1990: Starting from Baojia Street

Jiang Mengfei took a sip of tea and asked, "Can I bring someone with me?"

"Who?"

"Hong Ben."

Zhou Yan frowned, "What do you want him to do?"

"Old Hong is experienced, lively, and skilled. I can ask him for advice if I don't understand something, and I feel more confident when managing."

Zhou Yan shook his head. "Hong Ben is not suitable. I sent him to the set of Titanic so that he could learn from the master secretly. He will be very useful to the film department later. If he is transferred to the TV series department, I will have worked in vain."

"If Lao Hong can't do it." Jiang Mengfei rubbed his hands, "How about I ask Shen Yan to go over? He just joined our team, so he shouldn't be unable to leave. Besides, I talked to him privately, and from what he said, he is quite interested in filming a TV series."

Zhou Yan looked Jiang Mengfei up and down, and said with a smile, "Were you ready to take Shen Yan from the beginning? The reason why you mentioned Hong Ben first was because you knew that I couldn't give him to you. If you gave up and asked for the next best thing, I wouldn't be able to refuse you."

"Old Zhou, you think too highly of me. I'm a straightforward person, how could I have such a mind?" Jiang Mengfei said with a naive smile.

Zhou Yan smiled. Jiang Mengfei was still playing tricks on him.

If Jiang Mengfei hadn't thought about it in advance, could he have changed the candidate so quickly?

To be honest, he really didn't want to transfer Shen Yan to the TV drama department. After spending some time together, Zhou Yan felt that Shen Yan was a pretty useful guy.

Although Shen Yan is not as lively as Li Hong and his management skills are a bit lacking, Shen Yan has solid basic skills and has initially acquired the ability to stand on his own.

Moreover, this guy Shen Yan has a certain business sensitivity and should be able to make a hit movie.

The directors signed by their studio now all make art films and basically have no ability to make money.

Zhou Yan will not give up on Wang Xiaoshuai and the others, but the studio cannot rely on him alone to make money, so he wants to train Shen Yan.

But since Jiang Mengfei had this idea, it was difficult for him to refuse.

After a moment's silence, Zhou Yan said, "I personally have no objection to transferring Shen Yan to the TV drama department, but it depends on his own wishes. If he is willing, then transfer him there. If he is not willing, we cannot force him."

Jiang Mengfei smiled and said, "No problem at all, I'll go call him over now."

After saying that, Jiang Mengfei stood up and ran out. After running a few steps, he turned around and said to Zhou Yan, "Don't pour out my tea. I'll need it when I come back later."

"rest assured."

……

Only seven or eight minutes later, Jiang Mengfei brought Shen Yan over.

As soon as he came in, Jiang Mengfei said, "Director Zhou, I just asked Shen Yan on the way, and he is willing to go to the TV drama department."

Zhou Yan looked at Shen Yan, "Shen Yan, is this what you mean?"

Shen Yan nodded, "Yes, Director Zhou, I'm willing to go."

"We respect your personal wishes when it comes to job transfers in our studio. If you don't want to, I won't transfer you. If you feel that there is no chance of advancement in the film department for the time being and want to try your luck in a new department, then I don't think it's necessary. If you stay in the film department, I will give you some more responsibilities later, and you may even be able to take charge of your own work."

Zhou Yan's words were very clear. He meant for Shen Yan to think carefully and not just go to the new department because he thought there were more opportunities. The same would apply if he stayed in the film department.

Hearing Zhou Yan's words, Jiang Mengfei became anxious, "Director Zhou, your words and deeds seem to be trying to persuade Old Shen not to join the new department. How can you be so kind?"

"Ahem." Zhou Yan coughed lightly, "I just explained the situation to Shen Yan and let him choose for himself."

"Director Zhou, you should say less."

Shen Yan said at this time, "Director Zhou, I agreed to let Meng Fei go to the new department not because I was worried that there would be no room for development in the film department, nor because I expected to become a 'founding hero' in the new department, but because I am more interested in filming TV series."

"Are you more interested in filming a TV series?" Zhou Yan looked at Shen Yan with some surprise.

This is such a strange thing to say.

Zhou Yan would like to believe that there are directors who are more interested in making TV series, but in fact, he has never met such a director in real life.

The main reason why directors choose to make TV series is because there are no good opportunities in the film industry.

Filming a TV series is tiring, takes a long time, and has a low ceiling.

Internationally renowned directors all make movies. Has anyone ever heard of a director who became famous for making TV series?

TV dramas themselves are at the bottom of the contempt chain, and for professionally trained directors, movies are definitely their first choice.

Facing Zhou Yan's surprise, Shen Yan said very seriously, "This is what I really think."

Zhou Yan couldn't tell whether Shen Yan was just pretending to be nice or speaking from the heart, but since Shen Yan insisted on going to the new department, he didn't say anything else, just nodded and said, "Okay, you should prepare for the next period of time. The establishment of the new department will be announced in two weeks. During this time, you and Meng Fei should choose a few offices in Building No. 3 for your future work. Also, prepare a shopping list and buy the things you need to purchase in the early stage. Meng Fei's arm is injured now, and he has difficulty moving. You should help him more."

"Don't worry, Director Zhou, I will help Meng Fei well." Shen Yan nodded.

"Okay, let's just leave it at that. You guys go ahead and do your work. Oh, and remember, don't rush to announce the establishment of a new department."

"clear."

Jiang Mengfei nodded happily, then put his uninjured hand around Shen Yan's shoulders and said, "Come on, Old Shen, let's go over there. You are a very loyal boy and you have not been deceived by Director Zhou. I trust you so much."

Zhou Yan glanced at the two people's backs and couldn't help but curl his lips. These people haven't even left the office, but they have already started to make up stories about the leader.

……

As soon as Jiang Mengfei and the others left, Zhou Yan called General Manager Liu Hang over and told him about the transfer of Jiang Mengfei and Shen Yan to the new department.

Of course, setting up a new department was not Zhou Yan's sudden interest. He had this idea as early as when Qizi Company invested in the filming of "Tai Chi Master", but there was never a good opportunity.

Now their studio has more than double the number of staff than before, and now that the filming of "Time Traveler" is finished, some people on his side have some free time, so they can set up a new department without delaying the film department.

He had already told Liu Hang about this.

After listening to Zhou Yan, Liu Hang nodded and said, "It's a good idea to transfer Shen Yan to the new department. Meng Fei's ability in production is indeed a little bit worse, and Shen Yan is a professional with outstanding ability. He and Meng Fei can complement each other's strengths and weaknesses."

"During this period, you should keep an eye on the recruitment. Once the new department is officially established, the people must be in place quickly. Since we are going to set up a new department, we cannot drag our feet. The situation in the industry has changed every day in the past two years, and no one knows how fast the wind will blow."

"Don't worry, I'm handling this matter myself and I won't hold you back."

"Well, I can rest assured that you will do the work."

Liu Hang smiled and asked, "By the way, Celine Dion and her husband are coming tomorrow. I have arranged for someone to pick them up. When do you think they should be brought to the studio?" Celine Dion and her husband are coming to record a new song.

Not just for "My Heart Will Go On", there's another new song.

"What time will they arrive tomorrow?"

"We'll probably be at the hotel around five in the afternoon."

"Five o'clock... How about this, don't let them come over. Go to Xi Xiang Feng and book a private room. Come with me tomorrow night and treat them to a meal."

"Okay, I'll make arrangements right away."

……

After arriving in Yanjing, Celine Dion and her husband took a short rest in the hotel and then went to the Xi Xiangfeng Hotel.

Xi Xiangfeng is a newly opened hotel, not far from the Xufeng Hotel where they were staying, only five or six minutes' walk away.

Zhou Yanding was here to make it convenient for Celine Dion and others.

After the two sides met, Zhou Yan smiled and shook hands with the couple, "You two have come from afar, and you must have worked hard on the journey."

"You're welcome, Mr. Y. We are all very happy to see each other again."

"I'm very happy too." Zhou Yan smiled and introduced Liu Hang next to them, "This is Liu Hang, the general manager of our studio. He is responsible for all the affairs of our studio. If you two have any needs in Yanjing, you can look for him."

"Hello."

The two sides exchanged a few pleasantries and then sat down.

After sitting down, Zhou Yan said, "Originally, I was planning to have you record 'My Heart Will Go On' in the United States, but since you're here, we'll record this song as well."

"Of course, we thought so too." René Angeli smiled. "In fact, we have always wanted to come to China. Just as you said you had a new song, we decided to come and take a look."

The couple came here this time mainly for the new song.

Some time ago, Rene Angeli received a call from Zhang Youan, saying that Zhou Yan had a new song and wanted Celine Dion to try it, but there was a condition, that is, if Celine Dion agreed to sing, she must come to China to record as soon as possible.

After listening to what Zhang Youan said, Rene Angeli agreed to go to China without any hesitation, without seeing or hearing the new song.

Until now, they have not seen any new songs.

Anyway, Rene Angeli had already made up his mind. Even if the new song didn't happen, they could just come here and finish recording "My Heart Will Go On".

"Well, now that you're here, don't be anxious. Stay for a while and have some fun in China. I believe the recording of 'My Heart Will Go On' will be quick. As for the new song, you guys can go to the studio tomorrow morning and we'll talk about it in detail."

Zhou Yan felt that it was getting late, so he should treat the couple to a good meal and wait for them to get some rest before talking about the new song tomorrow.

It's a bit inhumane to force them to watch new songs as soon as they come over.

But René Angeli was in a hurry. "Director Zhou, it's still early. How about we go to the studio to talk about the new song after we finish our meal? Is this place far from your studio?"

"It's not far, but you just got off the plane and haven't adjusted yet. Aren't you too tired?"

Celine Dion smiled and said, "I think I'd better check out the new songs first so that I can sleep well at night."

After hearing what Celine Dion said, Zhou Yan looked at his watch. It was now 6:10. If they ate quickly, they could finish the battle before 7 o'clock and get to the studio before 7:20.

If you count it this way, there is still time.

Then he nodded and said, "No problem, let's eat quickly. Actually, I was originally planning to have a drink with you two, but now..."

"Let's talk about drinking later when we have a chance."

"Okay." Zhou Yan nodded.

He doesn't like to procrastinate when doing things, so naturally he likes the couple's work attitude.

……

The meal time was even shorter than Zhou Yan had expected. They started eating at 6:20 and finished the fight at 6:40, and arrived at the recording studio before 7 o'clock.

When they arrived at the studio, Zhou Yan found a demo. Before playing it, he said to Celine Dion, "This new song will be included in my new movie, A Time Traveler, so you need to record more than just one version."

"That's certainly no problem, but I have another question, when will this song be released?" asked René Angeli.

This is what Rene Angeli is most concerned about. Ever since Zhou Yan wrote "My Heart Will Go On" for Celine Dion, they have been thinking about this song.

But the problem is that before the movie is released, they can't release singles or perform publicly. This period is very difficult for them.

Zhou Yan also knew why René Angeli asked this, so he smiled and said, "This song is different from My Heart Will Go On. After the recording is finished, you can sing it publicly. But you can't release a single by yourself, because the songs in this movie will be released together as an album later."

"Oh, that's okay too."

Although he cannot release a single on his own, Rene Angeli is already satisfied to be able to perform publicly.

“Then can the follow-up be included in Celine’s own album?”

“It will be half a year after the movie is released.”

"I see." René Angeli smiled and stared at Zhou Yan's hand. "Let's listen to this song."

Zhou Yan nodded and pressed the play button directly.

First there was a piano prelude, followed by a female humming voice.

This humming is nice to listen to, but the melody is not complicated, so there is nothing particularly surprising.

Celine Dion and René Angelil are not in a hurry, and they don't expect the new song to shock them as soon as it starts.

Soon, the first line of lyrics sounded.

"What would I do without your smart mouth..."

The couple looked at each other; they already had a rough idea of ​​what kind of song this was.

The gentle melody and simple piano accompaniment indicate that this is a lyrical narrative song. (End of this chapter)