Chapter 1250: The Performing Arts Association

"To be honest, I really think that actors need to be properly regulated." Zhao Fusheng glanced at the big shots walking ahead and spoke to Wang Zhonglei in a voice neither loud nor low.

Wang Zhonglei was startled and looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise: "Are you joking?"

Clearly, he understood Zhao Fusheng's meaning—the remark was not just directed at him but at everyone present.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "Of course I'm not joking, because I think that in our industry right now, whether it's经纪 companies or individual actors, we all need a channel for dialogue. After all, a heap of loose sand can't accomplish anything."

Wang Zhonglei was taken aback, but Zhao Baogang stopped in his tracks, turned back to look at Zhao Fusheng, and smiled meaningfully: "Fusheng, want to have a chat?"

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Sure."

After bidding farewell to the others, Zhao Fusheng and Zhao Baogang walked side by side to Zhao Baogang's car. Ye Jing had other matters to attend to and left first.

"Fusheng, I think what you said today makes a lot of sense," Zhao Baogang began.

"You think so too, Teacher Zhao?"

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by Zhao Baogang's attitude.

Zhao Baogang smiled: "Don't think I don't understand anything. I've always believed that besides having mature commercial film production lines, the alliances among companies in Hong Kong and Hollywood are very beneficial."

He continued, "I'll treat you another day, and we can get together. I think the cooperation model among our three companies can definitely be promoted."

Clearly, he had seen the benefits that "A World Without Thieves" brought him and intended to propose an alliance of film and television production companies.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged: "I have no objections. If the alliance is established, Future Film will join."

In fact, his purpose in proposing the alliance was simple. As Zhao Baogang said, the future film and television circle would inevitably face fierce impacts from Hollywood and Hong Kong. If these companies didn't form an alliance, they would be picked off one by one.

Zhao Baogang must have seen this too, and the recent joint probe by many film companies against the SARFT gave him some inspiration, prompting him to make this suggestion.

But Zhao Fusheng didn't expect that not only the bosses of film companies had new ideas, but the actors also had other thoughts.

……

……

"Actors' Association?"

Sitting dumbfounded on his sofa, Zhao Fusheng looked at Jiang Wen in front of him and said helplessly: "You didn't sign that list, but you've thrown a bomb at me, haven't you?"

Jiang Wen shook his head: "I've actually been thinking about this for a long time. The Hong Kong Performing Arts Association is doing very well. Chen Dao and I discussed it, and we think we could set up one on the mainland too."

"There's such a thing in Hong Kong?"

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow and asked in surprise.

He really didn't know about this, after all, he wasn't in the entertainment circle.

Seeing this, Jiang Wen quickly explained to Zhao Fusheng. It was only then that he learned that as early as the early 1990s, big names like Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-fat had taken the lead in establishing the Hong Kong Performing Arts Association, which included not only the film and television industry but also performers from different fields and levels such as music, broadcasting, opera, stage, and behind-the-scenes.

Moreover, starting from 2003, the Hong Kong Performing Arts Association announced new standards, agreeing to admit mainland artists into the association.

It was essentially a union. Everyone knows unions protect workers' rights and occasionally screen films. Therefore, since its establishment, the association has mainly done three things: protect artists' rights, promote communication among artists, and organize various charitable activities.

During the 1998 mainland floods and the 2003 SARS outbreak, the Hong Kong Performing Arts Association played a very important role. Even the artists' protest triggered by the incident of the sister who traveled a thousand miles in a day was organized by the Hong Kong Performing Arts Association.

In Jiang Wen's words, no matter how much internal strife and infighting there is, when faced with events that cause serious harm to individuals or the whole, this association can show people that the entertainment circle is not a heap of loose sand; it can unite and contribute to society.

He and Chen Dao were among the earlier mainland actors to contact Hong Kong for filming. After learning about the association, both were very interested and even felt an instant connection.

In their view, mainland artists needed such an organization.

And most importantly, after discussion, Jiang Wen and Chen Dao found that this matter seemed feasible. After all, they were both members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and had considerable influence. If they stepped forward, it might be possible to make it happen.

After hearing Jiang Wen's introduction, Zhao Fusheng's expression was not as delighted as Jiang Wen had expected; instead, it was somewhat serious, with his brows tightly furrowed. After a long while, he said: "I think you're being too naive about this."

Jiang Wen frowned, clearly surprised by Zhao Fusheng's attitude.

Seeing Jiang Wen's reaction, Zhao Fusheng sighed helplessly. He knew that this guy must think he was exaggerating.

"You have to understand that there are no truly private organizations in China right now. Whatever the organization, there's always official involvement. You can't deny that, can you?" Zhao Fusheng looked at Jiang Wen and said patiently: "For instance, if you want to set up an actors' association, you can't bypass the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, right?"

Jiang Wen nodded. He knew Zhao Fusheng was right.

The Federation of Literary and Art Circles is a legitimate state institution, set up in every province, municipality, and even in institutions like petroleum, railway, and chemical industries.

There are dozens of such groups in China: the Film Association, the Musicians' Association, the Writers' Association, the Artists' Association... Anything related to culture falls under the Federation's jurisdiction.

The chairman of the Federation is also a high-ranking official. The resumes of past chairmen are truly astonishing.

Zhao Fusheng brought up the Federation to tell Jiang Wen that this matter was not as easy as he thought.

Moreover, in Zhao Fusheng's view, it wasn't just the Federation; the waters here were far too deep.

"Think about it, can you even get past the Federation?" Zhao Fusheng said.

"Not just the Federation, but also the National Association of Performing Arts Equipment Technology and the National Association of Performing Arts." At this moment, Jiang Wen, who had been silent, suddenly said with a bitter smile.

"What are those?"

This time it was Zhao Fusheng's turn to be confused. He looked at Jiang Wen in bewilderment. Clearly, he had never heard of these two associations.

"Well, they sell certificates," Jiang Wen explained to Zhao Fusheng.

It was simple: you pay a fee, and the association trains you. Naturally, the trainers and examiners are the same people—some mediocre insiders. The so-called qualification certificates they issue are recognized by no one except themselves.

But they exist blatantly, and you can't bypass them.

How deep the waters are, Old Jiang didn't say, but Zhao Fusheng knew well.

"In that case, why are you still setting up an association?" Zhao Fusheng looked at Jiang Wen speechlessly and said irritably: "Don't tell me you want to do something for the development of Chinese literature and art again. How old are you? Still a child? Can you stop coming up with such naive ideas and embarrassing yourself?"

Given his relationship with Old Jiang, even if he spoke too harshly, Jiang Wen knew Zhao Fusheng meant well and didn't want him to become a target.

But Jiang Wen felt he should do something.

If there was a reason, it was probably that sense of responsibility and mission deep inside.

So, after Zhao Fusheng finished speaking, Jiang Wen didn't say a word. He just lowered his head and started smoking, one puff after another.

Seeing this guy's attitude of 'say what you want, I won't stop until I hit the wall,' Zhao Fusheng helplessly rolled his eyes.

"Suit yourself, but I'm telling you now, I won't stand with you on this." Zhao Fusheng glared at him and said irritably.

Jiang Wen looked up: "Really?"

His and Chen Dao's idea was to first use their connections to network, and the specifics of establishment would be carefully considered later.

Zhao Fusheng sneered: "To be honest, I don't think your association can be pulled off. It's not that you and Chen Dao lack appeal, but your appeal is limited to a certain circle. They say scholars despise each other. I think you actors are pretty much the same as those scholars—full of tricks."

Jiang Wen remained silent. He had to admit that although Zhao Fusheng's words were harsh, he made a good point. The Performing Arts Association, though not yet formally prepared, still had a long way to go if it were to be established.

But Jiang Wen was never one to back down from difficulties. He kept comforting himself that as long as he worked hard, he would surely succeed. After all, this was for the benefit of the entire industry; there shouldn't be people so short-sighted.

Watching Old Jiang walk out of his house full of confidence, Zhao Fusheng shook his head helplessly and sighed softly.

Idealists are sometimes pitiful because they habitually judge others by their own logic, or rather, they always like to place others' moral standards on the same level as their own, not realizing that the least trustworthy thing in the world is people.

Zhao Fusheng now only hoped that Jiang Wen wouldn't be too badly hit when the time came.