Huayu Entertainment: You have been directing for three generations, are you comparing your qualifica

Chapter 90 Making Movies Doesn't Make Money (Please Subscribe)
The domestic film and television industry is in an uproar.

Tian Xiaole's second attempt at winning an award not only helped Jiang Wu win Best Actor, but also earned him the Best Director award himself.

The discussion was even more heated because Gu Changwei won the Jury Prize for his directorial debut.

Because it was Tian Xiaole's first time competing for an award, she also won the Cannes Jury Award.

The most important point is that he is only 24 years old, and he can not only make art films, but also be a great director of commercial films.

The entire print media and major websites on the internet were filled with news about Tian Xiaole winning the award.

The buzz surrounding this topic is something that newcomer director Gu Changwei can't match.

The Beijing Film Academy put up two banners at the school gate.

The previous post read: "Congratulations to our student Tian Xiaole for winning Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival, and for producing a Best Actor!"

The next item reads: "Congratulations to our distinguished alumnus Gu Changwei for winning the Berlin Jury Prize!"

"Old Tian, ​​you need to feel the pressure. [Hidden in the Dust] was still the script Xiao Le gave you, wasn't it?"

Principal Zhang Huijun's words made Tian Zhuangzhuang's face darken. He suspected that Tian Xiaole had set him up.

If he really comes away empty-handed at the film festival, wouldn't he lose face in front of Tian Xiaole?

He's made up his mind to go to this year's Venice Film Festival, since he knows people there.

···
With the closing ceremony over, the copyrights to the award-winning films from last night were also traded today.

In the morning, China Film Group met with a well-known film distributor who had previously expressed interest to discuss copyright issues.

Currently, Europe offers the highest bid, followed by the United States, as the film aligns with the current fervent anti-war sentiment.

Apart from not selling in mainland China, the copyrights for other regions have been divided up by several major film companies.

After some back and forth, the price was settled at a total of US$8.5 million.

The price was lower than "The Coffin in the Mountain," but still acceptable. Cannes is generally considered more prestigious, and it was a second-place jury award.

That evening, Tian Xiaole and Han Sanping met to discuss the domestic copyright of "Buried Alive".

"It's a good thing I didn't listen to you back then, otherwise I would have missed this opportunity." Han Sanping looked like he had everything under control.

Four companies invested three million US dollars and sold the property for eight and a half million, nearly three times the profit. Most importantly, they didn't have to share the profits with the theaters.

"I never dared to dream of winning two major awards. Luckily, I met a jury chairman who liked disaster movies."

I guess I had bad luck at Cannes last time, but this time I met Roland Emmerich, a disaster movie enthusiast.

"The film has a quota for imported films, so let's import it directly for release in China," Han Sanping said casually.

"What about the price?"

"You've seen the box office figures for 'Peacock' in China. There's no market for art films. Let's push 'Buried' down a bit. Three million RMB."

Han Sanping truly lives up to his reputation as the bandit leader Zuo Shandiao; he's so ruthless even towards his own people. What's the difference between that and breaking a bone?
Tian Xiaole also paid attention to the film "Peacock," which was released in China on the 18th, hoping to capitalize on its popularity after being nominated for the Berlin Film Festival.

The box office performance was disastrous, barely exceeding six million in its first week, and it's estimated that it will only gross a little over ten million after its run.

Gu Changwei probably doesn't care about this box office revenue. The copyright price of "Peacock" is not low. Considering the production cost, making three or four times the profit is not a problem.

But for [Bury Alive], the price of three million is practically a free gift.

"Uncle Han, don't forget, the domestic box office of 'The Coffin in the Mountain' was quite high."

Seeing that Tian Xiaole was unwilling to suffer a loss, Han Sanping smiled and changed to playing the family card.

"Xiao Le, Chairman Yang is retiring soon, and your Uncle Han is under a lot of pressure..."

"Stop, stop..."

Tian Xiaole quickly called for a stop; he had finally understood.

So, they're about to be officially promoted, and they want to strictly control the film's price to prevent others from gossiping. They can only let their close friends and family suffer some losses first.

"Uncle Han, let's do it your way."

Tian Xiaole is reasonable, and besides, a film like "Buried Alive" is too depressing, so its box office performance in China wouldn't be very high.

The next day, Tian Xiaole, Jiang Wu, and the people from China Film Group boarded the return flight together, but they didn't see Gu Changwei and his group.

Inside the first-class cabin, everyone was chatting and laughing; this trip to Berlin had been very fruitful.

Besides helping Jiang Wu realize his dream, he also won the Silver Bear Award. It is estimated that he will not consider making any award-winning films for the time being.

After another 11-hour flight, they landed in the early morning. The group was very conspicuous and was surrounded by a group of reporters as soon as they stepped out of the airport.

"Chairman Han, how many films did China Film Group import this time?"

"Let's wait for further news."

Han Sanping wore a black Zhongshan suit and had a short haircut. Although she was not tall, she had a powerful aura.

The reporter then shifted the focus to Tian Xiaole.

"Director Tian, ​​congratulations on winning the Best Director award. Would you mind telling us the price of the copyright transaction?"

Just as Tian Xiaole was about to shake his head in refusal, Han Sanping spoke up directly:
"The copyright fee for 'Burying Alive' is $8.5 million."

"Congratulations, Teacher Jiang Wu..."
Escorted by the China Film Group team, they quickly boarded the vehicle that had come to pick them up. Before getting in the car, Han Sanping explained to Tian Xiaole why he had revealed the price.

The film "Buried" wants to capitalize on its award-winning popularity by releasing the copyright price, which is also a way to promote the film.

Tian Xiaole nodded in understanding and got into the car that had come to pick her up.

"Please send me back first."

I spent the Spring Festival in Berlin, so the first thing I'll do when I get back is go home.

Tian Xiaole refused her assistant's offer to help with her luggage and dragged her suitcase to the courtyard gate.

"Grandma, I'm back."

Soon, sounds could be heard coming from inside the house.

"My dear grandson is back."

With a kind expression, Yu Lan opened the door, first surveying the room to make sure everything was alright.

He then took Tian Xiaole's hand and walked into the house, muttering to himself:

"Look how thin you've become. Western food is no human food."

While Yu Lan was doting on her eldest grandson, major international news portals had already reported the news of the group's return to China.

"Berlin's newly crowned Best Director, Tian Xiaole, has landed in the capital, selling the rights to his film 'Buried' for a record-breaking $850 million."

···
The second day after returning to China.

The school's call came late but surely, instructing Tian Xiaole to take the trophy and certificate back to take photos and document them, as these were all teaching achievements worthy of being included in a work report.

Tian Xiaole agreed, found a plastic bag, put the trophy and certificate in it, and headed towards school.

The 05 art entrance exams have begun, and compared to the other two art colleges, the Beijing Film Academy has the most applicants.

The banner announcing Tian Xiaole's award is still hanging at the school gate.

"Oh my, great director, you're back at school!" (Beijing accent)

"Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, greeted us."

"Director Xie asked me to come back."

Tian Xiaole checked his pockets; he hadn't brought any cigarettes with him today.

"You're taking pictures with the trophy, right? Then hurry up and go in."

It's an old tradition at the school, and Old Zhang knows it all too well. Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige also went through this process.

"Thank you for your reply. (Beijing accent)"

Old Tian and several school leaders were in the office.

"You're carrying the Best Director award in a tattered bag?"

Xie Fei, despite his advanced age, quickly took the bag containing the trophy and certificate from Tian Xiaole.

"It should be packaged in a nice box."

Old Tian, ​​with a cigarette dangling from his lips and his eyes half-closed, spoke very seriously.

Tian Xiaole was just trying to save trouble, but she didn't expect it to cause such a big reaction.

The trophy was neatly arranged, and several photos were taken from different angles. Tian Xiaole held it in her hands for one photo, and then there was a group photo.

"Xiao Le, you already have a Cannes jury certificate at home, why don't you leave this trophy at school?"

"Old Zhang, don't get any ideas, or the old lady will give you trouble," Old Tian warned irritably.

Tian Xiaole ignored it, put the bag on, picked it up, and went home.

···
After staying at home for two days, Tian Xiaole went back to the company. Besides asking the finance department to keep an eye on the copyright revenue, she also checked last year's financial statements.

The film "Bouquet" grossed 130 million RMB at the box office during its run on the film's theatrical release.

According to the revenue sharing of imported films, after deducting 10% consumption tax and 5% local tax.

Of the remaining total box office revenue, theaters and distributors retain 65-75%, while producers receive between 30% and 35%.

[Bouquet] The film grossed 46 million won at the South Korean box office.

扣除15%的各种税，发行方再收取20-30%的代理及宣传费，制片方能拿到30-40%分账票房。

The box office revenue is transferred back to China, and after deducting various taxes, it is then divided among the four investors. This is still better than buying out the copyright.

The domestic box office revenue of "The Coffin in the Mountain" was 4030 million yuan. After deducting various taxes of 8%, the production company can get 40% of the box office revenue.

Xiao Le Pictures will receive 370 million.

[Bouquet] The domestic box office revenue was 6020 million yuan. After various taxes and theater distribution, Xiaole Pictures will receive 550 million yuan.

After a year of hard work, the conclusion is that relying solely on box office revenue is not profitable.

Fortunately, Tian Xiaole didn't have to pay for any of the movies he made, and he even gave the film shares to Enlight Media and Huayi Brothers at a premium. Otherwise, he would have worked for nothing all year.

(End of this chapter)