Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 102 The Era of Big IPs?

As the lights dimmed, this domestically produced sci-fi film, with an investment of 400 million yuan, finally appeared on the screen.

As the plot unfolds, the second half, a space rescue, is fast-paced and efficient, with no unnecessary dragging. Even though it's a science fiction film, the actors' performances are consistently excellent.

Many domestic filmmakers present stared wide-eyed, finding it hard to believe that this was a science fiction film made by Chinese filmmakers.

Many foreign filmmakers were also taken aback, feeling that the style was too Hollywood-esque. However, they felt it didn't feel out of place in China, suggesting that this kind of story was more suitable for the Chinese audience.

If it were really the United States, a rescue would be impossible.

Some people were worried that the movie would be blocked from censorship, but now it seems that's impossible.

As the final credits rolled, the audience erupted in applause. As the opening film of the film festival and also the film's premiere, Chen Shou led the main cast and crew onto the stage, facing a group of filmmakers he knew.

Besides filmmakers, there are also film critics, major news media outlets, and so on.

"The movie's special effects are alright, I guess," Chen Shou said with a smirk as he took the microphone on stage.

Hearing the joke, many filmmakers in the audience laughed, knowing what Chen Shou was referring to.

"very good."

Can I watch it again?

Shouts immediately came from the audience. Chen Shou smiled and said, "I won't talk about how hard it is to make a movie. It really is difficult. Many of you here are filmmakers and know how difficult it is to make movie special effects, especially in China. This movie was entirely made by our own people. You saw the whole list just now. It's all made by Chinese people. I want to say that our country can also make excellent science fiction movies. Please give us your support!"

"I'd like to ask Director Chen, what motivates you to make science fiction films?" the host asked from the side.

“Other movies won’t pass censorship, but sci-fi movies are easier,” Chen Shou said in a comedic way.

As expected, the audience laughed when he said that. Chen Shouzhe's script had failed to pass the review a few days ago, and things had only calmed down in the last few days. Unexpectedly, it was brought up again to make fun of him.

"call out!"

Jiang Wen, sitting in the audience, started whistling. There were too many people in the audience who didn't like those old guys.

The host was also surprised by Chen Shouzhe's words and hurriedly picked up the cue cards to say, "I saw some netizens say that you started a vinegar factory because of a dumpling meal. Is that true? After all, you really did establish Little Dream Special Effects Company for this movie."

“Vinegar can be used in many dishes, especially by people from Jincheng, who can’t live without it. My mouth is watering now, and I’ll be adding vinegar to other dishes in the future. It’s not just for this meal of dumplings; there are many other main dishes that will also rely on vinegar,” Chen Shou said with a smile.

The host then asked the actors a few more questions, such as whether Zhang Hanyu actually grows potatoes.
Ask Gong Li how her first science fiction film was.

The actors were all asked questions, and there was a Q&A session afterwards.

"Director Chen, how much do you think the movie will gross after its release?" a reporter stood up and asked.

“Everyone knows the investment cost is 4 million. To break even, we need 10 billion. I’ll set it at 10 billion, just enough to break even,” Chen Shou said.

"Director Chen, is there anything else you'd like to say about your script not passing the review?"

"I know you guys want to make a big splash, but today is the premiere of The Martian, so I won't answer that question. As for whether it will pass censorship, there's nothing I can do to stir things up," Chen Shou said, spreading his hands.

After answering several questions, Chen Shou checked the time and said, "This is the last question. Everyone should go eat now. I guess a lot of people are still waiting to go to the bathroom, so it's your turn."

"Director Chen, I'd like to ask, the TV series Journey to the West is currently airing and it's very popular. Have you considered bringing Journey to the West to the big screen?"

Upon hearing this, many people in the audience had their eyes gleaming with greed. Chen Shou saw that Director La, Director Ren, Yu Dong, Wang Zonglei, Zhang Qiang, and others were all staring intently at him. All of them had their eyes on Journey to the West. After all, the TV series was so popular, and it would be easy to adapt it into many movies, or even a series of blockbusters. It was a goldmine.

Alibaba's big data analysis showed that the film could conservatively generate billions in box office revenue. So, their initial offer of 100 million was misleading, hoping that Chen Shouzhe would sell it to them at a low price. Then, they would maximize the film's rights by repeatedly reselling it.

As a result, Chen remained completely unyielding, giving them no chance to operate.

"Regarding the Journey to the West movie, I've actually thought about it a long time ago. Even before the TV series came out, I was already thinking about bringing it to the big screen. Of course, there are no movie plans at the moment, and we won't hand over the copyright to anyone else. It involves the company's future plans, so I won't reveal anything." Chen Shou thought for a moment, avoiding the resentful looks from these people, not giving them any chance.

Everyone knows it's a big cake, but they just can't get a piece of it and can only watch it longingly.

After the premiere, news about the film was quickly reported, and filming was permitted during their interviews.

"Look what they've done to their kids; they can only make science fiction movies now."

"That's... a safe place in sci-fi movies (doge)"

"A vinegar factory was built just for a meal of dumplings. Vinegar has many uses. We people in Jincheng still eat vinegar. We eat it every day and add it to everything we eat."

"American directors have said that they've seen special effects blockbusters that are only seen in America, and it's hard to imagine that this movie was made by Chinese people." "The special effects are said to be amazing, and there's even a 3D version."

"It won't be released until next month, ugh, it'll be such a long wait."

"What are those stagnant waters doing? There's not a sound at all."

"I heard they're trying to get the Mars Rescue approved."

"real or fake?"

"They're out of control, abusing their age. If even science fiction movies aren't good enough, then we'll have to watch Teletubbies."

"You can't watch Teletubbies either. Haven't you heard that director Chen Shou is going to make an animated film? Be careful, he might block all the animated films."

"Then what's the point of watching them? All foreign films are approved, but all domestic films are banned."

"I must say, Dead Water is really well written; I went and read it again."

The internet was abuzz with discussion. At the party, Chen Shouzhe dealt with each person one by one, but they were clearly not giving up. They surrounded Chen Shouzhe and continued to talk about Journey to the West, wanting the film rights. In particular, Zhang Qiang from Alibaba was like a persistent leech, constantly talking about buying the rights, and the price went from 100 million to 200 million.

Chen Shou refused to discuss this topic with him. In his view, Alibaba was nothing, a company that had nothing and only talked big. What use was it? Sunglasses King was more suitable for them.

The next day, Chen Shouzhe was invited to some forum. After thinking about it, he felt bored, so he decided to go and see.

Many directors and film industry bosses were present, but there were even more people from the internet industry.

When Chen Shou saw the name "Peak Forum," he almost burst out laughing.

A summit forum on new thinking in internet film and television and traditional film and television culture—no wonder a large group of internet people came; it turns out that the bigwigs are starting to enter traditional media.

Zhang Qiang, as the CEO of Alibaba Pictures, was the first to speak out, saying that the traditional film and television industry has no potential, its production model is fixed, its content is outdated and boring, its creativity is lacking, and its filmmakers are stuck in their ways. He even used the analogy of stagnant water to describe the current traditional film and television industry as a stagnant pool.

Upon hearing this, many filmmakers couldn't take it anymore. Before they could retaliate, Zhang Qiang pulled out his ultimate internet weapon: a PowerPoint presentation that claimed to bankrupt your whole family, build cars, create stars, and make you return to China tomorrow.

[Internet thinking, a new direction for the film and television industry, popular IPs plus fan-driven films plus celebrity directors...]

A new term has emerged, a popular IP, but many people present don't know what it means.

Zhang Qiang spoke eloquently, explaining to them what IP and the broader entertainment industry are.

Alibaba made it clear that it was there to clean up the film and television industry and redefine it, giving the impression that everyone would have to listen to it from now on.

"Damn, this has potential!" Jiang Wen said.

"This is basically the model in Hollywood. Haven't you noticed how important copyright is abroad? It's only in China that there are still doubts about copyright," Chen Shou said with a smile.

"So that's why you didn't sell the copyright to Journey to the West?" Jiang Wen whispered.

"Do you think I'm stupid? I painstakingly made a meal of dumplings, and then I give it to him? Alibaba's behavior is too disgusting. They'll be in trouble later. Without real intellectual property, everything they say is just a favor to us," Chen Shou sneered.

"Don't you have a good opinion of Alibaba?" Jiang Wen asked.

“I have high hopes. What’s there to doubt? The big dog has money. If there are any movies you can’t secure in the future, you can go to them. After all, you’re a famous director.” Chen Shou said with a smile.

“That makes sense.” Jiang Wen nodded, thinking of ways to trick Alibaba.

In response to numerous questions, Zhang Qiang gave an example.

"Take Director Chen's Journey to the West for example. The TV series is currently airing and the novel has already sold out. This is a big IP. You can create TV series, movies, animations, offline theme parks, and many other copyrights based on Journey to the West. This is the IP value brought by a literary work."

You could tell from Zhang Qiang's tone that he was incredibly jealous, as if he'd eaten a ton of vinegar. Despite the envious looks from others, Chen Shou maintained a smile on his face, but inwardly he was cursing, "If you can't speak like a human being, then shut up."

Journey to the West is indeed the biggest IP. As long as he is alive, Journey to the West belongs to him, and it will be a gold mine that never stops generating revenue.

Many people understood immediately upon hearing this, and looked at Chen Shouzhe with envy, while also starting to consider the copyrights of some novels, just in case they could also produce a Journey to the West.
Moreover, Chen Shou also has Ghost Blows Out the Light and Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, both of which can be developed as major IPs.

They already knew that the script Chen Shou submitted, "A Chinese Ghost Story," was one of the stories from "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio," and that "Painted Skin" had already been successfully developed into a second installment.

Since they couldn't access Chen Shou's personal IP, they all set their sights on the IPs that were currently outside.

The internet companies present were all keeping an eye on Chen Shouzhe. It was clear that Chen Shouzhe's potential was greater than that of the traditional film companies. If his science fiction film was successful, then Chen Shouzhe would be the person they would most want to win over.

(End of this chapter)