Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 386: The Hidden Meaning, A Comeback
"Painted Skin" dominated the box office during the National Day holiday.

The National Day holiday, which was not particularly hot to begin with, has attracted the attention of many production companies due to the box office performance of "Painted Skin".

With fame comes controversy, and sarcastic remarks begin to surface behind the scenes.

Ning Hao is very good at subtlety; through his studio, he issued an official statement that subtly mocked some people behind the scenes.

The statement reads:

"Director Ning Hao and Ning Hao Studio are currently operating as completely independent entities and have not signed any long-term binding agreements with any film and television companies."

Throughout the project, we are always willing to work with outstanding companies that truly value creation, respect directors, and have a sense of industry responsibility to create high-quality works.

We are grateful to our colleagues and partners who have supported us during critical times. Especially in the early stages of the "Crazy Stone" project, Starry Night Pictures and China Film Group provided practical support and full trust during the film's most difficult period, a truly timely and invaluable assistance that we are deeply grateful for.”

Ning Hao's statement is considered very interesting in the industry, and can be called a classic example of profound meaning.

On the surface, the statement clarified Ning Hao's relationship with Starry Night Pictures, claiming that he was not affiliated with them. However, it is widely known in the industry that Ning Hao's studio and Starry Night Pictures have a close relationship.

The phrase "no contract binding" is clearly a veiled criticism of the rumors circulating in the industry that Starry Night Pictures has three directors with earnings exceeding 100 million yuan. The mention of "willing to cooperate with excellent companies" is an even more sarcastic jab at companies that are "not good enough."

The statement's concluding phrase, "offering timely help," directly satirizes companies that are only willing to add to someone's success but unwilling to help those in distress.

"Haha, your statement is really well-written!"

After seeing the statement, Wu Chen couldn't help but laugh and called Ning Hao.

Ning Hao, on the other end of the phone, was quite proud of his masterpiece: "I thought about it for a while before putting pen to paper. Although everyone's just making sarcastic remarks and there's no real harm done, if you're not available, I'll do it."

In reality, these sarcastic remarks from industry insiders have absolutely no real impact on Starry Night Pictures.

After all, the most important thing for production companies is the content, followed by distribution and theaters.

Fortunately, Xingchen has all of these advantages.

Even the theater chains wouldn't be involved at all.

There were many jokes about it in mainland China. Many people saw that the sour grapes did not affect Starry Night Pictures at all. In fact, after being ridiculed by the industry, they had no choice but to give up.

As October arrives, the popularity of "Painted Skin" remains undiminished.

The film didn't receive top-tier reviews; some praised it while others criticized it. However, this didn't stop its strong commercial performance.

In just 15 and a half days since its release, the film has easily surpassed the 2 million yuan mark at the box office, becoming the sixth domestic blockbuster to break the 2 million yuan mark since box office statistics began in mainland China.

This speed is slightly slower than the 11 days for "Red Cliff" and the 15 days for "Curse of the Golden Flower".

A celebratory banquet was naturally imminent, and Ren Zhonglun took the lead in proposing that the Shanghai Film Group should hold a grand and special event.

Han Sanping can only watch helplessly for now, and can only wait for the release of "The Martian".

On the evening of October 15th, Shanghai Film Group meticulously organized a grand celebration banquet in Beijing.

On the giant ice block pushed onto the main stage, the dazzling number "2.2 million" was particularly eye-catching.

Lu Yang went from being a "director with a budget of 100 million yuan" to a "director with a budget of 200 million yuan" overnight. The lead actors, including Huang Xiaoming and Zhou Xun, also saw their popularity rise, and the media flocked to interview them.

"Director Lu, what do you think is the most important thing for becoming a director with a net worth of hundreds of millions?" the reporters asked eagerly.

Lu Yang was slightly taken aback, then answered without hesitation, "The most important thing is meeting a benefactor. Without Director Wu Chen's support, I wouldn't be where I am today."

These words were met with enthusiastic applause and cheers. Wu Chen, who was chatting with Han Sanping, Ren Zhonglun, Yang Hongtao, and others in the audience, was drawn to the sudden applause. Someone next to him whispered something to Wu Chen, who immediately responded with a smile:

"Director Lu's ability is also crucial. No matter how much support Starry Night Pictures provides, they can't create a director with a hundred million yuan in revenue out of thin air."

"Well, in my opinion, this is like a talent scout and a thoroughbred horse. Director Wu is the talent scout, and Director Lu is the thoroughbred horse. Of course, Director Lu is a thoroughbred horse now, and he may be the talent scout in the future."

Ren Zhonglun is very good at livening up the atmosphere; he casually made a remark that caused a burst of laughter from those around him.

On stage, the main cast was celebrating by smashing ice blocks, while Han Sanping, sitting in the audience, seemed lost in thought and said to Wu Chen and the others:
"Looking at it this way, the National Day holiday box office really has potential. The box office performance of 'Painted Skin' proves that the National Day holiday period can definitely handle 200 million or even 300 million yuan in box office revenue, and the margin for error is quite high."

Ren Zhonglun was clearly also thinking.

"What, Mr. Han, do you have a big film planned for release in this time slot next year?"

"Releasing 'The Founding of a Republic' for the Lunar New Year is too late, and releasing it during the summer vacation is too early. So, the National Day holiday seems perfect."

Although filming hasn't started yet, Han Sanping takes this movie very seriously and has already begun thinking about the release date.

“It’s feasible,” Wu Chen affirmed first.

Just as the group was discussing in hushed tones, another uproar erupted in the room as the ice block was completely shattered. Lu Yang and the lead actors excitedly raised their glasses in celebration.

Yang Hongtao finally couldn't sit still any longer and asked Wu Chen directly, "Director Wu, the story of 'Painted Skin' seems to have a lot of potential. Shouldn't we think about what to do next?"

Han Sanping and Ren Zhonglun's eyes lit up.

Upon hearing this, Wu Chen pondered for a moment: "The story can still be explored, but it shouldn't be too fast. At least we should take some time apart to avoid audience fatigue."

The group's faces lit up with joy.

"Haha, that makes sense. We really shouldn't get that close." Ren Zhonglun chuckled. As long as Wu Chen said it was possible, that was fine.

As for when, it doesn't matter; we can always wait another two years.

After saying that, Wu Chen turned to Yang Hongtao with a smile and asked, "Director Yang, has Ning Ying been less pressured by the bureau lately?"

"Hahaha!" Han Sanping and Ren Zhonglun couldn't help but burst into laughter when this was mentioned.

Ning Ying had staked everything on the debt, and to be honest, the bureau was very scared and worried, fearing that Ning Ying would really fall into a ditch and be unable to repay the money. So even before "Painted Skin" was released, the bureau had reminded Ning Ying several times to be prepared to repay the money.

"It's alright, it's alright." Yang Hongtao smiled broadly, the pressure finally dissipating.

Seeing this, Ren Zhonglun couldn't help but laugh and add insult to injury:

"Director Wu, you have no idea, now Director Yang has turned the tables and is in charge. Not long ago, Xingchen Pictures was being ridiculed by the industry, and Director Yang is getting the same treatment. He's also been the target of a lot of ridicule from various local film studios."

Upon hearing this, Wu Chen burst into laughter, and everyone else was even more amused.

The treatment at Ningbo Film Studio naturally made many of the worst-performing film studios envious. They thought that if they won one film, they could turn the tables and become the masters. Who wouldn't want to turn the tables?

"Wake up! Do you really think you can find a partner like Starry Night Pictures?"

"Since we couldn't find Xingchen Pictures, Ning Ying probably won't even be able to make a movie. Damn it, but it's really frustrating. Ning Ying has really turned things around."

"Damn it, I'm really in last place now. I want to be a gambler too."

(End of this chapter)