Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 363 Datang Film Industry has ample cash flow and is developing new businesses.

"...Both 'The Long Way Home' and 'Sheep Without a Shepherd' have completed filming and entered post-production."

Wei Feng, who was giving a presentation, turned a page on the projector in the conference room. The new content was the movie's release date.

Chen Xiu glanced at the PowerPoint presentation. Although her face remained expressionless, a hint of approval flashed in her eyes.

As his first assistant, Wei Feng naturally noticed this change in expression and immediately became more certain in his tone.

"The Journey Home is scheduled for release during the National Day holiday, while Sheep Without a Shepherd is scheduled for the December New Year's holiday. The distribution company has not yet been determined. The post-production work of The Wandering Earth, which is a major investment of the company, is almost completed and is confirmed to be released during the Spring Festival next year."

"OK, what about the rest?"

Chen Xiu's question roused Yang Ming, the artist management director sitting at the next table.

Wei Feng continued to flip through the PPT: "This year, we produced the following TV series: 'The Untouchable,' 'The Bad Kids,' 'The Longest Day in Chang'an,' and 'The Xuanwu Gate Incident.'"

"Among them, 'The Untouchable' and 'The Xuanwu Gate Incident' have been completed, the script of 'The Bad Kids' has been rejected by the review committee and is still being revised, and 'The Longest Day in Chang'an' is currently being filmed."

"In addition to these four, we are also preparing to launch the 'Joy of Life' project this month, which is currently in the scriptwriting stage. There are also six animated short films in the 'Black Myth' project, with a total cost of 3 million yuan, which are still in production."

The cost of animated films has always been low. Even the 3D modeled animation "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality" only costs 70 to 80 yuan per episode.

The six-episode short film "Black Myth" was able to cost 3 million yuan because Chen Xiu valued it and Wei Feng required the animation production company to produce it at a standard of 48 frames per second.

After reporting on the production process, Wei Feng nodded to Chen Xiu before sitting down, leaning on the table for support.

Chen Xiu glanced at the row of people and stopped at Yang Ming: "Director Yang, you seemed eager to try it out. Stand up and tell us about the artists."

"Ok."

Yang Ming got up from his seat, but instead of installing PowerPoint, he opened the folder on the table.

There is no fixed format for meetings and reports at Datang Pictures; subordinates generally report in their own preferred way.

Holding the documents, Yang Ming said, "Currently, the number of male and female artists in the company is relatively close. Among them, Yang Mi and Reba have reached the S-level first-tier artist standard. The two of them have 20 endorsements and have created nearly 50% of the commercial value of the entire artist management department."

“Other artists, such as Bai Lu, Meng Ziyi, Peng Yuchang, and Wu Sanshi, are developing very well. They are A-level artists with works, but not enough popularity. They generally have no more than 10 endorsements.”

"The next level down are Zhou Yutong, Bai Yu, Zhang Ruoyun, and the newly signed Chen Duling. They all have a certain level of popularity, but no representative works."

"The rest are all newcomers, including Papi. Her online variety shows with Tencent and iQiyi have achieved good ratings. I hope the company can step in to help her secure more resources."

Chen Xiu nodded silently, gesturing for Yang Ming to sit down, his mind already contemplating the relationship between Datang Film Industry's two core businesses.

In the past two years, the film and television productions produced by Datang, as well as the commercial revenue sharing of its artists, have been growing exponentially. The company has also invested in the studios of emerging directors such as Lu Yang, Rao Xiaozhi, and Chen Sicheng.

The company's development is progressing well, but it also needs to expand its business and allocate resources to its artists.

Thinking of this, Chen Xiu turned to Yang Ming and said, "Zhang Ruoyun has been confirmed as the male lead for 'Joy of Life,' and Chen Duling will play the female lead."

"Ok."

The other artists all joined Datang Pictures last year at the latest, and Yang Ming has helped them plan their respective development.

Zhang Ruoyun and Chen Duling are the only two newly signed this year, so they need to be given more resources.

After the reports on the two major business segments were finished, Zhong Lifang stood up from his seat and began to report on Datang Pictures' financial situation and business expansion proposals.

She also used documents as her reporting method.

"The box office revenue sharing for the films produced by the company at the end of last year, namely 'Better Days' and 'Detective Chinatown 2', which were released during the Spring Festival, has been settled."

"The total box office of 'Better Days' was 15.8 billion yuan, with the production company receiving 5.84 million yuan. After deducting the distribution share, the remaining amount was 4.96 million yuan. The company's investment accounted for 60%, and after deducting costs, the pre-tax profit was 2.8 million yuan."

"The total box office of 'Detective Chinatown 2' was 38.5 billion yuan, with the production company receiving 14.55 billion yuan. After deducting the distribution share, the remaining amount was 13.1 billion yuan. The company's investment accounted for 50%, which was 6.55 million yuan. After deducting costs, the pre-tax profit was 5 million yuan."

"With last year's profits added in and this year's production expenses deducted, the company's cash flow has now reached 12.5 billion yuan. We suggest that we start new businesses."

Upon hearing about the large amount of cash flow, Chen Xiu's face showed a hint of interest.

Looking at another document in front of Zhong Lifang, he understood immediately and asked, "What are the directions for developing new businesses?"

Zhong Lifang put down the document in his hand and picked up another one.

"The company already has ample artist resources and a well-established production team. If we follow the conventional business expansion path, we can consider entering the downstream publicity and distribution market and the cinema sector."

"Publicity and cinemas?"

Chen Xiu frowned slightly and expressed her opposition to her proposal.

“Now, promotional efforts have gradually shifted online. Maoyan and Taopiaopiao cover 80% of the ticketing business. Cinemas require too much investment and have too long a payback period, so they are not a good choice.”

"That's true, but these two directions have lower risks and are the choice of most film and television companies."

"Are there any other options?" "The other two are riskier and are also related to the film content industry chain. We can consider acquiring a special effects production company or an animation production company."

After thinking about the special effects company's suggestion, Chen Xiu rejected it in her mind.

"Let me tell you more about the animation production company."

"Ok."

Zhong Lifang was also a little disappointed when he heard Chen Xiu's choice.

Back when she was still at Pegasus Motion, her suggestion for business expansion was to acquire a movie special effects company, and then Big Dog decided to acquire Digital Domain.

However, considering the fate of Little Horse Galloping, Zhong Lifang felt that Chen Xiu's choice might be the right one.

Thinking about this, Zhong Lifang began to feel fortunate that he had made some preparations.

"Currently, animated films account for a very small share of the film market, but their potential is enormous. This can be seen from the number of Hollywood 3D animated films and 2D animated films imported each year."

"Fantasy Westward Journey, a domestic animation film production company, has maintained stable profits thanks to the 'Boonie Bears' series. October Media, which created 'Monkey King: Hero Is Back,' has already received funding from Enlight Media..."

"Besides them, I also noticed another company, which is Light Chaser Animation, founded by Wang Wei in 12!"

Zhong Lifang handed a document to Chen Xiu, which recorded the situation of Light Chaser Animation.

Chen Xiu browsed through the contents while listening to Zhong Lifang's narration.

“Since 16, Light Chaser Animation has released three works, namely ‘Little Door Gods,’ ‘A Tang’s Adventures,’ and ‘Cats and Peachtopia,’ and without exception, they have all been unprofitable.”

Upon hearing about the total losses, some murmurs inevitably arose in the meeting room.

However, Chen Xiu remained very calm: "President Zhong, please tell me why you recommended this company."

"Ok."

Zhong Lifang felt more and more that Chen Xiu was interested in Light Chaser Animation, and then, thinking about his dedication to making the animated short film "Black Myth," he became even more certain.

"Although Light Chaser Animation's three attempts all ended in failure, their production level was actually not bad, and could even be said to be top in China. The reason for the failure was actually the plot."

What's the current situation with Light Chaser Animation?

Chen Xiu asked a question, thinking to herself that she would find and watch the three animated films that Zhong Lifang had mentioned later.

"After three consecutive films losing money, Light Chaser Animation has used up all the funds raised in the first two rounds of financing. Wang Wei even had to put in her own money when creating the third film."

"They're now pinning all their hopes on the fourth film, but the company isn't optimistic; some animators have already left. I suggest we poach their animation team and start a new company."

Zhong Lifang offered a very cost-effective solution.

Compared to acquiring Light Chaser Animation, poaching the team is indeed much more cost-effective.

However, Chen Xiu's attention was focused on the last line of the document, which stated that Light Chaser Animation's fourth film was called "White Snake: Origin".

So it turns out it was this company!
Chen Xiu thought to himself, and the Light Chaser Animation that he knew instantly came to mind.

This company plans to turn "The White Snake" into an animated film in the future, and has also created the "New Gods" series, as well as the "Chang'an 30,000 Miles" series featuring ancient celebrities.

They are truly serious about animation effects.

But the plot is indeed terrible... especially "New Gods: Yang Jian", which has both special effects and a good plot.

If there were a content control organization to optimize their storylines before production, Light Chaser Animation's value would be no less than that of any film company.

These thoughts flashed through Chen Xiu's mind in just a few breaths.

When he put down the documents and looked up at the others, his eyes met theirs.

Should Datang Pictures expand its business into animation production? And for Light Chaser Animation, should they acquire it or poach its talent?
All these decisions had to be made by Chen Xiu.

Seeing their expectant yet nervous gazes, even though Chen Xiu already had the answer in her heart, she couldn't just make a decision on a whim; everything had to go through a process.

"Mr. Wei, the content department you're in charge of, first find and watch the three movies that Mr. Zhong mentioned, and then compare them with Hollywood animated films. I need a detailed report."

"Okay, got it."

"Mr. Zhong, please continue to follow up on Light Chaser Animation's progress. I need more detailed information."

"clear."

After handing over the tasks, Chen Xiu's eyes swept around from left to right.

OK, meeting adjourned!

(End of this chapter)