Rebirth 2010: I taught Mr. Lei how to make a mobile phone

Chapter 995 Celebration Banquet

"Hello, it's me."

Have you seen "The Wandering Earth"? This movie inspired me a lot.

I think we can patch up some of the footage we've already shot.

Yes, we need to increase the budget. Not much, around ten million should be enough, just some reshoots and post-production adjustments.
It will definitely help with the box office after its release.
Summer movie season? We can make it!
Okay, I'll wait for your message.

After hanging up the phone, Teng Huatao let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had unloaded a heavy moral burden.

The night outside the window remained the same, but his state of mind had changed completely.

Since others have paved a bright and obviously easier path, why not take it yourself?

To Teng Huatao's surprise, someone had already acted faster and more decisively than him.

While he was still agonizing over the cost of reshooting "Shanghai Fortress," a phone call was taking place on the other side of the city.

"The character models for Nezha and Shen Gongbao were all redone. What's so difficult about that?"
"Can't you just copy the look from 'Ne Zha'?" The voice on the other end of the phone was clearly impatient.

"It's not like you're asking me to copy it exactly. Just make slight adjustments to the details. What does it matter if it's similar in spirit but not in form? The audience wants that feel."

"If you can't make up a plot, can't you just make one up? Just rearrange the original storyline, add some internet jokes, and that'll be enough to fill ninety minutes."

"The name also needs to be changed. Let's call it 'I Am Nezha 2: The Return of the Demon Child'! Remember to add a '2' so the audience will think it's a proper sequel."

"What are you afraid of? Look at all those pirated merchandise items these days, aren't they all making a fortune? I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong!"

After hanging up the phone, the man, who called himself a "producer," snorted coldly.

He could almost see his "low-budget dark horse" film burst onto the scene this summer.

If it weren't for limited funds, he would have done far more than just tinker with low-budget animation.
He couldn't wait to replicate a big-budget production like "The Wandering Earth".

But it's okay, you have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time.

If they can successfully rake in a wave of box office revenue and then exit unscathed, they will create a brand new business model – the "tribute to creation method".

Just as he was having a good dream, news spread like wildfire on February 13 that Beyond Pictures was about to hold a celebration banquet, instantly igniting the entire entertainment industry.

Looking back at the development path of Beyond Pictures over the years, from the early works such as "Brotherhood of Blades", "Kung Fu Jungle" and "Boonie Bears", which were relatively conventional, to later works such as "Monkey King: Hero Is Back" and "Wolf Warrior" that made the industry exclaim "The wolf is coming".

From "Wolf Warrior 2" last year to "Ne Zha" last month, and now the currently showing "The Wandering Earth"—the box office figures of 56 billion, 60 billion, and about to break 70 billion have been breaking records one after another.

This unprecedented "terrifying achievement" has led industry insiders to exclaim: This is not a "wolf," but a "gluttonous beast" that devours everything. This has also broken the defenses of many well-known directors, and some people in the Beijing film circle even said that the audience simply does not know how to appreciate what a good movie is.

But circumstances dictate that investors, producers, directors, and stars all rushed to participate, hoping to make an appearance and build good relationships at this rare event, perhaps in order to get a share of the profits in the next game on the other side.

Chen Tong's phone was ringing off the hook—all calls were requests for invitations to the celebration banquet. Sensing trouble, he made a quick decision and had his staff move the venue from the company headquarters to the nearby Park Hyatt Hotel.

So, one day later, on February 14th, Valentine's Day.

While countless couples strolled the streets, trying to fill up all the hotel rooms in the city, the film and television industry was abuzz with another spectacle.

Inside the banquet hall of the Park Hyatt Hotel in Chaoyang District, crystal chandeliers illuminate the entire space as if it were daytime.

This highly anticipated victory celebration banquet is about to begin here.

No one could have imagined that this grand event would become a significant turning point in the history of Chinese cinema.

In just two months, Beyond Pictures released two phenomenal works, "Ne Zha" and "The Wandering Earth": the former brought animated films to a whole new level, while the latter raked in 30 billion yuan at the box office during the seven-day Spring Festival season.

These two depth charges completely stunned everyone.

Inside the banquet hall, glasses clinked and lights shone, reflecting the excited faces of the guests.

Besides the two film directors Guo Fan and Jiaozi, the main cast and crew, including Wu Jing, Liu Yifei, the voice actor for Nezha, and the singer of the theme song, were all present.
Jackie Chan, Wu Jing, Chen Sicheng, Han Han, Shen Teng, Lin Chi-ling, Wang Baoqiang, Ma Li, Yang Mi, Andy Lau, Ning Hao.
The lineup was so dazzling that it was almost comparable to half of the entertainment industry's award ceremonies, with so many heavyweight figures coming to attend, making it a star-studded event.

What's even more noteworthy is that several leaders in the optoelectronics field, along with Mr. Sanping, who has been retired for many years, appeared at the dinner in a private capacity.

In the eyes of the media, this move gave the event a unique meaning that went beyond an ordinary celebration banquet—it subtly presented the scale and weight of a semi-official "informal film festival".

The formation of this special scene has its own internal logic: the films under the other side achieved a "good start" for the film market this year with their amazing box office performance, and such a brilliant performance naturally won the recognition and support of the competent authorities;

Although Sanping has left the front line, as a leading figure who has cultivated the fertile soil of Chinese cinema for half his life, his profound industry influence and unique industry status still make his presence a silent endorsement.

In addition, Leng Ning, Senior Financial Director of Beyond Group, and Qi Mengmeng, CEO of Beyond Cultural and Creative, also attended to show their support. It can be said that this is the first time that Chen Mo's female confidantes, apart from Lee Boo-jin who is far away in Seoul, have appeared together at the event.

"Two films, box office surpassing 10 billion." Someone in the crowd sighed softly, "It seems the other side is going to dominate the film and television industry."

At the main table, the leader was talking with Sanping: "It seems that Beyond is not only thriving in the Internet field, but also performing so well in the film and television industry. The top three in the domestic box office charts are all backed by Beyond's investment, right?"

Sanping smiled knowingly and replied, "I understand their creative process; it's a case of accumulating experience before unleashing it. With 'Ne Zha' and 'The Wandering Earth' kicking things off this year, the total box office at the end of the year is expected to reach a new high."

"That's right. To maintain this momentum, we need to learn more from the other side, how to make movies that ordinary people love and enjoy watching. That way, box office revenue and overall performance can reach new heights. You know what to do next."

Sanping nodded repeatedly. After all, no matter how high one's status is in the entertainment industry, one is still just a butler, and he knew his place.

Just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the banquet hall.

The leader looked up and smiled, "Looks like the main character for tonight has finally arrived."

Everyone turned to look at the entrance. On the left were Chen Tong and Jing Tian from Beyond Pictures, and on the right were Guo Fan and Jiaozi. The young man in the lead, dressed in a dark gray suit and with a tall and straight posture, walked in slowly—it was Chen Mo, the chairman of Beyond Group, who rarely appeared in public.

He walked with composure, his gaze was calm, and he exuded an invisible aura that came from someone who had long held a high position and was beyond his years.

The once noisy banquet hall gradually quieted down.

Whether they are film tycoons, well-known directors, or popular stars, everyone's attention is focused on this man in his early thirties who has already become a pivotal figure in China's business world.

Chen Mo simply raised his hand slightly in greeting, then walked straight to the main table to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with the supervisor and Sanping.

This was originally a celebration party within the other side, but its nature was quietly changed due to the successive appearances of the leaders of the competent department, Sanping and Chen Mo.

Following the established procedure, leaders delivered speeches, Sanping offered congratulations, and directors Jiaozi and Guo Fan shared their creative insights with the audience of filmmakers.

The final speaker was Chen Tong from Beyond Pictures, who previewed future investment projects that not only cover movies but also extend to TV series, animation, and other fields.

Finally, Chen Mo, as the "patriarch" of the other side, delivered a concluding speech to half of the Chinese film industry.

When he turned to face the entire room, the smile in his eyes faded slightly, and the atmosphere in the banquet hall quieted down.

Whether it's government officials, media outlets, celebrities, or industry professionals, everyone wants to hear this internet giant's views on the film and television industry.

Chen Mo looked around and slowly spoke:
"Thank you all for coming today." His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to every corner.

"The success of 'Ne Zha' and 'The Wandering Earth' proves one thing: as long as it's a good movie, our audience will go to the theater to support it. As long as we put our heart into it, we can make good movies."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the room: "And this is just the beginning."

"Over the next three years, Beyond will invest 30 billion yuan to establish a complete film industry system—from talent cultivation and technology research and development to industry chain integration."

"We want to ensure that people who are serious about making and passionate about film no longer have to worry about funding; we want to ensure that good stories are no longer dragged down by bad productions."

He spoke these words casually, yet they were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples in everyone's hearts.

Three hundred billion—this figure made everyone present gasp.

Even Sanping, who was used to big scenes, couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly, knowing that this number was already half of last year's box office.

Chen Sicheng subconsciously straightened his tie and exchanged a shocked look with Da Peng beside him.

They understood better than anyone what this scale of investment meant—it was no ordinary investment, but a signal of industry reshuffling, and they also saw new opportunities in it.

In the next ten minutes, Chen Mo briefly outlined the future plans for the other side:
"As Mr. Chen Tong just introduced, Beyond Pictures has achieved remarkable results in establishing a director studio system, building a top-notch screenwriting team, assembling and integrating a leading domestic visual effects team, developing original IPs, and soon constructing a modern film and television base."

Every aspect demonstrates Beyond Pictures' deep understanding of the industry and its accelerated expansion strategy.

I won't go into details.

But finally, I'd like to share a funny story that just came to mind. His tone softened slightly.

"In addition to social recruitment, we have recruited many talented people from Douyin (TikTok) for our studios, especially those who excel in visual effects."

They are those talented streamers who only have a few hundred followers but create content that reaches tens of millions of followers.

Just like in a movie or TV series, those investors who claim to have spent billions to produce 'five-cent special effects' don't treat the audience like human beings. They're just being perfunctory and don't deserve to be called human!

After he finished speaking, there were some gasps of surprise from the audience, and the media's flashbulbs went off one after another.

As expected, listening to Chen Mo speak never disappoints.
(End of this chapter)