"It's like a sweet apple pie that we make and eat often, and it doesn't change much in terms of method or taste. But sometimes, some apple pies are somewhat different, in the case of similar methods and tastes, they taste extraordinarily sweet, and they stay between the teeth for a long time, which makes people evocative, and "My Grand Greek Wedding" is such an aiqing comedy. The local newspaper in Park City wrote the day after the film's release.

Indeed, "My Grand Greek Wedding" has a very wonderful feature, as an aiqing comedy, contradictions and plot twists are almost predictable, but they are very evocative. Almost everyone who has seen it, whether it is a general audience or a critic, thinks it is a very interesting movie.

The most obvious is that after the release, the next few shows were basically filled with audiences, and most of them thought it was good, in short, the word of mouth was quite good. Although there are many high-profile films at the film festival, and the local newspaper reports a lot every day, the only one that can be so unanimously praised is this "My Grand Greek Wedding".

"It was the right decision to come to the Sundance Film Festival." Sean said again that word-of-mouth can sometimes determine the success of a low-budget movie.

He didn't know that in his previous life, "My Grand Greek Wedding", which did not participate in the film festival and was only released in 02, was completely based on word of mouth from the audience, and it was released in North America for almost a year and was a great success.

Then, in just two days -- a day and a half to be strict - in addition to the first few studios, many distributors also approached Vladimir, and these people knew that under this kind of word-of-mouth, with a certain amount of publicity, the film would not be a big hit, but it would be no problem to make a profit.

This kind of thing is naturally all handled by Vladimir, who is also the general manager of Samsara Pictures, and the distribution negotiation is also very important, many independent films are released and profitable, but the producer and the distributor have a lawsuit, because the contract was not negotiated at the time of distribution, and most of the time it was exploited by the distributor, such as the "Blair the Witch" in 99.

Of course, both Sean and Vladimir want Miramax to take over.

"I want overseas distribution rights, as well as a 20% issuance commission." That's what Weinstein said.

On the afternoon of the third day, presumably feeling that the information was almost done, Weinstein called Sean and Vladimir and invited them to the hotel where he was staying. When they came, they sat down with each other and exchanged pleasantries, and then got to the point, and then he threw out his terms.

This is not a formal negotiation, but several main points of interest must be identified, and only then can formal negotiations be initiated.

"It's too much, Harvey, you can't be so greedy, under normal circumstances, an independent film like ours that costs only 5 million is enough to get a 10% distribution commission." Vladimir immediately retorted.

"I asked the distribution department that if the schedule is in April, I can contact 400 to 500 theaters," Weinstein said unconcernedly, "so the price is very reasonable, you know, even if "My Grand Greek Wedding" has a good reputation, it doesn't mean that the whole of North America can have such a reputation." And the subject matter is too old, there are hundreds of aiqing comedies produced by Hollywood every year, and there are very few that can make money, although this movie has characteristics, it is difficult to say how much it can play, so there is a certain risk if it is released. ”

"20% is still too much," Vladimir shook his head, "and if you count the 5,000 box office, our profit is too small." ”

"If you're not satisfied, then I have a plan," Weinstein shrugged, "and we could just take a 10 percent commission, but we could start with 100 theaters, and then run a long screening, run for a whole year, expand the impact of the film through word of mouth, and then increase theaters, and let audiences buy tickets to watch it, just like Pulp Fiction did." ”

"In that case, if the movie is more attractive to the audience later, we won't make any money at all, and most of it will be taken away by the theaters." Vladimir again denied.

Weinstein spread his hands and didn't speak again, seeing what he meant, obviously not planning to make any more concessions, Vladimir couldn't help frowning.

"Harvey, can you give us some time alone?" Sean, who had been listening from the sidelines, said at this time.

"No problem, I'll go to the bathroom." Weinstein smiled and got up and walked to the bathroom.

After he entered, before Sean could speak, Vladimir asked, "Don't tell me, you want to agree." ”

"I need to know what you think, where is your bottom line?" Sean shrugged.

Vladimir was silent before saying: "It can't be more than 15%, at least we must get more than 50% of the total box office share." ”

"So you're against long-term screenings?" Sean immediately asked rhetorically.

Generally speaking, the total box office is the theater chain, and the producer and distributor will take 60% of the blockbuster 70% at most, and not every distributor can get such a proportion in the theater, if you want to get this ratio, the distributor must be quite capable, and the ones who can do this in Hollywood are basically at the level of the eight major film companies.

The reason why there is such a high percentage is that in North America, in the first two or three weeks, the producer can get 90% of the share, and then gradually decline, and the more movies that can start to make money, the higher the share.

But ordinary independent films are very sad in this regard, at the beginning, there were only hundreds of theaters or even dozens of theaters to screen them, even if they can get 90%, they can't get much box office, and the longer the screening time, the more theaters will get a share, and the later theaters can even get 90% while the producer and distributor can only get 10%.

Although this is a measure to encourage theaters to screen films for a long time, it is very unfriendly to independent films, so long-term screenings look good, and the total box office is smooth, but most of them go into the pockets of theaters.

"Just like the example I gave before, if the box office in North America is 50 million, if we calculate it at a rate of 50%, we can get a profit of 20 million, but if the distribution commission is 20%, we will have to pay 5 million to Miramax, and then we have to deduct the publicity fee and various costs, even if it is not calculated on the books, the profit will be 10 million at most," Vladimir said in a low voice, "Moreover, this ratio is already quite idealistic, and it is actually impossible to get so high, As for the overseas box office, the share that can be obtained will only be lower. ”

Sean pinched his chin and nodded from time to time, he had some knowledge of this before, after all, he had set up a production company, and he was planning to develop it, so he had collected information on this matter, and he would discuss it with Frederick and Vladimir from time to time.

"But," he finally spoke, "the only Haode publisher we can find at the moment is Miramax, right?" ”

"Yes." Vladimir frowned, but he had to admit that it was precisely because Weinstein saw through this, so he opened his mouth.

"So...... If, I mean, what if," Sean pondered, "what if this movie could exceed 1......00 million at the North American box office and overseas?" ”

“…… Are you serious? Vladimir looked at him with wide eyes.

Sean didn't answer, just looked at him with insistent eyes, and after a while, the other party pinched the bridge of his nose, then sighed helplessly, and smiled with interest: "Okay, I know." ”

At this time, Weinstein also came out of the bathroom, kept that confident smile, and sat down in front of them: "How's that?" Is there a result? ”

"Yes," Vladimir also put on a calm look, "we can accept a 20% commission, however, it must be 40% on the books." ”

As soon as the words came out, both Weinstein and Sean looked at him with surprised eyes.

Vladimir's meaning is simple, remember the Hollywood-style ledger tricks that I said earlier? This is a kind of commission with 40% written on the books, but in fact Miramax actually only charges 20%, and as for the other 20%, it is naturally shared between Sean and Vladimir, who are the producers.

"On top of that, the publicity costs on the books should be 10 million," Vladimir continued, "and we should try to get close to 60% of the revenue from the theaters." ”

"You know, Todd, it's impossible," Weinstein frowned, "unless it's a very powerful distributor, the commission can't be more than 30 percent, and the $10 million publicity fee is almost the level of a medium-investment film, even if it's just on paper." ”

"You mean Miramax isn't a strong publisher yet?" Vladimir said leisurely, glancing at Sean, who snickered and covered his forehead.

Weinstein looked at Sean unmoved, then at Vladimir, frowned and thought for a long time, and suddenly laughed: "You guys are very optimistic about this movie?" ”

"yes," Vladimir shrugged, "maybe, this movie will get 200 million at the box office in the whole Shijie." ”

Weinstein was a little stunned at first, looked at them for a long time, and then narrowed his eyes: "It's funny, I'm curious to know who gave you so much confidence." ”

Vladimir didn't answer, but just looked at Sean, who made a calm look and looked at him, as well as Weinstein, who had become surprised and curious.

"Okay, I can promise that, but you'll have to pay for all the publicity." Weinstein Zuihou said.

"You really like to bargain, Harvey, you still want us to pay for such a small amount of publicity?" Vladimir rolled his eyes.

"Of course, this is 10 million on the books, which is not a small amount." Weinstein shrugged.

Vladimir wanted to say something, but Sean grabbed him: "I don't think it's a good idea, Harvey, maybe we can promote it in another way." ”

"Oh?" Weinstein looked inquiring.

"Do you know Google, a web search engine," Sean smiled slightly, "I'm one of their shareholders. ”

Weinstein raised his eyebrows in surprise, and Sean continued: "I can be a middleman, let Google provide us with as much convenience as possible in the Internet shijie, such as search rankings and the like, and then create some hot spots to circulate on the Internet, so that netizens can take the initiative to help us spread the word, just like ...... Viruses are the same! ”