Chapter 30 Final Promotion
"Gu, congratulations on completing your movie."

Mike, the head of Warner's production department, held up a glass of champagne and clinked glasses with Gu Wei.

"Thank you, the post-production of the movie can begin now."

Gu Wei did not forget to remind.

"OK, let's not talk about work tonight and just have a good drink."

After saying that, Mike drank the champagne in the glass in one gulp.

On May 5th, "A True Story" was officially wrapped up, in accordance with the rules here.

Gu Wei and the head of Warner held a wrap-up reception. Apart from the main actors of the crew, only the head of Warner and Reid were present.

The cocktail party was not large in scale. After a month of hard work, everyone had a rare opportunity to relax. Although there were not many people at the cocktail party, the atmosphere was very warm.

As the director of the film, Gu Wei was the most watched person at the party tonight, with actors from the crew constantly coming over to toast him.

Gu Wei accepted everyone who came, holding a glass of wine, and chatted with everyone who came over.

"Gu, congratulations on the completion of your movie. Here's a toast to you."

"Reid, I've already drunk quite a bit. If I drink any more, I'm afraid I won't be able to return to the hotel."

Looking at Reid coming over with a glass of wine to toast with him, Gu Wei said helplessly.

"Gu, relax. You know, in Hollywood, young directors like you are very rare."

"Look around, there are a lot of people who want to have a story with you tonight," Reid said to Gu Wei with a smile on his face.

When Gu Wei heard this, he looked around and saw several older women, some dark-skinned and some fair-skinned, staring at him with smiles on their faces. He couldn't help but shudder.

The party went on until very late, and Gu Wei did not stay the whole time. While he was still sober, he used the excuse of being drunk to return to the hotel early.

The next morning, Warner's publicity department released a group photo of the film's wrap-up, along with photos of the wrap-up reception.

Warner then started promoting the film, and all major Hollywood media reported on it.

"The Golden Bear director's first Hollywood film has been completed."

"A film not to be missed, directed and written by the same person".

"The film 'A True Mob Story' has begun editing and is expected to be released in major theaters in North America in June."

Warner’s public relations skills are indeed powerful. For a while, the media was full of reports on this movie.

The filming cost of the movie was only US$50, but the cost of publicity was several times that.

When Gu Wei turned on the computer in the hotel room, he could see the media publicity, but he felt a little distressed when he saw the cost of the publicity.

However, seeing the publicity effect, Gu Wei was also very satisfied, and would add publicity and promotion expenses after the post-production film editing was completed.

In Hollywood, film promotion is very important. Hundreds of films are produced every year. If money is not spent and audiences are not informed about the films, they will not go to the theaters and pay for the films.

The promotion in Hollywood has just begun, and domestic news media have also begun reporting.

There are not only text reports but also a large number of photos, providing a complete report from the beginning of the movie to the end of the shooting.

Many netizens commented below, asking when the movie will be released in China.

Mid-June, Warner Bros. headquarters.

"Good, the editing effect is very good and the speed is very fast, I am very satisfied."

In the editing room of Warner Bros., Gu Wei looked at most of the scenes that had been edited and praised the staff next to him.

Warner's editing department covers an area of ​​more than a thousand square meters, has hundreds of staff members, and uses very advanced equipment. The speed of film editing exceeded Gu Wei's expectations.

"A True Mob Story" is different from other Hollywood blockbusters. There are almost no special effects shots in the entire film, and it does not take a lot of time to make special effects. It is normal to have this speed. If it were other science fiction blockbusters, the production of special effects alone would take several months or even more than half a year.

In the next few days, Gu Wei stayed at Warner every day, paying attention to the editing of the film.

"Mike, the editing of the film is basically done, I think it's time to consider releasing it."

In the conference room at Warner Bros. Pictures headquarters, Gu Wei said to Mike.

"We have no objection. The publicity effect during this period has been good, so it's okay to release it early."

Mike took a sip of coffee and spoke in a relaxed tone.

"Then it will be released on June 6th, which happens to be the weekend. I hope Warner will increase its publicity efforts during this period."

"I have no right to decide on additional advertising expenses. I will report it to the company's senior management, but I don't think it's a big problem."

Mike has watched the finished film more than once and is very satisfied with the quality of the film and is confident about its box office success.

On the same day, Warner executives approved the decision to increase additional publicity expenses for the film and also announced the film's release date.

The Hollywood media reported the release date of the movie extensively, and the news caused an uproar when it was returned to China, and many netizens discussed it.

"This is too fast. It only took more than a month from the completion of filming to the release."

"This is the Hollywood speed, it's indeed much faster than in China."

"Ah, I'm kind of looking forward to this movie."

"The person above said, we don't know yet whether the movie can be released in China."

"The domestic censorship of foreign films is quite strict." In the hotel room, Gu Wei listened to Han Sanping's voice on the other end of the phone and his brows gradually frowned.

"Mr. Han, you mean that the movie cannot be released in China."

"It's hard to say. The introduction of the film needs to be reviewed, and some leaders are not very interested in introducing this film."

Han Sanping spoke helplessly on the phone.

After hearing this, Gu Wei also understood the reason.

He really is trying every possible way to make things difficult for me, Gu Wei thought to himself.

"Mr. Han, the release date in North America has been set. Regardless of whether the film can be introduced domestically or not, the time will not be changed."

Gu Wei said in a firm tone.

"Things haven't been finalized yet, but I will try my best to facilitate the introduction of the film."

Gu Wei also understood Han Sanping's situation. Now the boss of China Film Group is still Mr. Yang, and he cannot make the decision on some matters.

"By the way, do you have any plans to fight back after the filming is completed?" Han Sanping suddenly asked.

Gu Wei was also thinking about this question. He paused for a moment and said, "Let's talk about it after the movie is released. During this time, we have to keep an eye on the box office here."

Gu Wei did not give an exact time. The most important thing now was the box office of the movie. He was also worried about leaving at this point in time.

It has been almost half a year since he came here, and Gu Wei does miss home a little.

After hanging up the phone, Gu Wei took the computer and slowly wrote the script. When he had free time, he couldn't help but let his mind wander.

.........

In the first half of 02, there were quite a few movies released in China, but most of them were Hong Kong movies.

For example: the movie "Want to Fly" starring Mr. Chen and Daniel Wu.

The movie "The Invincible" starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai and the princess.

The movie "In the Mood for Love" starring Leslie Cheung and Karena Lam, etc.

"In the Mood for Love" is also the last movie starring my brother. In the movie, he played a man named Azan who suffers from schizophrenia and his condition is quite serious.

In order to better interpret this role, Leslie Cheung specially visited a psychiatrist to observe the patient's condition, making his performance more realistic, which may also have aggravated Brother's condition.

Generally speaking, the box office performance of these films was very average. Hong Kong films have fallen into decline, and "Infernal Affairs" can be considered their last glory.

"Gu, this is your company. After some renovation, it has become brand new."

Gu Wei was standing at the door of a company when he heard Reid's voice.

Looking at the door of the new company in front of me, the company name is "Stars Film and Television".

The Chinese translation is Tomorrow's Star Film and Television Company.

This is also Gu Wei's expectation. He wants to become a rising star in Hollywood and create his own glory.

Gu Wei and Reid walked in together. The company was not big, only about 200 square meters. This was the place Gu Wei specifically asked Reid to find. It didn't need to be too big. Once he had enough funds, he could acquire other companies.

Looking at the brand new furniture and equipment inside, Gu Wei nodded, thinking it was not bad.

"Reid, you still need to help me recruit a few staff members. It doesn't need to be too many, just enough to maintain the basic operations of the company."

Gu Wei turned his head and looked at him and said.

"No problem, I will arrange the recruitment of personnel, but you seem to need someone who can manage the daily operations of the company."

Reid looked at Gu Wei with a smile on his face and said.

"Haha, of course. I wonder if you would like to join."

"I'm happy to do so. Although this company doesn't seem big now and doesn't have many employees, I believe in you, Gu. You will succeed. You are the most talented young director I have ever met."

Reid flattered Gu Wei and spoke loudly.

"Keep working hard, man, you'll get everything you want here and you won't regret it."

Gu Wei painted a big picture and said to Reid.

During the time that Gu Wei and Reid have been together, he has gotten to know him to a certain extent. He is a very shrewd man who knows what he needs. Gu Wei also needs an agent here, and choosing Reid is a decision he has considered over and over again.

It is impossible for Gu Wei to stay here forever. He will go back sooner or later. The benefits of having someone familiar here to help manage the company are obvious.

In the early stage, Gu Wei will only hire Reid to manage the company and will not give him any form of shares. At least he will not consider the issue of shares until Reid demonstrates his ability and loyalty.

In the next few days, Reid was busy recruiting people for the company. A normal company needs people in every position to operate well.

As the release date of the movie was getting closer, Gu Wei not only stayed in the hotel every day, but also attended several cocktail parties organized by Warner, where he met some Hollywood directors, actors and filmmakers.

The title of Golden Bear Award-winning director played a role during this period. Many people lamented his youth, and many people were willing to make friends with him. For them, a young and award-winning director was a very suitable target for investment and attraction.

The day before the movie was released, Gu Wei received many calls from people in China, most of whom were wishing him a big box office success.

Especially Qin Hao, who joked with him on the phone, saying that once he has established a firm foothold here, he should not forget the people in China, as they also want to come to Hollywood to see the world.

Gu Wei also agreed with a smile, and asked him to hone his acting skills in China. If he came here in the future, he must not lose face for domestic actors. Qin Hao happily promised that he would definitely not embarrass the director.

(End of this chapter)