Chinese entertainment director starts with filmmaking

Chapter 103: Investment, Confirmation

In the past two years, the market economy has rebounded, especially the entertainment industry, which has experienced rapid growth.

Internet companies collapsed, but then a group of private entrepreneurs emerged, who had nothing else but a large amount of working capital.

Since they know nothing about the internet, they can only spend a lot of money on the entertainment industry.

Many film and entertainment companies are also raising funds and preparing for listing.

Bona's Yu Dong is undoubtedly at the forefront, but many others are chasing after him, all wanting to become the first listed film and television company.

However, for Gu Qing, all of this is still too far away; he hasn't even finished making his second movie yet.

Of course, many people also saw his potential and asked him if he had any financing plans.

But before he could even speak, Lu Zheng immediately refused on his behalf.

Just kidding, this is a family business, we can't let others get involved.

After receiving Wang Zhonglei's call, Gu Qing roughly understood the other party's purpose. So he drove himself to the agreed address, a rather secluded private restaurant, just in time for lunch.

That's right, he had already purchased the film and television rights to "The Message" before the Lunar New Year.

However, he was completely unfamiliar with this subject matter and had no intention of filming it, so he kept it and waited for someone destined to find it.

"Director Gu, it's been a long time."

"Mr. Wang, you're too kind. You were quite the high achiever on the set of 'The Forbidden Kingdom'."

Gu Qing smiled and found a seat.

Besides Wang Zhonglei and Fan Binbin, Chen Guofu, director of Huayi Brothers' film department, was also present at the event.

It seems Wang Zhonglei isn't stupid after all; he knows that Li Binbin has a good relationship with him and even knows how to get close to him.

After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Zhonglei got straight to the point and asked the question.

"Director Gu, do you hold the film and television rights to 'The Message'?"

"Yes, from what Mr. Wang is saying, is it also about adapting it into a film or television series?"

Gu Qing took a sip of tea and said calmly.

In the past two years, his personal studio has focused on handling his personal film and television copyrights and acquiring the copyrights of novels on the market.

Of course, he couldn't possibly film the whole thing by himself; all he did was try to attract investment or sell it at a high price.

"Director Gu, let me introduce you. This is Chen Guofu, the director of our Huayi Brothers film department."

"Director Gu, I have long admired your name."

"Director Chen, you're too kind. I've been watching your film 'Double Vision' for a while now, and the filming techniques are very novel and ingenious."

Gu Qing glanced at Chen Guofu, and understood immediately.

This man is also a man of great talent and ambition.

"Director Gu, I won't waste time with other things. This time, I'm looking to buy the rights to 'The Message' from you. Could you possibly part with them and let me have it?"

Chen Guofu smiled, but his slightly gaunt face was extremely unpleasant to look at.

"I'm afraid that won't work. It cost 1.5 million when we bought it. If it were just for the money, we wouldn't have spent that much."

Gu Qing shook her head, clearly rejecting the other party directly.

Although he wanted to sell, that's not how business is done.

"In that case, could Huayi Brothers be involved in the investment?"

Wang Zhonglei frowned slightly, a bad feeling creeping into his heart.

"Well, I've already expanded my operations quite a bit, so I don't have the capacity to invest in filming right now."

Gu Qing rejected the suggestion again, and she wasn't wrong to say that.

Wang Zhonglei and Chen Guofu exchanged a glance, both sensing a potential predicament.

However, as long as there is no direct rejection, there is still room for negotiation.

After ordering food and having a meal, the group did not continue discussing the topic during the banquet.

Gu Qing was very curious about "If You Are the One," while Wang Zhonglei's words implied that he was also asking about the "Source Code" project.

Although "Source Code" finished filming earlier, these two movies might just be going head-to-head.

Although Wang Zhonglei wasn't worried, he wouldn't make enemies for no reason.

Knowing that "Source Code" will be released during the Spring Festival, I feel much more at ease.

This year's Lunar New Year film season will most likely be a battle with Chen Kaige, and Huayi Brothers isn't worried about him at all.

Well, there might be another "Red Cliff Part II", but it will only cause a little trouble.

Li Binbin sat down next to Gu Qing, pouring drinks for everyone and livening up the atmosphere.

Although the dinner party failed to resolve the issue, it still served its purpose.

"Guofu, is it really necessary to make this drama?"

Watching Gu Qing leave, Wang Zhonglei lit a cigarette and asked hesitantly.

"I have high hopes for this play. The script is almost finished being adapted, and it's definitely a contender for awards."

Chen Guofu sounded depressed and silently smoked a cigarette without saying anything more.

Wang Zhonglei glanced at the other party, cursing inwardly, "What's the use of you not buying the copyright earlier and even adapting the script?"

In the following days, Chen Guofu did not give up. Every few days, he would ask under some pretext, and even asked Li Binbin and Huang Xiaoming to act as intermediaries.

He knew that the two of them had a good relationship with Gu Qing.

"Brother, just draw a line. What do you want in exchange for the copyright?"

Li Binbin asked helplessly, inwardly cursing Chen Guofu.

"Binbin, what are you saying? Why don't I film it myself and you be the female lead?"

On set, Gu Qing saw Li Binbin again and was shocked by his perseverance.

"Director Gu, I'd like to too, but you're not giving me any specific guidelines, and I'm afraid I won't be available then."

Li Binbin was secretly delighted, but his face still showed a wronged expression.

Gu Qing's role is still just a pipe dream, but Chen Guofu is genuinely going to give her the lead role.

She has already read the script. The original female lead role has been split in two, and she will have a lot of screen time.

Gu Qing shook her head and chuckled, already thinking about how to remind the other party directly, lest Huayi think she had ulterior motives and had planned this all along.

Just as she was struggling with this, Liu Yifei met Li Binbin, and the two started chatting.

The two worked together on "The Forbidden Kingdom". Although they had some conflicts, filming had already ended and it was all in the past.

Since Liu Yifei didn't join Huayi Brothers, the two are no longer enemies.

"Sister Binbin, it's been a long time!"

"Yifei, you've been doing well lately. You look much healthier."

"Hehe, I've been having a lot of fun lately, carefree, and without worries, my complexion naturally looks good."

Liu Yifei smiled happily. Sometimes she thought, what kind of star do you have to be to be called a star? Having a large fan base, a famous representative work, and being able to make your mother proud is already quite remarkable.

As for those troublesome things, she forces herself not to think about them.

Upon hearing this, Li Binbin gave the other person a serious look, clearly surprised that Liu Yifei could say such a thing.

However, she is not a little girl; she has many responsibilities on her shoulders. Perhaps she will also live a carefree life for a while, just like the other person.

Li Binbin's joining the crew has also attracted a lot of attention. Such a big star went straight to Gu Qing as soon as he joined the crew. If the two hadn't been keeping it a secret, rumors would probably have spread.

Of course, Gu Qing didn't miss this opportunity either, and pulled Li Binbin along to play a cameo role in the drama. Well, just like Liu Yifei, they were both free laborers.

Then, he also gave Li Binbin some pointers on his own needs, mainly because he wasn't going to be too insistent on it; as long as it was close enough, that would be fine.

Li Binbin finally understood what he meant and said he would do his best to handle it well.

After Gu Qing's hint, Li Binbin had a better understanding of the situation. When he returned to the company, he happened to run into Chen Guofu looking for Wang Zhonglei.

"Mr. Wang, hasn't Gu Qing given his consent yet? How about I film the video first?"

"Don't mess around. How can you film something without copyright?"

Wang Zhonglei was startled, thinking to himself that this guy from Taiwan was too ignorant of the rules. How could he act so recklessly, especially at such a critical moment?

Chen Guofu was just saying that out of anger; he just wanted to force Wang Zhonglei to use his connections so that he could get the copyright no matter what.

As the two were discussing, Li Binbin knocked on the door and came in to report the latest situation to them.

"That's the situation. Director Gu hasn't given his approval, but he did promise to let me play the female lead when the project starts in the future."

"Hmph, is he a sci-fi film director capable of making this kind of film? Don't waste such a good story."

Chen Guofu scoffed, saying that screenwriters are confident in their own scripts and disdain other people's scripts.

Li Binbin shrugged and said no more. She had said everything she could and begged, but she was really out of options.

"Gu Qing still hasn't made any demands? This guy is really stubborn, we might as well just go for it!"

"No, Mr. Wang, you're just saying that out of anger. We're thinking of a solution."

"Doesn't the company offer stock options? Why don't we ask Director Gu if we need them?"

"Will this work? The company doesn't mind, but the key concern is that the other party might not appreciate it and won't be interested."

Upon hearing Li Binbin's suggestion, Wang Zhonglei was taken aback; he hadn't expected this.

This stock subscription is like a high-stakes gamble, betting your own money on the company's future.

The company can only boost its stock price if its artists take the lead in buying. Huayi Brothers has been constantly launching projects and signing artists lately with the same idea in mind, trying its best to create a scene of everything bursting with vitality.

"Then I'll go ask. This is the first time a film and television company has gone public. Maybe if I can use some leverage, Director Gu will agree."

"Moreover, this is also very beneficial for our company. When 'Source Code' is released next year, we can also take advantage of the opportunity."

Li Binbin had a general understanding of this. Although many of her sisters were not optimistic and thought the company was cheating them out of their retirement money, she felt that she should believe it once since Gu Qing had given such a hint.

After considering it for a moment, Wang Zhonglei felt that it made sense and immediately agreed to Li Binbin's proposal.

With Li Binbin's help, Gu Qing visited Huayi Brothers for the first time.

Putting aside everything else, the number of people involved is indeed quite large. In addition to its film division, it also has several TV series production project teams, of which Zhang Jizhong is one.

"Director Gu, it's nice to see you again."

"Mr. Wang, you didn't explain things clearly on the phone. Could you please explain it to me again today?"

Inside the office, Gu Qing, like a curious child, earnestly inquired about Huayi Brothers' IPO.

Listening to Wang Zhonglei ramble on about the company's future prospects and the grand occasion after its listing, he exaggerated it to the extreme.

Gu Qing nodded from time to time, like a clueless young man being sold a product.

"Director Gu, we can only give a maximum of one million shares to artists under Huayi Brothers. Even for director Feng Xiaogang, it's only three million shares."

"We at Huayi Brothers are very sincere in our offer to you and are willing to give you 2.5 million shares."

Wang Zhonglei crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair with a cool expression as he spoke.

He was somewhat worried that Gu Qing might not fall for it.

"Okay, I believe in Huayi Brothers' capabilities, but 250 sounds too awful. How about 280? As for 'The Message,' I'm willing to co-produce it with Huayi Brothers. Then we can join forces!"

Gu Qing pretended to hesitate before speaking, but inwardly she was overjoyed.

Two million eight hundred thousand shares were opened at a price of three yuan, and by its peak in 14, it had reached two hundred yuan! That's more than thirty times the initial price.

Wang Zhonglei breathed a sigh of relief, while Gu Qing secretly smiled to herself; this was a win-win situation.

The other party will definitely publicize Gu Qing's purchase of Huayi shares extensively, which will be considered as using his reputation. In the end, it's hard to say who will benefit whom.

"Mr. Wang, I have one more request, regarding this movie."

"What are your requirements, Director Gu?"

Wang Zhonglei looked somewhat impatient. After spending so much time and paying such a high price, he hoped that nothing else would go wrong.

"I already discussed with Binbin that she would be the female lead. Could you perhaps give her a bit more screen time?"

"Oh, no problem. I'll have Guofu send you a copy of the script later."

Wang Zhonglei breathed a sigh of relief. This matter was simple. Li Binbin was an artist under Huayi Brothers, and he had thought the female lead would be given to someone else.

The deal was finally settled, and the two shook hands, signifying a pleasant collaboration.

Wang Zhonglei was able to report back to Chen Guofu, while Gu Qing could also make a fortune and do someone a favor—a win-win situation, he won twice.

Humming a little tune, he left Huayi Brothers happily.

"Director Gu, I've done you a huge favor, remember to treat me to a meal!"

"Haha, Binbin, I've already spoken to Director Chen and asked him to give you more screen time."

"Really? Then I'll have to treat you to dinner."

"polite."

He didn't lie about Li Binbin either. The original script had a single female lead, but Chen Guofu dissected the character and split her into two, so Li Binbin's role was indeed expanded over time.

With his help this time, Li Binbin will probably become the female lead even more naturally. Li Binbin should definitely treat her to this meal.

Huayi Brothers acted quickly, soon coming up with a plan. Investment details are still pending; they are currently finalizing the script and finalizing the lead actors.

Although Gu Qing doesn't have much money now, she still has Jing Tian, ​​this little rich girl.

Soon the call reached Lu Zheng.

"Gu, there's a problem with this investment. I'm currently tied up with other things; I'm thinking of getting a TV series made for Tian Tian."

"Uncle Lu, don't do anything reckless. It's not some kind of 'The Great Biography of Sun Tzu,' is it?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

"The contract hasn't been signed yet, right? Hurry up and transfer the money to the company account!"

Gu Qing was startled. He was busy filming a web series and playing tricks on Huayi Brothers. He hadn't paid attention for a while, and Lu Zheng almost caused him a big scandal.