Chapter 3

In this timeline, because China did not experience the ten years of turmoil, its development is much faster than in the original timeline. Whether in the economy or technology, China has a significant impact on the world, only slightly behind the world's only superpower, the United States.

The improvement in living standards has naturally greatly promoted the prosperity and development of China's film and entertainment industry.

At this moment, the hands of history have moved to September 2000, with just four months left before entering the 21st century.

The Internet has been developing in China for seven or eight years. Martial arts novels are beginning to decline, and web novels are starting to rise. However, from Wang Shang's perspective, these web novels are still in a relatively early stage, lacking elements like online games, infinite sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, and primordial themes...

The film industry that Wang Shang focuses on is continuously absorbing advanced ideas from the outside, and the industry is constantly growing and developing. However, from Wang Shang's perspective, it is also in a relatively early stage, lacking 3D technology and IMAX technology...

The high-level leaders of China have keenly recognized the important position that the cultural industry will occupy in international influence. Various policies to support the domestic film industry are beginning to be continuously improved.

Copyright is strictly controlled, and the copyright awareness of the people is very strong, with piracy being severely cracked down.

This is the best of times!

A wonderful era where Wang Shang can freely gallop!

Wang Shang brought the script directly to the China Film Association. To avoid various film copyrights being stolen, all copyright holders would register their copyrights at the China Film Association.

In the strange gaze of the young certification staff, Wang Shang handed over the script.

"Are you the Wang Shang?" the staff member asked curiously.

"Yes, I am the Wang Shang!" Wang Shang answered straightforwardly. Neither party specified which Wang Shang, but both knew what the other meant.

The certification process was very fast, and Wang Shang received the certification notice the next day, confirming the uniqueness of the copyright.

With the certification notice in hand, Wang Shang immediately sent the "Empresses in the Palace" script to several large film production companies he had in mind.

The four companies were: Hanhai Film Company, Beihai Television Company, Modu Film and Television Art Production Center, and Datang International Film Production Company.

These four film companies are well-known in China, with rich film production experience and substantial financial resources, so Wang Shang chose them.

The script copies were quickly sent out, and he waited for their feedback.

At this time, the negative rumors about Wang Shang were still ongoing and even becoming more intense.

...

Datang International Film Production Company, Editing Department, Group 3.

Lin Hua is a first-level editor who has worked in this editing department for ten years, rising from a third-level editor to a first-level editor.

To分流 and screen the hundreds of scripts submitted daily, the editing department had to classify the editors responsible for reviewing scripts. Third-level editors were responsible for a full review, picking out the bad scripts and discarding them, sending the remaining good scripts to second-level editors, who then selected the best scripts to send to first-level editors. Above the first-level editors was the chief editor, responsible for making the final decision.

Lin Hua had just started work and saw over ten scripts on his desk.

Without rushing, he poured a cup of water, sat in his chair to rest for a moment, and then began his work.

The first script was about the various difficulties faced by the post-80s generation in buying houses. The plot was stiff and lacked any highlights, so he passed it.

The second script was about the love affairs of older men and women. The plot was exaggerated, and the traditionally minded Lin Hua was naturally dissatisfied.

The third script, as soon as Lin Hua picked it up, immediately caught his attention. The script format was something Lin Hua had never seen before, distinctly different from the prevailing format.

Lin Hua immediately became excited, sat up straight, and began to read carefully.

The script was titled "Empresses in the Palace," telling the story of the struggles of the concubines during the Qing Dynasty's Yongzheng period. The more he read, the more he was drawn into the story, savoring its profound and lasting charm.

Lin Hua was deeply captivated by the script and eagerly continued reading. By the time he finished the entire plot, two hours had passed without him noticing.

Lin Hua sighed, "Amazing! Not only is the script format very suitable for this TV series, but the content is also very exquisite and captivating."

"Screenwriter: Wang Shang. Wang Shang? I've never heard of him, he must be a newcomer."

"Truly a great talent!" Lin Hua praised, without hesitation, and enthusiastically took the script to the chief editor's office.

Two hours later, the door to the chief editor's office opened again, and Lin Hua excitedly returned to his seat, dialing the phone number left on the script.

The same scene was playing out at the other two companies, Modu Film and Beihai Television, both captivated by a Qing Dynasty drama.

At Hanhai Film Company, when Wang Shang's script reached the lowest-level reviewer, Tang Yuan, he immediately threw it into the trash can: "Wang Shang, I don't know if it's the same Wang Shang, but even if it's not, you deserve this. Why did you call yourself Wang Shang?"

Tang Yuan had just graduated from Modu Media College this year and was lucky enough to enter the editing department of Hanhai Film Company. A few days ago, he received a call from his senior at school to boycott the school's scoundrel, the shameless beast Wang Shang.

Today, he actually received a script submitted by someone named Wang Shang. He glanced at it, and the script format was incomprehensible, making him dizzy and confused. He immediately passed it.

Even if the script was good, he would still pass it just because the author's name was Wang Shang.

...

Wang Shang naturally did not know that due to his conflict with Modu Media College, Hanhai Film Company had thrown his script in the trash. However, even if he knew, he would have smiled, because now three large film companies had called him and were eager to discuss the specific details of the script transaction.

Wang Shang did not delay and immediately set a meeting time. Being too slow would make him seem too arrogant, and he still needed their help in the future. However, he also couldn't be too enthusiastic, as that would make him seem less valuable.

He knew when to be firm and when to be flexible.

Datang International was scheduled for the next morning, Beihai Television for the afternoon, and Modu Film for the morning after that.

Three days later...

After the initial negotiations, Wang Shang began to exclude Modu Film. During the talks, the other party was extremely arrogant, and the contract terms were somewhat dictatorial. Moreover, after learning that Wang Shang was the "scoundrel" Wang Shang currently being widely discussed, they became even less enthusiastic.

The gap in opinions was significant, so Wang Shang decisively stopped the negotiations and focused on talks with the other two film companies.

A day later, Wang Shang temporarily excluded Beihai Television and began formal negotiations with Datang International, which offered the best conditions.

"I will not agree to a one-time buyout. How about this, I will take 4% of the TV series' profits as my share of the script copyright."

Negotiating with Wang Shang was Lin Hua, a first-level editor at Datang International. To prevent this good script from slipping away, Lin Hua personally brought a business manager from the business department to negotiate with Wang Shang.

Because China's film industry is relatively well-developed, the status and income of screenwriters are slightly higher than in the original timeline. In the original timeline, a high-level TV series script would fetch about 15,000 yuan per episode.

Here, a mid-to-high-level script could fetch 25,000 to 30,000 yuan per episode. However, Wang Shang still insisted on a profit-sharing model, as he knew the potential of "Empresses in the Palace."

Although the profit refers to the money left after Datang International deducts the salaries of the actors, director, production team, and promotional expenses, 4% of the profit might seem small.

But Wang Shang was confident that "Empresses in the Palace" would become a hit. After selling the first broadcast rights, the rerun rights could continue to be sold. A steady stream of income is better than a one-time buyout.

"Mr. Wang, although your script is excellent, your reputation... cough, will affect the release of this TV series. I suggest we buy out the copyright as well. Datang International will offer a high price," Lin Hua continued to persuade.

"My reputation, I believe Chief Lin knows the reason behind it," Wang Shang began to reveal his plan, "I have a recording, a recording about the inside story of that incident. It can help me restore my reputation and also use it to hype up this TV series."

"Once the contract is signed, Datang International can secretly intensify the conflict, attract media attention, and then release the recording..." Wang Shang spoke calmly, his handsome face radiating confidence.

Lin Hua and the business manager were stunned, feeling a sense of admiration for Wang Shang. They were also puzzled as to why a student who had just been expelled from school could understand these matters so well and be so ruthless, not afraid of a bad reputation, and willing to place himself at the center of negative news.

Moreover, was this a plan Wang Shang had thought out long ago? If so, it was truly terrifying.

This negotiation was very successful, and both parties quickly signed the contract.

Datang International not only obtained an excellent TV series script but also gained a strategy to hype up the TV series, which would certainly attract the enthusiasm of the media, who love to exaggerate and sensationalize.

Whenever a movie or TV series starts production, various rumors and gossip spread, all for the sake of hype and promotion. Now, with an additional point of hype, Datang International was very pleased.

Hype it up! Believe that this TV series will become popular even before production begins!

Wang Shang was also very satisfied. In addition to the profit-sharing agreement, he also secured a commitment from Datang International to rent their filming equipment at a low price and to select a few actors for his short films.

The reason for borrowing equipment and actors was to shoot short films.

Wang Shang would not be satisfied with just "Empresses in the Palace," which could only demonstrate his screenwriting ability. He did not like the idea of his hard work being sold at a low price to others.

If he was going to shoot, he would do it himself, earning both fame and money.

So from the beginning, Wang Shang determined that he would shoot short films, upload them to the internet to boost his fame, and establish his reputation as a director.

When he had the opportunity, funds, and distribution channels in the future, he would start shooting full-length films.