Entertainment: I am the peak

Chapter 199: Hex within the hemp!

Should we say that Hollywood has no money, or that Michael Lynn has lost his way, or that small companies have no human rights?
Since the founding of Lantern Entertainment, veteran Michael Lynn has been personally in charge of "The Hunger Games", but failed to raise enough funds.

When New Line Cinema was at its peak, they all hugged Michael Lynn and called him their brother. Now that New Line has been completely incorporated into Warner, the former "brothers" have disappeared one by one.

After much difficulty, they raised 2000 million US dollars, but the money was used to shoot "Limitless", a low-cost film that could be started with 2000 million US dollars.

But it must be said that Hollywood veterans like Michael Lynn have really strong willpower and are full of energy.

Lack of money is the least of his problems, and he is still working hard for "The Hunger Games".

Of course, Michael Lynn's efforts this year did not just bring in $2000 million for the company.

He secured Universal Pictures for Li Qiutang.

Universal Pictures was very interested in "The Hunger Games" and accepted the olive branch thrown by Michael Lynn, but only agreed to bear 25% of the cost and the global promotion and marketing of the film.

Universal hopes that Lantern Entertainment will co-produce no less than 10 films with it in the next ten years and provide at least 60% of the production costs for each film.

This is treating Lantern Entertainment as a cash cow. Universal should know that there are Oriental people behind Lantern Entertainment. They think that in the global financial crisis, Oriental people have money.

Li Qiutang still chose to agree to Universal's request. His Lantern Entertainment needed the big tree of Universal. Although Universal was only in the middle position among the big six, it was still not comparable to a company like Lantern Entertainment.

However, Li Qiutang also had her own requirements. Ten films in ten years, to be selected by Lantern Entertainment independently and negotiated with Universal. Lantern Entertainment could not have to pay for any film Universal put in its box.

Universal Pictures was amazed that the head of Lantern Entertainment was such a young Oriental, but rejected Li Qiutang's request to choose Universal projects independently.

All I want is for you to pay the money obediently. What are you talking about? I also let you choose the project. What are you thinking?

But that's how negotiations work, asking for a high price and paying a low price.

If you want me to be your cash cow, I want you to open up projects for me to choose from.

The negotiations between Li Qiutang and Universal were put on hold as the two sides could not reach an agreement. Li Qiutang did not want to be taken advantage of, and Universal did not want to give Lantern Entertainment too much autonomy.

Li Qiutang was really bold. If he had $20 billion in his pocket, it would be understandable for him to slam the table at Universal, but he only had $2 million and yet he dared to negotiate a contract for 10 movies with Universal.

Universal didn’t know that Li Qiutang only had 2 million!
Universal was really bold. They didn't even know whether Li Qiutang had money or not, yet they dared to propose this kind of cooperation.

Do foreigners also know the principle of trying your best to get what you want?

However, the two sides have no disagreement on the cooperation on "The Hunger Games", but Li Qiutang hopes that Universal will not only undertake the film's publicity and promotion work, but also bear at least 40% of the film's production costs.

Of course Universal refused and refused to give in. It was only willing to pay 25%. I was the one asking you for money, but you had the nerve to ask me to pay more.

The initial budget for "The Hunger Games" has reached 8000 million, and 25% is 2000 million. This money should be enough to set up a team and start preparations.

But Universal did not let Li Qiutang get what she wanted. The 2000 million was not given now, but one month before the completion of the filming, and in installments!
This made Li Qiutang curse in her heart, these old foxes, they wouldn't let others take advantage of them at all.

Although Michael Lynn still assured Li Qiutang that he would continue to work for "The Hunger Games", Li Qiutang no longer had that much patience.

This movie is a sure win, and if I want to have a piece of the pie, there’s nothing I can do if others don’t want to take a share.

He also took out $2000 million from his own piggy bank and gave it to Michael Lynn, asking him to organize a team of screenwriters and directors to prepare for the film.

Why not pay out 8000 million at one time to cover the cost?

How can you make a movie like this? Li Qiutang's base is in China, and she often cannot take care of the United States. It is too risky to pay 8000 million at once.

The 8000 million cost of The Hunger Games was too much for Lantern Entertainment. Michael Lynn suggested that Li Qiutang start with a small or medium-sized budget of less than 5000 million, such as Limitless. Li Qiutang knew this truth. The Hunger Games just happened to come into his hands and he got the rights to adapt it. Otherwise, he would not have thought of making this film.

After staying in the United States for a week and promising Michael Lynn that $2000 million would be deposited into his account within a month, Li Qiutang returned to China.

Because the autumn film industry’s annual meeting is about to begin, all the out-of-town guests have arrived in Beijing and checked into the hotel.

"Hello, Mr. Wang."

"Ah, Mr. Zheng, let's talk after the party."

"Boss Liu, I won three games last time playing cards. I want to win it back tonight. Hahahaha, come inside and sit down."

"Mr. Zhang, it's all over. Have fun tonight."

Li Qiutang personally served as the receptionist and greeted all the guests at the entrance of the venue.

"Bingbing, long time no see." Fan Bingbing was captured by Li Qiutang, and she was happy to help.

"Teacher Guoli, please sit inside. Please sit inside." Li Qiutang shook hands with Zhang Guoli.

The stars invited by Li Qiutang are very interesting. The investors and bosses who came to attend the annual meeting today are all over 40 years old. They may not know the currently popular Yang Mi and Hu Ge, but they are likely to know actors with wide national popularity such as Fan Bingbing and Zhang Guoli.

If only Zhao Yanzi could be invited over...

"Where is Yifei?" Li Qiutang asked.

"Yifei has a show to perform today, and she's putting on makeup now."

"She has also signed up for the program." Li Qiutang smiled. He had not yet looked at the annual meeting program.

The annual meeting began soon, and after the lively opening dance, Li Qiutang was invited to the stage to speak.

"...Thanks to several friends who came from Shanxi Province. Mr. Zhou just came back from Australia yesterday. Thank you very much. And my very good friend, Mr. Zhang from Qilu, who is considered my first investor...."

At this time, the boss needs to summarize the achievements of the past year and also make a big plan for the future. However, as a director, he is not very good at speaking in public:
"...In the future, our Autumn Pictures will develop two legs: movies and TV series. We have three TV series and two movies in the works. Next year will be the time for us to check the results!"

"I told our founding employees that if your annual salary doesn't exceed 5 million in 10-200 years, it's my incompetence as a boss. This promise still stands. I believe that our Autumn Pictures platform will definitely bring rich returns to everyone!"

"And I promise you all here that when our company's business stabilizes, I will personally preside over the company's equity reform, and every one of our employees will have the opportunity to obtain company options and become a shareholder of the company. You can write down what I said. I am not afraid of people saying that I am bragging about talking about employee options in a company that has only been established for a year. Don't be jealous of others going public. Our company may not be unable to do so. I believe that it will not be too far for you to get company shares."

The employees were all excited. They thought the boss would focus on next year's projects, but he unexpectedly painted a bigger pie of company options.

I really want to eat this cake.

Huayi's listing created many celebrities and wealthy people. Now many people in the circle are envious of the company's shares. It is just right for Li Qiutang to draw this pie at this time.

The guests also looked at Xiao Li with admiration. Although he was young, he spoke and acted very generously. Regardless of whether he was bragging or not, the fact that he dared to say it so openly in public made him better than ordinary people.

Of course, some people think that distributing options to employees is a waste of time.

After Li Qiutang finished speaking, everyone sat down in the audience and the annual meeting program continued.

Host: "The following guest is not simple, she is a foreign friend, and a very popular actress. Please invite Korean actress Ms. Lee Da Hae to sing a song for us."

Li Qiutang: “???”

He is so numb!!!
(End of this chapter)