Back to 17, My Brother is the Cult Leader

Mr. Zhu, the general manager of Shanghai Film Studio, was very familiar with Director Tan of the Department of Dramatic Literature.

He was a refined and gentle man who spoke softly and gently.

Upon meeting, they made it clear that Shanghai Film Studio was determined to acquire "Eighteen-Year-Old Sky".

All conditions are negotiable.

Shanghai Film Studio, a former state-owned enterprise, is undergoing transformation.

We are currently facing a difficult period, beset by internal and external troubles.

From centralized purchase and sales to the current system of self-financing;

The works were outdated, audiences didn't buy them, box office sales plummeted, and talent was lost.

Caught between market forces, Hollywood, television, and piracy, there is an urgent need for outstanding works to break through the encirclement.

Television dramas are currently a promising market.

In his previous life, Fang Yuan remembered that "Eighteen-Year-Old Sky" was a huge hit at the time.

This opportunity is even better now.

At Fang Yuan's suggestion, Director Tan personally arranged to meet with General Manager Zhang of Forbidden City Film Industry for a discussion.

In the conference room, Director Tan and Director Shen from the school were in charge.

Fang Yuan spoke eloquently and confidently in front of the two powerful figures.

"My two leaders, first of all, I basically agree with the idea of ​​adapting these two novels into film and television works."

First, they were reassured.

"I have some ideas on how to do it, and I'd like you two to consider whether they are suitable."

"I understand the difficulties that Shanghai Film Studio is currently facing, as Mr. Zhu has mentioned at length. All new productions carry a certain degree of risk."

"Lost in Thailand" also faces uncertainties.

"My proposal is for the three of us to cooperate."

"Forbidden City Film Studio was the main investor in 'Lost on Journey,' with Shanghai Film Studio and I as co-investors. If the market is favorable, we can do the same with 'Back to 20.'"

"The three novels, 'Eighteen-Year-Old Sky,' 'Flying Colors,' and 'First Love,' were primarily controlled by Shanghai Film Studio, with Mr. Zhang and I participating in the investment."

"I want to finalize the negotiations for these five projects I currently have all at once, so I can focus on my studies."

In this way, both of your companies will have new projects in the next two years.

"Tripartite cooperation can share risks, integrate resources, and share benefits."

"Your two families are located in the south and the north, each with its own regional resource advantages."

"I am the original author, and I am also responsible for the adaptation, so that it can be as close to the original work as possible."

After I finished speaking, the people in the meeting room remained silent.

After a long pause, Mr. Zhang said in a hoarse voice,

"With the three parties cooperating, how do you want to divide the shares?"

"My initial budget for 'Lost in Thailand' should not exceed 200 million yuan. I want to take 30% of the profits from my original copyright, the adaptation fee, and 20 yuan. I suggest that the controlling party take more than 40%."

"The film and television copyrights belong to all three of us, in equal proportions, while the adaptation rights belong to me."

"The same goes for 'Eighteen-Year-Old Sky'. My side has 30%, and the controlling party has 40%."

"What are your thoughts, leaders?"

After saying that, Fang Yuan took out the script outlines and detailed outlines of the two novels from his bag.

It was divided among the four people present, one portion for each person.

Several people started flipping through the pages, and after finishing one, they exchanged them to read.

More than half an hour passed before Fang Yuan returned from the restroom.

The group of people were still looking down, not saying a word.

Fang Yuan could only cough once, temporarily interrupting the atmosphere in the conference room.

"Teachers, leaders, I've also finished writing the scripts for the other three novels."

"However, I think we should get these two sorted out first and then see how things go."

"There's another thing. A publisher in the United States is preparing to publish 'Flying Colors' and is currently translating it."

Several people in the conference room looked up at Fang Yuan in surprise.

"Are you sure?" Director Shen asked, somewhat excitedly.

"Yes, someone might come for an interview next month."

Both directors were somewhat excited.

"Both of you, I actually think this plan is quite good."

Director Tan took a sip of water and spoke slowly.

"Xiao Fang has already explained the advantages of this plan very clearly."

"It complements each other's strengths and can also reduce risks."

"I think it's great!"

"We've never done this kind of cooperation before," Mr. Zhu said with a wry smile.

"However, Shanghai Film Studio agreed."

"Okay, I agree. Let's give it a try."

"If everyone agrees, let's finalize the contract as soon as possible."

Three days later, the three parties signed the relevant contract in the presence of representatives from the Central Academy of Drama.

After several more days of discussions, the project implementation plan for the 1998 Spring Festival film "Lost in Thailand" was finalized.

The concept of the Spring Festival film season was also proposed by Fang Yuan.

Connecting the Lunar New Year film season before and after New Year's Day.

Core basic information of the project:

Movie Title: Lost on Journey

Genre: Spring Festival travel rush realistic comedy, heartwarming comedy

Shooting Plan:

Filming officially began in November 1997, with intensive shooting and production. Post-production was completed in January 1998, and the film was slated for release during the Spring Festival.

Production partners:

Forbidden City Film Group (organizer/controller), Shanghai Film Studio (distribution assistance), Yuanchuang Culture Studio (original work/screenplay)

Investment and percentage: Total investment amount: RMB 200 million.

紫禁城影业出资80万占40%，上影厂出资60万占30%，源创文化出资20万+原着版权+完整剧本占30%。

Starring: Feng Gong, Niu Qun (at Fang Yuan's strong suggestion)

Director: Yang Yazhou (Specializing in comedies about ordinary people; recommended by Forbidden City Pictures)

Release date: Chinese New Year's Day, 1998 (Spring Festival Golden Week).

As the organizer, Forbidden City Film Industry holds the authority to collaborate with CCTV on film and television resources and assumes the main responsibility for controlling and leading the project.

Shanghai Film Studio relies on its established distribution channels in East China to ensure nationwide distribution.

Yuanchuang Culture ensures the core originality of the film's content by using original IPs and complete scripts.

The three parties have a clear division of labor and complementary advantages, with no conflicts of equity or rights and responsibilities, making the cooperation model fully reasonable.

Both film companies spoke highly of Fang Yuan regarding the selection of the main creative team.

It's simply the best it can be done under the current circumstances.

Fang Yuan thought to himself, "There's nothing I can do. Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang are probably nowhere to be found right now."

Even if we find it, it probably won't be able to sustain itself right now.

The first shot must be fired successfully.

Fang Yuan was very confident in this plan.

The Spring Festival of 1998 was a crucial moment for the initial rise of the domestic New Year comedy market. With "The Dream Factory" proving the box office potential of the Spring Festival season, the market urgently needed comedy films that fit the atmosphere of the New Year for the people, and the season's benefits were unprecedented.

Furthermore, the crosstalk performance by Feng Gong and Niu Qun on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala became a must-see comedy highlight for audiences across the country during the Spring Festival, creating a synergy in content, popularity, and publicity between the film and the Spring Festival Gala skit.

Releasing on the first day of the Lunar New Year seamlessly capitalizes on the nationwide attention generated by the Spring Festival Gala, achieving a seamless transfer of popularity and securing an excellent release window.

As a leading state-owned film and television enterprise, Forbidden City Film Industry has deep roots in film and television resources in Beijing and across the country. It also has the influence of CCTV and can access mainstream cinema chains and film and television distribution channels nationwide.

Shanghai Film Studio boasts a mature distribution network in East China and covers the core box office market in the south. The collaboration between these two state-owned film studios ensures comprehensive coverage of cinemas nationwide and guarantees a competitive advantage in film scheduling.

At the same time, relying on CCTV's publicity resources, it achieves nationwide reach on television, extending to cities and towns at all levels across the country, giving it an absolute geographical advantage in publicity channels.

Feng Gong and Niu Qun, as the most popular comedy duo in the 90s, won the love of audiences of all ages with their Spring Festival Gala sketches and crosstalk performances over the years. They have a huge audience base, and their chemistry is excellent. Their comedic performances are deeply rooted in people's hearts.

The film focuses on the theme of returning home for the Spring Festival, which resonates with the whole nation. It fits the emotions of family reunion and returning home for the Spring Festival. The content is close to people's lives, with humor that is down-to-earth and heartwarming.

At the same time, the three production companies worked together closely, and the creative teams complemented each other perfectly, bringing together the strengths of the project's creators, audience, and collaborators.

The timing, location, and people are all in my favor! The advantage is mine!