Chapter 1068: The Difference Between Movies and TV Series

After settling many matters, Zhao Fusheng realized that time had unknowingly slipped to the end of June.

"Are you still going to the US or not?"

Zhao Fusheng had heard this sentence from at least several people nagging him.

Even Tan Kaixuan called to mock him, simply because his sister Tan Kaixin and their parents had taken advantage of the summer vacation to visit the US, but Zhao Fusheng, who kept clamoring to come to America, had actually made no move.

Zhao Fusheng expressed that he was also desperate.

He felt that he might have been cursed with a strange affliction: "Whenever I have free time, something inevitably goes wrong."

Because just as he promised Tan Kaixuan that he would soon go abroad to see him in the US, he received a call from Bai Jie.

"What?" Zhao Fusheng was dumbfounded: "A movie version of 'Soldiers' Sortie'?"

"Yes, I think the time is ripe," Bai Jie said matter-of-factly. "The stage play was very successful, and the TV series is about to start. I think we can strike while the iron is hot after the TV series finishes shooting and make a movie version of 'Soldiers' Sortie.'"

Zhao Fusheng burst out laughing: "I say, have you lost your mind?"

"Lost my mind?" Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Bai Jie was taken aback. She had originally thought he would agree with her idea, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.

Clearly, Zhao Fusheng had no intention of turning this play into a movie.

"That's right, I think you really have lost your mind now," Zhao Fusheng said irritably. "The success of the stage play doesn't mean this story is suitable for adaptation into a movie. The TV series might succeed, but for a movie, getting the audience to accept its essence within ninety minutes—I think that's very difficult."

With that, Zhao Fusheng's tone toward Bai Jie became stern: "Don't think movies and TV series are the same. At least as far as I know, making a movie and making a TV series are two different things. You'd better consult a professional on this."

This was the first time Bai Jie had heard Zhao Fusheng speak so seriously, so she naturally dared not say anything more. Until he hung up, she remained in a state of bewilderment.

"President Bai, what are you thinking about?"

At that moment, Yu Feihong happened to push open the door to Bai Jie's office and walked in.

"Oh, Miss Yu is here. Please, have a seat," Bai Jie quickly invited Yu Feihong to sit down.

"You are...?" Looking at Yu Feihong, Bai Jie asked curiously.

"It's like this: I have a script here that I'd like you to take a look at," Yu Feihong said very politely to Bai Jie, then handed her the script for the play "Love After Life."

Although Zhao Fusheng had already agreed to the production, Yu Feihong felt it was still necessary for Bai Jie, the general manager of Future Films, to review it.

Bai Jie had been away from the capital all along, busy in Hong Kong with Stephen Chow's film matters. Now that she had finally returned, Yu Feihong naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.

Bai Jie nodded and took the script to read.

After such a long time of exposure, she could naturally discern the quality of a script.

After a while, Bai Jie looked up at Yu Feihong: "Miss Yu, to be frank, this play is aimed at participating in overseas exhibitions, isn't it?"

Clearly, this was a pure art film. If released domestically, its box office would certainly not be good, so barring any surprises, it should follow the path of overseas distribution.

"Yes," Yu Feihong nodded. "I am confident that I can recoup the investment costs."

After all, Bai Jie represented the investors. Although Yu Feihong was eager to fulfill her dream, she also understood that without returns, they wouldn't casually invest money in her.

Even if she was Zhao Fusheng's sister, it was the same.

"Has the boss seen this script?" Bai Jie asked after a moment of silence.

Yu Feihong was startled, then nodded: "He has seen it and agreed with my idea."

"Then there's no problem on my end," Bai Jie said with a smile, immediately telling Yu Feihong, "Since the boss has agreed to the production, Miss Yu, please take the trouble to prepare the production plan. As for the investment needed, crew members, actors, and such, I will arrange for someone to follow up on this project."

Yu Feihong had no choice but to nod, though inwardly she smiled bitterly, realizing that in the end, it was all about Zhao Fusheng's influence.

But she could also understand Bai Jie. After all, Bai Jie was an employee; she needed to be responsible for Future Films' investments. In other words, if the money spent didn't yield returns, she couldn't justify it to the boss.

Conversely, if it was a film or TV series that the boss had approved for investment, even if it lost money, she wouldn't have to worry, because it was the boss's decision.

In this world, whether in business or officialdom, there is a very important rule: the leader is always right. If the leader is wrong, then you must have misunderstood the leader's intentions.

After finishing business, just as Yu Feihong was about to leave, Bai Jie suddenly thought of Zhao Fusheng's words and quickly called out to her: "Miss Yu, please wait."

"Hmm?" Yu Feihong was puzzled and turned to look at Bai Jie: "President Bai, is something the matter?"

She had little interaction with Bai Jie, mostly just work-related dealings, and they had no personal relationship. However, she knew that President Bai was one of Zhao Fusheng's few trusted confidants. Since her studio was signed with Future Films, there would naturally be many occasions for interaction, and she couldn't bother Zhao Fusheng with everything. So Yu Feihong was willing to establish a good personal relationship with Bai Jie.

"It's like this: I have a question I'd like to ask you, Miss Yu," Bai Jie said directly, without beating around the bush.

Such matters were straightforward anyway; beating around the bush would be pointless and make her seem guilty.

Yu Feihong smiled slightly: "Please go ahead, President Bai."

Since the other party wanted to consult her, it seemed there was something important.

"It's like this: I've always been puzzled why many TV series that are so popular aren't adapted into movies," Bai Jie said, looking at Yu Feihong.

Yu Feihong furrowed her brows slightly, thought for a moment, and said: "Personally, I think TV series and movies are actually quite different. For example, from an actor's perspective, many of us believe that a stage actor must be a good TV actor, but a good TV actor may not necessarily be a good film actor. Do you understand what I mean?"

Bai Jie listened with partial understanding. Yu Feihong's words made some sense to her, but she felt there was something she still didn't quite grasp.

Seeing her expression, Yu Feihong sighed and had to put it simply: "Stage and TV acting require technique and can be exaggerated. But for film, you need to be particularly restrained. Most acting techniques can't be used because the screen is too large; if you use even a little technique, the audience can easily spot it. So film acting is more difficult than TV or stage acting. Do you understand that?"

Bai Jie was stunned for a long time before slowly nodding: "I think I understand what you mean."

Although Yu Feihong's words didn't directly answer her question, Bai Jie had grasped her meaning.

In fact, the principle was simple: not every story is suitable for both film and TV. Ultimately, there has to be a choice.

Take the drama 'Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms' for example. The TV series was incredibly popular, so the production company was overjoyed and quickly launched a film project, only to lose everything.

Along with it, the young idol starring in the film was harshly criticized for having no acting skills and only cheating fans out of money.

That's truly a sad story.

Seeing that Bai Jie had understood her point, Yu Feihong said no more and took her leave from Future Films.

As for why Bai Jie had asked her this question, she didn't dwell on it nor intended to pursue it. On one hand, their relationship wasn't that close; on the other, Yu Feihong wasn't the type to meddle.

After seeing Yu Feihong off, Bai Jie sat in her office in silence for a long time.

After a while, Bai Jie took out her phone and dialed a number: "Minister Gao, cancel the plan to adapt 'Soldiers' Sortie' into a movie."