Chapter 108: Wei Jin: I'm Going to the Oscars, Period

"President Wei, the people from KBS in South Korea have already left. They invited you to visit South Korea when you have time."

Since the beginning of August, Wei Jin had mostly been at the company handling related affairs. *My Love from the Star* was a hit domestically and had also attracted the attention of neighboring countries; television stations in several countries, including South Korea, Japan, and Thailand, had expressed an interest in purchasing it.

After several days of negotiations, an agreement had been reached with the South Korean side for a total price of 3 million USD. It was estimated that once the news broke, television stations in the other countries would also close deals as soon as possible, which could be considered good news.

"Hmm, the company must arrange for relevant personnel to be responsible for overseas copyright sales. We will certainly be dealing with this area quite a bit in the future."

Whether it is television dramas or future variety shows, Wei Jin believed that more and more projects would head abroad. It was very necessary to assemble a relevant team in advance.

"I understand. Both the television drama production department and the film production department will establish relevant groups specifically responsible for external affairs."

The longer Chen Zhiming stayed with the company, the more he felt that his initial decision had been truly wise. In just a few short years, the company had developed to such a point that it was already looking capable of external output.

"By the way, the payment from Mango TV has arrived. I didn't expect it to go so smoothly; we really made a killing this time."

Chen Zhiming found Wei Jin's bet to be simply astonishing. When converted, the price per episode reached as high as 2.6 million. Given that the purchase price for domestic television dramas currently generally did not exceed 800,000 per episode, this could simply be called a sky-high price.

"I expect they won't agree to this method for *Temptation to Go Home*. When the time comes, we'll organize a screening and see if we can get multiple stations to broadcast it simultaneously."

Wei Jin was also clear that with this method, the television station would be doing the work without making a profit, essentially leaving the benefits to the production side; television stations were still more willing to pursue stability.

After reporting on some work, Chen Zhiming left, and Wei Jin sat alone in his office, sorting through his thoughts.

*Zhu Xian* had already begun filming a week ago. Wu Jinyuan had been quite busy during this period; he had to shoot the new drama while also finding time to check on the post-production progress of *Beauty's Rival in Palace*. He was truly in pain and happy at the same time. Wei Jin had reminded him to take care of his health, as the post-production was not urgent.

For the role of Tian Ling'er, Liu Yifei had recommended Shu Chang, and after some consideration, Wei Jin also felt she was quite suitable.

Shu Chang, this young woman, had not had an easy time over the past year. At the end of 2005, it was exposed that she had been sued by her previous agency for taking on projects privately without authorization. After paying the relevant breach-of-contract damages, her reputation plummeted.

Later, after Wei Jin looked into it, it was all her agent's fault. Finding a relative to be an agent was just unreliable.

To be fair, in the industry, the only ones who had relatives as agents and actually made something of themselves were the two sisters, Li Bingbing and Li Xue; the rest were either cheated or scammed.

It had to be said that Shu Chang and Liu Yifei were truly comparable; both had played a great hand of cards into a mess. Originally, they were powerful actors of the new generation, yet after getting into the Central Academy of Drama, she actually didn't go, turning around to enroll in a foreign studies college instead. This operation was quite magical.

If the role of Tian Ling'er was played well, it would also be very brilliant. It could be considered a little help from Wei Jin to her.

As for *Ip Man*, the Emperor Group side had already started filming. Wei Jin didn't know whose connections Zhen Zidan had used, but in the end, the role was given to him. However, Wei Jin had no objections. Only, as it was a series, Wei Jin put forward one requirement: he added a clause regarding the salary increase ratio when signing the contract, to prevent this fellow from opening his mouth like a lion later on.

The casting for *New World* had also finished, and it was estimated that filming would begin in the near future. This time, Liu Tianwang was very sincere and willing to lower his own salary to appear in it. Out of appreciation, Wei Jin agreed. He had thought that there would be some awkwardness given the 9-year age gap between him and Sun Honglei, but unexpectedly, after some grooming, the two looked almost the same age. Wei Jin could only sigh that the Heavenly King does not age.

Wei Jin had inserted some of his own artists into both of these films, and the Emperor Group side had no objections to this. Just kidding, what objections could they have? Wei Jin was providing the script and the investment; what was wrong with inserting a few people? The female lead for *Ip Man* was given to Yang Rong, and the female police officer in *New World* was given to Yang Xue, which could be considered opening the path to film for both of them.

This left the two sisters feeling uneasy, thinking their boss had some ideas about them. However, if he really did, they might not have refused.

After handling company affairs, Wei Jin came to China Film Group.

Looking at the place he hadn't visited in a long time, Wei Jin felt a bit emotional.

Wei Jin walked familiarly to Han Sanping's office, pondering how to persuade him.

"Yo, what wind blew our great Director Wei here?"

Han Sanping, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, spoke with a bit of sarcasm.

"President Han, don't flatter me. Still angry about the last matter? That shouldn't be; with President Han's magnanimity, I don't think it should go that far."

Wei Jin didn't care at all and, without waiting for Han Sanping to greet him, sat down on his own. "You still have the nerve to say that? Two projects, just like that, given to the Emperor Group? We've been dealing with each other for so many years, have you forgotten an old friend?"

Speaking of this matter, Han Sanping got angry. If it weren't for President Fu of the Yindu Institution chatting with him, he would still have been kept in the dark.

"How could I forget? Even if I, Wei Jin, forgot anyone else, I couldn't possibly forget China Film Group or President Han. Give me a chance to explain?"

Seeing that Han Sanping was truly still sulking, Wei Jin had no choice but to start explaining: "These two projects themselves aren't big, and they had to follow the path of co-productions. I only held a 60% share in my hands, so it wouldn't have looked good to split it up."

"I don't care about that. As an old friend, since you didn't bring China Film Group along this time, you have to make it up to me."

Having spent a long time with Wei Jin, Han Sanping knew Wei Jin's soft spot: just talk more about feelings; this person is soft-hearted.

"Here, it's all prepared for you. I say, President Han, you are at least the second-in-command at China Film Group, can you have some decorum?"

Wei Jin handed the prepared script to Han Sanping with a bit of annoyance, saying teasingly:

"What is decorum for? Can it make money for China Film Group or bring political achievements? Wouldn't it have been better to take it out earlier?"

Han Sanping muttered while picking up the script. He read it for ten minutes or so: "The script is quite good, but there are no big scenes. How much is the investment? China Film Group needs at least 40% this time, otherwise don't blame me for getting anxious with you."

"Fine, you're the leader, you have the final say. 50 million investment, China Film Group takes 40%. Let's just have our two companies this time."

The production cost of this film would probably not exceed 30 million; 20 million was his own remuneration. Presumably, China Film Group would have no objections. However, what Wei Jin was concerned about was another matter:

"President Han, this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film..."

"I was wondering why you, kid, were so easy to talk to today. So you were waiting for me here. Hmm... how should I put this? It's a bit difficult to handle..."

Hearing this, Han Sanping also felt it was tricky. It was just that every year when applying for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, a country only had one spot.

"You also know that Zhang Yimou's new film is coming out at the end of the year. There are many people who think highly of him, and the big leaders above also favor Zhang Yimou. Zhang Weiping has even pulled many strings. If you get involved in this, the leaders will be in a difficult position."

"Is this Cannes Palme d'Or director of mine really that lacking in status? *The Room* even won the top prize at Cannes, and you won't even give me a chance?"

Wei Jin hated this kind of seniority-based approach. Last year, under those circumstances, they actually pushed *The Promise* out. Although he knew *Painted Skin* didn't have much of a chance either, he always felt unhappy in his heart. It was still his own fault for being too young, always letting people subconsciously ignore him.

"Hmm... don't be anxious either. It's still early, maybe there will be changes by then?"

Han Sanping intended to see the quality of Zhang Yimou's new film first. If it flopped, wouldn't Wei Jin be the best substitute? "President Han, you don't think that once it's selected and pushed out, that's it, right? If it's confirmed early, I can start lobbying."

Wei Jin almost laughed in anger. These people were simply too naive. Was it that easy?

To campaign for the Oscars, generally speaking, one first goes to the European Big Three to win awards, then participates in international film festivals to build a reputation along the way, and finally releases it in North America at the end of the year, striving to make thousands of judges at least have an impression of the film, so that a nomination might be possible in the following awards season.

It's not like what these old guys in the country think: just submit a film and wait for the Oscar judges to make a fair and impartial choice.

Seeing that Wei Jin's attitude was so firm, not even willing to wait, Han Sanping knew he was determined to win the spot.

Han Sanping weighed it in his heart. In the past, every year as long as there was a film by Zhang Yimou being released, it was absolutely the only choice. But this year, Wei Jin's film *The Room* indeed had a great advantage.

One could even say that from a neutral perspective, choosing Wei Jin was completely justifiable.

"... Alright, I promise you. China Film Group, and even the Film Bureau, will fully support you. However, more of it will require your own efforts."

After a moment of silence, Han Sanping gave his promise to support him fully within his capabilities. For him, this was also not an easy choice, as it meant completely giving up on Zhang Yimou... The child is still running a fever, so there are only two updates today.

(End of chapter)