Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 432 The Path, Increase Screenings

Pudong, Zhangjiang High-Tech Park.

The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into Chen Tianqiao's spacious and tidy office. Several newspapers from that morning were spread out on the glass tabletop: "CBN," "Xinmin Evening News," and "Oriental Morning Post," all of which, without exception, had sections almost entirely occupied by "The Martian."

"Opening day box office of 5178 million yuan", "Breaking the record in Chinese film history", "Breaking 100 million yuan in two days", "Featured on CCTV News".
Chen Tianqiao stood by the window, wearing a coat, staring at the newspaper on the corner of his desk. His brows furrowed slightly, but he also showed a hint of surprise.

It's not that he hasn't seen the box office data for domestic films, nor that he hasn't paid attention to the film and television industry; it's just that in the past few years, he really looked down on those figures of "millions" or "tens of millions."

But The Martian is different.

It only took two days for the film to gross 100 million yuan, and reports even said that it was only a matter of time before the film broke the 400 million or 500 million yuan box office record in mainland China, and it might even continue to rise.
"They really walk fast."

He said softly, his eyes sweeping over the "Shanda Literature Blueprint Development Strategy Diagram" hanging on the wall, and subconsciously glancing at the one on the far right: "IP Film and Television Adaptation, Pan-Entertainment Incubation".

That was a slogan he put forward a few years ago—"Build China's online Disney."

At that time, Shanda was at its peak, holding three top-tier PC games: Legend of Mir, Bubble Fighter, and Hot Blood Heroes, with a market share far ahead of the competition.

But now?

Starting in late 08, the global financial crisis swept across the world, and online game spending declined significantly. Even popular games like "Legend of Mir" experienced a sharp drop in data in South Korea and Southeast Asia.

The tremendous growth has come to a halt.

He paused for a moment, then walked back to his desk, flipping through the newspaper while his fingers touched the frame of his phone.

Finally, he picked up the phone, the screen lit up, and a familiar number was dialed.

IDG Capital, Xiong Xiaoge.

Outside Jianguomen in Beijing.

Xiong Xiaoge was reclining in her office chair, the warm sunlight streaming in. On her desk were the morning newspaper and several printed project analyses.

The title is: Analysis of the Valuation Growth and Market Prospects of China's Film and Television Industry Brought About by "The Martian".

His phone vibrated. He glanced down at it, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, and answered.
"Mr. Chen, what made you decide to call me?"

"Mr. Xiong, you're not busy, are you?"

"No, the US internet bubble is too big right now. A bunch of listed companies in Silicon Valley are about to collapse, so there's no point in being busy."

“Then why don’t we turn our attention to the mainland? Look here, movie box office numbers easily reach hundreds of millions, it has such a promising future.” Chen Tianqiao’s tone was half-serious, half-joking, but not ambiguous either. “Previously, President Xiong said that President Wu of Xingchen Pictures was interested in Shanda Literature?”

"What, Mr. Chen, are you no longer going to delve deeper into the gaming industry? IDG is quite interested in games."

"Hey, gaming is just a side thing."

Chen Tianqiao shook his head as he spoke, which made Xiong Xiaoge somewhat amused.

Everyone knows that Chen Tianqiao started his business with games and became the richest man in China through games, yet now he looks down on games themselves.
However, Xiong Xiaoge didn't say anything more and just agreed: "Okay, I understand, but it might be a little later."

"Um"

The phone hangs up.

Xiong Xiaoge put down her phone, stood up, walked to the window, looked at the morning rush hour traffic on Jianwai Street, and then glanced at the stack of newspapers on her desk, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Chen Tianqiao was aware of this; how could someone who specializes in investment not see the potential of the mainland film and television industry?

In recent years, the film industry has grown at an average annual rate of over 30%, far exceeding the GDP growth rate. This is a sign of an industry taking off.

However, despite the promising prospects, investing in films remains a high-risk endeavor, especially in China.

In China, investing in movies means investing in the directors.

Xiong Xiaoge muttered to herself.

He was all too aware of the high risks of making movies, because IDG had long planned to test the waters in the film and entertainment industry, and had been conducting industry analysis for the past few years.

The main risk lies in the fact that Chinese films rely too heavily on a single channel for cost recovery, primarily through box office revenue, with very low copyright revenue and a lack of overseas distribution channels.

Currently, only a few directors' films in mainland China can make up for this.

"Let's see. Maybe we can ask Wu Chen for help later." On weekdays, except for Monday's rebound, Tuesday still maintained a "normal" decline, with box office takings of over 3800 million.

But even something that is "normal" still makes its peers envious.

It should be noted that this was previously the "ceiling" for many domestic films' opening day box office.

The cinema chain plans to further increase the number of screenings and even held a small meeting specifically for this purpose.

In a multi-functional conference room in Beijing, several regional managers are taking turns speaking in front of a projector, holding a schedule of screenings.

"Yesterday we tried offering garbage time screenings for 'The Martian,' and the audience still enjoyed it."

"From 50% to 56%?"

"That makes sense, we'd like to add it too. Let's all work together."

"I feel it can be extended to May Day, and then gradually adjusted back after May Day."

Around the podium, several cinema representatives were whispering among themselves.

Before he could finish speaking, someone strode into the conference room and whispered a few words in the ear of one of the theater managers.

The supervisor nodded, raised his hand again, and silenced the murmurs:

"I just received news that a colleague has already submitted their opinion to the bureau."

The atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly froze.

Some of the people who were quietly discussing adding more shows looked a little uncomfortable.

Sure enough, not everyone is happy when a movie sells too well.

Those whose interests have been harmed are now collectively crying out in despair, with Lu Xun being the most vocal in his complaints.
The day after the small-scale meeting with theater chains, several emotionally charged "joint letters" quietly circulated within the industry:

"Currently, the film scheduling ratio in some cinemas is seriously unbalanced, with some films even occupying almost all of the prime time slots."

"We are not against high-quality films having an advantage, but we should also give other domestic films a chance to survive."

"To prevent one film from dominating the market and to curb a diverse range of films, it is recommended that the proportion of films screened should not exceed the 50% red line."

"."

The China Film Group building, Han Sanping's office.

The secretary knocked on the door and entered, quietly relaying the documents and rumors.

Han Sanping was looking down at a cinema report. After listening, he just chuckled.

The 50% threshold is generally followed by state-owned cinemas as an unwritten rule. Once it reaches 50%, prime-time screenings are basically given up, and other films can only be squeezed into less popular times.

If this ratio is to be pushed further forward, then all the less popular times and matches will be removed.

Has the bureau responded?

"Chairman Han, not at the moment. The bureau hasn't said anything."

Han Sanping smiled and waved for him to leave.

The bureau's reaction was within his expectations. If the complaints were purely due to imported films, they might have taken them into consideration. But since half of them were domestically produced, and some even had directors and lead actors from mainland China, it would be strange if they were allowed to take them into consideration.

Unless the screening rate is too high, they'll probably turn a blind eye.

Private cinemas also need to make a living, and besides, such a high number of screenings can't last long; it'll just pass if they drag it out.

Meanwhile, Wu Chen and his group were on an international flight bound for Los Angeles.

Domestic media reports continue:
"It is understood that Wu Chen has led his team to Los Angeles, and the global release of 'The Martian' is imminent."

Wu Chen responded to the issue of film scheduling by cinemas, stating that he was unaware of the matter and believed that the cinemas' arrangements were reasonable.

"International Vision! The sci-fi blockbuster 'The Martian' will be released in major North American theaters this weekend, hitting over 3500 theaters."

(End of this chapter)