Reborn Hong Kong Wild Age

Chapter 22
"A few days ago, Yifu Shao decided to sell the theater chain and rent out the four leading theaters of Shaw Brothers. He has officially signed a contract with Debao Film Company, which Pan Disheng has invested in."

"Shaw Brothers withdrew, Debao took over, and the Big Three of Hong Kong movies remained."

In the small room in Taikoo City, Gu Xiayang looked at the report in his hand and lamented that an era had finally come to an end.

Hong Kong was later called the 'Hollywood of the East', and the next ten years can be said to be the most glorious years. Hong Kong films can dominate the film market in Southeast Asia.

In the golden age of Hong Kong films, countless large and small film companies emerged, but only Shaw Brothers, Golden Harvest, and New Arts City could be called giants.

In fact, in the early 60s, the Shaw Brothers dominated the world. Later, Golden Harvest rose and became a duo fighting for hegemony. After that, New Art City was born, forming a short-term tripartite confrontation.

Originally, Sixth Uncle Shao shifted his focus to Wireless TVB, and the withdrawal of the Shaw Brothers film company would cause a duo of Golden Harvest and New Arts City to compete for hegemony in the Hong Kong film market. Unexpectedly, Pan Disheng's entry would make the three-legged confrontation remain the same.

"However, Golden Harvest is still great. If it weren't for Golden Harvest, Shaw Brothers would not have started to cut production or even give up theaters so soon."

During this period of time, Gu Xiayang, who was preparing to officially enter the film industry, also did enough homework, and also had an in-depth understanding of Golden Harvest and New Art City.

Compared with the way of New Art City, Jiahe spared no effort in order to bring down Shaw Brothers.

In recent years, Golden Harvest has become the big winner in the Hong Kong film giant's hegemony, thanks to the strong output of superstars such as Bruce Lee, Xu Guanwen, Hung Jinbao and Cheng Long.

And Golden Harvest can continuously attract these top movie superstars to join, relying on its profit-sharing strategy with the superstars.Its operation is very simple, that is, the independent producer system, which allows superstars to set up their own film companies and become Golden Harvest's satellite company. They can set up their own projects to make movies, and then share the box office revenue with Golden Harvest.

Bruce Lee's Xiehe Films, Hong Jinbao's Baohe, Cheng Long's Weihe, and Xu Guanwen brothers' Xu's are all such companies.

This kind of cooperation is very flexible.In addition to remuneration, production fees and dividends.

For example, Hung Chin Po has made films for other film companies (such as "Beware of Little Hands" for "Yong Jia Film Company" under the Golden Princess Cinemas and Xin Yuan Bao's production, etc.), and Golden Harvest will also be responsible for the film's distribution in overseas markets.

For example, "Summer Lucky Star" directed by Brother San Mao this year even cooperated with Golden Harvest in the form of "buyout", that is, Golden Harvest provided the filming funds and bought out the film copyright after the filming was completed.

Almost after the filming, Golden Harvest gave him a check for a large amount. It was regarded as a buyout of the film, and the profit from the entire film, whether it was a loss or a gain, was none of Hong Jinbao's business.

Regarding Golden Harvest's satellite model, Gu Xiayang was very moved. Zou Wenhuai and He Guan had a unique vision to be able to run the Shaw Brothers film empire to the end of production.

In the era when Shaw Brothers implemented the studio system, Uncle Shaw and all his actors were employed. Because Shaw Brothers always required actors or directors to sign long-term contracts with them, the time limit was usually one to several years.

At that time, during the contract period, the artist’s remuneration did not increase or decrease (the first-line actor was 2000 US dollars, and there was no dividend), and the actors who were "included" under the system were not allowed to go out to take on the show. Under the premise that the top management has full control over the creation and filming rights, they form a school of their own, so the degree of freedom in creation is quite limited.

Moreover, although Shaw Brothers had thousands of staff members and a large-scale cinema in its heyday, this "unprecedented film kingdom in Chinese film history" did not open every day after all, so it was not for everyone. Everything works, and then the problem arises.

Some staff members who are not on their turn to join the crew are paid monthly salaries as usual, and many of them have to wait for the film to start work every day. As a result, there are often embarrassing scenes of "waiting for a rabbit" in the huge studio, coupled with the non-stop studio Expenses such as maintenance, machine maintenance, and daily necessities are really a big burden.

Another point is that producers under the system of major studios are constrained by the interference of theater operators and the taboo of "fishing beyond the border", so the scope of work is often narrow (such as arranging shooting time and finding venues, etc.). Isn't freedom meddling in my own business?
The outsourcing system implemented by Zou Wenhuai in Golden Harvest coincides with Shaw Brothers’ large-scale studio system. Realize "Optimized Combination".

On the other hand, stars and producers are given a more equal creative status in the form of cooperative relations, that is, they support each other in establishing "satellite companies."

Under the premise that the parent company supervises the script, cost and shooting progress, it independently starts filming, which allows it to create more diversified genres and themes. After the film is completed, it can be directly handed over to the parent company for publicity and distribution, or Independent "outsourcing" to other film companies.

In this way, the additional cost investment is reduced, and the space for film production is expanded, which can be described as having the best of both worlds.

As for dividends, Golden Harvest's outsourcing system is also different from the "established terms" under the studio system.

In addition to film remuneration and production fees, the profits from the movie's blockbusters can be distributed according to a certain percentage (up to [-]% of the account), and the sharing objects also include individual actors and cooperative companies. Such an "equality and mutual benefit" model will naturally allow more stars , producers or other theatrical distributors are happy to collaborate.

Of course, more importantly, as the market's requirements for movie themes become more stringent, the assembly line operation has long been unable to satisfy the audience's vision.

It is replaced by the recognition and desire for creators. Therefore, driven by the mainstream concept, the big studio system gradually declined, and the independent producer system that coincided with the creative initiative emerged immediately. This is undoubtedly the result of the shift in the focus of the film industry. Inevitably oriented.

Later, independent film productions flourished in Hong Kong, and everyone could see that the film market was booming.

But looking at the report in hand, in the photo, Hong Jinbao and Cen Jianxun are standing beside Pan Disheng, smiling like flowers, Gu Xiayang shook his head and said: "It's a pity that they underestimated the ability of big brother to make troubles and favored Cheng Long, there will always be people who are dissatisfied .”

Just last year, Hong Jinbao and Cen Jianxun cooperated to open Debao Film Company, and then the big boss Pan Disheng took a stake and rented Shaw Cinemas. It is rumored that the annual rent of the four leading theaters is 4000 million.

However, Pan Disheng is the big boss, and he has many other more profitable businesses, and movies are just a sideline; therefore, Debao's daily operations and movie decisions are all handled by Hung Jinbao and Sam Jianxun.

"This year is a big reshuffle for Hong Kong movies, and it is also my opportunity."

Gu Xiayang, who was sitting on the desk, had already officially revised "If there is love in the sky", and even drew a lot of sub-shots. In this regard, after he was engaged in film and television dramas, he specialized in further training.

Before, he joked to Wang Letai that the first movie was about his parents' biography, but it was not a joke.Sister Fang's love story is very similar to "If there is love in the sky".

As far as the current situation is concerned, the Hong Kong film market does not yet have serious "prodigal son movies", but in fact, girls all have prodigal son plots.

It seems that every girl in adolescence will fall in love with prodigal sons, love their bohemian, love their erratic whereabouts, love their simple domineering.

Whether they suddenly appear in front of you, tease you, make you blush and disappear without a trace, or get close to you savagely, being with them is always free, and you never have to worry about whether tomorrow will be happy or troubled. Such a liking, It will make you feel irresistible.

"If there is love in the sky" is such an excellent love movie for a prodigal son, Gu Xiayang owns the number one magazine on campus "cool! ", the two can be said to complement each other.

The story of "If there is love in the sky" may be a bit clichéd later. Simply put, it is a tragic love story between a street gangster and a rich lady Jojo. It is nothing more than a common gangster merger in Hong Kong movies. love.

But the charm of "If There is Love in the Sky" does not lie in the ups and downs of the plot, but in the extreme romance. To a certain extent, "If There is Love in the Sky" is an idol love drama.

It is impossible for teenagers at this time not to buy such a movie.

Of course, as an outsider who wants to enter the film market, Gu Xiayang has already prepared a stepping stone for himself.

Almost when Gu Xiayang wrote the script, it was decided that the rich girl Jojo would be played by the little Jewish Zhou Huimin.

The place that should be deleted is deleted, and the place that should be added is added. This book also makes Gu Xiayang more appropriate.

In addition, the establishment of one cool film production company is to recruit Chen Musheng and Du Qifeng who are currently depressed.

"Ding Lingling——"

Just as Gu Xiayang was sorting out some of the sub-shots, the phone on the table rang.

"Little Jew, is it ready so quickly?" Gu Xiayang who answered the phone smiled, knowing that Zhou Huimin from the 16th floor was calling.

"Okay, you come up."

Zhou Huimin in the room hung up the phone and was busy bringing out the last dish in the kitchen.

Even if the little Jew moved, he didn't get rid of this mangy dog ​​who ate and drank.

A few days after she moved to Taikoo City, Gu Xiayang followed her.

One is on the 8th floor and one is on the 16th floor.

Although they live in the same building, in fact, there are not many opportunities for the two to meet during this time.

After Zhou Huimin won the gold medal in the Rookie Singing Contest, in addition to signing with Huaxing Records, she also signed an ordinary TV artist contract with TVB. Apart from being busy preparing for her first album, she occasionally appeared on TVB's programs. Come on as emcee.

"It smells so good. Little Jew, your cooking skills are making great progress." After entering the door, Gu Xiayang reached out and took a piece of meat, and after tasting it, he showed satisfaction.

"Wash your hands first!!!"

"Okay, big singer."

"Hmph, I'm not a big singer, you are the famous 'Hong Kong Prodigal Son'!"

"I said it was slander. I was busy with my studies during college, so I didn't have time to date."

Zhou Huimin snorted coquettishly, stared at Gu Xiayang who came out after washing his hands, and said with scrutiny: "Daydream, it's actually you, right?"

(End of this chapter)