The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

"Then thank you very much, Senior Brother Gu." Jing Tian smiled slightly.

After going downstairs, the four of them met up with Wang Baoqiang by car and then headed to Yida Cinema.

Yida currently has four cinemas in Beijing. Since they were all built in recent years, and Yida is financially strong, both the size of the cinemas and the number of screens are among the top in Beijing.

The restaurant they visited had just opened last year.

Upon arrival at the cinema, I was warmly received by the cinema manager.

At 9:50, the audience began to have their tickets checked and enter the venue.

Of the five, only Wang Baoqiang was wearing a mask; the other four did not make any attempt to conceal their identities.

Like ordinary spectators, they lined up with their tickets and entered the venue after having them checked.

A roadshow, also known as a film promotion, is when the film crew appears after the movie ends to interact with the audience and answer their questions.

We communicate with the cinemas in advance, and they also promote the films beforehand.

They won't say which session it is, just like a lottery.

This not only increases attendance, but also encourages audiences to share the experience with their friends in the industry.

Some viewers come to the movies without any prior preparation, and don't even know which movies are showing.

When buying tickets at the cinema, if you learn that you might run into a celebrity while watching "Lost on Journey," even if that celebrity isn't one you like, you might still choose to watch "Lost on Journey" even if you don't have a specific goal in mind.

After seeing a celebrity, you'll definitely want to brag to your friends when you get home, otherwise, wouldn't it be a waste of the chance to meet them?

When showing off, movies will naturally come up, and if a movie is good, it will be recommended to friends.

Gu Ning and the others mingled in the crowd and entered the screening room. Their seats were a combined ticket, and they were all in the last row.

This allows for better understanding of audience feedback and also helps prevent viewers from recognizing the character during the movie.

At 10 o'clock sharp, the GG on the screen ended, and the movie began.

The film opens with Li Chenggong's sarcastic remarks, which immediately drew laughter.

Gu Ning's mind wasn't on the film; instead, she was looking around.

The cinema manager had previously stated that all tickets for this screening were sold out.

The venue was very well-attended, with only a few empty seats.

As the plot unfolded, the audience frequently burst into laughter, especially during the scene where Li Chenggong entered the wrong room and was caught in the act of adultery, which was particularly hilarious.

More than an hour later, the film ended with Niu Geng receiving his wages, his expression a mixture of joy and unease.

Just when the audience thought it was over, the screen showed the number of passengers transported during the Spring Festival travel rush over the past five years.

The data provided detailed figures on the number of passengers transported by road, rail, and air, as well as their annual growth.

At that moment, the lights in the dimly lit cinema came on, and a staff member walked in front of the screen with a microphone.

"I'm sorry to take up some of your time."

The staff member smiled and said, "I'm sure everyone was told when they bought their tickets that watching 'Lost in Thailand' today would give them the opportunity to meet and interact with the film's director and main actors."

Congratulations to everyone who bought tickets to this movie! May all the lucky ones here have a wonderful new year filled with happiness and good fortune.

Now, please welcome the cast and crew of "Lost in Thailand"!

The audience was initially confused, but when they learned that they would be able to meet the film's creators, they applauded enthusiastically.

Let's go!

Gu Ning said something and took the lead in getting up.

Wang Baoqiang also took off his mask.

Although Gu Ning is considered the third male lead, due to his makeup and limited screen time, the audience did not recognize him.

But Wang Baoqiang's honest smile was very distinctive, and the audience was instantly excited.

"Wang Baoqiang!"

"Xu Sanduo!"

"Niu Geng!"

Thank you everyone.

Hearing the audience call out his name and the roles he had played, Wang Baoqiang was moved to tears and bowed to express his gratitude.

Jing Tian and Hao Hao looked on with envy.

Approaching the host, Gu Ning took the microphone and said, "I'm Gu Ning, the director of 'Lost in Thailand.' Thank you all for coming!"

"This director is so handsome, and so young too."

"It looks somewhat familiar."

"Isn't that the handsome guy I met on the train?"

The audience scrutinized Gu Ning and discussed among themselves.

After Gu Ning finished her introduction, she handed the microphone to Wang Baoqiang.

The group introduced themselves one by one. Jing Tian and Hao Hao, whose characters didn't have names, could only introduce themselves as actors in "Lost in Thailand".

Fortunately, the audience didn't seem to care.

Next came the Q&A session, where the host selected audience members to ask questions related to the film.

The first person chosen was a female audience member. She was so excited that she was incoherent. It took her a while to calm down and ask her question.

"Director Gu Ning, I'm curious about the scene in the movie where Wang Baoqiang drinks milk. Did he actually drink it?"

"Let Baoqiang answer this question."

Gu Ning smiled and handed over the microphone.

Wang Baoqiang took the microphone and said, "I really drank it. I threw up right after the filming, and ever since then, I feel like throwing up whenever I see milk."

His simple answer, coupled with the resentment in his tone, made the audience burst into laughter.

But the girl who asked the question angrily retorted, "Director Gu Ning, have you ever considered the harm that drinking so much milk might cause to your health?"

Upon hearing this, the laughter gradually subsided.

That bucket of milk must have weighed at least several kilograms. Wang Baoqiang is not tall and looks very thin. How could he drink it all?

Upon realizing this, the way the audience looked at Gu Ning changed.

"This has nothing to do with Director Gu."

Wang Baoqiang quickly explained, "It was my idea. Director Gu tried to persuade me several times. I felt that as an actor, I should present the best to everyone as much as possible."

The audience calmed down after Wang Baoqiang reassured them.

The Q&A session continued, with the next audience member asking a question about the film.

"Director Gu, why did Li Chenggong only pay Niu Geng's wages in the end? What happened to the other migrant workers?"

"As long as the subcontracting by the construction company is legal and there is nothing wrong with it, if the contractor runs away with the money, it has nothing to do with the construction company."

Li Chenggong gave Niu Geng money out of friendship.

"Although I could set the plot so that Li Chenggong pays all the wages, that doesn't fit Li Chenggong's character and doesn't make sense," Gu Ning explained.

Although his explanation made sense, the audience did not accept it.

Most people sympathize with the weak.

In their view, Li Chenggong was rich, and that little bit of money was nothing to him, so why couldn't they help him?

Although it's unrealistic, wouldn't it be better to give the audience a more perfect ending in the movie?

Fortunately, the host managed to steer the conversation away from the issue.

Half an hour later, some lucky audience members were chosen for photos, and the roadshow finally came to an end.

"I thought you were about to get beaten up."

Liu Sanxi laughed and said, "When those audience members heard that Baoqiang had actually drunk, they looked at you like you were a shrew."

"Stop joking around, let's go, grab something to eat, and head to the next event," Gu Ning said.

It's already midnight, and the next show is in an hour. After deducting travel time, there's not much left.

Today I had to visit four cinemas. By the time the roadshow ended, it was already past 11 p.m.

After having some late-night snacks, they all went back to rest.

As for the box office, we won't know until tomorrow morning.

"Old Gu, how much do you think the box office will be on the first day?" Liu Sanxi asked.

"We'll find out tomorrow."

Gu Ning yawned and said, "I'm going to take a shower and go to bed."

He is still optimistic about the box office, as there aren't many good movies to watch on the first day of the Lunar New Year, apart from racing.

In addition, his nomination for the Berlin Film Festival brought him a wave of publicity.

With such favorable timing and location, how could the box office be low?

As Gu Ning had expected, the next morning, while he was taking Liu Sanxi and the others to the airport, he received a call from Director Chen.

"How many?"

When Gu Ning hung up the phone, everyone's eyes turned to him.

"520 million!"

Gu Ning laughed, "The box office is a huge hit!"

"Very good!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Sanxi and the others all showed expressions of joy.

"The rest of the publicity work is up to you!"

Gu Ning said solemnly, "I'm back to celebrate your victory!"

"Go, Director Gu! Bring back an award!" Wang Baoqiang shouted.

"I'll try my best!" Gu Ning said with a smile.

After the group exchanged their boarding passes and entered the lounge, Gu Ning left the airport.

He's leaving for Berlin tomorrow, so naturally he can't join them for the roadshow.