Chapter 227: Defense, Sniping at

Bidding farewell to Yang Mi, Wei Jin continued toward the Graduate Student school, though his mind was deep in thought.

Artist management was something Shanhe Media had always been doing, but Wei Jin hadn't placed much importance on this area before, so the company hadn't deliberately focused on it.

The reason was simple: the profit margin was truly not high. Currently, the company had signed a dozen or so people, with an annual revenue of only one or two hundred million. After deducting the management costs for the artists, the profit was less than one hundred million, which really wasn't worth spending huge amounts of energy on.

But the situation was different now. Since the beginning of the year, the authorities had introduced new policies encouraging the financial industry to enter the cultural industry, and he believed there would be more policy support to follow.

Following this came an overall rise in industry pay, including various endorsement fees, all of which were trending upward.

The key was that the increase was not insignificant; the Artist Management Department felt this particularly deeply.

In view of this, the company had submitted requests more than once to expand the scale of artist management.

As someone from the future, Wei Jin knew well that once artist pay started rising like this, it would be impossible to stop. In the future, astronomical pay for artists would be the norm, with those earning 2.08 million a day being no rarity, and management business would become an important source of income for film and television companies.

Therefore, what he had just said to Yang Mi was not a brush-off, but film and television production and artist management were naturally in a contradictory relationship; as for how to operate specifically, the team would still need to come up with a plan. — He arrived at the small lecture hall prepared for the graduation defense.

With over two hundred seats, one-third were already filled; the turnout was truly quite large.

Without standing on ceremony, Wei Jin walked onto the podium alone.

"Let's begin."

Tian Zhuangzhuang looked at this student who made him immensely proud and said with a smile.

"Very well, teacher."

Offstage, whether professors or other graduates, everyone instantly perked up.

Wei Jin gathered his thoughts and began today's presentation.

"As everyone knows, I have shot quite a few films since my debut, and the vast majority of them have used special effects. Many in the industry say I rely on special effects to win."

The people below laughed; these people were truly talking nonsense. Did Wei Jin's award-chasing films have any special effects? Didn't they still reap both box office and awards? "The content of my thesis is also related to special effects, and it will further deepen the subject."

"Today's presentation topic is: 'The Promotion of Film Industrialization by Heavy Industry Film'."

"First, we must clarify a concept: what is a Heavy Industry Film? Heavy Industry Film refers to a type of film and television work that, under large investment, employs cutting-edge film technology and production teams, focusing on visual effects and the viewing experience. Corresponding to this is Light Industry Film."

As Wei Jin's content gradually unfolded, the expressions of everyone present varied.

The teachers and professors from the Director Department had eyes gleaming with intensity.

Teachers from other majors who had come to audit also felt they had benefited greatly.

Only the auditing students were completely bewildered; the things Wei Jin was researching were truly too advanced for them.

"... It is not hard for everyone to see that special effects are almost a standard feature of Heavy Industry Film, and domestic special effects technology..."

For the next hour or so, Wei Jin spoke eloquently.

He elaborated in detail on the application and role of special effects in Heavy Industry Film, the production model of Heavy Industry Film, and its role in promoting Film Industrialization.

"... So this is also the reason why I have always been committed to special effects blockbusters. The above is the entire content of my defense; I ask the teachers for their corrections."

The professors offstage looked at one another, feeling depressed and helpless, and for a long time, no one spoke.

This couldn't be blamed on them; these professors hadn't even participated in a special effects blockbuster, let alone discussed Heavy Industry Film.

"Forget it. In this regard, he is indeed stronger than us; let's not ask."

Tian Zhuangzhuang's words gave the others a way out, and no one had any objections.

The remaining graduates were completely dumbfounded. They had assumed they didn't understand, but they hadn't expected the teachers not to understand either. This was likely the easiest graduation defense ever, right? But as for this kind of thesis, let alone writing it, they wouldn't even dare to imagine it.

"From this moment on, you have graduated. The road ahead is one you must walk yourself..."

Tian Zhuangzhuang felt a bit emotional; the future achievements of this student were no longer something he could imagine.

"Thank you, teacher, for your constant care; the student will keep it in his heart."

Looking at his mentor's graying hair, Wei Jin also felt grateful and somewhat reluctant to part.

"Alright, remember to come back and visit when you have time. Also, if it's within your power, take care of your alumni; don't let others say you don't value old ties."

Wei Jin naturally understood Tian Zhuangzhuang's words. Over the years, many students from the Photography Department, Management Department, and even the Literature Department had entered Shanhe Media, but only the Acting Department found it hard to gain favor.

Seeing that Wei Jin was about to graduate, the teachers from the Acting Department probably couldn't sit still anymore and had likely been whispering in Tian Zhuangzhuang's ear.

"Don't worry, teacher, I will." — Although Wei Jin had decided to delay the start of filming, it did not affect the pre-production work of the project; leaving this aspect to Chen Xi was absolutely fine.

Currently, she had already gone to the China Film Digital Base with the team from Aerospace Science and Industry to supervise the work.

Inside the massive studio, the construction of the interior of the spaceship had already begun.

Many media outlets, taking the opportunity of visiting other studios, always found the right moment to crowd toward this side.

However, the management of the Digital Base was very strict; as long as they refused visits, no reporter could get close. They were all blocked far away, and the cameras in their hands captured nothing but emptiness.

But this did not affect the media's performance; all kinds of news were thrown out for free, with the main goal of attracting eyeballs.

"'Passengers' begins building shooting sets; it is expected to start filming soon."

"Investment information remains unclear; the main cast is still unknown."

Many people in the circle were gnashing their teeth in hatred. Wei Jin was truly not acting like a human; how long had it been, and he still wouldn't reveal a shred of information.

They could only stare at the Film Bureau's official website, hoping for more information, even though they knew the chances were slim—but what if? — On April 22, "Nanjing" was released.

Although the Shanhe Cinema Alliance did not screen it, other cinema lines wouldn't care about the grudge between Lu Chuan and Wei Jin; making money was the absolute truth.

Xingmei also put in a great effort this time; the China Film StarMe Cinema Line did its best to ensure screenings for "Nanjing." Added to the previously sensational "suppression incident," the buzz for "Nanjing" was not small. Many people wanted to see what this film with a crooked stance was actually like, which contributed quite a bit to the box office.

Under the superposition of various external forces, the first-day box office of "Nanjing" actually reached 9.8 million, which made Lu Chuan triumphant; he seemed to have already seen himself advancing into the 100-million-director club.

Perhaps feeling that he had withstood the pressure from Shanhe Media, or perhaps because it was his first time getting such a high box office, Lu Chuan became active again and jumped out to declare:

"This is a film I worked hard on for four years, just to give the public a different interpretation."

"Everyone cannot just listen to one side of the story from certain people; as for how the film is, one must watch it to have the right to speak."

Although the box office for "Nanjing" looked okay, the word-of-mouth online was facing a collapse.

Many ordinary film fans just felt the film was awkward and couldn't immediately react to the metaphors the film was expressing, but they couldn't stop professionals from posting and deconstructing this film, so a massive amount of cursing followed:

"This film by Lu Taro talks only about tolerance throughout and doesn't mention national sentiment; the stance is absolutely problematic. I call on everyone to firmly boycott this kind of film."

"This dog of a thing, he actually stood from the perspective of Japan, he actually wants to reconcile, and he even wants everyone to forget history. F*** his mother, is his brain filled with s***?"

Although everyone meant well and attempted to expose the true colors of Lu Chuan and *Nanjing*, they ultimately forgot that people possess a sense of curiosity; the more people criticize, the more others want to see if it is truly the case, which actually caused the film's popularity to continue heating up.

The box office for *Nanjing* on the following day actually rose instead of falling, reporting 11 million, and now Lu Chuan is even more smug.

"I feel quite happy. Those who criticize my film haven't hit the mark. *Nanjing* is like a hairtail fish, covered in thorns; it just depends on how they pick them."

I have to say, this dog of a man, Lu Chuan, really has a thick skin.

Shanhe Media naturally cannot watch this guy be smug; the boss said he must be crushed, so he cannot have a second outcome.

On the morning of April 24, Yinxiang Net announced to the public that starting from today, anyone who purchases a ticket for *Eye for an Eye* through Yinxiang Net can participate in a thousand-yuan lucky draw with their electronic ticket stub.

The lucky draw will produce five hundred lucky moviegoers every day, who will share a daily prize pool of 500,000, with the event lasting until April 30.

Once the news broke, everyone knew this was a countermeasure aimed at Lu Chuan; lucky draws are Shanhe Media's specialty.

Under these circumstances, everyone's enthusiasm for watching films shifted to *Eye for an Eye*, and the film's box office actually managed to bottom out and rebound.

On April 24, it reported 11 million, and over the following two days of the weekend, it raked in 28 million at the box office.

*Eye for an Eye* has been in theaters for 10 days, with a cumulative box office of 101 million, and Lu Yang has officially become a 100-million-yuan blockbuster director.

Conversely, the box office for *Nanjing* was cut in half; on April 24, it reported 7.7 million, and over the following two days of the weekend, the box office failed to break 10 million again.

In its first 5 days, *Nanjing* had a cumulative box office of 45.5 million, and the final box office for this film is becoming increasingly mysterious—at the same time, the promotion for *Painted Skin 2* is also in full swing, and several promotional trailers have long been released.

The fox spirit Xiao Wei still has a pure appearance, without a hint of seductiveness.

Chen Kun, wearing armor, has looks that go without saying; he is absolutely in the top tier of domestic entertainment.

Compared to Ceng Li in the first installment, Yang Xue in this one wears a half-face golden mask, which fits the image of a female general leading troops into battle, highlighting a heroic and spirited look.

The remaining supporting roles also have many highlights.

Wu Ershan has self-awareness; he knows his influence cannot compare to Wei Jin, so he is exceptionally hardworking in the promotional work for *Painted Skin 2*.

The main cast, including Chen Kun and Zhou Xun, also hardly missed a single promotional event, running all over the country.

Despite this, Wu Ershan still felt it wasn't enough; after all, it is his first time directing such a large project, and he bears the heavy responsibility of intercepting *Nanjing*, plus the results achieved by *Eye for an Eye*, the pressure is truly too great.

"Director Wu, don't be too nervous. Old Wei's script is fine."

Seeing the director looking distracted, Zhou Xun instead spoke up to comfort him.

She specifically asked for leave from the *The Message* crew to help with the promotion of *Painted Skin 2*; there was no helping it, who told Wei Jin to choose such a release window.

"Mm, I trust President Wei's script, but with the gem *Painted Skin* ahead and the dark horse *Eye for an Eye* behind, I..."

Wu Ershan didn't finish his sentence, but all the main cast understood what he meant; no one could have imagined that *Eye for an Eye* would achieve such results.

With a production cost of 6 million, it has been in theaters for only 10 days, and the box office has already exceeded 100 million; director Lu Yang has even leaped to become a newly minted blockbuster director.

By comparison, also being a new director, the investment for *Painted Skin 2* is as high as 60 million, and it is a sequel to a hit film; if the box office is unsatisfactory, Wu Ershan's directing career will be full of variables, so nervousness is unavoidable.

"It's okay, there is still time. Let's run a few more events; I believe the box office will definitely be very beautiful..."

The reticent Chen Kun also spoke up for once; since *Painted Skin*, the other films he starred in haven't made a splash, and this time he also wants to continue to prove himself. — Beijing, inside an office at Xingmei.

"President Qin, why not cut all the screenings for *Eye for an Eye*? This way, we can increase our own screenings and teach Wei Jin a lesson, wouldn't that be good?"

The box office trend for *Nanjing* is not optimistic, and Lu Chuan has also started to get anxious, coming up with the idea of playing dirty; in his view, if Wei Jin can do it, why can't Xingmei? "China Film Xingmei isn't something I can decide alone. The screenings given to *Nanjing* this time are already the result of my best efforts to fight for them."

Qin Hong gave Lu Chuan a disdainful glance; is this guy really mentally ill?

"The theater chains aren't stupid; whichever film makes money, they naturally show that one. Do you think that if I hadn't insisted on protecting it, *Nanjing* would still have 60% of the screenings now?"

The current occupancy rate for *Nanjing* is already far below the average; under normal circumstances, the theater chains would have cut the screenings long ago. This guy Lu Chuan actually wants to scheme for more screenings; he really has reached a new height of stupidity.

As for teaching Wei Jin a lesson, who the hell do you think you are? If it weren't for you, you idiot, would I be following along and worrying?

After complaining fiercely in his heart, Qin Hong still didn't feel relieved; he already regretted why he had been hot-headed and invested in this idiot's film in the first place.

But Xingmei has already invested quite a lot of capital back and forth, and all he can do now is try his best to recover the losses; if not for that, he wouldn't want to stay with this idiot for even a minute.

"So we can only endure it? There's no way at all?"

Lu Chuan felt very aggrieved; watching the trend of breaking 100 million being abruptly interrupted, and with *Painted Skin 2* about to be released, he is getting further and further away from being a 100-million-yuan commercial director.

"I don't have any, but you, the great Director Lu, can continue to cry to the media..."

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