Chapter 755

On the afternoon of the 6th, *Love Education*, directed by Taiwanese director Sylvia Chang and starring Sylvia Chang and Tian Zhuangzhuang, with Wang Zhiwen, Li Xuejian, and others in supporting roles, officially started filming.

But this news only attracted a little attention within a small circle in the industry. Looking at the entire internet, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, without causing the slightest ripple.

Just as he said to Lao Jiang before, although Lin Nan had time, he didn't go to show his support, even though the crew was in the capital.

By comparison, taking a video call from Tang Mu at home and watching his excited rambling was actually more interesting.

"... I just got back from a cocktail party. I've already decided to cast my precious vote. For the beautiful blonde Ivanka, she is just too beautiful, too sexy..."

"How is Hollywood doing lately?" Lin Nan took the ice cream handed to him by Liu Yifei and asked Tang Mu.

"Dear Crystal, get me a box of ice cream too, just put it in front of the camera." Tang Mu didn't pay attention to Lin Nan, but instead greeted Liu Yifei with a smile.

"Are you sure, Tang Mu? Haha..." Miss Liu's expression couldn't be held back for an instant, and she burst out laughing.

"Tang Mu, do you want me to help you light three sticks of incense in front of the camera?"

"Ah? No, no, don't do that."

Tang Mu, this half-baked China hand, finally reacted belatedly; he immediately shook his head in refusal, looking unlucky, and even spat three times before answering Lin Nan.

"Lin, Hollywood has been quite chaotic during this period, to be honest. You know, the results will be out in these two months; and what the direction will be afterwards concerns the interests of all of Hollywood.

After all, the film and television culture industry is always at the forefront of trends, and it is also the industry that will be affected first, for better or for worse..."

Lin Nan and Liu Yifei were eating ice cream, and upon hearing this, they looked at each other. With their eyes meeting, a thought flashed through both of their minds:

Tang Mu, who is usually unserious, is actually quite serious when he gets serious!

"Just manage the business of Crystal Pictures well. Stay far away from those messy, chaotic things. We are just filmmakers."

"I certainly understand that principle. I haven't participated in a single one of those fundraising cocktail parties in Hollywood this year, which makes me feel like an outsider. However, Lin..."

Tang Mu suddenly paused, leaving Lin Nan and Liu Yifei a bit bewildered.

"What's wrong, Tang Mu?"

"If you have something to say, just say it. You're video calling in the middle of the night, and you're still acting all evasive and hesitant. Do you think you can fool the two of us?" Liu Yifei said with a playful reproach.

"Lin, Crystal, actually the trend is already quite obvious now. His advantage is very large.

And based on that guy's attitude, our days ahead might not be very easy, especially for companies with share structures like Crystal Pictures... If it really happens that..."

"Tang Mu, you really give me a surprise! You even know how to remind me to take precautions.

But there's a way around every problem, so don't worry about this and that all day. First, keep a close eye on the distribution, theatrical release, and audio-visual copyright matters for *Fifty Shades Freed*.

Alright, hurry up and get some rest. It's already the middle of the night over there."

Lin Nan interrupted Tang Mu and urged the latter to hang up the video and go to sleep. He didn't want to continue chatting with Tang Mu, especially about this... sensitive topic.

"Well, alright, as long as you have an idea of what's going on. See you later, Lin, Crystal... I hope what I'm worried about won't come true."

The moment the video cut off, the smile on Lin Nan's face faded, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"Lin Nan, what Tang Mu said?" Liu Yifei put down the ice cream in her hand and looked at Lin Nan with some concern.

"Let's go, let's go for a drive. Don't think about those things. It's too far away and impractical."

Taking Liu Yifei's hand, a smile appeared on Lin Nan's face again; the latter nodded immediately and sat up with a giggle: "Hmm, okay, wait for me to change my clothes first."

There were only three days left until the final deadline for *Operation Red Sea* audition registration;

And Lin Nan Film Industry had already determined the first batch of actors who would participate in the auditions on the 10th, and had sent out the audition notices to their agencies or agents.

Because this was a navy-themed mainstream commercial blockbuster, and it had an incomparably luxurious behind-the-scenes configuration, actors in the entire film and television industry who met the role requirements had basically made full preparations for the audition.

Even the young artists of the new generation were ready for battle, wanting to give it a try. After all, this was a top-tier resource, and the boost to one's acting career would be absolutely unparalleled!

Speaking of new-generation actors and artists, one has to mention the "Four Dan Actresses" that the film and television entertainment circle had been voting on for over half a month.

Look at this, at 8:00 AM on the 7th, the entertainment headlines of all major internet portals and Weibo trending searches were all news about the new "Four Dan Actresses." That's right, fresh out of the oven.

"Hosted by the *Southern Metropolis Daily*, co-organized by a dozen internet media outlets, and contested by millions of netizens through real-name voting, the 4th selection of the Four Dan Actresses in the mainland film and television industry has come to a successful conclusion.

New-generation actors Zheng Shuang, Zhou Dongyu, Yang Zi, and Guan Xiaotong were elected as the new Four Dan Actresses with super high votes and popularity."

"Actor Zheng Shuang, with an absolute advantage, surpassed 'Mou Girl' Zhou Dongyu to rank first among the new Four Dan Actresses in the mainland! 'National Daughter' Guan Xiaotong ranks last among the Four Dan Actresses..."

"Industry professionals claim: The birth of the post-90s Four Dan Actresses marks the vigorous vitality and the rapid development and replacement speed of the domestic film and television culture industry..."

"In other words, all the newly minted Four Dan Actresses have submitted audition resumes?"

Just as he entered Tiangong Color, Lin Nan heard Ning Hao and Yue Jun chatting about the entertainment news outside.

"Director Lin, I just saw it too. Their names are indeed on the list of actors who signed up for auditions. They should be arranging the audition schedule right now."

"It's really interesting to say. Although 'Mou Girl' sounds very high-end, she is always being suppressed by others. In the first generation of Four Dan Actresses back then, wasn't Zhang Ziyi suppressed by Zhao Wei? Haha..."

Ning Hao leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs and joking.

"It used to have gold content. Now? It's about fan count, marketing, and background resources, especially these two generations." Lin Nan commented bluntly.

Just for a Four Dan Actresses selection, Weibo and the media made a lot of money; although it was paid for by the companies behind the artists, in the end, it would all be passed on to the market, earning back dozens of times over.

"It's just that my company doesn't have an artist management business, otherwise I estimate I would operate it too. Stardom, traffic, business, tsk tsk tsk!" Ning Hao joked to himself.

"It's all just business. If you want to, you can go around the three major academies right now and sign one back. I guarantee you a spot for the next generation!"

Lin Nan was busy preparing to start work while jokingly egging Ning Hao on; the latter shook his head upon hearing this, "Too lazy to move, it's troublesome, don't want to bother with that."

In the morning, the two of them started the post-production work for the two films while chatting and joking. *Hanson and the Beast* was about to enter the final stage.

Alibaba Pictures, it was still Zhang Qiang "receiving" someone.

It had been almost two months since the film was killed, and that person knew very clearly that she could never go back to the basic foundation of the film and television industry.

Fortunately, she was now doing very well in the financial circle and the business world, so if she couldn't go back, she couldn't go back; it didn't matter. Because compared to the financial industry, the film and television industry was completely incomparable.

"Are you ready?"

"Hmm, I'm ready. A company with 60 million in registered capital, 50 times leverage, swallowing the controlling shares of a company with a market value of 10.5 billion... Chairman Zhang, the interest is not low. Over three years, including principal and interest, I have to pay back 4.035 billion!"

"Is the bank already going through the procedures?"

"Yes, the approval process is already underway. The paperwork has to be complete, doesn't it? At the latest, we can submit the relevant documents to the CSRC in November, and then announce the takeover..."

"3 years? Where would you need 3 years? The vast majority of the funds are provided by the group through third-party bank channels. After entering the market, the 'Female Buffett' image that has been built for you for so long will play a role.

It will take at most one month, pulling up while harvesting, and at most two months to withdraw completely.

Don't worry too much. The period from suspension to resumption is the fermentation period. Once trading resumes, with the blessing of your celebrity effect, retail investors will only swarm in... Isn't 4 billion a small matter?"

Hearing these calm words from Zhang Qiang, that person's emotions were already uncontrollably excited.

"Director Zhang is right, it's just that my husband and I were too worried. You know, this is our first independent operation; we used to follow..."

"After following for so long, you have to be independent, right? Besides, the help provided to you this time is not small. Funds, channels, plans... It's time for us to follow you and share the dividends."

"You say that, I can't afford it, I can't afford it. Haha..." Although she said she couldn't afford it, the smile on the face of that "Female Buffett" was even brighter.

More than half an hour later, Zhang Qiang personally sent that person out of the company. Until that sedan completely disappeared into the traffic, the smile on Zhang Qiang's face completely disappeared.

"There is no free lunch in the world. After raising you for so long, it's time for you to take the lead and scout the path... just like a pawn crossing the river! I hope we can continue to cooperate, hehe."

"Director Zhang?"

Just as Zhang Qiang was muttering with a cold laugh, his secretary ran over.

"What's wrong?"

"There was a call from the group office. The time for the next executive-level meeting has been set for the 29th of the latter part of the month, asking the heads of each company to reserve their time."

Hearing this, Zhang Qiang asked suspiciously: "Agenda?"

"Youku."

In an instant, Zhang Qiang relaxed completely. He had already guessed the content of the meeting and laughed in a great mood: "Old Gu, the time has come to say goodbye to you, haha..."

*Crosscurrent* was officially released, with a screen share of 2.3%; for 99.9% of the audience and film fans, they didn't even know this film was being released.

In the eyes of industry insiders like Lin Nan, this kind of helpless thing would just continue to be helpless. This kind of film is meant for "those with affinity."

Fortunately, this film doesn't rely on the box office to break even; it won an award in Berlin, and the copyright sold should have already made a profit!

On the 8th, in the eyes of the entire film circle, today's biggest news wasn't information about any film release, but that this year's Oscar submission had been decided.

In previous years, it was always dragged until before October 1st to decide on the film, and then submitted to Hollywood by the Film Bureau during the National Day period;

This year it's rare; it was actually decided three weeks in advance and announced, which really made countless people in the circle feel puzzled!

But after thinking about it, everyone understood. After all, *Xuanzang* is a mission film.

Compared to others in the circle, Lin Nan wasn't surprised at all.

Because he knew about this in the first half of the year. Han Sanping had mentioned it to him, and Huang Xiaoming seemed to have been hinted at by La Peikang as well.

"Lin Nan, many people in the circle are tagging Huang Xiaoming on Weibo, wishing him to win a nomination with this film in one fell swoop. There are also many netizens tagging you and Zhang Ziyi, asking you to remember to vote."

Liu Yifei shook her tablet and greeted Lin Nan with a smile.

Director Lin didn't go to the company today because he went to bed too late last night. Hmm, and he's a bit overdrawn.

"A blind man lighting a lamp is a waste of wax. This film has its merits, but it also has many flaws. Choosing it to go for the Oscars is purely to make up the numbers. And most importantly, no one is spending money on public relations, so the probability of it passing is even more negligible."

Snuggling up to Liu Yifei and leaning against her, Lin Nan complained lazily.

"That's true. The uncertainty is too high, and there's a high probability it's a losing business. But it doesn't matter. Looking at it this way, this film should be able to make a splash at other domestic awards."

Liu Yifei pinched Lin Nan's earlobe and said uncertainly.

"Hmm, the Silk Road Film Festival at the end of this month, the Changchun Film Festival next month, this film is a big favorite to win awards; and next year's Golden Rooster, the next Huabiao..."

Lin Nan said lazily what he knew. Liu Yifei was really bored, treating him like a cat!

"You two shouldn't just lie here, it's good to go out for a walk."

Liu Xiaoli, who suddenly appeared at the door, gave Lin Nan and Liu Yifei a big fright.

"Mom, you're going to scare me to death." Miss Liu pouted and acted like a spoiled child.

"The assistant brought a few evening gowns, hurry up and try them on." Liu Xiaoli ignored the question and urged with a smile.

"Okay, coming." Miss Liu sat up immediately upon hearing this.

"Evening gown? What evening gown? You aren't going to the Bazaar Charity Night, are you?" Lin Nan realized belatedly.

"That's right. For this kind of charity event, as long as I'm free, I basically never refuse, you know that.

If you don't want to go, then I'll go. The brand also hopes that I'll go out and show my face more. I haven't participated in any public activities for over two months, they are more anxious than I am. Hehe..."

Fine, hearing Liu Yifei say this, Lin Nan was completely speechless, because this is her personality.

"Then let's go, I'll go with you and see the high-fashion evening gowns you're going to try on."

"Okay, hurry up and follow, hee hee."