China Entertainment started from Nortel 2002

Chapter 545 Sky-high price guarantee

Chapter 545 Sky-high price guarantee
"Mr. Wang, Mr. Li, and Director Zhou are here."

Wang Changtian's secretary walked in front, bowing slightly and gesturing with his right hand.

Zhou Xingchi said apologetically:

"Director Li, Mr. Wang, I'm really sorry, I'm late."
There are still about five minutes left before the appointed time.

"It's not too late, it's not too late!"

Wang Changtian and Li Mu also stood up and shook hands with Zhou Xingchi.

"It's a coincidence that I just talked about "The Return of the Great Sage" with Director Li, and the character Sun Wukong is also one of Director Zhou's representative roles."

Wang Changtian smiled, and several people started chatting.

Zhou Xingchi also seemed to be lost in memories. The Monkey King, the Supreme Treasure, really represented what he looked like when he was young, and then he sighed:
"I'm old, I'm old. Speaking of which, when will the premiere of Director Li's "The Return of the Great Sage" be held, I will go and support it."

"Then the relationship is good, just the day after tomorrow."

Li Mu said calmly.

Zhou Xingchi said calmly, "Director Li, this is your side."

This time it was mainly for the guaranteed release of "Mermaid".

In this sense, even if the guaranteed box office exceeds the agreement, it does not necessarily mean that the producer has lost money. After all, there is so much that can be done with the money that can be obtained a year in advance.

Li Mu quickly said, "Speaking of the guarantee, has Director Zhou predicted the number of screens and box office ceiling in 16?"

In the screening room, a cut sample of "Mermaid" was presented in front of the three of them.

Because according to the regular distribution, after a movie is released, the movie box office will first be transferred from the major theaters to the "specialized office" national unified account, and after a few months, it will be transferred to the account of the distribution company, and then transferred by the distribution company to The main producer will then allocate it to other joint investors. This cycle often takes up to one year.

All three seemed to have this idea.

"Yes, Director Zhou, this is also what Director Li and I mean."

But the premise is that this number must be consistent with the wishes of both parties.

The three of them chatted for a while and then got down to business.

Wang Changtian filled Li Mu and Zhou Xingchi with tea, and slightly straightened his palms, indicating that they would drink tea first.

The movie ran for more than 90 minutes.

Zhou Xingchi is also a little happy. After all, his film can be recognized by others, and he is also recognized as a film master in the industry. It is really a happy thing.

Wang Changtian nodded.

Zhou Xingchi then slightly stretched out two fingers and said, "20 billion!"

"Thank you, Director Li, for your approval."

Li Mu said calmly, "Moreover, Director Zhou, the guaranteed issuance guarantees the harvest regardless of drought or flood. Can this number be lowered?"

"To be honest, Director Li and Mr. Wang, I have much more confidence in "The Mermaid" than in "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons."

"I haven't watched it yet, why don't you come with me and watch it first?"

Guaranteed distribution greatly shortens this cycle. Money from film investors is received early, which is also conducive to the creation of the next work and accelerates the operational efficiency of the industry.

"Mr. Wang has seen the finely cut samples. I believe that Mr. Wang has some confidence in his heart."

When Li Mu saw Wang Changtian's appearance, he knew that the price exceeded his estimate. He happened to take this time to think about how to negotiate.

"clap clap"

"The current number of screens is about 3.2, which means the increase next year will be around 25%. This is still a whole year. "Mermaid" will be released early next year. If it exceeds the increase of "Fast 7", to be honest, With a guarantee of 20 billion, the risk is very high.”

Wang Changtian's pupils shrank slightly at this number. To be honest, he had guessed it would be very high, but he didn't expect it to be so high. It was four times higher than the 5 million guarantee in "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons", and it looked like Zhou Xingchi looked full of confidence.

"We understand that business is business. If the negotiation is not successful, it will not affect our cooperative relationship."

Zhou Xingchi naturally made some preparations, and the data and the like were easily picked up.

Li Mu's eyes lit up slightly, and Zhou Xingchi's support was also extremely beneficial to the promotion of "The Return of the Great Sage".

The bottom side is under huge pressure and naturally can easily obtain high returns, but this is also the result of withdrawing liquidity in advance.

"Don't be afraid, just ask for a price, the transaction will not be done without mercy."

"That's right, it's the first day of the Lunar New Year. Speaking of which, I have to thank Director Li. As a pioneer, you took the lead in opening up this schedule. All the filmmakers who have benefited behind you have to thank you."

Guaranteed distribution is a big gamble. If the gamble wins, it is actually a win-win situation. This also increases the capital circulation of the producer and even the entire film industry.

"Director Zhou, "Mermaid" is planned to be released during the Spring Festival next year, right?"

Zhou Xingchi stood up and said solemnly.

Guaranteed distribution does not mean that the box office actually exceeds the agreed amount, and the guarantee party can get all the excess amount, but it only gets a more advantageous share of income. The producer can still get some of the agreed share, but it is much less.

After reading it, Li Mu applauded, "Director Zhou has made a good comedy story."

Li Mu reached out to pick up the tea cup and took a sip.

"According to current predictions from professional organizations, the number of screens in the mainland will exceed 16 in 40000, but it is highly likely that the box office ceiling will exceed that of "Furious 7". I am confident that it will happen with "Mermaid"."

Zhou Xingchi paused, business is still business, and what needs to be said must be said.

"Serious words, serious words."

And there are many cases of failure.

The most famous example is Jiang Wen's "One Step Away".

Because "Let the Bullets Fly" is a masterpiece, the market is full of expectations for Jiang Wen's next work.

Wanda and Jiang Wen's "One Step Away" signed a "sky-high" box office guarantee agreement of 10 billion yuan, but the final box office was only 5 million yuan.

In this bet that seems to have a relatively stable chance of winning, Wanda’s losses are obviously more than just “one step away”.

"Director Li, Mr. Wang, tell me the number."

Zhou Xingchi thought silently for a while, then looked at Li Mu and Wang Changtian.

"15 million!"

Wang Changtian said calmly, "We have taken a lot of risks with this number." "Director Li, Mr. Wang, to be honest, this number exceeds my expectations."

Zhou Xingchi took a sip of tea and said, "Everyone take a step back, 18 billion!"

"18."

This number has reached the price negotiated by Li Mu and Wang Changtian. They expected it to be 16-18 billion, but if it can be reduced at this moment, it will be an extra profit. Obviously, Wang Changtian still continues to negotiate.

Li Mu calculated in his mind that if the guaranteed box office is 18 billion, then the distribution agent will pay the producer about 7 million yuan. Subtracting the 4 million yuan investment, the producer can earn about 3 million yuan.

Zhou Xingchi's Xinghui Pictures and the listed company Bigo Group controlled by him accounted for about 30% of the investment share in "Mermaid".

According to this calculation, even if not a single ticket of "Mermaid" is sold, Zhou Xingchi has easily pocketed a net profit of about 1 million yuan.

"16 million!"

Wang Changtian continued to bargain.

"Mr. Wang, the price is not cut like this."

Zhou Xingchi is complaining. Anyway, that's how negotiations are. You and I each use their own means to reach a consensus in the end.

In the end, the three of them took a step back and signed a guaranteed release of "Mermaid" for 17 billion.

Guaranteed distribution is jointly guaranteed by Enlight Pictures and Mengying Media, with Enlight accounting for 7% and Mengying Media accounting for 3%.

On the one hand, it is a risk sharing, on the other hand, the guarantee of "Mermaid" is actually relatively high, and the light that I just bought like crazy doesn't have that strong liquidity.

The three of them took a deep breath. This negotiation was not easy. Anyway, they talked a lot and drank a lot of tea.

"This is probably the highest guarantee in the country."

Li Mu said with a smile. If you tell me, everyone in the circle will be shocked.

"Hahaha, 17 billion is definitely the highest currently."

Wang Changtian also nodded.

"According to the current domestic trend, 17 billion is probably just a passer-by. If Director Li makes another commercial film, as long as he wants to guarantee distribution, there will definitely be a bunch of people chasing him. If he doesn't come, call me."

Zhou Xingchi patted his chest and said, as if he was very confident in Li Mu.

"Hahaha"

Everyone laughed.

Then Wang Changtian's secretary knocked on the door and came in, saying calmly, "Mr. Wang, the appointment has been made!"

Wang Changtian looked at the time and then invited,

"That's it. It's time to fill our stomachs. I made an appointment at a place. The place is very unique and should be suitable for Director Li and Director Zhou's taste. Let's celebrate today."

"Okay, then I'll bother Mr. Wang."

Zhou Xingchi and Li Mu both nodded. The three of them successfully completed the negotiation this time.

In the evening, the driver sent by Wang Changtian drove Li Mu back.

In the villa, the lights were bright. Liu Yifei was holding a small orange and sitting on the sofa in the living room, watching TV and looking at the door, as if listening to the sound of a car driving, and paying attention to messages on her mobile phone from time to time.

As the villa door slowly opened.

"Mr. Li, we're here. I'll leave first."

The driver said respectfully.

Li Mu shook his head. He drank a little too much, but his consciousness was still clear. "Thank you for your hard work."

Liu Yifei quickly walked out, looked at it, and thanked the driver.

The smell of alcohol was quite strong, and Liu Yifei could smell it as soon as she got close.

"I made you some sobering tea, drink it first."

Liu Yifei quickly brought the brewed tea over.

Li Mu took a few sips and felt better.

"Is the matter settled?"

Of course Liu Yifei knew what Li Mu was talking about when he went out today. From the looks of it, it seemed that the deal was settled, otherwise he wouldn't have drank to celebrate.

"Ok!"

"How many billion were discussed?"

Liu Yifei asked with curiosity.

"you guess!"

Li Mu spread his hands and leaned on the sofa with a smile on his face.

"Hmm, 10 billion?"

Liu Yifei named a number, and Li Mu shook his head randomly and continued to guess.

"12 billion?"

"15 billion?"

"."

Seeing that Liu Yifei's guesses were wrong one after another, Li Mu had no choice but to tell the result, "17 billion!"

".17 billion guaranteed?"