The Best Actor in the Vase of Meiyu

Chapter 245 Weighing the pros and cons
Indeed, Anson was a man with advanced knowledge and could see higher and further. He was able to see a future that neither Sony Columbia nor William Morris could determine.

But at the same time, Anson also has his own knowledge blind spots. His understanding of the film market comes from 2023. All concepts have developed twenty years ahead of time. If you are not paying attention, it is easy to ignore that it is not 2023.

Anson ignores one very important thing:

In 2000, why did box office dividends not become the first choice for actors and agents?
Is it because they don’t want to increase their income? The answer is of course no.

The correct answer is film market capacity.

Ten years and fifteen years later, the North American film market has entered an era of prosperity. There are many films worth $300 million in North America and one billion dollars in the world. However, at present, the North American film market is still in the "100 million dollar era". The movie's North American box office exceeding 100 million is a huge success.

Considering this background, box office dividends are not so attractive.

First of all, overseas markets were only gradually explored in the second half of the 1990s. Even the seven major Hollywood film companies did not have complete overseas distribution channels. Therefore, when movies are released in overseas markets, they often cooperate with local distribution companies. This part of the box office Dividends need to be paid out.

Therefore, when actors and producers discuss box office dividends, overseas markets are not included, and only the North American box office is used. It was no exception until later. Only in very, very rare cases did the film company be willing to carve out a little bit of the overseas box office cake——

For example, James Cameron.

Secondly, because the size of the North American box office market is still at "100 million US dollars", the box office dividend figures for actors and producers are also clear at a glance.

Even if the basis for box office dividends is North American box office figures rather than box office profits, then the 10% dividend is only a mere US$ million.

All that remains is a math problem:

Should you choose the "20 million club" with a fixed price, or should you choose the final "basic salary plus 10 million US dollars" that takes the risk of huge box office pressure?
The choice is not difficult.

Here, there is another detail. The box office dividends shared by actors and producers are up to 10%, right?

Generally speaking, it is.

The reason is also very intuitive. The box office of a movie often needs to be divided among the cake, with the production company 40%, the distribution company 30%, and the theater chain 30%.

Of course, the specific figures and circumstances may fluctuate. Different projects may have different works, and negotiations between the three parties may have many different results, but overall this is generally the case; the seven major Hollywood film companies often take care of both production and distribution, and profit income It will be higher.

Here, the portion of dividends given to directors, actors, screenwriters, and producers is 40% from the production company, which naturally cannot exceed a certain limit.

However, there are exceptions.

Tom Cruise's "Mission: Impossible" series, he refused big-name directors and big-name supporting roles, and acted as producer himself, ensuring that he was the absolute core of the entire crew and that no one else could share his box office dividends, thus starting negotiations. Although he received basically no salary, he took almost 40% of the final box office dividend.

Later, Paramount discovered that by filming, producing and distributing "Mission: Impossible 4", it was not making as much money as Tom Cruise. It was like the film company was working for the actors. Paramount was furious and shut down the entire project. Refuse to cooperate with Tom Cruise, Tom Cruise himself also walked out of the movie.

It was not until three years later that Tom Cruise's career fell into a trough, and he made four movies in a row, and the box office and reputation were all over the place. At the same time, Paramount was also in dire straits, with continuous profit deficits, which prompted the "Disc" "Spy" series was restarted, and the two sides sat at the negotiating table again.

Look back.

It is precisely because of this that at this stage, almost no brokerage companies are actively promoting their actors to strive for box office dividends. The "20 million club" is their ultimate goal, including actors, media, film companies, and industry insiders. "Twenty million club" to measure industry position.

From Edgar's point of view, he doesn't think it's possible to get 10% of the box office dividend for Anson, or even 5%, and it's not a good deal.

Not only may the pay figures be low, but you also need to bear risks and pressure.

Anson is a newcomer, and it is one thing for Edgar to be optimistic about his prospects. It is another thing for the Hollywood industry to think that Anson still has not proven his box-office ability. If they pursue box office dividends, don't say that the movie failed. Even if the movie is successful, it has not exceeded 200 million in North America and has not exceeded expectations. The position of a pink newcomer in the industry will become awkward, and it will be difficult for the follow-up In terms of development, this is not a good thing.

Anson could sense Edgar's concern.

He thought about it for a moment, especially the key word "200 million box office", and immediately realized his blind spot and couldn't help laughing.

But Anson couldn't tell Edgar: Hey, man, trust me, the movie will be a success--

Like a madman, blindly confident for no reason.

Moreover, Anson and Edgar have just begun to cooperate, and trust needs to be established step by step, otherwise this cooperative relationship will be vulnerable in the face of absolute interests.

After thinking for a while, Anson said, "Captain, we should attack from a different angle."

“We shouldn’t say we strive for box office dividends, but we should say we advance and retreat together with the project.”

"Look, I have full confidence in the project and am 100% committed to the project. I am willing to reduce the salary. Although it is not much, it can ensure that every penny of the production cost is spent wisely; instead, I will advance and retreat with the project in the form of box office dividends. , take risks together and face difficulties together.”

"I am willing to work together with the crew."

With a slight adjustment in purpose and intention, Anson's stance and posture will become completely different.

Regardless of the success or failure of the movie, Anson's reputation in Hollywood has been established:

If the movie succeeds, it shows that Anson has a unique vision; if the movie fails, at least they can run it, it means that Anson has done his best and unreservedly to reduce the responsibility that Anson needs to bear as the leading actor.

In this case, the whole situation is completely different.

Edgar's eyes lit up, "It's just like John Travolta starring in 'Pulp Fiction'."

Anson nodded slightly.

But... Edgar looked at Anson again, "So, we really don't strive for the salary figure?"

"Anson, in Hollywood, the salary threshold is very important. Whether you are three million or eight million, the producers and directors will look at you completely differently."

"I thought, maybe we should seize this opportunity, even if it's your first starring role, you should establish your position through the salary."

Agents, after all, have their own considerations.

Anson agreed, but had a slightly different point of view, "As you said, this is the first time I have played the leading role alone. Even if we get a salary of five million or even eight million, what do you think will happen next?" ?”

"If the movie fails, no matter how high the salary figure is, it will be meaningless. Everything will start from scratch."

"But what if the movie succeeds?"

　First update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)