I am a director, but I have the skills of an actor

Chapter 227
"Mr. Wan, my team thinks there is nothing wrong with the script. This type of script is very popular with academic judges.

My team here has made a budget, with a total budget of about 8000 million.

I don’t know if you want half of the investment, or just the director’s fee? "

Xiao Lizi was a little impatient. Knowing that Wan Qingshan had returned to Los Angeles, he came directly to the door the next day and talked about the new movie.

Wan Qingshan's brows twitched. A literary film with a budget of 8000 million US dollars!
That is to say, North America has the soil for artistic films to survive, plus film peripherals and global distribution. Otherwise, the $8000 million artistic film will have to go to grandma's house.

Although the budget of 8000 million US dollars is high, Wan Qingshan also thinks it is normal. DiCaprio's salary plus his director's fee is too high.

Add in the salaries of some well-known supporting actors, and the total comes to 6000.

"I'll take the director's fee, no share, I only want $500 million.

At the same time, the lobbying money should be stated in the contract. If the movie is nominated for an Oscar, you will pay me US$500 million as a bonus. "

In the past, Wan Qingshan would have wanted to take a share of the investment or box office, but the incident of Universal's "Parasite" made Wan Qingshan sober up. Hollywood money is not so easy to get.

Having worked hard in Hollywood for so many years, DiCaprio is definitely not a good person. Everything seems easy now, but who knows what will happen in the future, so it is better to play it safe and just take the money.

DiCaprio frowned, "It's okay to have 500 million lobbying dollars written in the contract, but it has to be specific. I will only give the 500 million if the movie is nominated for Best Actor and Best Director."

"No, no. You can write more details, but you can only write about movies nominated for best director."

"NO, I am willing to pay this 500 million because I want to win the Best Actor. If I have no hope of winning the Best Actor, then I cannot give this 500 million."

"Leonardo, I have given you the script, and your team should have analyzed it. As long as you perform well, you will be nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor, otherwise you will not agree to cooperate.

A suitable role has been given to you, but whether you can perform it well or not is your business. I cannot base my interests on your performance. "

Leonardo was silent for a moment and said with a smile, "OK, you have convinced me. As long as he is nominated for Best Director, I will pay the 500 million."

Then, the two discussed the details of the cooperation and went to the law firm to draw up a contract.

As soon as the contract was signed, preparations for the film began, but the early preparations had nothing to do with Wanqingshan.

Leonardo's team was responsible for the entire movie, and he didn't have to worry about anything, just waiting to be shot later.

This time he is equivalent to a tool director, except that he, a tool director, has the right to edit the film.

Wan Qingshan and DiCaprio collaborated on a new movie, and word spread in Hollywood within a day.

Most people didn't feel much after hearing this, but Colombia was anxious.

The next day, Koch made an appointment with Wan Qingshan.

"Mr. Wan, you were very satisfied with Colombia's conditions before, but why did you choose to cooperate with Leonardo? Did you not want to cooperate with Colombia?"

"Of course I am willing to cooperate with Colombia, and I am ready to make movies with Colombia.

However, the pre-production preparation for this movie will take a long time, and at the same time, this movie is also a bit risky, and I am afraid Columbus will consider it for some time.

So, I want to take advantage of this spare time to make other movies. "

When Koch wanted to ask about the movie, Wan Qingshan took out the script of "Fire" and handed it over.

"This is the movie script I prepared for Colombia."

Koch took the script and read it over.

A few minutes later, Koch looked up and exclaimed, "You're going to follow Marvel's example of creating a movie universe!"

Although "Avengers" has not yet been released, Marvel Movies has just made "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk", but from the foreshadowing and some linkages between these two movies, all companies in Hollywood understand that Marvel Movies intends to make linkages. Cinematic Universe.

Not to mention the success of "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk", Marvel's "X-Men" series alone has already made Fox huge profits.

Marvel's "Spider-Man" copyright has also been sold to Columbia by Marvel. Columbia has made more than one billion from the "Spider-Man" series.

As a veteran employee of Columbia, Koch naturally understood the prospects of a movie universe, so he was shocked that Wan Qingshan wanted to develop a movie universe.

"It can be considered a movie universe, but not really. My script should be called one of a series of movies, but this series is a horizontal series. It cannot be expanded horizontally and vertically like the Marvel Universe."

Koch, who suppressed his surprise slightly, slightly tightened the script in his hand.

"Mr. Wan, you are right. Columbia needs to spend some time evaluating this script. After all, although the movie universe is very profitable, it is also very risky."

"I understand, so I'm not in a hurry here. Colombia can take its time to consider it, and I can just go and make a movie."

After Koch nodded slightly, his eyes flashed and he asked with a smile, "Mr. Wan, since this is a movie universe, you must already have ideas about other heroes in the movie universe.

I wonder if you could tell me first, so that I can take it back to the company and let it do a more comprehensive assessment. "

Wan Qingshan smiled and said nothing.

Koch saw this and said nothing more.

Afterwards, Wanqing Mountain began to be idle, but it didn't take two days until Chen Yumo flew over.

Some time ago, Chen Yumo did not have time to fly to the United States because he was busy with matters at the real estate company.

But as the real estate company got on the right track, Qingshan Cinema no longer had to worry about it. She also fully understood Chen's company and was qualified as a successor. She no longer had to be so busy and had time to spend time with Wan Qingshan.

She knew that Hollywood was more direct and more tempting than the mainland film and television industry. Wan Qingshan had been in Los Angeles for a month before, and Chen Yumo had always been a little worried.

Over the next month, Chen Yumo spent half of the month in Los Angeles with Wan Qingshan.

It wasn't until DiCaprio called that "Manchester by the Sea" was ready.

So Chen Yumo flew back to China, and Wan Qingshan went to the UK with the crew to shoot.

"Manchester by the Sea" is a very lonely movie, but the narrative technique is very bland, and Wan Qingshan shot it very easily.

But the filming was not very smooth, because the whole movie was focused on DiCaprio, and in order to win an Oscar, DiCaprio had very high requirements for his performance in this movie. If his condition was a little bit wrong, he would ask to do it all over again.

"Manchester by the Sea", DiCaprio is the producer. He said that if he wants to do it again, no one can stop him.

But no matter how slow it was, the film was still shot at the end of July.

Then, as soon as Wan Qingshan returned to Los Angeles, Koch came to visit again.

Colombia had already negotiated the outcome of "Fire", but Wan Qingshan had been filming in the UK before, so there was no discussion with Wan Qingshan.

"Mr. Wan, Film Columbia is willing to invest, but the investment budget must be kept below 5000 million. After all, such a large investment..."

"and many more!"

Before Koch could finish his words, he was rudely interrupted by Wan Qingshan.

When the budget had to be reduced to 5000 million, Wan Qingshan understood that Koch wanted to suppress his director's fee. Now the actors have not considered how to control the budget besides suppressing his director's fee.

As for the director's fee of 2000 million promised by Hillier before, it was only a verbal agreement and no contract was signed.

"Ms. Koch, I will not reduce the director's fee to 2000 million, and it is impossible to reduce it."

Then Wanqingshan's expression changed slightly, and a pair of sharp eyes stared at Koch closely. “Also, I don’t know if Hillier has told you that in my past films, as long as I can invest, I almost always take the lead.

I am in the driver's seat. As for the investment budget, I should find someone to make the budget report.

As long as I don't do anything outrageous, Colombia can't interfere and can only cooperate with me. "

Koch's eyes changed slightly and he replied with a smile, "I said it, but it's not a Hollywood movie. It's not a Hollywood movie. It's impossible for Colombia to just cooperate."

"Then this is the first one. If Columbia can't accept my request, then I can only take "Fire" and find another company to cooperate with. I think there will be companies willing to invest in this kind of horizontal series of movies."

Wan Qingshan's performance is very strong, but it is impossible not to be strong in this aspect.

In other aspects, he can make concessions, but in this aspect he cannot take a step back. If the initiative is gone, then the movie will not even look like when it comes out.

Wan Qingshan must have full control over the movies he invests in, otherwise he will have no confidence in his investment.

Koch's face became a little ugly, "Mr. Wan, I have to reply to the company for your request. Only after the company discusses it can we decide whether we can still cooperate."

"No problem, I'm waiting for Colombia's reply."

Colombia negotiated quickly, and Koch came to see Wanqingshan again the next day.

"Mr. Wan, the company promised not to take the lead, but you also have to make the company believe in your movie universe plan, so you have to submit the scripts of the remaining characters to Columbia for review."

Wan Qingshan stood up immediately and said, "Ms. Koch, it is impossible for me to agree to this request. If you take the script and kick me away, there is nothing I can do against you."

I don't think that when a lawsuit comes, the judge will help me, a Chinese.

It seems that I have to find another company to cooperate with! "

When Wan Qingshan finished speaking and turned to leave, Koch became anxious.

"Mr. Wan, there are some things we can continue to talk about."

Wan Qingshan was also relieved. If Columbia couldn't do it, he really didn't know who to ask for cooperation.

Koch then had no problem with any requests coming from behind Evergreen Mountain.

The result of yesterday's discussion at Universal Company was that Wan Qingshan could be given the initiative to test and ask Wan Qingshan to hand over the rest of the scripts. If Wan Qingshan is unwilling to hand over the rest of the scripts, then - forget it, Wan Qingshan has the final say in everything, as long as he takes over the movie Half the investment share is fine.

The prospects of the movie universe, even if Wan Qingshan's prospects are very slim, after all, even DC has not succeeded, but the profits are still worth trying.

If it fails, the maximum loss will be [-] million, but if it succeeds, there is no need to worry about profits in the next ten years. In this case, Columbia is willing to let Wan Qingshan lead the first movie.

Later, if "Fire" is successful, there will naturally be a way for Wan Qingshan to come up with all the scripts.

After negotiating with Koch, Wan Qingshan called Jiang Zhiqiang, Wang Zhongjun, and Wu Kebo without checking what time it was in the country.

The next morning, Wan Qingshan went to Colombia to sign the contract. After signing the contract, he asked the Colombian people to start preparations.

In the afternoon, Wan Qingshan went to the airport to pick up Wang Zhongjun and the others.

Colombia said the budget would be reduced to 5000 million US dollars, but when faced with Wang Zhongjun and the other three, Wan Qingshan didn't even count it and wrote down 8000 million US dollars.

One hundred and eighty million US dollars was very high, and it was also a big investment in Hollywood, but none of the three Wang Zhongjun had any objections, and they had no conditions to bargain with Wan Qingshan.

Then, Wan Qingshan added 10% and doubled it as he said before, giving each of the three people a [-]% investment share.

With this concession, Wan Qingshan only accounted for 20% of the total investment of 8000 million yuan. With his director's fee and the money earned from Wang Zhongjun, he could not only advance the investment, but also earn 2000 million yuan.

After signing the contract, Wang Zhongjun and Wu Kebo went back first. Now that the contract is signed, they must quickly go back and announce their investment in Wan Qingshan's Hollywood movie, so that the capital market and the outside world can feel more confident about their company's prospects, and ensure that the stock price will rise when it goes public. Big increase.

Jiang Zhiqiang was retained by Wan Qingshan.

"Mr. Jiang, please send someone to the crew now to keep an eye on all expenses. When the subsequent movie is released, keep an eye on the people in Colombia to prevent them from doing the accounting."

"No problem, Director Wan, I'll have someone over here soon. After the movie is released, I'll come over and watch it in person."

After Wan Qingshan nodded slightly, he changed the subject and asked in a low voice, "Mr. Jiang, I heard that in the past six months, Yang Shoucheng and Chai Zhiping have begun to jointly enter the market?"

Although Wan Qingshan has not returned to China, Li Yancheng will call him to tell him any major events in the domestic film and television industry.

Since the success of "Huo Qubing" and the support from above, many costume blockbuster projects have been approved in China in the past year.

The costume blockbuster that was approved last year starred Chen Kun and Huang Xiaoming.

After all, "Painted Skin" has proven that they can support the box office.

Chen Kun is tired of receiving invitations from costume blockbusters. People like Xu Zheng, Huang Xiaoming, and Yu Bo have also received invitations from costume blockbusters.

However, the costume blockbusters approved this year have changed. Artists from idol dramas such as Ming Dao and Zheng Yuanchang, and Chai Zhiping's idol dramas, have directly served as male leads in blockbusters, and "Heavenly Banquet" has been released ahead of schedule.

It can be said that last year, Huang Xiaoming and others felt that the feeling of dawn was gone.Although the sky is not completely dark like before, it has become cloudy.

Jiang Zhiqiang nodded, "Director Wan, at the beginning of this year, there were great discounts for cooperative films.

The discounts are huge, so now many blockbuster movies are cooperation. Mr. Wang and others provide the funds, Mr. Yang provides the director and behind-the-scenes staff, and Mr. Chai provides the actors. "

Wan Qingshan raised his eyebrows and suddenly changed the direction of help. It seemed that there was a big change in personnel, otherwise there would not have been a sudden change.

Jiang Zhiqiang took a deep look at Wan Qingshan and said in a low voice, "Director Wan, let me be honest.

Don’t worry so much. It’s not our turn to worry about what the film and television industry will look like in the future.

As businessmen, as long as we can make money, why do you have to spend so much money? "

Wan Qingshan never uses other artists, and in recent years, he has been desperately supporting people like Chen Kun. This makes Jiang Zhiqiang feel that Wan Qingshan is changing the previous structure of the film and television industry through his own efforts.

Now, after several years of hard work, it seems that some results have been achieved, but now it has disappeared. He is worried that Wan Qingshan will not be able to accept it.

Wan Qingshan understood the meaning of Jiang Zhiqiang's words, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"Mr. Jiang, I have always been a businessman who only makes money. I didn't use those people before, just because those people had too arrogant tempers and the pay was too high, so it was not worth it.

I won’t use it later, that’s because when I went to promote the movie, it just so happened that I became enemies. "

Jiang Zhiqiang doesn't believe this. It makes sense here, but as for Chai Zhiping, she has no grudge against you.

Jiang Zhiqiang still believed that Wan Qingshan was helping actors like Chen Kun, but he didn't say more. His relationship with Wan Qingshan was not at the point where he could say anything.

Two days later, more than a dozen people from Anle Film and Television came over. After Jiang Zhiqiang made arrangements, he returned to China.

Then, while Wan Qingshan was preparing for "Fire", he began to focus on the post-production of "Manchester by the Sea".

By September, the post-production of "Manchester by the Sea" was completed, and half of the pre-production preparations for "Fire" were completed, and Wan Qingshan began to look for actors.

As for the actors, except for the female lead who had been promised to Fan Bayi before, Wan Qingshan did not have any specific candidates, so they directly asked Colombia to invite people for external interviews.

Although the female lead decided to give Fan [-] million yuan, she promised Wang Zhongjun and others, so Wan Qingshan still had to go through the process.

He called Wang Zhongjun directly and asked them to recommend actors for interviews.

(End of this chapter)