Huayu: This producer has no bottom line.

Chapter 151 I can't wait until the end of the month!

After leaving Wang Sicong's place, Ren Pingsheng rushed to iQiyi.com without stopping.

Last time they came to sell copyrights; this time they're here to collect debts.

Of course, demanding repayment is only the surface.

Ren Pingsheng walked into the office, sat on the sofa, and looked listless.

Seeing his expression, Gong Yu laughed and said, "What's wrong? You were so full of energy when you came to sell the copyright last time, but today you look like a wilted eggplant?"

"Mr. Gong," Ren Pingsheng said with a bitter face, "did you watch the World Cup?"

"I saw it, Argentina's goal last night was beautiful."

"I wasn't asking about the game!"

Gong Yu understood the implication. "So your movie's box office was affected?"

"It's more than just an impact," Ren Pingsheng sighed, his expression perfectly controlled. "We were originally aiming for 100 million, but now we're just thanking God for 60 million."

Gong Yu's feelings were complicated after hearing this.

After all, iQiyi is a shareholder of Lifetime A, and Lifetime A's box office performance is iQiyi's performance. But for someone who spent eight million to buy the exclusive online broadcasting rights for this movie, it can be considered a blessing in disguise.

"Looks like I got a good deal."

Upon hearing this, Ren Pingsheng seized the opportunity to climb the social ladder, saying, "I'm so regretful about what President Gong said!"

"Regret what?"

"I regret selling it too cheaply!"

Gong Yu laughed twice. "Come on, you agreed so readily back then, I knew right away you gave too much."

"That's a really good deal!"

Ren Pingsheng, with his thick skin, started calculating, "I've been watching football games all this time. What about those viewers who originally wanted to see 'Lost in Thailand' in theaters? What will they do after the movie leaves theaters? They'll have to come to iQiyi."

Gong Yu did not refute.

This is why he has mixed feelings.

Cinema viewership may drop during the World Cup, but the demand for movies will not disappear; it will simply shift.

The direction of this shift is video websites.

Once the movie's theatrical run is over, the pent-up demand for movie viewing will be released all at once.

"Alright, alright, eight million is a lot. Don't try to get away with this and then act all innocent. Let's get down to business. You didn't come here today just to talk about money, did you?"

Ren Pingsheng composed himself.

"It really is all about the money! Mr. Gong, could you please help us expedite the copyright payment?"

Gong Yu raised an eyebrow. "It's going through the process. There are many approval steps for large funds. It should be before the end of the month."

"Before the end of the month?" Ren Pingsheng's expression changed. "President Gong, I can't wait until the end of the month."

"What's wrong?"

"My accounts are tight," he said without hiding anything. "I won't receive the box office revenue sharing for 'Lost in Thailand' for another six months, but I've spent a lot of money recently. I just paid 5 million yuan for the film investment this morning, and the start-up capital for the next project needs to be paid before July 1st. I'm short of your 8 million yuan."

Gong Yu looked at him, his gaze sharpening.

As a shareholder representative of Shengping Vision, he has the right to know about the company's financial situation.

The 40 million has only been in the country for less than two months, and it's already this tight?

"The next project?" He caught the key phrase. "What project don't you even have enough seed money for?"

"Ghost Blows Out the Light"

The office fell silent for a moment.

Gong Yu unconsciously sat up straighter. "A movie?"

"Yes, theatrical films."

"What's your budget?"

"Three hundred million."

Upon hearing this, his expression became complicated again.

"Who voted?"

Clearly, this is not something that one family could possibly handle.

"25% of the search is done on the arc, 35% on the biography, and the remaining 40% is still being searched."

When will it be released?

"14, summer movie season."

Gong Yu fell silent; it was clear he was making an assessment.

Will the market be able to support a return to break-even point four years from now?

"At the current annual growth rate of 40% in the number of screens, the box office revenue in 14 will be at least 300 billion."

Gong Yu did not refute this assessment. As someone who works in the internet industry, he is more sensitive to growth curves than someone who only makes movies.

"Who are you planning to contact for the remaining 40%?"

"Investors with resources, Ghost Blows Out the Light is a special case. It can't be supported by just two private companies, Sohu and Shengping Vision. The screening needs to be guaranteed by theaters, the subject matter needs to be approved, and the subsequent newspaper publicity needs to be endorsed by someone."

Having heard this, I completely understand.

"You want to bring in Wanda and China Film Group."

"Wanda is in talks," Ren Pingsheng said without hiding anything. "Wang Sicong is very interested, but he needs to convince his father."

"What about China Film Group?"

"China Film Group is the key," he stared into Gong Yu's eyes, "So, I came here specifically to ask President Gong to help me make an appointment with Chairman Han."

My first meeting with Han Sanping was facilitated by Gong Yu, which led to the establishment of the Youth Image Project.

Now it's time to take the second step. Asking Gong Yu to act as the bridge is the most appropriate choice both morally and logically.

Gong Yu didn't speak, his fingers tapping unconsciously.

Ren Pingsheng knew what he was thinking. "President Gong, to be honest, iQiyi is my shareholder. When I have a good project, the first thing I think of is my own people. There is still 5% to 10% of the shares in this market that have not been allocated."

iQiyi is currently positioned as a video platform, focusing on content acquisition and copyright operation, and has not yet officially entered the field of film investment.

But he knew that Baidu and iQiyi were more than just media players.

Gong Yu didn't reply, but his eyes said it all.

The moat of video platforms is content. Copyright acquisition is the first step, but investing in content production in advance is a step further than buying.

The copyright market is booming. By 2014, the exclusive broadcasting rights for an A-list commercial blockbuster would cost at least 20 to 30 million yuan.

Therefore, whether you lock in your rights as an investor now or bid against other platforms as a shareholder four years later, it's a worthwhile investment.

"3000 million," he read it aloud, "I need to discuss this number with President Li."

"No rush," Ren Pingsheng smiled, "The 600 million in start-up capital and the 800 million in copyright fees will arrive together."

Gong Yu was amused by his words and pointed at him, "Okay, I'll report to President Li about 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' first. Wait for my news. I'll have the finance department give me special approval for expedited payment of the copyright fee."

"President Gong is a man of great integrity."

"Stop flattering me. Every time you come to me, I lose some money. Last time it was 800 million for the copyright, and this time you want me to invest 3000 million. Next time, are you going to make me sell iQiyi?"

"No, no, when have I ever made you suffer a loss?" Ren Pingsheng smiled as he walked out. Just before the door, he asked, "What about Chairman Han..."

"I'll make the appointment for you, but the time is uncertain. Chairman Han is busy with the film commemorating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party, so time is tight, and you can't go empty-handed."

"What do you mean?"

Gong Yu watched Ren Pingsheng carefully choose his words, "Projects like 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' are very troublesome in terms of approval and publicity. Although your 300 million is indeed a lot, investment is hot right now, and Chairman Han has no shortage of projects to come to him."

He picked up the cigarette pack, shook out a cigarette, and said, "Chairman Han said he wants to see your skills again. Do you understand what I mean?"

"clear."

Ren Pingsheng nodded, turned around and went out.

In the elevator, he went over the conversation he had just had.

Eight million is about to arrive, relieving our immediate crisis.

iQiyi is willing to participate in the investment, although it still needs to wait for Gong Yu to communicate with Baidu, but its attitude is clear.

"Ghost Blows Out the Light" is very likely to replace Jiang Wen's "Gone with the Bullets" and become the first film jointly produced by Wanda Pictures, Wuzhou Distribution, and iQiyi.

Most importantly, the meeting with Han Sanping has been arranged.

But the last sentence is the key point: you can't go empty-handed.

There are many people willing to invest money now, but few can actually produce good products.

As he walked out of the building, Ren Pingsheng took out his phone and checked the time.

6月14日，距离7月1日还有17天。

He dialed Li Yang's number, "Director Li, how's the progress on your end?"

"The main animation is based on the original draft and is about 70% complete. I haven't connected all the special effects materials that BaseFX provided yet."

"Can you get out before July 1st?"

"It's a bit tight, but if the requirements don't change later, it shouldn't be a big problem."

"No changes, just stick to the current plan. Let me know if you need any extra manpower."

,

After hanging up the phone, Ren Pingsheng stood by the roadside and tried to flag down a car.

Time is tight; the filming of "Li Xianji" must be completed as soon as possible.

This 40-minute sci-fi short film is proof that I can handle special effects blockbusters.