Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 96 If you disagree, then get out.

The three of them left the office and went to Chen Shouzhe's office next door for tea.

"Director Chen, will they agree?" Tao Le asked.

"This is already the biggest concession. The specific profit-sharing ratio should be set at a certain threshold, specifying how many billions you need to reach to receive a certain percentage of the profits," Chen Shou said, picking up his teacup.

Zhong Lifan looked at this young man in his early twenties with admiration. Facing representatives from more than ten cinema chains, he had shown no weakness. If it were some students who had just graduated from university, they certainly wouldn't have had the courage to be so bold in front of a group of middle-aged veterans.

Two days ago, when she learned that Chen Shou was going to cause trouble, she had already thought about how to deal with it.

Even Xiao Ma was just a participant, charging alongside Zhang Dapao or Zuo Shandiao.

If Chen Shou launches a solo offensive, he should be able to push the box office to a very low number.

The three of them were drinking tea in the office when they discussed the matter for half an hour before reaching a conclusion.

Chen Shou and the other two pushed open the door and came in.

They took a pen and paper in during their discussion, probably to calculate the appropriate ratio.

"How's everyone's discussion going? How much should we start dividing it among ourselves?" Chen Shou asked.

"Is Director Chen going to guarantee screenings?" asked the person in charge of Dadi Cinema.

"No need. My movies don't need you to guarantee a certain number of screenings. If I can't even get basic screenings, then I shouldn't be making movies at all," Chen Shou said with a smile.

"I told you long ago, Director Chen's movie should just follow the normal screening schedule. Anyway, Wanda never had a screening rate below 30%." Ye Ning spread her hands and smiled.

Other cinema chains naturally knew they couldn't reduce Chen Shouzhe's screenings, since Chen Shouzhe's movies had never lost money, so how could they possibly reduce them?

If Chen Shouzhe had ever lost money, they could find excuses to suppress it. But since he has been making money for them, it's unreasonable for them not to give him screenings.

Chen Shouzhe did not include screening schedules in the betting agreement for this reason, unlike other film companies that would bet with theaters on more screenings, offering a lower revenue share in exchange for more screenings.

If a movie is bad, theaters will cut its screenings without hesitation two days later. At that point, the box office revenue share will drop to the minimum, and the theaters will go bankrupt.

"In that case, let's start the discussion with a minimum of 43%. Director Chen, after a unanimous discussion, we've decided to adopt a tiered revenue sharing model. If your film reaches 8 million, we'll add 1%, making it 44%. If it exceeds 12 billion, it'll be 45%, and if it exceeds 20 billion, it'll be 47%," said the head of Dadi Cinemas.

"What if it exceeds 30 billion?" Chen Shou asked.

Upon hearing his words, the managers of the dozen or so cinemas exchanged glances.

"If it exceeds 30 billion, then we'll allocate 50%."

"Add another condition: if it exceeds 40 billion, I want 52%."

"what?"

"If the box office exceeds 40 billion, give me 52%," Chen Shou said earnestly.

"Director Chen, this is outrageous!" Ye Ning exclaimed.

"There's nothing outrageous about it. If it exceeds 40 billion, my investment is destined to be a blockbuster worth hundreds of millions. You'll get more, and I'll invest more. There's nothing to say. Right now, no domestic film has reached 40 billion. If it really does reach 40 billion, you'll still be the ones making money," Chen Shou said, waving his hand.

"This……"

The theater managers present all looked at each other in bewilderment. Chen Shou was too confident. Was the domestic market really that big? They knew very well that even with their continuous expansion over the years, it was still too difficult to make a movie reach a market of 40 billion yuan.

Chen Shouzhe actually proposed a 40 billion yuan bet, which is almost impossible given the current film industry environment. The current record is still 28 billion yuan for "2012".

Is Chen Shouzhe trying to break this record?
It's not something he can break just like that. For a film to be of high quality, you need to consider the market and the audience.

“Okay, Wanda agrees.” Ye Ning thought about it and decided it didn’t matter. Anyway, she would get a share, so 52% was fine. They would talk about it later if it was actually done.

"Are you crazy? A 9% increase all at once?" the head of Huaxia Cinema Circuit exclaimed.

"If the movie really reaches 3 billion in box office revenue, do you think we'll lose money?" Ye Ning asked with a smile.

"The earth agrees."

"China Film Group has agreed."

"You guys..." The people from Huaxia Cinema looked at them, not expecting that they would all agree.

However, after doing the math, it was indeed a lot of money to be made, so he gritted his teeth and said, "China has also agreed, and we hope Chen Shouzhe can break the record."

"Phew, everyone, it's settled then. From now on, all the movies I direct will be categorized according to this tiered system," Chen Shou said with a sigh of relief.

"We trust Director Chen. As for the other directors, we won't use this revenue sharing ratio," said the head of Dadi Cinemas, and the others nodded in agreement.

"I'm so glad you all agreed. I will do my best to make a good movie and promote it. Let's achieve a win-win situation!" Chen Shou extended his hand.

"Win-win!" The head of Dadi Cinemas also extended his hand and signed contracts with more than ten cinema chains. The specific announcement will have to wait, otherwise other companies will cause trouble. This is their own business and has nothing to do with them.

Finally, the agreement was reached and the contract was signed, and Chen Shouzhe finally felt relieved.

Chen Shouzhe even booked a large private room. How could he not treat them to a meal after inviting them over? He had to at least provide them with good food and drinks.

No one refused, and the group entered the large elevator, chatting and laughing as they went downstairs. Unexpectedly, a large group of reporters had gathered at the entrance, surrounding them as soon as they came out. Fortunately, the building's security guards went up to keep an eye on them, preventing any incidents. All the responsible parties also brought their assistants.

Reporters can't come over, but that doesn't stop them from asking questions.

"Director Chen, what are your plans for suddenly inviting theaters to participate?"

"Director Chen, will you renegotiate the box office revenue sharing for the film's release?"

"Mr. Ye, have the cinema chains and Shouzhe Pictures reached any agreement?"

"Director Chen..."

One by one, people held up microphones to ask questions, but Chen Shou waved his hand and said, "I'm sorry, everyone. If there is any cooperation, we will announce it in time. We have other things to do, so we can't accept interviews."

Everyone went to a five-star restaurant, and Chen Shou had someone bring over some fine wine.

It was midday, and not many people were drinking. They all knew that Chen Shou was a good drinker, so a few of them didn't drink much, but they drank a little with him.

"By the way, Director Chen, I heard you're making a new movie. Why haven't we heard anything?" a theater manager suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes turned to Chen Shouzhe.

At the press conference for the start of filming of "Let the Bullets Fly", Chen Shouzhe put his arm around Jiang Wen and not only invited him to be the male lead, but also said that he was already making the movie. However, many people noticed that Chen Shouzhe did not go out to film the movie at all, but went to Xiaoxiaomeng Company every day.

There are no film plans. When interviewed by the media, Tao Le and his team said they had projects, but no one said what those projects were.

However, no film project was seen, and the cinemas that were partners were curious about what kind of film Chen Shou was making.

Chen Shouzhe and Tao Le exchanged a glance and laughed, "What I'm making now isn't a live-action movie, it's an animated movie."

"Animated film?"

"Those big Hollywood animations?"

"No wonder we haven't seen any filming; it turns out it's an animated film."

"Little Dream now has such advanced production technology?"

"It's not exactly advanced technology. Hollywood has had it for several years now, but it adds motion capture and 3D. We'll be making two versions, and it's expected to be ready in the next year or the year after," Chen Shouzhe said.

"We're really looking forward to it."

"I also directed and produced the animated film, so it's all proportional," Chen Shou said with a smile.

"It's alright, I already said, as long as you direct it, it's fine. Of course, crediting it won't do," the person in charge of Earth Pictures said with a smile.

"That's only right, I wouldn't lie to you," Chen Shou said, raising his wine glass.

After the meal and drinks were over, their assistant secretary drove them home.

The outside world is buzzing with rumors, and countless production companies are trying to find out Chen Shouzhe's purpose this time.

Whether or not there has been an agreement with the cinemas, whether it's an overall upgrade or just for their own benefit, remains to be seen.

If Chen Shouzhe succeeds, can they also make the same demand?

"Don't worry unnecessarily. In today's film market, who can beat him?"

Inside the China Film Group headquarters, Jiang Wen was pacing around when he heard his wife's words. He stopped and said, "Do you think if Chen Shouzhe succeeds, we could also talk to them about our film?"

"That's Chen Shouzhe. He's the only one in the entire industry who can make those cinemas bow down. Even Zhang Yimou isn't a threat to the cinemas anymore. You might as well ask him instead of thinking nonsense here. You've gone back and forth hundreds of times already," Zhou Yun said irritably.

"Yeah, but I can't get through to him on the phone. What kind of agreement did that guy reach with the theater chain? I'm so worried." Jiang Wen couldn't stay calm at all.

Other directors, like Jiang Wen, were also restless. If Chen Shouzhe succeeded, could they try to win him over? Even if they were not as successful as Chen Shouzhe, could they unite or have Chen Shouzhe lead them?

Soon, media outlets reported that the group of people went to a restaurant, chatting and laughing.

They seem to have reached an agreement, and both sides are quite satisfied.

This time, not only the director was getting restless, but also many production company bosses, who all started inquiring about the news.

Whether it's starting with theaters or with Chen Shouzhe, those with the channels are operating.

"See? He's already fully grown and starting to influence the market. What's Blueberry TV saying?"

"Blueberry TV doesn't really care. They've seen the actress that Director Chen recommended. She's very beautiful and one of the few in the Northwest. But Huayi Brothers put a lot of pressure on them, since they're also a production company."

"What about the other producers?"

"Director Chen has already contacted Daye and Wanda, and both sides have agreed."

“Go tell Blueberry that if Huayi doesn’t agree, they should be kicked out. Shanghai Film Group can replace them. Does the world stop turning without Huayi?”

"Okay, Mr. Ren, I'll go and inform them right away."

(End of this chapter)