Tickets, everyone smashes tickets! Collection, everyone collects! Wow, thank you!

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"What? I heard you right?!Jan, you made it?!" Zachary said in shock, unable to believe the fact: "Are you kidding? What?!

"Wow, man, I'll just say you're going to make it! You didn't let me down!" Joshua exclaimed with delight, "My DV camera is going to be worth a lot of money in a hurry, it's going to be robbed by fans!"

"Oh my God......! The Merciful Lord has granted my wish!" Jessica cried out in surprise and joy at the good news, and was overjoyed: "Oh my God! This is great! God, is this true? Young, please tell me it's true!"

After telling Rachel the news as soon as possible, Wang Yang then called other good friends and shared the joy with them. Zachary, Jessica, and the others were of course happy and excited and happy for him, but only the big fat man Harry George hung up the phone after receiving his call and hearing the news, angrily scolding "Shit, I don't believe it!"

That night, Wang Yang spent the night in a hotel near the beach in Santa Monica, where he lay in bed for a long time without falling asleep, too excited to close his eyes. He simply got up, moved a chair and sat on the balcony, the beach under the night view seemed so quiet, the sound of "rustling" waves faintly came, he looked at the black sea in the distance, looked at the moon in the sky, felt this tranquility, and his mood slowly calmed down.

The next day, Wang Yang came to Lionsgate's headquarters again, naturally to discuss the details of the issuance contract with Lionsgate.

"Hello, Mr. Wang. Jennifer, the beautiful white front desk lady, smiled at Wang Yang, her attitude was much more enthusiastic than tomorrow, obviously she already knew the news that the company was going to buy Wang Yang's movie, she smiled: "Mr. Odenberg has been waiting for your arrival for a long time, Mr. Wang, please come with me." ”

"Well, okay!" Wang Yang followed Jennifer to Tom Oldenberg's office.

The office door was not closed, Jennifer knocked, and Tom Odenberg, who was busy on the desk, looked over and said with a smile: "Hey, please come in!" He looked at Wang Yang who walked in, and asked with interest: "Young man, did you sleep well last night?"

Wang Yang sat down on the chair in front of the desk, shook his head with a smile, and said, "It's not very good, sir." He rolled his eyes and laughed at himself, "I'm so happy about all this, as soon as I close my eyes, my head is full of movie things, and I succeeded? I really succeeded? Oh, I can't sleep at all!" He laughed again: "You know, I'm afraid it's a dream, sleep and wake up, and there's nothing." ”

Tom smiled understandingly, winked at Wang Yang, and said, "Young man, this is not a dream! I have good news for you, our CEO, Mr. Bix, has agreed to the release of your film by the company." ”

"Wow! That's great news, thank you, Mr. Oldenburg!" Wang Yang secretly clenched his fists, laughed happily, and finally let go of the last big stone in his heart, and now his signing with Lionsgate was already a sure thing.

"The deal is now fully in my charge. Tom smiled, he was the manager of the film buying department, and the negotiation with Wang Yang naturally fell on him, he took out a contract, handed it to Wang Yang, and said, "This is our plan, you see." ”

Wang Yang nodded, took the contract and put it on the table, and carefully looked at the contents inside. The contract indicates that he will permanently hand over the rights to the North American distribution, overseas distribution, VCD, DVD distribution, and television channel distribution rights of "Spirit: Ghost Shadows" to Lionsgate, and that Lionsgate will not pay for the acquisition in terms of compensation, but will use a share-sharing model.

The specific proportion of the share is that in North America, if the box office profit before tax is less than 1 million, Wang Yang will get 10% of the share, after 5 million, 20%, over 10 million, 30%, over 50 million, 40%, more than 100 million, 50%, and if the film can't recover the cost in the end and loses, Wang Yang will only get 5% of the share.

This sharing ratio is what Wang Yang imagined yesterday, but there is one more loss.

In overseas regions, the same is true for VCD, DVD, and video rental projects, Lionsgate does not take a box office share, and they propose that Wang Yang will only get a 10% share of the final profit of these projects.

Wang Yang probably knows the reason, this should be that Lionsgate is not very optimistic about the box office of this movie, but they are optimistic that the movie may have a doubling in the DVD market. Some movies are like this, it is not a blockbuster in the cinema, but it is extremely popular in the DVD market, maybe this kind of movie is not suitable for the big screen, the cinema, but suitable for watching at home in front of the computer, in front of the TV.

But what made Wang Yang frown was not the DVD share ratio, but the fact that he seemed to forget yesterday that the box office profit statistics are divided into North America and overseas, and in this way, it is difficult for him to get a 50% share. Because referring to "Female Lebriar", the first DV movie to be released, it set a box office of more than 200 million, but North America and overseas only accounted for half, and when the theater share is completed, the pre-tax box office profit of both North America and overseas will not reach more than 100 million, and he will naturally not get 50%.

"Can it be revised to determine the proportion of global pre-tax box office profits?" Wang Yang looked at Tom and asked, but he knew that his request was basically impossible to achieve.

Sure enough, Tom Oldenberg shrugged his shoulders and vetoed: "No, you must know that the box office statistics in North America and overseas are different systems, and in terms of time, they are not related to each other, which is not good for the implementation of the sharing." "For example, if a movie is released in North America and it may not be released overseas until six months or even a year later, do we have to wait a year to decide how to divide it?"

Wang Yang nodded silently, he knew very well that what Tom said was the truth, so he didn't have the heart to dwell on this request anymore.

Tom leaned on his back and said, "Young, don't worry, only if the film does well, we will only consider overseas distribution." He spread out his hand with the pen and said, "In other words, if there is an overseas distribution, your share ratio is already more than 20%, which is not a small amount." ”

"Well, I know. Wang Yang smiled and continued to look at the contract, until he closed it after reading it, he raised his head and said bluntly: "The share ratio of DVD will be increased to 20%. Tom shook his head and said, "Up to 15%, it's the company's decision." Wang Yang nodded after a little thought, he didn't have much bargaining chips with Lionsgate, he was at a weakness in negotiations, he couldn't ask too much, and the other party wouldn't agree if he asked for it.

After agreeing to the DVD sharing ratio, Wang Yang said: "There are also sequel copyrights and name copyrights for this movie, which are still mine." ”

Tom readily agreed: "Okay, you can keep those copyrights." In fact, if it wasn't for the buyout, these rights would have belonged to the producers, and Lionsgate didn't think about taking advantage of these in the first place, and besides, the results of the film must be good enough to make a sequel, and they didn't think that "Smart - Ghost Record" was qualified for this. Tom laughed again, "However, our company has priority. ”

"Of course. Wang Yang nodded, and smiled in his heart, in this case, if Lionsgate wants to produce "Smart-Ghost Record 2" and "Smart-Ghost Record 3" in the future, it needs to pay him a fee, which can be regarded as a small compensation. He shook his hand at Tom Odenberg across from him and said, "Sir, I have no other opinion." ”

Tom put down the pen in his hand, reached out and shook it with Wang Yang, and said with a smile: "Happy cooperation, young man." ”

"Happy cooperation!" Wang Yang also smiled.

Although the details of the contract were basically negotiated, the two parties did not sign the contract immediately, and they agreed to formally sign the contract two days later. This is because Wang Yang needs professional legal advice, he took this revised formal contract, rushed back to Los Angeles, he was going to a law firm to ask a lawyer to look at his contract, after all, he is not a legal professional, he does not understand all the legal pitfalls, he can not be cautious.

Especially now that he is not a member of any union or brokerage company, no one will help him if something happens.

Look at the follow-up report of "Blair the Witch", which created a box office miracle of more than 200 million, and the artisan company, which originally promised to give the producer 20% of the dividends, was unwilling to pay the money, and owed the three young producers dividends. The three young producers took the artisan company to court as a matter of course, and it took a long time and two years of litigation before they finally got their share.

Although Lionsgate did not have such a scandal in later generations, Wang Yang could not let himself be left to chance in this regard.

After resting in his apartment for one night, Wang Yang took the contract and came to a law firm called "Integrity", a medium-sized law firm introduced to him by Jessica, with a good reputation, very knowledgeable about film law, and also the legal counsel of her father's real estate company.

Wang Yang consulted a young lawyer in his thirties, named Hebrew-Carr, who was charged $200 per hour, which is a mid-range fee. Hebrew Karl took Wang Yang's contract and read it carefully several times before he smiled affirmatively at Wang Yang: "Mr. Wang, there is no problem with this contract, you can sign your name with confidence." If the other party is in arrears of dividends, only one lawsuit is needed, and they will definitely lose the lawsuit. ”

"Oh, thank God. Wang Yang immediately breathed a sigh of relief, Lionsgate did not disappoint him.

Then, Hebrew-Carr gave Wang Yang some advice, as the only person who owns all the copyrights of the film, Wang Yang does not need to register a film company, just sign a contract with Lionsgate as an individual, which will exempt him from paying a lot of corporate taxes, only personal taxes.

Wang Yang left the integrity law firm satisfied, although he spent 300 US dollars, so that he was once again on the verge of not being able to afford the fare, but the money was spent absolutely worthwhile, and he did not want to be owed dividends by Lionsgate because of the inexplicable terms in the contract, the inexplicable legal loopholes, or even win the lawsuit.

Back at the apartment, ready to travel to Santa Monica tomorrow to officially sign the contract. Wang Yang took a shower in a good mood, hummed a song and walked out of the bathroom to the living room, looking at the contract documents on the sofa, he picked it up and kissed it fiercely, and smiled at the contract: "Oh my God, why are you so cute!" He sat down on the sofa and was about to turn on the TV to watch, but the mobile phone suddenly rang.

"Who?" Wang Yang picked up the mobile phone on the TV stand, looked at the caller ID, and was stunned, it was actually the manager of the purchasing department of Yijiang Film Company, Stephen Thomas! What was he calling? Wang Yang frowned and answered: "Hello, this is Wang Yang." ”

"Hello, Mr. Wang, it's me, Stephen Thomas of Artisan. Sure enough, it was Thomas's voice.

The artisan company said that they would do an internal discussion, so now that they have discussed it, Wang Yang asked with confusion: "Oh, Mr. Thomas, hello, is there anything wrong?"

Thomas laughed over there and said in a mysterious tone, "That's right, Mr. Wang, we decided to buy your movie." ”

Although it was expected, Wang Yang still couldn't help but be stunned, the artist company wanted to buy his movie? What happened to them? What happened to make them change their minds? Could it be that Thomas's syncope was cured? He couldn't help but shake his head and smile, none of this mattered. He refused: "No, Mr. Thomas, I have already found a distributor for my film." ”

"What?!" Thomas was even more stunned, he never thought that this Chinese kid's movie would have such a big attraction? He felt unbelievable, but the company had instructions, he had to ask: "Oh, are we a step late? Mr. Wang, have you signed a contract with them?" Wang Yang said: "Not yet." ”

After receiving this answer, Thomas asked again: "Then I don't know if we craftsmen still have a chance? You know, after discussion, we decided to take a risk and try it, and you can get 200,000 film rights fees." ”

Wang Yang refused with a smile without thinking: "Still no, I have already negotiated with the company, the conditions they offered are very good, and I am very grateful to them for giving me this opportunity." He shrugged his shoulders and said into his phone, "So I'm sorry, Mr. Thomas." After that, he felt very incomprehensible in his heart, why the artist company was suddenly so determined, 200,000 yuan is not a small amount for a DV movie with a cost of 10,000 yuan.

In fact, the matter is very simple, the last time he left the craftsman company, he left a DVD copy disk for them to discuss internally, and Stephen Thomas didn't care at all, and put the DVD aside and left it alone. But in recent days, by chance, the distribution manager of Artisan Company watched the DVD, and the manager watched it purely as a pastime, but he was so frightened that he thought it was an excellent movie afterwards, and discussed it with Thomas, hoping to buy it back.

But Thomas's position was still no, but the manager did not give up, he took the DVD to the company's CEO's office, and the CEO of Artisan Company was also scared into a cold sweat, he was originally going to buy "Blair the Witch" in the future, and suddenly realized the extraordinary nature of this DV movie, and felt that it was worth risking for it. So he made a decision to buy "Smart-Ghost Record" back.

However, they were one step late, and Wang Yang had already negotiated with Lionsgate.

Thomas frowned and raised the price: "Mr. Wang, what about 300,000?" Wang Yang still said "no", Thomas gritted his teeth and said the company's price limit: "500,000!?" Wang Yang still smiled softly and said "no". Thomas was helpless and a little angry, and asked, "Mr. Wang, can you tell me what price that company offers?"

"Oh, I'm afraid I can't just say it for now, this may be a trade secret. Wang Yang smiled and refused to answer Thomas's question, and said directly: "Mr. Thomas, it's a foregone conclusion, although we haven't signed the contract yet, there will be no changes." ”

First, he is really grateful to Lionsgate, and second, the limited information in his mind shows that the company "had" defaulted on the dividends of "Blair the Witch", and was later directly acquired by Lionsgate, so why would he give up a road and go to a dead end?

"Okay, then I won't bother you. Goodbye, Mr. Wang. Thomas finished speaking stiffly, and the phone rang with a "beep".

Wang Yang hung up the phone with a smile, he really didn't expect the craftsman company to suddenly figure it out. Suddenly, he frowned, and an idea flashed in his heart, the attitude of the craftsman company had changed, maybe he could do something here, and use this matter to speed up the release time of "Agile - Ghost Shadow...... He calmed down and thought about it.

The next day, the Lionsgate headquarters building in Santa Monica, the film purchase conference room.

Looking at the two official contracts on the conference table, Wang Yang, who was dressed in a formal suit, took a deep breath, and he looked at the three Lionsgate managers standing next to him, Jon Philtimmel, Tom Odenberg, and Michael Parsenneck, all of whom had encouraging and kind smiles on their faces. Wang Yang smiled and nodded to them, picked up the pen on the table, and signed his name on the contract.

"Congratulations, young man!" Jon and the other three managers, as well as a white lawyer who had come to act as a notary, all smiled and clapped their hands, and kept congratulating Wang Yang.

"Thank you!" Wang Yang smiled and shook hands with them one by one, his heart was full of joy and excitement, finally decided, his movie has really been released, he can say loudly to others, I am not a loser! I will not be at McDonald's for the rest of my life! Dreams will not pass by him, he is realizing his pursuit since childhood!

After signing the contract, Wang Yang came to Jon Fittimmel's office, Jon is the distribution manager, so he is responsible for the next distribution of the film.

"Mr. Filtimmel, I would like to ask you a question. Wang Yang sat on the chair in front of the desk, looked at Jon opposite, and asked, "I don't know when my movie will be released?"

Jon Fittimmel smiled and spread his hands and said, "Wow, young man, what are you anxious about? He laughed a few times before he said seriously: "We'll release it, but you know, it's late May, and it's about to be the summer vacation, and our screening schedule has been scheduled for a long time." Your movie, maybe at the end of the year, will be more suitable. ”

At the end of the year, it will be half a year later! Wang Yang couldn't help frowning, in fact, it will be released half a year after signing the contract, and the speed is not slow, and others will not have opinions, but he can't, yes, it's the summer vacation soon, and with the end of the semester, it is impossible to hide the news that he was expelled from USC anymore, and if there is no achievement, it is difficult not to go to war with his parents.

And he also needs money to live, he needs money as soon as possible, and the release time must be advanced! Wang Yang made up his mind, so he shook his head and said: "Sir, I think the screening time needs to be advanced." No, it's not that I'm in a hurry. Rather......" He shrugged his shoulders and said in a calm tone: "The craftsman company contacted me yesterday, and they bid 500,000 yuan, hoping to buy my work. ”

Hearing this, Jon was slightly stunned, 500,000 yuan, you must know that the upper limit of Lionsgate's buyout fee is only 300,000. He pretended not to care, and said, "Oh, Craftsman Films, I know it, have you been there before?"

Wang Yang nodded and said, "Yes, I have been there for a long time, and after watching the movie, they said that they need to consider it internally." Then yesterday gave me the results, of course I turned them down, but I could see that they were very reluctant to lose my film. He smiled sincerely and said, "Sir, I'm not showing off anything, what I want to say is that the artisan company has woken up, and they bid 500,000 yuan, which shows that they are very optimistic about the potential of DV movies, and they want to get the title of 'the company that released the first DV movie'!"

Jon finally frowned, nodded slightly, and agreed with Wang Yang's words.

"Sir, you know, my movie only cost 10,000 yuan, a week's shooting time. Wang Yang deliberately said in a very low tone: "The artist company is so optimistic about DV movies, what if they simply make one themselves? They don't need a good script, but only tens of thousands of yuan, and in a week, they can shoot the movie well, and then rush ahead of us to launch the movie on the market." ”

"Hmm......" Jon remained silent, he glanced at Wang Yang, if things were really as such a young man said, there was indeed such a crisis. But was the young man lying? Jon smiled inwardly, coincidentally, he had a very familiar friend at the Artisan Company, who was not a high-level person, but could still inquire about something.

Wang Yang's eyes met Jon's eyes calmly, he didn't have a weak heart at all, because he didn't lie at all. Besides, he hoped that Jon would inquire about this matter, and the artist company did bid 500,000 yuan to buy his movie, as long as Jon confirmed this information, whether the artist company revealed its intention to make a DV movie, Lionsgate would be suspicious.

"I see. Seeing that Wang Yang's eyes didn't seem to be fake, Jon nodded and said, "I'll think about it." Wang Yang said, "Okay, Mr. Jon, then I'm fine, goodbye." As soon as Wang Yang left the office, Jon picked up the phone on the table, called his good friend on the craftsman's side, and said, "Hey, I heard that you are interested in buying a DV movie? Oh, really, your CEO likes it? So what are your plans now......

After talking for a long time, Jon put down the phone, he looked at the ceiling in silence, Wang Yang didn't lie, the artisan company really wanted to buy "Smart - Ghost Shadow", because of the missed opportunity, Stephen Thomas was also criticized by the company, but whether they will shoot a DV movie, this is not news for the time being...... He thought for a moment, picked up a 1998 Lionsgate film release schedule on his desk, and read it silently.

Back in Los Angeles, it was already nightfall, Wang Yang opened the door of the apartment, and as soon as he entered the house, he received a call from Jon.

"Yang, we have decided that "Smart-Ghost Shadow" will enter the publicity stage immediately, and the test screening is tentatively scheduled for early August. Jon Fittimmel smiled: "Of course, whether it will be released at that time depends on the effect and response of the publicity." ”

Wang Yang clenched his fists tightly, jumped up, and waved silently, yes!