Blood Has Boiled

He took Wu Jing, who insisted on not staying overnight, to the hotel.

Back home, Da Mimi looked at Shen Shanden with a hint of disdain in her eyes.

Shen Shanden's defenses crumbled: "I advised him! I'll advise him again tomorrow. I'm someone who can persuade people, but it's all strategy."

"I still have my bottom line."

Shen Shanden was helpless.

How did he end up trapping himself by stepping on his right foot with his left?

He was aiming for the sky!

He just wanted to break into the industry!

He came to the entertainment industry for the easy mode.

If he made some normal movies, they would definitely be huge hits.

It was just that this industry was more complicated than he thought.

Even the school he attended was complicated.

In the early years, it was closely connected with Japan, like a constant embrace.

If you count it, themes related to Japan often featured Japanese officers who were refined and cultured, which was also a result of this connection.

Not only Japan, but also various Western forces, such as Marco Muller, the current artistic director of the Venice Film Festival, had been active at Beijing Film Academy for many years.

This was no secret in later generations.

For prestigious institutions in news and media, it was common to have foreigners.

It was indeed a business with no downside.

Supporting the emergence of an authority could wipe out an entire department.

Currently, Tian Lili, the director of the directing department, was Marco Muller's favorite Fifth Generation director.

Initially, Shen Shanden thought that directors lacked culture and education, and that his mid-career change meant he had already succeeded halfway.

The latter part was correct; his mid-career change did mean he had succeeded halfway, but it had nothing to do with his education.

The admission scores for the film directing department at art academies were not low, especially at Beijing Film Academy, and animation was actually a blend of arts and sciences.

As time went on, the scores for the directing department would only get higher.

The education was fine, but it didn't produce talent.

It was like how communication and journalism were also top majors at several well-known universities, with high admission scores.

The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became.

Shen Shanden didn't want to think too much about it.

He just knew that this was more terrifying than lacking culture.

After researching the path to winning international awards and combining it with information from later generations, Shen Shanden reached a conclusion that was both unexpected and logical.

Perhaps in the future, the problem with films wouldn't be a lack of education or culture, but a lack of common sense.

In short, the waters in this circle ran deep.

Therefore, Shen Shanden tried his best to stay in the spotlight, in places with clear rules.

At a time when domestic films were still facing a crisis of survival, Han Sanping could not have reached his position without being a formidable figure.

It was good to have a powerful patron.

However, as Shen Shanden kept making promises and painting a rosy picture, it seemed he had also drawn himself into it step by step.

Before going to sleep.

Seeing that Shen Shanden seemed preoccupied, Da Mimi, out of concern for her man, comforted him: "Wu Jing is just seeing the potential of the project. It's a good thing he's supporting you."

Shen Shanden was not someone without common sense: "That million might be most of his savings, earned through many injuries."

He was not the type of person who would use someone else's money for his own projects, harm them without realizing it, or even feel proud about it.

"This film will be a success!"

Shen Shanden's gaze was firm!

"I will not fail, I will succeed!"

Now that he had been crowned, he could only push forward.

Sometimes, as the team grew, it represented more than just one's own interests.

At this point, The Grand Director was no longer just his project; it was the culmination of many people's hard work.

Da Mimi looked at Shen Shanden, who had rekindled his fighting spirit, and her eyes lit up. This was her man!

Shen Shanden also stared intently at her: "Mimi, my blood is boiling."

Da Mimi lowered her head and grumbled, "I can see that."

The next day.

Shen Shanden intended to give Wu Jing a cooling-off period, as if yesterday's events hadn't happened.

Unexpectedly, Wu Jing proactively asked, "Director Shen, we agreed yesterday."

Shen Shanden still tried to persuade him, "Brother Jing, no one can guarantee a movie's success. If it fails, I'm already very touched by your willingness to help."

Wu Jing was unhappy, "Director Shen, do you look down on me? I have my own judgment. I genuinely believe in this project. If you think highly of me, give me a chance. If not, forget I said anything."

Having been in this industry for so long, Wu Jing could tell who was serious about their work and who wasn't.

With things said, Shen Shanden found it difficult to refuse, as it would jeopardize their friendship. He reluctantly agreed, "Alright."

Wu Jing quickly said, "Thank you."

Shen Shanden: "..."

With Wu Jing's involvement, the situation completely opened up.

The martial arts choreography, location scouting, and art, costume, and makeup teams could begin to be assembled.

Shen Shanden requested, "We don't need those with too many honors. We need to be cautious with people from Hong Kong Island. They must be capable and easy to work with, at least willing to do the job for money."

After Wu Jing got busy.

Shen Shanden took the revamped project to China Film.

In 2007, film investment management was quite rudimentary.

A common practice was for several investors to pool money and affiliate with a company that had filming qualifications. They would disband after filming, and the copyright usually went to the producer with the largest investment share.

Previously, Shen Shanden and China Film had implicitly agreed to an affiliation model. Shen Shanden, as the project initiator, would affiliate with China Film, which held the Filming Permit.

Now, Shen Shanden wanted China Film to join as a pure investor.

He would organize the project and, under his personal company Shenden Culture's name, apply to the Film Bureau for a Filming Permit (Single Film).

Once approved, Shenden Culture would be qualified to act as the sole producer for the film, initiating, filming, submitting for review, and distributing it as the primary producer.

The 2007 policy clearly stipulated that only state-owned or private institutions holding a Filming Permit could produce films.

There were fewer than two hundred private companies nationwide with permits. Major companies like Huayi and New Pictures naturally had them, but it was difficult for newly established small companies to obtain one.

However, the policy allowed for "single film applications."

This was a workaround for institutions without a Filming Permit but with the capacity to invest and produce.

Liao Yun, Han Sanping's secretary, was taken aback when he learned of Shen Shanden's intentions.

Then, he became a little angry.

As the "big brother" of Chinese cinema, China Film was accustomed to its dominant position.

"You're saying you want to initiate the project and renegotiate with China Film?"

Shen Shanden replied, "Secretary Liao, here's the situation: Wu Jing also invested one million in this project, and I must be responsible for his money."

"What, Wu Jing? That Wu Jing, isn't he developing his career in Hong Kong Island?" Liao Yun was confused.

Shen Shanden explained, "It's the Wu Jing from The Grandmaster of Tai Chi, the national martial arts champion. He's joined as a co-producer, associate director, and martial arts choreographer. I've also given him the role of male lead's best friend."

"He believes in this project, is taking on multiple roles without pay, and even invested one million. The Grand Director is no longer just my personal interest, so we need to clarify things."

Liao Yun was stunned!

Disbelieving!

Utterly shocked!

Wu Jing not only refused payment but also invested his own money.

First, his own leader, and now Wu Jing – was Shen Shanden the Tang Monk, how could he be so charismatic?

What was happening in this world?

Was this still the world he knew?