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

Chapter 403 China Film Project

Fu Yibai returned the document to Han Shanping.

"China Film Group's listing is a good thing for the industry."

Han Shanping placed several bound scripts on his desk.

China Film Group has recently received a number of projects.

After going public, we need a strong lineup of films to support the stock price.

You have a good eye, help me check it out.

Fu Yibai picked up the first script, the cover of which read "Warring States Period".

His eyelids twitched; he hadn't expected to see this project again with Han Shanping.

He didn't even look at it before tossing it aside.

"This won't do."

"What do you mean it won't work?" Han Shanping leaned forward slightly.

"Jing Tian showed me this project before."

The script is terrible, the logic is chaotic, and the historical facts are seriously inaccurate.

Jing Tian wanted to play the female lead, but I didn't let her.

Upon hearing this, Han Shanping immediately understood.

This is absolutely a terrible movie.

Fu Yibai picked up the second script, "Tiny Times".

My eyelid twitched again. Why are all the movies Han Shanping shows like this terrible?

To make it more convincing, Fu Yibai symbolically flipped through the pages.

"We can't accept this one either."

Why?

"The story is exaggerated, the characters are hollow, and it piles up luxury goods and pretentious emotions from beginning to end."

This is a self-indulgent, rambling mess.

Fu Yibai threw "Tiny Times" next to "The Warring States".

"If this kind of value is shown in a film, the audience will criticize it, the media will condemn it, and it will not do any good for China Film's brand image."

Han Shanping nodded without refuting.

The third script is "The Secret of the World: Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains".

Upon seeing this name, Fu Yibai looked up at Han Shanping.

This old man must have some story to tell.

Fu Yibai forced himself to finish reading the book despite feeling uncomfortable, his expression even colder than when he was reading "Tiny Times".

"This notebook has a bigger problem."

He placed the script on top of those two books.

"They wanted everything: international spies, treasure hunting, action, romance, suspense—they crammed in a little bit of everything, but ended up doing none of them well."

The script's narrative is a complete mess; after reading it, you have no idea what the screenwriter is trying to say, and the characters' motivations are utterly unconvincing.

Once such a project starts filming, the subsequent investment can be like a bottomless pit, with a high probability of reshoots, re-editing, and rescheduling.

If the first film primarily invested in by China Film Group runs into trouble, the impact on its stock price will be fatal.

Han Shanping's expression became a few degrees more serious than before.

The "Tianji: Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" project was brought in through the connections of a certain leader. The investors were already in place, and the director had been basically agreed upon; all that was left was for him to give his approval.

Fu Yibai spoke very seriously, so seriously that he had to reconsider the project.

"Is this notebook really beyond saving?"

Han Shanping asked another question.

"It's beyond saving."

Its problem lies at its root; it cannot be solved by mere patching up.

Unless you replace the screenwriter and director and rewrite the entire story from scratch, but the investors definitely won't agree to that.

Han Shanping was silent for a few seconds, then tapped the script twice with his finger, stacking it together with "The Warring States" and "Tiny Times".

He only trusts Fu Yibai, and he won't give him any face no matter how much he wants.

Three were killed at once.

Han Shanping leaned back in his seat, his tone somewhat helpless.

Fu Yibai spread out the other scripts.

There were five copies left on the table, with the covers of "The Four Great Constables", "The Silent War", "Life of Pi", "Chinese Zodiac" and "So Young".

Upon seeing these five names, Fu Yibai's eyes lit up, and he picked up "The Four Great Constables" and flipped through it.

"This is alright."

"The Four Great Constables" has a solid IP foundation, and although the action film market isn't as strong as it was a few years ago, there's still an audience for period martial arts films.

After that, he flipped through the remaining four scripts.

Fu Yibai divided the five scripts into two stacks.

"The Four Great Constables", "The Silent War", "Chinese Zodiac", and "So Young" were placed in one stack, while "The Boy's Fantastic Journey" was placed in another stack.

"These four films are safe to invest in. They have different themes, but they are all solid."

Fu Yibai pointed to the stack of four scripts.

"Investing in this project will at least prevent you from losing money; how much you earn depends on the marketing and release schedule."

"The Twelve Zodiacs" is a sure-fire hit, "The Silent War" will likely receive positive reviews, "The Four" has the potential to become a series, and "So Young" has low costs and high returns.

He picked up "The Adventures of a Young Boy" again.

"It depends on what you think."

The film itself is of good quality; in fact, it could be said to be the best of these films.

However, cross-border cooperation involves many variables, large investments, and long production cycles.

If you want to establish China Film Group's brand internationally, then invest.

If you want to play it safe, don't invest.

Han Shanping looked at the scripts on the coffee table, reached out and took the four that were sure to be profitable, then glanced at "The Boy's Fantastic Journey" and took that one too.

"I want stability, and I also want quality."

In its first year after listing, China Film Group sought stability, but in the long run, it cannot remain confined to the domestic market.

I invested in the film "Life of Pi," even if it loses money, I'll accept it.

Fu Yibai picked up his teacup and took a sip, feeling a greater sense of approval for Han Shanping's decision.

Having worked within the system for so many years, it's no wonder he's been able to build China Film Group into what it is today, given his courage and vision.

"Yi Bai, I owe you another favor this time."

"Alright, Mr. Han, is there anything else?"

"If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

"What's the rush? Let's have dinner together tonight."

"No, I have plans tonight."

Han Shanping stood up and patted Fu Yibai on the shoulder.

"Okay then."

On September 17th, the Shanghai Stock Exchange rang the opening bell.

You must come then.

"must."