Chapter 6: Getting Flamed?

“I intend to entrust the film’s distribution to China Film Group. If the production costs cannot be recouped, I will not take a single cent of the box office revenue. However, if the costs are recouped, then President Han must transfer my share to me within one week after the film is pulled from theaters.”

The terms Cheng Sheng proposed seemed highly unfair to him. After all, if he won, he would only be getting what was rightfully his, but if he lost, he would walk away with nothing, leaving everything to China Film Group.

But from another perspective, this was extremely advantageous for him.

The first issue was distribution. Once a film is made, it must be distributed, and China Film Group was the largest distribution company in the country.

With powerful influence on the international stage and as the only company in China with the rights to import films, China Film Group had an impressive track record in both domestic and international markets. Entrusting them with distribution was undoubtedly the best choice.

The second point was the box office revenue.

After a film is released, payments can only be processed once the box office figures are finalized, and the theatrical run itself takes a month.

Film projects usually involve a lead production company, multiple investors, promotional teams, and distributors.

The payment process is complex, with each participant needing to settle accounts according to their profit-sharing agreements, which increases the time and complexity of receiving funds.

Breach of contract is relatively common in the film industry; partners might delay or refuse to pay during the profit-sharing phase, especially when a project loses money. In such cases, the holder of the collection account might default and withhold funds to minimize their own losses.

Cheng Sheng believed his film would break even, but he was afraid that the theaters would delay the profit-sharing, which would affect his subsequent plans.

But if President Han stepped in, the theaters would certainly not dare to delay.

President Han looked at Cheng Sheng with a half-smile, having already seen through the young man’s intentions.

However, he had no intention of exposing him, and he also wanted to see where this young man’s confidence in winning came from.

“Fine,” President Han agreed.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Sheng felt a surge of joy.

With Principal Xu Xiaozhong present, Cheng Sheng wasn’t worried about President Han going back on his word.

After leaving the China Film Group, Cheng Sheng and the principal returned to the school. After thanking the principal, Cheng Sheng headed back to his dormitory.

In the following days.

Zhang Yang notified the entire school of Cheng Sheng’s words, telling those who wanted to audition for the film that they didn’t need to come for an interview; they could simply submit their resumes and photos directly.

In no time, Zhang Yang and Yang Chao were flooded with countless resumes and photos.

Furthermore, the news that a student from the Directing Department of the Central Academy of Drama was shooting a film spread throughout the domestic entertainment industry.

At first, everyone thought it was just a small film with a budget of a few hundred thousand, and people in the industry didn’t pay it any mind.

A film with a budget of a hundred thousand—let alone A-list stars, even third-tier stars wouldn’t look twice at it.

But soon, the news that Cheng Sheng had invested 100 million yuan also leaked out.

This immediately shocked the domestic entertainment industry, and a tsunami of discussion erupted.

“Am I crazy, or is the world crazy? What kind of fool invests 100 million into a newcomer’s film?”

“This shouldn’t be! Even if you have money, you don’t throw it away like this.”

“Who is Cheng Sheng? Where does he get the ability to direct a 100-million-yuan film?”

“A historical film? If this can recoup its investment, I’ll eat shit.”

“Is this money laundering? The police really need to investigate this thoroughly.”

“A trash film, definitely a huge piece of trash. There’s no defending this.”

“Where did Cheng Sheng get the investment? Could he be a rich second-generation heir?”

“Anyone who invested in this film is a complete idiot.”

“……”

That’s right, not a single person in the domestic entertainment industry believed Cheng Sheng could succeed. The internet was filled with overwhelming skepticism, and many were convinced that Cheng Sheng’s film would be a massive disaster.

Some even suspected him of money laundering.

In an instant, these voices pushed Cheng Sheng onto the news trends and headlines.

On the set of *A World Without Thieves*.

Feng Dapo said with a dark face, “Newcomers these days have no self-awareness. Investing 100 million to shoot a historical film—they aren’t afraid of losing everything.”

“Director Feng, you saw that news too?”

Liu Naicha, who wasn’t filming at the moment, sat beside him and asked.

“It’s all over the headlines; how could I not notice?” Feng Dapo said dismissively.

“100 million! That’s more than double the budget of the *A World Without Thieves* we’re shooting now,” Liu Naicha said with envy.

“What’s the use of a high budget? I think that newcomer director is completely unreliable. The box office is bound to flop,” Feng Dapo said.

Although he was envious inside, he had to scoff on the surface. He also secretly wondered if he should talk to the two Wang brothers to see if they could increase the investment for his future projects.

After all, if a newcomer director dared to pull in 100 million in investment, surely he, a famous director, could get 70 or 80 million without a problem!

The lead actor of *A World Without Thieves* and the biggest star in the film, Liu Dehua, said, “This Cheng Sheng still has some ability.”

“What ability? I think he’s pretty good at bragging,” Feng Dapo said disdainfully.

Liu Hua smiled slightly. Although he didn’t know how capable Cheng Sheng was as a director, the fact that he could secure an investment of 100 million already surpassed most people.

One had to know that in all his years of making films, not a single one had an investment exceeding 100 million.

“If I could participate in a 100-million-yuan blockbuster, that would be pretty cool to talk about,” said Wang Baobao, who played the role of the fool, with a silly grin.

Upon hearing this, Feng Dapo was slightly displeased and said, “Only an idiot would go and act in that piece of trash directed by Cheng Sheng.”

Wang Baobao wasn’t truly stupid; he realized instantly that his previous comment had offended Feng Dapo and quickly said, “Director Feng is absolutely right. It’s just a huge piece of trash; whoever acts in it is doomed.”

Seeing that Wang Baobao was so tactful, Feng Dapo nodded with satisfaction. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he uploaded a status update to the internet.

A few minutes later.

When netizens saw the message Feng Dapo posted, it caused a sensation.

Feng Dapo had started attacking.

In an instant, a massive number of netizens replied to Feng Dapo’s message.

They were either cheering him on or just watching the spectacle, then joining in to bash Cheng Sheng.

At New Pictures Film Company in Beijing.

Zhang Weiping held a newspaper and said to Zhang Guoshi, who was working, “Nowadays, as long as you have money, anyone can be a director. The threshold for being a director is just too low!”

Zhang Guoshi glanced at the newspaper and said, “You don’t think highly of him either?”

“Heh heh, Old Zhang, this guy is just a clown. 100 million for a historical film? Who does he think he is?” Zhang Weiping mocked.

“A clown! Perhaps! However, until the film is released, I won’t define anyone.”

Zhang Guoshi still hoped for more good directors in the country, but he always felt that Cheng Sheng was unreliable.

He hadn’t even graduated yet, and his first film was a historical piece with a 100-million-yuan investment.

Even he wouldn’t dare to do something like that.

However, since the kid had the ability to secure the investment, Zhang Guoshi didn’t feel it was his place to judge.

“Hey, clowns always get their comeuppance. Old Zhang, look, even Feng Dapo has started attacking him.” Zhang Weiping looked at the message on his phone and was immediately amused.

“Maybe I should post a message to scold that kid too.”

Seeing that Zhang Guoshi didn’t respond, Zhang Weiping felt a surge of motivation and immediately took action.