Entertainment: My wife is a superstar

Chapter 40 The Capital

Seeing that Sun Haoxuan's impulsiveness had subsided, his agent Zhou Li sat back down on the sofa, her tone much softer.

"I know you're in a hurry, but don't worry, there's still a way to fix this."

Ultimately, the company just wants to make more money.

Whether this money comes from Lin Yi or from your own pocket, it makes little difference to them.

Sun Haoxuan looked up, a look of confusion in his eyes: "Take it from me? What do you mean?"

"Hmm." Zhou Li nodded. "What I mean is, Haoxuan, you can try to have a good talk with the company first, and make it clear how much you value this project and this model and how determined you are."

"If the company just wouldn't budge and insisted on those high terms, it would ultimately lead to a breakdown in negotiations with Lin Yi."

She paused, observing Sun Haoxuan's expression, "You can take the initiative to offer to pay the company a sum of money to buy the right to decide whether to sign a long-term contract for 'Detective X'."

Essentially, you're paying out of your own pocket to ensure the company doesn't hold you back on this matter. Of course, this amount of money is bound to be substantial, and there are risks involved.

"What if... I mean, what if the second season of Detective X doesn't turn out as well as expected? Your money might be wasted."

Sun Haoxuan's eyes lit up for a moment, then dimmed again, and a troubled look appeared on his face.

He became famous and earned a lot of money.

But the company takes half first, the agent takes another 20%, and finally they have to pay a personal income tax of almost 45%.

The amount that actually ends up in your own hands is limited.

Taking money out of your own pocket to accept acting roles is not an easy choice.

"Anyway, let's talk to the company first, find out their bottom line, and see how much they want. If it really doesn't work..." Zhou Li didn't finish her sentence, but Sun Haoxuan understood what she meant.

If all else fails, we'll have to give up on the character of X.

Sun Haoxuan lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.

"Well... Sister Li, could you please go and sound out their opinion for me?"

...

Time flew by, and it was early morning two days later.

A private room in a teahouse near the Beijing Film Academy.

Zhuoyue, familiar with the area, led the way.

He learned of Lin Yi's itinerary by chance and volunteered to help.

After being stood up by Li Ming, Lin Yi, Zhuo Yue, and Fu Mingyang planned to go to Beijing for casting.

Sun Haoxuan's appearance caused that plan to be shelved.

Unexpectedly, the casting trip to Beijing finally took place because of Sun Haoxuan's contract renewal issue.

Inside the private room, an elderly man was already waiting.

Li Shirong.

An outstanding teacher, currently working at CCTV and also a professor at Beijing Film Academy.

"Teacher, it's been a long time." Zhuoyue greeted him with a smile as soon as he entered the door, his tone friendly.

"Ah Yue is here." Li Shirong looked up, a smile playing on his lips.

"I've heard a lot about you lately. Your film 'Detective X' has caused quite a stir. I heard it's even made a name for itself overseas? Not bad, you haven't let this old man down."

"Oh, not at all, it's all thanks to your excellent teaching," Zhuoyue said modestly, then turned to introduce himself.

"Teacher, this is Lin Yi, the head screenwriter of 'Detective X' and the head of Earth Studio."

"Teacher Lin, this is my teacher, Director Li, whom I often mention to you."

"Director Li, hello, I've heard so much about you." Lin Yi stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Lin Yi, I know you." Li Shirong looked at Lin Yi with gentle eyes. "To be able to write a novel like 'The Great Detective' at such a young age is no small feat. Come, sit down, don't stand and talk."

Lin Yi smiled again.

He never expected that his outstanding teacher actually knew him.

I was careless and didn't prepare the materials properly.

After everyone took their seats and exchanged a few pleasantries about the weather and changes in the capital, Zhuoyue cleared his throat and got to the point:

"Teacher, it's like this, Teacher Lin's studio wants to sign some promising newcomers who are willing to work hard in acting and provide them with long-term training."

I figured I should keep the talent within the family and conduct a small-scale selection within the Beijing Film Academy to see if there are any suitable candidates.

What do you think?

Li Shirong listened but did not respond immediately.

He noticed a word that Zhuoyue was using.

His gaze shifted to Lin Yi, a hint of inquiry in his eyes: "Oh? Long-term training? A-Yue mentioned that term just now."

"Kobayashi, could you tell this old man in detail what your long-term training plan is?"

Lin Yi put down his teacup and sat up straighter: "Director Li, the philosophy of our Earth Studio is to adhere to long-termism."

We are looking for partners who are willing to be deeply involved in our studio's core projects, grow together, and share the benefits.

Instead of signing a short-term contract for just one film.

"Long-termism, mutual growth..." Li Shirong repeated these words softly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"That's a great idea. There are so many brokerage firms on the market now, but their approach is too 'short'."

Once an artist gains even a little fame, they want to fill every single one of their days with activities.

Commercial performances, variety shows, and one film after another keep them busy, leaving them no patience to properly cultivate their acting skills and character.

Li Shirong sighed, seemingly filled with emotion.

There's a reason he approves of Lin Yi.

This was the concept of the early Xia Kingdom Film Studio, not Lin Yi's original idea.

It was only later, with market-oriented reforms, that this long-term model was replaced by single-film contracts, where each film was signed only once.

Despite the praise, Li Shirong quickly changed the subject and his expression became serious:

"However, Kobayashi, it's no use just to talk about ideals; putting them into practice is what really matters."

The old man can help you make this connection and build this bridge.

But before that, I need to see the contract templates you've prepared for the artists.

Let's see what it's really like.

I have a responsibility to my students; I can't just agree based on a few nice words.

"Of course." Lin Yi was prepared for this, and he gestured to Fu Mingyang beside him.

Fu Mingyang immediately took out a bound document from his briefcase and handed it to Li Shirong with both hands.

Li Shirong took the document, put on his reading glasses, and began to carefully read through it.

After a long while, he took off his glasses, rubbed his temples, and showed a complex expression on his face, which eventually turned into a nod of approval.

Lin Yi's long-term model differs from the long-term model of film studios in the last century; it can be considered an improved version.

This long-term contract guarantees the artist's basic income and acting opportunities, and allows the artist to take on external roles as long as their schedules do not conflict, offering a high degree of freedom.

Of course, the rights that Lin Yi valued most were also retained.

Priority renewal right.

Earth Studios can offer artists a contract renewal for their next TV series/movie at a specific price.

This ensures Earth Studios' control over core IP characters, preventing actors from demanding exorbitant prices after they become famous.