In the reply to this post predicting the future of "The Undertaker" in the United States, many people hate iron and steel:

"Alas, I didn't expect Chinese films to mix so badly in the United States, no wonder it is very fierce to advertise the Oscars every year, but never report the box office...... It's a shame, isn't it? [Reading Network]"

"It's not a shame, South Korea, Japan, France, these film powers, in the United States, this is the same result, who called the Americans too picky."

"Gu Xiaofan is crazy this time, if you want me to stay in China, why go to the United States to make people not welcome, why bother......"

Everyone is pessimistic, in the United States, the news that the movie of the "villain director" is going to be released, no one has reported it at all, all the media are controlled by the six Hollywood giants, they know that "no news" is the biggest attack on the opponent, and the information of the non-six distribution channels has been deliberately blocked.

Even the Chinese community in the United States has not received the news that "The Undertaker" will be released in the United States. The news that I know is all coming from China.

In the midst of a pessimistic voice, Gu Xiaofan had already started practicing with the Hasson and Lionsgate movies.

In the afternoon, he and Chen Keer opened an online video conference to negotiate with Lionsgate about the North American release of "The Undertaker".

Although it was only a small release, Gu Xiaofan was a little excited, after all, this was his first time in the North American market, and he had never even entered the Japanese and Korean markets before.

Before starting the video conference, Gu Xiaofan saw Chen Ke'er with her beautiful eyes closed, holding a cross in her hand and reading something softly, and asked strangely, "What are you doing?" ”

"I'm praying for 'The Undertaker' and that it will be released." Chen Ke'er's face was full of holiness, and after praying, he put the cross back into his collar, and said quietly.

Gu Xiaofan couldn't help but be quite happy in his heart, thinking that this Miss Chen turned out to be a Christian, this was the first time he knew about it, but seeing Chen Keer praying for the movie, Gu Xiaofan also knew that she had really regarded the Black Feather Company as her own.

link, this time with a Lionsgate publishing manager.

A young black man named York, with curly hair and his baby face, looks like he is only in his early 20s, and his actual age is 27 years old, and he has been responsible for the release of three films, all of which are foreign literary films and horror films.

One of the best results was the Thai horror film "Ghost Rock", which won $2.16 million at the box office, and this is the first time he has worked with a Chinese filmmaker, and he is very excited.

"Mr. Gu Xiaofan, I am your fan, your movie is really wonderful, it reminds me of Akira Kurosawa, if you sign a contract with our lions, you may be able to become Ang Lee's second in the future."

York tongue lotus touted Gu Xiaofan, but in fact, Gu Xiaofan could feel that these words were just professional habits, and York's expression did not have the enthusiasm shown in his words.

Gu Xiaofan just wanted to respond politely, but Chen Keer signaled him not to speak, and then closed the microphone and said: "Let's go straight to the topic, how does your company plan to carry out the distribution of "The Undertaker". ”

York's face was full of excitement, and he said excitedly: "Miss Chen, I think the quality of movies like "The Undertaker" is very high, we should rent the screen for national screening, and I conservatively estimate that it will recover about 10 million box office ......"

Gu Xiaofan was a little surprised by these words, thinking that things were so easy? Chen Keer said coldly:

"York, put away your tricks into coaxing foreign directors, I know you want to make money from it, do you want to say that we have to pay $1.5 million to rent the screen, and then go to the whole country to promote it? How much do you want to take the $1.5 million? 70, or 800,000? ”

This practice of renting screens for release is actually a way for small distributors in the United States to fool foreign film companies, and the so-called national distribution seems to span more than a dozen states, which is better than the six major companies.

In fact, to put it bluntly, it is to show the film in sparsely populated drive-in theaters in various states.

The income of this kind of drive-in theater is almost negligible, but it can be claimed to be shown on more than 100 screens, and some unscrupulous publishers in the United States do not know how many foreign companies have used this trick.

As soon as York heard this, a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes, and he understood that this Miss Chen was an insider, so he could only shrug his shoulders and smile cheekily:

"Miss Chen used to do distribution in North America, since she is an understanding person, then we don't have to be so troublesome, an unpopular theme like "The Undertaker" is unrealistic and completely unnecessary to release on a large scale, the only thing I can help you fight for is the screening mode and then see the situation, which is more beneficial to both of us."

York was condescending, and once he saw that the other party was not fooled, he immediately returned to his usual posture and put forward conditions.

Gu Xiaofan looked at Chen Ke'er and whispered, "What is the screening?" He didn't fool me, did he? ”

Although he is very familiar with the domestic film market, he does not know anything about the operation of North American films.

Chen Keer also looked at him strangely, listening to his English level, he was completely like a person born in the United States, how could he not understand the screening? Explained with a strange face:

"Screening is a way for North American distribution companies to test the waters before promotion, and some Chinese films are released in North America, and the distribution companies are worried that they will not be able to recover their costs in the end...... After all, publicity and film scheduling require a lot of money, so they will give these movies a chance to be screened. First in a few theaters in each region, let the audience order, after a week, see how the audience reacts, if the performance is good, a week later, it can be released on a larger scale.

But if the box office is poor in these theaters, then the distribution company will shelve or even abandon the film......"

"It's too chicken thief to screen this way, isn't it?" Gu Xiaofan frowned slightly when he heard this, the person introduced by Hasen this time was too weak.

"It's already good to be a little bit of a show." Chen Ke'er couldn't help but glance at him, thinking to himself that this person sometimes seems to be omnipotent, why sometimes he can't even understand some basic things?

"Even if it is a screening, the distribution company also needs to spend money to distribute, in a place like the United States, where business is supreme, every penny must be carefully calculated, and they will definitely not spend any more money, so the resources of the distributor must also be used for the release of movies they approve."

The competition in the American film market is far more fierce than the rest of the world, compared to the various domestic protection policies are completely like a greenhouse holding you to make money, the United States is a real gladiatorial arena for filmmakers all over the world, and only a handful of people can survive in the end.

Gu Xiaofan's brain has always been flexible, and he immediately understood that the screening of "The Undertaker" this time is a very important first step for his journey in North America