Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 104 Launch Event, Tencent Arrives

Having successfully signed four people, Yang Ming led them back to Beijing first.

Chen Xiu stayed in Shanghai for half a month to accompany her parents before setting off back to Beijing at the end of the month to attend the press conference for the start of filming of the movie "Detective Chinatown".

Last month, after Chen Xiu signed a cooperation agreement with Wanda, the pre-production of "Detective Chinatown" began.

The film script had already been approved much earlier, and he had already communicated with the filming co-production organization about the overseas filming locations. The most time-consuming part, the pre-production preparation, had been completed.

Over the past month or so, Wanda Pictures' preparatory work has mainly focused on auditions for actors and the setup of the production team.

After Peng Yuchang signed a 12-year agency contract with Datang Film and Television, the second male lead, Qin Feng, was cast.

All preparations are complete, and the film launch press conference organized by Wanda Pictures is now being held at the Wanda Hotel.

As the film's producer, Chan Sau should have attended.

The media were also very excited after learning the details of "Detective Chinatown".

As a student at the Beijing Film Academy, Chen Xiu first ventured into internet entrepreneurship, and now she has returned to establish her own film and television company, quickly launching film production.

This topicality led entertainment reporters to treat the film's press conference as their highlight for April.

As soon as Chen Xiugang appeared at the start of the press conference, a barrage of flashes from all directions enveloped him.

"Kacha! Kacha!!"

"Mr. Chen, may I ask why you wanted to make movies?"

Why don't you act in the role yourself?

"Mr. Chen, will you return to the internet industry in the future?"

"..."

Amidst the dazzling lights, the film crew's biggest names—director Chen Sicheng and lead actor Wang Baoqiang—were both ignored by reporters.

The microphones in the room were all pointed in the same direction with perfect coordination.

Listening to the various questions coming from all directions, Chen Xiu, the person involved, simply raised her hand to signal for quiet, and then looked at the group of reporters without saying a word.

After a while, perhaps realizing that the person in front of them was not just a celebrity, the group of reporters surrounding them also began to fall silent, which was unusual for them.

There should still be a host at the next press conference.

The thought flashed through Chen Xiu's mind, and she took the initiative to speak: "Today is the press conference for the movie 'Detective Chinatown'. I will not answer questions that are not related to the movie. Now please ask your questions in an orderly manner, starting with this reporter."

After saying that, Chen Xiu went to point to the reporter who had been holding the microphone the furthest away.

The reporter who was called on paused for a moment, then asked, "Mr. Chen, may I ask why you wanted to make a movie?"

"As someone working in the film industry, making movies isn't surprising, is it? Next one."

The reporter, who had asked a pointless question, looked annoyed, while the person who was called on looked excited.

"Mr. Chen, why didn't you act in a role, but instead served as a producer?"

"Because there aren't any suitable roles for me in the movies! Next!"

"Mr. Chen, what are your box office expectations for the film after its release?"

"The more the better, next one..."

Under Chen Xiu's guidance, the questions posed by the reporters were all easily resolved by him, without any substantial gains.

Outside of film, for example, a reporter asked Chen Xiu when her next TV series would be released.

Chen Xiu declined to comment on this.

After three or four exchanges, the group of reporters realized, somewhat bewildered, that they seemed to have nothing left to ask, and could only turn to ask Chen Sicheng, Wang Baoqiang, and Peng Yuchang, who were equally stunned, for their questions.

The press conference was very harmonious throughout, except for a slightly chaotic beginning.

After agreeing on a departure time for Thailand with Chen Sicheng, Chen Xiu took Peng Yuchang back to Datang Film and Television, where they met someone who had been waiting for them in the reception room.

"Mr. Cheng, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"No, it was my unexpected visit that disrupted Mr. Chen's plans."

After the handshake, Chen Xiu led Cheng Wu to her office.

It's impossible for him not to be surprised by the sudden visit of this Penguin vice president.

But what Chen Xiu was even more curious about was Cheng Wu's purpose in coming here. Or rather, what was the purpose of Penguin arranging for him to come?
Cheng Wu addressed this question directly as soon as the two entered the office and sat down on the sofa.

"Mr. Chen, is it possible that Tencent could get a share of the film you co-produced with Wanda Pictures?"

Has Tencent Pictures been established?

Chen Xiu already knew about the establishment of Tencent Pictures last year, and he even listed Tencent Pictures as a potential partner for cooperation.

However, Tencent Pictures has not yet been established.

Because Chen Xiu hit it off with Wang, the richest man, she didn't bother to ask about the internal situation at Tencent.

Cheng Wu pushed up her glasses: "Originally, the company planned to establish a film and television company after integrating Shanda Literature. If we can participate in President Chen's project, this plan may be brought forward a little."

"Just to co-invest in a movie? Is it really necessary?"

"It's not as exaggerated as you think. In fact, Tencent Pictures has already started, and I'm one of the people in charge. The company's official establishment date was set for July or August, it's just been brought forward a bit." Hearing this arrangement, Chen Xiu's surprise eased a little.

Why are you interested in Detective Chinatown?

Cheng Wu lowered her hands and placed them on her knees, staring at Chen Xiu and saying, "We are interested in the film business model you are leading."

What business model?

"The Detective Chinatown novel was published last year. Based on online data alone, including pirated copies, it has sold 10 copies, which can be considered a popular IP. The business model of using IP as the main driver, assembling a team, adapting it into a film or television series, and launching it to the market is largely the same as Tencent Pictures' strategy."

"That's it."

Chen Xiu nodded silently, having roughly understood the reason for Cheng Wu's visit.

The vice president of Tencent personally came to seek cooperation, and as a shareholder, it seemed difficult to refuse.

If Chen Xiu agrees to let Penguin join the "Detective Chinatown" project, he can only give up his existing share. But this give-up can't be free; he has to ask for something in return for what he gives up.

With that in mind, Chen Xiu started thinking about what she could ask for.

He quickly came up with the answer.

Chen Xiu smiled slightly: "President Cheng, how would you like to collaborate on this project?"

"Ideally, we could have a small investment share. It doesn't have to be too much. We just need someone to be on set so we can see the film's production process. We can also help with online promotion after the film is released."

"That's right. Currently, my film company only has one project, 'Detective Chinatown.' Once the film is finished, I'll have to worry about the next project."

Chen Xiu paused for a moment, then looked up at Cheng Wu: "I wonder if President Cheng could collaborate with me on this?"

"You want to collaborate on a new project with Penguin?"

"Didn't you just integrate Shanda Literature? You should have a lot of high-quality IPs, right? Can we reach a long-term cooperation in this area?"

Chen Xiu said bluntly that Cheng Wu probably wouldn't agree to any other requests.

But if we want an IP, or if we want everyone to work together on it, Chen Xiu thinks it's something we can negotiate.

Cheng Wu did not refuse outright, but instead pondered the matter.

The two sat facing each other for a while.

Then, Cheng Wu suddenly looked up with her eyes shining: "President Chen, since you brought up this direction, you must already have an IP you want to choose, right?"

"Yes! I want 'Joy of Life'."

Chen Xiu didn't beat around the bush and directly stated what she wanted.

There are countless online novels, but only a few of them have been successfully adapted into film and television works, and "Joy of Life" is the most successful of them.

Upon hearing that Chen Xiu wanted the IP "Joy of Life", Cheng Wu's expression relaxed slightly.

This IP is considered top-tier in the fictional political intrigue genre, but looking at the entire online literature IP library, the highest-valued IPs are still those in the fantasy and xianxia genres.

"Mr. Chen, if we sell this IP to you, how should we cooperate?"

"I have no intention of entering the long-form video app market. If we were to collaborate, it would definitely be a joint production between the two companies, which would then be broadcast on the Tencent Video platform. If it were to be broadcast on satellite TV, the two companies could share the profits according to their respective investments."

The kind of cooperation Chen Xiu mentioned is basically the model and approach that Tencent and New Classics Media will adopt in the future.

Normally, Tencent Pictures is capable of independently adapting its intellectual property into film and television.

However, the film and television industry involves too many aspects.

For example, right now, Tencent wants to get involved in the "Detective Chinatown" project. Chen Xiu is willing to accept it, but he wants something in return in exchange. If Tencent refuses, that would be too embarrassing, wouldn't it?
Considering these relationships, Cheng Wu had her answer.

"Mr. Chen, I need to go back and discuss the 'Joy of Life' IP. When are you going abroad to film?"

"We'll depart in three days."

"Okay, I'll give you an answer before then."

After saying that, Cheng Wu stood up and extended her hand to Chen Xiu.

Holding the hand, Chen Xiu smiled meaningfully and said, "President Cheng, if all goes well, there should be more possibilities for my cooperation with Tencent Video."

"I'm looking forward to it."

Cheng Wu nodded, then turned and walked towards the door.

……

Two days later, Chen Xiu received a call from Cheng Wu informing her of the situation.

The Tencent Pictures working group approved the cooperation method proposed by Chen Xiu, and expressed its willingness to share the "Joy of Life" IP with Datang Pictures and work together to create film and television works.

Although it falls short of what they wanted, sharing the IP has already allowed Datang Film & Television to get a piece of the "Joy of Life" pie.

In return, Chen Xiu relinquished 10% of the total production cost of "Detective Chinatown," amounting to 800 million yuan.

This amount of money is nothing to Tencent, but the total investment in the film is only 8000 million, and Chen Xiu can't possibly give up too much.

Overall, both parties are satisfied with this collaboration.

After signing the two contracts, Chen Xiu led the "Detective Chinatown" crew to Bangkok the next day to begin the official filming of the movie!
(End of this chapter)