hunt hollywood

Just when many people felt sorry for the overall low box office market performance in the first week of the Thanksgiving file due to the crowding, a week of more gatherings came next.

Chapter 1261 Don't be in a hurry

In 1997 it was Thanksgiving Day.

In the early years, in order to meet the schedule and save the publicity budget, many films often choose to open on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, so that they can span the four-day Thanksgiving from Thursday to Sunday when the demand for movie viewing is greatly increased. long weekend.

This kind of schedule selection has become less and less with the gradual rise of saturated full-scale distribution that is more and more optimistic about publicity.

Because a large publicity budget has been invested in advance for publicity, the audience who should know already knows it, so there is no need to use similar tricks.

Of course, things are not absolute.

This year is an exception.

After the first week of the Thanksgiving file on March 20th, this Friday, which crosses the week of Thanksgiving, is just Disney’s super blockbuster and Pixar’s latest 3D animation movie, which doubles the pressure on many movies, so I chose to make fun of it again.

It still only counts films with more than 2000 screens.

On the same day, in addition to the blockbuster film and television drama, there is also a film adaptation of another new work by John Grimson, the author of the original novel, which is directed by Coppola and partnered by old Hollywood actor Danny DeVito Little fresh meat Matt Damon, costing 4000 million US dollars.

Then, on Sunday, the day before Thanksgiving, Warner Bros. and another sci-fi comedy from Paramount started painting together.

It is a thriller and suspense film that Clint Eastwood once again cooperated with Warner and directed and acted by himself. It tells a series of complicated and confusing incidents caused by the midnight party murder in a small southern town.

It is a blockbuster collaboration between John Hughes and Paramount, which has been silent for several years, costing 8000 million US dollars. The film starring Robin Williams tells the story of a scientist who is obsessed with research and has invented a All kinds of irony and irony that happened after the magic paint that broke away from gravity.

Calculated, the box office week of April 27th, there were as many as five mainstream commercial films.Among them, , and , are all blockbusters, even with the lowest budget, the production cost has reached 3500 million U.S. dollars.

Considering that the opening of three new films in the past week was generally sluggish due to strong competition, five new films were added this week of Thanksgiving, and the executives of each studio are under great pressure.

Simon belongs to the kind with a more relaxed mentality.For the current situation, I even like to hear and see.

Because it is a well-determined strategy.

Even if the company will inevitably suffer some losses in the short term due to the grouping of movies, Daenerys Entertainment, which has a strong family, can completely afford this kind of grouping competition. Therefore, it is actually only squeezing the living space of other studios.When it is found that the film market is getting more and more crowded, other companies will naturally take the initiative to reduce the number of productions, and when others take a step back, Daenerys Entertainment can go further.

In the end, a brand-new pattern of reducing the seven big Hollywood players to the Big Three and even one superpower with multiple powerhouses was achieved.

Moreover, speaking of it, when other Hollywood studios are anxious because of the subtle changes in the film market structure, Simon's recent thoughts are not even on the film.

In terms of major events, Simon's recent focus is on South Korea.

In terms of small things, returning from London to New York, Simon values ​​other things in the next few days more than movies.

First of all, on the same day, Friday, the game division of Daenerys Entertainment was released. After final planning, the official name of this game was determined to be "OL", which naturally means "OL".

Second, it's Saturday.

There are two things happening at the same time. On Saturday morning, the long-prepared Tinkerbell store will officially open. The first batch will only be three, located in prime locations in the three metropolises of Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.And on Saturday night, after the closure of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, the fundamental purpose of supplementing it was the Victoria's Secret annual charity party for brand promotion.

long island.

In a seaside manor at the east end of East Hampton.

It's already Friday night.

Chen Qing, who was connected to Simon's video communication, saw a little girl with a flushed face like a doll in her boss's arms at first sight, but she didn't ignore it, and greeted her with a smile: "Hello, Miu Miao. "

Of course, the little girl also remembered the same polite greeting from Miss Chen who brought their mother and daughter together.

After complimenting the little girl for being more beautiful, Chen Qing turned to her boss, and as usual, she was not in a hurry to talk about the business, but said: "Boss, in the email yesterday, you have the idea of ​​buying the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul and the surrounding land. how do you feel?"

Simon is fine.

The main reason is that the location of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul is indeed too golden, and it can also take advantage of a large piece of land that he had been looking at before, or the latter is the key point.In short, it is not expensive anyway.

Nodding his head, Simon said: "You can figure it out, and don't worry, the most difficult time for South Korea has not yet come, remember to pick the best time to loot."

Chen Qing smiled and nodded.

A certain little girl who was listening silently in Simon's arms raised her head and bent her mouth: "Dad, is it a derogatory term to take advantage of the fire?"

Simon tapped his chin on the girl's forehead and said with a smile, "Of course it's a derogatory term."

Miao Miao shrank her neck: "Father is good or bad."

Chen Qing on the other side waited for a big and a small interaction before continuing: "I don't think there is any need to wait, boss, now is a very good time. After this period of time, the exchange rate between the Korean won and the US dollar should appreciate from below 2000." When it reaches more than 1500, we may have to pay at least 25% more of the cost, and Kim Yong-sam also said in his speech two days ago that the authorities should increase revenue and reduce expenditure, which happens to be a good time to sell assets to the public.”

Simon didn't object either: "Just do it if you think you can."

Then it got down to business.

Because of the presence of a certain girl, Chen Qing also switched to English, and Simon followed suit. The little girl in her arms has been in the United States for more than two years. Daily conversations in English are no problem, but when it comes to various technical terms discussed by the two of them, even if they continue to use Chinese It is impossible to understand, especially in English.

It's Saturday in Asia.

In the past few days, although there were sporadic disturbances in South Korea due to the harsh agreement signed between the authorities and the IMF, it has nothing to do with the overall situation, and things are basically settled.In view of South Korea's precarious financial situation, the IMF this weekend will advance the allocation of 100 billion US dollars of funds to help the South Korean government emergency.

Chen Qing also talked about the latest news.

South Korea will reopen its stock and bond markets next Monday, as well as a brief period of foreign exchange controls.

Under the matchmaking of Washington, the creditors in Europe, North America and Asia have promised not to carry out a run on South Korea. Today, several major financial giants in the United States issued a joint statement because of this, as long as there are no unpredictable events In the black swan event, the financial market will reopen next week, and the economic situation in South Korea will gradually stabilize.

As for the Westeros system.

Negotiations with the current major Hyundai, Samsung and SK are also very smooth. However, after all, it is a big business worth tens of billions of dollars. Even if the intention has been finalized, it will not be completed in a day or two. , The transactions with the three chaebols can basically be done.

After listening to Chen Qing's general introduction, Simon had no objection, but asked her to bring along the British consortium that had promised Blair when she was in London.

On the call screen, Chen Qing agreed, and then continued: "Boss, Daewoo, LG, Ssangyong and other consortiums probably understood their situation recently, and tried to contact me, but according to the boss's intention, I refused Now, what should we do next?"

Simon has read the information, and LG must not let it go. He hopes that LG will focus on LCD screens in the future, and the timing is right, and Samsung's related businesses will also be divested.Even if Samsung can be completely controlled in the future, Simon still does not intend to make Samsung too powerful. This is also a strategy that was set very early.

Daewoo also has a large-scale semiconductor business, which can be integrated with SK at that time.In addition, there are other projects, such as the Hanjin consortium that operates shipping, etc., which have projects that Simon is interested in.

However, these are not urgent.

After thinking about it for a while, Simon shook his head and said, "Leave them alone, let's settle the three goals of Hyundai, SK and Samsung."

It's still a matter of time.

After dragging on for a year or two, the chaebols in South Korea who are still able to handle it now will not be impossible to kneel down and beg for mercy.

Hanging it out for a while can let Samsung and other companies understand the value of their early compromise.When the time is right, you can get what the Westeros system needs at a lower cost.

Chen Qing agreed, looked at the memo in front of her, and talked about the layout of the Korean entertainment industry.

Other aspects have been discussed a lot in private through emails and phone calls, this time mainly about movies.

In the past few days, Simon has been flipping through various scripts transferred by Chen Qing, and said: "As for the selection of scripts, the team over there focuses on low-cost comedies, horror films and other types, which can be said to be correct. Incorrect again, do you know where the problem is?"

Chen Qing tilted her head and thought for a while, then said: "This kind of project has very little risk. Similarly, when it is produced, the influence will be very small, and it cannot compete with Hollywood blockbusters. Just like in China, the boss supports the production of such a big investment project. It’s about creating influence.”

Simon nodded: "That's right. However, it's not just about influence, it's basically to re-attract the audience's attention to local films, and then activate the market. Therefore, if Korean films want to get out of the downturn, they need to produce blockbusters in South Korea. A blockbuster, as long as it lives successfully, will have greater influence than a bunch of low-cost small films, even if dark horses will appear in these small films.”

Chapter 1262 Competition is good

"Boss, I actually understand," Chen Qing nodded, and said, "However, just last year, Daenerys accounted for three of the top ten Korean movies. I don't think it's necessary to activate the Korean market too early?"

"I gave you the cultural nation-building plan. If it is successfully implemented in South Korea next year, plus the film censorship system shifts to the rating system, oh, and last year's 146-day quota, even without us, the Korean film market will be reactivated. Therefore , according to a Chinese idiom, this is our last chance to occupy the magpie's nest."

Said that the dove occupies the magpie's nest, Simon changed his Chinese, and a little girl in his arms raised his face again to look over, and then his forehead was clicked again by Simon's chin.

The girl smiled and shrank her head again.

With Simon's explanation, Chen Qing had no objection, and just said: "But, boss, we are not familiar with Korea. What kind of blockbuster should we make? We can't play Korean martial arts in ancient costumes like "Heroes" Bar?"

"of course not."

Simon recalled the 1999 South Korean box-office hit "Life and Death", recently read the script sent by Chen Qing, and saw a few familiar names, but unfortunately there is no Jiang Digui, probably because of his big butterfly.

In addition, it may also be the influence of language and characters.

Just like the two familiar Korean filmmakers that Simon discovered, one is the famous Bong Joon-ho, and the other is Hong Sang-soo, a famous Korean literary film director. Recognizing who they are, Simon was able to identify the two because he saw the names of the two scripts.

Bong Joon-ho's "Kidnapping the Door Dog" and Hong Sang-soo's "The Day a Pig Fell into the Well" happened to be films that Simon had seen, and they were both directors' debut feature films.

These two projects were not dropped by the butterfly, Simon was neither surprised nor surprised.

Different from Jiang Digui's standard Hollywood template "Life and Death", the two small projects of Feng Hong and his wife are obviously ideas that have been brewing for a long time.

For example, "Parasite", which later allowed Bong Joon-ho to win the Oscar, was the idea of ​​the other party when he was a tutor in school decades ago.There is also Hong Sang-soo's "The Day the Pig Fell into the Well". Just looking at the name, it is the result of careful consideration. It should also be brewed for many years. Hong Sang-soo became famous with this film, and the subsequent films did not have such a unique name. .

After a little thought, Simon quickly continued and said to Chen Qing: "In Hollywood, Harrison Ford and Sean Connery once starred in a trilogy of pursuits against the background of the US-Soviet hegemony, "The Hunt for Red October", " Patriot Games and Crimson Tide, you can use this as a template, let’s take a test, what do you think of?”

Chen Qing had an idea, and immediately said: "The U.S.-Soviet struggle for hegemony must correspond to a confrontation between South Korea and North Korea?"

"Smart," Simon patted the girl in his arms, Xiao Nizi meowed very cooperatively, and continued: "The box office of the Chasing Trilogy is very good, because the end of the Cold War is not long, whether it is North America or Europe It is easy to resonate with audiences. This is the key, choose the confrontation between South Korea and North Korea as the background, and produce a similar project, first of all, it can resonate with Korean audiences, so as to ensure the greatest success rate.”

Chen Qing listened carefully, and occasionally wrote down a few notes in the memo in front of her. After Simon finished speaking, she asked: "Boss, what about the specific plot, can you give me an idea?"

"As I just said, it is similar to the pursuit trilogy, spy themes, hunting and anti-hunting, and then refer to some real events that happened in the history of the confrontation between South Korea and North Korea, such as North Korean special forces attacking the Blue House. In view of South Korea and the United States The difference between Su is that one hero and heroine can be set as an agent of the South Korean security department, and the other is a female spy of North Korea. The drama tension is immediately created, and some tortures of human nature are added, and there are more important explosions, gun battles, Car chases, all kinds of things, and finally integrated with the Hollywood template, a blockbuster that can resonate with Koreans and doesn’t lack big scenes is released.”

Simon has watched "The Spy", and to put it bluntly, just like Jiang Digui's later "Tai Chi Flag Flying" which refers to "Saving Private Ryan", it is a standard Hollywood template, so I don't bother to go into details.

However, just this simple sketch, Chen Qing has grasped the key point.

The male and female protagonists who fall in love and kill each other, Hollywood-style big scenes, and the resonant background of the confrontation between South Korea and North Korea... If such a project is made, as long as it is not too bad, it will be easy to attract phenomenal attention in South Korea.After all, it has been too many years since South Korea has had an influential big-budget movie.

After Simon finished speaking, Chen Qing once again showed a sincere expression of admiration: "Boss, you are really amazing."

"Well, I'm numb to the compliments you Earthlings have."

Chen Qing laughed: "Boss, I will find someone to write scripts according to your idea as soon as possible. By the way, do you have any projects selected by the boss for those scripts?"

Simon nodded, skillfully selected from the computer, and sent an email to Chen Qing.

Chen Qing over there opened the email, browsed through it, and opened her mouth slightly in surprise: "Boss, there are so many of them?"

"Counting the blockbuster we just discussed, it will be produced according to the budget of 1000 million US dollars. In addition, you will add two more, and you will make ten."

Chen Qing nodded, and in a blink of an eye she felt pitiful again: "Boss, you are not so generous in China."

Simon said: "China is just playing tickets, and South Korea is doing business to make money."

This is the truth.

Of course, there are still some things left unsaid.

I actually talked about it just now, as the environment changes, South Korea's local film industry will soon recover and explode. Therefore, this is the last chance for the Westeros system to occupy the magpie's nest.Moreover, compared with China, where Simon wants to restrain himself as much as possible, South Korea doesn't need to have too many scruples at all.

Can be left hand dry.

Again, for South Korea, Simon's role is that of a conqueror.

Simon didn't say much, but Chen Qing on the other side showed a clear expression, and also didn't say any more.

Looking at Simon's email again, Chen Qing quickly said, "Boss, you really dote on Taixi. Of the seven projects, she alone occupies four, "Kidnapping the Door Dog", "Pig Falling into the Well" "The Day of My Life", "The Rose and the Red Lotus", and "The Strange Story of a High School Girl". The latter two are horror films, and I think they are good. The first two...boss, I actually think they are average. Will there be too good a result?"

Simon didn't explain much about it.

In fact, he himself was a little surprised, why there were these four scripts in his memory in the project sent by Cheng Taexi.

The first two projects are worth investing in based on the later achievements of the main creators. As for the box office, it doesn’t matter, after all, the budget is only about 50 US dollars.The latter two are famous, "Rose Flower and Red Lotus", adapted from the Korean classic strange talk book "Rose Flower and Red Lotus", was once one of the most popular horror films in Korea.

As for "Girls' Tale", it is a long-term series that has lasted for 20 years, and this alone shows the potential of the project.

Simon didn't pay attention to the specific situation, but it's not surprising that Cheng Tae-hee was able to select these projects.

With the great name of Daenerys Entertainment on his back, the scripts or filmmakers who can be recommended to Cheng Tae-hee, either have connections or potential, are not too bad at all.

Moreover, Cheng Tae-hee could receive far more script submissions than other grassroots teams. When they were screened out and sent to Simon, Simon found out from his memory and easily selected four scripts that he had an impression of.

Let's talk about the other three of the seven scripts, one comedy, one costume, and one NC-17, this time it is no longer a movie in memory.

Overall, the types are pretty even.

After all, even at the current stage, South Korea’s movies are already very open. The censorship system will be lifted next year. As long as the themes are not too shocking, they can basically enter the theaters, and there will be no burning of large sums of investment. status.

Therefore, it is necessary to try various things and develop in a balanced manner.

Thinking of this, Simon continued to say to Chen Qing: "In addition, in the general direction, the Korean film company we support can imitate the layout of the three labels under Daenerys Entertainment, Daenerys, New World and Gaomen, one To produce mainstream blockbusters, one focuses on mid-to-low-cost genre films, and the other focuses on winning awards. Of course, it’s still about cultivating Gu, those companies let them develop on their own, and whoever does well will give more support.”

Chen Qing wrote it down again, and seeing that things were about the same, she said, "Boss, when will you come to Seoul to play? It's very lively here recently, there are also trainee selections, many beautiful girls, and these movies, do you want to come to Seoul?" Choose the actress yourself?"

Simon clicked his chin again. Miu Miao, who obviously understood these things and looked up again, provoked the little girl to meow, and said with a smile, "It depends."

Then we chatted about some trivial matters, hung up the line, and Simon directly operated the computer to download and install the "Counter-Strike OL" that was just launched today from the Daenerys game store, and said to the girl in his arms: "Are you sleepy, why don't we play?" game?"

"Okay, Dad," the girl suddenly became interested, and complained: "Mom usually doesn't let me play games."

"How can this work, I will teach her a lesson later."