Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 71 Tips

Cai Yinong didn't notice the subtle tension between the two. She stood up and adjusted her trench coat.

"Director Fu, I know a private restaurant nearby. It's quiet, and the owner is an old friend of mine. I guarantee there won't be any unauthorized people there."

Fu Yibai glanced at Liu Yan.

Liu Yan immediately understood: "President Fu, I'll go back to the hotel first to prepare tomorrow's announcements."

"Um."

Twenty minutes later, the car stopped deep in an alley near Sanlitun.

There was no sign at the entrance, only two red lanterns swaying gently in the night breeze.

Cai Yinong was clearly a regular customer. She led Fu Yibai through the courtyard and into the innermost private room.

The private room was small but elegantly decorated.

An eight-immortal table, a grand master's chair, and a traditional Chinese ink painting of orchids on the wall.

The bamboo outside the window casts sparse shadows under the lamplight.

"You don't need to order the dishes here; the owner will cook them according to the customer's preferences."

Cai Yinong took off her trench coat and draped it over the back of the chair next to her.

Inside was a beige silk shirt, the collar slightly open, revealing a delicate collarbone.

Fu Yibai sat down opposite her, his gaze sweeping over her indifferently.

Thirty-four-year-old Tsai Yinong is at the most charming age for a woman.

His eyes and brows exuded the composure that comes with age, and his every gesture reflected the confidence gained from years of professional experience. Yet, his face was still as youthful as that of a twenty-seven or twenty-eight-year-old, with smooth and delicate skin under the lights, showing no signs of fatigue.

"Director Fu, what would you like to drink? We have some good Shaoxing wine here."

"random."

Cai Yinong gave the order, and soon a pot of warmed Shaoxing wine was served, along with several delicate side dishes.

She personally poured wine for Fu Yibai, her movements elegant and composed.

"Director Fu, I won't beat around the bush."

She put down the wine jug, took a file folder from her bag, and pushed it in front of him.

"This is a script that Sugarman collected. It's a low-budget horror/thriller.

I would like to ask you to take a look.

Fu Yibai took it, but did not open it immediately; instead, he placed it beside him.

"President Cai is very quick."

Tsai Yinong gave a wry smile.

"We have to hurry."

She picked up her wine glass, took a sip, and spoke with a touch of wistfulness.

"Having worked in the TV drama industry for so many years, I've accumulated some wealth."

But I really have no idea how deep the waters of the film industry are.

I've been pondering Director Fu's words at the celebration banquet for several days now.

Paying tuition fees—that's a very practical statement.

People with diabetes do need to pay this tuition, but they shouldn't pay it too unjustly.

Therefore, I would like to ask you to review this manuscript.

If Director Fu thinks there's potential, then the sugar figurine will be made available.

If I don't think it will work, I'll wait a bit longer.

Fu Yibai then opened the script.

The private room was quiet, with only the rustling of bamboo leaves in the night breeze outside the window.

Fu Yibai opened the script, and the title on the cover caught his eye—"Suspicious and Paranoid".

He quickly skimmed through the synopsis and the first three scenes, his brow furrowing slightly.

This is a typical "domestic horror film".

Fu Yibai flipped through the script very quickly, finishing it in less than ten minutes.

He closed the script, placed it on the table, and didn't speak immediately.

Tsai Yinong had been observing his expression, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Director Fu, how is it?"

Fu Yibai picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and spoke calmly.

"Does Mr. Cai want to hear the truth or just pleasantries?"

Cai Yinong's heart skipped a beat, but her smile remained unchanged.

"Of course it's the truth."

"Let me put it bluntly—I don't recommend submitting this proposal."

Tsai Yinong was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting such a direct denial.

She leaned forward slightly, her tone becoming serious.

"Director Fu, can you tell me the reason?"

Fu Yibai put down his wine glass and tapped his finger on the script.

"Horror films are inherently flawed in the mainland Chinese market."

"Why? Aren't Hong Kong horror movies selling very well?"

"Hong Kong is Hong Kong, and the mainland is the mainland."

Fu Yibai's tone was calm, yet his words hit the nail on the head.

"The censorship system in mainland China does not allow real ghosts to appear. All horror films must ultimately be explained scientifically—hallucinations, mental illness, or someone pretending to be a ghost."

Audiences go to the cinema looking for thrills, only to find out in the end that "it's all fake." How do you think they feel?

Cai Yinong seemed to be deep in thought.

"so……"

"So this type of product has a very low ceiling."

Fu Yibai continued.

"If viewers know from the first twenty minutes that the ending will definitely be 'no ghosts,' then all the horror atmosphere in front of them becomes a joke."

If word-of-mouth doesn't pick up, box office revenue naturally won't go up.

The few films that manage to break even rely on marketing gimmicks and favorable release dates, not the quality of the content itself.

He paused, then looked at Tsai Yinong.

"If Sugar Man chooses a horror movie for his first foray into film, the most likely outcome will be..."

With mediocre reviews and poor box office performance, the team spent all their time learning nothing but paying tuition fees.

"Mr. Cai, is this what you wanted?"

Tsai Yinong fell silent.

The private room was silent for a few seconds.

She picked up her wine glass, tilted her head back, took a big gulp, and exhaled a long breath.

"Director Fu, you're right."

There was a hint of a wry smile in her voice.

"I was indeed... too hasty."

I was always thinking about doing something as soon as possible, and when I saw that this notebook was cheap and the subject matter was trending, I had someone buy it for me.

But they didn't realize that there's a reason why things are cheap.

Fu Yibai didn't reply, but simply poured her another glass of wine.

As Cai Yinong watched his movements, a different look appeared in her eyes.

"Director Fu, what genre do you think Sugar Man should choose if he wants to try his hand at making movies?"

Fu Yibai did not answer immediately, but leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the bamboo shadows outside the window, as if he was thinking.

"Mr. Cai, what are the strengths of the sugar man?"

"Strengths?"

Cai Yinong was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening.

"Historical dramas, romance, and young audiences."

"right."

Fu Yibai nodded.

"Sugar figurines are well-established and experienced in creating ancient fantasy and martial arts films."

Why insist on jumping into unfamiliar genres when testing the waters with a film?

Tsai Yinong's eyes lit up for a moment.

"You mean...?"

"Find a historical drama, small in scale, strong in genre, popular with young audiences, and safe to be released within the censorship scope."

Fu Yibai picked up his wine glass, speaking calmly and unhurriedly.

"Sugar Man has readily available resources for costumes, props, and sets, as well as experience in producing period dramas. Transitioning to film is simply an upgrade in cinematic language, not starting from scratch."

Costs are controllable, risks are controllable, and if it succeeds, it will also provide valuable experience in film production.

Cai Yinong listened attentively, and her eyes gradually lit up.

"Director Fu...do you have any specific directions?"

Fu Yibai smiled.

"Mr. Cai, if I had already come up with all the projects for you, then you probably wouldn't just be treating me to dinner."

Tsai Yinong was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"I was greedy."

She picked up her wine glass and solemnly held it up to him.

"Director Fu, this is a toast to you."

Thank you for your words; they saved me a lot of trouble.

Fu Yibai raised his glass and gently clinked it against hers.

"Mr. Cai, you're too kind."

After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation gradually shifted from work to casual chat.