Director Cooper, do you think I have a chance to appear on the big screen in the future? Playing a leading role?"

Luo Jin, Jia Nailiang, Jiang Yiyan, and others were speechless, thinking to themselves, "With your looks, you think you can even make it to the big screen? A toad trying to eat swan meat!"

Eric, of course, knew of Huang Bo's future achievements: "Excuse me, what's your name?"

Huang Bo.

"Okay, then let me ask you, why do you think you won't appear on the big screen?"

"Because I wasn't good-looking enough, I took the exam for several years and finally chose broadcasting. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to get into the Beijing Film Academy."

Eric wagged his finger: "Don't think like that. Looks aren't the only measure of an actor. Although it was only for a short time, I saw something extraordinary in you."

"What is it?"

Tu Jingwei asked curiously, but she couldn't see anything wrong with it, only that it was ugly.

"An optimistic, confident, and courageous person can greet teasing and ridicule with a smile, which is a great advantage."

"Moreover, the fact that you took the exam for several years without giving up shows that you have ideals. You are an optimistic, confident, and idealistic person, and you have already surpassed many people."

"Movies need handsome men and beautiful women, but not everyone needs to be handsome men and beautiful women."

Eric's words made Huang Bo feel a surge of heat rush to his eyes, followed by a sour sensation.

"Thank you, thank you, director."

"Yes, remember this: a beautiful appearance is a dime a dozen, but an interesting soul is one in a million."

"Well said!" Lou Ye immediately applauded.

"Huang Bo, if you want to break into the mainstream, I suggest you try comedy. Do you know Oriental MGM?"

"I know!" Huang Bo nodded.

"MGM China is planning to produce a film recently, and I think you'd be suitable for one of the roles. Would you like to give it a try?"

Holy crap!!!

(End of this chapter)