Chapter 764: Per-Project Contract

Zhao Fusheng had seen a movie with a line that left a deep impression on him: I want a lot of love; if not love, then a lot of money; if neither, health is good too.

Affection, money, and health should be the three most important things in a person's life.

Now, Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao had a stable relationship and were both healthy, so he worked hard to earn money, more money, advancing toward his own happiness.

Happiness is not a story; misfortune is. Zhao Fusheng didn't want everything that happened to him to become a story.

Zhou Yun and Fan Baobao were eventually persuaded, for a simple reason: Zhao Fusheng clearly told them that not all roles suited them, and as students at a professional film academy, they knew this well.

Of course, they still questioned Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen's actions and urged Zhao Fusheng to think of his own people first whenever a good script came along.

Zhao Fusheng readily agreed, even saying that if Zhou Yun and Fan Baobao were willing, they could sign with the film company Jiang Wen and the others had set up after graduation, so they could star in the movies and TV shows the company invested in.

“Come off it, your shell company might not make another investment anytime soon. I'm not going.” Fan Baobao glared at Zhao Fusheng and said irritably.

Exposed by his girlfriend, Zhao Fusheng wasn't annoyed; he gave an embarrassed smile: “Then after graduation, do you plan to stay with Huayi?”

Currently, Fan Baobao and Zhou Yun's economic contracts were in Wang Jinghua's hands, so they were essentially signed with Huayi. There were still three or four years before Wang Jinghua fell out with Huayi, and by then Fan Baobao and Zhou Yun would have just graduated for two or three years, making it a tough choice.

“Not sure; we'll definitely have to re-sign contracts after graduation.” Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Zhou Yun shook her head: “I still need to ask Jiang Wen.”

Zhao Fusheng smiled: “Actually, it's simple. No matter what contract, don't sign a long-term one; just sign a per-project contract.”

Stars have a shelf life, like seafood sold outside—the price might be one thing today and another tomorrow. A superstar who was hot half a year ago might not even be worth a tenth of that value six months later. Conversely, a box-office poison who was reviled like a rat crossing the street a year ago might make a stunning comeback a year later.

Thus, the per-project contract emerged.

A per-project contract means a film company signs a star not by time but by the number of films they make. Simply put, it's a gamble on the star's future development.

For example, if newcomers like Fan Baobao and Zhou Yun signed a per-project contract for ten films, they'd have to shoot ten films and receive the same pay. If their future development surpassed their initial status, the low-pay contract would mean huge profits for the agency or production company.

Conversely, if they didn't become famous, the production company or agency would lose money.

In essence, it was betting on a person's star luck.

“A per-project contract—would Huayi agree?” Zhou Yun frowned slightly, uncertain.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: “They will. First, you're newcomers with low prices. Second, with Old Jiang and me around, there's no problem.”

He was telling the truth; neither Fan Baobao nor Zhou Yun were big stars, so whether they signed a long-term or per-project contract wasn't a big deal.

“Alright.”

Zhou Yun and Fan Baobao exchanged a glance and decided not to dwell on the issue.

“Tonight, Baobao and I have to rehearse a song, so she won't go back with you.” Zhou Yun blinked at Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback; just earlier, Fan Baobao had said she'd go home to reward him, but now she'd changed her mind.

He looked at Fan Baobao, who gave him an expression of helplessness.

Shaking his head in resignation, Zhao Fusheng could only watch them leave.

Recently, the collision incident that once shocked the nation and the world had gradually subsided with time. Those passionate people, after venting their emotions, went home, each to their own. Ten or fifteen years later, now in different positions, they might not remember the slogans they once shouted or the vows they made.

For many people, patriotism is just a slogan they shout on the street when they're in a good mood.

This actually reflects a truth: no matter how huge the news, its hype won't last more than a month, because news happens every day in this world, and people's energy is limited—they won't focus on one thing for long.

Yu Feihong had just taken a break from her busy schedule. She had traveled extensively, urging the construction of Hope Primary Schools in Sichuan. After witnessing the local poverty, she increasingly felt that Zhao Fusheng was right.

For a region to change and develop, the first thing to improve is the quality of its people.

“Without education, there's really no way out.” Yu Feihong sat across from Zhao Fusheng and sighed.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: “Science and technology are the primary productive forces.”

That's why great people are great—they always discover and find what the era needs most.

“Yes, I've been to many places. It's hard to believe that some families earn only one or two hundred yuan a year.” Yu Feihong gave Zhao Fusheng a bitter smile: “For them, education is an especially difficult thing. They want to work hard to change, but no matter how they try, the reality of poverty weighs on them like a mountain.”

“Yes, so we need to let them study, because only through education can they have the chance to change their destiny.” Zhao Fusheng was silent for a moment, then said to Yu Feihong.

To be honest, Zhao Fusheng had no sympathy for those experts who nowadays clamored for abolishing exam-oriented education and improving students' quality.

Under the current national conditions, for those from poor backgrounds at the bottom of society, the college entrance exam might be the only way and opportunity to change their destiny. Abolish exam-oriented education?

Hah, the ultimate result would be class solidification, with the poor never having a chance to change their impoverished state.

As they say, like father, like son. The starting points are already different. If even the chance to sit in the exam hall is denied, then peers who grew up riding in cars and those who walked on foot might never sit together drinking coffee in their lifetimes.