Chapter 242: Look, This Is Chi Ye’s “reputation”
“Fourth? 《Girl》 surpassed us? Are you talking about occupancy rate or box office?!”
Although they already had the answer in their hearts, everyone’s first reaction was to subconsciously ask one more question, and then they realized.
—Box office my ass, box office can be checked in real time, and although it deviates slightly from the detailed data, this kind of deviation absolutely won’t be too big.
The person who came to report the news nodded lightly: “Occupancy rate.”
Uncle Li Qian breathed a sigh of relief and exchanged a glance with the others.
“…Occupancy rate isn’t good either.”
Lead Actor Movie Emperor Yu frowned: “With such low scheduling, such high occupancy rate… our scheduling share will eventually be eaten up.”
“Unless 《Girl》 is an arthouse film.”
Unless 《Girl》 is an arthouse film.
This is also an open secret in the industry.
Because occupancy rate actually has special cases; it’s not a hard-and-fast data where higher means more scheduling for the movie.
If the high occupancy rate is for an arthouse film, it creates the formula of low scheduling + high occupancy rate.
Simply put, fans who like this arthouse film will mindlessly double-brush, triple-brush, even quadruple-brush… thereby boosting the film’s occupancy rate data.
But, it doesn’t fucking matter.
Such occupancy rate has no appeal to ordinary audiences; an arthouse film’s high occupancy rate only proves it’s getting its due share. Even if cinemas increase its scheduling, its box office will remain as dismal as ever.
Is 《Girl》 an arthouse film?
—Chi Ye has never made an arthouse film!
So, this is the reason for everyone’s uneasy and even “fearful” mood.
“Not an arthouse film, but high occupancy rate + low scheduling… what does this formula equal?”
Evening.
The cinema in the capital city with the highest scheduling for 《Rock》.
Still the manager from the premiere ceremony.
His expression was shocked and uncertain; he always felt his judgment this time seemed problematic.
But…
Should he increase scheduling for 《Girl》?
While he was hesitating, the deputy manager had already walked in: “China Film and Stellar Media have already adjusted scheduling for 《Girl》.”
“So fast?!”
The manager was stunned and asked: “Whose did it eat? Adjusted a lot?”
“Um… 《Rock》 was eaten 5%, mainly 《Youth》, eaten half, basically done for.”
“《Rock》 was eaten 5%? No way, this exaggerated?!”
The manager was stunned.
Even if 《Girl》’s occupancy rate surpassed 《Rock》 that day, giving away 5% share so quickly— is that cinema Chi Ye’s real dad?
The deputy manager explained: “The other major productions didn’t move.”
The manager suddenly understood, nodded, not surprised.
Two of the National Day Slot’s three phantom gods, after three days on release, still maintaining high box office + mixed reputation, but… cinemas don’t care, as long as box office is high.
If your box office is high, occupancy rate high, I’ll schedule you, and I’ll make money.
He was just a bit emotional and sighing: “This is like Jiaduobao and Wanglaoji fighting, just like Gatorade?”
“…Yeah, pretty much.”
“Increase a bit for 《Girl》, see how tomorrow’s box office and occupancy rate go.”
“Okay.”
…
Just like Gatorade.
Oh no… it’s 《Youth》 that’s like it.
Starring Du Ou and Ling Han, invested by Zhang Guowen and Wu Yibo, 《Youth》 is faring worse than Zhao Si’s dad.
They didn’t do anything wrong, yet from the initial release, they’ve been massively roasted for dog blood plot, shallow content, stiff acting skills. By the third day, their scheduling has been completely divided up by the other three phantom gods… and 《Girl》.
Du Ou is very puzzled, the film’s producers and investors are very puzzled.
Getting beaten by the other three phantom gods, they can accept it, but you, with similar investment to me… even specifically lower investment, same genre youth film, why eat our scheduling?
Chi Ye pulled strings, right?
Um… he doesn’t have that energy in the movie circle. Even if he did, with the film sucking on its own, cinemas won’t lose money just to hype him—cinema chains are the most realistic terminal institutions in the industry.
Only care about money, not people.
“Their occupancy rate is off.”
Investor Zhang Guowen also got the news. The moment he saw 《Girl》’s occupancy rate surpass 《Rock》, his heart sank with a bad premonition.
After learning 《Youth》’s scheduling share was massively eaten by 《Girl》, the bad premonition turned into anger and heartache.
Money, money, that was all supposed to be his money!
“Brother Zhang, you gotta protest to the cinema chains. Anyone can come eat our scheduling, we’re losing our shirts!”
Du Ou’s mood was terrible now—he didn’t care about making money, since he didn’t invest, but… he cared about box office!
Him, the dignified Billionaire Young Actor, first time descending to act in a youth film, ending up with this performance?
How’s he supposed to market his explosive acting skills later, how to crush those traffic stars?
Zhang Guowen said nothing with a dark face; Ling Han next to him boredly tapped the floor with her toe.
Um… how to put it, anyway she’s not relying on traffic. Without this film, she still has no shortage of big productions to shoot.
Seeing this, Du Ou got more anxious.
“Don’t rush, how can I, one investor, negotiate with cinema chains?”
Zhang Guowen frowned, thinking Du Ou was too unsteady. Also… he did need to take action.
Can’t let the film he and Old Wu invested in flop. Old Wu even has a producer credit… isn’t this purely a career “stain”?
He pulled out his mobile phone, just about to contact Xu Yingying, the film circle’s Magneto.
Unexpectedly, the other party’s phone call came first.
Directly pulling him into a WeChat group video call.
“Why did China Film increase scheduling for 《Girl》?”
Someone immediately asked impatiently, because China Film Stellar Media has always been managed through Xu Yingying’s connections.
“I’m handling this. Mainly, its third-day occupancy rate is really good… big increase.”
In the video, Xu Yingying wore a thin camisole, unintentionally revealing her fair cleavage, stirring the hearts of the originally “dissatisfied” old Beijing Circle men, nearly sparking a second spring on the spot.
“…Not to nag you, Yingying, you started messing with Chi Ye first, we’re just helping out. Other chains seeing its data a bit high and experimentally giving it some scheduling is fine, but your connections ‘kneel’ first—isn’t that playing us?”
Director Lu put on airs, full big shot vibe: “On this matter, I think you need to give us an explanation.”
Xu Yingying: “…”
She actually really wanted to splash a glass of water on Director Lu’s head right now, because… Director Lu has been really annoying lately.
Director Lu’s matriarch is the type who wags her tail high even without results, and has 《Kunlun Mountains》 produced results yet?
From its investment scale, cast lineup, and total publicity and distribution marketing spend, absolutely not yet.
Even so, Director Lu has already claimed the title of “Beijing Circle’s only top dog in the past five years,” acting arrogant towards them lately, bossing everyone around.
Never noticed before, this guy really has no eye for things. Still saying Chi Ye is cocky after success… compared to you, Chi Ye is like a saint, super low-key.
After all, Chi Ye actually made results, but you…
Fine, Xu Yingying now also hopes 《Kunlun Mountains》 makes results, because her company behind invested a lot, and… she feels with the current momentum, 《Kunlun Mountains》 really has a chance to explode.
This is why she’s been “tolerating” Director Lu.
“Aiya, sorry everyone, my bad on this. I’ve already contacted Stellar Media, even talked to their deputy director. Don’t worry, the 《Girl》 thing is easy to fix.”
Xu Yingying smiled brightly: “Not talking this, I’ll push them later… I pulled everyone in this time for the competition issue with 《Climbing Number One》 side…”
“My team observed for a few days, found this 《Climbing Number One》 has more negative reviews than positive… I think this is an opportunity.”
“Everyone, can we surpass Wu Jing? This guy’s annoying too, bows to us on the surface, but 《Wolf Warrior 3》 still not greenlit… who’s he guarding against? Everyone knows.”
“This time, I think we should teach him a lesson about reality.”
Hearing this, everyone’s hearts stirred, especially at the 《Wolf Warrior 3》 greenlighting topic… it itched.
“Good, remember that later. First, let’s talk surpassing 《Climbing Number One》… actually our team recently also…”
Everyone chatted about Wu Jing and 《Climbing Number One》 marketing negative reviews issue.
…
Meanwhile.
《Climbing Number One》 roadshow.
“Want to ask Teacher Wu, why turn such an exciting and inspirational original script into this?”
From the audience, a movie fan who seemed like an ordinary viewer stood up, microphone in hand, questioning Wu Jing and Teacher Zhang above.
Everyone’s expressions stiffened; Teacher Zhang darkly furrowed her brows, glancing at the host below.
Who found this audience member?
How to ask such a question?
Planned, right.
Almost instantly, the “battle-hardened” Teacher Zhang guessed there must be saboteurs behind this question.
The host below kept a straight face, but this female audience member’s question voiced many people’s inner thoughts.
Originally, everyone just grumbled inside; face-to-face with stars, they were embarrassed to ask aloud.
But now, one by one they started shouting.
“Yeah, Teacher Wu Jing, Sister Ziyi, and director, have you seen the negative reviews about 《Climbing Number One》 online?”
“Is it really called 《Climbing Number One》? Shouldn’t it be renamed 《Everest Tragic Love》?”
“Why always force a romance subplot into serious topics? Someone said it’s Sister Ziyi’s demand—is that true?”
Teacher Zhang’s face darkened; Wu Jing frowned; the other main creators couldn’t control their expressions.
“…This audience member, please sit down first. It’s not interactive time yet.”
At this point, the host finally stepped in to smooth things over, but everyone on 《Climbing Number One》 knew this guy was the biggest traitor.
In an instant, the scene became chaotic.
…
Half an hour later, backstage.
Teacher Zhang’s face was livid: “Who sent those ‘audience’ questioners just now?!”
Everyone in the room trembled, no one daring to speak.
“Investigate! Must find out clearly. Someone’s definitely sabotaging us…”
“Could it be Chi Ye?”
Suddenly, a traffic star among the main creators asked.
Everyone was stunned.
Then, one by one looked at him, actually starting to waver inside.
Wu Jing saw this and couldn’t help sighing: “See, this is reputation!”
Everyone: “…”
That day, 《Climbing Number One》’s main creators and backers started investigating who was deliberately sabotaging them.
Actually no need to investigate; the saboteurs must be teams with conflicting interests. First, rule out 《Girl》 and Chi Ye; left are two circles.
Northwest Circle, Beijing Circle.
Considering Northwest Circle has always been weak, Beijing Circle aggressive with constant infighting, most likely Xu Yingying’s gang.
So, the news isn’t hard to trace; the hard part is how they counterattack.
And while 《Climbing Number One》 team pondered countering competitors, a sudden message caught them off guard.
Or rather, caught everyone in this year’s National Day Slot, inside and outside the industry, off guard.
《Girl》… this 《Girl》 is off!
National Day Slot on the fourth day, box office battle reached white-hot stage.
《Climbing Number One》 and Wu Jing still maintained their “dominance,” box office nearing 700 million, occupancy rate first.
《Kunlun Mountains》 showing initial decline, currently just under 600 million box office, occupancy rate second.
Third was yesterday’s riser 《Girl》, 450 million box office, occupancy rate third.
Fourth, just surpassed by 《Girl》, 《Rock》 at 560 million box office, occupancy rate fourth.
《Youth》 barely broke 140 million; National Day Slot three days market total not even as high as 《Girl》’s opening day box office.
The rest even more miserable one after another.
In this situation, the weird atmosphere was already obvious; many sensitive to annual National Day Slot market felt something off this year—
Box office, box office extremely off.
This year’s National Day Slot initially, market trend, media predictions, even audience and fan viewing enthusiasm, all extremely exaggerated.
In other words, such a hot market—if a dominant hit product really appeared, it shouldn’t look like this!
Take the publicly hyped “National Day Slot champion” 《Climbing Number One》; four days National Day market, box office not even breaking 700 million, averaging 150-160 million per day.
Compared to those mega hits and Wu Jing’s own fame-maker 《Wolf Warrior 2》 at 200 million low, up to 300 or even 400 million per day, the gap is indescribable.
And besides 《Climbing Number One》, others like slogan-shouting 《Kunlun Mountains》 《Rock》 are the same mess.
None better than the others.
All shouting National Day Slot champion battle, but looking back, average daily box office per film just over 100 million, none over 200 million…
Industry insiders and outsiders confused: This National Day Slot? Sure not some cold slot like Dragon Boat Festival?!
Even Dragon Boat Festival had hits like 《Big Shot》 with over 3 billion box office!
