"The Mermaid has been completed in the late stage, I want to ask Boss Li for advice, I wonder if Boss Li has time?" In the call just now, Zhou Xingzhi finally made his intentions clear after some greetings.

"I don't dare to advise, I can't ask for a sneak peek of your latest work! But I'm afraid Xing Ye doesn't just want to invite me to watch a movie, right? ”

"Hahaha, I really can't hide anything from you, then I'll have something to say, Xinghui is in contact with a distribution company in the mainland, I still prefer the way of guaranteed distribution, I don't know if Boss Li's cat's eye movie is interested?"

"Guaranteed issuance?"

Li Mu's brain immediately started running at high speed.

The guaranteed release of domestic films began in the Spring Festival in 2013, when Huayi Brothers released Zhou Xingzhi's film "Journey to the West" with a guaranteed minimum of 500 million yuan (the original time and space was 300 million), and finally "Journey to the West" sold 1.7 billion (the original time and space was 1.246 billion), and Huayi Brothers made a lot of money.

It stands to reason that this should have been a win-win situation, but I didn't expect that in the end, there would still be a dispute like the original time and space.

There is a supplementary agreement for this guaranteed release, according to the supplementary agreement, if the box office of "Journey to the West" exceeds 800 million, the Huayi brothers will give Zhou Xingzhi another 80 million yuan as a reward, but Zhou Xingzhi only reached an agreement verbally with the other party out of trust in the Huayi brothers, and did not sign this supplementary agreement.

In the end, after "Journey to the West" sold for 1.7 billion yuan, Zhou Xingzhi rushed to find the Huayi brothers to divide the money, but the Huayi brothers did not admit it at this time.

In the end, the two sides came to the point of going to court, but Zhou Xingzhi finally lost the case because he did not sign the supplementary agreement, which eventually led to the parting of ways between Zhou Xingzhi and Huayi Brothers.

In fact, Li Mu also vaguely reminded Zhou Xingzhi in this time and space, asking him to try his best to implement all the agreements into paper agreements, and there are countless verbal agreements. But he can only do this, as for whether Zhou listens or not, it is all up to Zhou to choose.

Huashang Media and Huayi Brothers also have a lot of business dealings, and it is unlikely that Li Mu will name and ask Zhou to guard against Huayi Brothers, otherwise it is easy to be not a person inside and out.

As for Huayi Brothers' lack of credit, they will cut off contact with them?

How can it be!

In 2020, Zhou Xing's ex-girlfriend Yu Wenfeng sued Zhou, and asked Zhou for the dividend of 70 million that Zhou had verbally promised. "Defense?

Therefore, when it comes to paper agreements, verbal agreements are a test of human nature, and human nature has not stood the test since ancient times.

Back to the guaranteed release.

Since the release of "Journey to the West", which is guaranteed to be 500 million yuan, in 2014, Beijing Culture and China Film jointly released Ning Hao's work "Heart Flower Road" with a guarantee of 600 million yuan.

In the end, "Heart Flower Road" sold 1.1 billion, and this time the guaranteed party still made a big profit, but the example of the guaranteed distributor making a lot of money cannot hide the huge risk of this distribution method for the guaranteed party, otherwise the producer would not seek the guaranteed release.

is like "One Step Away" directed by Jiang Wen, which was released with a minimum guarantee of 1.2 billion (the original time and space of 1 billion), but the box office failed miserably, only 500 million, and the guaranteed party suffered a huge loss, so angry that Wang Gongzi scolded his mother.

However, all the risks of guaranteed distribution are for other distribution companies, and for Maoyan Films, which has Li Mu's plug-in, guaranteed distribution is a business that makes money without losing money. Because he knew that Zhou Xingzhi's "Mermaid" eventually sold 3.3 billion, that "Pancake Man", which invested tens of millions of dollars, sold 1.1 billion, and that Huayi Brothers bought out the Indian movie "Wrestling" with domestic box office revenue for 15 million! "Daddy" ended up selling 1.3 billion!

So is there anything more suitable for the "guaranteed distribution" model in this world than Li Mu and his cat's eye movie?

Without!

However, the specific details of the agreement could not be made clear on the phone, so the two finally agreed to meet in Huashang Media.

After agreeing on a time with Zhou Xingzhi, Li Mu convened a meeting of the senior management of Huashang and Maoyan.

"As far as I know, Zhou Xingzhi has been in contact with Beijing Culture for a period of time, and it is rumored that Song Ge, chairman of Beijing Culture, promised Zhou Xingzhi a guaranteed issuance of 1.8 billion. Personally, I think the risk of 1.8 billion guaranteed issuance is too high, but it may not be unprofitable, I originally planned to report to the chairman of the board of directors as soon as possible and ask you to make a personal decision, but I didn't expect Zhou Xian to take the initiative to find the chairman of you. After listening to Li Mu's introduction, Shen Li, executive director and CEO of Maoyan Film, said.

"Brother Song of Jingshi culture is so courageous!" Li Mu couldn't help but think.

How rare is it that a person who has no eyes before and after the traverser dares to raise the upper limit of guaranteed issuance from the level of a few hundred million yuan to the level of 1.8 billion yuan in one go?

The point is that he got the bet right!

Li Mu knows that Xing Ye's "Mermaid" won a box office of 3.3 billion yuan in the original time and space, not to mention that the scale of the domestic film market in this time and space is more than two years earlier than the original time and space?

In fact, the market in 2015 is basically equal to the market in 2017, so the final box office of "Mermaid" in this time and space is likely to be much higher than the 3.3 billion in the original time and space.

is bold, and his vision is extremely vicious, and it is not for nothing that Beijing Culture was able to catch up later and finally overpower the light limit media.

But it's a pity that no matter how vicious his vision is, he can't be compared with the traverser at all, and this time the guaranteed distribution right of "Mermaid", Li Mu is bound to win!

His eyes swept over the faces of the executives on both sides, and finally fell on Shen Li, CEO of Maoyan Films: "You make a specific plan, and we will do our best to get the guaranteed distribution rights of "Mermaid" this time." ”

Shen Li nodded: "If Beijing Media is bound to win this, the final reserve price of the guaranteed issuance is likely to reach 1.9 billion yuan, and I am even worried that 1.9 billion yuan Beijing Media will not give up easily." ”

"1.9 billion?"

The executives in the conference room, you look at me, I look at you, they all feel incredible.

In Huaxia, the producer can generally get about 43% of the box office, if the final agreement is 1.9 billion guaranteed release, that is to say, no matter what the final box office of this "Mermaid" is, Maoyan Movies must give Xinghui at least 1.9 billion 43%, that is, 817 million yuan!

Even if the final box office of "The Mermaid" is only 100 million, it will be distributed so much to others!

It is said that the production cost of "Mermaid" is 350 million, and before the film is released, it has locked in more than 400 million gross profits in advance!

It is said that making movies is a very high-risk industry, but when you watch Zhou Xingzhi making movies, where is the so-called risk?

For Li Mu, who knows the potential of "The Mermaid", not to mention the 1.9 billion guaranteed issuance, that is, the 2 billion and 2.5 billion guaranteed issuance will be profitable, but as a businessman, Li Mu must of course also pursue the maximization of interests, so he will inevitably seek to release this "Mermaid" at the lowest price that Zhou Xingzhi can accept.

So what is the number of negotiations?

"Do you think it's possible to issue a guaranteed 1.6 billion yuan?" Li Mu asked Shen Li sideways.

"Chairman, you just said 1.6 billion?" Shen Li was stunned for a moment, and then asked again in an uncertain tone.

Li Mu nodded.

At this time, a group of executives in the entire office, including Liu Siying and Chen Zhixi of Huashang Media, as well as several other vice presidents, as well as several executives on Maoyan's side, all looked at Li Mu with puzzled expressions.

Just now, CEO Shen Li said that Brother Song of Beijing Culture has given a guarantee of 1.8 billion, the opponent bid 1.8 billion, let's bid 1.6 billion, Zhou Xingzhi chose us because of his brain disease?

43% of the price difference of 200 million, according to this guarantee, Zhou Xingzhi is very likely to earn 86 million less!

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

At this moment, everyone is waiting for Li Mu's further explanation, because normally, even if your own bid does not overwhelm the opponent, at least you must keep up with the other party, otherwise why should the other filmmakers choose you?

However, after so many years of contact, everyone knows that Li Mu is not the kind of leader who can talk nonsense, so there may be some joints in this that he has not figured out.

At this time, Li Mu turned his head to look at Chen Zhixi, the production director of Huashang Media: "What do you say is the right film for our company to release during the Spring Festival next year?" ”

Chen Zhixi replied while thinking about it: "It's only March now, is it too early to consider the Spring Festival schedule?" At present, the several films that we still have to be released in China mainly include "Looking for the Dragon", "Crazy Zootopia", "Dream Travel", "The Hunger Games 3 (I)", etc., "Operation Mekong" in production should be able to catch up with the Spring Festival, "The Wandering Earth" may not be too late - chairman, I think we should first consider the schedule of the summer file, our company has more films to be screened, many films are suitable, and the so-called plan can't catch up with the changes......"

Li Mu smiled: "After all, we must arrange the release of the film during the Spring Festival, right?" ”

Chen Zhixi said without thinking about it: "Of course, the total box office of the seven-day market during the Spring Festival last year was 5.3 billion, with an average of 750 million per day, which has topped all the rest of the year......

Speaking of this, Chen Zhixi suddenly paused, and thought: "Zhou Xingzhi's new film "Mermaid" has been locked in next year's Spring Festival file in advance, and if Huashang also arranges a film to be released at that time, although the market of 5.3 billion in seven days is already very exaggerated, but if two 3 billion-level films are arranged, this is a battle of life and death with bayonets!" ”

Thinking of this, she suddenly understood what Li Mu meant, not only her, but also Liu Siying, Shen Li and others at this time.

If Maoyan Film wins the guaranteed distribution right of "The Mermaid", then Huashang Media will most likely have to give up the Spring Festival file next year, otherwise it will be competing with itself.

But if Maoyan Films did not get the guaranteed distribution right of "The Mermaid", then why did Huashang Media give up the Spring Festival file, which has become the first schedule of the year? If you lose both, you will lose both, and everyone will do their best!

Therefore, the reason why Zhou Xingzhi took the initiative to find the chairman is probably not just because he values the strong distribution ability of Maoyan Films?

Maybe there are also considerations for everyone to avoid schedules?

It's just that in this way, since Huashang Media wants to make obvious concessions, it is impossible for Zhou Xingzhi not to say something, so the chairman of the board of directors may really be able to issue a guarantee of 1.6 billion?

At this time, everyone's eyes looking at Li Mu changed again.

At this time, Shen Li was even calculating the details of the agreement with a guaranteed issuance of 1.6 billion.

Generally speaking, there are two types of guaranteed distribution: one is that the part of the income above the guaranteed box office has nothing to do with the film and is completely owned by the distributor; The other is more complicated, with the parties agreeing on multiple box office bands, each with a different share ratio.

Of course, Zhou Xingzhi could not choose the first way.

In the end, the details of the sharing agreement for negotiation drawn up by Li Mu are as follows:

Take the 1.6 billion guaranteed issuance as an example.

The part of the box office between 0 and 1.6 billion, Maoyan Movies enjoy a share according to the market price, and this part of Maoyan revenue is around 100 million yuan, and if Maoyan Films is responsible for paying the distribution costs in advance, the share ratio is higher.

For the part with a box office between 1.6 billion and 2.6 billion, Maoyan Film will share 40% of the producer's income as distribution expenses, and the 1 billion producer part in the middle is about 430 million, and 40% of 430 million is 172 million.

For the part with a box office between 2.6 billion and 3.6 billion, Maoyan Films will share 60% of the producer's revenue, and 60% of the 430 million is 258 million.

If the box office is more than 3.6 billion, Maoyan Films will share 70% of the producer's revenue.

If it is really negotiated according to this agreement, then if the final box office of "The Mermaid" really reaches 3.6 billion yuan, the income of Maoyan Film, as the guaranteed distributor, will be at least 530 million yuan.

This business can be done!

Even if it is the same 1.8 billion guaranteed issuance as Beijing Culture, this business can still be done!

From the perspective of the traverser, even a higher guarantee can be done!

……

Beijing Cultural Conference Room.

At this moment, from Chairman Song Ge onwards, everyone's faces are extremely serious.

The latest news, Maoyan Film is also negotiating with Xinghui about the guaranteed release, and who is Li Mu? Known as the first vision in the entertainment industry!

That's the existence of netizens ridiculing as a "traverser"!

He Brother Song can see that "Mermaid" has a box office potential of 2 billion or even more than 2.5 billion, and Li Mu can naturally see it, and when it comes to the company's influence and the relationship between Li Mu and Zhou Xingzhi, he Brother Song does not have an advantage at all, so for now, the 1.9 billion guaranteed issuance that made Brother Song quite complacent a few days ago is likely to be stillborn.

At this time, the assistant suddenly came in and said something in Brother Song's ear, Brother Song's face changed when he heard this, and then he revealed an inexplicable excitement.

"I just got the news that Zhou Xingzhi has gone to Huashang Building this morning, and reliable news is that the price offered by Huashang is 1.5 billion guaranteed issuance."

With a buzz, the conference room exploded.

The executives of Beijing City Culture, you look at me, I look at you, and then many people laughed unconsciously.

"1.5 billion guaranteed issuance? Could it be that Li Mu doesn't know about our bid for 1.8 billion guaranteed issuance? ”

"It has long been spread in the circle, and it is unlikely that Li Mu did not get the news, I think he is probably not very optimistic about "Mermaid".

"I think Li Mu is too conceited, I think only he Huashang Media can make the highest-grossing movie, and now Huashang has accumulated 3 films of more than 3 billion, but he thinks that Zhou Xingzhi's new film is only worth 1.5 billion guarantees!"

"If the dust does not settle for a day, you can't take it lightly for a day, I estimate that the 1.5 billion guarantee is Li Mu's trial price, and it is estimated that if this price cannot be negotiated, it will rise again in the later stage!"

"Hahahaha...... We have already bid 1.8 billion guarantees, and we can even get 1.9 billion guarantees, how can he get 1.5 billion? Zhou Xingzhi is not stupid! ”

And Brother Song, who was sitting on the main seat, always felt that something was wrong.

It stands to reason that someone gives a guarantee of 1.8 billion, and it is impossible for Zhou Xingzhi to choose one that only gives 1.5 billion, but why did Li Mu make such an offer this time?

Could it be that they are not optimistic about this model of guaranteed issuance, so they refuse in this way?

Brother Song shook his head, I'm afraid things are not that simple!

Just a day later.

The exact news finally came, Xinghui has reached a guaranteed distribution contract with Maoyan Films, with a guaranteed price of 1.55 billion yuan!

Zhou Xingzhi even rejected the 1.9 billion yuan guaranteed reserve price of Beijing Culture and chose to cooperate with Maoyan Film.

It is said that according to the agreement between the two parties, Maoyan Film will pay no more than 200 million yuan in advance for publicity and distribution, and for the part where the box office is less than 1.55 billion, Maoyan Film will charge a distribution fee at the market price, with a proportion of 20% (it will not be so high if the distribution fee is not paid in advance).

Between 1.55 billion and 2.55 billion, some Maoyan films charge 40% of the distribution fee.

Between 2.55 billion and 3.55 billion some Maoyan movies charge 60% of the discovery fee.

For the part above 3.55 billion, Maoyan Film charges 70% of the distribution fee.

It is also said that the agreement also requires Zhou Xingzhi to completely obey the arrangements of the Maoyan film publicity team during the promotion of the film, which is said to even include roadshow activities in dozens of cities, and Zhou will be present in person to cooperate.

And what Brother Song is most concerned about is why Zhou Xingzhi would rather refuse his guarantee of 1.9 billion yuan of Beijing Culture, and choose to cooperate with Maoyan Films, the reason for which is that Brother Song is both surprised and helpless.

It is said that Maoyan Movie only promised next year's Spring Festival, and Huashang Media promised not to arrange the release of its own films.

Just this one small condition!

Just such a small condition made Maoyan Movie's 1.55 billion beat his 1.9 billion, but his Brother Song didn't have a temper.

Because Brother Song can also arrange for his film to be released during the Spring Festival next year, but can the film he arranged pose a threat to "The Mermaid"? What's the use of not posing a threat to "The Mermaid"?

And who in China doesn't know that Huashang Media is a monster company that smashes out a 3 billion or even 4 billion film at every turn?

In other words, Zhou Xingzhi is not afraid of colliding with any film, but he will be afraid of Huashang Media.

It turns out that the reason is so simple, but even if Brother Song knows the reason in advance, he is completely powerless, he may be able to increase the guaranteed issuance to 2 billion, but will Zhou really change his mind because of this?

Brother Song may not see it.

This is what makes people both angry and helpless.

Huashang can smash out 3 billion films to compete, and there is almost no solution to this one!

……

When he got home, Liu Yifei hugged Li Mu's arm quite sadly and said, "Tell me quickly, say that you don't have to be tortured by feelings anymore!" ”

Li Mu asked rhetorically: "Why do you say that?" ”

Liu: "Don't ask, tell me I don't have to be emotionally tormented anymore!" ”

Li Mu asked again: "When did I let you be tortured by feelings?" ”

Liu snorted: "Still say no?" The two of us have been talking for so long, but you just refuse to propose, and even I want to ...... All ......"

I remember that when filming "Let's Get Married", Liu Yifei even prepared a ring to propose to Li Mu in reverse, and said that Li Mu found out in time and used more than a dozen love songs to delay time, so he proposed to her one step ahead of her on the day of the finale, what Liu said should be referring to this matter, right?

Speaking of which, he has not proposed for several years, and it is no problem to say that Liu has suffered a little, but Li Mu is curious about what happened to Liu today and why he suddenly remembered these things about Chen sesame seeds and rotten grain.

"You don't have to be tortured by feelings anymore, because you are my wife!" Then he was still curious, "What the hell is wrong with you today?" ”

Liu Yifei said quietly: "Liangying said that she was very envious of my bravery at that time, and she was even more envious of my luck at that time, and she said that she also wanted to learn from me." ”

Li Muxin said: "Zhang Liangying, learn from you? What do you learn? Did you almost propose to the man in reverse? ”

"Wait, Zhang Liangying, reverse proposal? Is it the event that caused a sensation in the original plane to arrive? ”

(End of chapter)