Thu Trang, Minh Beta... 'reveal' how to create hits for movies

Joining the Cinetalk chat number 2 - Creating hits include founder - Chairman of Beta Group Bui Quang Minh (Minh Beta), actress - producer Thu Trang, film critic Nguyen Phong Viet and young director Hung Tran - author of the film that won the Best Actor award at the Vietnamese 2024 competition ( Mong ).

Is there a "formula for success"?

As the person behind the "hundred billion" work "Billion Dollar Kiss" during the recent Tet holiday, when asked if there is a "formula" to ensure creating a hit film, actress - producer Thu Trang said: "No one dares to confidently say that such a formula exists. We can only eliminate what is most dangerous for our work. From there, combined with other factors such as a good script, good actors... then there is a high chance of a good work".

Thu Trang believes that no one dares to confidently say that they have a formula for making a hit movie.

PHOTO: NGOC DUONG

From a producer's perspective, producer Minh Beta said that for a project to be successful, a balance between commercial and artistic factors is essential.

He shared: "Of course there will be works that we have determined from the beginning will aim for a certain goal, but to exist long-term and sustainably, the most important thing is works that create a lot of value for society and have the balance just mentioned."

Critic Nguyen Phong Viet also confided: "I think the most important thing to make a film or a work reach the audience is that it must have depth and impact."

Talking more about applying current trends, "shark" Minh Beta shared that sometimes applying it is also a "double-edged sword", because we cannot predict exactly how long the trend will last and when the audience will start to get "overwhelmed". This does not take into account the production process of a film which can take up to several years, by the time it is released, the trend is already outdated.

Therefore, he believes: "We cannot just follow trends, but must understand the audience and what they want to see. The most convincing thing lies in the depths, in the value of the story, in the true emotions we will bring."

Producer Minh Beta believes that sometimes trends are also a "double-edged sword".

PHOTO: NGOC DUONG

Thu Trang also shared that instead of focusing on trends, try to go in the right direction, develop your ideas and make them as good as possible. Once you have that, combined with other factors, the work will have a high chance of success.

Young director Hung Tran "revealed" that in order for a work to "win", in his opinion, it is necessary to understand yourself as well as the audience: "Know who you are, what you are good at, what you are weak at. Know what the audience likes, what they want to see. And if you can balance those two things, plus luck, then creativity will be able to reach the audience."

According to critic Nguyen Phong Viet, "filmmakers should try to put themselves in the audience's shoes."

PHOTO: NGOC DUONG

Critic Nguyen Phong Viet also added: "Filmmakers should try to put themselves in the audience's shoes, to see if this story can make the audience laugh and cry together. If they put themselves in that perspective, I believe the creators will be able to do their best work."

"Secrets to Success" for Young Filmmakers

Returning to the Vietnamese Short Film Competition - Vietnamese 2025, facing the reality that the works do not have too much budget, Thu Trang shared that budget is not necessarily the deciding factor for an excellent work.

The actress cited, "For example, if there is a script that the audience likes and craves, and it is released at the right time of the boom, then even if the budget is not high and there are no famous actors, the work still has the potential to be successful." Once the script is good, inviting actors, directors, and crew is not difficult.

In addition, the energy of the film crew is also very important. When everyone looks in the same direction, the work will also be released smoothly.

Thu Trang puts her trust in the young generation

PHOTO: NGOC DUONG

Agreeing with this, "shark" Minh revealed that the 2026 Tet film " The Smell of Pho" starring Thu Trang and artist Xuan Hinh, invested by Beta Group, also had a script that had to be edited and rewritten for nearly several years. And after sending it, the cast quickly accepted.

Thu Trang also praised Hung Tran and the film Mong for creating an impressive work with limited resources. She also said that she had long cherished a work about the ambitions of young people, and believed that the young generation would continue to develop Vietnamese cinema because "they have had a lot of contact, learned a lot, and are also more sensitive and quick-witted".

Young director Hung Tran believes that for a work to "win", it must understand itself as well as the audience.

PHOTO: NGOC DUONG

From the case of Nu hon bac billion , producer Minh Beta also praised Thu Trang for a story that suits the taste of young people and a new way of promoting and PR, when taking advantage of the hot trend of "blindly tearing the bag" with 2 surprising endings. In addition, choosing to show the film in IMAX format also brings the work a certain audience in this type of theater.

Talking about the timing of "following trends", the 8X businessman said "when creators work with a pure heart, wanting to bring valuable and humane messages, the work will naturally have a strong and long-lasting life in the hearts of the audience".

Thu Trang also revealed to young filmmakers that a formula that can be applied in the early days when resources are limited is "living beautifully and living lovingly". According to her, once you prove to your seniors, producers, and investors your talent, ability, and confidence in your work, support, backing, and help will be easily achieved.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thu-trang-minh-beta-bat-mi-cach-tao-hit-cho-phim-185250515143037932.htm