Chapter 746: Internal screenwriter, is that okay?
In November, the most popular TV series in China was CCTV's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", and the most popular movie was "The Fugitive".
This American blockbuster, which was introduced by China Film Corporation as a trial, was briefly released in October. However, due to the strong intervention of Yanjing Film Distribution Company, it had to be hastily concluded and was only released for one week.
However, China Film Corporation did not give up.
On November 12, "The Fugitive" made a comeback and was officially released in six major cities in China, including Yanjing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Zhengzhou. The posters in front of major theaters carried the slogan "Reform era, fierce debate, film market, risky release", which exuded a sense of determination and tragedy like "the wind is whistling and the Yishui River is cold".
The response from the film market did not disappoint China Film Group. Within one week of its release, "The Fugitive" attracted nearly 1.4 million moviegoers in six major cities across the country and grossed nearly 12 million yuan.
It was only released in six cities, and earned an average of 2 million in each city. If it could be released on a large scale nationwide, it would only be a matter of time for "The Fugitive" to break the record in Chinese film history.
"The Fugitive" swept the Chinese film industry like a whirlwind, stunning a number of Chinese filmmakers who were still obsessed with the grand narratives of art films.
Last year, "Farewell My Concubine" was released and achieved a box office of nearly 200 million yuan, shocking countless domestic filmmakers, but everyone can understand such a box office success.
On the one hand, the novel has a solid mass base among the Chinese people; on the other hand, it was released on a large scale and the publicity work was well done, and the film has a typical art film style.
However, the huge sales of "The Fugitive" has caused many domestic filmmakers to fall into deep thought.
"The Fugitive" premiered abroad 15 months before it was released in China. It is another typical Hollywood popcorn movie with no prior or during publicity, a crude plot and no artistic value. It is really puzzling that such a movie could sell so well.
But at the same time, these filmmakers have a vague fear.
They are all well-informed people. Ordinary people these days cannot see foreign films, but they can see them through some special channels. Films like "The Fugitive" are not everywhere in Hollywood, but it is easy to produce ten or eight films a year.
Such a movie can be a big hit in the Chinese film market, killing all the movies released in the same period.
Doesn’t that mean that the Chinese film market is about to become a place where Hollywood films can run free?
What should we do with Chinese films?
In the minds of many filmmakers, the release of "The Fugitive" seems to have made them see the end of Chinese films.
Last month's pessimistic views have resurfaced in major newspapers and magazines.
Feng Xiaogang was reading the article in Popular Movies, and from time to time he could hear a toothache sound in his mouth.
Wang Shuo said impatiently: "I say you've reached that point!"
"Fortunately, 'Forever Young' was released early, otherwise I would have lost my pants." Feng Xiaogang said with some relief.
"Forever Young" was released last month. After three and a half weeks, it was withdrawn from theaters due to excessive piracy and low box office revenue. It finally grossed 860,000 yuan.
This movie was a low-budget production, with a total investment of just over 300,000 yuan. Nowadays, the producers get a larger share than in later generations, and Good Dream Company actually made a small profit.
As Feng Xiaogang's first film, the profitability of "Forever Young" gave him enough confidence.
But just two days after his confidence was boosted, "The Fugitive" was released, with a box office of 12 million in one week, and it was only shown in six cities.
The high box office is not the scariest thing. The scariest thing is that after watching the movie, Feng Xiaogang didn't know how to catch up with this kind of movie.
He didn't even have the slightest idea of the means and methods other people used to make movies.
I was just planning to make a big splash in the film industry, but found myself standing in front of an invulnerable giant.
How the hell can we fight this?
Feng Xiaogang put down the magazine, feeling depressed.
"Hey, you busy?"
While Feng Xiaogang and Wang Shuo were talking, Lin Weimin walked into the office of Haomeng Company.
Feng Xiaogang immediately stood up, smiling flatteringly, "What brings you here?"
"North wind." Lin Weimin made up something.
Wang Shuo saw Lin Weimin and stood up reluctantly, "Why are you here?"
"Can't I come and see?"
Financial Director Peng Xiaolin was very considerate and poured a cup of tea for Lin Weimin, "Teacher Lin, have some tea."
Feng Xiaogang gave up his seat to Lin Weimin, "Teacher Lin, please sit down."
Chairman Wang felt uncomfortable when he saw his two capable men being so fawning to Lin Weimin, because they were all his soldiers.
Ever since he hooked up with Xu Cairen, Wang Shuo had a guilty conscience towards Lin Weimin. Of course, he himself didn't think so. He just felt that Lin Weimin disliked him in every way.
Sitting down and drinking a cup of tea, Lin Weimin glanced at the "Popular Movies" on the side and thought, "Director Feng is concerned about the major events in the film industry again?"
Lin Weimin's ridicule was different from others'. Feng Xiaogang felt no pressure in the face of it. He smiled and said, "I've read the news about The Fugitive. This movie is so good!"
Lin Weimin said casually: "It is definitely a good choice. China Film Group now imports 10 foreign films a year, and they are all selected from the best. Of course they are good choices for us."
His words made Feng Xiaogang's eyes light up.
That’s right!
After all, The Fugitive was selected from a bunch of Hollywood movies and released in China. Isn't it normal for it to be stronger? Other Hollywood movies may not be that strong.
"Hearing you say that, it really makes me suddenly enlightened!"
Wang Shuo listened to the conversation between Lin Weimin and Feng Xiaogang, and became more and more uneasy.
"Why are you here today?" he asked Lin Weimin.
Lin Weimin didn't answer him, but turned to ask Feng Xiaogang, "Is 'Forever Young' off the screen?"
When talking about "Forever Young", Feng Xiaogang couldn't stop smiling. This was his film debut, and the most important thing was that it made money.
This is not easy!
"It's been taken off the screen. It made 860,000 yuan at the box office, a small profit."
Lin Weimin nodded and praised: "Not bad, not bad, Xiaogang, you are indeed talented in movies, I didn't make a mistake in him!"
"Isn't it you who pointed this out? Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to my senses after hearing what you said..."
Lin Weimin then asked, "Are you planning on making the next movie?"
The more Wang Shuo listened, the angrier he got. When he heard Lin Weimin's words, he knew that he must have come here for this. "No, why are you asking this?"
"I'm talking to the director. You're a screenwriter, stop interrupting me!"
Lin Weimin's words almost made Wang Shuo feel internally injured. I am a screenwriter, so what? Without me, is there Feng Xiaogang?
Hold on, you absolutely cannot say this.
Wang Shuo finally realized that this thief Sun came here today just to sow discord.
Feng Xiaogang was a little overwhelmed by Lin Weimin's praise. He knew his own strengths and never underestimated the help that Wang Shuo brought him.
"Teacher Lin, please don't flatter me. I rely on you and Master Shuo for support, don't I?"
Lin Weimin didn't respond and said, "Xiaogang, our Guowen Society recently established a film and television company."
Feng Xiaogang immediately responded, "I know, it's the joint venture with Mr. Liu! Guowen Publishing House launched a brand, and Mr. Liu paid 5 million."
When he said "five million", his eyes were full of envy.
These words sounded extremely harsh to Wang Shuo's ears.
When the Good Dream Company was first established, Chairman Wang made a "grand ambition" to the two capable men.
"In the future, if Good Dream Company sells 30% of its shares, it will be tens of millions."
Chairman Wang did not have the chance to realize his boast, but Feng Xiaogang discovered this possibility from Teacher Lin.
It is said that Mr. Liu invested 5 million and only owned 40% of the shares of the film and television company, which means that the brand of Guowen Publishing House is worth 7.5 million.
You don’t even have to give up a single share. Isn’t this much more awesome than what Chairman Wang boasted about?
"No." Lin Weimin shook his head and said, "The cooperation with Mr. Liu is another company. The one I'm talking about is the cooperation with Li Guangfu."
"Li Guangfu?"
Feng Xiaogang thought the name sounded familiar, and Peng Xiaolin beside him reminded him, "Li Guangfu, the one from the Three Lis!"
Feng Xiaogang suddenly realized.
Wow, this is a boss who is even bigger than Mr. Liu, and it is said that he is worth billions.
Lin Weimin continued: "This new film and television company has been established. There is some money in the account, but no projects..."
At this point, Feng Xiaogang smiled and held Lin Weimin's hand, "Oh! Teacher Lin, you are my relative, and you still care about me. We are in need of money, and you come with money. You are really a living Bodhisattva who saves people from suffering!"
Lin Weimin pulled his hand away, "Didn't 'Forever Lost My Love' make money?"
When he asked this, Mr. Wang, Mr. Feng, and Mr. Peng looked a little embarrassed.
They made a lot of money this year, but they were not cut out for business, and the money they earned quickly was not enough to keep them from spending slowly.
Not to mention anything else, during this year, Peng Xiaolin's desk drawer was filled with bills from restaurants and hotels.
The little money earned from "Forever Young" is not enough to make up for the loss from the failure of "Sweet Dreams for You"!
"Well, a big family means a big business, a big family means a big business!" Feng Xiaogang said.
Lin Weimin didn't ask any further questions and said, "So what? Can I invest in your project?"
"It's done! It's done!" Feng Xiaogang's face was full of joy.
Peng Xiaolin kept nodding, only Wang Shuo's expression was uncertain.
"What's the matter? Is it okay to be an in-house screenwriter?" Lin Weimin deliberately asked Wang Shuo again.
His face turned purple. What's so great about being rich?
Wang Shuo asked, "How much money do you plan to invest?"
Lin Weimin held up two fingers and said, "Two million!"
Feng Xiaogang and Peng Xiaolin were even more excited. A 2 million investment, they had never seen so much money in their lives!
Wang Shuo swallowed his saliva, he is indeed a rich dog owner!
Lin Weimin said lightly, "The investment in the film is 2 million, and your remuneration will be calculated normally. In addition, if the box office revenue exceeds 50%, 10% of the revenue will be distributed as dividends to your creative team."
"Teacher Lin, have some tea, please have some tea."
Peng Xiaolin poured another cup of tea for Lin Weimin, and Feng Xiaogang almost gave Lin Weimin a shoulder massage.
If a movie is invested with 2 million and the return is over 50%, that means it earns at least 1 million after deducting the investment. They get 10%, which is 100,000 yuan.
Even though they earned hundreds of thousands from shooting commercials, after deducting costs and various expenses, they only had tens of thousands left for the year, and they all lost it.
Even Liu Yanming still owed them a lot of money because of the failure of the project "Good Dreams for You".
Under such circumstances, Lin Weimin wanted to invest 2 million yuan in them, with normal remuneration and dividends if they did a good job. This is the living ancestor of their Haomeng Company!
Lin Weimin took a sip of tea and asked Wang Shuo, "Internal screenwriter, what's going on? Is this okay?"
Wang Shuo almost bit his back teeth apart as he spat out a word from between his teeth.
"OK!"
You rich dog, just wait and see how I kill you!
(End of this chapter)
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