Huayu: From an ordinary person to a happy director

Chapter 84 New Artist

"Ahem, let's talk business first." Shi Lei was a little tempted, but the business was not finished yet.

"You continue to report."

"In addition to Zhang Yuqi, there are three other artists who deserve your attention, they are Ning Jing, Chen Hao (hao), and Gao Yuanyuan, all of whom want to sign with Taolin Films.

The three of them have a certain degree of fame, and President Deng did not make the decision on his own."

Taolin Film and Television signs contracts with newcomers or those who have just debuted not long ago.

"Ning Jing? She wants to sign a contract with our company?" Shi Lei was surprised.

When the name Ning Jing came out, many images appeared in Shi Lei's mind. His impression of Ning Jing started from Zhao Ji in "The Legend of Lu Buwei". At that time, he had only one feeling: beautiful, round, and with cleavage.

Due to various publicity and hype, the female stars that his generation is familiar with are the 'Four Dans and Two Bings' and the later 'Four Little Flowers'.

These two reviews have brainwashed the three generations born in the 80s, 90s and 00s.

It was only after he entered the circle that he got to know some female stars whom he had not paid much attention to before.

The fourth Dan among the Four Dans and Two Bings was awarded in 02, and the next two Bings were awarded in 04 and 06 respectively.

Now because of Taolin Film and Television, Four Dans and Two Bings has become Four Dans and Bing Tao.

But no matter whether it is the Four Dans, Two Bings or the Four Dans, Bing Taos, these people either have not reached their peak in acting skills or their popularity has not reached its peak.

Now Ning Jing has won almost all the domestic awards and has become just below Gong Li. Gong Li has gone international and became a judge at the Venice International Film Festival in 02, which is already a transcendent level.

Zhou Xun is still in the growth stage, while Ning Jing has already completed her growth.

百科她的主页上写01年上映了三部剧；02年上映六部剧，两部电影，03年上映了五部剧一部电影；04年上映了六部剧；05年计划上映十部剧。

In these dramas, even if Ning Jing is not the lead actress, she is at least the third or fourth female lead.

Zhao Ji in "The Legend of Lü Buwei", Mu Guiying in "The Heroines of the Yang Family: Daughters Should Be Self-reliant"; Qinglian in "Dreams of the Forbidden City", Wei Zifu in "The Emperor of Han Dynasty 2", Wang Xuemei in "The Six-Fingered Demon"... She starred in these dramas.

Although she missed out on the hugely influential Jin Yong dramas, Ning Jing was very popular during this period and was considered a top star of the period.

He suddenly discovered a brilliant point: even though he was shooting so many dramas at the same time, he did not get the bad reputation of "playing too many roles".

Is the talent so strong? He was not criticized by the director.

Both of them are making money by acting, but Da Mimi was criticized while Ning Jing was fine.

Unfortunately, the Internet was not well developed during the years when Ning Jing was at her peak. When the Internet boom came, her popularity declined.

Due to her age, she has no chance to play the leading female role in Qing Dynasty palace dramas or fairy tale dramas.

Yang Mi became famous thanks to Qing Dynasty dramas, while Zhao Liying and Reba became famous thanks to fantasy dramas.

Although she didn't keep up with the trend, Ning Jing can still make a living. Mi Bazi in the 13 TV series "The Rise of the Great Qin Empire" is still very attractive. But this also has something to do with Fu Dalong. Fu Dalong is good at this. Fu Dalong's Emperor Yang of Sui also performed a sense of extravagance.

In general, Ning Jing is capable, and she was at her peak in 05.

"Ning Jing is a big star now! Why does she suddenly want to sign a contract with our company?" Shi Lei asked again.

"Ning Jing was hospitalized several times in Beijing and Shanghai last year due to lung disease, and now she has reduced the frequency of receiving film."

"So what is the reason why she wants to sign with Taolin Film and Television? Tell me the key points?" Shi Lei asked.

"She said it was all empty talk and clichés, constantly praising our company's strengths, but she didn't tell us the specific reasons."

"What conditions did she put forward?" Shi Lei asked.

"One movie and one big-budget TV series every year, and they must be the female lead. The artist's contract is split 60% to 40%, with her splitting 60% and the company splitting 40%. However, she hinted that it could be reduced to 50% to 50%."

"Just reject it." Shi Lei didn't think much about it and rejected it directly. With Ning Jing's current status, 60% to 40% is considered low. If she changes to a smaller agency, 80% to 20% is possible.

But Taolin Film and Television has many actresses and does not lack a Ning Jing. He also does not plan to make domestic art films. His art film plan is to be at the Oscars, and then make a few North American films nominated for the Oscars, forcing the Oscars to award him an Oscar for Best Director. His status in the art world will be very high, and all that's left is to make commercial films to make big money.

Liu Yan looked at Shi Lei in surprise and said in disbelief: "Just reject me? Are you willing to do that?"

Shi Lei glared at Liu Yan and said, "Who do you think I am? I am not someone who thinks with my lower body. I will not do anything that is detrimental to the company."

The main thing is that although Ning Jing is beautiful, her looks started to go downhill afterwards!
Such a big star has too many demands and is difficult to serve. Signing him to the company will only add burden to the company.

Liu Yan blinked and looked at Shi Lei: "Zhao Ji from The Legend of Lü Buwei! Are you sure you don't want to give it a try, boss?"

"Even if we can't sign the contract, you can still meet each other! I'll find a reason for her to refuse the contract."

"You are really a good secretary to me, very considerate!" Shi Lei exclaimed.

"Isn't this what a secretary does?" Liu Yan replied with a smile.

Shi Lei suddenly thought of Pepper Potts in "Iron Man". Pepper Potts also helped the boss deal with women. The difference was that he would not marry Liu Yan because Liu Yan knew too much.

"No need, now you just have to find a way to make her refuse to sign the contract!"

"I know how to make her dissatisfied and quit twice, but what about Chen Hao and Gao Yuanyuan?" Liu Yan asked.

Shi Lei's heart moved.
“Are they in high condition?”

"Not high, as long as there is a TV series to be filmed every year."

"Then sign the contract!"

"Okay, boss." Liu Yan ticked it with his pen and asked, "What will the salary be after joining the company?"

"I have a play called Struggle here, and I will arrange roles for them when the time comes."

"Struggle" has an original novel, but it was not published until 07.

"Okay, boss." Liu Yan paused and asked, "What about Zhang Yuqi?"

"She's just starting school. Let's talk about it after she graduates." You may not become famous after graduating from school, but the starting point will definitely be higher and it will be easier to become famous.

Liu Yan nodded, flipped through the documents, and continued to report: "As for movies, the production of "Sword Rain" has been completed, and the publicity department has begun to promote it; the script of "A World Without Thieves" is being reviewed; Director Ning Hao is idle."

She gave a very brief report, because Shi Lei was in charge of the film personally.

"The editing trailer of "Sword Rain" focuses on fighting scenes. I will take my time with "A World Without Thieves". Ning Hao cannot be left idle. You give him this script, invest 1000 million, and let Ning Hao shoot it well. The texture of the movie must be maintained." Shi Lei took out the script of "Crazy Stone" from the drawer and handed it to Liu Yan.

The initial budget for "Crazy Stone" was 600 million, and the amount agreed with the investors was also 600 million. However, after the meeting, the 600 million investment became 300 million. 300 million was very tight, and Ning Hao even sold his car.

The final film did not have movie-quality color grading, but fortunately the plot was very good and achieved good results.

Taolin Film and Television is not short of money now, so he directly raised the cost to 1000 million. As for the actors, Huang Bo will be retained, and the others can be replaced with actors with some fame. The most important thing is that the quality of the film is guaranteed.

Liu Yan took the script and said, "Okay, I'll have someone give it to Ning Hao."

Then she continued to report: "The first album of Phoenix Legend has been out for a while, and the sales volume is average, only more than 40 copies. Phoenix Legend is currently participating in "Star Avenue."

"Didn't they go to Super Girl?...Oh, just pretend I didn't ask." Shi Lei almost forgot that there is another Zeng Yi in Phoenix Legend.

"President Deng took a fancy to several singers in the Super Girl competition and bought Zhang Hanyun from Tianyu Media last year and asked her to release an album titled "I Am Zhang Hanyun". The album sales have already surpassed those of Phoenix Legend." When Liu Yan said this, he saw that Shi Lei was hesitant to speak.

"Tell me now, don't hide it."

"Boss, I think you'd better not get involved in the record department. Mr. Deng is more adept at songs than you. Just look at the sales of Phoenix Legend." Liu Yan advised.

(End of this chapter)