The director starts by learning from the abilities of renowned directors.

Chapter 120 The Miracle Continues, Reaching the $10 Billion Mark

The North American box office rankings are based on the box office revenue from Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Gravity grossed $8300 million in its second weekend in North America, retaining its number one spot on the North American box office chart.

The runner-up was "Alice in Wonderland," which grossed $7800 million in its opening weekend. It was clearly overshadowed by "Gravity."

The third place went to "Brooklyn Police," which also had its opening week.

Fourth place went to the plot twist masterpiece, Shutter Island, which had been in theaters for three weeks.

Sixth is Avatar, which has been in theaters for twelve weeks, with a weekend box office of $770 million. Its North American box office reached $7.2 million, and its global box office reached $25.5 billion.

As for "Gravity", at this time its total domestic box office was 8.11 million RMB, its total North American box office was 2.52 million USD, and its total global box office was 6.93 million USD.

Of these, HK$4300 million came from Hong Kong and NT$1.5 million from Taiwan. Overall, Gravity performed well in both regions, but it was far inferior to Avatar. These two regions still rely more on Hollywood films.

The total investment for "Scarlet Heart" was 3000 million yuan, with Magical Film & Television Company contributing 1100 million yuan in cash, holding a 50% stake. In early March, the first broadcast rights were officially sold to Beijing Satellite TV and Jiangsu Satellite TV, along with eight other local channels.

Two satellite TV channels each contributed 80 yuan per episode, and eight local channels each contributed 4 yuan per episode. The drama series has a total of 35 episodes, with a total unit price of 192 yuan for the first run.

Each episode costs 10,000, for a total of 67.2 million.

After signing, Tangren's CEO Cai Yinong invited Shen Qing to dinner, and specially brought Liu Shishi along. Shen Qing, on the other hand, brought Vice President Chen Zhixi.

"Mr. Shen, I just saw a news report that 'Gravity' has surpassed $7 million at the global box office, and that's only been two weeks since its global release. How did you manage to do that? It's incredible!"

Cai Yinong was indeed trying to curry favor with Shen Qing, but what she said was also her true feelings. "Gravity" has only been released globally for a little over two weeks, and its global box office has already surpassed $7 million—even novels wouldn't dare write something like that!

"Box office is a bit like a woman. The more you pursue her, the less likely you are to get her. The day you stop pursuing her, focus on doing your job well and achieving results, and then flirt a little, she will come to you on her own."

Besides Shen Qing, the other three people in the private room were women. Shen Qing's analogy of chasing women to movie box office success was a bit cheesy. But it depends on the person; coming from Shen Qing, the others didn't find it cheesy.

On the contrary, they might think that Shen Qing's words might have a deeper meaning.

Can a top-tier director who grossed $7 million in just two weeks say something without deeper meaning? Would he be a great director if he didn't?

Cai Yinong subconsciously glanced at Liu Shishi next to her.

Everyone at Tangren Media knows that Shen Qing likes Liu Shishi. Liu Shishi is an artist under Tangren, and Cai Yinong, the CEO of Tangren, initially only wanted her to play a minor supporting role as Luwu. It was Shen Qing who personally selected her to play the female lead, Ruoxi, in "Scarlet Heart." Later, he even wanted to invite Shishi to play the female lead in his new movie—the female lead of the male lead, played by Shen Qing himself!

What does it mean to act opposite Shen Qing?

This means this is a chance to soar to new heights!

At the beginning of the year, "Chinese Paladin 3" aired on Jiangsu Satellite TV, averaging a 1.3 rating, which is already a very impressive result. Liu Shishi gained some popularity because of it, but is currently ranked around third or fourth tier. Cai Yinong is estimated to reach second or third tier after "Scarlet Heart" airs, and if she stars in Shen Qing's new movie, she will definitely rise to first tier.

Therefore, Liu Shishi starring in Shen Qing's movie is very important to both Liu Shishi herself and Tangren Media.

Now Shen Qing is saying that the more you pursue a woman, the less likely you are to get her. What does he mean? Has he given up? Is he no longer planning to pursue Shi Shi?

Thinking about it, it's quite possible. Everyone in the industry knows about Shen Qing's reputation with women; he's not the type to put all his eggs in one basket.

Does that mean his previous offer to have Shi Shi act in his new movie still count?

When Liu Shishi saw K-jie glance at her, she immediately realized the same thing, and her mood became somewhat complicated.

The four of them ate and chatted.

"By the way, Mr. Shen, you mentioned before that you wanted Shi Shi to play the female lead in a movie. I wonder how the movie preparations are going?"

Cai Yinong wanted to finalize things as soon as possible.

Shen Qing glanced at Liu Shishi, then turned to Cai Yinong with a smile and said, "The casting is about to begin. Our General Manager Chen will notify us when the official casting takes place."

Chen Zhixi nodded.

"Shishi, why are you still sitting? Stand up and toast President Shen! You don't know how rare this audition opportunity is—the female lead in President Shen's movie!"

When Cai Yinong heard that she would be notified during the casting process, she felt that the matter might be uncertain. However, whether it would actually happen depended entirely on Shen Qing's mood. Therefore, it was especially important to show Shen Qing the importance that Tangren and Liu Shishi herself placed on the project.

"Thank you, Mr. Shen."

Liu Shishi stood up, picked up her wine glass, and said.

"Thank you, Mr. Shen, for giving you this audition opportunity," Cai Yinong said to Shishi, demonstrating the audition process.

"Thank you, Mr. Shen, for giving me this audition opportunity. I'll finish this drink; please feel free to drink as you like."

Following Cai Yinong's instructions, Liu Shishi picked up her wine glass and drank the red wine in one gulp.

"You're welcome. The role suits you very well." Shen Qing also downed the wine in his glass.

Liu Shishi sat back down in her chair, her feelings even more complicated.

She was still a virgin when she suddenly learned that Shen Qing liked her. Even though she knew that Shen Qing was a notorious womanizer in the industry, she still couldn't help but feel happy from time to time.

He's such a big director, yet he likes this newcomer, this nobody.

Especially since the release of "Gravity", it seems that overnight everyone around me is talking about him and worshipping the box office myth he created, and he, the director who has become a legend, likes her.

Yes, he was a womanizer, and she could never share him with other women, but sometimes in the dead of night, she couldn't help but think shamefully under the covers, "Whatever, I'll just become his concubine!"

It's as if they already have a powerful backer and a way out in the entertainment industry.

She had previously thought that the female lead role in the movie Shen Qing mentioned would definitely be hers if she agreed, but now she realized that there was actually an audition and competition involved.

Perhaps auditions weren't necessary before, but now Shen Qing wants to back out; he doesn't want to waste time on women anymore.

Liu Shishi suddenly became somewhat disappointed.

It's fine if something never existed, but it's very upsetting if it did exist and then disappeared.

While Shen Qing went to the restroom, Liu Shishi followed him out as if possessed.

While Shen Qing was washing her hands, Liu Shishi was also washing her hands next to her.

She didn't know why she followed him out, or what she was thinking; it was purely an unconscious act. After following him out, she pretended to go to the restroom, and then came out to wash her hands with Shen Qing.

She had something she wanted to say to Shen Qing, but when she was actually alone with him, she had no idea what she wanted to say.

"You followed me out, is there something you want to tell me?"

"Huh? No, I just need to use the restroom."

Liu Shishi turned around and glanced in the direction of the women's restroom. When she turned back, she found that she and Shen Qing were very close, as if she were leaning against him. In this situation, she should have instinctively taken a step back, but she did not.

"Your outfit looks great today."

Shen Qing grabbed her wrist, felt the fabric of her sleeve, and then pulled her into his arms, saying, "Did you come out here because you wanted me to hug you?"

"No, let me go! Don't let anyone see you. You're so popular right now, if someone sees you, it'll be explosive news."

"What are you afraid of? If someone sees us, I'll just marry you."

"What do you mean you'd rather marry me? It's not like I can't get married!"

"Yeah, let's go, they're still waiting for us."

With that, Shen Qing released Liu Shishi, and the two returned to the private room together.

After returning to the private room, Liu Shishi barely spoke, but her face remained flushed.

After the dinner, Cai Yinong privately asked Liu Shishi, "You just... won over President Shen?"

"K-sister!"

Liu Shishi gave a coquettish laugh and asked, "If a man, who's a bit of a womanizer, pursued you, what would you do?"

"That depends on whether the man is good enough and whether he truly likes me."

Liu Shishi nodded and did not ask any further questions.

Actually, if Liu Shishi knew her K-sister well enough, she wouldn't have asked that question. When Cai Yinong and Li Guoli were together, Li Guoli had a wife. During her argument with Yu Zheng, Yu Zheng accused her of being Li Guoli's mistress.

The next day, Gong Yu, the former COO of Sohu, went to Shenqi Film and Television, and Shen Qing personally received him.

After some pleasantries, the other party explained their purpose: they wanted to buy the online rights to the films and television dramas under the name of Shenqi Film and Television Company, and their offer was quite high. Taking television dramas as an example, the already aired "My Love from the Star" and "Boss & Me" already—

TV dramas that have been completed or are in production but have not yet been broadcast, such as "Scarlet Heart" and "Legend of Lu Zhen".

He wanted all of them, including "The Romance of Tiger and Rose" and "Palace," and each episode would cost 20 yuan.

The total number of episodes in the above series is around 200, and this price could sell for approximately 4000 million.

Just over a year ago, even for popular dramas, the online copyright only cost two or three thousand yuan per episode, so Gong Yu brought 20 yuan per episode...

Given the sincerity of Wan's offer, the deal should have been done by now.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Mr. Gong, but our company is not selling the online rights to our films and TV series at this time."

As a time traveler, Shen Qing knew that the next two years would be a crucial period for a surge in entertainment industry salaries and TV series copyright prices, with increases ranging from hundreds of times.

Last year, dramas cost two or three thousand yuan per episode, but this year top-tier works can reach two or three hundred thousand yuan per episode, and next year it may be two or three million!

The days of glitz and glamour in the entertainment industry are almost here, and iQiyi, which will officially launch next month, is one of the oils in that blazing fire.

"If Mr. Shen thinks the price is too low, we can negotiate!"

It's because iQiyi is about to officially launch next month, and Gong Yu is determined to acquire the copyright held by Shenqi Films, especially the phenomenal hit "My Love from the Star".

"The timing isn't right; we can't discuss my ideal price."

"What is Mr. Shen's ideal price range?"

Shen Qing smiled without saying a word.

Gong Yu thought for a moment, then held up three fingers and said, "Let's buy 'My Love from the Star' and 'Boss & Me' first, 30 per episode."

Shen Qing shook her head again.

Gong Yu was somewhat taken aback and asked, "What is the opportune time in President Shen's mind?"

Shen Qing said, "About a year. President Gong is preparing for iQiyi, and Tencent is also preparing for Tencent Video. Once Tencent Video is launched, the timing will be about right."

Is Tencent preparing to launch Tencent Video?

"Mr. Gong really knows absolutely nothing about this?"

Gong Yu returned empty-handed, but undeterred, he went to Tangren Media, which also held shares in "Scarlet Heart." Cai Yinong called to inquire, and Shen Qing told him to wait a little longer.

The main characters for "About Time" have been gradually confirmed.

The male lead is played by Shen Qing himself, the female lead is played by Liu Shishi, the male lead's father is played by Li Xuejian, the male lead's father's eccentric writer friend is played by Wang Zhiwen, and the final guest role of the ex-girlfriend is played by Fan Bingbing.

Of the main characters, only Liu Shishi officially participated in the audition.

"Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" is scheduled for release on July 9th during the summer holiday season, aiming to compete with director Feng Xiaogang's "Aftershock".

To avoid a conflict, Feng Xiaogang intentionally scheduled the release of "Aftershock" for July 28th, the 34th anniversary of the Tangshan earthquake. The role of Xiao Fangdeng in the film will still be played by Zhang Zifeng. Feng Xiaogang approached Shenqi Film & Television Company after seeing Zhang Zifeng's performance in "Nanjing Photo Studio." Zhang Zifeng is currently an actor under Shenqi Film & Television Company.

The first broadcast rights for "Legend of Lu Zhen" have also been sold. The 2+X model is adopted, with Zhejiang Satellite TV and Anhui Satellite TV each paying 80 yuan per episode, and 8 local channels paying 4 yuan per episode. The total unit price for the first round is the same as that for "Scarlet Heart", which is 192 million yuan per episode. The total number of episodes is 45, and the total amount is 8640 million yuan.

The production cost of this series was only 50 yuan per episode, and the fact that it can sell at this price shows that the market has great trust in the series produced by Magical Films.

The fact that this drama doesn't have a source material is a flaw, but if Shen Qing had written the outline himself, that would be a different story. Also, Zhao Liying is already a very high-profile actress, which is a multiple guarantee for high viewership.

Time flies, and it's already March 15th. The miraculous journey of "Gravity" continues.

As of 24:3 on March 14.

The domestic box office of "Gravity" has officially surpassed the 10 billion yuan mark, reaching 10.13 billion yuan.

China's second film to break the 10 billion yuan box office mark has been born!

As for the global market.

As of 24:3 on March 14.

Gravity grossed $5100 million over its third week of release in North America, achieving its third consecutive week at the top of the box office.

Its total box office in North America reached $3.98 million, and its total box office worldwide reached an astonishing $10.09 billion!

However, despite its good performance, it still falls short of Avatar.

Avatar grossed $7700 million in its opening weekend, $7500 million in its second weekend, and $6830 million in its third weekend.

The box office drop was very low every week, and it eventually achieved the feat of winning the championship for seven consecutive weeks.

While *Gravity* grossed $1.25 million in its opening weekend, significantly higher than *Avatar*, it plummeted to $8300 million in its second week and then to $5100 million in its third. This third-week drop was considerably lower than *Avatar*'s. However, this decline in *Gravity*'s box office is actually normal; the extremely small drop seen in *Avatar* is rather unusual. It seems unlikely that *Gravity* will achieve a four-week reign at number one.

Even so, Gravity's performance is still nothing short of miraculous!

After a month of release in China, it has grossed over 10 billion yuan!

In less than three weeks since its global release, the film has grossed over $10 billion, including domestic box office revenue!

On March 14th, the movie "Gravity" coincidentally broke two billion-yuan marks, and then the Chinese Internet became very lively.

Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say she's gone mad.

Countless netizens were stunned by the success of "Gravity," which far exceeded everyone's expectations.

It's fair to say that none of the previous predictions for the success of "Gravity" were accurate.

"Has it surpassed 10 billion in domestic sales?"

"Not only that, take a closer look! Globally, it's also surpassed 10 billion, but it's broken the 10 billion USD mark!"

"What? That's amazing!"

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