Entertainment tycoon since 83

Chapter 188 Conditions
"Is it really because of the obstruction from some high-level officials?" Huang Ze smiled and took a sip of tea.

Was this an obstruction by some high-level official, or was it a unanimous choice by everyone?

A certain senior executive was just put forward as a shield, and he didn't even mention the name of the senior executive.

Huang Ze believes that the former is more likely.

Warner Bros. feels that it does have the capability, but how big that capability is remains to be seen.

For safety reasons, the 7 million line was drawn.

With its own fame, the line given by Warner guarantees that even if the other party cannot make a profit at the box office, it will most likely be able to recover its costs through global videotapes, television copyrights, etc.

A business with a relatively high success rate.

Well, it’s a bit irresponsible to say that the movie has a high success rate.

But even if Warner lost all seven million, it wouldn't be a serious blow to it.

You can definitely take a gamble!
The bet is that Huang Ze’s first Hollywood film will not lose money, and there is a high probability that he will make a profit.

"Really!" George said confidently, "He said he can't give you too much money. You haven't made a movie in Hollywood before. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels might just be an accident."

"It may also be because of your starring role. If you hadn't starred in it, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels wouldn't have gotten such a high box office." At this point, George changed the subject.

"If you can star in this new film, the cost can be increased to 10 million. Even higher is not out of the question. They have some confidence in your box office appeal."

"what is your opinion?"

"I haven't thought too much about it for now. I'm still considering whether to accept this invitation." Huang Ze decided to hesitate and get better conditions for himself.

“……” George was silent.

"Don't be like this, Huang."

"Hollywood is the center of world cinema!"

“You can only prove yourself to the world in the directing world by going to Hollywood!

"Listen to what you are saying, my brother." Huang Ze pretended to be slightly disdainful, "Are you doubting that a Golden Lion Award-winning director cannot prove himself in the directing industry?"

"I'm talking about commercial films, commercial films." George quickly changed the subject.

"But I've proven myself in commercial films!" Huang Ze pointed at George, "Aren't you looking for me because I've proven myself in commercial films?"

"That's true, but Huang, I think with your ability, you can definitely make a movie with higher box office!"

"Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, these are the people you should surpass."

"Your talent will allow you to become a world-class director."

"Spielberg was able to prove himself to the world with the $9 million film Jaws. You can do it too!"

"He used 75 million dollars from 88, and I used million dollars from ." Huang Ze spread his hands, "Brother, is this the same thing?"

"So, that will be an even bigger legend!" George stretched out his hand to Huang Ze, "Come on, Huang, Warner is the company that will promote your songs to the world. This cooperation will also be a new chapter!"

"Let's talk about my compensation." Huang Ze really couldn't refuse this proposal.

With Warner's strong distribution capabilities, if they can handle it well, they will be able to successfully make a breakthrough in the field of commercial films this time.

This is a great opportunity!

Making a name for ourselves will be of great benefit to the development of Xinghai Films.

"How about a screenwriter, a director, and a producer for a million dollars?" George asked.

"You have been dealing with me for many years, so you should know how much I can earn from one of my movies."

"I think we should go out and eat, drink and have fun?" Huang Ze couldn't quite accept this condition.

It’s even lower than Jiahe’s.

I really need this opportunity, but if I cooperate under these conditions, I'm afraid I won't get any resources.

The key is that you earn little.

I worked so hard, writing the script and directing, and finally I was given one million. Wouldn't that make me beg for food?
You just begged for food before, but now that you have the capital, why do you still need to beg for food?

A negotiation will certainly not be interrupted so easily.

Huang Ze called the negotiation expert hired by the company to start a negotiation with George.

Huang Ze felt that he deserved a higher price.

George, on the other hand, held on to the offer even after it was raised to 1.5 million.

The reason was simple, "Huang, the budget is only 7 million US dollars. If we give you too much, it will be difficult to guarantee the production costs."

"You could just give me six million and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels would have cost a million dollars."

"This is unreasonable."

"Is it reasonable to pay a director who has a global box office of 50 million US dollars 1.5 million?" Huang Ze used his acting skills and continued to pretend to be angry. "If you are really worried about the production cost, I can take 100,000 US dollars as a symbol, and the rest will be directly from the box office share."

"Huang, this request is even more impossible." George shook his head bitterly. "There are only a handful of directors in Hollywood who can get a share of the profits."

"Then we should set a minimum box office revenue. If the number is below this, there will be no share. If the number is above this, there will be a tiered share."

"..." George paused, "I need to contact the headquarters before I can give you a reply."

The next day, George agreed to a symbolic fee of $100,000 and gave Huang Ze a share of the North American box office, but that number was still a bit low.

I had no choice but to continue talking.

It took another three days to reach a consensus and finally form a complete contract.

Once the script passes review, Huang Ze has a series of powers including the right to decide on the cast and the final editing rights.

It can be said that he has absolute power.

This is as it should be. With such a low cost and not being a commercial blockbuster, the other party just wants to take a different approach and achieve success like "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels".

I have already proved myself, although my proof in the field of commercial films is not dazzling enough. But if I am not given this power, it will be difficult to get things done with this cost.

The most important issue of compensation is that in addition to a basic salary of $500,000, the remaining share is based on a North American box office of $20 million.

There is no share below this number.

Any amount above this number will receive a 2% share.

There is a 4% share of North American box office revenue over 40 million US dollars.

If it exceeds 60 million, it will be 6%.

The next stage is over 100 million US dollars, 10%, and the upper limit is 10%!

"Huang, if the box office can exceed 100 million, you can earn 10 million US dollars for one movie!" After signing the cooperation agreement and shaking hands, George congratulated Huang Ze.

But Huang Ze didn’t know whether this could be considered a happy event.

"Do you think I don't know how difficult it is to break the 100 million box office in North America?"

"There were only six movies like this last year, right? If they can really make over 100 million, you guys at Warner Bros. will make a fortune, right?"

"I believe in your ability!" George showed his big white teeth and flattered Huang Ze again.

"Hehehe." Huang Ze didn't say much.

After seeing George off, Huang Ze sat behind the table and began planning his first battle in Hollywood.

First of all, the cost has to be low, there is no doubt about that. Even if you can shoot half of it, with a cost of seven million, you can't make a "Titanic".

Second, maintain your status.

This thing is still somewhat useful, so don't break it unless absolutely necessary.

In the end, it did well at the box office.

If Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels wasn't convincing enough, then the whole film will be more convincing.

(End of this chapter)