Chapter 933: Punishing the Heart of Brother Units; Wanting to Eat Alone

"The official Weibo of the Central Academy of Drama forwarded the casting announcement of Director Ning Hao's film work *The Father*, and sent a message to the vast number of art exam freshmen:"

"As a palace-level institution for film, television, drama, and performing arts in China, the Central Academy of Drama has always regarded educating people and talents as the foundation of education for many years, and its teaching achievements are obvious to all, enjoying a reputation at home and abroad..."

"Welcome the vast number of 2018 art exam freshmen to actively pursue their dreams and meet at the Central Academy of Drama... This is always the first choice in the industry."

"The Central Academy of Drama has once again chosen to output riding on the face, using the top resources of the Film Academy's major directors to make enrollment advertisements! No, this is not making enrollment advertisements, this is slapping the face of brother units."

"Tsk tsk tsk, the Film Academy's director, the Film Academy's screenwriter, the Film Academy's producer. But look at the leads, it's really a pure-blooded Central Academy of Drama camp. Even Shu Chang, she applied for the Central Academy of Drama back then!"

"This lead lineup is really hard-core, all are acting powerhouses. Director Ning's intention has been revealed, he is aiming for the film festival!"

"I just want to know what the mood of the Film Academy is right now?"

"What other mood, the mood of raising a group of white-eyed wolves. Haha..."

"However, it must be admitted that Director Ning's casting lineup for this film is indeed a bit ruthless; of course, the Central Academy of Drama's 'helping to promote' move is even more ruthless, punishing the heart of the neighbor."

"There are still about two months before the art exam registration starts, this thick smell of gunpowder, really exciting."

"You three are silent, actually doing a big vote?!" Mei Ting typed cracklingly, @ Qin Hailu, Yuan Quan, and Qin Hao in the classmate group that had been silent for a long time.

"I am purely lucky, first cooperation."

"The character setting of my role seems to be a bit unlikable, there is a feeling of a vicious son-in-law. Screenwriter Xing said that my temperament is quite suitable for villains, the kind of gentle villain, but I have always been on the art film route..."

"What about Quan'er? Why don't you speak?"

"She should be reading the script, writing character biographies. After all, there is only 1 month left before starting production. Fine, I have to be busy too, see you later."

"Oh my, lost a good film. I have been busy recording *The Birth of an Actor* recently, didn't notice the audition for this film..." Liu Ye sent a voice message in a flurry.

*The Birth of an Actor*, exclusive makeup room backstage.

Looking at the classmate group that hadn't had a few people speaking for a year or a half suddenly becoming lively, Zhang Ziyi felt very eye-sore. Because *The Father* is indeed a good resource, but it doesn't belong to her.

At the time of the audition, Xing Aina gave her a "polite decline" result to her face; and the reason given was also very direct, thinking that her face was a bit sharp, not suitable for the theme of this film.

What is "face is a bit sharp"? To put it bluntly, it means the face is a bit mean.

For this point, Zhang Ziyi is very clear, she cannot refute. Because after walking all the way over these years and experiencing so much, the face must have changed—warm roles are moving away from her.

"Sister Ziyi." Suddenly, a soft call from the little assistant interrupted Zhang Ziyi's thoughts, and also made her unwilling emotion just now hide instantly.

"What's wrong?"

"Just now China Film sent a notice, *Forever Young* has passed the review! Several producers urgently set the schedule for January 12th, the crew's meaning is to release it as soon as possible, so as not to have long nights and many dreams... You need to temporarily add a schedule to cooperate with the film promotion."

"Passed the review?"

Zhang Ziyi was in a trance, whispering.

She had almost forgotten this film, because after the finished film came out, it was directly killed by the above.

And privately, the reason the film side found out through relationships was also very scary: religion... values, ideological problems...

It has been 6 years!

"Good, I know. You go and communicate with China Film, just arrange the schedule, I will cooperate throughout."

Zhang Ziyi nodded and said very seriously.

She is the absolute female lead of this film *Forever Young*, and for her who has not been able to get high-quality film resources since her comeback, this film from 6 years ago is undoubtedly her life-saving straw on the big screen right now!

Old Jiang leaned on the seat in the second row of the large conference hall, eating melon seeds and eating melons gloatingly, finally it was not the director department being watched for fun and looking for trouble.

Look, the people from the performance academy and the people from the photography department are tearing each other up, it's wonderful!

"If you ask me, their performance academy purely found the wrong person, they should find you people in the literature department to quarrel." Old Jiang teased the deputy director of the literature department beside him.

"They dare? I won't scold them to death. They have no ability all day, and still blame this and that."

"This is what you said, I just feel that the photography department is very wronged. Because if you inquire a little, you will know that Ning Hao didn't participate in the casting from beginning to end, it was all Xing Aina handling it. She is an outstanding alumna of your literature department, hahaha."

"I... you damn lower your voice, can you die." The deputy director of the literature department warned in a low voice, gritting his teeth.

"But the Central Academy of Drama is indeed too damaging, seeing that the art exam registration is right in front of us, they actually yin and yang to step on us?! Also performing arts palace-level institution... Fine, this point cannot be denied, it's all because the performance academy is too dragging..."

"Also, how many did they internally decide this year?"

The director of the art department took over the conversation, the tone was first raised and then suppressed, also helpless.

"Any student who has already become famous, all admitted. The key is that child star Wu Lei, the other party has also confirmed that he will apply for the performance academy. Secondly, it's that Song Zuer and the like, anyway, many students in this session have already debuted and become famous. The performance academy's meaning is to accept all, all taken."

"Sigh, have to admit, this is also the general direction and trend of the film and television industry in the future. That is, enter the circle and become famous at a young age, and then apply for professional colleges..."

"Doing this, is to completely cut off the road of ordinary students!"

"Ordinary students? It's not 20 years ago, nor is it our time. In our time, there were still many students from ordinary families."

"Alright, alright, the school leaders are here, it's about to start. How come these few people have no eye for power, still arguing..."

In the afternoon, the film and television circle was still discussing the casting list of *The Father*, and the internet was also continuing to tease Ning Hao's pure-blooded Film Academy director status.

While a small number of senior filmmakers were not, their attention was all cast on the scheduling announcement released by China Film, that is, *Forever Young*.

Looking at the Chinese film circle, there are very few films that can be killed for as long as 6 years, and it was killed as soon as the finished film was made;

You know, films with this "honor" are almost all films with particularly serious problems. And being able to be released again after being killed for 6 years is even more rare.

And rare is just its external appearance. Smart people can often see more hidden behind the appearance... things that might not be convenient to talk about in detail.

But this also implicitly explains one thing from the side, that is, the film parties made great efforts behind the "rebirth" of the film. Even... not just the film party is making efforts; the relationships and connections behind it are undoubtedly intricate.

"I remember the background of this film seems to be Tsinghua, right, and the main shooting venue is also there?"

A blockbuster with an all-star lineup suddenly killed into the New Year's holiday, how could the film party of the same schedule not be indifferent. Lin Nan was reminded by a phone call from Yue Jun, and only then did he take the initiative to watch the news about that film.

"Yes, when it started production back then, the movement was not small, and even the school leaders there attended the press conference. The lead lineup, whether placed back then or now, is an unquestionable top lineup!"

"Then isn't it explained why it can be released? But no need to pay attention to this film, the schedule it set is very clever, very cunning..."

Lin Nan smiled quite casually. He dared to guarantee that the film party's mentality when setting the schedule was absolutely "both afraid and wanting."

"That's good, I'll tell Happy Mahua that. Mainly they are already very confidently thinking about the extension key, if successful, then naturally there is a conflict. Haha..."

5th, 6th, 7th... four days flashed by.

By the morning of the 9th, the negative teasing about Jack Ma online had disappeared completely.

While "Someone Covering the Sky" was the opposite, it was completely nailed to the internet.

However, clearly, she has also chosen to be low-key and invisible, avoiding the limelight; when time dilutes everyone's memory, the day of "whitewashing" and coming back will arrive.

The promotional war for the New Year's holiday films officially entered the white-hot stage.

What surprised the industry was that John Woo, who has always been in poor health, was like being injected with chicken blood this time. For all the roadshow promotions of *Manhunt*, he didn't miss a single one; it truly brought good heat and traffic to the film, even surpassing all films in late November.

China Film.

"John Woo gave me a guarantee, if this time it's still an empty shot, he doesn't need to mix in the mainland film circle anymore."

Hearing these unceremonious harsh words from La Peikang, Stephen Chow's expression suddenly became a bit stiff, then he laughed in agreement, and sure enough chose to stay out of it.

He was invited by La Peikang today, and the other party also specifically emphasized that the itinerary should be low-key.

"President La, let's get to the point quickly. *The Mermaid 2*, I am auditioning and casting, can't leave for too long..."

Hearing Stephen Chow urge, La Peikang returned to the main topic. He looked at the former and revealed a smile:

"When filming *Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back* before, many producers suggested to you, asking you to take out those films you made before and re-develop them."

"Those old films of yours are all big IPs, you yourself are also a big IP, and you also know that the current film and television industry is the era of IP, the era of traffic... You and those old films of yours undoubtedly all possess huge value..."

La Peikang was talking endlessly, Stephen Chow nodded from time to time, he was not perfunctory, but sincerely agreed with the former's words.

"So, President La's meaning is?" Stephen Chow looked up, looked at La Peikang, and interrupted the latter's words.

"I, hehe..."

La Peikang smiled, didn't speak for a long time, silent.

"President La?"

"I think it can be put on the agenda. What do you think?"

"Hmm, I also think it can be planned. However, it must wait until *The Mermaid 2* wraps up. At the earliest, it must be the second half of next year..." For this, Stephen Chow naturally holds an affirmative attitude.

And he also knew very clearly that La Peikang could call him over to talk about this matter today, and he would definitely not leave him a choice and room to oppose.

"Good, then start from the second half of next year. However, I have another idea."

"You say." Stephen Chow took the conversation.

"I think with China Film, Star Overseas doesn't need other producers."

La Peikang's words were decisive. This is the most important thing he wanted to say today—China Film wants to eat alone, outside of Star Overseas.

At this moment, even Stephen Chow couldn't help but be a bit shocked. Sure enough, although the behavior and style of the two chairmen of China Film before and after are completely different, this domineering energy is almost exactly the same!

Near 11:30 AM, Stephen Chow declined La Peikang's invitation to have lunch together and was sent out of China Film by the latter.

Over two hours, the two could be said to have talked happily, and even Stephen Chow's next play was decided. Hmm, decided between jokes: *The New King of Comedy*!

Taking the classic film IP of the past to today, it doesn't need deep creation, nor does it need to spend a lot of effort, just simple is fine.

Its greatest value is to use sentiment to "cash out" value, to grab the box office, besides that, there is no other value.

Because today's Stephen Chow is no longer the Stephen Chow of that year, without that pure creative energy. Hmm, money is enough. As for the film dream, the past has already been chased.

Liu Yifei looked at the box office information of *Marriage Story* and had been in a daze for a good while.

After 12 days of public screening, this film has inevitably gone downhill, the daily box office fell below 20 million, yesterday reported 18.42 million.

"Accumulated until last night, it is a total box office of 386 million. In general, the box office trend is normal. It seems that the 600 million forecast President Wang gave me is likely to be realized."

"People in the company asked me, should we try to apply for an extension key when the time comes?" Suddenly, Liu Yifei looked up and blinked at Lin Nan with a smile.

Good guy, it turns out she was in a daze because of this matter? No, thinking!

"Forget it, it's almost enough after a month. No matter how much extension, there won't be much box office, after all, it's about to enter the New Year's holiday."

"That's fine, no extension then." As soon as Liu Yifei finished speaking, footsteps came from the doorway.

The two looked in the direction of the sound, it was the assistant from Red Star Dock. The latter was holding a document bag, greeting with a smile: "I'll just disturb for a while, sign and leave."

"Not disturbing." Lin Nan also nodded with a smile.

"Boss, sign it. This way we can send the bonus to Lin Nan Pictures, President Yue is urging very fiercely, hehe." The assistant teased Liu Yifei while not forgetting to smile at Lin Nan.

Fine, now it's Director Lin's turn to be embarrassed, he decisively turned his head away, treating it as if he didn't hear or see it.

"Oh right, there's also the ticket. According to your two's requirement of 'low-key and secret,' we booked the flight at 7:00 AM on the 26th, you two have to get up early."

Hearing this, Liu Yifei, who had just finished signing, frowned instantly, and then couldn't help but sigh: "Good, I know."

After the assistant picked up the document bag and turned to leave, Liu Yifei pulled Lin Nan with a bitter face: "I haven't caught such an early flight for many years, remember to wake me up."

"This is to improve the confidentiality of the itinerary. Endure it in the morning, you can squint for a while after getting on the plane. Wait until you get on the plane, you can sleep however you want!" Lin Nan reminded softly, yawning.

"Hmm, let's go." Liu Yifei didn't even open her eyes, just followed Lin Nan.

At 4:40 AM, three commercial Mercedes-Benz drove out steadily and drove toward the national highway.

While Liu Yifei was leaning in Lin Nan's arms, maintaining a uniform breathing rhythm; just for this while, she fell asleep again, sleeping quite soundly.

Lin Nan tried his best to keep his posture still, so as not to affect the person in his arms. At the same time, he had to send a message to Liu Xiaoli, telling her that he and Liu Yifei had already left.

... ===== CHAPTER 937 =====

On the morning of the 11th, the very day of the Double 11 festival "created" by Alibaba, "Gong Shou Dao" bought up the entire internet's trending searches and launched on Youku with great fanfare.

Jack Ma's traffic is truly massive, far surpassing any top-tier celebrity in the entertainment industry. Of course, this is also thanks to the dazzlingly luxurious lineup of superstar supporting actors in "Gong Shou Dao."

With the support of all these factors, this micro-movie had already surpassed 10 million views on Youku just two hours after its release—it's truly absurd.

By the morning of the 12th, the view count for "Gong Shou Dao" on Youku had reached over 55 million. By noon on the 13th, this figure had surged aggressively to break through 100 million, with its sights set on 120 million...

In just two days since its release, the view count on a single video website reached an abnormal level of nearly 120 million... This data has terrified the entire industry.

Without a doubt, Youku can be said to have gorged itself on traffic in these two days, to the point of bursting.

And the total number of new users on the entire platform has also exceeded at least 100,000. As for whether they can be retained long-term, that's hard to say; it depends on Youku's subsequent performance, namely its film list.

"Chairman Wang, I can say with certainty that the traffic for this 'Gong Shou Dao' was driven entirely by that Chairman Ma alone. Jet Li and those others combined contribute at most ten percent of the credit."

The head of the marketing department stood before Wang Wei, patting his chest with conviction. A rival that had long been trampled under their own feet had suddenly taken drugs; no matter who it was, they wouldn't be calm.

"I know. This is a special case, very hard to replicate. Even if that Chairman Ma himself came back for another round, it would be impossible to have this kind of traffic again." Wang Wei nodded with a smile.

"Chairman Wang, the people from Penguin Entertainment have arrived." Just at this moment, the sound of the secretary knocking on the office door interrupted them.

"So early?" Wang Wei muttered subconsciously, then instructed: "Please, show them in."

"Chairman Wang, then I'll head back first?"

"Mm, go ahead."

Before long, the project manager and executive for Penguin Entertainment's "Rocket 101" project walked in, beaming with joy, accompanied by an assistant. "Chairman Wang, the detailed project proposal has been finalized."

"Your efficiency is much faster than previously planned."

"Fast work efficiency is a good thing. Besides, before I came, I already had someone send a project outline to Happy Mahua..."

"We hope to set the date for the media launch and the 'Rocket 101' project initiation conference for the 11th of next month, and immediately begin the first round of interviews and screening afterward..."

"For the invitation letters to all entertainment companies, talent agencies, and film and television companies with artist management businesses in the film and entertainment industry, Potato needs to co-sign with us..."

Lin Nan took note of "Love Education," starring Tian Zhuangzhuang; the 6.8% screen share was already not high, and the attendance rate was even lower. No need to guess, the box office for this film will definitely be very, very poor.

But it doesn't matter; this kind of low-budget film wasn't made to earn box office revenue in the first place. It was made to chase awards at the Golden Horse, and eventually, the rights will be sold off in Southeast Asia.

"... It should be able to wrap up in about two more weeks. Hehe, but the money shouldn't be spent up; there will probably be about a million left, so I've temporarily decided to give myself and my dad a raise in pay..."

Han Jia's voice rang out abruptly in the living room, giving Lin Nan a start.

He put down the tablet in his hand and looked up to see Liu Yifei walking in from outside, stepping lightly while on the phone, a speechless smile on her face.

"Do you know that this counts as illegal and criminal behavior?" Lin Nan shouted, feigning a serious tone.

"What kind of joke is that? Uncle Ren has no objections, Yifei has no objections, where do you get your objections from? If you have objections, keep them to yourself. Besides, this money was saved by me, and I'm going to treat the crew to another meal..."

Lin Nan only said one sentence, and then he was sprayed with N sentences in return. As expected of the daughter of the "Mountain Eagle," the combat power of that mouth is truly strong.

"Forget it, just treat it as giving her a year-end bonus." Liu Yifei smiled and pursed her lips at Lin Nan.

"Listen to that, that's what the head of the household should say. Yifei, you're generous!"

While Liu Yifei and Han Jia continued to chatter away, Lin Nan's phone rang too. It really is a rush; all sorts of things are swarming in at once.

"The post-production for 'How Long Will I Love U' is finished, and I need a release slot on my end. Those films of yours..."

"Chairman Wang, don't ask me about my end. I'll tell you clearly: I have a bit too many films I've invested in and films I'm controlling. Anything filmed this year is almost all for release next year."

"So, scheduling conflicts are unavoidable. But the market is very large now; it can accommodate four or five films with a billion-level box office at the same time. Just go ahead and set your date boldly; no need to look back and forth."

Before Wang Changtian could finish speaking, he was blocked by Lin Nan.

The former was quite speechless for a moment, and only spoke after pausing for several seconds, "Alright then, I'll just set it for the summer slot, in August."

"Mm, no problem. My own films will try to avoid yours."

"Lin Nan, that's exactly what I wanted to hear from you, hahaha."