Where Does the Money Come From?

Lin Chuan hadn't expected to find a review for Balloon on Weibo.

Out of curiosity, Lin Chuan clicked to take a look.

"Recently, an animated film called Balloon has suddenly swept the internet. Without any active promotion from the studio, it achieved a box office of 22.78 million in its opening week."

"Despite the pleasing box office results, audience reviews are polarized.

Many believe Balloon is like a plate of fresh brain flowers – those who like it consider it a delicacy.

While those who dislike it get goosebumps and shiver just seeing it.

How does this film present such vastly different reviews, and how did it become a viral hit in such a short time?

Allow the author to break it down for you."

"First, Balloon boldly positions itself as an R-rated animated film, abandoning the cutesy, childish art style common in most animated movies.

It caters to a niche audience.

telling a serious, adult-oriented story.

Most viewers are already tired of the same old family-friendly animated films.

With its highly realistic art style and first-class atmosphere, Balloon offers audiences a unique animated film experience."

"Second, a world of despair.

In the world of Balloon, Head Balloons are an unsolvable threat. If you encounter one outdoors, it will strangle you with its rope.

If you hide at home, you'll eventually run out of supplies.

And if you attack a Head Balloon, its owner will suffer the same fate.

It is this sense of powerlessness, this forced acceptance of reality, that instills a strong sense of insecurity in the audience.

Naturally, it chips away at the audience's psychological defenses."

"Third, the director's skill in Balloon is very mature.

Many viewers report that the film often gives them hope, only to snatch it away.

This is inseparable from the director's mastery of pacing.

Especially the open ending, which leaves the suspense until the very last moment.

Lin Chuan uses a realistic art style and solid directorial skills to create a vivid and terrifying world.

Causing many viewers to involuntarily look up at the sky as they leave the cinema.

Fearing that a balloon identical to their own appearance might be floating in from afar."

"These are the key elements of Balloon's success and the main reasons for its polarized reception."

"Although Balloon instills fear in many, audiences have still given it high ratings.

Currently, on a certain review site, Balloon boasts a score of 8.7.

This indicates that audiences recognize the quality of Balloon.

From a critic's standpoint, I hope to see more films like Balloon in the future.

Injecting new vitality into Chinese animated films.

From a regular viewer's standpoint, I hope Director Lin Chuan can make more films similar to Spoon Killer Demon.

Watching Balloon too much really takes a toll on the heart!"

Below the review, netizens left comments:

"Professional!"

"Great analysis!"

"Balloon's art style is incredibly detailed, realistic yet terrifying. The description of Balloon as a plate of brain flowers is spot on!"

"After reading the blogger's analysis, it all makes sense. I missed so many details. I'm planning a second watch, any brave souls joining me?"

"Not planning a second watch. I dream about it every night."

And so on.

Lin Chuan finished reading the entire article, feeling somewhat emotional.

This blogger had indeed analyzed Lin Chuan's intentions.

What Lin Chuan hadn't expected was that Balloon would make this professional film critic claim that watching it too much could cause heart problems.

Moreover, many people in the comments agreed with the blogger's statement.

Sharing their own personal experiences.

Is Balloon a very terrifying animated film?

Lin Chuan didn't really feel that way.

Among the entertainment works Lin Chuan had seen, Head Balloon was definitely not the most terrifying.

Thinking about it, it seemed that James Wan's Directing Skills, combined with Junji Ito's Manga Technique, had sparked a different kind of fire.

After eating hot pot, Lin Chuan and the other two began to walk to aid digestion.

Lin Chuan also spoke of his troubles:

"Balloon's box office is pretty good, but I won't get my share until three months later. I want to make another movie, then I won't have to attend classes."

Ren Hang offered advice:

"You could sell the copyrights, like exclusive streaming rights to video websites, and adaptation rights. All of that combined should be enough to fund a movie."

Lin Chuan's eyes lit up. It really was good to brainstorm.

If Lin Chuan had thought a bit longer, he could have come up with it himself.

But with Ren Hang's suggestion, Lin Chuan was immediately inspired.

Xiao Hei continued to maintain his pessimism: "Then if you don't attend classes and go make movies, what about your studies?"

Ren Hang retorted: "Lin Chuan can already direct a movie independently, he doesn't need to learn directing department knowledge, right?"

Lin Chuan, however, fell into thought.

The teachers at Jianghai City Film Academy were actually quite skilled.

They were good actors and had strong practical abilities; they weren't just putting on a show.

After walking for a while, Lin Chuan replied: "Perhaps I can have the teachers lecture me while I film!"

As soon as he said this, Ren Hang and Xiao Hei subconsciously stopped in their tracks.

No, they already thought it was amazing that you could direct a movie in your sophomore year.

But you're actually planning to film while having teachers lecture you.

Even the most amazing person couldn't do that.

Lin Chuan saw the doubt in their eyes and patted their shoulders, smiling cheekily:

"Only by daring to think can you dare to do. If young people aren't passionate, are they still young?"

"Right, if you're not passionate, are you still young!"

Ren Hang also nodded in agreement.

They would only be sophomores after the summer break, so they were all eighteen or nineteen, full of youthful vigor.

After Lin Chuan's words, a surge of passion rose in their chests.

Lin Chuan then continued to ask: "Hei, can you create a manga website?"

Xiao Hei thought for a moment and replied: "That's not difficult. I can build one for you in a week."

Lin Chuan nodded. As expected, Xiao Hei was omnipotent.

In the spare time while busy with Balloon's release, Lin Chuan also drew many classic horror manga from Earth.

The Tomie series, Uzumaki, and the Korean horror manga collection Tales of the Unusual.

If he were to adapt all of them into movies, it would be too time-consuming.

But it felt like a waste not to let netizens see them.

Now, through a manga website, he could let netizens experience what true horror manga was.

It could also increase their tolerance for horror.

In the afternoon, after returning home, Lin Chuan received a call from An Puzhu, the head of the copyright department at Bika Net.

They were interested in purchasing the exclusive streaming rights for Balloon and proposed meeting at a nearby cafe.

Lin Chuan agreed.

The next day, at the cafe, Lin Chuan arrived ten minutes early.

While waiting for his coffee, he idly browsed his phone.

He happened to see a Weibo post from Jiang Kui.

It was a cosplay photo.

In the picture, Jiang Kui was hiding on one side of a table, while outside the window was a giant Head Balloon that looked exactly like Jiang Kui.

It was a still from Balloon!

He hadn't expected Wang Dong to choose Jiang Kui as the model this time.

Jiang Kui's makeup and styling were perfect for the character. Hiding on the side of the table, the real Jiang Kui appeared flustered, uneasy, and lost in thought.

The Head Balloon outside the window, on the other hand, exuded a deathly aura.

Exquisite like a porcelain doll, yet wicked, chilling, sinister, chaotic, and mad.

Perhaps, in the future, he could invite her to star in the live-action adaptation of the Tomie series.

Lin Chuan thought to himself.

Just then, a tall figure walked into the coffee shop. Upon seeing Lin Chuan, he greeted him.

With a bright smile and sincere gaze:

"Hello, Director Lin. I'm An Puzhu from Bika Net's copyright department. I'm here today to discuss the price for the exclusive broadcasting rights of Balloon!"