Darkstone Code
Chapter 244 - 0242 Results and the people who define the results

Chapter 244: 0242 Results and the people who define the results

The quality of a movie and its box office performance never have a direct relationship. Historically, many big productions with rave reviews are praised to the skies before they’re widely released.

Regardless of whether it’s filmmakers or critics, they all spare no effort in praising it, believing the work will become a historical benchmark. But in fact, they do have a point, although it’s a historical low rather than a high.

Similarly, some films regarded poorly by many soar after release, creating baffling returns that leave people speechless.

But do people truly not understand why?

No, actually people do know; they just aren’t willing to say it out loud.

Filmmakers and critics, the "upper class" both inside and outside the industry, base their evaluations entirely on "artistic value."

During the viewing process, they seriously contemplate whether a particular plot has deeper meaning or references, not sparing even the most insignificant detail on screen.

For example, once a critic endlessly touted a movie, focusing on the wallpaper patterns to reflect the profound meaning of the film.

These people have clearly elevated artistic pursuits to excessively high levels, or perhaps they are inherently this way, needing to see things ordinary people cannot.

Some directors also enjoy this, mutually praising one another. This constitutes a unique cultural atmosphere within the entertainment circle.

Ordinary people, however, never pursue artistic value. On one hand, they haven’t received proper education and can’t discern whether the thorns on wallpaper come from roses or brambles, let alone understand their meanings in religion, history, or mythology, and thus can’t grasp the implications behind it.

On the other hand, ordinary people pursue applicability and practicality. They can’t handle overly sophisticated content. Observing film history, all movies with religious themes consistently receive high ratings and low box office because people aren’t interested—only critics and filmmakers show interest.

It’s akin to this film. Lynch has heard more than once behind him some critics using their sharp tone to mock its content, and some even walked out to show their aloofness.

On the contrary, the real audience seats are filled with viewers watching with relish, whether they’re here for the plot or something else; they’re at least satisfied with the joy brought by the movie.

This is why they enter the cinema. As for what happens after stepping out?

Besides reminiscing, they don’t wish to ponder if aliens represent some inequality, or if the heroine’s extraordinary power symbolizes a supremacy over the mundane!

Hmm, when thinking this way, this also seems to have become a work with deep content and criticism of reality!

The movie gradually approaches its end. When the heroine plunges a dagger into the eye socket of the truck driver who attacked and almost killed her, the plot finally reaches its climax.

Watching the heroine bathed in the enemy’s blood, the viewers in the back row apparently enjoy such big-revenge scenes.

And the critics?

They just spout nonsense!

A decent film, Lynch gives it an objective evaluation. At least male fans would unhesitatingly purchase tickets to enjoy roughly eighty minutes of pleasure. This movie, even if it can’t earn a big profit, can at least break even.

As the credits begin rolling, the cinema lights up, and people stand up and clap, either warmly or indifferently.

Lynch shakes hands with Mr. Fox, "Congratulations, this is the first step of success, and I believe also the first step toward legend!"

Mr. Fox’s enthusiasm and emotion are quite on point. Not long ago, he was an insignificant figure from the countryside engaged in shady dealings, but with a blink of an eye, he started mingling with these social luminaries, and even produced a film—something unimaginable yet made real for him.

"I must thank you, my friend Lynch. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be managing an underground finance company!" This is one of Mr. Fox’s greatest strengths: he knows how to remember gratitude as well as grudges.

Lynch laughingly releases his hand, "Now, it’s your time!"

Following the premiere event, there’s a reception, but typically nobody reports on such receptions. Of course, reporters can’t get in as well, which is a major reason.

At the reception, local production companies and industry individuals flock around the Foxes due to well-known reasons—investment projects obtained in Laridemo this year are pitifully few, and some production companies suddenly went bankrupt.

Large numbers of unemployed people wander the streets, same as anywhere else.

Now the Foxes present their new film and company to the people, and those filmmakers naturally swarm around like sharks smelling blood.

If not some film-directing director, then the initiator of a project or some stars, their sole intention is to leave a lasting impression on these two financiers, ideally stirring up some investment.

On Lynch’s side, there are also people, but the tone is slightly more refined; he’s conversing with a vice president of one of the Federation’s top-five production companies.

Lynch’s Interstellar Trade Company has formally submitted split documentation and applied to related departments for preliminary procedures concerning Senior Soldier, indicating the company could soon be listed on the three major exchanges.

If this happened a few years ago, people wouldn’t care. Back then, even a recycling station could likely go public and earn substantial profits.

But now, amidst a rough ecosystem, daring to list symbolizes absolute determination—assuming a company has a market value of ten million and issues ten million shares post-IPO at one dollar per share, exactly matching its market value.

Following stock issuance, due to buyer activities boosting its prices rapidly, more capital influx is triggered—this is why new stocks always make money.

When per-share prices shift from one to two dollars, the total value of ten million issued stocks reaches twenty million, meaning even if the company generates no profits during this period, its market value doubles.

This is the normal scenario, yet currently, it’s difficult; maybe initially some take up portions, the freedom of the market’s free trade isn’t entirely replicable, predictable, someone will inevitably do so, regardless of everyone deeming it foolish.

Those who purchased stocks discover price fluctuations aren’t significant after a while; some choose to shift stocks or require cash, opting to sell at lower prices if urgent, decreasing stock prices—the last transaction as real-time market price.

A lowering stock price also denotes devaluation for every investor holding stocks, with this speed accelerating in today’s market condition.

Listing now isn’t very wise; some companies thought they could withstand the post-financial tsunami winter, yet after listing, their market value was halved, and now they’re considering delisting or have already delisted.

Hence, Lynch’s countercurrent listing move caught domestic capital attention, noting this young man from Sabin City, his company, and enormous profit within secondhand goods.

"I noticed, Mr. Lynch, you’re one of the main shareholders in this company; that’s my reason for being here!" This vice president from Rare Surprise Box Production Company candidly tells Lynch he came because of Lynch, not the Foxes or the movie.

Surprise Box Production Company originated from a circus, where they had simple playback devices to screen programs past their prime after circus shows ended.

Later, the circus owner realized the audience’s sensitivity towards live circus programs was low. Even with changes and new performers, audiences rarely noticed.

However, if something was off in the screened shows, audiences quickly spotted it.

This meant audience interest was keener towards screened programs over live performances, granting the circus owner significant earnings.

He enlisted circus performers for a modest fee to showcase their skills, recorded them, then bade them farewell. Subsequently, playing these programs everywhere secured perpetuating profits while he didn’t need to keep them paid.

Ultimately, the circus retained only a small clown for warming up and a young woman for warming the bed, yet the circus owner’s earnings never dwindled.

Under such circumstances, the circus owner became the Federation’s first batch of producers, funding more circus films or other thematic movies—the clown emerging from the surprise box became the company’s trademark.

Today’s Surprise Box Production Company has become a substantial force in the Federation entertainment circle, drawing focus wherever they go.

Listening to a sense of flattery from Surprise Box Production Company’s vice president, Lynch smiled and nodded, then raised his wine glass, "I am honored!"

The two took a slight sip from their glasses, possibly not even drinking, merely letting the wine moisten their lips.

"Mr. Lynch, if you consider investing in entertainment circles, perhaps think about our company; you might find interest in our upcoming development plans!"