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Chapter 808: Chapter 702: The Wolf is Coming (Please Subscribe!)
Many of those present didn’t feel too well.
Of course.
Those who felt this way were all from the major film companies, but the real movie professionals were delighted to see the birth of such a masterpiece, even looking forward to the sequel, since the box office performance had nothing to do with them—naturally, there was no need to target it.
The room fell silent for a while.
Then one of them spoke up.
"What should we do, should we limit the number of screenings, or, not let it be shown at all?"
As soon as these words were said,
The others looked at him as if he were an idiot. Not show it, and you thought of that? Do you think you call the shots in the United States’ movie market? Once such a thing comes out, it’ll spread like a virus.
Can you restrict its listing in the United States and not its screenings in other countries?
You really think the American Film Association is omnipotent?
Someone else picked up the thread, "Restrictions are impossible, how many times can you restrict? For how long? It’s difficult for us to make an unwarranted enemy of a company like that."
The American Film Association is composed of multiple film companies acting as committee members, as well as many influential movie scholars within the industry, but these film companies have the biggest say, which is the cause of such concern.
Although they had few theater circuits due to antitrust laws, suppressing a company in the movie industry wasn’t hard—the real challenge was the rest of the global movie markets.
Another stout white man spoke, "We think we should investigate this special effects company further, to see if it’s our American special effects teams that went over. If that’s the case, that would be easy to handle, but if not, then we need to discuss cooperation. The best outcome would be an acquisition, but if we can’t acquire them, then we must seek partnership."
As for destroying it?
Heh.
The most direct way to destroy a company is to inflict heavy losses, preventing it from making money. However, if this special effects company has such technology, then just the Chinese market could keep it afloat. Destroying it is easier said than done.
They didn’t have the capability to cover the sky with one hand.
"Then, about the screenings."
"I think we should just go with the flow, increase the number of screenings if box office sales are good, decrease if they’re not; no promotion, but no obstruction either," the big shot of the association spoke.
"That’s all we can do,"
The big shot continued, "Heh, I actually want to see the final performance of this movie. If it surpasses one billion dollars, I think we should take a serious look at this newcomer."
To these movie giants, Comet Entertainment was indeed a little guy.
"It’s been a long time since we encountered a situation like this. I kind of miss the old days."
"You’re just unused to stable days; that’s the illness that needs curing."
"Hahaha..."
"Who owns this company?" someone asked.
"A Chinese named Tang Qing, and two highly capable second-generation heirs in China. The families behind these two heirs have considerable influence in China. As for Tang Qing, he is currently a first year college student."
For such powers, investigating a person didn’t take long at all.
"First year college student? Does he have any special traits?"
"Of course, otherwise how could he collaborate with those two heirs? Tang Qing’s ventures include numerous companies, with a total market value of no less than eight hundred million dollars, maybe even more, but there’s no definitive number, since they’re not public, and many were established or acquired just this year,"
"Eight hundred million dollars? That much? Where did the money come from? Which company is so profitable?"
"None of his companies makes money."
"What? Are you joking? If they don’t make money, where does the money come from?" Many people’s eyes widened with surprise. If his companies weren’t profitable, where did the assets come from unless they were gotten through robbery or thievery?
"I don’t know either, but speaking of another person, you might recall."
"Who? Don’t keep us hanging, just spill it."
"Alright, alright, that would be Tang Kai, the sales agent for fruit wine in the Asian region—his second uncle."
"Oh..."
"I see..."
"No wonder..."
"That explains it."
With their ability to piece things together, it didn’t take them long to envision the sequence of events—it must have been Tang Kai who supplied the funds. As for whether Tang Kai could afford such an amount, they had no doubt. 𝙣𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝙤𝙢
It might even be a way for Tang Kai to transfer assets.
The intricacies of business
Are plentiful.
Who knows what this uncle and nephew duo is up to.
"I guess they’ll make the Forbes rich list next year."
"Definitely."
"..."
The agreement went smoothly in the United States.
It took less than a week.
Comet Film Company had already achieved great success in breaking into various countries.
A movie guaranteed to make money, theaters in various countries were more than happy to screen it.
Because it was a sure bet, the arrival of the big movie companies’ ’wolves’ had nothing to do with their theater operating companies. Although they were familiar with each other, it wouldn’t stop them from making money. Otherwise, are you going to compensate me?
Just like that.
Good news kept coming in.
It was a time of jubilation within Comet Film Company.
With the quality of this film, many countries offered a very high number of screenings. With these screenings secured, other countries quickly passed reviews. At this moment, Comet Film Company had sent a clear message.
After New Year’s Day in Huaxia, other countries had to release the film within the following three days. If they missed it, sorry, but their country’s box office was no longer wanted, goodbye.
Pu Chaodong wiped the sweat from his forehead at this.
But Tang Qing persisted.
Since the operation had started,
it had to yield a result.
Three days were already a generous offer. If you don’t want to make this money, then don’t. More than a dozen mainstream Western countries had been conquered, and for the marginal interests, I’d rather forgo the money to establish a strong company image.
Comet Film Company was Tang Qing’s company.
Around the world.
It should stand tall and straight, with a firm ’yes’ or ’no’.
Comet Film Company.
For the first time, took a strong stance, and unexpectedly, this approach was quite effective. Many theater circuit companies wanted to make this money without a word, and even joined the efforts to expedite reviews voluntarily. After all, not every Western country has a rating system.
Each country has different national conditions.
Different procedures.
Some small nations still wanted to play hardball, asking for cuts because they felt the movie was too long and could affect the health of the audience. Such an excuse drew no response from Comet Film Company.
They laid it out bluntly: take it or leave it.
This ’arrogant’ attitude angered quite a few small nations, especially Indonesia, which took a hard line and even declared that Comet Film Company’s movies would never be screened in their country.
To this, Tang Qing stated,
"I’d rather let the Chinese in Indonesia watch pirated copies than indulge your bad habits. Whoever likes it, likes it. Get lost."
...
Whenever a country set a release date,
the promotion in that nation began.
For this global publicity campaign, Comet Film Company took out one hundred million RMB, not even including the public relation expenses, all of which was accounted for in the investment cost of 150 million USD.
No need to explain to anyone, why not brag a little.
This was real money, almost depleting Comet Film Company’s cash flow.
But the thought of soon making a fortune
made Tang Qing feel it was worth it.
As the trailers were released step by step by Comet Film Company,
entertainment media from various countries smelled blood and turned their attention to this film, acclaimed for its simultaneous global release. Their focus, however, was not on the special effects but on the fact that a ’martial arts film exporting country’ had suddenly produced such a high-quality science fiction movie.
It was the spirit of an ’underdog turning things around’ and chasing ’Western advanced film culture’.
That’s right.
This was the focal point of the media in various countries.
It was like the unexpected rise of Indian science fiction movies, piquing everyone’s ’interest.’ A poor nobody suddenly displayed talent and even showed it off, and it seemed... quite amusing.
Although the focus varied.
It was still publicity, wasn’t it?
The united voices of many couldn’t be resisted, let them be. We’ll see what they say after they watch it. Tang Qing wanted to prove with time that in the mainstream global movie market, besides the United States’ individual heroism, there was also Huaxia’s united we stand coupled with immortal martial arts fantasy.
Science fiction.
Was just a stepping stone.
Cultural output.
Had to have its own unique characteristics, distinct national cultural traits.
This had been Tang Qing’s goal all along, but initially, science fiction was paving the way. Once sufficient preparations were made in the later stages, Tang Qing would let Huaxia’s Xianxia fantasy clash with Western fantasy magic.
This was true cultural output.
Science fiction.
Was merely the vanguard.
Tang Qing wanted to let the wolf of Comet Film Company howl to the skies.
