novellhall Chapter 59: Hehuan Film and Television
Chapter 59: Hehuan Film and Television
The celebration banquet ended less than 24 hours later.
Wei Yi took a nap in his bed in the teachers' dormitory until noon. He had been on the roadshow for more than twenty days, traveling to eighteen cities non-stop. Even the strongest person couldn't take it.
Last night, after finishing the last round of drinks, I went straight to bed and didn't even remember when Mu Tingting climbed into bed.
When his phone woke him up, the light filtering through the curtains was still white.
It's not an alarm clock, it's a text message.
About forty unread messages were neatly arranged on the screen.
Li Hua ranked first.
"Junior brother, the two bosses from Huayi are here. They've been sitting in Director Tian's office all morning. Director Tian told me to tell you not to show your face yet."
Tian Erzhuang ranked second.
"Wei Yi and Wang Zhongjun are blocking my office, trying to get you to sign a contract. They're offering very attractive terms. A guaranteed investment of 30 million in your next film, plus the top spot in Huayi Brothers' new director support program. Think it over carefully before you speak."
The third number is an unfamiliar number.
"Director Wei, this is Yu Dong from Bona Film Group. Please call me back when it's convenient. I'd like to discuss a collaboration with you. It's not exclusive, just a casual chat."
The fourth number was also an unfamiliar number.
"Director Wei, this is Wu Kebo from Orange Field Harvest. I heard you just got back from the promotional tour? You must be tired. Orange Field is very interested in your next project. Feel free to talk to me about any ideas you may have. My phone is on 24/7."
The fifth message was sent by Han Sanping. It only has two lines.
"China Film Group will also fully support the next film. We can give you a share of the box office revenue from 'One Shot' in advance."
Looking at these few text messages, Wei Yi was mostly awake.
He leaned against the headboard without moving, while Mu Tingting remained huddled under the covers on the other side, only revealing half her face and a few strands of hair.
Fan Binbin then called.
She plans to rest at home for a few days after the roadshow.
Her voice was still hoarse, much softer than usual: "I heard that the two bosses from Huayi are already staking out you at Beijing Film Academy. What are you planning to do?"
Wei Yi yawned: "Didn't I ask you to be a go-between?"
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Fan Binbin chuckled on the other end of the phone: "Yes. They even offered pretty good terms. But I didn't dare agree, knowing you're a very decisive person. However, given our relationship, may I ask you a question?"
"What's the problem?"
"What are you planning to do next?"
"What's next?"
"So, what are your plans? Are you going to become an independent director, join a company, or do you have other ideas?"
Wei Yi looked at the ceiling and thought for a moment, then asked, "What do you think if I said I want to start my own company?"
There was a few seconds of silence on Fan Binbin's end.
"real?"
"Yes. I've already thought of a name for the company."
"...It seems it's really confirmed."
"Um."
Fan Binbin didn't ask any more questions, chatted for a few more minutes, and then hung up.
Wei Yi tossed his phone onto the pillow, rolled out of bed, and went to brush his teeth. He'd just squeezed out the toothpaste when his phone rang again.
It's still Fan Binbin.
"What's wrong now?"
Does your company handle artist management?
"What do you want to do?"
"How about I switch jobs and work for you?"
Wei Yi stopped brushing his teeth, looked down at his phone screen, and confirmed that she wasn't joking: "Big sister, is this for real?"
"Really." Fan Binbin's voice suddenly turned serious. "I want to be the first."
Why do you want to be the first?
"The first one is called 'Opening the Mountain Gate,' and the ones after that are called 'Paying Homage to the Mountain Gate.' I want to be your first disciple."
"Stop talking nonsense. Just keep it for me."
"Ah...why don't you think about it some more?"
"Don't even think about it! That's what we'll say for now."
Wei Yi hung up the phone. Mu Tingting peeked out from under the covers, her hair a mess, and squinted at him: "It's her again?"
"Let's talk about work."
"Talking about work so early in the morning..." Mu Tingting mumbled, pulling the blanket over her head, her voice muffled, "You go ahead and do your work, I want to sleep. I'll go to class later. If I don't go to class this semester, I'll feel embarrassed even if the teacher doesn't say anything."
Wei Yi put on his signature black windbreaker, and as he pushed open the door to go out, his phone started vibrating again in his pocket.
This time it was Tian Erzhuang's landline number.
The office of the head of the directing department was filled with smoke, like a fairyland.
Tian Erzhuang sat behind his desk, a thick stack of printing papers spread out in front of him.
It was full of draft cooperation proposals from Huayi, Bona, Orange Field, and several other large companies, with densely packed clauses and figures. The top one, Huayi's, was more than a dozen pages long.
"After your roadshow, every film and television company in China with even a little bit of reputation got involved."
Tian Erzhuang pointed to the stack of papers on the table: "Huayi offered you a signing fee of ten million for three films, and is also willing to fund the establishment of your studio; they require controlling stake. Bona didn't set a price, and Yu Dong said you can name your terms, but he wants to meet with you in person first. Chengtian is the most ruthless. Wu Kebo said you can name your investment, and they won't interfere with the creative process."
Wei Yi sat down opposite him, picked up Hua Yi's copy, flipped through a couple of pages, and then put it down.
"Teacher, which one do you think I should choose?"
Tian Erzhuang stared at him for a long time before stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray.
"Choose my ass. You already have the answer in your heart, why are you asking me?"
Wei Yi smiled: "I want to do it myself."
Tian Erzhuang remained silent for a long time.
He is not surprised.
But he has taught for so many years, and he has mentored at least eighty or a hundred directors. Every one of them who made it big first paid his respects to the authorities before even starting to create anything.
This kid is something else; after finishing one movie, he immediately wants to be a boss.
"Do you know what it means to do this?"
"I know."
"Do you realize you don't have the cinema chains like Huayi Brothers, the distribution network like Bona Film Group, or the Hong Kong capital channels like Orange Fields?"
"I know."
"Do you know that you don't even have a proper office right now, and your entire team consists of just you?"
"There's one more," Wei Yi said. "Senior Brother Li Hua agreed to come and help me."
Tian Erzhuang paused for a moment, then slowly leaned back in his chair.
Li Hua, Zhang Yimou's assistant director, has been in the industry for almost ten years. He gave up his stable job as an assistant director on a major film crew and came to start a business with an eighteen-year-old student.
"When did you agree?"
"When we were doing the roadshow in Nanjing, he had a few drinks that night and told me that 'Curse of the Golden Flower' was boring, the assistant director was just a figurehead, and he hadn't found another job yet. I said, 'Then come work for me.' He thought for a few seconds and said, 'Okay.'"
"That kid has a good eye."
"Teacher, you think highly of me too?"
Tian Erzhuang didn't respond to that.
He stood up, walked to the window, stood with his back to Wei Yi for a while, and then spoke.
"I'm happy that you really want to start a company. Beijing Film Academy will definitely support you."
He paused.
"But Nortel cannot hold shares in your company. We are a state-owned enterprise, and schools cannot have equity relationships with private companies. But there is one thing Nortel can give you."
He turned around and spoke slowly and deliberately.
"people."
"You'll have priority in choosing from the next five graduating classes of the Beijing Film Academy's Directing Department. Whether they're currently enrolled or have just graduated, if you've taken a liking to someone, I'll put in a good word for them. The same goes for the Cinematography, Acting, and Literature departments. Mu Deyuan and Liu Yibing will definitely be happy to help. Whatever kind of person you need, I'll find them for you. Not in the name of the school, but in the name of your seniors."
Wei Yi's tense expression, which had been maintained since he entered the room, finally relaxed a little.
"Teacher, I will remember this favor."
"Don't bother remembering," Tian Erzhuang waved his hand. "Making a good movie is the biggest favor you can do for us. Also, you want to start your own company, have you thought of a name yet?"
"I've made up my mind."
"What's your name?"
Hehuan Films.
"Which one is compatible, which one is happy?"
"The harmony of the heart, the joy of happiness."
Tian Erzhuang frowned: "Hehuan? What does that mean?"
"It means family happiness. Movies are meant to bring joy to everyone, to bring joy to families."
"Shouldn't it be 'closed'?"
"Let's use some homophones."
Tian Erzhuang pondered the two words carefully, and a smile slowly crept onto his lips.
"I don't know why, but I just think it's a good name. From today onwards, you're General Manager Wei of Hehuan Film & Television. No, wait."
He paused.
"It's Chairman Wei."
Wei Yi stood up and straightened the collar of his windbreaker.
"Teacher, you can actually call me Sect Master."
"What the heck?"