Chapter 114: Stirring Things Up

With "Avatar" averaging over a hundred million in box office growth every two days, it wasn't just the domestic film and television circles that couldn't sit still—the authorities couldn't either.

At this rate, those twenty or thirty domestic films were thoroughly done for; calling it a total loss wouldn't be an exaggeration.

When Lin Nan returned to the capital, he heard that at every major 3D theater, tickets for "Avatar" were nearly impossible to get, and scalpers were raking it in.

There were even cases of theater-chain insiders getting involved in the scalping.

From this alone, one could see just how huge "Avatar" was.

The crew of "Love Is Not Blind" was also filming in the capital.

Since this film started shooting, this was Lin Nan's first time visiting.

Xue Xue Xiaolu, being a female director, shot things with great delicacy, so naturally the pace was slower.

That said, Zhu Zhu Yawen really did play the sissy convincingly—he was genuinely sissy.

"Lin Nan, I thought you'd completely forgotten you even invested in this film."

Xue Xue Xiaolu tossed out the quip after wrapping a segment of filming.

"What kind of talk is that? I trust Sister Xue's ability—I'm at ease with you, that's why I didn't come."

Zhu Zhu Yawen and Wang Wang Luodan came over, all smiles.

"Or maybe he was just too busy. After all, the producer over on 'Bodyguards and Assassins' is Liu Yifei, hehe…"

Old Zhu teased with a mischievous grin.

Lin Nan's eyes went wide as he stared at Zhu Zhu Yawen, a full-body goosebump rush hitting him instantly.

All because of the other's tone of voice, that raised orchid-finger gesture, and that coquettish standing posture…

"I'm telling you, I asked you to play a character with ambiguous orientation—don't actually end up making your own orientation ambiguous!

If that happens, I'll have to keep my distance from you from now on."

The people around them burst into laughter too.

"What nonsense? I'm a real man!"

Thumping his chest, Zhu Zhu Yawen instantly switched back out of character.

Most of this crew had come out of the Beijing Film Academy, so the atmosphere was naturally very good.

Wang Wang Luodan, Jiang Jiang Yiyan, Zhang Zhang Jiayi…

Lin Nan's set visit didn't last long, because the only ones he really had to chat with were Xue Xue Xiaolu, Zhu Zhu Yawen, and Wang Wang Luodan.

The others were either not close enough or too reserved—at most they could manage a perfunctory greeting.

……

The General Administration had really pulled out all the stops this time.

A tiger had wandered into the sheepfold, and there was nothing to be done about it—they could only let it eat and drink its fill before sending it on its way.

In the morning, a large fleet of vehicles converged outside the General Administration.

Major film companies, producers, directors, and the like arrived right on schedule.

Huayi was riding high these days; Wang Wang Zhonglei put on a grand air, surrounded by people, all of them wearing smiles.

Han Han Sanping, Ren Ren Zhonglun, Western Film, Ning Film, Chang Film…

Wanda, Enlight, Orange Sky, Little Horse…

Ning Hao, with dark circles under his eyes, hurried to catch up with Lin Nan.

"Pulling an all-nighter last night?"

"You're the one pulling an all-nighter. I was up working on a script.

It's just that I keep unconsciously thinking about 'No Man's Land,' and instantly lose the mood…"

This was a sore subject, so Lin Nan didn't pick up the thread.

He'd heard Ning Hao was now and again taking a few different versions of it to disgust and torment the censors.

Just rejected on one end, he'd resubmit on the other—he'd locked horns with them, period.

Mid-conversation, he spotted Zhang Zhang Yimou, Chen Chen Kaige, Feng Feng Xiaogang, and a few Hong Kong directors had all shown up too.

"I'm actually quite looking forward to Zhang Zhang Weiping coming along, hehe." Ning Hao laughed.

"Then you're thinking too much—he has no friends, he was firing off at everyone earlier, even if he came no one would want him around."

Inside the venue, every seat was taken.

Lin Nan and Ning Hao were seated in the second row, alongside Zhang Zhang Yimou, Feng Feng Xiaogang, and others.

Private heavyweights like Huayi and Enlight were also in this row.

Companies like Little Horse were seated relatively further back.

The speeches began up top.

"…Based on current market analysis, the domestic box office of 'Avatar' will very likely exceed one billion."

The moment Director Tong spoke those words, the entire hall fell deathly silent.

Half a month ago, if anyone had said the mainland market could produce a blockbuster with a billion in box office, they would absolutely have been cursed as a brain-dead idiot.

But at this moment, no one had anything to say—only the word "bitter" in their hearts.

Quite a few film companies present had films currently in release, currently losing money, losing money every single moment…

"Calculated against last year's mainland film industry data, 'Avatar' would account for nearly one-fifth…"

……

The theme of this meeting was crystal clear: all companies and film people must catch up with all their might.

Whether state-owned or private, the films they made couldn't keep relying on policy "favoritism" and "protection" every time.

"Encourage film and television companies, where they meet the relevant qualifications, to actively go public…"

"Fully open up the financial sector to enter the film and television production industry, providing funding sources."

"Encourage and support film companies, create quality blockbusters, and boost competitiveness."

…………

The group below, Lin Nan included, could all tell that things were about to truly enter the fast lane.

The financial industry!

It means money!

Previously there were policy restrictions; now that it's fully opened up, it's a constant stream of money.

Everyone, in an instant, had their own thoughts, especially the film companies.

Lin Nan knew—the first industry-wide surge in pay was coming.

The policies handed down from above had good intentions, but how the people below used them was another story.

……

One meeting didn't end until the afternoon, and at the very end a small group of people were held back for a while.

"Lin Nan, what's your box office expectation for 'The Robbers'?"

That question was really direct.

"Post-production hasn't even started yet, the special effects are just beginning—no way to give an estimate."

Han Han Sanping, Feng Feng Xiaogang, and others watched Lin Nan and Director Tong trade quips.

"Still, you need some confidence—the domestic film record is in your hands, heh heh."

Ning Hao wanted to bring up 'No Man's Land' with Director Tong, but in the end held back and didn't speak.

But just as they were about to leave, Zhang Zhang Yimou called out to Lin Nan and Ning Hao.

"You're young directors—give me some honest opinions. In your view, where did 'A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop' fail?"

Some people nearby who saw this scene had no gossipy thoughts and quickly walked away.

Ning Hao opened his mouth, then said tactfully: "Maybe the casting and the script both had problems…"

Lin Nan looked at Zhang Zhang Yimou's questioning gaze, a bit helpless—did this question even need asking?

"Director Zhang, to be honest, if someone else had made this film, it actually would've been passable. Of course, it wouldn't have had that box office then."

Zhang Zhang Yimou wasn't displeased; instead he nodded. "Go on."

"A film shouldn't have two people calling the shots. And the main one calling the shots clearly wasn't you, Director Zhang…"

Lin Nan had just finished speaking when he saw Zhang Zhang Yimou turn around and walk toward the car waiting for him in the distance.

His usually steady steps were a bit heavy this time. "Mm, thank you."

Ning Hao looked like he'd seen a ghost, and sidled up to Lin Nan.

"Are you crazy, giving Zhang Zhang Weiping the evil eye right here? They've worked together for over ten years!"

"It's just the three of us—who's going to spread it? You, or Director Zhang?"

Ning Hao shook his head.

"Besides, he wanted to hear the truth, and what I said wasn't false either.

Even married couples have their seven-year itch, let alone just business partners."

Lin Nan glanced in Zhang Zhang Yimou's direction and said casually.

In his view, one 'A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop' should already have made the rift between those two very wide.

Probably Zhang Zhang Weiping hadn't noticed any of it at all, or rather his head was full of money and he simply never thought to consider Zhang Zhang Yimou's thoughts and feelings.

"At most one more time, and they'll part ways…"

"What are you muttering about?" Ning Hao asked, looking at the oddly distracted Lin Nan.

"Nothing? What do you think it would be like if Director Zhang and Zhang Zhang Weiping split up?"

"Then Zhang Zhang Weiping would probably have a rough time of it—he's offended a whole bunch of people in the industry over the years, hahaha…"

Lin Nan figured that was true too—without Zhang Zhang Yimou, Zhang Zhang Weiping would have a hard time in this industry.

…………

The policies mentioned at the meeting leaked out within just a few days.

The top companies moved first.

Quality film companies were the financial sector's first choice.

Huayi had gone public successfully and held a large amount of cash, so it wasn't particularly concerned.

After all, the Wang brothers didn't want to dilute the shares in their hands.

Many struggling small and mid-sized companies were very eager for financial support.

But alas, those who needed money the most were the ones being ignored.

In just two days, quite a few strangers showed up at Lin Nan's company to pay visits.

The answer they got was very firm—Lin Nan Pictures did not need investment.

This left many peer companies both envious and helpless.

Ning Hao's Bad Monkey was also a focus of attention; the couple were equally firm in refusing investment.

……

Online, news of film and television companies successfully raising funds began to appear one after another.

Large batches of films and TV dramas began to be greenlit all at once—clearly they had pulled in investment.

The entertainment circle seemed to liven up all at once.

Xu Zheng came to the company on his own to find Lin Nan.

"Director Lin, the timing's about right—I'm ready to officially start shooting."

Of the four films, only 'Lost on Journey' remained.

"Ready?"

"Yes, the production crew prepared everything beforehand; these few days are just right."

"Then let's start."

Lin Nan asked Jiang Jiang Xuerou to follow up on this matter; he had to stay at Tiangong Color and supervise the editing of "The Thief".

"Lin Nan Pictures, 'Lost in Thailand' officially begins filming today. Xu Zheng serves as director, with the cast including: Xu Zheng, Wang Wang Baoqiang..."

Huayi successfully listed over two months ago; this year's annual meeting is said to be extravagantly grand beyond measure.

As a shareholder, Lin Nan also received a gift.

The media extensively reported on this annual meeting.

The reason was not how much money it spent, or how much dividend it distributed.

It was the brothers Wang Wang Zhongjun and Wang Wang Zhonglei who proposed the future development direction at the annual meeting.

"Huayi will prepare multiple blockbusters in the coming years, also preparing for diversified development..."

"Once the timing is ripe, we will, based on our film and television business, advance into other peripheral industries..."

Lin Nan specifically looked at this news.

This plan, seen now, fits the economic situation that looks only to money.

But it is completely opposite to the idea above that hopes Huayi will "deeply cultivate" the film industry.

Moreover, this development plan is very easy to go astray...

The profits from "Eclipse" were exchanged for more expensive special effects equipment.

This batch is much more valuable than the first one.

"Lin, this batch of machines has already been shipped by sea; the equipment vendor's engineers will arrive on schedule."

"And those employees, their departure times have already been arranged..."

"Hmm, I know."

Hanging up the phone, Lin Nan relaxed a bit; it was several hundred million more, and not feeling heartache would be fake.

Thinking again of the three floors at Tiangong Color, who knows when they will be filled.