Mabuli is a cafe near the seaside. Chinese people talk about things at the wine table. After the meal is over, things are settled, and then they find a place to start having fun.
When foreigners talk about work, eating means eating. After eating, find a place to sit down and have a cup of coffee or something to talk about things.
The setting sun shines into the cafe through the glass, giving the cafe a mysterious color. On the beach not far away, a group of tourists are playing, and the noisy sounds are transmitted into the cafe, making it a little dull. The atmosphere is a little more cheerful.
In addition to Bob Shea, Joss and Yang Dongxu, there was one more person sitting at the coffee table, the film's director and producer Peter Jackson.
If it was just the director, then Peter might sit down with a few people on another occasion to discuss things. For example, when the contract is signed and the investment begins to prepare for filming, he needs to communicate with the sponsor of the money.
Therefore, the director's status is not the main reason why Peter is sitting here. The main reason is that in addition to being the director, he is also the producer of the film. Whether it is domestic or foreign, the producer's weight in the film is not as important as in the final announcement. The director is visible, but his power is definitely greater than that of the director, because he can replace the director at any time.
The director's job is to make a good movie, while the producer is fully responsible for script coordination, preliminary preparations, organizing the film crew, accounting for production funds, financial review, etc.
In short, the director team can only dictate what they shoot and strive to shoot what they want. The producer, on the other hand, has the power and financial resources, and is the number one person in the entire crew.
"I'm not questioning Weta Digital, but compared to the special effects you've done before from Industrial Light & Magic, there's really nothing outstanding about them.
So the special effects limit is 15 minutes. You have the right to produce the first 15 minutes. We are satisfied with the effect of the work. The special effects production of the entire film and even the special effects production of the remaining two films can be handed over to Weta Digital. I have no objection.
In short, there is only one premise: come up with works that are enough to convince me to use Weta Digital instead of Industrial Light & Magic. Otherwise, I think there would be no need to continue discussing this business.
I invest money to make money. It's normal for a star to want to be associated with a blockbuster movie to become popular, as long as he puts in enough acting skills to convince me. Similarly, I agree that Weta Digital wants to take advantage of this opportunity to reach a higher level, but it must also show its strength to convince me. "Yang Dongxu said very directly.
"15 minutes is not enough, at least 30 minutes is required. The special effects are coherent and complementary to each other. Some can start with a large-scale production to shock people, but some are progressive and push to the climax. In fact, 15 minutes It's not a scientific time." Peter hesitated and said.
To be honest, in his impression, yellow people have always been synonymous with being easy to bully. Even Japanese people in developed countries always bow politely when being slapped in the face, not to mention Chinese people who are cautious in everything they do.
But the Chinese man in front of him was obviously beyond his expectation. He was extremely tough in everything he did and said, without any room for maneuver, which made him feel very unhappy.
But he can only endure his discomfort for the time being. After all, this is a blockbuster with an investment of US$9,300. This is a rare opportunity for both his director career and the Weta Digital he founded.
If this drama becomes popular, he can directly join the ranks of first-line directors, or even among the top ones. Weta Digital may also strive to win an Oscar for special effects.
If he fails, he can also use this time to gain experience in shooting blockbusters, and the same is true for Weta Digital. So no matter how unhappy he felt, he could only endure it for the time being.
"30 minutes is not impossible, but if the special effects are not satisfactory within 30 minutes, do you need to refund all the production fees and compensate?" Yang Dongxu asked lightly.
"This..." Peter's expression paused. Although the 30-minute production fee would be refunded and compensated, which would not cause Weta Digital to go bankrupt, it would definitely be a thorn in the side.
You must know that special effects production companies actually rely on fame and technology, and do not have much assets of their own. When doing special effects for a movie, the special effects company basically has to complete its own work. No matter whether the movie is a big hit or a flop, it will always be profitable.
Of course, if the movie becomes a hit, you can run award nominations to gain more fame, so that you can raise the price next time and earn more.
And once there is an incident where special effects production needs to be returned due to employer dissatisfaction, although Weta Digital will not be bankrupted, it is actually almost bankrupt. After all, how can it continue to receive business after its reputation is so bad?
"Otherwise, if the special effects production is unsatisfactory, just compensate. Two-thirds of the production cost will be refunded, and the refunded money will be yours. New Line Cinema will not take a penny. The money invested in the subsequent special effects will be yours." We will do it according to the contract investment ratio. However, a confidentiality agreement must be signed for this matter." Bob Shay, who has always been talked about, said.
This was undoubtedly an attempt to smooth things over, which made Yang Dongxu look at him in surprise. This was obviously not just a friend relationship with Peter, the relationship between the two people was probably more complicated. Otherwise, Shay would not be able to risk the company losing money and still have to protect Peter.
"That's it." Looking at Xie and then at Peter, Yang Dongxu was ready to take a step back. After all, everything had been discussed before, because it was not worth wrangling over this small matter. He watched 15 minutes and 20 minutes. It makes no difference.
However, although he was ready to take a step back, he still emphasized: "According to the contract, except for a few roles that we have decided on, the rest of the casting, crew shooting, and final editing are all your decision. After that, we will only invest money and review the finances." . But after the filming is completed, I must first look at the quality of the film."
"No problem." Shay and Peter both nodded happily, after all, it was nothing. Anyway, if there is an award ceremony before the release and I want to win an award, I will find some professionals to watch it in advance.
"Then it's no problem at all." Yang Dongxu shrugged. Just leave the signing to Joss, because he is the person in charge of this investment. "I wish you all a happy night. I don't have many people here." Come with me, I have something to do tomorrow, go see my team."
"Team, you still have a team?" Bob Shay asked in surprise.
"Uh-huh." Yang Dongxu nodded: "I previously acquired a basketball team called the 76ers. After the acquisition, I was very satisfied with the results, so I am going to take these great guys on vacation to relax, and then talk to the team manager. Let’s talk about whether to continue recruiting. Last season my team reached the finals, and I also want to get a ring in the new season, don’t I?”
After speaking, Yang Dongxu waved his hand without waiting for anything else from Xie Yi and Peter, and turned to leave with Joss. His boss has left, and Jos has no intention of staying. The contract has been negotiated. I will ask the secretary to finalize the contract tomorrow, and then find a lawyer to review and notarize it. If there are no problems, just sign it.
The only thing left is to assign a few roles to artists signed by Heiner in the United States, and then the filming has nothing to do with him. As long as he pays attention to the financial review from time to time, he can arrange other work during the rest of the time. .
"Do you think what he said is true?" Peter turned to look at Shay, although he knew that he came to Hollywood with the capital to start a career, and he must have a lot of money in his pocket, otherwise this person would be a liar.
But the investment of 93 million yuan in this major production has dispelled the suspicion that the other party is a liar. But Yang Dongxu suddenly revealed that he had a team, and it was the team that made it to the finals last season. This was undoubtedly a huge shock to him who had always been prejudiced against Chinese people.
"There's no need for him to lie about this, right?" Shea pondered and asked.
In fact, the 76ers turned out to be the Chinese team of Yang Dongxu. He was very surprised and even shocked just now. But his self-regulation ability is obviously better than Peter's.
"It's not necessary." Peter adjusted his sitting posture and nodded: "It's just that our partners seem to be stronger than imagined?"
Those who can afford the team are undoubtedly those with strong capital, especially the owners who can afford the team with the ability to compete in the finals. They don't dare to play without any financial resources.
Because no one can guarantee that their team can always win, can be talked about, and can reach the finals. You must know that more than half of the teams in the NBA are losing money. Who can afford it without any financial resources?
"The stronger the partner, the more beneficial it is to us, right? Even if he is Chinese and may have fewer resources in the United States, we have certain resources and he has money. This is the best cooperation!"
"It is indeed the best cooperation, but our cooperation partner is too strong." Being forced into a corner by Yang Dongxu, a Chinese, and having to use the steps brought by Xie Yi to get off the stage, Peter's heart obviously has not changed for a while. .
"Listen to me, man, if you had as much money as him and could afford to play the team, I think you would be more arrogant than him. With so much initiative in his hands, he has shown Chinese humility by making such a concession. It's just a side of him. It's just that he doesn't give in to what he wants, which makes you a little ugly." Shay stood up and patted Peter on the shoulder.
It's okay to help Peter in front of Yang Dongxu. After all, the two are friends, and Peter can help him speak to other shareholders about the company.
But when there are no outsiders, Xie Yi will undoubtedly speak more directly, and there is no need to estimate the face of his friend.
"Okay, what you said makes sense. If I had the bargaining chip in his hand, no one else would be able to interfere in this drama, let alone other rights." Peter had no choice but to admit it, so he nodded: "I just hope that this partner , after establishing a firm foothold, he is still as humble as he is now.”
"Then it depends on whether he loses money or makes money on this play. Everyone is happy when making money and will naturally behave like a gentleman. If he loses money, I will also lose my temper." Bob Shea said.
Although because he holds the equity of New Line Cinema, even if the film company is acquired by Warner Bros., he still has independent management rights over the film company, but there are undoubtedly two different things between having multiple bosses and being the boss himself.
Therefore, the investment in this film is also extremely important to him. If it succeeds, the pressure from Warner Bros. will be much less on him, and he will be able to gain more freedom, and even take back part of the film company's equity. If it fails, maybe he can retain some of his shares, but it's time to give up the position of president of the film company.
