บท 61: The Arrival Of 2002
"Acheng, you've really gone big this time!" Hu Ge remarked as he read the newspaper.
"Hmm, what's up?" Jiang Cheng asked with interest. Having finished his business in Beijing, Jiang Cheng had returned to Shanghai to continue his classes. At the moment, the group was in their dormitory.
"Well, you know, there's a huge fuss outside now, about '[Immortal]' and about you," Yuan Hong chimed in.
"That's great! With so many people interested, I guess I won't have to worry about the box office," Jiang Cheng casually remarked.
"Aren't you afraid of making a loss?" Sun Xiao asked.
"Yeah! From how some people are reacting, if they're not satisfied with the movie, they might tear you apart!" Hu Ge exaggerated a bit.
"Tear me apart?" Jiang Cheng seemed to find the idea amusing. "OH, MY BOY! It's just a commercial film. People won't launch personal attacks on the creators for it; at worst, they'll curse a bit. Besides, I'm just a newcomer, their expectations aren't as high as the media makes them out to be. I'm still young, I can afford to lose. And about 'losing money,' let me do the math for you.
The movie cost a total of 100,000 RMB to produce and finish. Sister Cai didn't invest much in promotion either, which was also around 100,000 RMB. So, the total cost of the film is only 200,000 RMB! And it's already confirmed that about 1053 cinemas will screen it nationwide in the first week, with each ticket priced at 20 yuan. Assuming an average of only 100 people choose to watch this film in each cinema on the premiere day, the national first-day box office will be over 2 million! That's ten times the total cost of the movie! See, I'll recover the costs on the first day and make a little profit. And a movie in our country typically screens for two rounds, each lasting a month, so it's all profit from there. How could I possibly make a loss?!"
"Ah!" The three were all agape, seemingly not expecting the movie to be so profitable. It was practically like grabbing money!
Seeing their reactions, Jiang Cheng chuckled, "Don't worry, I'll give you guys a bonus after the movie is released! I was broke during the shooting, or I wouldn't have only paid you 5,000 yuan each."
The three chuckled, "That's not what we meant."
They looked at each other, unsure what to say next.
After a while, Yuan Hong asked, "Seeing how Sister Cai and the others are promoting the film, shouldn't you also say something?"
Jiang Cheng looked puzzled, "What should I say? I'm not in charge of promotion. I'm responsible for making the movie. Promotion is all handed over to Sister Cai. She's the expert in that field. Such professional work should be left to professionals."
"But still..." Sun Xiao frowned, "aren't you the producer of this movie? I thought that's part of the producer's job!"
"Yeah!" Hu Ge and Yuan Hong nodded in agreement.
"You all need to understand something!" Jiang Cheng looked at them seriously, "The reason I became a producer was for the final cut rights, so my film wouldn't be butchered by others. I don't want to meddle too much in other things. I neither have the ability nor the energy for that. I'd rather spend the time studying or planning the next movie."
"You're planning another movie?" the three exclaimed in surprise.
"What's so surprising about that?" Jiang Cheng responded, "Since I've bought a production company, shouldn't I use it to make films? Now that I have money again, I can make another movie."
"Do you know what movie you want to make next?" Sun Xiao asked.
"Not yet, but I've decided to invest 5 million RMB in a new film. It's still a low budget, but it won't be as 'economical' as '[Immortal].'" Jiang Cheng shrugged.
"Oh, I see," the three nodded again, exchanging glances.
Jiang Cheng looked at them and suddenly asked, "Which gossip rag sent you guys to lobby me?"
"Uh!" / "No... not at all!" / "It's not a tabloid!" The three turned pale and began to deny it, but their uncoordinated responses were full of loopholes. They all looked at Jiang Cheng with awkward smiles.
Jiang Cheng scoffed, "I thought so! Normally, besides Big Hu, Old Yuan, and Old Sun, you guys aren't so talkative! There must be something up today!"
"Do I talk a lot usually?" Big Hu seemed offended.
"Yes!" The three unanimously agreed.
Big Hu sulked off to the corner to sulk.
"Look, we've been approached by over a hundred media outlets wanting to interview you!" Yuan Hong explained, "They couldn't find you, so they came to us, asking us to help persuade you. But don't worry, they're all reputable newspapers and magazines, no tabloids!"
"And we didn't take any bribes. They just insisted on giving us these, and well, it's hard to refuse..." Sun Xiao said somewhat sheepishly.
"Hehe! You don't need to explain, I understand." Jiang Cheng smiled and shook his head, knowing the journalists were shrewd. Since they'd approached his three friends to act as mediators, they'd surely have offered some incentives. The three of them were just too shy to resist, so they ended up asking him these unusual questions. He understood all this.
"I know everyone else is promoting the film and I'm staying in the background, which might seem inappropriate. But now is not the right time for me to do interviews," Jiang Cheng said seriously, "It's better to be cautious. The public's interest in the film is already high, and any more might backfire. I'd rather stay out of it for now and wait until after the film's release when everything is clear. I believe that will have a better effect."
The three nodded in understanding, each of them admiring Jiang Cheng's clear-headedness and caution. They wouldn't have been able to maintain such composure amidst the sudden surge of attention.
Hu Ge was especially moved, recalling how Jiang Cheng had said similar things during the attention for "[Autumn's Concerto]." Now he was saying it again, giving Hu Ge a fresh perspective: Maybe this is the mindset of a successful person, never swayed by external factors. When will I achieve this?
Seeing the three deep in thought and the room falling silent, Jiang Cheng tried to lighten the mood, "Let's change the subject. How about you guys? I hear you've been interviewed by quite a few media outlets recently. Any thoughts?"
Hu Ge scratched his head, "Doesn't feel much different, I guess. It's like waking up to find that people are paying attention to me, and I've got some fans of my own. Other than that, it's pretty much the same."
"That's because you were already a child star and famous before. You wouldn't feel much difference!" Sun Xiao teased, "But I guess it's like what Big Hu said. The only real change is seeing my name on the movie poster. It's an unprecedented and novel feeling. Is this what being famous feels like?"
"Not yet. You'll understand completely once the movie is released," Jiang Cheng said, then turned to Yuan Hong, "What about you, Old Yuan? Any thoughts?"
"I need to work harder."
"Oh? Quite humble of you!"
"Because I've realized that nine out of ten media outlets interviewing me are trying to learn about you through me, which is really annoying." Yuan Hong's tone was calm, but his underlying dissatisfaction was evident.
It seemed like a dark turn!
Upon hearing Yuan Hong's words and recalling their own similar experiences, Hu Ge and Sun Xiao also felt a bit disgruntled and looked at Jiang Cheng.
"Heh...hehe! The weather seems nice outside, doesn't it? How about we go out for a walk, get some fresh air?" Jiang Cheng, feeling the cold stares, tried to change the subject.
The three remained unyielding, continuing their intense gaze. Jiang Cheng, struck with an idea, suddenly brought up a topic, "Right, Old Yuan, Old Sun, how did it go with your families? Did they agree to let you sign with Tangren?"
Sure enough, the topic successfully diverted their attention. Yuan Hong sighed, "Don't mention it. I talked to my family, but they said they'll decide after watching '[Immortal].'"
After Hu Ge successfully signed with Tangren, Yuan Hong and Sun Xiao were unable to due to family objections, something they've always regretted. Especially after Hu Ge quickly starred in "[Autumn's Concerto]," their regret turned into envy and resentment. However, they could only lament their misfortune. After filming the movie, Cai Yinong recognized the potential in both of them and intended to sign them. They were thrilled and immediately contacted their families, hoping to change their minds this time. But it seems Yuan Hong's family remains firm, still unmoved.
"I'm all set!" Sun Xiao was jubilant, "I called my parents, and they were surprised that I got a role less than half a year after joining the Shanghai Drama Academy. Learning that the movie was produced by Tangren, their impression of the company changed, and they agreed to let me sign."
Yuan Hong looked at him enviously, "Your parents are so open-minded!"
Seeing Sun Xiao's silly happiness, Hu Ge said, "Enough with the celebration. Now that you're also signing, we'll be brothers under the same agency. Call me 'Senior Brother' and let's hear it!"
"Come on! You're already playing the senior brother card!" Sun Xiao protested.
"That's nothing compared to what Acheng did! He's younger than me, but because he signed first, he made me call him senior brother. I'm just following suit! If you're unhappy, take it up with him!" Hu Ge playfully deflected the blame.
"It seems right, though. Senior Brother is Senior Brother. Who told me I signed earlier than you? Come on, call me 'Senior Brother' and let's hear it!" Jiang Cheng said, joining in the teasing.
"Senior Brother, my foot!" Hu Ge and Sun Xiao's resentment soared, and they pounced on Jiang Cheng, starting a playful brawl.
"Ouch!" / "Old Sun, you jerk!" / "Haha!" / "Don't step on my foot!"...
Yuan Hong, quick-witted, knew Jiang Cheng and the others were doing this to cheer him up, and he was deeply moved. He silently vowed, "After '[Immortal]' is released, parents, even if you don't agree, I'll sign anyway! But '[Immortal]' should be successful, right? No! It definitely will be!"
Noticing Yuan Hong's momentary isolation, the three exchanged a look and simultaneously called out, "Hey, little junior!"
"Huh? Who are you calling?" Yuan Hong was startled.
"You!" Hu Ge went over and put his arm around his neck, "Now that Old Sun is signing with Tangren too, you're the only one left, making you the junior in terms of entering the industry."
"So, you're our little junior. Come on, call us 'Senior Brother'!" Jiang Cheng and Sun Xiao egged on.
"Call you guys my foot!" Yuan Hong, indignant, let out a roar and joined the fray, the four of them playfully tussling.
"Ow!" / "Old Yuan, you scoundrel!" / "Haha!" / "Don't step on my foot!"...
As December 31st arrived, New Year's Eve was upon them.
The holiday was approaching, and people were preparing for New Year's Day. Various publications were releasing year-end summaries, reflecting on 2001.
2001 was an unforgettable year for China.
That year, Beijing successfully bid to host the 2008 Olympics, fulfilling a century-old dream and marking China's transition to a sports powerhouse. It was also the year China joined the WTO, signaling further integration with the world and a step up in development in the coming years.
For the Chinese entertainment industry, 2001 was also unforgettable.
Director Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" won four Oscars, including Best Foreign Language Film, at the 73rd Academy Awards, setting a new record for Chinese cinema achievements. The film also garnered Lee the Golden Globe and Directors Guild of America awards for Best Director. And Stephen Chow's "Shaolin Soccer" became the most successful Chinese film in the late '90s, acclaimed and profitable in Asia and the West.
That year, a unique newcomer named Jiang Cheng, pen name 'Bright Moon', entered the entertainment scene. Within just six months, he published three novels, two becoming bestsellers and one creating a popular magazine. His rapid rise made him a superstar among the post-80s generation.
However, his recent venture into filmmaking with "[Immortal]" has left people questioning his judgment. The film, a sci-fi with only eight actors and rumored to have been filmed in just twenty days, has raised concerns about his groundedness.
Excerpt from "World Cinema" magazine, December 31, 2001.
Jiang Cheng, unfazed by media opinions, was busy planning his next film. As 2002 and New Year's Day dawned, a new year began!
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