Chapter 256: Lu Kuan: Principal Zhang, I want to be the principal!

On February 25, the Film Bureau and China Film Group official blogs released a notice.

Led by the Film Bureau, China Film Group and the Tangshan Municipal Government would jointly establish a film project on the theme of the Great Earthquake, planning to officially release it on the 30th anniversary, which was 2006.

Considering the special nature of the theme, once the film was established, it would be approved to participate in the "People's Cinema" distribution channel and receive key film special support funds.

And in terms of script filing and review, the SARFT would open a green channel, giving review opinions properly and quickly.

Now, they were selecting a director from the whole society, combining invitations and voluntary applications.

After Secretary Li and Yao Jianguo returned to Tangshan and reported their work to Secretary Zhao, the leadership decided to recruit talent widely, establishing projects through the directors' competent departments.

With generous conditions listed, there was an immediate and countless response.

Yanda Huayi also arranged for Taro's father to post on the blog network to create momentum, claiming that Lu Chuan was the most thoughtful and artistic director among the new generation in the country.

He would certainly be able to film the spirit of the Tangshan people who were not afraid of natural disasters and built their hometown on the basis of taking into account the basic story.

At the same time, as a member of the National Writers Association and the Film Screenwriters Association, he would fully support his good son's film script creation and provide support in serious literature!

When seeing this news, Boss Lu was sitting in the office of Beidian Principal Zhang Huijun with Tian Zhuangzhuang.

"They did look for you, right?"

"Yes, they looked for me during the Jin Ling roadshow."

Tian Zhuangzhuang extinguished his cigarette butt: "You don't plan to take it?"

Talking about this issue involving huge implications, Lu Kuan was a bit hesitant again.

Zhang Huijun suggested: "I think you can take it; what you lack now is not money, not power, but prestige and social status."

"Such a mainstream film will attract widespread attention from top to bottom, and internal references will sometimes publish such spiritual civilization construction matters."

Lu Kuan laughed: "Led by the Film Bureau and China Film Group, but I estimate that Han Zong is the first one who doesn't want me to take it."

"*The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 2* is already ready to be established, China Film Group will definitely participate in the investment, he must want me to continue filming."

Tian Zhuangzhuang shook his head: "Don't worry about him, just hand the series to those North American commercial film directors under you."

"Didn't you see Lu Chuan and his father jumping up and down? I estimate there is a way here."

Zhang Huijun deeply agreed: "His father has always been a lofty person; it is rare for him to take the initiative to cheer for his son this time."

"Alright, I'll consider it."

No matter how you consider it, holding is a must.

Because even if you want to use the earthquake-themed film to do something, how can the film be filmed to achieve the effect of "lessons from the past"?

How to properly use film to promote and profit, teach escape knowledge, and donate to build high-standard earthquake-resistant buildings?

These are all things that must be held to be convenient to do.

Zhang Huijun took out the treasured Lao Ban Zhang tea cake from the tea cabinet: "Talk about your own affairs, what are your plans for graduating early?"

"Sigh! Principal, if you had taken out good things earlier, I would have confessed long ago, really!"

"Oh my, pry less!"

Zhang Huijun watched Lu Kuan carelessly pick up the tea knife and insert it from the edge, taking a 10-gram amount, and spoke out to stop him with heartache.

Tian Zhuangzhuang laughed loudly: "Finally, I can harm you once; the tea in my office is about to be emptied by him."

Zhang Huijun stared: "5 or 6 grams is enough at a time, why do you get so much?"

"Principal Zhang, the emperor doesn't send hungry soldiers; you two old comrades want to send me, but don't let me eat enough?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang laughed: "Alright, then tell me, you don't want to read for a master's degree, and you don't want to hang a teaching position, what are you preparing to do?"

"I'll say the ugly words first; don't you kid think about running."

Two old Beidian seniors looked at him intently, as if they would take a rope and give Boss Lu a binding play if they didn't agree.

"I am preparing to establish a film academy."

"What?"

Did I hear it wrong?

Zhang Huijun's chin was about to fall off: "If you want my position, just say it; I'll let you have it in a few years when I retire."

"Sigh! What is what; listen to me."

Lu Kuan smiled and put down his teacup.

"This idea comes from the AFI, the American Film Institute, that I visited in the US last year."

"This time, the popularity of *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* all over the world has given me many feelings; the power of this film project under the Hollywood industrial process is too great, and I think domestic films need deep learning."

Zhang Huijun laughed: "Then you don't need to establish a school separately, right? The possibility of Beidian finding the Municipal Education Bureau to open a subject for you is greater than this."

"No, I mean, the influence of this film academy cannot be just abroad; we need to gather the strength of the whole of Asia, especially the three East Asian countries."

Lu Kuan paused and took Europe as an example.

"In 1989, the EU passed the 'Broadcasting Guidelines' to protect European culture, among which film culture is the top priority."

"It is too difficult for us to imitate this aspect, but it is feasible to connect from the education sector and do this in the three countries within the East Asian Confucian cultural circle."

"Beidian, Korea's Chung-Ang University, Dongguk University, Japan's Tokyo University of the Arts, Nihon University College of Art, etc., all have very rich film teaching resources."

"The three families can communicate with each other; we have the largest market, and the Japanese music and lighting technology are second to none in Asia."

"The Koreans... the Korean artist training and plastic surgery technology are okay."

Tian Zhuangzhuang saw him speaking seriously before, but almost sprayed out a mouthful of tea when he heard this.

Zhang Huijun had already fallen into deep thought.

It has to be said that this young newly minted Berlin Golden Bear-winning director has already transcended the limitations of one country and one place in his vision of the film industry and has begun to look at the whole world.

Lu Kuan stood up and continued to expound his point of view.

"Based on China, the largest film market of the three countries, with Beidian as the center of construction, operating in the form of light assets."

"Deeply explore how to promote the development of Asian films from the perspectives of art and commerce, culture and market in the new century, and resist Hollywood's dumping."

Others don't know, but he has the numbers.

Five years later, *Avatar* swept the world, making the whole world feel the fear of being dominated by series like *Titanic*, *Jurassic Park*, and *Star Wars* back then.

Zhang Huijun was puzzled: "Light asset operation? Tell me in detail."

"The film academy I envision is a product of the integration of production, learning, and research."

"I will invite genre film directors from the Hollywood system like Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook from Korea and Japan, and of course, excellent Hollywood directors; this is the key."

Tian Zhuangzhuang laughed: "This is learning and research; the production you mentioned refers to the Youth Film Studio, right?"

"That's right, the Youth Film Studio has a complete film shooting structure, and the special effects can be coordinated by Butian Film."

"I plan to select 4-5 students for the first phase within Asia, taught by famous directors, supplemented by classrooms, and mainly using the Youth Film Studio for practical filming."

"The academic system is 2-3 years, and the graduation work is a feature film; Inquiry Realm, Korea's CJ Entertainment, Japan's Toho Co., Ltd., and other top film companies will participate in the investment."

Zhang Huijun pointed out the key to the problem: "Why should they invest in the works of new directors?"

"The school's mentors will check the script and the whole process of shooting; if necessary, I can let Inquiry Realm lead the investment, and I will be the producer; they should be able to rest assured, right?"

The principal's office fell into deep thought, leaving only the smoke exhaled by the three people to disperse.

For Zhang Huijun, building a cross-national film academy with Beidian as the center is a big step forward for his personal prestige and institutional capital.

Beidian is only a municipal university, but the joint schooling of these universities has continental influence; is this just jumping three levels?

For Tian Zhuangzhuang, the contradiction between Lu Kuan's personal asset and company scale growth, and his own weak background like a child holding gold through the market, has been eased.

He is the initiator of this film academy, and naturally, he is the principal or vice-principal; such international prestige will make some forces fearful.

For Boss Lu himself, there are even more benefits.

This idea has been germinating since Tian Zhuangzhuang suggested he stay at school, hold a position, and enter the CPPCC.

First of all, Inquiry Realm currently has only him, Ning Hao, and Xue Xiaolu as film directors who can stabilize the box office.

The latter two can only make low-budget films now and do not have the ability to handle big films.

After three years of standard Hollywood film industrial system training for genre and commercial film directors, Inquiry Realm naturally has the advantage of being close to the water.

The students originally selected are mature directors, and then these directors are trained according to the Hollywood system; Boss Lu, the principal, is the "teacher."

Providing them with funds to shoot feature films, beating one or two goods like Lu Chuan is not something he can handle.

The future film market capacity is huge, and there is definitely room for coexistence.

Moreover, during the practice period, these excellent directors can completely do odd jobs for Inquiry Realm and Travel TV's film and television production!

Secondly, this is an opportunity to penetrate the Korean and Japanese markets.

In Asia, through the acquisition of Wenjie Jiahe, Inquiry Realm and Lu Kuan's films have a distribution network covering the two shores, three places, and Southeast Asia.

Through this film academy and strategic cooperation with Korea's CJ Entertainment and Toho Co., Ltd., it is convenient for the subsequent distribution of films in Korea and Japan.

And through CJ Entertainment, which has tentacles all over Korean entertainment, it can curb the rampant Korean wave in China from the root.

The reason is very simple; the top entertainment industry in every country is the film industry, and Korea is no exception.

For example, stars like Jang Na-ra who are gold-digging in China are going abroad because there are few big-screen opportunities in China.

Through deep cooperation to enhance the influence on CJ Entertainment, plus Lu Kuan is already familiar with Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook, and others.

Subsequent Korean stars who want to make a difference on the big screen, if it is a co-production of the film academy or Inquiry Realm CJ, Boss Lu has the right to speak.

In addition, from a dark perspective, through the local snake CJ Entertainment, you can also dig up some black material on hostile artists, such as Jang Na-ra.

How Yanda Huayi treats Liu Yifei, he treats Jang Na-ra; even if there is none, it is just a matter of making one up, which is very simple.

Finally, and most importantly, this is a matter that provides him with international reputation.

For an artist like him who cannot seek too high a status within the system, this international reputation is his protective umbrella.

If you want to target him and do some small actions that cannot be brought to the table, you must pay attention to international influence.

This is also the reason why Zhou Jun and others do not want him to take *Tangshan Earthquake*; these are all processes of raising prestige.

Boss Lu makes the final summary:

"Beidian takes the lead, please contact other schools in the name of the Ministry of Education, I will ask Park Chan-wook and Takeshi Kitano to cooperate."

"In terms of funds, Inquiry Realm plans to take out the first batch of 30 million to lead the investment, has full rights to student works during school, and has the lead investment right for their graduation feature films."

"In terms of teaching staff, in addition to the aforementioned famous directors, I plan to invite them from Xiangjiang genre film directors and Hollywood commercial film directors."

"Finally, in terms of teaching procedures, I plan to imitate the American Film Institute (AFI), mainly based on practice."

"One month of genre film theory courses, followed by the practice of film and television projects, from short films to feature films, from shooting, production to editing, the whole process."

In fact, his idea comes from the American Film Institute founded in 1967.

Tian Zhuangzhuang, Zhang Huijun, and others were all fascinated.

From beginning to end, in every detail, this young director has already made plans from all aspects such as the initiator, funds, teaching staff, and training mode.

It is not that there is no precedent for such a cross-national college.

But to be able to implement it one by one and truly carry out production, learning, and research to the end, it really needs such a business-minded director to do it.

Because only Lu Kuan and his kind understand both director profession and art, and business operation and teaching mode.

Moreover, judging from his relationship with Takeshi Kitano, Park Chan-wook, and others;

Judging from the familiarity with Korea's CJ Entertainment and Japan's Toho Co., Ltd. after the release of several films;

And judging from the Hollywood network, the candidate for this initiator and preparer is none other than Lu Kuan.

Anyone else would not be able to do this.

There are not many people who understand director art better than him.

Even if there is, they don't know how to do business like him and cannot provide so much money to run a school.

Those who are richer than him may know nothing about this industry, and the actual teaching implementation will inevitably be greatly discounted.

Boss Lu is a sensible person, taking the initiative to be humble: "Principal Zhang, this film academy, should you be the leader?"

"Hehe, even if I am useless, I won't grab your kid's credit!"

Zhang Huijun was a bit gratified that he was not carried away by success and still knew how to respect his old predecessor.

"I will be an honorary dean with the principals of several other universities, responsible for doing logistics and backing work for you."

"Lu Kuan, the dean of this film academy is none other than you!"

Tian Zhuangzhuang also felt honored, even if it was not cultivated by himself, but it was finally grown step by step under his care.

"Have you thought of a name for the film academy?"

Boss Lu pondered for a few seconds.

"Pan-Asian Film Academy!"

"Pan-Asian?"

Zhang Huijun chewed on this regional concept in his mouth.

It is not East Asia, not Asia, but Pan-Asia.

Obviously, Lu Kuan's later goals are more than that.

Zhang Huijun, as the principal of Beidian, is responsible for the overall planning, and Tian Zhuangzhuang, as the director of the Beidian Director Department, serves as the head of the preparatory group.

Beidian will form written materials on this matter within a few days and formally submit the joint schooling (subject) plan to the Municipal Education Commission, the Municipal Government, and the Ministry of Education.

When the two old comrades and old predecessors were thinking about tying Lu Kuan, the stubborn donkey, firmly to the one-third of an acre of Beidian, he was already looking at the broader Pan-Asia and the world.

Perhaps this is the difference in pattern and vision.

In the evening, Han Shanping and Dong Shuangqiang held a farewell dinner for Lu Kuan, who was about to set off for the Oscars in two days.

"Cheers! Wishing you a flag-opening victory!"

"Cheers!"

After three rounds of drinking, all three were flushed and excited.

Dong Shuangqiang was because *Peacock* won the Silver Bear, the DVD sold at a high price, and the box office in the first week of release far exceeded expectations.

He was very glad that he listened to Boss Lu's suggestion to wait for the price after the Berlin Film Festival ended.

As for Boss Lu, he had already won two of the three major European awards, Inquiry Realm Holding was booming, not to mention the Pan-Asian Film Academy that had not been revealed to them for the time being.

What about Han Shanping?

"Han Zong, your hands don't shake when you drink today, the wine doesn't spill, and your expression isn't painful."

"Is there any good news?"

Old Han waved his hand and didn't admit it, but the corners of his mouth that couldn't be suppressed betrayed everything.

Lu Kuan realized something in his heart, but still joked on the surface: "Is it that my niece is in love at school, and you are so happy?"

"Go! She's only a freshman, what love is she talking about? Break her legs!"

Dong Shuangqiang was well-informed and took the initiative to urge Boss Lu to raise his glass: "The two of us have to toast Han Zong, we are going to go further!"

"Yo, you will be a big leader and a big boss in the future, this glass of wine must be drunk!"

Lu Kuan smiled, got up, took three four-tael large glasses, filled them, and divided them.

"Han Zong, should we two brothers congratulate you first?"

Han Shanping looked humble: "Oh my, the eight characters haven't been written yet, don't praise me to death!"

Saying that the eight characters haven't been written yet, Old Han's stubble was about to go to the sky with the corners of his mouth.

Old Han, who is upright and red, has a high starting point.

In 1989, Han Shanping was promoted to deputy director of the Emei Film Studio due to his outstanding work ability, with an administrative level of deputy division level, at the age of 36.

In 1994, Han Shanping moved from the local area to Beiping and served as the director of the Beijing Film Studio, jumping two levels in administrative level, reaching the deputy bureau level, at the age of 41.

At the same time, compared with the local area, Beiping is obviously a step further.

Then it was 1999, when he was transferred to the China Film Group to serve as the second-in-command because he pioneered the New Year file and the revenue-sharing system, as well as his bright achievements during his tenure.

He was in charge of the group's production link, and his task was to let China Film Group carry out business reorganization, asset integration, and property rights system reform according to the development requirements of the enterprise system.

So far, although the level has not changed, the power has become heavier.

In 2005, this power holder in the Chinese film industry was already 52 years old.

In the domestic system, the golden channel is regular section level before 30, regular division level before 40, and regular bureau level before 48.

Old Han has been "wasting time" at the deputy bureau level for 7 years; although it is a department with real power, who doesn't want to go further in level?

Going further, there is a bigger stage and greater possibilities.

In later life, he took off the deputy word on his head in 2007 and solved the regular bureau treatment, but he was already nearly 55 years old, and his official career could be seen at a glance.

If he can enter the regular bureau ranks ahead of schedule in early 2005 in this life, don't underestimate these two years; too many things can be changed.

Han Shanping raised his glass, looking at the amazing figure who had emerged for three years in front of him, and couldn't help but feel emotional.

I didn't expect that this "small step forward" of mine would eventually be achieved by a 23-year-old young man.

Cooperation with Lu Kuan and Inquiry Realm, in addition to making a lot of money in the distribution and participation of several films.

It is also of great significance to push Chinese culture out of the country through *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* and break *Titanic*, which occupies the top of the domestic box office list.

There is also the cooperation of Travel TV, which brought an additional income of nearly 150 million to China Film Group last year.

Not to mention the 10 million "deposit" paid to the General Administration for the review of the seasonal drama.

People with discerning eyes know what that is, but such legal and reasonable creativity and flexibility can only be thought of by Lu Kuan.

Lu Kuan, who was still unknown in 2002, regarded Han Shanping as a collaborator rather than a superior from the beginning, also because Old Han is a person who does practical things.

Han Shanping, who is about to be regularized in 2005, even if the meritorious general Gao Jun is poached, he cannot but attach more importance to and win over this young director and continue to firmly achieve cooperation.

It is also because he is a person who can get things done.

Indeed, there is no shortage of flies and dogs in this world and every industry who can steal high positions.

But people who really do things will always be recognized by people who do things.

Just like Han Shanping's firm support for Lu Kuan, just like Zou Wenhuai entrusted Wenjie Jiahe in Xiangjiang.

"You two are my own people, so I won't hide it."

"The bureau talked to me, hoping that I would take on greater responsibilities and continue to add bricks and tiles to the Chinese film that has just set sail; this is pressure and motivation!"

Boss Lu laughed: "No wonder you didn't let Old Dong treat you today; you are letting us accompany you to celebrate, haha!"

"Don't say much, work together to make Chinese films bigger and stronger!"

"Cheers!"

Dong Shuangqiang is the earliest film investor in China, Han Shanping is the power holder in the film industry, and Lu Kuan is the most popular genius director and industry capital.

These three people talked about the development of Chinese films at the dinner table, and saying "bigger and stronger" is not bragging.

The chatterbox opened, and Han Shanping suddenly sighed.

"There is one thing, due to organizational principles, I couldn't reveal it in advance."

"However, since Inquiry Realm has already mastered Wenjie Jiahe and formed a full industrial chain, I think this matter is not so important to you."

Han Shanping sighed: "China Film Group, Hengdian Group, Hollywood Warner Bros., and Yanda Huayi."

"A film and television company will be jointly established in the near future."

"This is an administrative order issued directly from the General Administration, which is not open to discussion."

For him, Yanda Huayi is an old love, Inquiry Realm is a new love, and he certainly wants to pull the new love on board.

Four shareholders, one company, any one of them is an existence that shakes the entertainment industry.

Dong Shuangqiang was a bit surprised that Zhou Jun and Yanda Huayi had hidden it from him for so long; it seems that they felt that he was close to Lu Kuan and had already been on guard.

As for the news of Wenjie Jiahe before, he didn't know that Zhou Jun and Lu Kuan had already met at Zou Wenhuai's residence, and he just took it as President Zhou's trust.

And Lu Kuan, in addition to being shocked, was more surprised by the speed of Zhou Jun and Yanda Huayi's actions.

Following the marriage with Internet capital, they obviously set their sights on overseas resources like Inquiry Realm.

Through the establishment of a joint venture company, it is obvious that they can obtain high-quality overseas channels of one of the Big Six, Warner.

Why did Han Shanping reveal the formation of this company so cautiously? Because this is a milestone event in the development of China's film industry.

China Film Group is the largest film entertainment group in China;

Hengdian is the largest private film supporting enterprise in China;

And the leader of the world film entertainment industry, one of the Big Six, "Warner Bros."

Plus this life, it is obviously because of Zhou Jun that Yanda Huayi's participation was promoted.

This is a giant and "mixed-race" born from a new policy.

As mentioned earlier, in early 2003, the state issued a new regulation "allowing investors to establish Sino-foreign joint venture film production and distribution companies."

Obviously, China Film Warner Yanda Huayi Hengdian Film and Television Co., Ltd. has become the first beneficiary of the new policy.

The establishment of this company marks the formal entry of foreign capital into the domestic film production link; previously, it only intervened in distribution through the quota system.

The matter is of great importance; Han Shanping revealed it to Boss Lu in advance so that he could respond, and this meal ended today.

Without stopping, two days later, Yanda Huayi boss Wang Dajun attended the establishment conference of the Sino-foreign joint venture production company jointly held by China Film Group, Hengdian, Yanda Huayi, and Warner Bros.

Hereinafter referred to as China-Hengdian Film Company.

It is reported that the new company's main business will include investing, producing, distributing, and promoting Chinese-language films and television films.

And gather excellent directors, actors, and producers from all over the world to create first-class film and television works.

At present, the feature film script outlines submitted by famous directors such as Feng Xiaogang, Jiang Wen, and He Ping have become the first batch of projects to be prepared by the company.

And another Sino-foreign co-produced Chinese-language animated film and a television film series produced by Zhang Guoli have been established.

Before the first quarter, the company will determine the subject of its debut work and start filming as soon as possible.

Mainland entertainment reporters were almost crazy; is this the beginning of a new round of arms race between Inquiry Realm and Yanda Huayi?

At Yanda Huayi headquarters, Wang Dajun's secretary declined the reporter's exclusive interview and escorted several leaders who had attended the press conference back to the office.

Wang Xiaolei looked excited: "Brother Jun! You really did a big job this time!"

"Inquiry Realm has Internet strategic resources, and we have them too."

"Inquiry Realm has Hollywood resources developed by Lu Kuan's personal relationship, and now we have found Warner."

Zhou Jun had the demeanor of having everything under control: "Two, the stage has been set up for you; next, in professional projects like film production, it depends on you and the company's directors?"

"No problem!"

The usually steady Wang Dajun couldn't suppress his excitement this time.

Intercepting Wenjie Jiahe before didn't work and hurt morale, but this curve overtaking, making up for the shortcomings in overseas resources, is not a clever move.

But such a clever move can only be operated by Zhou Jun.

Otherwise, the General Administration would organize hearings and internal meetings to discuss, and it would inevitably still be necessary to let Inquiry Realm and Yanda Huayi fight again.

If Inquiry Realm also has intentions, the final outcome is unknown.

Wang Xiaolei pondered: "Wu Yusen had sought investment in the industry before, which is a film with a Three Kingdoms theme."

"I think Han Zong of China Film Group should be more interested; since *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* and *The Promise*, he is now keen on filming big-budget films."

"But having said that, big films do make money; that kid Lu Kuan might have made a lot from *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*!"

Zhou Jun nodded silently; he knew the domestic revenue sharing clearly, but Lu Kuan seemed to have another company in North America, which was not something he could easily get to the bottom of.

Thinking of this competitor, he immediately said: "Now that we have overseas channels, our influence is not what it used to be; see if we can talk to Tangshan again and finalize the film project as soon as possible."

He turned to the two brothers again: "In addition, try to win over Han Shanping more often; he should be officially in charge of China Film Group."

"What?"

Wang Xiaolei said in surprise: "There is no wind at all; last year he was rumored to be held accountable because of the huge loss of *The Barber*, how could this..."

The words were not finished, but everyone understood the logic behind them in seconds.

Why else?

Because of that person they don't want to mention the most.

"The great man said, unite all forces that can be united."

"Don't think that he and Lu Kuan have an inseparable relationship; people and capital are profit-seeking, and no one can be vulgar."

"Travel TV hung 10 million in SARFT under the banner of a deposit for the review of the seasonal drama, can't we?"

Wang Dajun nodded to Wang Xiaolei: "Han Shanping's daughter is now studying English at Beijing Foreign Studies University; our co-production can also have a foreign language professional consultant."

"The consultant fee is paid according to Hollywood standards."

"Right, that's how it should be."

Zhou Jun clapped his hands with satisfaction: "I won't hide it from you two brothers; at first, I didn't think much of this Lu Kuan, just a broken director."

"But the more I contact him, the more I find that rather than saying he is a director, it is better to say he is an entrepreneur who is proficient in political and business affairs."

"He doesn't have the pedantry and loftiness of people who engage in art, but rather like a..."

"Like an old broker who has no bottom line and is good at calculation!"

Zhou Jun looked at the two who were lost in thought and laughed: "Saying this is not to grow others' ambition, but to know yourself and the enemy, so that you can achieve precision strikes."

Wang Dajun and Wang Xiaolei nodded silently.

The Ideal Building was blocked by reporters, but Lu Kuan, the president of the new company renamed Inquiry Realm Holding, had already flown to the United States.

The 2005 Oscar Awards ceremony was about to begin.

Boss Lu, Liu Yifei, and her mother stayed at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

This top luxury hotel, which opened in 1927, was named after a former US president; the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929 was held here, and it has a very long history.

Boss Lu's crew always had top luxury treatment when going out; he wouldn't treat himself badly on this, nor would he treat the crew badly.

Anyway, the money that should be saved had already been squeezed out during the filming process.

"Xixi, did you quarrel with Little Lu?"

"No?"

Liu Yifei hung the clothes in the suitcase into the closet and walked to the balcony to enjoy the panoramic view of the top luxury hotel.

"Then people talked to you on the road, and you ignored them."

The little girl turned back and smiled proudly: "Really not, I'll call him to eat."

In fact, she was extremely proud in her heart; this was still because of Tong Liya's matter, borrowing the topic to give him a look.

"Why can't I get through?"

She dialed Hu Zi's phone again.

"Boss is chatting about work in the restaurant on the second floor, should I take you there?"

"Chatting about work?"

Liu Xiaoli laughed: "What kind of fun are you going to join when people chat about work? Let's go eat something ourselves."

"Go take a look, I'll learn to do business with him."

You are learning to do business, I, your old mother, am embarrassed to expose you.

Hu Zi took them downstairs, and from a distance, they saw Boss Lu and two Chinese-looking business people chatting excitedly in a booth on the second floor.

"Study this bullet screen function, see if you can apply for a patent in the United States."

Chen Shijun, the later YouTube president who had been recruited, frowned: "The possibility is not great."

"US patent applications must meet practicality, clarity, novelty, and non-obviousness."

"We can meet the first three, but the last requirement is that the patent scheme must have a certain creativity, not something that people in this field can easily think of."

Huang Anna is a legal and public affairs expert, proposing a new plan: "We can upgrade and package the bullet screen technology again."

"For example, bullet screen display technology, such as animation effects, display positions, etc."

Boss Lu was very gratified.

Having found two professional talents, why worry that great things won't be achieved!

"Bullet screen display, bullet screen interaction, and technical innovation in review, screening, and filtering, I think it's still worth a try."

Huang Anna had good work habits, taking down the leader's requirements word for word on a sticky note.

It was transformed by Boss Lu with very Chinese characteristics.

Chen Shijun stared at Lu Kuan's back, and after a long while, signaled to Boss Lu: "Boss Lu, that Asian girl wearing sunglasses has been looking at you."

He had seen *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*, but didn't recognize the fully armed Lan Yue.

Lu Kuan looked back; isn't that scout Little Liu!

She even pretended to look left and right, looking like a thief with a guilty conscience.

He waved at Liu Yifei, and the latter walked over and sat beside him with a proud face.

"Hello everyone, I am Liu Yifei."

"Wow, Lan Yue!"

Chen Shijun and Mike Solomon were senior movie fans, or rather, these science and engineering men all liked special effects and superhero-themed movies.

He even had a full set of figures of the monsters from the Classic of Mountains and Seas in *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* at home!

Huang Anna smiled and shook hands with her: "Hello, Miss Liu, very happy to meet you."

"Hello, you can call me Yifei or Crystal."

In front of outsiders, Little Liu has always been confident and generous.

Liu Xiaoli walked toward this table: "Little Lu, are we disturbing you?"

"It's okay, we're done chatting, let's eat together."

Liu Yifei before every red carpet is very painful; she needs to control her diet and drinking to maintain her figure and not be bloated.

Watching Lu Kuan wolf down a whole steak, she faced lemon chicken with brown rice.

Thinking back to the mackerel salad with tomato and cucumber that was hard to swallow yesterday, the little girl recalled the steaming eel noodles in the courtyard.

Chen Shijun had curly hair and wore two ear studs; he was a trendy man among IT men, looking a bit cautious and laughing: "Crystal, can I take a photo with you in a bit?"

"Of course! Are you from Lu Kuan's company?"

Chen Shijun took out his business card with honor: "General Manager of Mytube, I hope Miss Liu will have time to watch our website more and provide some suggestions!"

Liu Yifei said in surprise: "Mytube is yours, Lu Kuan! I couldn't sleep last night and watched funny videos all night!"

"By the way, I'm so stupid, it's the same principle as Inquiry Realm Video in China."

Liu Xiaoli was puzzled: "Little Lu, why doesn't this website put film and television resources like Inquiry Realm Video in China?"

"Because of copyright issues, now it can only be used to put our own and movies bought at low prices from Lionsgate and Miramax, and we have to avoid the DVD release period."

Chen Shijun and Huang Anna both had a headache about this problem.

They knew the operation mode of Inquiry Realm Video in China; at present, in addition to encouraging users to upload, the most fundamental drainage method is to use film and television resources.

But the cost of doing this in North America is too high, and it's not worth the loss.

"Boss, I think it's time to design a drainage scheme, otherwise the user growth after the Oscars will be very slow."

Chen Shijun paused and looked at Liu Yifei again: "Boss Lu, don't you think Miss Liu is a suitable drainage object?"

"Me?"

"Expand on it."

Chen Shijun laughed: "I have communicated with Anna, we can completely quote your drainage strategy on the blog network in China."

"In addition to the star resources you introduced to Weinstein, it is more suitable for grassroots star-making movements in a cultural context like North America."

Boss Lu nodded secretly; it's no wonder Chen Shijun is the chosen Internet entrepreneur, his vision is very vicious.

Among the bloggers with the highest number of fans and clicks on YouTube in different periods in later life, the proportion of stars is extremely small.

Most are game and music entertainment bloggers.

The blog network in China mainly uses Furong Sister and Muzi Mei to drain traffic in terms of grassroots.

But due to cultural differences, this does not work in North America.

Just like Muzi Mei, who became famous for her large-scale copy and self-narration, did not cause such a big sensation in North America.

Nonsense, in foreign countries, porn movies can be watched at will; until now, the biggest review pressure on Mytube is color videos.

With these things flooding, who would go to see low-intensity erotic content like Muzi Mei?

From another perspective, for the initial drainage of Mytube, aesthetic culture is more popular than ugly culture.

Because China is influenced by Confucian culture, everyone does not see so much ugliness and absurdity in life.

But in the free America where there is shooting every day, the public has long been used to these smoky things.

Boss Lu laughed: "How do you want her to drain traffic?"

"I haven't thought about it either, but Crystal is somewhat famous in North America now, and she is an exotic face; if she does some characteristic cultural propaganda like Hanfu Gathering, it should be able to attract the pursuit of users."

They have seen this cultural promotion content on Inquiry Realm Video.

Lu Kuan thoughtfully looked up and down at Liu Yifei, who was eating her fat-reducing meal with no love for life.

"What are you looking at? My work has been arranged by you until the month after next!"

The ox and horse resisted, but the resistance was invalid.

"Time is like water in a sponge..."

Little Liu: Time is like my cleavage, no matter how you squeeze it, there won't be any!

Boss Lu turned to the American ox and horse Chen Shijun: "I will consider your suggestion and give you an answer as soon as possible."

"Okay, Boss."

After a meal, Huang Anna and Chen Shijun both returned to the company, Liu Xiaoli returned to the room to make up for sleep, and Liu Yifei insisted on pulling Lu Kuan to accompany her swimming.

"Why are you swimming right after eating?"

"Didn't you see I only ate some cucumber and tomato? I haven't exercised for two days on the plane, I have to make up for it."

Liu Yifei looked at Lu Kuan, who was reluctant, and mocked: "Look at you drinking every day, your little belly is almost coming out and you still don't exercise?"

"No, right? I also practice every few days."

Boss Lu touched his slightly protruding abdomen after eating steak, thinking it would be nice to go to the outdoor swimming pool of the top luxury hotel to see beauties.

"Alright, you go first, I'll make a call and find you."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 257 =====