Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Yu Dong looked at Yang Che's casual words and actions and wondered how he could be so confident and composed.

Well, this guy is indeed a genius, and he knows he's a genius, which is why he's so confident and composed.

Damn, even when I was a junior at the Beijing Film Academy, the former director of the Beijing Film Studio praised me as a talent, but I still didn't have his skills...

"It seems Producer Yang has prepared a distribution budget?"

Yang Che glanced at him, but asked in return, "Mr. Yu, if you're going to handle the distribution of 'My Sassy Girl,' will you be paying a fixed fee or a percentage?"

"Of course, it's a cut."

Yu Dong didn't hesitate at all, and didn't even ask how much the fixed labor fee was.

Yang Che nodded: "I'll provide the distribution, the actors will provide the funding, and in the end, I want 37% of the net box office."

The net box office revenue mentioned here refers to 91.7% of the total box office revenue after deducting the 5% film fund and the 3.3% business tax.

Yu Dong paused and shook his head: "Impossible. The cinema gets 50%, the provincial film company gets 10%, and you want 37%. How much would I have left? There's no such thing in the whole world."

Yang Che sighed, "Nowhere in the world do film companies have to pay a toll on their shipments? They even have to pay taxes when they travel from one province to another..."

"Well, well, it's a special case."

Yang Che waved his hand, staring at him as he said, "President Yu, with the celebrity roadshow plan, the cinema's discount can be reduced to 48%, right?"

Yu Dong's eyes darted around, and finally he put away his憨厚 smile and nodded: "More or less."

"Mr. Yu, I'll take all the risks and cover all the distribution costs. If you put in a little more effort, can you negotiate an 8% cut for the film company?"

Yu Dong's pupils contracted, and he nodded with a forced smile. The other person knew everything; saying that was just to save face for him.

Yang Che smiled and said, "Actually, I received a fee of 6 for this movie. The risk I took was the 2000 million box office target I bet with the product placement partner. I think with the quality of this movie and my promotional strategy, the 2000 million box office target can be achieved easily, without much pressure."

But I still want to haggle with you, Mr. Yu, over the revenue sharing, and I still want to find more ways to boost the box office. Why?

"Being entrusted with a task, I must fulfill my duty and repay the investors, that's one aspect. I also want to establish myself in the industry, and making a strong first impression is another. Mr. Yu, don't you agree?"

These words, appealing to both emotion and reason, seemingly directed at Yang Che but actually referring to Yu Dong, subtly both refuted and challenged him. Yu Dong, who had traveled all over China publishing, was rendered speechless and completely convinced, his smile now showing genuine sincerity.

"Producer Yang, you've told me so much, aren't you afraid that we won't be able to agree on the profit sharing, and the collaboration will end in disaster?"

Yang Che clapped his hands: "There's nothing we can do about it. You're the only private company in all of China. If we suffer losses, we have to come to you."

"You could try contacting China Film Group or the provincial film company."

"I really don't want to spend my time scheming and plotting with a bunch of people in their fifties who have accomplished nothing. If I stay with those people for too long, someone like you, Mr. Yu, might become more shrewd, while I would definitely become stupid."

"You can't say that. There are still some leaders at China Film Group who are very eager to get things done."

"If they were capable, they wouldn't have pushed you to the forefront. Mr. Yu, I'm saying all this because I've always been honest with you. Like I just said, I had no other choice. However, a second private enterprise license will be issued sooner or later, but at that time I hope I can still cooperate with you, Mr. Yu."

Yu Dong laughed for a while: "Okay, you're awesome. If we're going to cooperate, you take your 37% first, and I'll negotiate the rest. Whatever we negotiate is mine."

Yang Che extended his hand and smiled, "I wouldn't be envious if you negotiated 50%."

The two reached a consensus on the distribution ratio.

Yu Dong wanted to take Yang Che out for drinks, but Yang Che's face turned green: "Hao Da's barbecue outside, beer is fine, but no liquor."

Then the two went to a roadside stall, and then Yu Dong's girlfriend, Zang Lilu, came looking for them.

She's very pretty and has a great presence, much more elegant than Jin Qiaoqiao's kind of refined but unsophisticated charm... Hmm, Yang Che doesn't know if it's just his imagination, but he thinks she looks a bit like Jiang Shuying.

It's obvious that Zang Lilu loves Yu Dong very much; her eyes betray that.

After learning what Yu Dong and Yang Che had discussed that afternoon, Zang Lilu repeatedly praised them and toasted Yang Che with a glass of wine.

Women tend to overthink things, so she asked, "Yang Che, do you plan to go into film distribution in the future?"

"Who dares to make any guarantees about the future? Who knows what will happen in the future? Anyway, I don't have that idea right now. I like writing stories and making movies. My mind is full of stories right now, and I don't have much energy to do these things."

Of course, my investor owns a coal mine, and he said to leave professional matters to professionals and not to interfere, as it could lead to accidents. I wholeheartedly agree with him.

The young couple visibly seemed happier.

Yang Che was speechless. Was I putting that much pressure on you guys?

During the meal, Gao Yuanyuan also came over, but she didn't sit down. She greeted them, took the keys with her boyfriend, and went back to No. 8 Courtyard first. She didn't like socializing, especially with people she didn't know.

During this time, the young couple across the street stared wide-eyed.

Yang Che thought to himself, "When I have Yuanyuan in my left hand and Bingbing in my right..."

Yang Che then learned about Yu Dong and Zang Lilu's relationship. Zang Lilu was the daughter of the CEO of Jinling Film Company. Yu Dong met her when he was working in distribution at Beijing Film Studio, and then he pursued her. When he won her over, Yu Dong resigned from his job, and then Zang Lilu started a business with him.

The two pooled together 3 yuan and borrowed 27 yuan from Yu Dong's brother-in-law, totaling 30 yuan to establish Berna.

Many people say that Yu Dong got his position because of his ex-wife. I can only say that they don't understand the value of being the head of the distribution department of Beijing Film Studio at the age of 27!

The first distribution license in all of China—not to mention his father-in-law, who was just the boss of Jinling Film Company, even Han Sanping at this stage couldn't have gotten it!

It can only be said that Yu Dong and Yang Che are quite similar. They both advocate pragmatism and seem to be happy with everyone, but everyone is just a pawn in their game.

After dinner, Yu Dong said he wanted to go back to the Beijing Film Studio to watch a movie. Yang Che told Yu Dong to go by himself, but he refused, since the beauties at home were all ready and waiting.

So they had to go back to their own homes, chatted for a while, and laughed together, even though they were only a kilometer apart.

They live in the Huangtingzi residential area, and their room is also their studio, which is Polybona, China's first publishing company. Currently, including the two of them, there are a total of 5 employees.

It's not even as good as Yang Che's Doubao Media. At least Doubao Media has an independent studio, but Yang Che is the only one in charge.

It's a tie.

We agreed to meet often at the Huangtingzi intersection, and then we parted ways.

When Yang Che got downstairs, Fan Bingbing called. Yang Che pursed his lips and said, "Why didn't you call two minutes later?"

Despite my thoughts, I answered the call anyway.