Chapter 210: Frequent Big Moves

Reborn Starting from 2002 in China's Entertainment Industry, Chapter 205: Frequent Big Moves

"Lost in Thailand" is a road movie and also a purely comedic film.

Nowadays, as long as a film can keep most audiences laughing from start to finish, its box office won't be poor.

"Crazy Stone" was like that, but "Crazy Stone" also contains some dark elements.

"Lost in Thailand" is different—it's purely sunny, funny cinema.

It sets up jokes everywhere, or simply puts Xu Zheng, Huang Bo, and Wang Baoqiang together.

It's as if a chemical reaction is triggered, immersing the entire film in a comedic atmosphere.

Whether at the beginning, middle, or end, it makes viewers laugh heartily with zero burden.

Very clean, and very pure!

In the conference room, Yang Lin, Ning Hao, and Huang Bo were reading the script and laughing heartily.

As everyone knows, a screenplay is an extremely dry genre.

It has little description, focusing mostly on dialogue to portray characters.

Yang Lin, needless to say, as the head of film distribution for Xinmei Group, has seen countless films.

Ning Hao and Huang Bo—one is a highly talented director, the other a comedic actor.

The three men's reactions while reading the script themselves prove the film's value.

"Hehe, this thing is hilarious! Boss Cheng, how did you even grow this brain? So lovable!"

Huang Bo put down the script first, grinning as he reached out to pat Cheng Chen's head.

Cheng Chen slapped his hand away, laughing and scolding:

"Get lost, go pat your own head!"

"Hehe."

Huang Bo wasn't offended; he grinned foolishly beside them:

"My wooden head isn't as sharp as yours—I'm just borrowing some of your talent.

Maybe one day I'll become a director too!"

Cheng Chen glanced at Huang Bo, thinking: this kid actually has plans for his career.

In the future, Huang Bo did become a director.

People say good actors become directors; Huang Bo, a naturally gifted actor, wouldn't miss such an opportunity.

"A Good Show" was Huang Bo's directorial debut.

That year, seven films were released simultaneously.

"A Good Show" defied the odds, broke through the encirclement of six other new films, smashed 900 million, heading toward the billion mark.

This film also pushed Huang Bo's personal box office total past 7 billion.

He entered the 7-billion-Box-Office Best Actor tier at 7.392 billion, surpassing Jason Stantanson's 7.272 billion.

The most widely circulated scene from this film is Liu Huangshu smoking a cigar, saying:

"Borrowing music, borrowing dance"—and breaking out of its niche.

Of course, all that is future talk; right now, Huang Bo with his long hair is far from achieving such success.

But it's just around the corner…

"Brilliant, truly brilliant!"

After finishing the script, Yang Lin kept staring at Cheng Chen in awe.

He truly respected Cheng Chen; during the time he worked with Cheng Chen,

he had witnessed him release albums, invest in TV dramas, and organize international concerts.

He had used a million-yuan film to leverage a ten-million-yuan box office…

In Yang Lin's eyes, Cheng Chen was a godlike figure brimming with every kind of talent.

He couldn't fathom how Cheng Chen found the time to even prepare such a high-quality script!

"The script is indeed excellent, but…"

Ning Hao was the last to finish reading the script; when he put it down, he hesitated, words unspoken.

Cheng Chen smiled and continued for him:

"It lacks depth, right?"

Ning Hao nodded silently.

He couldn't say it outright—how could he dare call his boss's script lacking depth?

Come on! Afraid the boss would fire him?

In the future, Ning Hao became one of China's better-known Black Humor directors.

His works had very distinct personal traits.

His masterpiece "Crazy Stone" caused a huge sensation upon release.

Thus opening the path for the rise of domestic Black Humor cinema.

Take "Crazy Stone": the confrontation between good and evil, defense and offense.

Several characters of different social levels, arranged under the film's thematic framework,

trigger intense conflict and tension within a relatively enclosed space.

The film's theme is entirely built through ordinary street people and common folk.

Unlike the grand, solemn atmosphere of traditional cinema,

it gave the market and audiences at the time a refreshing new sensation.

"Crazy Stone" through its thematic setup.

Endow the characters in the film with their inherent missions and responsibilities.

It also uses enormous wealth as the final moral test for the characters.

The struggle between good and evil over the jade not only makes the visual language intensely sensory.

It also, through plot progression and deliberate arrangement, gives the audience a sense of gameplay.

This dismantling and mockery of the clear-cut good-versus-evil, serious urgency typical of conventional films.

It is also a defining feature of domestic Black Humor films…

So, Director Ning Hao wants his films to have depth, and he himself can bestow depth upon them.

The two complement each other, neither dispensable.

Cheng Chen laughed:

"Not every film needs to be forced into some profound theme.

This movie, think of it as a Popcorn Movie.

It's meant for casual amusement—why insist on digging out some profound theme from it?

Hmm… Oil Tyrant can be seen as the embodiment of money, triggering a story born from wealth.

The struggle between right and wrong, between profit and greed— isn't that theme profound enough?"

Ning Hao sighed:

"Cheng Zong, that's a bit forced… Almost ninety percent of films in cinematic history could be described that way.

But the term 'Popcorn Movie' you just mentioned does fit this film well."

Cheng Chen nodded, smiling at Ning Hao:

"This film is essentially a Road Movie… Director Ning, interested in taking it on to break into the Billion Yuan Club as a director?"

Billion?

Ning Hao's breathing grew heavy.

This isn't the future, where box office hits routinely reach one or two billion.

Today, only a handful of domestic films have crossed the hundred-million mark—and all were made by masters.

For a commercial director, this proposition was immensely tempting!

Gao Bo watched Ning Hao with envy beside him.

Gao Bo wasn't picky like Ning Hao—he'd take any film offered.

Having tasted the sweetness of appearing on the big screen, he was determined to seize every opportunity!

Ning Hao nodded, saying:

"Since Cheng Zong trusts me, I have no reason to refuse.

But… could I make some changes to certain plot points?"

Cheng Chen had wanted to refuse, but seeing Ning Hao's eyes, he nodded:

"You may revise them, but your changes must be approved by me—that's non-negotiable."

"Fine!"

Ning Hao had absolute trust in Cheng Chen's talent.

With Cheng Chen overseeing, he could freely unleash his creativity!

Seeing Cheng Chen settle Ning Hao, Gao Bo couldn't wait to ask:

"Cheng Zong, what about me? What about me?"

"Don't worry, I won't forget you. I'm giving you the role of Gao Bo—how's that?"

"Gao Bo? Xu Lang's classmate?"

Gao Bo asked in surprise.

"Exactly! Good?"

"Good! More than good! Cheng Zong, I love you so much!"

Gao Bo exclaimed happily, reaching out to hug Cheng Chen's shoulder.

"Hold on—stop that. No hugging. Pick up the script later, study your character well.

If you bomb the audition, don't blame me for replacing you!"

"Audition?"

Cheng Chen rolled his eyes:

"What do you think! We're not some amateur backyard operation!"

"Got it! You can count on me!"

Gao Bo patted his chest, promising.

"By the way, Ning Hao, go help me contact Xu Zheng and… Wang Baoqiang… and give them the script too."

"Lost in Thailand" was originally written, directed, and starred in by Xu Zheng.

Now that Cheng Chen has taken it over, the lead role must be reserved for him.

"Xu Zheng—perfect. Excellent!"

Hearing this, Ning Hao slapped his thigh—he'd just been wondering who would play Xu Lang.

Now, hearing Xu Zheng's name, it clicked.

They had collaborated on "Crazy Stone," so he knew Xu Zheng well.

Xu Zheng began in theater, but theater didn't pay well.

He became famous through TV dramas like "Spring Light Shines on Zhu Bajie" and "Li Wei Official."

It was precisely his theater years that gave Xu Zheng tremendous acting training.

Nuanced, authentic, and layered—Xu Zheng's acting is definitely there!

Casting Xu Zheng as Xu Lang is perfect!

As for Wang Baoqiang…

Ning Hao knows this guy—the Sha Gen from A World Without Thieves.

This man's acting…

Never mind, the boss decided it; we'll find out during the audition.

"And as for the distributor of this film, it's surely still Xinmei Group—please ask General Yang to inform headquarters."

After arranging the crew matters, Cheng Chen turned to Yang Lin and said.

Cheng Chen did not avoid Yang Lin during the earlier conversation, even though he mentioned there would still be auditions.

But Chinese people's speech is mostly formalities; given the current situation, it's already decided.

It's almost the exact same team from The Crazy Stone.

The Crazy Stone already gave him enough surprises; this new film, Lost in Thailand, will surely be another major hit.

Yang Lin immediately assured him:

"General Cheng, rest assured—the headquarters will offer unconditional support. We've always held your films in the highest regard."

"Hahaha, thank you for your effort."

Cheng Chen nodded.

The small meeting ended right then.

And Cheng Chen's new film project spread through Yang Lin's backer, Xinmei Group.

Cheng Chen is making another big move!

Just back from Japan, he immediately announced the launch of Xinghuo's second film.

In an instant, many people stirred into action.

The success of The Crazy Stone has made it hard to define Cheng Chen merely as a singing Heavenly King or a dramatic acting veteran.

I Have a Scroll of Ghost and God Records

Screenwriter and Producer have become his new identities.

After all, The Crazy Stone was truly a box-office miracle.

Added to that, his earlier investment in Xianjian Qixia Zhuan proved his vision remains as sharp as ever.

Following Cheng Chen guarantees no loss.

This is the signal Xinghuo sends outward—and what the public understands.

Xinghuo Entertainment has also gained massive attention through these two moves.

Compared to last year's obscurity, this year Xinghuo shines exceptionally bright.

But this brilliance won't stop here…

…

"Deng-deng-deng."

"Enter."

In Cheng Chen's office.

Su Qingya's high heels tapped rhythmically against the floor.

"General Cheng, Director Kong Sheng has returned from Yunnan Province—he's outside."

Hearing this, Cheng Chen froze, then beamed with joy, saying:

"Quickly, bring him in. Oh, and bring out that fine tea Director Li sent me a few days ago."

Su Qingya smiled gently and said:

"Understood."

Kong Sheng's return means his Langya Bang can now begin production!

Kong Sheng graduated from the Chinese Literature department, switched mid-career to cinematography, then became a director.

So he can be called a complete director, with exceptional control over screenplays.

He is also outstanding in directing.

For example, in Langya Bang, he applied theories like diagonal composition, the rule of thirds, and the golden spiral with masterful precision.

The cinematic atmosphere he created in Beiping Without War also left a deep impression.

Especially since the drama used cinematic camera equipment, the final overall lighting and shadow effects gave viewers a cinematic experience.

And while filming Wenzhou Two Families, Kong Sheng employed the most advanced cinematographic techniques then available in the industry.

This gave the visuals greater texture, revealing how demanding Kong Sheng, once a cinematographer turned director, is about imagery.

So when the Langya Bang script was ready, Cheng Chen preferred to put everything on hold until Kong Sheng returned from Yunnan…

Not long after, Kong Sheng walked in.

He was a tall man from Lu Sheng, with a simple, somewhat naive appearance.

"Director Kong, I've been waiting for you like a starry-eyed wanderer hoping for the moon!"

Cheng Chen stepped forward and shook Kong Sheng's hand warmly.

Kong Sheng was deeply surprised—Cheng Chen's attitude toward him was far too generous!

He couldn't afford to be anything less; this man is truly the pinnacle of television directors.

At the National Drama Festival awards ceremony held in Hui Sheng in the future.

Wang Kai won the "Actor of the Year for Outstanding Performance" award, presented by Director Kong Sheng.

Wang Kai immediately knelt to receive the trophy.

In his heart, the bearded director before him was his great benefactor.

Kong Sheng and Zhengwu Guangyang are drawing increasing attention from audiences.

They have seemingly become today's "National Drama Light."

"Zhengwu Production, Always Premium."

Exquisitely crafted, winning through content.

Almost every television drama directed by Kong Sheng becomes a hit upon release.

Some even say:

"As long as you see his name in the director's credit, you know the drama will be a hit."

From "Parental Love" to "Nirvana in Fire," Kong Sheng has become the "ceiling of directors" in everyone's eyes.

Once, during an interview,

Kong Sheng said:

"Audiences' taste has been ruined by bad dramas; we must show them what good is."

Kong Sheng said this, and he lived by it.

Therefore, at this moment, Cheng Chen had already decided to take Kong Sheng away from Shan Ying!

Just as he had poached Liu the Heavenly King, he would now wrest this bearded director away from Hou Hongliang.

"Director Cheng, hello."

Kong Sheng said in a deep, rumbling voice.

Though dressed in a suit, his innate simplicity could not be hidden.

"Come, sit."

Cheng Chen smiled and invited him to sit.

Before they had even exchanged pleasantries, Kong Sheng immediately said:

"I really like your script for 'Nirvana in Fire.' When will you be assembling the team to start filming?"

Well, this man was even more eager than he was!

But this was good news for Cheng Chen!

Cheng Chen handed Kong Sheng the brewed tea and smiled:

"Let's not rush this yet. Director Kong, what do you think of me playing the Kirin Talent, Mei Zhangsu?"

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