Chapter 380 Get it out!
Planet Films
Guan Zhilin walked upstairs happily. This was the first time that Li Changhe had assigned her a task.

When I arrived at the company, the office, which was originally sparsely populated, was now crowded.

Shi Nansheng is indeed very capable. Within a few days of joining the company, he had arranged everything for each department.

"Well, Gigi, you're here!"

When she entered the office, some acquaintances greeted her enthusiastically.

After all, everyone in the company basically knows privately that this female star in the company has a close relationship with the big boss.

Rosamund Kwan nodded calmly.

After entering the entertainment industry, she changed her Chinese name to Rosamund Kwan.
However, this name is a bit long and inconvenient to call. Later, Wang Jing found it troublesome and started calling her KK. However, Fatty Wang has an accent, after all, he grew up in Hong Kong Island.

In fact, many people in Hong Kong have this problem, and their pronunciation is not correct. Later, it became Gigi, and Rosamund Kwan didn’t care.

"Alan, where is Director Wang?"

After walking in, Guan Zhilin stopped an employee from the screenwriter team and asked him.

"Director Wang and Manager Shi are having a meeting in Mr. Shi's office."

Alan said hurriedly.

Guan Zhilin nodded, then came to Shi Nansheng's office and knocked gently on the door.

During the past few days at Jardine Matheson, she has learned a lot about workplace etiquette, among other things.

"Enter!"

Shi Nansheng's cold and solemn voice came from the room, and Guan Zhilin gently pushed open the door.

In the office, Nansun Shi, Wang Jing, Tsui Hark, Cheng Xiaodong, Qian Jialiang and others were discussing the next play.

Currently, the screenwriter team has discussed a new script and is preparing for the next step of filming.

The tentative director is Tsui Hark. After all, he has just arrived and he needs to give face to Nansun Shi.

What Tsui Hark selected from the script library was the script of "Best Partner 1".

However, this script is different from the historical "Best Partner". This is just a script that Li Changhe gave directions to Wang Jing, and Wang Jing and the screenwriter team worked together to create.

This is a series of treasure-stealing films in Li Changhe's urban movies, starting with Best Partner and then expanding into an urban series with various thieves like Gemini Thieves, The Twelve Zodiac Signs, and Amazing Magic Group.

Tsui Hark looked through the script library and fell in love with this one at first sight and decided to make this movie.

And now a group of people are discussing the design and investment of the entire play.

Wang Jing's two million investment was promised to him by Li Changhe, so it was approved very quickly.

But now, the film company decides on the shooting, and the cost and so on must be evaluated by the company. Even if Shi Nansheng is the vice president of the company, he cannot make the final decision alone.

Several people were having a serious discussion about the crew's props and location ideas, when there was a knock on the office door and Rosamund Kwan walked in.

"Hmm? Gigi, what brings you here?"

Wang Jing asked with a smile at this time. In the entire office, he was the most familiar with Guan Zhilin, so he took the initiative to speak.

As for the others, they looked at this cold and aloof girl with curiosity.

Yes, to Cheng Xiaodong and the others, Guan Zhilin is still quite aloof.

On the set, she hardly spoke to anyone. Some staff members couldn't even say a word to her during the entire shoot.

Most people think that she is in a high position because of her relationship with the big boss.

"Mr. Bao asked me to come to you and invite you to have dinner with Mr. Shi and the company's leaders tonight."

Guan Zhilin said softly at this time.

"Mr. Bao, please treat me to a meal?"

Everyone present was slightly stunned. Some people had never seen Bao Zeyang before.

"Is our cinema ready?"

"The boss bought the cinema chain?"

Wang Jing asked happily at this time.

He remembered that Li Changhe had told him that he would meet Shi Nansheng and the others again after he had settled the issue with the theater chain.

Now that Li Changhe has taken the initiative to invite them to dinner, doesn’t that mean that he has already secured the cinema chain?
After hearing Wang Jing's words, everyone else looked at Guan Zhilin.

If Planet Cinema really has its own cinema chain, that would be great for them.

Because theaters have a huge demand for movies, they need to maintain a sufficient supply of movies.

This also means that the number of films that Planet Films will shoot in the future will increase significantly.

For example, Shaw Brothers Films supplies Shaw Cinemas and produces forty to fifty films every year. That means at least three films are being shot simultaneously every month.

Planet Cinema does not require as many films as Shaw Brothers films, but if it has its own cinema chain, with ten to twenty films a year, there will be many opportunities if spread out every month.

That means at least one is opened every month.

Starting work means opportunities for directors and salaries and bonuses for staff.

So at this moment, a group of people were staring at Guan Zhilin, hoping to hear good news from her.

Seeing this, Rosamund Kwan smiled.

Catherine told her that sometimes you have to understand the underlying purpose of your boss assigning you to do this job.

Along the way, Guan Zhilin thought seriously. Li Changhe arranged for her to inform Wang Jing and others instead of calling, perhaps just to let Wang Jing and others know in advance.

"That's right, the boss has already reached an agreement with Shaw Brothers Films. From now on, Shaw Cinemas will be our company's own cinema chain."

At this time, Guan Zhilin smiled and said the words that everyone had been waiting for for a long time.

"Did the boss really buy the Shaw Cinema Line? Did Uncle Six really sell it?"

After listening to this, Wang Jing was not happy but a little bit unbelievable.

You have to know that he is very clear about the importance of Shaw Cinemas to Shaw Brothers Films. After all, his father Wang Tianlin came from Shaw Brothers Films and then went to TVB.

Because Shaw Brothers Films was developed based on Shaw Brothers Cinemas. First there was Shaw Brothers Cinemas, and then there was Shaw Brothers Films.

It was because Run Run Shaw's second brother was too inefficient in producing movies in Hong Kong Island that Run Run Shaw returned to Hong Kong Island from Singapore to seize power and took away his second brother's power to produce movies, which led to a feud between the brothers. Finally, Run Run Shaw and his third brother Run Mei Shaw established Shaw Brothers Films.

So, when Li Changhe was able to acquire Shaw Cinemas from Shaw Brothers Films, Wang Jingdi's feeling was not surprise but disbelief.

"I don't know the details, but Mr. Shao Weiming, the head of the company's cinema chain, will be there tonight."

At this time, Guan Zhilin revealed some information to Wang Jing.

"Brother Weiming?"

Wang Jing was a little surprised when he heard the name.

"Miss Guan, are you talking about Mr. Shao Yifu's eldest son, Mr. Shao Weiming?"

Shi Nansheng asked in shock at this moment.

She worked at Rediffusion and was familiar with Shao Weiming's reputation.

"Yes, Mr. Shao has also joined the boss and is now the head of the company's cinema line."

Guan Zhilin nodded and said.

Evening, Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

The group came to the room that Li Changhe had booked long ago, and waited quietly.

After about ten minutes, the door of the room was pushed open again, and Li Changhe and Shao Weiming walked in slowly.

"Mr. Bao"

Seeing this, Wang Jing immediately stood up and greeted Li Changhe respectfully.

Seeing this, the others also stood up.

"Hello Mr. Bao"

Li Changhe sat in the main seat with a smile, and Shao Weiming sat next to him.

When everyone saw this, their eyes narrowed slightly.

Judging from the seating arrangement, Mr. Shao's position is probably much higher than they imagined.

"Everyone take a seat, you're welcome"

Li Changhe waved his hand, signaling everyone to sit down.

After everyone sat down, he continued with a smile: "I called everyone here today for one reason, to get to know everyone."

"From now on, you will all be the backbone of Planet Films. The development of the company will depend on your concerted cooperation."

"Another thing, let me introduce someone to you."

"It's Mr. Shao Weiming on my left."

Shao Weiming stood up at this time and nodded to everyone.

"Mr. Shao Weiming is Mr. Shao Yifu's eldest son, but from now on, he is the head of Shaw Cinemas. I now own 60% of the shares of Shaw Cinemas, so from now on, Shaw Cinemas will be the theater for the release of our planet's movies."

"Boss Shi, when the company's movies are released in the future, you can just contact Boss Shao!"

At this time, Li Changhe looked at Shi Nansheng on the right and said with a smile.

Shi Nansheng immediately nodded respectfully: "I understand, Mr. Bao."

Not only did he become a major shareholder of Shaw Cinemas, he also poached Shaw Yi-fu's eldest son to be the cinema manager. This kind of power also made Shi Nansheng fully realize the status of "Bao Zeyang".

She originally thought that her coming to Planet Cinema was a timely help, but now it seems that her coming is just icing on the cake. "Today we mainly have two things to do. First, to get acquainted with everyone, and second, to solve the problem that everyone is most concerned about, our theatrical release."

"Then everyone will eat and drink as much as they want. After eating and drinking, we can talk about the company's development issues."

Li Changhe then spoke gently, and then the waiters began to serve the dishes.

To be honest, Li Changhe himself did not expect that Shao Weiming would be so bold as to directly sell 60% of Shaw Cinemas' shares to him.

Of course, it’s just Shaw Cinemas, not Shaw Brothers Films.

Because Shaw Brothers is a listed company, its share conversion is very troublesome, and now Run Run Shaw has also separated the Clearwater Bay Studios from Shaw Brothers.

Li Changhe had even less interest in Shaw Brothers Films. He just needed a cinema chain.

After eating and drinking, Li Changhe invited Wang Jing, Shi Nansheng, Shao Weiming and the other three to come to the tea room.

"Mr. Shi, first of all, welcome to our company. I have heard a lot about you."

After sitting down, Li Changhe smiled and said to Shi Nansheng.

He had indeed heard of Shi Nansheng's great reputation for a long time, but that was in his previous life.

"No, it's Nansheng's honor to join Mr. Bao's team."

Shi Nansheng was somewhat flattered when she saw this. With her fame, she might have some reputation in the lower-level entertainment circle, but for someone like Mr. Bao, it was too fake.

Shi Nansheng knew very well that the other party was just making an excuse in the business world.

Li Changhe smiled and nodded.

Then he looked at the three people. The three people sitting here actually represented the three pillars of the company: management, production, and distribution!
Nanshen Shi represented the management level, Wang Jing represented the production level, and Shao Weiming represented the distribution level.

"Three of you, let's talk freely next. If you have any ideas about the development of the company, just tell me."

"As for me, I'm rarely in the company, so I'll do my best to help you solve any problems that need to be solved first."

Li Changhe said with a smile.

The three of them thought about it for a while, and Wang Jing spoke first.

"Boss, I think there is a problem that we need to solve."

Li Changhe looked at him, and Wang Jing said thoughtfully: "Boss, should we find a club to sponsor us?"

"Paying protection money to the society?"

Li Changhe looked at Wang Jing and asked with a smile.

Wang Jing smiled bitterly and said, "Boss, you don't need to consider these things at your level, but when the company grows bigger, the crew will definitely be harassed by these scumbags when filming."

"Some small societies are formed today and dissolved tomorrow. They don't care which company they belong to. They just want to cause trouble for you and get money."

"In this situation, if we don't have our own manpower, it will be very troublesome."

Wang Jing spoke seriously to Li Changhe at this time.

Li Changhe smiled and said, "I know. I have considered this. Later, I will set up a security company here. At that time, the crew can entrust the security company to solve these problems."

"Security company?"

"Okay!"

Wang Jing felt helpless. He thought that the security company might not be able to scare those gangs.

Li Changhe smiled but said nothing.

His security company is different from the security company that Wang Jing and others understand.

"Boss, I have another question. I need to consult you."

At this time, Shi Nansheng on the side spoke up.

"Well, tell me!"

"I looked at the company's previous operations. Our company also has cooperation with the mainland, right?"

The co-production of "The Shepherd" came from Planet Films, so it's not surprising that Nansun Shi knew about it.

"Yes, what's wrong?"

Li Changhe nodded without avoiding the question.

"Boss, are we going to cooperate with mainland film companies like the leftists in the future?"

"If that's the case, the Freedom Federation will be in trouble!"

"It will be difficult for our films to enter the Taiwan market in the future."

Shi Nansheng said seriously at this moment.

Wang Jing and Shao Weiming also frowned when they heard this.

"Is this Freedom Association so intimidating?"

Li Changhe frowned and asked at this time.

"Boss, the main reason is that Taiwan is currently the largest external film market in Hong Kong Island."

Shao Weiming, who was standing aside, took the initiative to speak at this time.

"In fact, in the early years, that place was not important. Shaw Brothers' films could be distributed to Southeast Asia, and the Southeast Asian market was our largest external market."

"But starting from the past few years, this situation has changed."

"Starting around 75, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand all started to implement local film protection systems."

"In the past, Indonesia could import more than 700 films a year, but now it imports less than 100 a year. Most of the lost quotas belong to us in Hong Kong Island."

"Malaysia is the same. They are suppressing the Chinese, and Chinese-language films are being heavily suppressed, with bans being issued at any time."

"Although Singapore is a Chinese area, their government has set up a film department to encourage local film production and export. Our films need to pay import taxes when they arrive there. The Singapore government has raised the tax rate a lot and set a profit standard line. Forty percent of the profits above the standard line must be paid to their government."

"This has also caused our overseas box office profits to drop significantly. Previously, the main profits of Shaw Brothers films came from Southeast Asia, but now these revenues are declining year by year and are getting less and less."

"As a result, the market on the island has become particularly important. They don't have a strict tax system or local protection. The only obstacle is the Freedom Association."

"The Freedom Federation is their censorship agent in Hong Kong Island. All films going there must be censored by the Freedom Federation before they can be released there."

"The censorship of the Freedom Association is mainly aimed at the ideology of the film and the situation in mainland China."

Shao Weiming now explained the situation in detail to Li Changhe.

It is precisely because of the decline of the Southeast Asian market that the Freedom Federation has become increasingly powerful.

"Then how did Jiahe get through to that end?"

Li Changhe asked curiously at this time.

Li Changhe was somewhat puzzled as Golden Harvest was able to share the market with Shaw Brothers in just a few years and was also able to distribute its films in Southeast Asia.

If this argument is true, the Southeast Asian market is declining and Golden Harvest should not expand.

"Golden Harvest actually has no overseas distribution network. Its distribution network is the distribution network of Dianmao Cinemas."

"After the boss of Dianmao Cinemas died in a plane crash, Shaw Brothers was putting pressure on them. It just so happened that Raymond Chow left Shaw Brothers and founded Golden Harvest."

"The two parties hit it off immediately. Golden Harvest was responsible for production and Dianmao was responsible for distribution. This opened up Golden Harvest's distribution network in Southeast Asia and overseas."

Shao Weiming is very familiar with these.

After listening to this, Li Changhe nodded. So that's it.

Dianmao Cinemas is a film giant in Singapore. It used to compete fiercely with Shaw Brothers and had the upper hand for a time. However, its founder died in a plane crash, which allowed Shaw Brothers to make a comeback.

I never thought that the other party was cooperating with Golden Harvest. No wonder Golden Harvest rose so quickly.

"Actually, this problem is easy to solve. I checked and neither the director nor the actors are from our company."

"As long as we write a letter of guarantee and express our attitude to the Freedom Association, this matter can be resolved."

Shi Nansheng spoke to Li Changhe in a serious tone at this moment.

Li Changhe smiled when he heard this and said, "Write a letter of guarantee?"

"These things are no longer allowed to appear in our company. Get out of here!"

"Don't bother with these guys at Planet Cinema from now on."

"I can tell you that I will not only co-produce this film with the mainland, but will also co-produce many more films in the future. In the future, I will invest 200 million US dollars to build a large-scale film and television base in the mainland."

"So, no one from Planet Company needs to bother with this so-called Freedom Association from now on."

"Whatever, it's all out in the open anyway. I remember that the Left also has a cinema chain in Hong Kong Island, right?"

"Yes, the Shuangnan Cinema Line!"

Shi Nansheng said in fear at this moment.

Why do I feel like this Mr. Bao doesn't take the Freedom Association seriously at all?

"Nansheng, when the time comes, you can contact them and tell them that we want to show our movie in their theaters and see their attitude."

“Try to cooperate with them as much as possible.”

"Now that you have made the choice, there is no need to hide it. Just develop it openly and honestly."

"It's just a small island market, it doesn't matter."

"Since the Southeast Asian market is not working, then next we will focus on the US market!"

Li Changhe said confidently at this time.

　I wish you all a happy National Day and a long and prosperous future!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)