Hollywood legendary director

In Room 209, Ryan, who was writing and drawing with a pen and paper, glanced at Lyman on the bed, and then immersed himself in his calculations.

Lyman on one side was boring sitting on the bed, watching Ryan, who didn't know what he was doing since entering his room in the morning, and looked back at him from time to time, and asked, "What are you doing?"

Ryan was also worried about how to speak out about his achievements. Hearing this question, he raised his head and said with a smile: "I calculated the terms given by the two companies and found that our movie box office can reach more than 5 million. , It’s best to choose Fox Searchlight. If it can have 7.5 million, it’s best to choose Focus Pictures.”

As for Europa Films, which was initially contacted, subconsciously excluded from Ryan's options, the conditions given by that one were far less sincere than the two later contacts.

"What are you doing." Lehman was a little strange.

"Is there a psychological expectation in this way? Picking one from the two of them will have a better bottom."

"The Venice Film Festival has just begun. What's the hurry, there will definitely be other distributors competing, let's talk about it then."

Unknowingly, the Lehman trio have been here for almost four days. In the past few days, they have also met with two other distributors who are interested in distributing their films, and got their psychological price.

It can be seen that the situation is getting better.

With the addition of other competitors, the release conditions of "Buried Alive" have become more and more respecting the industry’s normal proportional dividends, and the copyright buyout fee has also risen to a quotation of 1.8 million euros-given by the person in charge of Fox Searchlight. It also comes with a 30% share, but the initial issuance fee of 400,000 will be deducted from the share.

In other words, they only care about the publicity, regardless of the cost incurred in the distribution, that part must be deducted from the profit that the producer can get.

Of course, the first round of negotiations between the two companies is only the first step in the sale of the distribution rights of Buried Alive.Just like Europa Pictures.

"Hi, Lyman, Ryan, another publisher is coming to us." Thomas, who had just entered the door, couldn't wait to share his news.

This morning, he did all the work of showing the movie at the intersection.

"Which one?" Lyman asked lazily.

"Miramax!"

......

Corris watched the group of three people from the opposite side visiting, with a smile on his face.

He has already thoroughly understood the negotiation of this transaction. Whether it is the opponent's conditions or the reasonable quotation given by the company's viewing team, he is invincible.

He has been following this project for the past two days since he discovered that the film was being shown at the junction the day before yesterday.

The true reaction of those watching the movie was also remembered by him.

In his opinion, the work "Buried Alive" is destined to be very small because of the subject matter and shooting, and it will also restrict its distribution in various regions. However, this disadvantage can also be regarded as an advantage, such as those Certain literary enthusiasts will definitely like this work. Propaganda will focus on this part of the group, which can also greatly reduce the waste of resources, that is, it can reduce a considerable part of the cost of publicity.

"Three, let me introduce myself first. My name is Coris and I come from Hollywood's Miramax Films."

"Well, I know." Lyman said quietly.

He could hardly forget the international publisher of this stubborn predecessor. When Thomas said that the company was also interested in his works, he wanted to reject it directly, but he didn’t know why. Accepted the request to meet.

"Okay, since you know our company, then I won't talk any more nonsense. I made this appointment for the distribution copyright of the movie "Buried Alive". It shouldn't have sold the copyright yet?" Koris is quite confident. Asked rhetorically.

"Yes, the distribution copyright is still with us."

"Box office or awards?" Koris said pretendingly: "If you know our Miramax Films, you should know that our company is best at operating movies to win various international awards. Oh, yes. Now, do you have any intentions in this regard? I mean, have you considered attacking Oscars?"

No director can refuse this temptation, which is why Corris is so sure that he can get the advantage of the film's distribution rights.In the past, with this trick, he did not know how many excellent works had been fooled to give up the conditions of other publishers and switched to Miramax.

As for whether it will actually work, it depends on the consideration of the company's executives, the Weinstein brothers, which is not within the authority of his purchase manager.

"Of course, no one would reject Oscars." Lyman pretended to be fascinated, and deliberately said, "Is Miramax willing to help with the operation?"

Corris nodded and smiled and said, "As long as the distribution copyright of "Buried Alive" is sold to us, we will help run your work for the Oscar competition."

"really?"

"We, Miramax, have always had a good reputation in the industry. For this, Director Lehman can rest assured that we will not fail to do what we have promised."

"Then how much are you willing to pay for buying out the copyright?"

The fish caught the bait, Koris suppressed the dark heart, and said: "One million euros."

Lehman frowned slightly, pretending to be thinking, and then said: "It's too low. The Fox Searchlight gave 1.8 million with a 30% dividend condition. Your offer..." , He shook his head, "I can't agree."

Koris was not at all shocked by Lehmann's refusal. He was still confident, "One and two million euros, this is my last offer."

"Still too low."

"But the three of you have not thought about it. If your work is on the Oscars, it will be more beneficial to your future, and it will not be measurable by a small profit in the moment. Moreover, we need to do our best to operate. Miramaxes are all responsible for the sales. If you are willing to bear this part, the conditions are not impossible to increase, how about it?" Koris calmed his head slightly, his mouth full of thoughts for the future analysis of the Lehman trio. Out.

Lehman thought for a while, seeming to hesitate, then stood up from his seat and said humbly, "I'm sorry, Corris, give me some time to think about it. You know, after all, this matter is for me, for Our team is so important."

The smile at the corner of Corris’s mouth was outlined with satisfaction. He knew that Lyman couldn’t resist Oscar’s temptation. Now that he was hesitant, he would figure it out before long. He also stood up, "Of course, you know me You can find me again at any time.” Then he politely shook hands with Lehman and watched them leave.

"Is it really possible for us to board the Oscars? That's great!" Thomas, who had been holding back for a long time, said excitedly on the way back to the hotel.

"If you can really run for the Oscars, Miramax's conditions are the best." Ryan also agreed.

Indeed, in this era, as Koris said, the ability of a work to enter the Oscar competition is beneficial to the director, leading actor and even the production team behind it. It not only means a rapid rise in industry qualifications, but also It means there will be opportunities to get help from major production companies.

Oscar directors do not lack the opportunity to direct film projects, which is why Corris is so confident that Lehman and others will still look for him.

For small directors in these industries, opportunities are always more important than profits.

"Yeah, that's Oscar, the opportunity that so many people dream of, just like this let us run into it." Thomas continued to immerse himself in joy.

"Perhaps." Lehman said lightly.

If he had not experienced that deception, perhaps he would not have doubted the "sincerity" released by Miramax, but now he only feels hypocritical, and he has never believed every nonsense that the man named Corris said. .

In the next few days, the Lehman trio continued to negotiate with several publishers.

Fox Searchlight and Focus Pictures have also begun to slowly increase prices, but it can be seen that they are getting close to the bottom line in their hearts, and every negotiation of interests has become more difficult.

In addition, Lehman also got to know the representatives of several small independent distributors through the continuing screenings, and they all showed great interest in "Buried Alive".Especially with the increase in the number of viewers, many publishers have seen the market potential of this work.

In the past two days, the number of daily viewers of "Buried Alive" has always been on the rise, and it reached its peak yesterday afternoon.

The entire intersection was full, and more than two hundred people participated in the viewing and applauded them.

In this increasingly lively atmosphere, the publishers participating in the competition have become more cautious. In this copyright battle, the speed of offensive and defensive conversions far exceeded their expectations.

Some people began to offer 2 million euros in copyright fees plus 35 percent of the dividend, not counting the terms of the cost of the announcement, and this is the last quotation of the most courageous Fox Searchlight, and it is also their bottom line.

"1.6 million euros for a buyout fee. If you agree, we will immediately compete for the next Oscar and put your work into operation." Koris looked at Lehman quietly, showing his bottom line.

This was their third meeting, and he could also see the hesitation of the rookie director, so he added to the bargaining chip again.

"Prepare the contract, we will sign it tomorrow."

Phew, still couldn't escape the temptation, Kris finally heard what he wanted.

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

In the afternoon of the next day, news came from Europa Pictures that they officially took over the distribution rights of "Buried Alive".

When Coris heard the news, he angrily shredded the prepared contract, "fuck! How dare you play me."