Chapter 725

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

However, the director's absence doesn't affect the marketing of "Speed Forward" — at least the actors' popularity exceeds the director's, and the Best Director award only proves the director's ability; audiences are still buying it for now, and Jiang Han Zhou isn't willing to really push hard marketing Zhou You.

"Money spent flows like water; Zhou You gets fame and benefits, and later he'll kick us aside to cooperate with other companies," Shen Yao twirled her pen, indicating no one would be willing to play the saint — at least ending their grievances with Zhou You peacefully is already a good outcome; any problem erupting in between would just be both sides buying black PR against each other.

"In the entertainment industry, the simplest way to ruin someone is to fabricate rumors about their reputation," as long as black PR or black history about someone appears extensively online, don't be surprised — most are rivals' tactics, a small portion are former partners settling scores before leaving.

The System expressed surprise, asking if they would buy black PR too?

"Of course, but we don't buy black PR — we merely release what he's actually done," if you want no one to know, don't do it yourself; the scandals from the "No Man's Calculation" crew are all in Shen Yao's hands — right now she's just waiting to see if Director Zhou You really wants to default.

In Jiang Han Zhou's words, they also don't want to blow things up this big — at least not to the point of becoming strangers; after all, they were once cooperative partners who got along well.

System: …

The System thought to itself that its Host's idea had a very high probability of coming true, because Director Zhou You is currently being ambiguous with several film and television production companies, even planning to continue postponing the movie he was originally going to shoot.

Tsk tsk tsk

This is the real entertainment industry — whichever side offers enough benefits, they'll defect to without hesitation; Director Zhou You's comprehensive pay for shooting "Speed Forward" isn't low, but it can't withstand other production companies offering even higher prices.

Is Zhou You some saint who doesn't love money? Then why did he cooperate with Jiang Han Zhou.

Essentially, Jiang Han Zhou backing Zhou You is just because he feels investing in a director is more cost-effective than actors; actors stand on stage, risking reputation collapse, but directors hide behind the scenes — as long as they don't commit career suicide, what they shoot can stably sell at a price.

But unexpectedly, this person hasn't even truly seen his own value yet, and is already impatient to shake off Jiang Han Zhou and go earn those pre-marked values.

Shen Yao told the System to wander around more when idle — their energy recently would all be focused on the movie "Speed Forward."

Judging by the current hype and promotion, estimated before the movie's preview screenings, there would still be several waves of viral marketing.

"You listen well — audiences' thoughts are very important to the movie," Shen Yao dispatched the System to add bricks and tiles to her career, best to precisely grasp what audiences love to watch, so even if they spend money it won't be biased.

System: …

The System was just like that, caught by its Host to add bricks and tiles to her personal career.

The System wanted to resist, but helplessly it indeed liked doing sneaky things — plus listening to gossip for free, who wouldn't listen?

The System not only used its surveillance ability to swim like a fish in water online, but could also float around to listen to on-site gossip, and even conveniently listened to inside gossip about several other released movies — some leads breaking laws, some with corrupt morals, some with terrible character — any leak would be a huge blow to the movie.

Shen Yao indicated she wasn't that bottomless yet — besides, attacking other movies, other movies would also attack "Speed Forward."

Shen Yao naturally also couldn't naively think "Speed Forward" was completely clean, without any leverage.

"Mutually assured destruction tactics — use sparingly," because they'd be discovered by others.

Even if not discovered, the other side would immediately lock onto suspects.

This is the simple inference of who benefits acts — no mantis stalks cicada while oriole waits; entertainment industry people always drag all related parties down to share the suffering — main theme: if I'm not having a good time, no one else can either.

Raising her hand to rub her forehead, Shen Yao opened the laptop beside her, which still had documents sent by the company.

Shen Yao, with nothing to do, simply browsed through the document contents — seeing no place for her to contribute, she clicked the search box with her mouse and started browsing forums.

Inside were various sections — Shen Yao's favorite was the entertainment section.

The leaks posted were all industry rumors, mixed true and false — roughly a three-to-seven ratio; beside them were several very obvious marketing posts promoting movies.

"Speed Forward" happened to be among them — in the tone of a lead actor's fan, superficially praising their idol's dedicated performance, actually praising the crew — good horse matches good saddle — and at the end wishing the movie big sales, even borrowing a few very brainwashing pyramid-scheme slogans.

Shen Yao opened all these movie marketing posts, browsed through them, then sent the content she thought good — either screenshots or forwards — to the chat interface, and instructed the company's PR department to reference them, striving to plaster this type of marketing across the entire internet.

At this time there's no such thing as overdoing it — full-scale rollout at the start is the most direct and effective method, not even limited to major cities — even unknown small cities of several tiers can earn money.

"Speed Forward's" plot is good — at least it's a movie suitable for all ages.

Especially as preview screenings progressed, various reviews appeared online — the vast majority were praise; occasionally a few negative ones didn't deny "Speed Forward's" story content.

Online hot searches about the movie began increasing, covering all aspects — some movie content, some actors, some behind-the-scenes — all count as methods to increase box office.

As for whether it's useful, Shen Yao looked at the cheers rising online and the preview screenings continuously opening — this movie probably won't earn too little.

Before year-end, "Speed Forward" officially released.

Not snatching the New Year slot to earn that family-reunion money — mainly also because of the definite relation to "Speed Forward's" movie content.

After all, it's not a proper comedy — can't give audiences 120 minutes of laughter and joy.

Besides, New Year slot competition is even fiercer than now — Jiang Han Zhou's plan was just to earn a sum, recoup previous investment, then on this basis (reputation), rely on same-genre movies to earn big.

Even Jiang Han Zhou designed a story sequel, increasing movie content linkage, also letting audiences who watched the movie have more immersion.

Pity Director Zhou You's recent performance has been too obvious — their movie cooperation will most likely miscarry.

…………

An ordinary cinema in Jing Shi

Shen Yao, wearing a mask, appeared at the cinema with Jiang Han Zhou — both bought a ticket for "Speed Forward," and entered to watch when time came.

This was the first time the two of them sat before the big screen besides preview screenings.

Around them were men, women, old and young coming to watch the movie — including a few giggling children chattering about their daily lives, finally pressed down by elders and quietly admonished not to speak randomly.

"This is the movie you like, and it's directed by the 'Past Life' director."

"Online reputation has been burning hot recently — not only star actors promoting, but many who've watched give good reviews."

"True, but online words are mixed true and false — the ×× released same period isn't rotten bad? Online there's still a group of shills hyping special effects."

"……"

In front of the two was a young couple, discussing online news before the movie played — clearly because "Speed Forward" had good reviews they couldn't resist coming offline to see for themselves.

There were many similar people in the cinema — because movie heat was high, the cinema couldn't not earn money — therefore the movie's screening share here was very large; just taking Shen Yao and Jiang Han Zhou's time slot, this cinema had about eight halls, over half playing "Speed Forward."

On the movie screen the Dragon Standard appeared, and at the very top the title "Speed Forward" showed.

With a gasp, the picture arrived at a dilapidated small house — Shen Yao watched this movie with a mindset completely different from before.

Because every time she watched the movie, Shen Yao's thoughts would change.

"Speed Forward" is indeed a film above the passing grade; the content is substantial without too much preaching, yet it is unexpectedly very healing and satisfying.

As the film ended, the final credits appeared, and Shen Yao and Jiang Han Zhou's names were on it.

The surrounding people got up and left one after another; Shen Yao pulled Jiang Han Zhou's hand, and the two planned to find a place nearby to eat a meal first, then return to the company to discuss the next promotional methods.

A film's release period has a time limit; at least normally it won't exceed one month, and may even be shorter than a month, unless it encounters a special schedule or special subject matter, in which case it would be extended for a period of time.

If "Speed Forward" has no changes, it will definitely make money around the New Year, because once the New Year schedule arrives, it will have to make way.

After all, the New Year schedule films are all rubbing their hands in anticipation, eager to make a few "small goals," because this is the holiday with the largest crowd flow.

"Speed Forward"'s expectation for the New Year schedule is to make money if it can, and not lose money if it can't, because the early release has already earned a wave of money; people cannot be too greedy.

The few most profitable periods in the entire film market are all holidays; it's impossible to eat the meat yourself and not let others drink the soup, that would be blocking the road for everyone.

After the two finished dinner, they then went to the company to work in a leisurely manner, and finally each returned home to rest.

News about "Speed Forward" on the internet suddenly increased.

Generally speaking, it's all content analysis and actor evaluations related to the film, especially the actors' fans; large amounts of brainwashing rhetoric, although disliked by the audience, indeed achieved promotional effects — regardless of whether they've seen the film, everyone now knows the name "Speed Forward."

As long as one person walks into the cinema because of this reason, it's not a loss.

Promotion — everyone does it this way, crazily spending money to attract traffic; some film companies even go further, engaging in false advertising.

Snap—

Shen Yao drooped her eyes, looking at the magazine content delivered to her front; the page inside happened to stay on Director Zhou You's fat face.

Shen Yao: …

Just arrived at the company and she's given such a surprise!

Jiang Han Zhou helplessly tugged at his collar, "Zhou You has already clearly said he doesn't want to co-produce a film."

Shen Yao raised an eyebrow, "He rejected two films; what makes him think he can still shoot a movie like 'Speed Forward'?"

Jiang Han Zhou sneered, "He doesn't have that confidence, but the other side is offering too much."

An ultra-high base salary plus box office profit share; currently "Speed Forward"'s box office has broken 1.5 billion, and is still dominating the entire film market with a daily growth of nearly 100 million.

Professional data companies' predictions change every day.

The current predicted result is that the final run can reach 2.5 to 2.8 billion box office; if lucky, 3 billion at final run is not impossible.

It can be said that "Speed Forward" this film truly let the company eat the benefits of the dividend.

Zhou You also thereby proved his Best Director honor is well-deserved.

Other capital wanting to observe further are like sharks smelling blood, wishing to swim in and bite a mouthful of meat.

Don't look at Zhou You's current treatment being so good; once the film he shoots is unsatisfactory, his current honors are like castles in the air, collapsing with a crash and then no one cares.

"You agreed?"

Shen Yao propped her chin, thinking this doesn't seem like Jiang Han Zhou's style.

Indeed not like Jiang Han Zhou's style; this person would never give away benefits for nothing, even after entering the industry he never takes a loss, only showing some gentleness when facing Shen Yao, but this doesn't violate his bottom line.

That is to say, he won't act on emotion; in a certain aspect, he is rational to a terrifying degree.

"Agreed, but Director Zhou doing this indeed makes me a bit heartbroken," you must know before "Past Life" this drama failed to get the Best Director award, Zhou You's position in the circle was awkward, neither up nor down; it was Jiang Han Zhou who actively gave the opportunity that led to "Past Life"'s against-the-wind turnaround.

And the result?

Turning his face and denying the person!

Jiang Han Zhou raised his hand and knocked on the tabletop, indicating he couldn't do nothing at all, but also wouldn't truly frame Zhou You to death, "The other side agreed to give compensation, not touch the same genre of film, and use him as a gimmick to sell."

Shen Yao felt these words were said a bit too early; Zhou You hasn't fallen on his head yet.

When he truly falls desperate and has to rely on this story to turn over, then we'll see Zhou You's bottom line.

However Shen Yao feels Zhou You is just an ordinary person, with no bottom line to speak of; he could directly unilaterally tear up two film collaborations; in the future, when desperate measures are needed, him actively coming back to snatch this film story's copyright is also not impossible.

Jiang Han Zhou smiled, words spoken lightly, but the coldness in his eyes couldn't be hidden no matter what.

"Then don't blame me for striking too ruthlessly; originally it was parting on good terms," even the softest temper has its own nature, let alone Jiang Han Zhou who isn't soft.

"Hope it doesn't reach that step."

"Hope so."

After "Speed Forward" officially finished its run, the two warmly invited the crew personnel to hold a celebration banquet, then both went abroad to travel, spending a rare period of relaxed time.