Entertainment: I am the peak

Chapter 97: Aligado Kosei Mas!
Li Qiutang never thought that "Going to Fame" could surpass "Kung Fu Panda" because he knew how strong this foreign panda was and the filming was indeed beautiful, a rare masterpiece.

What he wanted was to earn as much box office revenue as possible from "Kung Fu Panda".

But sometimes people get confused and don't think about some things comprehensively.

Li Qiutang never expected that his film "Fame and Fame" was released a week earlier and its box office revenue of over 5000 million in the first weekend would have a real impact on "Kung Fu Panda". Similarly, he also did not expect that his war of words with Feng Xiaogang would boost the box office 16 days after the movie was released.

The verbal battle between the two made "Famous" earn nearly 7 million yuan in the first week of July, including more than 3000 million yuan in the two days of the weekend, and the total box office of "Famous" has approached 2000 million yuan.

Li Qiutang and the main creators really didn't expect that a movie that has been released for nearly 20 days could achieve such a result.

Arguing is so effective. I should have cursed more earlier.

Affected by "Get Famous", "Kung Fu Panda", which was generally predicted to break 7 million yuan in early July, did not meet expectations in the first week.

The total box office barely reached over 8000 million.

But this result is already very good for an animated film. However, due to the impact of the verbal battle between Li and Feng, the market generally lowered its expectations for "Kung Fu Panda".

Because in a few days, the epic masterpiece of the year - at least that's how it's promoted - "Red Cliff" will be released.

It will be difficult for "Kung Fu Panda" to snatch box office revenue from "Red Cliff".

Feng Xiaogang didn't retort, and Li Qiutang was in no mood to argue with him. She concentrated on preparing "The Whistleblower" in Tianjin.

The producer on Huayi's side is naturally still Chen Guofu, while the responsibility of producer on China Film Group was entrusted to Huang Jianxin.

Li Qiutang and Huang Jianxin are now in Tianjin.

"The funding has now reached 50%, and we can basically start the project."

Most crews can start filming with half of the funds, or it can be said that there is basically no such thing as starting filming with full funding in the industry.

But Li Qiutang is different. He requires at least 70% of the funds to be received before he will start the machine.

"Whose money hasn't arrived yet?"

Huang Jianxin gave him a meaningful look, and Li Qiutang understood: "Huayi? Tsk, they are the ones who want to invest, and they are also the ones who are not happy to pay the money. It's really troublesome.

"They made so much money from 'Defiant' and 'Famous' and now they are refusing to pay me."

"If you keep pushing for it, the shareholders will refuse to pay and it will be disgraceful to everyone if people tell others about it."

Li Qiutang and Huang Jianxin went upstairs and took a look at the interior which had been almost renovated.

Huang Jianxin told Li Qiutang: "The three of us need to each take out a portion and distribute it to the cinema chains. Now Wanda, Southern Shinkansen, Shanghai United, and Jinyi Zhujiang are all interested."

"That's no problem. We were going to bring in cinema chains anyway." The decision to bring in cinema chains was agreed upon when the filming of The Sound of Wind was being discussed for investment quotas.

Li Qiutang added: "But one thing is that we need real cash investment. Don't let them use empty promises like scheduling guarantees to cheat us out of our money."

He also said: "It would be best if they were asked to pay and guarantee the filming schedule."

Huang Jianxin laughed: "You young man have a really big appetite."

Li Qiutang said, "That's as it should be. They invested money, so The Sound of Wind is their own project. What's wrong with scheduling more shows for their own project?"

Li Qiutang said this so naturally and so shamelessly.

On the third day in Tianjin, Li Qiutang received a guest from afar.

Su Mang.

The purpose of Su Mang's trip is to invite Li Qiutang to attend the Bazaar Charity Gala to be held next month.

The film and television circles and the fashion circle have always been closely connected, and Li Qiutang is the most eye-catching new director in the past two years. It is normal for Su Mang to have his eyes on him.

Li Qiutang's first thought was to refuse: "I work behind the scenes, why would I go to your fashion party?"

Knowing is one thing, accepting is another. Li Qiutang is still not used to exposing herself like an actor. But Su Mang had already prepared the words: "You are young and quite traditional. We have held several evening parties. Many directors, screenwriters, company bosses, and those who work behind the scenes have come here."

"Besides, we are raising funds for the earthquake-stricken areas this time. If you come here and show your face, it will also serve as a rallying cry."

Li Qiutang was willing to do his part in charity, but he couldn't guarantee a time for Su Mang: "When is your party?"

"The 22th of next month."

"On the 22nd..." Li Qiutang hesitated for a few seconds, "I may not have time, I have to start shooting my movie."

Seeing that Li Qiutang had given in, Su Mang said, "We'll try to coordinate the time. We still hope you can come."

Then he added: "I've snatched away all three of your leading roles, so you have no choice but to come."

It turns out that Li Bingbing, Zhou Xun and Huang Xiaoming have all agreed to attend next month's charity gala.

Li Qiutang smiled and said, "I'm shooting in Tianjin, so I'm not filming the three of them."

In the end, Li Qiutang still did not give Su Mang a confirmed promise, only saying that he would try his best to find time to go, and even said that even if he did not go, he would entrust someone else to donate on his behalf.

But Su Mang wanted more than just his donation, she wanted Li Qiutang to be there in person!

But she also knew how busy a popular director like Li Qiutang was. During the few minutes she talked to Li Qiutang, Li Qiutang's cell phone vibrated five times, and there were three people waiting outside the door to report to him.

Su Mang's last words before leaving were to ask Li Qiutang to take time out to attend the party next month.

Until Su Mang left, Li Qiutang felt that the so-called fashion circle was far away from her.

If he were an actor who needed to look good, he would go to support Su Mang, but he is a director and it seems that he is not that closely connected with fashion.

We'll see when the time comes. After all, it's a charity gala, and even if the money isn't there, it's a token of our appreciation.

Li Qiutang has been traveling back and forth between Tianjin and Zhuolu these days.

Today Huang Xiaoming came to Zhuolu to find Li Qiutang to check his language learning results.

Li Qiutang once said that he would give him a month to learn Takeda's Japanese lines. Now a month and a half has passed, and Li Qiutang has not talked to him about the role. Huang Xiaoming is getting anxious.

As far as he knows, the cast of "The Sound of Wind" has been basically confirmed. Zhou Xun, Zhang Hanyu and others have already signed the contract. The last one to sign the contract was Li Bingbing, who also signed the contract with the crew during the quarrel between Li Qiutang and Feng Xiaogang last week.

Su Youpeng has been learning Kunqu Opera for more than 2 months!

The only actor for Takeda has not been decided yet.

He narcissistically thought that Li Qiutang was waiting for him, otherwise why didn't she find another actor?
Li Qiutang was a little surprised that Huang Xiaoming took the initiative to find him, because he had forgotten about this!
"Come on, recite your lines." Li Qiutang, his executive director and production director assessed Huang Xiaoming together.

The assessment is divided into two parts, one dialogue and two monologues. The dialogue is selected from the conversation between Takeda and Wang Tianxiang, which tests Huang Xiaoming's Japanese Mandarin. One of the two monologues is selected from Takeda's lines asking Lieutenant General Guawei for orders to wipe out the assassination organization, and the other is selected from Takeda's dispute with his colleagues at a Japanese officers' meeting, which tests Huang Xiaoming's Japanese.

Li Qiutang held the script and read Wang Tianxiang's lyrics, cooperating with Huang Xiaoming.

It must be said that Huang Xiaoming's language talent is indeed not very good. He has learned Japanese Mandarin quite well, but his Japanese is just barely usable.

In fact, through mutual friends, Li Qiutang also knew how hard Huang Xiaoming had worked to practice Japanese over the past month and a half.

"That's it." Li Qiutang said.

Huang Xiaoming heard the dissatisfaction in Li Qiutang's tone, and his heart suddenly began to hang in the air.

"Go back and practice hard, and don't show any fear when the machine is officially launched."

Huang Xiaoming was delighted after hearing this, and uttered something in Japanese: "Arigato Kosei Mas!"

Li Qiutang and others laughed after hearing this, and Huang Xiaoming also laughed.

(End of this chapter)