Chapter 716 Big Production
Kai Tak Airport.
On behalf of Chen Qi, Gu Weili presented the film to a group of people from the film studio. The filming of "Sweetheart" and "Unexpected" have been completed, and the first batch left first. Everyone's faces were very complicated, happy and sad at the same time.
The happy thing is that except for the unlucky one Sun Changrong, everyone else got the money, which is really about 1,200 Hong Kong dollars. The sad thing is that they will have to undergo investigations and write reports when they go back, and they don't know if they can come next time.
Zhang Jianya didn't get Chen Qi's confirmation, so she wanted to go back and contact Zhang Yimou to intercede for herself.
After a trip to Hong Kong, he realized that the food at Oriental Company is really good!
His wife left and he was alone. Now he just wanted to be transferred to Dongchang. He thought he was qualified. Zhang Junzhao, Zhang Yimou, plus himself, could make up three of them!
"I've caused you trouble during this period!"
"You're welcome, welcome to come again, we still have opportunities to cooperate!"
Gu Weili shook hands with everyone, watched them pass the security check, and breathed a sigh of relief. She now understood how big a problem it would be to lose someone in Hong Kong, and after sending someone off, she hurriedly got in the car and went there immediately
Next destination.
As Chen Qi's assistant, he is very busy every day.
The car drove all the way and soon arrived at the New Town Plaza in Shatin. After more than half a year of renovation, the multiplex theater officially opened today.
Since we were in the shopping mall and it was not convenient to do anything grand, we only invited some reporters to interview, and Dongfang Company's own stars helped out. Chen Qi saw her and waved: "Hurry up, it's time to cut the ribbon!"
Gu Weili quickly ran over and stood beside the boss. On the left and right were Jiang Zhiqiang, Li Lianlian, Liang Jiahui, Li Saifeng, Qiu Shuzhen, Leslie Cheung, Wan Ziliang, Zheng Zeshi and others.
Chen Qi took a pair of large scissors and cut a piece of red silk with flowers. Applause rang out and reporters clicked to take pictures.
The name of this theater is "Oriental Theater" and it is temporarily owned by Yindu's Shuangnan Cinema Line. It has a total of 5 halls with a total seating capacity of 1,300. Because the projection hall must be built according to the conditions of the shopping mall, there are relatively large restrictions.
Chen Qi personally led reporters inside and walked around the halls.
It officially opens tonight, with five films showing at the same time, two of which are Western films, one Japanese animation, one leftist film, and one mainland Mandarin film. Such a form and scale is unique in Hong Kong.
The reporters were also very interested and held an impromptu interview session in a screening room.
"I still hold the same view. It will take at least ten years for Hong Kong to gradually popularize multiplex theaters. We are not in a hurry to expand. We must ensure sufficient funds and build them one by one."
"Will you leave Yindu and form your own theater chain in the future?"
"No! We have more advantages together."
"I heard that you were the one who brokered the talks between the Hong Kong film industry and the mainland. How is the progress going?"
"We have had preliminary contact and have reached consensus on certain issues. When the time is right, we will conduct a second round of communication."
At this time, a reporter suddenly asked: "Taiwan's blockade of Hong Kong films has caused Hong Kong films to lose their largest market, resulting in a cold market and lack of confidence. Many films have already reduced their budgets, and it is said that even the stars' salaries will be reduced. What do you think?
What do you think?"
"Is this serious?" Chen Qi didn't quite understand.
"It's true. Yesterday, a friend complained to me that he used to dare to invest 2 million, but now he only dares to invest 1.5 million, and the quality has to be guaranteed. Everyone is miserable."
"I think so..."
Chen Qi thought for a while and said: "First of all, the two places are actively negotiating to further integrate. The mainland's population base of 1 billion is by no means comparable to any other market.
From another perspective, as a filmmaker, you still need to maintain your fighting spirit and enterprising spirit, and don't always think about making bad money. Reducing costs will actually help the survival of the fittest and improve quality. An industry without pressure will not survive long."
"Then don't you think that if things continue like this, Hong Kong films will lack the courage to make big productions and will only dare to make small-budget films?"
"It's normal for small companies to make films with low costs, and for big companies to make big productions. The so-called lack of courage is just a lack of strength. We are preparing for a big production."
"oh?"
Reporters became interested and asked questions one after another.
Chen Qi called Li Lianjie over and said with a smile: "The tentative title of the film is "Black Man", directed by Tsui Hark, starring Xiao Li, an urban action film. The budget is 30 million Hong Kong dollars!"
He boasted nonsense and everyone was shocked.
"30 million?"
"Can you guarantee a profit?"
"It seems you are betting on overseas copyright?"
"No, no, I plan to find a Hollywood company to distribute this film, and it will be officially released in theaters in the United States and will also be released on video tapes."
During this period, Cheng Long's salary was 8 million, and the cost of the film must have exceeded 10 million, making it the most expensive in Hong Kong.
Chen Qi's shout of 30 million certainly caught people's attention and said: "Large-scale production is the most effective way to establish an industrial system. I have said countless times that Hong Kong films are too studio-like. If it fails, the industry will eventually wither. We hope to give it a try."
"What if it fails?"
"Whether it succeeds or fails, someone must do it, and we are willing to take the lead!"
The reason why Chen Qi is legendary in Hong Kong is because all the awesome things he boasted have come true, and he always looks at the overall situation and has a high-level view when speaking. As time goes by, locals will also think, why are other companies so petty?
The reporter asked a lot of questions about "Black Man" and also pestered Li Lianjie for a while.
Li Lianjie is quite comfortable dealing with the media, but he is very depressed inside. Cheng Long's salary is 8 million, how much does he earn? He does not dare to disobey the rules set by Chen Qi now, he only hopes that outside companies will find him to film movies, hoping to make more money
point.
Historically, his salary soared to 20 million per film in the 1990s.
In fact, it was a bit high. At that time, Li Zhi had a lot of debts from his business, and he had to help others pay off the debts, so he had to ask for such a high salary. Fortunately, he had an overseas market, so it was not an exorbitant price.
In short, Hong Kong's first multiplex theater was born today.
The reporters gathered enough material, and they left with their carriages and horses satisfied. The actors from Oriental Company held Chen Qi down, and Qiu Shuzhen shouted: "Master, why didn't you tell me when you were going to make such a big movie?
Me? Am I the heroine?”
"I can be a villain!" Liang Jiahui said.
"I can play both the upright and the villain's father!" Zheng Zeshi said.
"I can fight too. Brother Jie and I have a tacit understanding after going to the Spring Festival Gala!" Li Saifeng said.
Leslie Cheung and Man Tsz-leung are new members. They are familiar with each other and came to join in the fun.
Chen Qi broke away from the crowd and said: "I said 30 million is just to deceive people, just to attract attention. Don't take it seriously. In fact, this is just a small film, 30 to 40 million is enough. Leave it alone!"
"Believe it or not!"
"Three to four million is not a small film, I can still do it!"
…………
Reporters are well-informed and know that the data is exaggerated, but it’s a gimmick to say so!
When I read the newspaper the next day, it was shocking.
"The film market is in a slump, and the leftists are trying to make blockbuster films worth 30 million, with Tsui Hark and Li Lien-lien leading the charge!"
"The left bets heavily on Hollywood, or else it will be successful!"
"According to reports, "Black Man" should be an urban action film with special functions or a Superman type. The subject matter is very suitable for the taste of the American market. You can look forward to the follow-up..."
When the news came out, no one believed it.
In the 1980s, who in Hong Kong would pay 30 million to film a movie? What a crazy person?
But Chen Qi said this, which proved that the investment in this "Black Man" must not be small, and it must be a key film, so everyone became curious.
Chapter completed!