Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 400: Wrap-up Banquet and Selection

北美
"Don't Breathe" was officially released. Diane had planned to wait for news in the office, but after sitting there for an hour, she couldn't sit still anymore and went outside.

After asking the driver to drop her off on the roadside, Diane joined the crowd and soon arrived at the door of a movie theater.

He wanted to see the movie's attendance and more importantly, he wanted to know the movie's reputation.

In the ticket hall, men and women were queuing and chatting while eating popcorn.

"What are we looking at mate?"

"Hey guys, did you see the report from the other day? James Wan recommended a movie called Hold Your Breath. I think it's good."

"James Wan? You can give it a try. I like the movies directed by that guy..."

“Two copies of “Hold Your Breath”, thank you~”

In the ticket hall, people kept leaving after buying tickets. Diane stood there for about half an hour.

There are a lot of people asking about "Hold Your Breath", most of them came after seeing the recommendation from Hualabang~
A smile appeared on Diane's face. The Huala Gang still has a lot of loyal fans.

"Saw" and "The Hills Have Eyes" are both classic horror films, and fans are very receptive to the recommendations of these directors.

Diane walked out of the cinema. At the door, there was a large poster of "Don't Breathe". On the poster, Blake Lively had a panicked expression on her face and a pair of big hands covering her mouth.

Frankly speaking, Blake Lively is a very attractive woman, and Diane has heard many people talking about her appearance.

"Boss, where are we going next?"

"XXX Cinema~"

The cinemas chosen by Diane are all iconic, which in Hong Kong are called Dragon Head Theatre.

Half an hour later, Diane got off the bus again and lingered near the ticket office.

Seeing that many of the men and women queuing up to buy tickets were here to watch "Hold Your Breath", she couldn't help but smile.

I went to three cinemas in a row, including a luxurious cinema in a busy area and an ordinary one.

It is now the end of April, and there is still some time before Memorial Day. The schedule is not very good because the students' spring break has just ended.

But it’s just right for “Hold Your Breath”; a film of this size can’t compete in those popular schedules.

For example, Memorial Day is the last Monday in May, when many blockbuster movies will be released. The strategy that Diane formulated for "Don't Breathe" is to get as much box office as possible during this period of time.

Many people were attracted by the poster, and many people were recommended by Hualabang.

Seeing the number of people buying tickets, Diane felt a little relieved.

As long as the attendance rate is high on the first day, the theater will definitely adjust the screening schedule for the second day, and "Hold Your Breath" has the potential to create a miracle.

In the evening, Zhang Chen received a call from Dai An - the first day box office was 590 million, not bad~
It was early morning over there, and Diane's tone was filled with undisguised excitement.

The North American box office is counted by computer systems, so it is very fast and comes out immediately after midnight.

The domestic box office system is now connected to the Internet, but it does not cover the entire country, so sometimes the box office data is delayed and not as accurate.

Zhang Chen was really surprised when he heard the number 890 million.

The box office revenue of "Don't Breathe" in one day almost caught up with the box office revenue of "The Darkness" in a week.

Of course, all of this was made possible by the help of the Huala Gang.

Fans of horror movies are extremely loyal, especially when their idols personally recommend them, which arouses their curiosity and makes them want to see what it is all about.

"What about word of mouth?"

"Most viewers who have watched it say the story is very novel. 4126 viewers on IMDB gave it a score of 7.6, the Rotten Tomatoes freshness rating is 92%, the Rotten Tomatoes popcorn index is 94%, and the audience rating is 4.5 stars..."

The data looks pretty good, which shows that everyone is very interested in this story.

Of course, as the number of moviegoers increases, this number will surely drop, but they are already very satisfied. At least this number shows that most of the people who have watched it still like it.

This is very important.

For a film like "Don't Breathe", word of mouth is very important.

The biggest selling point of "Hold Your Breath" is actually the setting:
The villains are just as strong and powerful as in other movies of the same genre, and they have the home field advantage.

But the biggest difference of "Hold Your Breath" is that his villain's strengths and weaknesses are equally prominent, and he is a blind man.

This is actually very catchy~
Audiences who like this setting will basically like this movie.

……

"Painted Skin" Wrap-up Party
"Painted Skin" was finally wrapped up after two months of intense filming.

The wrap party is equivalent to a farewell dinner. There are so many actors and stars who have been together day and night for more than 60 days. It would be a lie to say that there is no affection between them.

Of course, not every film crew holds a wrap party, but the one for Painted Skin is definitely one.

The scene at the wrap party was pretty much what Zhang Chen had expected, with a group of people thanking Zhang Chen in various ways.

"Director Zhang, I am especially grateful for giving me this opportunity~"

Huang Xiaoming has been very depressed recently because he was badly criticized for his role as Yang Guo in The Return of the Condor Heroes.

Open the Internet and you will see discussions about Yang Guo everywhere. It is generally believed that Huang's Yang Guo is the worst Yang Guo in history.

屁~
That's because you haven't seen the version played by Richie Jen. In that version, both Yang Guo and Xiao Long Nu are eye-catching~
I don't understand the aesthetics of my fellow Taiwanese people~
This version is known as the worst "The Return of the Condor Heroes" in history and was even included in Mr. Jin's blacklist.

A series of films such as "Fire Dragon Showdown" show that Richie Jen's acting skills are actually quite good, but he is really not suitable to play Yang Guo.

You have to be very confident in your appearance to take this role.

But what’s interesting is that this version has been modified quite interestingly.

Guo Jing, who was originally a martial arts master, becomes invincible in this version.

Every day I am either injured or on the way to injury.

Guo Fu has become the cutest character in all versions, making people feel that Yang Guo deserved to have his arm chopped off.

"Don't be impatient, Xiao Ming. Be patient. Once Painted Skin is released, the reputation will naturally change. Your performance in the drama will definitely win everyone's recognition..."

Zhang Chen could only comfort Huang Xiaoming in this way.

In fact, to be frank, Huang's performance as Yang Guo sixteen years later is still pretty good. In addition, Zhang Da Huzi pays great attention to composition in his works and he shoots the actors very beautifully.

Huang Xiaoming started the conversation, and then others raised their glasses to toast.

There were quite a few people in the crew of Painted Skin, and there were more than twenty tables for the wrap-up banquet, because most of the scenes in Yinchuan had been filmed long ago, otherwise, there would have been at least fifty tables.

Of course, the seating arrangements are divided into leaders and subordinates. The director, heads of various departments and leading actors sit at one table, while supporting actors sit at their own table. Employees from other departments, special guests and the like are much more casual. Everyone finds people they know to sit with, just for fun.

After three rounds of drinks, the seating arrangements had already been messed up. Who cares?
Many people were running around with wine glasses in their hands, toasting and trying to establish relationships.

To be in the film and television industry, you must have circles, big circles, small circles, and each circle has different functions.

Some of the crew members are formal employees of Star Entertainment, but most of them are in a cooperative relationship.

After today, they will have to find new work tomorrow.

If you have relationships with these leaders, big and small, in front of you, if something happens, they will remember you. Isn't this an opportunity to make money?

In comparison, the main table was not the hardest hit area.

Those who are too low in status don't dare to come over, and those who are of similar status come over to toast mostly to make themselves known.

They are actually similar to those small workers just now, except that they are trying to curry favor with Zhang Chen and Chen Xi who are at a higher level.

"Director Zhang, we are shamelessly coming here to toast again~"

The visitors were Zhang Yi and Chen Minghao. They were actually very familiar with everyone, and usually sat at the same table when they ate together, chatting and laughing.

It’s just that today is the wrap party, and the main table is full, so the two of them can only go to the table for supporting actors.

But at that table, they were the envy of everyone.

Many people also asked indirectly about their relationship with the director, otherwise why would the young actor be chatting and laughing with him.

relationship?

They also wondered what the relationship was?
How did I catch Director Zhang's eye?

Zhang Chen welcomes everyone who comes to him, and today his main focus is on being approachable.

It’s your business whether you dare to toast me or not, but whenever you toast me, I will definitely drink it.

The scene was very lively, with clinking glasses and a great deal of excitement.

Chen Xi and Zhang Chen were dancing in circles. As leaders, they were usually high and mighty, but at times like today, they had to have fun with the people.

While toasting, Chen Xi was still quietly joking: "Congratulations, capitalist~"

Zhang Chen smiled bitterly. Currently, only three of them in the company knew about his plan to acquire Jiahe.

"After taking over Golden Harvest, will the focus of your business be moved there?"

Zhang Chen waved his hand: "How come?"

After they toasted again, he finally found time to say, "My roots will always be in the mainland. I acquired Golden Harvest just to make things easier. Oh, by the way, are you interested in coming to Hong Kong and managing the daily affairs of Golden Harvest for me?"

Chen Xi was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "What's the matter? Are you planning to send me to the frontier?"

Zhang Chen also laughed and joked: "When did Hong Kong become a frontier?"

Then he added: "I'm not kidding you, think about it carefully. Anyway, it's either you or the boss, one of them must go over there to help me look after this and that~"

Chen Xi nodded, and the two did not continue the topic.

After toasting to several tables, Zhang Chen was still in excellent condition.

Chen Xi also noticed it and was a little surprised. No one knew Zhang Chen's alcohol tolerance better than her.

I have already measured out the amount in my daily eating and drinking.

But Zhang Chen is in really good shape today.

Zhang Chen himself also felt it, and guessed that it was because people feel happy when something good happens.

The good news is not only the ideal first-day box office performance of "Hold Your Breath", but also the issue of adaptation rights.

Chen Xi won the film and television adaptation rights for "Insidious", and Diane helped him win the adaptation rights for "Gossip Girl" and "The Vampire Diaries".

Neither of them was a bestseller, so the price for the copyright was a very good deal.

"Gossip Girl" later became Blake Lively's famous work, but the success of this drama actually has little to do with the novel.

After all, the books didn’t sell very well, and there was actually very little content in them, and the first season of Gossip Girl was almost finished.

The reason why it continued to be successful later on was entirely due to the screenwriter at the time.

This is especially true of The Vampire Diaries.

Many people think that "The Vampire Diaries" is a follow-up to "Twilight". Seeing that vampire romance themes like "Twilight" became popular, similar TV series were made.

Actually not.

The Vampire Diaries was first published in 1991.

But it has never been popular.

The fact that he is remembered at all is thanks to "Twilight", otherwise he would probably have been buried in ashes for the rest of his life.

In North America, TV series make more money than movies.

Zhang Chen plans to produce "Gossip Girl" first and continue to let Blake Lively star in it.

After "Twilight" became popular, "The Vampire Diaries" was launched.

"Director Zhang, I offer you a toast and wish that Painted Skin will be a big hit~"

A staff member came over to toast Zhang Chen. He couldn't even call out the other person's name, but he knew he was from his company.

The two clinked their glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

People around were talking about something, but Zhang Chen's eyes met Zhou Xun in the crowd.

Neither of them avoided the gaze and just stared at each other.

He and Master Zhou talked about the incident in the storage room at the Academy Awards. After they came back, they didn't look for each other, as if nothing had happened.

The scene of the two looking at each other was noticed by Fat Fan who was sitting at the same table.

She had always felt that the relationship between Zhang Chen and Mr. Zhou had changed since they returned from Hong Kong after attending the Academy Awards.

The two men must have communicated, she was sure of that, although she had no evidence.

Fat Fan looked at this and that with suspicion, and felt a surge of anger in his heart.

This bitch brags about her true character every day, but she sneaks into my house when I'm not around.

It's not groundless that Fan Xiaopang is so suspicious.

Before the Academy Awards, Zhang Chen responded to all his requests.

The two communicate with each other every day.

After the Academy Awards, Zhang Chen seemed like a different person. He locked himself in the room every day and no one knew what he was doing.
She was kicked out even though she offered herself to do so, which made her fall into self-doubt. Is it time to learn new technology?

Three women and one drama.

You are looking at the scenery on the bridge, and I am looking at you on the windowsill.

Fat Fan thought he had figured out how to turn off the fire, but he didn't know that he was also part of the scenery.

The one who was watching the scenery was Li Xiaoran, but he didn't know what was happening among the crowd.

As for Yang Xiaomi, she didn't come today at all.

There are 30 episodes in total for "Before Dawn", and the heroine dies in episode 28. This is the most critical time, so she can't come even if she wants to.

On the other side, Chen Xi pulled him aside to continue toasting, and before leaving, his eyes met with Master Zhou again.

The latter glanced at him, then stood up and left.

Zhang Chen understood the meaning of that look, it was an invitation~
Little Zhang Chen, who was a little drunk just now, instantly became energetic.

"You help take care of things first, I'll go drain the water~"

After saying hello to Chen Xi, Zhang Chen walked towards the direction where Master Zhou left.

In the dark corner, Master Zhou was looking at him with a smile on his face.

This little girl is really getting addicted to it.

After experiencing the excitement once, do you become addicted to this feeling?

Seeing that there was no one around, Zhang Chen walked over. The two of them quickly went into the corner and stretched out their arms. Before entering, they turned off their cell phones in tacit understanding.

(End of this chapter)