I'm just trying to ride the wave of popularity!

Chapter 251 Sweeping North America
In 2004, the Hollywood horror film market was experiencing a strange slump.

Major studios are keen on remaking classic Japanese films or throwing money at B-movies filled with CGI monsters.

Audiences are already tired of the same old sudden scare tactics; there are more yawns than screams in the theater...

Just when North American moviegoers thought the 2004 horror film market was destined to end in a dull flop...

A rusty hacksaw suddenly appeared out of nowhere, brutally tearing apart the lifeless market!

The sudden appearance of "Saw" was like the "corpse" in the film that suddenly sat up from the pool of blood, startling countless people!
This is a typical "three-no" movie (no budget, no production value, no quality certification)...

Low cost, no celebrities, no publicity.

The executives at the distribution company, Paimon Pictures, had almost no expectations for this film, and its premiere screenings were drastically reduced!
With only 320 theaters across North America, it's not even as good as independent films by third-rate directors.

Theater managers generally believe that this is a "cheap blood and gore film" and is not worth showing widely; some theaters even only schedule midnight screenings.

but.

The day after the premiere.

One after another, excited viewers brought their friends and spontaneously came to the theater for a second viewing...

The following evening, the name "Saw" began appearing on Rotten Tomatoes, an American movie forum.

Initially, a small group of movie fans were excitedly recommending the film's plot, claiming it was the "most chilling film in terms of narrative trickery" since 2000.

Gradually, more and more horror movie enthusiasts began to become curious about this film...

Day three...

On Rotten Tomatoes forums, more and more film fans began to discuss the details frantically, creating a "word-of-mouth" effect...

Day ...

This ordinary movie achieved an astonishing occupancy rate of around 80%!

Day ...

……

After the first week, countless theater managers in North America were stunned!

This movie, which they underestimated, raked in a whopping $700 million at the box office in its opening week, debuting at number five on the North American box office chart!

In the horror genre, it ranked second only to "The Bizarre Night" and "Pokémon Psycho Cube" during the same period!
Even more alarming is that the film's occupancy rate approached an astonishing 90%, and the market's response to the film exceeded everyone's expectations. On Rotten Tomatoes, it even went viral, with comments saying "must watch twice"...

The first week has ended.

The long-silent movie theater was finally filled with screams and applause once again.

This "three-no film" that everyone looked down on stirred up a bloody storm in the North American film market!
Moviegoers who had long been disillusioned with the horror film market erupted in unprecedented fervor!
This fervor spread like wildfire, instantly igniting the stagnant North American horror film market.

The switchboard of Paimon Pictures kept ringing, with emergency calls from major cinema chains pouring in like a tidal wave.

Those film distributors who once scoffed at the industry are now all scrambling for screening rights with bloodshot eyes!
With the market frenzy and the adoration of countless movie fans!

In the second week, the film schedule was completely rewritten!

The number of companies has surged from 320 to 1800!
……

After seeing Saw's $1800 million box office in its second week...

Mark from Paimon Pictures was stunned!
No one could have imagined that this movie, which was looked down upon by everyone, would carve out a bloody path in such a brutal way!
It created...

An unprecedented box office miracle!
Next!

He dialed the number immediately!

"Zhou! When are you going to film the second season?!"

..........................................

China Film Headquarters.

Sunlight streamed in through the window.

The conference room fell into silence again.

Chen Kai took a deep breath, his whole body trembled slightly uncontrollably, and he looked at Zhou Yang as if he had seen a ghost!

Since the millennium, he has frequently visited major Hollywood studios, attempting to acquire resources to open up the North American market.

However, he repeatedly failed, and the North American market, in a sense, became a major concern for him.

And at this moment...

Liang Xiaogang put down the teacup he had picked up, staring at Zhou Yang with a shocked expression!

Li Zhengtao's phone also vibrated slightly. He subconsciously looked at the text message in the movie, and a look of shock flashed across his face!
Immediately after seeing the message above, I was slightly startled.

This number even surpasses the North American box office of "Qin".

Zhang Changlong tapped the table lightly, his voice exceptionally clear in the frozen air: "Meeting begins!"

But now, the conference room fell into a deathly silence once again. Everyone felt as if they were having a hazy, unreal dream!
"North America," "half a month," "$2500 million in box office!" These terms felt incredibly foreign to them, as if they shouldn't have been there at all.

As Chen Li looked at everyone and started the discussion on "Domestic Film Protection Month," the words "Domestic Film Protection Month" appeared on the projected screen not far away.

These veteran directors, who once dominated the film industry, have finally awakened from their daze.

Someone took a deep breath.

Although they still found it incredible, and even had doubts in their hearts.

But at that moment they realized that the young man in front of them was wearing glasses.

This time, returning from Hollywood, they have torn a hole in the power landscape of Chinese cinema with the most forceful attitude.

Then, officially join the table of this game and sit on equal footing with them!

About several tens of seconds later.

The atmosphere in the meeting room gradually returned to normal, but a subtle tension still lingered in the air.

Zhang Changlong cleared his throat, steer the discussion back on track: "What suggestions do you have regarding the specific implementation plan for the 'Domestic Film Protection Month'?"

Chen Kai suppressed his shock, stopped looking at Zhou Yang, and returned to normal.

He spoke first: "I think it should be fixed in July and August each year, during which all imported films should be banned from release, giving domestic films at least a 60-day buffer period."

His voice regained its usual composure, as if the conflict had never happened.

Liang Xiaogang immediately added: "We also need to limit the proportion of screenings! Hollywood films generally have a screening rate of over 70% during the summer season, which is blatant dumping! I propose that during the protection month, the screening rate of domestic films should not be less than 80%."

After listening, Li Zhengtao nodded and looked at everyone: "Protecting release dates is only a temporary solution. The key is to establish a supporting fund, such as a 10% tax rebate for domestic films that gross over 100 million yuan, or a series of other incentive measures. With incentives, the market will flourish..."

The discussion gradually heated up, with the directors offering their proposals one after another.

Some have suggested establishing a "Domestic Film Screening Week," others have advocated increasing the revenue share of imported films, and still others have proposed forming a "Domestic Film Alliance."

Zhang Changlong listened attentively, instructing Chen Li to write down all the directors' suggestions and to discuss their feasibility in his mind.

During that time, he glanced at Zhou Yang.

Zhou Yang, who had just been so sharp and assertive, was now unusually low-key, like an outsider, just listening silently without saying a word.

Zhou Yang's silence made Zhang Changlong feel slightly strange, but he did not show it.

About half an hour later, the sky outside the window was completely dark.

Night is falling!

“Alright then.” After listening to all the suggestions, Zhang Changlong nodded. “Let’s try it for a year first. The protection month will be set for July and August, as you all suggested. During this period, Hollywood blockbusters and imported films are generally discouraged from being released. We will discuss this with the theaters. However, the two months of screenings during the protection month are limited, and the number of domestic films released is also limited. I believe you all understand this, and your companies should also understand this. So, what are your screening plans for the films to be released during next year’s ‘Domestic Film Protection Month’? We’ll prepare in advance!”

As soon as Zhang Changlong finished speaking...

Chen Kai, having stubbed out his third cigarette, tapped the butt in the swirling smoke and said, "My company, Tianyu Media, has two big films scheduled for release during the pandemic's special release month next year... Besides that, I personally have a film with an investment of nearly 1.5 million RMB..."

“You’re taking three movies? Are you kidding me, Lao Chen? That’s not fair.” Liang Xiaogang suddenly interrupted, pulling a stack of storyboards from his briefcase. “Our [Huashang Brothers] film ‘The Banquet’ has already been greenlit, and I’m personally in charge of the production. The film is currently in post-production… You’ve taken three movies at once. Haven’t you snatched all the resources? We [Huashang Brothers] still have several films left…”

Li Zhengtao glanced at the crowd arguing heatedly, then noticed out of the corner of his eye that Zhou Yang was still sitting there, as if watching a good show.

"Everyone!" Chen Kesen suddenly raised his voice, "The protection month only lasts two months. At this rate, the films submitted by each company will be booked until the year after next! I propose allocating quotas according to investment scale, with priority given to projects over 2 million... and priority given to domestic blockbusters..."

"Bullshit!" Just then, another director suddenly stood up and slammed his fist on the table. "Wouldn't that make it a game for the five major companies? How would the other small and medium-sized companies survive?"

Just at this moment...

The argument grew increasingly heated, with some bringing up old grievances and others citing policy documents, turning the meeting room into a chaotic marketplace.

The directors who had once united against Zhou Yang are now arguing fiercely.

Just at this time……

Zhang Changlong frowned and looked at Zhou Yang, who had remained silent: "Director Zhou, what are your plans at [Xuan Shi Entertainment]?"

In an instant, all sound ceased.

More than thirty pairs of eyes stared at the corner.

The young man who sat there silently the whole time.

This young man is so quiet!

It's so quiet that it's a bit eerie!
If he hadn't actually been there, everyone would have completely forgotten about this "troublemaker."

this moment!
Even Chen Kai felt a slight tightness deep inside!
This guy, who just returned from Hollywood, is riding high. He's probably going to take a big bite out of the meat on the table during this "Domestic Film Protection Month"!
“We don’t have any plans for the time being…” He narrowed his eyes, scanning everyone before finally fixing his gaze on Zhang Changlong: “Since everyone is so afraid of Hollywood movies, I don’t know what to say…”

"Actually, the 'Domestic Film Protection Month' is no big deal to me. I own cinema chains and distribution companies. Hollywood films are already monopolized by the five major studios, so I can't get much distribution rights anyway..."

"Alright, let's give all the domestic film protection month slots to your blockbusters. Give me the other half of the slots outside of the domestic film protection month, especially the slots with Hollywood blockbusters!"

Zhou Yang's voice was soft, yet each word was clear and penetrating. He pushed up his glasses and smiled, "I'm here to take on Hollywood!"

(End of this chapter)