Chapter 1503

Zhou Andong smiled at Zhou Zhou Xianyong: "And, and, and—important things must be said three times—you listen carefully. Although the central authorities have opened up the distribution rights for films, allowing producers to negotiate film distribution directly with provincial and municipal film companies and theaters across the country.

But the imprint of the planned economic system on theater terminals is still very serious, resisting market operations, local protectionism, and on top of that, the efficiency of film copy distribution is very low.

If you invest in a movie, no matter how popular or explosive it is, you won't be able to get a single cent of the box office share. You'll lose as much money as you put in."

"What about TV dramas?" Zhou Zhou Xianyong frowned: "Since I'm cooperating with the TV station, if I invest, won't they buy it after it's filmed?"

"What are you thinking?" Zhou Andong said with a smile: "The copyright isn't yours; how could the TV station possibly pay to buy it?"

Zhou Zhou Xianyong didn't understand: "Then what's the point of this opening up? Isn't that just treating us investors like fools?"

"Exactly, isn't that just treating investors like fools?" Zhou Andong laughed loudly: "This policy, while said to be in response to the call for reform and opening up, is actually just because there's no money.

Whether it's the major film studios or the major TV stations, they have plenty of projects—wanting to film this, wanting to film that—but they have no money, and even if they have the ability, they can't exert any effort. So, I don't know which leader with a good brain came up with this method.

Allowing private individuals to enter the film and television industry—you can bring out money to film movies and TV shows, but as for making money, there's no way; don't even think about getting your investment costs back."

Zhou Zhou Xianyong was speechless: "With a policy like this, are there still fools who invest?"

Zhou Andong said with a smile: "There really are such fools."

"Ha!" Zhou Zhou Xianyong let out a laugh: "Who is this fool? If there's a chance, introduce me; I'm also very short on money."

Zhou Andong pointed at his own nose: "That fool is me."

Zhou Zhou Xianyong looked at Zhou Andong in a daze: "You also invest in making movies?"

Zhou Andong said with a smile: "I have an entertainment company in my hands that has been doing music. In October, the person in charge of the company brought me a script for a costume TV drama, and I thought it was good, so I agreed."

"Wait, wait, let me digest this for a second." Zhou Zhou Xianyong raised his hand; he felt his brain wasn't quite enough: "Knowing that investing in film and television loses money, why are you still jumping into this pit?"

"How should I put it?"

Zhou Andong tapped his head. In August of this year, the relevant departments issued the "Notice on Further Deepening the Reform of the Film Industry Mechanism," further clarifying that film studios could directly enter the market and distribute films to provincial and municipal distribution and screening units.

However, the restrictions on private investment remained significant until next year, 1995, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the birth of world cinema and the 90th anniversary of the birth of Chinese cinema, and the Chinese film market ushered in a prosperous year—historically known as the "95 Turning Point."

That year, the China Film Group introduced ten imported blockbusters through box office revenue sharing, including "The Fugitive," "Rumble in the Bronx," and "Mission: Impossible."

The entire Chinese film market was occupied by commercial blockbusters, and domestic films fell completely, which stimulated everyone's nerves. Besides the very representative fifth-generation directors, there were also leaders in relevant fields with forward-looking vision.

They realized that if private capital wasn't allowed in, Chinese cinema couldn't develop and would never have a way out; the future Chinese film market would become the domain of foreign blockbusters.

No matter how much importance you place on the propaganda front of film and television, if the stuff you film is watched by no one, then what's the point of propaganda? I'm afraid it would be completely monopolized by foreign commercial films and become a propaganda front for the US and Europe.

Therefore, that year they issued the "Regulations on Reforming the Management of Feature Film Production," breaking the monopoly of the original 16 film studios and opening up the right to sign as a producer.

Following that, in 1997, they again issued the "Notice on Trial Implementation of Feature Film Single-Film Production Permits." This notice broke the production monopoly of film studios and provided institutional guarantees for social capital to participate in film production.

It was also that year that Huayi launched the first New Year film in Chinese history, "The Dream Factory," which not only popularized the concept of release windows but also spread the production philosophy of commercial films.

The success of "The Dream Factory" was not just a shot in the arm for domestic commercial films but also gave the relevant leaders unprecedented confidence. Thus, in 1998, they issued the "Trial Measures for Feature Film Single-Film Production Permits." With this, the Chinese film and television market was completely opened up.

It's just that Zhou Andong knew all this, but he couldn't say it.

"If Chinese film and television want to develop, they must lift restrictions and allow private capital to enter." Zhou Andong said thoughtfully: "After all, there aren't many leaders with water in their brains; most are still normal."

"And I have inside information that the relevant departments are going to introduce Hollywood blockbusters. Once they land domestically, domestic films will certainly be hit hard. Any leader with a normal brain who sees this situation will definitely lift restrictions and support domestic commercial films."

"So I judge that within five years, the domestic film and television market will be completely opened up, and my investment in filming TV dramas is to boost the company's popularity, accumulate connections, and maintain good relationships with TV stations."

Speaking of this, Zhou Andong smiled: "To put it bluntly, it's losing money to gain fame, paving the way for the future."

Zhou Zhou Xianyong looked at Zhou Andong suspiciously: "That's not right. I make a phone call, and you, kid, charge me for the phone bill. Investing millions in filming a TV drama and not even hearing a sound—would you do that?"

"Believe it or not, it's up to you." Zhou Andong stood up: "That's how it is. For the specifics, you should still go ask the relevant departments; I think they will definitely give you a very satisfactory answer, and perhaps they might even give you the green light, who knows."

"You stop right there." Zhou Zhou Xianyong shouted with dissatisfaction.

Zhou Andong, who had already reached the door, turned back around: "Is there anything else?"

Zhou Zhou Xianyong said earnestly: "Although you're not short on money, making money isn't easy these days. You invest millions in a TV drama and don't even hear a sound; I feel pained for you."

Zhou Andong tilted his head and blinked: "What do you want to say? Don't be like someone with constipation, squeezing it out bit by bit. Can we be more straightforward?"

Zhou Zhou Xianyong came in front of Zhou Andong and said sincerely: "We are uncle and nephew, real cousin-uncle and nephew; I just wanted to share some of the burden for you."

"Share some of the burden for me?" Zhou Andong's brain began to spin wildly, pondering Zhou Zhou Xianyong's intentions.

"Right!" Zhou Zhou Xianyong smiled.

In Zhou Andong's eyes, this guy was a wolf in grandmother's clothing with ill intentions.

"How to share it?"

"Invest in your entertainment company." Zhou Zhou Xianyong said with extreme temptation: "I only want ten percent of the shares, and I can even pay a fifty percent premium."

Zhou Andong's eyes flashed, a very friendly smile appeared on his face, and he grabbed Zhou Zhou Xianyong's hand and walked back: "Uncle, come, come, sit. Whatever you have to say, let's sit and talk."

A happy smile also appeared on Zhou Zhou Xianyong's face: "I knew it; you are just like me, a pure businessman who would absolutely never refuse money."

"Uncle, we've finally found common language." Zhou Andong's smile was also very bright: "Can I ask, what is the name of that light luxury product brand of yours?"