Chapter 1,365 The “leader” of the entertainment industry
Over in Singapore, director Yutaka Osawa and producer representatives were shocked after receiving a cross-border call from Tokyo.
They didn't expect Fog Studios to decide so quickly to bear all losses, abandon all filming results in Singapore, and let the crew go to France for filming.
Especially in Tokyo, they solemnly told them to evacuate as soon as possible at all costs, tried their best to appease the main actors, and considered modifying the original settings of the script.
Such an order made them understand that the matter was irreversible, and more or less aware of the seriousness of the matter - if they did not leave here as soon as possible, there would probably be more trouble.
The burden on their hearts suddenly increased, adding a lot of panic, so the implementation under this situation also affected the emotions of the actors to a certain extent, and they became nervous and panicked.
In particular, there are some restrictions on objective issues, which exacerbate this negative effect.
For example, several Hong Kong actors and Japanese actors who originally had few roles had scheduling problems in terms of announcements.
Some mainland actors also have problems with their passports and visas.
These actors are a little confused about what to do, and if they don't solve it well, it won't work.
But then again, "Crazy Rich Asians" has a sufficient budget and a large-scale production crew after all.
For Ning Weimin, anything that can be done with money is no big deal.
In this way, with the blessing of money, Osawa Yutaka quickly coordinated everything on behalf of the crew and the actors who had scheduling problems.
Moreover, that place in France can be regarded as half of Ning Weimin's hometown, especially his relationship in the French film and television industry and the fashion industry, which is no less than that in Japan.
Thanks to the smooth relations from France and the financial guarantee from Credit Agricole, the French Embassy in Singapore also quickly processed visas for actors from the mainland of the Republic.
So even though the entire crew left Singapore in a bit of a panic, as if they were on the run, they finally achieved safety in time.
Moreover, there was Alain Delon in France who was responsible for coordinating the filming and settling in the hotel. The favorable conditions in all aspects were beyond the expectations of the crew.
Once they got there, they were no longer confused.
Some actors were even a little happy to see that the accommodation conditions were good because the crew was responsible for all expenses and the filming process was slowed down.
At this time, they didn't feel like they were here to work, but rather like they were here for vacation.
In short, this matter was handled in a timely and smooth manner, and nothing happened that Ning Weimin did not want to see, which made him feel relieved.
Perhaps in the eyes of others, he is making a fuss out of a molehill.
He actually made such a decision before trying to communicate with the other party, which caused a lot of actual losses to himself. It was really unwise.
It is also easy for opponents to mistakenly think that they are too timid, and they will become more and more unscrupulous.
But Ning Weimin knows best in his heart where his psychological bottom line is and what he really cares about.
Money is nothing to him, whether it is hundreds of millions of yen, billions of yen, or even tens of billions of yen.
With his ability, this small economic loss can be easily recovered.
But if the crew encounters legal risks or personal safety threats in Singapore, there will be nothing he can do.
Only by ensuring that all the people working for him are out of danger can he be able to calmly deal with the predicament.
…………
On the second day after the "Crazy Rich Asians" crew arrived in France, Ning Weimin, Akira Okamoto, and a legal lawyer from Matsumoto Firm went to Burning Project, the entertainment firm that had called them to challenge them.
Their visit this time was an uninvited and voluntary visit.
The purpose is to find out as soon as possible why the other party is releasing malicious intent and deliberately targeting them.
On the surface, their move is a completely legitimate reaction, a direct response to the other party's provocation.
But the call from the other party is probably also a bait, just hoping that they will do it impatiently.
This will undoubtedly have the effect of lowering their self-worth and thus becoming passive.
So Ning Weimin got smart and agreed before they came this time that they would only visit in the name of Akira Okamoto, the factory director.
Ning Weimin himself stayed behind the scenes as an accompanying person and observed the situation secretly.
Talk if you can, but if you can't talk, you can leave yourself some leeway.
Sure enough, they soon received a clear cold reception.
When he first arrived, Ning Weimin rushed to the front desk as a secretary and politely introduced himself to the female staff at the front desk.
"We are from Fog Film Factory. We were invited by the president of your company over the phone to talk about the matter. Could you please inform us that Director Okamoto of Fog Film Factory is visiting."
Perhaps it’s because Ning Weimin’s handsome face is as lovable as a celebrity.
At this time, the female staff at the front desk was very enthusiastic and showed a smile that was much more sincere than a professional smile.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"This... you actually called us. The originally agreed time was not today. But we only have today's convenient time, so we came to visit the president of your company in person. You can ask, I think
He will meet us."
Ning Weimin chose his words carefully and tried to sound confident.
Because now he is not sure of the other party's intentions, who knows what the other party is planning.
"Okay, please wait a moment."
It was probably not the first time that the female clerk at the front desk had encountered this kind of thing. She touched the intercom phone and asked a few questions softly while covering the phone.
This phone call turned out to be a crucial turning point, and soon her expression became strange.
Even though she had deliberately hidden it, probably because of her lack of professional experience, Ning Weimin still noticed the clues as her eyes widened and her expression froze.
"I'm sorry, the president is holding a very important meeting, so it's not convenient to see you at the moment..."
Ning Weimin could not hold his composure, but he did not expect to see anyone right away.
"What about the vice president? You should have someone else who can make the decision, right?"
"The vice president is also in a meeting. In fact, all the main leaders of the office are in a meeting. Otherwise, please come back after making an appointment next time. Is that okay with you?"
Ning Weimin thought for a while and felt that the front desk did not inform him that the president was absent because the other party wanted to talk.
The other party refused to meet, probably just to put on airs and further undermine their prestige.
He immediately said, "We can wait!"
Ning Weimin didn't care about the other party playing such meaningless tricks. In his opinion, this only proved the other party's petty ambition.
He has the stomach to tolerate clowns before finding out the opponent's trump card.
As expected, the female staff member covered the phone and whispered a few words, then showed an awkward smile, stood up, and led Ning Weimin and his party to a waiting room.
And politely prepared a pot of coffee for them, and then...disappeared.
Ning Weimin and the three of them just sat there drinking the pot of coffee. They sat there for three hours, their buttocks hurt from sitting, and no one came to greet them.
At this time, Ning Weimin looked at his watch and saw that it was almost half past six! This was already past the closing time for most companies.
So Ning Weimin stopped waiting and didn't even go to the front desk to inquire. He stood up and asked Akira Okamoto and the lawyer to leave together.
He believed that his side's sincerity had been fully expressed.
If they leave at this time and the other party doesn't keep them, it means that the other party has no intention of interviewing them at all and is just playing tricks on them.
There is no point in staying any longer.
The result was as he expected. As soon as a few people walked out of the door of the Burning Project entertainment agency and were waiting for the elevator, the front desk lady responsible for receiving guests ran over to chase them.
Her face turned red and she changed her words and said, "The president asked them to wait a little longer."
In this way, under Ning Weimin's eyes, several people walked back and waited with their last patience to meet.
It's probably because the other party has played enough tricks on them and earned face.
Perhaps they were really afraid that their patience would run out and they would walk away, thus becoming villains in vain.
This time, they only waited a token amount of ten minutes before the front desk lady informed them that they could see the president, and then personally led them to the innermost part of the affairs office area.
At this time, it was long past the off-duty time, and there was no one in the corridor. The artists, office staff, and visitors from related industries who could have been seen by chance were all gone.
The lights were dim, and all office doors were closed, with metal handles shining.
Probably because the air-conditioning was too strong, Ning Weimin felt a chill down his spine while walking in the empty corridor.
The front desk lady who was leading the way was walking in front of them. Her high-heeled footsteps on the linen carpet were particularly loud.
Finally arriving in front of the president's office, the receptionist stopped, knocked on the door gently, and then looked back at the guests.
Soon, someone inside opened the door wide.
A character who looked like the president's secretary did not introduce himself, but gestured for several people to walk in.
The president's room is very spacious and brightly lit, and those who don't know it might think they are walking into a gallery.
Various large and small Japanese paintings are hung on the three walls, with themes including landscapes, figures and flowers. The heavy colors of the artworks and the thick golden frames complement each other.
Hanging on the wall in the middle of the back of the office is a large-scale print with a historical theme, which is commonly known as "Ukiyo-e" by the Japanese.
A middle-aged man on the seat in front of him raised his head, revealing a stern and smiling face.
This expression is actually very contradictory. The eyes are cold, but the corners of the mouth are smiling.
Perhaps the only way to describe it is with an old Chinese proverb: "Smile on the skin but not on the skin."
"President, this is Director Okamoto of Fog Film Factory."
The guest had already arrived, and the receptionist moved a few steps to introduce Akira Okamoto, who was standing behind him.
"Oh, here we come."
This was his greeting when they first met.
"Are you President Zhou Fang?"
"Yes, I am Shu Fang Ikuo."
This person's eyebrows are very narrow, there are several wrinkles, his nostrils are a bit big, his lips are thin, his cheekbones are protruding, and his chin is flat and strong.
When he said this sentence, his tone was full of confidence.
On the contrary, Akira Okamoto acted very restrained after entering the door.
Perhaps it's because Fog Film Factory has just started, and as the director, he doesn't have the feeling of an industry leader yet.
Especially when the identity of the other party is confirmed, he subconsciously becomes shorter.
I have the urge to bow, but I don’t want to be too humble due to my identity and purpose.
I couldn't help feeling embarrassed for a moment, so after thinking about it I had to step forward and extend my hand with a slight bow.
However, even this thin noodle was not given to him.
Perhaps seeing his guilty conscience, Zhou Fangyuxiong showed no courtesy at all.
Instead of extending his hand, he sat still in his seat and casually pointed at the chair opposite him, as if giving orders to his subordinates.
"Sit down."
Akira Okamoto immediately felt humiliated, and for a moment he wanted to look back at Ning Weimin.
But when he remembered the purpose of coming today, he still held back. He reluctantly moved his lips but didn't say anything, and just did it silently.
As for Ning Weimin and the accompanying legal lawyer, they were completely ignored by Zhou Fang Yuxiong.
They didn't even deserve seats, so they had to stand behind Akira Okamoto.
As a result, under such circumstances, Ning Weimin got his first impression of Zhou Fang Yuxiong.
Arrogant, domineering, arrogant, arrogant.
It turns out that this is the "leader" of the Japanese entertainment industry.
Why does this person look like a villain?
This is a bit inappropriate. If he really has this kind of personal quality and can't even put on a show, how on earth could this person climb to this position?
Is he determined to defeat us, or is there someone behind him to support him?
Ning Weimin observed silently and thought silently in his heart.
Yes, Ning Weimin already knew the relevant information about this being President Zhou Fang before coming here, and heard many rumors about him through the mouths of Akira Okamoto and Mitsuru Watanabe.
But it was only now that he compared the things he remembered with the person in front of him.
According to two subordinates, with the decline of the major movie studio system and the rise of television entertainment, the living conditions of artists in the Japanese entertainment industry have also changed drastically.
Now five economic firms have monopolized 80% of the artist resources.
The entire industry calls them the "One Super Four", so they have a high say in the entertainment industry.
And which firm is the most powerful among these five?
There is no doubt that it is BURNINGPRODUCTION.
This company is amazing.
Although looking at the tax payment and presumed income rankings of entertainment firms, BURNING seems to be far less lucrative than other firms. The business entity is not large, and there are not many first-line stars. At most, it is the size of a medium-sized firm.
But in fact BURNING is a super aircraft carrier company.
The reason why it is called the big brother in the entertainment industry is that nearly half of the small firms in the entertainment industry are affiliated with BURNING or have business relationships with BURNING.
In other words, more than half of the artists in Japan are more or less managed by BURNING.
Although these offices are not named BURNING, they are collectively called "BURNING system", which is also the "combustion system".
Therefore, one can imagine the voice of Ikuo Subo, the president of BURNING Agency, in the entertainment industry.
And his own experience of making a fortune is even more miraculous.
It is said that he was originally just a poor loser who worked as a driver for a politician and formed a certain fate.
Then I went to work in an artist agency. After being fired by my boss, I started my own company.
Because when Japan tightened copyrights, they started to acquire the copyrights of golden songs in advance and made a fortune.
Later, he hooked up with the Yamaguchi-gumi, the largest organization in Yakuza, Japan, who was interested in getting involved in the entertainment industry. From then on, he continued to annex artist management companies by coercion and inducement to grow and develop.
Even now he has the ability to manipulate the public opinion of the media. If any media dares to disobey him, he will notify his artists to block this media and never accept interviews again.
But then again, as far as Ning Weimin knows, the Yamaguchi-gumi's power is not in Tokyo, and the case of Ikuo Shubo involving gangsters was several years ago.
Judging from the time, it was precisely after he became successful that he began to pay attention to whitewashing.
Moreover, in media reports, some people have repeatedly praised him as a well-educated, humble and polite man.
So according to Ning Weimin, it would be great to make money by exploiting artists and monopolizing copyrights, but this guy is mentally ill to get involved with Yakuza.
Maybe he is just a showman who likes to scare people with Yakuza, and he has been trying to clean up his innocence for so many years.
Otherwise, with the current rampant Yakuza in Japan, he will not have any trouble at all in the past two years.
What's more, even if he can use his influence to get the media to completely block negative news about him, to put it another way.
But even if he really plays dirty, he may not be Axia's opponent.
After all, Axia has Inagawa behind her, and he is the real local snake in Tokyo. How could he be allowed to show off his power in the name of the Yamaguchi-gumi?