[IchiNiSan]

This news came into my radar when I read in the South China Morning a small bulletin article about Stephen Chow buying himself into Emcom claiming to turn it into a Time Warner. Brilliant actor and business man, there is a lot of criticism in the entertainment industry about him being not too social though, or maybe because he is just that bit of too business-oriented? Anyhow, it would be a Chinese asset if his ambitions becomes true and we have really our own Murdoch alike Media-tycoon in the person of Stephen Chow

Browsed a bit, could not find too many English sources.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail....&con_type=3

Chow aims for film empire

Movie actor-cum-director and comedian Stephen Chow Sing-chi is aiming to build a Chinese version of Time Warner in the mainland after being appointed executive director of Emcom International (8220), reports Sing Tao Daily, sister publication of The Standard.

Mandy Lo

Monday, March 01, 2010

Movie actor-cum-director and comedian Stephen Chow Sing-chi is aiming to build a Chinese version of Time Warner in the mainland after being appointed executive director of Emcom International (8220), reports Sing Tao Daily, sister publication of The Standard.

"My dream is to build a company to become another Time Warner, to make movies, animated series and merchandise that belong to the Chinese film world," he said yesterday.

"A market as big as China needs a large entertainment company like Time Warner."

He denied reports that he invested in Emcom to speculate in shares of the firm, which is listed on the Growth Enterprise Market. "Speculation is not my aim, it cannot satisfy me."

Chow expects to use the resources to produce more films every year, but he declined to reveal an annual target.

"The company will focus on producing movies that can derive other products like animated versions, related merchandise and online games, for instance CJ7."

Chow said the animated version of CJ7 - which he made and starred in - is set to be completed this summer.

"Chinese kids should have cartoons that are made in their homeland," Chow said, noting that mainland animations have the advantage of government support for the industry.

"It is inevitable to consider the China market as a whole, though we also want to cater to Hong Kong people's taste," he said, revealing that he started targeting the mainland market since the production of Shaolin Soccer.

Emcom is proposing to change its name to Bingo Group, which Chow says he likes because he loves hitting the jackpot.

The movie legend, who is the largest single shareholder of Emcom with a 14.59 percent stake, sold the image rights for CJ7 characters to Emcom to develop them into peripheral products.

The company will issue HK$45 million worth of convertible bonds to Chow with an option to subscribe for 250 million new shares that can boost his stake to 35.64 percent. It will also have investment priority for Chow's future films.

[Bill]

Stephen Chow is a pretty cool guy. He makes good film and ain't afraid of nothing.

[Harley-One]

IchiNiSan, on Mar 7 2010, 10:25 AM, said:

This news came into my radar when I read in the South China Morning a small bulletin article about Stephen Chow buying himself into Emcom claiming to turn it into a Time Warner. Brilliant actor and business man, there is a lot of criticism in the entertainment industry about him being not too social though, or maybe because he is just that bit of too business-oriented? Anyhow, it would be a Chinese asset if his ambitions becomes true and we have really our own Murdoch alike Media-tycoon in the person of Stephen Chow

Stephan? My Idol, And it's all because he's so me-like characteristically, physically, and intelligent-wise -- if based on my personal comparison that is ... Always liked his works.

I would characterize him as the Steven Spielberg of Asia. Sadly, Beijing had to beg Steven to open Olympics '08 for us instead of Stephen because if Stephen did it, he would have definitely show the world what the true Chinese character are like if he opened Beijing Olympic instead.

I wonder if it have to do with his deemed Mafia connection that Beijing stayed away from him. My home away from home country, Canada, rejected his application for immigration status based on his deemed Mafia connections, but sadly, accepted political assylum status of Lai Changxing instead...

[Bill]

Harley-One, on Mar 12 2010, 05:33 PM, said:

Stephan? My Idol, And it's all because he's so me-like characteristically, physically, and intelligent-wise -- if based on my personal comparison that is ... Always liked his works.

I would characterize him as the Steven Spielberg of Asia. Sadly, Beijing had to beg Steven to open Olympics '08 for us instead of Stephen because if Stephen did it, he would have definitely show the world what the true Chinese character are like if he opened Beijing Olympic instead.

I wonder if it have to do with his deemed Mafia connection that Beijing stayed away from him. My home away from home country, Canada, rejected his application for immigration status based on his deemed Mafia connections, but sadly, accepted political assylum status of Lai Changxing instead...

Hey I am Canadian too, and I too think the government is really fubar. I also think choosing Steven Spielberg to open the Olympic was a mistake. Canada had good relationship with China before, but now it's all ruined.

[IchiNiSan]

i just can not wait for Tai Chi to debut on the big screen！

[Harley-One]

IchiNiSan, on Mar 13 2010, 01:04 AM, said:

i just can not wait for Tai Chi to debut on the big screen！

Taichi: Is that going to be his next flick? I do love his "Batteries Are Not Included" flick however because it uniquely have this MODERN CHINESE THEME and TOUCH to it and I'm fully in support of all arts that inspires future generation of Chinese to have a modern frame of mind rather than leading the Chinese masses to keep burying their heads in the sands of [ China's glorious past -- YES PAST ] that works of Jet Lee, Ang, and/or Jacky Chan's idiotic ideas are leading the Chinese public.

[IchiNiSan]

Harley-One, on Mar 14 2010, 02:18 AM, said:

Taichi: Is that going to be his next flick? I do love his "Batteries Are Not Included" flick however because it uniquely have this MODERN CHINESE THEME and TOUCH to it and I'm fully in support of all arts that inspires future generation of Chinese to have a modern frame of mind rather than leading the Chinese masses to keep burying their heads in the sands of [ China's glorious past -- YES PAST ] that works of Jet Lee, Ang, and/or Jacky Chan's idiotic ideas are leading the Chinese public.

Yes, it will be 60 Mln USD budget Hollywood blockbuster starring Jack Black and the like, with our own Stephen as the lead actor AND director I heard it is a some kind of Bruce Lee themed movie with the Tai Chi master being Stephen himself! Columbia Pictures had decided to drop out of the project because they "waited to long", because Stephen continuously delayed it until he had the "perfect" script

Well I kinda had the same opinion about Jacky Chan before until he made his speech in Zhongshan (?) about that the American should not interfere with Chinese internal affairs. That was bold and really partiotic! Still don't understand why the Hong Kong media would need to jump on Jacky when they should have cheered him, but we all know how the HK media is like......

[Harley-One]

IchiNiSan, on Mar 14 2010, 07:56 AM, said:

Well I kinda had the same opinion about Jacky Chan before until he made his speech in Zhongshan (?) about that the American should not interfere with Chinese internal affairs.

I see him as an opportunist who have no qualms about giving [the whole of the Chinese race a bad wrap] when he acts/portrays himself as that stupid almost-handicapped character he's synonymous when on the silver screen because: through his portrayals of the Chinese animal in the silver screens, his audience thinks all Chinese are exactly like that stupid almost-handicapped character that's in his movie(s). Adding Christ Tucker to the scene further adds to that image of stupidity people have of us.

I mean are you like that character in his movies? OF COURSE NOT! Am I like that? HARDLY! I mean do you see a Jacky Chan character in China when you visit there??? NEVER! On the contrary, what you do see when you visit China are extremely polite (but difficult to communicate with people because of the language/dialect factors), helpful, definitely a people who finds tourists like ourselves curios, but deep down extremely intelligent creatures when you are in China.

Stephan on the other hand is a comic. But thus far he had never done anything or portrayed himself in any form or shape that stupid character of the Chinese-intelligence that Jacky had given all of us. If and when people bents over and show us their "August the 15th's" in object of making fun of us or to make a racial slur towards us, it's unmistakable where they got the "stupid" idea...

[wdl76]

Harley-One, on Mar 15 2010, 03:59 AM, said:

I see him as an opportunist who have no qualms about giving [the whole of the Chinese race a bad wrap] when he acts/portrays himself as that stupid almost-handicapped character he's synonymous when on the silver screen because: through his portrayals of the Chinese animal in the silver screens, his audience thinks all Chinese are exactly like that stupid almost-handicapped character that's in his movie(s). Adding Christ Tucker to the scene further adds to that image of stupidity people have of us.

I mean are you like that character in his movies? OF COURSE NOT! Am I like that? HARDLY! I mean do you see a Jacky Chan character in China when you visit there??? NEVER! On the contrary, what you do see when you visit China are extremely polite (but difficult to communicate with people because of the language/dialect factors), helpful, definitely a people who finds tourists like ourselves curios, but deep down extremely intelligent creatures when you are in China.

Stephan on the other hand is a comic. But thus far he had never done anything or portrayed himself in any form or shape that stupid character of the Chinese-intelligence that Jacky had given all of us. If and when people bents over and show us their "August the 15th's" in object of making fun of us or to make a racial slur towards us, it's unmistakable where they got the "stupid" idea...

I stopped watching Jacky Chan's movie once he is doing Hollywood stuff, probably should say the same with Jet Lee.
I don't know the holywood movies starred by them seemed to ...... extremely dumb, probably dumbed down to help the American's understand the story.


But past HK movies starred by them are just excellent movies should I say, even the stupid comedy ones are excellent (double dragon with Maggie Chung...... Owwww Maggieeee)

Anyhoo, I think we need more people with Stephen's view and ambition. So good on him

[IchiNiSan]

Harley-One, on Mar 15 2010, 12:59 AM, said:

I see him as an opportunist who have no qualms about giving [the whole of the Chinese race a

You are certainly right about Jacky Chan as an actor, and one of the reason I mostly shared your opinion on him and actually NEVER really paid too much attention to his movies, I would rather go for Chow Yun fat. Though the speech Jacky Chan made did make me believe he is a real man to stand up when taken off the coat as an actor. I recall in the Lahsa riots period he also openly gave an interview to Western media kinda telling the West to shut up and don't interfere with the internal affairs of China. So I think he is a more age-old actor from the old garde in which there is a big difference in what he actually is and what he is showing the world.

A recipe Stephen has used and made him so loved among Chinese is that how he can turn himself from a small potato into a strong man/hero with guts and confidence. The great thing is that it did not only happened in his movies, his real life is reflecting exactly what he was showing the people on the big screen! Isn't this what people tend to dream about? I think his ego and Chinese feelings told him to drop out of the Green Hornet, which i was extremely happy about, a side-kick supporting role is nothing for him. Now, being a Tai Chi master and becoming the Bruce Lee of the 21st century is what really suits him! He also opened up the audits for selecting the new blood for the King of Comedy 2, that is another one I am so looking forward to.

[Sampanviking]

I think its a little unfair to blame actors for the short comings of the movie industry. Jackie and Jet may have appeared in some poor movies, but neither of them have shared a stage with the likes of Richard Greer calling for the overthrow of the PRC etc.

It was interesting to note that in the Mainland, Cinema goers gave the money to watch "Avatar" rather than Confucious. Before people start attacking them for being disloyal to the own, I think the reason is rather deeper. By choosing Avatar over Confucious, I would say that people were saying that they were more interested in looking to the future, rather than always harking back to the past. I think the Chinese movie industry needs to take this on board and give over on the run of the mill Costume Drama's or Gangster flicks. Give them the Sci Fi and futuristic dramas that fit the 21st Century cities in which they live.

[IchiNiSan]

Sampanviking, on Mar 15 2010, 05:29 PM, said:

I think its a little unfair to blame actors for the short comings of the movie industry. Jackie and Jet may have appeared in some poor movies, but neither of them have shared a stage with the likes of Richard Greer calling for the overthrow of the PRC etc.

It was interesting to note that in the Mainland, Cinema goers gave the money to watch "Avatar" rather than Confucious. Before people start attacking them for being disloyal to the own, I think the reason is rather deeper. By choosing Avatar over Confucious, I would say that people were saying that they were more interested in looking to the future, rather than always harking back to the past. I think the Chinese movie industry needs to take this on board and give over on the run of the mill Costume Drama's or Gangster flicks. Give them the Sci Fi and futuristic dramas that fit the 21st Century cities in which they live.

I think it is universal that the majority would love to see big-budget blockbusters in which people don't need to think too much. In China "2012" topped the box office of 2009 maybe because there are those weird voices from some people saying that "China saved the world" and no more "Big American empire theme", how they would thought of that is very weird Well the marketing guys of these big-budget blockbusters are certainly worth every penny. Then with a second place Transformers, despite how bad that was, who is actually only nearly above the Founding of Republic. And then a bunch of Chinese historic themed movies from B&A (AWESOME MOVIE btw) to Red Cliff, Nanjing Nanjing and the like. Before a cartoon Ice Age comes into picture and all those HK comedies and other hollywood movies, this is actually in sharp contrast with what you see in USA and Europe, where only (brainless) entertaining big-budget movies like Harry Potter, Transformers, Up and the like are filling the top spots, 2012 is even out of top 10 maybe because it is not USA saving the world? Seems like there is a big difference in the interests for the kind of themes, and Chinese historic and patriotic themed movies is hot-selling in China, while in the US (and Europe) the market for these kinds of movies is absolutely minimum. Look at how much The Hurt Locker would gross.....

Ps. The lack of interests for Confucius has more to do with the bad script, bad actors and bad marketing. It does not help when the 28th generation descendant of Confucius is publicly telling the public how crappy the movie is and is considering to sue the studio over, which he has his points, it is an awful movie....

[Harley-One]

IchiNiSan, on Mar 15 2010, 05:00 AM, said:

You are certainly right about Jacky Chan as an actor, and one of the reason I mostly shared your opinion on him and actually NEVER really paid too much attention to his movies, I would rather go for Chow Yun fat. Though the speech Jacky Chan made did make me believe he is a real man to stand up when taken off the coat as an actor. I recall in the Lahsa riots period he also openly gave an interview to Western media kinda telling the West to shut up and don't interfere with the internal affairs of China. So I think he is a more age-old actor from the old garde in which there is a big difference in what he actually is and what he is showing the world.

A recipe Stephen has used and made him so loved among Chinese is that how he can turn himself from a small potato into a strong man/hero with guts and confidence. The great thing is that it did not only happened in his movies, his real life is reflecting exactly what he was showing the people on the big screen! Isn't this what people tend to dream about? I think his ego and Chinese feelings told him to drop out of the Green Hornet, which i was extremely happy about, a side-kick supporting role is nothing for him. Now, being a Tai Chi master and becoming the Bruce Lee of the 21st century is what really suits him! He also opened up the audits for selecting the new blood for the King of Comedy 2, that is another one I am so looking forward to.

At one time (during a carrier visit to HK 5-6 years ago I think) he did put all of those teeth of his into that smiley face that he took aboard that USS Enterprise for a photo opt. I mean how proud he was of that moment then (Or was it Lau Tak Wah who did that?). Goes to show what a flip flopper he is whenn it comes to [the little things] that can give his career a big boost. Shining shoes for Beijing works to the same advantage because, don't forget, the Chinese entertainment industry is gigantic as well.

[Sampanviking]

IchiNiSan, on Mar 15 2010, 11:43 AM, said:

I think it is universal that the majority would love to see big-budget blockbusters in which people don't need to think too much. In China "2012" topped the box office of 2009 maybe because there are those weird voices from some people saying that "China saved the world" and no more "Big American empire theme", how they would thought of that is very weird Well the marketing guys of these big-budget blockbusters are certainly worth every penny. Then with a second place Transformers, despite how bad that was, who is actually only nearly above the Founding of Republic. And then a bunch of Chinese historic themed movies from B&A (AWESOME MOVIE btw) to Red Cliff, Nanjing Nanjing and the like. Before a cartoon Ice Age comes into picture and all those HK comedies and other hollywood movies, this is actually in sharp contrast with what you see in USA and Europe, where only (brainless) entertaining big-budget movies like Harry Potter, Transformers, Up and the like are filling the top spots, 2012 is even out of top 10 maybe because it is not USA saving the world? Seems like there is a big difference in the interests for the kind of themes, and Chinese historic and patriotic themed movies is hot-selling in China, while in the US (and Europe) the market for these kinds of movies is absolutely minimum. Look at how much The Hurt Locker would gross.....

Ps. The lack of interests for Confucius has more to do with the bad script, bad actors and bad marketing. It does not help when the 28th generation descendant of Confucius is publicly telling the public how crappy the movie is and is considering to sue the studio over, which he has his points, it is an awful movie....

Point taken on Confucius but was in not a Chow Yun Fat movie?

I think though the point I was trying to get at was the idea of programmes and films that sell both in the PRC and Miami. I mean something like CSI Shanghai would be bound to have some considerable interest. How about a good spy hero, a Chinese James Bond or some such, somebody that defends the borders of China from Foreign backed intrigues along its Western borders etc.

I also think of programmes like Star Trek and how the original series shaped my perceptions of Space and Space exploration when I was a little kid. I mean China's cities already look like the drawings out of Dan Dare. I also think of other US exports from my childhood, Hawaii 5 O and Streets of San Francisco, Starsky and Hutch, Kojak, Streets of San Francisco etc. These programmes taught me what different cities in the US looked like and how the character of the US varied from East and West Coast etc.

There has to be traction here for Chinese Movie and Programme makers as it does make an impact on the psyche of distant viewers that sticks long after the original storylines are long forgotten.

[IchiNiSan]

Sampanviking, on Mar 16 2010, 01:17 AM, said:

Point taken on Confucius but was in not a Chow Yun Fat movie?

He was the only enlightment, but even him could not save movies like Confucius and Dragon-Ball Which the latter I still don't understand he took on the job and IF Stephen Chow had any input as the so-called Executive Producer, yah, sometimes you are in denial when your idols are involved in a flop....

Quote

I think though the point I was trying to get at was the idea of programmes and films that sell both in the PRC and Miami. I mean something like CSI Shanghai would be bound to have some considerable interest. How about a good spy hero, a Chinese James Bond or some such, somebody that defends the borders of China from Foreign backed intrigues along its Western borders etc.

I also think of programmes like Star Trek and how the original series shaped my perceptions of Space and Space exploration when I was a little kid. I mean China's cities already look like the drawings out of Dan Dare. I also think of other US exports from my childhood, Hawaii 5 O and Streets of San Francisco, Starsky and Hutch, Kojak, Streets of San Francisco etc. These programmes taught me what different cities in the US looked like and how the character of the US varied from East and West Coast etc.

There has to be traction here for Chinese Movie and Programme makers as it does make an impact on the psyche of distant viewers that sticks long after the original storylines are long forgotten.

Hah, it would be great to have a Chinese James Bond selling in China and the rest of world, posturing how this spy knocks down and outwit those Muslim terrorists, though don't see that would be selling in the West if those Muslims are replaced with those peacefully non-violent Tibetans Better have Bradd Pitt pulled out to re-make a Seven Years in Tibet with a slight twist in the script??

I recall some HK moviemakers making a counter-comment that China is already very lean and free in the themes one is allowed to make. Just don't make porn, Triad-stories, and political sensitive ones involving TW and/or living Elders While in Hollywood it goes as far as that you are not allowed to have a black guy as the biggest nemesis and so on.

And you will be surprised how many movies there are actually reflecting the day to day life of China, romance, drama, comedy and so. I think you would better search in the huge database of local TV series, next to the always selling traditional kungfu and historic themes, these are full of current China's themed topics, like even real estate themes. I think HK's TVB series had that effect on Overseas Chinese, I was grown up with it, not sure though how the influence is still ever since the quality is dropping.....

The problem is that Movie Budget is always limited, so the investors tend to go for the movies they can surely hit the jackpot in China. After Hero, there is a continuous flood of big scened historic movies with evolving to patriotic ones, but only a handful big scenes will not help to attract paying audience anymore. Look at the flop of Confucius and Mulan. Worth the 5 RMB around the corner pick up, not worth the 40-120 RMB you have to pay in the cinema.....

And here is why I love Stephen Chow so much, he is more the guy really creative and go against the mainstream. CJ7 was a huge risk, and voila it becomes a huge franchise attracting new audience to the big screen. So a Startrek alike Chinese movie will most likely coming from the hand from a Stephen Chow rather than a John Woo. China need a few more creative risk takers..... Who knows, maybe Bingo could really become an Asian Time Warner one day if Stephen can really have his free hands in the company.

[IchiNiSan]

Harley-One, on Mar 16 2010, 01:02 AM, said:

At one time (during a carrier visit to HK 5-6 years ago I think) he did put all of those teeth of his into that smiley face that he took aboard that USS Enterprise for a photo opt. I mean how proud he was of that moment then (Or was it Lau Tak Wah who did that?). Goes to show what a flip flopper he is whenn it comes to [the little things] that can give his career a big boost. Shining shoes for Beijing works to the same advantage because, don't forget, the Chinese entertainment industry is gigantic as well.

He did? Anyhow, still don't understand why we should let those carriers dock in HK

[Harley-One]

IchiNiSan, on Mar 15 2010, 10:57 PM, said:

Hah, it would be great to have a Chinese James Bond selling in China and the rest of world, posturing how this spy knocks down and outwit those Muslim terrorists, though don't see that would be selling in the West if those Muslims are replaced with those peacefully non-violent Tibetans Better have Bradd Pitt pulled out to re-make a Seven Years in Tibet with a slight twist in the script??

Peaceful Tibetans??? Give the world a break!

No Tibetan in this world are peaceful. I guess it goes with the genes... I mean they are such a flock of lost and helpless second class citizen sheep whichever society they belong. Yes, even the Thai/Myanmar kind are so dumb!!! I mean just look at them! You have a white dude amongst them to act as a leader of the flock, they'll get the impression that have the rights to turn the world upside down...

Thai Red shirts pour blood in front of Gov't House
Tibetans of the Thai/Myanmar geneses... It's in the genes Man!!!

And yes, those whiteys amongst them are the Bratt Pits sources of all these Tibetan troubles throughout Asia...

[Harley-One]

IchiNiSan, on Mar 16 2010, 12:24 AM, said:

He did? Anyhow, still don't understand why we should let those carriers dock in HK

I think it's because Beijing is afraid of [ trade reprisals from the Americans ] if we say [ no ] to the USS Kittyhawk... I mean Man!!! All ikt takes is one meeting amongst the protectionists in the House on what to do with Toyota who had snatched the numero uno spot from GM in America's domestic market and, on how to deal with the Okinowa Military Base controversey and Man!!!, you don't need to go far to know what can result --- a headache as big as the one that Mr. Toyoda did that is...I mean it's not as if we haven't had any such experience with the Americans in the past...

[IchiNiSan]

Harley-One, on Mar 17 2010, 05:03 AM, said:

Peaceful Tibetans??? Give the world a break!

for someone loving Stephen, you tend to take every word too seriously when it comes down to Dalai's minions, calm down, it was sarcasm again, I have editted included the "" lah!

You know, I still believe if Seven Years in Tibet was not produced, the perception about Tibet might have turned out differently, especially in the West where they take any seemingly "accurate" historic movies as the true history. So if one day you really can get the same whitey to act in a remake of Seven Years in Tibet with a more pro-China and give more reality to the story then the perception of these same ghosts might change. How about using CGI to make a Brad Pitt starring in this remake? Avatar made it believable those smurfes....

[Harley-One]

IchiNiSan, on Mar 17 2010, 01:56 AM, said:

for someone loving Stephen, you tend to take every word too seriously when it comes down to Dalai's minions, calm down, it was sarcasm again, I have editted included the "" lah!

You know, I still believe if Seven Years in Tibet was not produced, the perception about Tibet might have turned out differently, especially in the West where they take any seemingly "accurate" historic movies as the true history. So if one day you really can get the same whitey to act in a remake of Seven Years in Tibet with a more pro-China and give more reality to the story then the perception of these same ghosts might change. How about using CGI to make a Brad Pitt starring in this remake? Avatar made it believable those smurfes....

sadly, any genesis with tibetan traits to them (as the following) makes my blood boil... sorry, but i can't help it... i see them as the dumbest in the world...

Thai blood protest at PM's house
Thai Protesters Give Blood to Pour on Streets

in my eyes, they are a people who can easily be mannipulated to prostute/sell their own mothers to the brothel -- if you are ruthless enough to brainwash, inspire, or program them to think the way you want them to think, especially if by the all conniving trickery hatching cia or mi-5, flock of dumb sheeps is how i look at them...

exceptions of course are those who identify themselves as east asians, which they are, and this group goes without saying are very very attached to their easian asian roots which china is deeply entwined... some are even devoted members oif the pla... this group i respect and take as our own...