independent filmmaker

On the second day of the visit, Xin Ye followed Xie Lansheng to the film set for a real visit.He chatted with the main creative staff of several production groups, filmed with Xie Lansheng for a day, and ate lunch with him, and then took the 8:00 flight to Shanghai that night.

After a night's sleep, the president of Xinda, who had a better understanding of the film's various conditions, wore a light black suit and a silver gray tie, and drove all the way to a certain building - the location of the most famous Dolby Laboratories China office.

He has an appointment with Ye Shi, Vice President of Dolby Laboratories Asia Pacific and Marketing Director of Dolby Laboratories Greater China.Through the art theater under construction, they got to know each other.

Three people chatting in a small office.

Xin Ye found that the decoration of this company is very interesting.The tables in a large row of square conference rooms are all wooden tables, but the table tops are irregular in shape, like fantasy movie props, and the chairs are also wooden chairs, like tree stumps one by one. On the wall, there are several forest paintings. The painting is hanging.

Ye Shi pressed the extension number and asked an assistant to bring in water. Then, after exchanging pleasantries, he asked Xinye: "Mr. Xin said 'three-party cooperation' on the phone last week. How did you cooperate?"

"Well," Xin Ye crossed his fingers and leaned forward, "I know, Dolby has just launched a set of 25 audio equipment, Dolby Digital Plus."

Ye Shi nodded: "Yes."

After 6 years of silence, new products will be launched. This is Dolby's big effort, and it is very expensive. However, the technology of Dolby Laboratories has dominated the world for decades. This fact makes theaters very curious about this speaker.Dolby technology has long filled high-end theaters and home theaters. Every DVD player in China is using its patents, and the "Dolby" trademark can be seen everywhere.Not only movies, TV, games, but also mobile phones and computers often rely on its solutions.

"A set of sound equipment costs 25 yuan, and 6 theaters cost 150 million yuan—the number of the most mainstream movie theaters is 6. 150 million yuan is difficult for most theaters to replace audio equipment. You know, 150 million yuan is about [-] million yuan for cinemas. Half of the annual profit." As Xin Ye said, he pushed a cooperation plan to the two, saying, "Next year, Deep Blue will release two films, one is called "Love at First Sight" and the other is called "Bloody Heart". , costume blockbuster, the former may be released on May [-]st, and the latter may be released in July, the so-called domestic film protection month."

Ye Shi: "...Huh?"

Xinye continued: "Deep Blue Pictures' plan is to ensure the quality of the two films of Deep Blue Pictures, during the screening period of the film - five, six, seven, three months, or even five, six, seven, eighty-four months, for several For an old theater chain, such as Huaying South, we choose some good theaters, for example, those that are closer to the university and have more seats in the theater, and then install this set of speakers, let each theater try it out for three months, and the movie will be released. Then disassemble, recycle, and replace the old equipment. In this way, these old theaters that try out the new audio can have a comparison and a reference. They can compare the effect, compare the box office, compare others, and see that the new audio has been installed Whether the movie theaters are upgraded, whether they are profitable, and how long it takes to recover the cost. They can not only make horizontal comparisons within their own theater chains, but also make some vertical comparisons with other theater chains.”

At this time, there were 36 cinema chains in China, each of which had subordinate cinemas, ranging from a few to hundreds. The "Regulations on the Administration of Films" stipulates that movie theaters must join theater chains, and the theater chains will manage and arrange films in a unified manner.

Ye Shi looked down at the plan, frowned, and remained silent.

Xin Ye continued: "My preliminary plan is to cooperate with 5 theater lines and 30 theaters in total. Then, when Deep Blue Films' "Blood Blood and Heart" is released in July, I believe some of them will want to buy out this equipment, while others Some of the audio equipment that was returned...Deep Blue and Dolby jointly pay the depreciation fee, or the cost, how about half of the cost?"

"Hmm..." Ye Shi tapped his fingers on the wooden table quickly, and said, "In this case, the cost of the speakers for each theater trial is about 50..."

Xin Ye immediately interrupted him: "Deep Blue Pictures offered 25 yuan."

Ye Shi: "..."

Assuming that no one wants to keep the equipment and return all the equipment, then, 30×50, the total marketing expenses this time will be 1500 million yuan, Deep Blue Pictures will pay 750 million yuan, and Dolby itself will also spend 750 million yuan.However, Ye Shi thought, this result would not happen according to the super high quality of the audio system.

"Mr. Ye," Xin Ye continued to persuade, "I talked about it. At present, several established theaters are very interested in the 'trial'. Four months of Dolby high-end audio equipment.”

Ye Shi smiled.

"It's very cost-effective for Dolby." Xin Ye said again, "First of all, the audio equipment of old theaters is very old. When Dolby's speakers are installed, they will definitely be able to hear the difference. Now, new theaters of real estate developers are springing up. There are endless, old theaters are being impacted, and all of them have a sense of crisis. Improving the environment and focusing on the effect is the way to go. Secondly, according to experience... After a person has used a good thing, let this person switch back to a bad one , very difficult. The theaters that have tried the new audio system may not be able to accept it and will want to buy out the equipment. Again, if the theaters under its trial think the equipment is useful, it is very likely that the theater chain will introduce and recommend the equipment to all theaters. This is not a matter of one set or two sets, but a matter of tens or hundreds. In the end, the depreciated audio equipment can still be sold at a reduced price."

Ye Shi: "Yes."

It sounds like it is indeed a good deal to try this set of high-end speakers for different theaters and different theaters.Most importantly, Deep Blue is willing to pay half of this marketing cost.

By the end of the event in July and August, if half of the trial theaters decide to keep the audio equipment, Dolby's account is to pay half of the cost of the returned equipment, 375 million, and receive the full price of the purchased equipment, 2250 million.After removing the cost, the net profit was 1125 million.

Ye Shi quickly calculated in his mind: If a theater does not buy it, it will lose 25 yuan; if it buys it, it will earn 100 million yuan.If this plan is followed, at the end of the event, as long as 30 of the 6 trial theaters are willing to buy, Dolby will make money. Not to mention, the theater chain can also recommend the audio to all its theaters.

"In addition," Xin Ye finally said, "Dolby Digital Plus technology will be used in the production of "Blood Blood and Danxin", under the banner of 'the first film to use Dolby Digital Plus in production', to help publicize and recommend more Domestic movies also use DolbyDigitalPlus six-channel sound. In addition, next summer, several American blockbuster movies using this technology will also be released, which is an opportunity.”

"I understand. But," Ye Shi asked again with doubts, "What can Deep Blue gain? Just improve the quality of the film?" He didn't believe it.

"Not all." Xinye smiled, "You shouldn't have to worry about the attendance rate of "Blood Blood and Danxin". However, I will ask the 'trial theaters' to increase the screening rate of the other film."

"What is the screening rate of "Love at First Sight"?"

Xin Ye nodded: "Yes, if you want to try this latest audio equipment for free, this theater must guarantee the first weekend of "Love at First Sight" to schedule. I hope it will be above 33.3%."

"33.3%?" Ye Shi laughed, "Is this too greedy?"

"Don't be greedy." Xin Ye raised his eyebrows, "Old theater chains must hope to join theaters to replace equipment and increase competitiveness, so they will definitely try their best to promote the 'free trial' of this audio system, and then suggest that their theaters pay for upgrades at their own expense. And As for the theater chain, there is nothing to lose. The theater chain can only share 2% of the box office revenue of the franchised theaters. Even if Li Xian's piece can get 5000 million box office in the first weekend, the "Huaying South" theater chain can account for it. 5% of that, 250 million, and the theater chain itself can get 5, what’s the difference, and this is still the case that “Love at First Sight” has no box office.”

Movie box office, franchised theaters get the most money, theater chains themselves only have 2%, but the power of theater chains is very large, unified management, unified operation, and unified film scheduling for many franchised theaters.

The movie theaters and movie theater lines of real estate developers are integrated, but other established movie theater lines are franchised.

Xinye reckons that if Li Xian is released on May [-]st, the official will escort him again to prevent American blockbusters from stealing the limelight in the same file.

"I see." Ye Shi knocked on the table again, joking, "Mr. Xin is really thinking about the movie "Love at First Sight"."

He thought that Xinye would say "I treat the films of Deep Blue Films equally", but unexpectedly, Xinye just smiled, did not speak, and acquiesced.

"Okay," Ye Shi put away the cooperation plan and held it in his hand, "I'll think about it with Mr. Wang."

Xin Ye nodded: "It's troublesome."

Then get up, shake hands, be sent out.

…………

It didn't take too long for Dolby to agree to cooperate.

After getting the contract, Xin Ye went to talk with the theater again.

The first thing he talked about was the old theater chain "China Film South", which is in Guangdong.It has 80 theaters under its umbrella, and it has great power in the local area, accounting for about 7.5% of the national box office.

Mr. Liu of Huaying Nanfang said: "Here, only 6 of the theaters can try it out. It's not fair! I'm worried that other theaters will be unhappy and dissatisfied, and won't join in next year! Let's do this, let's bring these equipments, However, to extend the trial period, we will make one batch in May and June, one batch in July and August, and one batch in September and October. Each company will be on trial for two months, and a total of 18 companies will be on the wheel! Or each family will be on trial for one and a half months, and 24 companies will be on the wheel. Home! Let all the theaters you want to try come and try it out! Experience it! Otherwise, those who didn’t try it will be unhappy. In this way, he lost tens of thousands of box office money for a weekend, but he can try 150 million It will be more cost-effective and more enjoyable if you use the sound system."

Mr. Liu said the same thing. The total box office revenue of "Huaying South" last year was 8000 million, and the annual revenue exceeded 500 million. Only six movie theaters such as XX Movie City, it is difficult to decide to replace the audio equipment immediately without a trial first.A cinema has a total of 30 shows a day, with 100 seats in each hall. It seems that it can be divided into about 2500 million a year, but in fact, an attendance rate of 25% is already considered good.

Xin Ye secretly cursed the old fox, and discussed with Mr. Ye from Dolby, Mr. Ye agreed. Therefore, Deep Blue Pictures signed a contract with "Huaying South". From the date of "Love at First Sight" was released, Dolby provided trial audio. However, "China Film South" must ensure the first week's filming rate of "Love at First Sight".

Another tripartite win-win situation.

Then, Xinye discussed cooperation with several other established departments with better location and stronger strength, and eager to compete with the "real estate department". Some of them are local theaters in Beijing, some are local theaters in Shanghai, and others.

In the end, most of them signed the contract, and also selected franchised theaters capable of changing the audio system for trial use.

Xin Ye is quite satisfied.

Quietly, through Dolby, Xin Ye made the five local theaters, which together accounted for 20% of the country's box office, all promise to give "Love at First Sight" over 33.3% of the film schedule in the first weekend.

Now, although the movie theaters of the upstart "real estate department" are gaining momentum, and the Qingchen family accounts for about 10% of the national box office, in fact, the bulk is still in the hands of the old movie theaters, because the number of traditional theaters is larger. Many, some of which are in excellent locations.

Moreover, these theaters actually refer to each other when arranging films.If it is found that other theaters have ranked "Love at First Sight" higher and Li Xian's "Grape and Wine Luminous Cup" lower, the real estate theaters will also be shaken.

It is illegal to promise more dividends to theaters and other methods. They are called rebates and cannot be recorded, but Xinye's approach is legal.

On the day the contract was signed, Deep Blue Pictures also released the first poster of "Love at First Sight".But there was nothing on the poster. It consisted of white characters on a black background. The words "Love at First Sight" were written in black and white characters on the left side of the poster, and "Director Xie Lansheng" was written in black characters on a white background on the right side of the poster. There was no picture at all.

But, on the contrary, because of this, all of a sudden, everyone was searching the Internet for "what is "Love at First Sight" about".

As can be imagined, there were no results.

…………

Xie Lansheng is very clear about all this.

But he gave full authority to Xin Ye, and he only made "Love at First Sight".

In the previous film, the male protagonist found that the female protagonist’s mother was crazy and abnormal. The female protagonist said that her father went to sea to do business and made some money by name. But then, the mother found out that her father was unfaithful. She was pregnant, and her father adopted her back home for atonement.

Now, the truth has been dug out.It turned out that the child adopted by his father back then was his own illegitimate child.Yiting and the cheating partner grow more and more like each other, and finally the truth is revealed.Her mother was stunned to find that the child she had loved with all her strength for 14 years was the crystallization of her husband and that woman, the two murderers who "killed" her own child in her womb, and it looked half like her father and half like her father. like a mother.

Under the frantic quarrel, the father fell down the stairs and died. The mother has been insane ever since, beating and scolding the daughter frequently, and has no love at all.

At the same time, the hero discovers that his girlfriend has a soft spot for a certain type of literary works, and their theme is "the fall of man".

…………

On this day, just three days after Shen Ye signed the contracts with the theaters, and also three days after Deep Blue Films released the first poster, when Xie Lansheng explained the script to Du Shitian and Sun Qianqian, Xiao Hong was very anxious again He ran over and shouted: "Thank you, thank you, director!!!"

"???" Xie Lansheng asked, "What's the matter?"

Instinctively, he started to have a headache.

"That, that, that, that!" Xiaohong stammered again, "Director Xie, the fire department has come to check!!! Said to conduct a 'fire safety production inspection of the studio!' But the manager of the studio said, this time, Their investigation was very, very slow! Very, very detailed! The manager also said that the people from the fire department said that as long as a problem is found, the crew must stop working until the hidden dangers are rectified!!!”

Xie Lansheng's heart trembled.

Half of the important interior scenes were filmed. If the studio is closed for rectification, the film "Love at First Sight" will not be finished until the end of the year?

He hurriedly took Xiaohong and others to the outside of the studio.

There, the manager was twitching after the fire department.

Xie Lansheng followed and asked, "Manager Zhang, this studio...isn't there really a fire problem?"

"Hahahaha, hahahaha..." The fat manager laughed and said, "Who can have nothing at all? Their requirements are very high! Few studios can meet it! Our side is not very standardized. In the past, please Inviting guests, giving gifts, and nothing else! Who would have known that they were going to die this time?!" There are still a lot of opportunities these days, and Manager Zhang never takes it seriously.

Xie Lansheng patted his forehead with his hands.

Going crazy.When he was an underground director, he didn't need any qualifications. On the contrary, he never encountered problems such as "not up to standard".

However, at the same time, Xie Lansheng was also a little sensitive: Xin Ye had just signed the contract and released the poster, "Love at First Sight" was gaining momentum, and the fire department in the city came here to check for safety.

If the studio is closed for rectification, work on "Love at First Sight" will be suspended. He will either wait to reopen it, or go out to find a new studio and reshoot the previous one.No matter what, "May [-]st release" is very difficult, you have to be a deserter.

This was not a problem at first, but now, he really wanted to "fight" with Li Xian.

Moreover, because he never thought of fighting with Li Xianwuyi before, he chose Changsha, Hunan as the filming location of "Love at First Sight".However, the situation has changed now, and he is on the opponent's home court.The chairman of The Paper, the producer of Li Xian's new film, is the son of the original director of the Xiaoxiang factory. You should be very familiar with the people in each department.

Could it be... The Paper...wanted to retire?Don't compete with Li Xian's new film?

Will not.Xie Lansheng shook his head, feeling that he was too sensitive.

The author has something to say: DolbyDigitalPlus was indeed launched in 2004.However, after searching for a long time, I couldn't find the price of the cinema version. The obsessive-compulsive bear was going crazy, so I had to estimate it casually. up.