Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 193 Press Conference

The day after returning to China, Chenxi Media held a press conference in the multi-functional hall.

The backdrop has been changed to a new one—a dark blue background with a gold palm branch pattern printed on it, and white lettering next to it.

[Director Fu Yibai's Cannes Palme d'Or Press Conference]

The audience was filled with reporters; a rough count revealed nearly a hundred people.

Long lenses and short lenses were set up in a row, and flashes of light went off one after another.

Several cameras were set up in the back row, with red recording lights on.

The moment Fu Yibai walked in through the side door, the camera shutter clicked loudly.

He was wearing a dark gray suit, a white shirt, and no tie.

My hair is a bit longer than when I went abroad, and I casually comb it back.

I sat down on the stage, with seven or eight microphones in front of me, each with a different stage logo.

Zhao Qi sat to his right, with a microphone in front of her, but it was clearly just for show.

"Let's begin," Fu Yibai said into the microphone.

Zhao Qi nodded and gestured to the audience.

The reporters all raised their hands in unison.

"Director Fu, congratulations on winning the Palme d'Or!"

This is the second time a Chinese director has won this award, following director Chen Kaige.

What are your thoughts at this moment?

Fu Yibai leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"My impression is that the trophy is quite heavy."

Laughter erupted from the audience.

"I was very happy when I received the award, but once I stepped out of the awards ceremony, I had to start thinking about my next film."

A reporter raised their hand and asked, "Director Fu, what do you think is the biggest reason why 'The Hunt' won the award?"

Fu Yibai thought about it.

"It's probably because Leonardo's performance was so outstanding."

The jury awarded us both Best Actor and the Palme d'Or, which shows they recognized the strength of the entire film.

"Director Fu!"

Iron Man has grossed over $300 million worldwide!

How high do you think it will ultimately reach?

"I can't say for sure."

Fu Yibai shook his head.

"The box office is up to the market. All I can do is make a good film."

"Director Fu, has 'Gravity' been scheduled for release?"

Will it clash with the release dates of "The Warlords" and "Assembly"?

Fu Yibai turned his head and glanced at Zhao Qi.

Zhao Qi then added, "Gravity is scheduled for release on December 5th."

The audience erupted in a buzz.

"Lunar New Year releases? Three blockbusters clashing at the same time?"

"Director Fu, aren't you worried about box office revenue being diverted?"

Fu Yibai waited until the sound subsided before speaking.

Good movies are not afraid of competition.

Moreover, the Lunar New Year film season is large enough to accommodate several good films.

"Director Fu! What are your upcoming filming plans? When are you aiming for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival?"

Another burst of laughter erupted from the audience.

Fu Yibai smiled too.

"The matter of Venice is not urgent."

I need to reflect on this further.

They probably have no plans to compete for the Golden Lion in the next two years.

Moreover, I also plan to take a good rest for a while.

As you all know, I made a lot of movies last year, including two top-tier productions.

The pressure is immense.

So I'm planning to take a break and look for inspiration.

Of course, even though I take breaks, I still keep producing good works until dawn.

So movie fans, rest assured, you still have great movies to watch.

The press conference lasted forty minutes.

The reporters asked almost every question they could think of.

Fu Yibai answered calmly and occasionally made a humorous remark, eliciting bursts of laughter from the audience.

Finally, Zhao Qi stood up, indicating that time was up.

The reporters were still raising their hands, but Fu Yibai had already stood up, nodded to the audience, and left through the side door.

Back in his office, Fu Yibai sat on the sofa for a while.

My phone vibrated.

It was a message from Liu Yan.

"Mr. Fu, you're back!"

Fu Yibai looked at the screen and typed back: "Yeah, I got back to China yesterday. Is filming tiring?"

"It's alright. I just miss you sometimes."

Fu Yibai stared at that line of text for a few seconds.

"Come back and visit if you miss me."

"I'll go back after filming wraps up."

"Um."

The two chatted for a while, but Liu Yan had to continue filming, so they reluctantly stopped talking.

In late June, Beijing was as hot as a steamer.

Fu Yibai arrived at the company later and later, and left earlier and earlier.

It's not that I'm being lazy, it's just that there's really nothing to do.

The first episode of "Running Man" has already aired. Since it is exclusively broadcast on Nebula Video, it will take some time for word-of-mouth to develop.

Fu Yibai originally wanted to have it broadcast simultaneously on both the internet and television, but the price offered by the television station was too low.

Currently, due to the numerous hit dramas produced by Chenxi in the past two years, the selling price of its TV series is unparalleled in the industry.

Just like last year's "Beauty's Rival in Palace", "The Fairy Couple", and "Legend of Chu Liuxiang", the lowest bid was already 50 yuan per episode.

This year's "Temptation to Go Home" and "Palace" have not even finished filming yet, but Hunan and Jiangsu TV have already asked for 80 yuan per episode.

The reason why the price has increased so much is because of the reputation that Chenxi has built up by producing hit products every year.

Merchants are vying to advertise GG on Chenxi's TV series, willing to pay high prices for it.

In order to maintain its ratings and revenue, the TV station was naturally willing to spend a fortune on Chenxi's works.

However, this is Chenxi's first foray into the variety show field, and it's a type of show that has never appeared in China before.

TV stations are not willing to take the risk.

Although selling "Running Man" to Nebula Video was essentially a transfer from one end of the business to the other, they didn't make a single penny.

However, once the positive word-of-mouth surrounding "Running Man" spreads, bringing a large number of loyal users and GG revenue to Nebula Video, Fu Yibai will earn even more.

Moreover, by then, the TV station will proactively raise the price and request to purchase the property.