Chapter 35 Participation in Investment
"Director Gu, although Tangren Film and Television has been deeply involved in the TV drama sector, its ultimate goal is still to enter the film industry. No film and television company will reject the big screen."

Hearing Cai Yinong's words, Gu Wei nodded without comment.

Seeing Gu Wei’s expression, Cai Yinong continued: “After hearing the news that Director Gu has returned to China, Tangren came to visit you today, hoping to work with you…”

"Wait, Mr. Cai, I think you may have forgotten one thing. Currently in China, I am banned from directing, and I will not be shooting or participating in the production of films in China in the next few years," Gu Wei interrupted Cai Yinong directly.

"If Tangren considers investing in movies, it can choose other domestic film and television companies and directors."

Gu Wei added.

"Director Gu, you're joking. You're a great director who won the Golden Bear Award, and now you've successfully entered Hollywood..."

Cai Yinong talked freely in the conference room.

Gu Wei's guess was correct. On the surface, Tangren came to discuss film cooperation, but in fact, they were interested in the game adaptation rights acquired by Xingchen Film and Television.

"The Legend of Sword and Fairy" is a domestically produced stand-alone Chinese role-playing game produced by Softstar Entertainment (Taiwan). It is also the first work in this series, with the theme of "destiny".

Released in July 1995, the game won the CEM STAR "Best Role-Playing Game Award" and the KING TITLE "Game Gold Bag Award" that year.

After entering the domestic market, it received a lot of praise. According to statistics, the cumulative sales of various versions of the first generation of "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" exceeded one million, which can be said to be a miracle among the older generation of domestic games. This also earned it the title of "Three Domestic Swords" along with "Xuan-Yuan Sword" under Soft Art and "Swordsman Romance" under Seasun Entertainment.

After learning about Tang Ren's purpose, Gu Wei did not refuse directly, but began to think about it.

Tangren Film and Television is indeed unique in the domestic TV drama industry. From "The Twins" released in 98, to "Legend of the Mermaid" and "The Heroines of the Yang Family" in the past two years, as well as the later "Legend of Sword and Fairy" series, we can see Tangren's ability in TV drama adaptation and production.

Corresponding to this is Zhouyi Film and Television, which started with "The Love of Qinghe" in 00 and contributed many excellent TV series in the following ten years. They can be said to be unforgettable memories for many people born in the s and s.

Gu Wei cannot shoot movies in China now, and has no plans to produce TV series. It would be a good idea to cooperate with Tangren. Instead of holding on to the copyright, it would be better to hand it over to Tangren to shoot it, and Xingchen Film and Television can also participate in the production.

The male and female protagonists of this TV series were also two artists that Gu Wei liked very much in his previous life.

Gu Wei remained calm on the surface and said calmly: "The adaptation rights of this game are indeed in the hands of Xingchen Films, and the company also plans to adapt it into a TV script and produce it."

Hearing Gu Wei's words, Cai Yinong frowned slightly.

"Director Gu, as far as I know, Xingchen Film and Television has never been involved in television production."

"Mr. Cai, Xingchen Film and Television has no shortage of funds. I also know many directors in the industry who shoot TV dramas. Mr. Cai should understand this."

After Gu Wei finished speaking, he paused and looked at Cai Yinong's reaction.

When Cai Yinong heard his words, he nodded slightly.

Indeed, Xingchen Film and Television has never produced a TV series, and the company is not very large in the industry. However, with Gu Wei in charge, there will definitely be no problems with funding and filming personnel.

Once Gu Wei makes the announcement, there will definitely be many directors and film and television companies willing to participate in the film and television production of Xingchen Film and Television. Even if they don't make money, as long as they can make friends with Gu Wei, many people will be willing to do so.

For half of the morning, Gu Wei, Cai Yinong and his team had been discussing this matter at Xingchen Film and Television, and finally, they reached a cooperation agreement.

The two companies jointly participated in the production of the TV series. Xingchen Film and Television provided the copyright and part of the funds, and the specific script adaptation and filming were handed over to Tangren Film and Television. As for the casting, the two companies participated together, and the investment ratio was split 50-50. The same applies to the copyright of the TV series.

At noon, Gu Wei brought Wang Chen and others to a banquet at a hotel near the company for Cai Yinong and others. Both the guests and the hosts enjoyed the meal very much.

At the dinner, Tangren Film and Television hoped to use Gu Wei's name during the filming of the TV series to better promote the TV series. Gu Wei agreed immediately. Since the beginning of cooperation with Tangren, Gu Wei knew that this result would occur, and he did not take this little matter to heart.

The next morning, Cai Yinong brought his lawyer to Xingchen Film and Television again, and the two signed a contract. According to the contract, the TV series will be launched in February next year.

This time was also set by Gu Wei. According to the calculation, after the filming of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" is completed, Liu Yifei will be able to join the crew directly. Of course, Gu Wei did not directly say who will be the heroine, and this aspect still needs to be discussed with Tangren.

In the original time and space, the filming of "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" took half a year. Now with the participation of Xingchen Film and Television, Gu Wei will also let Wang Chen participate in it to speed up the filming process. Hopefully, it will not delay the selection of actors for "The Return of the Condor Heroes" in the second half of next year.

The news spread quickly in the circle, and that afternoon, many people learned that Xingchen Film and Television and Tangren had reached a cooperation.

For a time, celebrities in the circle were all asking about the content of the cooperation. China Film, Guangguang and Huayi also called Gu Wei as soon as possible to inquire about the news.

Gu Wei did not hide anything and told them about the cooperation on the TV series. After hearing that it was just a TV series, the companies did not mention the cooperation either.

Huayi did ask about the casting, but Gu Wei made an excuse to get away with it.

After Gu Wei hung up the call from Huayi, he picked up his phone and called Han Sanping again. This TV series was not broadcast in China immediately in its original time and space, and it was said that there were many twists and turns in the middle.

After the call was connected, Gu Wei talked about this with Han Sanping, hoping that the TV series could be broadcast in the country as soon as it was completed. Han Sanping also promised to help then. Hearing this, Gu Wei felt relieved.

At the end of August, "A True Story" was released in major theaters across the country.

According to the feedback from the cinema, the attendance rate on the first day was quite high, and many people were looking forward to this movie. When the Hollywood box office exceeded 100 million, it caused a sensation in China. After the first day of screening, the film's reviews and reputation also appeared on the Internet.

Most of the audience thought the movie was good and it received good reviews online. The box office revenue exceeded 10 million on the first day and many netizens discussed the movie online.

"The plot is good, with constant twists and turns, and the script is very creative. It is worthy of being a movie directed by Gu."

"A typical domestic ending, I heard it is different from the foreign version."

"The ending of the foreign version is more exciting. After this change, it loses some suspense."

"How was the movie? I haven't seen it yet. After hearing what you said, I'm a little hesitant."

In other words, quite a number of people have already watched it online. Unlike previous Hollywood blockbusters, this movie has almost no special effects and mainly relies on the plot to attract the audience. After seeing the comments from netizens, many people are a little hesitant about whether to go to the cinema to watch it.

Gu Wei was in the company, looking at the comments from online audiences, feeling a little helpless. This was something he had not expected. There was nothing he could do about the different versions of the ending. If he wanted the film to pass review and be released domestically, he could only follow this.

Next time, I’ll bring you the entire sci-fi blockbuster to satisfy the domestic audience, Gu Wei thought silently as he read the comments online.

In early September, all major universities started the new semester and a new round of enrollment season began. Countless students and parents who had just finished the college entrance examination flocked to the capital.

Like other universities, Beijing Film Academy started a two-week military training on the 3rd.

Gu Wei stood at the gate of Beijing Film Academy, looking at the banner welcoming new students, feeling a little emotional. Starting this semester, Gu Wei would be a junior, but the total time he had spent in school was less than one semester. He shook his head and walked into the campus.

The freshmen were all undergoing military training on the playground, and some students studying acting made excuses for not participating. There were special circumstances everywhere, and it was not his business.

Gu Wei greeted a few familiar teachers and students on the way, and then went straight to the directing department office.

"Director, you are busy."

Gu Wei saw the director of the directing department in his office and went straight in to say hello.

"Oh, the great director is back. He looks different after this trip. He seems more mature, which is rare."

Xie Xiaojing, director of the directing department, teased him.

"It's been a while since I came back, but I saw that the school was on vacation, so I didn't come here. Now, I come to see you, the director, as soon as school starts."

Gu Wei felt a little embarrassed and touched his chin.

The director didn't continue teasing him, and the two of them started chatting in the office.

After a while, other teachers saw Gu Wei in the office and greeted him.

"Things are going well there. The first movie grossed over 100 million yuan. I saw the movie, it was well made and the script was good too."

The director started praising Gu Wei after just a few words.

"At the freshman orientation ceremony two days ago, the dean praised you by name and called on other students to learn from you."

Xie Xiaojing continued.

Hearing this, Gu Wei also smiled. He had to admit that the people at Beijing Film Academy, especially the dean and others, really loved him deeply.

"What are your plans next?"

"After the movie is released, I will go to Hollywood to work on my next movie. The company there is also waiting for my reply."

Gu Wei said.

The director nodded and said, "That's right, young people should focus on developing their careers. What type of movie are you going to make next? A commercial film?"

"The details haven't been decided yet, but it will most likely be an art film, preparing to compete for awards. Officials from the Berlin Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival have also sent me several emails, hoping that I will continue to participate with my work."

Gu Wei expressed his thoughts, and the director nodded slowly.

"If you have an idea, work hard at it. When you win a big award again, I will give suggestions to the school and put up a banner for you, haha."

When Gu Wei heard this, he also smiled, but did not take it seriously. The movie has not been filmed yet, and whether it can win the award depends on the judges. It is a bit early to say this now.

The director brought up another thing. After his junior year, Gu Wei would face the issue of graduation, and his graduation work could be put on the agenda. He was different from other students in the directing department, and the school attached great importance to Gu Wei's graduation work.

Gu Wei also said that it was no problem and he would prepare in advance and produce good works.

(End of this chapter)