Chapter 4: A Company of Only One and a Half People
The next day, Lin Yicheng drove his second-hand Audi to the company.

It’s not that I can’t afford a new car, but I’ve been driving this car since I was in college and I have feelings for it. It has also been running diligently without any problems, so I’m not going to change it for now.

The company is also in the HD zone and was just registered last month. Its name is Xinghe Film and Television Media Co., Ltd.

There are currently two people in the company, one is him and the other is a part-time worker.

The company's area is only over 100 square meters. There is a lobby as soon as you enter the door, and then there is a small meeting room and the boss's office.

After making a few phone calls and hiring two cleaning staff, who worked for more than an hour, people gradually delivered green plants, water dispensers, tea, coffee, etc. Although there was no one in the company yet, it had gained a bit of popularity.

……

Just as I made a cup of tea, the door was pushed open and a young man wearing glasses walked in.

He is not tall, about 1.7 meters, with a round face, a flat head, and wears glasses. He looks gentle and refined.

"Here I come, Brother Zong."

Lin Yicheng stood up and greeted him.

After the man sat down, he looked around and nodded.

"Not bad, it looks pretty good."

"It's just a little small, but let's make do with it for now."

"As long as there is a dragon, the company will be fine. With you here, this company will be fine." The young man said with a smile.

"Then I'll take your good words."

This young man is Lin Yicheng's agent, who was introduced by Lin's mother. He is Lin's mother's junior fellow student, and both graduated from Beijing Normal University.

His name is Zong Shuai.

Mainly responsible for some business aspects of Lin Yicheng, such as media interviews, signing matters, and communication and negotiation with some publishing houses in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

Zong Shuai was not well-known at that time. He used to be the director of the reporter department of the "Drama and Film News" and later worked for the Hong Kong Arts Federation.

He has not yet established his own company or joined Huayi.

But Lin Yicheng never underestimated him. After all, he was one of the most famous agents in later generations, and the big stars under him included Wu Qian, Chen Kun, Deng Chao, Zhang Hanyu, BOBO group, Su Youpeng and so on.

The reason why Lin Yicheng did not bring Zong Shuai into the company is that the temple is too small at the moment.

In the future, if there are any business matters such as advertising endorsements, they can also be handed over to Zong Shuai.

But his director and actor's agency contracts will not be signed to Zong Shuai, nor to anyone else.

Firstly, he might not take on any outside roles. Secondly, if he chooses to make the film for free while investing in it himself, how should he tell his agent?
It will easily lead to conflicts, so cut them off at the source and don’t sign an entertainment agent.

Zong Shuai has a lot of connections in the circle, and he knows some people in the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. This is why Lin Yicheng asked him to come here today.

"… Currently we are mainly lacking a leading actress. The candidates we are considering include Huang Shengyi… and also producers, lighting, and coordinators."

Lin Yicheng gave a general account of the situation of his crew.

When Zongshuai heard this, he was delighted.

"You are such a cunning boy. Huang Shengyi just filmed Kung Fu with Stephen Chow. Once this movie is released, the popularity of 'Star Girl' will also increase."

Lin Yicheng smiled. If nothing unexpected happens, "Kung Fu" will be released at the end of this year. Huang Shengyi became famous through this play and quickly became one of the so-called "Four Little Flowers".

He is a novice director. If he finds a female lead who is not famous or popular, will this movie still sell? To whom?

No matter what Huang Shengyi's future fame will be, for now, she is really suitable.

You're looking for a heroine, not a wife, so why think too much about it?

As long as she can make money, it's fine. But the tricky thing is that Huang Shengyi currently belongs to Xinghui Company.

Although outsiders cannot know who is right or wrong in her later lawsuit with Zhou Xingchi, it is questionable whether Star Overseas would agree to let her come to the mainland to film this movie.

……

Zong Shuai obviously knew something about Xinghui Company and agreed with Lin Yicheng's concerns. After thinking for a while, he said:
"I know Tin Kai Man, and I've also met the person in charge of artist management there. I'll call you later to ask."

"Thanks, Brother Zong."

Zongshuai waved his hand and said, "It's a small matter, no problem. As for the other people you mentioned, I'll gather them for you in three days."

I chatted with Lin Yicheng for a while about the new book. Zong Shuai was busy as well, so he said goodbye and left without staying any longer.

After thinking for a while, Lin Yicheng took out his cell phone and started making a call.

"Hey, auntie...I'm doing fine lately..."

"I'm planning to make a TV series... Yes, it's my first novel, Hello, Old Times... Okay, I'll confirm the time and arrange for someone to come over... Okay, bye, aunt."

"Hey, uncle... Your NetEase has been doing pretty well recently... Yeah, yes, we've got the filming permit, and we'll probably be able to start filming next month. You have to support your nephew... Okay, give my regards to my aunt..."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Yicheng let out a long sigh.

The reason why he is so famous now is that he is known as one of the "Three Musketeers of the Post-80s Literary World" together with Han Han and Guo Xiaosi, and he has many other titles.

Although his personal efforts were involved, it was also inseparable from the support and help of his relatives.

After all, talent is not like pregnancy, which can be seen at a glance, and good wine needs no bush.

Lin Yicheng's aunt works at Beijing Youth Daily and is currently the deputy editor-in-chief. His uncle is a powerful mid-level figure at NetEase.

After Lin Yicheng's first novel "Hello, Old Times" was published by Lin's mother's publishing house, with the help of his aunt and uncle's publicity resources, sales soared.

One-stop service of production + channel + promotion.

Lin Yicheng didn't think there was anything wrong with it. The literary world was even more exclusive. He had never thought of making it in the literary world on his own. It would be foolish not to use his connections.

Of the two people who are as famous as him, which one became famous purely by his own strength? The capital operation and interest entanglement behind it cannot be explained in a few words.

Including the film and television industry, if director Kaige didn't have a good father, how could he direct "Yellow Earth"? If Lao Mouzi hadn't been a photographer for Kaige, how could he have had the opportunity to shoot "Red Sorghum"?
So, strength is important, but connections are more important. Lin Yicheng, who had worked his way up from the bottom in his previous life, felt this deeply.

……

This time, Lin Yicheng chose "Hello, Old Times" as his directorial debut.

First of all, the novel has good sales, especially among students, and is very famous, which is a natural audience base.

Secondly, both the background and the characters are relatively simple, suitable for novice directors. For the actors and the backstage, the filming is not difficult. The investment is not high, and Lin Yicheng can easily eat it himself.

Finally, youth campus themes are still a blue ocean project in China, and domestic film and television companies have not paid too much attention to this theme.

Ever since "Meteor Garden" swept across Asia, there are only a handful of youth campus dramas that can be named in mainland China.

"The Sky of Eighteen Years Old" in 02 and "Red Apple Paradise" in 03, both dramas have achieved impressive ratings and popularity.

Today's audiences have not experienced the bombardment of the Internet in later generations, so they are still easy to please, especially junior and high school students, who are even more keen on youth campus dramas.

As long as it is well filmed and can impress the audience in some aspect and allow them to see their own reflection, it will attract them.

The most critical step for a new director is the first step. If he takes this step well and builds his fame and reputation, he will be much more relaxed in the future.

Whether it is recruiting cast and crew, attracting investors, or selling dramas to TV stations, it is more persuasive.

Therefore, Lin Yicheng is full of confidence and enthusiasm for "Hello, Old Times" and he will never allow himself to fail.

Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a waste of rebirth?
(End of this chapter)