Life in the Light and Shadow of Chinese Entertainment

After hanging up the video call, Wu Yang got up and washed up as usual, then went downstairs for breakfast before going out with Pang Hai and Zhao Xiaoguang.

Pang Hai was driving, Zhao Xiaoguang was in the passenger seat, and Wu Yang was in the back seat.

The three chatted along the way and arrived at the parking lot 20 minutes later.

Wu Yang did not immediately notify Li Chunxia to contact Chen Jinfei, since it was already midnight in China.

It's not too late to call after the script copyright is sold; the commission agreement has already been signed and is in the studio.

The agreement bears the signatures of Wu Yang and Liu Yifei. It was Wu Yang who first had Liu Yifei sign on a blank A4 sheet of paper.

Later, the entrusted purchase agreement was printed on the blank A4 paper with the signature.

While achieving its goal, it also served as a lesson for Liu Yifei, reminding her that she should never sign autographs on A4 paper in the future.

That's right. When Wu Yang bought Chen Jinfei's manor, the property ownership would be transferred to both of their names.

This would not only prevent Liu Yifei from living under someone else's roof, but also prevent future scandals caused by "green tea" girls taking selfies, killing two birds with one stone!

As for Wu Yang's personal account, there is only 3.3 million in cash, which is 4 million short of the selling price of 7000 million.

No problem, it will be in place by tomorrow or the day after at the latest.

In the past two weeks, Wu Yang got to know Nolan through Leonardo DiCaprio, and Nolan took a liking to the film script Wu Yang had registered, "Interstellar." The two had already met several times in the past week.

Every conversation was pleasant, except when Wu Yang and his agent discussed the price, a disagreement arose.

This movie was conceived by Wu Yang when he was writing the script for "Inception," because the plot was very simple and the central idea was somewhat similar to the "Wandering Earth" directed by Guo Jingming in the future.

Both stories revolve around finding a new home in interstellar space. However, when Nolan was halfway through writing Inception, news broke that he was casting for the film.

Wu Yang threw "Inception" into the shredder and, while the memory was still fresh, wrote "Interstellar" and registered its global copyright.

Wu Yang remembers that Nolan was one of the screenwriters of this movie.

Wu Yang was not surprised at all that he was interested in the script and wanted to buy the rights.

Wu Yang originally wanted to make this film, but the domestic film industry had not yet taken off.

Nowadays, if you want to make a 3D sci-fi blockbuster, you have to go to Hollywood. But Wu Yang remembers that this movie alone cost $1.6 million to produce and around $4000 million to promote.

With a cost of $2 million, equivalent to 13 billion yuan, even domestic film and television companies would have a hard time affording it, let alone Americans.

Even if enough money is raised and the film is successfully made, it will take at least two years to release the movie, including post-production.

Without Hollywood's global distribution capabilities, it's impossible to achieve Nolan's $6.8 million box office success.

That's basically wishful thinking!

If we rely solely on domestic box office revenue and invite domestic actors, even with the most cost-effective approach...

The cost would be at least 8 to 10 billion yuan, and to break even in China, the box office would need to be at least 24 to 30 billion yuan.

Even if it surpasses Avatar's 13 billion yuan box office, it will still be a huge loss.

If it's delayed for several years before being released, even if Wu Yang is willing, the investors won't agree.

This is a dead end!

Wu Yang's collaboration offers in Hollywood are now limited to drama, romance, and thriller films.

The investment is also classified as C-level, meaning under $3000 million; they can't even get B-level investments.

Hollywood's investment rating system is very comprehensive and rigorous, and capital will not be invested blindly and recklessly.

Even if one had the resources to desperately seek any treatment, they wouldn't turn to Dr. Wu Yang, a doctor from China.

Wu Yang has only released one award-winning film so far, with box office revenue of over 4000 million yuan barely covering costs.

They made a profit of $5000 million by selling global distribution rights and various audio-visual products and merchandise.

Don't be fooled by Wu Yang winning the Oscar for Best Director; this award is only something to brag about in the country.

It only has some international recognition in Hollywood, after all, the Oscars are held only once a year.

Over the years, there have been nearly a hundred Best Directors.

If Wu Yang hadn't come from China, there would be no memorable aspects about him at all.

The huge success of "Buried" is largely attributed by Americans to Leonardo DiCaprio's commercial value, with 9% of the credit going to him.

The main reason Wu Yang was so popular over the past two weeks was because of those second- and third-tier celebrities.

Top-tier celebrities completely ignore Wu Yang because they are paid a salary plus a share of the box office revenue.

That has already reached Wu Yang's total investment limit.

The same applies to film and television companies. First, they limit the types of films they produce, and second, they set investment levels.

Finally, he regained the editing rights. It's rare to find a financial backer as easy to talk to as Leonardo DiCaprio in Hollywood.

And each director who wants to buy a script does so with the intention of getting a good deal.

In the past two weeks, besides gathering information on a bunch of second- and third-tier celebrities, Nolan has confirmed his intention to purchase the product.

All other forms of social interaction are ineffective!

Nolan's agent will be bringing a Warner Bros. executive to discuss matters today.

The two sides have already agreed on a meeting place. The fact that Warner Bros. executives have been mobilized shows that Nolan is determined to win.

As one of WarnerMedia's few internationally renowned directors who can make money, WarnerMedia naturally has to meet Nolan's demands.

……

"Mr. Wu, please forgive my bluntness, but your asking price is too high. I am absolutely certain that no one in Hollywood would pay $2000 million and 10% of the total revenue for a script."

James, as one of Warner's top executives, originally intended to persuade Wu Yang to give up cash payment.

Convert it to an equivalent investment ratio, and then replicate it again following Rowling's formula.

Unexpectedly, Wu Yang, who had originally insisted on a fixed selling price, now demanded an additional 10% share of the total revenue.

"Mr. James, you need to know that I'm not only a screenwriter but also a director. This film was originally intended for me to direct, but Leonardo DiCaprio gave me a chance, and my previous meetings with Nolan went well. That's why I reluctantly gave it up, because I believe Nolan can make the film I want."

Wu Yang argued forcefully against these financial tycoons, refusing to back down.

"I know you Chinese people value loyalty and friendship, which I admire, and I believe what you say. However, the production cost of this 3D sci-fi movie is too high. Have you considered the pressure on box office revenue?"

"I've calculated it myself. Excluding script and marketing costs, the production cost should be around $150 million, and the production cycle should take about two years. After its release, thanks to Warner Bros.' global distribution capabilities, the global box office should start at least $600 million. Including copyright, merchandise, and other revenue, the total revenue should reach at least $1 billion!"

"If you trust me, James, I'm willing to work with Warner, even sign a performance-based agreement. I'll provide the talent and the script, and I'll only take 30% of the total revenue!"

"Of course, to ensure everyone's interests are not harmed, I will invite tax officials to accompany the team throughout the entire process!"

Wu Yang calmly took a sip of coffee and looked confidently at James across from him.