Chapter 1051: I Am the Boss

Most people who make a living in the entertainment industry understand a truth: in this circle, it's common to grovel in public and scheme behind the scenes.

Don't be fooled by the glamorous and radiant appearances some people put on; behind the scenes, they may be enduring all kinds of pain.

That's why celebrities often choose various ways to let loose—not always because they enjoy it, but because the pressure is too great and they need an outlet.

Of course, some people's ways of releasing pressure are not exactly elegant.

There are those who keep themselves clean in this circle, but they are few and far between.

After all, the cost of staying clean is high. Unless the power behind you is strong enough to ignore the filth in every aspect of the entertainment industry, you must always be wary of being stripped bare by others.

The most obvious example is the legendary one who screws people over without mercy, the naive and innocent one.

In that duo, one had a secret marriage and the other was naive and innocent—did they really choose to do that? In the end, it was all forced by the big shots behind them.

Celebrities are sometimes like puppets.

So for many celebrities, they constantly long for freedom, longing to escape a life controlled by others.

And what Zhao Fusheng was going to discuss today with Jiang Wen and Yu Feihong was precisely this matter.

…

…

Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao's little nest.

“What exactly is it about, so serious?” Jiang Wen was naturally familiar with the place; he had been there countless times. He took an apple from the fridge without washing it, wiped it, took a bite, and looked up at Zhao Fusheng to ask.

“Yeah, and you even brought us home to talk.” Yu Feihong shot Zhao Fusheng a glance and asked.

She truly regarded Zhao Fusheng as her younger brother. Whether he was an ad planner before or a billionaire now, to her, it was all the same.

In Yu Feihong's eyes, he would always be that young man who came specially to see her when he learned she was suffering from depression.

“Old Jiang, Sis, what do you think celebrities or actors lack the most these days?” Zhao Fusheng sat on the sofa, looking at Jiang Wen and Yu Feihong, and asked slowly.

Both were taken aback. They exchanged glances but neither answered Zhao Fusheng's question.

In fact, this question seemed simple, but in reality, it wasn't easy to answer.

Both Yu Feihong and Jiang Wen had been immersed in this circle for a long time. It was no exaggeration to say that these two had once influenced a generation.

Even years later, Jiang Wen would still be pursued by a large crowd; his films and his words were considered very insightful by many.

But Zhao Fusheng's question stumped them both.

People become stars or actors—some out of love for acting, others because they're short on money. In the end, it's all about fame and fortune.

But the problem is, even though everyone knows it, no one will expose this truth. Zhao Fusheng's question struck right at the heart of the matter.

Seeing Jiang Wen and Yu Feihong fall into silence, Zhao Fusheng knew that his question had indeed put them on the spot.

He chuckled lightly, sat up straight, and slowly said, “I think that whether they want to be stars or good actors, what they lack is actually autonomy.”

Autonomy?

Yu Feihong looked up at Zhao Fusheng: “What do you mean?”

“For big-name actors, even if they become famous and can pick any script, the remuneration they actually receive is not as much as the outside world claims.” Zhao Fusheng looked calmly at Yu Feihong: “Sis, you should know this better than I do, right?”

Yu Feihong fell silent. She certainly understood that Zhao Fusheng wasn't talking nonsense; in fact, that was the current situation.

Any celebrity with a management company behind them has to give a cut, with the split ratio varying from high to low, sometimes even leaving them in the red. Because not all celebrities are provided with a full team of makeup artists, drivers, and other staff by their company; most have to hire people at their own expense. And that's a huge expense.

Simply put, if the fee for a film is one million, the management company usually takes fifty to seventy percent. After deducting staff costs, what actually reaches the artist is probably around twenty percent.

Even for big-name artists, at most it doesn't exceed thirty percent.

“So?” Jiang Wen spoke up then, looking at Zhao Fusheng: “What do you plan to do?”

He now understood that Zhao Fusheng seemed intent on changing certain rules in the industry, which was why he had brought him and Yu Feihong home to discuss it.

After all, if this news got out, it would likely cause a huge upheaval.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and looked at Jiang Wen: “Old Jiang, how much profit do you think you could generate for a company?”

Jiang Wen frowned: “What do you mean by that—are you asking me to evaluate my own value?”

He was sharper than Yu Feihong, or rather, because he held multiple roles, compared to the academic Yu Feihong, Jiang Wen had a more pragmatic attitude toward film and the entertainment industry.

The difference between women and men is probably here: often, women habitually romanticize many things, while men consider things from the worst perspective.

Of course, there are also women like the legendary Mi Meng, who spout nonsense like “A man who spends money on you doesn't necessarily love you, but a man who loves you will never be reluctant to spend money on you.” Never have too much faith in such women.

Then there's the office worker earning four thousand a month who looks down on her boyfriend earning fifteen thousand a month as a delivery driver, thinking his job isn't respectable enough. Well, as one divine comment put it: “So when it comes to marriage, she's just contributing something between A and C.”

A bizarre society, bizarre people.

Jiang Wen had seen too many dark sides in the circle, so many that he couldn't be bothered to complain. He just tried not to get involved, so as not to betray his conscience.

“It's not about valuation. You should understand what I mean. An artist like you, if you started your own studio, would definitely earn more than now, right?” Zhao Fusheng looked at Jiang Wen and said slowly.

A single word awakened the dreamer!

With Zhao Fusheng's words, the expressions on Jiang Wen's and Yu Feihong's faces changed instantly.

The two finally understood what Zhao Fusheng was really up to.

A studio—clearly, he was planning to poach talent from major management companies.

“What's the difference between your studio and the studios out there?” Yu Feihong asked Zhao Fusheng.

There were so-called studios now, but most were just vehicles for celebrities to handle personal affairs. The vast majority still placed their main business with management companies.

Zhao Fusheng smiled slightly: “Simple: artists operate independently, responsible for their own profits and losses. Future Films puts up the money, the artists contribute their efforts, and we both win.”

As he spoke, he smiled and held up three fingers: “For the split, I only take thirty percent.”

Hiss!

Jiang Wen gasped.

Yu Feihong's expression also became interesting.

They both clearly felt that Zhao Fusheng was determined to take revenge on the companies that had secretly blacklisted Future Films.

Poaching talent has always been criticized in the circle, but everyone knows it's unavoidable in business.

Generally, the conditions that can lure a star away are mainly a few.

First, not being valued at the original company.

Second, the status and treatment at the original company don't match.

Third, seeing no hope for development at the original management company.

Of course, there are also times when the split can't be agreed upon—in short, not making enough money, not getting roles.

And Zhao Fusheng's studio concept undoubtedly hit the soft spot of ambitious artists.

No one lacks desire for fame and fortune; who doesn't want a better life than now?

It's just that there was never an opportunity before. Now, if Zhao Fusheng puts the opportunity right in front of them, would anyone be tempted?

The answer is obvious.

Many would be tempted.

No one would refuse such a good deal—a thirty percent split is like a pie falling from the sky.

Jiang Wen could even imagine that once this news got out, Future Films would definitely become the target of the entire circle, but at the same time, a large number of stars would want to join Future Films.

You gain some, you lose some—that's for sure.

“But if you do that, won't you face an even tougher situation than now?” Yu Feihong frowned and looked at Zhao Fusheng.

Unlike Jiang Wen, she considered the issue more delicately.

After all, being the first to raise artists' benefits for no reason would make Future Films a thorn in the side of many investors in the circle.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled and shrugged: “Even if I don't do this, they still won't accept me, right?”

Yu Feihong fell silent. She had to admit that Zhao Fusheng's words were indeed correct.

In fact, she didn't know that the reason Zhao Fusheng made this decision was because he knew very well that the model of celebrity studios would become normal in the future.

No one is willing to be exploited forever, especially in an era when artists' influence is growing.

The emergence of internet media gradually changed the control investors had over artists. Seeking common ground while respecting differences and pursuing win-win outcomes—that's the real business.

“So what are you going to do?” Jiang Wen asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: “Isn't this why I came to you?”

Us?

Yu Feihong and Jiang Wen were both stunned. They knew the real point was coming.