Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Just as Yang Che and his group met with Fan Bingbing at the China Film Cinema, Wang Zhongjun's office was discussing matters such as holding a celebration banquet for "Endless Love," announcing an extension of the screening period, restarting the roadshow, new publicity and distribution, and continuing to produce copies to increase distribution.

After all, why not take advantage of the anti-theft month?

Having attended the premiere of "My Sassy Girl" yesterday, they unanimously agreed that although "Endless Love" was the worst of the Lunar New Year trilogy, it was still a level above "My Sassy Girl," since both are sensory stimulation and not sophisticated.

However, we should learn from and emulate the promotional model of "My Sassy Girl," which involves visiting several cities.

After the distribution of remuneration was determined, everyone was happy and harmonious.

Feng Xiaogang grinned with his rotten teeth: "I think the fact that 'Endless' can gross 4000 million in half a month is thanks to our comrade Wang Xiaozhu. He wrote a good story. It's really hard on you to come up with this script from a few jokes you had at dinner."

Secondly, all of our cast and crew worked so hard. Comrades, in July, the temperature was over 40 degrees Celsius, and we were wearing down jackets to film winter scenes. Youzi told me every day, "I'll go film GG to pay off the money you spent. We're not filming this movie anymore." Haha, it was really tough. You guys said that I had a cyst surgery while filming, but compared to them, it's nothing.

Lastly, and most importantly, it's our producers, Zhongjun and Xiaolei. Without their ability and courage, our film wouldn't have been able to have a nationwide release, and we wouldn't have achieved this 4000 million yuan in just half a month.

Amidst the applause, Wang Zhongjun smiled subtly. He didn't add anything. Although "Endless" wasn't the first film to be released nationwide, it was the first film to be released nationwide with the participation of China Film Group. Therefore, it was the first film to be released nationwide.

And most importantly, investing over 1.3 million yuan in 350 copies all at once requires real guts. Well... neither China Film Group nor Xi'an Film Group would cover the copy costs for them.

After things quieted down, Liu Bei asked, "Do you think the final box office for 'My Sassy Girl' will reach 4000 million?"

The air seemed to freeze.

Wang Zhonglei spoke first: "Impossible. Don't be fooled by how fiercely he fought and how he sold two million dollars to the Japanese. This kind of movie isn't something just anyone can pull off. Director Xiaogang's box office appeal is built on the success of one Lunar New Year film every year."

Many people agree with this.

In particular, the employees of Huayi Brothers, who have invested in three films so far, were still wary of Kai Ge's "The Emperor and the Assassin" and Jiang Wen's "Devils on the Doorstep". Fortunately, Feng Xiaogang's "Endless Love", which is halfway through its run, has already earned back all their previous investments and left them with some money.

Fei Qi chimed in: "What Lei said is true. Putting aside what we invested in, just look at the movie 'The Birth of a Warrior' that was released by Beijing Film Studio on the 12th. Li Xuejian's poster was still hanging on the movie screen, but what happened? No theaters have shown it for a long time. It is said that it did not even sell for 20 yuan."

Wang Zhonglei scoffed, "It's a good thing it wasn't distributed nationwide, otherwise, at 3,500 yuan per copy, how much would we have lost?"

Wang Zhongjun glanced at Feng Xiaogang, who was smiling, before saying, "Director Xiaogang's box office appeal is beyond doubt, but I also think 'My Sassy Girl' will do well at the box office. We've all seen it and the quality is quite high, plus Yang Che's publicity strategy and investment. Although it's competing with us, this is a good thing."

Feng Xiaogang remarked, "Yes, it's good for all movies to remind more people that there's still a movie theater on the street."

At this moment, Cao Mo, who was in charge of publicity at Huayi Brothers, entered the office and said that the highly-rated "Legal Report" had given "My Sassy Girl" a bad ending.

After Cao Mo finished recounting the details, everyone fell silent, and the invincible feeling vanished.

Ge You, who had been drinking and not saying much, slowly said, "God helps those who do good deeds."

Wang Zhonglei inexplicably felt a chill run from his back to the back of his head, and he couldn't help but shiver.

Feng Xiaogang opened his mouth, then suddenly felt very aggrieved.

Why should I have to be subservient and humble after entering this industry, and spend more than ten years doing so before I have a chance to get ahead? Why?!

As a result, the group, who had been so enthusiastic just moments before, suddenly lost interest.

Despite their complex feelings, these veterans have to admit that "My Sassy Girl" is really about to take off.

This is easy to understand. "Endless Love" has already grossed nearly 800 million yuan in Beijing alone. That's an incredibly high percentage. In comparison, given Yang Che's fame and influence in Beijing, how much would that be?

Then consider the influence of Beijing on the whole country; isn't that how the Beijing elite circle came about? Well, nobody dares to imagine that.

Wang Zhongjun chuckled: "What an extraordinary person! This luck...tsk tsk, it's defying the heavens."

............

China Film Cinema.

As the song "I Believe" played in the 300-seat screening room, the lights gradually came on, and the audience was pleasantly surprised to find four or five young people standing on the side of the stage.

"Niu Geng! Niu Geng!"

"Bingbing, bingbing!"

"Holy crap, Yang Che!"

A loud shout suddenly came from the front row, startling Yang Che and causing his friends to chuckle.

"Is it Yang Che?"

"Is it just one person?"

"Where?"

"Yang Che, I love you!"

"......"

Viewers who had watched "Legal Report" at noon began to speak up, and the theater suddenly became noisy. Many people were explaining something to their partners or companions...

The cinema manager, who was acting as the host, quickly went on stage to maintain order.

"Please be quiet, everyone. Let's welcome Mr. Yang Che, Director Cheng Er, actors Fan Bingbing and Huang Haibo to the stage with warm applause."

"Clap clap clap clap"

Yang Che looked at the curious and friendly gazes of the audience below the stage and sighed inwardly, just like the gazes of the cinema staff.

So when it was Yang Che's turn to introduce himself, the scene became noisy again.

Yang Che smiled and bowed: "Hello everyone, I am indeed one of the three who acted bravely and righteously. I didn't expect it... I would like to thank Xu Tao for giving us a GG."

It's so contradictory. We spent over two million on GG fees, and more than ten colleagues put in over half a month of hard work, but I still couldn't be recognized on the street. But just now, when I went to buy a bottle of water, the shop owner insisted on giving it to me for free. Judging from his expression, if I didn't take the water, he would beat me up, so I obediently accepted it.

"Ha ha ha ha."

"I would like to ask the media present to help report this. Some friends who don't like watching movies, please don't think I'm a nice person and come to the cinema to support me just because of this. Nobody's money comes from thin air. Of course, if you don't care about the 15 yuan movie ticket, then just pretend I didn't say anything. I would be happier if you rented out the whole theater."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Just as the laughter subsided, a male voice with a slight Minnan accent rang out loudly.

"Yang Che, this is Zhuangzi, the boss of Sculpting Time! As long as you come here, it's free forever."