Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 47 :%? I can't teach you how to do marketing for nothing!
I asked my mother why people in the mountains live in the mountains.

What did your mother say?
My mother said that people from the mountains live in the mountains, just like putting their feet in shoes, it’s comfortable.

The deal was done, but Ma Xun was not in a hurry to leave Hunan.

Instead, he followed Kang Jianmin to the countryside.

Saw the green mountains.

Clear river.

There is an arch bridge over the river.

Come to the arch bridge.

These few lines of conversation appeared in Ma Xun’s mind.

This is the conversation between the son and the father in the movie.

The name of this family is not given in "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog".

There is only: father, mother, and son.

Interestingly, the dog had a name.

The second one.

"Mr. Ma, the scenery here is beautiful, isn't it?"

Kang Jianmin didn't say much before. He only said this after Ma Xun had seen many beautiful scenery.

Ma Xun nodded. He couldn't help but ask, "Why did Director Kang insist on making this movie?"

It is indeed strange to ask this question now.

But, in the current situation, it is very reasonable.

Kang Jianmin had just become the director of Xiaoxiang Factory, and he knew the current situation of the factory.

It wouldn't be surprising if it goes bankrupt one day.

When Ma found him before, he got straight to the point.

"I invested in this movie for a project of Director Ouyang..."

Kang Jianmin did not hesitate or drag his feet.

"Ouyang is my old friend. We used to be colleagues in the cultural department. Leave it to me."

Of course, Ma Xun also opened the door more.

Directly showed his strength.

A check for six million, one million as start-up capital, and subsequent funds can be negotiated later.

In fact, just having that one million in start-up capital is enough.

Kang Jianmin still has some ambitions. After all, Xiaoxiang Factory is a large domestic factory.

Our factory has to pay at least one million.

Thinking about getting more money.

In other words, there are now two million in funds.

"That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" can be filmed now!
Now, Ma Xun asked why he had to shoot...

Kang Jianmin smiled and pointed at the distant mountains. "Mr. Ma, look at this beautiful scenery, isn't it?"

"beautiful."

"It's not the most beautiful time yet. When summer comes, the mountains will be even greener, like emerald green."

When Kang Jianmin said this, his face was full of smiles.

"It would be great to feature these beautiful mountains and rivers of Hunan in a movie."

Is this the reason why he insisted on doing this project?

Ma Xun laughed after hearing this. "Director Kang, what you said is very good, but it gives me the feeling that your factory will go bankrupt tomorrow."

After hearing this, Kang Jianmin burst into laughter.

"Maybe not, maybe, who knows."

There was a hint of bitterness in his words.

The current film market in our mainland is really very depressed.

It is very difficult for old and large factories like Xiaoxiang Factory to operate.

But Ma Xun then changed the subject, "Director Kang, I must ask you a question first."

"Excuse me."

"Do you want this movie to make money or not?"

"Ah?" Kang Jianmin was stunned by the question, but then he immediately said: "Who makes movies to make money?"

Ma Xun knew he would have this reaction, so he immediately pointed out a key point.

"Director Kang, if you really want to make money, then why did you say those words just now?"

Which words?
It would be great if we could capture the beautiful mountains and waters of Hunan in the movie...this sentence?
Kang Jianmin laughed and said, "I said that from the perspective of film art."

This explanation is reasonable.

Dan Ma Xun shook his head. "Director Kang, I completely understand what you mean. But don't you see the problem with you and large state-owned studios like Xiaoxiang?"

Kang Jianmin was stunned. "Mr. Ma, please tell me more."

You have to be polite, the person in front of you is a financial sponsor.

Ma Xun was not polite and said in an aggressive tone: "As the initiator of the film, why do you consider 'art'?
Why don’t you prioritize making money?”

After hearing this, Kang Jianmin was shocked all over.

"Prioritize making money? Is that right?"

Ma Xun said coldly: "So, your Xiaoxiang factory or other factories are currently facing the risk of bankruptcy at any time!"

These words...

Killing someone but also killing your heart? !

Kang Jianmin's forehead was sweating profusely.

But Ma Xun is not done yet.

"I'll ask you again.

If the movie "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" is completed and released, have you considered how to expand the market?

How do you do early market development?
Look at you... Come on, are you anemic? Your face is pale?
Also, Director Kang, have you ever thought about what the selling point of this movie is?
Hey, Director Kang!! "

My goodness, Ma Xun’s words almost made Kang Jianmin faint.

Fortunately, Ma Xun was strong enough to support Director Kang.

But after recovering...

"Mr. Ma, I, I..." I'm so ashamed!

He really didn't think about market development or selling points!
At this time, Ma Xun laughed, "Director Kang, I actually knew from the beginning that you had never considered these issues at all.

And it’s not your fault.”

Kang Jianmin was still a little confused, but inexplicably moved.

The other party seems to understand me very well...

At this moment, Director Kang said sincerely in a tone of humbly seeking advice, "Mr. Ma, I've heard of you before. You're a very resourceful person in Beijing. Please, Mr. Ma, teach me how to make this movie profitable."

At this point, it is exactly what Ma Xun wants!

In fact, factory director-level figures like Kang Jianmin are not isolated cases.

Our Chinese film industry has been in the red for many years.

The entire film market is like Wang Xiaoer, whose New Year celebrations are getting worse every year.

Although, there are still one or two movies every year that are worth mentioning.

But only one or two.

Many people actually think that our movies need to make money.

but!

People like Kang Jianmin are old-school filmmakers within the system.

They are actually in the process of making a movie.

I never thought about making money!

Some people must think this is nonsense.

But this is the fact!

Because in the past, film studios didn’t need to consider how to cater to the audience, how to develop the market, or how to make money.

It has always been like this!
Moreover, when Ma Xun was studying film, there was a very special case to learn.

This case is "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog"!
“Our film is still in the preparation stage, and we will also hold a talent show next.

Filming will have to wait until summer.

As for the release in the future, the earliest it will be released will be the end of this year.

It will most likely be scheduled for next year.

So, this period of time is the time for us to do marketing.”

Ma Xun's words were very logical and touched Kang Jianmin instantly.

"Right, that is it!"

Then, Ma Xun explained the specific methods.

“Since there’s no movie yet, the next thing we can start working on is the original novel.

We should spend a little money to help the original author Peng Jianming build his reputation.

Gather some of his other works and publish a collection of short stories, maybe five or six stories.

Then talk to the bookstore and ask them to put his novel in the most prominent place.

We also need to hold more book signings."

"This this……"

After hearing this, Kang Jianmin felt that his brain was not enough!
"Aren't we making a movie? Why do we need to..."

Yes, why write novels?

Ma Xun held his forehead helplessly and sighed again.

Kang Jianmin was shocked and immediately apologized, "Mr. Ma, I'm really sorry, but we have never done what you said before. It's too advanced!"

Ma Xun had no choice but to use force, "If you don't listen to me, I will withdraw my investment now."

"Listen! Of course I listen!"

You can't withdraw your investment no matter what!

Ma Xun was almost amused by Kang Jianmin's reaction.

In fact, what he just said was the "case" he had learned!
Many people in later generations know that this movie was a huge success in Japan.

However, many people definitely don’t know how the Japanese film producers made this movie a success.

The Japanese bought it but didn't release it immediately.

They were very patient and did a lot of market development.

This is the "method" that Ma Xun just mentioned!
Although "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" did not make any money, it taught us Chinese filmmakers a good lesson.

Japanese film producers are veterans in cultural IP.

They started with the original novel and vigorously promoted the author Peng Jianming.

It will be released at Iwanami Cinema only when the time is right.

In comparison, we Chinese filmmakers had no relevant experience before this.

We really are a blank slate.

But fortunately, we summed up our experience and learned from it.

Kang Jianmin's generation of filmmakers simply don't know how to market.

But when it comes to Ma Xun's generation of filmmakers.

You can learn this "case" directly from the textbook without leaving school.

In other words, these are the pitfalls that our predecessors have encountered.

Our generation can easily jump over it!

Now that Ma Xun is here, he might as well teach Kang Jianmin a lesson.

But I can’t teach you in vain.

"Director Kang."

"Hey, Mr. Ma, what other methods do you have?"

"It's not a trick. It's like this. After all, this is our first time working together, and you've never done this before.

Meaning the risk is huge.

It’s better this way.

You can just use your one million to develop the market as I mentioned.

And when the movie is released, if it loses money.

I will make up for your deficit of one million.

But if this movie makes money and you make a million…"

"Could it be..."

Kang Jianmin was worried that Ma Xun wouldn't take all of them.

It’s okay, Ma Xun is... kind.

"Let's split it 100% and 90% respectively. You're mainly studying this time, so if you take 10% you can still learn something. Isn't that great?"

Good guy!
Kang Jianmin almost fainted just now, and now he felt his eyes go dark.

I almost fell into the river.

I used to think that Ma Xun was a very good person who took the initiative to teach me how to do marketing.

But now...you are really dark!

But, is there any other choice?
"Mr. Ma, I'll listen to you!"

Ma Xun looked at Kang Jianmin with gritted teeth, but he didn't care at all.

"Director Kang, you will definitely thank me later."

The two of them shook hands on this bridge.

　Thank you for your support! Thank you!
　　Well, there is indeed a problem with my mobile phone system, so it is difficult for me to reply to everyone’s comments at the moment. Please understand. I will read them all. Thank you everyone.

　　In addition, this movie is indeed a case study that really taught many people how to operate a cultural product. Please read it, thank you very much.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)