Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 11 Day 1 Results
Although the film was finished shooting and post-production was also completed, Chen Shouzhe was not relaxed at all because the release date was too tight, and he dared not relax for a moment.

I watched the movie over and over again in the screening room, and only left after making sure there were no problems.

Half a month later, Chen Shouzhe finally received the news of the review.

"Shouzhe, good news! Your application has been approved, and the schedule has been confirmed." Director Wang called Chen Shouzhe's cell phone.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shouzhe, who was backstage, smiled with relief: "Thank you, Director Wang. Now I can contact the other companies."

"Okay, we can release it to the public today." Director Wang smiled. He had seen the movie and it shouldn't be a loss for China Film Group. He guessed there would be a little pressure on publicity and distribution.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shou immediately called his master and godfather, and then called several companies in Guangming.

With the Film Bureau's announcement, partnering with China Film Group is the clearest option, as it will make the review process much easier.

Chen Shouzhe heard that there was actually considerable resistance during the review process. The people in charge of the review were the same people who had criticized China Film Group for wasting state-owned assets to invest in Chen Shouzhe.

People who watched Chen Shouzhe's movies wanted to find fault with everything. It was only after China Film Group stepped in that the problem was solved and the film passed the review smoothly within half a month, with less than a month and a half before its release.

At noon, the Film Bureau's official website released the latest film information, which will be followed by major entertainment media outlets, who will then compile and publish the information.

The film "Goodbye Mr. Loser," primarily controlled by China Film Group Corporation and invested in by companies such as Enlight Media, Xi'an Film Group, and Wanda Pictures, passed its release approval today.

Before the media could react, several of the production companies released announcements at the same time.

The comedy film *Goodbye Mr. Loser*, directed by Chen Shouzhe and starring Shen Teng, Ma Li, Yin Zheng, and Liu Yan, will be released nationwide on December 28th.

The entertainment media were shocked when they first saw the announcement, and before they could even prepare themselves, several other companies issued announcements.

"The release date has been set?"

"The Lunar New Year release window? He's a young calf who's not afraid of tigers. Huayi Brothers' big films are waiting for the Lunar New Year release window, and he still dares to choose this time period."

"That's way too fast! Post-production was finished so quickly? Are they rushing to release it?"

"This red envelope is a little too hot to hold."

"However, this publicity campaign has also attracted attention."

Entertainment media outlets quickly caught wind of this opportunity, promptly editing content and publishing it on their respective websites, with some even providing promotional opportunities.

"The comedy film 'Goodbye Mr. Loser,' directed by Chen Shouzhe of the Deyun Society, has passed the Film Bureau's review for release today and will be released on the 28th of next month!"

Other media content is largely the same.

The news quickly spread across the internet, attracting considerable attention.

Huayi.

"Lunar New Year film season?"

Sitting in his office, Wang Zonglei was somewhat taken aback when he heard his secretary say this, then laughed and said, "You're asking for trouble. The Lunar New Year film season is a period we started. Although we didn't release any comedies this year, we prepared a blockbuster. A bunch of lousy comedians dare to try and cause trouble. Forget it, just ignore them and continue our promotion."

"Mr. Wang, that director actually approached our company for investment," the assistant said with a smile.

"Oh, really? If anyone asks later, just say we didn't invest back then." Wang Zonglei smiled.

The assistant immediately understood what Wang Zonglei meant.

What good movies can we not watch?

Although they are films from different genres, the Lunar New Year film season pioneered by our company is not something just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can participate in.

The internet is in complete chaos, with some Deyun Club fans saying they would support them, but most are just mocking them.

"Can a comedy film made in such a short time be good? Does he really think he's director Wang Jing?"

"China Film Group must be out of their mind to invest in a film like this."

"What's even more pitiful is Teacher Yu Qian, who reportedly invested a large sum of money in his apprentice."

"It's good to have a powerful backer. I don't understand why those people want to quit."

"Does not quit mean working your whole life? Quitting doesn't mean the company isn't doing well either, which only proves that Deyun Society is a garbage company."

"What era are we living in? Still playing those feudal master-disciple and father-son relationships? It's doomed sooner or later."

"The promotional video is out, and there's a new song." "Wow, Liu Yan has an amazing figure!!!"

"Love it, love it."

"No, we have to go and support her, for Liu Yan's sake!!"

The video generated a lot of buzz online, with countless comments from netizens on major portal websites. Chen Shou then had the edited promotional video released.

Liu Yan's lotus-like beauty was definitely a must-see, immediately attracting attention.

The next step was various forms of publicity, including appearing on TV shows and talk shows.

Those shows weren't as interested in the actors as they were in Chen Shouzhe, since Chen Shouzhe already had a large following.

A crosstalk comedian is crossing over into filmmaking. Although he graduated with a degree in directing, he has been learning crosstalk since elementary school.

The focus was on interviewing him about why he makes movies, why he doesn't perform crosstalk, why his partner left, and so on.

After a month, Chen Shou had run around to countless shows, visited his alma mater, and the neighboring Central Academy of Drama, before finally returning to the horse farm to rest for a few days.

Time waits for no one, and the release date is fast approaching.

It was impossible for Chen Shou not to be nervous, especially since Huayi's disaster blockbuster was released two days earlier than theirs and grossed a high box office of 36 million on its first day, breaking the latest box office record for the first day.

Wang Zonglei of Huayi Brothers even proclaimed a box office target of 1 billion yuan, causing widespread lamentation throughout the Lunar New Year film season. Several films even prepared to change their release dates to avoid this blockbuster.

Huayi Brothers' blockbuster also has investment from China Film Group. Compared to "Goodbye Mr. Loser", China Film Group clearly cares more about this blockbuster and has provided a lot of convenience and effort in its distribution.

On the other hand, "Goodbye Mr. Loser" was distributed by China Film Group and Enlight Media, with Enlight Media playing a major role. If it weren't for Chen Shou's marketing efforts, they wouldn't have been able to leave any trace of publicity under the overwhelming pressure from Huayi Brothers' blockbuster films.

There was no premiere, and on the morning of the 28th, "Goodbye Mr. Loser" was particularly inconspicuous amidst Huayi Brothers' overwhelming publicity.

However, since it's a disaster film, it feels somewhat out of place amidst the festive atmosphere of welcoming the New Year. Despite its reported investment of 200 million, the special effects are clearly inferior to those of Western films.

How many screenings are planned?

On the day of the release, at Yu Qian's house, Chen Shou couldn't eat at all. Everyone else was eating with their heads down, but Yu Qian was the only one who spoke up and asked a question.

“Twelve percent!” Chen Shou said, taking a deep breath.

“We’ve already seen the movie, so there’s no problem,” Yu Qian said calmly.

"Let's go see a movie later, I've never been before," the teacher's wife said with a smile.

“Okay, okay!” Meng Hetang and Feng Chaoyang nodded.

"Thank you, Master's wife." Chen Shou's face showed a rare smile.

Not just him, everyone in the crew waited anxiously.

The day's ordeal finally ended, and Chen Shou went to bed early. He tossed and turned in bed for several hours before finally falling asleep, but he managed to resist thinking about it.

"Senior brother, senior brother!!!"

There was a banging sound at the door. Chen Shou was still half asleep and thought he had come back.

"Turns out I had a dream just like Charlotte. At least let me finish it, okay? Charlotte at least had some fun, but I wasn't even allowed to have a moment of fun."

"Senior, get up quickly, the box office results are out."

Upon hearing the words "box office," Chen Shouzhe immediately perked up, picked up his phone from the bedside table, and realized he had overwatched the movie yesterday and his phone was dead. He quickly plugged it in, and a flood of messages poured into his phone.

Chen Shouzhe couldn't even look at it properly. He opened the door and Meng Hetang stood at the door, excitedly saying, "Brother, the box office results are out!"

"How many?"

Chen Shou took a deep breath and said.

"Twenty-eight million seven hundred thousand!" Meng Hetang exclaimed excitedly.

"Cool!"

(End of this chapter)