Chapter 273 Heartbeat
Yang Xue continued, "First, we will produce TV series. Our company has a task of 400 episodes next year, 10 to 15 TV series, and we will strive to reach 300 episodes of TV series that will be broadcast on satellite channels."

“The reason why the TV series are priced so high is because the production cost of each episode is tentatively set at 40 RMB.

Even for excellent TV series, the production cost of each episode can reach 500,000 or 600,000 yuan. With such a high investment, being broadcast on satellite TV is a must.”

"In addition, everyone can rest assured that the company has received strong support from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. As long as the quality is good, there will be no problem in getting it on CCTV."

"Also, the company has already contacted many satellite TV stations including Yanjing TV, Nanhu TV, Dongshan TV, Jiangsu and Zhejiang TV, as well as Hong Kong's TVB and Asia Television, and established sales channels."

"In addition, the company implements a reward and punishment system for the production team."

"The company will not hesitate to reward the team that produces excellent dramas, and can even create a gold medal production team with priority based on the team."

The reason why Yang Xue announced such a huge production budget is actually just a means of publicity.

How many episodes the company actually wants to produce is still in her hands. Without good scripts, she won't shoot so many.

Hearing what Yang Xue said, Zhang Guoli couldn't help but feel very excited.

He is good at making TV series. With so much production cost, he can go all out next year and try to produce two high-quality TV series that can be broadcast on satellite channels.

"In terms of the content of the series, the first is the main theme series."

"The Sky of History that I filmed with senior Zhang Fengyi last year had very good ratings. In addition, the ratings of several other mainstream dramas are also good, so we can continue to produce dramas of this type."

"The main theme also includes spy dramas. There are not many dramas of this type now. I have talked with senior Jiang Wei from Beijing Film Academy..."

At this point, she raised her hand and pointed at Jiang Wei who was sitting below, and said with a smile:
"Senior Jiang Wei is currently adapting a novel called 'The Lurker'. I think it's good. It's also a mainstream drama. If we can make it, we will have a first-mover advantage in this market."

She continued, "In recent years, many film and television professionals from Hong Kong have moved north, producing some anti-Japanese dramas such as tearing apart the devils with bare hands..."

"hehe!"

Someone in the audience couldn't help but laugh.

The dozen or so Hong Kong producers and directors belonging to the Mid-Autumn Film and Television Company were also somewhat embarrassed, as this was what their Hong Kong counterparts did.

"When our company produces such dramas, we must pay attention to quality. We don't just spend money to make some great dramas. Producers must pay close attention and make sure they are consistent with history."

"In fact, we have too many heroic deeds to explore during the Anti-Japanese War, so screenwriters must not write them randomly and directors must not film them randomly."

“Art can be processed, but it cannot stray too far from history, otherwise it will be ridiculed.”

"The second is historical dramas, which are the top priority of our company. We must produce excellent historical dramas."

"The third type is idol dramas, which also include period dramas. This is the current popular trend and we cannot give up on it."

"The fourth is martial arts films, which we think still have great potential."

"The fifth is game adaptations. Although Tangren's Xianxia has not been aired yet, they can try it, and so can we."

"The sixth is a business war drama. We have invested in Qiao Family Courtyard, directed by Hu Mei, and are the first investor and co-producer of Qiao Family Courtyard."

"Okay, that's enough about the TV series. Now let me talk about the production plan for the movie."

Feng Xiaogang was cheered up. He now had two scripts in his hands, Aftershock and Assembly, both of which he really wanted to shoot.

However, the investment is huge, with a total investment of hundreds of millions. I wanted to shoot it when I was at Huayi, but Huayi had no money to invest.

Previously, Mr. Wang from Huayi gave him a script called Night Banquet and asked him to shoot it, but he actually didn’t really want to do it.

"The first and most important film project is Journey to the West, directed by Zhang Yimou. The company has officially approved the project with an investment of up to $100 million."

When Yang Xue said this, the people below were already getting agitated.

"One hundred million dollars?"

When Feng Xiaogang and several big movie directors heard this, their hearts started beating faster.

Even Stephen Chow couldn't help but be excited about the collaboration with Zhongqiu Film and Television.

Only Zhang Yimou felt tremendous pressure.

Of course, he also knew that the $100 million was just a slight exaggeration, and the specific scale of investment had not actually been determined.

This is also a routine practice in the film industry to exaggerate the scale of investment during publicity in order to expand the influence of the film project.

Yang Xue smiled, and after the meeting room quieted down, she continued:
"This movie was decided by Director He and Director Zhang. The company will invest at least 20 million US dollars, and up to 40 to 50 million US dollars."

"The investment amount for this film is not included in the film plan I just mentioned. It is calculated separately."

"For this film, the company will cooperate with China Film Group, National Film Group, and American Mid-Autumn Film and Television, and will also introduce some funds from Hollywood."

“The film will be produced independently by the company and distributed worldwide.”

"This is also the company's first independently produced film. All departments of the company must fully cooperate and provide all human, material and financial support."

Yang Xue said this and reminded: "I hope that all the producers and directors in the company will be very careful and cautious when submitting projects.

Because the company also has principles. After the first film project failed, the production cost of the second film was halved. If it fails again, there will be no chance. The company does not have that much money for you to lose."

Next, she added: “In addition to our company’s projects, Zhongqiu Film and Television also hopes to work closely with colleagues in the film and television industry.

Today, I invite all the CEOs, directors and producers to come here in the hope of taking this opportunity to explore the possibility of cooperation and establish a communication channel and cooperation mechanism. "

These words were immediately welcomed by the CEOs of other companies, directors and producers who were invited, and applause soon broke out.

If Zhongqiu Film and Television refuses to cooperate with other companies, such a large investment will definitely greatly seize the market share of other film and television companies. This is also the concern of those film and television companies mentioned above.

But these words, to a certain extent, dispelled their concerns about Mid-Autumn Festival film and television.

Then she added: "In addition, our company will reach a theater cooperation plan with China Film Group, planning to invest 500 million RMB to acquire shares in three theater chains controlled by China Film Group and four theater chains in which China Film Group has a stake."

This statement once again stimulated many people.

There is no doubt that investing huge sums of money in theaters will greatly enhance Zhongqiu Film and Television Company's film distribution capabilities in the country.

At the same time, it also cooperated with China Film Group to invest in cinema chains. What kind of company is China Film Group? It is a national company.

Therefore, the film directors present were even more eager to cooperate with Zhongqiu Film and Television Company.

After discussing these things, an on-site interview was arranged.

The microphone was first handed to the CCTV reporter, who asked, "Boss Yang, the company's film investment is so huge. With the current domestic film box office performance, are you confident that you can recover the cost?" Yang Xue smiled and said, "Last year, the domestic box office was 10 billion, of which domestic film box office was 4.5 million. This year, the current data is 21 billion, of which domestic film box office was 12 billion and overseas box office was 9 million, which is a big increase compared to 03.

In particular, the overseas box office has a high growth potential, which gives us confidence. Our company hopes to expand overseas markets, so we decided to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to create high-quality movies.

We will try our best to expand overseas markets and strive to release more Chinese-language films overseas. China Mid-Autumn Film and Television and American Mid-Autumn Film and Television will work hard for this.

After research, we believe that the domestic film market will continue to expand, which is why our company decided to invest heavily in film production and theaters.

At the same time, fellow CEOs, if your company wants to sell the films produced overseas, our company can cooperate with you.”

The next reporter was from Yanjing TV, and asked, "Boss Yang, has the $100 million investment in a Journey to the West-style movie been approved?"

Yang Xue nodded. "Yes, the script has been completed, and we will discuss the relevant investment issues with China Film Group Corporation."

"So has the cast been confirmed?" the reporter asked.

Yang Xue shook her head and said, "Not yet. Only after the investment is confirmed can we start to form a production team and then start auditions."

At this point, she added: "There are many female roles in this film. We will hold auditions across the country. All film and television actors and theater dancers are welcome to apply. We will announce the specific date at a later date."

After the formal meeting, Zhongqiu Film and Television Company held a lunch party at the hotel next door.

Yang Xue was so busy that she was dizzy. She was either discussing projects with the boss of this film and television company, or discussing cooperation with that director or producer, and she also had to find time to be interviewed by reporters.

The content of the meeting quickly spread throughout the domestic entertainment industry.

An investment of 500 to 800 million RMB and a US$100 million production, adds up to an investment of more than 1 billion. These news shocked countless people in the industry.

With so much money invested, even if 70% of the movies and TV series are bad, there will still be 30% good movies and TV series left, which can make a large number of stars popular, or even a few first-line stars.

Therefore, this news stimulated all the brokerage companies and second- and third-tier stars in the entertainment industry.

And those big-name first-line stars, especially female stars, have all set their sights on the big production of Journey to the West, which has an investment of over 100 million US dollars.

At the same time, Emperor Entertainment Group, Huayi Entertainment, and Tangren Entertainment were all a little confused by the news about Mid-Autumn Film and Television.

Hua Yi and the big and small Wang felt like a Five Finger Mountain was pressing down on their heads.

Fortunately, A World Without Thieves performed well after its release. It was released on the 9th and has now grossed over million yuan, giving it a chance to win this year’s box office championship.

It just so happens that it coincides with Stephen Chow's Kung Fu, which will be released on 23rd and has a very strong momentum, and it is likely to surpass A World Without Thieves at the box office.

But A World Without Thieves was very successful. As long as the funds were recovered, Huayi would have enough money to invest in Baby Project and The Forbidden Kingdom with Emperor Entertainment Group.

At this time, Huayi's several potential top actresses, Zhou Xun, Li Bing, and Fan Bing, all had their own thoughts after learning that Zhongqiu Film and Television would invest hundreds of millions of dollars in a big production.

Li Bing and Fan Bing were both promoted by Huayi and were within the sphere of Wang's enlistment. Although they envied the big productions of Zhongqiu Film and Television, they did not give up on Huayi.

Li Bing even got the promise from President Da Wang that he would try to give her the female lead in the big production of Chenglong and Li Lianjie, and promote her to be the number one actress in Huayi.

Fan Bing has always had the most resources in Huayi among the three people. She also knows one thing very well: what she holds in her hands is hers, so she can stay the most stable.

In fact, they also knew that Zhongqiu Film and Television had banned Huayi, and their contracts were still with Huayi, so they had no way to leave now.

Only Zhou Xun really wanted to leave this time.

Hong Kong, Emperor Group.

"Along, when do you think the movie you and Li Lianjie are going to shoot?"

He is under a lot of pressure right now. Today is an internal work meeting of Zhongqiu Film and Television, and the scene is really grand.

In particular, a large number of big directors from Hong Kong attended the meeting. Combined with the resources from the mainland, this means that in the future, the film and television resources that Mid-Autumn Film and Television can influence and mobilize will even exceed those of Emperor Entertainment Group.

In addition, Zhongqiu Film and Television invested heavily in China Film Theater Chain, which also had a negative impact on the distribution of Emperor Films in the mainland.

From the current perspective, China Film Group is more inclined to cooperate with Zhongqiu Film and Television, which is quite unfavorable to Emperor Group.

He was originally planning to team up with Hua Yi to film The Forbidden Kingdom in 07, and they already had a script.

The investment is about 4000 million US dollars, Emperor Entertainment Group will invest about 1500 million US dollars, and the rest of the investment, except for Huayi, will be introduced from Hollywood.

But now, Zhongqiu Film and Television’s investment has reached 100 million US dollars. If it collides with that movie, the chances of winning are not great.

Of course, he also knew that the investment in that movie could not really be $100 million, but it should be around 60 to 70 million US dollars. After all, it was a Wolverine movie, and the investment could not be small.

Chenglong was also digesting the news from Zhongqiu Film and Television, and he felt a little complicated.

He used to have a good relationship with Li Lianjie, but the two were kung fu actors of the same type. Later, as they competed in their careers, their relationship became less friendly and even friction arose.

And now, his relationship with He Zhongqiu seems to be like this.

After thinking about it, he said, "Li Lianjie is going to shoot Huo Yuanjia in 05, which is a good time for us to shoot Baby Project, so the earliest it will be in the second half of 05."

"Then we will start filming in the second half of the year, and we should start preparing now."

"The investment in the Baby Project is also huge, with a budget of HK$1.3 million. Emperor Entertainment Group contributed % and Huayi contributed %. Ah Long, if the global box office of this movie does not exceed HK$ million, it will lose money."

"I know."

Chenglong felt the pressure, but he knew that this pressure ultimately came from the big investment of Zhongqiu Film and Television and from Wolverine.

Shanghai Stock Exchange, Tangren Company.

Cai Yinong is a Muggle, and so is his partner Lin Guoli who sits opposite him, and Wang Yi.

Wang Yi said seriously: "Yinong, this matter must be resolved quickly. If this continues, even without Yang Xue dealing with us, we will be ostracized by the entire circle."

Lin Guoli took a long breath, as if to relieve the pressure in his heart, and then said in a heavy tone:

"With an investment of 500 to 800 million yuan in production costs per year, this will form a huge interest group, a behemoth.

Any company that is not part of this interest group will be excluded unless we can produce a hit product.”

Cai Yinong did not say anything. "Legend of Sword and Fairy" will be broadcast on two satellite channels in Taiwan and the mainland in half a month, but this is the first fairy tale drama adapted from a game. She doesn't know what the effect will be, and it does not help to relieve the current pressure.

"So what do you think we should do now? How about we wait until "Legend of Sword and Fairy" is broadcast and see the results? It's only half a month away." She asked with forced calmness.

(End of this chapter)