Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 629 Creating a 'Crazy IP' to Become the King of the Spring Festival Film Season! Jing Tian Xiao Shuang?

"This is also a series of IPs!"

"Huh? Boss, this IP address is..."

"Crazy IP".

"Isn't this...isn't this a bit far-fetched?"

Why don't you have confidence?

"It's fine for us to talk about this amongst ourselves, but is it okay to spread this outside?"

"What's wrong with that? It's a crazy IP, we can just use that brand name outside!"

"Okay, okay, you decide, but could you..."

"There's no such thing as 'can't' or 'can't'!"

Ma Xun is now going all out, transforming into a domineering CEO.

Ning Hao is actually quite a famous director now, but he's still a bit too daring in some ways.

Ma Xun had to give him a push.

IP is not actually that essential.

But things are different now. Given the current situation, we have to make this IP work.

Simply put, Ma Xun already had a plan when he met with Han Sanping, Huang Baiming, and the others.

"All's Well, Ends Well 2009" is clearly going to leverage this IP, but that's fine, ours is also an IP.

Although, there was only one movie before, "Crazy Stone".

Now we're going to have Ning Hao promote this IP address outside, but he seems a bit hesitant.

"No, what's there to be afraid of, you're a grown man?"

"Boss, it's not that I'm scared, it's just that..."

Ning Hao was clearly a little embarrassed.

Ma Xun knew he had to help Ning Hao resolve his ideological issues, so he decided to be decisive.

"Then let me ask you."... What's this sentence?
"Okay," he replied.

"Is this all you're planning to make? What are you planning to do next? Don't you want to make a trilogy for this crazy IP?"

Wow, that's a great question.

Ning Hao's eyes lit up when he heard that.

"Of course we're going to make a third one!"

See, that's how this topic came up.

Ma Xun doesn't really like forcing his subordinates to do things... he prefers to fool them, right?

"See! You should shout it out now: 'Crazy IP!'"

"That's right! Boss, you have such great foresight!"

"So, what are you planning to make for the third crazy movie?"

"Well...we have an idea."

"what idea?"

"How about making a film about aliens?"

"what?"

Goodness, Ma Xun was trying to fool Ning Hao, but now it seems like the tables have turned.

However, Ma Xun had heard about this matter before.

Many people may not know that the "Crazy Alien" project was one of the earliest projects undertaken by Ning Hao and his team.

They probably started making this after they finished filming "No Man's Land".

However, something happened later that caused the "Crazy Alien" project to fall behind.

He is Yue Xiaojun, one of the three bumbling thieves in "Crazy Stone" and also the screenwriter of the film. He is divorced.

Those who frequently travel through time should immediately understand what I mean.

That project is "Breakup Buddies".

The character Huang Bo played in the film was actually Yue Xiaojun.

What about Xu Guangtou?
That's right, he was actually playing Ning Hao.

The original story of "Breakup Buddies" was that Ning Hao accompanied Yue Xiaojun as they drove towards that destination, and all the girls they encountered along the way were lesbians.

This isn't something Ma Xun made up; Ning Hao said it himself during an interview.

In the end, they even gave him a nice ending: Yue Xiaojun found a new relationship.

The ending is actually quite abrupt, but it's not hard to understand if you know the background of the movie.

The man who got married in the movie was Yue Xiaojun, and Huang Bo, who played him in the movie, also found a new romance.

It was a pretty funny ending.

Oh dear, that movie just came to mind.

Ma Xun brought the conversation back to the present, "Crazy Alien? No, what were you thinking?"

Ning Hao scratched his head and chuckled, saying, "Actually, we have another idea, which is that we plan to shoot a road movie."

"Huh?" Ma Xun was taken aback.

Ning Hao then said, "We think the project you were working on, 'Returning to One's Roots,' was very good."

Good heavens, so that's where it is.

Ma Xun then said, "Then tell me about it."

"So, there's this guy who's not a good person. He drove to a deserted stretch of road, about 500 kilometers away, with no village or shop in sight, and then he ran into... well, nobody's a good person, and all sorts of weird things happened..."

"Wait, wait, this sounds like an American movie to me."

"Hey! Boss, you're amazing! You even guessed that? It's that 'U-Turn'..."

Good grief, as expected, this guy is going to copy again.

Ma Xun couldn't help but rub his temples.

The movie "U-Turn" is really dark; overall, there isn't a single good guy in it.

But stories like this, once filmed, can be really captivating.

Of course, the story itself has some good coincidences and logic, such as the fact that in the end, the guy who looks like a fool solves the big problem.

If designed well, it can indeed be quite fun.

However, Ning Hao's decision to copy the work inevitably led to accusations of plagiarism.

They look so alike!

Every car repair shop has a story, and every repair shop has a fool.

But now, plagiarism is not an issue for Ma Xun.

As an investor, he can't encourage this kind of thing, but he can offer some guidance or simply resolve the issue.

"Why don't you contact the copyright holder of this movie? We can just buy the rights and then make our own. It probably won't cost much."

This is one approach.

Ning Hao was very grateful to hear this, but then he thought about the copyright issue...

"Boss, when it comes to spending money, I think you should invest it in me instead."

"Oh? You mean..." Ma Xun deliberately left his sentence unfinished, waiting for Ning Hao to respond.

"I'll revise it properly, boss, so please give me more investment. After all, for you, making a movie is just a small matter, right..."

Listen to what this guy is saying, he's making Ma Xun... well, Ma Xun is quite comfortable.

"Okay! I'll do as you say, but you have to make it more positive. I've seen that 'U-Turn' movie; it's incredibly vulgar and violent. Here we are..."

"Boss, I understand."

Ning Hao patted his chest confidently.

Ma Xun's comment about buying the copyright was actually intentional, meant to provoke Ning Hao.

Ning Hao also understood Ma Xun's meaning very well.

However, Ma Xun has another meaning.

"Since that's the case, the next movie is already decided. Are you preparing 'Crazy Alien'?"

"The script hasn't been finalized yet."

"Then why don't we just copy it first?"

"Hehe..." Ning Hao's laugh was really wicked.

Ma Xun continued, "In that case, how about calling it 'A Crazy Journey'? Or 'A Crazy No Man's Land'? Or 'A Crazy…'"

Yes! How did we build this amazing IP?

It's just a matter of making more movies!
Currently, we only have one movie showing, "Crazy Stone".

So, let's start with this year's Spring Festival film season.

After "Crazy Racer" was released, they immediately announced "Crazy No Man's Land" and other similar films.

In this way, an IP series was naturally formed.

Although, our third movie hasn't even been made yet.

However, by doing this, the advantages of Huang Baiming's "All's Well, Ends Well" series can be eliminated one by one!
You guys have a film series, and so do we. It's just that you guys definitely have an added element of nostalgia.

But our newness represents the future.

In addition, "Crazy Stone" has accumulated a considerable fan base.

Therefore, in this next battle... I, Ma Xun, must win big!

Ma Xun certainly knew that "Crazy Racer" would beat "All's Well, Ends Well".

That's how it is in the original timeline, and from the perspective of film quality and many other aspects, we are bound to win.

However, it is precisely because of this foundation that Ma Xun wants to win even more thoroughly.

And don't forget about the scheduling issues from before.

Han Sanping's meaning is very clear, whether it's for the benefit of Hong Kong filmmakers or for other reasons.

The Lunar New Year film season will gradually shift to the Spring Festival film season, and this change is unstoppable!
For many people, this is a disaster.

Take Feng Xiaogang, for example. He was once known as the king of the Lunar New Year film season, but now it's extremely difficult for any of his films to break the 1 billion yuan mark.

If you're the king of the Lunar New Year film season, then go for the Lunar New Year film season!

This historic Spring Festival film season has no place for you!

Of course, Feng Xiaogang did indeed make a pretty bad film ten years later.

But there's no denying that times have changed!

But what about Ma Xun?
This might be an opportunity!
He was already the king of the summer box office, but he was just the best domestic film in the summer season.

Ma Xun was well aware of just how important the Spring Festival film season would be.

Therefore, his goal now is to become the king of the Spring Festival film season!

And so...

"Haozi".

"Boss, please speak."

Ma Xun suddenly became serious.

"When we promote this time, we must be strong enough. We need to not only promote the Crazy IP brand, but also promote the Spring Festival film season brand."

"Huh? The Spring Festival film season?"

Clearly, Ning Hao had no concept of the Spring Festival film season; he only knew that he had been given this slot by his superiors.

"That's right! You might as well tell the movie fans, let's make a deal for the Spring Festival release. This year, we'll release 'Crazy Racer,' and next year it'll be 'Crazy No Man's Land' or whatever!"

"This...this is an agreement?"

"It has to be agreed! You'd better finish filming the movie in the first half of this year, and then I guarantee you can get it released during next year's Spring Festival."

Ma Xun's words were very powerful!
"Boss! No problem!"

Ning Hao's expression also changed.

Let's get started!

Ma Xun also has his sights set on the crown of the king of the Spring Festival film season!
……

The Spring Festival in 2009 falls on the 26th, so the best release date would be the 22nd.

Since the 23rd is a Friday, some decent companies actually don't have such strict requirements for clocking in and out starting from that day.

So, the premiere was on the 22nd, and it officially met the people of the whole country on the 23rd.

This is definitely the best choice for Crazy Racer.

but!

The same idea was behind "All's Well, Ends Well 2009"!
That's right, the two movies are basically released simultaneously this time.

Interestingly, "All's Well, Ends Well 2009" will also be released simultaneously in Hong Kong.

That's right, they have a lot of celebrities, but they have to travel between the two places.

Ma Xun and Ning Hao still have a good chance.

These two films then launched a fierce promotional battle in Beijing!

I need the bus stop near the Red Mansion Cinema!

"What? It's been sold to someone else? Then we'll offer an even higher price!"

"And take over several bus stops in Fangshan as well!"

Goodness, even just an advertising board at a bus stop is being fought over.

Online, a "Spring Festival film season" craze has also emerged.

However, it is important to understand one thing: as of now, we do not actually have the concept of a real Spring Festival film season.

Therefore, the first step is to establish the concept!

What? No gifts for the holidays this year?

"Going to the movies during a holiday? What kind of advertising slogan is that?"

"No, what I saw was what CCTV-6 said."

"It's not just on CCTV-6, it's also on the internet."

They even changed the advertising slogan "No gifts during holidays"?
Wow! That's really something!

However, netizens are quite interesting; for some reason, they have developed a strong interest in this year's Spring Festival film battle.

"No, do people actually go to the movies during the Spring Festival?"

"Actually, it has always existed, but there are relatively few people."

"But why create such a specific time slot?"

"First of all, let me share some basic knowledge with you. The Lunar New Year film season originated in Hong Kong, and what they call the Lunar New Year film season is actually the Spring Festival season. The timing is different in mainland China than in Hong Kong."

"So, this time we're cooperating with Hong Kong?"

"maybe."

Netizens are discussing it heatedly, and the atmosphere has really taken off.

Therefore, the film's promotion must also keep up.

"I think 'All's Well, Ends Well 2009' is better!"

“I saw Louis Koo in it; this is a completely new lineup.”

"Although Louis Koo may not be as good as Stephen Chow or Leslie Cheung, he's still pretty good."

To be fair, despite that laptop repair incident, Hong Kong stars still have a certain aura about them.

At least Louis Koo is still very popular.

However... many people didn't actually understand the 'little problem' of the male lead played by Louis Koo in "All's Well, Ends Well 2009".

What is the male protagonist's name?

Cao Dike.

From a Chinese perspective, this doesn't seem like a big deal.

But this is clearly not a proper Chinese name.

Dick, don't you understand?

Anyway, anyone who understands English, especially American English, should be able to understand it.

Dick belongs to Kunkun.

Then they added the character "Cao".

Yes, that's right, this is actually a combination of Chinese and Western vulgar jokes.

However, this combination of Chinese and Western styles really has that Hong Kong flavor.

They like to mix Chinese and English over there, right?

Anyone who has been to Hong Kong will understand.

but!

How many people in mainland China would understand this joke?

If names are used to make this kind of joke, what about other places?

That's right. Actually, you don't even need to watch "All's Well, Ends Well 2009"; you can already tell just by looking at these superficial designs.

Most likely, it's due to acclimatization issues.

In other words, the real battle hasn't even started yet, but Huang Baiming's side is already showing signs of defeat?
……

Ma Xun was very busy before the Chinese New Year.

This comparison is quite intense.

Both Jia Yueting and Huang Baiming seemed to be going all out.

At this critical juncture, he unexpectedly received a text message.

Jing Tian asked to meet him at a coffee shop.

Is it itchy again?

Never mind, I'll go see them anyway.

Unexpectedly, upon Ma Xun's arrival, he saw...

"Mr. Ma, we meet again." Xiao Shuang was quite enthusiastic.
But Jing Tian was right next to her.

(End of this chapter)