"There are some actors who have been in TVB's actor training class before, and there are also some actors who have played supporting roles in other movies. Two of them even introduced themselves that they had played supporting roles in "The Best Lucky Star"——"
Tao Yumo spoke very positively to express his seriousness and dedication to his work.
After a while, when she saw that Tao Yushu made no movement, she stopped talking and began to beg Tao Yushu again.
"Sister, for Wang Jing's drama, can you let me be the producer?"
"Are you going to be a producer?"
Tao Yushu glanced sideways at her sister. She didn't need to think about it to know what her sister was pretending to be. It was just to satisfy her own vanity.
"When you are not in Xiangjiang, I am coordinating all the work of the crew."
Tao Yumo was afraid that his sister would disapprove, so he expressed his contribution.
Tao Yushu pretended to be hesitant and arrested her for a long time. It was not until Tao Yumo was about to resort to coquettishness that he agreed to her request.
Wong Jing is still filming "Emerald" for Yong Sheng, but that doesn't stop him from multitasking. He is already writing the script for a new film with Lam.
It is said to be a script, but it is actually an outline of the script, and the details are all compiled on the spot. This is also the norm in the Hong Kong film market today.
"Yesterday I met with Zou Wenhuai, and he agreed to invest HK$2 million in "Hardcover Chasing Girls." But I see his attitude, this time it is more to win over you." Tao Yushu said to Lin Chaoyang.
"It's certain that he wants to win over me. Now that he wants something from us, we don't have to worry about falling out."
If Lin's Pictures wants to grow bigger and stronger, it will inevitably face head-on competition from Golden Harvest and New Art City in the future. The couple both understand this, but they definitely don't want to go head-to-head with these two behemoths for the time being.
?
"The Truman Show" was a huge success, and "A Better Tomorrow" looks like it will also achieve good results. At least in the past year, we don't have to worry too much about them targeting us.
What I'm worried about now is the theater chain's problem. As you said, without the support of the theater chain, if we are given another two or five years, we will still be at the mercy of others." Tao Yushu said worriedly.
"Let's do it step by step. After the Po Hing Theater on Nathan Road is demolished, we will build a mini theater. We can rent it when the time comes.
Shaw Brothers still has more than a dozen theater chains in its hands. Debao can rent them, and we can also rent them, but the prerequisite is that we have money."
Listening to Lin Chaoyang's words, Tao Yushu nodded, and then sighed.
"I didn't feel that before when I was not in business. Why do I feel that I am increasingly short of money after starting a business?"
Lin Chaoyang smiled and said: "The company has just started, so that's normal. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I asked you to start a company and make movies before, just to find something for you to do."
Tao Yushu's expression relaxed, "I'm not feeling stressed, I'm anxious and want everything to be done at once."
"You have to eat your food one bite at a time."
Tao Yushu didn't want Lin Chaoyang to be distracted by the company's affairs, so he changed the subject and said, "Don't worry about the company's affairs. Try to finish the novel as soon as possible. Speaking of which, I haven't read your novel for a long time."
"I see Tao Bian is free tonight, why don't you come over and give me some guidance?"
Lin Chaoyang jokingly took Tao Yushu's hand, took out a half-written manuscript, and handed it to her.
Touching the texture of the handwritten manuscript, Tao Yushu couldn't help but feel a myriad of emotions. It had been a long time since she had sat quietly on the sofa and read a novel like this.
She asked: "In this novel, are you still writing this kind of urban style? Aren't you afraid that people will continue to say that you are out of touch and out of touch with the people?"
"You have to see the essence through the phenomenon. Although my novel is still focused on modern cities, the essence is to criticize the corruption and degeneration of capitalism." Lin Chaoyang said easily.
Tao Yushu smiled, stopped talking to him, and calmed down to read the novel.
She knew the general plot of Lin Chaoyang's new novel, so she read it very quickly. She read through the half-written novel in three or four hours in one night.
As Lin Chaoyang said, his new work is indeed a work with social critical power.
Various delicate plot twists show the huge gap between social classes, full of black humor, while maintaining a tense and suspenseful atmosphere.
After reading the manuscript, Tao Yushu was tickled and couldn't help but ask Lin Chaoyang: "How did you design the final ending?"
"Let's have a huge profit* life." Lin Chaoyang said.
"Huge profit*life?"
Tao Yushu thought for a while and roughly understood what Lin Chaoyang meant. It seemed that the ending might be tragic.
She did not continue to ask further, wanting to wait until Lin Chaoyang finished writing the ending before reading it, so as to maintain the curiosity and sense of mystery.
Early the next morning, Lin Chaoyang's phone rang suddenly.
The call came from Shi Nansheng to announce the good news. "A Better Tomorrow" had a box office of 1.844 million on its first day of release.
This opening result ranks third among local films in Hong Kong this year.
The first two are "The Truman Show" and "The Best Lucky Star" produced by Golden Harvest.
"The Truman Show" was blessed with awards from the Cannes Film Festival, and "The Best Lucky Star" is a new work in Golden Harvest's "Five Lucky Stars" series that competes with New Art City's flagship "Best Partner" series.
The fact that "A Better Tomorrow" was able to achieve such results at the launch really surprised everyone at Xinyi City.
In fact, if it weren't for Lin Chaoyang, a master screenwriter, New Art City would not have given much publicity resources to this film that brings together the "old, weak, sick and disabled".
Now that the movie is released, the opening results are pretty good, which can be considered an unexpected surprise.
After the phone call with Shi Nansheng, Lin Chaoyang reminded Tao Yushu:
"Didn't Wong Jing say that he wants to find Ah Fa to star in "Fine Covers Chasing Girls"? Hurry up and sign a contract with him, the salary will skyrocket in a few days!"
"Know!"
After dinner, Lin Chaoyang saw Tao Yumo staring at him and asked, "Aren't you going to the company?"
Tao Yumo immediately acted very busy, "I have to go to class today."
Tao Yushu wants to do business in Xiangjiang, and Tao Yumo is a natural right-hand man. She also studied law.
Unfortunately, the legal systems in Hong Kong are very different from those in the Mainland, so Tao Yumo's original knowledge system is of no great use and needs to be learned again.
"Okay, then I'll go to the company for a visit, and you want to send this letter to Huacheng Publishing House."
Lin Chaoyang took out a letter and handed it to Tao Yumo. The letter was written by him to Li Shifei.
In the past two months, Li Shifei has written letters from time to time to urge him to write new works. Now that he has written more than half of his new works, Lin Chaoyang has the confidence to tell him to "stop urging".
He came to the office of Lin's Film Company in the Prince's Building, which was more popular than before.
On the one hand, there are two more staff members, and on the other hand, director Wang Jing’s new play is scheduled to open at the beginning of next month, and they are recruiting extra actors. Lin Chaoyang stayed in the company for less than twenty minutes, and there were three young actors.
People come and fill out the registration form.
The development of Hong Kong's film and television industry in the 1980s has created a large number of young people pursuing their dreams, many of whom have become famous stars at home and abroad in later generations.
For example, Andy Lau, Tony Leung, Stephen Chow...
Stephen Chow?
Lin Chaoyang had nothing to do, and was looking through the actor recruitment list that he had received in the past two days. His eyes were suddenly attracted by a name on the list, full of surprise.
"Born in 1962, home address: Kowloon, Hong Kong, special actor of Li's TV station, student of TVB artist training class, host of "430 Shuttle", assistant host of "Happy Tonight"——"
Lin Chaoyang read the information on the form at a glance and didn't run away. It must be him.
It's 1986 now, and Stephen Chow should still be working as a host at TVB. He racks his brains every day to get a small role and sends his resume to film companies everywhere.
He originally heard Tao Yumo talk about recruiting actors yesterday, and today he came to see if there were any names that would be familiar to future generations. Unexpectedly, he actually met one, and it was SSSR.
"Azhen, when did this actor come?" Lin Chaoyang asked Wu Meizhen, the production staff member responsible for recruiting actors.
"Lin Sheng, this person——I can't remember him either. He was probably from yesterday."
Seeing that Azhen had no clue, Lin Chaoyang stopped worrying about the details and said to her: "Call him and tell him that there is an important role for him to audition for."
Wu Meizhen's face was full of confusion. How could the cast and crew recruit important roles?
But who made Lin Chaoyang the boss? She asked: "Sheng Lin, when will the interview be scheduled?"
"Tell him to come here now."
Wu Meizhen's heart was pounding, how could she be so anxious?
After contacting him according to the phone number on the form, she said to Lin Chaoyang: "Lin Sheng, I have already contacted him. He should arrive before 10:30."
"Okay, call me when you come."
After arranging things, Lin Chaoyang ran to the office to rest.
Before 10:30, Wu Meizhen knocked on the door and walked in, "Lin Sheng, he's here."
"Let him in."
Wu Meizhen led the person into the office. Today, Stephen Chow is only 24 years old. He has fine features and a middle-parted hair style that looks like he has hairspray.
He had been nervous since he walked in. He became even more nervous when he saw Lin Chaoyang staring at him and not saying anything.
After hesitating for a while, he shouted with a confused expression, "Hello, Lin Sheng!"
Lin Chaoyang nodded and asked softly: "Stephen Chow, right? What's the best way to call you?"
"They all call me Xingzi, Lin Sheng." Stephen Chow shrank and said.
"Then I'll call you Ah Xing."
Feeling Lin Chaoyang's kindness, Zhou Xingchi's nervousness eased a little, and he pursed his lips and said, "Thank you, Lin Sheng."
His voice was low, and both his expression and body movements were full of restraint. It was difficult to connect with the exaggerated and funny image on the screen in Lin Chaoyang's impression.
"Don't be nervous. I called you here today just to see your image and acting skills. Have you ever acted?"
"I have acted in it." Stephen Chow blurted out, and then his voice dropped twice, and he said, "I had a supporting role in a TV series on Jade Channel."
Lin Chaoyang said with a smile: "Playing a small role is also acting."
Upon hearing this, Stephen Chow's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but feel a little closer to the boss in front of him.
"Our company is going to launch a new drama recently, and there is a character in it who is the third male lead, which fits your image quite well.
Do you want to act?"
These words sounded like nonsense. When Stephen Chow heard "Male Number Three", his head almost broke, and his mouth almost turned into a smile.
Lin Chaoyang's smile became even more kind, and he praised: "Young people are very motivated! Then sign a contract with the company, and the third male number will be yours."
Sign a contract?
Stephen Chow looked confused, why did he sign the contract just like that? Wasn’t it because of his acting skills?
"Do you want to sign a film contract?" Stephen Chow asked blankly.
"Absolutely. The company's development needs young people with potential like you. I think you have a good image and you are from TVB. Please sign with our company in the future."
Only then did Stephen Chow realize that Lin Sheng actually wanted to sign him.
He felt happy at first, and then became a little wary.
Just a few words and you can sign the contract? Isn't it child's play? Is there some trap in this?
"Ah Xing, I still think highly of you.
You are the first actor signed by our Lin's Film Company. You have to work hard to perform this drama well. When your reputation develops in the future, I will open a drama with you as the male lead!"
What are the most important qualities to be a boss?
Draw a flatbread and spread chicken soup.
The boss is not afraid that you have a brain, but is afraid that you have no dreams. Stephen Chow is exactly the person with dreams. All the vigilance in his heart was wiped out after Lin Chaoyang said the three words "male number one".
He, Stephen Chow, is poor and has nothing to offer. Is there anything he deserves to be deceived?
What could the film company lie to him about? Making a salty and wet movie?
As long as you can make movies, be the leading male, or make salty movies, what does it matter?
Stephen Chow's mind was full of "male number one", and he was so excited that he planned to agree happily, but he suddenly thought of TVB again.
"Lin Sheng, I still have a job at TVB—"
"You can quit your job at TVB. Lin's salary here is 5,000 yuan a month even if you don't work. If you start acting, the salary will be calculated separately. Is it better than your salary at TVB?"
Stephen Chow nodded without hesitation, not only was it good, it was simply as good as heaven.
He stayed at TVB for five years and received a monthly salary of 2,000 yuan for five years, even though he had become a star of the children's program "430"
The main pillar of "Shuttle Machine" did not dare to raise the issue of salary increase.
Why don't you dare to mention it?
Because TVB has never been short of people, you want a salary increase? Sorry, you will be replaced tomorrow. If you don't do it, there will be people who will do it.
But what can you do with 2,000 Hong Kong dollars?
In today's Hong Kong, a bowl of noodles and wonton noodles costs more than ten Hong Kong dollars, and watching a movie costs twenty or thirty Hong Kong dollars.
HK$2,000 can barely solve the problem of food and clothing.
It’s not like Stephen Chow has never thought about leaving TVB, but he doesn’t know where he can go after leaving TVB?
In the past few years, when various film companies in Hong Kong were looking for actors, he had submitted his resume all over the place, but he rarely heard back. Even if he received a call, he would only be a minor role, receiving the same treatment as those at TVB.
After being beaten by reality for several years, this time Lin's Pictures recruited actors for a new movie, and he just had the mentality of giving it a try.
Who would have expected that he would be lucky enough to be spotted by the boss of the company.
In the past, he didn't even dare to dream of a supporting role with a name, but now he can actually play the third male lead, and the boss even said that he would open a play for him and make him the first male lead!
It's all like a dream!
Seeing Zhou Xingchi acting like Fan Jin had passed the examination, Lin Chaoyang patted him on the shoulder with sincerity.
"Okay, go back and resign quickly from TVB, and then come to the company to sign a contract."
Only then did Stephen Chow react. He nodded instinctively, but after a few seconds he hesitated again, with a hesitant expression on his face.
"Lin Sheng, can I—can I sign a contract with the company today and then resign?"
Munzi insisted on hitting the tree, but Lin Chaoyang couldn't stop him. He naturally understood what Zhou Xingchi was thinking.
It was simply because he was afraid that if he resigned first, Wen from Lin's Pictures would suddenly change his mind and not sign a contract with him, and he would end up in a mess.
"Okay." Lin Chaoyang said happily.
Listening to his answer, Stephen Chow's ambitious heart finally felt at ease, filled with joy and excitement.
"A-Zhen, call Zhuang Sheng and ask him to draft a contract and send it over."
Although Lin's Film Company is small, it is well-equipped. It also has its own law firm, which was introduced by Li Hanxiang.
More than two hours later, the freshly released contract was delivered. Stephen Chow looked at the bright "10-year" signing period on the contract and was a little at a loss.
Lin Sheng, do you think so highly of me?
"Lin Sheng, is this liquidated damages too high?" Stephen Chow asked cautiously.
"Axing, the company promises that you will film at least two movies every year, the role will be at least the third male lead, and you will be paid and remunerated. These conditions are clearly written in the contract. What do you think of these conditions?"
Lin Chaoyang's tone was deep and serious, which made Zhou Xingchi feel uneasy. He just asked tentatively,
I don't want to make my future boss unhappy.
"Very good!" Stephen Chow said sincerely.
Lin Chaoyang nodded slightly, then pointed at the series of liquidated damages figures in the contract.
"Do you think these are just liquidated damages? Do you think we gave you such generous conditions just to train an ordinary actor?
No! This is all your future potential! Your potential is unlimited!
What we want to cultivate is not just an ordinary actor, but a tomorrow's superstar in the film industry!"
Lin Chaoyang's eyes were sincere and his tone was sonorous, powerful and resounding. Stephen Chow was already dumbfounded.
My potential is unlimited?
Am I a superstar tomorrow?
"Sign it, Xing! After signing it, you will be a big star!"
Lin Chaoyang in front of Zhou Xingchi seemed to have grown two chair horns, with a green face and fangs, and the words in his mouth were full of the power to confuse people.
When he reacted again, his name was clearly signed on the contract.
For a moment, Stephen Chow felt a little regretful.
"A-Zhen, ask the finance department to transfer 10,000 yuan to A-Xing's account, and it will be regarded as the signing fee!"
"Okay, Lin Sheng." Wu Meizhen responded.
Stephen Chow's regret is gone. HK$10,000 is equivalent to his five months salary at TVB.
The boss is wise!
"Lin Sheng, what should I do next?" Stephen Chow asked Lin Chaoyang eagerly.
"First, resign from TVB.
Second, use the money to spend.
Third, wait for my news. The new play will premiere in early September, and you will be the third male lead from now on!"
Stephen Chow feels that Lin Sheng's gestures are full of domineering. With such a boss, why worry about not filming?
"Okay, boss!"
Before leaving the office, Stephen Chow turned around and asked Lin Chaoyang seriously: "Boss, why do you think so highly of me?"
Lin Chaoyang looked at him with a warm smile on his face, "Because my son likes to watch your "Shuttle 430".'
Stephen Chow left the Prince's Building with a bright smile. He didn't believe that his boss signed him because his son liked watching "Shuttle 430".
The boss clearly said before that he must have discovered the huge potential in himself!
That night, Tao Yushu heard that Lin Chaoyang had signed an actor, and he was full of curiosity, "Why would such a good person want to sign an actor?"
"Axing is a very thoughtful young man. From now on, the company will produce several dramas a year, and it will also need to sign a few actors, otherwise all the money will go to outsiders."
Tao Yushu felt that what Lin Chaoyang said made sense, "Then we will sign more actors later."
"Can."
Lin Chaoyang doesn't have to worry about signing actors anymore. It's enough to sign Stephen Chow in "Double Weekly".
In the golden age of Hong Kong movies, there was a saying of "double-week schedule". Stephen Chow, Chow Yun-fat, and Cheng Long were not only a guarantee of box office, but also represented influence.
After Bruce Lee's death, why was Jiahe able to quickly recover and continue to thrive?
To a large extent, it is because of the rise of Cheng Long.
Why was Wing Shing able to sweep the Hong Kong film scene in the 1990s?
It was also because of the rise of Stephen Chow.
Having just signed Wong Jing a few days ago, and today they signed Stephen Chow, Lam Pictures already has the foundation to take off.
The next day, Lin Chaoyang received a call from Miyu Kitamura from Japan.
"Crossing Guandong" was published in Japan for half a year and performed well.
Last month, Mihiro Kitamura wrote to him and mentioned that Kawade Shobo hopes to continue to introduce his novels. In his reply, Lin Chaoyang talked about the issue of royalties and hoped to sign a contract with a stepped royalty rate. This time Mihiro Kitamura called to discuss this matter.
of.
After some discussions, Kawaide Shobo decided to introduce Lin Chaoyang's "The Summer of Laiko" and "The Story of the Ferry" again.
For both works, royalties are settled in a stepped form.
For sales of less than 60,000 copies, 8% royalty; for sales of 60,000 to 150,000 copies, 12% royalty; for sales of more than 150,000 copies,
15% royalty.
In the Japanese book market, it is not easy for a purely literary work to sell 150,000 copies, which is almost equivalent to the sales of several hundred thousand copies of a general bestseller.
This condition sounds a bit harsh, but the returns are pretty good. From 8% to 15% royalties, the span is not small. "Yu Mo, you will go to Japan in two days."
After Lin Chaoyang and Miyu Kitamura discussed the publishing matter, he assigned tasks to his sister-in-law.
"Why are you going?" Tao Yumo asked.
"Sign a contract for me, and Kawade's library will continue to publish my novel."
Tao Yumo became excited, "Then I am going abroad?"
"This is a business trip, not for fun." Lin Chaoyang reminded.
Tao Yushu also said: "Your brother-in-law asked you to do business and not go to some messy place."
"I know, I know."
Tao Yumo promised, but it was obvious from his demeanor that he didn't listen, and he was mainly rebellious.
Lin Chaoyang worriedly planned to contact Kondo Naoko as a local companion, Hao Lie was also an acquaintance.
Two days later, Tao Yumo packed his things and planned to go back to the mainland to apply for a passport and visa before going to Japan. Lin Chaoyang suddenly received a call from Nie Weiping from the mainland.
"Why did you go to Xiangjiang again? When will you come back?'
In the first sentence, Nie Weiping's tone was very resentful, and one could feel his anxiety through the microphone.
"What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? Have you forgotten about the arena match?"
Lin Chaoyang said speechlessly: "What does your Go team's competition have to do with me?"
"How come it doesn't matter? If you don't come, we can't control the little Japan. Our Chinese team will almost be killed by them."
After the Japanese side lost the first Sino-Japanese Go Tournament last year, they were so angry that they started fighting again in March this year and started the second tournament.
Despite last year's victory, more than half of the Go fans who were optimistic about the Japanese team's victory still accounted for the pre-match predictions, which put a lot of pressure on the Chinese team.
After the arena competition started, the situation was not optimistic either.
Rui Naiwei, who played in the first game, defeated the two opponents in a row, but was defeated by Toshiya Imamura. The four games ended with 2:2.
draw.
The Chinese team thought that this year's game would be back-and-forth, with the scores rising alternately. Unexpectedly, a "Jiang Zhujiu" figure also appeared in the Japanese team this time.
After the start of the sixth game, the Japanese team's Kobayashi scored seven consecutive victories over Qian Yuping, Shao Zhenzhong, Cao Dayuan, Jiang Zhujiu, and Liu Xiaoguang.
In the blink of an eye, only Ma Xiaochun and Nie Weiping are left in the Chinese team, while there are still six players in the Japanese team who have not played.
If Ma Xiaochun also loses to Xiao Linjue, Nie Weiping will have to face six of the top players in the Japanese chess world alone. This difficulty is more than twice as high as last year's one-penetration three.
You can imagine the pressure on him!
"Old Nie, how many times have I told you not to engage in superstition and metaphysics? I am just an audience."
"I know you are an audience member, so don't say these things and come back first."
"Why should I go back? I'll be your mascot! Besides, isn't there Ma Xiaochun?"
Nie Weiping thought about it and it seemed right.
"Then come back when I come on stage!"
"I·-.-·
Lin Chaoyang hung up the phone sadly and said, "Have a good time with the national Go team. How did the atmosphere become like this?"
After Tao Yumo left, no one looked after the children. Tao Yushu and Lin Chaoyang were under a lot of pressure. She was thinking about finding a Filipino maid.
But the house is only such a big place, and if there are more people there, it will seem crowded.
The housing area in Xiangjiang is certainly not comparable to that in Yanjing, but it cannot be too shabby. After much thought, Tao Yushu felt that he should change his house.
The Oriental Garden where they lived now was rented to them by Li Hanxiang and his wife. Without bothering the two owners, Tao Yushu called Zhang Cuiying and wanted to ask if the couple had any property with a larger area.
Hearing that Tao Yushu wanted to change his house, Zhang Cuiying invited the couple to his home.
After the meeting, Zhang Cuiying took out the key to a house.
Li Hanxiang said: "This is the mansion on the mountainside that your sister-in-law just bought at the beginning of the year. It was originally intended for the two of us to live in for our retirement. Let's live in it for you first."
"How can this be so embarrassing?" Lin Chaoyang said, but he directly took the key in his hand.
"Can you please be polite?" Li Hanxiang said dissatisfied.
"Didn't I just be polite to you?"
Li Hanxiang shook his head angrily, "If it weren't for the fact that you made me so much money, I wouldn't bother to care about you."
"I hope you can repay your kindness."
Chapter completed!