I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

Things turned out just as Yan Rui had expected.

"Young Man Without Troubles", starring newcomer Guo Zirui, suffered a sudden box office setback after its release on the third day due to a scandal.

Although Changyun Film and Television started to control public opinion very early.

But it still caused a lot of resistance.

The single-day box office went from over 100 million on the first day to just over 30 million on the third day.

And it is highly unlikely that it will be able to stand up again in the future.

It will be even lower in the future.

……

On the other hand, "Starry Sky" is very stable, although its reputation is polarized.

Some viewers complained that they couldn't understand it, but the quality of the movie is indeed quite good.

It also has its own fixed audience.

Therefore, the single-day box office of the movie has stabilized at around 50 to 60 million.

It is estimated that the subsequent box office will still exceed the 1 billion threshold.

Although it is somewhat different from expectations before the release.

But there is no big problem in recovering the cost.

The original investment in the movie was not that big, there were no great special effects, and the cast did not include any big-name actors.

The success is more due to the script and Ping Ye’s unique directing style.

……

Of course, as expected, "Infernal Affairs" became the biggest winner of the May Day period on the third day of its release.

In fact, there have been many similar predictions before.

The industry's evaluation of the two large companies, Changyun Film and Television and Huayuan, is a bit too harsh.

Everyone knows Xu Kong's abilities.

At the same time, it is clear that this movie, based on the cast alone, does not look like an easy opponent.

The more sensible approach is to postpone the release as much as possible.

It’s not a high-traffic period like the Spring Festival and National Day.

It’s just a May Day holiday, what’s the big deal?

The subsequent summer season would be a better choice.

All I can say is that sometimes, it seems like there are situations that require almost no thinking or consideration.

So-called professionals in the industry are prone to making this kind of stupid mistakes.

Ping Ye's unwillingness to accept the defeat and Zhu Changyun's determination to fight Xu Kong to the end are things that most people cannot understand.

……

"Don't even mention now. In fact, I could already feel Xu Kong's dominance before."

“And I feel like this is just the beginning.”

"In the domestic film and television industry, Xu Kong and Feng Ge are definitely the public enemies of other film and television companies."

"Alas, I really want to join Fengge, but they don't want to sign me. What can I do?"

At this time in Changyun Film and Television, Mu Mian spoke with some emotion.

She and Huang Zexuan both starred in the TV series "Young Man Without Troubles". Although they didn't have many roles, they did show their faces.

It's a shame, I didn't have high hopes for this movie.

As expected, it failed.

Now that such negative information about Guo Zirui has suddenly been exposed, the movie is likely to be ruined.

It is estimated that the subsequent box office will be difficult to recoup the investment.

It’s nonsense to think that online copyright can be sold at a good price.

The two of them seemed to have suffered an unexpected disaster.

Huang Zexuan is in a better attitude.

I think the two of them just need to focus on filming the movie.

No need to think so much.

But Mu Mian scolded him for having no ambition.

Her heart is definitely with Cao's camp but her mind is with Han.

If there is an opportunity, I will definitely choose to join Fengge without hesitation.

As for Changyun Film and Television, whoever wants to stay here can stay.

When you have more choices, it is more important than working harder.

It is much more difficult to become famous in a company that has no future.

……

"Mu Mian, have you received an audition for the new play?"

"The company recently invited me to audition for the new drama."

Huang Zexuan asked.

Mu Mian nodded without much interest.

"I got it too."

"It's just a female No. 4 role, I feel like it doesn't matter whether I play it or not."

When Huang Zexuan heard this, his expression suddenly became serious.

"No, given our current situation, it's good enough to have a play to perform."

"Don't be picky. You have to go to the audition with me!"

Mu Mian was somewhat disdainful.

"Who are you to me?"

"Do I have to follow you to the audition?"

……

Huang Zexuan blushed and stammered, unable to answer.

Mu Mian looked angry, but finally sighed.

"never mind."

"It's okay to audition."

"Anyway, there's nothing to do right now."

She then added:
"But have you submitted the resume I asked you to give to Feng Ge?"

"We still have to go to Fengge. There is no future for us staying in Changyun Film and Television."

Huang Zexuan shook his head somewhat embarrassedly.

"Aren't we all signed contracts with the company?"

"If I go to another company, what about the penalty fee?"

The current pay of the two is actually not that high.

For example, for this movie, the salary for a film was only over 100,000 yuan.

Compared with the penalty amount in the company contract, it is completely not on the same level.

"We'll talk about the penalty when the time comes."

"At worst, I can just borrow money!"

Mu Mian's attitude was firm.

She looks like a simple and cute girl.

I usually play similar roles.

But in fact, most of the time I have my own ideas.

In comparison, Huang Zexuan seems to be accommodating the other party's choices.

What he didn't tell the other party was that Feng Ge had actually agreed to sign him.

But because Mu Mian couldn't get in, he finally followed Mu Mian to Changyun Film and Television.

……

"Okay, you're just too honest."

"Even your agent bullies you."

"I don't know what you'd do without me."

"The entertainment industry is a place where people eat each other, don't you understand?"

Mu Mian cursed at him in frustration.

The two of them entered the industry together, and Mu Mian believed that he had the responsibility to take care of each other.

As for Huang Zexuan, he just agreed with a silly smile.

Nothing more was said.

……

In the capital, at Fengge headquarters, Xu Kong saw Cao Bentao who suddenly came over.

The other party obviously seemed to be in a very good mood.

In fact, it is understandable. After all, given the current box office performance of "Infernal Affairs", no company, as an investor, would be unhappy.

"Director Xu!"

"My sudden visit won't bother you, will it?"

Cao Bentao spoke.

Xu Kong also smiled and shook his head:

"How could that be? I didn't have anything to do today."

In fact, Cao Bentao did fly to the mainland a few days ago.

But he never came to see Xu Kong. Until now, the overall situation of "Infernal Affairs" in the May Day schedule has been decided, and he is relieved.

So I put aside other things and came to see him.

Cao Bentao knew very well that Feng Ge was not important to him at the moment.

The important person is Xu Kong.

……

"Director Xu, I actually anticipated this from the beginning. There will definitely be no problems with this Infernal Affairs!"

"The box office in Hong Kong has also broken records."

Xu Kong was not surprised when he heard this, or rather, he had received relevant information before.

As a Hong Kong style film, it is normal that "Infernal Affairs" is popular in Hong Kong.

As for breaking the single-day box office record, it was indeed unexpected.

After all, the golden age of Hong Kong City has passed.

The current Hong Kong market does not have the vitality it had in the past.

Many local audiences in Hong Kong will not actually go to watch movies in the style of old-fashioned Hong Kong films.

……

"Congratulations, Mr. Cao."

After hearing this, Cao Bentao smiled happily and said, "I'm happy for you."

Xu Kong did not ask for the director's salary, but only for the share of the profits.

So the higher the box office, the more money you make.

There is nothing wrong with this expression of joy.

Of course, if possible, he really hopes that Xu Kong is the director of his company.

He will definitely use all the resources of Fengxiang Pictures to provide the other party with any conditions they want.

At the same time, if possible, giving up a certain amount of shares to Xu Kong would not be unacceptable.

It’s a pity that Xu Kong is no longer the ordinary director or artist he used to be.

In addition to these identities, Xu Kong is now also one of Fengge’s bosses.

If he wanted to use these things to win over the other party again, it would be almost impossible.

Moreover, it is unlikely that Xu Kong will abandon Feng Ge and go directly to Fengxiang Film.

Cao Bentao felt regretful whenever he thought about this kind of thing.

He had indeed seen Xu Kong's potential very early on, but he had not expected that he would be able to reach such a height and value.

When I first met Xu Kong, I should have tied him up with Fengxiang Pictures at all costs.

But there are no ifs.

He could only think about these things.

……

"By the way, Director Xu, this time I just came here to keep in touch with you."

"But besides that, I still want to ask a little bit about your plans for your next movie..."

After Cao Bentao walked around in circles for a long time and talked a lot of nonsense, he finally said his purpose with some embarrassment.

Xu Kong was not surprised.

He didn't try to hide it, and spoke directly:
"Boss Cao, I'll just tell you the truth."

"Although I don't have any plans for my next movie yet, as for investment, it will definitely be fully invested by Fengge ourselves."

Cao Bentao smiled somewhat awkwardly.

Of course he knew that if it weren't for his previous relationship with Xu Kong, he would not have been able to obtain the investment qualification for "Infernal Affairs" from the other party.

This is like getting a bargain for free.

Because now probably no one thinks that there is a possibility that the movie directed by Xu Kong will not recover the cost.

It is almost a business that is sure to make money, so of course everyone wants to participate.

But another problem is that Xu Kong now has no shortage of so-called investment.

At the same time, as the boss of Fengge, he is not short of the so-called hundreds of millions of investment costs.

This is the most important thing.

Sure enough, it was friendship at first, but to maintain this kind of cooperation mode all the time was obviously a bit taken for granted.

……

However, Cao Bentao never thought that his idea would be approved.

Then he continued:
"Of course I know. Actually, what I want to ask this time is whether Fengxiang Pictures can also cooperate with Fengge."

"that is……"

"Similar to the model that Director Xu is currently using at Fengge..."

Although Cao Bentao knew that his words were a bit excessive.

But he still spoke up.

I'm just still concerned about Xu Kong's abilities.

Of course he had found out clearly. For similar things, Xu Kong was only responsible for the script and production, and the rest was left to some directors in the company to shoot normally.

The projects that came out in the end were almost all a hit!

This is the key to Fengge's revival after losing so many veteran actors and the company's accumulation.

But now let Xu Kong cooperate with Fengxiang Pictures in this way.

It’s almost like wanting Fengge’s current core competitiveness.

It is indeed a bit shameless.

But if it really works, this little bit of face won't be important.

……

Xu Kong smiled but said nothing.

At this time, Cao Bentao quickly spoke up to express his attitude.

"Of course, we are responsible for the specific project execution ourselves."

"Director Xu only needs to provide the script and serve as the chief producer, just like he did with Fengge."

"As for the profit sharing, Fengxiang Films is willing to give 30% of the project's profits as compensation..."

"If there is a loss, Director Xu does not have to bear any responsibility."

Cao Bentao thought that the conditions he offered were already quite good.

Xu Kong is just a screenwriter. He can get such a high share just by providing the script, which can be said to be quite good.

But he saw Xu Kong shaking his head.

"Mr. Cao, maybe you don't quite understand the operation mode of some of Fengge's current film and television projects."

"Although I am only a supervisor, I need to ensure the final quality of the film at all times."

……

Cao Bentao was stunned for a moment.

Then he gritted his teeth and said, "It's the same as this time's "Infernal Affairs", fifty-fifty!"

But Xu Kong still shook his head.

"Mr. Cao, you don't understand what I mean."

"Our Fengge model is not something that just any director can accomplish."

"Especially for my words, it is very important that you can have absolute and unconditional faith in them."

"Because I can't shoot with the crew, if the director has his own ideas during the process, I can't control them."

Cao Bentao was stunned for a moment.

He finally reacted at this time.

According to Xu Kong's request, in a similar model, the director in charge of the filming is actually a bit like a puppet controlled by Xu Kong himself.

He doesn't have the real power that a director should have.

The entire shooting and production process was carried out in accordance with Xu Kong’s own ideas and intentions.

That was indeed a little different from what he thought.

……

"Then what Director Xu meant was..."

Cao Bentao couldn't help but ask.

Xu Kong sighed helplessly.

"Mr. Cao, I didn't mean to reject you on purpose."

"But it is true. I need to be responsible for every script I write. This involves an issue of my personal reputation."

"You should know how important reputation is to Feng Ge and me right now, right?"

"So, it is unlikely that I will take the risk of agreeing to your cooperation."

Cao Bentao nodded thoughtfully.

Today, Xu Kong has an exaggerated commercial value, such as his box office appeal, thanks to the fact that he has never failed.

It seems that the cooperation I wanted is unlikely to be realized.

Just when he was feeling disappointed and wanted to give up, he suddenly heard Xu Kong speaking again.

"Of course, Mr. Cao, although there are risks, it is not impossible to give it a try..."

Cao Bentao was stunned for a moment.

I couldn't help but want to complain in my heart.

Could Xu Kong finish his words in one breath?

...(End of chapter)