Entertainment tycoon who started out as a director

Chapter 136 A Cloud Piercing Arrow
Sony Columbia.

A group of executives sat together to discuss Gu Ming's script and express their opinions.

"I think it can be cast. Gu is still very capable in this type of film. "Green Book" can illustrate the problem. We can even promote it as the second part of Green Book, and With Will Smith’s box office appeal, this will be a film with great potential.”

"This is our way of showing good will. Gu's future is still very bright. He may become what Spielberg is to Universal, and he can lead our Sony Columbia to greater glory together with Spider-Man."

"In terms of production, it doesn't need to account for too much, not more than 50.00%, so as not to worry about the lack of production motivation, but the distribution must be done by our company. This is signed when signing the contract!" The person sitting in the first place said A decision was made.

Regarding investment and joining the production team, Sony just wants to be bound to Gu Ming.

I didn't want to eat them all.

That's a bit risky.

What they want more is distribution.

The producers make money, and the distributors most likely make more than the producers.

Sometimes, if the producer loses money, the distributor may still make money.

This thing is almost guaranteed to make money without losing money.

……

Two days passed.

Anthony contacted Gu Ming.

The two parties discuss a cooperation agreement.

Of course Gu Ming knew that no matter how good the relationship was, he still had to bargain.

For this purpose, two people from Hollywood who specialize in such negotiations were hired. Together with themselves, Sophia, and lawyers, they started a tug-of-war at Sony's headquarters.

"The copyright will eventually belong to us." Sony Columbia opened its mouth when it came up.

"It's impossible. This film can be produced without Sony Columbia." The negotiators invited acted as villains.

"The authorization of the rich man and his servant in this matter is in the hands of Beidou Star Entertainment, and there is no shortage of production expenses. We can wait until the filming is completed before looking for a distributor."

"With the successful film "Green Book", there are distributors who are willing to give a distribution terms."

"The reason why I am willing to talk to Sony Colombia is because we have collaborated so many times before and we are friends."

"We treat you as friends. Please don't make such excessive demands. We can only give you the right to earn income for a fixed number of years as usual."

"Remember, Gu is not the same James Cameron who asked for a dollar to sell a script to a production company just to have a chance to make a movie."

"He is a director, but he is also a boss who can invest in his own production."

"Copyright issues are non-negotiable..."

Almost every clause and every detail must be deducted and discussed down to [-]%, just like this.

It took three days to finalize the contract.

The total investment is expected to be US$4500 million.

The producer is Beidou Star Entertainment.

The copyright belongs to Beidou Star Entertainment, but Sony Columbia has 20 years of profit rights.

In terms of production expenses, Sony Columbia accounted for 40.00%, and Gu Ming's Beidou Star Entertainment accounted for 60.00%.

Final North American distribution went to Sony Columbia.

The distribution fee will be 20.00% of the total box office. Publicity and distribution expenses will be included in the distribution fee and will not be calculated separately. Sony Columbia promises to open 500 theaters and invest no less than [-] million in publicity and distribution expenses.

DVD and TV broadcast rights, etc. Sony Columbia takes a 20.00% commission, and derivatives take a 50.00% commission.

As for overseas distribution, Sony Columbia also wants to take a 40.00% commission as usual.

If you look at it in the long run, you can also make a fortune.

But Gu Ming really didn't have the courage to take a gamble. The complicated distribution contract, the different box office revenue in each country, and where the publicity expenses were spent, you would die, you don't even know how you died. Woolen cloth.

An agreement was set up to sell overseas distribution rights based on the North American box office.

If the North American box office is less than [-] million US dollars, the overseas distribution rights are [-]/[-] of the box office, and if it is over [-] million US dollars, [-]% of the box office is sold out in one go.

And since it was not solely owned by my own family, we also discussed Gu Ming's director's remuneration.

In order to save production costs, Gu Ming's director's salary is US$300 million, but the share will be higher. If the North American box office of "The Intouchables" exceeds 5000 million, the North American box office share will be 5.00%. If the box office exceeds 1.5 million US dollars, the North American box office share will be 12.00%. It can reach [-]%, the box office exceeds [-] million, and the North American box office share is [-]%.

"call……"

So many days of hard work.

Finally, the contract for the first film to be invested and participated in the production of a Hollywood film was secured.

Gu Ming took a long breath subconsciously.

"Happy cooperation! Gu!"

"I believe we can achieve greater glory than "Green Book"." Anthony, who knows Gu Ming best, stood up with a smile and took the initiative to extend his hand.

"Pleasant to work with."

Gu Ming smiled and held hands with him.

Then the two had a meal together.

……

Full of wine and food.

In the car leaving, Sophia couldn't help but sigh.

"It seems that your status, boss, is quite important in the eyes of Sony Columbia."

"If it's an ordinary small production company, the copyright definitely belongs to the distributor, and the distribution commission cannot be reduced to 20.00%. It would be thankful to be 30.00%. Maybe the publicity and distribution expenses will be calculated separately."

"But if this movie does well at the box office, they will make more money than me." Gu Ming habitually retorted to his subordinates.

"That can't be helped." Sophia shrugged.

"These are the only six companies with global distribution capabilities. There are also some second-tier distribution companies, but their distribution capabilities are much worse."

"By the way, boss."

"If it is really an investment of US$500 million, our company accounts for 60.00% and will be responsible for US$700 million. There is still a shortfall of US$400 million in the funds on the account."

"I'll be responsible for this." Gu Ming didn't think this was a problem.

Daystar's offshore account had little money after buying shares in Apple and Amazon.But it couldn’t hold back the fact that the overseas distribution rights of "Taken 2" received US$3300 million, as well as the copyright income from "The Gun" and "Military Sun", as well as the money obtained after selling several TV series overseas, even if it requires To pay taxes, there is still US$3500 million available in the account.

But Gu Ming doesn't want to take away all the dollars yet.

Movie repayments are relatively slow.

I have to save some for the special effects company I will run in the future, as well as for the next film shooting.

Take it all away, and it’s time to catch the blind when necessary.

Therefore, it would be enough for Daystar to raise US$200 million.

The remaining 500 million will be financed from domestic film and television companies.

Being able to invest in Hollywood, Gu Ming knew that domestic companies would not refuse.

A few years later, he was not even afraid of the Hollywood ledger, and was still rushing to invest.

You are one of your own!

He is also known as a true gentleman in the film and television industry.

You will never cheat them.

Of course, if you don’t cheat, you will not cheat. You must have what you should have, such as the 15.00% management fee at that time.There is also the profit that the producer should have. Other Hollywood companies raise funds from overseas. This profit is 20.00%, and I collect 15.00%. It’s interesting enough.

And you don’t have to worry about not giving them the profits from their investment, or having to fight transoceanic lawsuits or anything like that.

After all, I still have a lot of success in the country, and even the country is my basic base.

……

Hollywood Beverly Hills.

A gay movie star teased his four-year-old son who was pretty good-looking.

He started to look through the script sent to him by his agent.

There is a rumor in Hollywood that every script you can see has Leonardo DiCaprio's fingerprints on it.

But now he can proudly say this.

Except for some roles that are limited to white people, otherwise, he must be the producer's first choice.

Not necessarily worse than Jack in that shipwreck movie.

""untouchable"?"

"Beidou Star Entertainment?"

"What a small company this is." Will Smith glanced at the cover and put it aside.

I have to read so many scripts every day.

Where do you have the time to read every script?
I don't have that time.

So if it’s not a script from a well-known company, there’s no need to even read it.

"Will, you still need to read this script."

The agent reminded, "This is a film co-produced by Beidou Star Entertainment and Sony Columbia."

"The screenwriter and director are all Gu."

"Oh, him!" Will Smith took the script back.

"This movie is very much like Green Book."

"Then I'm really interested." Will Smith's eyes lit up.

He is a gay guy, and he started out as a hip-hop singer. Basically, he is a gay guy, and he knows this very well.

He would still like to star in a film about racial equality.

Very helpful to please your base.

After reading the script, Will Smith shared the script and nodded to his agent, "Next, I can star in this film."

"They gave me a salary of 2000 million U.S. dollars, which is in line with my market price. But you can try to get a share. If you can't get it, then so be it."

"I think for me, acting in such a work means more than a small share."

……

After negotiating with Sony Columbia.

Gu Ming mainly does one thing.

Find a lawyer and a financer to understand the process required for Hollywood films to be financed from overseas.

After figuring out a way to do it, we will first raise US$1000 and two million from Daystar.

Unexpectedly, I haven’t started any financing yet.

Will Smith has a reply.

can talk.

Gu Ming personally took action and signed Will Smith with a non-shared salary of US$2000 million.

Dustin Hoffman didn't spend much time on it, and his salary was $800 million.

But after signing the two of them and paying a portion of their remuneration in advance as usual.

The company ran out of money, and the funds that Sony Colombia sent in advance were also used.

We must start raising money as soon as possible.

Otherwise, it may even affect the film’s preparation progress.

After understanding the rules of financing here.

Gu Ming returned to China and called all the film and television company bosses he knew.

There are established studios such as China Film, Western Film, and Shanghai Film.

There are also private companies like Huayi and Yinghuang on Hong Kong Island.

The content of the phone call was also concise and to the point.

"I'm preparing a film in Hollywood, co-starring Will Smith and Dustin Hoffman. Are you interested in sharing the investment?"

(End of this chapter)