The filming process for the MV for "Free as the Wind" went very smoothly.
Xiang Nan's acting skills are absolutely perfect, and Zeng Ling is also a capable artist. Although it is the first time for the two to collaborate, their cooperation is still very good.
As for director Huo Jianqi, Xiang Nan has worked with him before and has a certain foundation, which naturally facilitates the shooting of the MV.
However, Xiang Nan still noticed that Director Huo seemed to have something on his mind and kept his brows furrowed.
"Director Huo, why are you worried about something?" Xiang Nan asked curiously, "Can you tell me, maybe I can help you."
Huo Jianqi sighed, "Oh, it's all about money."
It turned out that he was planning a movie with others. The script had been written and the main actors had been decided. He was just waiting to start filming as soon as the funds came in. Unfortunately, the funds just couldn’t be found.
In 1993, the film industry was reformed, and unified purchasing and marketing was abolished, and each film studio was responsible for its own profits and losses. As a result, many film studios are in trouble.
The famous Hujiang Art Film Studio, Changchun Film Studio, Emei Film Studio, Pearl River Film Studio, etc. all owe high debts due to long-term losses.
The debt accumulated by Changchun Studio alone in 1997 has reached 30 million yuan, and it is on the verge of bankruptcy. Because of this, they don’t have the funds to make new films.
After Xiang Nan heard about his difficulties, he nodded to express his understanding.
"Director Huo, don't worry. There will be a road to the mountain. You will definitely be able to find the funds." He comforted, "By the way, what is the name of your movie?"
"'That Mountain, That Man, That Dog'." Huo Jianqi replied.
Xiang Nan was stunned when he heard this.
He had heard of this film, which was praised as "the purest film of the 1990s" and was also included in the list of "good films I missed in those years".
It is said that after the filming of this movie, not a single copy was sold, and it was sold directly to CCTV Movie Channel for 400,000 yuan. The overseas copyright is only US$80,000.
However, after this movie was introduced to Japan, it caused a huge sensation and achieved a box office of 800 million yen. It set a record for the highest box office of a mainland film in Japan.
To be honest, investing in this movie is still a bit of a loss. No matter how much money you invest, you may end up with a net loss. But having said that, it’s okay to star in such an excellent art film and use it to win awards.
For example, those popular celebrities once gathered to star in art films, didn't they just want to gild themselves and gain a reputation for acting and strength? There are even artists who spend a lot of money to buy themselves awards.
And "The Mountain, That Man, That Dog" is a really good film. Starring in it, you can really win a few awards for yourself. The goods are genuine and fair.
Thinking of this, Xiang Nan said to Huo Jianqi, "Director Huo, please try your best to find funds. If no one invests, then I am willing to bring funds into the group."
Huo Jianqi was stunned for a moment, then asked excitedly, "Xiao Yuan, are you telling the truth?"
"Of course." Xiang Nan nodded, "If a movie can make you so worried, it will definitely be a good movie. I am willing to support you!"
"But, you might lose money." Huo Jianqi hesitated.
Nowadays, apart from Feng Xiaogang’s Lunar New Year films, almost no movie in mainland China can make money. "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" is a purely literary film, and it is even less likely to be a box office hit.
The total cost of this movie is at least two million yuan. Even for a popular singer like Xiang Nan, this is not a small amount, and he is really embarrassed to cheat others.
"I know." Xiang Nan nodded, "The name of your movie doesn't sound like it can be sold for money. But it doesn't matter. I'm doing it for art, as long as the movie is good."
"Have you really thought about it?" Huo Jianqi further confirmed.
Xiang Nan nodded.
"Okay, a gentleman's word, a whip of the horse." Huo Jianqi also nodded.
…
The MV for "Free Like the Wind" took three days to shoot, and Xiang Nan and Zeng Lai finally got to know each other well.
After these few days of contact, he finally figured out why Zeng had good looks and acting skills, but was not popular.
The reason is that she is too Buddhist.
When working with a popular singer like Xiang Nan, she didn't want to be proactive, and she refused his invitations one after another. Xiang Nan was slightly unhappy at being fooled many times.
As the saying goes, if an artist wants to be popular, he needs 30% ability, 60% luck, and 10% support from noble people.
No matter how talented Zeng Cheng is, he lacks luck and noble people, so it is not surprising that he is not popular.
But the more indifferent she was, the more Xiang Nan became interested in her.
Just in line with that sentence, what is not available is always in motion, and what is loved is confident.
…
After the production of the "Free Like the Wind" MV was completed, it was quickly released on major TV stations, and once it was broadcast, it immediately caused a sensation.
On the one hand, this song is really nice and very popular among young people; on the other hand, Huang Jianqi’s MV is also shot very well, making people feel excited and a little sad at the same time.
Therefore, the song quickly became a hit and became popular in street supermarkets, shops, noodle restaurants, and two-yuan stores.
After the song was released, Maimiao Records officially held an ordering meeting, inviting record dealers from all over the country to cooperate. At the ordering meeting, the album "Free Like the Wind" was a hit.
One and a half million copies of the tapes alone were ordered, plus 300,000 copies of the CDs, and the sales volume was another two million. Such sales also make Maimiao Records very excited.
On the one hand, the album sells well and the company makes more money. In this way, more artists can be signed and the company will grow stronger; on the one hand, the album sales will also boost the company's reputation and make more and more singers interested in the company.
"Yuan Shuai, you are simply our savior." Song Bing said to Xiang Nan with a smile.
"I don't want to be a savior." Xiang Nan waved his hands and said, "I just hope I am not a shooting star."
"Don't worry, with your talent, you will never become a shooting star." Song Bing said with a smile, "By the way, I intend to help you organize a concert. What do you think?"
"Concert?! Xuan!" Xiang Nan waved his hand after hearing this.
Putting aside the fact that holding a concert requires all kinds of approvals and procedures, the number is enough to drive people crazy. Even if there is a concert, people may not buy tickets. In the 1990s, the mainland performance market was still very poor, and people were not very willing to spend money to attend concerts.
If there is a concert and no one comes to support it, it will be a huge loss.
"Don't worry, I believe with your popularity, you can definitely succeed." Song Bing smiled and said, "Yuan Shuai, just let me try."
"Okay, you can give it a try if you want, but don't ask me to pay for it." Xiang Nan said with a smile.
Song Bing nodded.
