Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 24 Film Settlement

After filming wrapped on "Caught in the Web," Fu Yibai explained the editing direction and then devoted his energy to other work.

"Knock knock knock!"

"Enter."

Wang Peng walked in carrying a folder.

"Mr. Fu, these are the behind-the-scenes stories of choosing to join Dawn."

Chenxi Media is currently expanding rapidly, and Fu Yibai needs a production team that belongs to Chenxi Media itself.

Both of these filming sessions were temporary, and each required several days to get the crew in working together.

It's such a waste of time.

Therefore, he asked Wang Peng to recruit some behind-the-scenes personnel to join the company.

"Okay, put it here."

I'll see later.

"Yes."

After Wang Peng left, Zhao Qi, the company's CEO, also came in.

Zhao Qi walked into the office and placed a report in front of Fu Yibai, looking capable and efficient.

"Mr. Fu, this is the latest development in the cinema acquisition."

The one in Chaoyang District, Beijing, has already signed a letter of intent, and the price has been reduced to 90% of what we expected.

The projects in Shanghai and Hangzhou are still under negotiation, but the owner of the Shanghai property has relented and agreed to let us bring a team to assess the renovation plan.

In addition, following your previous strategy of "multi-city layout and a combination of asset-light and asset-heavy approaches," we have initially screened five cinemas located in core second-tier cities such as Chengdu, Wuhan, and Xi'an. These are all poorly managed but well-located targets, making acquisition costs relatively low.

Fu Yibai nodded, quickly flipping through the report, and expressed satisfaction with Zhao Qi's efficiency.

Cinema chains are a capital-intensive and long-term business; it can't be rushed, but it must be developed step by step.

"Well done."

The cases in Beijing and Shanghai should be expedited, while those in Hangzhou, if the equity disputes are too complex, can be given a later priority.

For second-tier cities, the focus is on acquiring or investing in high-quality standalone cinemas, prioritizing those with potential for renovation and expansion.

"clear."

Zhao Qi agreed, then immediately changed the subject.

"Mr. Fu, there are two more things that require your decision."

First, there's the question of whether the company should establish an artist management department.

Now the company's projects are being launched one after another. After filming "Caught in the Web", we need to cast actors for "Crazy Stone", but we are using external actors.

In the long run, cultivating your own artists not only allows for better control of project costs but also helps form a stable community of shared interests.

Many projects benefit from having their own artists involved, both in terms of influence and profit retention.

Fu Yibai put down the report and leaned back in his chair.

He had considered this issue.

Previously, when the company was in its early stages, resources were limited, and the main focus was on content production and channel development.

However, now that the framework of Morning Light Media has been initially established, its cash flow is about to improve as subsequent projects progress, especially with the low-cost, high-return expected "Crazy Stone," so it is indeed time to consider extending the industrial chain.

"It can be put on the agenda."

Fu Yibai made a decision.

"But we don't engage in blind, egalitarian signing of contracts."

When signing artists in the initial stage, we would rather have none than to sign the wrong ones. We would only sign those with real potential, unique temperament, and who are compatible with our future project plans.

The most important thing is to do background checks; I don't want the company to have to clean up the messes of these artists.

In addition, the brokerage business is highly specialized, so we need a person in charge who is knowledgeable in the field, has resources, and can implement the company's strategy.

He looked at Zhao Qi.

"Sister Qi, I'm leaving this to you."

We are looking for a suitable candidate for artist management director within the industry.

Requirements: 1. Strong professional skills, with successful case studies and a network of contacts; 2. Alignment with the company's philosophy and not a short-sighted profit-driven individual; 3. Ability to manage a team and develop long-term planning skills.

"Find the person and bring them to me."

"Okay, Mr. Fu."

Zhao Qi noted it down and then mentioned the second thing.

"In addition, your workload is increasing. Besides company management, project development, and directing, you also have to handle business negotiations such as theater acquisitions."

Should we hire a full-time personal assistant for you?

Handling daily schedules and arrangements allows you to focus more on your core tasks.

Personal assistant?

Fu Yibai tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

This suggestion is very practical.

As his business expanded, his time became increasingly fragmented, and many trivial matters indeed required someone to take care of them.

Moreover, a reliable personal assistant can also act as an information filter to some extent, which can reduce a lot of his work pressure.

"Can."

Fu Yibai agreed, but added one request.

You personally oversee the selection of candidates.

Competence is fundamental; you also need to be meticulous, reliable, and discreet.

in addition……"

He paused for a moment, then added a sentence in a steady voice.

"Image and temperament should also be taken into consideration."

After all, sometimes it is necessary to accompany someone to certain occasions to represent the company and one's personal image.

"Looks and figure should be acceptable, but not just a pretty face; efficiency is also important."

Zhao Qi was a smart person and immediately understood the meaning behind Fu Yi's words.

This assistant needs to be both capable and good-looking; they are a work partner, but may also have some more personal functions.

She showed no sign of distress and nodded professionally.

"Understood. I will use these criteria to select candidates and then conduct a final interview with you."

At the end of July, "Black Coal, Thin Ice" officially left theaters.

The final box office figure was 5350 million.

China Film Group made a killing by buying out the shares for nine million.

However, Fu Yibai also benefited greatly. The film's copyright transaction brought him sufficient profits, and he also achieved in-depth cooperation with China Film Group.

"System, settle 'Black Coal, Thin Ice'."

[Ding! The host requests settlement for the main submission, "Black Coal, Thin Ice"]

[System settlement in progress...]

[Based on the current influence of the film "Black Coal, Thin Ice" (a comprehensive assessment including global awards, media reviews, box office performance, and social media buzz)...]

[Settlement complete! Host has gained 18000 Influence Points.]

Current total points: 18000.

Please use this skill wisely to create more and more impactful works of art.

Fu Yibai leaned back on the large, comfortable sofa in Fan Binbin's apartment living room, and a pale blue, semi-transparent system interface that only he could see appeared before his eyes.

18000 points—this number was much more substantial than he had anticipated.

It seems that "Black Coal, Thin Ice" winning awards at the Berlin Film Festival, grossing over 50 million yuan domestically, and sparking ongoing discussions have indeed brought about a considerable impact.

With a slight thought, he brought up the system's exchange list.

A dazzling array of categories emerges:

[Complete Video/Script Library], [Professional Skills Training], [Classic Song Library], [Special Items/Intelligence]

Among them, the points required for [Professional Skill Infusion] and [Special Items/Intelligence] are extremely high, generally tens of thousands. With his current resources, he can only look at them and has no way to exchange for them.

Fu Yibai set his sights on the [Classic Song Library]. Now that ringtones have just been released, he has long wanted to get a piece of the pie.

But he wasn't a professional before, so he could only hum those hit songs and couldn't write them out in their entirety.

Now that he has influence points, he can redeem them directly later.