Chapter 8 Hopes for the Chinese Film Industry

"Huh~~ Young people are indeed more thoughtful than us old guys!"

At this time, Lu Guotao also came back to his senses from the shocking scene described by his nephew. Looking at the energetic Wang Hao, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

“Build a whole new universe, and then make some parts of that universe into a movie.

This all-round linkage allows different characters to share the same social background and also allows the audience to better integrate into the new movie.

And the key is that it can avoid the drawbacks of series movies.

Conventional series of movies, due to the need for complete expression in a single movie, often lead to the overall bloat of the series.

This bloat makes it very difficult to create a series of films, and the difficulty becomes greater as time goes by.

But the concept of 'movie universe' that you mentioned solves this problem perfectly.

They are independent films and then interconnected, which not only ensures the independence of each film, but also expands the depth and breadth of the creative content.

The original simple linear development has been transformed into a multi-dimensional expansion, providing more possibilities for the film series, while also being able to continue to accumulate audiences and gain greater profits.

Good idea, what a good idea! "

When talking about the excitement, Lu Guotao almost slammed the table and stood up.

“Speaking of which, our TV movie channel can actually create this kind of ‘movie universe’ ourselves.

According to the concept you gave, it would be more convenient to use a historical novel with a grand background rather than constructing a new universe.

Works like "Investiture of the Gods", "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Water Margin", especially "Water Margin", don't they perfectly fit the concept of "cinematic universe"?

There are many characters, all of whom intersect with each other but each has its own independent story, which can form its own chapter.

It is entirely possible to first make a biographical film about the heroes of the Water Margin, and then bring these people together..."

Wang Hao looked at his uncle who was getting more and more excited as he spoke. He didn't expect that he had only brought up a topic, but he could actually expand on it so much. He was indeed an elite who could sit in this position.

The "Water Margin Movie Universe" he just mentioned, isn’t it the "Water Margin Heroes" series of TV movies that will be launched on the movie channel next year?

I didn't expect that just because of his own concept, my uncle actually had the inspiration for this series of movies in advance, and based on the original basis, he sublimated the "Water Margin Heroes Series" to the "Height of the Water Margin Heroes Universe."

Looking at his excited uncle, Wang Hao was silent for a moment, and finally chose not to say that the "Movie Universe" will also have the problems of aesthetic fatigue and too bloated content in the later stage.

At least for the current situation, this is not something they need to consider.

As long as they get off to a good start in the early stages, the IP dividends from this "movie universe" alone will be enough for them to enjoy for the next twenty years.

Not to mention that once the concept of "science fiction movie universe" develops smoothly, it will provide great help to the development of China's film industrialization process and the popularization of science fiction movies.

You know, the only truly landmark science fiction film in China in the past was "The Wandering Earth 1" and "The Wandering Earth 2", which were released more than ten years later.

But these two films can only be regarded as two special cases in the Chinese film and television industry.

The high investment and unregulated film industry system contain huge risks, making science fiction films unpopular among investors.

Things are different now. If Wang Hao’s “movie universe” plan can proceed smoothly, the “science fiction” film genre may become a cultural gold mine that can be mined stably.

As long as it is profitable, the development of the "science fiction movie universe" will surely be on the right track.

"'Science Fiction Movie Universe', this is a good concept. If you want to apply for more movie purchase prices, the key lies in this 'Science Fiction Movie Universe'."

Lu Guotao, whose mood gradually calmed down, looked at his nephew with great satisfaction.

He originally thought that Wang Hao came here just to ask for money, but he didn't expect that this guy would bring him such a big surprise. Wang Hao was also very curious about what his uncle said, "Can this series of movies make more money?"

"Of course!"

Lu Guotao, who was thirsty, took a big sip of cold tea and said:
"Generally speaking, the investment in a TV movie is mostly around one to two million. In special cases, it can be four or five million, which is the highest. And most of it is still affected by political tasks."

As he said this, he glanced at Wang Hao, seemed to guess what he was thinking, and added a sentence.

"That's because we're acquaintances, so I have to lower the price a bit.

In contrast, the film series is different.

The cost of one movie may not be high, but what if I set up a project to shoot 10 movies at once? "

When Wang Hao heard what his uncle said, his eyes widened.

Can this still be done?

You know, if according to what he said, if a movie is calculated based on the maximum cost, then a series of movies can only apply for 2000 million to shoot.

This amount is already higher than the investment amount of many cinema movies.

You have to know that last year, in 2004, the total box office revenue of China was only billion yuan.

And how many movies were made in China in 2004?

Only 212 films!
On average, the revenue of each movie is only over 7 million.

In comparison, the money paid by the movie channel is not small.

“In fact, many projects in our department are also operated in this way.

Why make a TV movie series?

Because it means that you can use a one-time large investment to get famous actors and famous teams, and occasionally even invite some second-rate or out-of-date stars to join.

In addition, concentrated shooting can also save a lot of resources.

Some props and scenes can be reused.

So if you want to apply for more funding, this might be a good way to go.”

Lu Guotao's words made Wang Hao silent for a moment, but in the end he shook his head.

“It’s different, the sci-fi movie universe is not a series of movies.

In fact, I have already roughly conceived the other two films in the first phase of the science fiction movie universe.

These three films have the same core, but they are presented in different ways, with different protagonists and different shooting locations. I am afraid that they cannot be filmed together as you said."

"Then there's no way."

Lu Guotao said helplessly:

“Although I am at least a deputy director, I don’t have the final say in the TV and Film Department.

Besides, I might have to move up in the near future, so I have to be more careful about what I say and do.”

(End of this chapter)

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