Nobody knows movies better than me

Chapter 124 Changes in Business Models

There are also many unspoken rules, such as giving the best theaters to films produced by their own sister companies, or scheduling films produced by other companies for less popular time slots.

Of course, cinema chains also need to make money.

Unless the parent company provides subsidies or has other motives, if your film's quality far surpasses other films and audiences like it, your screening rate will still increase.

The advantage of bringing Ye Xiaoyi on board is that you have an ally in the cinema market, which means you don't have to worry about being tricked by other companies in the cinema market.

If Chengxin Cinemas develops to the scale of Wanda Cinemas in his previous life, Zhang Jun will make a fortune. It's like he got the support of a giant cinema chain without spending a single penny.

Some people will surely say, if that's the case, why not develop your own cinema chain?

First of all, you can't go it alone in the entertainment industry; you need allies. Zhang Jun doesn't want the entertainment industry to be full of enemies.

When investors realize they can't invest in you, and you pose a threat to the films they're investing in, their first goal will be to eliminate you.

Countless examples from past lives have proven this point.

The idea that it's better to eliminate your rivals than to improve yourself is nothing new.

Secondly, and most importantly, Zhang Jun didn't transmigrate into the body of a rich second-generation or a self-made millionaire. If his father were Ye Bingcheng, he would naturally have the confidence to build his own cinema chain.

But his family wasn't wealthy and didn't have the means. If he wanted to build a cinema chain, he would have to attract investment, and in the end, he wouldn't be able to own much of the shares in the chain.

Furthermore, even if a cinema chain is established, can it cooperate with Warner Bros. like Chengxin Cinemas and use their management system and equipment for free?

What level are you in? Do you have the capability to cooperate with foreigners?

Ultimately, although Zhang Jun experienced the unscientific event of time travel, he still lives in a material world. The material world operates on logic, and since he doesn't have a system to help him cheat, his current choice is the most advantageous for him.

However, Zhang Jun is clearly not content to be just a director who makes movies. He may not understand other industries, but he can still make a name for himself in the content production industry.

Encouraging Fan Bingbing to leave Huayi Brothers and develop independently was a precursor to his strategic moves in the entertainment industry. Ultimately, some things can only be done when one has the necessary status and connections.

Otherwise, if you try to do these things when you're penniless, you'll easily be taken advantage of.

The above is Zhang Jun's summary of his development over the past few years and his plans for future development. He has not shared his inner thoughts with outsiders.

If someone disagrees after finding out, feeling that this is too frustrating and like they're working for someone else, there's nothing he can do, after all, he's not some kind of overpowered genius.

Things must be done step by step, and food must be eaten one bite at a time. Being down-to-earth is the key.

Returning to the topic of movies, because the viewing experience at this trustworthy cinema in Beijing is excellent, a large number of viewers choose to watch movies at this cinema.

It was Friday, a prime time for movie screenings, and tomorrow was the weekend, so the cinema was gradually becoming bustling with people.

Because of the increased foot traffic at the cinema, the foot traffic at Chengxin Plaza also increased.

This large flow of customers has also brought business to the merchants in Chengxin Plaza. Buying clothes, cosmetics, eating, playing video games, and watching movies have formed a complete consumption process.

The beautiful picture that Zhang Jun had painted for Ye Bingcheng was now vividly playing out in this Integrity Plaza.

The general manager of this Chengxin Plaza even assigned someone to record the flow of people, summarize the patterns of their movements, and then write a report to send to the head office.

The cinema was bustling with people, mostly young people under thirty.

These people are quick-witted, have different consumption habits than the previous generation, and enjoy surfing the internet. The online buzz and positive reviews surrounding "Bad Genius" prompted them to go to the cinema.

Many of them were viewers who had seen Zhang Jun's movies and then became his fans.

Compared to the previous generation of viewers, these young people are willing to spend more. Popcorn and Coke sold out very quickly at the cinema, requiring multiple restocks throughout the day.

With box office revenue plus the income from these snacks and drinks, the cinema's financial report today looks quite impressive.

The employee responsible for recording the flow of people is named Xiao Li. He graduated not long ago and has been working at Chengxin Plaza for less than half a year.

When the general manager assigned the task, he made it very clear: "Write down today's situation, from what time the crowds were largest, where they went, and what they spent. Record as much detail as you can."

With a notebook and pen in hand, Xiao Li began observing from 5 p.m. in a corner next to the cinema entrance.

There weren't too many people between 5 and 6 pm, but after 6 pm, the crowds started to increase, and by 7 pm it was absolutely packed.

小李在本子上记着：「18：30—19：30，高峰期。影城售票处排队人数维持在20人以上，自助取票机前一直有人。」

「观众年龄目测：80%在30岁以下，15%在30—40岁，5%为40岁以上（多为陪孩子）。」

Male to female ratio: approximately 4:6, with slightly more women.

He took notes while observing.

A young couple walked past him; the girl was holding the boy's arm, and the boy was holding two movie tickets he had just taken out.

"The show starts in an hour, let's go eat first," the girl said.

"Okay, what do you want to eat?"

"I've been craving that spicy hot pot place downstairs for the past couple of days."

The two chatted and laughed as they walked downstairs.

Xiao Li added a sentence to his notebook: "There is a clear demand for food and beverage consumption before watching the movie."

Not long after, three girls walked over together, carrying shopping bags.

"Hurry up, hurry up, it's about to start."

"Don't rush, there are still twenty minutes."

"I bought popcorn, do you want some?"

"I want a Coke."

The three people squeezed into the queue.

Xiao Li also noted: "Pre-movie shopping (clothing, cosmetics) → Movie-watching consumption (movie tickets + snacks) form a chain."

At 7:30, the movie ended.

The crowd poured out of the theater; some headed for the restrooms, some for the elevators, and some stood in the corridor discussing the plot.

"That Chen Qi is so pitiful, I cried while watching it."

"Lin Wei made the right choice to be honest in the end, otherwise there would have been no turning back."

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"If they hadn't cheated and had just taken the exam honestly, wouldn't everything have been fine?"

"Simply take the exams? How many scholarship spots are there? Will they even get a chance?"

"Too----"

The group walked away, arguing.

Watching their retreating figures, Xiao Li wrote another line in his notebook: "Discuss the plot after watching the film; word-of-mouth continues to spread."

Around eight o'clock, the general manager arrived.

"How is it?" he asked.

Xiao Li handed over the notebook: "I've made some notes, please take a look."

The general manager flipped through it and nodded: "Not bad, quite detailed."

He pointed to one of them and said, "This pattern of consumption linkage before and after watching a movie is very important. I'll focus on it when I compile the report later."

Xiao Li nodded: "Understood."

Looking at the bustling cinema lobby, the general manager sighed, "When President Ye first said he wanted to develop cinema facilities, I thought it was just a waste of time."

In retrospect, Mr. Ye was truly farsighted.

Xiao Li didn't respond, but he agreed in his heart.

When he started working, the plaza had only been open for a short time. Back then, foot traffic was average, and although there was business, it wasn't as bustling as it is now.

However, since the cinema was added and a complete process was established, the number of visitors to Chengxin Plaza has been increasing.

"Alright, you can keep an eye on it."

The general manager patted him on the shoulder: "Send the report to my email once it's written."

"Okay." The general manager left.

Xiao Li continued to observe and record.

At nine o'clock, he made another note: "21:00, the evening rush continues. The popcorn machine has been restocked for the fourth time, the soda machine is running low on ice, and the staff are urgently replacing it."

After 10 o'clock, once the last wave of people left, the cinema gradually quieted down.

Xiao Li closed his notebook and rubbed his eyes. He had been standing for more than five hours, and his legs were sore.

But looking at the densely packed notes in his notebook, he felt a sense of accomplishment. These data, once organized, would form a complete report.

The report will be sent to headquarters, and Mr. Ye might even see it.

On Saturday, the second day, the number of people at Chengxin Cinema was even greater than the day before.

The cinema manager stood next to the ticket counter, watching the constantly updated ticket sales data, and making calculations in his mind.

He worked in the cinema for many years and experienced all kinds of movie release periods. He's seen the Lunar New Year season, the National Day season, and the summer season, and he's been through all sorts of blockbusters.

But he's really seen very few movies that have become this popular.

"Manager, we're out of popcorn," an employee ran over to report.

The manager waved his hand: "Hurry up and finish it, don't delay."

"Okay." The employee ran off.

The manager looked at the crowds coming and going and remembered something.

The same situation occurred when "About Time" was released. At that time, he felt that director Zhang Jun would definitely succeed in the future.

Now that I look at it, it really worked.

No, it's not just successful, it's become a force to be reckoned with.

One film after another, each a box office hit, and each one more spectacular than the last.

The manager was thinking when his phone rang.

It was a call from headquarters.

"Old Qian, report today's box office figures."

The manager recited a few numbers, and there was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"That powerful?"

"Yes, I didn't expect that either."

The manager sighed, "But there are just so many people, and the tickets just sell out so quickly."

The person on the other end of the phone said, "Okay, I understand. Get ready, you'll probably be very busy these next few days."

The manager assured him, "Don't worry, we have enough manpower."

After hanging up the phone, the manager looked at the queue in front of the ticket counter and thought: This Zhang Jun is really a gem. Whoever gets involved with him makes money.

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of Chengxin Group.

On Ye Bingcheng's desk was a report.

This is a detailed record of yesterday's foot traffic and spending, compiled from various local integrity plazas.

Ye Bingcheng read it through from beginning to end, then leaned back in his chair and looked out at the city.

When Zhang Jun told him those things, he was actually skeptical.

The idea that "cinemas drive foot traffic, foot traffic drives consumption, and consumption drives the entire commercial complex" sounds reasonable, but who knows if it can actually be realized?

Now, the report tells him he can, and the results are even better than he imagined.

Ye Bingcheng picked up the phone and called his secretary.

"Make some arrangements, I'll go to Beijing Chengxin Plaza next week."

The secretary agreed.

Ye Bingcheng hung up the phone and thought of Zhang Jun's young face.

This kid's got some skills; he's not just good at making movies, he also has a keen eye for business. It seems like it was the right decision to have Xiaoyi work with him.

Ye Bingcheng smiled and continued reading the report.

The report concludes on the last page: "There is a clear synergy between cinemas and commercial consumption; audiences generate spending on dining and other activities before and after watching movies."

Consumer demand such as shopping.

It is recommended to introduce more brands suitable for young people to further extend the consumption chain.

Ye Bingcheng drew a line under this line in red pen, indicating that the suggestion could be adopted.

He picked up a pen and wrote a few words on the report: "Transfer to the Business Strategy Office for research and implementation."

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