In 1997, Canadian banker Frank Gusta invested in Lionsgate Entertainment when he was optimistic about the booming film industry. Lionsgate Entertainment, which received the funds, acquired some of the equipment used to make the film and several small distributors, officially becoming today's Lionsgate Film Company.

The Canadian's film company seems to have set a blueprint for development, and it likes to release alternative films, especially violent, blood-soaked horror films, which make them very profitable with their vicious vision, and the madness of their works also makes them controversial. The famous bloody horror film "Chainsaw" was also released by Lionsgate, the debut film of Chinese director James Wing, with a production cost of $1.2 million, and finally collected more than 100 million at the global box office, which makes people have to praise Lionsgate's unique vision.

At the time, Lionsgate was just a small, well-known company in the coastal city of Santa Monica.

Now, in the screening room of the Lionsgate headquarters building in Santa Monica, Jon Fittimmel, the distribution manager, Tom Odenberg, the buying manager, and Michael Parsenenek, the production manager, are all sitting in their chairs, looking nervously at the big screen in front of them, and Wang Yang sits on their right, occasionally watching their reactions out of the corner of his eye.

After making an appointment with Jon Philtimel on the phone the day before yesterday, today Wang Yang came to Santa Monica, perhaps thanks to Mr. Rachel, Lionsgate valued him very much, and the three managers came to review his film, and they watched it very carefully from the beginning, and the whole process was very quiet, only occasional exclamations, as if in a movie theater.

At this time, the movie on the screen had reached the end, and the footsteps of "stomping" sounded, Jon and the other three managers were suddenly highly concentrated, suppressed and panted, and the footsteps stopped, and after a while, suddenly the actor Kevin was thrown in and slammed into the DV machine, Jon They were frightened by this unforeseen maneuver and screamed, and Michael Parsenek almost fell over from the chair, his face was blue.

Looking at the sweet smile of the heroine Mel on the screen, Jon Philtimmel glared and couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh my, oh ......"

"This—this is really shocking......" As the movie ended, Tom Odenberg, who was in a cold sweat, looked at Wang Yang, his eyes were incredible, and then he laughed, took the lead in applauding, clapped his hands and exclaimed: "Wow! Young man, this is so surprising, how did you come up with it?"

Production manager Michael Parsenek was also shocked, looked at Wang Yang in disbelief, and said: "Wow! I dare say that this is definitely an excellent horror movie, and the last shot almost scared me to death!" He wiped his forehead and sighed: "Oh, God! The whole process was psychologically terrifying, and at the end there was an unexpected violent scene, wow, wow! ”

Wang Yang knows this guy, because when he was binge-watching the horror movies in his head before, he watched some movies of which he was a producer, speaking of which, Michael Parsennecke is also the producer of "Ghost", and the heroine of "Ghost" is Jessica Alba, who was filmed very ordinary, and he also watched this film, and he vetoed the consideration of letting Jessica be the heroine of the movie.

"Thank you. Wang Yang smiled and said, he was naturally happy about their appreciation, but it was not enough to make him get carried away. It's not that he hasn't been praised, and there are some companies that praise him after watching the movie, but their final decision is still "no", just like the artisan company. Because of the blurry picture quality, they feel that even if the film has a good reputation, it will be the kind of movie that "does not sell well", so that the income is very low, and there is no need to risk a little money.

Sure enough, despite being frightened, Jon Fittimel still frowned and said, "But...... I'm not sure about the market. He spread out his hands and said helplessly: "I agree that this is an excellent movie, but when you walk into the cinema, you will find that there are too many choices there, among the two excellent horror films, do you choose a film film with a clear picture and a stable lens, or will you choose a DV movie with a blurry picture?"

Before Wang Yang could promote himself, Michael Parsenek said "hey" and said with an affirmative face: "Jon, I think this film definitely has a market!" Believe me, although this movie does not have bloody scenes, it is absolutely crazy, absolutely scary, and the psychological horror is fantastic!" He described: "When you look at the picture, it's like you're standing behind a DV camera, the feeling of oppression is incomparable!"

Seeing that Jon Filtimmel and Tom Odenberg were a little moved when they heard it, Wang Yang hurriedly took this opportunity to sell harder, he looked at Michael Parsennek gratefully, and said, "Yes, I call this a first-person movie...... He looked at Jon again and said confidently: "Mr. Filtimmel, you asked before, I can answer you, I will choose a DV movie, because this is the first time I have seen a DV horror movie in the cinema, it's a fresh experience, isn't it?"

"Kind of makes sense. Jon nodded and said, "People are curious about new things. ”

"I think your company's considerations are nothing more than two things, one is finance, and the other is reputation. Wang Yang continued, after dozens of failures, he has long been clear about the psychology of the film company, and he also knows what to say to them.

Jon and the three of them looked at each other and nodded, and Jon said, "Yes, they are our main considerations. ”

Wang Yang pondered for a while, organized his rhetoric, then looked at them seriously, and said, "What I want to say is, why has Lionsgate achieved its current success? In my opinion, being adventurous is a very important point, and alternative, controversial, and unique, these words are one of the hallmarks of Lionsgate." The three managers didn't say anything against it, and he continued: "So in terms of reputation, Lionsgate doesn't have to think about it that much, whether it's a good movie or not, when it goes into the theaters, it's going to be the first DV movie in history to hit the big screen, and Lionsgate released it! ”

"Well, you're right. Jon Fittimel had to nod, as did Tom Oldenberg and Michael Parsenneck.

Wang Yang exhaled slightly, and then said: "And financially, you don't have anything to worry about, you don't need much publicity money, I think only 100,000 is completely enough; If the movie doesn't sell well, you're only losing a little bit, but who can guarantee that the movie won't be a big hit?"

He looked at the three managers opposite him with his eyes tightly, and said in an excited tone: "Gentlemen, this is an opportunity!"

Jon and the three of them each thought about Wang Yang's words, and exchanged opinions in a low voice, and Jon Fittimmel suddenly asked, "Young, I want to know, if the publicity fee is only 100,000, what do you think we can do?"

The promotion fee for a movie is generally 50% of the production cost of that movie. Of course, there are no hard and fast rules here, it mainly depends on the willingness of the issuing company.

If Lionsgate decides to release "Ghost Record" and spends 100,000 yuan on publicity, which is 10 times the cost of film production, it looks scary, but what can 100,000 yuan do? Don't want to buy advertising space on TV channels and news media, don't want to buy trailer advertising time in movie theaters, and don't want to put posters on subways, stations and other crowded places, 100,000 yuan can't even be done in Los Angeles. It can be said that nothing can be done.

"Internet!" Wang Yang said the answer without hesitation, and talked about his thoughts: "First of all, we will establish an official website of the movie on the Internet, and the website should pretend to be mysterious, not to promote the information of directors and actors, we want to promote Kevin and Meier, and to make the effect of 'this movie is a true story'." Then we spread it on the Internet, and we talked about it everywhere on major websites, communities, and forums, so that people could spread the word about it themselves. ”

He smiled excitedly and said, "That's viral marketing!"

Jon Filtimmel's eyes lit up when he heard it, his face was surprised and novel, as the manager of the distribution department, he naturally understood what Wang Yang meant, this kind of publicity method is indeed very cost-effective, and when people think that the DV movie is a real documentary, curiosity will urge them to rush to the cinema...... That's a good idea, but ...... He suddenly thought of another question and asked, "So it's a scam? What if an audience sues us for fraud? It will have a big impact on our company's reputation." ”

Wang Yang shrugged his shoulders, and Cheng Zhu said in his chest: "This is not a scam, it's just a trick." We don't have to grit our teeth and say, 'This movie is real', we just don't have to say 'this movie is fake', and then let them imagine the rest." And at the end of the movie, add the sentence 'This story is pure fiction'. We don't have any legal liability at all. ”

"Oh my God! I think I understand what a pseudo-documentary is. Jon sighed, glanced at Tom and the two, smiled and nodded, "This can indeed control the cost of publicity to 100,000, and this idea is very good, it sounds like you can try it." ”

"Ha!" Michael Parsennecke suddenly smiled, gave Wang Yang a thumbs up, and said, "Wow, young man, it looks like you have a chance." ”

Wang Yang became nervous, Michael Parsennecker supported him from the beginning, and Jon Fittimmel was just convinced by him, and now only Tom Odenberg is left as the manager of the buying department.

Tom Oldenberg touched his chin with one hand, his face was full of calm thought, and after a while, he seemed to have an idea, looked at Wang Yang and asked, "If our company wants to release this movie, how much will it cost?"

How much does it cost?! Wang Yang's heart beat faster all of a sudden, and even he could hear the puff and puff sound, and when Tom said this, he could almost say that they had entered the preliminary stage of price negotiations, and this was the first time that a film company had done this with him! He tried to keep himself calm, thinking about how to answer Tom's words.

Now if a film company wants to release an independent film, the way to buy the film is generally to buy it directly at once, they give you a sum of money, and then the film belongs to them, and the next thing has nothing to do with you.

But Wang Yang is not willing to do this, if he sells "Agility-Ghost Shadow Record" to Lionsgate at one time, he can only get hundreds of thousands, or even tens of thousands, at most. If other people are very satisfied, because compared to the production cost of the movie of 10,000 yuan, even if it is only sold for 100,000 yuan, it is ten times the income, which is undoubtedly a very rich return. However, Wang Yang knew that the global box office of the first DV movie "Blair the Witch" was more than 200 million, and it was impossible for him to agree to a one-time buyout.

After thinking about it, Wang Yang smiled and said, "No, Mr. Odenberg, I don't have a buyout fee for this movie." Looking at Tom Odenberg's puzzled face, Wang Yang explained: "If your company is willing to distribute my film, I want to be paid a share of the total revenue. ”

"Oh, divides?" said Tom Odenberg frowned. Wang Yang nodded and said, "Yes, your company doesn't need to give me an advance payment of one dollar." ”

Tom Oldenberg frowned and thought about it, and exchanged opinions with Jon Fittimmel, the buyout fee that does not require a dollar is very attractive, which means that once Lionsgate releases the film, the total investment in the limited screening period will not exceed 200,000, but there is a downside to choosing to divide this way of cooperation, which depends on the final box office of the film, as well as the proportion of the share. Tom thought for a moment and asked, "Young man, what kind of share do you want?"

Wang Yang knows that the dividend ratio of a blockbuster film is often only 30% by the distributor, and in order to compete for the distribution right, the distributor sometimes only needs 10%; After thinking about it, he decided to kick the ball back, shook his head and said, "I don't know, it depends on your company's wishes." ”

Tom Oldenberg shrugged his shoulders and said, "Too much is not enough, we don't have to take risks for you." He looked at Wang Yang and said his thoughts: "15%, or an advance payment, plus 5% dividends." ”

Wang Yang couldn't help frowning, no, this is too little! He thought about it, and suddenly had a good idea, so he said: "It's better like this, if the final pre-tax box office profit of the movie is less than 1 million, I only need 10% of the share; if the profit is more than 5 million, it will be 20%, if it is over 10 million, it will be 20%, if it is over 10 million, it will be 30%, if it is over 50 million, 40%, if it is over 100 million, I will share 50%." What do you think of the other profits from DVDs?"

Jon Philtimmele, Michael Parsenneck, and Tom Odenberg were all dumbfounded, and then they all laughed out loud, making more than 100 million at the box office before taxes!?Is this young man joking with them?

Michael Parsennecke looked surprised, holding his head in his hands, and said with a smile: "Wow, young director, it seems that you are very confident in your film!" Wang Yang smiled and said, "Yes." ”

Jon and Tom glanced at each other, both nodded silently, Tom Odenberg said: "If that's the case......" He was about to say something, when suddenly the sensitive sense he had cultivated for many years in the industry stopped, he felt something was wrong in his heart, and then smiled again, what are you worried about, does it mean that this movie will have a revenue of more than 100 million yuan? Besides, if the income exceeds 100 million, even if 50% of the dividend is given to this young man, the company will make a lot of money.

Tom smiled and nodded, "Sounds interesting." Give us some internal discussion time, oh, and report back to the president. He stood up, looked at Wang Yang and said with a smile: "However, these things are the next stage." Jon Feltimel also stood up and smiled at Wang Yang, "Congratulations, young man, you have convinced us. ”

Michael Parsenek stood up, happily spread his hands, and smiled at Wang Yang: "Congratulations! ”

Looking at the three of them, Wang Yang was stunned, they agreed!?Promised to release my movie!?He had a sour nose, and his eyes felt a sour heat, he took a deep breath, held back happy tears, stood up, his body trembled slightly because of excitement, he hugged Michael Parsenneck, and then Jon and Tom, and kept saying "Thank you, thank you!"

"Young man, you deserve it. Jon hugged Wang Yang and patted him on the shoulder with a smile.

Wang Yang held back his tears, looking at the good-natured smiling faces of the three managers, he was speechless. They said yes, Lionsgate said yes! They're going to release the film, and it's going to be in theaters!

He remembered the grievances of being expelled from school, the hard work of handing out leaflets on the street at noon, the rejection of the 54 film companies before him, the discouragement, the frustration...... But for example, what is the happiness now! Now, he has succeeded, he has done it! He is not a failure, his dream will not die, he will continue to walk on the road of film!

"Thank you!" Wang Yang wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes with a smile, looked at Jon and the other three managers, and said, "I think I will probably never forget this moment in my life." ”

Jon and the others laughed, and said, "The joy of success? ”

Since Lionsgate promised to come up with a specific contract plan tomorrow, Wang Yang, who left Lionsgate, would not return to Los Angeles, so he decided to find a hotel in Santa Monica for one night.

Walking on the streets of Santa Monica, looking at the sea view in the distance, enjoying the gusts of sea breeze blowing in his face, Wang Yang was still so excited that he couldn't help himself, waving his fists from time to time, and laughing from time to time, looking at the beach, looking at the blue sky, damn it, why is the scenery here so beautiful!?

After walking for a while, Wang Yang seemed to be a little sober, and when he remembered something, he couldn't wait to take out his mobile phone and tell his friends the good news. He took out his phone, and he was stunned, who should he tell first? Pressed it in the address book for a while, Jessica, Rachel...... He thought about the two numbers, then chose Rachel, who would help him get to Lionsgate, and pressed the dial button.

The phone was immediately connected, and Wang Yang sat down on a long chair on the side of the road, and said with a smile: "Hi, Rachel! Rachel's nice voice came from the phone: "Hey, Yang, is there a result?" Wang Yang laughed, looked around at the surrounding scenery, and said with a smile: "Wow, the environment in Santa Monica is so good, the beach, the sea breeze, the sunshine, the blue sky...... Wow, that's beautiful!"

Rachel couldn't help but be overjoyed when she heard him so happy, and immediately asked, "Jan, you made it!?"

"Yes, I succeeded!" Wang Yang smiled happily, and before he could finish speaking, Rachel cried out "wow": "Oh, my God...... You succeeded!" Wang Yang nodded and smiled: "Yes, cheer! Haha, I'm so happy." He laughed a few times and thanked him, "Thank you, Rachel, for putting my interview failure record at fifty-four! Oh, seriously, are you an angel sent by God to help me?"

Hearing Wang Yang's words, Rachel felt a little sweet and smiled: "Yes, God said to me, 'Rachel, there's a young man in Los Angeles who wants to make a movie, and you need to go there'." Then I went to Los Angeles, made a movie, and then I was going to see myself on the big screen in the cinema!" she laughed and said, "Wow, that's crazy!"

"Hmm!" Wang Yang sighed, "It's been a crazy time. ”