Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 495 Antitrust Investigation

Cao Yang's doctoral defense was not made public, but in accordance with regulations, the candidate's information, time, and location were posted on the school's bulletin board before the defense.

However, the defense was not open to the public, which disappointed many teachers and students who wanted to attend.

Originally, according to Lao Situ and Tian Zhuangzhuang's idea, they wanted to hold it publicly, and Cao Yang didn't have much of an objection to it.

However, after discussing it with the other teachers on the defense committee, Hou Keming gave up the idea of ​​making it public.

In Xie Fei's words:

"I am very happy and honored to be Dr. Cao Yang's dissertation defense teacher. I really hope to sign my name on his defense comments."

However, if it were a public debate, with everyone watching, sitting in that seat, asking questions of the world's fourth director to win the European Grand Slam of three major gold medals and who is also a world-renowned artistic master...

To be honest, I don't feel proud. Instead, I ask myself if I'm qualified to sit there, and I even feel ashamed.

If the school really decides to hold public defenses, I will most likely resign from my position as a committee member. I don't want to be publicly questioned about my qualifications at my age.

After hearing Xie Fei's words, the remaining committee members felt extremely uneasy.

Yes, as Xie Fei said, they were truly honored to be members of Dr. Cao Yang's dissertation defense committee.

If they were to publicly defend their theses, there would definitely be people who question their qualifications.

After all, Cao Yang's achievements are too dazzling.

Even disregarding his achievements in commercial films, his single achievement of winning all three major European film awards, and being the only one of the four people to have achieved this still alive, almost surpasses everyone else.

If I am publicly questioned in the future, will I still have any face left?
How could he possibly have the audacity to say that he was qualified to be a member of the dissertation defense committee, qualified to examine Cao Yang on stage, and qualified to decide whether Cao Yang could graduate?
Just thinking about that scene is terrifying.

Therefore, it must not be made public.

Keeping it private will reduce a lot of unnecessary trouble.

The day after Cao Yang finished his dissertation defense, he had a meal with President Han, which was at President Han's insistence. President Han said he must treat Cao Yang to a meal to celebrate Cao Yang's graduation as a doctor.

Of course, this was only the surface reason; the real reason was something the two of them kept to themselves.

"Brother, this toast is to congratulate you on successfully defending your doctoral dissertation."

President Han raised his glass and clinked it against Cao Yang's.

"This second toast is to congratulate 'Like Father, Like Son' on its box office success."

President Han raised his glass, clinked it against Cao Yang's again, and drank it down.

"Slow down, slow down, what's the rush? We're not strangers, why are you doing all this fancy stuff?"

Cao Yang drank along with him, and seeing that President Han wanted to raise his glass again, he quickly said something.

President Han sighed, ignoring Cao Yang's words, filled Cao Yang's cup first, and then filled his own.

"Brother, you don't need to drink the third cup. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry..."

"Hey, hey..."

Cao Yang reached out to stop him, but President Han had already tilted his head back and drunk it down.

Cao Yang shook his head and smiled, picking up his glass to join in, but President Han snatched the glass away with lightning speed.

"you……"

"Brother, listen to me. I'm not just being polite. I was so busy that I completely forgot about your movie's release. It's really my fault for not keeping up with it properly."

As he spoke, President Han couldn't help but explain, "I really didn't expect that those bastards would actually dare to play tricks on something that the higher-ups take so seriously. They're incredibly audacious."

"Alright, that's all in the past, why bring it up again?"

Cao Yang said.

"The past? We can't get over it!"

President Han had probably had a few drinks and was indeed quite angry about the matter. He slammed his hand on the table and said, "You've been busy with your thesis defense these past few days, so you might not be aware of the situation."

Some people are really arrogant. Just the other day they said they'd teach me, Lao Han, a lesson.

Ha, you really think you can dominate the film industry? I, Lao Han, said back then, I'm waiting. If you're really capable, then take down this chairman of China Film Group who enjoys vice-ministerial level treatment!
Ha, two days, hehe, just two days!

"His mother asked someone to pass a message to me, Lao Han, saying that he wasn't aware of it at the time, and that it was the lower-level theater manager who acted on his own initiative. He has already transferred that theater manager."

Mr. Han picked up a piece of food, swallowed it, and then said, "Does he really think I, Old Han, am a three-year-old child to be fooled? How dare he utter such a line? How much does he look down on me, Old Han? I'd never pay him any attention."

Hey, guess what? Just before I came to see you, that guy called me himself.

At this point, President Han looked at Cao Yang, narrowed his eyes, smacked his lips, and said, "He called me personally. I didn't want to answer, and I was too lazy to even talk to him."

However, he persistently called me three times in a row, which annoyed me quite a bit. I couldn't turn off my phone, so I had no choice but to answer, wanting to hear what new tricks he had up his sleeve.

Hehe, you wouldn't believe how enthusiastic he was on the phone. If you didn't know, you'd think we were old friends.

What do you think he meant?
He told me on the phone that he was busy with the group company's affairs and had no idea about the operation of the cinema chain. After he found out about the situation, he was furious. He never expected that the people below would be so audacious.

He told me that he had taken decisive measures and fired both the cinema manager and deputy manager. The company would never tolerate such a person who violated national laws and acted arbitrarily.

Haha, isn't that funny?

If I hadn't been threatened that day, I might have actually believed him.

Mr. Han picked up a piece of food, squinted his eyes, and chewed it, looking very satisfied.

Cao Yang thought for a moment and roughly guessed what President Han meant.

This was his way of subtly telling himself that the other side had already backed down and made their stance clear through actions; now it was up to him to decide.

Should we continue to pressure them, or what?

"I have carefully considered the pros and cons of this matter over the past few days. For the long-term development of Chinese-language films, this kind of thing must be prevented."

This time, it was because of my movie that we were able to discover and prevent things from happening in time. But what if it were someone else's movie?
If you resist, you'll probably offend the theaters, and they'll likely block your screenings again next time.

If we don't resist, the movie is, after all, made with hard work and real money, and this will greatly dampen everyone's enthusiasm for getting involved in the movie.

In fact, the box office performance of a film can very well change the life trajectory of a director or certain actors.

Therefore, this kind of completely monopolistic and exclusive film scheduling behavior must be stopped.

Currently, there are no relevant laws regulating this direction in the domestic film and television industry. After careful consideration, although there are none in the film and television industry, the Anti-Monopoly Law promulgated last year does have some suitable provisions.

Film screenings in theaters are a business model and are fully subject to the Anti-Monopoly Law.

President Han looked at Cao Yang with some surprise. "We need to find the applicable law? Is that necessary?"

Whether it's China Film Group, the Film Bureau, or even the Film Association under the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, they could all issue some documents to make them comply, right?

Actually, no documents are needed. Just a phone call to the person in charge, and verbal instructions will suffice. Seeing Han's surprised expression, Cao Yang realized why he had that nickname; Han could indeed be a bit domineering at times.

Cao Yang smiled and poured wine into President Han's glass. President Han was not surprised and quickly gestured for him to do it himself.

"I'll do it."

"Why are you being so polite with me? Take your hand away."

Cao Yang's words were rather impolite.

However, President Han quite enjoyed Cao Yang's impoliteness.

In the past, President Han wouldn't have felt so constrained as he does today.

Firstly, he felt somewhat guilty towards Cao Yang regarding the film screening; secondly, Cao Yang's doctoral dissertation defense had passed, meaning that certain procedures would begin the moment he received his degree.

"Sometimes, it's best to have laws to follow when doing things, so that people won't criticize you."

Cao Yang said with a smile: "In the future, regarding theatrical screenings, until new regulations and laws concerning films are formulated, we will follow the Anti-Monopoly Law."

I'm thinking that, given the current market situation, there's no need to restrict it too much. Let's set it at 75%. For a specific movie theater, no more than 75% of the screenings should be allowed throughout the day. Otherwise, we'll initiate an anti-monopoly investigation.

Well, at least for the next few years, we can follow this standard. When the film market becomes more prosperous and there are more and more blockbuster movies, we can adjust it and gradually limit it to 70% or 60%.

Reaching 60% is actually about right. We'll see how things go. If it really doesn't work out, we'll limit it to 55%, since theaters still need to make a profit.

After thinking about it, President Han felt that Cao Yang's words made sense.

When there are laws to follow, one can at least ensure that they are in an invincible position.

Introducing the Anti-Monopoly Law into theatrical screenings is definitely a good approach, especially the 75% limit, which can both ensure the enthusiasm of theaters for screening and allow Chinese-language films to have decent screenings when they encounter Hollywood films.

This alone is already the greatest support for Chinese-language films.

"I can see it."

President Han slammed his hand on the table.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Do you think it would be better to have the Film Bureau handle it, or the Film Association?"

The regulations issued by the Film Association can at most be considered as guidance for the industry; they have no mandatory binding force and no legal or administrative significance.

Of course, if the Film Association is powerful enough, for example with Cao Yang's involvement, it is estimated that domestic guiding documents for the Film Association will be silently followed.

"First, let the Film Bureau interview those cinema chains and conduct an anti-monopoly investigation in the name of the Anti-Monopoly Law. After that, I will have the Film Association issue some guiding documents."

Cao Yang thought for a moment and then said.

President Han nodded in agreement, then chuckled and said to Cao Yang:
"Alright, but the copy of Transformers 2 hasn't been repaired yet. I estimate it will be ready in about a week."

One more week!
This isn't something that happens in a week.

Many people know that Hollywood blockbusters typically see their highest box office revenue in China during the first two weeks after release, after which the revenue often drops precipitously.

This doesn't mean fewer people will watch Hollywood blockbusters in two weeks; rather, it means that in two weeks, there will be many high-definition versions of the films available online.

Now that there are high-definition versions available, it's natural that fewer people are going to the cinema to watch movies.

In another week, "Transformers 2" will have been in theaters for more than ten days. To use a phrase often used to describe the Chinese national football team, time is running out for these cinemas.

It's important to understand that although the domestic box office market has grown rapidly in recent years, it has been built on a weak foundation.

For example, in 2006, only five films grossed over 100 million yuan at the domestic box office.

Fewer than ten in 07.

08 was a bit better, with just over ten films released.

However, when it comes to movies like "Transformers 2," which are expected to reach 400 million, apart from Cao Yang's films, no other director in China has achieved this.

Let alone 400 million, even a movie with a box office of 300 million is extremely rare.

A week later, Transformers 2 had been showing for more than ten days, and Like Father, Like Son had been showing for more than two weeks, so the best box office period had passed.

They missed out on a film that could have grossed over 300 million yuan, and another that could have grossed over 400 million yuan. They also face penalties from the Film Bureau, and may face "discrimination" from China Film Group and Cao Yang in the future when scheduling other films...

These cinemas are not just experiencing a simple financial pain; it's an excruciating pain.

It hurts more than my beloved getting married tonight.

When are you going to America?

"Mr. Han asked."

"It'll be soon. After I finish dealing with this matter and sign a contract with CCTV, I'll be going. It should be at most a week away."

Cao Yang calculated the time and said.

"Sign a contract with CCTV?"

Mr. Han was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening.

"Your graduation project was a documentary, right? You sold it to CCTV's documentary channel?"

He's been busy filming "The Founding of a Republic" and doing post-production lately, so even though he knows Cao Yang made a different kind of documentary, he hasn't had time to learn more about it.

"It shouldn't be on a documentary channel; it should be on a general channel."

Cao Yang picked up a piece of food and said casually.

"General Channel?"

This was really beyond Mr. Han's expectations. What does it mean that a documentary is being broadcast on a general channel instead of a documentary channel?
You have to understand that the advertising fees for general channels are... well, there's no comparison.

This indicates that CCTV has high hopes for this documentary; otherwise, why would it be aired on its main channel?
Of course, since it's on a general channel, the cost of purchasing the broadcasting rights is incomparable to that of a documentary channel.

"I'm a little curious, how much did your documentary sell for?"

Mr. Han was genuinely curious: Did Cao Yang also have a talent for making documentaries?
If that's the case, Cao Yang would truly be a polymath.

Cao Yang raised his glass, gestured to President Han, took a sip, clicked his tongue, and said, "Not much, just the first round of broadcasting rights plus the second round of priority rights, that's only 3600 million."

"Pfft...cough, cough, cough..."

While covering his mouth, President Han bent over and coughed, looking like a well-cooked lobster, his face also turning red.

"This wine, this wine is really strong... cough, cough!"

A documentary sold for 3600 million?
CCTV has gone mad!

This is a documentary!
Even a CCTV-commissioned drama series for the start of the year wouldn't sell for this much money!
CCTV has really gone mad!

(End of this chapter)