Rebirth: I'm filming extra scenes on the set

Chapter 224: If you write a few more songs, won’t you make back the money you lost?

"Chen Cheng, my "刺陵" failed."

No accidents.

Chen Cheng received a call from Jie Lun.

"Oh."

"Don't you have anything to say to comfort me?"

"What's the consolation? If I write a few more songs, I can make back the money I lost, right?"

"..."

Although "刺陵" has only been on the shelves for a week.

But looking at the box office of only 2500 million, people in the industry already knew that the film "刺陵" was a flop.

If we calculate based on the first week's box office being about twice the total box office.

Then the total box office of "刺陵" may only be around 5000 million to 6000 million.

but.

The investment in "刺陵" reached 9000 million.

The total box office of "刺陵" is 6000 million.

Assuming that the producer can get one-third of the box office share, "刺陵" will recoup its cost of 2000 million.

9000 million minus 2000 million.

Then.

"刺陵" suffered a loss of 7000 million.

Just this one film.

He lost all the money he had earned from "Secret" and other films he had participated in before, plus the profits he had made in the past one or two years.

"Chen Cheng, I want to ask you a question."

"go ahead."

"You must tell the truth."

"Row."

“Am I really not suited to filmmaking?”

"This one……"

Although Chen Cheng had always believed that Jie Lun’s talent was not in the film industry.

But when faced with this question, Chen Cheng didn't know what to say.

After thinking about it, Chen Cheng said, "I think you are more suitable for songs."

"ok, I get it."

Very depressed, Jie Lun hung up the phone.

no way.

This is the way the world is.

There are many people who like movies.

Not to mention those who make songs like Jie Lun.

I don’t know how many people are in this circle.

But liking someone is one thing.

Whether or not you can get him right is one thing.

Those professional players and famous directors often lose money
As for a cross-border company like Jie Lun, isn’t it normal to make losses?
even.

People in the industry will also say.

This is thanks to some.

otherwise.

If anyone crosses over to make movies, how will those people who specialize in the film industry make it?
Do you really think making a movie is easy?

However, the failure of "刺陵" is nothing in terms of the domestic film industry.

The box office record of Lost on Journey of 3.4 million yuan has announced to the outside world that the domestic film market has risen.

Also because of Lost on Journey's horrific box office record.

However, Huang Jianxin, president of the Directors Association, called Chen Cheng and said that the higher-ups wanted to invite Chen Cheng to a symposium.

Chen Cheng was a little surprised and asked, "Chairman, what are we going to talk about?"

"Just chatting."

"Just chat, no, I don't have time."

"You, you have low emotional intelligence, don't you? You really think you can just talk casually."

"Didn't you say that?"

"Ahem... Although it's just a casual talk, I can't just talk to anyone. I asked you to go because the higher-ups value you."

"What's the benefit of paying attention? Can you give us a bigger share of the box office?"

"What do you say?"

"I'll go, it really works."

"It's not impossible. But, if no one brings it up, how can it happen? The films you've made recently have broken domestic box office records one after another. They have a great influence in the country, and the higher-ups value you very much. I know you're annoyed by these official things, but if you can take the lead, it will be of great benefit to the prosperity of our domestic film industry. Let's not talk about other things, just talk about our box office share. Even if it can be increased by 1 percentage point, it will be of great benefit to us filmmakers."

"understood."

Huang Jianxin's words also opened Chen Cheng's eyes.

Domestic films still have a long way to go.

It is certainly important to concentrate on making movies.

but.

If some policy support can be obtained, it will be a huge benefit not only for Chen Cheng, but also for the entire industry.

Just like the siege in October.

Make it a main theme movie.

In order to support this sector, the state has taken the initiative to reduce taxes by 3 percentage points.

Although this cannot be fully popularized.

but.

This kind of support also allowed Chen Cheng to see the policies and directions from above.

Think about it this way.

Chen Cheng took the initiative to say: "Chairman, when is the meeting? I have time."

"Hahaha, as soon as I told you there were benefits, you immediately became so proactive."

"I'm doing this for everyone, not just for myself."

"Yes, yes, this is for the benefit of everyone, and we should be proactive."

Huang Jianxin smiled and said, "Just in the next two days. I'll let you know when the time comes."

"it is good."

……

A few days later.

Chen Cheng and Huang Jianxin went to the propaganda department above.

This is a department with a Chinese prefix.

I won’t tell you who the leader is.

Anyway, the level is very high.

Seeing Huang Jianxin bringing Chen Cheng, the leader smiled and said, "President Huang, you finally brought our number one box office seller here."

As he spoke, the leader looked at Chen Cheng and said, "Director Chen, I am your fan. I have seen your films Years, and your Love Apartment. Oh, and there is also Lost on Journey, which was released during the Spring Festival. Lost on Journey, in particular, caused a strong response when it was released. Many of my colleagues in the railway department have received great criticism because of your film."

"Leader, are you praising me or criticizing me?"

"Of course I'm praising you. If your film wasn't so good, how could it have such a big influence? Right, our top three scorers."

Chen Cheng replied somewhat embarrassedly: "I'm ashamed to say that the first place in the three lists was blown up by the media. In fact, domestic box office records have been constantly broken. Today it may be me who breaks it. Tomorrow, it may be President Huang who breaks it. The day after tomorrow, Director Zhang, Director Kai...they may all break it."

"Okay, well said."

The leader took the lead in applauding.

The leader was very excited: "I heard that you directed a bigger production last year, "The Founding of Daye". I also heard that this film will be released during the National Day holiday. What do you think the box office of our film will be?"

"Boss, I am the assistant director of The Founding of a Republic, helping Director Han and his team. As for the box office of this film, I think it will not disappoint you."

"Humble and confident... I like that."

The leader motioned for the two to take a seat.

Then the leader said, "In recent years, a series of good films and blockbusters have emerged in our country. This has not only prospered the domestic film market, but also improved the spiritual level of the general public. Director Chen, I have to thank you for this."

Chen Cheng still said modestly: "I am just a part of the domestic film market."

of course.

The above words are just politeness.

Next, the leader got to the point: "Director Chen, you are too modest. Let me talk casually. Don't take this seriously. Let's just chat. I have a lot of questions for you. The first question is, what do you think about the future development of our domestic film market?"

Chen Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Leader, I think the situation is still very good. We are just emerging now, and it is nothing yet. I predict that in the next few years, our domestic film market will become the second largest film market in the world. Even in another 10 years, it may become the largest film market in the world."

"The biggest one?"

"Yes."

“More than Hollywood?”

"If we take the global market as an example, we may not be able to catch up with Hollywood for the time being, but if we only take the North American market as an example, we can definitely surpass them. Of course, we may have the opportunity to surpass Hollywood's influence in the global market in the future."

"Ambitious."

The leader gave Chen Cheng a thumbs up.

Subsequently.

Chen Cheng also made some predictions about the future of the domestic film market from time to time.

The leader was so excited when he heard this.

Got to the back.

The leader slammed the table in excitement and said, "Chen Cheng, do you think we will produce a movie with a box office record of 50 billion in the future?"

"Correct."

Chen Cheng nodded: "Not just 50 billion, 60 billion is possible...it may even be higher."

"Okay, okay, okay... I really want to see that day come."

It took the leader a while to calm down.

The leader continued, "Director Chen, you can be said to be a leading figure in the domestic film industry. I believe that your experience and understanding of the film industry exceeds that of many people. If you have any suggestions or ideas about the domestic film industry, please tell us about it."

Speaking of it.

Huang Jianxin, who had been silent all this time, looked at Chen Cheng with a smile.

Chen Cheng knew.

The opportunity is here.

of course.

Although I know the opportunity has come.

But Chen Cheng couldn't just bring up the money issue right away when he arrived.

After thinking for a while, Chen Cheng said, "I think the scale of domestic cinemas is still a little insufficient. Many people actually want to watch movies, but they have no place to watch movies. There is only one cinema in the larger counties, and some counties don't even have a cinema. Or even if there is one, the conditions are relatively poor and the number of people cannot be accommodated."

"Ah."

The leader listened.

The people around him were holding pens and taking notes from time to time.

Chen Cheng continued, "In addition, movie tickets are a bit expensive, which is also a big reason that prevents people from entering the cinema."

"Finally, there is one most important reason, which is taxes."

The above are all what Chen Cheng said casually.

It doesn't matter whether he suggests it or not.

Because of the above part.

Even if there is no push from above, some commercial companies will do it themselves when they see the benefits involved.

Just like Wanda.

In the past two years, they have set up a large number of cinemas.

Other cinema companies also followed suit.

As for the movie ticket prices.

This is actually a business behavior.

Many cinema chains have started offering discounts and promotions to attract more users to the cinema.

What Chen Cheng really wanted to talk about was the issue of movie box office taxes.

"I believe you are aware that the box office revenue of a movie is subject to a series of taxes and fees. In the end, the share that goes to us producers is about 33%. In other words, if we make a movie with a cost of 1 million, the box office revenue must reach at least 3 million to recover the investment. Many times when we look at the box office charts, it is clear that the box office revenue has long exceeded the investment amount. However, the producers have not made any money yet."

"Of course, in addition to box office revenue, the producers also have other copyright fees. However, this is not a big part. Especially now that piracy is so serious, many copyrights cannot be collected, not to mention the income from other peripheral products. We had a film before, The Warlords."

"I know the movie The Warlords, starring Jet Li."

"Yes. The box office of this movie was not bad, reaching 2 million. Unfortunately, it still lost money. There are many other movies like The Warlords that have good box office and even broke records from time to time, but the producers still lost money. If such movies continue to lose money, it will obviously not be conducive to the development of the domestic film market."

Having said this, Chen Cheng paused.

The leader asked: "Director Chen, what is your suggestion?"

"I think the tax rate is still too high. If the higher authorities can make some reforms in tax rates, even if it's just a one percentage point reduction."

of course.

Chen Cheng doesn't just want one point.

But everything has to have a beginning.

It is obviously impossible to achieve such high requirements at the beginning.

But if you only raise one point.

Then the obstacle is not so great.

even.

In the future, we can use 1 point as a breakthrough point, and then there will be 2 points, 3 points, or even 4 points of tax incentives and support.

"Director Chen, this is your biggest suggestion."

As if he had guessed Chen Cheng's thoughts, the leader said with a smile.

"Wise leadership."

Chen Cheng was a little embarrassed, but he did not deny it. Instead, he said again: "I am just one of the better domestic filmmakers. However, there are still many filmmakers who do not make money. I know an actress who has worked hard for more than ten years. She has also made some money in the past ten years. She has always had a dream to direct a movie herself. Then, she invested more than ten years of money in the film industry, but she did not expect that after the movie was released, she found that all the money she earned in the past ten years was lost."

"There aren't many examples like the ones you mentioned."

"It's not much, but it's not a small amount either. Often, if you invest 5000 million in a movie and the box office is also 5000 million, then basically, you've lost 3500 million. Such examples are very common."

"Director Chen, we will carefully consider what you said."

The symposium, which lasted more than an hour, ended here.

……

On the way back, Huang Jianxin said, "Chen Cheng, the suggestion you just made is really great."

“President, why did you let me bring it up alone? Why did you bring it up too?”

"You thought I didn't mention it."

Huang Jianxin smiled and said, "I proposed it several years ago. However, it would be useless if there were no results. Didn't they ask you to come? You see, as soon as you proposed it, the leaders attached great importance to it."

"But it seems that the leaders have not made any statement."

"What kind of statement do you want? Do you want me to tell you right now that I will give you a tax cut? That's impossible. The movie box office revenue sharing involves the interests of too many parties. It's not just a random suggestion or a word. But I feel like there's hope this time?"

"Really?"

"of course it's true."

Huang Jianxin said, "Otherwise, what is the purpose of holding this symposium? By the way, Chen Cheng, it seems that you are still a member of the association."

"Yes."

"How about you become the vice president?"

"Don't mention..."

Chen Cheng quickly shook his head: "President, I am not qualified to be a vice president. Look, our vice presidents are all big shots. If a youngster like me goes over there, people will definitely gossip about me."

"This too."

Huang Jianxin thought about it, and then said: "Okay, even if you don't become the vice president, you can be an executive member."

"What is an executive committee member? What specific tasks do they have to perform?"

"Don't do any work. Just put your name on it. It's an honor. Otherwise, how can it be that the number one domestic box office star you mentioned is just an ordinary member of our association?"

"Okay, I'll listen to the president."

It's just a name anyway.

In addition, there is not just Chen Cheng on the executive committee, there are a lot of them.

This name didn’t seem to be anything impressive, at least it wouldn’t make people jealous, so Chen Cheng agreed.

……

"Chen Cheng, I heard that the higher-ups asked you to attend a meeting."

"how do you know?"

"You think I was following you? It was on the news. I only found out after I read the news."

"Uh...okay."

Chen Cheng was a little embarrassed.

What was embarrassing was not the call from Han Sanping.

Awkward.

Chen Cheng knew the reason why Han Sanping made this call.

Without him.

I guess he just wants to confront Chen Cheng.

In fact, that's exactly what happened.

Soon, Han Sanping said, "Director Chen, your suggestions to the higher-ups were very good. But, you know, the first person they targeted was China Film Group."

"What kind of knife?"

Chen Cheng pretended to be confused.

"You are pretending... The higher-ups have already started researching and are interested in reducing the fees charged by our China Film Group."

Yes.

Box office sharing concerns the interests of all parties.

Such as 5% special fund for films.

3.3% special business tax.

In other words.

If the box office is 100 yuan, the tax will be deducted as 8 yuan, and you will still have 3 yuan.

The 91.7 yuan also includes a maintenance fee for the publisher.

This distributor is not a distributor in the traditional sense, it refers to China Film.

This is actually a historical issue.

In the early 90s, digital technology replaced film, and a large number of cinemas across the country replaced their projectors with digital ones.

But that time.

A large number of cinemas across the country do not have the money to replace this batch of equipment.

So China Film Group paid money to help a large number of cinemas make the replacement.

In exchange.

China Film Corporation will collect a maintenance fee of 1%-3% as compensation for replacing equipment.

Of the rest, theaters will take about 6%.

Finally, there are the traditional publishers.

The general distribution ratio is between 5 points and 15 points.

At last.

Only about 33% goes to the producers.

So much has been said above.

obviously.

It is impossible to change the taxation issue for the time being.

Active.

That is China Film, theaters, and other traditional distributors.

The traditional distributors of major cinema chains are commercial companies.

This is their business practice.

I can't move the top, and it's not easy to move.

Then.

at this time.

What can be moved is the funding fees left over from China Film Group’s history.

This is why Han Sanping called Chen Cheng.

"Uh……"

Chen Cheng had no choice but to continue to play dumb and said, "Director Han, the higher-ups are also trying to promote the development of domestic films, right? You can't want the horse to run without giving it grass to eat. What do you think we should do?"

"Good boy, you are telling me the truth now."

"Director Han, don't be angry. On the other hand, if the domestic film market rises, and the films invested by your China Film Group make a lot of money, wouldn't that make up for your losses from other places?"

"You're trying to trick me, aren't you? Next time, don't let me see you."

"Hey……"

After hearing the sound of "dudu", Han Sanping hung up the phone.

Chen Cheng smiled.

This old man is really stubborn.

Next time, just avoid him.

(End of this chapter)