Entertainment tycoon who started out as a director

Chapter 105 Attendance
"Oh!"

"impossible."

The head of the vice president named Ronan suddenly shook like a rattle.

"This is not in line with Gu's actual situation."

"He may be very famous in European literary and artistic circles, but this is Hollywood!"

"He only has one film in Hollywood, 'Taken.'"

"For a Hollywood movie with a box office of over 500 million US dollars, we can only give him a salary of [-] million US dollars."

"It's impossible for a film to make over 700 million yuan to raise the salary to 1000 million to [-] million."

"Unless he can make two consecutive action movies that gross over 1000 million in North American box office, then this [-] million salary will be considered reasonable."

"Is two action movies in a row over 2 million?" Sophia argued, "Preparations for "Rescue 2" have already begun, so let's talk about it after "Rescue [-]" is released? Let's see if Gu can do it consecutively. Two action movies grossing over [-] million in North American box office?”

"..."

This sentence made both Ronan and Doug Liman pause.

The box office of "Taken 1" is obvious to all. As long as Gu Ming is not stupid enough to use Chinese entirely in the second movie, or adds some humanistic thoughts to a good action movie, then the box office of this sequel will not be any worse.

If it were all in English, it would probably exceed [-] million again.

Didn't this make Gu Ming reach the condition of earning tens of millions of dollars out of thin air?

Of course, this is not the main thing.

"The most important thing is that we have already done a lot of preliminary preparations for this film, and it will start shooting in October. We can't wait until Gu finishes filming "Rescue 2."

"Then give him a suitable price?" Sophia looked indignant. "You can't treat him as a new director whose debut film took over [-] million in box office."

"He is the youngest recipient of the Palme d'Or in Cannes and the Golden Bear in Berlin."

"The first commercial film took over [-] million in box office in North America, and one-third of that film had Chinese dialogue."

"And your "The Bourne Supremacy" has all dialogue in English."

"Also, when you talk about handheld photography and fast editing integrated into action movies, the only experienced director in the world is Gu."

"Don't you think this one is worth millions of dollars?"

"To be realistic, why do you have to hire Gu to shoot this movie? For the reason you think about, if you think about it again, is 500 million still appropriate?"

After finishing speaking, Sophia said no more.

He crossed his arms angrily and stared at the other person motionless.

It seems that I have really suffered a lot of grievances.

"With a salary of RMB 500 million, the budget of this film is not that rich."

"However, in order to put Gu in a better condition to invest in the film, we are willing to provide a share clause. As long as the North American box office of "The Bourne Supremacy" reaches 6000 million US dollars, Gu will receive [-]% of the North American box office share, which exceeds One hundred million, take two percent.”

"no……"

Sophia argued with the other party again.

The two parties just kept on splitting between [-]% and [-]%.

We talked for a full two hours.

A result acceptable to both parties was reached.

"The basic salary is 500 million, and the North American box office exceeds 6000 million US dollars, which is the cost line of the film. Gu Ming received [-]% of the North American box office share. The North American box office exceeded [-] million, and Gu Ming received [-]% of the North American box office share."

"Happy cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation!" Gu Ming shook hands with Doug Liman and Ronan.

The initial cooperation talks are finally over.

There are still many small details left, such as which car to take, assistants, etc., these will be fixed in the form of a contract.

But there is no need for the producer and Gu Ming to discuss these matters in person.

The people under my command can just finalize these details.

After shaking hands, the two people on the other side left.

Gu Ming and Sophia got up and saw them off.

Sitting in Sophia's car, Sophia took a long breath, made a soothing gesture on her chest, and then smiled at Gu Ming, "Gu, this is my first time negotiating such a big contract."

"You were ready to throw out your bottom line, but I didn't expect that they actually accepted a maximum [-]% share of the North American box office."

"Even if the production cost is 6000 million, if the North American box office can exceed [-] million, they can still make a lot of money." Gu Ming said.

"That's true."

Sophia nodded, "The North American box office has exceeded [-] million, and the overseas box office has reached another [-] million. All costs including publicity and distribution can be recovered with the box office alone. Under normal circumstances, they can earn nearly [-] million, or even more."

"If you think about it, the share I'll give you isn't that much."

"It's the big studios like Universal that make the most money."

At this point, Sophia paused, smiled and stretched out her hand to Gu Ming, "Thank you for giving me that opportunity."

"If the contract is signed, I will have the confidence to be completely independent."

"I hope your film will be a big hit and you will become a great director in the future, no, now, Gu!"

"Congratulations to you, the future great agent." Gu Ming stretched out his hand and shook it.

"Hahaha!"

The two laughed together.

It didn't take a day for those messy terms to be finalized.

Gu Ming officially signed a director agreement with Universal.

Although the condition is good.

But it is true that like other Hollywood directors, the producer is the boss, and the director is the director honestly.

Changes in lines also require the producer's approval, and they only have the right to make suggestions on casting and editing.

Just what Gu Ming wanted.The next preparations for the film should be left to Doug Liman, the original director of the film in his previous life and the current producer.

I just want to contribute to the filming and editing in October, and earn the hefty salary.

The North American box office has exceeded [-] million, and I can get tens of millions of dollars.

As for my energy, I should focus more on being a producer on "Taken 2" after the post-production of "Green Book" is completed.

After all, if this film makes money in the end, I will make even more.

There is no need to struggle with money.

……

When post-production reaches July, there is still not much work left.

But Gu Ming had to stop again.

On July 7th, I went to a theater in Los Angeles dressed properly.

This is the premiere of [-]th Century Fox's "Kiss of the Dragon" held by Lee Lien.

Gu Ming was also invited.

I am in Los Angeles myself, and out of favor, I have to come.

As soon as he arrived at the door, Gu Ming saw Li Lianjie and his wife Li Zhi.

She has long hair and wears a black dress, which highlights her figure.

I have to say that he has quite the style of Liu Yan in his previous life.

"Thank you for coming to the premiere." Lizhi also thanked Gu Ming very much. After all, this was the director's film that made his husband's North American box office exceed [-] million.

Otherwise, 2000th Century Fox would not have been able to prepare "Kiss of the Dragon" to open in more than [-] theaters at the same time during the summer season, and it would have also invested a lot of money in publicity and distribution.

The limelight can be described as momentary.

This made her feel like she was turning over.

Think about how you were bullied in the Hong Kong entertainment industry. Now when those Hong Kong movie stars see you again, will they still be arrogant?

"You're welcome, that's right. Lao Li and I still have cooperation."

"Hahaha, come in." Li Lianjie greeted Gu Ming and walked in.

At the premiere, there was also a well-known director who had a good chat with Gu Ming for a while.

This is an unshaven director. Among commercial directors in Europe, his name is unavoidable. He is Luc Besson, and he is the producer of this film.

"Hello, I really like your movie "Killer Leon"."

"what!"

Luc Besson was stunned for a moment. The movie "The Killer Is Not So Cold" didn't have a very good reputation in the West, and its box office was average at the time. He really didn't expect that director Gu Ming would actually like it.

After the daze, his face was immediately covered with a smile, "I like action movies best, and your movie "Taken" was really a great attempt."

"Of course, I have watched all of your artistic films, they are masterpieces."

"Thank you."

After a few words of greeting, Gu Ming found his seat and sat down.

After half an hour, the movie started.

In fact, "Kiss of the Dragon" is a very good action movie.

The story is about agent Liu Jian, who was ordered to go to Paris to help the police crack down on the local drug smuggling group. Accompanied by his contact, he met Richard, a cooperating senior police detective.

Well, just like in "The Killer Is Not So Cold", such a large drug smuggling group will naturally have insiders, and this Richard is a member of the group.

He premeditated murder and framed Liu Jian.

Li Lianjie beat and killed all the way, and managed to escape. He was also helped by Jessica, a woman whose daughter was kidnapped and had to be coerced to work in the red light district. In the end, the hero successfully rescued Jessica's daughter and entered the police station. In a chaotic situation, the big boss Richard was killed.

After reading it, Gu Ming immediately applauded.

It’s the same as the previous movie.

At the time of preparation and filming, "Taken" had not yet been released, and it did not use handheld photography for quick editing.

[-]% of the box office is still not high.

When the box office results are announced, it will be time to find Li Lianlian.

Gu Ming clapped his hands and looked in Li Jie's direction.

for the rest of the time.

Gu Ming devoted himself wholeheartedly to post-production.

A week later, post-production was completed.

"Green Book" is released.

Anthony and some Sony Columbia executives reviewed the completed Green Book in the screening room.

Political correctness has not yet taken hold at the moment, but that does not prevent it from being an excellent film.

The applause was endless, especially for one of the hey people.

He was even more excited when he saw Gu Ming.

"Gu, you made a classic that will not be forgotten 20 years from now, or even 50 years from now."

"The quality of this film will make it suitable for the Oscars."

After everyone else had left, Anthony also revealed his identity to Gu Ming, "It's adapted from a true story, which is also a plus."

"But to be honest, it's a bit difficult to win an Oscar because of the racy theme. Our company can only approve 400 million in public relations expenses for the Oscars."

"You also know that there are some old white men in there."

"We try to get enough nominations to build momentum, and then we can win some minor awards, such as Best Director, Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress. This film is inherently deficient."

(End of this chapter)