Chapter 34 1/2

While managing the company’s affairs, Sheng Quan doesn’t idle and shifts her focus to ‘Cultivator,’ the other project with a multi-billion-dollar investment.

A large-scale production like this cannot start shooting immediately. The pre-production preparations are extensive, including location scouting, shot planning, budget planning, and more. In short, it’s enough to give anyone a headache.

All these tasks are supervised by Yu Xiangwan, the executive producer of the project.

Indeed, ‘Cultivator’ still has Yu Xiangwan as the executive producer.

Regarding this, Yu Xiangwan herself is a bit surprised.

When filming ‘Life’s Road,’ Starlight Entertainment wasn’t established, and now, with Starlight Entertainment flourishing and ‘Cultivator’ receiving a billion-dollar investment, there are many who would eagerly work hard to show loyalty.

But Sheng Quan still chose her to be the executive producer for ‘Cultivator.’

This is undoubtedly a kind of trust.

Nothing is more reassuring than having someone sincerely support you, especially when she has also been appointed as the vice president of Starlight Entertainment.”

“Often, when people ascend to high positions, their thoughts undergo a transformation, but Yu Xiangwan is definitely not someone with extreme or stubborn ideas.

Even if she doesn’t get a response, she remains loyal and devoted. Moreover, when she does get a response, Xu Man once secretly complained to Sheng Quan over the phone:

“Director Yu treats your words as imperial decrees to be followed. If you tell him to take care of his health, he strictly follows a routine of early sleep, early rise, and careful diet. He values health more than anyone. Last time, when you praised his painting skills, he immediately started learning to paint whenever he found time. I bet if you say the stars in the sky are beautiful, Director Yu would want to grow wings and pluck them for you.”

Sheng Quan has no way to deal with Yu Xiangwan. She can’t possibly say, “Don’t be so obedient,” but at least taking care of one’s health is a good thing. Besides, he already liked painting, so she can only let him be.

In any case, after being busy for such a long time, the actor’s auditions for ‘Cultivator’ are coming to an end. Sheng Quan is just in time to receive the results of the previous lottery and also to join the excitement of the final days of auditions.

As a fantasy film, ‘Cultivator’ itself is not highly regarded. If the director and the investors are well-known in the industry and have good connections, they might be able to attract A-list stars to enhance the cast.

Xu Man certainly doesn’t know any big stars. As for Sheng Quan, the most famous star she has directly encountered is Hua Qing. Mainly because of her good lifestyle habits and Starlight Entertainment’s confidence, she has not attended various chaotic gatherings in the industry.

However, ‘Life’s Road’ has already been nominated for the annual ‘Golden Orchid Awards,’ and perhaps she might attend the event.

Also, because of the success of ‘Life’s Road’ and Sheng Quan’s growing reputation, despite the seemingly unusual genre of a fantasy film, many actors are interested in auditioning.

On the one hand, there are many actors because everyone is eager for roles, and with the opportunity to participate in a multi-billion-dollar production, even A-list stars are willing to compete for roles.

On the other hand, Sheng Quan has been quite popular recently. ‘Life’s Road’ has proven her foresight, and in a short time, she has successively elevated the status of many people.

Ignoring the one billion yuan from Jin Jiu and just looking at Yan Hui and Lin Aike, both of whom are in their thirties and haven’t been famous for ten years, Sheng Quan brought them into the limelight. Yan Hui, who finally gained some popularity, was originally sent by her previous company to take on a bunch of low-quality advertisements. However, after joining Starlight, she became famous, and she’s currently working on a high-profile jewelry ad.

Carefully counting, there isn’t a single person who joined Starlight and didn’t improve their situation.

Of course, this is also related to Starlight’s own strengths.

As Sheng Quan said before, with money in hand, she can have any kind of talent. The combined strength of these people gathered together cannot be underestimated.

Not only do the actors feel they have prospects with Sheng Quan, but the investors and investment companies also feel the same way.

Previously, when Xu Man was looking for investments, no one was interested in an immortal cultivation theme. But now, with the news of Sheng Quan’s investment, not only are new investors coming to her continuously, but even those who initially refused to negotiate are changing their minds.

After looking at the budget for the crew, some are starting to regret it.

The main issue is whether or not it’s necessary to make such a big production.

“In this way, even two billion won’t be enough.”

“Most of the budget will be burned on special effects alone.”

“Can’t most of those outdoor scenes be shot against a green screen? Why do we have to fly the crew all over China? It’s too costly.”

“The Ten Great Immortal Palaces—the set alone costs a fortune. Can’t we reduce the budget? How about only having the Three Great and Five Great Immortal Palaces?”

“There are too many supporting actors with few scenes. How about this? I have a younger brother; arrange a third male lead for him, and I’ll add more investment.”

What bothers the director the most is this situation. A group of inexperienced or half-experienced investors with money feels like they are gods, wishing the crew could spend one unit of money to create ten units of visuals.

Previously, Xu Man could only explain to them why the budget needed to be so high, why some scenes must be filmed on location, why the script couldn’t be arbitrarily cut, and why they couldn’t support her younger brother or younger sister by bringing in investment.

But now, she can be tough: if you want to discuss, we can discuss; if not, it’s fine.

“In fact, the crew budget is very sufficient, and President Sheng will continue to invest in the future, so we don’t need to worry about this aspect.”

This statement left the small investors, who had many opinions, dumbfounded.

Xu Man: Happy!

For the first time since graduation, she feels so assertive when facing this team of investors.

She attributes this newfound confidence to Sheng Quan.

From being busy to almost finishing her work, Xu Man takes the opportunity to buy a cup of milk tea and brings it to Sheng Quan, who is watching the final auditions.

“Thank you~”

Sheng Quan’s style is quite different from that of other casting directors. Although they are all sitting behind a table, she has various snacks and fruits in front of her. There’s even a cushion placed behind her seat, and now the chief director has personally brought her a milk tea.

Although she deliberately chose a relatively inconspicuous position, once the actors come in, they can easily see her status on the set.

As for others sitting beside her, enjoying the snacks and drinks she brought, will anyone have objections?

No, not only do they not object, they also take the opportunity to express their attentiveness without leaving any trace.

Jokingly, the biggest benefactor of the crew

Not to mention that every time Sheng Quan comes, she brings some snacks and drinks for the crew. Just her halo as the “biggest benefactor” and “Chairwoman of Starlight” is enough to make people welcome her with open arms.

Xu Man has finished most of her work and, carrying her own milk tea, sits down next to Sheng Quan, glancing at the peeled clean pomelo in front of Sheng Quan, and next to her, Yu Xiangwan is peeling pomelos. She is secretly amazed.

She is not a newcomer. The moment she worked with Yu Xiangwan, she felt that she was a tough nut. Later, it was confirmed that her intuition was correct.”