Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 398 Others Compete Based on Their Parents' Connections
One of IDG's core value-added services is helping businesses establish strategic partnerships with other companies and merchants to gain a more competitive market position.
This is also one of the core values ​​that this capital can bring to enterprises.

Wu Chen from Shanda Literature wanted to get involved.

In the content industry, the most important core is always content; it's the main branch.

Of course, Shanda was only just beginning its decline at this time. The acceleration would come in 2011. The turning point for Shanda Literature was the best time for Wu Chen to enter and advance into Shanda Literature.

Of course, if we can become a strategic partner of Shanda Literature next year, it would be good to make arrangements in advance.

The release of "Mei Lanfang" has thoroughly sounded the clarion call for the competition in the Lunar New Year film season.

Including the six hours of advance screening on the 4th, the total box office on the first day exceeded 1500 million, a remarkable achievement.

Han Sanping's tone on the phone was tinged with excitement.

"By the way, did you reach some kind of cooperation agreement with Sina?"

"Hey, I can't hide it from you, Mr. Han. There is indeed some collaboration. Mr. Cao promised to help develop the Sina Weibo theme page for 'The Martian,' and try to make it as sci-fi-oriented as possible."

In response to Wu Chen's words, Han Sanping smiled and shook his head:

"I'm afraid it's more than that, but Sina is indeed very good, and there are also some other factors involved. China Film Group was originally going to develop a strategic partnership with Sina anyway, so why don't we start with your 'The Martian' project?"

Cao Guowei was surprised by Wu Chen's speed, but he was more delighted than anything else.

Although the promotional campaign for "The Martian" is concentrated after the new year, preparations need to begin before then, while "Bad Genius" is the priority right now.

Of course, this is still the main stage for several movies released in December.

"Mei Lanfang" was a runaway success in the early stages of the Lunar New Year film season. Screenings in major cinemas increased steadily, and media reviews poured in.

"The mise-en-scène is extremely restrained, and the camerawork is retro yet precise."

"The opening and middle sections are full of tension, making it one of the few truly artistic big-budget productions this year."

Of course, besides the praise, there was also plenty of criticism.

This is especially concentrated in the second half.

"The historical weight of the second half inexplicably disappeared."

"Top-heavy, as if a different director had taken over."

"Leon Lai's portrayal of the adult Mei Lanfang lacks tension and seems merely to go through the motions."

Many film critics bluntly stated that the first half was exciting, but the second half was distracting.

There were criticisms of both the actors and the director. Although the industry as a whole gave it a passable score and evaluation, it was clearly unacceptable to Chen Kaige, who wanted to use this to make a comeback.

"The main competition lineup for the Berlin Film Festival will be announced in a few days. Let's see the results. It's no problem for the box office to exceed 100 million."

Seeing that Chen Kaige looked a little down, Chen Hong comforted him.

She knew better than anyone else about Chen Kaige's ambitions this time.

However, the phrase "box office exceeding 100 million" inexplicably served as a reminder to Chen Kaige.

If he remembers correctly, Wu Chen mentioned on the day of the premiere that "the depth of the groundwork laid in the early stages of a biographical film really tests the director's control."
"No wonder he didn't mention the later stages; he had already seen through their relationship."

Chen Kaige couldn't help but sigh.

"Who?" Chen Hong was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding.

"nothing."

Chen Kai shook his head.

It was embarrassing enough to be noticed by a junior colleague as lacking substance in the latter half of the film, so he didn't bother to bring it up again and could only sigh inwardly. Meanwhile, in the Starry Sky Pictures office, Ning Hao brought over the script for "No Man's Land" for Wu Chen to look at.

"How about it? My subject matter is worthy of awards, right? It's also the first domestic road movie set in Northwest China." Ning Hao was particularly looking forward to the awards at this moment.

Directors without awards are ultimately at a disadvantage, at least in the industry at this time, they lack recognition, even if they are one of the few directors in the industry with box office earnings of 100 million yuan.

"The subject matter is good, and the depth is also quite good."
The location you chose seems a bit sensitive; it might face some censorship issues. Have you considered changing the location? Filming in other places should be able to achieve the same feel.

Wu Chen reminded him.

The real hurdle in censorship isn't now; if it weren't for special circumstances, this film wouldn't have been locked up for so long.

“I just can’t feel this way anywhere else. I lived there for more than half a year, and I still remember that feeling vividly. It has to be here. Besides, my name is ‘No Man’s Land.’ You know better than me how to embody those three words.”

Ning Hao was extremely stubborn and made up his mind.

After Wu Chen guided him, he discovered that this guy was still stubborn and inflexible.

Of course, many directors are single-minded and find it hard to change what they believe in; otherwise, there wouldn't be such highly stylized works. It's a double-edged sword.

Seeing this, Wu Chen had no choice but to see if there would be an opportunity to help Ning Hao later.

"Preparation began after 'Bad Genius'?"

"Yes, I plan to shoot it in the spring. The script is fine, so I'll send it over for review. Then, with a little push from Chairman Han, I think my subject matter shouldn't have much trouble getting approved."

"It's easier than that 'Nanjing! Nanjing!' movie."

"Others rely on their parents' connections, what do you have?" Wu Chen joked with a smile.

"Depend on"

"."

Time flies and it's already the 13th. After its release yesterday, "Ip Man" grossed over 1400 million yuan on its opening day, a respectable figure.

However, for the main controlling parties, Times Classic and Oriental Film, the joy was mixed with extreme frustration.

Because the movie "If You Are the One" will be released in six days.

Based on the opening day box office of "Ip Man", if "If You Are the One" were released later, their total box office would definitely have increased even further, but at this point, it depends on how things go.

I feel uncomfortable and frustrated.
Huayi, on the other hand, didn't have so many concerns.

"Only 1400 million"

Feng Xiaogang snorted coldly, not taking "Ip Man" seriously at all. He thought the box office would be at most over 100 million yuan, and if "If You Are the One" put in some effort, it might not even break 100 million yuan.

For a time, both "If You Are the One," which is set to be released in the latter half of the month, and "Bad Genius," which is set to be released at the beginning of next month, are putting in their final efforts in promotion and distribution.

However, the one that suffered the most at this time was not "Ip Man", but "Wolf Warrior", which was directed and starred by Wu Jing.

Just a few days later, the daily box office had fallen to less than a million, and it was about to be completely abandoned by the theaters.

This completely stunned Wu Jing.

I thought that only in this competitive environment could "Wolf Warrior" showcase its quality and attract audience attention.

"never mind."

As Wu Jing watched major cinemas gradually remove "Wolf Warrior" from their shelves, she felt disheartened.

Meanwhile, Donnie Yen, who was promoting "Ip Man" at the time, couldn't help but scoff when the media compared "Wolf Warrior" with "Ip Man":
"Martial arts champions are everywhere, but not everyone can become a superstar."

(End of this chapter)