Chapter 95

"Hey, is this Chen Nana? This is Li Li from Mengren Film and Television. I'm here to inform you... it's not an advertisement audition, it's a movie! The company is preparing to shoot a movie, and all the roles will be selected from the members. You need to prepare well and seize this opportunity."

"Wang Bin, this is Zhang Jing from Mengren Film and Television. I have some good news for you... the company plans to produce its own movie. Your image is good, and I think you can strive for the lead role. Good luck!"

"Is this Feng Shangkui? This is Mengren Film and Television..."

"Xiaochong, it's me, A Zuo. What have you been up to lately... I'm now a makeup artist at Mengren Film and Television... haven't heard of it? Have you seen the Dove ad? Have you heard of Ice Valley Orchard? They were all shot by us... Our company is preparing to shoot a movie and needs a makeup artist... I've given you the opportunity, whether you cherish it or not is up to you..."

At this moment, the morale at Mengren Film and Television was unprecedentedly high. All employees were working energetically, striving for the company's upcoming movie production.

What if Qiantian Group boycotts us?

Put aside your worries and move forward bravely. I believe that reaching out, we can touch the sky!

Li Xue announced Mengren's decision to shoot a movie in the member group and posted the photo and personal information of the company's second signed artist, Huang Bo. The member group was in an uproar.

"This photo, it's blinding my titanium alloy dog eyes!"

"I feel terrible."

"Xue, who decided this? What kind of eyesight is this!"

"Xue, tell him to keep taking his medicine!"

"Heaven envies talent. If he can sign, why can't the company sign me?"

"I heard it was President Mai who made the decision."

"Is President Mai under some kind of stress?"

"Don't say that. I think President Mai has a good eye. He signed Huang Bo, and now I feel full of sunshine..."

"Fat girl, wake up. You haven't even participated in an advertisement audition."

"So what? Huang Bo hasn't either, but he still signed and became the lead. Xue, could the next one be me?"

Faced with the members' comments, Li Xue was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

There were over a dozen people in the company, from Zhang Xiaoquan down to Li Xue, and none of them could understand why Mai Xiaoyu had signed Huang Bo and made him the lead actor in the movie.

However, President Mai's decisions have always been correct!

In the general manager's office.

Huang Bo was also reading the comments in the group, saying indifferently, "They are typical of envy, jealousy, and hatred. No, I have to refute them; I can't let them trash me."

"Forget it," Mai Xiaoyu slapped Huang Bo's hand, "Do you want to make it even more chaotic?"

"Then let them continue to envy, jealousy, and hate!" Huang Bo smiled, then suddenly became serious, "President Mai, tell me the truth, why did you sign me and make me the lead actor?"

Not only the employees couldn't understand, but Huang Bo himself couldn't figure it out.

Since signing the contract yesterday afternoon, he had been harboring this doubt.

Today, when he came to the company, Mai Xiaoyu had even arranged three songs for the movie, all created by the lyricist and composer of "Ten Years," Xiaoyu. He clearly felt Mai Xiaoyu's determination to shoot the movie.

However, the doubt became even stronger.

Huang Bo had self-awareness.

In today's TV dramas and movies, the lead roles are usually played by handsome men and beautiful women, which has become a standard.

Mengren Film and Television, facing a boycott by Qiantian, with its advertising business completely paralyzed, needed a movie to break the boycott and carve out a new path in the entertainment industry.

Making me the lead actor in such an important movie, isn't it too... frivolous?

"First, the selling point of this movie is not the face. The songs are one of the selling points, and you sing well, meeting the requirements; second, although you are not a professional, you have a lot of experience and rich life experiences, which are valuable assets; third, you are smart."

When it came to "smart," the two of them exchanged a knowing smile.

Huang Bo flattered, "Who could be as smart as President Mai. Last night, you anticipated that the company's morale would be low, so you specially found the inspiring song 'I Believe.' You also worried that I would have trouble fitting in, so you made me lead the singing, right?"

"But you felt that I should lead the singing, so you used the excuse that you were not familiar with the lyrics and music?"

"Ha ha ha!"

Talking with smart people is pleasant. With just a few words, the two of them, who admired each other, quickly became closer.

Huang Bo added, "Actually, Manager Deng is also good. I didn't even think of opening the door."

Not only good, but too good. I can't bear to let him go.

Mai Xiaoyu smiled, "Don't spread the songs. Go home and practice singing, and work on your acting skills."

"President Mai, rest assured. Singing is my only strength. Since you trust me so much, I definitely won't let you down. As for acting... when Yanying University opens, I plan to sneak in and attend classes. By the way, President Mai, can I see the script?"

"I have a friend writing the script. Focus on practicing your singing these few days. When the script is ready, I'll contact you. If you don't sing well, I'll change the lead actor."

"President Mai, you'll see!"

Huang Bo left the company, and Mai Xiaoyu closed the door, looking at Zhang Xiaoquan beside him and sighing, "Brother Cha, your mind is in chaos."

If it comes to cooperation, the默契 between Mengren and B3 is the real deal. But today, the ones cooperating with Mai Xiaoyu were Huang Bo and Deng Chao, not Zhang Xiaoquan, because his mind was in chaos.

Since the meeting, everyone in the company was energized and working hard, except for Zhang Xiaoquan, who remained unchanged, sitting silently in Mai Xiaoyu's office.

"Xiaoyu, do you think it's too simple?" Zhang Xiaoquan said.

In the entire company, except for Zhang Xiaoquan, no one had experienced movie production, let alone been part of a film crew, and they had no idea how difficult and challenging it was.

In the era before video websites, mini-series and micro-movies lacked a fertile ground for growth. Producing a movie was a major project. From selecting the script to raising funds, from forming the crew to auditioning actors, from the start of filming to post-production, every step was not easy.

Even if the filming went smoothly and the post-production was completed, there were even more difficult challenges ahead—promotion and distribution.

China is a major copyright country with a developed cultural industry. Every year, hundreds of movies are produced, but only about one-third make it to the big screen. And of these, not all are profitable; two out of ten make money, one breaks even, and seven lose money.

Yes, just like the stock market.

Zhang Xiaoquan had been in the entertainment industry for many years, working as a photography assistant for eight years and following many film crews. He had seen many movies that... had no future after being completed.

Some movies, due to limited investment, had no money for promotion and distribution after being completed; some movies couldn't even find the funds for post-production—investors, after seeing the rough cut, decided it wouldn't make money and cut their losses, leaving the project stillborn.

Can you find a way for the promotion and distribution of the movie?

Even if you find a way, there's a bigger challenge ahead—do you have the confidence to secure a good slot in the theaters?

The older you are in the industry, the more cautious you become.

It's not that Zhang Xiaoquan is letting you down, but the more he knows, the more he understands the challenges.

"Mai, this is different from herding lambs; it's not that easy."