FS-novel Chapter 539: “Superspace Confrontation” Begins Filming
Chapter 539: “Superspace Confrontation” Begins Filming
Is the most profitable aspect of a filming base renting out locations to production teams and charging site fees?No, it's tourism revenue!
It's the tourism industry derived from film and television productions!
According to the revenue reports of the most famous film and television cities, tourism accounts for about 70% of their annual income, while comprehensive film and television services only make up 30%.
Ticket sales for the filming base, IP experience projects, food and lodging, cultural and creative merchandise, and even the long-tail effects after a show airs are what truly attract tourists and generate the most money.
However, the filming base they are currently at lacks these popular elements for now, unable to attract tourists for sightseeing.
Moreover, as a modern filming base, it lacks the narrative charm and novelty of ancient-style towns. Most of the buildings and decorations here can already be seen in city centers, and there are no hit film or TV works to support promotional efforts. Therefore, apart from people from new production teams, hardly anyone else comes here on regular days, making the overall industry relatively bleak.
Xiao He felt that since the conditions don't currently exist, helping to create them would be a good alternative.
After all, the base definitely wouldn't refuse them placing those huge mecha models at the main entrance. Wouldn't this be a win-win situation for promotion?
It would both help maintain the buzz for "Super Spacetime Confrontation" and drive traffic to the base. If the movie becomes a box office hit after its release, then the base would be the one begging Young Master Huang to place the mechas at their entrance.
—Young Master Huang had already secured copyright protection for these mecha designs early on, preventing others from commercial use, so they didn't have to worry about imitation or plagiarism.
From a long-term perspective, this was simply a great deal.
After listening to Xiao He's analysis, Young Master Huang's eyes also lit up: "That's a great idea!"
"Xiao He, do you have the contact information for the person in charge here? I'll go talk to them."
"Sure, I'll find that guy—the production assistant who brought us here earlier. I'll have him take you directly to see the person in charge."
"Super Spacetime Confrontation" is considered a major production team at this base. The person in charge would also come to the site today to offer congratulations for the opening ceremony, so Xiao He simply had Young Master Huang go find someone for a face-to-face talk.
Xiao He glanced at the time and continued, "Perfect, there's still enough time. You two go find someone to talk to directly. Then, these trucks on site can just drive to the entrance to wait, or unload directly to start setting up. Based on the current schedule for the opening event, by the time we finish here and the media leaves, they'll just be able to see the models at the base entrance."
That would actually give the media people more time for photography.
"Great, great, great."
Young Master Huang didn't dare delay and immediately followed the production assistant away.
Xiao He continued walking inside and then ran into He Wenming again.
He Wenming was talking to another woman with an ordinary appearance. Seeing Xiao He approach, he casually greeted him: "Teacher Xiao, you're here?"
"Yes, you've all been working hard lately."
Xiao He nodded.
He Wenming had been staying at the base recently to help the production team, having quite a tough time.
Xiao He's gaze fell on the woman beside He Wenming. He carefully looked her up and down for a moment, then understood: "You... must be Pan Yuerou's agent, right?"
Pan Yuerou's agent had mostly stayed with her in Beijing before, so Xiao He hadn't encountered her much at Linghui Entertainment. However, he had seen this agent's resume before. Although her fame and ability were far inferior to the two ace agents, He and Liu, she was still considered an excellent agent, more than capable of handling just Pan Yuerou.
"Hello, President Xiao."
Ruan Ying gave a slight bow to Xiao He, greeting him politely.
"It's fine, no need to call me President Xiao. On set, I'm just an artist."
Xiao He was really afraid of being called "President X"; it somehow made him feel older.
Ruan Ying smoothly complied: "Okay, Teacher Xiao."
"Has everyone else already arrived?"
Xiao He inquired.
"Yes, the main creative team has all arrived. Teacher Xiao can also go get your makeup done now."
He Wenming said with a smile, "Manager Liu has been in Beijing this whole period, so I will be taking over some of Teacher Xiao's recent schedule arrangements."
Previously, He Wenming was with the production team, and Liu Rulan helped handle Shu Han's work. Now that Liu Rulan was in Beijing, He Wenming, also with the production team, came to help take charge of Xiao He's affairs.
Honestly, it was a give-and-take arrangement.
Xiao He: "Okay, I'll be troubling Agent He recently."
After the pleasantries, Xiao He immediately went to the back for makeup.
-
At ten in the morning, the opening ceremony for "Super Spacetime Confrontation" officially began, with many media people present on site.
As a relatively large sci-fi film production team, they still couldn't escape the ancient theories of feng shui in the end. A large group of people held incense sticks, obediently paying respects to the deities to pray for blessings, hoping for a smooth and auspicious start for the production team.
In the middle, Xiao He, as an investor, went on stage and awkwardly chatted for a few sentences. Then it was director He Jinnian's turn to speak.
He Jinnian truly lived up to being a seasoned veteran immersed in the industry circle for many years. His speech was very artful, and when answering media questions, he was even more adept and at ease. Even when asked about his career shift to directing, he didn't show any extra emotion. His expression management was extremely on point; he directly quoted a famous saying and brushed over the topic lightly.
However, many media outlets still took photos of He Jinnian.
An Award-Winning Actor within the circle shifting to direct a sci-fi film was in itself full of topicality and controversy. How many people present came hoping to see him fail was unknown. But today, He Jinnian had been meticulously styled from head to toe, restoring his previous high spirits. Apart from looking a bit thinner, he still appeared just as handsome as ever, leaving no room for criticism.
Previously, rumors had circulated with recent photos of He Jinnian. In those photos, He Jinnian had white hair, looked aged, and appeared haggard, seeming to be having a very tough time. This had led to a large number of rumors and negative public opinion. But now, seeing him in person, those rumors were debunked.
As for how these media outlets would write about it upon returning, it would depend on the "sincerity" of the production team.
Towards the end of the opening ceremony, perhaps everyone's enthusiasm moved the heavens. The originally somewhat gloomy dark clouds were actually blown away by a gust of wind. Blue sky and sunlight emerged from behind the clouds, bringing with it a hint of scorching heat.
For everyone, this was a good omen.
Heat is good! Heat means a massive hit! A massive hit means money, money, money!
He Jinnian also revealed a genuine, heartfelt smile on stage.
After the opening ceremony ended, the base's person in charge didn't forget to promote the mecha photo spot at the base entrance while people were still on site, his words filled with a longing for tourists.
Although it wasn't certain that tourists would actually travel thousands of miles just to take check-in photos with a few large mecha models, promotion is all about the effect of attraction!
The person in charge even shrewdly handed out red envelopes to several major media outlets, hinting that they should take more photos at the entrance.
Later, with a camera cut and a filter applied, beautiful photos would come out~
If people could come, that would be a win!
As for the rest? Deal with it when people arrive!
Xiao He watched from the side for a while, then shook his head, walking away while sighing with emotion.
"Truly gone forever down the path of a cunning merchant—"
If he weren't afraid of being mocked online for celebrating victory too early, he would have wanted Young Master Huang to set up a stall right at the entrance and start selling models.
Given his, Shu Han's, and He Jinnian's influence, selling models would definitely attract buyers!
Tsk tsk, people, indeed, are greedy!