Chapter 1220 A Few People
The movie "Li Xianglan" has exploded at the box office, which is in the interests of too many people.
Everyone who is bound by the interests of this movie is smiling and their hearts are filled with beautiful visions.
But not everyone is in a good mood, at least some film producers are in an extremely depressed mood.
"...President Park, although you have been cooperating with Shochik Pictures for a long time, you want to buy the overseas distribution rights and video tape publishing of this "Li Xianglan" for one million US dollars. Haha, this is It’s impossible. I think President Okumoto of Shochiku Pictures should have told you that this movie was shot independently by Matsumoto-san’s Kiri Studio, and the production cost was as high as one billion yen..."
"No, you misunderstood. The contract between Matsumoto-san and Shochiku Pictures expired last year. Kiri Film Studio is a company wholly owned by President Matsumoto and is not a satellite company of Shochiku. We and Shochiku Pictures Theater cooperation between directors is based on an equal relationship of mutual benefit. "
"Of course, Matsumoto-san has always respected President Omoto's suggestions, and we are also very grateful to Shochiku Pictures for taking care of us, especially President Matsumoto. We appreciate your kindness in introducing you to us. However, we really cannot accept the conditions you offered. Excellent films should naturally have excellent prices. Even if the production cost is not mentioned, the box office in Japan shows this. Everything. If you buy it back, you will definitely make a lot of money when it is released in Korea..."
In the director's office of Wu Studio, Mitsuru Watanabe, who is the business director and temporary director, is all alone They all fell into the soft boss chair. He was casually reading the praise and reports about "Li Xianglan" in the newspaper while chatting on the phone leisurely. His posture was quite relaxed.
Today was the third call he received from a foreign film producer.
Just five minutes ago, he received a call from Park Seung-woo, the vice president of South Korea's CJ Entertainment Group, who is a partner of Shochiku Pictures.
When I came to Tokyo this time, I came to Shochiku to buy new films for their theater chain in Korea.
It just so happened that the box office of "Li Xianglan" exploded at Songzhu Cinemas.
Since South Korea was also a victim of the war, it is also deeply engraved on this period of history, and Li Xianglan is also famous in South Korea.
President Park believed that this film had great potential in South Korea, so he asked President Omoto to buy the film.
Songzhu did a favor and gave him the contact information of Wu Film Studio.
So as soon as he finished talking to Shoju Pictures, President Park turned around and called.
The initial offer given to Akira Okamoto was only US$800,000, and he was not angry when Akira Okamoto rejected it.
Immediately offered another one million US dollars to show sincerity.
However, I didn’t expect that Okamoto Akira still declined.
So he was surprised by the huge appetite of Wu Studio. President Park advertised himself as a long-term partner of Shochiku Pictures, saying that he had a close relationship with President Omoto and hoped that Wu Studio could do something. Be careful, don't be too greedy.
Unexpectedly, Akira Okamoto was completely indifferent. Although his words were very polite, he still had no intention of giving in on the price, and even showed a slight intention of ridiculing him for being stingy.
"Okamoto-san..." was repeatedly rejected. As an important distributor in South Korea, Park Seung-woo couldn't help but feel a little unhappy, "I have already watched this movie. I admit that in this movie The shooting cost is very high and the scenes are huge, but the film is not very commercial in terms of elements. The reason why it is selling well in Japan is because of the good advertising effect of your company, which can actually combine the film and women's rights. I am deeply impressed by the connection. However, this method cannot be replicated in South Korea. Moreover, the size of the Korean market cannot be compared with Japan. In fact, if I buy it for one million dollars, cooperation is about mutual benefit. Talent is called cooperation, you can't let us CJ have no money to make..."
Okamoto Akira is neither angry nor annoyed. The box office is getting better and better, and his confidence is getting stronger and stronger.
However, Akira Okamoto did not want to offend the other party too much and make the Korean film crew think that he was not sincere.
"President Park, you really misunderstood me. It's not that I don't understand your difficulties, but the problem is that if I sell at a low price, I can't explain it to Matsumoto-san. I'm afraid you don't know that even Singapore The offer from China and Malaysia is higher than yours. If you are really sincere, we will package and sell what you want for two million US dollars!”
Akira Okamoto also knew that CJ was a capable partner, otherwise he would not have been able to cooperate with Shochiku Pictures for such a long time.
But the level of Korean movies is really not good. Now, in addition to Hollywood movies, we have to rely on Japanese movies and Chinese-language movies in Hong Kong to fill the gap.
They have no reason to see "Li Xianglan" being such a hit. If they don't introduce a rare big-budget movie, it's nothing more than making more money for them.
Besides, there are several film producers in South Korea. If the price is too much in line with his expectations, he doesn’t mind waiting and choosing carefully.
After all, he didn't tell lies. Singapore and Malaysia have reached a relatively ideal agreement, and the prices are all over one million US dollars.
Thailand is probably no problem either.
There is no reason why it would be cheaper to sell it to a Korean film studio with a larger market size.
He has the confidence and qualifications to be picky about Korean film producers in terms of price.
"What? Two million!... You are asking for too much!"
But on the other side of the phone, Park Seung-woo was somewhat prepared. He expected Okamoto to Akira might ask for a high price of $1.2 million, or even $1.5 million.
But I didn't expect that this guy would be so greedy and ask for a sky-high price of two million US dollars.
He was in no mood at the moment and couldn't help but complain angrily.
"You guys are too disrespectful. I will tell President Omoto about this..."
Then I didn't care about maintaining my demeanor, regardless of whether it was rude or not, I just hung up. Got the phone.
“Haha...”
But when he heard the beep beep beep beep on the phone, Akira Okamoto had no fear.
Because he knew in his heart that Shochiku Pictures’ president Omotomoto was not a fool.
How could you get into trouble with Keiko Matsumoto, who is half a member of the family, because of a Korean film producer who cannot make good movies?
No one would do such a stupid thing.
And this Korean Bangzi overestimates himself, he is really arrogant.
If Songju really valued him that much, he would have at least called someone to take care of him in advance, right?
The Korean brain circuit is stunted because they are so poor that they only eat kimchi.
Why do you think that by mentioning Shochiku’s President Omoto, you can pay a million dollars less?
So Okamoto Akira is not angry or anxious at all. He knows that this Korean stick will come back.
Even if this guy doesn't fight, he can always remain calm.
During this period, no other Korean film studio could give him the price he wanted.
Then when the final Japanese box office of "Li Xianglan" comes out, he will also take the initiative to call the other party.
He has no grudge against money, and he will not fight against the other party.
Business cannot be concluded once or twice, so it takes time.
Now, he is just waiting for this movie to fully unleash its box office potential. Anyway, the longer it is delayed, the better it is for him.
After putting the receiver on the phone, Okamoto stood up, stretched out, picked up the coffee cup on the table, and carried it comfortably to the window. He opened the window and felt the humid sea breeze unique to Tokyo in March.
Squint your eyes and enjoy this rare peace.
These days, I am busy and busy all in order to promote, screen and distribute "Li Xianglan".
Although he was not a leader and did not participate in formulating the publicity plan, the time of more than ten days was too tight after all.
I run around for brochures and advertisements on various channels, and occasionally I have to go to the Taurus Palace to see the progress of the original album. There is no credit but hard work.
In fact, not only did he not have a good night's sleep for half a month, he even didn't even return home for several days and rested in a hotel near the studio.
As the school season in Japan is approaching, he has not even prepared any gifts for the children.
However, all of this is worth it. With the popularity of "Li Xianglan", the box office is developing in a direction that exceeds expectations. "Fog Studio..."
Looking at the beautiful scenery outside the window, he muttered softly, with more and more smiles on his face, "Our independent production company Factory, this is considered to be tenable..."
Yes, who would have thought that the first such a large-scale movie would actually be as successful as expected.
I originally thought that the possibility of winning a prize was much greater than making money, but I didn’t expect that it would be a situation where I would gain both fame and fortune.
It’s really exciting, Fog Studios is really going to have a great time this time.
You are not with the wrong person!
His career has been ups and downs with the proprietor Matsumoto Keiko, and now he finally sees the light.
Thinking about Ning Weimin's next bigger movie plan, he became even more excited.
If a few more movies like this can be made, I believe that employees like them at Fog Studios will be able to face the giant studios with a long history in the Japanese film industry without fear.
And his ultimate hope is to sell overseas copyrights and overseas videos at as high a price as possible, so that he can cover the production costs of the next movie.
Thinking of this, with such an exciting goal, he drank all the coffee in the cup.
But just when he turned around and put the coffee cup on the table, suddenly, the phone on the desk rang again.
He picked up the call again, and as expected, the caller was another film producer.
But it's a pity that the other party's self-reported home is actually from Hong Kong City.
So with regret, Akira Okamoto politely declined without even asking the price.
“Ah, I’m sorry, this movie is a co-production between us and several major Chinese studios. So before the filming, we both had an agreement that the Yindu agency in Hong Kong City would Responsible for the distribution and release of this film..."
"Thank you for considering us so much. If you are willing, you can also leave us your contact information. I look forward to having the opportunity to cooperate with you in the future, maybe on the next one. Movies we can..."
"Yes, I'm very sorry, and I hope you can be considerate..."
…………
Everyone says that colleagues are enemies, and this is true.
At this time, due to the popularity of "Li Xianglan", it stole the limelight of Japanese local movies at this time.
In addition to several other major Japanese studios who are deeply jealous of this, the producer of the Taihe drama "Spring Waves" that is broadcast every Sunday night is also on NHK TV station, looking very gloomy. Watching an interview program recorded by the crew of "Li Xianglan" on TBS TV station.
He did not go to the cinema to contribute to the box office of this film.
But without looking at it, he knew that the quality of the drama "Li Xianglan" would not be bad just from the current public response, box office and word-of-mouth, as well as the clips broadcast by the TV station.
So even if he is unwilling to admit it, the reason why this work has become a phenomenon is not only the result of its connection with the feminist movement and its expansion of social influence, but also the quality of the film.
He especially cannot deny that Matsumoto Keiko is really a naturally charming and stunning beauty.
She is the perfect choice for her ability to shine and make the stunning beauty she plays persuasive.
But the problem is that the problem he is most worried about also appears.
As a well-known beauty character in history, Li Xianglan, played by Keiko Matsumoto, simply crushed Kawakami Sadao, played by Yumi Takigawa in "The Waves of Spring" that was being broadcast on TV—— The speed is too fast.
The crew of "Wave of Spring" didn't even react before "Li Xianglan" flew past their faces with the roar of the wind.
The producer watched the program for a while, then lightly pressed the remote control to turn off the TV. Then he leaned on the sofa and let out a long sigh. He felt like he had a headache.
He really felt a little regretful and had fully realized that he had missed the most suitable heroine.
As a result, this year's major river drama "Spring Waves" had an average ratings of only 16%, with a peak rating of 22.7%.
And such ratings results are simply an unforgivable mistake for the producers responsible for Dahe Drama.
To be honest, some people have been gossiping, thinking that it was a bit stupid for him to replace Keiko Matsumoto and choose Yumi Takigawa.
But now, even he is unable to refute this view.
The prototypes of Matsumoto Keiko and Li Xianglan in the movie shots are so consistent that even he was surprised by how perfectly Matsumoto Keiko copied Li Xianglan's style and image.
Yes, Keiko Matsumoto is at the highest level among actresses in terms of acting skills and beauty.
Only after watching Keiko Matsumoto's performance on the screen can we know what it means to be an out-and-out beauty with bright eyes and white teeth.
Compared with Yumi Takigawa who only has the beauty of a flat model, Keiko Matsumoto’s expressive ability is three-dimensional.
This is what determines whether a heroine will live or die in the eyes of the audience.
There was once the best heroine in front of me. Not only did I not take advantage of the opportunity, but she changed roles and became enemies with her because of rumors. This... is really a feat. Sell and buy at a huge loss.
To be honest, if it only caused the ratings of this big river drama to be unsatisfactory, it would be barely acceptable for him to be responsible for the failure of this drama.
But Matsumoto Keiko’s obvious upward trend is what really worries him.
Let alone revenge, as long as Matsumoto Keiko mentions the change of roles in "Wave of Spring" in an interview, he will become a joke in the industry from now on.
In order not to be embarrassed, his boss is likely to ban him for life.
If this is the case, the rest of his life will be over.
The producer sat blankly for a while and sighed for a while. His personal cultivation was still very good and he didn't lose his composure even when he was alone. Then he picked up the "Movie Newsletter" prepared by his assistant and prepared to flip through it. Feeling.
At first glance, I saw the large colorful cover of Keiko Matsumoto wearing a cheongsam, and I quickly turned over it.
I immediately saw a magazine interview with director Yoshitaro Nomura - "An epic masterpiece costing one billion yen, and the box office is about to exceed 2 billion yen!" 》.
The producer barely glanced at it twice. He really couldn't stand it. His mood was very complicated. It was like drinking half a pot of vinegar and eating seven green apples. He quickly flipped through half of the book in one go and went straight to the middle. The inner color page.
I was shocked to find that what I saw this time were stills of "Li Xianglan" and "Wave of Spring".
The lyrics made him dizzy for a while, "On the Importance of Casting in Historical Dramas - The Suitability and Expression of the Heroine."
How! Someone actually compared the heroines of these two movies and TV series!
And he also brought up the old story of changing roles back then! You hate me to death!
As long as the NHK committee sees it, they will definitely call me in for questioning!
The producer stared at the reading material in his hand in silence for a while. No matter how well-educated he was, he couldn't bear it any longer and blurted out a curse word, "Baga Bagaxi!"
Then he threw the magazine directly against the wall!
Asshole, why is it so popular? !
Damn movie! Why not catch up during the broadcast of "Wave of Spring"!