Focus Pictures does have little confidence in the North American box office of "Love Crazy". Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

The plot of this movie is not as strong as "Growing Up Education" and "500 Days with Shamo", and it is closer to the emotionally oriented style of "Blue Valentine". But compared with "Blue Valentine's Day", the leading actors of "Love Crazy" are a notch weaker in terms of popularity and appeal, and they can only rely on the word-of-mouth of the work itself to drive the box office.

Therefore, the industry is now generally positioned at the North American box office of "Love Crazy" at around $9 million to $10 million.

Focus Pictures is striving for more box office dividends, which can reduce their burden, but if the box office dividend ratio is lowered, Focus Pictures will have to work harder to promote it, hoping to make a breakthrough at the box office. Now it seems that Lan Li fought this idea.

Douglas knew that he could reject Lan Li, or stick to his three proposals, or put them on hold today and negotiate slowly.

But Douglas also knew that the Weinstein brothers were eyeing each other, and Paramount was not weak. This year's Sundance is generally in decline, and "Love Crazy" can almost be said to be a standout, and if the Fox searchlight also comes to make a move, then everyone will coax each other and don't know where the price will end up.

More importantly, Douglas does see the prospect of "Love Crazy" in the awards season. Compared with "Blue Valentine", the whole style of "Love Crazy" is more approachable, more acceptable to the public, and has more possibilities in terms of script and actors. If done right, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay all have a fight.

Focus Pictures doesn't want to miss out on such an opportunity.

Of course, all this is just theoretical predictions on paper. "Love Crazy" has only proven itself at Sundance so far, and that's not enough. January 2011 has not yet passed, and there is still a long year to go, not only to be tested by critics and audiences, but also to face the onslaught of other formidable competitors. Perhaps, at the end of the year, it turned out to be nothing, and this is not surprising.

Personally, Douglas found Lan Li to be a very interesting actor.

Yes, he felt that "interesting" was a more appropriate choice than a genius, and he could even hear the decisiveness behind Lan Li's words, and it seemed that he didn't want to continue wasting time on these delicate things.

Douglas had the ridiculous idea that if it weren't for Drake, Lan Li wouldn't even be present at today's meeting. It's like being "buried alive" at the beginning.

You know, the ultimate goal of every actor in Hollywood is the producer.

It's not box office dividends, it's not the 20 million club, it's not even the Oscar statuette, it's the producer. You don't know how much effort Vin Diesel put into the ranks of the producers of the "Fast and Thrilling" series, and how many connections he went through to get what he wanted.

Because being among the producers means holding the power and being at the top of the pyramid, then the status and recognition in the circle are completely different, and if you want to seek dividends, awards, salaries, etc., this is twice the result with half the effort.

Now, when Lan Li appears on such an occasion, his identity is equivalent to that of a producer, not only with the right to dividends, but also with the right to negotiate. However, Lan Li is not here.

Douglas was a little curious about what the future of Lan Li would look like, even if it was just the first time they had met.

In the blink of an eye, Douglas had already made a decision.

"No, I don't have faith. Douglas's answer was completely unexpected, Drake was directly stunned, and a playful smile appeared in Lan Li's eyes.

Douglas's expression didn't change much, "Honestly, I don't think this movie will make a difference at the box office." For such art films, the videotape market is the broadest, and of course, there are also screenings in art theaters. Therefore, it is impossible for the crew to get 35% of the box office dividends. ”

The box office dividends that producers and distributors can share are about 60 percent. Generally speaking, considering factors such as production costs and production processes, the distributor is only responsible for one part of the distribution, so the producer takes about 40%, while the distributor gets about 20%.

However, the distribution of independent films is relatively special, and the distributor needs to pay a part of the copyright fee, which is equivalent to withdrawing box office dividends in advance, so the producer's dividend ratio will decline to a certain extent. This is normal.

"Twenty-five percent, that's our bottom line. Douglas spoke firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.

But Lan Li showed a smile, and those dark brown eyes hid a bright and sharp halo, "Are you sure we want to do this again? I know that twenty-five percent is not your bottom line, and you also know that thirty-five percent is not my pursuit." We can slowly tug of war, or even put the negotiations on hold for a while and rethink and think about it when we go back. But, I don't think that's necessary, what about your opinion?"

Lan Li did not continue to go around and put on a bright and upright posture, but it is not difficult to find that in fact, Lan Li did not say anything substantial, nor did he propose a new dividend ratio. The subtext is: I've been so honest, now it's your turn to show sincerity.

At the end of the day, Lan Li is still forcing Douglas to show his cards.

Douglas smiled dumbly, gently tucked his chin away, and affirmed Lan Li's words.

As Lan Li said, they can continue to pull and pull for one percent of the dividend, but Focus Pictures doesn't have to care about this trivial small profit, after all, the North American box office of "Love Crazy" is estimated to be 10 million, so one percent is 100,000 US dollars;

As soon as this one went in and out, Douglas said neatly, "The copyright fee is 5.5 million, and the box office dividend is 30%. ”

"Happy cooperation!" Lan Li is also a quick talker, and this cooperation was finalized in a simple and clear sentence.

Compared to Harvey Weinstein, Focus Pictures is also calculating, and it is no less calculating than Weinstein Pictures, but Douglas is indeed more sincere than Harvey, not in terms of deal numbers, but in the sincerity of the whole gesture. What's more, the experience of "buried alive" has been very pleasant so far, and it would be great if "Love Crazy" could continue this form.

Douglas had a big smile on his face, and sincerely, he admired Lan Li's personality and attitude.

Today's cooperation is undoubtedly pleasant, and it is a win-win situation. The "Love Crazy" crew fought for more profitability, while Focus Pictures beat a crowd of competitors and took the first step in the 2011 independent film market and year-end awards season. It was a great way to kick off the new year with a winning battle at the Sundance Film Festival.

After the negotiation was reached, Lan Li also breathed a sigh of relief, and after the tense emotions eased, he realized that one important thing was, "Drake, do you have any questions?" Drake is the director and producer of the movie, but no one asked him for his opinion just now.

Drake's head was a little numb, and there were so many numbers he had heard before that he didn't feel anything now. However, Drake still knows that with a copyright fee of 5.5 million and 30% of the box office dividends, this deal is definitely the best of the best.

Not long ago, he was shocked by the 4.5 million that Harvey proposed, but now, the North American distribution rights of "Love Crazy" have sold 5.5 million, and there are dividends to follow. It's incredible. You must know that the investment cost of this movie is only 250,000.

"No problem, of course. Drake is a man of contentment, nodding his head in affirmation with a smile on his face, and his face does not hide his cheerfulness in the slightest, but the smile only pauses for a moment, and then he asks cautiously, "I have a question, I would like to ask, what is the positioning of Focus Pictures for the film?"

Drake felt like his stomach was burning. "Love Crazy" really doesn't have the qualifications to be in Focus Pictures, not to mention, Douglas has just bought the North American distribution rights of the film at an incredible price, how can he ask for more......? He couldn't help it.

"What do you mean?" Douglas had already stood up, ready to shake hands, and was slightly stunned when he heard this mindless question.

"I mean, this movie is very special to me. Drake looked at Lan Li and felt his encouraging gaze, then calmed down a little, and continued, "It's based on my real experience, and it's very special. So ......"

So what? Drake didn't continue, and the words cut off here.

Douglas had already understood, and he smiled, "To be honest, we haven't developed a distribution strategy yet, and after Sundance is over, we will organize an internal test screening, and the main team of the distribution department will watch it, and then give their impressions, make judgments, and finally develop a relevant publicity strategy." What film festival should it be at, when it should be released, how it should be promoted, and so on. ”

Douglas explained the situation in a few words, and Drake looked suddenly enlightened.

At Weinstein Pictures, the two brothers have absolute dominance, they are in charge of all the programs and projects, and they have even been denounced as "tyrants" because they interfere too much in the director's editing work and hope that the film can be edited according to their own ideas, which has happened more than once. Therefore, in the process of negotiation just now, Harvey made his judgment and plan early.

But in Focus Pictures, they follow a complete work system, complete it in strict accordance with the process, and gather everyone's wisdom to achieve their goals.

Both approaches have their own merits, which are not good or bad, which is also reflected in the very different promotional styles of the two companies. For Weinstein Pictures, success is also failure.

"So, I don't have a way to answer your question right now. But what I know for sure is that 'Love Crazy' is 'Love Crazy' and it's a very special movie. Douglas continued, "Personally, I really like Lan Li's performance in the movie, I think, it's a movie about love. ”

Douglas smiled at Lan Li and nodded, then looked at Drake again, "Are you satisfied with this answer?"