During my years at China Entertainment

Chapter 484: Rebellion and Collapse
As the Lunar New Year holiday draws closer, the promotions for several upcoming movies have entered a fever pitch.

Feng Dapao, who just won the Golden Butterfly Award at the Rome Film Festival, was in high spirits and solemnly stated on Weibo again:

"10 is an epic film, and the most attentive film I have made in my first half of my life. I think it will have to gross at least billion to be considered a good film!"

Lu Chuan's "The Banquet" was a bit showy. They even released a final trailer, which was very pretentious.

"As the ancients said, governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. I think the same is true for filming. From preparation to shooting, to post-production, and finally to the release of The Banquet, it took two and a half years of meticulous preparation. I hope everyone enjoys this feast brought by Chef Lu!"

In comparison, Li An’s “Life of Pi” did not receive much publicity.

However, thanks to the gimmick of being a pure 3D IMAX blockbuster and Li An's reputation as an Oscar-winning director, the popularity of the movie is not low.

The promotion of "Gravity" was quite ordinary, but with the combination of Wei Jin, Zeng Li and Cheng Long, it naturally has its own appeal.

The battle between the distribution alliance and theater chains is still in full swing, but as time goes by, someone finally can't stand the pressure.

Xiangjiang Yindu Organization officially announced the news on its official website:

"The Grandmaster is willing to maintain a 43% revenue share ratio and will no longer respond to Bernard's call from today."

As the saying goes, a thousand-mile dike is destroyed by a single ant hole. The first Lunar New Year movie to withdraw from the box office sharing dispute has appeared.

Then, the cinema alliance headed by Wanda Cinemas also gave face and responded immediately:

“27 theater chains will guarantee the screening schedule of The Grandmaster, which will enable both parties to achieve a win-win situation.”

As soon as the news came out, there was an uproar in the circle.

No one expected that the previously extremely powerful distribution alliance would be breached from within.

However, Wei and Jin were not surprised by this result.

Although producers and distributors share the same interests in box office revenue sharing, producers bear much greater risks than distributors.

The distributor can confidently shout the slogan of "no film supply", but the producer does not have the courage to take risks with tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of production funds.

In addition, the distribution alliances are not only allies, but also competitors in the Lunar New Year period.

In comparison, the relationship between theaters is closer and more united.

After all, the competition between them is more about external factors, such as decoration, ticket prices, geographical location, etc.

Now, the pressure is on the publishing alliance.

Beijing, Huayi Headquarters.

"Fuck, this kid is not worth talking to! The Grandmaster is still more than a month away from being released, why are you so nervous?"

The Wang brothers sat facing each other, both of them looking unhappy.

"Brother, what should we do now? We have lost another bargaining chip."

Facing his brother's question, Wang Zhongjun remained silent. After a long while, he looked up and replied:
"Let's talk to them. Ye Ning promised me before that if we withdraw from the distribution alliance, they will return the favor and release a film to enjoy the tiered profit-sharing model. The details can be discussed later."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Zhonglei stood up and said, "Brother, we were the ones who started this. If you want to jump out of the car..."

Wang Zhongjun took a glance and understood his brother's concerns. Although "The Grandmaster" withdrew, this was the idea of ​​the producer, and Bernard did not betray the five major distributors.

But if Huayi, the initiator, jumps out, the other four issuers will be greatly offended.

"There's nothing we can do. The time is getting closer. Will the premiere be held? Are we really going to ignore the 2 million yuan cost?"

Speaking of this, Wang Zhongjun's face was full of anger and his tone was full of determination.

"And do you think we can hold out until the end if we don't jump out of the car? Bernard only has one movie left?"

Wang Zhonglei nodded slowly: "Brother is right, we can't make clothes for others"

"Yes, that's the truth. Zhang Dapao did it, so why not learn from him? Only when you get the benefits, you get them."

"Okay, bro, I'll go talk to them, which movie should they choose?"

"Xiaogang's 1942, this is our own people."

Wang Zhonglei stood up after hearing this: "Okay, I'll do it right away."

"Take Xiaogang with you and ask for more benefits."

"Don't worry, brother."

Xingmei, inside the chairman’s office.

"Boss Qin, what did Chairman Han and Chairman Yang say?"

Lu Chuan looked at Qin Hong who had just hung up the phone with some trepidation and asked hurriedly.

Although the movie has been completed, if it cannot be released due to a dispute over profit sharing, wouldn’t Lu Chuan’s efforts over the past two years have been in vain?
"Boss Han won't back down, and Boss Yang is willing to stand with us. Let's wait a little longer. The cinema chain can't just show two or three movies, right? We still have time, and I have the advantage!"

Qin Hong thought about this matter very clearly.

Although the cinema chain has offered a price, Star Media has more than just "The Banquet", and if the five major distributors cannot reach an agreement on the profit sharing this time, there will be no chance in the future.

For the long-term benefits, it's worth a try!
"It's a pity that we didn't bring Shanhe Media on board this time, otherwise we would have more bargaining chips, alas."

There was a hint of regret in Qin Hong's tone.

"Humph, Wei Jin is just a name-seeking villain. As long as his own company is well-fed, he doesn't care about the lives of others. He is short-sighted."

Qin Hong felt a little fed up listening to Lu Chuan's endless complaints.

Putting himself in his shoes, if he were Wei Jin, he would not stand out, so he waved his hand.

"Okay, go and take care of the promotion first, I'll talk to Mr. Wang of Fiber Optics."

China Film Group, inside the chairman’s office.

The secretary looked at Han Sanping's gloomy face and dared not say a word. No one dared to offend Zuo Shandiao at this time.

Han Sanping was indeed very angry at the moment, not because of the withdrawal of "The Grandmaster", but because he, as the head of a state-owned enterprise, was actually stabbed in the back by a subordinate unit.

Zhao Jun, the head of Southern Shinkansen under China Film, directly slapped Han Sanping in the face in front of the media, angrily accusing him of negotiating an agreement with the theater chain without the decision of the board of directors, and arbitrarily giving up the interests of Shinkansen to the distribution company.

The implication of his words was just short of pointing at him and saying that Han Sanping was a parasite of the country.

To be honest, Han Sanping had no way to refute Zhao Jun's accusations.

As the chairman of the group, he should have maintained an impartial attitude, but this time, for the development of the industry, he stood on the side of the distribution company and sacrificed the interests of the theater chain.

As the head of a cinema chain company under China Film Group, it is normal for Zhao Jun to feel resentful.

But this guy should never, ever make accusations in front of the media. This is exposing the "family shame" to the public.

Han Sanping could foresee that at the end-of-year meeting, he would be severely ridiculed by his old rivals such as Shanghai Film Studio and Xi'an Film Studio.

Thinking of this, Han Sanping looked up at the secretary, with a gleam in his eyes.

"Notify everyone that there will be an internal meeting of the group tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. All the top leaders of all subsidiaries must attend."

The female secretary shuddered and immediately bowed and said:
"Okay, Mr. Han." As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours.

Just when Han Sanping was busy rectifying the internal situation, a piece of news shocked the entire entertainment industry.

Many mainstream cinema chains, including Wanda, Shanhe, New Film Association, Dadi Cinema, and several new cinema chains under China Film Group, jointly issued an announcement:

"After peaceful negotiations, Huayi officially withdrew from the distribution alliance. 1942 will be released normally and will enjoy the three-stage profit-sharing model."

Huayi also released an announcement as soon as possible.

"For the better development of the industry, Huayi and the cinema chain have reached an agreement to congratulate Feng Xiaogang's film 1942 and sign a tiered profit-sharing model. The specific agreement is as follows:
3亿票房内，分账比例43%；3-8亿的部分，分账比例45%；8亿以上的部分，分账比例47%。”

At this point, the first company to withdraw from the distribution alliance appeared.

This also means that the distribution alliance has completely collapsed.

The entire film industry did not expect such an outcome. Huayi, which had two blockbusters in its hands, actually became a traitor.

For a time, the entire production industry was in an uproar and full of criticism.

The Internet is also mocking Hua Yi for being greedy and forgetting his principles, saying that he is the same as Zhang Dapao.
Huayi's defection made the distribution alliance a laughing stock and made the other four companies hate it to the core.

Xingmei, inside the chairman’s office.

"Is Huayi the only one who can enjoy this agreement?"

"Ah."

After receiving a positive answer, Tan Hong was furious. It was Huayi who initiated the movement, but she turned against it first? So she instantly became a desktop cleaning master.

"Fuck it, then don't play anymore."

After venting, Qin Hong looked at his deputy.

"Go contact Ye Ning and the others. Change the model of The Feast of Kings to 43% in the first week, 41% in the second week, and 39% in the third week. I only have one request, which is to increase the screening rate. Huayi wants to surrender to the enemy, and wants to eat alone. I won't let him have it easy."

Seeing the murderous intent in Qin Hong's eyes, the deputy swallowed his saliva:
"Okay, Mr. Tan."

The profit-sharing model of "1942" is aimed at post-production, so it was discussed with the theater chain.

The model of "The Banquet" that gives concessions and splits revenue in order to seek screening schedules is too friendly for theaters.

Therefore, the two sides reached an agreement that day and announced it online.

There is nothing surprising in the circle this time, because the collapse of the alliance is as obvious as a louse on a monk's head.

However, although Xingmei was also a traitor, the first person to jump out of the car was undoubtedly more hated.

Almost everyone attributed the failure to Huayi. In the evening, Wei Jin received a call from Lao Wang.

"Fuck you, those two grandsons of the surname Wang are such inhumane people. They instigated the rebellion and actually surrendered to the enemy. In the revolutionary era, they would have been shot to death. Damn it."

Listening to Wang Changtian's angry scolding, Wei Jin couldn't help laughing, and then reminded him, "Brother Wang, don't scold yourself."

"Pfft."

Wei Jin was using the hands-free mode. Liu Yifei, who was standing by, also laughed as she listened. Wang Changtian, the grandson of the surname Wang, was definitely
"Fuck you."

Wang Changtian suddenly became confused and sighed for a long time: "Brother, you really see things clearly. I really regret it."

"Brother, don't worry about it. This matter will not have much impact on optical fiber." Wei Jin said comfortingly.

Although the five major distributors are putting pressure on the theaters this time, the theaters are not stupid. Distributors are different from producers and are not so easy to control.

After this incident, the cinema chain will not hold a grudge. After all, making money is the most important thing.

Wang Changtian obviously understood this truth, he just felt unhappy about being used as a gun and wanted to find someone to vent his anger.

Wei Jin was considerate and chatted with him for a while before hanging up the phone.

"Brother, now that Huayi and Xingmei have withdrawn, is the matter settled?"

Although Liu Yifei is a homebody, she still likes to read gossip. The recent dispute over profit sharing has made headlines many times.

"Well, it's settled. Maybe everything will be settled in the future." Wei Jin's tone was a little emotional.

"Is it decided in the future?"

"Yes, this time all the distributors united and made such a big move, but still failed. In the future, the revenue sharing ratio will probably be difficult to change. Most likely, it will be these three models."

"Three kinds?" The little girl tilted her head, her face full of confusion.

"Well, there is the original ordinary revenue-sharing model, the segmented model proposed by Huayi, and finally the total box office betting model between me and the cinema chain."

"Then doesn't the one from Star Beauty count? Isn't it quite popular in Hollywood?"

"Yifei, Xingmei is completely different from Hollywood."

Wei Jin held the girl in his arms and explained in detail.

The declining profit-sharing model is indeed very popular in Hollywood, but that is more for the early box office, because their declining baseline is very high.

Generally speaking, a movie can get more than 60% of the box office share in the first week, 50% in the second week, and so on, mainly relying on the early box office revenue.

Even for some big IP movies, the revenue share in the first week can reach 70% or even higher.

As for Star Media's model, which sacrificed the profit sharing for the sake of scheduling films, it is even more obvious that it is a way of being angry. Most producers with no problem in their heads will not choose it.

"That's it"

Seeing the girl's confused look, Wei Jin didn't want to discuss this topic too much, but instead asked about another thing.

"Yifei, what have you thought about Flowers and Youth?"

Liu Yifei shook her head: "Brother, forget it. I have a terrible sense of variety shows. I will definitely not perform well in the show. What if it affects the ratings?"

Liu Yifei has a deep understanding of herself. She gets along well with familiar friends in private, but she feels uncomfortable in front of people she is not familiar with.

Not to mention reality shows, even talk show variety shows often make the hosts very embarrassed.

The Wei and Jin dynasties had different views on this.

"Yifei, the so-called variety sense refers to the artist's talent for comedy. In fact, as long as you can let go, it's fine. And don't you think you actually have a talent for comedy? Hahaha."

"No way, I'm obviously a very ladylike person."

Liu Yifei was a little embarrassed and annoyed, and punched Wei Jin.

"Look, do you look like a lady now?"

"Humph, you still say, watch my fight."

"Hahaha"

(End of this chapter)