Chapter 105 Internet Investment

In 2005, in addition to institutional investment, individual angel investment began to take off in the Internet circle.

During this period, Gu Wei was not idle. He mobilized more than 10 million US dollars from Hollywood companies and successively invested in newly established Internet companies such as 58.com and Tudou Video.

Later, it invested US$100 million in Li Xuelin, the founder of YY.

Gu Wei's large-scale investment attracted attention in the Internet field, and companies have been coming to inquire about investment during this period.

"Boss, several more companies have come to us to ask if they can invest in our company."

"Show me the list."

Wang Chen then handed over the documents.

“Baixing.com, Ganji.com, Douban.com…”

Gu Wei looked at the list and was a little surprised. There were quite a lot of companies. I wonder if these people want to take advantage of me.

"Go talk to the person in charge of Douban and see how much shares they can give up?"

"I understand, boss."

Looking at Wang Chen's leaving back, Gu Wei began to think.

Gu Wei's investment in the Internet during this period is just to take advantage of the opportunity. He cannot afford large-scale investment. His main focus is still on the film industry, which is his foundation.

In mid-October, Gu Wei received a call from across the ocean at the company.

"So, it's done."

“Yes, boss, we finally got 20% of the shares and spent 400 million US dollars.

During this period, YouTube has been developing rapidly in Hollywood, and more and more capital has been eyeing it.

The company still used your name, and paid a premium over the market price to finally get this equity ratio."

"Very good, Ryder, you did a great job. I'll give you a raise at the end of the year."

"Oh, dear boss, thank you for your generosity."

Ryder chattered on the phone.

"Boss, when are you going to come over? DreamWorks is making rapid progress, and we need to start thinking about the subsequent editing and dubbing."

Then, Ryder continued to ask.

“It will be over before the end of the month.”

Gu Wei paused and gave an approximate time.

Afterwards, Gu Wei hung up the phone and started to think. According to YouTube's subsidy policy, the funds from the first round of financing would soon be insufficient, and the second round of financing would be imminent.

Gu Wei, who is on the fast track to making money, is in a great mood at the moment.

...

During this time in the country, Han Sanping, Wang Changtian and others organized dinner parties from time to time, and Gu Wei was inevitably one of the invited guests, and the key was that it was difficult to refuse.

After a few meals, Gu Wei felt a little annoyed. The only thing people talked about at the dinner table was business and investment, which was quite boring.

"Boss Han, I won't go."

"What's wrong? Is something wrong?"

"I've been playing several games in a row, and my body can't take it anymore."

Gu Wei said into the phone.

"You are so young, but your health is not as good as mine. This is not acceptable."

"Well, Mr. Han, I can't compare to your experience in battles."

Gu Wei complained.

“You’ve heard of Wanda Cinema Line, right?”

Han Sanping suddenly said something.

"People in this industry must know about it. It was just established this year, right?"

"They arranged this evening, and the person in charge there wants to meet you.

I thought that sooner or later you would have to return to China to make movies, so it wouldn’t hurt to get to know a few people in the theater industry.”

"Okay, Mr. Han."

Gu Wei did not refuse and asked about the time and place.

Around six o'clock in the evening, the company driver drove Gu Wei here. The location was a star-rated hotel of quite high quality.

"Boss, do you need me to wait for you here?"

The driver saw Gu Wei getting off the car and asked.

"Go back first and come back later."

Gu Wei replied and then walked towards the hotel.

"Good morning sir."

The front desk staff saw Gu Wei coming in and went to greet him.

"... "

Gu Wei reported a room number.

"Okay, this way please"

Then I followed the waiter to the private room. There were not many people in the room, except Han Sanping, there were two others I hadn't seen before.

"Director Han."

Gu Wei walked into the private room and spoke.

"coming."

Han Sanping stood up and spoke to a few people, then introduced them to each other.

"Hello, Director Gu, I'm Ye Ning from Wanda Cinemas."

A middle-aged man spoke first, extending his hand to shake.

"Hello, I'm Gu Wei."

"I have heard of Director Gu for a long time, but today is the first time I have met him in person."

"Mr. Ye, you're welcome."

"Come on, take your seat first."

Han Sanping sat in the main seat and greeted him.

"Director Gu, please."

Ye Ning stretched out his hand and said.

At the dinner, Ye Ning, the head of Wanda Cinemas, was a very talkative person.

He also has a unique understanding of the development of the domestic film industry. To be honest, Gu Wei was indeed inspired a lot by chatting with him.

"Director Gu believes that 3D cinemas will dominate the future?"

“Well, with the development of the domestic film industry, I think 3D blockbusters will become mainstream in the future.

In fact, many Hollywood movies are moving towards this trend, and the investment costs are getting bigger and bigger.”

Ye Ning listened to Gu Wei's words and nodded from time to time to show his approval.

He also had this feeling. Not only Hollywood, but the domestic film industry has also developed rapidly in the past two years. The investment costs have increased rapidly, and the box office has also increased rapidly.

"Director Gu's words are very forward-looking and coincide with some of our company's ideas. He is worthy of being a great Hollywood director."

Ye Ning praised calmly.

"Mr. Ye, you're welcome."

"I wonder what Director Gu thinks of domestic mainstream films?"

"The main theme?"

Gu Wei recalled the movie "On Taihang Mountain" released this year, which only grossed 2.5 yuan in China and was a complete flop.

"There is not much market at the moment. There is still hope once the domestic film industry develops, but we also need to change the way we shoot."

"Another way?"

When Ye Ning heard what Gu Wei said, he thought thoughtfully.

"The country still supports mainstream films, but the box office has not improved. In recent years, investors have been considering commercial films."

Han Sanping heard the conversation between the two and said something.

The meal took more than three hours to finish, and Gu Wei called the driver in advance to pick him up.

“Director Gu, if you have good projects in the future, you can consider Wanda. We are not only doing cinemas, but also slowly getting involved in film investment.”

At the hotel entrance, Ye Ning's face turned red from drinking, but his eyes were still clear.

"Let's talk about it when we have a chance."

Gu Wei did not make any promises. Wanda has just entered the industry and will consider cooperation after seeing the future development.

They chatted for a few more sentences and then left. Han Sanping had Wanda staff to pick him up, so Gu Wei didn't have to worry about it.

...

By late October, the total domestic box office of "The Myth" was 9700 million, and the box office in Hong Kong was only 1706 million. Compared with the 1.6 million investment, it was another loss-making movie.

Cheng Long's "transformation" did not bring corresponding box office results to the film.

“The classic soundtrack cannot hide the box office failure of The Myth.”

"The movie lost in terms of content and story."

Online media reports sparked discussions among netizens.

"Princess Yu Shu is very beautiful, but the screenwriter is a moron."

“Why can’t domestic directors even tell a good movie story?”

“I don’t understand what this movie is trying to say?”

“I still have to watch the works of some great directors. I look forward to the release of The Promise.”

...

After "The Myth" was taken off the screen, Chen Kaige's new film "The Promise" and Zhang Yimou's new film "A One Man's Journey" were both scheduled to be released in December.

A new round of promotion has begun, and films by several big directors will compete fiercely during the Lunar New Year holiday.

...

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(End of this chapter)