lovenovelstory Chapter 17 How to Do Distribution
Chapter 17 How to Do Distribution
Ye Xiaoyi would come to check on the post-production progress of "Little Miss Sunshine" on weekends.
When she arrived today, she happened to see Zhang Jun humming a tune while two music students completed the accompaniment work.
"I never knew you could compose music. How come I never discovered how talented you were when you were at Tsinghua University?" Ye Xiaoyi said with a smile.
Zhang Jun shrugged, looking quite profound: "There are many things you haven't considered. I'm the school heartthrob!"
Because he looked remarkably like Vic Chou, the original owner was also known as "Little Vic Chou," and he even managed to get a girlfriend because of his appearance.
However, before Zhang Jun traveled through time, the two broke up peacefully, and his ex-girlfriend went to study abroad.
The school he's going to is supposedly a prestigious one, with a bright future ahead of him.
But that's none of Zhang Jun's business; this isn't some melodramatic urban romance drama. There won't be any scenario where his ex-girlfriend returns after ten years, and after some back and forth, they get back together.
While the two were chatting, the two music students who were arranging the music finished one of the pieces.
"Let's listen to this piece of music. It's the main theme of the film. After listening, tell us your feelings." Zhang Jun handed Ye Xiaoyi a pair of headphones.
Ye Xiaoyi took the song and put it on, then listened to the piece. The moment the intro started, it immediately captivated her.
"How are you feeling?" Zhang Jun asked.
"Pretty good!"
Ye Xiaoyi took off her headphones: "It feels like riding a bike alone in an empty field with a sun hat on, and the wind whistling past on both sides."
The sunlight was orange, the scarecrow waved, and the wheat fields rippled and swayed in the wind.
Wow!
Zhang Jun clapped and said, "You must have gotten a perfect score on your college entrance exam essay. You're quite good at describing things."
Ye Xiaoyi rolled her eyes at Zhang Jun and pressed, "Does this piece of music have a name?"
"The Winner Is..."
Zhang Jun said, "In line with the atmosphere of the film, there are no winners in life. The only way is to live each day to the fullest and cherish the people around you."
After listening to the background music, the two went to He Xuan's office, where He Xuan was discussing the distribution of "Little Miss Sunshine" with Jiang Tao.
"The current problem is that there are only a few distribution companies in China, so it's a bit difficult for us to find someone to distribute our film."
Jiang Tao said to Zhang Jun, "The best choice is China Film Group, which is currently the largest cinema distributor in China, with its cinema chains accounting for half of the domestic market share."
He Xuan, however, was more worried: "After all, we're a new company. Will China Film Group handle distribution for us?"
Zhang Jun wasn't worried about that: "First, submit the film for review, get the lead film license, and then find China Film Group to handle the distribution."
With current policy support and domestic encouragement for the development of private film production companies, China Film Group will not refuse.
Jiang Tao then suggested, "I have a few old friends at China Film Group who can speak to the leaders there. Why don't we have them come and see our film first?"
"Um!"
Zhang Jun agreed: "That's a good idea. Let's reassure China Film Group and tell them that our film is of good quality."
Without hesitation, Zhang Jun quickly completed the post-production of the film and then submitted it for review.
Jiang Tao also contacted his old colleague: "Old Cheng, it's me, Jiang Tao!"
"Jiang Tao? I heard you switched jobs to a private film production company as a producer. What brings you here to call me?"
On the other end of the phone was Cheng Yang, a manager at China Film Group's film distribution company.
"I was thinking of inviting you to work for me. The group is expanding its film investment and needs professionals like you."
"Thanks a lot, old buddy, but I'm doing pretty well these days!"
Jiang Tao first expressed his gratitude, then stated his purpose: "I called you today to ask for your help, my old friend."
Before Cheng Yang could speak, Jiang Tao continued, "It's like this, our company recently finished producing a film, a low-budget comedy, and we're looking for a distributor."
"I wonder if China Film Group would be interested in helping us with the distribution?"
Cheng Yang on the other end of the phone hesitated for a moment before saying, "You're lucky. The group recently held a meeting and asked us to give strong support to domestic films and to provide convenience in their distribution."
After you pass the review, bring over the sample videos and documents, and we'll discuss distribution.
Jiang Tao called to negotiate better terms, so he quickly said, "Old Cheng, listen to me first. Bring a few people to our company and let's take a look at the sample videos we've filmed."
I guarantee you won't be disappointed when you come.
When the time comes, I would like to trouble you to say a few good words for us to your superiors and try to secure some favorable conditions for us.
Given our long-standing relationship, I'd really appreciate your help!
Jiang Tao made this call so that Guanzhi Pictures could generate greater profits. It's true that China Film Group holds the distribution rights, and in fact, the domestic film distribution market is currently monopolized by China Film Group.
Other companies like Polybona are just jumping on the bandwagon, and together they account for less than half of China Film's market share.
Many of the films invested in by Huayi Brothers were distributed by China Film Group, including many of Feng Xiaogang's films.
In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, Han Xiaoli, deputy general manager of China Film Group, said that he had invited Chen Gezi to direct the new film "The Promise".
Funding is now in place, and it will become one of the major productions that China Film Group is pushing forward.
In addition, active contacts with renowned directors such as Zhang Yimou and Feng Xiaogang are quietly underway.
The goal is singular: to leverage such renowned directors and creative teams to expand and strengthen the film and celebrity industry.
This interview reveals that the wave of domestic blockbuster films was driven by China Film Group Corporation and is also a response to the cultural sector's strategy for the development of the film industry.
However, regardless of how China Film Group responds to policies and supports domestic films, under market-driven conditions, companies will inevitably move towards profitability.
The issuance market is monopolized by them, and the bargaining power is naturally in their hands.
China Film Group understands this outcome, and so do the higher-ups, which is why the major decision was made to issue a document to lower the entry threshold for distribution companies.
Registering Guanzhi Pictures requires 100 million yuan, but registering a distribution company only requires 50 yuan.
However, for now, everyone still has to rely on China Film Group's distribution channels. Other distribution companies' channels are not wide enough or reliable.
Cheng Yang, on the other end of the phone, naturally understood Jiang Tao's meaning. Since it was related to the company's internal policy, he did not refuse.
"Alright then, I'll bring a few people to visit you next week."
Jiang Tao quickly expressed his gratitude: "Thank you so much, old buddy, you've been a great help."
"Don't thank me yet. Let me be clear: if the movie isn't good, all your requests for distribution might fall through."
"You need to think this through," Cheng Yang warned.
Don't worry!
Jiang Tao recalled Zhang Jun's extremely confident face: "You'll see for yourself when you come and see for yourself. This movie is very special, it's fantastic!"
At the same time, Han Sanping, then general manager of China Film Group, had just come down from a meeting at Big Scissors.
At the meeting, the chief scissors reiterated the policy support for private film companies, stating that China Film Group, as a leading enterprise, should provide support in distribution.
After finishing his meeting, Han Sanping was having tea in his old friend's office when he heard some news from his old friend.
"The movie that was submitted for review a couple of days ago, it's called 'Little Miss Sunshine,' I heard it's amazing. The reviewers have all been watching it at least three times these past few days."
Han Sanping asked curiously, "Which company did this? Huayi Brothers?"
"no,"
My old friend shook his head and said, "It's a new company; I've never seen it before. I looked at the information sheet submitted for review, and the director is a young man who just turned twenty-two."
Han Sanping was astonished: "Really? Twenty-two years old? Who's his junior in the industry? I've never heard of such a person!"
The old friend said he didn't know, but told Han Sanping that the movie called "Little Miss Sunshine" had been approved.
Han Sanping kept this in mind. After returning to the company, he asked someone to call over Wang Haoyan, the general manager of the distribution company, and asked him if there was a movie called "Little Miss Sunshine" that he wanted them to distribute.
"Mr. Han, how did you know?"
Wang Haoyan exclaimed in surprise, "Xiao Cheng had told me before that he wanted to see a movie called 'Little Miss Sunshine'."
The title of this film is very unique; I remembered it immediately.
Han Sanping then told Wang Haoyan what he had heard about Big Scissors, and added, "In that case, we should also provide them with convenience in terms of distribution."
If the policy allows, you should agree to whatever conditions the other party has.
As a leading state-owned enterprise, China Film Group Corporation (CFGC) should support the development of these small and medium-sized film companies.
Wang Haoyan immediately assured him, "Don't worry, Mr. Han, we will do our job well."
A few days later, the official scissors logo was released, which meant that "Little Miss Sunshine" had entered the actual theatrical release stage.
Meanwhile, in a residential compound near Chuncheng No. 8 Middle School, more than 2,000 kilometers away from Beijing, Zhang Yuncheng and his wife were watching television.
The two teachers who were in charge of the senior high school class were very busy with work, and they also had to prepare lesson plans for the next day at night, so they didn't have time to watch TV.
But when their son called to say he had made a short film that might be broadcast on CCTV6, the couple started to look forward to it.
I happened to see the program preview today, so I sat in front of the TV.
"I've finished my homework!" Zhang Linwan rushed into the living room and flopped onto the sofa.
Mother Yao Xia glared at her: "Have you finished your homework? Have you reviewed your lessons? Did you understand what the teacher said during the day? Why aren't you reading your books properly..."
Zhang Linwan pouted, "Mom, I'm only a junior in high school, not a senior. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"You're in your second year of high school and you're still not working hard? Your brother was studying until 11 p.m. every night when he was in his second year of high school, and he wouldn't go to sleep even when we told him to."
Yao Xia continued to glare at her daughter: "If you worked half as hard as your brother, your father and I would be at ease."
Zhang Linwan muttered softly, "No wonder my brother didn't date during high school; he was overwhelmed by the heavy workload."
Back then, Zhang Jun's admission to Tsinghua University caused a sensation. The neighbors were extremely envious, and his parents were very proud.
At that time, Zhang Linwan especially admired her older brother and vowed to be like him.
But Zhang Linwan later discovered that it wouldn't be easy for her to be like her brother. Naturally free-spirited, Zhang Linwan couldn't stand the heavy workload, but she was helpless under Yao Xia's strict discipline.
At this moment, Zhang Yuncheng, who had been drinking tea, spoke up.
"If the child wants to see her brother, let her see him. It doesn't matter if she misses a day of school."
"When she gets the lowest score in her school exams, you'll know whether it's serious or not."
Despite her sharp tongue, Yao Xia, who had a kind heart, softened and let Zhang Linwan watch TV with her.
"yeah!"
Secretly applauding her brother who was far away in Beijing, Zhang Linwan lay comfortably on the sofa, watching a short film called "The Tuner" on TV.
The short film was quite good, but after watching it for a while, Zhang Linwan realized that her brother did not appear in the film.
"Where's my brother?"
Zhang Yuncheng explained, "Your brother called the other day and said he seemed to be some kind of director?"
"director?"
Zhang Linwan recalled her brother's handsome face, which had once captivated the entire No. 8 Middle School, and felt that he was more suited to be an actor.