On July 10, 2014, two weeks after "Transformers" was released, "Mysterious Superstar" also officially landed in major domestic theaters.
Tang An looked at the rough box office at 11 o'clock in the evening and went to bed. The final accurate box office would not be much different. Besides, he was still busy and did not stay up late waiting for the data from the special office to come out.
He went to bed early, but countless people across the country were more concerned than him.
At around 12 o'clock in the morning, major companies and some large media had already obtained accurate data.
171 million, breaking the single-day and first-day box office record in Chinese film history.
However, there is still a gap compared to the first-day box office record of "Transformers 4" of 1.9, and it failed to break the first-day box office record in mainland film history.
Although "Transformers 4" has a 3D, giant-screen version and has an advantage in ticket prices, plus more than 70% of the screenings were scheduled on the first day, "Mysterious Superstar" is a 2D movie, and only 40% of the screenings were scheduled, which broke the "Transformers"
4" set a first-day box office record in mainland film history. It is almost impossible, but when most media got this data, they were still a little confused.
In the first three or four years of Tang An's career as a director, he relied on his reputation to catch up. Whether it was "Transformers 1 and 2", or "Seven Swords" and "Red Cliff", people who were optimistic about Tang An at first were not
After all, in terms of genre, director, and lineup, these films have more blockbuster potential than Tang An did in his first few years.
Let’s take a look at the genres Tang An has been shooting in the past few years. “Terror Cruise” is a niche horror and suspense film. Even if “Shark Beach” is successful, the subject matter is limited there. Compared with Xu Ke’s martial arts films, it is not favored.
Not to mention "Super Body", there was no concept of domestic science fiction films at that time, and the number one character was still Li Binbin.
Si Dan Shuang Bing did not have box office appeal at that time, and it was usually used as a supporting role for Hong Kong stars in domestic blockbusters.
"The Wind" is another spy movie, and although it seems to have a very strong cast now, it was not a big deal at that time when Hong Kong stars were sought after.
In the past, Tang An had just debuted, and every time he was basically a dark horse, overtaking the promising blockbusters.
However, in the next five years, this situation never happened again, especially when Tang An ushered in the billion-dollar era of domestic films with "Edge of Tomorrow", which immediately outperformed all the films of the same period as soon as it was released.
He has encountered great directors such as Feng Xiaogang, Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Xu Ke, and Jiang Wen head-on. From the first day to the completion of the movie, he has crushed them all the way. No matter which movie it is, there is no hope at all.
There won’t be the cliché plot of not being optimistic in the early stages - a box office hit - overtaking - and a slap in the face.
The industry is basically used to Tang An's performance, which is far ahead of all movies in the same period. It is not on the same level at all.
But this year, Tang An seems to have returned to the same situation as in his early years. The box office in the early stage was not as good as that of his competitors, but he relied on his strong reputation to counterattack in the second half and reach the top.
The media are not used to it. Although they have become bored with the same kind of bragging in the past few years, whenever Tang An's movie is released, there is basically no disturbance. All the news is a box office hit and praised from various angles.
Like many people in the industry, the media actually hope that Tang An will suffer a setback. The harder he falls, the happier they will be.
After all, this is where there is a topic, otherwise, the new day will be the same news again, and the masses will not be interested.
It's one thing to think about it in my mind, but I'm really not used to it actually happening in front of my eyes.
Although the box office difference is less than 20 million, and it is only because of the ticket price and the lack of a 3D version, it is still a gap. The real number is that the first-day box office of "Mysterious Superstar" is lower than that of its rivals. In the past few years, it has still been
An unprecedented first time.
"Oh, Tang An really lost a game. When was the last time the first-day box office was lower than his opponent's?"
"I don't remember this, but it must have been a few years ago."
"No matter what, just send the manuscript out quickly. I've been waiting for a long time."
"Yeah, hurry up, "Mysterious Superstar" has a good reputation. In a few days, it will catch up with the box office of "Transformers 4" in the same period, and "Transformers 4" only had a box office of 31 million yesterday."
"When you said that, I almost forgot that "Transformers 4" only had 31 million box office left in a single day. At this rate, it is probably overdue. It is difficult to break through 2 billion."
"It's finally something new. Apart from the annual movie releases, Tang An doesn't have any big news. Feng Xiaozheng even said in public that he would punish reporters, and Zhang Yimou also caused a supernatural incident."
"Come on, if you want news, just follow me."
"Tch, I'm not stupid. If it were you, would you dare to go?"
Let alone taking secret photos of Tang An, not even the top executives of major companies or reporters or paparazzi would provoke him.
Otherwise, why are there almost no scandals involving the bosses and senior executives of big companies? In comparison, Chen Guanxi's little trouble is nothing.
...
Almost at the same time, major and medium-sized online media reported on yesterday’s release.
Early the next morning, the latest status and box office data of several movies were everywhere on the Internet.
"Tang An's new film "Mysterious Superstar" earned 171 million on its first day, losing to "Transformers 4" and failing to once again set a new first-day box office record in mainland film history."
"The tear-jerking inspirational blockbuster "Mysterious Superstar" triggered a movie-watching frenzy in the national film market upon its release. The first-day box office reached 171 million, once again breaking the previous first-day box office record for Chinese-language films set by Tang An himself."
"Tang An encountered his biggest opponent. "Mysterious Superstar" got off to a bad start. The first-day box office was 20 million lower than "Transformers 4". This is the first time in recent years!"
""Mysterious Superstar" grossed 171 million on the first day, but was defeated by "Transformers 4" which grossed 190 million on the first day. Can Tang An defend the dignity of domestic films and win the summer box office championship?"
"Tang An rarely lags behind at the box office, may the undefeated myth come to an end?"
"With 171 million on the first day, Tang An once again set a new record for domestic films. "Mysterious Superstar" completely touched the audience's tear ducts!"
...
Most of the reports are positive. As for some news saying that "Mysterious Superstar" is not as good as "Transformers 4" at the box office, if it is negative, it is purely to attract attention.
The first-day 171 million of "Mysterious Superstar" is lower than the 190 million of "Transformers 4" on the first day, but the two parties have scheduled 40% of the film and 70% of the other. Even if the duration of "Transformers 4" reaches three hours, this gap is enough to erase
There are many more, not to mention the difference in ticket prices.
The audience watches all kinds of news every day and has been baptized by enough news. They are not stupid. Many netizens left comments below to curse.
"Editor nc, don't compare trash like "Transformers 4" with "Mysterious Superstar". A three-hour movie has at least one hour of commercials. My eyes are tired from watching it."
"That's right, I heard that there are nearly a hundred advertisements embedded. I still have the nerve to criticize "Tiny Times" as a super long music video and "Private Customization" as a commercial. Why don't you criticize the ubiquitous advertisements in "Transformers 4"
Well, a great blockbuster has been turned into an advertising video."
"Come on, "Transformers 4" has collapsed. Yesterday it only made 30 million at the box office. It's embarrassing to brag about it. I don't even think about 2 billion."
"Where did the editor come from? One 2D and one 3D, so far behind at the box office. "Transformers 4" is really not that good. "Selling copies" is becoming increasingly difficult, but the level of advertising has increased a lot.
."
I was scolded, but this is the effect these media want.
This is also traffic. The most important thing for media is traffic. It doesn’t matter whether netizens come to scold people or not. The harsher the scolding, the better. The more people scolding, the better.
If there is the same report about "Mysterious Superstar" being a box office hit, the same news audience will watch too much and won't click in. Where will the traffic come from?
...
As Tang An's biggest rival in the summer, China Film is also paying close attention to "Mysterious Superstar".
With 40% of the film schedule for 2D movies, it won 171 million, which put huge pressure on China Film, and the film schedule of "Transformers 4" was further compressed.
Although it dominates most of the 3D screens and giant screens in the country, the lack of film schedule is a big problem that cannot be ignored.
However, "Transformers 4" has been released for two weeks after all. When there are three or four new movies released, it can still maintain 30% of the film schedule, which is already very good.
"Mysterious Superstar" is only 40%, which is also the result of the Chinese film theaters doing their best to support "Transformers 4".
The boss of the marketing branch was forced to switch jobs to Wanda, which also suppressed some people within the group.
However, Kangpei can only influence its theater chains, and it cannot even completely make the decision. The management of each company and local optoelectronics have no less influence on the theater chains than China Film.
The two major distribution alliances, Sihai and Jiuzhou, did not deliberately compress the film schedule of "Mysterious Superstar". After all, they still want to make money. At most, they are slightly biased towards "Transformers 4".
"Short-sighted guy!"
Kang Pei couldn't help but curse in his heart, everyone was timid and afraid of getting into trouble, no one wanted to stand out.
Kang Pei also contacted Wang Zhongjun and others one by one, hinting that they would work together to overthrow Tang An's monopoly on the film industry, so that major companies could take the lead.
Hantang Media and Hantang Pictures now account for 30% of domestic Chinese-language films, although a few years ago Bernard and Huayi both reached 20% or even 25%.
But at that time, there were only two or three large companies. Now, in addition to the five or six giants, there are also many medium-sized film and television companies such as Lay's. A 30% market share is already incredible.
In contrast, other companies just drink soup behind their backs. The biggest piece of fat has been eaten by Tang An. If he is not allowed to spit it out, what will others eat!
However, there were no good responses, all were ambiguous, no big hope was seen, and no one was willing to take action.
Unless everyone takes action at the same time, but this is impossible.
The issue of film scheduling cannot be solved for the time being, so we can only make a fuss about the film itself.
In addition to the promotion of "Transformers 4" itself, the most important thing is the negative marketing for "Mysterious Superstar".
Since its release yesterday, the marketing department has been looking for a breakthrough, and the director of publicity and marketing has revealed his plan.
"Dr. Kang, everyone, I have studied carefully and I think we can start with the protagonist in the movie. This heroine is actually a replica of his father in the middle period. She is selfish and has a bad temper. She will smash things and curse people whenever he doesn't go his way.
According to statistical results and audience feedback, some viewers hate this character halfway through..."
The publicity director analyzed a lot, which means starting from the three perspectives.
Although these things were improved in the end, whether it was scolding my mother, scolding my brother, or scolding my classmates, it was all "washed away" with touching and heartwarming plots.
Characters all go through a process of transformation, but if you single out these bad plot points and ignore the causes and consequences and final changes, the audience will have doubts and may involuntarily reject this character.
Kang Pei also watched the movie, listened to the publicity director's thoughts, and nodded secretly.
Many of the heroine's actions in the film were indeed unflattering, but she regretted them one by one.
Just to bring out the bad aspects, everything the movie heroine does is really disgusting.
"Okay, let's start from this point. All departments will fully cooperate and start as soon as possible!"
The movie has just been released, so you have to do negative marketing as early as possible, otherwise it will be over by the time word-of-mouth is fully fermented.
After the meeting, Kang Pei also asked his assistant to call Fan Luyuan and give him a few reminders.
Among the major companies, Ah Li was the most enthusiastic, and he directly took advantage of Tang An's opposition without any scruples. Although Han Tang itself was strong enough, China Film and Ah Li joined forces, and took advantage of the movie just being released to take advantage of the movie's release.
The heroine was the first to give Heicheng a character who is violent, selfish, and has no regard for the feelings of others. This gave viewers who had never seen the movie a preconceived impression, which could dissuade some viewers to some extent.