Huayu: The director just wants to save money

Chapter 530 Scapegoat

Wu Baige touched his heart and couldn't breathe.

He stared at the numbers on his palm. The blood vessels on his forehead jumped with his breathing, and it seemed that he had a pretty good sense of rhythm.

five million.

It’s still the first day box office.

What an outrageous number.

Even decades ago, when he had not yet entered the international film market and was dominating Hong Kong, such situations rarely occurred.

Today, a new record was set.

A scene suddenly appeared in front of Wu Baige.

After the announcement of the first-day box office of 5 million for "The Crossing", people inside and outside the circle, including audiences, fans, investors, and actors, all mocked him. He kept explaining to those around him, explaining his creative philosophy and his directing ideas, but no one listened at all.

Looking up, all I could see were sarcastic smiles.

In addition to the first time, there is another picture. It was when he had just returned to China. The entire Chinese film industry was praising him. In order to boost his popularity, Han Sanping held a banquet for him. After the banquet, many superstars surrounded him, hoping that they would give him a chance to act in a movie, even if it was just a supporting role.

The difference between the two pictures is so despairing.

Wu Baige suddenly felt a pain in his heart. He could not bear such a disparity in circumstances.

boom!
Wu Baige slapped the table and yelled:

"There's a problem. How could the movie box office be like this?"

However, this call did not bring any recognition.

On the other side, Xiao Wang stared at Wu Baige and said coldly: "Wu Baige, what are you barking about?"

Wu Baige stood there in a daze, feeling that he had heard it wrong.

"Boss Wang, what did you just say?"

"I say, what the hell are you barking about? With a box office of 5 million on the first day, how dare you bark at me?!"

"Mr. Wang, you actually said that to me." Wu Baige still didn't quite believe it.

"What's wrong with me saying that? If it weren't for your age, I would have slapped you in the face. Five million box office, that's your level! How dare you brag to me about a billion box office? Huh?"

The more Xiao Wang talked, the angrier he became.

Before yesterday, if there was any conflict between him and Wu Baige, they could have suppressed it temporarily and maintained restraint on the surface because of their anticipation for "The Crossing".

But now, the results of "The Crossing" are out, and such disastrous results basically indicate that all their plans have completely failed.

In this case, there is no need to give face anymore.

Xiao Wang simply tore his face off and chose to settle both old and new grudges together.

However, Wu Baige had no way to respond directly to this.

What Xiao Wang said is true.

He couldn't have imagined that the movie would flop like this.

As long as the first-day box office has more than one zero and is around 50 million, he will have something to say.

Now this is too low.

So low that he couldn't even get it back together.

However, Xiao Wang's tone still made him quite unhappy, and he retorted: "Boss Wang, don't forget that I only worked on "The Crossing" for half a year before you forced me to make it. If you hadn't kept pushing me and were unwilling to give me enough time to adjust, how could the movie be what it is now?

If you ask me, each of us has a part to play in the current situation of the film. Don't act as if there is nothing wrong with you. Think carefully about what you have done for this film.

I listened to your advice a few days ago and personally admitted my mistake on the platform. You told me at the time that with subsequent publicity, we would be able to turn the crisis into safety. What about now?"

It is always easier to avoid a problem than to acknowledge it.

It is always easier to pass the buck than to admit one's mistakes.

The most urgent thing is to pass on the blame.

Xiao Wang was also stunned for a moment by Wu Baige's barrage of marbles, but he was a battle-hardened boss after all, so he reacted instantly.

"Wu Baige, stop giving me that crap. I said there's no problem. There's really no problem with the movie, but look at the reviews online now. How many viewers are criticizing your movie? You still have the nerve to ask the company to help you promote it. It's good enough that the company doesn't ask you for compensation!"

Wu Baige wanted to say something, but before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by the king who had been sitting on the chair.

"That's enough. I didn't call you here today to have a quarrel."

The oldest one spoke, and the other two instantly shut up.

The king looked at Wu Baige.

"Wu Baige, no matter what, I gave you the investment for The Crossing. I also helped you postpone the release date of the first film due to its failure. But your current performance is unacceptable. You were supposed to get 100 million yuan in the first day box office, but now only Wu Baige has earned 20 times the amount. No matter what you say, it has to do with the movie itself."

Wu Baige could argue with Xiao Wang, but he didn't have the nerve to do that to Da Wang. He could only explain dryly.

"Director Wang, the box office of a movie is related to many factors. Maybe we just lack an opportunity. Maybe in a few days, when the word of mouth of the movie improves, the box office will turn around."

Xiao Wang immediately said sarcastically: "Opportunity? It's better to just dream about it and wait for the opportunity for the movie box office to take off in your dream."

The king also shook his head.

"Wu Baige, opportunities don't just come. You are an old hand, you should know this better than anyone else."

Wu Baige said bluntly: "Mr. Wang, what I mean is that The Notorious is about to be released."

The king pursed his lips and did not respond immediately.

Of course he knew what Wu Baige meant.

"The Crossing" has already flopped, and it is undoubtedly a fantasy to expect to reach the original goal of 1 billion on its own.

But if "The Misfortune" also fails, the audience's disappointment may actually help "The Crossing" perform better at the box office.

This is not nonsense, this is reality.

But, what is the possibility that "The Misfortune" will fail?
"Wu Baige, don't forget, that's Zhou Mo's movie." said the king.

"Yes, but The Peaceful Wheel won the Palme d'Or. Winning an award usually means that the film is less commercially successful and may not be able to replicate Zhou Mo's past success."

Having said that, Wu Baige himself didn't believe it.

Zhou Mo is not Du Qifeng, and he would not rashly do such a stupid thing as promoting the box office of an art film.

But he also knew in his heart that what they needed now was hope and confidence.

As for whether it is true or not, it is actually not important anymore.

The king let out a long sigh and understood what Wu Baige meant.

Reason told him that there was absolutely no chance of this happening.

But his emotions told him that since things had come to this, he should just give it a try and it wouldn't cost him anything extra.

Believe in the power of believing.

The king thought for a moment.

"Let's put it this way. We can wait for the opportunity, but we still can't stop promoting it. No matter what, The Crossing has received too many negative reviews. You should find a way to deal with it yourself or do something else. The movie has reached this point, so crisis public relations is necessary."

Wu Baige said "hmm" and instantly understood the king's hint.

The movie flopped, and now the last resort is to find a scapegoat.

This is an offensive job.

Fortunately, he had prepared it in advance.

……

After Wu Baige left, Wang and Wang Xiao started the discussion again in the office.

"Do you really believe Wu's lies? You're still waiting for the possibility that 'The Rift Valley' might not be a commercial success. He doesn't know what the performance of 'Gone Girl' was last year? There's no way Zhou Mo will fail in this."

After a series of blows, Xiao Wang now trusts directors other than Wu Baige.

Especially Zhou Mo, his trust in Zhou Mo even exceeds Zhou Mo himself.

The king coughed lightly and said, "Of course I know, but actually none of this matters. Now we just need to hurry up and get Wu Baige to finish his work. No matter what he says, we just need to coax him to finish what he should do, and put the rest aside for a while.

In addition, you and Wu Baige should not have any more conflicts in the next two days. Once this matter is settled, I will not care about your other publicity plans. "

The little king raised his eyebrows and instantly understood what the king meant.

Let Wu Baige find a scapegoat first and give the audience an explanation for the failure of the movie.

After Wu Baige finishes his work, they will use Wu Baige as a scapegoat and try to give an explanation to the shareholders.

It's just a backstab.

He is familiar with this matter.

"Okay, I understand. I'll just put up with him for two more days." Xiao Wang said, and his expression quickly darkened again: "However, in addition to the negative impact of the movie itself, the issue of the company's cash flow..."

The king said nothing.

Compared to the failure of the movie "The Crossing", the failure of all the business plans surrounding the movie was what really hurt them.

The negative impact of the movie is easy to solve, but the capital chain and company operations are much more difficult.

The king was silent for a long time, and finally uttered a word.

"Sell."

(End of this chapter)