Chapter 400 Skyrocketing remuneration, movie market
The three of them hadn't talked about business together for a while, so they took this opportunity to chat for a while.
Just after talking to Xiaolong about his movie, Chen Linfeng stated it again in front of his father.
"Well, that's a good idea,"
Chen Shantong nodded and said, "Huayi and the others must be aware of this problem, so they thought of filming "The Empire of Tongtian".
After all, Xiaolong has just started, so it is more appropriate to use low cost to pave the way. ”
Shi Xiaolong smiled and said, "Actually, it's not particularly low-cost. I'm preparing my next film and inviting famous martial arts stars from the past to help with the scenes. After all, the salary has also increased a lot."
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"In fact, the cost is not much more. Whether it is Wu Jing, Zhao Wenzhuo, Zhang Jin, or Xie Miao, compared to first-line stars, the price is very cheap, but the popularity is not low, and it adds a lot to the film."
Chen Linfeng supported his idea.
Shi Xiaolong said, "I think so too, but if I invite them to work with me, it will be difficult to deal with the villains. I always feel that there is not enough to fight."
"Of course, any of you, if you let me out, you'll feel capable of fighting."
Chen Linfeng complained, "Villains are also in a difficult position."
Shi Xiaolong scratched his head, "I think your previous film "Police Incident" was very good, and the villain was very powerful. I want to imitate you and find a less handsome acting master. Do you think it's feasible?"
"Yes. In fact, it's not that you can't choose good-looking ones. It's just that the pay is a bit high and the cost won't come down by then."
Chen Linfeng thought of Huang Xiaoming's performance in "The Wind" and Wang Jinsong's Lin Yaodong. In fact, many actors are malleable.
When it comes to the issue of remuneration, Chen Shantong has a lot to complain about.
"The salary increase in the past two years has been too fast. Many actors have doubled their salary, such as Xiaofeng and Xixi. I can understand if the salary increases faster.
Some actors, no, cannot be said to be actors, such as Zhang Baizhi, who only had 3 million before, but once she came back, it became 15 million, and other first-line movie stars also have tens of millions.
The same is true in the TV drama industry. Last year, Hai Qing paid RMB 300,000 to RMB 40,000 per episode this year. This year, it was RMB 220,000 per episode. Sun Honglei said it was because he wanted to reduce filming of TV dramas, so he signed up for RMB 300,000 per episode. But there are still people who are hiring. The current situation makes me I can't understand it.
I'm a little worried that soon I won't be able to afford to hire actors, or I'll have to make shoddy films. What do you think the market is like now? ”
Chen Linfeng was a little surprised. Although he knew about the sky-high remuneration in later generations and knew that the salary increase started around this time, he really didn't expect that the salary increase would be so drastic.
You know, a few years ago, Chen Linfeng, Liu Qianqian and others at the top level were still in the range of several million.
Now almost every one of them has tens of millions.
Even in the TV industry, an episode costs more than RMB 200,000. Based on the average TV series of forty or fifty episodes, the price is still tens of millions per episode.
Although Chen Linfeng himself was paid tens of millions of dollars in US dollars, he still felt that it was an exaggeration.
The most important thing is that such a drastic change happened within one year.
He thought for a while and said, "The remuneration ratio still needs to be controlled. The increase in costs is unstoppable, but no matter what, the actors' remuneration cannot exceed 50%."
Shi Xiaolong couldn't help but said, "Nowadays, any one A-lister costs 10 million. If you take three, according to your ratio, the cost of a TV series will be almost 100 million."
Long Lin's previous TV series often put a lot of effort into recruiting actors, such as "Reply" and "Datang Empire", which were completely supported by a group of front-line actors.
Even in the past two years, "The Great Qin Empire" and "The Righteous Path in the World Are Vicissitudes of Life", there are still some first-line stars.
Chen Linfeng calculated carefully, "In our case, first-line celebrities mainly do marketing and create gimmicks. Please invite one or two at most, which is the limit.
In this regard, we should not go against the trend of the market and the audience, but we should try our best to hire our own people for this kind of front line. ”
Chen Shantong had something to say, "You want to hire one of our own people to lower the price?"
Chen Linfeng shook his head, "No, if you are one of your own, you won't last long."
"But we can find a way to negotiate a share, and no matter what, we can reduce the upfront cost to a reasonable range."
Chen Shantong frowned and said, "In that case, wouldn't the profits be reduced?"
"If the quality of the TV series is not good, the profits will not increase."
Chen Linfeng said with conviction, "If the production cost is squeezed to one-third of the total cost or even lower, the quality of our dramas will gradually become worse and worse.
This cannot be redeemed by the script, and by then, there will be no profit left.
The key is that we retain the proportion of this part of the production.
You know, the acquisition price of TV stations has been rising, and the total cost is also increasing, and our production costs are relatively much higher than those of other companies' dramas. ”
Chen Linfeng slapped his hand on the table, "Then, allocate all these funds to special effects."
He said firmly, "Then it will be a dimensionality reduction attack. This will be more obvious than before when we relied on scripts and production to win."
Chen Shantong carefully recalled his son's whole set of thoughts. What was lowered was the profit ratio, not necessarily the profit data.
Because the acquisition amount of TV stations is constantly rising, this itself is also the basis for the rapid increase in film remuneration.
Now it is equivalent to investing the increase in production, and then compensating it to the actors in the later stage.
"It sounds like it should be possible. I'll have to make a detailed calculation with you when I get back."
Chen Shantong did not jump to conclusions. After all, a large amount of money was involved, as well as the future direction of the company, and he had to consult multiple opinions.
Of course, as long as you say this is what Xiaofeng means, others will definitely consider it seriously.
Maybe other companies have heard about it and might give it a try.
Xiaofeng's status now is no better than before.
He thought for a while and confirmed, "Should we maintain the previous model in terms of script and production?"
"Of course, the script is still the top priority. Even the special effects must serve the story."
Chen Linfeng added, "There are some historical dramas that don't use any special effects, so they can be different from other dramas in terms of service and location. In the end, they rely on cost advantages to achieve what others don't have and what I have." I understand, I think there should be no problem with this idea." Chen Shantong's doubts were swept away.
"It's time to eat." Wang Yanping has already started serving dishes.
"There will be Sissi's craftsmanship tonight. Come and taste it too."
"Well, then I have to give it a try." Chen Shantong responded.
"It's better to be mentally prepared." Chen Linfeng reminded.
"Chen Linfeng, you are talking bad about me again. Didn't you say it was delicious before?"
"Haha, just kidding."
……
The next day, Chen Linfeng, who had wanted salted fish before, couldn't help it anymore and went out to meet people.
"Mr. Han, I haven't seen you for a while, and I still haven't thanked you for helping us last time."
This is talking about Han Shanping helping with public relations before the Oscars.
Han Shanping waved his hand and said, "We are all on our own, so there is no need to mention this."
Sitting beside him was Shen Fei.
In the past two years, I have always seen Shen Fei around Han Shanping. Is this what he meant by the heir?
Chen Linfeng guessed and said hello at the same time, "Brother Shen, how are you doing recently?"
"Okay, it would be better to know that you won the award." Shen Fei poured tea for everyone.
They are now in a high-end teahouse. Northerners are not used to talking in this kind of place, but today's guest is from the south, so they might as well give it a try.
Chen Linfeng looked at Jiang Zhiqiang on the other side.
Unexpectedly, this time there was a change of partner, but it was Han Shanping's choice, and he had no objection to it.
A few people did not get down to the topic immediately, but chatted about other things.
Han Shanping talked about the skyrocketing number of theaters in the past two years. He looked at Chen Linfeng,
"Xiao Chen, you said before that the domestic box office will expand rapidly. How did you come to this conclusion?"
He sighed, "The more the number of theaters increases, the more worried I am. I am afraid that the quality of movies will not keep up with the increase in the number of theaters, and then we will be in big trouble."
Chen Linfeng calmly took a sip of tea and said, "The problem you are considering is not a problem at all. The quality will definitely not keep up."
"Then..." Han Shanping looked shocked.
"But the quality of domestic movies cannot keep up, which does not mean that the domestic box office market will not grow accordingly. You should put your heart in your stomach."
Seeing that the other party was a little confused, Chen Linfeng continued, "Bad movies don't affect people from buying tickets and paying for them. Besides, there are also Hollywood blockbusters."
"What you said is what I'm worried about. The box office has been taken away by Hollywood blockbusters, and it will be too ugly for everyone."
Chen Linfeng complained, "There's nothing we can do about it. The market has suddenly become bigger, and it's easier to make money. Then there will definitely be a large number of domestic companies, in order to match the larger box office market, crazy launch new projects, maybe they will put domestic movies The reputation is completely ruined.”
Although its reputation is not very good now.
Han Shanping's face didn't look good, and that was what he was worried about.
I have been thinking about this issue recently. I have had meetings with the film bureau and discussed it, but I can’t come up with any regulations.
Jiang Zhiqiang reassured, "There is nothing we can do to stop this, so don't think too much about it. Hong Kong Island was like this back then, and the mainland today is similar."
He is very familiar with this situation. Although the causes are different, the appearance is similar.
Shen Fei provided thoughts from the industrial aspect, "No matter what, there are only so many talents in the entire industry. If we want to increase production, the quality will definitely decline.
But as time goes by, more teams can be trained, which is not entirely a bad thing after all, so don’t worry too much, Director Han. ”
Han Shanping nodded, "You are saying that one person has two sides, but I am unfounded."
He thought of Chen Linfeng's previous actions and couldn't help but praise, "Xiao Chen, you can think of taking students to Hollywood, you are doing business, other companies don't think of training new people."
Before the other party could be humble, he continued with dignity and said, "When the students you like are successful and they want to start projects, they can come to me and I will protect them."
Good guy, it turns out that this is where the words fell.
Chen Linfeng said angrily, "Mr. Han, it's too early for you to worry about this. You have just been studying for half a year and you are already targeting me."
Han Shanping smiled and said, "Of course, who doesn't know that you, Xiao Chen, are good at training people? I have seen the videos Xiao Cheng took. They are very good. These are all the students you taught."
Speaking of this, it’s actually down to business.
Jiang Zhiqiang interjected, "The film "The Ugly Duckling" was originally scheduled to be released during the Lunar New Year last year. Because Liu Qianqian could not participate in the promotion, it was postponed. When is it expected to be released now?"
Han Shanping looked at Chen Linfeng and asked him to make up his mind.
Chen Linfeng thought about it and realized that there is already a "Hurricane Rescue" in this summer's summer schedule, but the summer schedule is so long that it is not a delay.
"Then let's put it on the summer schedule. School is about to start in August. This kind of inspirational film should be more suitable at this time."
Han Shanping recalled the confirmed schedule and felt that there were no blockbusters, so he nodded in agreement.
Jiang Zhiqiang said, "At that time, Southeast Asia can be released at the same time. We just have to trouble Miss Sissi and participate in marketing activities in Southeast Asia in advance."
"Okay, I agreed for her." Chen Linfeng nodded.
"What film are you planning to make next?"
After this topic ended, Han Shanping asked a question that he was more concerned about.
(End of chapter)