107: Seamless transition to production

Since he was looking for a collaboration, he needed someone with similar values, and Wang Ning immediately thought of Xu Dalong.

Since they had exchanged contact information last time, Wang Ning called Xu Dalong right away, and they agreed to have lunch together.

Xu Dalong didn't expect to meet again after only two days, and even less did he expect that Wang Ning would come to him with a project.

Wang Ning was always straightforward in his dealings; upon meeting Xu Dalong, he didn't waste any time and immediately brought out his project.

"Brother Xu, I have a film and television project that I'd like to invite you to collaborate on."

The dishes hadn't even been fully served at the table yet; if this had been anyone else discussing business, they would surely have been annoyed—how could you talk business before the person has even eaten?

However, this behavior from Wang Ning hit exactly the right note with Xu Dalong. He hated dawdling at the dinner table and loved a straightforward and decisive personality.

Xu Dalong was a bit surprised to hear about a collaboration, so he picked up the project Wang Ning handed him and opened it to take a look.

One look was all it took to realize—it was an s+ project.

The setting was the niche genre of xianxia ancient idol dramas. Xu Dalong frowned, but not because of the subject matter; in fact, after reading the story synopsis, he was genuinely very interested in it. He had a premonition that this project would turn out quite well.

Wang Ning noticed the hesitation in Xu Dalong's eyes: "Brother Xu, if you have anything to say, just say it directly."

Hearing Wang Ning say this, Xu Dalong stopped holding back.

"Ning, I won't hide it from you. I'm really tempted after seeing this project, but our company doesn't have much money right now."

Feiyu Entertainment had just made some money from short dramas, which had finally put the company back on track, but s+ project investments were all over one hundred million, and they couldn't come up with that much money.

When Wang Ning heard this was the reason, he laughed out loud: "I thought it was something serious."

"Brother Xu, we don't need investment."

Xu Dalong: "Huh? You don't?"

Wang Ning: "Qingcheng Entertainment will cover the entire budget for this project ourselves."

Qingcheng Entertainment was definitely not short of money right now; the money they made from filming short dramas was truly substantial, otherwise, why would Xiangwan Entertainment be so envious?

Lu Qingyu's intention was that, in order for the company to have absolute control, this project would not seek external investment. As everyone knew, every investor had a goddaughter.

If an investor insisted on putting their goddaughter into the crew, or even making the goddaughter the female lead, you had no way to refuse. If you refused, they would withdraw their capital, so Qingcheng Entertainment simply eliminated that possibility altogether.

Xu Dalong was shocked; he hadn't expected Qingcheng Entertainment to be so wealthy!

Wang Ning continued: "Qingcheng Entertainment is not short on money, but we lack experience and good actors. I hope you can help me with these two aspects, Brother Xu."

Xu Dalong laughed heartily upon hearing this: "That's great! Our Feiyu Entertainment also participated in the production of an s+ project a couple of days ago. Although the show didn't explode in popularity, we summarized a lot of experience, so at the very least, we can help you avoid some pitfalls."

This was a good thing for Feiyu Entertainment; it could build their reputation and also help promote their own actors. Xu Dalong accepted this favor from Wang Ning.

The two talked for over two hours and enjoyed the meal thoroughly. Xu Dalong appreciated Wang Ning even more as a person.

Wang Ning released the casting information. Big companies like Xiangwan Entertainment claimed to look down on Qingcheng Entertainment, but they were actually very attentive to every move Qingcheng Entertainment made. As soon as Qingcheng Entertainment released the casting news, they knew about it.

Meng Wei wanted to laugh when he saw the project introduction: an s+ project, jointly produced by Qingcheng Entertainment and Feiyu Entertainment—it was hilarious. Were they even qualified?

The investment for such a large-scale project was not low, and the lead actors had to be capable of carrying the show. Feiyu currently had no artists worth mentioning, and while Qingcheng Entertainment's pair of short drama leads were popular, they were not recognized by the mainstream.

Meng Wei looked at the brief in his hand as if watching a good show. In this circle, as long as he said a word, no star above the second tier would take on this project.

"How is the preparation for our company's s+ project going?"

Xiangwan Entertainment was making an s+ palace drama.

Meng Wei's assistant said: "The project is almost ready; we can start recruiting actors."

Meng Wei nodded. He wanted to teach Wang Ning and the others a lesson so they would know who the boss was in this circle.

With Meng Wei's word, Wang Ning encountered difficulties in recruiting actors. They had their hearts set on a top-tier female star for the female lead. When Wang Ning contacted them, as soon as they heard the name Qingcheng Entertainment, they refused outright without even listening to what the script was about.

If it had been just one or two actors, that would have been fine, but for the four roles of Male Lead One, female lead, male lead two, and the second female lead, they had contacted nearly twenty people, and all of them had refused.

Before Wang Ning could figure out what was going on, news came from Xu Dalong. Xu Dalong had received word that Meng Wei had ordered everyone not to participate in Qingcheng Entertainment's project.

Wang Ning was furious; he hadn't expected such a large company to do something so disgusting.

The situation was different now, and Wang Ning had to report it to Lu Qingyu.

Lu Qingyu was still on the set of destined lover, so it was convenient for Wang Ning to see him. When he arrived, it was time for the evening meal, and Su Jixing was also there.

Lu Qingyu didn't hide anything from Su Jixing, and Su Jixing also knew that Lu Qingyu was the boss of Qingcheng Entertainment. None of the three treated each other as outsiders.

"Boss, this is the current situation. I'm afraid we won't be able to find any good actors."

Su Jixing was a bit surprised to hear that Qingcheng Entertainment was going to film an s+ project, and even more surprised when he heard the rest of the story. It seemed that his younger brother's company was really being managed well, to the point where it made Xiangwan Entertainment feel threatened.

Lu Qingyu thought that for actors, it wasn't strictly necessary to find top-tier or second-tier stars. In the entertainment industry, sometimes people carry the show, and sometimes the show carries the people.

As long as the acting skills were up to par and their strength could be recognized by everyone, their status wasn't that important.

Lu Qingyu: "Then let Feiyu Entertainment and our own company submit all the actors' profiles. Since we are close to Hengdian, release the audition requirements. If top and second-tier stars won't come because of their relationship with Meng Wei, there are still many nameless actors with good acting skills who need an opportunity."

Su Jixing's ears perked up, and he chimed in from the side: "And the ones from Black Pearl."

Lu Qingyu nodded: "Right, and the ones from Black Pearl too; have them come for the auditions."

Wang Ning suddenly saw the light; this idea was very feasible. The entertainment industry's inherent mindset was that good projects should find famous actors. For the sake of results, everyone habitually prioritized popularity, but in fact, this was wrong. Acting skills should be prioritized instead.

Some stars were popular, but everyone knew in their hearts that popularity didn't mean good acting skills.

Wang Ning stayed for half an hour and then prepared to leave. Lu Qingyu went to work. Seeing Wang Ning leave, Su Jixing suddenly stood up to see him off.

Walking out of the motorhome, Su Jixing suddenly grabbed Wang Ning and said: "President Wang, what do you think about Qingyu playing the male lead?"

In fact, Lu Qingyu didn't really want to participate; he wasn't that addicted to acting, he only had endless motivation for making money.

Compared to being an actor, he preferred being the boss of actors. This was why Lu Qingyu hadn't taken on his own project from the start.

Su Jixing understood this about Lu Qingyu, which was why he didn't say it inside the room in front of Lu Qingyu, because Lu Qingyu would likely refuse.

But if he acted first and reported later, Lu Qingyu wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

Wang Ning was taken aback when he heard this. Right, was he stupid? Their boss was also an actor.

Wang Ning slapped his thigh: "That's perfect!"

Just as a look of surprise appeared on his face, Wang Ning's mood suddenly sank.

"Ah, no, the boss is currently filming, I'm afraid he won't have time to participate."

How could Su Jixing let this opportunity slip by: "This project is almost finished. If nothing else, Qingyu can just work a bit harder and seamlessly join the crew."

Su Jixing: "I'm his Agent, I have the final say."