Chapter 22: The scenery here is so good

In 1997, Canadian banker Frank Gusta was optimistic about the growing film industry, so he invested in Lions Gate Entertainment. Lion Gate Entertainment, which received funding, acquired some film-making equipment and several small distributors and officially became Lion Gate Film Corporation today.
This Canadian film company seems to have set a blueprint early on. It likes to release alternative movies, especially violent and horror movies with a heavy taste. Their spicy eyes make them profit very well and the work is crazy. It also keeps them controversial. The famous horror film "The Chainsaw" was released by Lion Gate. The debut of Chinese director James Wen's debut film, with a production cost of 1.2 million US dollars, eventually garnered more than 100 million box office worldwide, making people have to Zanshimen company's unique vision.
At that time, the current Lion Gate Company was just a small company with a reputation in the coastal city of Santa Monica.
And now, in the screening room of the Santa Monica Lionsgate Films headquarters building, the distribution manager Jon Filtimer, the film purchase manager Tom Oldenburg, and the production manager Michael Parsonecki Gathered together, the three heavyweights of the Lions Gate Company were all sitting in chairs and looking nervously at the big screen in front of them; Wang Yang sat on their right hand, paying attention to their reactions from time to time with their eyes.
After making an appointment with Jon Filtimel on the phone the day before yesterday, Wang Yang came to Santa Monica today, perhaps thanks to Rachel ’s teacher. The Lion Gate Company attached great importance to him, and all three managers reviewed his movie. And they watched it very seriously from the beginning. The whole process was very quiet, with only occasional exclamations, just like in a movie theater.
At this time, the movie on the screen had been broadcast to the end. The footsteps of "Tapping" sounded. The three managers, such as Jon, were immediately highly concentrated, watching with suppressed gasps, and the footsteps stopped. Suddenly, the leading actor Kevin was thrown in and slammed into the DV machine. Jon and they were screamed by this unpredictable trick. Michael Parsoneck almost fell over from the chair. His face turned blue.
Looking at the sweet smile of the heroine Meier on the screen, Jon-Filtimer stared at her eyes and exclaimed repeatedly: "Oh, my God, oh ..."
"This, this is really shocking ..." With the end of the movie, a cold sweat Tom Oldenburg looked at Wang Yang, his eyes were incredible, then he laughed, took the lead in applauding, clapping hands With admiration: "Wow! Young man, this is amazing, how did you think of it?"
Production manager Michael Parsoneck was also in shock, looking at Wang Yang in disbelief, and said: "Wow! I dare say this is definitely an excellent horror movie. The last shot almost scared me to death!" He wiped After rubbing his forehead, he sighed, "Oh, God! The whole process used psychological terrors, and finally ended up with an unexpected violent shot, wow, wow! It was really scary to death."
Wang Yang knew this guy because he had watched some movies that he was a producer when he watched the horror movies in his mind. Speaking of it, Michael Parsoneck was also the producer of "Damn" and "Damn" "The heroine is Jessica Alba, who made the film very generally, and also watched the film. He rejected the consideration of making Jessica the heroine of the movie.
"Thank you." Wang Yang smiled and said that he was naturally happy for their appreciation, but this was not enough to make him proud. It ’s not that he has n’t been praised. There are also some companies that have been full of praise after watching the movie, but their final decision is still
NO
, just like the artisan company. Because the blurry picture quality makes them think that even if the film has a good reputation, it will be the kind of "no-sell" movie, so that the income is very low, and there is no need to risk for a little money.
Sure enough, despite being terrified, Jon Filtimer still frowned, saying: "But ... I can't be sure of the market." He spread his hands and said helplessly: "I agree that this is excellent. Movies, but when you walk into the cinema, you will find that there are too many choices. Choose between two excellent horror movies. Choose a film movie with a clear picture and a stable lens; or choose a DV with a blurred picture. the film?"
Before waiting for Wang Yang to promote himself, Michael Parsoneck said with a "hey" face, and he definitely said: "Jon, I think this film definitely has a market! Believe me, although there is no shot in this movie, But absolutely crazy, absolutely scary, and psychological horror is awesome! "He described:" When you look at the picture, just like you are standing behind a DV machine, that kind of oppression is unparalleled! "
Seeing Jon Filtimer and Tom Oldenberg all heard something interesting, Wang Yang quickly took advantage of this opportunity to work harder. He looked at Michael Parsoneck gratefully and said: " Yes, I call this a first-person movie ... "He looked at Jon again and said confidently:" Mr. Phil Timer, your previous question, I can answer you, I will choose DV movie, because this is The first time I saw a DV horror movie in a movie theater, this is a fresh experience, isn't it? "
"It makes sense." Jon nodded and said, "People are curious about new things."
"I think your company's considerations are nothing more than two, one is finance and the other is reputation." Wang Yang continued, after dozens of failures, he knew the psychology of the film company long ago and knew what to do with them. What to say.
Jon looked at each other and nodded. Jon said: "Yes, they are our main consideration."
Wang Yang thought about it for a while, organized his speech, and then looked at them seriously, saying: "I want to say, why can Lion Gate Company achieve the current success? In my opinion, it is very important to be adventurous. One point, and alternative, controversial, and unique, these words are one of the signs of Lion Gate. "The three managers did not speak out, he continued:" So in terms of reputation, Lion Gate does not need to consider so much, regardless of this Whether a movie is a good movie, when it enters the cinema, it will be the first DV movie on the big screen in history, and Lionsgate has released it! This title will not only affect your reputation, but will add to you. A unique stroke. "
"Well, you are right." Jon Filtimer had to nod, and Tom Oldenberg and Michael Parsoneck agreed.
Wang Yang exhaled slightly, and then said: "And in financial terms, you have nothing to worry about. You do n’t need much publicity fees. I think it only needs 100,000 yuan to be completely enough; then I will try it out in a limited number of dozens. Theater screening, and then look at the box office, and then decide whether it will be released on a large scale. If the movie is not sold, you will only lose a little bit; but, who can guarantee that this movie will not be sold? "
He looked closely at the three managers on the opposite side with a tone of excitement: "Gentlemen, this is an opportunity!"
All three of Jon thought about Wang Yang's words and exchanged their opinions in a low voice. Jon-Filtimer suddenly asked: "Jiang, I want to know that if the promotional fee is only 100,000, you think we What can be done? "
The promotion cost of a movie is generally 50% of the production cost of that movie. Of course, there are no hard and fast rules, mainly depending on the wishes of the issuing company.
If Lion Gate decided to publish "Smart and Ghost Record", it cost 100,000 promotional fees, which is 10 times the cost of film production. It looks scary, but what can 100,000 yuan do? Do n’t want to buy advertising positions on TV channels and news media; do n’t want to buy trailers in movie theaters; and do n’t want to post posters in crowded places such as subways and stations. No city can handle it. It can be said that nothing can be done.
"Internet!" Wang Yang said the answer without hesitation, talking about his own ideas: "First of all, we establish an official website of the movie on the Internet. The website should be pretending to be mysterious, not to promote the directors and actors. We want to promote It ’s Kevin and Mayer who want to make the effect of a real story of this movie. Then we will spread this thing on the Internet and say everywhere on major websites, communities and forums, let people pass on their own. , Ten Passes. "
He smiled excitedly and said, "This is viral marketing!"
Jon Filtimer heard his eyes bright, his face surprised and novel, as the manager of the distribution department, he naturally understood the meaning of Wang Yang. This kind of publicity really saves money, and when people think that DV movies are true documentaries, and curiosity will urge them to flood into the cinema ... This idea is really good, but ... he suddenly thought of a question and asked: "So this is a scam? Then if an audience tells us Fraud? This will have a great impact on our company ’s reputation. "
Wang Yang shrugged and Cheng Zhu said in his chest: "This is not a scam, it's just a mystery. We don't have to grind our teeth to say 'this movie is true', we just don't have to say 'this movie is fake', and then left Let them imagine for themselves. And at the end of the movie, add a sentence 'This story is purely fictitious'. Fraud? We have no legal responsibility at all. "
"Oh, my God! I think I understand what a fake documentary is." Jon sighed, glanced at Tom, and nodded with a smile: "This can indeed control the cost of publicity to one hundred thousand, and this idea Very good, it sounds like a try. "
"Hah!" Michael Parsoneck smiled suddenly, and gave thumbs up to Wang Yang, said: "Wow, boy, it seems you have a chance."
Wang Yang became nervous, Michael Parsoneck supported him from the beginning, and Jon Fieldimer had just been persuaded by him, and now only Tom Oldenburg, the purchasing department manager, was left. .
Tom Oldenburg touched his chin with one hand, thinking quietly with his face. After a while, he seemed to have an idea. He looked at Wang Yang and asked, "How much does it cost if our company wants to release this movie?" "
how much is it? ! Wang Yang's heartbeat suddenly quickened, and his voice could be heard even by himself. When Tom said this, he could almost say that they had entered the preliminary stage of price negotiations. This was the first film company to talk to him. Do it! He tried to keep himself calm, thinking about how to answer Tom's words.
Now that the film company wants to release an independent film, the purchase method is usually a one-time buyout, they give you a sum of money, and then the film belongs to them, the next thing has nothing to do with you.
But Wang Yang is not willing to do this. If he sells "Smart and Ghost Record" to Lion Gate at one time, he can only get a few hundred thousand at most, or even tens of thousands of yuan. If others, it may already be very satisfying, because compared to the film production cost of 10,000 yuan, even if only 100,000 sold, it is also ten times the income, which is undoubtedly a very generous return. However, Wang Yang knew that at the global box office of the first DV movie "The Witch Blair", more than 200 million, he could not agree to a one-time buyout.
Thinking about it, Wang Yang laughed: "No, Mr. Oldenberg, I didn't buy out the cost of this movie." Looking at Tom Oldenburg's puzzled face, Wang Yang explained: "If your company I am willing to release my movie, and I hope that the reward I get is a share of the total income. "
"Oh, divide?" Tom Oldenberg frowned. Wang Yang nodded and said: "Yes, your company does not need to give me a prepayment of a dollar."
Tom Oldenberg frowned and thought, and exchanged views with Jon Fieldimer. The buyout fee that did n’t require a dollar was very attractive, which meant that once Lionsgate released the movie, it was limited. The total investment during the screening period will not exceed 200,000; however, choosing to share this cooperation method also has a bad side, which depends on the final box office of the movie and the proportion of the share. Tom thought for a while and asked, "Young man, what kind of share do you want?"
Wang Yang knows the proportion of dividends for a blockbuster film. Often, publishers only account for 30%. In order to compete for distribution rights, publishers sometimes only need 10%; In the movie, Lions Gate Company is not rare at all. Of course, he cannot make excessive demands. After thinking about it, he decided to kick the ball back and shook his head: "I don't know, it depends on your company's wishes."
Tom Oldenburg shrugged and said: "Too much is not enough, we don't need to take risks for you." He looked at Wang Yang and said his own thoughts: "15%; or a prepayment , Plus a 5% bonus. "
15%? Wang Yang could not help frowning, no, this is too little! He thought about it, and suddenly had a good idea, he said: "Well, if the movie ’s final pre-tax box office profit is less than 1 million, I only need 10%; if the profit is over 5 million, it will be 20. %; After 10 million, 30%; after 50 million, 40%; if over 100 million, I will divide 50%. DVD other profits are not included, what do you think? "
Jon Filtimer, Michael Parsoneck, Tom Oldenberg were all stunned, and then laughed in unison, and the profit before the tax box office exceeded 100 million! ? Is this young man kidding them?
Michael Parsoneck looked surprised, holding his head in both hands, laughing: "Wow, young director, it seems that you are very confident in your movie!" Wang Yang smiled and said: "Yes."
Jon and Tom glanced at each other and nodded silently. Tom Oldenberg said: "If that's the case ..." he was about to say, and suddenly the sensitive touch that he had developed for many years in practice stopped him. He felt something was wrong in his heart, and then he smiled again. What are you worried about? Does this movie have more than 100 million yuan in revenue? Besides, if the income exceeds 100 million, even if the young man is given a 50% dividend, the company will make a profit.
Tom smiled slightly and nodded: "It sounds very interesting. Give us some internal discussion time, oh, I have to report to the president." He stood up and looked at Wang Yang with a smile: "However, these things are all The next stage is now. "Jon Filtim also stood up and smiled at Wang Yang:" Congratulations, young man, you convinced us. "
Michael Parsoneck stood up, spread his hands happily, and smiled at Wang Yang: "Congratulations! You passed our review."
Looked at the three of them, Wang Yang stunned, they agreed! ? Promised to release my movie! ? His nose was sour and his eyes felt sour. He took a deep breath and held back tears of joy, stood up, his body trembling slightly with excitement, he and Michael Parsoneck hugged, Embracing Jon and Tom again, he kept saying "Thank you, thank you!"
"Young man, this is what you deserve." Jon embraced Wang Yang and patted his shoulder with a smile.
Wang Yang endured tears and looked at the smiling faces of the three managers, he was speechless. They agreed, and Lions Gate agreed! They will release this movie, and this movie will be released in the cinema!
He remembered the suffocation when he was expelled from school, the hard work of handing out flyers on the street at noon, the rejection by the fifty-four film companies before, the frustration, the frustration ... But for example, the happiness now, what counts! Now, he succeeded, he did it! He is not a loser, his dream will not die, he will continue to walk on the path of the movie!
"Thank you!" Wang Yang smiled and wiped tears from the corner of his eyes, looking at the three managers including Jon and saying, "I think I will never forget this moment in my life."
Jon and others laughed and said, "Is the joy of success? Then remember."
Since Lion Gate agreed to come up with a specific contract plan tomorrow, Wang Yang, who left Lion Gate, did not return to Los Angeles and decided to find a hotel in Santa Monica for one night.
Walking on the streets of Santa Monica, looking at the seascape in the distance, enjoying the sea breeze blowing in front of his face, Wang Yang was still so excited that he waved his fists from time to time, and laughed from time to time ~ www.mtlnovel .com ~ Look at the beach, look at the blue sky, damn, why the scenery here is so beautiful! ?
Walked for a while, and Wang Yang seemed to be awake. He remembered something, and he could n’t wait to pull out his mobile phone to tell his friends the good news. He took out his phone and he was startled. Who would tell him first? Pressed for a while in the address book, Jessica, Rachel ... He thought about these two numbers, and then selected Rachel who helped him go to Lions Gate this time, and pressed the dial button.
The phone was connected immediately, and Wang Yang sat down on a long chair by the road and smiled: "Hi, Rachel! It's me, Yang." Rachel's nice voice came from the phone: "Hi, Yang, there is Was the result?
Wang Yang haha, looked around the surrounding scenery, smiled and said:
Wow, Santa Monica ’s environment is very good, beach, sea breeze, sunshine, blue sky ... Wow, it ’s beautiful!

Rachel heard him so happy, and couldn't help but feel happy, and immediately asked: "Yang, you succeeded !?"
"Yes, I succeeded!" Wang Yang smiled happily, and before his words fell, Rachel cried out "Wow": "Oh, my God ... you succeeded!" Wang Yang nodded Laughed: "Yes, cheers! Haha, I'm so happy." He smiled a few times and thanked: "Rachel, thank you, you let my interview failure record end on fifty-four times! Oh, seriously, are you an angel sent by God to help me? "
Hearing Wang Yang ’s words, Rachel felt a little bit sweet and laughed:
Yeah, God said to me,
Rachel, there ’s a young man in Los Angeles who wants to make a movie, you need to go there.
Then I just I went to Los Angeles, made a movie, and then I can see myself on the big screen of the cinema immediately! "She laughed and said," Wow, it's crazy! "
"Well!" Wang Yang sighed and said: "Crazy days."