As a country that spans the North American continent, the eastern and western coastal cities of the United States naturally span several time zones.
While the eastern coastal cities have entered a new day, it is just approaching midnight in the west.
But in major cities in the West, from San Diego to Los Angeles to San Francisco, all the movie theaters did not become quiet as the night approached.
On the contrary, due to the influx of a large number of movie fans, these cinemas began to become extremely lively.
It does have an atmosphere of Halloween, with hundreds of ghosts parading at night.
In the AMC theater on the Atlantic Times Square side of Los Angeles, Chen Gong was busy in the merchandise department.
"The midnight show is about to start, Boss."
After moving out a box of Madoka Magica peripherals, Chen Gong gave some suggestions to his boss.
"Based on my experience in selling the peripheral products of "Purgatory Flame", we should put the peripheral products of Nanaya's new film in the most conspicuous position on the shelf!"
"Chen, you're right!"
The merchandise manager looked across the theater corridor, carefully examining the audience who were queuing up to watch the midnight show.
"After watching the movie, the audience will definitely be interested in the movie's peripheral products. Our store is located right at the exit of the theater. If the peripheral products of "Madoka Magica" can have half the sales of "Inferno"..."
"Boss, I have been working in the film-related industry for several years."
Chen Gong took over the box brought by another clerk and said, "Seven Nights' film not only brought in box office revenue, but also hot sales of peripheral products."
In the month when "Inferno" was released last year, Chen Gong's salary was three times higher than usual.
This does not include the commission from the sale of that luxury motorcycle.
It is precisely because of this experience, coupled with the hot sales of peripheral products of several of Kiryu Nanaya's previous films released in North America.
Chen Gong has high expectations for the Japanese director's commercial performance.
Of course, Chen Gong was referring to the peripheral sales of their store.
"Of course I know that Nanaya movie merchandise is selling well, but after all, it's not an adapted movie."
The manager said cheerfully: "When the first FSN movie was released, the sales of peripheral products were not even half of those of Inferno."
Although Nanaya's movie peripherals have always sold very well, it depends on the situation.
Although FSN opened the Fate era, the sales of peripheral products of the first movie were only at the level of ordinary hot-selling movies.
The explosion of Fate peripheral products started in the FZ era.
Of course, Fate's peripheral products are now a continuously popular product.
The merchandise departments in major AMC theaters across the United States always have stocks of the product, and sales have always been good.
"It's a pity that we didn't get a spot for the premiere, otherwise we would have sold it now."
The manager looked at the people coming and going and said with some regret.
Even though their own cinema installed an IMAX screen during the major renovation in the fall.
But it's a pity that their own cinema still failed to get the qualification to screen the premiere of "Madoka Magica".
This means that the store loses the opportunity to make money a few hours earlier.
Fortunately, AMC Cinemas and Washimine Entertainment have a close cooperative relationship.
The company's own store has grabbed a significant share of the extremely popular "Madoka Magica" peripheral product distribution in Los Angeles.
Looking at all the store employees, including Chen Gong, busying themselves with the final preparations before making sales, the manager looked calm and confident.
Even though we stockpile more inventory than normal, huge losses will occur if goods are left over.
But the manager himself is not worried about profits.
This is one of the most famous movie studios in the Los Angeles area, with a newly installed IMAX screen.
I believe it will attract a large number of movie fans to watch movies here.
And those viewers who have chosen to spend dozens of dollars to watch IMAX movies certainly won't mind spending a little more money to buy some movie peripherals.
Therefore, even if "Madoka Magica" only has the same influence as the first FSN film, my store will definitely generate huge profits!
As it got closer to midnight, all the merchandise in the store had been put on display.
As expected, all the products of "Madoka Magica" are placed in the most conspicuous position.
Bored, Chen Gong and his boss lay on the glass window cabinet, watching more and more people walk into the IMAX theater.
Chen Gong estimated that this should be the largest number of moviegoers since the IMAX theater opened.
It was obvious that these people came for the newly released "Madoka Magica".
Although it is also because the movies released since the autumn season have not been very good.
But the popularity of "Madoka Magica" is undoubtedly unprecedented.
This is also thanks to the almost crazy publicity of Washimine Entertainment, which has brought the attention of "Madoka Magica" to a peak.
Just as the people in the merchandise department were waiting for the movie to end so they could start selling local specialties, a huge roar of a motor was heard from the entrance of the cinema.
If it were a normal daytime noise, this would be nothing.
But now it was late at night and the streets were quiet, and the sound attracted everyone.
A golden motorcycle suddenly stopped in front of the store, and then a man with short golden hair walked into the store.
The man with a spiky haircut and a leather jacket staggered to the counter.
He glanced at the deserted shop, then asked Chen Gong, "I asked you to come out for a drink, but you said you wanted to work. Don't you have no business?"
"It's you, Jintoki."
Chen Gong saw the man coming and said with disgust: "Get out of my way quickly and don't affect the business of the store."
"Where did your customers come from?" Jintoki leaned against the cabinet carelessly, "Isn't there no one here?"
"It will be there soon."
Chen Gong was quite helpless. "Don't you know that there's a new movie by Kiryu Nanaya showing tonight? After the midnight show, all the guests will be out."
Jintoki shook his head. As he was not very interested in movies, he really had no idea about this.
"The audience is watching the movie now, wait for the audience to come out..."
Pointing to the various Madoka-related products on the shelves behind him, Chen Gong said, "They will soon usher in a sales peak."
"Tonight?" Jintoki obviously didn't believe it. "Sorry, it's almost midnight. This isn't a nightclub, how can there be a sales peak? Do you sell alcohol here?"
"Madoka Magica does have its own brand of wine, but we don't have any in our store."
Chen Gong shrugged his shoulders: "Aren't you going to the bar to pick up girls tonight?"
Jintoki waved his hand and said, "No one is going with me! So... I'm here to find you."
Chen Gong rejected him directly: "Sorry, I have to go to work soon. If you don't believe me, you can go over there and wait."
"Tsk, go ahead. If no one comes to buy things later, I'll show you how I'll deal with you."
Jintoki walked to the corner unhappily and squatted down.
Chen Gong replied confidently, "Don't worry, you will soon see what the [Kiryu Nanaya Effect] is."
"What the hell is that?!"
Jintoki made a meaningless complaint.
Fortunately, Jintoki arrived at the cinema after 2 a.m., so he didn't have to wait too long before he saw the audience coming out of the midnight show.
What confused him was that these people didn't have the excitement they would get after watching a blockbuster movie.
On the contrary, there was an inexplicable sadness on everyone's face.
This is obviously not normal.
"Hello."
Chen Gong also noticed that the audience was in a bad mood, so he nudged his boss next to him with his elbow.
"Boss, the situation doesn't seem good..."
"Um."
The manager nodded slowly, feeling a little uneasy inside.
[Could it be that Kiryu Nanaya failed? ]
Thinking that the goods he had stockpiled might become unsalable, the manager began to feel uneasy.
Soon the audience arrived at the door of the sales department, and after carefully examining the merchandise inside, they decided to walk in.
The shop assistants breathed a sigh of relief when they saw customers coming.
At least those who work all-night shifts can still make money.
Because the audience looked uninterested, the store clerks had lowered their expectations for purchasing the surrounding items.
But to their surprise, the audience was very enthusiastic about purchasing Madoka Magica peripherals.
Many viewers buy five copies of a certain peripheral product at one time.
You have to know that in order to ensure that fans of the quintet can buy the peripherals they want - in fact, in order to increase revenue, there will be at least five corresponding products of each type of "Madoka Magica" peripherals.
For those collectors, this business marketing model is simply a nightmare.
But for those who sell peripherals, this is really great. They can collect the same money five times at a time. Who doesn't like that?
Another group of viewers who are more financially constrained will purchase according to the two pairing modes of red and blue or pink and black.
Only a few customers would purchase individual pieces of peripherals, and most of them would only buy the yellow version.
"What is going on here? Do they like the movie or do they not like it?"
The faces of the store clerks in charge of sales were filled with shock; they didn't expect these peripherals to be so popular.
When we saw the sad faces of the customers, we all lowered our sales expectations.
But when customers started buying peripheral products, they found that customers' desire to buy Madoka Magica peripheral products was higher than they had originally expected.
However, the audience who bought these peripherals all had depressed expressions on their faces, and even a kind of sadness that was visible to the naked eye.
The shop assistants who had never seen the movie had no idea what was going on.
This makes them at a loss as to how to properly introduce their products to customers.
What if what you say hits your guests' pain points?
"Um... Mr. Guest, was the movie good?"
Finally, Chen Gong couldn't help but whispered to a customer who bought five dolls.
The customer immediately became confused.
After thinking for a long time, he slowly said: "It's not a question of whether it's good or not. It's really that kind of...rare movie."
"The special effects in the movie are great, the story is impressive, the actors are beautiful, and the characters are also..."
At this point, the customer's eyes began to ooze out crystal liquid.
"That... guest."
"My little Homura... Never mind, I won't say any more. You will feel the same as me when you watch this movie."
As the customer said this, he picked up his packed things and prepared to leave, crying.
"I'm sorry, sir."
Chen Gong reached out and grabbed him.
"What's wrong? You will understand my feelings after watching the movie." The other party asked impatiently.
"You haven't paid yet." Chen Gong pushed his glasses with a smile, "Would you like to pay by card or cash?"