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Free Web Novel,Novel online - All in oicq.net -> Romance -> film master Text Chapter 27 Good Cop, Bad Cop
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- The crowdfunding goal of $500,000 is accomplished!
In less than a week, Ye Wei achieved the happy ending of raising money. It was only because of the passion and trust of everyone that he could achieve this feat. This is a miraculous case of film financing that can go down in history: 162 Harvard-Westlake Middle School students (21 % junior high school students), crowdfunding raised 560,000!
Yes, it was 60,000 more than the predetermined target. Behind this number were dozens of students who were crowded in the utility room and refused to leave. Ye Wei just accepted the order and let's get together!
The extra 60,000 yuan also gave him more time to sell his collection of comics and toys. The prices on eBay can be higher, and he does not have to suffer losses due to fire sales.
On Saturday night, Ye Wei and Lily had another hangout or date. They had dinner at the "Giorgio Baldi" restaurant on the beach in Santa Monica, and then walked on the beach, chatted and looked at the sea view, although in the end they still They didn't get any drinks and were home before 11, but they really had a great night.
However, the two are not boyfriend & girlfriend.
For their current situation, the word "love" is too strong. If someone goes crazy and says it, it will immediately frighten the other person and make them never want to see each other again. "Like" should be used with caution, as it will still make people feel burdened. They just like each other, and because of their good feelings, they are willing to date, and they are happy and fun when they play together, that's all.
Dating and relationship are two stages in succession. They were even in a seeing relationship before dating. Who knows, anyway, now, both of them can have dating relationships with multiple people at the same time. Yes, maybe someone will be angry about this, and feel that the other person is not serious, does not like me that much, and is a troublesome nuisance, but there is no problem of who feels sorry for whom.
When is love? This is a natural development. Maybe after several dates, we find that we are not suitable for each other and the good impression is just a temporary impulse, so we will not continue. Maybe the more we date, the more we like each other, and both parties have the intention to have a serious relationship. Then "Can you be my girlfriend (boyfriend)?"
???????????????? So who knows, at what stage you should do something, you will know the answer if you continue to date.
But the two didn't meet again this weekend. Ye Wei was busy buying scripts; Lily certainly didn't have to worry about arrangements. Her mother, Jill Taverman, is the president of the Beverly Hills Women's Club and a big shot. She attended the event on Sunday night I will attend a charity dinner with my mother for Thanksgiving at the end of the month.
Although it is Sunday, the transaction has not been completed yet, Ye Wei has already called Gale to inform him that the transaction is ready!
The negotiations officially started, and the intentions of both parties were very clear. One party wanted to buy and the other wanted to sell, but the specific contract details had to be carefully discussed.
In fact, although there are standard sample contracts, almost every contract in the film industry is different.
Take an actor's contract, for example. A sample acting contract for any supporting actor usually has dozens of pages. Even if you are a non-union member, there will still be a dizzying number of clauses that are impossible to understand on your own. The contracts of those big stars are It¡¯s even thicker. Every contract is tailor-made, with figures on remuneration, responsibilities, dividends, break-even points
There are really too many things to pay attention to. Just look at Schwarzenegger's contract for starring in "Terminator 3".
From June 2000 to December 2001, after no less than 21 drafts, Hollywood's top lawyer Jacob Bloom carefully crafted a 33-page contract for Schwarzenegger, and Schwarzenegger obtained The "pay-as-you-participation" remuneration of US$29.25 million means that he will receive this remuneration whether the movie is eventually made or not.
At the time, this amount set a new record for a superstar¡¯s ¡°guaranteed compensation¡±. An advance payment of RMB 3 million will be paid upon signing, and the remaining money will be paid during the next 19 weeks of filming. For every week exceeded, he will receive overtime compensation of RMB 1.6 million.
In addition, there are 1.5 million "additional subsidies", including private jets, luxury RVs, luxury hotel accommodations, private bodyguards
There¡¯s also the creative ¡°break-even point,¡± a financial number that indicates the film is starting to make money. After reaching the break-even point, he will share 20% of the global total revenue, including all markets! In addition, the "pre-approval" clause gives him the right to decide on the director and starring roles
This is the movie star of the 21st century. It's hard to tell whether they are the bosses or the producers are the bosses.
Anyway, it¡¯s not about hiring directors, as French director Jean-Jacques Annaud said: ¡°I know many director friends who were excited about the opportunity to make films in Hollywood, but found that they were just employees hired by the film company to serve the stars. "
Ye Wei¡¯s matter is not that complicated. He is not a member of any trade union. There are fewer complicated terms and conditions, but there is no guarantee for his rights.
Therefore, in the project transfer contract, he must open his eyes to see clearly every clause in it. Lawyer Salton must also see it clearly, find out all the traps, and strive for the maximum benefit for the Dream Chaser Alliance. .
After getting the draft contract on Monday, Lawyer Salton immediately started researching it and found several more special clauses compared with the sample contract.
Simply put, Focus sold the entire "Little Miss Sunshine" project to Dream Chaser Alliance for US$500,000, including 30 drafts of the script, all materials and all pre-preparation documents. However, Focus retains the right to invest. If the project is actually put into production, it can hold up to 30% of the shares and have the right to participate in production.
In addition, if the project has not started filming within two years from the effective date of the contract (November 2003-November 2005), Focus has the right to produce it with 70%-100% of the main capital, and has the highest production fee. authority of approval. This shooting cannot be in Super 8, DV, 16mm film formats, etc., but can only be in 35mm film format, or digital high-definition camera format, and the production budget must exceed US$1 million.
These terms are really wishful thinking. Everyone knows that scripts are easy to buy but difficult to produce, especially if they are produced by a group of teenagers!
So the most likely thing is that two years have passed and not a single scene of "Little Miss Sunshine" has been filmed. The script has long been used as a foothold by these rich kids on a whim.
At that time, without spending a dollar or a penny, the project will be back in the hands of Focus. It doesn¡¯t matter if it is produced or not, it has the initiative.
This move is really cruel!
¡°At around three o¡¯clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, in a bright small conference room in the production department of the Focus Office of the Universal City Headquarters Building, the two sides were having another discussion.
At the spotlight are production director Robert Harmon, manager Gail Wilson, marketing manager Matthew Harrington, legal representative Leah Monroe, and David Lin, who was originally one of the co-CEOs. De also wanted to come over to see the style of the "middle school student producer", but was absent due to something unforeseen.
¡°As for the Dream Chaser League, Ye Wei, Lawyer Salton, and the school¡¯s instructor and supervisor Mr. Lipson, who is also the instructor of the Entrepreneurship Club.
Before entering Global City, Ye Wei had already told Mr. Lipson not to reveal his true identity, just say that he was his personal assistant, and he could not speak randomly without instructions.
Teacher Lipson felt very aggrieved. No matter how you put it, he is a person who has studied in business school! To be treated like this by a 15-year-old boy is simply ridiculous! But he had to agree almost swearing, otherwise he couldn't follow
This discussion is focused on those special terms.
"They are like the old witches in fairy tales, and I can't accept them."
On the left side of the long conference table, Ye Wei leaned on the back of the leather office chair, turning while saying: "Gentlemen, Woody Allen likes the old witch, but I am a layman, and I like Snow White."
The focus has always been on the game of "good cop, bad cop". Robert Harmon is the bad cop. The middle-aged white supervisor was sullen. Hearing this, he said in a deep voice: "These terms are not excessive. Our rights and interests have been protected. If you are afraid, then we will doubt your sincerity.¡±
"Afraid? No, I think it's just funny." Ye Wei happens to be a bad cop too.
At this time, Gale coughed, and with a sincere look, he said the words of a good policeman: "Weige, you should know how much effort we put into "Little Miss Sunshine", 30 drafts! It is like our child, for sale It¡¯s about giving it a better future, and we don¡¯t want to see it still being a script ten years from now.¡±
"Haha, please!" Ye Wei spread his hands with a smile. Everyone knows what kind of situation this script is in. Does it need to be so hypocritical?
"Gail, on the other hand, wants to act to the end. He has probably read "The Actor's Self-cultivation". "These terms are for the protection of the project. Whether it is good or bad, we hope there will be a result."
"Yes, I believe you, yes." Ye Wei smiled and nodded, believing the second half of the sentence, and the result he hoped for was: a bad movie.
In that case, the top management of Focus will have made a wise decision; if he doesn't make it within the deadline, even better, he can just take it back and have more assets; if he really makes it, will he still make a good movie? The focus is 30%! No matter what the outcome is, it seems like it won't be a loss.
Ye Wei looked at Lawyer Salton next to him, "Good police, please show up."
"We are not completely rejecting these terms, but we want to adjust the details." Attorney Salton still had a poker face and a calm tone, but the content was much milder: "First, the maximum shareholding ratio of Focus can only be 15%, unless we agree to let you Investment is more; second, Focus does not have any production rights, except?We agree with your participation. "
This is the standard practice in the industry. In order to share risks and raise funds, it is the most normal situation for an independent film to have multiple producers. Therefore, Focus can participate in equity investment, but the initiative must be with the Dream Chaser Alliance.
The people in the focus group suddenly frowned slightly, thinking that middle school students were easy to fool and could take advantage of them, but they didn't expect that they would be so difficult to deal with
Lawyer Salton hasn¡¯t finished yet: ¡°Third, when there is a production conflict between the two parties, we have the right to refuse and will not accept any funds from Focus.¡±
What is "production conflict"? It can be a very wide range, as small as how to say a line or how to shoot a shot, that is the contradiction between the main creative team; as big as who the main creative team is, that is the contradiction between the producers. Sometimes conflicts can be resolved, and sometimes they become news: who quits or which company withdraws investment because of disagreements.
If there is no right to refuse, in the future, Ye Wei will tell the focus, "I want to be a producer and director," and the focus will be shocked and say, "How can that be done? You are still a child!" Who will make the final decision?
So in order to realize his production blueprint, he needs to firmly grasp this power. This power is more ruthless than "pre-approval" and can kick it out when the focus is not needed.
"Fourth, cancel the unreasonable restrictions on production deadlines, format types, cost budgets, etc."
After Lawyer Salton finished speaking for a while, the conference room was still silent. The people in the spotlight looked at each other with reluctance on their faces.
"No." Robert Harmon refused to give in. After these four adjustments, Focus completely lost the initiative, which dimmed the light of his salesmanship.
"You know that this is the normal practice in the industry, and you cannot come up with such an excessive contract just because my client is young." Attorney Salton's words were a little more serious.
Focus's lawyer Leah Monroe said seriously: "But there is a fact that you cannot deny. Mr. Ye's age and behavior will cause damage to Focus's reputation at any time. If he does not produce the script after buying it, Or maybe it's just a home DV video. How will the outside world view this?
Will producers dare to look to Focus to buy scripts and invest in projects in the future? Work for a few years and then sell it as a toy to a child? Focus would be a laughing stock in the film industry! These qualifications are only to protect ourselves. "
The other party¡¯s remarks are tenable. Lawyer Salton was speechless for a moment. He is still far from the talent of a gold medal lawyer
Ye Wei pondered for a moment, knowing how strong his determination and confidence was. It would not be more difficult to film a movie with a cost of over one million within two years than to raise 500,000 in one week. If he couldn't do it, there was no point in dominating the script, so he decided to do it. said:
"The restrictive terms can be retained, but if they take effect, Focus will lead the production. No matter how much you invest, we will directly participate in the stock with 500,000 script fees, or Focus will buy back at 3 times the price. As for the first three, we will not Will make any concessions, either that or end the deal.¡±
When it came to closing the transaction, the focus and others suddenly became nervous. In fact, they really didn¡¯t care about the previous points, because Focus had never thought about participating in the investment! Everyone is fed up with this mess, playing movies with a bunch of teenagers? Looking for trouble?
"This is just to gain more initiative. Since you can't fool the other party, there is no need to take it seriously.
But they attach great importance to those restrictive clauses, because nine times out of ten things will end in miscarriage. A bunch of rich kids will have three minutes of heat, and then it will be over.
"Sorry, let's discuss it first." Robert Harmon stood up and temporarily left the conference room with the other three people.
At this time, Teacher Lipson, who had been mute in front of him, took a long breath, and seemed to be breathing again. Looking at Ye Wei, he had a new understanding of this demon student
Before, he and everyone were worried that Ye Wei would be very uncomfortable, naive, or even make a fool of himself in such an adult place. However, it turned out that they were all wrong. The unbelievability continued. Ye Wei could handle the situation completely!
"What's wrong?" Looking at him with strange eyes, Ye Wei shrugged and smiled, "Assistant, if you are nervous, drink some water."
Teacher Lipson was really speechless. She picked up a glass of water on the table in front of her and took a sip
Next, Ye Wei and Lawyer Salton also exchanged opinions. As long as they follow what they said in the end, it is still acceptable.
After a while, Harmon and the other four returned to the conference table, seemingly reaching a consensus.
"We can accept others, but you don't have the right to refuse" Harmon looked solemn.
"No, weYes, we have the right to refuse. "Ye Wei responded straightforwardly, but his calm face revealed a rock-like aura, which made Teacher Lipson a little stunned.
Harmon frowned and sighed for a while: "Then the contract must clearly define what 'production conflict' means."
¡°It¡¯s very simple, the online lineup is completely determined by the Dream Chaser League.¡± Ye Wei said.
The so-called online lineup refers to the producers, directors, starring actors, and screenwriters. They often account for the largest part of the cost budget and are the aristocrats of the film crew; while the common people are offline, including supporting actors, photography, and lighting. , recordingetc., all non-online members, equipment, human backgrounds and handymen as well.
¡° Mastering online means mastering the entire production.
"This won't work, we need to have the right to participate" Harmon still wanted to make some struggles.
"No, it is completely decided by the Dream Chaser Alliance." Ye Wei repeated.
It seems that there is no advantage at all in this? Gale looked helpless, and Harmon also had no choice but to resort to the last resort: "You should know that we don't have no other buyer options. The repurchasing party even said that if it is 500,000, it will definitely be matched. Our current bargaining price , most likely just a waste of time.¡±
"Haha!" Ye Wei couldn't help laughing, and moved out of the repo party to "trick or treat"? Halloween is over early!
Although he was extremely eager for this script, he had a nonchalant and dandy smile on his face and said: "Robert, you can choose the repurchase party, I don't care. We just want to make a movie. There are so many film companies, agencies, and Writers Guild, there are plenty of good scripts for sale, aren¡¯t there?¡±
He frowned, and while scanning the focus of the people, he added: "And the more I think about it these days, the more I feel that the script of "Little Miss Sunshine" is not that good. There are too many characters, and it feels like the story is cut into Several pieces, but I can¡¯t put them together. I don¡¯t know, maybe I¡¯ll change my mind tomorrow, but not now.¡±
Harmon and others couldn't tell the truth of what he said, and the tension in their hearts became more and more serious. If you don't play with fire well, you will burn yourself. If Ye Wei withdraws the purchase contract, it will be embarrassing It won't take a few days. , the repurchasing party will know, and then it will return to the repurchase price of 400,000
So the two co-CEOs have issued an order to retain this buyer and complete the deal.
?Perhaps it¡¯s time to accept the current situation? Harmon and Marketing Manager Matthew Harrington looked at each other, nodded silently, and made their decision.
"All right."
Hearing this wonderful sound, Ye Wei secretly clenched his fist, Teacher Lipson sighed again, and Lawyer Salton showed a rare smile Success!
The two parties have reached an agreement on the contract!
After the transfer of the project, Focus Films retains 15% of the equity; Dream Chaser Alliance has absolute production rights and the right to refuse financing. Ye Wei got everything he wanted!
The only fly in the ointment is that the restrictive clause continues to exist. Within two years, the Dream Chaser Alliance must invest in the production of "Little Miss Sunshine" with a cost of at least US$1 million, a movie like that! Otherwise the focus will have the last laugh
Ye Wei doesn't care much about this. These restrictive clauses are also a spur. As long as the film is shot within the deadline, they are equivalent to nonsense.
But the matter has not been settled yet, we still need to see the reaction of the repurchase party! Within three days from the signing of the contract, the repurchasing party has the right to match.
Before leaving Focus Film Company, Ye Wei shook hands with Harmon and Gale and said goodbye, wishing everyone a happy cooperation, and said a mysterious word: "You know what to do, right?"
Yes, Harmon and the others know that blocking the repurchase - Didn't finish reading? Add this book to your favoritesI'm a member and bookmarked this chapterCopy the address of this book and recommend it to your friends for pointsChapter error? Click here to report
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