I was just thinking about taking the arts exam and you said I've been playing supporting roles

Chapter 492 Another film added to the Spring Festival lineup!
"That's hilarious! You didn't see the faces of all the film company bosses present after the leader said those words!"

"Not a single one dares to release during the Spring Festival!"

"Ha ha!"

That evening, Chen Jin received a call from Chen Su at the hotel.

It mainly concerns matters related to the meeting at the Film Bureau today.

"What about the last two movies?"

After listening to Chen Su's report, Chen Jin felt that the leaders of the Film Bureau were far more forward-thinking than the film companies and actors in the entertainment industry.

Film and television cultural workers must have a high level of cultural literacy, which is rising sharply.

"Each company should contribute!"

"You could give us a spot in the future Spring Festival film season!"

Chen Su spoke casually, but Chen Jin narrowed his eyes: "Give us a quota for the Spring Festival film season in the future?"

"Yes, the boss said that next year's Spring Festival film season won't be a matter of just anyone wanting to be in it. Those who are in it this year will be given a spot in the Spring Festival film season in the future. One spot per film, not limited to next year or the year after!"

"Let's go, let's go on to the next one!"

Is there such a good thing?
Next year's Spring Festival film season is sure to be fiercely competitive.

Last year, the release of "Jinling" during its Spring Festival period thoroughly demonstrated the potential of the Spring Festival film season.

This year, the two films alone, "Lost in Thailand" and Stephen Chow's "Journey to the West," are sure to generate even more buzz than last year.

The habit of watching movies during the Spring Festival will become even more deeply ingrained in people's minds.

As some leaders of the Film Bureau said, two films are definitely not enough to satisfy the viewing frenzy during this year's Spring Festival; we could add a few more.

As for next year, if more movies are released during this year's Spring Festival, the trend of everyone scrambling to get in will become even more pronounced.

Securing a film's release slot during the Spring Festival is practically equivalent to the Film Bureau giving away money as charity.

Given that "Lost in Thailand" is already scheduled for release and is currently in the promotional phase, it's practically a done deal to get it released during the Spring Festival next year. But nobody would complain about having too many films, and Chen Jin was planning to release two more next year.

One film I starred in, and another film invested in by my company; both films occupied the Spring Festival release window.

"No, Brother Jin, are you serious?"

Hearing no sound from the other end of the phone for a long time, Chen Su, thinking it was a joke, couldn't help but ask.

"Of course it is!"

"Grandma's Grandson, make it a top contender during the Spring Festival!"

If this movie were released during other periods, it might not have the same popularity as during the Spring Festival; even the summer season wouldn't have been as successful.

Relying on word-of-mouth to create a movie-going frenzy during the Spring Festival season can attract many older people to the cinema; because, strictly speaking, this film has commercial attributes.

In its previous life, it broke box office records in several regions.

"This is an art film!"

Chen Su couldn't help but say, and Chen Jin knew this guy was narrow-minded: "Who told you it was an art film? Just because something is participating in a film festival doesn't mean it's an art film?"

Chen Su: "..."

Chen Su was speechless.

"I checked, the Berlin Film Festival opens on February 7th this year, and the first day of the Lunar New Year is February 10th, so it's perfect that the Berlin and mainland China premieres at the same time!"

"I'll ask Berlin to set the premiere date for the 10th, simultaneously with the domestic release!"

There's absolutely nothing wrong with this operation, and it can even be used to promote a film festival.

With Zhang Yimou making a move, "Grandma" is practically guaranteed a nomination at this year's Berlin Film Festival; plus, with Wong Kar-wai as a judge, Chen Jin might even win an award with a little public relations effort, which would generate even more buzz and discussion.

With the added boost from the Spring Festival holiday, Chen Jin couldn't predict how high the box office would be.

Setting the release date for the Spring Festival film season is clearly a wise move.

"No, Brother Jin, isn't this releasing in the same time slot? Aren't our two movies going head-to-head?"

Chen Su just couldn't understand it.

Other companies hope there are as few movies in the same release window as possible, so that each movie can get more screenings. But this company is complaining that "Lost in Thailand" didn't get enough screenings during the Spring Festival, and wants to release their own movie instead?!

"It doesn't matter who releases it, two movies simply can't capture the audience during the Spring Festival season!"

"Two more movies would be enough!"

Chen Jin had read all the news about the upcoming Spring Festival film season, and it was possible for a single Spring Festival film season to gross 200 billion yuan.

There's no problem with hundreds of millions of people going to the cinema, provided the film is of excellent quality.

Originally, there was only one movie, "Journey to the West," this year, which almost broke the box office record; next year, a bunch of bad movies were released, such as "The Monkey King" and "Where Are We Going, Dad?"... The key is that they still made more than 20 billion yuan at the box office.

This shows that there is a lot of potential to be explored in this time slot.

Moreover, in the following years, the Spring Festival films released were all bad movies, but the box office was higher and higher each time.

Chen Jin is now focused on securing release dates. Once the release dates for the film by China Film Academy are finalized, the Film Bureau will have no choice but to schedule it.

This is how the market determines film scheduling.

Currently, cinema chains and film bureaus can exert considerable influence over film companies. But when it comes to films of the scale of "The Wandering Earth" and "Ne Zha," they'd be eager for them to be released during the Spring Festival!
This is how the schedule is determined.

What you need to do is gain public recognition for the quality and reputation of your film.

Bad movies will never survive the Spring Festival season.

"May I?"

Chen Su asked with some doubt.

Let's hope that in the end, we don't end up losing more than we gain. "Lost in Thailand" should have no problem making 15 billion during this period.

If they were to release another film of their own, titled "Grandma," starring Chen Jin, it would inevitably split the box office and screen time. The key point is that this is an art film, and its box office success isn't guaranteed. Isn't that a contradiction?!
Chen Su was clearly thinking more than Chen Jin, but since this guy was the boss and it was a film he starred in, Chen Su had no idea how to refute him.

"That's the arrangement!"

"I'll go and tell Director Wen!"

Chen Jin was used to having absolute power in the electronics industry. Although Chen Su was somewhat resistant, the electronics industry was deeply intertwined with Chen Jin.

It could even be said that Chen Jin's personal influence played a significant role in the rise of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC).

Without him, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) wouldn't even have half of its current profitability.

This is the spiritual totem of the company, and it is because of this that Chen Jin can confidently be a hands-off manager. Anyone with a brain under him understands what Chen Jin means to the company.

"All right!"

I hope both movies will be huge hits!

"Let's talk to the marketing department!"

Chen Su had no choice but to agree in the end, but Chen Jin said, "Call the leaders of the Film Bureau first and reserve the seats!"

"Don't be fooled by the disagreements among the film companies during the meeting; we have no idea what these people are doing behind the scenes!"

"Row!"

Chen Su did not question these words at all.

None of the film companies are good people. It might be too late to call the Film Bureau now. Some people are two-faced. But the film "Grandma" is different. The Film Bureau will definitely take it seriously.

Just the fact that Chen Jin is the lead actress is enough to make the Film Bureau take notice.

They might say they're missing two more films, and other film studios could easily squeeze in five, but films starring Chen Jin would definitely be the first choice.

Chen Su was well aware of this.

In other words, whenever Chen Jin's film is announced for the Spring Festival season, all other movies have to give way.

This is Chen Jin's golden brand, and also the reason why CETC has risen so quickly.

The individual attributes are just too strong.

Meanwhile, Wen Muye was making minor adjustments to the post-production of "Grandma's Grandson".

He is a perfectionist, and since this is his debut film, he has extremely high standards for the movie.

Since filming wrapped up in June of this year, Wen Muye has spent almost half a year reviewing the film's shortcomings and details, striving to polish it to a level that satisfies him.

As his teacher and the producer of "Grandma," Tian Zhuangzhuang worked with him on the post-production of the film.

For the past month, I've been watching or attending internal screenings at the Beijing Film Academy to identify areas where films need improvement.

"Chen Jin, that kid, he's really good at acting!"

Although Tian Zhuangzhuang has watched the edited version of the movie "Grandma" no less than five times, every time he watches it, he feels that Chen Jin's portrayal of the grandson in the script is particularly strong in terms of the contrast between his earlier and later performances.

The first time he watched it, he saw the roughest, most basic cut, which contained more of Chen Jin's storyline.

The second take was a fragmented editing process, but Chen Jin in every shot exuded a youthful charm.

Now, after watching it again with Wen Muye, I can't help but sigh in admiration.

"Brother Jin truly contributed all the emotional transitions in this movie!"

"But Ms. Wu's maternal grandmother was very sensitive; the unfolding of emotions was driven by her!"

Wen Muye is very fortunate that he was able to find such a good group of actors for his debut film. Without Chen Jin and Dianke, he would definitely not have been able to realize his dream of becoming a director.

For a director, especially a new director, the biggest headache is dealing with actors.

Even if a famous actor comes to persuade you, you can only get them to cooperate through personal connections.

Chen Jin is the most reliable partner.

Has Chen Jin given you any information?

Tian Zhuangzhuang stood to the side, smoking a cigarette, and asked his beloved disciple a question.

"Not yet. He said he'd have Director Zhang contact Berlin. It should be soon, right?"

"Once he confirms, I can send the film to Berlin!"

Wen Muye is quite satisfied with the current version of "Grandma," and the screening at the Beijing Film Academy's directing department also received a very good response.

Tian Zhuangzhuang exclaimed that he had never made such an emotionally rich film in his life.

"I'll ask you to wait in Venice. I really don't have any connections in Berlin, so I'll have to rely on a plan!"

"Venice, I can assure you you'll definitely be shortlisted!"

Tian Zhuangzhuang glanced at his student; this kid was much more stubborn than he had imagined. Actually, Wen Muye was just impatient.

As a contracted director with China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), he should be the third after Guo Fan and Zhang Yimou.

He felt he couldn't compare to Fan Zi, whose first film almost broke film history records, and whose second film made him the new king of the domestic film industry; as for Zhang Yimou, needless to say.

Therefore, Wen Muye was under a lot of pressure.

Chen Jin trusted him so much, so of course he wanted to achieve something to prove himself to him as soon as possible.

There are other directors signed by CETC in the past two years, all of whom were signed after him, but they have already filmed and released their works. For example, Tian Yusheng, and Xue Xiaolu, a senior from Beijing Film Academy, have achieved very good results with their films "Love is Not Blind 3" and "American Dreams in China" during the Double Eleven and Lunar New Year periods.

This not only proves Chen Jin's unique vision, but also marks her complete breakthrough in the directing world.

Joining CETC was, in Wen Muye's opinion, the wisest decision he had ever made. Seeing the growing influence of this film company in China, he knew that if he failed despite having such a strong background, he would be the one in the most awkward position.

The key point is that he actually looks down on Tien Yu-sheng quite a bit. He took some time to watch "Love is Not Blind 3" and found that it was really not on the same level as the first two movies starring Chen Jin.

But they still managed to achieve nearly 17 billion yuan in box office revenue by relying on the Double Eleven event created by China Electronics Technology Group Corporation.

Wen Muye knew that his own film, "Grandma," was unlikely to receive that much money; if the box office didn't work out, he would try his luck at film festivals and at least win an award.

Wen Muye obviously can't wait that long, having to wait until Venice next August. He's still young, and maybe after being shortlisted for Berlin, he'll have another film competing in Venice next year, which will be a completely different story.

With his experience in Berlin and the recommendation of his teacher Tian Zhuangzhuang, he might be able to achieve even greater success in Venice.

Wen Muye obviously couldn't tell Tian Zhuangzhuang about such pressure and ambition, nor could he support it.

The older generation of directors still place more importance on personal connections and networks.

The ideal and perfect state is to find acquaintances to make a movie, spend a year or five years making it, and then win an award at a film festival you have connections in.

Tian Zhuangzhuang did the same thing before, and Zhang Yimou did the same thing in the new millennium.

But Wen Muye still wanted to test his own abilities.

buzzing-

The cell phone on the table next to them suddenly rang; it was Wen Muye's phone.

"Chen Jin?"

Wen Muye walked over, picked up his phone, and looked at the number that appeared on the caller ID. For some reason, his heart started beating faster.

He sensed it was a notification about Berlin, as Chen Jin had specifically called him.

"Brother Jin!"

Wen Muye answered the phone with a smile, while Tian Zhuangzhuang beside him also composed himself.

"Brother Wen, what are you doing? Doing post-production?"

Chen Jin exchanged pleasantries, while Wen Muye said calmly, "I was just talking to Teacher Tian about you. The movie is almost finished. If we make any more changes, I'm afraid it will only get worse!"

"Haha, that's true, trust your first instinct!"

"Oh, I see. Director Zhang has already spoken with the organizers in Berlin. As long as the film is okay, getting nominated shouldn't be a problem. Just send the film over. Director Zhang has already told them about your situation and the film!"

"Great!"

This was truly good news, and Wen Muye's previous gloom vanished: "Thank you so much, Brother Jin, really, thank you so much!"

"Please thank Director Zhang for me too. I'll treat you another day!"

Zhang Yimou's phone number hasn't reached Wen Muye yet.

"No problem, I'll take care of it!"

Chen Jin smiled and said, "But this time, it's about something else!"

"I want 'Grandma' to be released simultaneously in China and Berlin. I checked the schedule, and this year Berlin is during the Spring Festival, with the opening ceremony on the 7th. We've set the premiere for the 10th, which is the first day of the Lunar New Year in China!"

"What do you think?"

Chen Jin sought Wen Muye's opinion; after all, he was a film director and certainly had the right to know.

Whether or not to listen is another matter entirely.

"Spring Festival?"

Wen Muye only heard about the film's release during the Spring Festival; everything else... he seemed to have naturally overlooked.

"Yes, it's Chinese New Year, and it's the same time in Berlin too!"

"Is this... okay?"

You can definitely get Wen Muye to make a movie, but he really doesn't know about the scheduling.

He only knew that last year during the Spring Festival, Director Zhang's film seemed to have broken domestic film history records, which showed that there was still a large audience during the Spring Festival.

"of course can!"

"I believe in your abilities, even though I haven't seen them yet!"

"Okay, then let's go for the Spring Festival!"

Wen Muye was a decisive person; since Chen Jin said so, he would do it!

Tian Zhuangzhuang, standing to the side, glanced at his student with surprise. This kid... so decisive?!

Just a couple of days ago I was worrying about the movie's release and nominations, and now... everything's settled?
(End of this chapter)