Caught in Affairs with Superstar-Chapter 905 - 565: Suddenly Awakened

"Currently, ’Immortal Bridge’ hasn’t decided on a director yet. I’d like to recommend Director Kang Xin for this film and have his company involved in the production, along with New Shield co-producing the film. Of course, White Bridge would unquestionably be in the lead control position."

Zhou Yun expressed her thoughts, "This way, the financial pressure on your side would lessen significantly, and you could also mitigate risks."

Bai Yicheng’s face suddenly changed, directly rejecting, "Miss Zhou, I’d rather find investors outside than collaborate with other film companies to make this film."

Zhou Yun was somewhat surprised.

In business, most things are negotiable; Zhou Yun rarely encountered situations where people weren’t willing to even discuss.

No room for negotiation at all.

Zhou Yun asked, "President Bai, may I ask why? Frankly speaking, ’Immortal Bridge’ is a project with great box office potential, but you know if there’s no strong distribution, it suffers a lot when released in theatres—fails to get good screenings and showtimes, and audience enthusiasm is weakened."

This was the reason Zhou Yun proposed having New Shield involved.

On one hand, Wen Bing could officially act as the producer.

On the other hand, with New Shield providing distribution support, the film wouldn’t suffer on this front during its release.

After all, although White Bridge is an established film company, the movies they’ve produced over the years haven’t been particularly successful blockbusters. This is partly due to the genre and quality of films they make, but also related to their distribution capabilities. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Many movies, you wonder why they can achieve such high box office, but upon careful study of the timing, publicity, and screening showtimes on the premiere day, it becomes clear why. They have strong promotional capabilities backing them, boosting a sixty-point film to an eighty-point reputation, and with a hundred-point screening guarantee, the box office surges. As more audiences come, there are more reviews and topics, and then on social media, word spreads—good and bad—people discussing it, and perhaps just one point attracts someone to buy a ticket to see the movie, and the box office snowballs.

Movie box office growth is never linear.

It doesn’t equate exactly to the expected box office.

Without good promotion, by the time the reputation develops, the screening period is over, and it goes off theaters.

Bai Yicheng’s attitude was firm, not budging.

"We at White Bridge never co-produce with other companies," Bai Yicheng said, "I’d rather this film have a slightly lower box office, but it must completely belong to White Bridge."

Zhou Yun was at a loss, unsure of what to say.

When a boss can say, "I’d rather this film have a slightly lower box office," what else can she say?

Zhou Yun thought for a moment and asked, "So, President Bai, may I ask who you plan to appoint as the director? Currently, Wen Bing definitely can’t be the director."

Bai Yicheng said, "There are many directors in the country, surely we can find a suitable one. Rest assured, having produced films for so many years, we’re bound to find a suitable director to take over this project. To be honest, your proposal to have Kang Xin direct makes me a bit worried; he’s only directed TV dramas before—does he have the capability to direct such a big film?"

Actually, Zhou Yun had prepared for this question before coming, but the previous communication with Bai Yicheng suddenly dampened her enthusiasm.

Bai Yicheng had a subtle but present arrogance.

He had the pride of an old cinema person, and while you could rightfully question Director Kang Xin’s lack of experience in directing films, a phrase like "he’s only directed TV dramas before" barely conceals the disdain for TV drama.

Zhou Yun started to hesitate whether she really wanted to act in this film.

The script is good, but can White Bridge really make this movie properly?

Or would it be poorly produced?

Zhou Yun wasn’t that confident.

Bai Yicheng said, "Miss Zhou, I understand you want this film to be better, but making a movie, distributing a movie—it’s not that simple. As an actress, you only see one side of the film production process on set. There are many other facets you aren’t aware of. We at White Bridge have been doing this for so long; no matter how the industry changes, we’ve always stood firm here, relying on our project’s management abilities and rich production experience. I know every film company wants to collaborate with you right now, and White Bridge is very eager to cooperate with an outstanding actress like you. However, I don’t like overstepping my bounds; in an industry, it’s better for each to do their part."

Zhou Yun laughed.

"I understand what President Bai means; I’ve been too talkative." She smiled at Bai Yicheng, "President Bai must be busy; I won’t disturb you anymore."

Bai Yicheng nodded, stood up to see her off.

The conversation between the two ended somewhat unhappily.

Wen Bing didn’t expect things to turn out this way in the end.

Zhou Yun shrugged at Wen Bing and said, "I’m heading back now."

Wen Bing gave a bitter smile, saying, "I didn’t expect him to have such an attitude."

"It’s okay, different companies have different philosophies; I’ll just look for like-minded people," Zhou Yun said.

Wen Bing nodded.

"There are certainly other good projects."

On the way back, in the car, only Zhou Yun and Zhou Lan were present.

Zhou Lan finally spoke, "Bai Yicheng was too wary; White Bridge’s scale isn’t large. If Kang Xin’s company and New Shield join, whether they can firmly hold onto this project becomes unknown. I can understand his concerns. It’s just that in this era, making a big film rarely relies entirely on one company alone. The bigger the film, the more investors are involved, sharing risks, joining forces to expand the pie. The script for ’Immortal Bridge’ indeed suits development into a fantasy blockbuster, even a film universe—but all this is premised on having a strong company managing it as the main controller. White Bridge lacks this capability."

"Indeed," Zhou Yun said, "It’s a pity, if New Shield took on this project, the prospects would be very promising."

"New Shield’s current productions are mostly traditional action, adventure genres. They haven’t produced any special effects blockbusters yet," Zhou Lan said, "Although, actually, no domestic company has made a notable name with special effects blockbusters. Speaking of which, Hollywood has already established a complete industrial chain."

Zhou Yun said, "In that case, I’ll give up on ’Immortal Bridge.’ If the final effect isn’t guaranteed, and the film turns out poorly, it definitely won’t be good."

"Actually, I think ’Immortal Bridge’ is still a good project," Zhou Lan said, "It’s just no longer the optimal choice for you. Such a fantasy blockbuster, if it doesn’t achieve over ten billion at the box office, becomes a burden for you."

"What do you have in mind?"

"If you’re not acting, I’d like to help Wang Jing vie for it," Zhou Lan said, "No matter what, the script is indeed good; even if the special effects aren’t particularly impressive, I think the box office performance won’t be bad. This is a good opportunity for Wang Jing, who has never played a film’s leading actress before. If she can secure it, she can smoothly advance a level."

Zhou Yun thought for a moment and said, "Ask Wang Jing’s opinion; I feel Wang Jing may not want to act in this movie."

Recently, Zhou Yun often attended events with Wang Jing, and she could sense that Wang Jing somewhat regretted not taking Director Zhong Heping’s film back then.

After receiving a Lingjun Award nomination and experiencing an honorary trip to Los Angeles, Wang Jing’s mindset changed.

Zhou Yun could sense that right now Wang Jing likely craves winning awards, or perhaps since she’s witnessed a true cinematic moment of glory, she longs to embrace such a moment again.

Zhou Lan keenly asked, "Do you feel Wang Jing now looks down on films of this level?"

Zhou Yun hesitated a bit, "It’s not exactly about looking down; it’s like, if you’ve had the best, can you accept a lesser product?"

"Especially, when it’s a film I turned down." Zhou Yun said, "Sister Lan, although we may not intend it, if you recommend ’Immortal Bridge’ to her knowing it’s a film I rejected, would she feel like you’re belittling her by offering something I didn’t want?"

Zhou Lan suddenly realized.