Chapter 10: Set Release Date

He didn't know whether Yu Dong was suffering from insomnia; in any case, Jiang Heng slept very soundly.

His initial goal was merely to settle the domestic review and distribution.

Only upon seeing Yu Dong for a moment did he conceive the idea of forming a distribution company, because this person was the most suitable.

First, he himself had entrepreneurial ambitions; second, his business ability and channel network were solid; third, in his dealings with partners he was generally fair.

As for the Wang brothers, thinking of the eighty-million-yuan business dispute between Zhou Xingxing and Huayi, the idea of cooperation vanished.

Wang Changtian, founder of Splendid Media, is also talented, but he is still a news worker; saying he has nothing to do with the film industry is not far off.

It can be said that aside from Yu Dong, Jiang Heng had no suitable partner.

The problem is, Yu Dong didn't know; after returning home he pondered half the night, finally called his brother-in-law, and recounted today's events in full.

The latter also knew this person had long harbored the idea of going into business, but hadn't expected such an opportunity.

"Based on your years of experience, how do you see the box-office prospects of that film?"

"Aside from the lead lacking fame, everything else is top-notch, especially the special-effects scenes—you haven't seen them, they're truly breathtaking!"

"How does it compare to last year's Tornado?"

"They're not even comparable; it's just a passable disaster film…… I get what you mean—the main crew of Tornado were unknown domestically, relying solely on shocking disaster scenes to gross over fifty million……" Yu Dong shouted.

The film Tornado is a disaster movie produced by American Warner Bros.; in Yu Dong's view the plot and characters are fairly ordinary, it's just the visuals that are shocking, and it grossed over fifty million, ranking second in mainland China's yearly box office for 1996.

Jiang Heng's brought film The Matrix clearly surpasses Tornado in every way; as long as distribution runs smoothly and promotion is strong, even the minimum guarantee will be there!

The producers and distributors' share of profits is roughly over twenty million; if calculated at a ten-point distribution commission, that's over two million in operating income!

If the share ratio were a bit higher, even just twenty percent would yield over four hundred thousand in income!

Four hundred thousand—how much liquor would he have to drink, how many years of saving, to have that?

At worst, after finishing this deal they'd split the money and then set up a company wholly his own.

As for Beijing Film Academy, one could apply for leave with pay retention; it wouldn't entail much loss.

After his brother-in-law's prompting, Yu Dong finally figured out the important connections and decided to partner with Jiang Heng.

Originally in history, he pulled his sister, brother-in-law, and older brother together to pool funds for a startup; this time he can do it alone!

The next day, Yu Dong came to see Jiang Heng again and said directly: "Mr. Jiang, actually I've thought it over carefully—who else could be your partner but me?"

Jiang Heng laughed, knowing this person wasn't easy to fool: "Oh, then tell me, why?"

"For Hong Kong films to be released in mainland China, several key problems must be solved; otherwise they won't achieve good results."

"First, pass the review; ideally uncut, but if not possible, cut in a way that doesn't affect the main plot or audience comprehension—so your partner must be able to solve this."

"Second, distribution channels; mainland China currently has no dedicated film distribution company—each major studio's distribution department handles its own releases. Jingcheng Film Studio has deep roots, its distribution network is the nation's largest, and the current Director of Distribution Center is none other than me!"

"Of course, Mr. Jiang could also look for others, but I believe no one would be more suitable!"

"Take the Wang brothers who came yesterday, for example—they have some connections and might manage to pass the review. But they previously worked in advertising, never having dealt with film distribution; do you think they could do it well?"

Jiang Heng listened, then couldn't help but applaud.

"I have to admit, what you said is completely correct. But looking for a partner to set up a distribution company to release my own film was a spur-of-the-moment idea. If following the usual routine, a Hong Kong filmmaker coming to the mainland would surely seek cooperation with a major film studio, aiming for convenience and ease."

"After all, this film is meant for global release; I don't have much time to waste here."

"So, for me, this matter is merely a difference between earning more and earning less."

"I can choose to abandon this risky notion and follow the usual routine, or you can choose to make a bold gamble!"

Jiang Heng finished speaking, glanced at his Rolex, and said: "Then, my time is limited—please state your offer one last time."

Yu Dong listened, feeling somewhat disheartened; he guessed correctly, but the gap between the two sides was too great, making equal cooperation utterly impossible.

Because for Jiang Heng this matter makes little difference, but for him it is extremely important.

Yu Dong took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and finally said: "The agency distribution ratio must reach ten percent, and my share in the company cannot be less than eighteen percent!"

He ultimately increased his demand, but it was still below his psychological bottom line, for he truly feared Jiang Heng might cancel the cooperation in anger.

Yet if it were too little, he would truly be unwilling!

The atmosphere in the room instantly grew solemn; Jiang Heng fell silent for a moment, then said: "All right, eighteen percent—I'll put in 420,000, you take 80,000, and we'll jointly establish the distribution company!"

"Good!"

Yu Dong excitedly reached out his hand, thinking only of the profits after success; at least for now he no longer quibbled over share percentages.

Jiang Heng is essentially a Hong Kong businessman; Yu Dong has extensive connections; the new company lacks no funds—whether office premises or business license, everything was arranged swiftly, and by mid-October they had everything settled.

During this period Jiang Heng also worked on resolving the review issue; in the end it was still cut a few times, but fortunately it did not affect plot comprehension or development.

Next came the scheduling problem; the yearly box-office champion Jurassic Park 2 had already premiered in summer, while the second-place Opium War, third A Good Person, fourth Heaven Collapses, Earth Rends, fifth Speak Well, etc., had all been released.

The strongest competitor should be Director Feng's Party A and Party B; this film, in original history, premiered on December 14, 1997, with reports saying it grossed thirty million, securing the 1998 Chinese film box-office crown and establishing the concept of the "New Year's Eve slot".

This claim is biased, leading many to mistakenly believe that the 1998 mainland box-office champion was only a mere thirty million.

But in fact the 1998 mainland box-office champion is the renowned Titanic, which that year earned 360 million yuan.

Even looking back a few years, thirty million in box office could not win the yearly championship.

For example, the 1995 box-office champion was Arnold Schwarzenegger's True Lies, with a gross of 103 million.

In 1996 it was Cheng Long's Simple Task, grossing eighty million.

The Chinese film market in the 1990s was indeed somewhat sluggish, but it was not the state of almost no one watching as some media reports hype.

As long as the film's quality is solid, box-office income will not be lacking.

"As for Party A and Party B, it is produced by Beijing Film Academy, with Director Han as executive producer and Ge You starring; frankly, we previously devised many plans for its production and distribution!"

In the office of the newly established Bosun film distribution company, Jiang Heng and Yu Dong were discussing scheduling.

In Yu Dong's view, naturally they should avoid the scheduling slot of Party A and Party B.

First, having just completed leave-with-pay retention, to act as agent for the new film and wage a scheduling battle with the former employer would be inappropriate.

Second, he felt Ge You was quite popular, and that film was said to be very funny, fearing mutual impact on box office.

His suggestion was to delay release and choose 1998.

But Jiang Heng didn't think so; nowadays there's no such thing as a "National Day slot," and November has always been a low season.

If we give up the December New Year slot, we can only postpone it until after February 1998.

But the period after the New Year is also a low season; April has "Titanic," the summer stretch is too long, and after thinking it over, the New Year slot is the most suitable.

Jiang Heng voiced his ideas, including his forecast for "Titanic's" release window, and Yu Dong listened, feeling tangled.

He wants to avoid the New Year slot and find another window, yet also wants to compete with "Party A Party B" to silence the mocking and doubtful voices.

The reason is simple: his handling of a leave of absence at Beijing Film Studio caused a huge stir, and many said he had been duped by a Xianggang person.

Some even leaked that Jiang Heng is a fraud, having made a nonsensical sci‑fi film, somehow fooling Yu Dong.

A respectable Beijing Film Studio distribution director acting improperly, running off to start a joint company and even distributing a Xianggang sci‑fi film—does that place even produce sci‑fi?

In an instant, Yu Dong became the hottest topic at Beijing Film Studio; acquaintances and strangers alike used Yu Dong as conversation fodder.

Busy with the new company's launch, he naturally didn't hear the chatter, but someone gave him a brief summary, which made his stomach churn!

But he's from Beijing Film Studio; distributing other films against his old boss is hard to justify.

"I still think releasing during the New Year slot isn't appropriate," Yu Dong said, lacking confidence.

Jiang Heng's eyes flicked, and he made a rough guess in his mind.

"If I were to act unilaterally and choose that time window for release!"

Yu Dong smiled, "You're the major shareholder; if you insist on that slot, I have no choice but to comply!"

"Fine, let's pick that slot; as for the date, let's set it for December 19th!"

The 19th falls on a Friday; with the opening day plus Saturday and Sunday, it usually yields a solid opening‑weekend box office.

Typically Mainland China films run about a month, and by January 19 there are still ten days before the New Year, so the impact of the Spring Festival travel rush and holiday is minimal.

The only slight impact comes from Director Feng's "Party A Party B," but the two differ in style and genre, so the mutual effect is limited.

After all, few people watch two comedies back‑to‑back in the same window; usually it's one or the other.

Watching the sci‑fi first and then the comedy is fine.

Once the Mainland release date was set, Jiang Heng flew back to Hong Kong Island.

His goal is worldwide distribution; even if remote countries and regions can't be covered, the major box‑office markets—United States, Europe, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Taiwan—must still be targeted.

For those territories, proactively seeking distribution is both difficult and inefficient, and using the joint‑distribution method with Yu Dong is out of the question.

As long as it screens in Xianggang and performs well, local distributors will naturally approach for cooperation; previously, Hong Kong films have essentially followed this model.

But to distribute, you need to negotiate with several major cinema chains, and Jiang Heng has had little contact with those chains before, which makes it a bit of a hassle!

After pondering, he realized he needed to enlist someone with exceptionally strong connections to act as a go‑between.

Jiang Heng thought for a moment and recalled Hong Jinbao; through Yuan De he invited Hong Jinbao, Yuan Hua, Yuan Biao, Yuan Kui and others to his company for an early screening.

Aside from Hong Jinbao, the others were quite interested in Jiang Heng's new film.

Because they knew this from the earliest casting of the female lead, having worked together at Shaw's Clearwater Bay studio, they had prior interactions.

After the box‑office disaster of "Ma Yongzhen," Yuan Kui, Yuan Biao and others were in a deeply depressed mood.

They especially wanted to know how the film they shot together back then turned out; if everyone flops together, wouldn't that lift the spirits a bit?

In the Outstanding Rising Film Company conference room, the stout yet agile Hong Jinbao stared at the spacious executive swivel chair and gave it a turn with his hand.

"Not bad, you know to pick a bigger chair for me!"

Yuan De chuckled, "If it's too small, I couldn't sit on it either!"

Hong Jinbao asked, "You really never saw it before?"

Yuan De replied, "I've been busy, no time! Besides, I'm just a martial arts director and a villain, so I don't worry about these!"

Hong Jinbao nodded slightly, his voice a bit lower, "Then I'll be clear: if the film is bad, I have no face to approach Mr. Zou (Zou Wenhuai), and the others shouldn't even think about it!"

Yuan De said, "Got it, got it! Just think of it as a casual visit; if it looks bad, we certainly can't push it forcefully!"

Yuan Kui suddenly said, "I heard he recently went to the Mainland?"

He also noticed the Xianggang film industry becoming increasingly tough, contemplating leaving but unsure whether to go to Hollywood or the Mainland.

Yuan De said, "He went there, already contacted a distribution company, and set a release window!"

"When? He said it's the New Year slot, in December!"

Hong Jinbao's expression grew serious, "December? Hua Zi's 'Black Gold' also seems slated for a December release!"

"'Black Gold'? China Star, produced by Xiang's family?"

"Yes, starring Hua Zi and Liang Jiahui!"

"Then this becomes a problem!"

The senior brothers debated, none really inclined to get involved, since there were no profit ties!

If a bad film needlessly offends people, the loss would be even greater!

While they were talking, a clerk brought tea and snacks; Jiang Heng also came in, exchanged a few pleasantries, then hooked up the projector and played "The Matrix."

The people in the conference room could be called among the most outstanding in the Xianggang film circle; some can direct, write scripts, have solid kung fu, and possess undeniable discernment.

The more so, the more they were stunned by the content displayed in the film.

Because laypeople, when they see it, exclaim "awesome, awesome, wow, wow!"

And people like Hong Jinbao and Yuan Kui understand how difficult it is to achieve such shots during production.

Especially the scene where the male lead Neo first dodges bullets; Hong Jinbao couldn't fathom how to film it.

"Never imagined the VFX shots could be so realistic!"

(End of chapter)