Chapter 414: Fighting for Film Scheduling

"To build momentum." Tian Wanjie said, "Isn't this normal? Shengshi spent so much money to get the theaters, if they don't take the opportunity to build momentum and run some advertising, wouldn't that be a waste? I would do the same."

"You're still overthinking it." Lin Zhanbo said in a detached tone, as if he had seen through the myriad ways of the world. "In prosperous times, grand displays are made not just to build momentum, but also to intimidate!"

"Intimidation? Who? You?" Tian Wanjie laughed out loud, thinking that Lin Zhanbo had a great talent for comedy.

"Didn't that scare you?"

Tian Wanjie originally wanted to say no, but after hearing what Lin Zhanbo said, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Lin Zhanbo said: "Shengshi is doing these things to scare away high-quality films that are about to be released in the near future. Think about it, no matter how good a film is, without screening schedules, how high can the box office be? Shengshi has already told the major film companies in advance to schedule a large number of screenings for their own films, leaving only a small amount of screenings that slip through the cracks. In this situation, do you think a film company would let its hard-earned good films be used as cannon fodder?"

It's no secret that none of Hu Xiaoxiao's films have low box office returns. With no screenings scheduled and strong competition, only a fool would choose to hold onto the summer holiday. Therefore, Shengshi has declared that there won't be any good films released during the entire summer break. If you don't schedule more screenings for "The Queen of Hong Kong 2," you'll only be able to schedule screenings for those flops."

Tian Wanjie couldn't help but complain, "Hearing what you said, Shengshi is indeed insidious. Are you forcing Baoguang to go all-in on "Baogang Overlord Flower 2"?"

"Anyway, we at Shanhai have no other options. We've already gone all in."

"Let me think about it." After hanging up the phone, Tian Wanjie pondered for a long time, then went to inquire about the release status of the major film companies. As Lin Zhanbo had said, only one or two solid films were released during the summer vacation, and the rest were flops. Many of these flops were not for box office success, but for money laundering.

When Lin Zhanbo called again to ask about the filming schedule, Tian Wanjie said helplessly: "We can only schedule more films for 'The Queen of Hong Kong 2'. I hope 'The Queen of Hong Kong 2' does well at the box office, otherwise this summer vacation will be wasted."

"Hu Xiaoxiao's movie box office is still good. Shengshi is using it to make a comeback. I estimate that the box office will break records."

"No matter how many records it breaks, one film can't outperform several blockbusters. In previous summers, there were at least two or three hits. This year, apart from 'The Princess Diaries 2,' I think only 'Modern Boys' can compete." Tian Wanjie also said to Lin Zhanbo, "Shanhai Cinemas, remember to schedule more screenings for 'Modern Boys.' Baoguang is investing in this film."

"Feng Zidong's 'Modern Kids', right? No problem, Feng Zidong's movies are pretty good. Although he can't compare to Mingxu, he's still a second-tier movie star with guaranteed box office success. Plus, the leading actress Shi Junyi has been very popular in recent years, so a movie with the two of them in it can't be that bad."

After Lin Zhanbo finished talking with Tian Wanjie, he hung up the phone, then touched his chin and thought for a while, then picked up the phone again and dialed a number.

Hu Xiaoxiao was looking through the promotional plan in his hand. This was a series of promotional projects formulated by the Planning Department, all of which were promotional plans for "Baogang Queen Flower 2".

Shengshi Entertainment has established several departments this year, including the Planning Department.

The planning department was recently established and has not yet achieved any results. The employees of the planning department were all recruited with high salaries. In order to test their abilities, the company specially asked them to plan the promotion of "Baogang Superwoman 2".

This is a valuable experiment and an important case. Whether the planning department can get high salaries and be reused in Shengshi Entertainment depends on its performance this time.

Similarly, if the publicity plan planned this time is successful, Shengshi Entertainment will have a reference example for promoting other movies in the future.

Hu Xiaoxiao read the promotional plan carefully. In addition to wanting to test the planning department's capabilities, he also considered whether these plans could be applied to future film promotions.

The phone on the desk rang. Hu Xiaoxiao picked up the phone. Lin Zhanbo smiled, and his extremely kind laugh came out first. "I originally wanted to invite Sister Xiao out for tea, but I thought that "Baogang Overlord Flower 2" is about to be released, and Sister Xiao should be very busy, so I didn't call to make things worse."

"It's okay. No matter how busy I am, if Mr. Lin invites me for tea, I will definitely go." Hu Xiaoxiao said.

"I didn't expect Sister Xiao to think so highly of me, Lin. I wish I could have met Sister Xiao earlier and made a good friend like her." With just a few words, Lin Zhanbo smoothed over the previous hostile relationship between the two, turning it into a cooperative relationship, and then quickly became friends.

He added, "I know Sister Xiao has been busy with 'Baogang Superwoman 2', and as a friend I have to do my part. Sister Xiao, I just talked to Tian Wanjie, the general manager of Baoguang Cinemas, on your behalf, and asked them to schedule more screenings for you."

Hu Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow. Was he such a nice guy? But his tone expressed deep gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Lin. When the box office results of 'The Queen of Love 2' come out, I will definitely treat you to a feast."

There is a hidden meaning in this statement, which means that if the box office results are not good, there will definitely be no feast to be had.

If the box office performance is very good, good, and very satisfactory, then we will treat you to a big dinner. Of course, it will not only be Lin Zhanbo who will be invited, but all the cooperating companies or people will be invited to have a celebratory banquet.

"I knew Sister Xiao was generous. Unlike Tian Wanjie, when I first asked him to schedule screenings for 'The Queen of Love 2', he was hesitant and only wanted to give more time to 'Modern Boy'. Fortunately, I gave him various analyses and made him have confidence in Sister Xiao. After much persuasion, he finally agreed to schedule more screenings. In order to get him to agree to schedule more screenings for 'The Queen of Love 2', I also promised him that 'Modern Boy' would be second only to 'The Queen of Love 2' in Shanhai..."

Lin Zhanbo spoke about how hard he had worked to persuade Tian Wanjie to schedule screenings for "Hong Kong's Superwoman 2". It was very touching to hear how Lin Zhanbo was willing to go through fire and water for his friend and how hard he worked.

Hu Xiaoxiao knew about the film "Modern Kids," a film that was barely considered a hit within the industry and the only summer release, aside from "Po Kong's Superwoman 2," with a decent cast and director. She also knew that Stewart had invested in "Modern Kids," though the percentage was small, making it a relatively unremarkable project among Stewart's portfolio.

Hu Xiaoxiao thanked Lin Zhanbo again, then asked, "I wonder what percentage of the screening schedule that Baoguang Cinema Line will give to 'Baogang Super Queen 2'? Since Mr. Lin's lobbying was successful, Mr. Tian must have told you about the screening schedule."