Chapter 118: Fatty Wang and the New Company

“Hey, you didn’t come to see me just to tour TVB’s drama set, did you? What’s really going on?” Wang Jing sized up Yan Xu from head to toe.

“I actually do have something important to discuss. Shaw Brothers is going downhill fast. I wanted to ask if you have any plans moving forward?”

“Plans? What plans could I have? Just keep writing scripts, keep making movies. I won’t starve wherever I go. There are plenty of companies in Hong Kong. And if things really get tough, I can always work with my dad in the TV industry.” Wang Jing felt powerless about Shaw Brothers’ decline. Many directors had left, but having grown up on their sets, he had a special attachment. For now, he was taking things as they came, hoping to hold on until the very end, even though he knew this year would be the last.

“You can’t just drift along like this. You’re wasting your talent. Honestly, the reason I came to see you is because I have something important in mind. You know I left Baizhan, and many companies want me to join them, but I don’t like being constrained. I also dislike interference when filming, so I’m thinking of starting my own film company.”

“Starting your own film company? That sounds great. You’re famous now, and the dividends from a few movies are decent. There should be potential.”

“But you know me, I’m lazy. I’ve already handed over my record label and talent agency to others. So, I thought of you.” Yan Xu looked seriously at Wang Jing. The moment he decided to start his own film company, Wang Jing came to mind.

This chubby guy was destined to make waves in the industry. He was involved with Jingyi Pictures, Best Partner Films, and Wang Jing Studio—all producers of many box office hits.

Although his style often leaned towards crude humor, he still produced occasional classics. He was a true all-rounder in film—screenwriter, director, producer, even actor. Especially when writing scripts, his pseudonym “Not a Woman” frequently appeared on the big screen.

“Me?” Wang Jing was visibly surprised by Yan Xu’s words.

“Don’t say you’re not interested. Staying here isn’t meaningful anymore. Everyone can see how Shaw Brothers is ending. You surely don’t want to keep relying on your dad. It’s better if the two of us start a film company ourselves. You have connections at Shaw Brothers, so we can easily bring in the staff we need.”

Starting his own film company was something Wang Jing had never even considered. Though he had made some box office hits, ticket sales were always unpredictable. And just the capital investment alone would be astronomical for him.

“The idea sounds good, and I can handle personnel, but starting a film company requires huge funding.”

“We’ll start small. I can put up fifteen million Hong Kong dollars. Once ‘Mansion One’ finishes screening, I’ll have another injection of funds.” Yan Xu laid his cards on the table.

Fifteen million was no small sum; it was practically all the liquid funds Yan Xu could muster, though he kept a couple million in reserve. Without any big-name stars, many films nowadays were made with about a million in investment—just like the films Wang Jing and Yan Xu had worked on before. Fifteen million was far from a small company budget; it was at least the size of a mid-level film company. Of course, not all the money would be spent on production; company setup and daily expenses would take up a portion, but nearly ten million could still go directly into filming.

“Fifteen million?” Wang Jing’s eyes widened in disbelief, almost speechless. Such a figure was astronomical to him.

“Wow, I always knew you had money. You’ve started two companies now and can still put up this much. Eating one meal, how can the gap be so huge?”

“That’s why I want you to start the company with me. Others get the meat, but you don’t even get a sip of the soup. Though running a company has risks, with the two of us, losses are unlikely. Whether we get to eat the meat or not, at least we can drink the soup.”

“Alright, I’m putting my two hundred-plus pounds in your hands.” Wang Jing was decisive. After a brief moment of thought, he slammed his fist on the table.

At the Shaw Brothers set, several dramas were being filmed simultaneously. Familiar faces from TV could often be seen, along with small groups of extras and stunt performers chatting idly.

“Xiang, take a break. Here’s some soda.” In a cluttered corner, a tall, dark-skinned man, gasping for breath, handed a soda to a man sitting nearby. He casually wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve.

The seated man was about the same height, also in his early twenties but noticeably slimmer and fairer.

“Thanks.” The seated man looked up, accepted the soda but didn’t drink it. Instead, he set it aside and passed a script to the tall man.

“A Yun, take a look at this. When I say this line, should my tone be a bit harsher? This character is rough, but to become a general, it’s not just about being crude and brave. There should be a method to his military discipline.”

“Let me see!” The tall man took the script, eyeing the blue-inked lines. The character had few lines, but the messy annotations beside them were dense. The tall man seemed accustomed to such detailed scripts. He put the soda on the ground and sat beside the other man.

“You can handle it like this: his usual lifestyle and speech might be rough, but as a Yuan dynasty general, he must have a meticulous side. You can show that through small gestures.”

“Brother Yun, you really have no airs. It’s so hot, yet you’re still explaining lines to some small-time extra.” While they were discussing the role, a voice with a flattering tone interrupted.

“Who are you?” The tall man, called Brother Yun, looked up with a flicker of displeasure. Standing not far from him was a man with a small mustache, clearly in his thirties, addressing the twenty-two-year-old as Brother Yun.

“Brother Yun, you must have a poor memory. I’m the ‘King of Beards’ in the crew, and I’ve had a few scenes opposite you. I’m currently playing minor roles in the ‘Zeigong Aniu’ and ‘Di Qing’ crews. Not very important, but I do have several episodes.” The mustached man was obsequious toward the tall man but cocky toward the seated man.

“Brother Yun, I have some script questions too, and a few friends want to meet you. They’d like to invite you over.”

“Sorry, our scene isn’t finished yet.” The tall man shook his head. Though annoyed, he kept his composure, knowing they’d meet often in the circle.

“He’s just a small-time extra with hardly any lines. Let him mull it over himself; don’t waste Brother Yun’s time.” The mustached man glanced at the seated man, who had promised his companions to bring Brother Yun over. Brother Yun was somewhat well-known, often playing main or second male leads, and had some influence with directors. These small-time actors eagerly sought his favor.

“Sorry, I really don’t have time. Plus, this is my friend; we have work to do.” The tall man’s face darkened.

“Hmm.” The mustached man hadn’t expected the extra to be Brother Yun’s friend and looked awkward.

“Sigh.” Watching the mustached man walk away, the young man beside Brother Yun sighed, “A Yun, when will I be like you?”

They met while filming ‘Silver Journey.’ At that time, Brother Yun was frequently on TV, gradually landing important roles. The young man had just transferred from a clerical job at TVB to the actor training class. When Brother Yun suddenly had diarrhea, the young man, only a few months younger, stepped in to cover his scenes. They bonded and admired each other. A year later, Brother Yun was somewhat famous, while the young man was still a minor extra with only a few lines.

“It will happen, Xiang. We’re still young. A few years ago, I was just a minor extra, and last year I didn’t even have lines or a character name. Now, I’m a third-tier actor with named roles and lines. As long as we work hard, we’ll climb higher. Even if we lack looks, we can become solid actors through effort.”

“Well said.” Before Brother Yun could finish, a voice suddenly spoke, accompanied by applause.

Yan Xu clapped as he approached. He hadn’t expected to see such a scene when he first entered the Shaw Brothers set. Seeing the two men’s faces made his eyes brighten.

“Director Wang!”

“Director Wang!”

Upon seeing the two approaching, both Brother Yun and the young man quickly stood up. They didn’t recognize Yan Xu but knew Wang Jing who walked beside him.

(To be continued...)