1RomanceEB Chapter 75 They acted so quickly.
Chapter 75 They acted so quickly.
Chapter 74 You acted so quickly (Seeking first subscriptions for 4 chapters)
At 5:40 p.m., after seeing Lu Yang off and Shen Ao off, Jiang Yu was finally able to return to his office to catch his breath.
He slumped into his chair, feeling his brain buzzing like a CPU that had just finished a marathon.
Today was a non-stop day. I was dealing with emails in the morning, having a contract meeting with the legal department for "Inception" at noon, and working on the script with Lu Yang on the Olympic bid in the afternoon. I also received three overseas phone calls during that time.
Wu Na reports on the progress of the preview screening of "Black Swan", David shouts that he has become the most popular fat man in Hollywood after the press conference of "2012", and Chen Jingming calmly informs him of the latest developments in the SEC investigation.
Jiang Yu rubbed his temples and took out a box of mints from his drawer: this was a habit he had recently developed to combat fatigue with a cooling sensation.
The computer screen was lit, and the QQ icon in the lower right corner was flashing wildly.
Upon clicking, I found that several employee groups within the company were discussing the news about "2012".
He smiled, but instead of clicking on it, he opened several entertainment forums he often visited.
Sure enough, the entire Chinese internet movie section exploded.
The pinned post in the Tianya Film and Television section is titled: "Rational Analysis: Who Will Get Their Hands on the Hollywood Ticket to '2012'?"
The poster's ID is "The Hidden Master of the Film Industry," and the post has already received over 10,000 likes.
Jiang Yu clicked on it with great interest.
The original poster began by analyzing the situation: "To state the conclusion: This is the best opportunity for Chinese actors to break into Hollywood since 'The Forbidden Kingdom,' bar none. The reasons are as follows:"
First, the investment scale is 2 million US dollars, the whole process is in 3D, the production standard is Hollywood A-level, and the director Roland Emmerich (director of "Independence Day" and "The Day After Tomorrow") has a guaranteed reputation.
Secondly, the nature of co-productions necessitates the use of a substantial proportion of Chinese actors. These are not cameos or minor roles; they are genuine, substantial characters.
Third, and most importantly, Light Chaser Pictures led the investment. As everyone has seen, Jiang Yu's film *The Witch*, with an all-new cast, was a huge hit, demonstrating that he has his own set of standards for casting, not solely based on star power.
Below is a detailed list of actor competitiveness:
Male actors (sorted by selection probability):
S-level (International Stars): Jackie Chan, Jet Li (fluent in English, high global recognition)
Category A (Acting Masters): Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Leung Cho-wai (Top-tier acting skills, slightly less well-known)
Tier B (Mid-career Generation): Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Nicholas Tse (with an overseas fan base)
Category C (Potential Stocks): Huang Xiaoming, Chen Kun, Hu Jun (Advantages in Mainland China)
Dark horse: Zhu Yilong (a member of Light Chaser Animation's own company, benefiting from close proximity)
Actresses Group:
S-Tier: Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi (Hollywood certified)
Level A: Zhou Xun, Li Binbin, Shu Qi, Fan Binbin, Zhao Bafei (Top-tier domestic players, currently aiming for international recognition)
Category B: Liu Yifei (currently filming "Black Swan", has a first-mover advantage)
Category C: Yang Mi, Huang Shengyi, Wang Luodan, Shu Chang (young actress)
Dark horse: Wang Zhi (an artist under Light Chaser Entertainment, with a close relationship with the company)
Jiang Yu read it with great interest. The author's analysis was quite convincing, although the information was a bit outdated.
Scroll down for more interesting comments:
Post #87: "OP forgot Donnie Yen's name! 'Ip Man' will be released at the end of the year, what if it becomes a hit?"
The 88th floor reply said: "Donnie Yen's acting skills are a problem; he stumbles over his words during interviews."
Comment #103: "Aren't Jackie Chan and Jet Li too old? Disaster movies require running and jumping; would insurance companies even cover that?"
The witty reply on the 104th floor: "Brother Jackie Chan doesn't need insurance, he himself is the insurance company—"Duang!"
Post #156: "Female actors have a better chance! The female characters in Emmerich's films are all outstanding, see 'The Day After Tomorrow'."
The female doctor there.
Comment #157: "The competition among actresses is even fiercer now. Which of these top and rising stars in China wouldn't want to be in this industry?"
Post #212: "I bet five cents that Jiang Yu will use newcomers again! He just doesn't follow the usual path!"
Comment #213: "Spending $2 million on newcomers? Wouldn't the investors be crazy?"
Post #214: "Jiang Yu himself is the biggest investor —"
Comment #299: "Have you forgotten the most important point—'2012' is a disaster movie! There will definitely be child roles! This is a chance for young actors!"
Just as Jiang Yu was engrossed in reading, there was a gentle knock on the office door.
"Enter."
Assistant Chen Min pushed open the door and came in, her expression somewhat subtle, as if she wanted to laugh but dared not: "President Jiang, Mr. Ye Ning from Wanda Cinemas, and Mr. Lu Zheng from Starlight Entertainment are here, waiting for you in Meeting Room Number Two. They said they were just passing by and decided to pay a visit."
Jiang Yu glanced at the time in the lower right corner of the computer screen; it was 5:50 PM.
The news about "2012" came out in China at around 4 a.m., and less than two hours have passed. It's quite a coincidence that I "passed by" it.
He smiled helplessly: "This reaction speed is even more professional than that of paparazzi. Ask them to wait a moment, I'll be right there."
After Chen Min left, Jiang Yu closed the forum page and stood up to straighten his shirt.
He knew why these two had come: Ye Ning was after an investment share, and Lu Zheng was after an acting opportunity.
I just didn't expect them to be so "enthusiastic," not even bothering to make an appointment, and directly staging a "chance encounter."
He walked to the mirror and looked at his twenty-five-year-old self.
His face still carried a hint of youthful naiveté, but his eyes had already matured.
Sometimes he himself finds it unbelievable. In his previous life at this time, he was just a junior technician working overtime at a special effects company, but now he has become someone that industry leaders take the initiative to visit.
"Keep it up, Jiang Yu," he whispered to himself in the mirror.
Five minutes later, Jiang Yu entered the No. 2 meeting room.
.
Ye Ning and Lu Zheng immediately jumped up from the sofa, their smiles as bright as if they had seen long-lost relatives.
"President Jiang! I'm so sorry to bother you!" Ye Ning rushed forward to shake hands, her strength and enthusiasm making Jiang Yu feel like his hand bones were about to be crushed. "I know you're very busy, but we happened to be having a meeting nearby, and we thought we might as well take the opportunity to come up here."
Lu Zheng smiled and shook hands, his posture more refined than Ye Ning's: "President Jiang, it's our second meeting, and you're even more charming than before."
Jiang Yu found it amusing. A meeting nearby?
Wanda's headquarters are next door, and Starlight Plaza is on the West Third Ring Road. What kind of "nearby" is that?
His expression remained impassive: "President Ye, President Lu, you're too kind. Please have a seat. Chen Min, make some tea, use my box of pre-Qingming Longjing."
The three of them took their seats.
Ye Ning looked around the reception room and clicked her tongue in admiration: "President Jiang's office has really good taste, simple yet stylish. Hey, look at this view, it faces SKP directly. Working with this view every day must put me in a good mood."
"Mr. Ye, you flatter me," Jiang Yu said with a smile. "It's mainly because of the good location; after all, the China World Trade Center is in the heart of the CBD."
"Speaking of location," Ye Ning naturally picked up the conversation, "I heard that President Jiang is currently looking for office buildings? Is he planning to expand his business?"
""
Jiang Yu understood; the real drama was about to begin.
"Yes," he continued, "The company is growing rapidly, and this floor is no longer enough. Light and Shadow Digital needs its own offices, and Light and Shadow Pictures needs to expand and make room for new projects. I'm having Chen Jingming look around the market to see if there's a suitable entire building."
Ye Ning slapped his thigh: "What a coincidence! We have an entire empty office building in Wanda Plaza Building 2 in the CBD! It was just completed this year, and the quality is absolutely top-notch. It was designed by a German designer, has LEED Gold certification, and is equipped with a smart system throughout the building."
He leaned forward and lowered his voice: "Mr. Wang heard you were looking for an apartment and specifically instructed me that if Mr. Jiang is interested, we can offer a 10% discount off the market price. And it's not a fake price; the average price in the CBD is currently around 18,000 yuan per square meter. For this building, we're offering Mr. Jiang a special price of 16,000 yuan per square meter."
One square meter, 14,400 yuan after a 10% discount. 150,000 square meters, total price 21 billion yuan, negotiable for one-time payment.
Jiang Yu quickly calculated in his mind that a price of 1.44 yuan per square meter was indeed a very reasonable price in the core area of the CBD.
More importantly, the entire building, spanning 15 square meters, perfectly aligns with his plans for the future headquarters.
With Light & Shadow Digital, Light & Shadow Cloud, Light Chaser Pictures, Light Chaser Holdings, and supporting facilities, 15 square meters is barely enough.
His face remained impassive as he picked up his teacup and slowly sipped it. "Mr. Ye, this price is indeed sincere. However, 21 billion is no small sum. I need to have the finance and valuation teams do a detailed calculation. Moreover—"
He paused for a moment: "Buying a building is a big deal. We need to consider the company's development needs for the next five to ten years. I need to discuss it further with the team."
"I understand, I understand!" Ye Ning nodded repeatedly. "But Mr. Jiang, to be honest, this price is really rare. If it weren't for Mr. Wang's genuine desire to be your friend, we definitely wouldn't have been able to get this price. As you know, Wanda Real Estate generally doesn't sell entire office buildings separately; they are all self-owned and operated."
Lu Zheng chimed in at the opportune moment, his tone gentle: "President Jiang, President Ye has come with utmost sincerity this time. Wanda not only wants to sell buildings, but also wants to establish a long-term strategic partnership with Light Chaser Pictures. The cultural industry is currently a key area of national support, and the integration of film and real estate has enormous potential for the future."
Jiang Yu glanced at the two of them and smiled, "Then, Mr. Ye, how would you like to cooperate?"
Ye Ning rubbed his hands together and finally got to the point: "President Jiang is straightforward, so I won't beat around the bush either. Wanda wants to participate in the '2012' project. It doesn't have to be much, 5% or 10% is fine. We can provide the funding, and we also have the resources: 106 cinemas nationwide, 687 screens, covering 30 cities, promotional channels, venue support, whatever you need."
He glanced at Lu Zheng and added, "Also, Starlight Brilliant is a shareholder of Wanda Group. They have a very promising actress under their wing, Jing Tian, whom you met last time. She's a really good young lady, studying at the Beijing Film Academy, very hardworking, and very obedient. If there's a suitable role in '2012,' could you, Mr. Jiang, give her an audition opportunity? Not necessarily a lead role, just a supporting role with appropriate screen time."
Lu Zheng quickly chimed in, his tone sincere: "President Jiang, we're not trying to pull strings, we just want a fair chance. If needed, Starlight Brilliant is willing to sponsor the production team with costumes, vehicles, and catering."
Jiang Yu put down his teacup, leaned back slightly against the sofa back, and rested his body slightly.
The living room fell silent for a moment, with only the slight hum of the air conditioner vents.
"Mr. Ye, Mr. Lu," he began slowly, "since you two are so frank, I'll be frank too. There is indeed some room for maneuver in the investment share of '2012,' but not much, at most 10%. Moreover, this share can only participate in the box office revenue sharing in the Asian region; it will not participate in the revenue sharing in other regions of the world."
Ye Ning's eyes lit up, like an eagle spotting its prey: "10% is enough! The Asian division will achieve the Asian division's target!"
"In addition," Jiang Yu continued, "Regarding distribution, Warner Bros. will be responsible for global distribution, and we can strive for co-distribution rights in Asia. If Wanda is interested, they can participate in the distribution in China."
"That's fantastic!" Ye Ning slapped his thigh, his voice so loud it startled Lu Zheng beside him. "We're experts in distribution! Leave the domestic distribution to us, and we'll cover every single city! Plus, we can guarantee screenings. When '2012' is released, Wanda Cinemas will give it at least 65% of the screenings!"
Jiang Yu nodded, turned to Lu Zheng, and said in a gentle tone, "As for the actress—President Lu, I've met Jing Tian, and she's certainly a good fit. But the female lead in '2012' is set to be between 35 and 40 years old, and she's a mother, so she's not really suitable."
Lu Zheng's expression darkened slightly, but he still maintained his smile.
"However," Jiang Yu changed the subject, "there's an important Asian daughter character in the film, whose role runs throughout the entire movie and is one of the core elements of the emotional storyline. She's between 18 and 22 years old and is a Chinese American who grew up in the United States. If Jing Tian is interested, he can audition."
But I want to make it clear that you must go through the formal audition process. The audition includes English dialogue, a performance clip, and possibly even some simple physical fitness tests. If you don't pass the overall evaluation, there's nothing I can do.
Lu Zheng instantly became excited, but tried his best to remain calm: "Of course! Of course! Auditions are fair competition, we fully accept that! Jing Tian has been taking acting and English classes lately, practicing six hours a day, she will prepare diligently!"
"There's no need for sponsorship," Jiang Yu waved his hand, his tone indifferent. "Chasing Light Pictures isn't short of money. We'll use the roles if they're suitable, and we won't force them if they aren't. In this industry, ultimately, it's about talent. Pushing someone is meaningless and only harms the actor."
"President Jiang is right!" Lu Zheng nodded repeatedly, his eyes sincere. "Strength is the only true measure of success. We will definitely ensure Jing Tian is well-prepared and doesn't let this opportunity slip by."
With the business settled, Ye Ning glanced at the conspicuous watch on her wrist: "Oh dear, it's already 6:30. Mr. Jiang, I'm so sorry to have kept you up for so long today. How about we grab a casual meal together? I know a newly opened Cantonese restaurant in the China World Trade Center; the head chef is from Hong Kong, and his cooking is quite good."
Jiang Yu initially wanted to decline, as he wanted to review the revised script of "The Lone Agent" that evening.
But Ye Ning and Lu Zheng flanked him, their enthusiasm bordering on their attempts to carry him out.
"President Jiang, please do me the honor!" Ye Ning said with a beaming smile. "It's just a simple meal, no alcohol, and I won't take up too much of your time."
"Yes, Mr. Jiang, it's already this late, you must be hungry too," Lu Zheng also advised.
Jiang Yu glanced at the two of them, then at the darkening sky outside the window, and smiled helplessly: "Then—let's just have something simple to eat."
""
It was 7 p.m. in a private room at a restaurant on the 9th floor of the China World Trade Center Phase 1.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows is the dazzling night view of the entire CBD. The private room is decorated in a low-key yet luxurious Chinese style, with original ink paintings hanging on the walls and blue and white porcelain tableware made in Jingdezhen on the table.
Ye Ning was clearly a VIP here; the manager personally came over to take her order, addressing her as "President Ye" in a friendly manner.
"President Jiang, are there any dietary restrictions?" Ye Ning asked.
"No, Mr. Ye can arrange it."
"Alright! Then let's have steamed grouper, braised pigeon, braised goose feet in abalone sauce, lobster in broth, and Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. Oh, right, Mr. Jiang doesn't drink alcohol, so how about fresh juice? Our mango juice here is exceptional, made with Philippine mangoes."
While waiting for their food, the three of them started chatting.
The conversation moved from movies to the economy, and then back to movies.
"President Jiang, you don't know," Ye Ning said with a sigh, taking a sip of tea, "these days, all these domestic production companies are shouting about going international and entering Hollywood, but very few actually dare to jump in. Why? Because the water is too deep, and the tuition is too expensive."
He counted on his fingers: "Huayi produced 'The Forbidden Kingdom,' which was supposed to be a Sino-US co-production, but in reality, it was just a platform for Jackie Chan and Jet Li. The script, production, and post-production were all decided by Hollywood. Huayi was just the one that provided the money. Enlight Media and Bona Film Group are similar, small-scale operations that don't amount to much."
Lu Zheng chimed in: "The main problem is the lack of a voice. Without a voice, you can only be manipulated by others, and even actors who go there will just be playing minor roles."
Ye Ning nodded, looking at Jiang Yu with a serious expression: "But you're different. You're truly daring and skilled at it. You invested in *Iron Man* and *Avatar*, you invested in *Inception*, and now you're leading the investment with $2 million in *2012*. With these four moves, Light Chaser Animation's position in Hollywood is no less than that of the Big Six. More importantly, you have a voice. You managed to squeeze two Asian characters into *Inception*, and you directly set the co-production model for *2012*. That's true international expansion."
Jiang Yu smiled and said modestly, "President Ye, you flatter me. I just did what I was supposed to do. If Chinese films want to truly go global, they can't just rely on buying box office receipts and stuffing in actors; they need real talent: good stories, good production, good technology, and a good industrial system. We are catching up, and we need to catch up quickly."
"Tutoring is absolutely right!" Ye Ning slammed his hand on the table. "We old folks can't keep up with tutoring anymore. Our thinking is rigid, we're stuck in our ways. That's why we have to rely on you young people! President Jiang, if you come across any good projects in the future, don't forget Wanda. We have money, channels, and resources, we just lack good content. If we join forces, we can definitely accomplish great things!"
"Definitely." Jiang Yu raised his cup, using tea instead of wine.
As the three clinked glasses, Jiang Yu's phone vibrated in his pocket.
He took out his phone and glanced at it. It was a text message from Yang Siwei: "President Jiang, I just received the following messages: 1. Wang Zhongjun from Huayi Brothers invited me to dinner tomorrow night; 2. Wang Changtian from Enlight Media invited me to afternoon tea the day after tomorrow; 3. Yu Dong from Bona Film Group invited me to coffee tomorrow morning; 4. Huo Wenxi from Yinhuang Film Group wants to meet; 5. The agents of Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi, Zhou Xun, Li Binbin, and Fan Binbin have all called to inquire about the casting and standards for '2012'; 6. Director Zhang Yimou's assistant asked if you are free next week; 7. Han Sanye from China Film Group called from his office, saying that he would like to invite you to his home for dinner. Also, the front desk received seven flower baskets, all congratulating the '2012' project onboarding, signed by the aforementioned companies and individuals."
Jiang Yu couldn't help but laugh when he saw the text message that looked like a short essay.
He replied, "Understood. Let's have a meeting tomorrow morning to develop a unified response strategy. As for the flower baskets—let the administration department distribute them to the relevant departments; don't waste them."
Putting down her phone, Ye Ning asked curiously, "Mr. Jiang, are you that busy with business?"
"They're all asking about '2012'," Jiang Yu said without hiding anything. "President Ye and President Lu acted quickly and gained the upper hand."
Ye Ning smiled smugly, his expression like that of a fox who had stolen a chicken: "Absolutely! The business world is like a battlefield, and opportunities are fleeting. After so many years in this industry, I've come to realize one thing: when it's time to act, act decisively. Face is worthless; opportunity is what matters."
Lu Zheng also smiled and said, "President Ye's words are based on experience."
Then the dishes arrived.
"Mr. Jiang, try this grouper," Ye Ning personally placed a piece of grouper on Jiang Yu's plate. "It was just air-freighted from Guangdong this morning, absolutely fresh."
The three of them ate and chatted in a harmonious atmosphere.
Lu Zheng cautiously inquired about the casting details: "President Jiang, when will the auditions for '2012' begin? What are the specific requirements? We'd like Jing Tian to prepare in advance."
"Late October, I guess," Jiang Yu said, "until Roland Emmerich's schedule is finalized."
He paused, then added, "President Lu can have Jing Tian prepare in advance. Don't put too much pressure on her; she's still young, and she'll have plenty of opportunities."
"Understood, understood." Lu Zheng nodded repeatedly. "We will let her treat it with a normal attitude."
Ye Ning, munching on a pigeon leg, mumbled, "President Jiang, do you think if Avatar becomes a hit, it'll spark a 3D movie craze? Shouldn't we start planning ahead—"
"Very likely," Jiang Yu nodded.
The dinner ended at 8:30.
Ye Ning insisted on paying the bill, even though Jiang Yu repeatedly said it should be his turn.
As the three of them took the elevator downstairs, Ye Ning was still saying, "President Jiang, I'll have my team send you all the detailed information about the office building tomorrow! Including the architectural drawings, property documents, and surrounding area plans—I'll send it all to you!"
"Okay, thank you for your hard work."
When they arrived at the parking lot, Ye Ning's driver was already waiting at the entrance in his Mercedes-Benz S600.
Lu Zheng drives his own Audi A8.
"President Jiang, how are we getting back? Has the driver arrived?" Ye Ning asked.
"I'll walk back. I live near Yintai." Jiang Yu pointed to the nearby Yintai Center.
"Okay, let's stay in touch!"
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