Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 66 If you want to refuse, then refuse

In Zhang Huijun's office, the morning light shines obliquely outside the window, and the branches and leaves cast mottled shadows on the glass. A pile of documents is placed on the wooden table in the room, the scent of ink is faintly wafting in the air, and the second hand of the wall clock ticks lightly, breaking the silence.

There were some published materials on the table. Wu Chen flipped through them casually, his eyes moved slightly, and then he put them down.

Zhang Huijun leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he spoke slowly:

"You've been in Sitges these days, and many distribution companies have contacted me, but I didn't respond. For this first collaboration, I still suggest you connect with China Film Group to lay the foundation for the future. To be honest, I've also been waiting for a call from Han Sanping."

Mu Deyuan nodded slightly, obviously approving of Zhang Huijun's approach.

Wu Chen naturally had no objection. When it came to publishing, Zhang Huijun and Mu De were far more experienced than him and knew the ins and outs very well, so he naturally trusted them.

Zhang Huijun picked up the teacup, shook his head and continued:
"In fact, the disconnect between the production and distribution of Chinese films is very serious. For example, Hou Yong's Jasmine Flower ran into major problems with its distribution this year.

The cast was impressive, but the promotion and marketing turned into a mess."

At this time, Mu Deyuan added an explanation:

"There are two common distribution models: no advance payment, only agency fees and profit sharing; and advance payment model, which pays for publicity first and then deducts the box office revenue first before sharing the profit.

"Jasmine Flower" is a film whose five major investors are not optimistic about its prospects and are unwilling to invest further. The distributor is afraid to advance funds and has been repeatedly delayed. It is unknown when this film will be released."

Wu Chen frowned slightly. He remembered "Jasmine Flower" clearly. It had Zhang Ziyi, Chen Chong, Jiang Wen, Lu Yi, and Liu Ye. It was a star-studded cast, but it failed in distribution.

You have to know that in the future era of traffic, investors dare to gamble on guaranteed publicity and promotion for the sake of one or two traffic stars. It is indeed a different time.

"Let's schedule it for the night after tomorrow with Han Sanping. I suggest we try to negotiate a funding model with China Film. Of course, if you have money to invest in publicity and promotion, that's fine too. Each has its own advantages."

Zhang Huijun said with a smile.

Wu Chen smiled bitterly. No wonder Zhang Huijun suggested him to choose this way. It seemed that he guessed that he had no money.

The Hollywood project will swallow up most of his funds. After all, the loan is not 100% loan, and he has to keep some cash in the country. He can't be so stingy with every penny.

"I understand!" Wu Chen nodded.

"I'm not worried about that. I'm afraid Han Sanping has set his sights on Wu Chen's Hollywood resources," Mu Deyuan interjected, his tone tinged with worry. "You know his personality, he's got a lot of gangster vibes and is a very strong-willed person!"

In fact, what Mu Deyuan said at this time was the core of this topic.

Wu Chen's heart is as clear as a mirror.

Han Sanping is a bureau-level official. He made a special trip to discuss the distribution of a low-budget film just for the agency fee?

How is that possible.

There are many reasons, but one of them must be the resources of Hollywood.

"Do you want to give away some shares?" Zhang Huijun asked, tapping the arm of the chair with his fingers.

Wu Chen shook his head directly: "No."

He is still in the sedimentation period, and every penny of funds is of great use. Giving up some shares for no reason would be like clipping his own wings.

We may separate in the future, but definitely not now.

Of course, he had the confidence to say this because Zhang Huijun was there.

He bet that Zhang Huijun was currently on his side.

"If you don't want to, then just refuse. After all, Han Sanping is a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy, so he won't go too far. If you bring this up, I'll handle it."

Zhang Huijun's eyes flashed with admiration and he nodded.

Maybe this is a big deal for others, but it is actually a small matter for him.

It's normal for young people to be a little aggressive.

It would be disappointing if Wu Chen seemed timid even when he was around. How could he accomplish anything great?
The next morning, the CCB credit manager arrived on time. Two middle-aged men in suits and ties held folders and calculated Wu Chen's copyright contract: studio share, tax treatment, cross-border withholding tax, etc.
"Mr. Wu, based on the information and collateral you provided, we can offer you a loan using US$162 million (approximately RMB 1340 million) in accounts receivable after deducting overseas copyright taxes as collateral. CCB will provide a loan at a 60% collateral ratio. Of course, you can choose to pledge only a portion of the collateral.

If your school issues a "Profit Rights Confirmation and Priority Repayment Commitment," the pledge rate can be increased to 80%."

"80%, all pledged." Wu Chen said without hesitation. God knows when the payment will arrive, and his own film plan is already on the agenda. It's just that the interest will be a little higher.

But compared with future returns, what is this interest?
"Okay, we need you to bring all the documents and go back to the branch with us."

"."

As dusk fell, Wu Chen walked out of the CCB gate clutching the loan documents. The traffic on Chang'an Avenue was like a winding golden river. The ginkgo trees on both sides rustled in the autumn wind, blowing their golden leaves to the steps of the bank.

He looked up at the glass curtain wall building under the gray-blue sky, which reflected him and the gold-plated plaque of "China Construction Bank" behind him. He looked at the documents in his hand and couldn't help feeling a little dazed.

The loan of tens of millions was approved in two weeks.

"A multimillionaire?"

Wu Chen chuckled and murmured with a hint of joy, but after a careful calculation, his face froze in an instant.

This ten million seems to be just that.

The money invested in Hollywood is more than 4 million, and if he returns to China to make another movie, there may be little left.

Of course, there will be payments during this period, but the timing of the payments is full of uncertainty.

On the evening of October 19, in the private room of Cuiyuan Restaurant, the air was filled with the scent of sandalwood. Outside the window, dusk gradually deepened, and fallen leaves on the street swirled in the wind, forming a picturesque reflection on the floor-to-ceiling glass.

Beijing-style side dishes were exquisitely laid out on the table. The braised beef was as thin as a cicada's wing and glossy with oil. The mutton offal soup was steaming hot and the aroma of pepper penetrated the nose.

Han Sanping was wearing a dark gray suit and sitting upright on the right side. The smile lines at the corners of his eyes were as deep as ravines, and his aura was as steady as a mountain.

Also present was his secretary Gao Chengsheng.

"Old Zhang, this is Wu Chen that Director Tong praised so highly, right? He is indeed talented and handsome." Han Sanping laughed as he sat down. Wu Chen was surprised. Director Tong praised him?
"Your Dean Zhang mentioned your name quite a bit during the meeting a few days ago."

As if he noticed the confusion in Wu Chen's eyes, he added.

"Old Han, you can tell from looking at it that you didn't go to the meeting. I didn't mention Wu Chen's name at all during the meeting." Zhang Huijun smiled and shook his head.

"Huh?" Han Sanping was stunned for a moment. You didn't mention a word, so how did Tong Gang know? When he reported to Tong Gang, the other party talked about this matter a lot.

It can’t be that Tong Gang guessed it himself.

"These are all trivial matters. Let's talk about something serious. What are your plans for the release of "The Dark Side"? " Zhang Huijun changed the subject, picked up a piece of braised beef in soy sauce, and said casually.

When talking about business, Han Sanping's smile faded slightly, and his aura unconsciously dissipated.

"Wu Chen, logically, you should call me senior brother. Everyone says that business should be business, but I don't really like that." As soon as Han Sanping opened his mouth, the atmosphere of the underworld came to his face.

Mu Deyuan and Zhang Huijun looked at each other and saw the helpless smile in each other's eyes.

They knew Han Sanping's character too well.

However, what satisfied Mu Deyuan and Zhang Huijun was that Wu Chen's expression remained unchanged and a smile still hung on his face.

"Just tell me, how much have you sold overseas? I need this information to help me decide on the distribution model."

Han Sanping observed Wu Chen as he spoke.

He has great courage and is much better than many directors.

When he thought of this, Han Sanping couldn't help but think of his cheap junior brother Lu Xun.

He had seen that Lu Xun was a wimp in "Looking for a Gun" back then. Now when Lu Xun met him, he was not as calm as Wu Chen, but was timid instead.

"372 million!" Wu Chen said with a faint smile.

"What? How much?" Han Sanping was stunned. Could this number be in RMB?
But copyrights sold overseas are generally not in RMB, and Wu Chen was invited to film in Hollywood, so the copyright fee of 372 million RMB is too low.

The best of Sitges isn't that cheap.

Gao Chengsheng couldn't help but look at Wu Chen deeply, then looked at his leader, and quickly raised his cup to help:
"Director Wu, $372 million is truly a blockbuster. If this number gets out, it's bound to cause a stir in the industry."

"No, Secretary Gao, you're too kind."

Seeing this, Zhang Huijun couldn't help but smile.

Han Sanping's reaction wasn't much better than his reaction two days ago.

Han Sanping came back to his senses and slammed his hands on the table:

"Needless to say, China Film Group has taken over the promotion and distribution of The Dark Side. We will advance the expenses and deduct them from the box office first."

This courage even stunned Mu Deyuan.

Gao Chengsheng, on the other hand, was not surprised at all. He did not react at all and his face still had a smile on its face.

Zhang Huijun seemed to have anticipated this and was picking up the food calmly.

"Thank you, Mr. Han." Wu Chen raised his glass to toast with quick and decisive movements.

"It's easy to talk about."

Han Sanping gulped down a glass of wine, and the atmosphere became a little more lively.

Seeing the time was right, Gao Chengsheng picked up his glass and clinked it with Wu Chen's. "By the way, Director Wu, I heard you're going to Hollywood to film a movie. Which company are you working with? Lionsgate?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of several people in the field changed.

Wu Chen knew the real business was about to begin, but it wasn't his battlefield. He smiled and replied, "I can't get close to Lionsgate, so I'm working with an independent producer in Hollywood."

Han Sanping was not disappointed, his eyes lit up and he was about to say something.

At this moment, Zhang Huijun gently clinked his glasses with Han Sanping:

"Young man, if you want to give it a try, Lao Mu and I both agree. Hollywood is a place where we filmmakers don't want to see the latest film technology and learn the most advanced film concepts. It's great."

After Zhang Huijun finished drinking it, he turned to Wu Chen and said earnestly:

"Wu Chen, the school can't help you this time. It's up to you whether you can gain a firm foothold or not."

After Zhang Huijun finished speaking, Han Sanping continued with a hearty laugh:

"Old Zhang, this world is meant for the young. You really don't want to rely on fifty-year-old guys like us, right?"

"Boss Han is right. At my age, I can't push forward. It takes someone like Wu Chen, who is in his twenties, to be energetic."

Gao Chengsheng raised his glass happily, and everyone laughed and talked, continuing to drink and eat, chatting about industry gossip, and Hollywood topics were blown away like the wind.

The dinner was over and the autumn breeze blew outside Cuiyuan.

"Boss Han, just now..."

Gao Chengsheng saw that Zhang Huijun and the others had already gone far away. Just as he spoke in a low voice, Han Sanping waved his hand and smiled faintly:

"Forget about the Hollywood thing. I'm still quite optimistic about Wu Chen. He's worth investing in. Please supervise the promotion of 'The Dark Side' and have them put in some effort. If this collaboration doesn't work out, there's always another."

After saying that, Han Sanping opened the car door, sat in the back seat, and closed his eyes to rest.

In fact, the moment Zhang Huijun appeared in the box, he guessed this result. If he were in Zhang Huijun's position, he would probably make the same choice.

(End of this chapter)