Chapter 100 

In recent years, there have been quite a few good films and TV shows produced by Starlight Entertainment. Still, Sheng Quan rarely promoted them on her Weibo before they were released. She was more likely to sync up with viewers to follow the shows after they aired.

Occasionally, when a heart-wrenching drama appeared, Sheng Dong would happily use her connections to directly watch the follow-up from the library.

But she rarely directly promoted on Weibo before the release; in the past few years, there were only a few times.

And among those few times were classics like “Cultivators” and “Star Wars.”

While the masses were still leaving comments like 【Yeah! I’ll definitely buy tickets when the movie is released!】, some wise old fans had already made predictions.

【Chairman Sheng’s promotion always means it’s a masterpiece.】

【I have a feeling; it’s time for the thrilling moment of not being able to grab tickets even if you have money. Thinking about it makes me a bit excited.】

If Chairman Sheng personally promotes it, it must be great!】

【New fan reporting, why is Chairman Sheng’s promotion always good? Isn’t this movie from her company? Did she not promote her own movies before?】

Under this comment, it didn’t take long for a bunch of enlightening comments to appear.

【No one can make Chairman Sheng promote for money, not even her own movies.】

【Chairman Sheng is the producer, that’s right, but she has very high standards. Only very good movies and TV shows will she personally promote.】

【Exactly, sometimes when Starlight Entertainment produces a hit drama, if Chairman Sheng is silent, I know this drama probably doesn’t suit her taste. Hahaha.】

【Haha, I remember someone interviewed Jiang Zhen, asking why Chairman Sheng didn’t promote his new movie. Jiang Zhen said that the movie was too scary; Chairman Sheng didn’t even go to see it during the internal screening.】

【There was another time when a director signed under Starlight made a drama; it had a high opening but quickly lost its appeal. Chairman Sheng was also simultaneously following it. I heard that she was so angry that she scolded the director, and the company overnight arranged for that director to attend a learning program before coming back to film.】

【I’ve eaten this melon too. That director seems to have just graduated; he has talent but doesn’t handle it well. I heard that the enrollment fee for that director’s learning program is ridiculously high, and the director who just graduated is going back to school again.】

【Before that, it seemed that there was also an 18th-tier actor under Starlight who didn’t perform well and was criticized by Chairman Sheng. The next day, he enrolled in an acting improvement class, updating his progress on Weibo every day. Later, his acting skills really improved by leaps and bounds.】

【Hahaha, Chairman Sheng even scolded him; can he not study well?】

【So, I won’t believe other bloggers’ recommendations, but I will definitely believe our Chairman Sheng. Because Chairman Sheng never compromises herself. Even if her own movies and actors aren’t good, she scolds them without hesitation (dog head).】

Many people in the entertainment industry, including actors, directors, writers, hosts, managers, and even many official accounts of entertainment companies, follow Sheng Quan. The main reason is that Sheng Quan has abundant resources in her hands. Starlight Entertainment is financially strong, produces a high number of high-quality works every year, and is not limited to using only A-list celebrities. As long as the role is suitable and the talent is there, whether it’s a newcomer or an established artist, Sheng Quan is willing to cast them as the protagonist.

This is the confidence that Sheng Quan, as the chairwoman, gives to the company. Generally, in larger-budget productions, production teams are hesitant to cast lesser-known actors as protagonists, fearing that if the show fails, it will result in a significant loss.

So, stories where “an unknown actor with excellent acting skills is chosen as the protagonist” become legendary tales in the industry, celebrated every time they happen.

Of course, the real success stories are those where the show becomes a hit. If it flops, it quietly fades away.

What sets Sheng Quan apart is her clear preference for using new talents, but she treats “veteran actors” equally. In all works produced by Starlight Entertainment, the focus in casting is on suitability. If the company doesn’t have a suitable actor, Starlight Entertainment doesn’t mind using actors from other companies.

Some companies think Starlight is being foolish. They argue that even if it’s a big investment, how can they use actors from other companies for a film like “Polar—Best Player,” which Starlight poured all its resources into? Despite having well-known actors within Starlight, even if the age isn’t right, they could use special effects makeup or just ask the writer to adjust the script. In their eyes, Sheng Quan’s actions seem like planting a tree with great effort and then giving away the fruits.

However, Sheng Quan usually likes collaborative efforts, but she is very insistent in such cases.

“As long as we achieve the best effect, not only the protagonist, but even if none of the main cast are Starlight artists, it’s fine.”

Making a movie is not like making a mixed dish where you can throw in any ingredient. Sheng Quan, as both the chairwoman and an audience member, is not willing to do something like “forcing inappropriate actors into unsuitable roles for the sake of maximizing profits.”

Of course, if it’s suitable, she’s more than willing.

Just because the protagonist doesn’t use Starlight artists doesn’t mean that all the characters don’t. In a movie with so many characters, many of them only appear for a minute or even just for a few seconds as “passersby” without affecting the main plot or viewing experience. Most of these characters are played by Starlight’s signed artists, most of whom are newcomers or relatively unknown. Being able to appear in a high-budget film, even if it’s just for a dozen seconds, is an opportunity that many dare not even think about.

Even Tan Chen and others briefly appeared in the film, not as actors but as a flashback to the recording scene of this year’s global championship. Using the audience’s cheers, the real-time live broadcast on the mall’s big screen, and the scene of a group of esports players standing on the award podium with high spirits, it depicted how popular “Polar” was.

Similar to the Broken Water team, other Starlight artists who managed to get suitable roles also made appearances, such as Yan Huihua and Jiang Zhen, who are now famous. Even with busy schedules, they made time to make cameo appearances.

It’s conceivable that their fan base will naturally bring a considerable audience to this film.

The four words “produced by starlight” have become a guarantee of quality. Not to mention the increasingly successful big stars making guest appearances. The success of this film seems natural.

Even before it starts screening, just with the trailer,

Some small actors who didn’t get roles were not discouraged. Even though they had no financial relationship with this film, it didn’t stop them from forwarding Sheng Quan’s promotional Weibo post and praising it themselves.

“Just by watching the trailer, I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll definitely buy tickets to support! (flowers)”

It may seem like they’re flattering, but in reality… They are indeed flattering.

An actor said to his agent, “Of course I have to forward it. What if Chairman Sheng sees my repost, clicks on it, and thinks I’m suitable for some role and invites me to audition?”

Originally, the agent wanted to stop him, but after thinking about it, he agreed.

This actor is not daydreaming. Everyone in the industry knows that Sheng Quan has this habit. For example, there are the sisters who make funny, short videos. Originally, they could be considered internet celebrities at best. But because they made a video in response to “Sheng Quan’s Call,” Sheng Quan saw it and thought they were suitable for a pair of roles in “Player,” giving them a chance to audition.

As a result, they really got those two roles.

When the trailer came out this time, those with sharp eyes found the scene of these sisters in the trailer. Although they only flashed by in the trailer, the lines they had were not those of extras.

Can you blame people for being envious?

Thinking of the success story of these sisters, the agent immediately changed his attitude: “Well, let’s do this. On the day the movie is released, I’ll clear your schedule so you can go to the cinema and watch this movie.”

Although this actor has a small following, the agent also wants to guide him properly. “I’ll arrange for someone to’secretly photograph’ you, and then disguise yourself and go to the movies. Even if you can’t catch Chairman Sheng’s eye, gaining some attention is still good.”

The actor excitedly nodded and then sighed, “Sometimes, I even wish that Chairman Sheng would criticize me for poor acting. At least I could be seen by her. That’s an opportunity.”

“What wishful thinking! Chairman Sheng has a sense of propriety. Haven’t you seen that she only criticizes artists from her own company? Also, do you really think being criticized by Chairman Sheng is a bad thing?”

“Isn’t it? Being singled out by the boss as unprofessional.”

Being called out by the boss for being unprofessional and then being put on the shelf—that’s a bad thing. Being told by the boss that you’re unprofessional and then being asked to learn and improve, that’s an opportunity.”

He sighed, “Isn’t it true that all the artists in Starlight are united in supporting Chairman Sheng? Her straightforward criticism and direct request for improvement make people feel the most at ease. At least it lets people know that, in Starlight Entertainment, as long as you have the ability, you will definitely get opportunities.”

The more the agent thought about it, the more he understood why Starlight Entertainment had grown rapidly in just over three years.

“If Chairman Sheng criticizes our signed artists, the artists will be grateful for the opportunity to learn. The fans will feel that whatever she says is right, and she won’t cover up just because they are from the same company. After all, she’s a figure who can make waves.”

The actor listened in awe and quickly took out his phone.

Agent: “What are you doing?”

Actor: “I’ll praise a bit more. I feel like my previous compliments weren’t heartfelt enough!”

Artists who tried to boost their popularity with flattering comments before a movie’s release were not uncommon. Sheng Quan was pleased to see these artists spontaneously creating a positive atmosphere.

Everything went smoothly, and on the eve of the movie’s release, Sheng Quan visited the research institute.

“Wow, Ningzhou is really amazing.”

One holographic gaming capsule after another lay quietly in the spacious area, allowing Sheng Quan to inspect each one.

Polar Headquarters

When they discovered that a movie with Polar settings was released in China, they didn’t pay much attention. It was just a movie.

If it performed well, it would bring in a large number of new paying players for Polar. If it didn’t, it didn’t concern them.

Polar’s shareholders might not always agree on other matters, but when it came to making money, they were unanimous. As long as it was profitable, nobody cared about a movie from China, including the small amount of year-end shares. It was just a small part meant to stimulate consumption.

The recent hype around Sheng Quan, who spent two hundred million RMB to acquire year-end shares, just to invest heavily in a movie that could profit even with a laid-back approach, left a staff member thinking:

“Indeed, the rich are willful. Well, and a bit of a spendthrift.”