Xing Baohua smiled as he looked at the writer, but did not answer him for the moment. Instead, he raised his glass, clinked it with everyone, and then said to the writer, "Use your imagination."
The writer, with a somewhat cynical air, glanced at his two close friends and blurted out without hesitation, "One hundred million?"
Both Bucktooth and Ma Zhangyan were a little nervous, thinking that Xing Baohua would be angry. Bucktooth even touched the writer with his hand, implying that what he had just said was a bit too much.
The writer ignored him and stared directly at Xing Baohua, as if to say, "Didn't you tell me to use my imagination? Now that I've said it, isn't imagination enough? Do I need to add another zero?"
All three of them entered the television and film industry as outsiders. Bucktooth Gang has always worked as an art director, and Ma Zhangyan was also a writer before. As for real writers, they all adapted their own works into scripts.
They are considered to be halfway into the industry, but they all know how much money is needed to produce a work, from investing funds to assembling the crew, filming to release. They have a general idea of how much money is needed, ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions. Currently, there are no works in China with an investment of more than ten million.
Throughout the 1980s, only seven films grossed over 100 million yuan at the box office. Most films grossed between several million and tens of millions of yuan. Those that reached 30 million yuan were only achieved through vigorous promotion, emphasizing how popular the film was with audiences.
Moreover, most film studios are state-owned enterprises, and no private companies have yet entered the scene. Even if they were to make films now, they would still need to be affiliated with a film studio to continue operating.
The pool is only so big. If you invest 100 million, can you recoup your costs?
Without a doubt, it's impossible. The writer's statement clearly carries a hint of arguing.
"If you have the ability to handle 100 million yuan, I can invest in you, but there are a few conditions. First, the domestic box office must reach 100 million yuan. Second, you need to win an award, any of the major international film festivals will do."
As soon as Xing Baohua finished speaking, the buck-toothed man awkwardly laughed and said, "Mr. Xing, you may not understand the domestic film industry. Even if the domestic box office reaches 100 million, it won't break even for you. After taxes, cinema fees, and other miscellaneous expenses, you can only get 40% back. That's the highest profit you can make."
"I have entertainment companies in the US and Hong Kong. As the big boss of Columbia Pictures, do I know more than you? You know about spending a fortune on horses, right? The national box office is only so much. We just need a gimmick, it's just hype."
"Shaolin Temple grossed over 100 million yuan. Back then, tickets cost only one cent each, and it ran for a very long time! Everyone only saw that it grossed over 100 million yuan, but they didn't know how long it ran. We need to bring in commercial film concepts; if the audience enjoys it and spreads the word, we'll make money. Promotion is the first step; the second step is to go overseas and screen it, diversifying our revenue streams."
Bucktooth continued, "That makes sense, but there are many technologies we don't have!"
"Hollywood has it! Advanced equipment, advanced special effects, just pay them to do it. I previously invested heavily in a project, with initial funding of over 100 million US dollars. Moreover, I had Zhang Yimou as his assistant to learn from their experience. If the film is successful after its release, I promised to invest 60 million US dollars in Zhang Yimou and let him make a commercial film as well."
Everyone looked on with envy. Look at Boss Xing, he's really something else. He spends hundreds of millions of dollars with every move.
The writer just said that 100 million is not an exaggeration, and that's an understatement.
The writer grinned and said, "You treat this grandson like family! But this grandson is such a disappointment to you, running back like this. If it were me, I'd slap him twice."
Bucktooth Gang said, "That's right. They spend so much money to send us to study, and they don't appreciate it at all. If it were me, I wouldn't come back unless they beat me to death. And if I did come back, I'd be ashes."
These words made Xing Baohua chuckle slightly; perhaps this is his traditional humor!
He then waved his hand and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore, let's just consider it over. Let's have a drink first, and then we can discuss how to make a blockbuster. What I can guarantee you is that we have enough money, enough technology, and enough equipment."
The man with buck teeth slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Great!" He even complained that the wine glass was too small and asked the waiter to change the bowl, insisting on drinking with Xing Baohua until they were both completely drunk.
After a few rounds of drinks, everyone except Xing Baohua was a little tipsy. When Xing Baohua was about to offer a cigarette, the buck-toothed man waved his hand and said, "He'll have his, he'll have the best."
This was the first time Xing Baohua had ever seen a soft-pack, red-skinned Nanhai cigarette.
"If you don't look closely, this thing looks like Zhonghua cigarettes," the buck-toothed man grinned and said, "This belongs to the 'leader's cigarettes' category; you can't usually find it on the market."
Xing Baohua took a puff and thought it was pretty good. He said to the buck-toothed guy, "This is good. Get me a few cases later."
"It's difficult enough for me to get one, let alone several boxes? It's really impossible," Bucktooth Gang replied with a bitter face.
"Never mind then!" Xing Baohua didn't take it to heart. He then told the three of them to come up with their own themes. Think of anything with a grand scale or a sweeping plot.
Big-budget productions need impressive scenes and visual effects.
As for the subject matter, aren't there two writers involved? Bucktooth Gang is also an art director by training, so he can first draw up the script for the big scenes, and then design the shots based on the script.
While they were briefly contemplating the images, Xing Baohua said, "You'd better set up a film company. If you don't have the money, I can contribute some. I'll only invest, not manage, but if it comes to the company's survival, I will take over."
“Hey, I thought you were going to recruit us into Columbia Pictures. We’ve worked for foreign companies before!” He clapped his hands as he spoke, paused slightly, and continued, “From foreign company to private company, and still a small shareholder.”
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