Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"The Last Emperor" did not make any waves in the box office rankings during its opening weekend. This epic blockbuster, which was invested by Britons, distributed by Americans, directed by Italians, and acted by Chinese, cost US$24 million, was not even ranked among the top ten at the box office. Didn't go in. \u003c/p\u003e

The final box office gross was $198,000. However, if you consider that this result was obtained when it was released in only 6 theaters in total, the average box office of a single theater of 33,000 US dollars still makes Hollywood look at it with admiration. \u003c/p\u003e

The film's distributor is Heimdall, which previously invested in James Cameron's "Terminator." They easily bought the distribution rights to the film, but when the film was delayed in editing, they began to have doubts again. \u003c/p\u003e

When the film was edited and tested for screenings, Heimdl saw that the European audience had a mediocre response. Seeing that something was not going well, they packaged and sold the North American distribution rights to Colombia along with the other two films. \u003c/p\u003e

No one knew that when "The Last Emperor" was first released in Italy last month, it unexpectedly became a hit. \u003c/p\u003e

Bertolucci is an outstanding Italian film director. As a screenwriter, he wrote "Once Upon a Time in the West" and directed "Last Tango in Paris" more than ten years ago, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director. \u003c/p\u003e

But that's not the only reason the movie is a hit in Italy. What attracts the audience even more is the story of the last emperor in the ancient and mysterious Eastern country. He was the emperor of China, but he learned English from a British man. He was once the master of a country with a population of hundreds of millions, then became a prisoner, and finally became an ordinary citizen. \u003c/p\u003e

Western people are full of imagination about China. And film is undoubtedly the best medium to reflect a country. Since China has strict restrictions on the number of places in tour groups, many viewers who are curious about China can only look for images of that country in movie theaters. \u003c/p\u003e

This general public curiosity about a country, coupled with the fact that few Chinese movies can be released in mainstream Western theaters, turned into a desire to watch "The Last Emperor". Italian audiences filled the 19 theaters where the show opened. \u003c/p\u003e

By the second week, the screening scale quickly expanded to 65 theaters, and the audience continued to be full. By the 16th day, it had quickly exceeded two million US dollars. \u003c/p\u003e

Germany, which was released a week later than Italy, also aroused a craze for movie watching. With 50 cinemas, the box office exceeded one million US dollars on the tenth day. \u003c/p\u003e

This result made Heimdall regret very much.

North American distribution rights were sold to Columbia on the cheap and now looks set to make a lot of money. \u003c/p\u003e

Columbia's distribution department has certainly noticed this phenomenon. But Europe is Europe, and America is America. They still carefully adopted the strategy of small-scale screenings, allowing a small number of screenings to arouse word-of-mouth among the audience, and then used this situation of hard-to-get tickets to continue to whet the appetite of the audience. \u003c/p\u003e

It must be said that their strategy was very successful. \u003c/p\u003e

This week, the number one movie in the box office rankings is the Hollywood English version of the same name, a remake of the Chinese film "Three Dads and a Baby". It topped $10 million in the first week. \u003c/p\u003e

Besides the re-release of "Cinderella," the real second place was the John Hughes comedy, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." \u003c/p\u003e

Although doing well at the box office, both films received some criticism from critics. The one that really won unanimous praise from film critics was "The Last Emperor". \u003c/p\u003e

The critical film critic Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film a rare perfect score of four stars. And his film reviews are full of yearning and pursuit. \u003c/p\u003e

"Bertolucci's entire film was shot in China, and he was even allowed to film inside the Forbidden City, a vast medieval complex of approximately 250 acres (100 hectares) with 9,999 rooms. Chinese people believe that only heaven has 10,000 rooms).\u003c/p\u003e

Appreciating a film because of its location is usually an unforgivably bourgeois act, but in the case of "The Last Emperor," the film's narrative cannot be separated from the awe-inspiring presence of the Forbidden City, nor from Bertollu. Odd makes stunning use of locations, real costumes and thousands of extras to create this strange little boy apart from his everyday reality. ”\u003c/p\u003e

Another Chicago film critic, Jonathan Rosenbaum, who had just taken up his post at the Chicago Reader Weekly, praised the film to a very outrageous level. \u003c/p\u003e

"I had the pleasure of watching Spielberg's new film 'Empire of the Sun,' which will be released next month.\u003c/p\u003e

At best, apart from a few admirable shots, 'Empire of the Sun' gives us a sense of the story in a director's head. \u003c/p\u003e

And ‘The Last Emperor’ achieved the same effect very casually. What’s really cool is that it also teaches us about the lives of the billions of people we share this planet with. And even better, makes us want to know more about their lifestyle..."\u003c/p\u003e

Is "The Last Emperor" better than "Empire of the Sun"? Is Bertolucci better than Spielberg? ”\u003c/p\u003e

Helen Slater took the film review that Ronald had read and exclaimed as she read it. She originally liked this kind of epic-style movies, and just like Roger Ebert laughed at himself, she was full of little bourgeois appreciation for this kind of movie that could be shot in ancient China. \u003c/p\u003e

"You didn't go to the premiere. The New York audience loved it." Ronald replied. As for Oklahoma parents, that's not necessarily the case. \u003c/p\u003e

I haven't seen the full movie of "Empire of the Sun" yet, but I heard it will be fully released on Christmas Day. The premiere is on the 8th of next month. So I don’t have an answer to your question yet. ”\u003c/p\u003e

"Yes, I understand. Will the film 'Moonlight' directed by you also be released next month? There are so many new films at the end of the year."\u003c/p\u003e

"Well, that's right," Ronald replied absentmindedly, kissing Helen's neck slowly from behind. Helen had a special temperament of an uptown girl, which fascinated him. \u003c/p\u003e

Helen Slater's observation is correct. Today's movies are increasingly adopting the award-winning strategy of "returning with honors." In the last two months of each year, many movies will be released from dozens to hundreds to qualify for the Oscars that year. \u003c/p\u003e

Then, in anticipation that the movie will be nominated for an Oscar after the New Year's Day holiday next year, this free marketing can be used to boost the box office. If you are lucky enough to win an Oscar, you can have a long run and earn high box office. \u003c/p\u003e

Now the two movies with the highest Oscar buzz next year are "The Last Emperor" and "Empire of the Sun." In addition to these two films, Ronald's "Moonlight" is also preparing to follow this path under the joint plan of MGM and its own marketing consultants. \u003c/p\u003e

It will open in early December this year and will be maintained at less than 10 cinemas until the end of the year. Then it will start large-scale screenings in mid-January next year. It mainly relies on word-of-mouth from the audience and public relations management from film critics to achieve high reputation. \u003c/p\u003e

"Huh..." Helen took a long breath, as if her soul had returned to her body. Ronald hugged her from behind, their red faces pressed together, and they breathed each other. \u003c/p\u003e

"How are your financing negotiations in New Jersey going?" Ronald breathed evenly, and then asked about Helen, who was still soft in his arms. \u003c/p\u003e

"Well... it's not going well. After the stock market crash, many investors who were originally very happy with movies are now encountering difficulties. My father's TV station has become more and more connected, and the budget for purchasing movie broadcast rights has also been greatly reduced. \u003c /p\u003e

So you still have to rely on yourself for everything. I've decided to save a lot of money by having Melanie Mellen, the screenwriter, star opposite me, and Catlin Adams, another screenwriter, direct. ”\u003c/p\u003e

Helen was a little exhausted. Even if she talked about the content of her favorite production, her eyes were starting to become more and more difficult to open. \u003c/p\u003e

"I can finance it. It's my daydream. I'm still looking for a suitable script. What's the budget for your new film?" Ronald looked at Helen's hard work and knew that the stock market crash had caused her father to contact the TV station to purchase the film. Broadcasting rights, as a financing option for upfront payments, have failed. \u003c/p\u003e

Although independent production is so difficult, as a producer, you must take action to convince investors. But Ronald felt that this work of persuasion could be done entirely on him. \u003c/p\u003e

"Huh? Do you have money? Does your company still have investment money after the stock market crash?" Helen became more energetic. She turned over and said to Ronald, "My entire movie requires about 2 million. With an investment of about US$1.5 million, there is still a shortfall of 1.5 million. No, 1.2 million is fine. I can ask Melanie’s boyfriend to be the photographer."\u003c/p\u003e

"Why are your directors, starring actors, and screenwriters all female?" Ronald heard that it was only over one million, and he felt no pressure. \u003c/p\u003e

"We want to make a female film. The two protagonists of the story are also female. They are partners in a string duo, one plays the violin and the other plays the cello, playing on the street..."\u003c/p\u003e

Helen quickly told Ronald the story. A friend of the two protagonists brought a bag for them to keep, and the two girls discovered that it was full of cash..."\u003c/p\u003e

Ronald heard the story, and it was a good low-budget story. There is a huge amount of money as a gimmick at the beginning. Two girls spend money and are chased by bad guys. Finally, they pay back the money and resume the story of street performance. There is also a theme that life cannot rely on windfalls. \u003c/p\u003e

This kind of low-budget movie is actually very suitable for the video tape business. Many people spend $1.50 on weekends just to watch beauties and comedies and have fun. \u003c/p\u003e

"Tomorrow you send the script to my office in Daydream. My screenwriting department will evaluate it. If it passes, I can write you a check soon?"\u003c/p\u003e

"Really?" Helen worked very hard to find financing, but she didn't expect Ronald to immediately say that she could invest, and she was afraid that he was joking. \u003c/p\u003e

"However, I have to read the script and evaluate it before making a decision. Then my colleagues will send an assistant producer to the crew to take charge of the finances..." Ronald looked at it\u003c/p\u003e

"What evaluation would you give? My script is very well designed..." Helen posted it happily. \u003c/p\u003e

"Then it depends on how you convince me?" Ronald assumed a reserved posture. \u003c/p\u003e

"Isn't this enough to convince you?" Helen came up regardless of exhaustion, pressed tightly against Ronald's chest, and tried to convince him. \u003c/p\u003e

……\u003c/p\u003e

"Ronald, I have contacted the crew about the script you sent." Daydream's general manager Eddie called Ronald a day later, "I have to say, the producer, director, Neither the screenwriter nor the two leading actors (part-time) can reassure me. I doubt whether they are capable of filming the scenes in the script."\u003c/p\u003e

"No way, is it so bad?"\u003c/p\u003e

"It's so bad that Helen Slater talked to me for more than an hour about her philosophy, the history and future of women's films in America... As for the story and the filming of the film, not a word was said."\u003c/p\u003e

"God, are they going to make a movie or engage in feminist performance art?" Ronald knew that Helen was a rich girl and was not very clear about Hollywood's tricks. Sometimes she was a bit naive (Na?ve). Could it be that someone else took a fancy to her relationship and deliberately persuaded her to make a movie? ”\u003c/p\u003e

"It's hard to say. I suggest not approving a budget." Eddie gave his own suggestion. \u003c/p\u003e

"This is not an option, Eddie. Think about how to prevent Helen from being exploited and still make it into a movie. At least don't lose money. Well, don't lose too much."\u003c/p\u003e

"In this case, I can agree first, and then ask them to make a shot script that meets industry standards, and do a test shoot to show their strength. In this way, people without professional ability can be eliminated."\u003c/ p\u003e

"That's it, um...don't be too cruel to Helen."\u003c/p\u003e

"I'll keep it in perspective, but don't expect too much. The people in this crew are either amateurs or people who sneaked in to cheat on their qualifications. According to business logic, many people will be eliminated, especially the director Catlin Adams. She is actually an acting coach by profession, and this time she came here purely to accumulate director qualifications and deceive Helen's social connections."\u003c/p\u003e

"There is no one who can be used?" Ronald thought to himself, if Helen fired all the teams she formed, would she fall out with him? \u003c/p\u003e

"The screenwriter, Melanie Mellen, who stars with Helen, is pretty good. She is also a naive girl. She wrote her own script and her position as the first screenwriter was taken away by Catlin Adams.\u003c/p \u003e

By the way, there is also her boyfriend. The photographer is a professional. I think he is very good. He also likes to make small inventions and is a capable person. I guess if this movie had the original cast, he would be the only one who could do it professionally. ”\u003c/p\u003e

"Then follow your idea. I will give you 2 million permission. Under this, you can invest without telling me. In addition, if you are interested, you can work as a producer part-time."\u003c /p\u003e

"Okay, that's it, you and Helen explain it." Eddie hung up the phone. \u003c/p\u003e

"I'm sorry, Director Huang, there are many things here that our Hollywood movies must pay attention to...according to your words, we must pay attention to economic benefits, so we have to carefully consider each movie, and we will lose money if we are not careful. ”\u003c/p\u003e

Ronald put down the phone and explained to Director Huang who came over from Xujiahui Studio. \u003c/p\u003e

Director Huang and a delegation from Xujiahui also came to New York to see Ronald at a different time than the delegation from the capital. \u003c/p\u003e

"You're busy," Director Huang said. Ronald should wait. \u003c/p\u003e

"We came here mainly because we want to cooperate with Director Luo. Now the domestic production budget is very tight, so we have to open up our minds and invigorate...er, invigorate the economy."\u003c/p\u003e

Ronald looked at Director Huang with a smile, this paragraph was really difficult for her. Someone must have taught her how to memorize it. \u003c/p\u003e

"Forget it, Director Luo knows me. I can't explain this. I'd better talk about movies, hahaha." Director Huang also let go. \u003c/p\u003e

Just like the delegation from the capital, the delegation from Xujiahui also hopes that Ronald can join the Chinese Art Foundation they have established to promote traditional Chinese paper-cuts, ink cartoons, and other products with Chinese characteristics. film art. \u003c/p\u003e

After the reform, this film form, which has high social benefits but low economic benefits, gradually received less funding. \u003c/p\u003e

The animation studio had to transform and produce some children's animations that meet market demand, such as "Black Cat Sheriff", "Calabash Brothers" and the "Avanti" series of movies that Ronald saw last time. The number of productions each year has dropped dramatically compared to before. \u003c/p\u003e

"Before I came, the city leaders also told me that Director Luo's lamp factory in Minhang has excellent exports and has filled the world's leading technology gap. If there are other suitable factories, I can go back and open two more. ”\u003c/p\u003e

"I only know some film techniques, I'm afraid it won't be that easy."\u003c/p\u003e

"I know that this lamp factory was invented by Lao Yan. I just want to say that before I came, the city specially called our delegation. The mayor specifically told him that Director Luo's factory is a model of Chinese-American cooperation. He felt very, well, how do you say this in English?"\u003c/p\u003e

"Excited", Xiao Yan, who specially asked for leave from school and came to accompany Director Huang, took over. \u003c/p\u003e

"Let me see if there are any products suitable for the technical level of the workers over there." Ronald actually didn't give much hope. The workers over there were still relatively backward in technology, except for the long arc xenon lamps used in lightning lamps, which are used by Westerners. If the technical products are eliminated and other products are produced there, the efficiency is really not profitable. ”\u003c/p\u003e

"This time we're going to stay until after the premiere of Spielberg's 'Empire of the Sun' before going back, so I'll trouble you this time." Director Huang's visit this time also means to try to establish a relationship with Capital Studios. Chinese and foreign co-productions are also targeting this year's Oscars to see which joint venture film can win. \u003c/p\u003e

[To be honest, I have been using Yeguo Reading to catch up on books recently. I can switch sources and read aloud with many sounds. It can be used on both Android and Apple. 】\u003c/p\u003e

"It's Thanksgiving Day in America soon. Come to my house and I'll treat you to a meal. This Thanksgiving Day is similar to the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. It also involves family reunion."\u003c/p\u003e

"Then let me report to the team leader that several of our colleagues from the studio are going to Director Luo's house for dinner." Director Huang was very happy. He heard that Americans rarely invite people home for dinner, which is different from China. , they usually eat in restaurants here and cook at home, which is the treatment of good friends. \u003c/p\u003e