Literary Master 1978

"Some actors have been in TVB's actor training class before, and some actors have played minor roles in other movies. Two people even introduced themselves as having played minor roles in "The Lucky Stars"..."

Tao Yumo said very actively, expressing her seriousness and dedication to her work.

After a while, seeing that Tao Yushu didn't move, she stopped talking and turned to begging Tao Yushu again.

"Sister, can I be the producer of Wang Jing's play?"

"Let you be the producer?"

Tao Yushu glanced at her sister. She didn't need to think about what her sister was thinking. It was nothing more than satisfying her vanity.

"When you were not in Hong Kong, I was the one coordinating the work of the crew."

Tao Yumo was afraid that her sister would not agree, so she boasted about her own contributions.

Tao Yushu pretended to hesitate for a long time, until Tao Yumo was about to use the method of acting like a spoiled child, and then she agreed to her request.

Wang Jing is still filming "The Magic Jade" for Yongsheng, but it does not prevent him from doing two things at the same time. He is already writing the script for the new film he is cooperating with Lin.

It is called a script, but it is actually the outline of the script. The details are all edited on the spot, which is also the norm in the Hong Kong film market today.

"Yesterday I met with Zou Wenhuai, and he agreed to invest 2 million Hong Kong dollars in "The Romance of the Condor Heroes". But judging from his attitude, this time he is more trying to win you over." Tao Yushu said to Lin Chaoyang.

"It is certain that he wants to win me over. Now he has something to ask of us, and there is no need to worry about falling out."

If Lin's Films wants to become bigger and stronger, it will inevitably face direct competition from Golden Harvest and Cinema City in the future. The couple understands this, but they definitely don't want to go head-to-head with these two giants 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 next year, we should not have to worry too much about the two companies targeting us.

What I am worried about now is the issue of cinema chains. As you said, without the support of cinema chains, we will still be manipulated by others even if we are given another two or five years." Tao Yushu said worriedly.

"Let's take it step by step. After the Puqing Theater on Nathan Road is demolished, a mini theater will be built, and we can rent it then.

Shaw Brothers still has more than a dozen cinema chains in its hands. D\u0026B can rent them, and we can rent them too, but the prerequisite is that we still need money."

Listening to Lin Chaoyang's words, Tao Yushu nodded and sighed.

"I didn't feel that way before I started my business, but why do I feel that I'm getting more and more short of money after I started my business?"

Lin Chaoyang smiled and said, "It's normal since the company is just starting up. 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 don't feel pressured, I'm anxious and I want everything to be done in one go."

"You have to eat one bite at a time."

Tao Yushu didn't want Lin Chaoyang to be distracted by the company's affairs, so she changed the subject and said, "Don't worry about the company's affairs, try to finish the novel as soon as possible. I haven't read your novel for a long time."

"I think Editor Tao is free tonight, why don't you come and give me some guidance and corrections?"

Lin Chaoyang jokingly took Tao Yushu's hand, took out the manuscript that was mostly written, and handed it to her.

Touching the texture of the handwritten manuscript, Tao Yushu couldn't help but feel a lot of emotions in her heart. It has been a long time since she sat quietly on the sofa and read a novel like this.

She asked: "You are still writing this kind of urban style in this novel. Aren't you afraid that people will continue to say that you are out of touch with the people?"

"You have to see the essence through the phenomenon. Although my novel is still modern and urban, its 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 quickly. She finished the novel that was more than half written in three or four hours in one night.

As Lin Chaoyang said, his new work is indeed a work with social criticism.

Various delicate and exquisite 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's heart was itching, and she couldn't help asking Lin Chaoyang: "How did you design the final ending?"

"To make a huge profit*life." Lin Chaoyang said.

"Huge profit*life?"

Tao Yushu thought about it and roughly understood what Lin Chaoyang meant. It seems that the ending may be tragic.

She did not continue to ask, wanting to wait until Lin Chaoyang finished writing the ending before reading it, to maintain that curiosity and sense of mystery.

The next morning, the phone at Lin Chaoyang's house rang suddenly.

It was Nansun Shi who called to announce the good news. "A Better Tomorrow" had a box office of 1.844 million on the first day of its release, and this opening score ranked third among Hong Kong local films this year.

The first two were "The Truman Show" and "The Lucky Stars" produced by Golden Harvest.

"The Truman Show" was blessed with the award of the Cannes Film Festival, and "The Lucky Stars" was a new work in the "Five Lucky Stars" series that Golden Harvest used to fight against the "Best Partner" series of Cinema City's trump card.

The opening of "A Better Tomorrow" was able to achieve such a result, which really surprised Cinema City.

In fact, if it were not for Lin Chaoyang, the master screenwriter, Cinema City would not have given much publicity resources to this film that brought together "the old, the weak, the sick and the disabled".

Now that the movie is released, it has a good opening performance, which is also a pleasant surprise.

After talking to Shi Nansheng, Lin Chaoyang reminded Tao Yushu:

"Didn't Wang Jing say that he wanted to find Ah Fa to play in "The Romance of the Condor Heroes"? Hurry up and sign a contract with him, because the salary will increase in a few days!"

"I 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 Hong Kong, and Tao Yumo is a natural right-hand man, and she is a law student.

It's a pity that the legal system in Hong Kong is very different from that in the mainland, so Tao Yumo's original knowledge system is not very useful and needs to be relearned.

"Okay, then I'll go to the company, and you think about sending 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 would write to him from time to time to urge him to write new works. Now that most of the new works have been written, Lin Chaoyang has the confidence to ask him to "stop urging".

He came to the office of Lin's Films in the Prince Building, which was more popular than before.

On the one hand, there were two more employees, and on the other hand, because director Wang Jing's new play was scheduled to be released at the beginning of next month, he was recruiting extras. Lin Chaoyang stayed in the company for less than 20 minutes, and three young people came to fill out the application form.

The development of the film and television industry in Hong Kong in the 1980s created a large number of young people chasing their dreams, and many of them became famous superstars at home and abroad in later generations.

For example, Andy Lau, Tony Leung, Stephen Chow...

Stephen Chow?

Lin Chaoyang had nothing to do, and he was flipping through the actor recruitment form he received in the past two days. Suddenly, his eyes were deeply attracted by a name on the form, and his eyes were full of surprise.

"Born in 1962, home address: Kowloon, Hong Kong, special actor of Rediffusion Television, 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 it must be him.

It is 1986 now, and Stephen Chow should still be a host of TVB. He racks his brains every day to play a small role and sends his resume to film companies everywhere.

He originally heard Tao Yumo talking about recruiting actors yesterday, and today he came to see if there are any familiar names in the future. Unexpectedly, he really met one, and it was SSSR.

"Ah Zhen, when did this actor come?" Lin Chaoyang asked Wu Meizhen, a staff member of the production team responsible for recruiting actors.

"Mr. Lin, this person... I can't remember it either, probably yesterday."

Lin Chaoyang saw that Ah Zhen had no clue, so he stopped entangled in the details and said to her: "Call him and say that there is an important role for him to audition."

Wu Meizhen was full of confusion. The crew recruited small roles, how could they give important roles to people?

But Lin Chaoyang was the boss, so she asked, "Mr. Lin, when is the interview scheduled?"

"Tell him to come now."

Wu Meizhen muttered in her heart, how can it be so urgent?

After she contacted Lin Chaoyang according to the phone number on the form, she said to Lin Chaoyang, "Mr. Lin, I have already contacted him. He should be here before 10:30."

"Okay, call me when he comes."

After arranging things, Lin Chaoyang ran to the office to rest.

Before 10:30, Wu Meizhen knocked on the door and walked in, "Mr. Lin, he's here."

"Let him in."

Wu Meizhen led him into the office. Zhou Xingchi is only 24 years old now, with delicate eyebrows and handsome eyes, and a middle-parted hairstyle, which looks like he has also used hairspray.

He was nervous from the moment he entered the door, and he became even more nervous when he saw Lin Chaoyang staring at him without saying anything.

After hesitating for a long time, he called out helplessly, "Hello, Mr. Lin!"

Lin Chaoyang nodded and asked softly, "Zhou Xingchi, right? What's the best way to address you?"

"They all call me Xingzai, Mr. Lin." Zhou Xingchi said, shrinking his body.

"Then I'll call you Ah Xing."

Feeling Lin Chaoyang's kindness, Zhou Xingchi's nervousness faded a little, and he pursed his lips and said, "Thank you, Mr. Lin."

His voice was low, and his expression and body movements were full of restraint, which was difficult to associate 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 acted in a play?"

"Yes." Zhou Xingchi blurted out, and then his voice became two degrees lower, saying, "I played a small role in a TV series on Jade Channel."

Lin Chaoyang smiled and said, "Playing a small role is also acting."

Hearing this, Zhou Xingchi's eyes brightened by two points, and he couldn't help but feel a little closer to the boss in front of him.

"Our company is going to start a new play recently. There is a role in it called the male No. 3. It fits your image. Do you want to play it?"

This sounded like nonsense. When Stephen Chow heard "male No. 3", his head almost broke off. He was almost hooked.

Lin Chaoyang's smile became more kind, and he praised: "Young people are motivated! Then sign a contract with the company, and the male No. 3 is yours."

Sign a contract?

Stephen Chow looked confused. Signed a contract like this? Isn't it based on acting skills?

"Sign a film contract?" Stephen Chow asked blankly.

"Almost. The company's development really needs young people with potential like you. I think you have a good image and you came from TVB. Sign with our company in the future."

Zhou Xingchi realized that Lin Sheng wanted to sign him.

He was happy at first, but then he became alert.

Just a few words and he could sign the contract? Too much of a joke, right? Is there a trap?

"Ah Xing, I still think highly of you.

You are the first actor signed by our Lin's Film Company. You must work hard to play this movie well. When you become famous in the future, I will make a movie to make you the leading actor!"

What is the most important quality for a boss?

Drawing big cakes and spreading chicken soup.

The boss is not afraid of you having brains, but afraid of you not having dreams. Zhou Xingchi is just a person with dreams. All his alertness was wiped out when Lin Chaoyang said the three words "leading actor".

He Zhou Xingchi is penniless and has nothing. Is there anything worth being cheated of?

What can the film company cheat him of? Filming pornographic films?

As long as he can make movies and be the leading actor, what does it matter if he makes pornographic films?

Zhou Xingchi's mind was full of "male lead". He was so excited that he planned to agree to it, but he suddenly thought of wireless TV.

"Mr. Lin, I still have a job at TVB..."

"You can quit your job at TVB. Even if you don't work, you can still get 5,000 yuan a month at Lin's. If you start acting, the salary will be calculated separately. It should be better than your treatment at TVB, right?"

Zhou Xingchi nodded without hesitation. It was not only good, but also very good.

He worked at TVB for five years and received a monthly salary of 2,000 yuan for five years. Even though he had become the mainstay of the children's program "430 Shuttle", he did not dare to ask for a salary increase.

Why didn't he dare to ask?

Because TVB has never lacked people. You want a salary increase? Sorry, you will be replaced tomorrow. If you don't do it, there are plenty of people who will do it.

But what can you do with 2,000 Hong Kong dollars?

In Hong Kong today, a bowl of wonton noodles costs more than ten Hong Kong dollars, and watching a movie costs twenty or thirty Hong Kong dollars. 2,000 Hong Kong dollars can barely solve the problem of food and clothing.

It's not that 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, he has sent out resumes to all the big and small film companies in Hong Kong when they were recruiting actors, but he rarely received a response. Even if he received a phone call, it was all a minor role, the same treatment as in TVB.

After being beaten by reality for a few years, this time when Lin's Films recruited actors for a new play, he was just trying it out.

Who could have expected that he would get lucky and be noticed by the boss of the company.

In the past, he didn't even dare to hope for a well-known supporting role, but now he can play the third male role, and the boss said that he would give him a play and make him the first male role!

All this is like a dream!

Seeing Stephen Chow's performance like Fan Jin passed the imperial examination, Lin Chaoyang patted his shoulder earnestly.

"Okay, go back and resign from TVB quickly, and then come to the company to sign a contract."

Stephen Chow finally reacted, and he nodded instinctively, but after a few seconds he hesitated again, his face hesitant.

"Mr. Lin, can I...sign with the company today and then resign?"

The rabbit insisted on hitting the tree, and Lin Chaoyang couldn't stop it. He naturally understood Zhou Xingchi's thoughts.

He was just afraid that if he resigned first, Lin's Film would suddenly change its mind and not sign a contract with him, and he would end up with nothing.

"Okay." Lin Chaoyang said happily.

Listening to his answer, Zhou Xingchi's uneasy heart finally settled down, filled with joy and excitement.

"Azhen, call Zhuang Sheng and ask him to draft a contract and send it over."

Lin's Film is small, but it has everything. It also has its own law firm, which was introduced by Li Hanxiang.

More than two hours later, the freshly baked contract was delivered. Zhou Xingchi looked at the contract with the bright "10 years" on it and was a little overwhelmed.

Mr. Lin, do you think so highly of me?

"Mr. Lin, is this liquidated damages too high?" Zhou Xingchi asked cautiously.

"Axing, the company promises you to have at least two movies to shoot every year, and your role will be at least the third male lead, with salary and pay. 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 Stephen Chow feel uneasy. He just asked tentatively and didn't want to upset his future boss.

"Very good!" Stephen Chow said from the heart.

Lin Chaoyang nodded slightly, and then pointed his finger at the series of liquidated damages in the contract.

"Do you think these are just liquidated damages? Do you think we give you such generous conditions just to train an ordinary actor?

No! These are all your future potential! Your potential is unlimited!

We want to train not just an ordinary actor, but a tomorrow's superstar in the film industry!"

Lin Chaoyang's eyes were sincere, his tone was sonorous and powerful, and Stephen Chow was already dumbfounded.

My potential is unlimited?

My tomorrow's superstar?

"Sign it, Ah Xing! After you sign, you will be a big star!"

Lin Chaoyang in front of Zhou Xingchi seemed to have grown two horns, with a green face and fangs, and his words were full of bewitching power.

When he reacted again, his name was already clearly signed on the contract.

For a moment, Zhou Xingchi felt a little regretful.

"Ah Zhen, ask the finance department to transfer 10,000 yuan to Ah Xing's account, as a signing fee!"

"Okay, Mr. Lin." Wu Meizhen responded.

Stephen Chow's regret disappeared. 10,000 Hong Kong dollars is equivalent to his five-month salary at TVB.

The boss is wise!

"Mr. Lin, what should I do next?" Stephen Chow asked Lin Chaoyang eagerly.

"First, go to TVB to resign.

Second, spend the money.

Third, wait for my news. The new play will be released in early September. You will be the third male in the future!"

Stephen Chow felt that Mr. Lin's every move was full of domineering. With such a boss, why worry about not having a play to shoot?

"Okay, boss!"

Before leaving the office, Stephen Chow turned around and asked Lin Chaoyang seriously: "Boss, why are you so optimistic about me?"

Lin Chaoyang looked at him with a warm smile on his face, "Because my son likes to watch your "430 Shuttle."

Stephen Chow left the Prince's Building with a bright smile. He didn't believe that the boss signed him because his son liked to watch "430 Shuttle".

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 was full of curiosity, "Why would you want to sign an actor for no reason?"

"Axing is a young man with ideas. In the future, the company will open several movies a year, and we need to sign a few actors, otherwise all the benefits will go to outsiders."

Tao Yushu felt that what Lin Chaoyang said made some sense, "Then sign a few more actors later."

"Okay."

Lin Chaoyang didn't plan to worry about signing more actors. Signing Stephen Chow in "Two Weeks and One Way" was enough.

In the golden age of Hong Kong movies, there was a saying of "Two Weeks and One Way". 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 Golden Harvest able to recover quickly and rise rapidly?

To a large extent, it was because of Cheng Long's rise.

Why was Yongsheng able to sweep the Hong Kong film industry in the 1990s?

It was also because of Stephen Chow's rise.

Having just signed Wong Jing a few days ago and Stephen Chow today, Lin's Films has already laid the foundation for its rapid development.

The next day, Lin Chaoyang received a call from Kitamura Miyu from Japan.

"Crossing the Guandong" has been published in Japan for half a year and has performed well.

Last month, Kitamura Miyu wrote to him and proposed that Kawade Shobo hopes to continue to introduce his novels. Lin Chaoyang talked about the issue of royalties in his reply and hoped to sign a contract in the form of tiered royalties. This time, Kitamura Miyu called to discuss this matter.

After some discussions, Kawade Shobo decided to introduce Lin Chaoyang's "Lai Zi's Summer" and "Crossing the Boat" again, and the royalties will be settled in a tiered manner.

Sales of less than 60,000 copies, 8% royalties; sales of 60,000 to 150,000 copies, 12% royalties; sales of more than 150,000 copies, 15% royalties.

In the Japanese book market, it is not easy to sell 150,000 copies of pure literary works, which is almost equivalent to the sales of hundreds of thousands of copies of general bestsellers.

This condition is a bit harsh, but the return is not bad, from 8% to 15% royalties, the span is not small.

"Yumo, you go to Japan in two days."

After Lin Chaoyang and Kitamura Miyu agreed on the publishing matters, he assigned tasks to his sister-in-law.

"Where are you going?" Tao Yumo asked.

"Sign a contract for me, Kawade Bookstore will continue to publish my novels."

Tao Yumo got excited, "So I'm going abroad?"

"This is a business trip, not for you to have fun." Lin Chaoyang reminded.

Tao Yushu also said: "Your brother-in-law asked you to do business, don't go to some messy places."

"I know, I know."

Tao Yumo agreed, but it was obvious from her expression that she didn't listen, and she was a rebel.

Lin Chaoyang was worried and planned to contact Naoko Kondo as a local guide, after all, she was an acquaintance.

Two days later, Tao Yumo packed up and planned to go back to the mainland to apply for a passport and visa, and then go to Japan. Lin Chaoyang suddenly received a call from Nie Weiping from the mainland.

"Why did you go to Hong Kong again? When will you come back?"

In the first sentence, Nie Weiping's tone was very resentful, and people could feel his anxiety through the microphone.

"What's wrong?"

"What else, did you forget about the challenge match?"

Lin Chaoyang said speechlessly: "What does your Go team match have to do with me?"

"Why not? If you don't come, you can't suppress the little Japanese, and our Chinese team will be almost killed by them."

After the Japanese side lost the first China-Japan Go Challenge last year, they were furious and started the war again in March this year, starting the second challenge match.

Despite the victory last year, in the pre-match prediction, more than half of the Go fans were optimistic about the Japanese team's victory, which put a lot of pressure on the Chinese team.

After the challenge match started, the situation was not optimistic.

In the first match, Rui Naiwei won two consecutive victories against her opponents, but was defeated by Imamura Toshiya. After four games, the two sides were tied 2:2.

The Chinese team thought that this year's game might be a back-and-forth match, with the scores rising alternately. Unexpectedly, this time the Japanese team also had a "Jiang Zhujiu"-like figure.

After the start of the sixth game, Kobayashi Akira, the seventh dan of the Japanese team, defeated Qian Yuping, Shao Zhenzhong, Cao Dayuan, Jiang Zhujiu, and Liu Xiaoguang in succession.

In a blink of an eye, only Ma Xiaochun and Nie Weiping were left on the Chinese team, while the Japanese team still had six players who had not played.

If Ma Xiaochun also loses to Xiao Linjue, Nie Weiping will have to face six 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 larger property.

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: "Hey, 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 took the key directly 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."

"You should repay your kindness."

"Push to the street!"