China Entertainment Mythology 2004

Chapter 115
"I think it will be released at the end of January."

In the only conference room of Huashang Media, representatives of Xiying Group, China Film Group, Guangzhi Media, Berna Culture and other companies gathered together. Li Mu expressed his views in front of the representatives of the four distribution companies: "Huawei Artist Brothers' masterpiece "Assembly" has been announced to be scheduled for the end of December. With the golden signature of director Feng Xiaogang, a total investment of 8000 million, and a stronger cast lineup, "The Way to Steal the Key" can't beat it. I mean, we still To avoid its edge."

The Lunar New Year's Day in 08 is February 2th, and the release at the end of January is basically equal to the week before the Chinese New Year. As for why not just set the Lunar New Year's Day, because there is no such thing as the Spring Festival at this stage, and the current Spring Festival is only A closing stage of the Lunar New Year file.

After the Spring Festival, the common people are too busy to pay New Year's greetings and have no time to watch movies. The new folk custom of watching movies on the New Year's Eve has not yet taken shape.

The post-editing of "The Way to Steal the Key" was completed in November, so Li Mu called several companies that intend to release it together to watch the film in advance, and after watching the film, everyone discussed the strategy of finalizing the file.

There is no fixed number of distributors for a film, it depends on the needs of the film studio.But generally speaking, if there are more distributors, the profits of the film side will be divided, but there is also a certain probability that the total box office of the movie will be increased, because each distribution company has its own unique advantages-regional advantages, film scheduling advantages, brand advantage etc.

After watching the film, Wang Changtian regretted it for a while. Looking at it now, his previous offer of 8000 million guaranteed release was still low. At that time, he also considered that the film was not directed by Li Mu himself, so he was unavoidably conservative when quoting. , I didn't expect to find that the degree of completion of this movie is so high after seeing the finished film.

If he had directly offered a guaranteed price of 1 million yuan for the release at that time, I don’t know if he could have directly won the distribution rights, but it is too late to say anything now. Li Mu has already directly recruited all four distribution companies including China Film, and now the four distribution companies are I am very optimistic about this movie, and it is unrealistic to think about a distribution.

"The end of January is a good choice. Zhou Xingchi's new movie "Yangtze River No. [-]" is also released by our China Film Group. As far as I know, the film's schedule will also be at the end of December." China Film Representative He talked eloquently.

Berna's representative is a middle-aged woman. After the China Film representative spoke, she said: "Purely speaking from the schedule, the release at the end of December is definitely better than the release at the end of January, but the box office appeal of the two big directors Zhou Xingchi and Feng Xiaogang Power is extraordinary, so avoiding them and opting for a release at the end of January is a very wise choice."

"Of course, Director Li is the only one in China in terms of box office appeal, but Director Li's box office appeal is mainly reflected in science fiction blockbusters. The most recognized by the audience is Director Li's big investment science fiction blockbuster, "The Way to Steal the Key." "The quality is indeed very good, but it is a small investment comedy after all, so I also think we should avoid Director Feng and Master Xing's movies as much as possible."

The representatives of the other two basically held the same opinion, so the matter was settled like this. A few days later, when Li Mu was interviewed by reporters, he officially announced that the movie "How to Steal the Key" will be released on January 1. .

……

"Mr. Li, should we announce the withdrawal?"

In the chairman's office of Huashang Media Li Mu, the manager Liu Siying was standing in front of the desk in professional attire and reported to Li Mu the latest information she had just received: "The China Film Group just called this morning and said that Zhou Xingchi had communicated with China Film has reached an agreement that the movie "Yangtze River No. 1" will be officially scheduled for January 30, the same day as ours, and it should be officially announced in the afternoon."

Li Mu was still weighing the pros and cons. At this time, Liu Siying continued: "Our "How to Steal the Key" is a comedy in terms of classification. Zhou Xingchi is a nationally recognized comedy master, and "Yangtze River No. [-]" is also popular." It is much higher than our "How to Steal the Key", I think...?"

"No need." Li Mu said slowly, "Since the schedule has been announced to the public, we will not change it. All we can do is to make the movie well, and that is enough. As for whether the movie can win an award, we can How much box office it gets is its own destiny."

"Just like people have their own destiny, so do movies. Just like Zhou Xingchi's movie "A Chinese Journey to the West", the film failed miserably at the box office and Zhou Xingchi's company went bankrupt, but this did not affect "A Chinese Journey to the West" which later became A classic that countless people pay homage to, this is the fate of "A Chinese Journey to the West", and "The Way to Steal the Key" also has its own destiny."

Liu Siying nodded.

Three days passed in a flash.

That day Li Mu suddenly received a call from Han Sanping.

"Director Li, I'm Han Sanping."

"Hi Dong Han, what's the matter?"

The voice on the other end of the phone seemed to contain a sense of apology: "If nothing else happens, Huayi's movie "The King of Kung Fu" will also be scheduled for January 1th, and Huayi Brothers will have another "Assembly" in December. Now, it is impossible for Huayi to beat herself, so...or..."

Li Mu continued: "What does Director Han mean to withdraw "The Way to Steal the Key"?"

Han Sanping said with some helplessness in his voice: "The determination of the film schedule should refer to the opinions of various parties. This is not something we can decide on our own. Now "Yangtze River No. 1" and "King of Kung Fu" are both scheduled for January 30. The former movie is the work of Zhou Xingchi who has sharpened his sword for three years. I don’t need to say more about Zhou Xingchi’s box office appeal; If it's "Inception", then it's fine, but if it's "How to Steal the Key", my opinion is to try to avoid these two movies."

Li Mu asked: "I know Director Han, let's talk about the schedule after we have a meeting to study."

Less than an hour after speaking with Han Sanping, Li Mu received another call from Wang Zhonglei from Huayi Brothers.

"Director Li, I am Wang Zhonglei."

"Hello, Mr. Wang, is there something wrong?"

Wang Zhonglei said in a sincere tone: "I feel a little sorry. "The Way to Steal the Key" was first scheduled for January 1, and then "Yangtze River No. 30" was announced on the same day. Now... "The King of Kung Fu" It is also determined that the date will be fixed. I am afraid that you will misunderstand. The setting of "The King of Kung Fu" involves various issues. It can be said that it affects the whole body. The movie should not be delayed any longer, so—how about Director Li delaying the schedule for a month?"

Li Mu replied: "Mr. Wang is interested, let's have a meeting to study it."

"Well, okay, if the schedule is delayed, the payment will be a little slower, but as long as the box office is higher, what does it matter if the payment is delayed by a month or two? Besides, Director Li, you are a well-known wealthy person in the circle, and you have sufficient funds. Makes people jealous."

Not long after hanging up the phone, Liu Siying came to the office to look for Li Mu.

"Mr. Li, should we invite the representatives of the four distributors to have a meeting so that we can study the movie's shift period?"

Li Mu leaned on the seat, closed his eyes and meditated: "Shifting period? No need, the release schedule of "How to Steal the Key" on January 1 remains unchanged!"

"But—I see." Liu Siying nodded and exited Li Mu's office.

At this time, Li Mu opened his eyes and counted with his fingers: ""Yangtze River No. [-]", "Kung Fu King", "The Way to Steal the Key", plus Jay Chou's "Da Guan" which was released on the second day of the Lunar New Year. Basket", Zhou Xingchi + Cheng Long + Li Lianlian + Li Mu + Zhou Jielun - enough!"

"Toughness is definitely not tough, but—"

Li Mu suddenly became excited: "The four popular movies are fighting each other and blood flowed like a river? No, that's so boring! I want to be in the atmosphere this time!"

(End of this chapter)