I just wanted to play football, but I became a Hollywood god

Chapter 183 Hollywood script negotiations full of pitfalls!

What? ? ?
A genius playwright... Gu Ran?
Rachel froze immediately!

For a moment, she couldn't figure out whether she was crazy or the great director Nolan was crazy.

Annie walked up to Gu Ran, held Gu Ran's hand without any hesitation, and introduced to the three of Nolan proudly, "Mr. Nolan, this is the talented playwright Gu Ran you are looking for!"

"what???"

Now it's the great director Nolan's turn to be shocked!
He had guessed from Gu Ran's Chinese name that Gu Ran was of Chinese descent, or Chinese, but...

Even if he was killed, Gu Ran would be so young!

"Annie, are you kidding me?" Nolan said with a smile: "I know that ordinary geniuses and masters like to make fun of people, hahaha! This is so funny! I almost fell for it!"

Gu Ran smiled, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Nolan, I am really Gu Ran, the creator of the hand-painted script of "Batman 3: The Dark Knight Rises."

Nolan was stunned, "...God! This, this is impossible! You, are you really Gu Ran? Is the hand-painted script really your work?"

...It's actually yours, but I'm reborn, so it's mine.

Gu Ran smiled, "Yes."

"Unbelievable! Unbelievable!" Nolan shook his head vigorously, took out a spinning top, put it on the table and spun it.

Annie: ...

Rachel:  …

It wasn't until the spinning top stopped that Nolan took a deep breath, "This is not a dream, this is really not a dream. Mr. Gu Ran, I really didn't expect you to be so young! You must have grown up in the United States and deeply Culturally educated Chinese, right? I know that Chinese are very smart and elite in all walks of life.”

Gu Ran smiled, "Thank you, Mr. Nolan, for your compliment, but I am not of Chinese descent, I am an authentic Chinese, and my nationality is Chinese."

Nolan's pupils dilated in shock, "God! God! This is incredible! Mr. Gu Ran, you are more genius than I imagined! You are a genius among geniuses! In your hand-drawn manuscript, the positioning of Gotham City And grasp, it is too accurate! And it is very deep and thought-provoking! Your portrayal of the environment has raised the tone of the entire film to a new level!"

Criticize the corrupt and evil capitalism, we have been able to do this since childhood.

Gu Ran smiled, "I didn't think about it that much, I just followed my heart."

Nolan couldn't help giving a thumbs up, "Amazing! You are indeed a genius! Moreover, you are still such a young genius!"

Seeing that Nolan was so excited, Rachel next to her couldn't help asking Annie in a low voice: "What, what's going on? Isn't Gu Ran a student who plays football? Why did he become a playwright all of a sudden?"

Annie said proudly: "Rachel, before I have time to tell you, Gu Ran specially drew a script for me in order to let me return to Hollywood. No, after the great director Nolan read Gu Ran's script, Immediately flew over here."

Rachel was dumbfounded, "You...why didn't you say it earlier?"

Annie gave Rachel a white look, "Did you give it a chance? You scolded Gu Ran when you came up."

Rachel hurriedly said: "I didn't scold him! I really didn't! I might just... have a little unfriendly tone, Gu Ran won't mind, right?"

Annie patted Rachel comfortingly, "Don't worry, Chinese men are very talented."

Rachel breathed a sigh of relief.

I heard Nolan continue to say excitedly: "Mr. Gu Ran, your hand-drawn script is really amazing! This is the best hand-drawn script I have ever seen since I was in this industry. There is not a single scene that is superfluous! The characters The settings and the development of the plot are all perfect! There is no need to modify and adjust at all, and you can shoot directly! I can’t wait to know what kind of state you are in, using How long did it take to create such a strong script?"

Gu Ran shrugged, "I wrote this hand-drawn script for Annie, and it took about ten days."

Nolan was horrified, "What!!! More than ten days???"

Gu Ran continued: "Well, it's really slow, but there's a reason for that, because I have to train, compete, and at night...cough cough...sleep."

Annie next to her was blushing with shyness and happiness.

Nolan was shocked and numb!

Rachel couldn't stand anymore, but fortunately, Bella next to her helped her up.

……Oh, God!

It only took more than ten days, and I still took the time to hand-paint it!
Even the talented director Nolan admires the five-body cast!Fly in person and come to ask for a meeting!

This is no longer a genius!This is God!

No wonder Anne fell in love with him!No wonder!No wonder!No wonder!

Rachel's stomach is full of regrets!

If he had known that Gu Ran was so talented, he shouldn't have kept Annie away from Gu Ran as soon as he came up, but should have let Annie hold onto him!
Harder, harder!
Nolan exclaimed excitedly: "Oh my god! More than ten days is still slow?! When I wrote the script of "Batman 2", it took me more than half a year, and I still discussed it with my screenwriters. A lot of drafts have been revised, and they were revised repeatedly during the filming process. Mr. Gu Ran, your "Batman 3" script is completely a mature work!"

"Mr. Gu Ran! You are an absolute drama genius!"

"I dare say that your talent has surpassed 99.99% of Hollywood screenwriters!"

"Do you know Mr. Gu Ran, after reading your hand-painted script, my first feeling is that this script has reached a completely unified frequency with my thinking!"

"I even feel that there is some kind of mysterious quantum entanglement between the two of us!"

"I even suspect that I am in a space of Inception, and you are me in another space dimension that has passed through!"

shit...

Nolan, if you keep talking like this, you will be close to the truth!
Gu Ran hurriedly said: "No, no, Mr. Nolan, you have won the prize. In fact, I am not a genius. The reason why I was able to draw "Batman 3" by hand is because I imitated your first two Batman movies. The narrative style of Batman. The reason why you feel familiar and think that our thinking is highly consistent is precisely because I tried to figure out your thinking and hand-painted it, so as to ensure the unity of the "Batman" trilogy. Mr. Nolan, you are Giant, and I'm just standing on your shoulders."

Hearing Gu Ran call him a "giant", Nolan became even more excited, "Hahaha! Mr. Gu Ran! Thank you for saying that! It turns out that the people who understand me best in this world are neither my parents nor me. My wife, but you who have never met me!"

Nolan, don't be like this...

In case you find out that I know other great directors well, will you think that I am a "scumbag" in the screenwriting field...

Gu Ran was a little dumbfounded.

And Nolan's excitement has not yet calmed down, "Gu—can I call you Gu? You can just call me Christopher! Because I think we are Siamese brothers!"

Gu Ran smiled and said, "Of course."

"Great Gu! I have another question that I really want to know! The hand-drawn script I saw was just a scanned document, but I can see that you seem to have drawn it with a pen, right?"

Gu Ran nodded and said, "Yes."

Nolan slapped his thigh, "I knew it! You are a genius! A peerless genius! Hand-painted with a pen without changing a single stroke! It's really amazing! Gu, tell me, which film and television company do you work for now? "

Gu Ran smiled, "Oh, Mr. Nolan—I mean, Christopher, I'm not a screenwriter, and I don't have a film and television company. In fact, I'm a football player."

"What, what?" Nolan looked back to Anne in shock to ask for confirmation.

Annie nodded proudly at Nolan, "Yes, Gu Ran is a professional football player, and he hand-painted this script just for me."

Nolan was shocked and dumbfounded!

"Oh, God!"

Nolan clasped his head with both hands, exaggerating his expression to the extreme: "A professional football player? I can't believe it! Gu! Your talent should be displayed in Hollywood! What else are you playing! Come to Hollywood! Let's work together! I promise, within three movies, you will become the master screenwriter that all Hollywood producers are begging for! You will be enshrined in Hollywood! Your name will remain on the Walk of Fame!"

... so beautiful!
but……

Gu Ran smiled and said calmly: "I'm sorry Christopher, I really just want to play football."

Nolan said in surprise, "Gu, you probably don't know what it's like to be a Hollywood superstar, do you?"

Gu Ran smiled and said, "To be honest, I haven't imagined it, but that kind of success will not bring me more happiness than playing football."

——The dopamine refreshment brought by competitive sports is beyond the reach of any other industry.

Nolan took a deep breath, and re-examined the young Chinese in front of him with solemn eyes.

After a while, Nolan gave Gu Ran a thumbs up in admiration, "Gu! I admire you so much! You are so young, you can stick to your original intention and not be attracted by other temptations! I dare say, this There are few people in the world like you. No wonder you can write such an outstanding script of "Batman 3"! Because you are an outstanding talent. People like you, no matter what you do, will be the best of!"

"Of course, if you ever change your mind or retire from the game, please remember to come to me anytime, and we can work together again. I think our two brothers will definitely be able to make the best movie in the world together. .”

Gu Ran smiled and said, "Okay, Christopher, of course it's no problem."

Gu Ran secretly complained in his heart:

It's just a few scripts by hand, is there still a need to go to Hollywood?I can draw it casually when I have time. This kind of trivial matter can't delay my big event of becoming a football superstar.

Seeing that Gu Ran agreed, Nolan rubbed his hands happily, "So, let's talk about the contract for "Batman 3: The Dark Knight Rises" now? Gu, do you have an agent?"

Gu Ran shook his head, "No."

When Rachel next to her heard this, she immediately stepped forward, "Mr. Gu Ran, if you don't mind, I can assist you in negotiating this contract - I'm completely free, just treat it as a favor between friends."

What the fuck?

When did we become friends?
Ms Rachel you were trying to kill me a few minutes ago!
Gu Ran was a little dumbfounded, "...Then, thank you."

After all, she was Anne Hathaway's agent, so she always wanted her to have a sense of presence. Moreover, it was easier to have an agent present in such a trivial matter as drafting a contract.

Rachel said happily: "That's great, let's sit down and talk—by the way, do you want to talk while eating?"

Nolan waved his hand and said urgently: "The contract matter is important, let's finish the negotiation first and then eat."

"it is good."

Several people sat down on the sofa in the box.

Rachel gave Annie a hand, and specially arranged Annie to sit next to Gu Ran, while Rachel sat on the other side of Gu Ran.

Annie immediately beamed with joy.

The manager of Warner Bros. said to Gu Ran politely: "Mr. Gu Ran, since you have not joined the Hollywood Screenwriters Guild before and have no other scripts, and based on the quality of your "Batman 3", on behalf of Warner Bros. The price offered is 125 million US dollars. Believe me, we discussed this price with Mr. Nolan. For a newcomer, this price is absolutely very sincere. If you agree, we can sign the contract directly gone."

Rachel approached Gu Ran, lowered her voice, and said, "Gu, this price is really good in the industry. Currently, the highest price for a Hollywood script at auction is the screenwriter of "Clues to Time and Space" in 06, which sold for 500 million US dollars. However, That screenwriter has a high status in Hollywood, and he has a team of screenwriters under him, and you are not a member of the Hollywood Screenwriters Guild. It is indeed very sincere that Warner can give you $125 million directly. Of course, you You can hold your breath, after all, their first round of quotations is so high, theoretically, the price can be raised to about 150 million US dollars, in addition, you can also ask for other things, such as net profit sharing, back-end revenue sharing."

Rachel has now completely transformed into Gu Ran's group, and is serious about making suggestions for Gu Ran.

Gu Ran smiled, "Thank you for your reminder, Rachel, I probably know what to do."

Rachel smiled flatteringly at Gu Ran, "...Thank you, we are all family."

shit...

Ms. Rachel, don't be like this, I still like your unruly look!
Gu Ran cleared his throat, and said to Warner's agent: "Let's not talk about the price, if you want to use my hand-drawn script, you must agree to a prerequisite."

The agent immediately said, "Please tell me."

Gu Ran said: "I request that the actor who plays Catwoman must be Anne Hathaway, otherwise, I would rather burn this script than let you use it."

Annie next to her was instantly brimming with happiness.

Rachel is also excited and can't control herself-look!It really is a family!Gu Ran, this young man, is really amazing!

The manager of Warner Bros. hesitated for a moment, "Mr. Gu Ran, I'm afraid...you have to know that a casting call requires a series of auditions, and then a meeting between the director team and the production team to discuss it. This requires a very professional process, isn't it? The screenwriter can call the shots.”

Nolan next to him smiled, "Gu, don't worry, I can promise you here, it's totally fine. I'm the director and producer of this movie, and I have the absolute right to choose the heroine. Anne is very happy." Yes, although the catwoman, who is both good and evil, charming and mischievous, may be a challenge for her, but when I saw Annie, I found that she is much more beautiful than before, and her eyes are more agile I believe she can successfully handle the role of Catwoman."

Annie said happily: "Thank you, Mr. Nolan, this role was specially designed by Gu for me. I can do all the difficult moves that Catwoman can do. I am very confident that I can play the role of Catwoman well."

Rachel also said excitedly: "Yes, our Annie is the best."

Nolan smiled and said, "That's the deal, just write this item into the contract!"

Gu Ran nodded slightly, "Then, we can continue to discuss quotations."

The agent breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Are you satisfied with the script buyout price of $125 million?"

Gu Ran shook his head, "Not satisfied."

After finishing speaking, Gu Ran didn't say another word, and just waited for the manager to feel agitated.

This is also a brokerage contract negotiation skill!
Rachel next to her couldn't help but secretly hissed:
Gu Ran, this kid is really amazing!

Under such a great negotiation pressure, his mentality is still so stable!
I really like it more and more!

Annie, Annie, you're in luck!I got such a good Chinese cabbage!

The agent said nervously: "Mr. Gu Ran, the price of 125 million US dollars is really high. After all, you are not a member of the Hollywood Screenwriters Guild. Of course, we can help you with the corresponding procedures. Let you become a member of the Hollywood Screenwriters Guild, so that you can enjoy a share of the net profit, and our buyout price can also be increased appropriately."

Rachel hurriedly reminded Gu Ran in a low voice: "Gu, if you want to become a member of the Hollywood Screenwriters Guild, you must first join a film and television company registered in Hollywood—they actually want to sign you into Warner Bros. Although this is beneficial, the benefit to you is small, and the benefit to them is huge. Because once you join Warner and become a screenwriter for Warner, any script you write in the future must be given priority to Warner.”

Gu Ran nodded slightly at Rachel, "Understood."

Just listen to Warner and the agent continued: "Being a member of the Hollywood Screenwriters Guild has many advantages. For example, after you get the buyout fee in batches, you can also enjoy an additional 5%-2.5% of the net profit after the film is released. The original script can get 5% of the net profit income, while the adapted script can get 2.5% of the net profit income. The "Batman 3" you created, although the story is original, but the characters have copyright, theoretically only Take 2.5% of the net profit. Of course, Warner is willing to express its sincerity and give you 5% of the net profit.”

I have to say that Laomei's film industrialization system is really awesome.

At the very least, the screenwriter is regarded as a person. The screenwriter's right to speak may not be very high, but the remuneration and share are still very lucrative.

only……

Bigger than the Hollywood Screenwriters Guild is Hollywood's accounting body.

"Net profit" is not "box office receipts."

Hollywood's accounting agencies will always have various ways to convert a blockbuster movie into a net profit of only a few cents, or even a loss.

Therefore, this "net profit" sounds good, but there are not many Hollywood screenwriters who can really get it.

As Gu Ran who is 12 years ahead of this era, although he has never been in Hollywood, Gu Ran has seen this kind of capitalist's pie game a lot.

The real income is definitely not the so-called "net profit", but "box office share" and "back-end income".

Without waiting for Rachel to give him a hint, Gu Ran said bluntly: "I don't want net profit, I only want box office share and back-end income."

Agent Warner was taken aback.

Rachel couldn't help but be taken aback.

She originally wanted to remind Gu Ran, but she didn't expect Gu Ran to understand!
Rachel really likes Gu Ran, a calm young man, more and more.

Warner's agent cleared his throat, "Mr. Gu Ran, you may not know much about our Hollywood operation model. The box office share is only shared by directors, producers, investors, production companies, distributors, theaters, and theaters. , staff, and screenwriters cannot participate in the box office share, you can only share the net profit."

Gu Ran smiled, "Okay, then treat me as an investment, I take this script as an investment, I don't want any buyout fee you want to give me, I only want 1% of the global box office share, and 5% The back-end revenue sharing—you should also know that my request is not too much."

As soon as these words came out, everyone present was shocked.

Is this really something that young people who have never been in Hollywood can think of?

1% of the global box office share is quite high for individuals, and generally only top directors can get it.

For example, Nolan, the guaranteed share of the global box office he can get in this film is 5%.

Of course, 2010 was not the peak period for Hollywood movies, nor was Nolan one of the top directors. When he later filmed "Dunkirk", Nolan was also the director, screenwriter, and producer. Trinity can get 20% of the global box office share.

But now, in Gu Ran's capacity, asking for 1% of the global box office share is indeed a bit high, but it's not outrageous.

What really made Warner's agents uncomfortable was the 5% share requirement for "back-end revenue".

The so-called back-end income actually refers to the income from other channels after the film is released.

For example, burn it into a DVD, such as the income from paying to watch on TV media, such as the income from paying to watch on online media.

The back-end income is zero-cost, and it will not be included in the movie box office and movie profits.

And this, in fact, is the real big head.

For example, the movie "The Shawshank Redemption" was shot with a budget of 2500 million U.S. dollars, and the box office reached 5800 million U.S. dollars that year. In terms of profits, it didn't make any money, and even lost money.

However, in the era of the explosion of the Internet age, this highly rated movie has a high number of broadcasts every year. According to the global back-end income, Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, the two leading actors, can get from this movie every year. The money distributed in the movie is at least hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Yes, you don't have to do anything, as long as people watch "The Shawshank Redemption", the writers and actors will receive money every year.

Not only screenwriters, directors, and starring actors, as long as they are actors with lines, they can get continuous profit sharing from the back-end income.

In "Titanic", there was a young actor with only one line. He was only seven or eight years old at the time. Since then, he has been able to receive about 3 US dollars in back-end revenue every year. With this money, he successfully completed his own of studies.

5% of the back-end income is not much, but accumulated year after year, it is also very scary.

What's more, Gu Ran is very sure that the global box office of "Batman 3" will reach a new high, reaching 10.8 billion US dollars!
10.8% of 1 billion is 1080 million US dollars!

Moreover, the "Batman 3" hand-painted by Gu Ran also added many better factors.

In addition, Annie has already been trained by him, so it's no wonder if she doesn't get angry!

Maybe it can even break through the global box office of 12 billion US dollars!
The long-term 1080 million US dollars plus 5% of the back-end income will not be more fragrant than the 125 million US dollar buyout fee alone?
……

(End of this chapter)