enjoyebooks Chapter 21 Choosing a Date
Chapter 21 Choosing a Date
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After a long and eloquent speech.
Wang Zhongjun notified Wang Zhonglei downstairs, along with publicity director Zeng Chunhua and distribution director Chen Hui, to come over and discuss the film's release date.
Fang Yi sat on the sofa drinking tea, his expression calm, like an old monk in deep meditation.
Wang Zhongjun's words just now, while somewhat angry, were mostly an act.
It's simply because he's afraid he'll be bewitched by Wang Jinghua and eagerly follow her to Huayi.
Think more!
Fang Yi said that Wang Zhongjun was overthinking things; before he got Huayi's shares, he wouldn't go anywhere.
Besides, he only signed with Huayi a few months ago, it's still a long way off.
A short while later, there was a knock on the door.
Wang Zhonglei entered first, dressed in a casual white and floral outfit, looking just like a playboy on an inspection tour.
Behind them, Zeng Chunhua and Chen Hui stood respectfully.
"elder brother.."
Wang Zhonglei nodded to Wang Zhongjun, but was not annoyed by the glare he received. He walked up to Fang Yi with a smile.
He plopped down on the soft sofa, winking and saying, "Director Fang, when are you free? I'd like to take you to see the cars!"
Wang Zhonglei still remembers the envious look on the other person's face when he went to the airport to pick them up after filming wrapped up "Sniper Phone Booth".
Now that Fang Yi has money, he should naturally volunteer to show the other party around the capital.
"Thank you, Mr. Wang, I've already bought the car!"
"Oh...what brand?"
"Volkswagen, around 300,000."
Wang Zhonglei gave him a deep look and then fell silent.
Seeing this, Wang Zhongjun, sitting on the main sofa, showed an expression of agreement and said, "You should live frugally like Director Fang, unlike you, who spends money recklessly."
elder brother..
How dare you say that to me?
Xiao Wang pouted indignantly, scoffing at his brother's criticism.
When it comes to spending money, I can't compare to you, brother. You've collected all those oil paintings from the trash heap!
"Alright, let's get down to business."
Wang Zhongjun, too lazy to look at his younger brother's expression, tapped the coffee table lightly with his knuckles and looked at Chen Hui, the distribution director.
"Director Chen, how's the collection of movie release schedules for June that I asked you to do?"
"President, everything has been collected."
Chen Hui opened the folder he had brought and took out several A4 sheets of paper to distribute to everyone.
Then, he picked up a sheet and said with a slight smile, "I was afraid that the information reported by the media was incomplete, so I called Chen Ran, the group leader of the distribution department of China Film Group, and got the schedule of all the movies scheduled to be released from the end of May to the end of June from her."
"That's right...only China Film Group has the most comprehensive information."
Wang Zhongjun praised it, implying that everyone should take a look first and then talk about it later.
2005年，5月25号至6月30号。
[Mainland China Film Release Schedule]
Fang Yi glanced at the list and found that there were a total of fifteen or sixteen movies showing during this period.
Three of these films are noteworthy and can be considered competitors to "Phone Booth".
The first film is a racing-themed movie called "Initial D," starring three Hong Kong and Taiwan stars: Jason Chou, Edison Chen, and Yu Wenle.
The film will be released on June 23 and is currently in the early stages of promotion.
The second and third installments are both Hollywood films.
The film "Batman Begins" will be released on June 29th.
The movie "Anaconda 2: Search for the Blood Orchid" will be released on June 30th.
Of the three movies, Fang Yi doesn't remember much about the two Hollywood movies after their release, but he has a deep impression of Initial D.
This is Zhou Jielun's first starring film, and it's an action movie. In his previous life, it was a huge hit, with the media scrambling to report on it and fans eagerly anticipating it.
The film also achieved remarkable success, grossing 64 million yuan at the mainland box office, far surpassing all other films released during the same period in May and June.
Zhou Jielun made a name for himself in the film industry, showcasing the box office appeal of a superstar to the fullest.
"He's an opponent; we can't confront him head-on."
Fang Yi murmured to himself, thinking about how to persuade Wang Zhongjun and the others.
Before he could even think of a word, Wang Zhonglei spotted Initial D at first glance and immediately ruled it out.
"Brothers, everyone, Initial D is probably the biggest competitor to Phone Booth. We have to avoid releasing it at the same time as this movie."
"Mr. Wang is right."
When the distribution director Chen Hui spoke, his smile faded and a hint of seriousness appeared between his brows.
According to information obtained by the company, this film is a medium-budget action film spearheaded by Hong Kong's Asia Films, in conjunction with several Hong Kong film companies, including Sil-Metropole Organisation and Oriental Film Productions Ltd.
According to an insider at Huanya, the production budget was over 4000 million yuan, and every penny was spent wisely; we have to be careful.
Chen Hui's words made the people present frown and secretly curse Huanya for having too much money to burn.
Over 4000 million, to make a racing movie, that'll make your Huanya (a racing company) really something!
At this moment, Zeng Chunhua raised the A4 paper in her hand and said solemnly, "Our propaganda department has also collected a lot of information."
The film will be jointly distributed in mainland China by China Film Group and Huaying Film Group, two major state-owned enterprises, and is planned to be released all over the country, reportedly even in small fourth- and fifth-tier counties.
In addition, Huanya, in conjunction with China Film Group, has launched a multi-dimensional publicity strategy, which will carry out a full-media coverage and a series of promotional campaigns across music, television, print, and online platforms.
I received information that China Film Group has contacted several television stations, and various variety shows are giving "Initial D" priority access.
boom!
As soon as Zeng Chunhua finished speaking, Wang Zhongjun slammed his phone down on the coffee table with such force that the water in the teacup next to him spilled out.
Fang Yi quickly glanced at his phone.
Nokia, that's fine.
If it were him, he would hit the ball with even more force.
"What is China Film Group trying to do?"
"For the sake of a co-production, you're behaving so shamelessly, have you no shame at all?!"
Wang Zhongjun, as usual, got angry, cursing and swearing, unable to tolerate China Film Group's domineering attitude.
The others watched quietly, and no one responded.
Only Wang Zhonglei's lips moved twice, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
elder brother..
That's enough. We're all on the same side. This evil fire is just for show.
Fang Yi noticed Xiao Wang's unusual behavior, his body went limp as he leaned back on the sofa, letting out a soft sigh.
Co-production!
China Film Group's publicity and distribution team!
These two terms almost perfectly encapsulate the distribution landscape in mainland China before 2012.
One side, led by China Film Group, controls the import and export rights of films, and co-productions enjoy exclusive resources.
One side consists mainly of private enterprises, which produce and distribute Chinese-language films either individually or in collaboration, with their top executives personally taking part in the competition.
The Chinese film market has been booming ever since, with major film and television companies going public one after another, creating a thriving industry.
A massive influx of hot money into the film and television industry has made major companies incredibly wealthy, elevated the status of celebrities to unprecedented heights, and increased actors' salaries three times a year.
Then, internet giants entered the market, leading to frequent chaos and turning the film and television industry into a mess.
During those years, the audience was constantly fed this kind of content, and there was widespread discontent.
The once-prosperous scene has vanished, and the market has slumped as a result. Apart from a few blockbuster movies that managed to make a profit, most of them are box office losses.
Thanks to Nezha!
Fang Yi realized that the present is not the same as the future; the market is tiny, and he had to act quickly.
He sat up straight, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and slowly spoke: "Everyone, Initial D will be released on the 23rd. Given its popularity, we should either be released before or after it. We absolutely cannot choose a time that is close to the release date."
My personal opinion is that "Sniper Phone Booth" could be released before June 12th, two weeks later, to grab audience attention and rake in box office revenue in advance.
"Or we can keep waiting until July for the release!"