Huayu: When the director changed his major

Chapter 348: The Innate High School Student's Holy Body

After investing in Zhihu, Zuibai Group assisted in its promotion.

Zhihu is also making internal strategic adjustments based on Cheng Xi's opinions.

With this money, Zhou Yuan's confidence doubled.

After finishing his work on Zhihu, Cheng Xi started to get busy with Zuibai Entertainment's Z plan for 2015.

China Film Theater.

"Duds" was playing on the big screen.

Cheng Xi brought the main creative staff of the film, Han Sanping and a group of theater managers to preview the movie "Duds".

Because both the director and actors of this film are basically newcomers to the film industry.

The most famous ones are probably the female director Su Xi and the principal's daughter Tan Songyun.

And Aruna was still a student.

So this time Cheng Xi came out in person to support them.

The editing of "Duds" was completed in February, and the final version was produced at Cheng Xi's request.

At this time, except for occasional laughter, everyone in the theater was immersed in the movie.

More than an hour passed like this.

Everyone finally stood up and applauded.

"This movie is really good. It's different from Mahua's previous simple comedies. It has attitude and thought. It's really good!"

"Director Cheng, is this Zuibai Mahua's transformational work?"

"What's the name of the actor who plays the coppersmith? His performance is natural and very talented."

"Tan Songyun was a great choice for the role, and the other actors also performed well. Zuibai Entertainment is increasingly talented!"

After the film was over, everyone gathered around Cheng Xi and praised and asked questions.

Cheng Xi smiled and took the opportunity to introduce the two directors of the film, Zhou Shen and Liu Lu, as well as Ren Suxi and Tan Songyun to everyone.

"You can ask these two directors. They are very talented, which is why they made the movie 'Donkey Gets Water'."

Then Cheng Xi left the center position to the two directors, while Cheng Xi and Han Sanping chatted and laughed on the side.

Since the cast of this film is really average, only Ren Suxi and Tan Songyun are somewhat familiar to some people.

If it wasn’t for Zuibai Mahua’s film, probably no one would attend this screening.

Cheng Xi: "Suxi, Xiao Tan, this is the famous Han Sanping Sanye of the Central Film Academy."

Ren Suxi and Tan Songyun also called out "Third Master" obediently.

Han Sanping smiled and nodded, saying:

"Director Cheng, there's no need to be so polite between us. We're all family."

"To be honest, I quite like this film. It gives me the same feeling as when I first watched your film 'Life Events'. Since then, you have rarely made films that explore human nature."

Cheng Xi: "Isn't this one coming? First get famous, then make money. Now Zuibai Entertainment is also going to make a less commercial movie."

Han San's comment: "Hahahaha, you really get it. However, the topic discussed in this film is a bit serious, and there are few scenes and characters. I wonder if the audience will buy it."

Cheng Xi: "Brother, do you know how much this film cost?"

Ever since Cheng Xi became better and better, Han Sanping has taken the initiative to ask him to call him senior brother.

Cheng Xi was naturally not polite.

Han Sanping: "I saw the budget is 2000 million."

Cheng Xi: "We actually only spent 800 million, and the remaining 1200 million is planned to be used for marketing."

Han Sanping laughed again when he heard this:
"My business is getting better and better. I can make back my investment with 5000 million, and the rest is a huge profit."

Although this film has its shortcomings, they are all advantages at this cost.

What's more, the most difficult thing is how to attract audiences into the cinema. Once they enter, I believe the quality of this film will quickly attract people.

It was promoted in the beginning by Zuibai Entertainment and later by word of mouth.

In Han Sanping's opinion, a box office of several hundred million is no problem.

"I also need you to get me more screenings and a good schedule."

Cheng Xi was just being polite when he said this. Nowadays, any film produced by Zuibai Entertainment will be scheduled to be screened in the first-tier cities.

What's more, my voice in the entertainment industry is already very loud.

So everyone is willing to add icing on the cake.

"By the way, I heard that you're thinking about getting into the internet business lately? You even invested in a website called Zhihu and started a paid knowledge platform?"

Looking at the playful expression on Han Sanping's face, Cheng Xi couldn't help but think that everyone almost treated him as a big spender recently.

In the eyes of people in the industry, it would be a waste of 3 million yuan to invest in making more movies.

Instead of taking advantage of the good market conditions to earn more money and investing recklessly, you will eventually go bankrupt.

But in the eyes of Internet people, they are not pleasing either.

Why would someone from the entertainment industry get involved in the Internet? You don't have enough money to burn in this industry.

At present, Zhihu has not shown any advantages.

So everyone certainly couldn't understand Cheng Xi's thoughts, thinking that he just had too much money and had no place to spend it.

Cheng Xi was too lazy to argue, three hundred million was not a lot for him.

Diversified investment is also a strategy, and if successful, you can make a lot of money.

"Yes, I use this website myself and I find it fun. If they need money, I'll invest a little. It's no big deal."

"So that's how it is. Brother, you are really a man of temperament."

"Hahaha, everyone is laughing at me now. But brother, you have to come to the celebration party for "The Mermaid" next week."

"Even if you didn't invite me, I would have gone. It's a celebration for the highest-grossing movie in the country, and anyone who goes will be honored."

Just as Cheng Xi and Han Sanping were praising each other's business, Ren Suxi and Tan Songyun next to them were extremely envious.

When will I be able to star in a movie with a box office of over 20 billion?

Li Yitong is so lucky!
The box office of "The Mermaid" has now reached 24.8 billion, but it has been released for more than a month.

The current daily box office is only a few million, and may reach tens of millions on the weekend.

Cheng Xi plans to show the film for a few more weeks and then arrange to end the screening.

This time, "The Mermaid" can be said to have been a resounding success, and all investors made a lot of money.

China Film invested 3000 million yuan, with a profit share of 10.7% and a box office share of no less than 1.1 million yuan.

Stephen Chow's Bigo Group invested 4000 million yuan, and together with the screenwriter's share of the profits, it accounted for 14.3% and the box office share was no less than 1.5 million yuan.

The profits are three or four times.

Including Stephen Chow's directing, acting, editing and other expenses, Cheng Xi paid a total of 1 million yuan.

It can be said that Stephen Chow made a lot of money this time, and it was a risk-free profit.

Now, every time Cheng Xi talks to Stephen Chow, Stephen Chow's tone is very high and enthusiastic.

There's nothing he can do about it, it's Cheng Xi's fault for bringing him wealth.

Zuibai Entertainment actually invested 1.4 million yuan, plus the cost of the film and television adaptation of "The Mermaid", director Cheng Xi, and screenwriter Cheng Xi, which together accounted for a total of 60.7% of the profits.

The box office share after tax is no less than 5.5 million yuan, with a profit margin of up to 4 times.

Not to mention that the movie was also released in many Southeast Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, etc., and the total box office was nearly 100 million.

You can also earn some small money.

Later on, they can sell CDs, peripheral products and authorized broadcasting rights, all of which are what Zuibai Entertainment makes the most money from.

In addition to these direct benefits, there are even more intangible benefits. Zuibai Entertainment's brand has undoubtedly been re-launched, confirming its invincible position.

The artists in the Zuibai series also benefited greatly from it, and many of the guest actors' few minutes of footage were unforgettable.

Not to mention that he created the now popular double-title girl - Li Yitong.

She is now receiving a lot of film contracts and announcements.

Commercial value soared.

Her current popularity has surpassed Jin Chen, Mao Xiaotong, Tan Songyun and others by a long way.

Zhang Tianai is not as popular as her.

Among the actresses in the "Drunken White" genre, only Reba and Nazha are ahead of her.

So Zuibai Entertainment plans to make this celebration party a bit grander.

To be worthy of the title of domestic box office champion.

After discussing the publicity and film scheduling with China Film, Cheng Xi and others left China Film.

Cheng Xi looked at Tan Songyun who was about to leave with the others and said:

"Xiao Tan, please take my car."

When Tan Songyun heard this, she was stunned.

Then, under the envious gazes of everyone, she foolishly followed Cheng Xi into his car.

Tan Songyun was admitted to the vocational acting class of the Film Academy in 07 and is Zhang Tianai's direct senior sister.

In fact, she is also half my senior sister.

But Cheng Xi’s status is different now, and he will probably meet many people from the film academy in the future.

Except for those I used to call them, I no longer call them senior brothers or sisters.

After getting in the car, Tan Songyun was obviously a little nervous.

She didn't know why her boss suddenly signed her and asked her to act in a movie.

I had auditioned for him several times before, but was rejected every time.

Later, I finally had the opportunity to work with Zuibaixi in "Eternal Love", playing the supporting role to Reba Nazha.

She originally thought that Director Cheng had chosen her to join the crew, but when she came to visit the set, Director Cheng didn't say a word to her.

At that time, she felt extremely uncomfortable.

I thought such a good opportunity had once again slipped away from me.

Could it be that I really won't be appreciated and can only play the second or third female lead?

It’s too frustrating to play a minor supporting role every day.

But unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better. One day, I received a call from my agent, saying that Zuibai Entertainment was planning to shoot a low-cost Republican-era movie.

There's a role for her.

She still remembers her agent's excited tone:

"I heard that Director Cheng personally selected you for this movie!"

"Little squirrel, you're going to be lucky this time, take off!"

So she agreed without thinking or asking what role it was.

Everyone can see the quality of Zuibai Entertainment’s movies!

Cheng Xi looked at Tan Songyun's awkward expression and said softly:
"Xiao Tan, how do you feel about acting in this movie?"

“Well, I feel like I still have a lot of room for improvement.”

"It's not the boss asking about homework, just a casual chat. Relax a little. According to seniority, you are still my senior sister."

"Oh, okay, boss."

Then the two chatted for a while, and Cheng Xi asked her about her current life and other trivial matters.

While chatting, Cheng Xi suddenly asked:
"Xiao Tan, you've always played supporting roles. Have you ever thought about playing the leading role?"

When Tan Songyun heard this, she looked very surprised.

I was just wondering when I could play the second or third female lead, but the boss actually asked me to play the first female lead?

Could it be that the boss has the ability to read minds?!

"Boss, can I?"

"Why not? Be more confident. If Zuibai Entertainment didn't have confidence in your future, it wouldn't sign you."

“Do you know your greatest strength?”

Tan Songyun thought for a moment and said:

“I think my biggest advantage is persistence.”

"Persistence? I guess so, but no matter how long you persist, it can't compare to a little personal style. The most important thing for an actress isn't how pretty you are, but recognizability. People have to remember her at first sight."

"Your biggest feature right now is your looks. Do you know why I asked you to play the role of the principal's daughter this time? It's because your looks are perfect for it. Even at 25 or 26, you still look like a 15 or 16-year-old middle school student."

Tan Songyun was a little confused when she heard this.

She never expected that the boss saw this in her.

"None of the roles you've played before have really capitalized on your appearance. They've either had you in military dramas or concubines in the harem. I remember you also played Mu Jianping in The Deer and the Cauldron. You can play these roles, but they lack distinctiveness and don't make you instantly recognizable. That's why your acting career has been so difficult."

"Boss, is that so? My appearance like a middle school student is my biggest advantage?"

Although she felt that this answer was a bit unreliable and violated her own cognition, because neither the teachers in the college nor many directors had ever told her this.

But she believed in her boss's vision.

Whether it is Jin Chen, Jing Tian, ​​or his direct junior sister Zhang Tianai.

Or the currently popular Li Yitong, who undoubtedly became famous because her boss developed her unique temperament and recognition.

These are all passed on by word of mouth in the industry, and Mr. Zuibai's reputation for turning stones into gold is not groundless.

At this moment, Tan Songyun inexplicably felt a little confident.

Maybe if I can really find this characteristic, I can develop further?

Since everyone in Zuibai Entertainment is doing very well, there is no reason why it would not work out for me.

"Well, that's what I want to act in. I've always played supporting roles, and the blooming period for actresses is very short. I'm a little afraid that it will continue like this."

"Well, that's fine. I'll have the Artist Department find you a good acting teacher soon. Then you should read August Changan's novel 'The Best of Us' carefully and try to understand what I mean by recognizability."

"In a week, write me a review of the film and a short biography of the heroine. Remember, you must complete it independently. This is your homework."

When Tan Songyun heard this, she felt excited and a little like crying.

The boss really wants to give me a heroine!

This is a hard-earned opportunity for her, who has always wanted to play the leading role and has worked hard in the entertainment industry for seven years.

"Thank you, thank you boss!"

Cheng Xi couldn't help but smile when he saw Tan Songyun's grateful expression.

It seems that the "innate high school student" training plan has begun.

However, Cheng Xi felt that it was not enough and continued:
"Well, go pick out a few sets of middle school uniforms for yourself, wear them while reading novels, and really get a feel for them."

"I strive to portray the character in both form and spirit, and become a real middle school student."

"Okay, boss, I'll do it!"

After saying that, he winked at Cheng Xi.

(End of this chapter)