Chapter 59 Press Conference
Dinner in the evening.
Gu Wei took out the gifts he had prepared and gave them to his parents.
Mr. Gu took the watch and put it on. It was obvious that he liked it very much.
Gu's mother took the bag and fiddled with it happily, saying, "Even if you have money, you can't spend it carelessly. What's the point of buying these for your dad and me? Just keep the money for yourself."
But the smile on his face couldn't be hidden.
"This is the child's gift to us. Just keep it. He doesn't need this little money."
In the eyes of Gu's father and mother, it doesn't matter whether the gift is valuable or not. What matters most is the child's filial piety.
Of course, Gu's parents, who received the gifts, could imagine that they would show off again when they got home, and Gu Wei would definitely become the typical "other people's child" among relatives and friends.
Things in Beijing are almost done, and Gu Wei's parents are about to return to their hometown.
Gu's father was still worried about his factory. After all, it was his hard work for more than ten years. Although he couldn't make as much money as his son, it was his real career.
Within two days, Gu Wei sent his parents home by plane.
February 25th, Wanda Hotel, Beijing.
The conference hall was already packed with people.
Given the influence of China Film, Wanda and Light Media in the industry, almost all the major domestic media outlets were present today.
Everyone knows that this is a press conference for a new movie. Regardless of whether you are optimistic about this movie or not, you have to give face to the three major companies.
On the stage, a huge poster was hung on the backdrop. On it, Gu Wei and Bao Qiang were wearing detective-style windbreakers and black sunglasses, striding forward arrogantly.
The background is the messy streets of Chinatown, and at the top is a huge billboard with five eye-catching characters "Chinatown Detective" written on it.
From China Film Group, Director Han, who has a good relationship with Gu Wei and others, attended the event. From Wanda, a department manager from the film and television production department came. Only from Guangguang, President Wang himself was present.
It can be seen that Light Media attaches great importance to this cooperation. Of course, at this time, compared with the well-established China Film Group and the wealthy Wanda Group with abundant theater resources, Light Media is relatively weaker.
Gu Wei and other main creative staff sat down on the stage.
"Good morning, friends from the media, and welcome to the launch conference for the film Detective Chinatown."
The host was Xie Nan, the leading actress of Guangguang Films. She first gave a brief introduction to the film's producer and main creative staff, and then entered the most important media interview session.
"Director Gu Wei, how did you come up with the idea of making this movie?" a reporter asked.
"Movies are the art of dream-making. When I was an actor, I would interpret the role according to the director's requirements and the screenwriter's script.
But sometimes when I think about something, some fragments often flash through my mind. Although they are scattered, fortunately I wrote them down. Later, I structured the records into a story.
I know this is my own dream.
I hope to turn my dream into a movie and put it on the big screen, so that I can share it with everyone. I hope everyone can see it and like it."
Gu Wei said seriously.
"How can you be sure that the audience will like your dream?" The reporter asked more and more impolite questions.
Gu Wei is not angry either
“So it requires the efforts of our entire crew. I believe my crew is an excellent crew. From the actors to the crew members, they are all the best in the industry.
As long as we work together, we can present a wonderful movie to the audience."
"You are just an actor, and you have only one film to your name. You have never directed a movie before. What courage allows you to direct such a big-budget movie?"
This time, the question was raised by a reporter from Southern Metropolis Daily, and the question was even more pointed.
But this is not surprising. The purpose of Southern Metropolis Daily has always been entertainment first, and they report on whatever topics there are.
This newspaper originated in Yuezhou and focuses on the two central cities of Yuezhou and Shenzhen.
Perhaps due to its proximity to Hong Kong Island, its reporting style is similar to that of some of the island's media: asking the most pointed questions and reporting the most exaggerated stories.
They don't care how the parties involved feel, sales are the top priority.
"Everything has a first time. No one is born knowing how to make movies. Look at Director Xu Zheng, an actor who turned director, and he still has box office success. This is well known.
I don't think I lack the courage to try." Gu Wei didn't get angry, but looked at the reporter who asked the question with a firm gaze and said in a resounding voice.
When it comes to media interviews, whoever gets angry loses.
You accept the interview for publicity and to increase popularity. He accepts the interview to increase sales. There is no enmity between the two. Everyone is just motivated by profit.
No matter what the question is, Gu Wei can choose not to answer or to fight back sharply, but there is no need to curse. After all, it is not worth losing your composure for publicity.
"Producer Chen, how much was the investment in our movie?" The media turned the question to Chen Zhixi.
"Because the entire filming of our movie was carried out abroad, and the scenes involved are relatively complex and there are many people involved. The total investment is about 70 million." Chen Zhixi replied.
[Detective Chinatown] The original time and space of this movie was filmed in 2014 with an investment of 80 million.
Now that filming is being done a year in advance, actors' salaries and labor costs have been reduced, so 70 million is enough.
As soon as Chen Zhixi finished speaking, the whole audience was in an uproar.
Then discussions began.
None of these reporters had expected that the first film by Gu Wei, a completely new director, would have such a huge investment.
Although the domestic film market has become increasingly large since last year, the domestic box office champion was raised to 1.2 billion by "Lost in Thailand".
But you have to know that "Lost in Thailand" is an exception and cannot represent the general movie box office in the market.
In the whole of 2012, there were only six domestic films that grossed over 200 million yuan. Gu Wei's film was an investment of 70 million yuan, and the cost could only be recovered if the box office exceeded 200 million yuan.
How could he, a new director making a movie for the first time, be confident that his film would be one of these six?
"Director Gu Wei, how did you make investors trust you and pay for the movies you made?" As the investment amount of the movie was announced, the question turned to Gu Wei.
Gu Wei didn't pay any attention to the comments of the reporters on the field.
“I believe everyone has just heard the host introduce that the producers of this film are Weiming Tianxia, China Film, Wanda, and Guangguang.
I'm not in a position to disclose the specific investment ratio, but I can tell you that the film is under the primary control and investment of Weiming Tianxia. I paid for my dream out of my own pocket, which is not excessive, right?
As soon as he finished speaking, the reporters started talking again.
Judging from Gu Wei's experience and age, none of the reporters in the audience were optimistic about the movies he would make. They believed that it was likely to be a bad movie and would definitely result in losses. This was their consensus.
I didn't expect Gu Wei to spend his own money to make a movie. This confidence, this courage, this money
Then a reporter asked
"Director Gu, did your family give you money to invest in the film? What does your family do?"
Gu Wei didn't care about the reporters' comments at all. He had anticipated their doubts. He smiled and replied:
"Reporter, this is the film's launch press conference. I can't answer questions unrelated to the film."
After this, the reporters' enthusiasm was ignited and they asked a series of questions.
Gu Wei naturally responded calmly. He just brags when necessary, since bragging is tax-free anyway.
He is also prepared for how these media will report after today, but as a filmmaker, he is not afraid of trouble. No matter what kind of report you give, as long as there is popularity, it's fine. What he is most afraid of is that there is no explosive point, no splash, and no one knows that he has made a new movie.
"Excuse me, Baoqiang, why did you take on this movie?" The reporter began to ask questions to the other main creators.
"At first, the director asked me to play the protagonist 'Tang Ren' and told me that this role was mine. I was a little flattered. Later, I read the script and found that the director was really talented. This is a great story. I believe that it will not disappoint everyone after it is released."
Baoqiang smiled innocently, but his words were flawless.
Reporters then interviewed other actors in the play, and everyone gave normal answers, and none of them were as explosive as Gu Wei said.
As all the main creative staff of the crew came on stage to take a group photo, the launch conference came to an end.
Reporters walked out of the conference hall one after another, carrying piles of interview materials.
Gu Wei didn't let the company's people do anything like giving red envelopes, not because he didn't know how to behave, but because this press conference was completely unnecessary.
There are indeed a lot of criticisms about Gu Wei's films as a director. Even when he gave red envelopes to reporters, he was at most very tactful when mocking them.
Moreover, the film has not started shooting yet, so Gu Wei just needs the publicity to let the public know that such a film has started shooting, and it doesn’t matter whether it is positive or negative.
Ultimately, it all depends on the pre-release publicity and the quality and reputation of the film.
After the press conference, Gu Wei found Xie Nan who was packing up to leave.
"Sister Nan, I'm very happy to meet you today. Thank you for hosting today's press conference. You did a great job." Gu Wei said with a smile on his face, trying to get close to her.
"Mr. Gu, thank you for your compliment. This is my job, so why should I say thank you or not?" Xie Nan was obviously a little confused.
"Sister Nan, I'm a fan of Brother Jing. I've been watching his film 'Tai Chi Grandmaster' since I was a child and I like him very much." Gu Wei explained.
At this time, Wu Jing and Xie Nan were in the passionate period of love. In December last year, the two officially announced their relationship on Weibo. This news was also a big news in the entertainment circle at that time.
Hearing that Gu Wei was a fan of Wu Jing, Xie Nan let down her guard. She was very happy that her boyfriend was liked by others, and she was even more proud to be liked by a person of status like Gu Wei.
"Sister Nan, what has Brother Jing been busy with recently? If we have time, let's go out for dinner together. I'll treat you and fulfill my childhood wish as a fan." Gu Wei asked.
Gu Wei doesn't like Wu Jing at all, he just likes money.
At this time, Wu Jing's "Wolf Warrior 1" has not been released yet. I have to build good relationships first, and it would be best if I can invest in his movie, and then I can just sit back and count the money.
Unlike Detective Chinatown, which focused on the plot, Wolf Warrior's Wu Jing's style is so strong that it's essentially his own film. Without Wu Jing, the same story, and someone else's take, the box office performance might not have been so good.
After the original time and space "Wolf Warrior" became popular, one red movie after another followed the trend and shot the idea of a personal hero, but in the end they all failed.
The most obvious example is Big Black Bull, who has both capital support and a girlfriend's support, but in the end, even the capital daddy is unwilling to pay attention to him.
"Wu Jing is preparing for a movie recently and is quite busy. When I have time to see him, I will ask him to find you." Xie Nan said happily.
"Sister Nan, I have my own film company and have invested in two works. If Brother Jing needs investment, you can ask him to come to me. I believe that a movie shot at Brother Jing's level will definitely be a big hit." Gu Wei acted like I was a true fan of Wu Jing, and he didn't care about his reputation for making money.
Xie Nan was very surprised to hear this, because she knew that Wu Jing was preparing to shoot his own movie recently and was indeed in great need of money.
"Mr. Gu, thank you very much for your love for him. I will definitely pass your words to Wu Jing."
"Sister Nan, you don't have to be so polite to me. I'll wait for your call."
The two people exchanged contact information.
Thanks to Wuhen for the reward of 300 Qidian coins on Xingzhiyuan.
Thanks to book friends 20170423042509151, Laomianzi, Come on or Still a Teenager, book friend 20211130144210009, book friend 20230514125057774, Xuan Yi Ze, and Greater China Liuliu for their monthly tickets.
(End of this chapter)
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