Hong Kong Entertainment: The King of Kung Fu

The Motion Picture Association of America, or MPAA for short, dominates the American film rating system and represents the interests of Hollywood.

Its members are the chairmen and presidents of the eight major companies.

During the time when Yang Ye lived, United Artists and MGM were successively acquired, and the Big Eight became the Big Six.

Later, Fox was acquired by Disney, but the MPAA accepted Netflix as a new member to form the new Big Six.

MPAA holds a meeting every year, but Yang Ye has never attended. It is usually Xie Yi or Ajani who attends.

After receiving the invitation, Yang Ye asked John Woo to adjust his schedule and went to the MPAA headquarters for the meeting.

On the way to the MPAA, Yang Ye asked Xie Yi: "What did the MPAA invite me to do?"

Shay said: "We want to enter the Chinese market. You are Chinese. We need to hear your opinion on this matter."

Yang Ye nodded: "I see!"

After the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States in 1979, Hollywood films were able to return to mainland China.

Since that year, China Film Corporation has adopted the buyout method to introduce some overseas films every year.

However, the funds used to import films are strictly controlled at around US$100 million, and the number of imports is also controlled at 30.

That is to say, on average each imported film can only be imported at a low price of about US$3.

You can’t buy anything with such little money, so Hollywood just releases its old movies from decades ago in China. Even a little bit of money still counts.

The first film introduced by China Film Corporation was "Roman Holiday", which was a movie from the 1950s and was shot in black and white, but Chinese audiences were still mesmerized by Audrey Hepburn.

However, popular movies in North America, such as "Star Wars" and "Superman", are still difficult to buy even though they have been released for ten years.

Later, Hollywood sold the screening rights of "Superman" to China at a low price of US$50,000 in the form of "friendly sponsorship".

After the release of "Superman", there was a wave of movie watching in mainland China.

However, Hollywood is clearly not satisfied with this type of buyout; they hope to truly enter the Chinese mainland market.

In the original time and space, Hollywood and mainland China hit it off.

Because the Chinese film market was declining sharply at that time, the annual box office fell from more than 1990 billion in 20 to less than 1993 billion in 10.

At that time, video halls were rampant all over the country, and audiences would rather go to video halls to watch Hong Kong films on low-quality videotapes than go to theaters to watch domestic films.

In order to solve the problem of the collapse of the film market, the mainland began to learn advanced experience from overseas.

Wu Siyuan, the then president of the Hong Kong Directors Guild, proposed a box office revenue-sharing system to Tian Congming, the minister of the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television.

It is generally believed that China's first blockbuster was Hollywood's "The Fugitive", but in fact it was "Once Upon a Time in China 3: Return of the Lion King", a co-production between Siyuan Pictures and Beijing Film Studio.

Starting in 1994, China Film Corporation and Hollywood reached an agreement to import 10 Hollywood films each year and screen them in the form of box office revenue sharing, with the revenue sharing ratio at that time being 10%.

"True Lies", introduced in 1995, became the collective memory of that era, allowing the audience to understand what a "blockbuster" is, and Schwarzenegger also became the first generation of idol hero for Chinese audiences.

After China joined the WTO in 2001, it increased the number of films with shared revenue to 20, with a revenue sharing ratio of 13%. The agreement is valid for 10 years.

……

In this time and space, due to Yang Ye's intrusion and his special contribution, China Film Corporation had abolished the unified purchase and sale system in 1986 and switched to a profit-sharing system.

Mainland China introduces 20 films to Hong Kong every year, 10 of which are given to Baiyang Films and 10 to Silva Films.

Yang Ye obtained the admission ticket to the Chinese mainland film market early on, and generates nearly 1 billion RMB in box office revenue in the mainland every year.

The eight major film studios in mainland China are also doing much better than in the original time and space.

This meant that the Chinese mainland film market not only did not decline as madly as it did in the original time and space, but instead grew slightly despite the influence of video halls.

In 1991, the mainland film market grew to a size of RMB 28 billion.

Although this amount of money is not much for Hollywood, the impressive growth rate still attracted the attention of Hollywood.

After all, China has a population of 11 billion, its economy is developing rapidly, and its future is limitless, so they also want to come in and get a piece of the pie.

For Yang Ye, he is not opposed to Hollywood entering the Chinese mainland market, even if it means that Baiyang Pictures will have to compete head-on with Hollywood.

As for mainland China, Yang Ye guessed that they actually also hoped to let a catfish come out to disrupt the situation and prevent Hong Kong films from dominating the market.

So, even if Yang Ye did not show up, Hollywood would still be able to make this deal with mainland China.

From a macro perspective, global cultural exchanges are becoming increasingly prosperous, and Chinese-language films will not fare well if Hollywood is kept out.

In Yang Ye's opinion, there can be no progress only if there is competition.

Moreover, due to the existence of United Artists, Yang Ye himself is a part of Hollywood, and he cannot go against the interests of Hollywood.

In the original time and space, after China joined the WTO, Hollywood unscrupulously impacted the Chinese film market.

So, did Hollywood save the Chinese film industry or damage it?
Facts have proved that Chinese films are advancing in the competition. Against the backdrop of the time, Zhang Yimou, who had been making art films, began to enter the market and launched the commercial film "Hero".

"Hero" learned the business operation model of Hollywood, and strictly implemented it from investment, production to distribution and promotion. It took in 1.7 million US dollars at the global box office and was a huge success.

Chinese directors began to imitate and learn from Hollywood, and even their narrative methods and dramatic conflict patterns became closer to Hollywood, resulting in the birth of many things that were neither Chinese nor Western.

For example, in Kaizige's "The Promise", Zhang Qingcheng is actually the beautiful Helen in Greek mythology. Another example is the "Night Banquet" with a small anus, which is a direct adaptation of "Hamlet".

But after a difficult journey, China eventually gave birth to a unique science fiction blockbuster like "The Wandering Earth", which firmly held the domestic film market in the face of a head-on competition with Hollywood.

……

Yang Ye and his party arrived at the MPAA headquarters, and the presidents of the eight major companies had already arrived.

The eight major companies were originally established by Jews, but in recent years, they have frequently changed hands.

MGM was acquired by Las Vegas capitalist Kirk Kerkorian, and United Artists was taken over by Yang Ye.

20th Century Fox was acquired by Murdoch's News Corporation, Columbia was acquired by Sony, Universal was acquired by Panasonic, and Warner Bros. was acquired by Time Inc.

A year later, Paramount would be acquired by Viacom for $100 billion, and only Disney would survive.

After listening to the opinions of the members at the meeting, Yang Ye nodded and said, "OK, if you want me to come forward, I am willing to take on this responsibility.

I suggest that we can first contact China Film Corporation, and when there is substantial progress, we can send a delegation to China for negotiations.

When the time comes, I am willing to serve as the head of the delegation!"

Yang Ye's words made the presidents of the eight major companies very happy. Paramount's head, Shirley Lansing, said happily: "Sir, you are really straightforward. I like your style of taking on responsibilities without hesitation."

Yang Ye smiled faintly at the Hollywood strong woman and said, "I also admire your vigorous and resolute style. How about you visit mainland China on behalf of the MPAA to make preliminary contacts?"

Shirley Lansing thought about it for a moment and said, "Okay!"

"Okay, that's a happy decision then."

Coming out of the MPAA headquarters, Yang Ye said to Ajani, "Shirley Lansing is going to China, you should go with her. Bring Elaine with you, I want her to visit China."

Ajani thought for a moment, nodded and said, "For Shirley to go to China, it will take at least one or two months to make arrangements. By that time, Elaine will be on summer vacation. In fact, she has been clamoring to go to China for a long time."

Yang Ye said happily: "Very good, I will make time to accompany you then!"

"Can you spare the time?"

"Terminator 3 will probably be finished filming in August!"...

"Terminator 3" continues to be filmed. In order to save money, many things that people think are CG special effects are actually physical special effects.

For example, after seeing a busty woman on a billboard, TX made her breasts bigger. This can actually be done by putting an inflatable bra inside her clothes.

Of course, Halle Berry's breasts are already super big, and this scene is retained just for the sake of comedy.

However, some seemingly ordinary scenes in the movie were extremely difficult to shoot.

For example, in the cemetery scene, the heroine Kate meets her boyfriend Scott, who walks towards her, and in the long shot Scott gradually turns into TX.

The crew had to shoot this shot three times, namely the pure background version, the male actor walking version, and the female actor walking version.

Since the male body structure is very different from that of females, the appearance of the two actors is not quite the same. In addition, the male actor is wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants, while the female actor is wearing a leather jacket and leather pants. In order to make the picture realistic, not only their body shapes need to be changed, but also their clothes.

It takes a lot of time to deal with these seemingly simple problems.

However, most of this time was spent on post-production, and by August, "Terminator 3" completed the live-action part on time.

The shooting took a total of four months, which was relatively efficient.

The main reason is that computer technology has advanced a lot in recent years compared to when "Terminator 2" was filmed, and many filming problems can be solved by computers.

Although a lot of work was added in the post-production, the actual shooting part actually becomes easier if you master the techniques.

……

After the filming of "Terminator 3" was announced to be completed, Yang Ye and Akina Nakamori returned to Hong Kong first.

The car passed through Victoria Harbor from the undersea tunnel, drove into Hong Kong Island, and headed for the home that Yang Ye had prepared for Akina Nakamori.

Yang Ye asked Akina Nakamori: "Do you feel regretful if there is no grand closing ceremony?"

Akina Nakamori shook her head: "No, in fact, I think it's a bit impossible to quit completely like the teacher did."

Akina Nakamori's farewell was not as grand as Yamaguchi Momoe's. She chose to exit quietly.

After all, it was already a big enough sensation when Yamaguchi Baihui retired because of Yang Ye.

Now that Akina Nakamori has announced her retirement for Yang Ye, the Japanese will go crazy.

So, after discussion, Akina Nakamori chose to gradually reduce her work and slowly withdraw.

In fact, in the original time and space, Akina Nakamori's career has been in a downward trend since entering the 1990s.

Due to a series of blows, she started smoking and drinking, her voice began to deteriorate, and she also lost a lot of weight.

Since leaving Warner Music in 1991, her record sales have never been on the Japanese Oricon charts again.

Although she struggled and tried hard to make a comeback, things went against her wishes and her record sales hit new lows.

Compared to the original time and space, the current Akina Nakamori has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress and is leaving the industry at the peak of her career. She is destined to become an eternal legend in the Japanese entertainment industry.

Yang Ye looked at the crape myrtles blooming by the roadside and said, "Release another single!"

Akina Nakamori was stunned and asked, "What song?"

Yang Ye held Akina Nakamori's hand in his own and sang softly:
“What a beautiful and sad world this is.

We hugged each other, laughing and crying.

I have come from afar to meet you.

Obsessed and lingering in the world, I am wild for her.

I am this dazzling moment, the flash of flame that crosses the sky.

I have come to see you at all costs, and I will be extinguished and never come back.

I am here, right here.

As fleeting as a stunning beauty, as gorgeous as a summer flower! "

As Akina Nakamori listened to Yang Ye's singing, tears welled up in her eyes.

She felt the song was written for her.

Ten years ago, in her best years, she emerged out of nowhere and shocked the entire Japanese music scene.

Over the past decade, she has swept the Japanese music scene and left a significant mark in the entire Asian entertainment industry.

All of this is as gorgeous as blooming summer flowers.

And now, she will wash away all the makeup and disappear quietly, and her artistic life will come to an end.

And her future life will enter another stage.

Akina Nakamori leaned on Yang Ye's shoulder and gently recited Rabindranath Tagore's poem: "Life is as gorgeous as summer flowers, and death is as quiet and beautiful as autumn leaves. Onii-chan, thank you for giving me this song!"

Yang Ye was thinking that with Akina Nakamori's retirement, Avex Music had lost its mainstay and needed to introduce a new and dominant talent.

It's time for Izumi Sakai to appear.

Oh, and there's that little girl named Nanase Aikawa.

……

After settling Akina Nakamori, Yang Ye began to check the progress of "Kung Fu".

The shots of "Kung Fu" have all been edited, and the special effects team only needs to achieve the final effect based on Yang Ye's requirements, so Yang Ye doesn't need to keep an eye on it.

Today, Ziqi Company is very busy with business and has started to outsource some unimportant shots.

As a result, a number of downstream special effects companies have emerged in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and the entire industry has become extremely large.

Yang Ye checked the collected footage and asked Yang Mingxin: "Third brother, it looks like we won't be able to finish this year!"

Yang Mingxin said: "If everything goes well, it can be released during the Spring Festival next year."

Yang Ye said, "Don't worry, slow work produces fine work, this matter cannot be sloppy."

Yang Mingxin asked, "Then you don't have any movies coming out this year?"

Yang Ye thought, yes, it’s time to shift into neutral again.

It almost had a layoff last year, but ended up making a romance movie that fooled people, which made fans very dissatisfied and the box office was not very good.

Another romance movie this year to fool people?
This is not possible!

It’s too late to make a special effects blockbuster, so let’s just make an action movie to deal with it.

What are you doing?

Yang Ye thought about the bet he made with someone in the United States that "The Bodyguard" starring Whitney Houston would become a box office dark horse. At that time, he also said that he wanted to make a Chinese version. He immediately had an idea in his mind.

Ah Jie, I'm sorry, I still have to make you watch a movie. (End of this chapter)