Cai Xin’s interview transcript

There is a beautiful photo: many beautiful actors surround a woman who looks like an actress but is not an actress. This is the young but beautiful actress called "Cai Ma" by her stars. Senior acting agent Cai Xin. In this photo, there is no doubt that the actors resemble stars and the moon is Cai Xin.

Prodigy: Talent comes from self-confidence

I prefer "man can conquer nature". I think that no matter what a person's destiny is, his willpower can still determine many things.

——Cai Xin

Cai Xin, a native of Shanghai, was versatile when she was young and was known as a child prodigy. When I was 8 years old, I became a close disciple of an 80-year-old qigong master. With his intelligence and hard work, he was recruited as the youngest director of the Shanghai Qigong Research Association when he was less than 12 years old. When he was less than 14 years old, he was recruited as a director of the Chinese Qigong Research Association. Due to her parents' job transfer and her introduction to English, she can speak Shanghainese, Sichuanese, Cantonese and English. In this regard, Cai Xin feels very good about herself: "I am a person who is relatively gifted in languages." When she was 6 years old, she met the children's writer Grandpa Chen Bochui while doing Tai Chi in the park, which made her interested in writing. In that year, Cai Xin published her first short article - "Spiders and Mosquitoes" in "Children" published by Shanghai Children's Publishing House. After entering her youth, she wrote 3 books and 3 screenplays. Among them, the movie "Doomed" was shortlisted for the Xia Yan Film and Literature Award. Cai Xin, who can sit down at her desk and study hard, will also go "crazy" when she leaves the study. Otherwise, how could she become a speedster and win sixth place in a mountain road competition in Guangdong Province?

When she was still in college, Cai Xin went into advertising and actually earned a very considerable income. After graduation, she first went to Wang Ji's film and television advertising company and began to get involved in the acting agency business. In 1997, she established Caixin Culture Company to engage in advertising production through relationships between Hong Kong and the Mainland. In early 2004, Cai Xin established Beijing Xingze International Film and Television Culture Co., Ltd. Since then, branches have been set up in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

Cai Xin’s business philosophy is to like to cooperate with others! “The important thing is that working with different people will create different sparks and create different creativity.” We have established stable partnerships or branches with powerful companies such as the American ICP production organization and Japan's largest listed artist management company HORIPRO Co., Ltd.

Cai Xin runs three companies, so she is very busy at work. From Monday to Sunday, her schedule is full. She doesn't care much about profit, but about brand. Doing business with such a mentality, proceeding steadily, with the accumulation of funds and the expansion of business, who can say that women cannot do big business?

Developing the "Second Spring" of Star Artists

I am a relatively tough manager, and some actors may even be worried that I will screw up the matter. I think I will handle the development plan for the artist based on his personal needs and my positioning of him. I will not use the same services to different artists.

——Cai Xin

The first Hong Kong artist signed by Cai Xin was Zhao Yazhi in 1997. Her plan and goal are very clear, which is to build a platform for Hong Kong and Taiwan artists to develop in the mainland, to seek new development for famous senior artists, to rejuvenate their "second spring", and to extend their artistic life. "Home of Hong Kong and Taiwan" is Cai Xin's positioning for Xingze International. Today, the company has more than 20 artists, 80 of whom are Hong Kong and Taiwan actors. It is the agency with the most contracts with Hong Kong and Taiwan stars in the mainland.

Xingze International was founded not long ago, but it quickly became popular in the industry. Its four "sexy actresses" are all pursuing long-term development routes other than sexy. Cai Xin praised it as the "Four Golden Flowers".

Wang Siyi is like a calla lily, indifferent to the world; Chung Liti, a Vietnamese who grew up in Canada, is like a wild lily, with a noble temperament in her wildness; Weng Hong is a carnation, her Beauty is not entirely due to appearance, but is based on kindness, respect for elders, and taking care of colleagues. She brings warmth to the people around her; Wen Bixia is a fire rose. She is both in role and in life. Pursue true love and immerse yourself in love.

Cai Xin, who graduated from directing and has written scripts, is an expert in film and television. She reads an average of five or six scripts a day for her artists. After determining the artist's basic direction and positioning, Cai Xin can choose suitable scripts and roles for the artist, and actively recommends artists to the crew, so the artist is very confident about her.

Zhong Liti signed a contract with Cai Xin. Many people think that Liti Chung is a foreigner. Cai Xin said: "I want to tell everyone that she is a Chinese beauty. Making her more Chinese is my positioning for her." When she first signed the contract, Cai Xin heard the drama on CCTV When there was news that "Pretty Woman" was being filmed, I felt that Chung Liti was sexy, fierce, shrewd and capable, and she was very suitable for playing the female lead in the drama - the inn proprietress, so she immediately recommended her to the crew. Originally, the crew planned to let Yang Qiannuhua play the lead female role, but after Cai Xin strongly recommended and compared, it was felt that Liti Chung was more suitable. Christy Chung is very happy to have accepted her first mainland TV series, which is a big drama, and she only signed the contract less than half a month ago.

Cai Xin and Weng Hong have known each other for a long time, as well as Wen Bixia. In the early years, the three of them often drank tea and chatted together, talking about everything. She believes that Weng Hong is classically beautiful when she is on camera, and she is lively and lively when acting. Directors often ask her to act in costume dramas. However, her acting range is very broad and she can play from a young girl to a middle-aged person, so she doesn't need to be limited by this. With Cai Xin's recommendation, negotiation and fighting, she successively took over the roles of "Kangding Love Song", "Beauty Tribulation in the Late Ming Dynasty", "Great Dunhuang" Part 3 and "The Wine King of the North and South" for Weng Hong, and starred in "Study Abroad" respectively. Characters such as the returning Tibetan girl, Chen Yuanyuan, and the beautiful female bandit. Cai Xin believes that these star actors are already famous in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and the job that the agency has to do is to make mainland directors immediately think of them when faced with a case, and let them play important roles in the drama. It is on this point that Cai Xin does an outstanding job.

She believes that Wan Bixia is a genuine actress with a noble, graceful and passionate style, and is suitable for playing roles close to herself. She acted for Wen Bixia in the two dramas "Phoenix Shadow" and "The Soul-Painting Needle". Wen Bixia was the heroine in both of them, and her acting skills were fully demonstrated.

Cai Xin believes that the artistic life of an actor is very long, and international trendy actors are striving for a "second spring". For example, Shaw Connery, who played "007", is still filming in his 60s. "The Rock Breaks the Sky" is a model. The agent's responsibility is to help them discover their potential and take them to the next level.

In the entertainment industry, some actors are not interested in agents, and some actors do not want agents. It's hard to sign with them. Cai Xin has "conquered" such a star. Wang Gang is an example.

Cai Xinai watched Wang Gang's TV series and hoped to be his agent, but Wang Gang said he "doesn't need an agent." Cai Xin was helpless, so she became friends with him and silently did something for him. In the summer of 2003, Wang Gang was filming in Wuxi. Cai Xinwei gave him a surprise and went to visit the cast without informing him. On the highway from Shanghai to Wuxi, she accidentally crashed into a car. Cai Xin was temporarily comatose due to concussion. When I woke up, I saw that the trouser leg of my left leg was stained red with blood, but I felt that it was not broken. Regardless of her pain, she insisted not to go to the hospital and continued on her way. When Wang Gang returned to the hotel from the set and saw Cai Xin limping towards him, he was happy and moved. Finally one day, Wang Gang took the initiative to sign a contract with Cai Xin. Their cooperation is very pleasant, and they have a tacit understanding. Wang Gang will basically like the scripts that Cai Xin likes, and most of the roles that Cai Xin thinks are inappropriate, Wang Gang will not want to play.

China's most valuable supermodel Jiang Peilin has long been concerned by film producers. Many film producers have had her "idea" and invited her to play important roles in film and television dramas, but she has never agreed. And said that he will not enter the film and television industry. In fact, she also likes film and television, but she feels that she is not professional enough in acting and is not sure whether she can do it.

However, Cai Xin believes that Jiang Peilin's appearance and temperament are very suitable for being a film and television actor. He expressed this view to her and dispelled her concerns with many examples of celebrities living in many places. Finally, the stubborn Jiang Peilin got involved in film and television and joined Xingze International Company.

Life: N stations in the future

I want to use my efforts, my company and artists to convey to everyone a concept of the international brokerage industry, a concept of the Chinese characteristics Exploring the brokerage business and brokerage life. However, this industry is not my last stop, it is just a stop on the train of my life. Of course, I might accidentally do very well in this industry.

——Cai Xin

Cai Xin, who has high ambitions, did not consider the brokerage industry as a career direction at first, but after entering this industry, she felt that she was good at this job, and gradually Make it a career and work to expand it.

Carrying out film and television productions and hosting musical performances and concerts are also within Cai Xin’s vision. She believes that there are no real musicals in China, either operas or operas. She envisions introducing some foreign musicals and turning them into Chinese versions, performed by "online" singers. She is optimistic about the musical market and regards musicals as one of the company's important projects in the future.

Cai Xin has begun to invest money or raise funds to become a producer and plans to plan some big projects. "Usually artists serve production, but our production will serve artists." Cai Xin said, this is the difference between Xingze and some companies. If we look at it in two parts, actors will be limited just by acting in plays produced by their own company.

Another of Cai Xin’s plans related to production is to make Xingze International a good cooperative organization for overseas film and television productions in China, and will work hard to expand the overseas distribution market of domestic film and television production institutions and provide support for mainland film and television production institutions. Entering the overseas film and television cultural market, providing services for projects such as introducing foreign investment, optimizing portfolio, co-production and cooperation in film and television production, artist packaging, and international promotion.

For Xingze International, which already has several branches, Cai Xin set the goal of developing into a group and a listed company. There are no Chinese brokerage companies that have gone public yet, and there are film and television companies that have gone public through shell sales. She knows that it is difficult to go public, but there are successful examples in Japan and the United States. She doesn't believe that Chinese brokerage companies can't realize it.

Sitting in the position of the boss, Cai Xin has not forgotten that she wants to be a director and create. In fact, there are too many chores and social activities at the moment, making her unable to control herself. When the time comes in the future, she will fulfill her long-cherished wish. , to fulfill my two long-term dreams. Reporter: In the entertainment industry, what is the difference between an agent and a manager?

Cai Xin: Broadly speaking, acting agents can refer to all agents including managers. Ordinary "brokerage" refers to an agency, which is an industry similar to an intermediary. As long as you master the resources at both ends, you can make money. This is a resource utilization type of behavior. Some individual performance brokers and employees of some brokerage companies are brokers in this industry. Although a manager also belongs to the category of agents, he is the owner and leader of the company. He does not simply control both resources, but also creates resources - resources for the artists and resources to serve the artists. For example, packaging and planning for artists, creating new talents, creating the artist's "second spring", and forging a higher level of long-term artists.

Reporter: What are the basic requirements for being an acting agent?

Cai Xin: First of all, there must be a resource base, and customer resources and artist resources must be abundant; secondly, it is a professional foundation. Not only must you be familiar with the industry, but you must also understand the relevant legal regulations and know how to follow the plan. The plan must be completed according to the plan; thirdly, it must have sufficient adaptability; finally, the personality foundation must have an honest personality, a humiliation-tolerant personality, and a persuasive personality.

Reporter: How did you come up with the idea of ??turning Xingze International into the "Home of Hong Kong and Taiwan"? What are the prospects?

Cai Xin: I have more contact with celebrities from Hong Kong and Taiwan. They all feel that the space for development in the local area is relatively narrow, and hope to film in the mainland and expand their stardom. Therefore, whether you are a newly minted star or a star in the mature stage, going north to the mainland to film is the most popular way and the general trend.

These artists who broke away from Hong Kong's star system and moved to the mainland, like children who have lost their mothers and have to find food on their own, will fall into confusion and panic. They need to adapt to the situation in the mainland again. Many Hong Kong actors are facing a re-transformation on the mainland in order to realize their value. Xingze International came into being to meet this need and situation. I think 40 years old should be the golden age for an actor, especially in terms of acting skills and creativity. The company strives to help senior Hong Kong and Taiwan stars seek development on the basis of breaking away from the inertia of their previous roles and extend their artistic life.

Reporter: What is the difference between signing contracts with established actors and signing contracts with newcomers?

Cai Xin: Signing contracts with established actors is very challenging. The starting point is higher, which is more difficult than being a newcomer, because they already have a position. However, it is not easy for newcomers to do it, because they have no reputation, and it is difficult to say whether they will succeed or not. The risks are high, but of course the rewards will be big if they do well. I am more cautious about signing new players. I think if there is no 80% certainty that the new player will be popular or pushed to the position they want, then don't sign the new player. Some companies sign a dozen or even more newcomers and then leave them there for 10 or 8 years. This is a mistake. Whether a newcomer can become popular depends on whether he has "star luck". When people start to move up, what they strive for is often not strength, but if you want to truly occupy that position, you must rely on strength.

Reporter: Why do you like to cooperate with others?

Cai Xin: I advocate cooperation between the agency and the production company. The ownership of the artist can be with the production company, and the management of the artist can be left to the agency. If the artists signed by my company have singing advantages, I will not make records myself because I am not familiar with this industry. I will cooperate with the record company. I think it is important for people to know how to cooperate. In other words, don't be afraid that the "cake" will be divided by others. You are afraid that the "cake" will be divided by others, and your own "cake" will not be fully eaten. You can't make enough money, but you can do things beautifully. I think working with others is one of the ways to make your business bigger. In this regard, one should be more open-minded.

Reporter: You have cooperated with Hong Kong, Taiwan and foreign brokerage companies. Are major foreign brokerage companies interested in mainland stars?

Cai Xin: Chinese stars generally lack appeal in the international market, and it is difficult to attract large foreign brokerage companies based solely on profits from the local market. Mainland star Zhang Ziyi has the highest income, reaching 35 million yuan. She signed a contract with the internationally renowned agency VMA. The annual income of A-list celebrities after Zhang Ziyi is about 10 million yuan. Hollywood's A-list stars are all members of the "20 million (USD) club". If you want to make considerable profits from mainland celebrities, you must focus on the international market. In this way, it may be attractive to CAA. But how many Zhang Ziyi can there be in China? Whether it is CAA or ENDEAVOV, they have chosen to enter the production field. I think the film and television agency industry will still be a market for local companies for at least five years.