Chapter 0996: The Script

Zhao Fusheng was intrigued.

Bai Jie's proposal was highly constructive, or rather, it had a high probability of being realized.

For any endeavor, especially in business, if there's a thirty percent chance of success, it's worth a try. If it's fifty percent, it's a must-do.

If the success rate exceeds eighty percent, someone is surely already doing it.

"What kind of script do you want me to write?" Zhao Fusheng asked slowly, addressing Bai Jie.

A flash of joy crossed Bai Jie's face, and even Zheng Yao let out a long sigh of relief. Since Zhao Fusheng said that, it meant he had approved their plan.

In fact, Bai Jie and Zheng Yao knew well that if Zhao Fusheng didn't nod, this matter couldn't be done. Although they could contact Hong Kong in the company's name, it would be improper. If subordinates acted without the boss's approval, even for the company's benefit, they might not earn a good reputation.

It was like the relationship between the SARFT and the entertainment industry.

A Twig of Plum Blossoms, Old Antiques—these were labels attached to the SARFT. Some even thought the SARFT was the black sheep hindering the development of Chinese film and television.

But the question is, if someone could balance the SARFT's requirements with entertainment and appeal, why wouldn't they support you?

In the end, it's about insufficient capability.

After all, a decade later, the domestic environment would be relatively more relaxed. Films like Dying to Survive could be released, and TV dramas like In the Name of the People could grace the small screen. By then, it would be too much for some to always shift the blame to the SARFT.

"Comedy, preferably comedy." Bai Jie beamed with joy and said to Zhao Fusheng, "We've studied it, and comedies are the most likely to achieve high box office."

"So, still a movie?" Zhao Fusheng frowned. If that was the result of Bai Jie and the others' discussion, he wouldn't be satisfied.

Solve the problem where it arises. Although he didn't know who was pulling the strings behind the scenes, the fact that he hadn't received any prior wind suggested it wasn't an individual's action but a consensus among the majority.

In other words, even a major company like Huayi, which had good relations with Future Advertising, chose to remain silent on this matter, indicating the enormous interests involved.

According to Zhao Fusheng's previous conception and assumption, what he needed today was a complete solution, not just talk about making one or two films.

If it were just about making films, he wouldn't need Bai Jie to tell him. With some scripts still lingering in his mind, Zhao Fusheng could solve the problem himself.

"It's not just about movies." Bai Jie glanced at Zhao Fusheng's expression and slowly said, "Our idea is to work from the outside in—acquire scripts in Hong Kong and Taiwan, recruit personnel, produce successfully, and then sell to the mainland. After all, domestic audiences still have a good recognition of works from those regions."

"And then?" Zhao Fusheng frowned at Bai Jie. "Just keep doing this?"

"Of course not."

Bai Jie shook her head and explained, "This circle is essentially about profit. People start companies to make money. If we can ensure that the works we produce and distribute always make money, do you think anyone would be tempted to cooperate with us?"

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, looking at Bai Jie in surprise. He hadn't expected her to come up with such a solution.

But doing this coincidentally aligned with his own previous thoughts.

Bai Jie's reasoning was correct.

Whoever starts a film and television company, their goal is to make money. Few people do business that doesn't profit. So, in the current situation, the only way to break the deadlock is to let everyone see the achievements of Future Film and Television.

If those secretly blocking Future Film and Television discover that every independently invested work by Future Film and Television guarantees high returns, what would they choose?

Continue the blockade, or choose cooperation?

Not everyone has long-term vision. To some, only profitable business is good business.

"So, what do you think? Is it feasible?" Zheng Yao couldn't help asking, seeing Zhao Fusheng silent for a long time.

After all, this was the result of a night's discussion between the strategic research team and Future Film and Television's management. If it were rejected, frankly, Zheng Yao didn't know what good solution there was to the current predicament.

It's often said that every trade has its own specialty, and that was certainly true at this moment.

If it were in the advertising industry, and someone dared to target her like this, Zheng Yao would teach them a lesson in no time. As one of the top three advertising companies in the northern region, backed by CCTV, Future Advertising had the confidence and resources.

But this was the film and television circle, and Future Film and Television was a newcomer. Even knowing they were being bullied by veterans, they had no choice but to grit their teeth, endure, and then find an opportunity to retaliate.

But before that, they had to establish a foothold in the film and television circle.

"It's not impossible."

Zhao Fusheng rubbed his chin and nodded. "Starting from Hong Kong is a good approach. The film market there is more commercialized, and domestic relationships don't affect it. As long as we're willing to spend money, we can quickly resolve issues with directors and behind-the-scenes teams."

He paused, hesitating. "But I'm worried about the actors. They speak Cantonese there. If we use all Hong Kong actors, dubbing might work for movies, but for TV dramas, dubbing is no easy task. And if we do that, we'll easily become dependent on others."

His concern was not unfounded. Placing all hopes on others is undoubtedly foolish; even a fool wouldn't do that.

As for the character of those in the Hong Kong entertainment circle, Zhao Fusheng really couldn't trust them. Although many were very dedicated, when it came to personal integrity, well...

Director Chen Kexin, who 'cheats people to death without compensation,' was invited to the mainland to make films. And then?

In 2007, The Warlords!

In 2009, Bodyguards and Assassins!

In 2011, Wu Xia!

A triple loss!

Three films, same director. For the first two, the investor was Yu Dong's Bona Film Group; for the third, it was Qin Hong's Stellar Media.

Together, they lost five hundred million yuan.

Especially Wu Xia, with a reported promotion budget of fifty million, but after release, both box office and reviews were poor.

In the end, Director Chen was almost like a rat crossing the street, with everyone shouting to beat him.

Zhao Fusheng knew this because he had read a report in his previous life. It was said that during the filming of The Warlords, even a straw hat cost three hundred yuan to reimburse. The entire film went over budget countless times, causing Yu Dong endless complaints.

Zhao Fusheng didn't know the specifics, but he was clear that at this time, cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland, at least in the film and television circle, was extremely unreasonable.

Most of the time, the Hong Kong side held the dominant position, while the mainland only played a supporting role.

Even though the mainland bosses were the ones putting up the money.

It's often said that the one with money calls the shots, but honestly, Zhao Fusheng didn't feel that way.

So when he heard Bai Jie talk about cooperating with Hong Kong directors, deep down, he was worried.

"I've considered this issue. My idea is to recruit actors as much as possible from the mainland, and hire the filming team and directors from Hong Kong." Bai Jie pondered for a moment and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng's eyes lit up. That was a good approach.

He nodded and smiled. "That works. If we do it this way, there shouldn't be any problems."

Then, Zhao Fusheng winked. "As for actors, we can consider newcomers. I don't believe those people have the power to block newcomers and prevent them from rising."

Nonsense! He knew a bunch of future popular young idols and actresses. He could easily pick a few to carry a film.

Moreover, Zhao Fusheng suddenly had an inspiration. He thought he might consider producing a TV drama and a movie simultaneously.

"Right, newcomers are most suitable." Bai Jie and Zheng Yao's eyes lit up. Their original plan was to find second- or third-tier actors who might be interested in high pay.

As they say, under heavy reward, there will be brave men. If nothing unexpected happened, some would be tempted.

Actors also need to make a living. Except for top stars, ordinary third- and fourth-tier artists might not live as comfortably as some senior white-collar workers. If Future Film and Television could offer high pay, they could surely find people.

But Zhao Fusheng's suggestion made Bai Jie and Zheng Yao suddenly realize—how had they forgotten about newcomer actors?

Those fresh graduates or newcomers just starting in the entertainment circle, as long as they have a chance to act, wouldn't care about other things. As for the so-called blockade, well...

Even Goddess Tang, after starring in a film like Lust, Caution, managed to whitewash herself with the title of literary goddess after being blocked. So other things were even less of a concern.

So, in fact, no one really took this matter to heart.

What they truly worried about was the script.

After all, good actors could be discovered, but good scripts weren't so easy to come by.

Especially given Future Advertising's current situation—they could only succeed, not fail. If they ended up with a low-quality script, it would be disastrous.

Therefore, no matter what, they had to get Zhao Fusheng to produce a high-quality script. Only then could the company completely escape its predicament.