Speaking of the main theme of non-revolutionary themes, "My Motherland and Me", "My Hometown and Me", etc., Simon picked them up at his fingertips and briefly talked about the related ideas. Simon finally said: "The key to this type is actually He is a small person in a big era, close to public life, and at the same time, he has the big background and big events of the big era as a backdrop, which can give the audience a sense of immersion, and many people have actually experienced it personally."
After listening to this, the two girls probably opened their minds similarly to when they saw Simon's email, but this time they didn't feel as bright as their eyes.
Ren Jingxi said: "Simon, what you mean is, will the audience like this platter movie?"
"Who knows if you don't try it," Simon said without giving a definite answer: "Also, although China's 50th National Day will be celebrated next year, it will be the year 2000, the millennium, which is also a good year. Gimmicks. Movie marketing is very important, and Hollywood has proven this. For the millennium, you can first hype up this gimmick, and then combine it with the theme of the film itself and choose an appropriate schedule, such as National Day or New Year's Day. In short , just to make people feel that not watching a movie during the millennium is a waste. If you spend more money, 50 million to make a movie, and don’t burn 20 to 30 million in promotional expenses, then you are simply sorry to the creators. Cinematic effort.”
Mo Wuling was speechless: "For a 50 million movie, 20 to 30 million are invested in advertising. Isn't this too much?"
"Hollywood is such a ratio," Simon said, thought for a moment, and added: "However, China's film industry has just started, the competition is not fierce, and capital is not abundant. It can indeed be less, but the same 50 million It is still necessary to invest 10 to 20 million yuan in publicity for the project. Moreover, don’t think that the money is just for a movie. As long as the consumption habits of Chinese audiences are cultivated, it will be a long-term benefit.”
Ren Jingxi said: "I think the key is to make the movie itself the best it can be."
Simon did not deny: "Of course, this is the basis. Moreover, making a good movie is actually not as difficult as you think. There is no shortage of film talents in China, what is lacking is just some pioneering concepts and ideas. We This is actually what we talked about at this time. After you have opened up your ideas, the rest is for you to do it with your heart. Don’t think that what I said about my heart is a very empty word. After you have been working in this circle for a few years, You will understand how important this is. Because some movies may be considered average by critics, but they are well-intentioned and resonate with the audience, so they get very high box office. On the contrary, for movies that are not careful, the audience actually You can see it, don’t think that anyone can deceive anyone, you can deceive someone once or twice, but it will definitely not work three or four times.”
The two girls didn't understand why someone said these words with some inexplicable emotion, but they nodded together seriously and kept it in their hearts.
In fact, Mo Wuling once again thought of "To Youth" which is still being released after being successfully postponed in China. In fact, many media think this movie is not very good. However, from its release on July 9 to now, as of now, In the seven weeks since this Thursday, the cumulative box office of "Youth" has reached 243 million yuan. Although it has exhausted its remaining power, it will not be a problem to collect several million more in the future and exceed 250 million yuan.
The investment of 20 million and the box office return of more than ten times are amazing.
However, in the final analysis, Ren Jingxi feels that the success of this movie may involve all aspects, but it is definitely inseparable from the word "intention".
Ren Jingxi also thought of "To Youth" and brought it up without concealing it. After chatting for a while, he regretted: "I heard that in Hollywood, after a movie is released in the cinema, other videos and TV platforms The income is also very generous, not much lower than that of theaters. It's a pity that piracy is so bad over there. Jinshu sent an escort team of hundreds of people for "To Youth", but about a month after it was released at the beginning of the month, piracy It’s still paved in the streets and alleys.”
Simon did not answer the question immediately, but asked instead: "Do you think there is piracy in the United States?"
Ren Jingxi didn't know why, but he didn't understand it either. He thought about it and said, "It should happen. This kind of thing cannot be prevented. However, copyright protection is very good in the United States."
Simon said: "That's right, that's also wrong."
Ren Jingxi made a listening gesture.
Simon said: "In recent years, due to the Internet, I think pirated film and television downloads have also appeared in China. In fact, the Internet in the United States has become more popular, and it once made major studios feel like enemies. However, the fact is that the film industry has not suffered a big impact because of this. Both theater chains and peripheral channels are still growing. This is not just because of copyright protection. You have to know that with the openness of the Internet, if you want to Combating piracy on this virtual platform is a hundred times more difficult than in reality. Many websites are not even in the United States. Therefore, the rampant piracy caused by the Internet in the United States is actually not much different from the piracy trend caused by VCDs in China. . However, our industry continues to grow, why do you think it is?"
Ren Jingxi reacted quickly this time: "What you just said, um, consumption habits?"
"That's right." Simon nodded appreciatively: "Any market is actually cultivated, not complained about. Piracy is rampant in China, so while trying to crack down on it through legal channels, what you should do is use genuine copies. To cultivate the market. As long as the moral and ethical cognition of modern society does not collapse, I believe that there will be enough people, even if they use piracy, to understand that this is wrong. Similarly, I believe that there are enough people, as long as they have the ability, in fact We are very willing to support genuine products. What you have to do is to provide these people with genuine products, and at the same time, through extensive market promotion and reasonable public opinion guidance, develop more potential consumer groups into real genuine users."
Ren Jingxi nodded humbly, thought for a moment, then looked at the man opposite who was holding up the red wine next to him. After he finished drinking and put down the goblet, he said, "Can you give me some specific suggestions?"
Simon picked up the tableware again and said: "Take the "To Youth" you just mentioned as an example. This time when I went back, I immediately started preparing to release the original VCD. Ha, speaking of this, China is actually quite enviable. , you don’t have to worry about the window period there, but Hollywood can’t, otherwise the theater chain will be in trouble. However, given China’s market environment, it can’t just be VCD, otherwise it will definitely not be able to compete with pirated discs that cost a few dollars a piece. Solve The method is to give away peripherals. Now when you are in Los Angeles, you can visit the movie peripheral product store there. Universal Studios has a complete range of movie peripherals, toys, clothes, posters, etc. You can refer to it.”
Mo Wuling said: "Most people can't afford just the genuine disc. If it's like you said, plus these peripherals, it will inevitably be more expensive. Surely more people can't afford it?"
"This belongs to the category of consumer psychology." Simon glanced at the girl opposite, considered for a moment, and said: "For example, when you buy a piece of clothing, do you want to buy one that is as unique as possible? Even if you spend more money, you are still satisfied. Are all the streets the same style?”
Mo Wuling smiled shyly for no reason, and said, "Maybe, the former."
In fact, she didn't care about clothes, but she also knew that what he needed was the answer she said. Moreover, she could probably understand his analogy.
Simon said: "That's it. I just said that the first thing you have to win over is a group of users who are willing to consume genuine copies and have the ability to buy genuine copies. But how to win them over? Is it just to make something like those pirated CDs on the street? genuine products, and then wait for them to buy them? The result is that some people may buy them, but more people will instinctively feel that if they compare what they see on the street, even if they don’t buy pirated products, It doesn’t matter whether you buy the genuine product or not. This is even more true for other potential genuine consumer groups. Therefore, if you want them to buy it, you must make them feel that the genuine product they buy is different.”
The two girls nodded together this time.
The waitress brought a few more dishes at this time, all of which were freshly caught seafood. The three of them paused for a moment. Simon tasted the latest fragrant butter mussels, took another sip of red wine, and then continued. : "Furthermore, you must understand that those who are able and willing to spend dozens of yuan to buy genuine optical discs will not mind doubling the price. The key is to make them feel that it is worth their money. This requires you to start from the outside." The packaging begins with a lot of thought, such as the outermost box, which may be made into an iron box, or the most high-end cardboard box. The key is that even if an empty box is placed there, it must make people feel high-end. At the same time, the discs must be loaded. In addition to the movie, it can also be used as a storage box. Speaking of gifts, enough thought and cost must also be spent. For example, in "To Youth", several of the characters should be very popular, so make a group of them specifically. For puppet figures, ceramic ones are best, but plastic ones are also acceptable, depending on the conditions. Let me tell you secretly, here in Hollywood, when making character puppets, actors are usually required to pay dividends, but over there, they definitely don’t, and don’t tell them. .”
The two girls immediately started laughing together.
Profiteer.
Simon also smiled and continued: "Furthermore, the posters must also be specially shot. Try not to be lazy and directly use the promotional posters when the movie was released. In addition, you can add a gimmick, a signed poster."
Ren Jingxi immediately discovered the problem: "If you sign, even if these genuine copies only sell 10,000 sets, you can still waste the signatures of several main creators, right?"
Simon didn't immediately raise the point, but continued to persuade: "Then think about how to solve the problem, so that you can sign without losing your signature."
Mo Wuling suddenly started to think quickly.
Unfortunately, Ren Jingxi next to him had already reacted: "Randomly."
"Smart," Simon nodded and said, "One is a random direct signature. In addition, you can also print the signature. But, well, this seems insincere. It is better to be random. In short, you can consider it yourself according to the situation."
"Um."
"Furthermore," Simon continued: "It's still summer, which is perfect for making themed T-shirts. This can actually be sold at retail, or you can choose whether to give it as a gift. In addition, the original soundtrack tape of the movie can also be sold directly with it, and it is also considered genuine. , and make an exquisite lyric book. Also, small items such as key chains and pencils must be printed with the film’s logo, and, most importantly, usually the quality of consumer gifts will be very poor, but You must do the opposite and make the quality the best it can be, so good that it cannot be bought on the market.”
Mo Wuling nodded his head in agreement, but was speechless again in his heart.
It’s the same question I just asked. It’s a poster, a doll, and a T-shirt. If you add it all up, it must be very expensive.
Ren Jingxi also nodded, but had already made up his mind: "I will discuss this matter with Mr. Wu and others immediately when I get back."
Simon finally reminded: "Genuine users want to be different, but they can also be divided into grades. For example, the lowest grade actually only needs an exquisite packaging box that is not available in the pirated market, and comes with a poster for up to A small pendant is enough. The highest level, what we just mentioned, can be added. In addition, regarding peripherals, they can actually be sold for retail. But at the same time, you must also distinguish the retail version from the free version, not The difference is in quality, but in design, so that both aspects can be guaranteed to be unique. Finally, in the first few projects, or in the next two or three years, don’t think about making money, even if you can make money. Don’t make any profit. If you have extra surplus, invest it directly in marketing or channels, or even actively subsidize it. The key is to cultivate users’ consumption habits. As long as the market is cultivated, there will be steady growth for many years.”
The two girls nodded in agreement again.
While eating and chatting like this, the meal took more than an hour.
Then, after dinner, a certain guy turned against them and kicked them out. Well, mainly because Mo Wuling felt so, someone took the initiative to ask the maid to take them to the guest room in the annex.
snort.
Then he will definitely have to mess around with those goblins in the afternoon.
Huge radish!
But, someone had some conscience. Considering that they had injured their shoulders while playing with guns in the afternoon, they sent a masseur over to give them a massage in an indoor bath here.
It felt much better after the incident.
Until around ten o'clock in the night, two girls in pajamas were lying face to face on the big bed in the guest room, chatting about some trivial matters. Seeing that Ren Jingxi had narrowed his eyes, Mo Wuling, who was still energetic, took the initiative to speak: "Hey, What do you think he is doing now?"
Ren Jingxi opened his eyes, flashed his long eyelashes, and suddenly raised the corners of his mouth: "The question you asked is not a 'what' question, but a 'who' question."
Mo Wuling was startled for a moment, then stretched out his hand to scratch it with a slightly red face: "Ah, Ren Jingxi, why are you becoming more and more rogue?"
Ren Jingxi laughed and resisted vigorously.
Unfortunately, this time Mo Wuling was really angry and grabbed Ren Jingxi's armpits and tickled him so hard that Ren Jingxi almost burst out laughing. In the end, begging for mercy was in vain.
Until Ren Jingxi used his trump card.
When his best friend's cool lips suddenly kissed him, Mo Wuling, who had never expected such a move, froze immediately.
This... is a foul!