Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 54 Maximizing Benefits
Is Cao Yang sincere?

Of course he did, otherwise how could he have invited people from Sony Classics and MK2 to come before attending the film festival.

If the purpose is to maximize the benefits of copyright, one must wait until the film wins an award, so that the copyright sold will be more valuable and more dollars can be earned.

But that would be short-sighted.

For example, Li An's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" received ten nominations at the Oscars and finally won four, a total of four out of ten nominations.

After he signed up for the Oscars, did the judges give him ten nominations because his films were so good?
how is this possible.

In the United States, if you don’t do public relations and spend a lot of money, how can you be nominated or win the award?

The public relations costs of an Oscar-winning film are no less than hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Who will pay for this?
Once you sell the copyright, it is definitely the company that buys the copyright that decides whether to operate it, and they also pay for the operation. Of course, winning an award will bring greater benefits.

If you don’t sell the copyright, you have to find a PR company yourself and pay for it yourself.

Cao Yang's goal is very simple. If he did not find Sony Classic and MK2, and relied solely on the school, he would have a great chance of winning the award, but he would not be able to maximize his profits.

If Sony Classic and MK2 are added, it is possible to maximize the benefits.

Cao Yang assumes that this film can win an award in Venice, then the overseas copyright fee for the film will be around 250 million to 300 million US dollars.

Why didn’t it sell as much as the first movie?
The first film won two Silver Bears, so it will surely make more money.

Even if it wins this time, it will be difficult to win two awards because there are no one from us on the jury. Even with the bonus of fame, it will definitely not be as valuable as the first movie.

This is when there are no special circumstances.

What is the special situation? It is the cooperation with Sony Classics and MK2.

Even though MK2's home base is in Cannes, they are definitely capable of influencing the Venice Film Festival this year.

Just a while ago at the Cannes Film Festival, Nanni Moretti, an Italian director who was once supported by MK2, won the Cannes Palme d'Or with "The Son's Room".

According to reliable information obtained by Lao Tian, ​​this year's Venice Film Festival intends to invite Nanni Moretti to serve as the chairman of the jury.

MK2 has the ability to influence Nanni Moretti.

Cao Yang didn't know what Mikhalkov and Berman talked about, but when Berman saw Cao Yang again, his attitude was much warmer than before. In order to show closeness, he even called Cao Yang "Cao" directly.

However, due to the pronunciation problem, Cao Yang felt that his shouting was particularly awkward, so he quickly stopped him and asked him to shout his name together with his surname.

One wanted to sell, the other wanted to buy, and this copyright negotiation went particularly smoothly.

Moreover, contrary to Cao Yang's expectations, the price offered by Sony Classics was $170 higher than that of the previous film, and the copyright for the copyright outside Europe and Greater China was given for $ million.

MK2 still wants $160 million for European copyright.

Cao Yang did not bargain too much. If the movie did not win an award at this price, he would definitely lose money.

So, if you want to make money, just do it for me.

If you want to make a lot of money, work hard and win more awards for your movies.

If you want to make a lot of money, then find a way to run a Golden Lion!
After the deal was done, Cao Yang told Hou Keming that he had sold the overseas copyright to Sony Classics and MK2.

It is easier to talk to smart people. Cao Yang just mentioned it and Hou Keming understood it immediately. He directly said that he would discuss the Venice matter with both parties.

The three parties have common interests, and Cao Yang believes that they will be able to have a very pleasant conversation.

At the same time, Hou Keming also told Cao Yang that the film had been submitted for review, and he would keep a close eye on it and would definitely find ways to get it approved as soon as possible. In addition, Hou Keming deliberately reminded Cao Yang that he could discuss the film's going to Venice with Tian Zhuangzhuang.

I hate riddlers who speak half-sentences!
Two days later, Mikhalkov, Berman and others were about to go back. Before leaving, Mikhalkov specifically sought out Cao Yang to give him some personal advice.

He told Cao Yang that if a movie wants to win the highest award in the three major European competitions, in addition to luck, if there is no lack of support, don't try to achieve everything. You can try to take an unconventional approach and go to extremes, which may actually have an effect.

Going to extremes?

Cao Yang understood what Mikhalkov meant. Going to extremes might touch the sore spot of some members of the film festival's upper echelons, and they would support him, making it easier for him to win the highest award.

The more extreme you go and the more perverted you play, the easier it is to get support. These European guys who are involved in art are indeed a little abnormal.

Although Cao Yang did not understand the deep meaning of Hou Keming's words two days ago, now that the people from Sony Classic and MK2 had left, he had some free time, so he could just ask Lao Tian and find out.

It was the same restaurant as last time. The two ordered four dishes and a few bottles of beer, and chatted while eating.

"It would be better to order white wine, this stuff tastes bland."

Old Tian drank a glass, shook his head and complained to Cao Yang.

"The teacher told me to watch you outside and not let you drink too much. I can't make a mistake knowing I'm wrong." Cao Yang took a sip and said while picking up some food.

Old Tian took a bite of food and asked vaguely while chewing, "I've only been free for two days. Don't tell me you have another idea."

"How can that be possible? I'm not a god. It takes time to polish the script."

Old Tian picked up the cup and was about to drink, but when he heard this, he put the cup down and said in surprise: "You kid, you really have an idea, right?"

"I do have some ideas, but not so fast. Even if we want to shoot it, we have to wait until after the Venice Film Festival. Let's not talk about this anymore. Dean Hou told me that you have someone you know in Venice and asked me to find you."

Cao Yang decided to trick Lao Tian to see if he was really like what Hou Keming said.

Lao Tian paused for a moment, uttered a "huh", put down his chopsticks, picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Is this really a special case?

Cao Yang filled Lao Tian's glass with wine and said, "Brother, if it's difficult, just pretend I didn't ask."

Lao Tian was silent for a moment, then sighed and said, "It's not a secret, actually. I have a very good friend who particularly appreciates my talent and thinks highly of me. I was banned from directing for ten years for some reason, so I feel a little embarrassed to ask him for help."

Without waiting for Cao Yang to ask, Lao Tian drank another half glass of beer and said, "His name is Muller, an Italian who came to study in China in 74. He likes Chinese movies very much. Since we are of similar age, he and the so-called fifth-generation directors are almost all friends..."

"Etc., etc……"

Cao Yang reached out his hand to stop Lao Tian from speaking. He couldn't help but ask again, "What's the name of the person you just said liked you?"

"What do you mean by valuing? Valuing! Valuing! Yes, valuing! We are good friends, with a pure friendship!"

Old Tian emphasized it several times before saying, "Muller, his name is Mark Muller, we all call him Old Ma, otherwise how do you think I got the ability to know in advance who the chairman of the Venice Jury will choose."

"Holy crap! You're great, Old Tian."

Cao Yang looked at Lao Tian in surprise. He really didn't expect that while Hou Keming was still hinting, Lao Tian had already taken action.

So I asked again, "Mark Mueller, he has been the director of Asian selection for the Venice Film Festival since 86, and he is still the director of Asian selection until now. Is he?"

Old Tian nodded and asked in confusion, "He has indeed always been the director of film selection for the Venice Film Festival in Asia, but what does it mean to be concurrently in charge? Is he the chairman of another film festival? Is it Rotterdam or Locarno?"

Old Tian, ​​Old Tian, ​​you are too out of touch with information. It seems that since you haven't been a director for all these years, you really haven't paid much attention to these things.

(End of this chapter)