Extracting skills from movies

As soon as Chen Shizheng returned to China, he was invited for "tea".

Then he was detained.

That's terrible, his reputation is completely ruined.

Before long, he will disappear from the public eye without even making a ripple.

To put it bluntly, this is a disaster caused by impulsiveness.

Getting a Sundance nomination should have been the most dazzling moment of his life, but he couldn't keep his mouth shut and insisted on trying to pick a fight with Du Sheng, which ruined his career.

Du Sheng was also quite puzzled.

He was just enjoying a peaceful Chinese New Year at home when he was inexplicably dragged into this controversy, which also affected his new film, "The Grandmaster."

Perhaps out of a sense of taboo, or perhaps to take the opportunity to demonstrate that they "do not favor anyone," the authorities suddenly raised the standards by a significant margin.

The film "The Grandmaster" is not simple in itself.

It laid bare the dark, unspeakable aspects of the Qing Dynasty, and was full of satire.
Du Sheng also specially added several 'true stories' about Ip Man.

These contents are considered utterly treasonous by some "closet-dwelling lackeys".

Taking advantage of Chen Shizheng's controversy, they simply blocked the rules and procedures of "The Grandmaster".

To appear to be "fair and impartial," the authorities even issued a special notice.

The statement said that regulations on all film and television works will be strengthened in the near future, with the aim of "purifying the cultural and artistic environment, promoting positive energy, and establishing a good social atmosphere."

On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, before the company had officially started work, He Guohua hurriedly came to visit.

Du Sheng made him a cup of tea, and the two sat on the sofa in the living room.

He Guohua took a sip and sighed:

"The Grandmaster is stuck."

It is said that "it involves modern historical themes and contains certain metaphors," and therefore a new standardization is required.

The problem is they didn't specify which aspect was being metaphorically referred to, so how are we supposed to figure it out?
"If we just send it over haphazardly, it'll probably all come to nothing."

Seeing that Du Sheng didn't say anything, he pointed to the top of his head and added:
"However, they offered some consolation, saying that 'Sunshine Mountain City' had also been cut."

The implication is that it's not targeted at any specific person; even films by renowned director Wang Xiaoshuai receive the same treatment, which seems very 'fair.'

Du Sheng slowly blew on his tea, his tone calm:
"It's okay, there's no rush for this film."

Let's postpone it until the end of the year, or maybe next year, until this wave of public opinion has subsided.

"We're in the eye of the storm right now, so doing anything won't make a difference."

Ho Kwok-wah shook his head:

"You're a classic case of being shot while lying down."

Chen Shih-cheng only received a nomination, but the media touted him as a "pioneer of the sixth generation of directors."
He really thought he was someone important, daring to jump out and challenge them.

"Once things calm down, I'll trip him up again and get my revenge!"

Du Sheng waved his hand:
"It's not worth it."

I know the bottom line of "The Grandmaster". There are a few scenes that do cross the line, but those "Ip Man scenes" cannot be deleted.

If all else fails, try pulling some strings.
"I can't let a few words from Chen Shizheng stifle my creative work."

He Guohua understood immediately.

He knew Du Sheng's influence.

Not to mention the powerful connections with Zhong Zhen, Ye Jingzhi, and Wang Jinhua,
Even if it weren't true, Du Sheng's current status speaks for itself.

He is not only a top film and television producer in China, but also a successful entrepreneur. He has also led Chinese films to go abroad and win international awards, making contributions to the country's cultural export.

If a man like that doesn't take care of others, who will?
Those guys in the Rules Department had a good relationship with Du Sheng because of the "Lone Agent" incident, and they would keep in touch during holidays.

If you really want to be serious, they can settle things with just one sentence.

Ho Kwok-wah smiled:
"If you say that, Chen Shizheng will fire at you, but it's Wang Xiaoshuai who will end up getting hurt."

His film "Sunshine Mountain City" was quite explicit and even touched on the bizarre topic of "the original sin of patriotism".

He doesn't have your connection, so that film is probably doomed.

Even if I delete everything in a mess, it'll probably sit gathering dust for at least half a year.

Upon hearing this, Du Sheng couldn't help but laugh, and casually refilled He Guohua's teacup.
"Isn't this great?"

It's worth setting off firecrackers to celebrate.

He hates people like Wang Xiaoshuai the most.

He has some talent, but he's not clear-headed and has a skewed perspective.

Their so-called "elevation films" are superficially critical of reality, but in reality, they are full of the attitude of "kneeling down and filming the West".

Like that movie "The Cat and the Insect," it had high box office and won many awards, which sounds impressive, but frankly, it was just a "Qing Dynasty drama."

To criticize Chinese culture from a Western perspective, the very mention of tradition is met with accusations of "suppressing humanity and restricting freedom," reducing Chinese culture to a symbol of "feudal backwardness."

At its core, it is actually a disguised way of praising Western "freedom" and "individual liberation," providing foreigners with an "Oriental spectacle."

This kind of film is naturally popular in North America, with foreigners calling it "profound," resulting in high box office returns.

But what about in China?
The most dangerous thing is to subtly influence young people so that they feel that "tradition is a shackle" and "freedom is the way out".

"Some people..."

Du Sheng took a sip of tea and said calmly:
“They think they are ‘cultural ambassadors’ just because they have received some applause abroad, but in reality they are just handing knives to the West.”

He Guohua nodded:

"So, this tightening of rules, while seemingly a disturbance, is actually a good thing."

At least it will teach those who always try to 'use art as a pretext for smear campaigns' a lesson in the rules.

Du Sheng smiled and then playfully mentioned the rules of the industry.

He Guohua didn't respond to that.

He has always been a steady and reliable person, and he rarely takes sides in the controversies surrounding the industry.
He is even less likely to comment on films like "Sunshine Mountain City," which have a somewhat "artistic and controversial" feel.

He picked up his teacup, blew on it, and then smoothly changed the subject:
"By the way, the United States recently contacted me; it was Li Lianjie who personally made the connection."

They wanted to make a sequel blockbuster called "The Mummy 3," and planned to have international superstars Jet Li and Brendan Fraser co-star.

The script was based on ideas provided by Jet Li, who said it was adapted from historical legends with some fantasy elements added.

They are currently short of funds and want to bring in China Film Group to invest together.

This is a large-scale Sino-US co-production project. Would you be interested in getting involved?

Upon hearing this, Du Sheng almost burst out laughing.

The Mummy 3?
Isn't this the movie from my past life that was full of flaws?
He immediately recalled in his mind that in his previous life, this project was primarily controlled by Universal Pictures.

At the time, Jet Li was in a career slump and didn't ask for high pay, so he wanted to make a comeback through Hollywood.

Brendan Fraser also wanted to use this film to reverse the situation of the first two Mummy films, which relied purely on special effects and had little fighting. The two hit it off immediately.

At that time in the country, they approached Huayi Investment.

But now, Huayi itself is almost starving.

Feng Xiaogang's "If You Are the One" is almost over, so naturally it's not their turn to take on such a big production again.

So Universal Pictures approached China Film Group.

Du Sheng waved his hand, looking completely uninterested.
"I'm not getting involved in this project. Nine out of ten of these kinds of films are flops."

Unless history is drastically altered, Jet Li and Brendan Fraser will have a real sword fight in the movie.
Otherwise, it's just two big names putting together a co-production, purely for making money.

Audiences aren't stupid; these kinds of 'anthology' blockbusters are bound to flop in the end.

He Guohua had anticipated his response and wasn't surprised. He nodded and said:
"Okay, then I'll turn around and look for Huayi."

I've already given you advance notice, so don't blame me for releasing them without consulting you later.

Du Sheng was somewhat surprised:

"Huayi?"
Aren't they dirt poor now?

I heard that Feng Xiaogang's new films have all been halted, so where would he get the money to invest in "The Mummy 3"?

Ho Kwok-wah smiled:

"Huayi Company is in trouble, but Wang Zhongjun himself is not poor."

He's made a lot of money over the years; he's quite wealthy.

Feng Xiaogang's "If You Are the One" project wasn't that he didn't want to invest in it, but he was afraid you would counter it, so he didn't dare to launch it easily.

But The Mummy 3 is different!
Jet Li and Brendan Fraser still have box office appeal internationally.
Especially Jet Li, with his solid foundation in action scenes, coupled with the script about the 'Dragon Emperor' (the First Emperor) being cursed and sealed, and then resurrected to cause trouble, this kind of Eastern mystery theme is particularly able to arouse the curiosity of mainland audiences.

Wang Zhongjun was unwilling to just watch Huayi collapse, and wanted to take a big gamble.
He was prepared to take a large sum of money from his own pocket and inject it into the company, hoping to turn things around with "The Mummy 3."

Upon hearing this, Du Sheng was immediately delighted.

This is practically a "fat piece of meat" on the shooting range!

Did Wang Zhongjun personally contribute money to the company?

That would be great!
He smiled and made a sarcastic remark:
"Mr. Wang is quite bold."

"Alright, I'm a man of principle. I'll give this project to Huayi."

The previous film, "The Mummy 3," had an investment and promotional budget of 6 million yuan and a global box office of 13.8 billion yuan. On the surface, it didn't seem to lose much, but in reality, it did lose some money.

Firstly, the production cost was high, with Li Lianjie and Brendan Fraser's salaries accounting for the majority. However, they were also investors, and their salaries were converted into shares, which was equivalent to indirectly taking away the profits.
Secondly, the advertising costs doubled, and a lot of the money was not spent wisely.

It was only because the DVD and videotape market managed to recover that the situation was barely salvaged.

But it's different now.

With Du Sheng around, the situation changed.

If The Mummy 3 is ever released, he'll definitely target it.

He is now known as a "shining example of the Chinese people" overseas, but his fame is not yet widespread.

Li Lianjie has already immigrated, so he can't continue to use that name, right?

If you can go head-to-head with Jet Li and Brendan Fraser's big-budget film in the same release window and still win, that's real skill!

If the sniper succeeds, The Mummy 3 will suffer huge losses in no time.

The more Huayi invests, the more they will lose in the end.

When Wang Zhongjun goes bankrupt and goes crazy, he'll just be there to keep his plant-loving brother company.

What a shrewd person Ho Kwok-wah is!

Upon hearing Du Sheng's words, they immediately understood the implied meaning.

It looks like they're about to take action!
He quickly considered it in his mind and made a decision immediately.

Huaxia Film Group merely acted as a symbolic "introducer," giving Huayi Brothers the entire 1 million yuan investment share.

This approach achieves three goals at once: it avoids offending Li Lianjie's side, completely ensnares Huayi Brothers, and allows Du Sheng to "compete fairly."

Thinking about it this way, he was even a little impressed with his own cleverness!
As he was leaving, he suddenly remembered that the North American box office results for "How to Train Your Dragon" were about to be released, and said with a hint of excitement:
"If this animation can achieve the same success abroad as it has in China, then we'll talk about it again!"

Du Sheng knew who he meant by "us," and smiled in agreement.

Given the current box office growth in China and Asia, this animated film has definitely had a successful start.

Indeed, it is worth celebrating.

.........

That evening, Zhong Zhen and Ye Jingzhi left the company together and returned home.

Upon opening the door, they found Zheng Ziyan sleeping soundly in the living room, though her clothes were disheveled.

Zhong Zhen glanced at Du Sheng, her tone tinged with reproach:
"Look at your body now, you're like an ox, who can stand it?"

"Don't you know how to be considerate? Take it easy."

Du Sheng shrugged and laughed:

"Is this my fault?"
Ziyan insisted on being competitive and even issued a 'challenge,' so I had no choice but to play along.

Ye Jingzhi listened, secretly glanced at Zhong Zhen, and lowered her voice to say:
"The kids are all asleep. How about we relax tonight?"

Upon hearing this, Du Sheng immediately understood and smiled knowingly.

Zhong Zhen pretended to be stupid, turning her head away and pretending not to hear anything, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

Du Sheng leaned over and kissed Ye Jingzhi's tender little face, then said seriously:
"How to Train Your Dragon has really gone viral this time, and Miracle Animation is currently riding high."

But with fame comes trouble, and the bigger the tree, the more the wind blows. Now the entire industry, media, and capital are all watching.

You need to keep a close eye on your subordinates when managing people and affairs, making sure they are careful about what they say and do, so as not to give anyone a handle to use against them.

This wasn't said in vain.

In its opening week, "How to Train Your Dragon" grossed 1.5 million yuan at the domestic box office.
It broke the box office record for Chinese animated films!

And this is just the beginning; the momentum is so strong that it's unstoppable.

During the Chinese New Year, everyone has free time, so families can easily watch movies together, doubling the box office revenue is a breeze, and even quadrupling it is not a dream.

It also performed well in North America, with little competition. It grossed $2829 million in its opening weekend, directly taking the top spot at the box office!
Compared to the previous version, this version of "How to Train Your Dragon" has more detailed visuals and a more solid storyline.

Coupled with the overwhelming publicity and rave reviews, box office revenue naturally soared.

Even the Japanese market is no exception, with 12 billion Japanese yen in a week. The anime superpower recognizes this as a lucrative market.

Globally, the total box office in the first week soared to $1.8 million, equivalent to more than 10 billion RMB.

The investment was recouped in just seven days!

It's worth noting that the film's production cost was only 4.5 million yuan, and with marketing and distribution, the total investment was only around 6 million yuan. The fact that it was advertised as 8 million yuan already left room for maneuver.

With this, Du Sheng and Miracle Animation have finally secured their position.

Not only did they make money, they also proved that Chinese people can make world-class animated blockbusters!
From then on, Chinese animation was no longer synonymous with "childish" or "knock-off," but truly stood up.

As an industry leader, Miracle Animation's every move has become the focus of attention.

After listening, Ye Jingzhi nodded seriously:

"I have repeatedly emphasized in the company that management must be standardized."

But given the current situation, it's difficult to keep a low profile.

The wind is too strong outside; people are already trying to poach our workers.
However, these are all peripheral positions; the core team remains untouched.

With such high returns, who wouldn't be envious?

…(End of this chapter)