Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 417 What is an Art Film?

Can a movie that costs 800 million yuan really recoup its costs?
This has been a hot topic on the Internet recently, and it has even risen to the level of loss of state-owned assets.

Many people think that Zhang Chen is taking a big step and might get into trouble.

"The cost is 41 million yuan. According to the current 20% revenue sharing ratio, if we only count the domestic box office, we need billion yuan to recover the cost.

What does 20 billion mean? Last year, in 2015, the total domestic box office for the whole year was only 20 billion.

In other words, even if Pacific Rim is a big success, it will not be able to recover its costs in China anyway.

Then we can only rely on foreign markets.

But the overseas market is controlled by Hollywood. Do you have global distribution channels?"

The scene suddenly became quiet, and the reporter's words were like a bucket of cold water.

Zhang Chen looked at the person who was speaking, and it turned out to be the one he claimed he wanted to kick out just now.

At this moment, the guy had a faint sneer on his face, as if he was mocking Zhang Chen for overestimating his own abilities.

All the media reporters looked at Zhang Chen, who seemed to be held there.

However, there was no trace of nervousness on this guy's face.

He smiled and looked at the man: "I can't tell, you must have done your homework. Ordinary people don't know what the annual box office total was in 2015~"

The man looked embarrassed, but said nothing, which was considered as his agreement.

Zhang Chen's sneer deepened: "But who told you that we don't have any channels in Hollywood?"

"Warner Bros. is also one of the investors in the Pacific Rim project and is also responsible for the global distribution of the film project."

"How about it?
Not surprised?

Surprised or not? "

Zhang Chen looked at the other person with a smile, and the reporter's face turned red instantly.

The more confident you were just now, the more embarrassed you are now.

"Impossible, you must be lying. There is no relevant information either in China or abroad..."

Zhang Chen smiled even more: "I haven't announced it yet, so of course you can't get the news. If you don't believe it, you can call Warner to check and see what they say..."

The man was speechless. Since Zhang Chen dared to say that, it was probably true.

I can only say that I was extremely embarrassed today.

Zhang Chen didn't bother to pay attention to him. He looked around at everyone and said loudly: "Eight hundred million to make a movie, not only do you think I'm crazy, sometimes I also think I'm crazy."

“But someone has to do it.”

"Since everyone is in this industry, let me ask you a question. Which movie holds the box office record for Chinese films?"

The crowd listened quietly, they knew that Zhang Chen didn't need their answer at all.

Zhang Chen answered his own question: "Some people may think that I want to brag about my work on Taken, but I don't.

"Taken"'s 2.7 million is a box office record for Chinese-language films, but if all are counted, it would only rank second.

The first is James Cameron’s big ship. Hollywood used a big ship to blast open the door to the Chinese film market, easily swept away 3.6 million, and dominated the Chinese film market for nine years..."

In an instant, the atmosphere changed.

Zhang Chen's expression became more serious this time: "We call ourselves a great country, but the box office champion in our country is a foreign film. Isn't that ironic?
Some people may say that the scale of promotion and marketing of "The Ship" was world-class at that time, and it set box office records in every country, so Cameron dared to say that he was the king of the world.

Yes, Big Ship did break box office records in many countries back then, but what about now?
Filmmakers from other countries are working hard to break the records of big ships. South Korea had "The Taegukgi" and Japan had "Spirited Away". What about us?
Our movie box office champion is still the big ship, with an unshakable 3.6 ​​million.

Domestic filmmakers, what are you doing?
Have you been slacking off for the past nine years?

Shame on you!
If you don't come, then I'll have to come.

I can't afford to lose that person. When I went abroad, I talked with Korean filmmakers about their respective countries' films. They said that their box office champion was "Taegukgi: The Legend of the Taegukgi" produced in their country. They asked me which movie was the record holder for Chinese films. I couldn't answer this question.
Shame on you!
Thrown at grandma's house~"

Zhang Chen patted his face:

"Should we tell them that this is still the same ship from ten years ago?

Or should we tell them that there is not a single person in our country who can fight?
So I had to do Pacific Rim, where I beat magic with magic.

Is it difficult to get a box office of 3.6 million?
difficult!
too difficult!
But it has to be done even though it is difficult.

China has always been obsessed with making costume blockbusters, but no one has ever made special effects blockbusters.

If you don't do it, I'll do it.
I am young and I am not afraid of failure. I can afford the cost of trial and error. At worst I can start over again.

The media were all mocking me, saying that I was crazy about money and actually expected to become successful overnight by making a science fiction film.

I can only say that they don’t understand anything and are living like dogs at their age.

If I want to make money, why not make "Pacific Rim" and continue making "Taken"?

"Taken" is a universe. According to my plan, it can spawn at least three series and ten movies.

I can say with confidence that the total box office will be at least 20 billion yuan.

This is just the Hurricane universe. I also have the Sharknado series and the Darkness series. As long as I want, these can be quickly monetized.

When I can make money without doing anything, why would I want to make myself suffer by filming Pacific Rim?
Because I want to find a place for myself~
Give all Chinese people back their face~
I want to break the record of the big ship~
I want to fill the gap in domestic science fiction films~
I have been planning the Pacific Rim project for a long time. When I was still writing the script, I was thinking about how to prepare, shoot, promote, and release this film...

No movies of this type have ever been made in China, which meant that a lot of work had to start from scratch.

But I think it makes a lot of sense.

I want to boost the domestic science fiction market through the success of Pacific Rim. After Pacific Rim is completed, the relevant supporting facilities will be in place. I will also record the entire filming process and share it with other directors and producers to prevent them from taking the same detour..."

After Zhang Chen finished speaking, there was a brief silence, and then some people started to applaud.

They admired the broad-mindedness shown by Zhang Chen in his speech.

Yes, if they want to make money, why shoot "Pacific Rim"? It's a thankless task. Wouldn't it be better to shoot "Taken" and make money without doing anything?

Zhang Chen smiled and bowed, then he put his hands in the air, and the crowd became quiet again.

“Having said so much, it may seem like I am a lone fighter, but I am not alone.

China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, Haixin Films, Guangxian Film Group, and Wanda Film and Television are my partners. When I go crazy, they go crazy with me.

When the outside world was predicting the film's failure, they resolutely decided to invest.

I told them that this was a gamble and I wasn't so sure myself. If something went wrong, I might lose 800 million yuan. But they all believed in me and wanted to do something for Chinese films.

At the same time, I would like to thank Hengdian Group, especially Mr. Xu. After learning about the project, they decided to provide the filming site free of charge and built two large studios for this purpose. Thank you for your support~
Here, I also make a promise to everyone that Pacific Rim will definitely be a good movie. I will do my best and spend two years to make it a masterpiece.

Applause broke out again from the audience, and Han Sanping on the stage secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

In his opinion, the press conference was almost over here. Today's press conference was very successful. Zhang Chen was obviously prepared, and he also cleverly resolved the obvious difficulty.

However, just when everything was going in the right direction, something strange happened.

A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd: "Director Zhang Chen, I'd like to ask, there are rumors that China Film invested 200 million in Pacific Rim, is this true?"

Zhang Chen looked at the person who came. He didn't recognize him, but the media people around him were all whispering, "It's Wang Xiaoshuai~"
Zhang Chen knew this person, but he had no interest in art films and had never paid attention to him.

He looked at Han Sanping beside him and saw that the latter was staring at the other person. It was obviously Wang Xiaoshuai.

Seeing that Han Sanping didn't give any hints, Zhang Chen nodded and admitted: "Yes, China Film invested 200 million..."

After seeing Zhang Chen admit it, Wang Xiaoshuai turned his gaze to Han Sanping.

"Then I would like to ask Mr. Han Sanping to answer my second question. I would like to ask Mr. Han, why would China Film prefer to invest 200 million yuan in a science fiction film with an uncertain future, rather than giving some to art films?
Science fiction films are domestic films, but do art films not count?
Not to mention that 200 million yuan is not enough to make a science fiction film, but it can be used to make dozens of art films. Can't art films prosper the market?
The fact that China Film under President Han is so determined to bet on Pacific Rim reminds me of The Promise. I'm afraid President Han also bet on it in the same way. Isn't he afraid of repeating the same mistake? "

For a moment, you could hear a pin drop so quietly below.

How dare Wang Xiaoshuai?

Questioning Han Sanping in public
Then the media reporters showed their excitement one by one, the show was about to begin~
Seeing that all the cameras were pointed at Wang Xiaoshuai and Han Sanping, Zhang Chen couldn't help but frown. Wang Xiaoshuai was here to cause trouble.

Comparing Pacific Rim, which is still in preparation, with the failed The Promise, isn't this just ruining the show?
Also, this guy chose today's occasion to question Han Sanping in front of so many media. Isn't this obviously aimed at ruining Han Sanping's reputation?

There is definitely someone behind the scenes supporting me~
Zhang Chen knew that Wang Xiaoshuai was recently very dissatisfied with China Film Group's reduction of film support funds, and had even called on Han Sanping to pay more attention to art films.

It seems that Han Sanping ignored him, so he ran here to make a scene, and he was ready to let everyone know about it~
Looking at the Third Master again, his face was ashen and he was obviously very angry.

"Pacific Rim" seemed to have become a knife stabbing Han Sanping. Under such circumstances, Zhang Chen definitely could not allow him to be further targeted.

"I think I'm the most suitable person to answer the question you asked."

Zhang Chen paused, and seeing that Han Sanping did not object, he said loudly:
"Director Wang Xiaoshuai, right? You've said so much, so I'd like to ask you a question. Those of you who make art films, can you tell me where your usual filming funds come from?"

Wang Xiaoshuai paused, but Zhang Chen didn't wait for him to answer and gave the answer first: "Ning Hao used to make art films. He once told me that in the circle of art directors, if you win some second-class awards, foreign funds will come to you and claim that they are willing to support your next work, but there are requirements for the subject matter, which is that you must shoot human or social problems in poor areas of China...

At that time, he didn't want to make art films anymore, thinking it was boring, so he refused. Later, when we talked about this, I was wondering, why are foreign countries willing to provide funding and have requirements for the subject matter?
Have you ever thought about this question?
If you haven't thought about it, then think about the image of our country in the international community. The answer is self-evident. They did it on purpose. Our art film directors thought they were pursuing art and exploring human nature, but they didn't know that they had become a knife in their hands. Of course, they might also know..."

As soon as Zhang Chen said this, the conference hall exploded.

They had never heard of such remarks, but looking at Zhang Chen's expression, it didn't seem like nonsense.

Especially the last sentence, which is heartbreaking.
Zhang Chen looked at the reactions around him and thought that this was not the end yet. With his personality, he had to kill the snake.

“You all probably know that I have always had conflicts with the Hong Kong community and I don’t think highly of them.

But even for the Hong Kong circle, I have to admit that they have at least one advantage - the Hong Kong circle is sincerely making commercial films.

For commercial films, the most important thing is that they have to be commercial, good-looking and able to make money.

This has led to many people who make art films always feeling that art films are nobler than commercial films. Please, where is the nobility?

It's the 21st century. Please open your eyes and look at the world. Art films are a niche all over the world.

People always like to watch commercial movies, even Europe, which is known as the base of art films, is still beaten up by Hollywood commercial movies.

Just ask European audiences whether they prefer art films or Hollywood commercial films.

If you really like art films, you don’t need to organize a local film protection month~”

Zhang Chen's words were merciless. He pointed at Wang Xiaoshuai in the audience and said, "Now, you keep saying that China Film has 200 million yuan. Why did you invest in Pacific Rim but not in art films? I want to ask, why did you invest in art films?

Is there any difference between investing in you and throwing money away?
Can you recover your costs?

Investing in movies is a commercial activity. Let alone helping investors make money, you can't even break even. How can you have the nerve to say such things with such a shameless face?

If investors don’t make money from a movie, they won’t have money to invest in the next one.

If there are more cases like this, no one will dare to invest in movies anymore.

This is already destroying the entire film ecosystem.

When the time comes when no one invests in movies anymore, the Chinese film industry will be over.

By then, you will jump out and feel sad, saying that the country’s support for the film industry is not strong enough.”

Zhang Chen was ready to roast Wang Xiaoshuai over the fire:
“Originally, we were talking about the film project today, and I didn’t want to talk about these irrelevant things, but since you mentioned China Film and President Han, I must stand up and say something fair.

China Film Group has always encouraged commercial films, which is actually promoting reforms in the film industry.

They do this because they don't want their domestic market to become a Hollywood slaughterhouse like Europe once it is fully liberalized.

Everyone has seen Hollywood blockbusters and knows how powerful they are.

Now, there is a quota for imported films, and only a few Hollywood movies can enter the mainland market every year.

Even so, there are still people shouting "wolf, wolf". Let me ask, after all the restrictions are lifted, can domestic films really beat Hollywood blockbusters?
I would like to ask Director Wang Xiaoshuai, can you stop Hollywood by just relying on art films?
Have you ever thought about why the mainland treats the Hong Kong team so well?
Catfish effect.

The country hopes that domestic filmmakers will grow rapidly so that they can cope with a more complex international environment.

Do you still think that China Film Group shouldn’t invest money in Pacific Rim?

To be honest, I was very angry when I heard your accusations against President Han.

I have one principle:
Those who collect firewood for the public should not be allowed to freeze to death in the wilderness.

He is a public official and there are some things he is embarrassed to say, so I have to say them for him.

You say that China Film Group treated Pacific Rim well but was dismissive of art films.

I would like to ask on behalf of Mr. Han what role do art films play in promoting the film industry.

Can it promote the development of film and television technology?

Or can it give rise to new film techniques?
Can it create jobs?
Or can it drive the development of other industries?
Art films have no function other than expressing the director's humble personal thoughts.

Let me be honest, Japanese AV at least boosted the prosperity of the videotape and DVD markets. What contribution has art films made?
You only know how to cater to the West, filming many backward places and looking for so-called humanity.

Even if a movie like this wins an award, it sends the wrong message to the world.”

Zhang Chen kept saying all kinds of bad things. Wang Xiaoshuai didn't know what to say. Zhang Chen had a lot of great principles to preach. Compared with him, he was simply uncultured.

However, one reporter asked, "Director Zhang, is there no hope for domestic art films?"

"Of course not~"

Zhang Chen slowed down and said, "Director Feng Xiaogang once said that a director is like a chef, and a movie is the dish he makes.

Since they are chefs, their cooking skills must vary. If some food is delicious, some food must be unpalatable.

What to do? It's simple.
If a food tastes bad, there are usually two ways to deal with it:
One is not to eat ~
The second is to improve the method and make it delicious~
This is very obvious, right?
It doesn’t have to be an art film if it’s incomprehensible to people~”

Zhang Chen was very disappointed with his friend.

Feng Xiaogang, who was watching the Sina live broadcast in front of the computer, said "Fuck you". I did say that to the chef, but why did you say it like you were endorsing me...

After Zhang Chen's speech, the media reporters really started to look forward to "Pacific Rim". Zhang Chen's approach was simply to make a movie for the rise of China.

At the same time, some people are worried about the first domestic science fiction film: "Director Zhang, is it really possible that Pacific Rim will lose money?"

Zhang Chen immediately put on another smile: "It's possible, but the possibility is not high. Let me tell you why~"

“Let’s talk about the total domestic market first.

In 02, the total box office in China was 8 million yuan, which rose to 03 billion yuan in 10. In 04, as the reporter friend just mentioned, it was 15 billion yuan, and in 05 it became 20 billion yuan...

According to this growth trend, it is about 25%-50% every year. Let's take an average value, say 35%. Then this year's total box office will be around 27 billion. In 06, it may be 36 billion. In 07, it may be 48 billion. In 08, it will be 52 billion..."

After Zhang Chen finished speaking, he waited for the reaction below.

Sure enough, the reporters were in an uproar.
It would have been fine if he hadn't calculated it, but after Zhang Chen did this, the people below immediately became restless.

02年才8亿，08年就52亿了，接近600%的涨幅~
Is Zhang Chen thinking too optimistically?

"A 6 percent increase for six consecutive years, is that too much?"

Someone couldn't help but ask.

Zhang Chen snapped his fingers. "Good question. Any normal person would have such a question, but what I want to tell you is that this is entirely possible, because the growth in the total box office is due to the growth in the number of theater chains and cinemas, and the growth in screens..."

"In 2002, we carried out a cinema chain reform and built 11 inter-provincial cinema chains and 19 intra-provincial cinema chains. These cinema chains were basically cinemas under the old film studios and were state-owned assets.

According to statistics, by the end of the year, there were 35 registered cinema chains nationwide, 1024 cinemas joined the chains, and a total of 1843 screens.

“2003国家广电总局、商务部、文化部（第 21号），多部联合颁布《外商投资电影院暂行规定》，这项规定自04年1月1日起开始执行。”

"In April, the State Council issued the 'Decisions on the Entry of Non-public Capital into the Cultural Industry', which encourages and supports non-public capital to enter cinemas and cinema chains, and allows non-public capital to invest in state-owned cultural enterprises in the fields of film production, distribution and screening."

"With the support and encouragement of such policies, Wanda Cinema Line was officially established in early 04, becoming the first cinema chain company in my country that is completely dominated by private capital."

"Since then, private capital has successively invested in cinema construction. Just this year, another private cinema chain, Dadi Cinema, was established. My Golden Harvest Cinema Chain has also tried to expand its business in the mainland. Just this year, it built several cinemas at the same time."

"According to the figures I have, in 2004, there were 1188 cinemas nationwide, and the number of screens increased to 2396. In 05, this number became 1404, with 2733 screens. This year, the number of screens may exceed 3000, and there will be more in the future..."

"From the above situation, the growth in the number of cinema chains may slow down, but the construction of cinemas will definitely increase. All companies are planning their market share, and the newly built cinemas are generally multi-hall models.

This also means that more films can be screened, the utilization rate of theaters will be higher, the box office will be further increased, and the domestic film industry will surely usher in great strides in development!"

Numbers came out of Zhang Chen's mouth one by one. Some people hurriedly found paper and pen to write down the data, while some people couldn't wait to ask questions, but Zhang Chen signaled them to be patient.

Cinemas, screens, and total box office revenue are the three most intuitive numbers.

“In the next ten years, the film industry will be a sunrise industry. With the entry of private capital, this industry will surely develop substantially.

This is where my confidence in Pacific Rim comes from.

The film market is a standard winner-takes-all market, and the head effect is very obvious.

Back then, the box office of Hero accounted for a quarter of the total box office that year. Pacific Rim cannot reach that level, but with a market size of 52 billion, it should be no problem to get 5-6 million at the box office, which will complete the first small goal - breaking the record of the big ship. "

When the reporters around heard Zhang Chen say this, they all smiled knowingly as if they had seen that scene.

Zhang Chen continued: "This is just the most basic. If it triggers a breakout phenomenon, such as becoming a phenomenal movie like The Big Ship, the screening time will definitely be extended, and the box office will be even higher.

Although all these combined still cannot allow Pacific Rim to recoup its costs, they can already alleviate a lot of pressure.

This is the domestic situation, let’s talk about the foreign situation.

The mecha and monster elements in "Pacific Rim" are the most popular movie elements in recent years, and they all have references. The mechas are based on "Transformers" and the monsters are based on "King Kong".

Both of these movies are big hits in Hollywood. Pacific Rim has these elements, so it should be highly recognized in the European and American markets.

Moreover, this kind of subject matter is very suitable for DVD and movie peripheral licensing. If you calculate it this way, the possibility of recovering the cost is still very high. If it can achieve good box office results in North America, it will serve as a demonstration, and the box office in foreign markets such as Europe should not be bad either."

(End of this chapter)