Chapter 273: Premium Investment: An Invitation from Shanghai Film Group

Although both are groups of thieves, compared to Li Tianwang's team, they have always been active domestically and win through technique.

Liang Jiahui's Hong Kong team displays more aggression and wildness; on the foundation of being thieves, they have a bit more of a bandit nature, which can be seen from their style of conduct.

Looking at the image on the monitor, Wei Jin shook his head.

"Cut! Old Zhang, your emotions are off. You need to bring out the bandit temperament; that sense of ferocity is lacking."

Zhang Yi is a good actor, but perhaps because his past roles have all been positive images, he hasn't found the feel for this attempt at a fierce style yet.

"Alright, Director Wei, give me two minutes to adjust."

"Fine, the crew will take a ten-minute break."

Wei Jin is not unreasonable; with a proper break, the actors' states will be better.

Moreover, this shoot is proceeding entirely according to plan. With Lu Yang helping as a deputy, some unimportant shots are being filmed simultaneously, which is much faster in terms of efficiency.

After a cigarette, Wei Jin sat back down at the monitor's position.

"Action"—perhaps because he received the share promised by Wei Jin, Han Sanping put in the effort, and the script for *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate* passed review quickly.

Many companies in the industry were waiting eagerly for notice from Shanhe Media; after all, word had already spread that this project would open up investment shares.

After pondering the major leading companies in the country in his mind, Wei Jin made his choice.

Handing the crew's tasks to Lu Yang, Wei Jin took the time to come to China Film Group, where the major investors were already in place.

This time, Wei Jin was not stingy. Since he wanted to concede profits to his peers, he might as well be generous; the number of industry companies summoned reached a historic high.

China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, Enlight Media, Huayi Brothers, Bona Film Group, and Wanda.

Except for Shanghai Film Group, which was a first-time collaboration, the others were all old acquaintances, so naturally, there was some small talk after meeting.

"Thank you, President Wei, for the opportunity. This is the first time our two companies have collaborated, haha."

Ren Zhonglun is a middle-aged man with a somewhat high hairline, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with the temperament of a school teacher.

He was very happy to get a share of the project this time, as it meant there would be opportunities for future cooperation.

"Chairman Ren is too polite. There will be plenty of time in the future; I wish us a pleasant cooperation."

After some polite exchanges, Wei Jin sat down gracefully and got straight to the point.

"Since everyone is here, I won't waste time. The crew is still waiting for me. Regarding the investment shares, I have a proposal; let everyone listen first."

Seeing Wei Jin start talking about business directly, the others also perked up.

"I am not leading this project, but I am confident it will be profitable. It just depends on whether you are all willing to follow. The plan is this: China Film Group gets 20%, and the remaining five companies get 10% each. What does everyone think?"

Hearing this, the people present began to ponder. For a 200 million project, getting 10% is not small, and Wei Jin's eye for projects is famously accurate; making money is inevitable.

No one hesitated; everyone unanimously approved the share distribution.

"Then let's talk about the premium. Can everyone accept a 50% premium ratio?"

Although they were prepared for a premium, the investors did not expect the ratio to be so high. After all, it is led by Xu Laoguai, which is still far behind Wei Jin.

As the chairman of Shanghai Film Group, Ren Zhonglun is not as bold as private enterprises and had to consider it carefully. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke first.

"President Wei, may I ask if this ratio includes all copyright revenue?"

Ren Zhonglun's question also made the other bosses present realize that if overseas copyrights and box office were included, the math would work out perfectly. Conversely, if it were only domestic profit sharing, there would be no point.

"Of course."

Wei Jin stated firmly. Since there was a premium, Shanhe Media naturally couldn't be so overbearing, otherwise, it would look too ugly.

Of course, if it were his own project, that would be a different matter.

"Good, Shanghai Film Group is in."

Ren Zhonglun was the first to express his stance. Firstly, the project's prospects were promising, and secondly, it was to build a good relationship with Wei Jin, looking forward to future cooperation.

The other companies also expressed their stance one after another; not a single one chose to withdraw.

With this, the investment for *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate* was settled.

After finalizing the investment, Wei Jin was about to leave, as the crew was still waiting, but Ren Zhonglun walked over.

"President Wei, the Shanghai International Film Festival is coming up. Are you interested in coming to present an award?"

As the undisputed big brother in the Shanghai region, Shanghai Film Group has the strength to change the award presenters for the film festival on short notice. Moreover, with Wei Jin's status in the industry, it would definitely add luster to this year's festival.

"Thank you for the kind offer, Chairman Ren, but I am busy with filming here and truly cannot spare the time."

Wei Jin refused directly. He would not attend domestic film festivals; as long as those old guys didn't step down, he would never share a stage with them.

Furthermore, the chairmen of the Pingshutuan for the Shanghai International Film Festival over the years have either been foreigners or Hong Kong directors. With Wei Jin's status, should he go and be their assistant? Are they worthy? "President Wei, this film festival is different from the past. An industrial forum summit will be held, and film production companies from all over the world will participate."

Ren Zhonglun would not give up and continued to persuade him.

"Hmm... then like this, Chairman Ren, the company will arrange for a representative to attend. As for me, I am truly sorry."

Wei Jin shook his head. These industry summits are all just clichés, devoid of nutrition. Leaving it to Chen Zhiming to handle is enough. However, Hunter should be coming too, right? He could meet him in China then. ——On the filming set, Wei Jin sat behind the monitor, watching the image in the lens.

Clara and Hu Ge were preparing to make some extra money. After a search, they quickly locked onto a target.

Originally, the plan was for the hot-bodied Clara to use seduction to create an opportunity for her partner, Hu Ge.

Who knew they would run into someone with an abnormal orientation? The two immediately swapped task contents.

In the end, Hu Ge sacrificed himself for art and was forcibly kissed by an oily man. This scene was originally designed to be filmed in the early stages, but considering Clara's integration with the domestic actors, Wei Jin postponed her scenes for a few days.

"Cut."

Repeatedly enjoying the playback in the lens, Wei Jin said to Hu Ge in a teasing tone.

"How about we do a safety take?"

Everyone on set knew Wei Jin was joking and couldn't help but laugh.

Hu Ge had a distressed look on his face, only hoping Wei Jin wouldn't prank him like this; if he really called for a safety take, he would have no choice but to obey. "Hahaha, just teasing you, this take is passed."

The next scene was for the Hong Kong team.

In the lens, Wu Jing was wearing a tank top, revealing his muscles, which were the result of years of training.

He and Zhang Yi, one responsible for action scenes and the other for comedy, cooperated with great tacit understanding; after all, they had already worked together in *The Martian*.

In this way, the filming of *Thieves* became increasingly smooth. The major investors were highly efficient, and the filing information for *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate* at the Film Bureau was updated very quickly.

*Flying Swords of Dragon Gate*, a 3D martial arts film, with a total investment of 200 million; Director: Xu Ke; Screenwriters: Xu Ke & Shanhe Media Screenwriting Department; Male Lead: Li Lianjie; Female Lead: Zhou Xun;

Other roles: several to be determined; Producers: Shanhe Media, China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, Huayi Brothers, Wanda Pictures, Enlight Media, Bona.

Seeing this list of producers, many companies in the industry were annoyed that their strength was too weak, not even qualifying to get on board.

At the same time, they also began to worry about the release schedule. With such a luxurious production lineup, this film was destined to be a favorite of theater chains, so they hoped not to run head-on into it and seek their own deaths.

Perhaps stimulated by *Avatar*, coupled with the project launch of the 3D version of *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate*, many so-called 3D projects were launched one after another for a time.

Whether it was a movie or a TV series, it seemed like they couldn't show their faces if it wasn't 3D. Even Six Teacher joined in the fun, claiming that the 3D TV series *Journey to the West and Wu Cheng'en* was currently filming. Wei Jin, who was at the filming set, couldn't help but sigh upon seeing this news; Six Teacher was truly persistent. After so many years, he was really locked in a struggle with *Journey to the West*.

Meanwhile, the promotion for *Silent Witness* had long been in full swing.

In addition to the main cast working tirelessly to participate in various variety shows and interviews, a large number of topics regarding fatherly love quietly appeared online, and many moving short clips also rushed onto the Weibo hot search list. Everything was operated behind the scenes by the publicity team.

So, when a topic suddenly appears around you, don't be surprised; there is definitely a continuous stream of pushers behind it, making you pay for it. The filming of *Thieves* proceeded in an orderly manner, and after more than 20 days, the first segment of scenes wrapped up.

The characters played by Liang Jiahui and Hui Yinghong both possessed a softness deep within; after all, even the worst people have an unspeakable tenderness.

The two developed mutual affection during a criminal operation, and the man protected the woman as they fled, breaking through the police encirclement.

Unfortunately, this pair of star-crossed lovers ultimately could not escape the arrangements of fate. The man was unfortunately shot and died, and the woman was also heartbroken. Letting the car drive at high speed, the car was destroyed and the person perished. Liang Jiahui and Hui Yinghong were worthy of being old friends; the chemistry between them brought this scene to life.

You must know that usually, No-object Performance looks very awkward, but in this scene, the two truly performed the feeling of meeting too late, yet being content.

Following Wei Jin's shout of "Cut," bursts of applause erupted on set, marveling at the actors' brilliant performance.

"Brother Jiahui, Sister Hong, congratulations to you both on wrapping!"

"Thank you, Director Wei. This collaboration was truly satisfying, very satisfying. Looking forward to the next one."

After Liang Jiahui dealt with the blood bags on his body, he hugged all the actors with a smile on his face.

"Director Wei, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. Thank you."

Hui Yinghong also spoke up to express her gratitude. She had realized on the day of the audition that this role was not necessarily hers alone.

"You two are too polite. I have always greatly appreciated good actors. Let's collaborate again if there's a chance."

Wei Jin was telling the truth; the older generation of actors in Hong Kong were indeed easy to work with, provided their stance was not skewed.

"Goodbye, Director Wei, everyone, wish you a smooth shoot!" Xiao Hei Pang Zi's *Three Laughs* had finished its theatrical run, with a final box office of less than 7 million.

As a crossover director, he could be considered "famous after one battle," but the family fortune built up by the Deyun Society over these years was likely almost all lost.

However, perhaps it was because the profession of director and the art of film naturally made people feel high-end, even the "Spring Festival Gala Sketch King" Old Zhao took members of the Zhao Family Troupe and plunged into this circle, tinkering with a film called *Laughing Jianghu*, which had already started filming a few days ago.

Logically speaking, after *A Simple Noodle Story*, everyone should have had a psychological preparation regarding the standard of the Zhao Family Troupe, but unexpectedly, the industry was quite optimistic about this film.

But thinking about it, it made sense; Old Zhao was, after all, a veteran of the Spring Festival Gala for over a dozen years. With his appeal, even if it were a bad film, the box office probably wouldn't be low, right? On the set of *Thieves*, having just finished a scene, Wei Jin was planning to smoke a cigarette when Wu Jing walked over.

"Director Wei, is it really that hard for a newcomer to be a director?"

Wu Jing had a good relationship with Yu Qian of the Deyun Society, and coupled with his own directorial debut flopping, perhaps he felt empathy; his tone at this moment carried a bit of emotion.

"Hey, that's a way of putting it. If being a director were really that simple, why are the ones who can make money always those few? There are plenty of people with formal training who flop, let alone those crossing over?"

Wei Jin supported actors transitioning to directors, but crossing over without knowing anything and wanting to be the director and lead actor right away was truly a bit reckless.

"But didn't Xu Cairen succeed?"

As a newcomer director without formal training, her first film had a box office of over 100 million. Xu Cairen had been in the limelight recently.

"Do you want to calculate how many people are behind her? From the script to the crew, was it really something she could assemble all by herself?"

Wei Jin scoffed at the "talented woman persona" marketed by Xu Cairen. If she were truly talented, why was she just rehashing old ideas later on? "Don't be overly ambitious; settle down and hone what you are good at."

"Hmm, the previous film was indeed too rushed. Looking back now, there are many shortcomings."

As time passed, Wu Jing could also objectively view his own work, but with his resilient personality, he would not easily admit defeat.

"However, I am determined to continue in the directing profession. For these years in Hong Kong, I have almost always been a supporting actor. Although many people have helped me, the lead role never falls to me. Since no one is promoting me, I will promote myself."

Wu Jing's words also made Wei Jin feel emotional. How many people in the entertainment industry wasted their years simply because they had no opportunity.

"Then what are your plans for the future?"

"I haven't thought it through yet. I might move my work focus back to Mainland China. I'll take a break for a few years first; after all, I have no money now, and crucially, I don't have a girlfriend either, haha."

Wei Jin was amused, but he remembered a script that was quite suitable for Wu Jing's style. It was a foreign script anyway, so he might as well make use of it.

"Golden Harvest will start an action film in the second half of the year. Are you interested?"

Wei Jin didn't say it was a film with a male lead; he would give him a surprise when the time came.

"Of course I am. I'm always waiting for the call. Thank you, President Wei, haha."

Upon hearing this, Wu Jing's face lit up with joy. A project from Golden Harvest was definitely a high-quality resource in the Hong Kong Circle, and he had to accept this favor.

"Alright, let's get to work. You don't have many scenes left."

Regarding the plot, following Liang Jiahui's exit, Wu Jing and Zhang Yi also transferred under the command of Li Tianwang, for the sake of revenge and to find the reason for the betrayal.

The progress had been very smooth these days, and Zhang Yi and Wu Jing were about to wrap up.

"Alright."

Second update today (End of this chapter)