amaotonovel Chapter 183 Siphon Effect
Chapter 183 Siphon Effect
The internal screening of "Asking the Immortals" was a great success.
Although most of the feedback was positive, some people still offered valuable suggestions for improvement.
Although these were all minor issues, such as problems with subtitles, certain scenes, or the pacing of the plot, the directing team and screenwriters still held an emergency discussion and planned to make minor adjustments to these parts before the film's official release, striving to make them as perfect as possible.
At the same time, the publicity department and public relations team of Day and Night Entertainment also began to work intensively.
As we all know, movies need a certain amount of publicity and promotion before they are officially released.
Sometimes, the strength and effectiveness of a film's promotion directly affect its box office performance.
In fact, the early promotion of "Asking Immortals" was very effective, thanks to the ample financial support. Bai Li never held back on the promotion budget.
In addition, the theme song of "Asking the Immortals" was released before the movie was even released, and its popularity added to the movie's hype.
Therefore, during the filming of the series, the level of discussion about "Asking Immortals" never declined.
Now, with the film's release date approaching, the promotional efforts have reached another peak.
Exquisite concept posters, distributed across all online and offline channels;
The meticulously produced trailer was rolled out across major video platforms, and its viewership increased exponentially.
Film critics were invited to watch the internal screening and write recommendations in advance...
Every step of the promotion is proceeding in an orderly manner, and related topics continue to rise on social media.
While the publicity team was busy, Bai Li was also not idle.
Several influential executives in the entertainment industry are having a small gathering in Shanghai today, and they specially invited Bai Li to join them.
Inside the upscale Bund clubhouse, the carved beams and painted rafters create an extremely luxurious interior with a classical charm, offering exceptional privacy.
Several middle-aged men, a decade older than Bai Li, arrived early. They were all dressed formally, their leather shoes and hair polished to a shine. Upon seeing Bai Li arrive, they all stood up to greet her with smiles on their faces.
"We are deeply honored and extremely grateful that Mr. Bai, with his busy schedule, still took the time to attend this meeting!"
Inside the room, elegant aromatherapy was specially lit, and there wasn't a single bottle of wine; it was simply a simple yet stylish setup for brewing tea around a fireplace.
In the rustic clay stove, charcoal fires roared, and a copper kettle sat atop it, emitting wisps of steam.
Exquisite tea sets were placed nearby, including white teacups and rustic tea caddies.
Bai Li was genuinely stunned when she saw this configuration.
She didn't know if these men with such big beer bellies were usually so abstinent when they got together, but she guessed that probably wasn't the case.
So what is today?
I suddenly remembered that a few days ago, Mr. Li from Longtao Entertainment seemed to have asked me in advance whether I wanted to drink alcohol.
Bai Li's taste for fine wine has been thoroughly spoiled by Wuhai.
This guy always brings fine wine whenever he comes over for a free meal.
Now, his basement is not only overflowing with the antique paintings and calligraphy this guy sent him before, but recently it's also been filled with all sorts of famous wines that can't be bought anywhere else. He simply can't finish them all.
This has resulted in her now being unable to stomach ordinary alcoholic beverages.
Moreover, with a face like Wu Hai's, Bai Li could still enjoy a few drinks, so what was the point of drinking with these old and faded middle-aged men?
So I decisively told Mr. Li that I wouldn't drink.
It turned out to be the case.
Bai Li suddenly realized.
The drinking party was changed to a tea party, just because she said she wouldn't drink alcohol.
Bai Li chuckled to herself as she understood this.
Once you have power, what does it matter if others are older or more experienced than you?
Who among those present wasn't a wealthy and influential figure?
It's time to act according to your own desires.
In that instant, Bai Li understood more deeply why she was so obsessed with her career and so keen on making money.
The sense of control and influence that comes with power is truly irresistible.
Mr. Li, the general manager of Longtao Entertainment, reacted quickly. After Bai Li sat down, he poured her a cup of hot tea, held the teacup in both hands, bowed slightly, and greeted her with a sincere smile:
"Come on, Mr. Bai, let me toast you first. I wish 'Asking Immortals' a huge box office success, soaring to new heights, and breaking box office records!"
Bai Li simply smiled slightly, thanked him, raised her glass to clink with Mr. Li's, and cautiously tossed Mr. Li's early congratulations back to her:
"Thank you, Mr. Li, but I dare not open the champagne halfway through. The competition in this summer's box office is fierce, and it's hard to say what will happen."
President Li was much more confident than Bai Li.
As one of only two investors, he was fortunate enough to be invited to attend the internal screening of "Asking the Immortals" despite investing only 160 million yuan.
After watching the finished film, as a fellow industry professional, Mr. Li felt a mix of emotions: admiration, emotion, and a touch of shame.
To be honest, it's been a long time since anyone in the Chinese film industry has taken movies this seriously.
Bai Li's dedication to film production is truly rare in the industry.
Those special effects shots are extremely detailed, every frame is in no way inferior to some Hollywood blockbusters, and even better.
Whether it's the grand and magnificent fantasy scenes or the exquisite and detailed magical effects, they all demonstrate an extremely high level of quality.
Mr. Li knew very well that with this level of production quality, it would be difficult for Bai Li's "Asking Immortals" not to become a huge hit.
With this decisiveness and ability to perfect her work, Bai Li is sure to gain a foothold in the film and television industry.
As for the other films released during the summer season, Mr. Li made a special trip to learn about them. The competition was indeed fierce, but in terms of production, no film could beat "Asking the Immortals". It all depends on how the market chooses.
Now that the topic has been brought up, the other film industry giants also started talking about this summer's box office season.
The competition this summer is indeed very fierce.
The first two animated series mentioned are "Boonie Bears: The Big Adventure" and "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf".
One of the executives present even invested in one of them.
It's a tradition to have animated films during the summer season, and these two animated films are top-tier, evergreen IPs in the animation industry, appearing almost every summer.
Investing in this kind of movie is a sure bet.
Of course, in addition to animated films as is customary, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television also imported two foreign films, namely "Brainwave Invasion" and "Mechanical Bride".
"They're both science fiction-oriented. 'Brainwave Invasion' is a Hollywood production, and the other is an adaptation of a popular animated series," someone added.
Mr. Li picked up the thread and analyzed seriously: "The target audience for these two films is relatively fixed, but the scope won't be too wide. Sci-fi fans might support them, but for ordinary viewers, cultural differences and viewing habits will affect the box office."
This viewpoint was endorsed by everyone present.
Just then, someone suddenly remembered something and said, "Hey? I remember Lao Qian invested in a movie that's also going to be released this summer, called 'Delivery Hero'?"
Old Qian is also a well-known investor in the industry, but he was not present today.
This film is designed for family viewing and stars a famous comedian.
"That comedian has always been a box office draw!" a CEO said, praising the actor. "Any movie he's in has never flopped at the box office."
"But unfortunately..." He then changed the subject, "comedy films require very little investment. His own film studio can handle all the investment, so there's no need for external investors."
indeed.
Films starring big-name actors with low budgets are the kind of movies that the executives present like to invest in or produce.
Listening to their enthusiastic discussion, Bai Li twirled the teacup in her hand; she also knew a little about the movie.
The threat is indeed considerable.
These kinds of comedies are very popular in the domestic market and have a proven track record of box office success, so most ordinary people will buy them.
However, this film is scheduled for release in August, while "Asking the Immortals" was scheduled for release at the beginning of July. The release dates are quite different, so the conflict with my film is not particularly significant.
The remaining romance films and domestically produced ethical films pose little threat.
The only film worth mentioning in this period is "Dragon Scale Code," directed by the renowned director Han Qing.
This film is one of the few suspenseful action films in China.
The story is roughly about a museum security guard who discovers that the dragon scale patterns on a bronze artifact are the key to a lost civilization, thus getting involved in a struggle between multiple forces.
"This film is a big production," another executive chimed in. "Not only did they hire some popular young actors, but they also gathered a large number of TV Kings and Queens from the film and television industry to participate, and even invited famous Hollywood actors to make cameo appearances."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Li frowned and said, "The key point is that the release date of 'Dragon Scale Code' and 'Asking Immortals' is the same day."
Upon hearing this, everyone was startled and sought confirmation from Bai Li.
Bai Li nodded slightly in confirmation.
Yes, we chose the same day.
I don't know if this is a coincidence or intentional.
The promotional tactics for "Dragon Scale Code" were equally overwhelming and aggressive, as if they wanted to capture the entire summer's box office.
Upon closer examination, there are indeed many similarities between "Dragon Scale Code" and "Asking the Immortal".
Both use "Eastern fantasy elements" as their core theme, and their promotional focus is on eye-catching aspects such as "investment in special effects" and "IP popularity".
Generally speaking, films of the same genre tend to stagger their release dates to avoid direct competition.
However, these two films happened to be released on the same day, which naturally created a tense competitive relationship.
The charcoal fire in the hearth crackled and popped occasionally.
The several experienced business owners present almost simultaneously realized a problem, but none of them took the lead in pointing it out.
During the summer movie season—the prime time for the film market—top films are highly likely to create a box office "siphoning effect."
Simply put, once a movie experiences explosive growth in its early box office and becomes a blockbuster in the eyes of many, it will attract a large number of viewers like a black hole.
In pursuit of higher profits, cinemas will naturally increase the number of screenings for this blockbuster film.
This will severely squeeze the screening space for other films released at the same time, resulting in a sharp decrease in the number of screenings. With fewer screenings available for viewers, box office revenue will naturally be greatly affected.
Ultimately, this led to a situation where one company held a dominant position.
Looking at "Dragon Scale Code," the star-studded cast and the overwhelming pre-release publicity all indicate that it is likely aiming to become a blockbuster and capitalize on the box office siphon effect.
If "Dragon Scale Code" can gain a foothold in the early stages with its star-studded cast and strong promotion, and achieve good word-of-mouth and high box office, it will attract more screenings, squeezing out the survival space of films like "Asking Immortals" at the same time, and finally, it will naturally dominate the summer season.
Moreover, the director of this work is Han Qing, who is not some unknown nobody, but one of the most influential and well-known directors in China.
He has a blockbuster film in his hands, which once ranked among the top ten in the all-time Chinese box office chart. His strength has been proven by the market.
In contrast, while "Asking Immortals" is well-made with commendable special effects and plot, its cast consists entirely of unknown newcomers, which naturally puts it at a disadvantage in terms of star power.
As a result, "Asking the Immortals" is likely to face a weak box office performance in the early stages. If the start is unfavorable, the number of screenings in the later stages will also be affected, leading to a significant reduction in box office revenue.
Thinking about it carefully, the competition in this year's summer movie season is indeed fierce, and "Asking Immortals" may not necessarily be able to hold its own.
Just as everyone was deep in thought, a CEO coughed lightly, picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and broke the somewhat dull atmosphere by asking, "Who are the investors in 'Dragon Scale Code'?"
Those present exchanged bewildered glances; it was clear that none of the people attending the tea party were investors in the film.
Generally speaking, information about the composition of a film's investment is not disclosed to the public.
Although the general public may not know, the film and television industry executives present could still find out a thing or two based on their backgrounds.
Just as Mr. Li was about to make a move to inquire for Bai Li, Bai Li stopped him and explained, "It's a private equity firm in Hong Kong, and a few advertisers from the mainland."
When Bai Li learned that "Dragon Scale Code" was scheduled to be released on the same day as her, she had already used her connections to find out more about the other party.
But based on the information she found, the threat posed by "Dragon Scale Code" is not very great. Whether the other party can pull off the siphon effect depends on whether they can actually do so.
After listening, the CEOs all seemed to be deep in thought.
This investment structure sounds like a typical commercial film model, and the investors' goal is very clear: to make money.
In fact, it is extremely rare in the industry for someone like Bai Li to be able to support the investment of a film entirely with his personal cash.
Most film projects are financed by multiple sources, and some even require government support or loans from commercial banks.
After all, very few people can come up with hundreds of millions of dollars in cash to invest at once.
Only someone as wealthy and unafraid of losing money as Bai Li has the courage to do that.
Seeing Bai Li's composure and calm demeanor when discussing the opponent's situation, the executives understood that Bai Li must already have a plan.
Bai Li was treated as an honored guest by Madam Lin of Jiangyang, so how could her background be simple?
The investment in a mere film might just be someone throwing money around for fun.
Instead of worrying about her, you should worry about your own investments.
Just then, a CEO surnamed Zhu spoke up first, finally revealing one of the main purposes of today's gathering:
"Since this is Mr. Bai's first foray into the film industry, we older generation should definitely give him our support. I happen to know some high-level executives at Q Video website, so I can help Mr. Bai put the promotion for 'Asking Immortals' on the website's homepage and give it a good push."
Bai Li's eyes lit up after hearing this.
This is indeed a good suggestion. You know, Q Video is one of the largest online video platforms in China. Being able to put your advertisement on its homepage would bring immeasurable traffic and exposure.
These top-ranked business deals are not only expensive, but also definitely require special connections.
I'm exactly lacking in these kinds of connections.
As long as there are channels to open up access for oneself, funding is not a problem at all; one doesn't need to worry about not being able to spend the funds on hand.
"Then I'll trouble Mr. Zhu to act as a go-between and make the arrangements." Bai Li smiled and raised her teacup, gently clinking it against Mr. Zhu's.
With a kind smile on his face, Mr. Zhu quickly raised his glass and carefully clinked it with Bai Li's, saying, "Oh, Ms. Bai, you're too kind. If there are any opportunities for cooperation in the future, I hope you can consider me first."
Seeing this, the others present gritted their teeth and muttered to themselves:
This old fox, who usually keeps a low profile, unexpectedly had such a channel at this crucial moment and even expressed his opinion first.
After years of navigating the business world, who doesn't have some special connections and resources?
What others struggle to establish, is sometimes just a matter of lifting a finger for them.
Immediately afterwards, everyone followed behind President Zhu, offering their suggestions and ideas for the promotion of "Asking Immortals".
The reason these bosses are helping "Asking Immortals" is very simple: they want to build a good relationship with Bai Li and then connect with the forces that may be behind her. This is also the main purpose of their tea party today.
And so, after a round of toasts and drinks, benefits were exchanged at these tea parties.
A new cooperative relationship has been established without anyone noticing.
With this relationship established, communication between them and Bai Li will be smoother and easier in the future, whether it's for collaborative projects or seeking help.
"By the way, Ms. Bai, is the 'Asking Immortals' team going to attend the entertainment summit next week?" A senior executive asked Bai Li as if he had suddenly remembered something.