Changing the game

Ma Le. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

China's movie business, which saw 48 percent year-on-year rise at the box office in 2015, appeared lucrative to Ma.

"It could be a win-win for both event companies and film studios. Concert promotions usually last for three months and the phase benefits upcoming films by attracting potential moviegoers," says Ma, who is also a music composer.

The movie, Mr Six, raked in 903 million yuan ($143 million) at the Chinese box office earlier this year, in a sign of stunning commercial success.

After the success of the Mr Six concert, more financers are likely to take Ma's ambitions seriously.

On Friday, Starry Asia Entertainment received its first round of financing for such projects from seven investors, including Huayi Brothers' president Wang Zhonglei, Fashion Group's president Su Mang and Xiaomi's co-founder Wang Chuan. With the money, the company is now valued at around 300 million yuan.

Ma says more efforts to connect the big and small screens to live performances are in the pipeline. Instances include a forthcoming concert adapted from the hit TV series Gui Chui Deng, or Ghost Blows Out the Light.

Su, one of the shareholders in Ma's company, says Ma is "brave" because he is trying to break stereotypical thinking in the concert business.

"The live-music event has become a lifestyle for youth in the West. I hope by combining movies with concerts, we can make music events in China more attractive," she says.

Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn