Chapter 817 Image Project Kills People
Lin Weimin's worries were unnecessary. Except for the actress who played the role of the second grandmother, the cast of "The Mansion Gate" was no different from his later memories. After listening to Guo Baochang's words, he felt relaxed.
As for the role of the second wife, just let Haiyan talk to Guo Baochang about it later.
This is the only request from the sponsor, so I think Director Guo will not refuse to replace her with Siqin Gaowa, a talented actress.
Wencheng Film and Television has one more TV series to be released this year, while Wenhua Film and Television has one less movie to be released.
Last year, Wenhua Films and Yanying Studio collaborated on two films, one of which was Huo Jianqi's "Winner", which was released last year and made a small profit for Wenhua Films.
Another one is Li Shaohong's "Red Suit", which was delayed for more than a year and was only released last month.
After its release, it didn't make much of a splash in theaters and the box office wasn't great, but fortunately the investment wasn't high, so Yanying Studio and Wenhua Films didn't lose much money and barely broke even.
However, the poor box office performance of "Red Suit" made Yu Dong, the general manager of Wenhua Film and Television, anxious.
In a blink of an eye, he has been in Wenhua for more than half a year. During this period, the development of cultural film and television has been smooth sailing. At the end of last year, Feng Xiaogang's "Party A and Party B" won a box office of more than 60 million yuan, becoming a dark horse in the domestic film market.
Yu Dong was a little bit high-spirited some time ago, intoxicated by the advantage of Wenhua Film and Television having the support of Guowen Publishing House.
But the setback of "Red Suit" awakened him. If this movie could fail, then the next movie could also fail. If the failures continued like this, not to mention the company's losses, he, as the general manager, would probably be the first to quit.
Last year, "Party A and Party B" was a huge hit at the box office, and more than 20 million was left from the box office share. Even though it was popular, no one got a share, just for the development of Wenhua Films this year.
Among them, the production costs of Zhang Yimou's "If You Are the One" accounted for a part of the expenses, and Feng Xiaogang's new work "See You Tomorrow" also spent some money, but there are still several million dollars in the account.
In business operations, the more money in the account, the better. If the money does not flow, how can value be created?
Yu Dong is eager to find excellent scripts and directors in the film industry. He keeps Lin Weimin's teachings in mind. In today's domestic film market, directors are proud to make art films. They talk about art all the time and are ashamed to talk about profits. They are full of disdain for commercial films like those from Hollywood. He needs to find a few more directors who have the idea of moving closer to commercial films.
"Feng Yue" was released in China in the middle of June. The box office performance was hard to describe. It did not have the momentum that "Farewell My Concubine" had when it was released in China and swept the country.
Before that, "Feng Yue" was released in Hong Kong and earned a total of 2.36 million Hong Kong dollars. For an ordinary art film, this result is still acceptable.
But this was, after all, a film directed by Cheng Kaige and starring Leslie Cheung and Gong Li, with huge investment. Hong Kong, as one of the important box office bases, only achieved a box office of HK$2.36 million, which is really pitiful.
Now that the film has been released in mainland China, Cheng Kaige has truly experienced the harshness of the market.
He is like a child who was brought up by "Farewell My Concubine". Now he is alone facing the film market where the strong are king, and he can't withstand any wind and rain.
However, the performance of "Feng Yue" is actually not a problem in the bleak domestic film market.
During the first half of this year, none of the domestic films released could reach a box office of over 10 million.
Corresponding to this is the box office performance of imported foreign blockbusters.
On February 9 this year, "Broken Arrow", directed by John Woo and starring John Travolta, was released and achieved a box office revenue of 50.5 million.
Immediately on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Jackie Chan’s "Police Story 4" was released, dominating the domestic film market for a month and achieving a box office revenue of 80 million.
In May, the Hollywood science fiction film "Twister" took in 54.5 million yuan in box office in the country.
On June 7, "The Rock" starring Nicolas Cage landed in domestic theaters and is still raging in theaters.
Continuing the enthusiastic performance of the whole of last year, the performance of foreign blockbusters introduced in the first half of this year in the domestic film market can almost be described as "sweeping".
With 10 blockbusters every year, there are bound to be new blockbusters released almost every month, and the release of these blockbusters almost monopolizes most of the screening schedules of theaters across the country.
After all, no one can resist money. After the film reform, local distribution companies and theaters have great autonomy. Good box office of blockbusters means they can make more money, so why not do it?
As for the fatal blow suffered by domestic films, this is not something they can or are willing to worry about.
One day in the middle of the month, Tian Congming asked Lin Weimin out for dinner again, and during the meal they naturally talked about the current bleak situation of the domestic film market.
Film reform is a policy that Tian Congming strongly advocated, with the aim of invigorating the competition and activating the potential of the domestic film market. However, over the past year or so, the performance of domestic films and local studios has disappointed him greatly.
These studios had no power to resist Hollywood blockbusters and were crushed to the ground and left without a fight.
Faced with this situation, Tian Congming was filled with pain, and the pressure from all sides also made him very depressed.
Lin Weimin was not from the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television, but he had helped him with advice. Tian Congming had no reservations when communicating with him and spoke a lot of his true feelings.
Feeling the hesitation and pressure in Tian Congming's heart, Lin Weimin said: "It is impossible to reform without going through pain. The state-owned film studio system has been in existence for more than 40 years. The system is rigid and has accumulated problems for a long time. It is impossible to revive them in the short term by stimulating them in the market. But you have to see the good side now. Over the past year or so, film studios in various places have made a lot of efforts, such as Yanying Studio and Xiaoxiang Studio."
Tian Congming nodded slightly: "I know what you are talking about. But..."
He stopped talking halfway and sighed deeply.
Lin Weimin knew very well the reason why Tian Congming sighed. He was the one who strongly advocated the film reform. This was both his political achievement and could also become a big pitfall in his career.
Ten blockbusters were just introduced last year, so it is understandable that domestic films were caught off guard by these blockbusters.
More than a year has passed, and domestic films are still powerless to fight back against these imported blockbusters, which is hard not to be criticized.
Improving the level of the film industry is certainly not something that can be accomplished in one or two years, but from Tian Congming's perspective, his eagerness for quick success is understandable.
After sighing, Tian Congming said with emotion: "It would be great if there were more works like "Party A and Party B" on the market!"
Hearing this, Lin Weimin immediately became alert, and looked at Tian Congming with a look full of vigilance.
What does this old guy mean?
"Look at your expression, it's as if I want to hurt you!"
"If you have something to say, just say it and don't beat around the bush."
Lin Weimin had figured out that Old Tian was a man who never did anything without a profit, and that he must have some ulterior motive by inviting him to dinner today.
Seeing that Lin Weimin seemed to have seen through his thoughts, Tian Congming no longer tried to hide it and said with a smile, "Do you know the two documents issued by our Ministry of Radio, Film and Television last year?"
Lin Weimin nodded.
On September 1 last year, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television issued Order No. 16, "Interim Provisions on the Management of Film and Television Production and Operation Institutions", which includes one clause: In principle, individuals and private enterprises shall not establish film and television production and operation institutions.
Just one month later, the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television issued Order No. 17, "Regulations on the Management of Television Drama Production Licenses."
The two regulations seem to have many rules and regulations, but there are also many gray areas. In the view of industry insiders who are familiar with government documents, this is undoubtedly an act of loosening up the restrictions on private film and television companies.
Tian Congming continued, "In the past two years, I have been trying to get more freedom from the higher-ups. But you know, this kind of thing can't be relaxed all at once, after all, it involves the field of propaganda."
When he said this, he winked at Lin Weimin and said, "My dear brother!"
The word "brother" made Lin Weimin feel cold all over.
It felt like Shen Gongbao was calling out to me, "Fellow Taoist, please stay."
"No, no... You are at the minister level, and I am just a J-level cadre. I am not worthy of you, not worthy of you!" Lin Weimin waved his hands repeatedly.
"Look at what you said. Feelings are feelings, but why do you want to raise your rank? Besides, with your prestige, it would be a waste of your talent if you didn't become the leader of the Literary Association. We will be equals right away."
Tian Congming's unbridled flattery made Lin Weimin even more afraid.
This is going to kill me!
"When he was promoted to general, he shared food and clothing with the lowest-ranking soldiers. He did not sleep on a mat, nor ride a horse. He personally packed his own food and shared the hardship with the soldiers.
If someone suddenly gets a carbuncle, he will get up and suck it.
The soldier's mother heard it and cried.
Someone said, "You are dead, but the general sucked his own carbuncle, why are you crying?"
The mother said, "That is not the case. Last year, Wu Gong sucked his father's carbuncle, and his father was killed in battle. Wu Gong sucked his son again, and I don't know where he died, so I cry for him." - "Zizhi Tongjian·Zhouji"
What does this mean?
Qi is Wu Qi, a native of Wei. He initially served as an official in Lu and had always been ambitious.
After arriving in Wei, he was appointed as a general by Wei Wenhou. He slept and ate with the soldiers, did not ride in a carriage during the march, did everything himself, and shared the worries and solved the problems for the soldiers.
A soldier had a poisonous sore, and Wu Qi sucked out the poison for him. When the soldier's mother heard about it, she burst into tears. The neighbor asked in surprise, "Your son is just a soldier, but the general is willing to suck out the poison for his sore. Why are you crying?"
The mother replied, "I am not crying about this. General Wu sucked out the poison from the sore of my child's father. His father fought desperately in the war and died in the end. Now, General Wu is sucking out the poison from my son's sore again. I don't know where my son will die in the war again, so I am crying!"
For workers, you must be vigilant if your leader suddenly shows concern and care for you.
How could Lin Weimin not understand this truth that even a newbie in the workplace understands?
He and Tian Congming have no subordinate relationship, but the principles are the same.
"Don't try this on me. I won't work for you!" Lin Weimin said sternly.
Tian Congming waved his hand, "No need to risk your life, no need to risk your life."
"I don't do anything to sell!"
Lin Weimin acted as if he would not be persuaded.
Tian Congming said helplessly: "Can you please listen to me first? After all, I have helped you before!"
"What's the matter?"
"The Zhang Yimou incident."
"That's what you wanted to do. I didn't ask you to help."
"Hey!" Tian Congming was so angry at Lin Weimin's roguery that he laughed, "You are turning your back on me!"
"I'm just trying to protect myself. You're using me as a pawn, and you won't let me run away?"
Tian Congming said slowly, "What do you mean by being used as a gun? I just want your Guowenshe film and television company to make more movies, preferably some blockbusters."
The gun that never goes off is the most terrifying.
When Tian Congming stated his purpose, Lin Weimin felt relieved.
After thinking about it, he understood why Tian Congming made this request. The performance of domestic films this year was really poor. Tian Congming must want to make some noise with Wenhua Films. Even if he couldn't compete with the blockbusters, he could at least earn back some face.
Image projects are killing people, leaders!
He said, "Do you think it's that easy to make a blockbuster? In the film industry, the winner takes all, and the loser can't even get his money back. Our Guowen Press can't stand such a toss."
"Don't make yourself sound so pathetic. Your movie Party A and Party B was the box office champion of domestic films last year!"
"What's wrong with being a champion? People can make mistakes, horses can stumble, who can guarantee a long-term box office success? Blockbuster movies are made with a lot of money."
Seeing that he refused to give in, Tian Congming secretly hated this kid for being so stubborn. He leaned close to Lin Weimin's ear and whispered, "I won't let you take the photos for nothing!"
Hearing this, Lin Weimin's eyes rolled and his expression relaxed a little.
Seeing this, Tian Congming couldn't help but scold: "You bastard, you won't release the eagle until you see the rabbit!"
Lin Weimin did not take it as an offense, and said with a smile: "Brother Tian, tell me in detail, how can you not shoot in vain?"
(End of this chapter)
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