In the Hong Kong film industry, there has always been a midnight theater culture. Before a movie is released, all people in the film industry, well-known filmmakers, film critics, media reporters, and some audiences are generally invited to watch the midnight test screening.

The audience at the midnight show is several times more people in the circle than people outside the circle!

Therefore, for the audience at the midnight show, the taste is far more picky than the ordinary audience.

Film critics, in particular, are sharp-tongued, and by writing articles criticizing some movies, they show their authority and attract readers and audiences to pay attention to his review articles, so as to have a certain influence in the film industry - this is what film critics need to make a living!

Zhang Shaojie never expected that "Datang" could make all the senior fans in the midnight show applaud. I only hope that the audience at the midnight show will not scold "Datang" as a bad movie, and everything will be fine!

In fact, the reputation of the midnight test screening has always been "good and bad"!

The audience at midnight, the bad movie that collectively scolded, has a high probability of hitting the street.

However, movies with a good reputation among the audience at midnight may not be able to become popular at the box office.

Saturday, March 14, 1981 ————————.

In the evening, Golden Harvest Cinema arranged a cinema in Mong Kok that can accommodate 1,500 spectators for the midnight test screening of "The Legend of Double Dragons of the Tang Dynasty".

Gu Long took the initiative to use his face in the industry to invite dozens of well-known film critics, and media reporters naturally received invitations to the midnight show.

As for their counterparts in the film industry, the Shaw Brothers, New Art City, and Golden Harvest Company all sent invitations.

However, Shaw Brothers directly did not give Gu Long face, saying that Boss Shao was not available, and refused to participate in the midnight test screening of "The Legend of Double Dragons of the Tang Dynasty".

And Xinyicheng only sent John Woo to participate. Golden Harvest Company is He Guanchang, Xu Guanwen, and Jackie Chan, who came to cheer and gave Baolong Film Company enough face.

"Shaojie, congratulations on the midnight test screening of "The Legend of Double Dragons of the Tang Dynasty", which is the first blockbuster film in Hong Kong with an investment of 43 million Hong Kong dollars, and it is said to use the world's most advanced computer CG special effects technology. This is to get ahead of Hollywood and raise the face of the Hong Kong film industry! Xu Guanwen patted Zhang Shaojie on the shoulder and smiled.

"Brother Guanwen, you are the best director in Hong Kong, Jane Superstar, Bruce Lee died young, if it weren't for your ghost horse flow to save Hong Kong movies in danger. At this time, Hong Kong movies are definitely not as beautiful as they are now! Zhang Shaojie said with a smile.

"Me? No, old man, it's your young people's world from now on! Besides, I did well at the box office in Hong Kong, but I was far inferior to Jackie Chan overseas. Jackie Chan has a lot of irons in Yueben, and any movie released in Yueben will mostly have a box office of more than $10 million, and he will never hit the street! Xu Guanwen pointed to Jackie Chan and said, "Hong Kong's current kung fu superstar who is going international belongs to him!" ”

Zhang Shaojie looked at Jackie Chan, greeted him and smiled: "Brother Jackie Chan, let's get closer to each other, can we appreciate our face and give some opportunities for cooperation in the future?" ”

Jackie Chan was obviously flattered and said, "Definitely, definitely!" ”

Jackie Chan in the early 80s could only get a salary of hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars in Hong Kong, which was not as good as Xu Guanwen. Jackie Chan's films with Hollywood have received little response in the North American market.

However, with the foundation laid by Jackie Chan's "Drunken Fist" in the 70s, every movie of Jackie Chan has hardcore supporters in the market. In this market, Jackie Chan never hits the streets. It can be said that the greatest value of Jackie Chan at this time is the amazing box office appeal in the market!

He Guanchang scolded with a smile: "Hey! Last time you borrowed Yuan Heping, do you still owe Jiahe a script, the old account has not been paid off, and you are fighting Jackie Chan again? ”

"Hehe, the script is owed first, and when it is written, I am satisfied with myself, and I will give it to you! In fact, I don't even bother to write low-budget movies below 10 million. Those who are willing to write are all generous, and the investment cannot reach more than 10 million, which is not good! Zhang Shaojie said with a smile.

He Guanchang despised him: "You are called Huazi when you are Golden Harvest, and you can't afford an investment of 10 million?" As long as you write it, a movie worth 10 million investment, we can get the money to make it!"

The essence of Golden Harvest lies in the amazing market appeal of superstars such as Jackie Chan and Xu Guanwen.

Even if the films of other directors of Golden Harvest are not profitable, as long as Jackie Chan and Xu Guanwen maintain their current market appeal, Golden Harvest will not lack funds.

What's more, the 80s was the most profitable golden decade for the Hong Kong film industry! Most movies can earn back their costs when they are released in Hong Kong, and they can be released overseas, and their net income is several times more than that of Hong Kong!

Suddenly, Zhang Shaojie noticed that Xu Guanwen's expression seemed to be sullen, and he asked He Guanchang curiously.

Guanwen's younger brother Xu Guanjie, not long ago, accepted the invitation of Xinyicheng to join Xinyicheng's new film and play the starring role. The price given by New Arts City is a salary of 2 million Hong Kong dollars, plus overseas box office dividends." He Guanchang sighed and said, "This is the first time that the three Xu brothers have parted ways."

Zhang Shaojie frowned and said: "The salary of 2 million Hong Kong dollars is indeed a rare super generous in Hong Kong!" However, Xu Guanjie shouldn't have jumped to New Arts City just for money, right? ”

"Well, it's not just about money! After "Modern Bodyguard" became popular, Xu Guanwen's status in Golden Harvest was even more unshakable, plus Golden Harvest and kung fu movie superstars like Jackie Chan. Xu Guanjie can only be under Xu Guanwen and Jackie Chan forever in Golden Harvest. Therefore, he chose to go to Xinyi City and become the highest-paid brother! He Guanchang explained.

When Zhang Shaojie heard this, he was ready to comfort Xu Guanwen.

Xu Guanwen waved his hand and said: "Don't comfort me, I really want to open it, and I feel relieved that Guanjie can have such a high net worth!" Good guys, with a salary of 2 million, it has set a new record for Hong Kong's salary, and the new art city is so generous! ”

Seeing this, Zhang Shaojie couldn't help but be silent.

Historically, after the original "Modern Bodyguard" set a box office record, it also marked that the three heroes of the Xu family gradually began to part ways, gather less and leave more, and no longer like movies such as "Ghost Horse Double Star", "Half a Pound and Eight Taels", "Modern Bodyguard" and other movies, the three brothers went into battle to make films together.

In the end, it wasn't until 89 that "Chicken and Duck Talk" once again allowed the three brothers to fight side by side in one movie.

There was a sigh between Zhang Shaojie and Xu Guanwen.

Over there, Jackie Chan and Gu Long also looked a little embarrassed when they met.

In the past, when he was in Shaw Brothers, Jackie Chan once asked Gu Long, who was a Shaw Brothers gold medal screenwriter, to help, but Gu Long didn't look down on Jackie Chan. Now Jackie Chan is popular and has become the most famous kung fu superstar in Hong Kong. This undoubtedly shows that Gu Long was blind back then. After the two met, they were also staring at each other, looking speechless.

With the admission of 1,500 spectators in the cinema one after another.

Tsui Hark represented the crew on stage and gave a speech.

After that, the lights dimmed, and the midnight preview officially began.

On the wide horizontal plane, several Sui Dynasty Wuya ships carrying hundreds of people appeared on the silver screen

With this scene of Hong Kong cinema rare majestic scene appeared. Throughout the cinema, the audience felt a gasp!

"Such a big ancient ship, there are so many sailors and soldiers on board, it is really a rare super big deal in Hong Kong!" "Those sailors and soldiers look really professional!" "This ship alone is estimated to cost millions, right? ”

Zhang Shaojie heard an audience member in the theater discuss, and he was proud. Damn, Zhang Shaojie loves the magnificent and epic atmosphere created by the huge sailing ship in the early 21st century Hollywood blockbuster "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Therefore, at the beginning of the movie, I discussed with Tsui Hark that we must create an unparalleled atmospheric scene.

An additional HK$1.7 million was added to the cost of the ship, which included the purchase of the ship and the conversion of the ship into the appearance of an ancient warship at a shipyard in Hong Kong. Moreover, the crew also specially found more than 100 experienced sailors and fishermen to take on some technical jobs on the ship. The props and preparation alone, the money spent is enough to shoot two films with a budget of one million Hong Kong dollars.

Yu Wenhua and on the ship, discussed with his subordinates to go to the Shilong Dojo to seize the "Recipe of Eternal Life" and dedicate it to Yang Guang, and the people on the ship had no respect for Yang Guang, showing that these people were Yu Wenhua and his henchmen, and they had already turned against Yang Guang.

The seizure of "The Secret of Eternal Life" is also to make Yang Guang further dismiss the government, elevate Yang Guang's power, and prepare for Yu Culture and the usurpation of the dynasty.

At this time, through the vision of the soldiers on the giant ship, I looked at the shore from afar.

On the shore, a group of masters of the rivers and lakes are tracking a woman in white. That group of people, light exercises, beautiful, just like a beautiful Chinese painting

"Is this the style of Tsui Hark's New Wave martial arts that was evaluated in the newspaper?" "This light skill is really charming, the masked woman in white is so beautiful, people can't help but get a glimpse of her face"

The audience has just been blown away by the magnificent scene of the warship sailing at the beginning.

And now, this scene of the elegant light chase has made everyone deeply fascinated.

Many people who have read the original work of "The Legend of Double Dragons of the Tang Dynasty" will smile, and naturally know that the woman is Fu Junzhuo. However, audiences who have not read the original book feel full of suspense in their hearts and can't help but be deeply attracted by the film.

Yu Wenhua came to the stone dragon dojo on the outskirts of Yangzhou and met the reclusive stone dragon. The two fought fiercely for "The Secret of Eternal Life". Among them, the destruction and momentum caused by Xuan Bing Jin and internal forces have been fully passed through special effects and special effects, creating rich details and great momentum.

The kind of shots processed with computer CG special effects shocked all the audiences in the cinema!

This is the visual impact produced by high technology, and audiences who have not experienced the baptism of special effects blockbusters can't resist this visual impact.

The visual impact is to fully stimulate the excitement in the cranial nerves of all the audience. Any audience, when the excitement is stimulated, will feel fascinated and lose the mentality of calm viewing.

Precisely stimulating the excitement of the audience is the key to the success of the blockbuster!

In the movie, Shi Long is not Yu Wenhuaji's opponent, but he still fled with "The Secret of Eternal Life", and he entrusted the "Secret of Eternal Life" to an old master who did not know martial arts.

The old master hurriedly prepared to flee with this precious secret book.

However, the old master met Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, the little pickpockets!

With the appearance of Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling in Yangzhou, this pair of bullied gangsters and pickpockets. Finally, during an operation, he accidentally stole the "Recipe for Eternal Life". Then, the two protagonists are wanted by the city for stealing a Taoist treasure. Following the sewers, the two escaped from the city

At this time, the musical accompaniment of the movie is the classic martial arts music "Stealing Gong".

This music, in every detail, fully mobilized the emotions of the audience, making them "substitute" the protagonists Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling met Fu Junzhuo, from the initial disagreement, to later, Fu Junzhuo, who was cold-faced and hot-hearted, saved the two many times.

Fu Junzhuo confronted Yu Wenhua twice, endured internal injuries, and rescued Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling from danger.

Later, in Fu Junwu's death, although the background music was still "Stealing Gong". But after a slight adjustment, it has changed from a tone of endeavor to a sad atmosphere.

Lin Qingxia seemed to hear the sobs of some of the audience, and she also felt sour in her heart.

Fu Junzhuo was played by her, but after a few months of playing, she almost took on the role. And the previous experience of Qiong Yao's drama also made her emotionally rich.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Shaojie bumped her shoulder.

"Nope!" Lin Qingxia said.

"Then why are you crying?" Zhang Shaojie wondered, "Someone bullied you?" ”

"No, I don't. It's just that it's too deep into the play! She explained.

Zhang Shaojie stretched out his hand, held Lin Qingxia's jade arm, and said, "When acting, you have to enter the play." But when you live, you can't live in a drama. Otherwise, you will lose yourself and become schizophrenic! ”

"Yes!" Lin Qingxia withdrew her hand.

Zhang Shaojie was reluctant to give up, feeling the touching touch just now.

With the movie, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling practiced "The Secret of Eternal Life" in the valley, and their internal skills were achieved out of the valley. rescued Su Su in the Jianghuai Army, showing a young chivalrous demeanor.

The whole movie looks high-spirited because of Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's raised eyebrows.

After the three words "the end of the whole play" appeared!

All the viewers feel that they are still unsatisfied, and they can't wait to see the next one right away!

Finally, after dozens of seconds, the audience in the theater became excited and began to applaud. Here, there is no distinction between film critics, journalists, or ordinary audiences.

Everyone tonight is a fan of "The Legend of Double Dragons of the Tang Dynasty", and everyone is fascinated by this epoch-making classic blockbuster!

"Zhang Shaojie, always support you!" A female audience member suddenly shouted.

"Tsui Hark, good job!" Another spectator shouted.

"The Legend of Double Dragons of the Tang Dynasty is really awesome, the most classic martial arts blockbuster in Hong Kong!" A spectator shouted.

Gradually, fans were talking everywhere, and the scene became a pot of porridge

"What about the director, what about Director Tsui Hark, I admire you so much, sign for me!"

"Lin Qingxia, you are the number one beauty in Asia!"

"Look, there, Zhang Shaojie is hiding there."

"Sign it, Wu Dairong, you are so handsome, you are the most suitable for ancient costumes, sooner or later you will be a big star!"

The audience was overly enthusiastic, and everyone in the crew became fragrant buns. More than 1,000 spectators rushed madly.

Especially some beautiful female fans, beautiful female reporters, beautiful female film critics and the like, constantly eat Zhang Shaojie's tofu, and even his newly bought suit was torn into pieces of cloth by his fingers stretched out from all directions

Damn, it's so cruel!

Zhang Shaojie was careful and his liver was frightened. He has never seen such crazy fans, and it seems that the visual impact of the "Datang" movie is simply an unparalleled success.

But

With such enthusiastic fans, it's better to leave it to Tsui Hark to deal with it.

After Tsui Hark and others were surrounded by fans, Zhang Shaojie took the opportunity to disappear in a blink of an eye under the protection of the security guards of the cinema.

Before leaving, Zhang Shaojie gloated and looked at the embarrassment of Gu Long, Tsui Hark and others.

(To be continued)