Entertainment: Since 1990

Chapter 36 How much is the signing fee

From the early 1980s to the mid-1990s, PolyGram was the leader in the Hong Kong record industry.

This company is much better than New Era Audio and Video in terms of both professionalism and reputation.

Even Cao Jian didn't expect that this record company, which has created countless pop superstars, would be the first to approach him.

However, although he was happy, he kept a calm face and took the business card: "Mr. Fang, what do you want to talk to me about?

"Mr. Cao, it's not convenient to talk here. Let's find a place to talk."

This man named Fang Zhengjie looked at Cao Jian while sending the book invitation.

The young man in front of him was about eighteen or nineteen years old, sunny and handsome, and even more handsome in person than in the photo on the record.

There is a sense of confidence in his eyes.

Based on his many years of experience in the industry, such a person will definitely succeed.

"of course can."

Cao Jian guessed what this person wanted from him, but since he wanted to poach him, he didn't know what conditions he would offer.

There is a coffee shop not far from the company.

The two were about to cross the road when Mao Neng arrived at the company gate on his bicycle.

"Brother Jian, where are you going? Who is this?"

Mao Nian greeted warmly, his eyes fixed on Fang Zhengjie.

Cao Jian smiled and said, "This is Mr. Fang from PolyGram in Hong Kong. He wants to talk to me."

"PolyGram?"

When Mao Neng heard the name, his heartbeat seemed to stop, and then his face instantly turned into shock, and his breathing became a little rapid.

PolyGram can be said to be the most powerful record company in Hong Kong. What is he doing here at Jian Ge?
Do we want to dig him out?
Oh my god, just one album became so popular that people from PolyGram came?
He looked at Fang Zhengjie with a feeling of admiration.

But Brother Jian seemed to be calm, and in terms of this kind of mentality, I couldn't compare to him.

"Mao Ning, don't say anything when you get to the company."

Seeing Mao Neng's inexperienced look, Cao Jian gently patted his shoulder, gave him a few words of advice, and said to Fang Zhengjie, "Let's go."

Mao Nian watched the two people cross the street and walk into the coffee shop, then he swallowed his saliva.

No wonder Brother Jian didn’t sign a contract with the company, it turns out he has bigger ambitions.

I underestimated him. It's true that gold shines wherever it is.

"Hey, before the holiday, I must treat him to a meal, otherwise there will be no chance later."

Mao Neng, who was hit hard, sighed and rode his bicycle into the company yard, just in time to see a brand new Crown parking downstairs.

He casually asked the guard, "Master Zhou, is this the boss's car?"

"No, this belongs to Xiao Cao."

"Cao"

Mao Nian only felt a loud bang in his ears, like thunder, and was hit again, his outside was burnt and his inside was tender.

A car worth more than 400,000 yuan, just bought it?
Can't compare, really can't compare.

In the coffee shop, Fang Zhengjie from Hong Kong came this time with a mission from his boss, which was to recruit the young man in front of him to the company.

The first album can sell more than two million copies. This kind of person has huge market potential.

He is also good-looking and can write songs. He has the potential to become the next Zhang Xueyou.

After they sat down, he got straight to the point and said, "Mr. Cao, I've heard your album. You sing very well. We'd like to invite you to join PolyGram. As for the penalty for breach of contract, we'll help you pay it."

Cao Jian has calmed down from the excitement he first felt when he heard the name PolyGram.

He stirred the coffee cup gently with a spoon and asked, "What are your requests?"

"There are no requirements. As long as you sing well, the company will naturally provide you with enough resources to make you a superstar."

PolyGram is a large foreign-funded company and has the right to say such things.

Cao Jian asked again, "How long is the contract usually?" "Normally, five to eight years. You can discuss this with the boss when you meet him."

"Oh."

Cao Jian nodded, then said, "But I have two requests, I wonder if you can do it."

"What are your requests? Tell me."

"First, if I join PolyGram, can you help me get a Hong Kong identity?"

It’s the 1990s now, and Hong Kong identity is still quite useful.

Especially if you want to invest in the mainland, having the identity of a Hong Kong businessman will provide you with a lot of policy support, which will be of great help to your business.

Besides, Hong Kong will be returned to China in six years, and I am still a Chinese citizen.

Hearing this request, he couldn't help but frown.

Cao Jian has no connections or relatives in Hong Kong, so it is very difficult for him to obtain an identity.

This young man really knows how to make things difficult for himself.

But thinking of the boss's order, he hesitated for a while before nodding and saying, "Although it's troublesome, it's not impossible. I'll agree to it for now. What else?"

"Secondly, I want to become an auditor at TVB to practice my acting skills. I hope PolyGram can support this."

In Hong Kong, singers can sign contracts with record companies and film and television companies at the same time.

Just like Liu Dehua, he is a contracted actor of TVB and also joined PolyGram Records, developing in both singing and acting fields, which is allowed by the industry.

Fang Zhengjie frowned. Although artists can develop in two fields, this person is quite ambitious.

No wonder he wants Hong Kong identity, it turns out he wants to be an auditor at TVB.

It’s okay to act. If a drama or movie becomes a hit, it can also boost record sales.

After thinking about it, he agreed: "I need to discuss this request with the boss. It shouldn't be a big problem."

After that, he asked, "Anything else you want?"

"There are no more requests."

Cao Jian smiled and said, "But I have a question. How much is the signing fee?"

"What? Signing fee?"

Fang Zhengjie almost spit out the coffee he had just drunk.

Although your first album sold very well in mainland China and has gained some market value, you are just a newcomer after all. Why do you still want a signing fee?
We are PolyGram. Although we have paid signing fees to singers in the past, it seems that you are not worthy of the signing fee.

"Yes, I heard there is a signing fee for signing a contract, so I wanted to ask."

Cao Jian remembers that Wang Fei signed a contract with EMI Records and received a signing fee of up to 60 million Hong Kong dollars.

King of pop Andy Lau switched from PolyGram to Warner Records and also received a signing fee of 40 million.

Although I'm a newcomer, you're here to poach me, so I'd better not refuse this money. I'm running other businesses anyway and I'm short of money.

Don’t miss out on capitalist money.

"Mr. Cao, although your first album sold very well, your singing skills are still a little immature. You need the company to train you and also package and promote you. We can only pay the liquidated damages to you and New Era, so there is no signing fee."

"Then I'll think about it."

Cao Jian frowned, looking very dissatisfied with the answer.

After a while, he said, "I can pay the penalty for breach of contract with New Era myself, so you don't have to be responsible. However, I still need the signing fee. My first album sold nearly three million copies, which shows that I have market potential.

You guys should think about it, or give the boss a call to discuss it. I'll be waiting for you."

After saying that, he drank his coffee and said nothing more.

"Are young people in mainland China so crazy now?"

Lin Zhengjie really didn't know how to talk to his boss.

This is the first time I’ve seen a newcomer asking for a signing fee.

(End of this chapter)