Chapter 430: Choose One of Three Scripts
Star Film and Television Company.

Gu Wei had just finished casting when he received a call from Han Sanping, who told him to be prepared because the Film Bureau would send out meeting invitations to major film and television companies in the industry in the next two days.

"Why are you in such a hurry? I didn't hear any news beforehand."

"It was decided temporarily that the China-U.S. agreement had been signed, and the General Administration's meeting was just a heads-up.

Alas, the good days of domestic films are over.” Han Sanping said earnestly.

The two chatted for a few words, and just as they hung up the phone, the assistant knocked on the door.

As expected by Han Sanping, the General Administration sent someone to give a time for the meeting two days later.

"Got it. Tell the other party that I will be there on time."

"Okay, boss."

After the assistant left, Gu Wei picked up his phone and called Zhang Yimou.

In the original time and space, after the two Zhangs broke up, Zhang Weiping first spread rumors and exposed the affairs between Zhang Yimou and each of Zhang Yimou's actresses.

Later, he reported Zhang Yimou for having more children than allowed for the birth permit. His purpose was self-evident: he wanted to kill Zhang Yimou with one blow.

Now, thanks to Gu Wei's intervention, none of these things happened.

But according to recent reports in the circle, Zhang Weiping was badly targeted by Bona's Yu Dong and Huayi Brothers, and he almost couldn't survive in the circle.

In the past two days, Gu Wei has been thinking that if Zhang Weiping is really desperate, he might continue to bring up these things. In this case, he should take the initiative and give Zhang Yimou a golden body in advance, just in case.

If a director wants to gild his reputation, the best way is to make movies, either high-grossing commercial films or award-winning art films.

Looking at the script on the table, Gu Wei and Zhang Yimou started chatting.

On the other side, after receiving Gu Wei's call, Zhang Yimou put down what he was doing and went directly to the office of the chairman of Xingchen Film and Television Company.

As soon as they met, Zhang Yimou, a senior director, noticed three documents on the table.

"Brother, choose one."

Gu Wei spoke directly and handed over the document.

"Are these all scripts?" Zhang Yimou asked with some confusion.

"Well, this is the surprise I told my senior about. No matter which one you like, the company can directly invest in the full amount and start the project right away." Gu Wei didn't waste any words.

Hearing this, Zhang Yimou was somewhat touched, but adults always control their emotions very well. He did not show it on his face, but took the document solemnly.

As a well-known director and screenwriter in the circle, Zhang Yimou attached great importance to the scripts provided by Gu Wei, but he received three copies at the same time and could not finish reading them in a short time.

"Brother, you can take it back and choose it slowly, but remember to keep it confidential."

...

March 3th, early in the morning.

Gu Wei, Wuershan, Lu Yang and others set off for the General Administration. The meeting was at 9 o'clock, and the other party reminded them not to be late, which shows the importance of the meeting.

After that, many film and television company bosses and directors realized that this was indeed a big deal when they saw the situation.

Because those present were all from film companies, directors, producers, and some theater chains, and some had rushed back from other places.

Han Sanping, Ren Zhonglun, and several state-owned enterprise CEOs from Xiying and Ningying seemed a little out of spirits and looked a little tired.

"What's going on?"

Ning Hao rushed over and when he saw the situation, he immediately found Gu Wei and asked.

"You really don't care about what's happening outside. Do you still need to guess? It must be about the movie." Gu Wei was too lazy to complain about him.

"Sino-US Agreement?" Ning Hao suddenly understood.

Feng Xiaogang, who was not far away, had been yawning since he got off the car. It seemed that he had also rushed back overnight.

In the distance, Lu Chuan was chatting and laughing with some old guys in the system.

Seeing that the time was almost up, Zhang Yimou hurried over.

As soon as they got off the car, Wuershan and Lu Yang noticed that each other had serious dark circles under their eyes, as if they had not slept all night.

"Director Zhang, are you okay?" Lu Yang asked with concern.

"It's okay, I just stayed up all night." Zhang Yimou waved his hand and looked straight at Gu Wei.

"Brother, although the script is interesting, you should also take care of your health." Gu Wei said, looking at Zhang Yimou's appearance.

"I'm old. When I was filming, I could go without sleep for two days and two nights and it was fine. But now I can't do that anymore, haha."

"Script? What script?" Ning Hao asked curiously after hearing Gu Wei's words.

"Director Ning, why do I suddenly find you a little free? The promotion of "The Heist" can start now. Song Ge complained to me that you haven't been seen for a few days. What's wrong? Have you been having an affair?"

Seeing Ning Hao's gossiping look, Gu Wei retorted to him in an unpleasant tone.

“I know, I know.

I don't know if your sister-in-law has entered menopause early. I've been very upset during this period. Don't worry about the movie. I won't forget it."

Seeing that Gu Wei didn't say anything and even argued with him, Ning Hao waved his hand impatiently.

"Haha, Director Ning, a man can't just say no. Be alert and don't lose face." Lu Yang on the side smiled and said with excitement.

Then they chatted and talked nonsense for about ten minutes before entering the meeting room together.

……

In the conference room, as soon as the time came, Director Tong on the podium spoke.

"I called everyone here today because I have something important to say."

When the people below heard something important, they immediately sat up straight and listened attentively.

Gu Wei, Han Sanping and others were calm and expressionless. "Yesterday morning, we reached an agreement with the other side of the ocean on a memorandum of understanding on WTO film-related issues.

According to the agreement, starting this year, the number of Hollywood imported films to be shared will increase from 20 to 34, all of which will be IMAX and 3D films, and the share of revenue will be adjusted from 13% to 25%.

After these words were spoken, the people below became uneasy, as there had indeed been some gossip leaked before.

But before it was confirmed by the General Administration, no one took it seriously. Now that Director Tong has said it, it must be true.

There was an immediate uproar of discussion below, and it was a chaotic scene. Many film and television company bosses and directors were talking loudly about something.

“Okay, after the meeting, the General Administration will announce this matter in the form of an official document, so everyone should be prepared.

From now on, you can only rely on yourselves in the film industry, and don't dream of those messy operations. "Director Tong gave some people a heads up in advance.

As soon as he finished speaking, the noisy voice rang out again.

Sitting in their seats, Gu Wei and Han Sanping looked at each other and both felt the pressure.

Ning Hao, Chen Kaige, Feng Xiaogang, and Lu Chuan, who all have movies released this year, also looked unhappy.

“As for the release date, can we make some adjustments? There should always be a protection period for domestic films, right?” a senior director mentioned.

Instantly, everyone turned their eyes to the leaders sitting above.

"Don't even think about the release date. There will no longer be any protection period for domestic films. The signed agreement stipulates that imported films cannot be scheduled to be released in the same time period."

Director Tong's words set the tone, and upon hearing that, Han Sanping's role also became ugly.

"Hooray." The scene suddenly became like a messy vegetable market.

"Director Tong, there is no protection period. As for the scheduling of domestic films, we hope that all major theaters can treat them equally."

"That's right. We can't resist imported blockbusters while being suppressed by the cinemas."

"Child Bureau..."

Filmmakers and directors kept raising opinions and requests, and Ye Ning and others present at the scene, from being happy at first, became impatient with the noise in the end.

"Everyone, the theater chain can guarantee the screening rate, but can you guarantee the quality of your own movies?"

As soon as these words came out, the scene suddenly became much quieter.

“Everyone always complains about the unfair scheduling of cinemas, but have you ever thought that if the quality of the movie you made is good enough and the word of mouth after its release is good enough, the cinemas will leave the money unearned.

Ultimately, the source of the problem lies with you. Even if this happens again in the future, the cinema chain cannot be blamed. After all, we have to survive too.”

"That's right!"

"Mr. Ye is right."

Representatives from the cinema chains spoke out and expressed their approval.

The directors and producers on the opposite side were speechless. Many of them blushed and wanted to refute but didn't know how to start.

On the stage, Tong Gang and others also shook their heads, but did not say anything to stop them.

After a long time, Wang Zhonglei of Huayi spoke first.

"Boss Ye, according to what you said, as long as the quality of the movie is good enough, we can also enjoy the treatment of "The Flowers of War"? Can you guarantee Wanda and other theater chains?"

Wang Zhonglei kept talking about something that was irrelevant, and immediately, the smile on Zhang Yimou's face disappeared.

"Mr. Wang, let me put this here. If you can guarantee the quality, I can guarantee the screening rate. As for other theaters, I think everyone should have the same opinion."

Faced with Wang Zhonglei's strength, Ye Ning also confronted him.

"We'll listen to Mr. Ye," said the theater chain.

"Boss Ye, I hope you remember what you said today and don't deny it later."

"Okay, what are you arguing about? The wolf is here, and you are still fighting among yourselves." Seeing that Ye Ning was about to stand up to refute, Director Tong immediately spoke up and stopped both sides.

After saying that, he glanced at both parties. Being called by the leader, Wang Zhonglei and Ye Ning looked at each other angrily and stopped talking.

"Director Gu is quite familiar with Hollywood. Do you have any good ideas or suggestions?"

After seeing that everyone had quieted down, Director Tong called out Gu Wei, and for a moment everyone was looking forward to what tricks Gu Wei might come up with.

"Director Tong, you think too highly of me. They came in with knives, so how could I have any tricks?

There is no other way, we can only face it head on, the strong will survive and the weak will die, there is no way to avoid it, unless you don’t want to make movies anymore and want to change your career.”

Gu Wei spoke directly from his heart, and Lu Yang, who was standing next to him, burst out laughing when he heard it.

"I'm sorry, Director Gu is right. We can only confront it head-on. We can't really change our career and go home to sell sweet potatoes."

Looking at everyone's murderous eyes, Lu Yang said slowly.

"hehe."

"Isn't it just a head-on confrontation? Let's do it this way."

"That's right, who's afraid of who."

For a moment, other people at the scene also spoke loudly.

This is not because Gu Wei’s words served as an inspiration, but because the matter has been settled and there is no way to change it.

Besides, with so many people present, no one wanted to act cowardly and lose face.

"Okay, that's it, let's adjourn the meeting."

Tong Gang looked at everyone's expressions, nodded with satisfaction, and left the meeting room first.

……

(End of this chapter)