Chapter 1831: Smart People

The producer responsibility system is relative to the director responsibility system.

A producer, also known as an executive producer, refers to the investor of a film or someone who can secure sponsorship.

The commercial nature of films and TV series determines that the producer is the master of a production, with the authority to decide everything about the shoot, including what scripts to invest in, hiring directors and actors, and other crew members.

Furthermore, the producer can also assign a supervisor to oversee the use of funds, review production costs, and control the entire process of the production.

After the production is completed, the producer also participates in developing, editing, marketing, and distribution.

So generally, most producers are the owners of film companies or representatives of investors.

Simply put, the producer is the primary person responsible for the crew, like a factory where the producer is the factory director and the director is the chief engineer, responsible only for the artistic aspects, while the producer is responsible for everything.

It's no exaggeration to say that the producer's quality and mindset directly affect the quality of a work. A producer doesn't necessarily need to be a professional, but must have vision to discover excellent themes, scripts, and actors.

Jiang Wen knew all this, but what he didn't understand was what Zhao Fusheng meant by bringing this up to him.

In fact, it wasn't just Jiang Wen who didn't understand; even Ye Jing and Yu Feihong sitting there also didn't grasp Zhao Fusheng's intention.

What was this guy really up to?

Those familiar with Zhao Fusheng knew that his favorite thing was scheming. He might have already calculated ten or more steps ahead when something just started.

Under these circumstances, Zhao Fusheng actually brought up the producer responsibility system to Jiang Wen. Could it be that he planned to make something of this?

"What exactly do you want to do?"

Jiang Wen looked at Zhao Fusheng with some confusion and asked the doubt in his mind.

He knew Zhao Fusheng's character well; if he didn't ask, Zhao Fusheng wouldn't explain and would instead directly arrange tasks for him, which wasn't the rhythm Jiang Wen liked.

"Simple. If you become the producer, you handle the sponsorship and take a cut."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Jiang Wen.

"Huh?"

Jiang Wen was taken aback and looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise: "You mean..."

"You and Sister Feihong will be co-producers, responsible for securing sponsorships. Once you solve the sponsorship issue, you can take a cut." Zhao Fusheng said calmly.

This was something he had carefully considered.

Since this had to become a regular practice, it couldn't be handled simply. Having big-name actors from the company participate in projects could certainly boost the reputation of the TV series, but the problem was that not everyone was like Yu Feihong and Jiang Wen.

At this point, a solution had to be found.

So after much thought, Zhao Fusheng came up with this approach.

Although the company might lose some benefits this way, if this method for sitcoms could continue, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for Future Films.

"You mean, let Old Jiang and me go find sponsors, and instead of taking a salary, we wait for a cut?"

Yu Feihong looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise, never expecting he would have such an idea.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "Yes. Not just you two, but all lead actors in the future can have this treatment. What do you think?"

"It's a good idea."

Yu Feihong and Jiang Wen didn't speak, but Ye Jing nodded instead.

As the company's manager, he understood better than anyone the effect of Zhao Fusheng's proposal.

Money moves people. Not everyone would help out of friendship; interests are what truly determine everything.

"Let's do it this way."

After a long while, Ye Jing looked up and said to Jiang Wen and Yu Feihong.

"Hmm?"

The two exchanged glances, looked at each other, and finally had to nod in agreement.

"As for the actors, you choose."

Zhao Fusheng said to them: "My idea is simple: try to find newcomers within the company. If that's not possible, look outside, but they must be newcomers. Familiar faces are meaningless. What do you think?"

He directed the last sentence to Ye Jing.

"Okay. As long as they sign with our company, we can let them appear in the TV series."

Ye Jing nodded and smiled: "I think those students from the Central Academy of Drama and Beijing Film Academy will flock to us."

"Hopefully."

Zhao Fusheng said noncommittally with a smile.

He wasn't sure about this, because although Future Films had a high reputation in the industry, it wasn't as good as Huayi or Xinbaoyuan when it came to promoting people.

After all, Future Films mostly focused on film production, and in terms of TV series, apart from investing in a few years ago, it hadn't been involved much in recent years.

Because Ye Jing, compared to investing in TV series, preferred investing in films.

It's often said that what the superior likes, the inferiors will imitate. The preferences of those at the top often influence the decisions of those below—this saying holds true.

"That's it. You figure it out yourselves. I'm not getting involved anymore."

Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily and said to Jiang Wen and Ye Jing: "Let me be clear first: this script is a trial. In the future, we can try to produce one every year as the company's in-house production. Understand?"

"Got it."

Ye Jing and Jiang Wen exchanged a glance and nodded lightly.

They had always envied Zhao Baogang. Although Xinbaoyuan never ventured into film, it was indeed an expert in TV series.

Especially in the minds of young actors, the name Zhao Baogang was a golden brand.

After all, anyone who acted in his TV series would basically become popular, unless they were hopeless.

On the other hand, Future Films had plenty of film resources and advertising endorsements, but the problem was that they were too high-end for newcomers.

Yes, newcomers are discriminated against in any industry, and the entertainment industry is no exception.

And this time, clearly, Zhao Fusheng's unintentional move had opened another door for Future Films.

...

...

Ye Jing had things to do at the company, so he didn't stay for dinner and left Jiang Wen's house.

Yu Feihong had no other plans, so she stayed to wait for Fan Baobao and Zhou Yun to return.

In the evening, the two women, after shopping all day, came back contentedly carrying a bunch of bags.

"What? You, a pregnant woman, shopped all day?"

Zhao Fusheng's mouth twitched as he looked at his wife speechlessly and asked with a wry smile.

Fan Baobao chuckled and rolled her eyes at Zhao Fusheng: "Are you stupid? Do you think I'm that dumb? It's not my first time being pregnant. Don't I know to rest more?"

Zhao Fusheng was silenced by her retort and simply shut his mouth.

Zhou Yun couldn't help laughing and explained with a smile: "We basically shopped for a while and then found a place to rest. Don't worry, it wasn't as exaggerated as you think."

Then she looked at Yu Feihong in surprise: "Sister Feihong, why are you here?"

Clearly, Yu Feihong wasn't someone who showed up often.

Even though in fact, they were already quite familiar.

Yu Feihong smiled, greeted Fan Baobao and the others, and explained: "These two guys gave me something to do, so I came to discuss it."

"Something to do?"

Hearing those three words, Fan Baobao and Zhou Yun simultaneously looked at their men, clearly their curiosity piqued.

"It's not a big deal."

Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen exchanged a glance, knowing they couldn't hide it from these two. Jiang Wen then recounted the whole story and finally said: "We found it interesting and considered having Feihong and me be co-producers."

"I think it's fine."

Surprisingly, Fan Baobao was the first to speak. She said to Yu Feihong: "Sister, you directed a movie yourself before. You can try this time too. Just treat it as practice."

"Hmm?"

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow and looked at Fan Baobao in surprise. He didn't understand what she was up to.

Come on, he had known this woman for so many years that they understood each other better than their parents.

Fan Baobao wasn't the type to casually comment on such matters.

Seeing Zhao Fusheng look at her, Fan Baobao was very calm and said flatly: "Let Sister Feihong practice first. Once she's ready, when Zhou Yun and I make a comeback, she can be our director. That would be great..."

...

"666!!!"

"No problem!"

Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen were speechless, but Zhou Yun was all smiles, quite delighted.

To be honest, even Zhao Fusheng hadn't expected Fan Baobao to have such considerations.

But on second thought, her idea seemed quite feasible.

Yu Feihong naturally wanted to direct films herself and was working toward that goal. In recent years, apart from charity work, her greatest interest was studying directing.

And Fan Baobao, though pregnant now, would definitely make a comeback in two or three years.

By then, if Yu Feihong could be a mature director, the three women could manage to produce a film.

After all, they lacked nothing.

Yes, they had resources, connections, and if investment was needed, Zhao Fusheng could easily handle it with a wave of his hand.

"So, isn't my idea creative?" Fan Baobao asked the others proudly.

"Absolutely!"

Zhao Fusheng sincerely praised and gave his wife a thumbs up. If she had a social media feed, he would definitely give her a like.