Entertainment upstart

Chapter 801 The Real Condition

"Mr. Robin Love, then if I say that I don't want to agree to your terms." Zhou Xia didn't listen, watching Robin Love refuse directly.

The two sides have been negotiating for a month, and the basics of the talks are almost done. Now a condition is suddenly proposed, which is obviously not that simple.

Including Robin Love, Zhang Zhao, Peter, and the executive from Studio 8 were all startled, and their expressions were a little exciting.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Xia didn't follow the routine and refused directly.

Then what are you talking about next?

"Zhou, maybe you should listen to it before making this decision." Robin Love said patiently to Zhou Xia with an embarrassed face.

"Why don't you talk to me first, Mr. Robin Love, why are you in such a hurry to talk to me?" Zhou Xia asked directly, still not backing down.

Seeing that Zhou Xia was so strong, Robin Love exchanged glances with the executive from Studio8, and finally said patiently: "Zhou, there is actually nothing we can't say. If we can't reach an agreement, then at the latest On the 6th, I will go to your country to negotiate with Fosun and Berna in Shanghai, which is why I am so anxious to find you."

"So that's the case. It seems that we can't reach a cooperation this time. I heard that Mr. Robin Love only wants to find an investor, not someone who knows more about film investment than you. Fosun is indeed better than Xia Hua. more suitable."

Zhou Xia smiled and teased, not only pointing out the intention of the other party, but also the meaning of seeing off the guests in the words was obvious.

Seeing that Zhou Xia directly pointed out his real intention, Robin Love also said bluntly: "Zhou, the seemingly loose gambling agreement set by your company is ultimately to control our Studio 8, or even We all want to protect our own interests, isn’t that normal?”

"Hehe, Mr. Robin Love is right, it is true. But this kind of cooperation is not what our Xia Hua wants. Your so-called willingness to give up the controlling stake, even including content production, and negotiations with us, If it's just for you to negotiate better with other companies, then I don't think we really need to talk about it."

Zhou Xia also said bluntly, since it has reached this point, it would be better for everyone to be honest.

The other person is not in North America, and the people below can't make the decisions. The negotiations between the two sides are so messy, it's really not straightforward.

With this level of cooperation, no one is a fool, how could they fail to see the other party's intentions?

Studio 8 is so popular now. In addition to the potential of Studio8, some of the things Robin Love promoted made domestic capital see a bright future.

In recent years, it is not uncommon for Chinese capital to invest in Hollywood production companies of a certain scale.

Previously, companies including Wanda, Galloping Pony, Huayi Brothers and other companies only made investments and failed to get involved in the content production process. They mainly made equity investments in theaters, film and television technology, and distribution.

Some other film and television companies, including the cooperation between Xiahua Film and Television and Hollywood, are basically limited to investment in a single film and television project, such as some large-scale co-productions, but they rarely involve content creation, and some even add a supporting actor. Disaster.

But this cooperation with Studio 8 is different.

The other party is a potential emerging small company that needs strong financial support. After Warner Pictures was squeezed out and left, Robin Love, who was eager to grow the company, was not only willing to give up the controlling stake, but also willing to work on film content production. On the other hand, more consideration should be given to the growing mainland film market.

Many domestic film and television professionals even believe that this investment indicates that the closed system of Hollywood content production is being disintegrated by the energy from Chinese capital.

This is also the reason why domestic film and television companies are so eager to negotiate with Studio 8 and want to invest in acquisitions.

Everyone wants to be the first to eat crabs.

But everyone also knows that this may just be a negotiating method between Robin Love and Studio8. They are actually looking for investors. As for content production, it is impossible to let others intervene so easily.

Although everyone understands their respective goals, whether they can cooperate in the end depends on who needs who more and who is willing to make concessions.

As far as Zhou Xia knows, it was Fosun Capital and Sony who finally invested in Studio8.

Fosun has invested US$2 million and has become the largest shareholder of Studio8, but its shareholding ratio does not exceed 50%, and it does not own a controlling stake in Studio8.

The equity acquired by Sony’s capital injection of 5000 million US dollars, together with the equity of the original founder and senior management of Studio8, the basic equity structure formed by the three parties, mutual checks and balances, can determine the company’s decision-making.

Sony entered the studio only after Studio8 sold the distribution rights to Sony Columbia, and they were originally in the same group.

Zhou Xia doesn't want to be taken advantage of by Fosun, who is the largest shareholder, but let others lead him by the nose.

Robin Love saw that Zhou Xia was so straightforward, so he didn't hide anything, and said frankly: "Zhou, you are also an excellent film producer, I think you can understand this. As for the controlling stake and Certain operating rights, if we can meet our requirements, we may not be unable to cooperate.”

"Oh, that's true." Zhou Xia looked at the other party and asked in surprise.

If this is the case, maybe you can ask what else the other party wants. In the long run, Studio8 can still invest.

"If our request can be met." Robin Love shrugged.

"Hehe, then Mr. Robin Love might as well talk about it." Zhou Xia also shrugged, and no longer rejected the other party's request.

"It's like this. I personally and the company are very optimistic about the future development of the Chinese film market. Your company is an irreplaceable partner in this regard. If your company is willing to make more concessions on the share of accounts in your country's market , only charge the issuance fee, I think we can agree to some conditions of your company."

"Account sharing ratio, only issue fees are charged?"

Zhou Xia looked at the other party with doubts: "Mr. Robin Love, our country's film market has different access conditions. All films released need to be qualified for imported films, and the proportion of accounts is also fixed. What's there to talk about?"

"If your company invests in the acquisition of our company, we will be a subsidiary of your company, so shouldn't the films produced by your company have the same screening qualifications as the films produced by your company?"

"Hahahaha, how can it be so simple, will your film project be reviewed and approved by the relevant departments of our country? Will it be filmed in our country, and will it use one-third of the employees in our country?" Zhou Xia couldn't help but smiled and said to Robin Love asked.

If it were that simple, those Hollywood blockbusters would have taken advantage of the loopholes and dominated the mainland market!

Zhou Xia's laughter made Peter and Zhang Zhao smile slightly.

However, before the three of them finished laughing, they heard Robin Love say: "I think if there are some suitable projects, it is not impossible to do this. We really want to set up a film department specifically for your country's market."

Now, the three of Zhou Xia couldn't help but stop laughing and looked at each other.

Robin Love is working hard, he means to make some films for the mainland market, just like the "Great Wall" that the legend of time and space cooperated with Wanda.

But that kind of project is very difficult to operate. If it is not done well, audiences in the East and the West will not like it, and it will be a thankless ending.

"Mr. Robin Love, it's just some projects. It's not that important to us Xia Hua. We can cooperate with any Hollywood company, such as the "Pacific Rim" we cooperated with Legendary last year, and Lionsgate Industry cooperation "The Expendables 3".

This time my movie premiere, people from the six major companies came to participate. We have no shortage of partners, and they will be willing to make some concessions in content production. After all, we are the best and most professional film in the Chinese film market. company! "

Zhou Xia said unceremoniously that the other party's offer was not very attractive to him, but more beneficial to the other party.

What he actually wants is a company that is in line with the interests of Xia Hua Film and Television and can be controlled, not a godson who cannot be raised.

Robin Love seemed to have expected Zhou Xia's attitude, and continued: "Zhou, I understand what you and Xia Hua mean, you want to invest in a major Chinese production company in Hollywood.

We, Studio8, do not rule out who the boss is or where the funds come from, but we will never give up our management and operation rights. Our team is all experienced practitioners working in Hollywood, and we don't need others to teach us how to make movies.

Not only us, but Hollywood companies such as DreamWorks Animation, Legendary Pictures, Lionsgate, Paramount, etc. that you have come into contact with, will not give up management and management rights unless they completely sell the company to other big companies.

Even if Sony bought Columbia, Sony has very little interference in Columbia's operations and film production, and I think you can see why.

I really don't understand why your company is so obsessed with management and management rights. Is it because you don't believe in the operational capabilities of me and our team? If so, then I think you can find other partners, and there is no need to contact us. "

"Hehe, Mr. Robin Love, you may have misunderstood. We didn't want to take full control of your company, or try to interfere with the idea of ​​​​you and your team running the company. We just want to ensure that we have influence on some projects that we are not optimistic about. To reduce our investment risk."

Zhou Xia immediately said candidly.

There is no problem with the concept of Studio8, which gathers a group of professional directors and creators and wants to develop new IPs, but some projects do not have such potential in Zhou Xia's view.

After all, he knows the future.

Why do you still participate in some projects that have obviously failed? Even if you participate, does it have to be changed?

In 2016, "Billy Lynn's Midfield War" directed by Ang Lee had an investment of 4000 million U.S. dollars, and in 2018 "Alpha: The Wolf's Way Home" invested 5100 million U.S. dollars.

The investment in these two films is even higher, including the publicity and distribution costs, but the box office revenue of the two films is only enough for the publicity and distribution costs. It can be said that nearly 1 million US dollars is a waste of money.

Studio8 is not the best choice for Xiahua Film and Television to invest in Hollywood, but it is definitely worth investing in. They are like the R&D department of a technology company. The investment is for the future, not for the present.

Now that the valuation of the entire company is barely 4 million dollars, when will you wait if you don’t buy the bottom?
As for the other companies contacted by Xiahua Film and Television, such as DreamWorks Animation, Legendary Pictures, Paramount, and Lionsgate Pictures, they couldn't afford billions of dollars.

Robin Love frowned when he heard Zhou Xia's words.

What is the project that Xiahua Film and Television does not like?

This category is too broad, and now it sounds good, once voting rights are given, people can use them at will to oppose the company's projects.

This is the biggest contradiction between entrepreneurs and investors. The company's development direction, management, and real ownership cannot be easily given up.

Zhou Xia saw that Robin Love was contemplating, knowing that he was making the final decision, and immediately said: "Mr. Robin Love, I can promise that if you agree to our conditions, even if we Xia Hua hold your company, you and your The management and operation rights of the team will not be interfered within ten years.

For some projects, if we are not optimistic, you and the management will continue to advance, we will not stop or participate, but future losses or profits will belong to you and cannot be shared with us , if you agree with this, then I think we can still cooperate. "

"Is that so..."

When Robin Love heard Zhou Xia's real conditions, he pondered slightly, looked at the Studio8 executive next to him, saw that the other party didn't say anything, and immediately said: "Ten years is too short, an innovative film and television A company needs at least 20 years of development."

(End of this chapter)