Chinese Entertainment: Starting from 1996

Chapter 471 Expectations and Ambition

On November 29th, "Interstellar" held its premiere ceremony at the National Science and Technology Museum on Beichen East Road, Chaoyang District.

The National Science and Technology Museum owns one of the six 70mm imax screens in the country. The 70mm imax screen can fully display the light and shadow effects of "Interstellar".

Compared to "Avatar", this is also a disadvantage of "Interstellar" in terms of box office revenue.

Although there are not many 3D screens in China, there are more than 70mm IMAX screens, and even more than digital IMAX screens.

You should know that compared to ordinary ticket prices, 3D ticket prices are two or three times more expensive. When "Avatar" was first released, 3D movie tickets had to be snatched up, and scalpers once sold them for four or five hundred yuan each.

Even during normal times, a 3D movie ticket costs one hundred yuan, which is two or three times the price of a regular movie ticket.

This is also one of the reasons why "Avatar" was able to achieve such a high box office in the country.

Fortunately, domestic cinemas have been developing rapidly in the past two years. In addition to quantity, quality has also been improving.

Especially due to the stimulation of "Avatar", the number of 3D screens is increasing rapidly, and the number of digital IMAX screens has also increased significantly.

Even the 70mm imax screen has been increased by two. Before Liu Zhou prepared to shoot "Interstellar", there were only four in the country. Now there are six such film imax screens.

However, six screens are still too few, and they serve more as a display to showcase the light and shadow effects of "Interstellar".

But even if you watch it on a digital IMAX screen, although the effect will be inferior, the visual perception and 3D effect are still different.

The best effect is of course the 70mm imax screen that best suits the 70mm camera, so Liu Zhou also held the premiere at the National Science and Technology Museum.

At 3:30 in the afternoon, two hours before the premiere, the Science and Technology Museum was already crowded with fans and reporters.

It is no exaggeration to say that nowadays, unless Zhang Yimou's new film is released, no other movie in China can compare with the popularity of Liu Zhou's new film.

What's more, this is a sci-fi special effects blockbuster shot by Liu Zhou, so even Zhang Yimou may need to stay out of the spotlight for a while.

"After two years of waiting, Liu Zhou's new film is finally here."

"Alas, Liu Zhou used to make one film a year, but now he makes one every two years. In the future, he may make one every three years or even stop making films."

"It seems like this guy has become lazy since Jiahe went public. He used to be so hardworking."

"It's good enough to make a blockbuster like this every two years. Liu Zhou is already very productive. If he makes it any faster, we'll have to worry about the quality."

"Yes, and Liu Zhou is now the richest man in mainland China. It's good enough that he can make movies. Look at which wealthy man in China is willing to show up in public besides him.

So cherish it, there will be fewer and fewer Liu Zhou movies in the future, and I don’t know when he will stop making movies.”

"Yeah, but why isn't it starting yet? Who wants to watch these stars walk the red carpet? Hurry up and start, I can't wait!"

"Watching the trailer on the computer is already shocking enough. The waves are so high. How spectacular it would be if it were on this 29-meter-high screen!"

"In fact, the scene with the frozen planet was really shocking. The IMAX screen had enough frame rate, and it was shot from an aerial perspective, so the entire planet was in full view, and it was completely frozen. It was truly spectacular!"

……

Today is Wednesday, a little after three in the afternoon. Almost all those who can come here are veteran movie fans, science fiction fans, or die-hard fans of Liu Zhou, and they are a very lucky group of people.

After all, for this premiere, apart from some celebrity guests and journalists and film critics invited by Golden Harvest, there were not many tickets left for ordinary audiences, and there were many more who wanted to get a sneak peek.

So the premiere tickets had to be grabbed, and they were the lucky ones who got the tickets.

At this time, they were also chatting in twos and threes. Because they had common topics, although they were looking forward to it, they were not bored. Occasionally, they would admire the female stars who were wearing unusually cool clothes on the red carpet not far away.

More than an hour later, a black Mercedes-Benz S600 drove over, followed by a convoy of equally luxurious cars.

Liu Zhou came out of the first car, and actors including Liu Ye, Fan Xiaopang also came out of the convoy.

"Liu Zhou!"

"Liu Zhou!!"

The fans who had been waiting for more than an hour burst into the loudest cheers when Liu Zhou stepped onto the red carpet.

Liu Zhou hadn't walked the red carpet for a long time, and was a little surprised by the enthusiasm of the fans. However, he was used to such scenes before, so he adjusted himself quickly.

After the others came over, Liu Zhou also led them onto the red carpet, smiling and waving to the fans on both sides of the red carpet. The photographers were also pressing the shutter button frantically with an amazing speed.

Walking across the red carpet and arriving at the press interview area, Liu Zhou originally wanted to deal with it simply, but the off-site host this time was He Jiong, the top host of Xiangnan TV.

He Jiong's hosting skills and emotional intelligence are indeed very high. He knows what the outside world cares about, so he pestered Liu Zhou, but in a way that would not make Liu Zhou feel unhappy.

After asking a few simple questions related to the movie, He Jiong also asked a question that is currently being hotly discussed in the outside world.

"Director Liu, many media outlets are discussing the box office forecast for Interstellar. What do you think the film will earn in the end?"

Ever since the preview data of "Interstellar" came out, some media and professional film critics predicted that the movie's box office would exceed 10 billion, which also aroused heated discussions from the outside world.

Of course, many media want to interview Liu Zhou, but he has never responded directly to this question.

But now, looking at the circle of eager reporters, Liu Zhou also said with a smile:

"In fact, the box office is not what I care most about. What I want most is that people like my movie. I didn't expect the media to be so concerned about the box office forecast of Interstellar.

As the director of Interstellar, of course I hope the box office of the movie is as high as possible.”

Hearing Liu Zhou's words, He Jiong and the reporters thought he was going to play Tai Chi again. Just as they were about to ask more questions, Liu Zhou suddenly changed the subject and continued:
"Since you all care so much, let me tell you my expectations. As for the box office of Interstellar, I think it should be no problem to break 1 billion. I also hope to take back the domestic movie box office record."

After saying that, Liu Zhou ignored them and turned around to walk into the venue.

At this time, after hearing Liu Zhou's answer, the major media reporters in the audience were also in an uproar. Then they looked at each other and saw the excitement and joy in each other's eyes.

An idea suddenly came to everyone's mind:
Liu Zhou wants to challenge the box office record of "Avatar"!

Now there is news to write.

When we entered the screening room, almost all the invited guests were present, and there were also some small celebrities who came to take advantage of the popularity.

Han Shanping also came, and next to him was the Director of the Film Bureau, Tong Gang, and he was surrounded by several subordinates and CEOs of major companies.

China Film Group is also an investor in "Interstellar", so Han Shanping can be considered the host. He was the one who greeted the guests before Liu Zhou came.

Their circle is undoubtedly the most core circle in the venue, and even some top stars find it difficult to get close.

Seeing Liu Zhou coming in, several people stopped talking and greeted him with a smile. He did not act arrogantly, but walked forward quickly, and said with a smile:

"Director Tong, Chairman Han, Chairman Yu, Chairman Wang, General Manager Yang, Brother Gou. Welcome everyone."

Tong Gang waved his hand and said:

"I'm waiting for Director Liu's movie to break 1 billion at the box office."

"I heard that Mr. Liu just said that this movie can break the record of "Avatar". There will be no problem in breaking 1 billion." Yu Dong continued with a smile.

"You knew it as soon as I said it? No wonder they say there are no secrets in the entertainment industry."

"Hahaha."

"Ha ha…"

"Let alone breaking the 1.3 billion box office record of "Avatar", I dare not even think about the goal of 1 billion box office." Emperor Entertainment Group boss Yang said with emotion.

"Haha, Mr. Yang, you are too polite. As a person, you must have a goal. No matter whether you can achieve it or not, having a goal will give you a direction to move forward.

I can’t say that I can definitely break the box office record of Avatar, nor can I say how much the box office will be. I’ll just do my best. However, as Chinese filmmakers, we can’t let a Hollywood movie put pressure on us.”

Tong Gang nodded:
"Mr. Liu is right. The mainland box office record should be created by our domestic filmmakers. However, the record of Avatar is not easy to break. If you need our help, come to me directly."

When the other CEOs heard Tong Gang's words, they couldn't help but feel jealous, as they had never been treated like this before.

"Of course, with the support of the leadership, I will be more confident."

After dealing with various bosses, at 5:30 in the afternoon, all the audience entered the venue and the premiere ceremony was about to begin.

When going backstage, Han Shanping also followed.

"Liu Zhou, are you really going to challenge the box office record of Avatar this time?"

When the two met before, the goal they set was for the movie box office to exceed 1 billion, and Han Shanping thought Liu Zhou thought so too.

But now he found out that Liu Zhou's goal was to break the box office record of "Avatar", which shocked him a little.

As the head of China Film Group, which distributed Avatar, he knows more inside stories and is more aware of how difficult it is to break Avatar's record.

After so many years of cooperation and getting along, Han Shanping also understood Liu Zhou and knew that he was definitely not doing his best as he just said. He must have huge expectations and ambitions in his heart.

Han Shanping now finally understood why Liu Zhou had been working so hard to promote the product during this period.

At first he thought it was for the goal of 1 billion box office. After all, being the first domestic film to have a box office of over 1 billion is a pretty impressive achievement. He didn't expect that the other party had a bigger goal.

"Yes, I think Interstellar has this capability, and I want to give it a try."

"Then why didn't you tell me earlier? I can cooperate with you here."

"It doesn't matter whether we say it or not. We have done everything we can. The final result can only be left to fate."

After hearing what Liu Zhou said, Han Shanping thought it was true. China Film Group Corporation also tried its best to promote and arrange the release of this movie.

But he had a feeling that this was the limit of your ability and it didn't matter whether he told you or not.

This made him feel despised. After all, he was the chairman of China Film Corporation and the undisputed leader of the domestic film industry, but now he was despised.

I have never had this feeling before. He was always the one who looked down on others, and then others would come to him eagerly seeking cooperation.

If it were anyone else, Han Shanping would spit in his face, but for Jiahe and Liu Zhou, how could they actually say such things.

Apart from the administrative relationship, if we look at China Film as a film and television company, its strength is not as good as Golden Harvest.

Han Shanping gritted his teeth and said:

"Since you have such high aspirations, Zhongying and I will of course do our best to support you. Don't underestimate Zhongying. I just tried my best before, and Zhongying hasn't done that yet."

Liu Zhou understood Han Shanping's meaning and replied:

"That's great, but it won't make it hard for you."

"Compared to breaking the domestic box office record, this is nothing. Others in the group shouldn't contradict me at this time."

China Film Group is a large group, and Han Shanping rose to the position of top leader step by step. Although he holds most of the power, it is difficult for him to have the final say.

If you want to gain the support of the entire China Film Group, you must get cooperation from other factions within the group.

Liu Zhou is of course happy to see this happen, as it increases his chances of breaking the record.

Before, Liu Zhouzhen had no intention of underestimating Han Shanping or China Film. He just kept this ambition in his heart and gave it his all.

Therefore, even in the media interview, Liu Zhou did not reveal this goal. He only said it in public just now because he felt that there was no need to hide it at this time, but he also said it quite modestly.

At six o'clock, the premiere ceremony started on time.

Liu Zhou brought the actors to the stage, and the hosting lineup was unprecedentedly strong, with the Movie Channel, CCTV, and Sina Video each sending a host.

The host of the movie channel is the old acquaintance Jing Wei, the host of CCTV is the famous host Li Yong, and the person arranged by Sina Video is Liu Yan.

Because Golden Harvest Group and Sina Group are sister companies, both Sina.com and Sina Video are considered to be the industry leaders in entertainment news.

Sina Video has been producing entertainment news reports for a long time, and Liu Yan was hired by Sina Video based on her own talents and advantages.

Not only that, because of his relationship with Zhao Benshan, Dapeng is now also staying at Sina Video and is also the host of Sina Video.

Liu Zhou did not intervene in these things. It was all the butterfly effect caused by the emergence of Sina Video. He didn't know about these situations before. He only knew they had joined Sina Video when he saw two people being interviewed with Sina Video nameplates during the promotion of "Interstellar".

Liu Yan is okay, but Dapeng is indeed very talented, and Liu Zhou did not force his progress, so Dapeng is still in the accumulation stage.

There weren't any activities at the premiere ceremony, other than talking about the original intention of the creation, the difficulties encountered, some technical breakthroughs of the film, and the actors' performances.

I really don't have the time. The film is 155 minutes long, starts at 6:45 and ends at 9:20.

The ceremony ended on time, and the Science and Technology Museum's largest IMAX film screen in Asia, which is also the best screen in Asia for showing "Interstellar", slowly lit up, and the movie officially began.

(End of this chapter)