News Links - 3/22/08

[dleedlee]

Red Cliffs posters of cast
http://ent.sina.com.cn/m/c/2008-03-21/06051955967.shtml

Raintree Productions announces new projects
http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story ... sec=movies

Film and politics: it's all in the game
Tian Zhuangzhuang
http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic ... 00,00.html

Byung Hun Lee, Major Korean Film and TV Star Completes First Day of Filming as Storm Shadow in Paramount Pictures' 'G.I. JOE'
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show ... 9435.shtml

Singer Ri Koran (Yoshiko/Shirley Yamaguchi) Wishes for Sino-Japan Peace
http://english.cri.cn/3086/2008/03/21/1821@336589.htm

Zhang Guoli Plays Psychologist in New TV Play
"Do Away with Your Depression"
http://english.cri.cn/3086/2008/03/22/1781@336818.htm

Lee Dong-Gun's younger brother murdered in Australia
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/mur ... 15099.html
Lee Dong Gun’s brother loses his life in Sydney
http://coolsmurf.wordpress.com/2008/03/ ... in-sydney/

Discussion About Artistes and Managers: Tied Down With Long Contracts; Need Ability to be Able to Rebel

Yesterday Mani Fok, Virginia Lok, Wong Jing, Paco Wong, Gallen Lo, Jade Kwan and Eric Suen held a public discussion, 「藝人、經理人相對論研討會」, at an expo. Ng Yu (吳雨) was the MC in charge of asking questions. Lately, it was rumored that Isabella Leong was betraying EEG and wanted to terminate her contract. Ng Yu asked Wong Jing how managers view rebelling artistes.

Wong Jing was composed and calm when he gave his personal view. He said: “You know in advance that they will betray you. If they have no abilities then they have no right for betrayal. You need to have abilities in order to betray someone. Depends on their commitment. I hope that every artiste have the ability to betray their company.” But once they betray you, won’t that make you angry? Wong Jing smiled and replied: “It’s useless to be angry. First, I am against signing long term contracts. Like the long contracts at EEG; I am against it. Fifteen years is too long. Normally it is eight to ten years.” Mani also replied: “If it is that short, then they would easily leave after they become famous.” Wong Jing held his opinion strongly and said: “If you are still investing (in the artiste) in the seventh year and there is no contract extension then you are stupid! Actually, if you have a long term contract in your hands then you are powerless in their betrayal. When I was filming “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, an actress suddenly felt unwell and refused to continue filming. I could only change actresses. In the end, the ratings broke a record!”

Ng Yu asked Mani about her views on betrayal. She was straightforward in her response: “Maybe the artistes that I manage are young so they do not consider the entire the situation. I give my entire heart and time since the first day I was a manager. I never thought about getting something in return but I hope to see the artistes become famous. That is my biggest encouragement. People have a different view about people who may or may not have committed betrayal. I have a high EQ and I can withstand pressure. I am willing to give them more time. I become angry when an artiste and manager have arguments. I would still give them time to slowly work (through the problem or do their job). I won’t let them fall down too hard. That is my reasonability.”

Virginia expressed her view and she said: “I often tell the artiste that I am investing in you and hope that one day you can have bargaining power. I would let them leave and explore other opportunities. There is no happiness in forcing them. Nothing last forever.”

But there are artistes who are “frozen” if they don’t listen. Wong Jing smiled and pointed out that Ng Yu’s company (EEG) has the biggest freezer. Ng Yu smiled and replied: “But there is no electricity (power). You have to release them after freezing.” Mani believes that during freezing, it can give the artiste time to think things over more clearly. They are more conscious and aware when they come out. Ng Yu points out that Virginia’s company, TVB, has the largest freezer. They froze people like Chow Yun Fat, Andy Lau and others. Virginia joked: “We moved already. It was taken down! Actually artistes should be rewarded and punished because the buffer period gives them time to think.”

Paco had a different attitude and expressed: “I have never frozen an artiste. There were three artistes who terminated their contracts. But their attitudes were too much. I believe I should reconsider this problem.”

After the discussion, Ng Yu was hounded on questions relating to Isabella’s betrayal. He said that he won’t give a comment. The discussion about betrayal wasn’t targeting any artistes. The company hopes that they are always able to get along with the artiste if they put their heart out. Mani also refused to comment. She expressed that she isn’t avoiding the question but she doesn’t want to say anything that is unfair or hurtful about Isabella or EEG. But Isabella already issued a statement? Mani said that she didn’t read it so she wouldn’t give a response. She is hoping that everything would be resolved quickly.

Wong Jing disagrees with EEG’s long term contract of 15 years. Mani responded: “It’s not 15 years but the contract is a business secret. It is not like what he said.”

The reporter mentioned that Charlene Choi criticized Juno Mak’s blog entry was too vague. Charlene doesn’t want to give explanations. Mani believes that blogs are meant to share your feelings with friends. But you need to be careful when the Hong Kong media wants in on “sharing your feelings”. Don’t lead people to speculate when you put information in the entry. Charlene is going into battle alone when she goes to functions. She is under a lot of pressure and hope that everyone will understand. Is Juno trying to gather self publicity? Mani doesn’t want to discuss that question.

Jade was frozen by her company once. She attended the discussion to learn how to communicate and she was qualified to attend the discussion. Her new song, 《母忘我》, wasn’t released yet but it was available for download. She was very unhappy and wants to track down the source. She doesn’t’ know how it was leaked. She said that in the entertainment industry, your songs are like your wealth. She wants to cry but she couldn’t when her song was illegally downloaded +10000 times.
http://asian-gossip.blogspot.com/