Chapter 34: Christmas Box Office Champion (Ask for Collection, Ask for Recommendation)
After Christmas, the Christmas box office war in the Hong Kong film industry is coming to an end, and "Police Story" is proud of the Christmas box office list with a score of 24 million, firmly occupying the throne of the Christmas box office champion.
"Merry Christmas" produced by Xinyi City, although it was a desperate fight with the help of the two days of Christmas, but the news that Chen Ping'an disappeared for ten consecutive days and caused chaos in black and white attracted the attention of a large number of gossip-loving citizens. As a result, the two-day box office performance of "Merry Christmas" on Christmas Day was only the same as that of "Police Story", and as soon as Christmas passed, the box office of the two dramas began to decline again, and "Merry Christmas" slipped faster, and it could not shake the champion of "Police Story" at all.
At this time, the media no longer has any interest in who will win the Christmas box office, because there is no suspense; is not interested in slapping Golden Harvest in the face, with "Police Story" as a dark horse as the Christmas box office champion, Golden Harvest's face has long been swollen.
Now the biggest interest of the media is whether the drama "Police Story" is qualified to challenge "The Best Partner Queen's Secret Order" and whether it can snatch the 84-year annual box office championship from Xinyicheng; and whether Dark Horse International will cross the Hong Kong film industry like a meteor, or will it become the second new art city to the end.
In response to the previous question, the reporters interviewed the three giants of the new art city.
Mecca: "Police Story" is a good show, starring Aaron, it will definitely not be bad at the box office with him. As for Dark Horse International, I haven't heard of it. I wonder why you're comparing it to our new art city, is it qualified? ”
Shi Tian: "It's not funny, it's not April Fool's Day. The achievements of the "Best Partner" series are obvious to all, and "Police Story" is just the light of Cheng Long, coupled with the shameless hype of some people to achieve the current results. The Christmas schedule is not over yet, and it is not certain whether it can win the Christmas box office championship, and now it is delusional about the annual box office championship...... Ahem, you have to be down-to-earth, you can't be ambitious! ”
Huang Baiming: "It's hard to say this question. It is undeniable that "Police Story" is a success, it has created a precedent for police and bandit action films, and I believe that there will be follow-up films on the market soon, which is the best recognition of Chen Ping'an and his dark horse international. I am glad to see that the Hong Kong film industry continues to inject new vitality into the Hong Kong film industry and bring better and newer film ...... to the Hong Kong people."
Mecca and Shi Tian obviously don't take Chen Ping'an and his Dark Horse International seriously, and even the big sale of "Police Story" is also stained with Cheng Long's light in their mouths, which makes media reporters excited - a new contradiction has come out, New Art City VS Dark Horse International! Huang Baiming's attitude was ambiguous, and in the face of reporters' interviews and tai chi, the reporters were not easy to get along with, and took a part of it out of context and published it in the newspaper to become "Dark Horse International has a fierce momentum, and Huang Baiming is under pressure".
This year's Christmas, Dark Horse International sang a one-man show. first turned his face with Golden Harvest from the honeymoon period, and then took refuge in the arms of Shaw Brothers and drew Golden Harvest with a backhand. Golden Harvest boss Zou Wenhuai unexpectedly did not make any statement, which gave the media a feeling that he could not make a force, so he artificially created the competition between Dark Horse International and New Art City, in short, Chen Ping'an and his Dark Horse International are indispensable in the entertainment version every day.
For Chen Ping'an and his Dark Horse International, the outside world is very good, but his mind is not on this. Dark Horse International Film Company, Chen Ping'an held the first annual all-staff meeting.
Participants: Cub Niu, Zhang Ziyang, Luo Lixian, Kwan Jinpeng, Liang Jiahui.
Observers: Shang Geyundun, Wang Jing.
The dwarf cow has been completely asked by Chen Ping'an from Xiang Huayan, although there is still a temporary position in Xin'an Company, and the night bar is still his watch, but the dwarf cow is already the security manager of Dark Horse International and Chen Ping'an's bodyguard.
Zhang Ziyang, financial manager of Dark Horse International, big housekeeper.
Luo Lixian, the stunt team leader and Chen Ping'an's bodyguard.
Kwan Jinpeng: Dark Horse International Director.
Leung Ka Fai: Dark Horse International Actor, temporarily serving as a casting director.
Wang Jing's contract with Shaw Brothers expires next year, and he can join Dark Horse International after that, so although Chen Ping'an informed him, he can only be an observer, and he sits aside to listen in a proper manner. Chen Ping'an also notified Zhang Manyu, but the latter refused, saying that he is still a Shaw Brothers artist and has nothing to do with Dark Horse International. However, Chen Ping'an always felt that Zhang Manyu's tone on the phone seemed to be very angry.
The other observer was less disciplined. Shang Gewenton was very dissatisfied with this arrangement: "Chen, you can't treat me like this, I was the first to know you, and I am also the most looking to come to Hong Kong with you." Why do they all come late and sit at the table while I sit by the wall, it's not fair! ”
"Because you're not from the company yet."
"Then I'll join the company now!"
"Welcome. Ayan! ”
Zhang Ziyang skillfully took out the contract and handed it to Shang Geyundun, who took a cursory look at it and exclaimed, "Oh, the cake seller!" Decade? Chen, you vampire! ”
Up to now. Dark Horse International's artist contract has a term of ten years. Liang Jiahui said that when he was depressed, Chen Ping'an took the initiative to run out of an olive branch and put on a look of knowing the grace of the encounter, which moved the other party and made the other party sign his name on a ten-year contract without hesitation.
But it's hard to say. This guy has been in Hollywood for several years, although he hasn't become famous, but his vision has gone up. If Chen Ping'an took the initiative to come up with a ten-year contract, it would backfire if he didn't get it right, so he had to learn from Jiang Taigong and wait for the other party to automatically take the bait.
"It's okay if you want to."
"I do!" Shang Geyundun grabbed the contract and signed the big name, "Chen, don't forget your promise to me, otherwise I will not let you go." Niu, don't glare at me, Chan is my best friend, I just can't tolerate being cheated on by my friends. ”
Guan Jinpeng's heart tightened: "What promise?" Shang, what exactly is the agreement between the two of you? Boss, what did you promise him? ”
"Don't be so nervous, I promised to help him break into Hollywood and make him an international action superstar. Friends, your responsibilities are heavy. ”
Chen Ping'an's reply with a hippie smile dispelled Guan Jinpeng's nervousness, he smiled at Chen Ping'an gratefully, and then turned to Shang Geyundun, who made Shang Geyunton's goosebumps fall to the ground.
Since Dark Horse International's first drama "Police Story" has not yet been completed, there is nothing to summarize at this annual meeting, the main purpose is to connect feelings, and Chen Ping'an to explain some things.
"Ayan, book a ticket for me to fly to Taiwan, it will be on the first of next month."
"Dwarf Niu, during the time I left Hong Kong, you should be optimistic about the company, don't have any accidents."
"Ah Xian, when the box office arrives, you withdraw 500,000 from Ah Yang and set up your stunt studio, and you will be responsible for the staff, venue, and equipment."
"Pengpeng, I've read your script, it's not bad, I'll revise it in the next two days, and the actors will follow what you said, Zhou Yanfa, Zhong Chuhong and Miao Qianren. When the box office arrives, you will withdraw two million from Ayan as filming funds, and set their schedule first, and I will prepare to paint your drama on the Easter schedule. ”
"I'm sorry Ah Hui, I will go to Taiwan when you first come to the company. During my absence, you helped me find a few people, this list only has names, ages and portraits, no amount of information I can give you, I have to work hard for you. You are responsible for cooperating with Ah Hui, don't disturb them after finding these people, and wait for me to come back. ”
"Lao Shang, during my absence, you can't relax your requirements for yourself, improving your acting skills is the top priority, if you can satisfy me, I will create three plays for you the year after tomorrow, as your entry into Hollywood trilogy. In addition, Ah Xian has cooperated more in setting up a stunt studio, and he has a lot of stunts that no one in Hollywood can do. ”
"Ah Xiang, I have to trouble you. When "Police Story" is finished, you take Ah Yang to find Aunt Fang and tell her to let her advance part of the box office first. ”
"By the way, Ah Yang, after Ah Xiang and Pengpeng's funds are satisfied, if there is any leftover, you can buy me a house, preferably a villa in Taiping Mountain, and finalize it and wait for me to come back and sign."
"I'm done, do you have any questions?"
Most of them have no problem, they understand that Chen Ping'an gave them the opportunity to take charge of themselves, and they all patted their chests to ensure that it was completed, except for the dwarf cow.
The dwarf cow wanted to go to Taiwan with Chen Ping'an, he was afraid that Chen Ping'an would have an accident, and he still had palpitations about what happened two days ago. However, what is Chen Ping'an's identity, he may be safer in Taiwan than in Hong Kong. After being rejected by Chen Ping'an, he excused himself to go out to buy cigarettes and went downstairs to call Xiang Huayan. He had to report this matter, and Chen Ping'an didn't say that he wouldn't let him report it.
After the dwarf cow went out, Wang Jing walked up to Chen Ping'an and asked in a whisper, "Boss, when will you come back?" ”
"Something?"
"Hmm. Maggie's contract expires in January, and Golden Harvest has been in contact with her a lot lately, so I'm worried about ......"
"She dares! I am willing to gamble and lose, if I really say it's a fart! When her contract expires, you immediately ask Ah Yang to sign her, if she dares to sign Golden Harvest, you let the dwarf cow find someone to tie her up before signing the contract, and wait for me to come back to solve it! ”
Less than ten minutes after the dwarf cow came back from buying cigarettes, Xiang Huayan called Chen Ping'an's eldest brother. Xiang Huayan was very happy between the words, saying that he didn't see the wrong person, he knew early on that Chen Ping'an was not cold-blooded and ruthless, and he couldn't let go of the relationship between father and son, and he was very relieved to learn that Chen Ping'an was going to fly to Taiwan, and said that during this time, he would cover Chen Ping'an with a dark horse international cloud.
Even if Chen Ping'an bluntly said on the phone that he flew to Taiwan this time only for filming and had no other purpose, Xiang Huayan didn't care, but said with a smile that he had called Zhang Zhaole to inform him that the latter would be picked up at Zhongzheng International Airport in Taoyuan County on January 1.
At the end of December 1984, the box office of "Police Story" had soared to 26 million, leaving off the competitor "Merry Christmas" by as much as 3 million.
On January 1, the first day of 85 years, accompanied by Dwarf Niu, Shang Ge Yundun and others, Chen Ping'an came to Hong Kong's Kai Tak International Airport and boarded a flight to Taiwan alone.