Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 158, Section 156: Shanghai Film Studio: I'm not envious at all!
Saturday, December 6, 1997, early morning.

A thin, grayish-white mist enveloped the living area of ​​the Beijing Film Studio, and the chill seeped into the bones.

However, in that familiar conference room in the Beijing Film Studio's administrative building, the lights were on, and the heat and the aroma of tea mixed with the scent of tobacco dispelled the chill outside the window.

The key figures were all present at the rectangular conference table.

Han Sanping sat in the main seat, his brows slightly furrowed, a half-burnt "Huazi" cigarette between his fingers, his gaze calmly sweeping over the reports spread out on the table.

Wang Sheng sat to his right, looking at the photocopy of the report in his hand.

Zhang Heping, Wang Zhu, Lu Yao, and others from Forbidden City Film Company sat on either side, each with a different expression, but all conveying a sense of suppressed excitement and solemnity.

"Everyone's here, let's begin." Han Sanping stubbed out his cigarette, his voice slightly hoarse from the early morning: "Give me a summary of the situation."

The head of the publicity department, who was in charge of data collection, immediately picked up a document and cleared his throat: "Factory director, General Manager Wang, leaders, according to the preliminary statistics of the opening day in Beijing and seven cities in Jiangsu Province yesterday, December 5th... the total box office for the opening day in eight locations is roughly... 1,073,000 yuan."

When the number was announced, there was a moment of silence in the conference room, followed by a few soft gasps.

One million seven hundred thousand!

In 1997, for a domestic film, especially one that was not released simultaneously across the country but only in eight cities, and on its opening day, this was an absolutely shocking figure for the industry.

A barely perceptible relaxation finally appeared on Han Sanping's tense face. He picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, took a sip, and slowly said, "One million seven hundred thousand, not bad, not bad. It's even higher than our most optimistic estimate. It seems the audience accepts this."

He put down his teacup and looked at Wang Sheng and Zhang Heping: "The production cost of '30 Days' is five million, with Stephen Chow's salary being a friendly price. Our own production cost is controlled at five million. The publicity and other expenses add up to about two or three million. The total investment is about thirteen million."

He paused for a moment, then said, "If we can maintain this momentum and even push it up further over the weekend, the box office in the first week has a good chance of breaking five million. If we can keep up the momentum, even if it declines slightly later, it is not impossible to reach thirty million in box office revenue by the end of the first month."

"With a box office of 30 million, based on the 40% split we negotiated with the production company, the producers can get back a little over 10 million."

With a smile on his face, Zhang Heping chimed in, "Although it seems like we just covered the production costs and didn't make much money, Director Han is right, this is already very good! This is our first truly meaningful attempt at a revenue-sharing system and a resounding success for a domestic commercial film! The significance far outweighs the profit. As long as we don't lose money, it's a huge victory!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke: "What's more, after the movie leaves theaters, there are still the sales of broadcasting rights for television stations, and the distribution of videotapes and VCDs... all of this is pure profit! I think this project will be more than profitable!"

All eyes turned to Wang Sheng once again.

He has always been the most steadfast promoter and implementer of this playing style.

Wang Sheng put down the report: "The data is good, proving that we are on the right track. Audiences are willing to pay for high-quality domestic commercial films that suit their tastes, which also proves that the revenue-sharing system is feasible under the current conditions. The key is how to leverage the market."

He pointed to the report: "This 1.07 million was earned by major cinemas in eight cities, even without 24/7 screenings. Today is Saturday, and Tianjin will also join the screenings."

In Tianjin, I've looked into it. The main cinemas, such as Guangming Cinema, Da Guangming Cinema, Yan'an Cinema, and Heping Cinema, have a combined capacity of over 5,000 seats. Adding in other cinemas in other districts and counties, the total number of seats is estimated to be around 12,000.

Based on the current popularity and the weekend effect, the occupancy rate is conservatively estimated at 80%. Assuming an average ticket price of 18 yuan, after deducting their share with the local authorities, contributing around 100,000 yuan in box office revenue per day shouldn't be a problem.

He paused, then continued, "So, my opinion is that we can officially announce the news of breaking one million on the first day. Not only should it be published in the newspapers, but it should also be publicized extensively!"

The title should be: "A Breakthrough for Domestic Commercial Films! '30 Days' Breaks One Million Yuan in Box Office Revenue on Opening Day!" The emphasis should be on the "revenue-sharing system" and the "million-yuan box office." This isn't just about promoting our film; it's a shot in the arm for the entire film studio alliance and for all filmmakers yearning for change!

Han Sanping and Zhang Heping exchanged a glance, both seeing the agreement in each other's eyes.

"it is good!"

Han Sanping made a decision immediately: "Do as Wang Sheng said! The publicity department should contact... and our closely cooperating local evening newspapers to release this news! It needs to be fast, and it needs to create momentum!"

"understand!"

The head of the publicity department immediately got up and hurriedly left to make arrangements.

……

The command was executed swiftly.

That evening, at newspaper stands in many cities including Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou, many citizens noticed a rather eye-catching news item.

The evening paper is dedicated to reporting news gathered that morning.

The Beijing Evening News's Culture and Entertainment section headline read: "Breaking the Ice! '30 Days' Achieves a Success on its First Day, Earning One Million Yuan in Box Office Revenue!" The Yangtze Evening Post went even further, using the headline: "Seven Cities in Jiangsu Province Join Forces with Beijing Film Studio, '30 Days' Ignites One Million Yuan in Box Office on its First Day!"

The Yangcheng Evening News, Qianjiang Evening News, and other newspapers also reported the news in prominent positions.

The combination of keywords such as "domestic films", "revenue sharing system" and "million-dollar box office on the first day" creates a huge chemical effect.

It not only attracted the attention of ordinary movie fans, but also dropped a bombshell in the industry.

……

Office of the General Manager of Shanghai Film and Television Company.

Shanghai Film and Television Company was formed by the merger of Yongle Co., Ltd., Shanghai Film Studio, and other entities.
Yongle Co., Ltd. was transformed from Shanghai Film Distribution and Exhibition Company in 1993 and is one of the earliest cinema chains.

The current CEO of this company is Zhu Yongde, the director of Shanghai Film Studio.

Zhu Yongde took the Xinmin Evening News that his secretary brought in, flipped to the culture section, and looked at the almost identical headlines and the glaring number "million". His face was so gloomy that it could drip water.

He slammed the newspaper down on the mahogany desk with a loud thud.

"One million seven hundred thousand! Humph! They certainly showed off!"

He snorted coldly and addressed his deputies, key directors, and producers in the office, his tone dripping with sour grapes: "They're just relying on Stephen Chow's name, exploiting loopholes, and creating hype! Can this kind of approach last? Our Shanghai Film Studio values ​​artistic depth and meticulous craftsmanship! These short-sighted commercial films are not worth mentioning!"

He looked around at the crowd, trying to find agreement: "Don't you all agree?"

However, he was met with an awkward silence.

Several younger directors and producers lowered their heads, their eyes darting around, but in their minds they were all calculating the huge market potential represented by this "million-dollar box office" and the dazzling operating model of the Beijing Film Studio Alliance.

Really...

Aren't you envious at all?

……

Beijing.

Inside a somewhat old tenement building.

Feng Xiaogang, wrapped in a worn-out military overcoat, huddled in the cold room. On the table in front of him lay a half-written script, next to several empty Erguotou bottles and a pile of cigarette butts.

He and Xu Fan have completely broken up, and both his career and love life have plummeted.

Although Zheng Xiaolong, out of consideration for their past relationship, allowed him to return to the Beijing Television Art Center to work under a nominal position and write some minor scripts, it was no longer a core position, and he had no formal employment status, with meager and unstable income.

He tried to find other investments in the market, but his former bosses, who used to be his brothers, now avoided him.

He picked up a crumpled copy of the Beijing Evening News, which someone had left in the hallway, and immediately spotted the glaring headline and the name "Wang Sheng".

He stared at the report for a long time, his face expressionless, showing neither anger nor resentment, only a numb silence.

He was once a well-known figure in Beijing's social circles.

But nowadays... other people's movies gross over a million on their opening day, and they even have a revenue-sharing system, while I'm struggling to even afford my next meal.

He twitched the corners of his mouth, trying to laugh, but no sound came out.

In the end, he simply crumpled the newspaper into a ball, threw it into the dustpan in the corner, then picked up the remaining half bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), tilted his head back, and took a big gulp.

The spicy liquid burned in my throat, but it couldn't warm my already icy heart.

It's numb, it's really numb!
The outside world was bustling with noise, celebrating a new record for domestic films.

In this cold, cramped room, there is only one disillusioned man, amidst alcohol and smoke, tasting the bitterness of being left behind by the train of time.

(End of this chapter)