Neither of them were attentive and gentle people. Li Lianggong was always accustomed to having a cold and serious face. Even though the person in front of him was his most beloved student, it was difficult for him to naturally say some caring words. So the topic naturally shifted to the current situation of the animation industry and Huaying's recent actions.
"You did a great job." Speaking of the recently released Harry Potter, Li Lianggong, who is always strict and has high standards, praised it highly: "I was worried that you might not be able to adapt to 3D since your first animated film is 3D. Animation performance is your strong point, but with the current 3D technology, it is not easy to achieve the realistic and detailed depiction you did in The Gift of the Magi. I didn't expect you to take this into consideration."
Muxuxing said: "After all, Huaying has a more adequate budget."
Li Lianggong did not comment.
If one could produce an animated film like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as long as one had money, the top spot on the Blue Star box office chart would have been taken by other companies that had more money than money. How could it be the turn of Huaying
"Speaking of which, the current animation production cost is indeed a problem." Knowing that the other party was being modest, Li Lianggong did not dwell on this topic and instead talked about the industry: "Although national policies support the development of animation, at present, animation broadcast fees still only account for one-tenth of the cost. If the animation itself is not good enough to become an independent excellent IP, whether the production company can recover the cost is a problem."
"The country does intend to support it, and will also provide some subsidies for television animation, but unfortunately..."
Muxuxing remained silent.
With the memory of his past life, he certainly understood the unfinished meaning of Li Lianggong's words. It is true that animation production companies enjoy subsidies, but precisely because this subsidy is usually linked to the length of the animation itself, some small production companies do everything possible to increase the length, reduce costs, and make profits through the surplus after deducting the cost from the subsidy.
To put it bluntly, they are defrauding subsidies under the guise of animation production.
Real animators are forced to sell their cars and houses to generate electricity for their love, while businessmen who use this as a tool to make money take advantage of this hard-won opportunity to make a fortune.
Thinking of this, Mu Suxing's mood became a little heavy.
The atmosphere was a little depressing for a moment.
"You've done a great job." Li Lianggong said slowly, "With the success of Huaying and the Harry Potter series, other production companies will have an easier time. It will be easier to attract investment than before."
As if he thought this topic was too heavy, without waiting for Mu Suxing to reply, Li Lianggong changed the subject and said, "You came at an inopportune time today. The old guys I know have all been taken away by their families to celebrate the New Year. Let's make an appointment tomorrow and I'll take you to meet them again."
Most of the people who can live in this community are artists of the older generation. They may not be as well-known as star directors, but their talents and power in the industry are not comparable to those superficial traffic in the film and television industry and the music industry.
When Li Lianggong said this, it was obvious that he was trying to introduce Mu Suxing.
Mu Suxing was not polite. Given their master-disciple relationship, there was no need to make superficial excuses. He said frankly, "Then I'll trouble you, Master."
The two of them discussed and set a specific date to discuss the script. Before leaving, Mu Suxing asked his teacher for a few fresh graduates.
Mu Suxing was very convinced of his teacher's vision. Li Lianggong was always strict and serious, and the good students he could get were mostly those with a serious attitude and strong professional knowledge. Mu Suxing was assured that the interns were recommended by the other party.
After saying goodbye to Li Lianggong, Mu Suxing went straight back to Huaying's original office building, preparing to start Huaying's first and probably last "move".
Speaking of Huaying's move, the people who were most touched were the few people who came to the current Huaying office building with Mu Suxing three years ago. Fang Lian packed up his usual tools and sighed, "It's incredible to think about it. Three years ago, we were still worried about our first online animation, and now we've become a leading company in the animation industry."
"We're just one step away," Wen Feihang said happily, "Once we move into the new five-star base, we'll truly be top 1!"
Mu Xingxue, whose secretary had packed up his documents long ago, sat on a single chair at the side and looked at the new headquarters in the photo: "Since the company's space has expanded, should we also recruit more employees?"
"That's fine," Cui Hongyi raised his hand to show his agreement. "I can't say much about the comics and games department, but we really need to recruit people for the animation department. CG animation is too laborious to make. We can't just make one Harry Potter this year like we did last year. We should also consider normal-length TV animation or web animation."
Muxuxing nodded in agreement: "The animation department really needs fresh blood now. We will probably have to fight on multiple fronts again this year. The more talents the better."
"Is the new headquarters not open to the public?" Dai Yuyan asked.
Mu Suxing nodded and said, "In the future, we will only grow bigger. If we open it to the outside world, more people will come and go, and no one knows if any accidents will happen. It is better to not open it to the outside world and solve the problem once and for all."
"I see fans on Weibo seem to be quite curious about our headquarters," Dai Yuyan suggested: "Since it is not open to the public, why don't we select a few fans to visit the headquarters? On the one hand, it can satisfy the curiosity of fans, and on the other hand, it can also be a form of external publicity, which will be more beneficial for us to recruit people."
After a few words, they discussed the company's subsequent plans and matters, then dispersed and went back to their own work.
Muxuxing had some free time because he had no plans. He turned on his computer and looked at the fan game competition held by Huaying. It was not surprising to see several familiar names in it - all of them were well-known producers in the future game field.
Mu Suxing wrote down the name based on his memory and the entries, and gave it to Jingzhi Interactive Entertainment, and asked the HR department to pay more attention to the competition. After all, his memory could not represent everything, and who knew if there would be folk masters in this competition that he did not remember in his previous life
After finishing all this, Muxiuxing was ready to review the original novel of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets again. Before that, the release of another animated film attracted the attention of the entire animation industry -
Ji Xinrong's first commercial animated film is about to be released.
Seeing this familiar name again, Mu Suxing was a little distracted. They had a quarrel over the movie "IS". Although Ji Xinrong hated him, he admired his animation art. Tan Qingyi even told him that the reason why he won the Eleanor Award as a newcomer for the movie "The Gift of the Magi" was also due to his support.
However, after that, the two of them never had any contact again, and there was no point in talking about the past now.
He had already let go of what he should have let go of.
He was frank and calm, but Fang Lian and Wen Feihang, who knew nothing about the Eleanor Prize, were not as indifferent as he was. Wen Feihang stared at the flattering comments in the magazine, his face full of confusion: "It's him..."
Although the two of them do not still hold a grudge against Ji Xinrong, it is impossible to say that they have no resentment in their hearts. After all, it is true that they were ridiculed by each other in public back then.
"Hey, this magazine is exaggerating a bit," Fang Lian held up the magazine and spread it out in front of Wen Feihang and Mu Suxing, saying indignantly, "Praising a movie is one thing, but what does this 'No. 1 in animation' mean? Isn't this too much of a disregard for us bastards?"
Muxuxing glanced at the words in the magazine and said pertinently: "It's right."
"What's wrong with that?" Wen Feihang was not happy to hear this: "Now the number one movie in the global box office is our Harry Potter, and the ratings and subscription records for TV animation and online animation are also ours. How can he be considered the number one in animation?"
Fang Lian rolled up the magazine and knocked on the table: "Student Mu Suxing, it's okay to be modest, but being overly modest is a bit annoying, I tell you."
"I'm just stating the facts," Mu Suxing said matter-of-factly, "Box office and revenue don't represent the quality of a work. The fact is, Ji Xinrong's animated films have won several animation awards, and he was even invited to be a judge for animation awards, while I have nothing except an animation short film award and box office."
Wen Feihang was silent for a while.
Indeed, the recognition that Huaying has gained so far comes more from audience fans rather than professionals in the animation industry. The only exception is "The Gift of the Magi", which is also an animated short film. In recent years, Huaying's works have also become more commercial. From an artistic perspective, it is true that there are some shortcomings.
but…
Wen Feihang: "Is it my illusion? Although what you said is true, why do I feel that the sentence 'nothing but box office' sounds so annoying?"
"It's not your illusion," Fang Lian said sincerely, "because I also think this sentence is quite shameless."
Mu Suxing was also very sincere: "I originally wanted to take advantage of the company's relocation to mention everyone's salary and so on. Now it seems that you two have reached the point where money is like dirt. It would be better if I don't insult you with dirty money."
"I'm telling the truth," Fang Lian pointed at a certain side of the magazine and said righteously, "Look at what this magazine wrote. It's a savior of the animation industry. I mean, how much hatred does this magazine have for Ji Xinrong? Is it necessary to praise him so harshly?"
"That's right," Wen Feihang nodded repeatedly. "What do you mean by saving the average content of animated films? This is just short of saying that all other animated films on the market are brainless and meaningless rubbish. Who can tolerate this?"