Shadow Empire

Chapter 325 Not That Simple [666+7]
Recently, talkies have driven the rapid development of the entire film industry, attracting a lot of capital.

The entry of capital will naturally bring about a series of changes. In order to cope with these changes, a "Film Practitioners Union" was established at the initiative of some screenwriters, directors, and actors.

Anyone who works in the film industry can join the union, and organizers claim they will integrate and efficiently utilize the resources of the entire industry.

There are many newcomers to the industry who do not have connections and relationships in this industry, and the birth of the Film Union has made up for this well.

They can get more opportunities to do various types of work through the union, actors have more ways to get to know directors, and directors have more opportunities to get to know actors.

The scripts written by screenwriters do not need to be submitted to production companies one by one. They can be sent directly to the screenwriter branch of the union. After registration, they can be shown to most production companies.

It only took four months from drafting to deciding to do this, which is very fast.

As the leading actor of a movie, Gerald was naturally invited. He, the director, and the entire crew were all in Valley City.

When he heard Lance's call and the content, he was obviously a little surprised. "I don't know about this, Lance. We have entrusted the distribution business to a company specializing in distribution, and the other party promised to guarantee our number of plays."

"I have no idea what you are talking about!"

He paused and said, "I need to communicate with the director. Please wait a moment."

Soon there was no sound on the phone. After waiting for about four or five minutes, two footsteps were heard coming from afar and then the phone was picked up.

"Mr. Lance?"

"Yes, I'm still here."

"Just now Gerard said that our movie was not aired. What's going on?"

Lance told the director what happened and he breathed a sigh of relief, "Mr. Lance, I don't think there's any problem."

This made Lance feel a little unbelievable after hearing it, "Why is there no problem?"

"They're selling our tickets but showing other people's movies. People can't see Gerald's performance or your achievements on the big screen. I think there's a big problem here!"

Listening to Lance's words, although he refuted the director's point of view, the director was not angry at all, because these words were essentially considered for him, and he explained it for Lance.

"Mr. Lance, you may lack some understanding of the current film market."

"We are currently using a buyout system. To put it simply, after our films are completed, we will invite theater chains and cinema owners to watch them."

"When they think our film is great, they can move on to the next stage, which is negotiating the price."

"We will trade the movies we have shot at a price that both parties can accept. As for how many times they play them and how they play them, it has nothing to do with us."

“Because they’ve already bought it out, the only thing we have to worry about is that the theater won’t pirate our movie.”

“As for whether he will play it after he buys it?”

"I believe they will broadcast it because it is related to whether they can make money."

Lance found it a little unbelievable after hearing this. This was not quite the same as the box office revenue sharing system he remembered. "But I heard that in some places... the production company and the theater split the money based on the box office."

The director laughed and said, "That's true. Some big production companies do share revenue based on box office sales. But Mr. Lance, they are them, not us."

"Before our films have proven their market value, there won't be that many theaters signing contracts with us."

"Even if we sign such a contract, it is difficult for us to guarantee that they can actually fulfill it. We still have to arrange people to travel around the country."

"Go to their theaters and collect some statistics. This is a very complicated job, Mr. Lance."

"And we don't have any good way to confirm whether they are stealing our box office."

"At present, our main targets are some small and medium-sized theater chains and private cinemas."

Hearing this, Lance probably understood, "So what is broadcast has nothing to do with us, including their profits?"

"Yes, Mr. Lance, but as long as we can prove that our movie can attract more people to the cinema, the price of the next movie will be improved. If we can continue to be successful, we can discuss profit sharing with the theaters."

In fact, after saying so much, Lance understood that there are roughly two meanings.

First, they are not well-known, and in this environment which is clearly a buyer's market (introducing film sources), they are not qualified to make demands.

Secondly, if they want to change from a buyout system to a box office profit-sharing system, they must at least become very famous. Only when they have proved that "our movies have a dominant position in the schedule" will those theaters negotiate profit-sharing with them.

Lance actually didn't expect the current situation to be so complicated. He asked again, "So how much did our movie sell for?"

The director's voice seemed to rise a little, and it was obvious that he was in a good mood. "It has been sold for 135,000 yuan, Mr. Lance, you have made money from this."

He thought for a moment and said, "After deducting taxes, it would be about... 15,000 yuan."

"Fifteen thousand?" Lance was a little confused, but the director was still very excited. "Yes, and there may be several theaters that will buy it later. The income at that time will be relatively pure profit."

"This movie can bring you at least 30,000 yuan in income, which is not low. Although it cannot compare with the movies of big companies, it is already top-tier in our scale."

Lance was suddenly speechless and wanted to curse. That’s it?
If it's all a buyout system, how can he use movies and cinemas to launder money?

"Listen, Director, thirty thousand dollars is not as much as the income from selling a few more drinks tonight."

"I will continue to invest, but I hope our influence can be greater. At the same time, next time you go to talk to the theaters, tell them that we are talking about the revenue-sharing system."

"No buyout system, I don't like this!"

The director didn't quite understand after hearing this, but as an investor, Lance had the final say, and he understood this principle.

“It’s just that it’s hard for me to guarantee whether we can reach an agreement on how many cinemas to include, and whether we can ensure that they don’t steal the money that should belong to us!”

Lance interrupted him, "This is not something you need to think about, this is something I need to think about, okay?"

"Also, are there any plans for the next movie?"

The director was in high spirits at the moment and immediately told him the shooting plan for the next movie. Lance then asked him to talk about it after he came back.

He originally thought that this matter would be very simple, but now it seems that this matter is not that simple.

Box office sharing does exist, but small companies simply cannot afford it. Just arranging supervisors to check the box office situation in theaters across the country is a considerable expense.

Not to mention other aspects, such as piracy, for small production companies, buyout is the most reasonable way.

Moreover, the return on investment is very quick. You can get the full amount once the filming is completed and the deal is settled. It is much more convenient than waiting for the profit to be split after the screening.

After finishing the conversation with the director, Lance called Vice President Vaughn again. After confirming that he was in the Dockworkers' Union, he immediately took a car to the dock.

In the workers' union office, Lance met Vaughn.

"When does Scott get promoted?"

It has been a month since the competition, and President Scott seems to have not left yet. Lance finds it a bit strange.

Vaughn asked his secretary to bring a cup of coffee. He sat on the sofa next to Lance and said, "At the end of this month or the beginning of next month."

Lance looked him up and down and could see that he was very calm. He didn't feel uncertain at all about whether he would take over the power as the president was about to leave.

"So you've already been selected?"

Vaughn showed a faint smile on his face. "This still needs a vote. The Workers' Union is a democratic group."

The more he said this, the more Lance understood that the matter had already been decided, but it was just not easy to reveal to the outside world.

"Is there any way to urge Scott to leave early?"

Vaughn looked at Lance in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"Because at the end of this month, early next month, there might be a riot at the docks, or even in the whole city."

"If he doesn't leave, there's a high probability that he won't be able to leave!"

Vaughn was stunned for a while after hearing this. If Scott couldn't leave, wouldn't he, the designated president, have to become the current vice president again?

He quickly asked, "What's going on?"

Lance explained the general situation to him, "…So this is a multifaceted issue, and it concerns the future of this city."

"Actually, I shouldn't have told you this, but we are friends, Vaughn, so I have to tell you in advance."

"But you don't have to worry about this being a bad thing. In fact, it may not be a bad thing for you or the dock workers."

"Capitalists will offer workers higher wages, the discontent among dock workers will be greatly alleviated, and immigrant groups will be able to voice their calls for fair treatment, including those illegal immigrants."

"If you can work with me to get these things done and do them beautifully, Vaughn, you will also have a chance to go to the General Labor Union!"

"And after you go there, your status will definitely be higher than Scott's!"

"Because you will be at the forefront of the times and will have a huge influence!"

Lance swore that he didn't want Vaughn to rush to the front line, he just felt that this was an opportunity and it would be a shame not to try it!

(End of this chapter)