Chapter 284: Box Office Exceeds Expectations

After the three concerts, Zhou Yan asked Zhang Youan to pay part of the group members' allowances and let them spend two days in Los Angeles.

He did not take a break himself, but went to Columbia to continue working on the soundtrack for "The Sixth Sense".

The 16th was a Saturday, so no one was working, but because Zhou Yan was going to go, Bregman went to the company specifically.

When he saw Zhou Yan, Bregman's face was filled with joy.

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "What's going on? You're in such a good mood?"

"Of course it's related to "Sense and Sensibility." The movie was officially released yesterday. Although the specific data has not been released, I know that the box office performance is very good, and the recent movie reviews are also good."

"Oh, really?"

It's normal for the recent movie reviews to be good, because the movie reviews now are all written by people invited to the premiere two days ago.

Although film critics won't brag nonsense, they are somewhat humane and sophisticated.

The movie itself has an eight-point rating, but they gave it an eight-point five, which is normal.

"Many movie reviews have mentioned the soundtrack. It can be seen that this soundtrack impressed them deeply."

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Probably because of "Young and Beautiful"."

Usually, film critics discuss very little about the soundtrack. It is not a question of whether the soundtrack is important or not, but that most film critics simply do not have the ability to discuss the soundtrack.

But this time, because the song "Young and Beautiful" comes from the movie soundtrack, these film critics have to talk about the soundtrack. After all, audiences and readers will pay attention to this.

In addition to film critics who have to review the soundtrack, some music critics also join in the fun and go to review movies. It is the same in all eras. If something is popular, everyone will criticize it together.

"Your three concerts are held at the right time. I see there have been a lot of concert-related reports in the news in the past two days."

In fact, it is a pity for Bregman that three concerts are still a bit too few. If Zhou Yan can directly hold more than ten concerts in Europe and the United States, the effect will definitely be better.

Moreover, these three events are all in Los Angeles. If they are held in three cities in the United States, the effect will be better.

Isn't this concert better than the main creative staff of the movie participating in activities to promote it?

Although Zhou Yan's concert did not deliberately promote the movie, as long as the media reports on the concert, "Young and Beautiful" will naturally be mentioned, and then the movie "Sense and Sensibility" will also be mentioned.

Those media also know what viewers and readers like to see.

Bregman chatted with Zhou Yan for a while and then left. He didn't want to disturb Zhou Yan's work.

At noon, Zhou Yan went downstairs to have a quick bite, and then returned to the screening room to continue working.

As evening approached, Zhou Yan heard footsteps coming from behind. He turned around and saw Catherine walking over in high heels.

Today's Catherine's style is very different from last time, with red high heels, a purple coat, and a particularly bright lip color.

Zhou Yan pursed his lips. He looked better than last time. He didn't appreciate the heavy makeup, and he felt that Catherine wasn't suitable for too showy outfits. The makeup in "The Sixth Sense" was pretty good.

Seeing Zhou Yan turn his head, Catherine smiled and said, "Sorry, did it disturb your work?"

"No, do you have anything to do here today?"

"Just passing by, come in and take a look." Catherine walked up to Zhou Yan, half-leaned on the edge of the table, and looked sideways at Zhou Yan, "I guess you might come over today."

"You live not far from here?"

"It's not very far."

Zhou Yan nodded, "That's quite convenient. Do you have a new job recently?"

"Well, I'm going to join the cast of "Titanic" next month."

Zhou Yan looked at Catherine in surprise: "What?"

"Titanic is the name of a sunken ship. Have you seen the news? About ten years ago..."

Catherine thought that Zhou Yan did not understand the name Titanic, so she carefully explained the origin of the name to Zhou Yan.

Of course Zhou Yan knew what Titanic was. He was just surprised as to why Catherine would join this group. He didn't remember that Catherine was in this movie.

Could it be that history has changed and Catherine stole Kate's luck and became the heroine of "Titanic"?

Ordinarily, it wouldn't be the case. Even if James Cameron didn't find Kate Winslet, he probably wouldn't have chosen Catherine. After all, Catherine is now twenty-six years old, which is different from the character design and different from the current Xiao Li. What a perfect match.

You can't. Even Xiao Li has changed.

"...The ship has sunk for more than eighty years now, and last year..."

Catherine was still introducing the history of Titanic to Zhou Yan, and Zhou Yan asked, "Is your movie going to start filming next month?"

"This is not a movie, it's a mini-series," Catherine said.

After hearing what Catherine said, Zhou Yan immediately understood that the TV series she was going to film probably had nothing to do with James Cameron.

But counting the time, James' "Titanic" is about to be filmed in the past two years. The movie seems to be released at the end of 1997.

When he was in the UK before, Zhou Yan also talked with Kate Winslet. At least in the summer, Kate was not going to act in "Titanic" yet.

"Then I wish you good luck with your shooting."

"Thank you." Catherine smiled, then looked at the time and said, "Do you have time tonight? I know there is a Chinese restaurant nearby..."

Before she finished speaking, Zhou Yan shook his head and said, "Sorry, I may not have time to go out to eat. I have to work overtime until late tonight."

Hearing what Zhou Yan said, Catherine was a little disappointed, but she quickly smiled and said, "That's such a pity. That Chinese restaurant is really delicious. A friend recommended me to go there. I thought you were in the United States during this time. I probably didn’t like it very much.”

Zhou Yan nodded, "Then I'll have to go next time if I have a chance. I was in too much of a hurry to come to Los Angeles this time. As you know, Colombia is in a hurry to get the movie released."

"Well, I know. In fact, I'm also looking forward to the movie being released soon."

"It shouldn't take too long."

The soundtrack is already in the final stage of post-production. Once Zhou Yan's work is completed, the film will be ready for release.

Zhou Yan also talked to Bregman, and they wanted the movie to be released around March.

"When The Sixth Sense is released, will you come to the United States again?" Catherine asked.

"You mean at the premiere?"

"Um."

"I don't know. We'll see what happens when the time comes. It's not easy to come from China."

"It is indeed not easy, but I think Mr. Bregman and the others must really hope that you will come, as well as your fans in the United States. I went to all three of your concerts, and the experience was very good. I It’s been a long time since I’ve heard a concert with such a good atmosphere. ”

Zhou Yan was quite surprised, "You went to all three shows."

"Well, I'm still in the front row, but I'm on the side so you can't see me."

"Thank you for your support. If I have a chance next time, I will send you some tickets."

"Then I'll thank you in advance."

…

Catherine didn't stay long, she chatted with Zhou Yan for a while and then left.

After she left, Zhou Yan went downstairs to buy some food, and then went back to work upstairs.

It wasn't until after ten o'clock that I finished my work and returned to the hotel.

The next morning, Zhou Yan still went to Columbia Company and worked until noon when the cell phone in his pocket suddenly rang.

Zhou Yan knew without picking up that Zhang Youan was most likely the one calling.

This mobile phone was temporarily given to him by Zhang Youan for use in the United States, and only Zhang Youan and Fang Xiu knew the number. Fang Xiu was probably shopping outside with Li Biru and the others at the moment and wouldn't call him, so Zhang Youan would be the only one.

He put the call through and said, "Hello."

As expected, Zhang Youan's voice came from the other side, "Are you in Colombia now?"

"Well, is something wrong?"

"Yes." Zhang Youan said with a smile, "Viking Records contacted me and said they wanted to buy the song "Someone Like You"."

Zhou Yan was surprised and said, "So fast?"

The song "People Like You" can only be heard on Virgin Records through the movie "Sense and Sensibility", but the movie has just been released, so Zhou Yan was so surprised.

"There is something you don't know. In the new issue of Billboard magazine, there is a small column that introduces the soundtrack of "Sense and Sensibility." The editor is Linda, the reporter who interviewed you. She specifically wrote in the column I wrote the song "Someone Like You" and I only noticed it after watching this record."

Zhou Yan nodded secretly. It must be said that the efficiency and influence of the bulletin board are still very strong.

However, Zhou Yan still felt strange. Although he didn't know much about Janet Jackson, in Zhou Yan's impression, Janet Jackson's style should be more dynamic and there were no lyrical songs. Why would Virgin Records want her to sing "Like" People like you".

The singer's style is very important. If the matching is not high, it is likely to be a lose-lose situation. It is common for good singers to waste good songs.

"This song doesn't quite suit Janet Jackson."

"Actually, I don't think it's appropriate, but that's what Virgin Records said."

"Reject it, Janet Jackson has no shortage of songs."

Janet Jackson's records should be influenced by her brothers and sisters.

The Jackson family is a musician, and as Jenny, the younger sister, it is natural that there is no shortage of songs.

Zhou Yan didn’t want to give the song to Janet Jackson just because she was so famous. Let alone Janet Jackson. Even if her brother Michael Jackson came to ask for the song, Zhou Yan wouldn’t give it to her. Of course, MJ wouldn’t be able to give it to her either. Come and ask for this song.

Hearing Zhou Yan say this, Zhang Youan was not surprised at all, "Okay, I'll refuse. I just called you to tell you that the market is very good now. To be honest, who do you want to sing this song to? Just name it. From now on, except for this person, I will directly reject everyone else.”

"There is no specific candidate, so you can refuse it."

"I understand, then you can continue working and I won't disturb you anymore."

"Okay." Zhou Yan was about to hang up the phone when he suddenly thought of something else, "By the way, you should pay attention to the movie James Cameron is preparing recently and see if there are any opportunities to invest."

Zhang Youan smiled and said, "You are still paying attention to this? Cameron is indeed preparing a movie now, but as far as I know, Fox has raised 1.5 billion US dollars for his new movie. I'm afraid we don't have the investment. Opportunity. And to be honest, would Cameron be interested in us investing?"

Hearing Zhang Youan say this, Zhou Yan nodded and said, "Yeah, I understand."

Zhou Yan also thought of this movie because Catherine mentioned Titanic, thinking whether he could get a bargain, but from what Zhang Youan said, there is no way to get this bargain.

Think about it, can a director like James Cameron lack investment? Even if he does, he would not look down on Tomson's investment.

This movie has an investment of 100 million or 200 million US dollars. Tomson wants to invest, but he is powerless.

…

After talking to Zhang Youan on the phone, Zhou Yan devoted himself to the work. In the next few days, Zhou Yan went back and forth between the hotel and Columbia.

Until December 19, Zhou Yan finished his work here and returned to Yanjing with the orchestra.

And just when Zhou Yan and his team were sitting on the plane back to China, the box office data of "Sense and Sensibility" in the first weekend came out.

After the official release, the box office performance of "Sense and Sensibility" in North America exceeded Columbia's expectations. In less than three days, it got a box office of more than 18 million US dollars.

As soon as the box office data came out, Columbia Pictures felt relieved. With the current box office, it will definitely not lose money unless there are any unexpected situations.

The production cost of the film is only 16 million US dollars. If the box office can reach more than 30 million US dollars, it can basically make back the investment.

The box office in the first weekend was more than 18 million US dollars. Even if it is weak in the later period, it is no problem to get a box office of 30 or 40 million US dollars in North America.

If it is a little more stable in the later period, the North American box office will easily exceed 60 million US dollars. If so, the box office of "Sense and Sensibility" will exceed that of "Little Women" released last year.

After "Little Women" was released last year, the box office performance was very good, and the North American box office reached more than 50 million US dollars.

The reason why "Sense and Sensibility" can be filmed has a lot to do with the excellent box office of "Little Women".

Moreover, compared with "Little Women", "Sense and Sensibility" has a very big advantage, that is, the original novel of "Sense and Sensibility" is completely more well-known in the world than "Little Women".

The global box office of "Sense and Sensibility" will definitely not be bad.

Especially the British box office. For British audiences, Hollywood made a British novel. No matter how the movie is, they will definitely join in the fun and watch it.

Now many people are also paying attention to whether the global box office of "Sense and Sensibility" can eventually exceed 100 million US dollars.

If it can exceed, Columbia will naturally make a lot of money, and An Li will become famous in one battle.

Before, An Li's fame was supported by awards and was not proven in business, but this time it will be different. As long as the box office of "Sense and Sensibility" can exceed expectations, there will definitely be a lot of companies looking for An Li to make movies in the future.

There is no company that doesn't like a director who can win awards and sell well.

And the higher the box office of "Sense and Sensibility", the more discussions there will be about the soundtrack, and more and more people will call Zhang Youan to invite songs.

However, Zhou Yan no longer cares about these things.

After returning to Yanjing, he will be busy with the premiere of "The Chorus" and the first release of the album "Rain Bell".

The premiere of "The Chorus" was held at a very special venue, in the auditorium of Yenching University.

Originally, there were two options, one was the concert hall of the Central Conservatory of Music, and the other was the auditorium of Yenching University, but in the end Zhou Yan and his team chose the latter, because the auditorium of Yenching University had a ready-made screen, and it was more convenient to show movies than the Central Conservatory of Music.

Moreover, there were many students at Yenching University, and it was also a rare opportunity for publicity.

At 2 pm on the 22nd, Zhou Yan took several main creative staff of "The Chorus" to Yenching University.

Interestingly, the people who came to receive Zhou Yan and his team were Leng Xuejun, the director of the Chinese Department of Yenching University, and Yan Baoyu, an old professor of the Western Languages ​​and Literature Department.

Zhou Yan could understand that the Chinese Department came, after all, he had another identity, a writer with some fame.

But when the old professor of the Western Languages ​​and Literature Department came, he was a little confused.

But after chatting with them for a while, Zhou Yan understood that Yan Baoyu was not only a professor of Western literature, but also proficient in German music.

A few years ago, Yan University opened a general course on Western music, which was taught by Yan Baoyu.

Yan University is now planning to open an art department, which includes a music major. Therefore, they are very interested in Zhou Yan's arrival and hope to communicate with Zhou Yan.

For Yan University, if it wants to establish a music department in the future, it must rely on music colleges such as the Central Conservatory of Music. Their teachers cannot appear out of thin air.

It is precisely because of this that Yan University is very welcome to the premiere of "The Chorus" held in their school.

After chatting with Leng Xuejun and others for a while, Zhou Yan and others went to the lecture hall under the leadership of Leng Xuejun.

The so-called lecture hall is actually the school's former dining hall.

The dining hall has a long history, but it also means that it is very dilapidated. Before the 1980s, it was the school's dining hall. However, a long time ago, the school's slightly larger activities would be held here.

Although the school also has an auditorium, that auditorium is inside the office building and the area is too small to support slightly larger activities.

The dining hall often hosted dances, concerts, lectures and other activities, so it was later converted into a lecture hall.

When Zhou Yan and his friends arrived at the dining hall, many people had already gathered at the door, most of them were students.

The students in the school all like to join in the fun, and Zhou Yan is very well-known among young people. When they learned that Zhou Yan's new movie would be premiered at the school today, the students who had nothing to do all came to join in the fun.

In addition to students from Yanda University, there must be many students from other schools, including students from the Central Conservatory of Music.

Fortunately, today is Friday, and most students have classes, otherwise, there would be too many people. (End of this chapter)