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

Chapter 91 Breakup (Please Subscribe)

Currently, relying solely on the domestic market for box office revenue is too slow for films.

As Leyu.com grows, it needs to invest a lot of cash flow to maintain itself, otherwise it will be forced into a dead end by several large companies sooner or later.

We need to consider making quick money and building up our competitive advantage.

Which industry makes the most money right now? Without a doubt, it's the music market!
More accurately, it refers to singers who have hit songs.

With the emergence of mobile ringback tones, a single song can generate millions or even tens of millions of yuan in revenue.

Tian Xiaole remembers that the "Mice Love Rice" ringtone, which was criticized as being unsophisticated, earned over 100 million yuan in download fees.

But he doesn't have this knowledge stored in his head!
Tian Xiaole sighed and tapped the table helplessly.
"Let's focus on the film industry."

Since the domestic market is still in its development stage, let's turn our attention to Hollywood and make money from the global film market.

He has a lot of scripts stored in his head; even if he can't film them all, he can sell some.

Before that, we went to China Film Group to finalize the release date for "Crazy Stone".

Good release dates are limited, especially those that can support high box office returns, which are the producers' top priority.

Before Tian Xiaole could explain his purpose, Han Sanping assigned him work.

"I plan to release 'Buried Alive' in early March. You and Jiang Wu can do a few promotional events then."

"Uncle Han, you're not really recruiting men like this. They've all been sold out, so why is there anything for me, the director, to do?"

"【Peacock】made over ten million at the box office and is still on the news. You're not helping to promote 【Buried Alive】, and the plot is very depressing. Don't let it get trampled underfoot."

Han Sanping has gone astray and is now using reverse psychology.

Tian Xiaole thought about it and realized it made sense, so he agreed and then brought up the release date of "Crazy Stone".

Han Sanping handed over a schedule and asked casually:
"The issuer hasn't been decided yet, right?"

Tian Xiaole took it and said without looking up:
"The reason I came here this time is to have China Film Group take over the distribution business."

"With the box office success of 'Crazy Supermarket,' it's such a waste to give the sequel to an inexperienced newcomer to direct.

Ignoring Han Sanping's complaints, Tian Xiaole looked at the two major film release schedules for the first half of the year.

The May Day holiday film season was dominated by Hong Kong films, including Chan Mok-shing's "Divergence," Derek Yee's "2 Young," and Yau Lai-to's "Suspicion"...

The summer movie season is a protection month for domestic films, and it is also dominated by Hong Kong directors, with famous directors and big-name stars appearing in a cluster.

Liu Weiqiang [Initial D].

Adapted from the comic book "Little Days".

Starring Jay Chou, Chen Guanxi...

It has a large fan base and is a movie geared towards fans.

Tang Jili [Mythology].

Jackie Chan can still fight; this is one of the best-received films he starred in since the turn of the millennium.

Xu Ke [Seven Swords]

The last hurrah of martial arts films featured big-name actors, but unfortunately, the box office was a disaster, leading to a situation where for several years, no one was willing to invest in Tsui Hark and make big-budget films.

Tian Xiaole felt very sad.

The mainland film market is like a newlywed wife who has been stripped naked, being dominated by Hong Kong directors in turn.

What's most infuriating is that even mainland actors didn't get any screen time.

There are still too few directors in mainland China who can make commercial films.

There's nothing we can do about it; these things can't be rushed.

Directing is different from other professions; it requires talent.

This year's gradual relaxation of restrictions on imported Japanese and South Korean films reflects not only a desire to offset Hollywood blockbusters but also a sense of crisis regarding strengthening cooperation between Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Such a large market cannot be managed by just a few people.

Unfortunately, these people only care about their immediate interests and don't care about any grand development plans.

Our fundamental purpose is to use your money to train our own people.

···
There are still seven days left in the May Day holiday. Tian Xiaole will put [Stone] there during May Day and bully a few weaker opponents first.

After confirming the schedule, Tian Xiaole handed the schedule back.

"I hope 'The Thieves' will be released this year. Chen Kaige's 'The Promise' is already confirmed for the Lunar New Year season, so you'd better avoid it."

Han Sanping had meant well in offering advice, but then noticed that Tian Xiaole's expression was strange, and he could barely suppress the smile on his lips.

He asked with a puzzled look, "You don't think highly of [Wuji]?"

Little did Han Sanping know that the "Wuji" he hoped would boost the market would reach new heights of awfulness.

This film is absolutely destined to be recorded in Chinese film history, but even after twenty years, no one can understand it.

This even led to the tragic incident of "a bloody incident caused by a steamed bun".

It may seem like a parody, but it actually perfectly fills the gap in logic that 【Wuji】 lacked.

Chen Kaige truly lives up to his reputation as a poet; even his insults are expressed as: "A person cannot be so shameless."

"No, don't slander me."

Tian Xiaole shook his head repeatedly.

Zhang Yimou is amazing, isn't he? He's visited all three major European film festivals and is considered the pioneer of commercial films in mainland China.

All these achievements combined are insignificant before Chen Kaige, the Palme d'Or-winning director, breaks his own record.

It's not something a director like Tian Xiaole, who has achieved some minor success, could comment on.

If you dare to say you don't think highly of "The Promise," you should see a doctor to see if there's something wrong with your head.

···
After leaving China Film Group, Tian Xiaole returned to the company and kept an eye on the progress of "The Thief".

In the editing room, I glanced at the footage that had been edited out over this period. The overall fast pace was fine, and the rendering didn't require much effort, but I was still dissatisfied with the special effects.

When asked why, they learned that the staff responsible for the special effects had worked very hard, but the equipment was not up to par.

This is something that definitely needs to be addressed, Tian Xiaole noted in her memo.

"Boss, Wang Jinghua wants to see you."

Assistant Xiaowen came over and said.

"Take her to the conference room, I'll be right there."

After giving the instructions, Tian Xiaole said to the staff in charge of special effects:
“I’ll handle the equipment problem. You guys start rendering frame by frame.”

···
In the conference room, Tian Xiaole met Wang Jinghua.

"Aunt Wang, is there something you need?"

"Xiao Le, when I said last time that I would come to help you manage the artist department, I wasn't joking with you."

Wang Jinghua paused for a moment, and seeing that Tian Xiaole didn't react, she continued:

“My contract with Huayi is about to expire. If you are willing, I will bring a lot of top-tier artists with me. Huayi’s current status is inseparable from my agency business.”

Tian Xiaole agreed with what Wang Jinghua said.

Huayi's artist management department accounts for a significant portion of its revenue.

Huayi wants to prepare for its IPO and wants to integrate the brokerage department under Wang Jinghua's control, so it has to buy out her efforts over the past year with real money.

What's infuriating is that the Wang brothers are not generous people.

Wang Jinghua started as Chen Daomin's assistant and rose to become the top agent in mainland China. She is not someone to be trifled with.

Currently, half of the top actors and celebrities in China are signed to her agency.

Hu Jun, Xia Yu, Tong Dawei, Fan Binbin, Li Binbin...

He also manages the mainland agency contracts of Hong Kong's Tony Leung Ka-fai, Carina Lau, and others.

Rumors had been circulating for some time that Wang Jinghua's contract with Huayi Brothers was expiring, and that things had gotten very unpleasant between the two sides.

The artists she manages have begun to sever ties with Huayi Brothers. Film and television offers and brand endorsements can now be signed directly without going through Huayi.

Film and television companies in the industry, such as Berna, Enlight Media, Orange Sky, and Hairun Media, have already extended offers to her.

Huayi Brothers at least has Feng Xiaogang, but what do these companies have?
In Wang Jinghua's opinion, he was not even worth a hair of Tian Xiaole's, as he didn't even have any film production business.

Tian Xiaole has achievements, a good background, and plenty of resources, so she is naturally her first choice.

"Huayi has ambitions to go public, while Xiaole Pictures doesn't have that in mind, and my cooperation with Huayi has been quite pleasant..."

Tian Xiaole left it at that, his refusal was quite clear, and he believed Wang Jinghua understood.

Wang Jinghua was visibly disappointed at not being able to get close to Tian Xiaole.

The original plan was to replicate Huayi's successful model, combining artist management with a major director model, to create another leading film and television company.

Who would have thought that Tian Xiaole had no interest at all, or rather, no ambition? Could he be a maverick who is devoted to the art of film?

Wang Jinghua wanted to shout: Wake up! Production companies need artists; it's a win-win situation. Why let the profits go to outsiders?

"No matter how your final negotiations with Huayi go, we still have opportunities to cooperate," Tian Xiaole said, offering a way out.

Wang Jinghua's skilled artisans are already quite experienced, which is not what Tian Xiaole wants.

Like Chen Daomin in his works, a specialist in playing emperors, it seems that other roles don't catch his eye.

These kinds of actors are so aloof and difficult to deal with.

The artists signed by Xiaole Pictures are all blank slates; only those they cultivate themselves can inspire confidence.

They are easygoing, obedient, and eager for fame and fortune.

···
After seeing Wang Jinghua off, Tian Xiaole went straight home.

It was rare for Lao Tian to be in his study. He was wearing reading glasses, and the table was piled high with various historical documents, as if he were looking up some information.

What are you investigating?

Tian Xiaole asked curiously.

"The Olympic opening ceremony is soliciting creative proposals. Well-known domestic directors have all been notified and are required to come up with a proposal that will catch the eye."

"Isn't Uncle Zhang in charge of the opening ceremony?" Tian Xiaole asked, puzzled.

He then questioned, "Why didn't I receive a notification from a well-known domestic director?"

Old Tian didn't think much of it, assuming Tian Xiaole was unaware of the inside story, and explained:
"Athens has been criticized so harshly, how could they possibly choose him? The opening ceremony in Beijing needs to be elected, and we've invited top directors from both China and abroad."

After saying that, he looked up and glanced at Tian Xiaole:
"As for you, your grades are good enough, but you're too young."

This is a major national event; the higher-ups can't possibly entrust it to someone your age."

The disadvantages of Tian Xiaole being too young are becoming apparent.

As a country with thousands of years of history and cultural heritage, there is no way he can showcase it.

It's understandable that I didn't receive an invitation.

Tian Xiaole stopped dwelling on the matter and, seeing Old Tian's busy work, offered a word of advice:

"You don't need to waste your time, I think Uncle Zhang is perfect for you."

He knew that Zhang Yimou's opening ceremony was so stunning that it could directly shock both China and the world.

In every Olympic opening ceremony, they are absolutely guaranteed to finish second and compete for first.

But Lao Tian was unaware of all this; he continued to look through the documents:

"No matter who is ultimately chosen, we should submit an idea, just in case it provides a different perspective for others."

Tian Xiaole couldn't understand the expectations that Lao Tian's generation had for the Olympics, so he didn't try to persuade them further and instead helped them organize the materials.

(End of this chapter)