Chapter 95 Launch Release

Chapter 95 Launch Release

Chapter 95 Launch Release

Two days later, the launch conference of "Dark Raid 2" was held.

Ning Hao's original idea was not to hold a press conference, but Dong Jianqiang disagreed.

Dong Jianqiang is now Ning Hao's immediate superior and the general manager of Xingchen Entertainment, and is fully responsible for all matters concerning Xingchen Entertainment.

That's right, he resigned from Guangxian.

After the farm stay that day, Zhang Chen privately revealed to him that he was about to go to the United States to discuss a film collaboration with New Line Studios, and it was almost a done deal.

Then Dong Jianqiang resolutely resigned.

Wang Changtian tried to keep him, but after hearing that he had come to Zhang Chen's place, it was hard to say.

He knew in his heart that Dong Jianqiang's departure must have something to do with Zhang Zhao, but he just went to Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen is now at the peak of his career and is in the honeymoon period with Guangguang. It would be difficult for him to turn against Wang Changtian just to poach him.

Besides, talent is not as important as having a relationship with a great director.

Zhang Chen respected Dong Jianqiang's decision as he was a veteran in the industry and knew more than him.

He said it was necessary to hold the launch conference, and that was necessary.

If you invite people here but don't listen to them, then what's the point of inviting them?
Dong Jianqiang insisted on holding a press conference not because of any face issue, but because this thing can really play a promotional role.

Movies are a commodity in themselves, and the purpose of making them is to get audiences to buy tickets and go to the cinema.

In order to make the audience buy tickets willingly, you have to let the audience know you, and this is publicity.

The role of publicity is crucial!
What’s more, “Darkness” is a big hit in North America, so why not use such a good gimmick?
The launch conference of "Darkness 2" was held at the China Film Huairou Film and Television Base.

For the launch conference, the base management office arranged the largest hall.

This was not Zhang Chen's request, nor was it a convenience provided by Han Sanping, but the base took the initiative to contract the layout of the press conference site, free of charge.

The Huairou Film and Television Base has just been built and only a few groups come here in a year. There is no other way because there are too many film and television bases now.

Hengdian, Xiangshan, Wuxi...

None of them is less famous than Huairou Film and Television Base, so why would people come to your place?

This is just like the competition for tourism resources among cultural and tourism bureaus across the country in later generations.

Why is Taiyuan working so hard on concerts? Isn’t it because it can’t compete in other areas?

In terms of ancient city style, nothing can compare to Xi'an.

When it comes to cultural tourism, we can’t beat Beijing.

When it comes to food, it’s all carbs.

There are many tourist attractions, and many of them are famous, but they are too scattered to form a whole.

So after comparing so much, we can only overtake others by finding a new way to host concerts.

Hold a concert
Fireworks are not allowed in other places, but we allow them.

Drones can’t be used in other places, but we can.

The city provides free bus pick-up and various souvenirs, and treats fans who come to its concerts like they are its idols, which has finally earned it a reputation as a concert capital.

This is the current situation at Huairou Film and Television Base.

In terms of reputation, infrastructure, and rental costs, we have no advantages in any aspect, so we should focus on service.

Zhang Chen said that he wanted to hold the launch conference here, so let’s do it. We will provide everything you need.

In the backstage lounge, Zhang Chen comforted everyone:

"Everyone, don't be nervous. We can just talk normally later."

In fact, it was his first time too. He had absolutely no experience and was just pretending to be calm.

He only notified the media of the launch conference this time and did not invite any friends in the circle.

He doesn't have many friends in the circle.

The launch conference is mainly for the media and theaters.

Propaganda~
The media wrote some articles, and then people knew that a movie called "The Dark Knight Rises" had started shooting and was expected to be released in theaters soon.

Wouldn’t this be a good way to promote the product?

At the same time, the theaters also know about this film, and theaters often arrange screenings based on the film's cast and publicity efforts.

The bigger the lineup, the better promoted the movie will be, the more screenings will be scheduled.

So publicity cannot be ignored.

The era of "good wine needs no bush" is long gone. Without publicity, even if "Avatar" comes out, you will have to kneel down and sing "Conquer".

Not long after, Han Sanping showed up with one of his assistants. He was now a deputy, but the main person was not in charge of anything at all, so he was fully responsible for all matters.

"Mr. Han, thank you for coming here in person!" Zhang Chen didn't expect Han Sanping to come in person. He didn't even invite him.

"Hello, Mr. Han, hello~"

Other crew members came forward to say hello.

"Nonsense, you're holding a press conference in my area, shouldn't I come to support you?"

Han Sanping acted very familiar with Zhang Chen, which surprised Ning Hao and others nearby. They then felt secretly delighted, thinking that they had followed the right person.

"Where will Dark Rising 2 be filmed?"

"Same as the previous film, in the studio of Qingying Studio."

"Our film and television base is also fine. We have a studio as well."

"Uh, okay."

Considering that Han Sanping asked for it personally, Zhang Chen agreed, but he could only feel sorry for his alma mater.

“The cost is still 200 million?”

"It's a bit more than this, including the publicity, probably about 400 million."

“When is it going to be released?”

“The initial plan is Valentine’s Day next year.”

While they were talking, Zhang Chen pulled Ning Hao over and said, "Let me introduce you to Ning Hao, the director of Darkness 2. Please take good care of him in the future."

Han Sanping nodded: "Well, that's good. Young people should try more and seize opportunities."

Ning Hao nodded in agreement. Han Sanping looked at the two of them and said, "Then I wish you a smooth filming. I hope to see another excellent work on Valentine's Day next year!"

"I hope I can live up to President Han's high expectations!"

After a few people chatted for a while, the director of the base market management office came over to announce that it was time to start, and everyone headed towards the press conference site!
The venue is nearly 1,000 square meters, which is relatively large in the base.

When everyone entered the venue, there were already rows of reporters sitting inside. Above their heads was a huge red banner that read "The Darkness 2 Launch Conference". More than a dozen camera crews were ready and waiting to go.

Seeing Han Sanping taking the lead, the reporters began to talk.

"Han Sanping came in person..."

"Zhang Chen is about to take off."

"I haven't heard that this movie has investment from China Film Group?"

The discussions did not last long. After everyone on the stage took their seats, Dong Jianqiang personally played the role of host. He clasped his hands together and the discussions gradually died down.

"Welcome all media friends to attend the launch conference of "Darkness 2"..." After saying some polite words, Dong Jianqiang announced the start of the question-and-answer session.

As usual, Zhang Xiaobei from the Beijing News was the first to be mentioned.

"Director Zhang Chen, what do you want to say about the huge success of Darkness in North America?"

Zhang Chen has not accepted any interviews since the news broke, so Zhang Xiaobei asked this directly as the first question.

Zhang Chen looked around, then said to the camera below: "I'm very glad. This shows that the taste of "Dark Invasion" not only meets the viewing habits of domestic audiences, but also meets the viewing habits of North Americans, so there is a sequel today."

Soon the second reporter was called.

"I heard that you will no longer be directing Dark Invasion 2 yourself. Will this affect the quality of the film?"

Zhang Chen smiled and said, "Since you asked this question, I would like to announce that this is Director Ning Hao, the director of Darkness 2.

Before this, Director Ning had already had works and won the Best Director Award at the Beijing University Student Film Festival. He is an excellent director.

He was also the cinematographer of the previous film and is very familiar with the style of the entire film. He also participated in the screenwriting of the sequel. It can be said that he is one of the people who knows the sequel best. I believe that he will be the director of "Dark Invasion 2" and will definitely bring everyone a masterpiece. "

After Zhang Chen finished speaking, the flash lights below kept flashing.

Zhang Chen also took the opportunity to push Ning Hao out.

Ning Hao, what you need most now is fame.

This kind of fame is not the same as those so-called traffic stars later on, which can only last for a while and will be forgotten by the crowd after the popularity wears off.

What Zhang Chen is talking about is the real kind, the kind that is built up through one work after another.

Lao Mouzi is the best example.

"Hero", "House of Flying Daggers" and "Curse of the Golden Flower" were all hits one after another, making him the number one in domestic commercial films.

Later, even though he made bad movies like "Three Shots" and "The Flowers of War", the box office was still a big hit because the audience had a high tolerance for him and believed that he would continue to make good works.

For ordinary people, it is easy to remember an actor because the actor will appear in movies and TV dramas all the time.

But it's difficult to remember a director.

The director is a behind-the-scenes person, and not many ordinary people pay attention to the director when watching a movie.

But once they remember it, the audience will be more tolerant of the director because they recognize his work from the bottom of their hearts.

As long as the other party is not shameless and is not trying to make bad money, the audience will still support it even if one or two films fail.

Zhang Chen is taking this path now, and he hopes Ning Hao will do the same, and all contracted directors of Xingchen Entertainment must follow this path in the future.

"Director Zhang Chen, what is your position in this film? Producer?"

Zhang Chen waved his hand: "No, there is no such position as producer in our Xingchen Entertainment. The position of producer originated from the era of Hong Kong TV dramas.

In film and television productions at that time, the producer had the highest position and was the core of the entire creative team and could dominate everything.

He chooses the director, has the final say on the script, decides the actors, and even the editing. He is actually a combination of director and producer.

We at Xingchen Entertainment won’t do that. For Dark Raid 2, I am at most the chief producer. Director Ning Hao has the final say on all specific matters. This is his movie.”

In fact, it is very easy to judge whether a movie has a producer. Just look at whose work the drama is finally attributed.

Take Zhang Da Huzi for example. He is not the director of any of his Jin Yong dramas, but he can decide everything about the drama, including changing the director. Therefore, these dramas are basically regarded as the works of Zhang Da Huzi, and the director is just a tool.

The same is true in Hong Kong.

The director of "Swordsman" is Cheng Xiaodong, and the director of "New Dragon Inn" is Li Huimin, but both films are considered to be works of Tsui Hark.

After asking a series of questions, someone finally pointed the finger at Han Sanping.

"Director Han, does The Darkness 2 have investment from China Film Group?"

Han Sanping shook his head: "The Dark Invasion 2" has no investment from China Film Group, and the distribution has not yet been discussed. In fact, this film has nothing to do with China Film Group at present."

"So today you are..."

"I came here specifically to support Director Zhang Chen. The Dark Invasion has achieved good results and has also been successfully exported overseas, with good overseas box office.

Director Zhang Chen has explored a new path for Chinese films to go overseas. We no longer have to squeeze into the single track of costume martial arts films.

Although the director of Darkness 2 has changed, it is still a similar story after all, and I believe it will still be an excellent movie."

Han Sanping's speech aroused applause.

As soon as he finished speaking, a reporter from the audience spoke up.

"Director Han, do you mean that you no longer like ancient costume martial arts films?"

Han Sanping raised the microphone to his lips, smiled and said, "No, I'm still optimistic, but our movies are too monotonous, there should be more flowers blooming.

Zhang Chen has opened up a new possibility for us: horror films can also be exported overseas. He even told me that his new movie "The Shallows," a monster movie, can also be exported overseas.

In recent years, the film industries of our neighbors South Korea and Japan have been developing rapidly. I think China should also make efforts, and what Zhang Chen has done is a beneficial attempt. "

There isn't actually a lot to say about the launch conference. It's mainly about introducing the cast to give the public an initial impression.

At the end of the film, Zhang Chen also said: "Today, I would like to take the opportunity of the press conference for "The Darkness 2" to talk about another film of our company, "The Shallows."

The reporters who were about to pack up their equipment and leave stopped what they were doing when they heard this, and aimed their guns at Zhang Chen again.

"Because the special effects were completed ahead of time, and also to avoid The Darkness 2, The Shallows has decided to move up its release date to November 11th, which is still more than a month away. I hope you can help promote it..."

Zhang Chen clasped his hands together and made a praying gesture, which made the reporters laugh.

But the reporters would not let him go. Someone immediately asked, "Director Zhang, why did you choose November, a rare time slot for The Shallows? Wouldn't it be better to release it during the Lunar New Year holiday?"

Zhang Chen knew that this question would be asked, so he deliberately waved his hand: "The Lunar New Year period is too fierce. At the beginning of the month, there is Director Feng's A World Without Thieves, and at the end of the month, there is Director Zhou's Kung Fu. The Shallows can't compete with two famous directors. Let's just schedule it in November. Maybe there will be a miracle."

"Besides, don't you think November is boring? If there's a good movie released, at least this schedule won't look like a stepmother's."

Zhang Chen's joke caused laughter again.

Not long after the press conference ended, Huayi received the news.

Wang Zhonglei rushed into Wang Zhongjun's office. Wang Zhongjun looked at him with disgust and said, "How many times have I told you to be more steady? You are already a CEO, but you are still so impetuous."

Wang Zhonglei didn't care about being scolded by his brother: "Brother, Zhang Chen's new movie has been moved up to September."

"Will it affect our "A World Without Thieves"? "

"The impact should not be significant, we are still three weeks away."

"Well, we have to keep a close eye on that. Zhang Weiping almost had a setback when he was shooting House of Flying Daggers. Why do you think he suddenly targeted The Darkness? It's because the situation has become a trend. If we let it go on like this, it will affect the premiere of House of Flying Daggers."

"Okay, I'll keep an eye on it."

……

After the press conference, Zhang Chen suddenly received a call from Fan Binbin.

"I'm back in Beijing~"

"Has the filming of "Little Fish and Flowerless" wrapped?"

"Yes, do you want to make an appointment?"

Zhang Chen's heart skipped a beat. Miss Fan's words were full of temptation. After calculating, he realized that he had not played basketball for a long time.

But in the end, reason overcame impulse: "No, my flight is in the early morning~"

"Plane? Where are you going?"

"USA."

(End of this chapter)