Chapter 48 Frankel's Compliment

Which American movie was the most popular in 1982? Of course, Spielberg's "et-Alien" was the first to be recommended.

This film, contrary to the image of a common invader or a savior of the fate of the earth, describes an alien as thin and weak. It is stranded on the earth because it failed to catch up with the spacecraft. It has established a sincere friendship with human children, but is constantly being searched by scientists on the earth. Although the aliens in the film are weird, they also have an innocent childlike heart, and their weakness and pitifulness. Even ordinary cold viruses on the earth may easily take away their lives. In the end, it relies on the help of children on the earth to escape the pursuit of scientists and find the spacecraft to pick it up. This has more human feelings than those alien films that just show off high-tech, making the film warm and moving, and has the ideological connotation and theme tone that ordinary science fiction films do not have.

Li Siming didn't know how many box office this movie would end up with, but he knew it would definitely be the annual box office champion. The film won 16 weekly box office champions that year, becoming one of the most popular movies.

In addition, Dustin Hoffman's "My Fair Lady" was a very ordinary person. He made a cross-dressing series: a man with a big nose turned into a girl with a gold-rimmed glasses and a curly hair voice. In the history of films, films such as men dressing up as women or dressing up as men are not uncommon, but few can be successfully filmed, with only a few. When the audience saw the cross-dressing characters on the screen with their heads and tails and flaws, they had to be disgusted. In order to be sure that he could play this role, Hoffman once walked on the street as a woman, and several old friends actually didn't know him in person. However, this film will not be released until December and will be screened until March of the next year.

Especially worth mentioning, it is the tough guy Rambo! "The First Drop of Blood" broke the highest-selling record of films released in October in American film history. Stallone once again proved the attitude of some lower-class people in the United States: they dare to challenge authority, as long as they don't give up on themselves and work hard to make progress, a bright future is created by themselves. This movie was actually something Li Siming wanted to make very much, because it was also the Vietnam War. Li Siming thought of Xiaodao. The incident that happened to Xiaodao in the first place also made him think of this movie. So after learning about Xiaodao's embarrassing situation, he immediately asked him to come to his side. He didn't want a "Rambo"-like character in China.

"If I really made such a 'Rambo'-style movie and made Xiaodao perform in a true form, I'm afraid that returning to China would cause people to be scolded to death!" Li Siming thought so.

Now he is a little worried about the movie "Shawshank Redemption" which is about to be released. It is difficult to guarantee box office in so many blockbusters. Of course, Li Siming does not want to eat a big fat man in one bite. This movie has not been sold in history. In Hollywood, in which year, it is not a strong player, and Li Siming just hopes to recover the cost.

What surprised Li Siming and Zeng Zhi was that "Flying Knife Gate" actually survived tenaciously in the cracks. By the end of October, it had been screened in major theaters for three consecutive months, but in most cinemas, there was only one screen left for the movie. The return share was as high as 20 million US dollars.

"An unexpected joy, unexpected joy!" Li Siming got the report sent by David Frankel.

"Yes, our movie is very surprising. Audiences who have watched it will be amazed at the magic of Chinese Kung Fu, and they are very amazed at the visual effects of the movie." David Frankel was also full of joy. So far, he has already made this considerable income, which is a good start for the new McKenner company. He is very much looking forward to the next movie.

"What schedule will our next movie be scheduled? The post-production will end soon. I hope our promotion can be done first!" Li Siming said.

"I don't think we have the strength to win the Christmas season yet, but we can show a movie before the end of November, and the next movie will be released before the release of the next movie. And this schedule is also more realistic from the perspective of our strength. Lee, what do you think?"

"Okay. But this publicity must be strengthened, and don't be afraid of spending money. Nowadays, films of Vietnam War reflection, science fiction and family ethics are popular. Our film has more profound social and humanistic connotations, which is one of our selling points. At the same time, this movie can also be regarded as a movie of life philosophy. I suggest that on the premiere day, some famous movie critics will be invited to see it, of course, including the bosses of various theaters. Isn't this a bribe?" Li Siming suggested.

"Of course not! I have many friends in this regard. They invite them to watch a movie for free. It is very common for these film critics. This is actually their job. They will not praise us just because it is free. They are generally employed by major media and make a living by their insights, so they all abide by professional ethics." David Frankl said.

"Then hurry up!" Li Siming said. He didn't know whether the investors of the Shawshank Redemption had increased their publicity efforts in the original history, but Li Siming's confidence in this movie had reached the artistic level of the original film, and he also revised some bugs in the original film script, such as when the prison guard captain was to be arrested, someone read a section of Miranda's clause (i.e. "You have the right to remain silent and apply for defense" and so on), which was in early 1966. The Miranda case was not finalized until June 13 of that year (i.e., the time for the full promotion of this sentence).

"It's OK, I'll contact you right away." Frankel said.

"You can also invite some entertainment reporters. The more you are in the newspaper, the more sincere you should invite them. Of course, the more important is the critics. The latter determines whether the film responds well or not, and the former determines the speed and frequency of the spread of public opinion. At that time, we will hold a grand premiere for this film, and specially invites the first batch of cinema owners who screen our film to participate and provide the service well. In addition, we can also adopt the form of live lottery to encourage movie fans to buy tickets and enter the venue. In short, these are all a form, which is to let more people know about this movie, and let the first batch of audiences be our spokespersons!" Li Siming continued.

This is inspired by feelings. In the Hollywood business society, it is full of the smell of money. If a director or an Oscar winner breaks his signature because of a movie, it will usher in a trough and the audience will soon forget you. Before each movie is filmed, the publicity work will appear overwhelmingly, and even deliberately spread some rumors or defamation to increase popularity and try every means to attract the attention of movie fans.

"In our movie, all of them are men. If there is such a mother, we can also make a slander like "fake plays come true". However, our protagonists are still younger generations, and the slanderer cannot be circulated!" Li Siming said, a little dumbfounded when he saw Frankel, "Of course, I'm just complaining. I will never allow the actors in every movie in my company to have such a situation, and I will not allow the subject to play."

"I think we will take our only cinema next to the Avenue of Stars as the beginning of our premiere. Then we will make more colorful. If the film is exciting enough, I think those critics will give us the praises generously."

"You make arrangements." Li Siming didn't care how he handled it. He believed that Frankel would take care of these things clearly. But he found that Frankel was still staying in his office and editing room and refused to leave.

"Lee, I believe you will definitely become a great director." Frankel complimented. This was not something he said easily. The new film has not been completed yet. It is too unconvincing to say this based on just a martial arts film.

"Thank you!" Li Siming still didn't look up and was busy with the work in his hands.

"This is our first film from McKenner Pictures!" Frankel said nonsense.

"No." Li Siming put down the work in his hand and felt extremely surprised when he saw Frankel who was helpless, "David, do you have something to tell me, don't hesitate?"

"Okay. Lee, I want to sign my name for our first movie?" He refers to some of the current preliminary work of the movie, including the later release, because Li Siming, the boss and director, actually shared part of his responsibility for representing the boss's management, otherwise he would of course sign his own name on the movie list.

"Haha!" Li Siming was amused when he heard this and made a movie invested by McKenner. This was Frankel's dream. Li Siming heard him talk about it more than once. He saw Frankel's shy expression and stopped his smile, "I understand, don't worry, every movie in the company will be signed with your name. Well, this is too simple, let's do this, this movie will also make a special statement: Dedicated to Mr. David Frankel, the outstanding serviceman of McKenner. What do you think?"

"No, no, Lee, this... this is not suitable!" Frankel waved his hand quickly.

"David, listen, I'm serious." Li Siming stood up and walked forward, "This is a recognition of your work over the past eighteen years. This is nothing compared to your efforts. What's more, as the general manager, you usually serve as a producer or supervisor as an investor. It's reasonable in any aspect. Don't think this is a good thing, but in fact it's a burden for you."

"Okay. I think I should go to work!" Frankel shrugged, "What else can reflect this value better than hard work?"

This is also one of Li Siming's tricks to win people's hearts, and of course it is also the kind that doesn't have to spend money. Looking at Frankel's moved look, Li Siming really wanted to laugh happily.
Chapter completed!