China Entertainment 2000.

Chapter 153: Falling out over overseas copyrights
Chang'an Hotel.

When Tom Bernard, head of Columbia Asia Branch, saw Yu Dong and Jiang Liu, he immediately pointed at Jiang Liu and said: "Jiang, you are awesome!"

Jiang Liu had a cold face and said to the translator: "Ask him what he means?"

He and Tom Bernard didn't know each other.

But they have already formed a bad bond with each other because of "Hidden Dragon, Crouching Tiger" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

Columbia Asia Branch is one of the main investors of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", and Tom Bernard is the main operator in promoting "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" to the international market.

If the other party wanted to regain the stage for "Hidden Dragon and Crouching Tiger" at this time, Jiang Liu would turn around and leave.

Of course he wanted to sell "Pirates" to North America.

But let him grovel for a few bucks, and fuck him.

They were unhappy as soon as they met. Yu Dong's expression immediately became tense, so he simply translated and said in time:

"Mr. Bernard admires you very much. He said that you are very similar to a Hollywood producer named Harvey Weinstein. You are notorious but can make the audience pay for your movies."

Realizing that he had preconceived ideas and stereotyped people, Jiang Liu put on a smile and said, "Nonsense, I respect the old and love the young and am a good person!"

"It's like this. Everyone only sees the good side of themselves, but as an investor, I have to understand the most evil side of a director."

"In fact, whether it is investing in movies or being the world's number one investment bank, investors are always investors, not so-called beautiful projects. We will miss many good projects, but we will always be successful."

Bernard abruptly gave some unique investment insights in Mandarin which was not very standard but was understandable.

"Investor? I learned it!"

Jiang Liu was chewing on Bernard's investment insights, and just as he felt he had some understanding, Yu Dong asked in surprise: "You know Chinese?"

"Columbia Asia Branch entered China in 1995, and I have lived in Peiping for eight years."

"That's easy, Bernard. With all due respect, is your company interested in the North American copyright of "Pirates"?"

Bernard smiled slightly: "My existence is to bring all potential movies from Asia back to Hollywood. Of course, the price determines many factors."

"Can't we share the box office share?"

"Ha, believe me, you won't want to share the box office share. The box office share means that you may eventually get 1 US dollar in box office profit!" Bernard said meaningfully.

Yu Dong was curious: "Why?"

"If you are willing to invite me to have dinner in the most luxurious private room in Chang'an, I will tell you about Hollywood."

Yu Dong glanced at Jiang Liu and saw his indifferent expression. He pinched his nose and said, "Okay, I'll treat you."

Sitting down in a private room comparable to the presidential private room, Bernard shouted to order first. Seeing that Yu Dongyi's eyes were already showing signs of bloodshot eyes, he stopped, took a sip of red wine and started talking non-stop.

Jiang Liu listened for a long time and organized his words. The general meaning was that the class in Hollywood has been solidified, and Hollywood has been infiltrated into a sieve by the same kind of people.

It is a dream to share the cake from the people at the top of the pyramid.

There are only two ways for ordinary people to enter Hollywood.

One: flatter them and help them make money.

Two: They let you in and play.

"Pirates" going to North America to split the box office is out of the blue.

Even if a box office sharing contract is reached, the major Hollywood studios will still be able to eat up all the box office revenue.

Jiang Liu put down a crab leg and wiped his hands: "Since Colombia is interested, how much are you willing to pay?"

"The fixed price is US$500 million. Unless you voluntarily lower the price, don't negotiate with me."

"Are you kidding me? Miramax's starting price is $800 million."

If he hadn't ordered a table of food, Yu Dong would just flip the table and leave.

This was the person in charge of Colombia whom Jiang Liu insisted on meeting.

This is not as good as the price offered by Miramax. When you compare the two, the price gets lower and lower.

"Who? Miramax? Harvey Weinstein's Miramax?"

When Bernard saw the two men nodding, he couldn't help laughing, but he didn't explain the reason. He said: "It is up to you to decide who to sell the copyright to. I still say the same thing. I have missed many good projects, but I will Always successful.”

Afterwards, he looked at Jiang Liu and said, "You are good at marketing and making movies, but there are many directors like you in the world, and they are easier to talk to."

"If the rights are sold to Colombia, when will 'Pirates' be released?"

"At any time, no matter how weak Columbia is in Hollywood, it is still very simple to arrange test screenings in two or three cinemas. This is how Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon came about."

Jiang Liu pressed down Yu Dong, who was impatient, and asked again: "Can the clause that the movie be released within three months be written into the contract? Anyone who breaks the contract must pay a large amount of liquidated damages."

"of course."

Jiang Liu asked again: "How long does it take to pay off the copyright price?"

"According to the normal process, one-third is paid for signing the contract, one-third is paid for the North American production of the film, and the remaining balance is paid within six to ten months for the film's production in North America."

Jiang Liu frowned, but he had no doubts left.

But he was complaining in his heart: "No wonder Columbia is not as good as Warner and Disney. It turns out that this guy seems to have a certain pattern in doing things. Whether he talks one thing and thinks the other, he has no way of knowing. In short, it seems that More reliable than Miramax." Yu Dong finally couldn't bear it anymore and stood up and said: "We need to discuss, Mr. Bernard, can we make an appointment as soon as possible to discuss?"

"Of course, do you want to leave now? I haven't finished eating yet, please remember to pay for me."

"Mr. Jiang, let's go and pay with you." Yu Dong gave Jiang Liu a crazy wink.

"This ghost guy cost me tens of thousands of dollars in one meal."

After leaning a little, Yu Dong left the hotel cursing.

When he got outside, he stared at Jiang Liu seriously and said, "Mr. Jiang, what do you mean? Why don't I understand why things are sold at a lower price?"

"If you sell at a lower price, at least you will get money. If you sell at a higher price, you may not get any money."

"This reason is not valid. I don't believe Miramax dares not to pay."

"You still want "Pirates" to be released in North America earlier. I hope so too, so I asked this guy if he can get a share of the box office. After all, Director Jiang's "Pirates" was very successful at the domestic box office."

"But since we can't reach a box office sharing contract, selling it at a high price isn't the best option?"

"Making movies is just to make money, don't be pretentious and messy art, any movie is the child of the director."

"I think the way you act now is because you are tired of being famous."

At the door of Chang'an Hotel, Yu Dong danced and said: "Stop contacting Colombia. I will continue to keep in touch with Borg. If he increases the price to 1000 million US dollars, we will sell the copyright immediately."

Jiang Liu held it in for a long time, and then he couldn't help but said coldly: "Mr. Yu, you are overthinking. I have never planned to sell the copyright of "Pirates" to Miramax, no matter how much the other party pays."

"You are really incompetent!"

Jiang Liu counterattacked: "Indeed, people with different paths don't work together. From now on, it would be better for Yi Xin and Bona to go their separate ways."

"Whatever you want, I will never agree if the copyright of "Pirates" is sold at a low price." Yu Dong waved his hands and left.

Jiang Liu pondered for a few minutes at the entrance of Chang'an Hotel, then turned back and walked into the hotel, heading towards the most luxurious box.

"Hi Jiang, you're back again. Where are your companions?"

"gone."

"He's too impatient. You have to take your time with deals, especially with Hollywood."

"maybe."

Jiang Liu took the brand-new bowls and chopsticks handed by the waiter, sneered and sat down next to Bernard, saying: "Bernard, let's talk openly, how much money is Columbia prepared to spend to purchase the copyright of "Pirates"? "

Bernard pretended to say: "What?"

"You purchased the copyright of "Pirates" for US$500 million. Will the top management of Columbia Corporation be satisfied with this?"

"Maybe, who knows, if "Pirates" doesn't create the box-office miracle of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," they might send me a pink slip."

"Bernard, we are all smart people, why don't we be honest?"

"you mean?"

"I mean Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean". You're not going to tell me that you don't know that Disney has a pirate project, right?"

"cough cough"

Bernard coughed for a while, then shrugged and said helplessly: "Jiang, the world is so strange sometimes. It's just a pirate movie appearing in the East and the West at the same time."

Jiang Liu sneered: "Since you know me so well, has my first pot of gold in life given you and Columbia a lot of inspiration?"

"There are a lot of similar movies in Hollywood, and your marketing method doesn't work in Hollywood."

"Really? When will "Pirates of the Caribbean" be released? How much publicity did Disney spend on this big project? Is it making wedding clothes for "Pirates"?"

“If two movies are released at the same time, is the Eastern and Western gimmick the best way to market them?”

Seeing Bernard lost his mind, as if he was remembering something.

Jiang Liu spoke very quickly: "What was the reaction of Disney executives after watching "Pirates"?"

"Jiang, don't expect to know the secret from me, but Disney executives are really angry about the appearance of "Pirates"."

After Bernard finished speaking, he immediately threw away his chopsticks and continued chatting with Jiang Liu. He was afraid that he would be bald.

Let Jiang Liu know that Disney executives are having a headache about whether to change some scenes in "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Especially for the pirate captain, I racked my brains for the soundtrack to appear at critical moments.

"Bernard, let me give you a suggestion. The deal for selling the copyright of "Pirates" to Colombia for US$500 million can be completed, but Colombia will help me run a local Hollywood movie to be released in North American theaters."

"In other words, Columbia acts as a publisher for me."

Bernard rolled his eyes and asked, "What subject?"

"A low-budget horror cut film directed by an American director and starring American actors, called "Saw."

"It's too late today, let's make an appointment to discuss it."

(End of this chapter)