Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 60 What is professionalism?

In the small town of Sitges, the mist rising from the sea was dispersed by the morning light;

The morning light penetrated the clouds like thousands of golden threads, sprinkling on the red-tiled roof of the Seaside Theater, reflecting a warm red.

The streets outside the theater were bustling with people, reporters carrying cameras, film distributors holding folders, and the air was filled with a subtle calm amidst the busyness.

In the negotiation room, Wu Chen and Jason Blum sat opposite each other, the script of "Buried" was placed on the table, and two cups of espresso were steaming, lingering in the gaps between the slanting sunlight.

The blinds cast dappled light on Blum's jacket, wrinkled like a pickle, as he scribbled furiously in his notebook, itemizing the project's expenses:

Actor salaries, photography and lighting, art and set design, recording and sound effects, post-production, and production management.
"Wu, take a look at this list." Blum put down his pen and pushed the notebook in front of Wu Chen.

Wu Chen glanced down and estimated the total cost to be 80 to 110 million.

The expenses are listed very comprehensively. Except for the actors' salaries, which fluctuate greatly and are marked between 20 and 50 yuan, the estimates of the other expenses are very precise.

Of course, the obvious omission was the director and screenwriter's remuneration. Wu Chen raised his head slightly, and Blum seemed to have anticipated this:
“In low-budget independent films, the main creative staff (especially new directors) often sacrifice their salary in exchange for investment or box office dividends.

But if you need a fixed salary, we can make a reasonable estimate."

Upon hearing this, Wu Chen shook his head silently.

Blum knew Wu Chen's choice, and in fact, it was also within his expectations.

If a director doesn't even have this ambition, he is doomed to fail and will be no different from those Hollywood directors who are just tools.

There are four common investment structures for Hollywood films: co-production, production-led, master control, and risk-free.

The four modes are actually not complicated.

Blum leaned back in his chair and spoke calmly:
"I'll lead the production, and you or the investors will be in charge. The ratio is usually 70:30 or 20:80. If you're risk-free, you'll just be the director and screenwriter, not investing any money, but receiving a fixed salary and dividends. The risk is low, but you also have no say."

He didn't elaborate, just made a point.

He knew very well that he was not a company like Lionsgate and did not have absolute say. Although Wu Chen was a newcomer, his talent and ambition were obvious. If he could not convince Wu Chen, the work of the past two days would be in vain.

Wu Chen also knew clearly in his heart that it was a pipe dream for a new director like him to negotiate investment and distribution with a large company at this stage. Even Lionsgate would have a hard time.

Only independent producers like Blum, who have not yet fully established themselves, have room for negotiation.

At present, only the requirements and distribution of the co-production model are relatively acceptable to both of them.

Wu Chen: Director + screenwriter + investment, 50%.

Blum: Production + investment + marketing + docking + resources, 50%.

Equal cooperation, half and half of the profits.

But Wu Chen still wanted to fight for it. Just as he tried to speak, Blum smiled bitterly and said:
"Wu, I know you want more, but I really can't squeeze in. Your 50% is real, but mine may not be entirely mine. I have to pay a corresponding price for some resources and channels, which are also my years of accumulation."

Wu Chen smiled after hearing this and stopped arguing. Instead, he talked about matters after the cooperation: "Okay, then let's talk about the subsequent division of responsibilities."

“We may have disagreements on film editing rights and marketing strategies. You are the director, and you have the right to decide on editing, while I have the right to make suggestions;

I suggest you entrust it to the editor. Hollywood editors are very strong and can balance the director's ideas and market tastes.

Secondly, I am an expert in market strategy, I have the power to make decisions, and you have the power to make suggestions."

Wu Chen had no doubt about this.

"It's a pleasure to work with you!" Wu Chen extended his hand, and Brom shook it firmly, grinning.

"It's a pleasure working with you! Honestly, Wu, I look forward to the day when you hire me as a professional producer as an international A-level director. Then you won't have to share the work with me anymore, and you'll be the one in control!"

Wow, what a good talker.

Wu Chen was delighted.

Blum's emotional intelligence and vision are truly what makes him so successful in the independent film industry.

“By the way, if you want to maximize your profits, you have to register a company in Hollywood;
California or Delaware are both fine. Delaware has many tax incentives. After registering, just find a lawyer to represent you.

I will use media resources to build momentum before filming begins and hype up the popularity of Buried Alive."

Jason Blum was very thoughtful and explained almost every step from the start to the end to Wu Chen clearly.

This is what a qualified producer is. If he had such a qualified producer when he was filming "Dark Side", he wouldn't be so busy from morning till night every day, wishing he could be split into eight pieces.

Finding a qualified producer after returning to China is one of his important tasks. Otherwise, sooner or later he will be exhausted to death by the workload.

As for going to Hollywood, I'm not in a hurry, mainly because I don't have the money.

Copyright fees are not paid immediately after signing. Mature companies like CJ and Toho require a partial advance payment to lock the distribution rights, which will take 1-3 months to arrive. The balance will be paid 1-6 months after the film is delivered.

He had to return to China first and take the signed contract to borrow money from the bank before he could proceed with the funding operations.

Thinking of this, Wu Chen couldn't help but have a headache.

Things happened one after another.

After returning, the studio will have to start transforming into a company. Although we don’t have to hire people in the short term, we still have to find suitable candidates to help manage the company in the long term.

"Okay, I'll contact you before I go to Hollywood after returning home." Wu Chen smiled and patted Blum's shoulder.

Although Blum was a little confused as to why Wu Chen didn't go to Hollywood with him to sort out these trivial matters after the Sitges meeting, since Wu Chen didn't say anything, he didn't ask. The two of them had a tacit understanding and talked about other things about the project.

With Blum, Wu Chen doesn't have to worry about anything else in the crew.

As soon as Wu Chen mentioned the male lead, Blum pushed a few people over.

Like Christian Bale, who is currently in Sitges, he just finished filming "The Machinist" and received a salary of around $50.

Casey Affleck, who gained good reputation for independent films with "Jerry", received a salary of around $20 to $30.

Blum even introduced the styles of several people to Wu Chen clearly.

"Don't worry, I will send you a list of suitable roles via email later. You can take your time to select them. Once you've made your selection, just tell me and I'll do the rest.

Of course, if you have any suitable role recommendations, you can also send them to me."

Seeing Wu Chen still hesitating, Blum said immediately.

profession.

This is Wu Chen’s deepest impression of Blum at the moment.

After the two finished talking, they had lunch together.

On the other side, Ethan Kessler received a reply from Zhang Yimou and stared at the words "Wu Chen has no intention of signing with CAA" with a look of disbelief on his face.

This reply frustrated Kessler, who thought he had it all figured out. He hadn't expected that this director from China would actually reject the big offer from CAA.

After recovering from his shock, Ethan Kessler didn't continue to look for Wu Chen. Since he had been rejected, then it was rejected. However, he was very curious whether Wu Chen would come to Hollywood in the future.

"Wu Chen, I hope to see you in Hollywood so that I can prove that my current vision is not wrong."

Ethan Kessler smiled, sent a message to his superiors, then turned and went into the cinema to continue recruiting new people.

In China, the Internet craze spread like wildfire.

Wu Chen's name has been trending on the entertainment headlines of Sina, Sohu, 21CN and other platforms for two days.

Even Zhang Zemin, who was far away in Guangzhou, saw the news.

Since placing the advertisement that day, he would occasionally pay attention to some things in the entertainment industry, and the program "Super Girl" really interested him.

"If you don't create your own brand, you will never be able to achieve anything." Zhang Zemin muttered while watching the news about Wu Chen.

He will not lose money on this investment no matter what. Even if the advertisement does not boost shoe sales much, Wu Chen himself is enough.

He increasingly felt the role of advertising in promoting products. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but pick up the phone, found Wu Mingyang's number and dialed it.

"Old Wu, yes, I'm looking for you for dinner. Are you free? The day after tomorrow, okay? The day after tomorrow."

Zhang Zemin smiled, then thought of something and said:

"Have you read the online reports about Wu Chen? If not, go check it out! Your son has become a talented director. Old Wu, you're going to be famous. When the time comes, don't forget to support your brother."

(End of this chapter)