The Best Actor in the Vase of Meiyu

Chapter 244 A Piece of Pie

There is no doubt that the two options proposed by Edgar are full of sincerity, which really opened Anson's eyes and finally felt the impact of Hollywood blockbusters.

Not only bold, but even crazy.

However, Anson has other ideas:
Perhaps these terms are a little too aggressive?
In Anson's view, William Morris treated him and this project as a tool, trying to use this opportunity to gain momentum, complete the overall layout, regain one victory in the head-on competition with innovative artists, and then win more customers. With more projects, the big profits will come from behind.

But have they truly considered Anson's position? Such radical, crazy and bold terms leave much room for negotiation?
What happens next if negotiations fail and the worst-case scenario becomes reality?
Sony Columbia cut their losses in time, gave up on Anson, and re-cast and audition again. Maybe with Tobey Maguire in place, they can still take the initiative.

William Morris could continue auditioning for Anson with other potential actors, renegotiate negotiations with Sony Columbia, and learn from the lessons learned to adjust the strategy.

The only one who was sacrificed was Anson.

In addition, Edgar's hard work and hard work were all in vain.

Anyway, a young actor and a young agent can be discarded at any time by Sony, Columbia and William Morris.

Indeed, in the context of the entire story, Anson has a certain value, and William Morris is also willing to be Anson's backing, but in the face of greater interests, Anson is still just a pawn——

At least for now.

In essence, William Morris and innovative artists, William Morris and Sony Columbia, they are all the same. In the face of corporate interests, personal interests can be sacrificed at any time.

Unless the chess piece can increase one's own chips, it cannot be sacrificed casually; it can even be upgraded to become a chess player.

So, what to do?
Anson had an idea.

“Box office dividends.”

He threw out a bait.

In 2000, box office dividends were not popular. Movie companies didn't like them, actors and directors didn't like them either, and fixed price was still the mainstream.

Things didn't start to change until five years later, because of "Pirates of the Caribbean 3."

Disney found out that Johnny Depp's salary was higher from one movie to another, and they needed to pay the salary and bear the full risk of box office success or failure, which made them dissatisfied.

At the same time, Johnny Depp's agent also discovered that there is an upper limit to the increase in fixed-price film remuneration. The 20 million club seems to be the limit. If the actor's remuneration wants to break through, he must include box office dividends.

For a long time, the box office of a movie has been divided among three parties: the film company, the distribution company, and the theater chain. Naturally, each party needs to bear risks.

In the 1980s and 1990s, when actors' salaries were still controllable, film companies were naturally unwilling to give away box office dividends to actors, directors, and screenwriters; however, as production costs continued to rise, actors' salaries also became higher and higher, and movies The risks companies need to take are also increasing.

So, the situation changed.

"Pirates of the Caribbean 4" is a typical example. Because of the success of the third part of the series, Johnny Depp shared Disney's profits. When it came to the fourth part, Disney was unwilling to share the box office dividends, so it opened a record-breaking movie. , an unprecedented one-price film remuneration:

Fifty-six million dollars.

This also resulted in the film's production cost exceeding US$250 million. Adding in the cost of promotion and distribution, the film's cost easily exceeded US$300 million.

However, after the movie was released, the North American box office was only US$240 million. Fortunately, the overseas market remained strong, and the global box office finally barely exceeded US$1 billion——

After deducting theater chain dividends, producer dividends, costs, distribution dividends in different countries and regions, etc., Disney barely made $50 million.

Not losing money, but not laughing either. After that, when actors and film companies negotiated box office dividends, the film companies were much more willing. Compared with the fixed price of $5 million, $10 million plus % or % of the North American box office Dividends are a lot more cost-effective for film companies, at least the box office pressure is reduced.

As for now, clauses for box office dividends have also appeared one after another. It is not that there are none, but most of them appear in independent film crews. Because they lack enough funds to hire the actors they dream of, they invite actors to become shareholders in the form of box office dividends, which can be regarded as a kind of Alternative investments.

But mainstream commercial movies?
Few, still very few.

Anson thinks so.

"The current situation is like this. Sony Colombia needs to conduct a risk assessment. They are under tremendous pressure. The cost of US$100 million has already made them worried."

"Part of the reason we chose Sam Raimi as director is because Sam is down-to-earth and spends every penny wisely."

"If I am willing to lower the salary, take part of the risk in the form of box office dividends, and at the same time cooperate with Sony Columbia's promotion and cooperate more actively; then with the additional terms, if the North American box office exceeds the number, the next sequel's salary will increase by the amount; if it exceeds the number, , just grow as much as possible.”

The so-called contract negotiations include asking for high prices and paying back the money, and making excuses for each other and bragging——

In the final analysis, it all depends on whose cake is more attractive, realistic and convincing.

Anson's idea not only used the psychology of William Morris and Sony Columbia, but also cleverly found a balance point in the interest area.

First, reduce the risk and make sure that you will give your best effort 100%.

Secondly, put the sequel on the table to share the pressure, but do not talk about contract guarantees. Anson or Sony Columbia can take it one step at a time.

Third, and most importantly, Anson cleverly exploited everyone's "lack of confidence."

William Morris and Sony Columbia both hope that "Spider-Man" can be successful, but judging from the current situation, superhero movies are indeed not special, and they are not confident that the movie will be successful-

In other words, I am not sure how successful it will be.

Therefore, the box office dividend is not so painful. Instead, the salary check is visibly lowered by a level. Compared with the huge numbers and sequel bundles, it is much easier to accept psychologically.

In fact, it can be seen from Edgar's reaction.

Edgar thought carefully and did not hide his worries.

"Anson, do you know what this means?"

"This means that you and this project will become a community of destiny. If the movie fails, no, don't say it fails, even if the movie is successful, but the success does not meet expectations, such as a box office of 200 million US dollars in North America, then everyone will condemn you and think You need to take responsibility."

"This pressure...are you sure?"

Confidence is one thing, Edgar believes the movie can be successful.

But it's another thing to be so blindly confident that you lose your correct judgment. Edgar thinks Anson is taking a risk.

If Edgar knew that the North American box office of "Spider-Man" in his previous life finally exceeded 400 million US dollars, maybe he would be able to understand Anson's determination.

　The fifth update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)