"Could you please help me invite Michael Jackson to sing a song at the Spring Festival Gala?"
Hearing Chen Ou's request, Eric was stunned.
He had never entertained such an idea before.
Although he hadn't participated in the Spring Festival Gala in his previous life, he definitely watched it.
Even later, when censorship became stricter and the language-based programs were completely shattered, consisting of nothing but making dumplings and being preachy, he still watched.
But while the language-based programs faltered, the music and dance programs were generally good, and international stars like Sophie Marceau and Celine Dion even appeared.
However, that was ten years later; it was only 2003 now, and he didn't recall any true international superstars appearing on the Spring Festival Gala.
Ordinary foreigners didn't count, like Dashan or Karl, who had lived in China for many years, spoke fluent Chinese, and could even perform crosstalk, making them practically half-Chinese.
"Is Michael going to set this precedent? The starting point might be a bit too high," Eric mused.
Seeing his silence, Chen Ou added, "Eric, I know Michael Jackson is too famous, and inviting him might be difficult."
"But actually, China hasn't been without international singers. A few months ago, the Irish National Dance Company performed 'Riverdance' at the Great Hall of the People, playing eight sold-out shows."
"In 2001, the world's three great tenors, Pavarotti, Domingo, and Carreras, held a concert together at the Forbidden City."
"Even further back, Yanni also held a concert at the Forbidden City, and there were many rock bands. In fact, China's musical atmosphere is quite strong, and Jackson has many fans."
"Of course, it doesn't have to be Jackson; other stars are fine, and it doesn't have to be a singer or movie star."
"You're a big Hollywood boss. With just a word from you, inviting an actor is a matter of minutes. They don't even have to perform; just offer New Year greetings and say a few auspicious words."
"Nicolas Cage would be great; he's very famous in China, with a broad audience among young and middle-aged people. If it were Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, or Schwarzenegger, that would be even better."
He was just reminiscing about the past, but Chen Ou had already rattled on so much that he quickly cut him off.
"Director Chen, since you've made a request, no matter how difficult, I will definitely help you achieve it. Friends are meant to help each other."
"Besides, China has 1.3 billion people—what a huge market! I think Michael would also want more people to hear his music. No artist wants to be unrecognized by more people."
"In short, don't worry. I'll talk to Michael when I get back. Wait for my good news."
Chen Ou immediately beamed with joy. Both of them had drunk a lot of wine, and he gripped Eric's arm, shaking it vigorously.
"That's well said; friends are meant to help each other. We are willing to do business and interact with good friends like you."
"Old Han, I really have something else to do. I'm giving you a task: you must entertain Eric well. If he's not satisfied, I'll hold you accountable!"
Han Sanping reeked of alcohol, his face flushed. He had drunk the most just now, at least a jin, maybe even close to one and a half jin.
Old Han, with hazy eyes, patted his chest hard: "Don't worry, Director Chen, I will definitely overfulfill the task you assigned. Even if you didn't assign it, I would still overfulfill it; I owe my brother a favor."
Chen Ou nodded: "Then you two continue. Next time there's an opportunity, I'll host."
Watching Chen Ou get into his car and leave, Zhou Xiaopeng mused, "Inviting foreign stars to the Spring Festival Gala—that's an interesting move."
"From the 90s until now, the proliferation of pirated discs and cassette tapes has given many foreign stars extremely high visibility in China."
"Even though they've never visited, in the hearts of many, their status is no less than that of the Four Heavenly Kings from Hong Kong and Taiwan."
"Eric, do you know the Four Heavenly Kings?"
Eric thought, *Of course I know. Teacher Zhao Lirong said the first king is Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li.*
"Forget the Four Heavenly Kings, get in the car quickly. We're going to the next event."
Late at night, when he returned to the hotel, Gadot was already asleep. Eric tiptoed in, careful not to wake her.
If he woke her, she would surely cling to him, and with Gadot's special physique, the first time wouldn't happen for at least half an hour.
He had just been taken by Old Han to a private club and experienced a lavish indulgence.
You could pick and choose from all age groups, and people from all walks of life you desired could be found, from teenagers to dozens of years old, with no upper limit.
Some people just have special tastes, after all, otherwise, why would there be learning materials with themes like "50-year-olds" and "60-year-olds" in Japan?
Students from several major universities, elite lawyers from various firms, white-collar workers from large companies, bank employees, hospital doctors and nurses, flight attendants, and teachers.
Whether they were real or fake, at least they looked professional in their uniforms.
The ways to play were also diverse: conventional, special, extreme. There were many who enjoyed the BDSM scene, both dominant and submissive.
If you wanted to play with celebrities, that was also possible. It was difficult for most people, but for Old Han, it was no problem.
Big stars, due to privacy concerns, would certainly not come to such clubs. But third- and fourth-tier minor celebrities were easy; there were plenty of people eager to curry favor and climb the ladder.
As for whether it would be exposed and cause negative public opinion?
Are you kidding? Don't they want to keep their jobs?
After several hours of activity, even though Eric was young and strong, he felt a bit tired. He lay on the bed and rested early.
At Beijing Film Academy, a film exchange meeting was held today, organized by CCTV6. Eric, Zhang Yimou, and Lou Ye participated, with one representative each from the Fifth and Sixth Generation directors attending.
Although CCTV6 carried the CCTV logo, it was not actually managed by CCTV. It was a channel directly under the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, even more formidable than CCTV.
Gadot, meanwhile, went to participate in an interview with Sina, and after that, she was scheduled for a program on Phoenix Satellite Television.
Today's host was Tu Jingwei, who had just joined CCTV6 this year and was currently the host of "China Film Report."
Looking at the somewhat naive and unfashionably dressed Tu Jingwei, and then thinking about her in later generations, it was as if the development of the times was best showcased in one person.
The program was still largely in an interview format. When asked for his opinion, Eric refused to hold it in the auditorium.
"We're just promoting a movie, not giving a report or holding a premiere. Why make it so serious? The more relaxed the atmosphere, the better."
Finally, the setting was a group of university students who loved movies gathered together, with the four of them sitting in the middle, quite close, like everyone was chatting and talking.
In fact, if it weren't for the cold weather, it would have been better to hold it outdoors on a lawn or in a pavilion.
Eric looked around and indeed spotted many familiar faces: Zhu Yawen, Luo Jin, Jiang Yiyan, Huang Shengyi, Jia Nailiang, and others were all sitting nearby.
Two words were written on their faces—naivete!
There was also a very striking person in the crowd, the Qingdao socialite, the high EQ Mr. Huang Bo. His face truly stood out from the surroundings.
The time was almost up, and Tu Jingwei was about to start when another girl ran over from a distance, hurriedly joining the onlookers.
Seeing Liu Yifei, Eric was a bit surprised. At this time, she should be in America filming supernatural, so why was she back?
Liu Yifei calmed her heaving chest and smiled at him.
Next to them, several female students who didn't know the truth immediately cursed her in their hearts, thinking, *slut, just arrived and already seducing that young foreign director.*
*How old are you? No figure, your upper body is as flat as an airport.*
*It's just good luck that someone is promoting you, and the drama you starred in became popular. If we also had sugar daddies, we would definitely be stronger than you!*
The event began, Tu Jingwei gave an opening speech, and then steered the conversation towards transformers.
"Director Cooper, although I'm not a directing student, I've always had a question: How on earth did you manage to shoot such a special effects blockbuster within a year?"
"The time is too short. From what I understand, it's normal for a blockbuster to take two years to shoot, isn't it?"
Many directing students immediately turned their gaze to Eric. He was even younger than them, yet had already achieved terrifying success. The facts were laid bare, truly like a fantasy story.
Eric laughed heartily: "I think it's mainly because there are so many people. Excluding extras, MGM employed over five hundred professional staff."
"Normally, three teams shoot simultaneously: I lead one, the assistant director leads one, and the Director's Assistant leads one to shoot exterior scenes."
"The Director's Assistant can also lead a team?" Tu Jingwei asked, somewhat surprised.
"Of course, provided I've prepared a detailed storyboard and strict requirements for how it must be shot. I heard Director Zhang also likes to use this method."
Zhang Yimou picked up the microphone: "I also draw quite detailed storyboards, and shooting in groups is fine, but I would definitely constantly move between sets to maintain control."
"To let go and give it to others like Director Cooper, honestly, I don't have that courage yet. If what's shot isn't suitable, we'd have to reshoot, which would waste time."
Lou Ye smiled: "I'm even less capable. Forget a crew of five hundred; fifty people is already a lot. It's actually very difficult to control when there are too many people."
"So I think the key is that Director Cooper also serves as producer and the boss of MGM. When he speaks, no one dares to disobey orders, and the crew can operate efficiently."
"Director Zhang and I can't do that; we're not big bosses!"
Hahahaha.
Tu Jingwei and the surrounding students immediately laughed.
"Director Lou Ye makes a good point; this is indeed my advantage. Unlike China's director-centric system, Hollywood has a producer-centric system."
"Is there a big difference between the two systems?" Tu Jingwei asked.
"There is indeed a big difference, especially in commercial films, where the producer-centric system is superior to the director-centric system. However, for art-house films, the director-centric system often yields better results."
"I remember Director Lou Ye's 'Purple Butterfly' was nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, so he must have some experience."
Lou Ye nodded slightly: "In essence, the producer's role is to select scripts, find funding, assemble the team, and sell the film, overseeing the entire filmmaking process from beginning to end."
"Our domestic film market is not yet mature enough, and currently, this position doesn't exist because the demand for specialized knowledge is too high."
"We have an alternative position called 'supervisor,' but honestly, supervisors often end up being supervised by the director." Saying this, Lou Ye gave a self-deprecating laugh.
Zhang Yimou felt this even more deeply: "Currently, not a single university in the entire country offers a producing major. The requirements are indeed too high."
"Personally, I definitely adapt better to the director-centric system, as I came from the era of large film studios."
"But for the development of the entire film industry, the producer-centric system is actually the optimal solution. When there are more commercial films, the market can expand."
"When the market expands, it can attract more practitioners, thereby providing more fertile ground for art-house films to survive."
The three followed Tu Jingwei's lead, discussing films, the market, and creative work. The clash of ideas greatly broadened the students' horizons.
Some realized then that the content in textbooks and classrooms was ultimately too shallow and rigid; listening to these great directors speak was more realistic and interesting.
Soon, more than half an hour passed. Tu Jingwei signaled that the students could ask questions, and many immediately raised their hands.
Several teachers couldn't help but roll their eyes, thinking, *You're never this active in class.*
But then again, in the entertainment industry, you have to know how to fight for opportunities. What if a director remembers you for a question? Wouldn't that be an opportunity?
Eric pointed to Huang Bo: "You ask, but classmate, are you really a student here? You look like you're impersonating."
Hahahaha.
Huang Bo also laughed heartily. He was often teased anyway, and the program atmosphere was very harmonious, so this was clearly just a little joke.
He suddenly changed his question: "Director Cooper, do you think I have a chance to appear on the big screen in the future? As a main character?"
Luo Jin, Jia Nailiang, Jiang Yiyan, and others were instantly speechless, thinking, *With your looks, on the big screen? A toad wanting to eat swan meat!*
Eric, of course, knew Huang Bo's future achievements: "Classmate, what's your name?"
"Huang Bo."
"OK, then I ask you, why do you think you won't appear on the big screen?"
"Because my looks aren't up to par. I tried for several years and finally chose broadcasting, otherwise, I wouldn't even have gotten into Beijing Film Academy."
Eric wagged his finger: "Don't think that way. Looks are not the sole standard for measuring an actor. Although it's only been a short time, I see something unique in you."
"What is it?"
Tu Jingwei asked curiously. She hadn't seen anything, only ugliness.
"An optimistic, confident, and brave person. You can meet teasing and ridicule with a smile, which is a great advantage."
"And you tried for several years without giving up, which shows you have ideals. An optimistic, confident person with ideals, you have already surpassed many people."
"Movies need handsome men and beautiful women, but not everyone has to be handsome or beautiful."
Eric's words made Huang Bo feel a warmth rush to his eyes, a slightly sour sensation.
"Thank you, thank you, Director."
"Hmm, remember this: pretty faces are a dime a dozen, but interesting souls are one in a million."
"Well said!" Lou Ye immediately applauded.
"Classmate Huang Bo, if you want to make a breakthrough, I suggest trying comedy. Do you know Oriental MGM?"
"I know!" Huang Bo nodded.
"Oriental MGM is planning to start a new project recently. I think you're suitable for one of the roles. Want to give it a try?"
Holy crap!!!!!!!!!!