The director starts by learning from the abilities of renowned directors.

Chapter 110 Dark Horse, Celebration, Box Office and Critical Success

Shen Qing is currently the celebrity with the most active fans in China, without a doubt!

Jackie Chan, Li Lianjie, Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau and other veteran superstars are extremely well-known, but they have all passed their peak and their fans are becoming more rational.

Shen Qing is different. If we only look at his achievements, he should have been at his peak long ago. However, all his data is still climbing rapidly. Therefore, his fans are obviously more enthusiastic, more emotional, and more willing to support their idol with real money than other people's fans.

Therefore, CCTV's confirmation that "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" had inflated box office figures instantly ignited the anger of this group, and their voices filled the entire internet for a time.

"I had a feeling something was off. Lots of people were buying tickets for 'The Unknown' offline than for 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.' How could it possibly lose to 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'? There's something fishy going on!"

"Exactly! I posted about it before and people said that statistics about people around me weren't relevant to real-world situations. And what happened?"

"So which organization actually compiles the box office statistics?"

"The special fund office compiles the statistics, but ordinary people can't get the data."

"Then why don't we just let them talk nonsense?"

"Brother Qing is too honest; the opening day box office of 2650 million should have been reported as 3000 million!"

"3000 million? Rumor has it that the figure is inflated now, averaging 6%, and those with the guts and shamelessness double it!"

"Is nobody going to do anything about it?"

"Who cares? Bragging doesn't cost anything!"

As public opinion grew increasingly heated, Li Dong, director of the National Film Special Fund Office, gave a media interview. He stated that the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television has internal data confidentiality regulations that prohibit the office from arbitrarily disclosing box office data to the outside world. However, he promised that with the improvement of relevant systems and equipment, data consultation will be made publicly available within a year, at which time film producers will have no opportunity to fabricate box office figures.

Shen Qing's fans became more united than ever because of this little incident.

"Let them embellish their claims; we can still crush them fair and square!"

"A film like 'The Unknown' is worth watching two or three times."

"If any of your classmates or friends haven't seen it yet, please spread the word."

"This movie is so good, it definitely needs to gross over 3 million!"

"Absolutely!"

"Wan Qian starred in Qingye's movie back in 04, and she's still only a third or fourth-tier actress. It's such a pity. She's clearly a good actress, but things will get better in the future. She'll definitely become famous after this."

电影上映4天票房破亿，上映6天累计票房1.57亿，上映9天累计达2.19亿。沈青当即宣布在京举办庆功宴。

These past few days have been like a dream for Wan Qian. The movie she starred in has received rave reviews, and the box office is soaring like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. She's also encountering a large number of her fans during promotional tours.

At the celebration banquet, Wan Qian was in high spirits, drinking glass after glass of wine until she was clearly drunk.

"Sister Wan, with the movie being such a hit, what's the thing you want to do most right now?"

"I want the director to do it—"

The words, seemingly out of nowhere, were uttered with malice and cunning.

However, Shen Qing didn't grant her wish; he had no interest in drunk women.

The dark horse journey of "The Unknown" continues.

-

After 21 days in theaters, the film grossed over 3 million yuan, and media outlets predict that the final box office may reach around 3.4 million yuan.

Media predictions were largely accurate, with Shenqi Films internally forecasting a box office of around 3.45 million yuan. A rough estimate of recouping 33% of the box office would be 1.13 million yuan. The film's production cost was low; product placement revenue alone covered the costs, and Shen Qing personally received a commission from the project. In short, despite the small investment, Shenqi Films' profits were substantial.

As the company's cash reserves grew, and with so many people eager for Shen Qing to use their funds for film production, Shen Qing would only allow investment if they were qualified. This kept her own capital needs relatively low. When she had spare funds, Shen Qing continued to buy shares in Apple, Tencent, and Moutai. In the future, she might also use these funds as venture capital to invest in promising companies.

Yang Mi was jealous. Who wouldn't want a film like "The Unknown" that was a box office and critical success? But instead of asking directly, she first gave Shen Qing all sorts of "rewards." Positions she had never used before, areas she had never explored before, things that she wouldn't give him even if she coaxed him before, she offered them all up this time.

When she felt the time was right, she would sit in his lap and act coquettishly, saying things like, "I also want to act in 'The Nameless'."

"You can't act in 'The Nameless'."

The office door was closed, and Shen Qing's hands were getting restless.

Why couldn't I act in "The Nameless"?

"Ma Jiaqi can't be too pretty. This character has short hair and the two bumbling thieves might mistake her for a man. Do you think you're suitable? I think Wan Qian is a bit too pretty, let alone you."

"You have a point," Yang Mi thought to herself, pleased with herself. "Can't you write a script that suits this great beauty?" she added.

"Sure, give me a needle, and I'll write right away."

"Don't even think about it." Yang Mi immediately became alert. She had no intention of using the three needles after she got them. The three needles gave her a sense of security that nothing else could provide.

Shen Qing laughed and said, "Just kidding. Okay, I agree. I'll write you a script, but before that, you have to act in another play."

"What show?"

"We're still collaborating with Tangren Media, and the drama will be called 'Palace: The Lock Heart Jade'."

Among all non-CCTV dramas after 2000, "Palace" ranked in the top 10 in terms of viewership ratings, and Yang Mi's real breakthrough was due to this drama.

Does this mean that when will this drama be prepared before Yang Mi is cast in it?

Putting aside the question of who profits from the money and influence, let's talk about casting. Will Yu Zheng definitely cast Yang Mi?

So, if Magical Films still wants to participate, then let's continue our cooperation with Tangren Media.

"Chinese Paladin 3" has been airing on several local channels for some time now, and the response has been very positive. Recently, Yang Mi,

Liu Shishi, Tang Yan, and the other two have all seen significant career advancements, but it's estimated that "Chinese Paladin 3" won't be broadcast on television until after the new year.

Filming for "Scarlet Heart" has wrapped up, and Li Yitong, who plays Guo Luoluo Mingyu, has returned to the capital. Li Yitong is a contracted artist of his company, and also his woman. When he got her, it was even her first time, and she has a very likable personality and is extremely obedient. However, so far, she has only played supporting roles in various film and television projects of Shenqi Films. Shen Qing feels somewhat indebted to her.

He stayed at her place for a few nights, taking good care of her, and then brought out the phenomenal hit drama "The Romance of Tiger and Rose" starring Zhao Lusi in the future. In the original timeline, it was this drama that propelled Zhao Lusi from a rising web drama actress to a top-tier star.

Li Yitong was incredibly excited, even completely overturning the obedient girl image she had maintained with Shen Qing. She went completely wild at night, leading Shen Qing to explore many new areas.

Upon learning that Li Yitong had returned to Beijing, Jin Chen visited Shenqi Film and Television under the guise of visiting an old classmate. When Shen Qing saw Jin Chen, she casually asked Li Yitong, "Is this the classmate you studied dance with?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Chen immediately volunteered, "Director, I'll dance for you on the spot. That way, you'll have another option whenever you need an actor who can dance."

"OK."

"Um!"

Jin Chen nodded emphatically, and then performed a classical dance inside the Magical Film Company. It was clear that she was putting in a lot of effort; fine beads of sweat quickly appeared on her forehead.

Li Yitong's expression changed slightly. Chen Zhixi moved closer to Shen Qing, who asked her what she thought of the girl. Chen Zhixi said that the girl was too eager for quick success and instant benefits, and that her mind was not on dancing or acting, but only on becoming "famous".

Shen Qing nodded, recalling Jin Chen's lawsuit with Tangren in his previous life and the endless pairings, and basically agreed with the assessment of Chen Zhixi as "eager for quick success and instant benefits".

"The Four Fiends in 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons' haven't been decided yet, let her give it a try."

"it is good."