The advertising costs for had actually been in place since mid October.
The earning power of Happy Farm was actually not bad. It was just that saddled with Weibo which was constantly burning money, it could only sustain and not strengthen the cashflow of Xingchen Technologies in the short term.
Xu Tingsheng virtually had to forcibly dig out the 5 million advertising costs from non-existing coffers.
This was 1 million more than the cost of the movie itself. Xu Tingshengâs thoughts were very simple. Even if the wine is fragrant, one must fear that the alley is deep. In the business era, advertising and creating hype was really an absolutely necessary thing.
Be it in terms of actors, director or artistic value, was a movie that would contribute greatly to Chinaâs domestic movie industry. It rightly deserved a better box office, greater praise and recognition.
There were not that many movies that would be coming in early 2006 during the New Year. Tianleâs all-out 60 million production, , could already be considered the biggest local production. Comparatively speaking, which had cost 4 million was still somewhat inconspicuous.
What was good was that there was hype, that there was conversation.
The shots fired between the producers of the two movies, Huang Yaming and Jin Datang, had never ceased. The media had even joked that this âHuang-Jin(gold) combinationâ was working together merrily, tearing into each other to raise hype for their movies.
Jin Datang had realised this too. Still, stopping it was not an option. After all, advertising fees were not needed whatsoever in a verbal dispute between them.
It was just that sometimes, when he thought about how his 60 million production was being talked about alongside the 4 million , it just felt kind of beneath him. It was equivalent to promoting the movie for his opponent for free tooâŠ
A despondent Jin Datang did not understand just how he had fallen into Huang Yamingâs trap. Still, there was nothing he could do about it.
The hype continued as the shots fired grew increasingly frequent nearing the end of November. With only a month left before they went onto the big screen, the most crucial period had arrived.
The verbal contention with Huang Yaming aside, Tianle was going the usual route of promoting movies, which was stirring up rumours. There were several good-looking actors and actresses in the movie, and they went through this list. As long as there was conversation, even if those rumours were negative ones, it was all good.
Whether or not the passion of the fans and bystanders had been stimulated, they all knew that such a movie would soon be released at the very least.
Huang Yaming would have liked to do so too. Yet, he looked at the cast of his movieâŠand gave upâŠrather than stirring up rumours about them, it would really be more practical to stir-fry some foodâŠ
At this time, the popularity of had already been achieved. There was already no need for Jin Datang to continue conversing with Huang Yaming to stir up the hype.
Yet, how could Huang Yaming be denied as easily as that? He sent Jin Datang a pair of shoes via parcel. It was Jin Datang himself who had said it back then. As long as lost to in the box office for any one week, he would help Huang Yaming to polish his shoes.
Rather tragically, the most discussed topic by the reporters during the press conference for the movieâs release was thus set.
âBoss Jin, have you received the shoes sent over by Mister Huang Yaming?â
âAre the shoes dirty?â
âAre they leather shoes? Sports shoes? They wouldnât be army shoes, right? âŠDonât tell me theyâre high-heeled shoes?â
The person in charge of the press conference was forced to say, âPlease do not ask any questions unrelated to the movie, such asâŠthose shoesâŠâ
A reporter immediately raised his hand, âIn that case, Boss Jin, can I ask if your wager is still valid? Some say that you are actually the âGold Duoâ, merrily working together to raise hype for your movies. What do you say to that?â
Jin Datangâs face turned dark.
âMister Huang is new to the industry. I donât know him very well, actually, and donât like the way he does things. Of course, if you must mention that wager, having been the one to say it back then, I can tell you that it is still valid. That will be all. Please, letâs have no more questions of this sort.â
The reporters ignored that last part, of course. As they saw it, this was even more riveting than the contents of the movie itself.
Another reporter stood up and asked, âBut, Boss Jin, have you ever thought about it? If this 60 million blockbuster of yours truly loses to a movie that only cost 4 million in terms of reputation and box office, what would you do then?â
âWhat would I do? Jump off the building, you mean?â Jin Datang had no way of answering this question, for having gambled all they had on this movie, Tianle would fall if the box office failed.
âThis possibility does not exist.â
Having been ignored for a very long time, the bigwig director of the movie who was surnamed Chen was finally able to stand it no longer. He slammed the table and stood up, exclaiming furiously, âBe more respectful! Discussing this topic is disrespectful to an epic production.â
He was venting after having been stewing in silence for a very long time.
The movieâs investment sum had been constantly diminishing, and he had tolerated it. Still, however much it fell, how could his production be challenged by a mere 4 million movie? It really was intolerable!
Also, as a famous director, along with a bunch of celebritiesâŠhe was being overshadowed by a pair of shoes, not even having the opportunity to say anything at allâŠhow could he stand for it?
âThis is an epic production, you know? You lot are being disrespectful to a movie of historical worth. This is one of the most visually perfect movies in the history of local productions, you know?â The director continued to holler.
âSome minor director who crawled out of some corner, a bunch of actors from who knows where-have they ever made a movie before? A movie is a real art form and not something ordinary people can understand. Itâs not something that they can randomly mess around in doing, get it? People cannot be shameless to this extent.â
Meanwhile, the press conference for the upcoming release of was quite empty in comparison with not many reporters present.
As the director and actors were yet to become famous, it was Huang Yaming who âcarriedâ.
A reporter asked, âBoss Huang, over at the press conference for , Director Chen looks quite emotional right now. He thinks that putting these two movies side by side and discussing them is disrespectful towards him and an epic production. What is your opinion regarding this?â.
âMakes sense! Itâs an epic production. Actually, Iâd like to film an epic production too. Sadly, I havenât the money,â Huang Yaming replied earnestly.
âItâs not like youâre a director! The heck youâd film one,â A reporter he was acquainted with joked.
âWhy did you ask me this then? The heck I know,â Huang Yaming said nonchalantly.
âHe even said that art like movies isnât something ordinary people can possibly understand. Itâs not something you should mess about in randomly doingâŠwe feel that this is a bit discriminatory. Whatâs your take on this?â Another reporter inquired.
âItâs true that we arenât so high-end. Weâre ordinary people ourselves, and our movie is also meant for ordinary people to watch,â Huang Yaming replied.
âDirector Chen also said that people shouldnât be shameless to this extent,â Some reporter smiled, asking, âWho do you think he was talking about, Boss Huang?â
âWell, definitely not me,â Huang Yaming said, âStill, I feel that his words make a lot of sense. I myself hope that they will stop leveraging on us to create hype for their movie. Bullying a small production, discarding it after making use of it and then even stomping on it for good measure⊠truly, people shouldnât be shameless to this extent.â
In a war of words, the silver-tongued Huang Yaming feared no one.
A few days later, released its first promotional video. The visuals were beautiful as promised.
At around the same time, on the Weibo pages of Apple and Tianyiâs other artistes simultaneously appeared a random animated clip: One scruffy, long-haired guy was sprinting frantically while munching on a long stick of French bread. Behind him, someone who looked like a chef was chasing him and hitting him non-stop on a motorcycleâŠ
With the span of just one day, this animated clip was shared countless times with others.
âOh my god, I nearly died laughingâŠâ