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“Uh, Li Hong, I completely understand your concerns. In fact, our Happy Mahua Team has been trying to break into the film industry for quite some time now. However, every time we approach a Film Company for collaboration, we are ruthlessly turned down.”
Zhang Chen across the table looked somewhat helpless. “Li Hong, I understand that you Film Companies don’t want to waste unnecessary funds. But we at Happy Mahua Team can guarantee that we will produce a film that meets market demands. You can rest assured about that. Although we lack film production experience, our capabilities should not be underestimated.”
Zhang Chen's self-praise fell on deaf ears for Li Hong. He had seen this kind of thing many times; if you really believed him, you would end up being sold out without knowing whom to blame.
The real question now was whether Happy Mahua was worth such a gamble.
The investment for this film could easily reach tens of millions or even over a hundred million. Handing such a large sum to a theater troupe that had never produced a film before posed significant risks.
To put it bluntly, if this failed, Sweet Potato Films would struggle for several years to recover.
Li Hong lightly tapped his fingers on the desk as he contemplated the feasibility and pros and cons of this matter.
On the other end of the line, Zhang Chen had also fallen silent. Clearly, he understood that Li Hong was weighing the implications of this decision.
After a few minutes, Li Hong slammed his hand on the table and stood up, saying into the phone, “Alright, I agree to your proposal. However, I have one condition that you must agree to.”
“Of course! As long as it’s something we can do, there’s no problem,” Zhang Chen replied excitedly.
How could he not be happy? After years of dreaming about entering the film industry, they finally saw a glimmer of hope; in such circumstances, how could he not feel elated?
As for Li Hong’s request, he didn’t think much of it. After all, this was a project involving substantial funding, and they couldn’t afford to be careless.
Li Hong continued, “I can allow you to shoot your film and choose your own script. My only requirement is that all members of Happy Mahua Team must sign artist contracts with us at Sweet Potato Films.”
Zhang Chen was taken aback, his handsome brows furrowing together in evident dissatisfaction with Li Hong’s demand.
Currently, all contracts for Happy Mahua Team members were under his own Happy Mahua Performing Arts Company. This was also Zhang Chen's necessary means of controlling Happy Mahua; otherwise, how could he be the leader when he neither performed nor wrote scripts?
Li Hong's request struck a nerve with Zhang Chen.
If he agreed to Li Hong's demand, the contract with the Happy Mahua Team would immediately transfer to Sweet Potato Films. This meant that for the next few years, or even longer, the Happy Mahua Team would become a target for exploitation by Sweet Potato Films.
Li Hong was aware of the concerns on the other side and spoke up to persuade him, "Mr. Zhang, please don't blame me for making a big deal out of this. I've looked into your Happy Mahua Team's plays. If you really want to adapt these plays for the screen, the investment figures will be substantial. If you were in my position, would you feel comfortable handing over such a large sum of money to someone else?"
Perhaps Li Hong's words had touched Zhang Chen, or maybe he had already begun to waver in his thoughts.
After Li Hong finished speaking, Zhang Chen asked, "Li Hong, I want to know, after the contract is signed with your company, what benefits will there be for our Happy Mahua Team?"
As the leader of a team, Zhang Chen couldn't think only of himself. For both emotional and rational reasons, he needed to inquire about the terms before making a decision.
Li Hong knew it was time to paint a bright picture.
"Mr. Zhang, rest assured that once the Happy Mahua Team signs with Sweet Potato Films, we will all be one family. Since we are family, we will not treat you unfairly. Let me put it this way: as long as New Movie recoups its costs after release, I will continue to support you in adapting a second film.
Moreover, there’s something you might not know: we at Sweet Potato Films have already purchased a significant number of film adaptation rights from Magic City Moon Literature Group. In the future, we will launch many new projects. Naturally, the talented actors from Happy Mahua Team can take on leading roles.
After all, once we sign the contract, we are family; if we don’t support you, would we support outsiders instead?"
Indeed, Li Hong's enticing offer clearly stirred Zhang Chen's interest.
Being a theater actor was nowhere near as glamorous as being a film actor.
However, as the person in charge of Happy Mahua Team, even though he was tempted internally, he did not agree immediately.
Such an important matter required discussion with others in the team.
Thus, Zhang Chen said, "Li Hong, while I am responsible for this matter, I can't make decisions unilaterally. How about this: I'll discuss it with the other team members first. Please allow us some time to consider."
"No problem, just call me when you've made your decision," Li Hong said nonchalantly.
He wasn't worried at all that Happy Mahua would refuse him. If they did, where would Happy Mahua find a benefactor willing to pour money into their projects?
Li Hong had no concerns about Happy Mahua rejecting his offer.
Although the conditions he presented were somewhat harsh, the benefits were not given for free. What did it matter if they were a well-known theater troupe? Lack of experience was still lack of experience; did they really think that putting on a play was the same as making a movie?
...
In a square theater in the capital, the Happy Mahua Team gathered unusually in their leader Zhang Chen's office.
The Happy Mahua Team was small; even counting the behind-the-scenes staff, there were only about forty people. So, Zhang Chen's office could accommodate them all.
After everyone found a place to sit, Zhang Chen recounted his conversation with Li Hong in detail.
Once he finished, Zhang Chen focused intently on the team members below, eager to see their reactions.
Clearly, this explosive news left everyone in shock.
It was only when Zhang Chen cleared his throat that the stunned group snapped back to reality.
The first to recover was Charlotte, who incredulously asked Zhang Chen, "Captain, is this for real? Our play is going to be on the big screen?"
Hearing Charlotte's question, the others began to chatter excitedly among themselves.
"Does this mean we're going to start filming soon?"
"Wow, we're about to become movie stars!"
“Captain, what are you hesitating for? Just agree to them.”
“Exactly…”
“…”
Seeing that everyone showed signs of unanimous agreement, Zhang Chen scratched his head and brought up Li Hong's request as well.
Sure enough, upon hearing this harsh demand, everyone immediately fell silent. Even those who had been the most boisterous before dared not agree at this moment.
“Captain… this is essentially a contract for servitude!” Charlotte said, her mouth dry.
If they signed with Sweet Potato Films, it would mean selling themselves to the other party. On one side was the freedom in their careers, and on the other was a dazzling future; no one dared to make a firm decision right away.
Zhang Chen smiled and painted a rosy picture that Li Hong had envisioned. After finishing, he added with a grin, “Everyone, don’t be so serious. If you want to break into the entertainment industry, you should be prepared for this kind of thing. Just look at those Best Actor and Best Actress awards; aren’t they all tied to Film Companies? Even those big stars have no objections; why should you newcomers be afraid?”
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