China Entertainment’s rescue plan is hard to come by

Chapter 666 Warner's cooperation intention and Lao Ha who is pushing for it [two in one]

Warner Bros. Pictures, Los Angeles.

"During this year's Christmas season, the sequel to the big IP "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 4" produced by our company has achieved great success as expected. After four weeks of release, the film has already earned $2.7 million in North America. At the same time, the overseas box office has also accumulated to $6.5 million."

"So far, the film's global box office has surpassed Inception's $8.46 million, becoming the third highest-grossing film in the world this year, and is expected to break Alice in Wonderland's $10 billion global box office record. At the same time, the film's reputation remains stable.

"According to comprehensive statistics, the total box office revenue of all major film projects of our company this year has reached 18 billion US dollars, ranking first among the six major film and television companies in the United States."

Snap, snap, snap
A series of applause echoed in the conference hall.

The shareholder representatives and Warner Bros. managers all applauded with smiles on their faces.

Since the North American financial crisis began in 08, when all investments and economic activities in the United States have shrunk drastically, the current president of Warner Bros., Barry Meyer, realized that the economic crisis was a breeding ground for the prosperity of the film industry, so he went against all odds and would rather go into debt than increase investment in the film industry.

At that time, many shareholders and managers were dissatisfied with his approach, but they did not explicitly oppose it because of his prestige as the head of Warner for many years.

Originally, I was prepared to watch the joke, but now the box office data in front of me is the best evidence.

Barry was right, and the seeds he planted have now borne abundant fruit.

Whether it is the "Batman" series or the "Harry Potter" series, including a number of excellent films such as "Inception", they have all achieved huge success, allowing Warner Bros. Pictures to top the box office revenue in the United States in 08, 09 and 10, and to be ranked first among the six major Hollywood film and television companies for three consecutive years.

Looking at the smiling shareholders in front of him, no matter whether their congratulations were sincere or fake, Barry was enjoying the highlight moment.

He straightened his suit and raised his hand slightly, motioning Alan Horn in front of the podium to continue.

Alan Horn is the reporter of this meeting. As the director of the film production department of Warner Bros. Pictures, he is Barry Meyer's number one confidant. He always rushes to the front and always implements every instruction of Barry Meyer.

"Yes, Mr. Meyer."

"Ladies and gentlemen, I think we still need to understand the other situations of this year's North American Christmas season. In addition to Harry Potter, the second place in the box office is Black Swan. The film has been released for two and a half weeks and has accumulated a box office of 2 million US dollars."

“Wow, 8000 million!”

When the figure of 8000 million US dollars was heard, there was a burst of laughter in the conference room.

In their opinion, this year's North American Christmas season is simply not a good one. It has been released for two and a half weeks, which means that half of the total release period has passed, and the box office has not even exceeded 2 million yuan. It is only worthy of being a joke for them after dinner.

"Gentlemen, please note that this is not the movie I want to talk about." Alan tapped the edge of the display screen with a laser pen, and then, in everyone's puzzled eyes, he quickly switched the picture on the big screen.

The cover poster of the movie "The Invisible Guest" appeared on the big screen in front of the conference room.

"This is a low-budget crime-solving suspense film. It has been released for just a week and a half, and the box office has risen from less than $1000 million per day at the beginning to $1200 million. At the same time, the second week of screenings also increased by nearly 500 theaters to more than 1900. The cumulative box office has reached $4600."

When they heard that the box office of the movie was only 4600 million US dollars, everyone present showed obvious disappointment on their faces. Not only them, but even Barry Meyer, who was sitting in the main seat, was a little confused.

After a week and a half of release, it grossed $4600 million. No matter how you look at it, it's just another "Black Swan" and poses no threat to Warner. He really doesn't know why his confidant Alan wanted to release this movie alone, especially at this important moment when the entire management was reporting to the shareholder representatives.

"Gentlemen, please don't focus on the box office of this movie. What do you think if I tell you that its production cost is less than 500 million U.S. dollars, and even including the publicity and promotion, it is less than 600 million U.S. dollars?"

"What, so low? Doesn't that mean that he recovered his costs in one week and still made a profit?"

"Yeah, but it's nothing. There are so many low-budget movies every year, there are always a few who get lucky."

"Haha, yeah~"

Everyone started discussing it, but it didn't attract much attention.

Alan was a little anxious. He cleared his throat and then raised his voice.

"Gentlemen, this is not a low-budget movie that just happened to get lucky. Please remember its production company and director - American Star Films Production Company and Sun Yi."

"Two years ago, this company produced a low-budget and box-office successful movie, 'Shelter,' and this year's world's second largest 3D science fiction movie 'Pacific Rim' released in North America is its sequel."

"Not only did the film achieve a global box office of $6 million, but what should also attract our attention is that its production cost was no more than $5500 million at most, and no more than $6500 million including publicity and promotion."

"And this time, he has another low-budget film released, and it has already made a profit in just one week. It is foreseeable that this is another movie with a box office of over 100 million yuan. Don't people doubt his production costs? Once is lucky, twice is lucky, and three times is also lucky?"

Alan's series of speeches made everyone in the conference room fall into deep thought.

Don't be fooled by the fact that they just laughed at this and that. That's because they know the industry well enough to know that Warner's performance in this year's Christmas season and even throughout the year is already stable, and they are even far ahead of the second place, so they are not very interested in other companies' movies.

But when they heard Alan's analysis, they immediately realized the existence of the problem.

"I remember now. Was it true that the overly young Chinese director only made 5500 million U.S. dollars for Pacific Rim? How could he produce such realistic effects with such a small amount of money?"

"Well, Mr. Horn is right. It may be a coincidence once or twice, but it can't be the case every time. This Chinese man must have mastered a lot of film shooting techniques that we don't know about. Otherwise, why is his production cost so low?"

"Perhaps the reason is the low labor costs in China."

"Okay, I admit that, but why haven't I seen such a movie made in Africa? The labor costs there are lower."

"."

The shareholder representatives and managers in the conference room have already started discussing the matter.

Barry Meyer frowned slightly. He first took out a cigar from his pocket, and after the secretary beside him lit it for him, he began to think deeply.

As someone who has been in charge of Warner, the aircraft carrier in the film and television industry, for ten years, no one can match his understanding of the company from top to bottom.

It is said that everything will turn around when it reaches its extreme, and that prosperity will never decline.

What the shareholders in the company saw was the superficial glory of Warner being the number one in revenue for three consecutive years, and they did not pay any attention to the future trends of the entire Hollywood film and television industry.

That is, the cost increases year by year.

Count them.

The production cost of the first Batman Begins was $1.5 million, and by the time of the second Dark Knight, it had risen to $1.9 million. Inception also cost $1.7 million during the same period, and the recently released Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.9 also cost $ million.

Although the global box office of these films has exceeded 8 million, it should be noted that the overseas releases do not get the entire box office share, but rather a share of to percent.

Of the 8 million, Warner Bros. will only get about 2 million dollars, which is not much different from the production cost.

When you do the math, the actual box office profit is far less than what the outside world imagines.

The bulk of the company's overall profits still come from copyright transactions, related TV stations and other broadcasting platforms, DVD sales, etc. From Alan's analysis, we can see that the production cost of "Pacific Rim", a movie of the same level as "Batman" and "Inception", is only one-third of the original cost, which means that profits have increased significantly.

The difference for just one movie is $100 million. How can one not be tempted by these green bills?

"Alan, tell me what you think." Barry Meyer interrupted the chaos in the conference room and spoke to Alan Horn in front of the stage.

"Mr. Meyer, we have a cooperation agreement with Legendary Pictures, and Star Pictures also has an investment agreement with Legendary Pictures. According to my investigation, a major shareholder behind Legendary Pictures has a close relationship with Director Sun Yi. I have expressed my intention to cooperate with both parties. Now I need your approval and the board of directors' approval."

Barry took a puff of his cigar, looked around at everyone in the conference room, and asked softly:
"Gentlemen, what do you think?"

The shareholders looked at each other, nodded in unison, and responded:
"Mr. Meyer, you are the CEO of the company. We trust you in any decision you make. You have full authority to handle it."

Of course, if anything goes wrong, you will be fully responsible.

This is what the shareholders implied.

Barry certainly knew the nature of these people, but he was too lazy to argue with them and directly instructed Alan Horn:
"Alan, I appoint you as the full representative of Warner Bros. Pictures to discuss further cooperation with Legendary Pictures and Star Pictures."

"Understood, Mr. Meyer."

"Ah, I'm finally home."

In a small two-story villa at the foot of Beverly Hills, Liu Yifei happily rushed into the room, kicked her long legs lightly, and threw off two pairs of high heels, and then ran into the living room with a pair of white socks "step", "step", "step", "step". With a "haa ...

Sun Yi was pulling two suitcases behind him and carried them up the stairs with a miserable look on his face.

Although the two of them had assistants with them, Zhang Xin, this little girl, didn't look like a strong person, so Sun Yi sent her away before they got home.

After watching a movie in a private theater in Texas last time, the movie "Dallas Buyers Club" was filmed for another 5 days. With Leo's outstanding performance, the first phase of the film was completely completed and the entire film was officially wrapped up.

On that day, Sun Yi treated everyone to a wrap-up dinner according to Chinese custom, then announced the disbandment of the crew. He then returned to Los Angeles with the Star Sky staff. After working for most of the day, they just got home when the sun was about to set.

He still has unfinished appointments with Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros., so he cannot return to China yet.

"You didn't even ask for a favor, you just came back and threw yourself on the sofa, running faster than anyone else."

Sun Yi finally put down the two large suitcases, sweating all over. Then he looked at Liu Yifei lying on the sofa like a dead fish, and he was very angry.

"Yeah~"

Liu Yifei groaned and started pretending to be dead again.

Sun Yi narrowed his eyes and without saying anything, he used the old method, aiming at the two perky petals behind the girl. With one move, it worked immediately.

In an instant, a pig-killing cry rang out in the villa~~~
“The Invisible Guest is a breathtaking suspense thriller full of unexpected twists and gripping plots. The amazing Chinese director Sun Yi skillfully draws the audience into an intricate mystery in this film, making it impossible to predict what will happen next.”

"This is a film review from the Los Angeles Times by a film critic named Kenneth Turan."

It was late at night. Liu Yifei was wearing only a loose nightgown and half leaning on the bed, browsing the information on the computer while reading it to Sun Yi.

After they got home, they were both very tired and had no mood to cook. They just ordered some takeout, ate a few bites, washed up, and went to bed to rest.

Unexpectedly, after going to bed, she felt more energetic. On a whim, Liu Yifei read the reviews of "The Invisible Guest" and read them to Sun Yi.

"The Invisible Guest is an impressive movie. It is not just an ordinary suspense film, but also a thriller."

Liu Yifei was reading a film review with great interest when she suddenly felt a pair of key parts being attacked. She quickly twisted her body to avoid it, then slapped away one of Sun Yi's claws with a look of shame and anger.

Pushing the limit~
Looking at Liu Yifei's angry look, Sun Yi chuckled.

At this moment, he was lying on Liu Yifei's pair of snow-white legs, feeling extremely comfortable. Ever since he had slept on the girl in the car last time, he now liked this position very much.

It feels like being a boss, which is very comfortable, and this posture always makes people can't help but feel excited.

"Are you going to listen or not? If not, I won't read to you anymore." Liu Yifei frowned and pretended to be angry.

Sun Yi smiled bitterly, "Okay, okay, listen, just read it."

“It is not only a suspense film, but also a profound analysis of human nature. The audience will be introduced into a world full of mysteries and challenges while watching the film, and the final truth will also bring a shocking feast to the audience’s soul.”

"That's what Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers said, and he gave the film an 8.8."

Liu Yifei pursed her lips and smiled proudly.

"The Invisible Guest" has been released for a week and a half, and the box office has been rising steadily, and the word of mouth has exploded. As the film's screening has been expanded and the number of moviegoers has increased, the film's word of mouth has not decreased but increased, from 8.1 points at the beginning of its release to 8.3, a full 0.2 points.

You know, a movie usually has the highest rating when it is first released. Unexpectedly, "The Invisible Guest" broke the common sense and did the opposite, which shocked many people in the industry.

Everyone has once again started paying attention to the Chinese director Sun Yi.

"Sun, this amazing director from China, not only allowed us to see the fierce battle between steel and monsters in 3D mode, but also let the audience enjoy the unique charm of suspense movies. It is simply the biggest surprise this year."

After reading this comment, Liu Yifei laughed again, as if it was praising herself.

"Don't take it too seriously. John must have spent money on PR, otherwise how could all the comments be good?"

Sun Yi knows the nature of these media very well. No matter whether it is China or the United States, as long as you give money, they can make a dead person appear alive. If you don't give money, they can even pick out two pounds of bones from an egg for you.

But Liu Yifei obviously disagrees with this statement.

"They can't all be paid PR people, there must be some who are sincere."

"There's nothing wrong with what you said."

Sun Yi turned sideways and faced Liu Yifei. When he looked up, he saw the girl's beautiful face and a pair of tall white breasts. At the same time, a faint fragrance of a girl wafted into his nose.

His gaze was a little too naked, and Liu Yifei was shocked for a moment. She instinctively clamped her legs together, and she didn't know whether it was conscious or unconscious. As if she knew what was going to happen next, she took the initiative to put the computer aside, bit her lip, and asked with a watery gaze:
"You big pervert, what are you doing~"

Before she could finish her question, her cherry lips were sealed and a pair of white and tender arms gently wrapped around her. The scene gradually entered the stage that was not suitable for children.

The spring breeze is proud of horseshoe disease, seeing Chang'an flowers in one day.

The next day, Sun Yi came to the company, but instead of receiving a formal invitation from Warner, he met an old friend unexpectedly.

(End of this chapter)