enjoyebooks Chapter 149 Healing Medicine
Chapter 149 Healing Medicine
Chapter 149 Healing Medicine
"Zero guaranteed minimum return, pure profit sharing".
Sidney abruptly shut his mouth, only then realizing: Qin Han's visit this time wasn't about the budget.
This means that Universal Pictures doesn't need to take a single cent from its already strained coffers due to "Jaws"!
All you need to do is utilize the existing theatrical distribution network, arrange movie screenings, and then sit in your office and wait for your share of the profits.
If George Lucas messes up again, the $800,000 loss will all fall on Qin Han's shoulders; but if the movie really makes a splash in the market, Universal can get a share of the profits out of thin air.
This isn't a business negotiation; it's like Hans Pictures has driven an armored truck right in front of us!
Qin Han didn't pass on this sure-fire opportunity to Warner Bros., who had supported him the night before, nor did he use it as a stepping stone to Paramount. Instead, he went straight to his office.
It seems that in the mind of this shrewd Chinese man, Universal Pictures remains the most irreplaceable ally in his efforts to build an entertainment empire.
Thinking of this, Sidney's unpleasantness from being "roasted on the fire" at the opening ceremony instantly vanished.
He cleared his throat, and the exaggerated shock on his face quickly faded.
"Qin, I must admit, the terms you've offered are extremely tempting. It's rare in Hollywood distribution history to have the production company bear all the risks."
He lay back in his boss's chair, crossed his legs, and looked extremely relaxed: "Universal's distribution channels are the best resources in the entire United States."
"We are responsible for dealing with major cinema chains and arranging publicity materials. If we don't get 40% of the total box office revenue, those old guys on the board will tear me to pieces in the meeting."
Forty percent?
Qin Han, holding the bottle of soda water, laughed out loud without any attempt to hide his laughter: "Sidney, you should at least consider who you're asking for."
"The entire production cost of 'American Graffiti' has been borne by Hans Films. All Universal has to do is provide the filming equipment, editing room, and mixing console."
"As for the distribution after the film is completed, believe me, once it is released, more and more theaters will allocate more screenings to this film."
He held up three fingers, his tone resolute and unwavering: "Thirty percent. That's the bottom line Han's Films can offer."
"The remaining 70 percent is rightfully Hans's. I will not only use this money to cover the $800,000 investment, but I will also set aside a portion as a bonus for George Lucas and the entire crew."
In Hollywood, it's common to ask for an exorbitant price and then negotiate down to the bottom.
Sidney narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to find a flaw in Qin Han's expression.
But he noticed that Qin Han's expression was unusually resolute, clearly indicating that this was the bottom line for the Han family.
"What about the actors?" He decided to approach the issue from another angle, trying to gain more say: "Since Universal is in charge of distribution, they have to oversee the quality of the product."
"You have to understand, audiences these days are very discerning. If there isn't even one star who can carry the box office, theater managers will absolutely not give it good screenings. Universal just happens to have signed a few good young actors, and I can get them into the cast at an insider price —"
"No way." Qin Han interrupted him decisively. "The casting for this movie can only be decided by Lucas himself."
Sidney's brow furrowed into a tight knot.
"Han's, as the sole financial producer, has decided that all matters concerning the production team will be entirely under the control of director George Lucas."
Qin Han's voice was calm and resolute, as if stating a self-evident fact: "Not only can Universal not interfere, but I, as the boss, will not interfere with any of his decisions. Even if he wanted to randomly pick a few passersby from the street to play the lead roles, I would immediately have someone hand over the contracts."
"Are you crazy?!" Sidney was once again provoked by this unconventional filmmaking philosophy.
Why should a rookie director who has just experienced a crushing defeat have absolute control over casting and final editing?
This is tantamount to handing a loaded gun to a three-year-old child.
"I'm not crazy. I'm just giving a true genius the nourishment he needs most—full respect and absolute freedom."
Looking at Sidney's disappointed expression, Qin Han calmly explained, "George Lucas's films need new faces who have experienced street culture and are still green and confused."
"Professional actors trained on the Hollywood industrial assembly line will ruin the fragile yet charming youthful qualities of this film."
He picked up his soda and took another sip: "Besides, since Han's Pictures has put on a show of supporting creators, they have to put on a good show."
"I want the whole of Hollywood to see that as long as you have talent, Hans can provide you with the best environment, even if it means giving you real money to try and fail."
Sidney fell silent.
Looking into Qin Han's confident eyes, he had to admit deep down that this kind of spirit was the core reason why Han's Film Industry was able to rise to prominence in just a few months.
He quickly went over the potential gains and risks in his mind again.
Universal takes 30% of the total box office revenue with zero investment, only providing distribution channels and equipment rentals; Han's takes 70%, bearing all risks and sharing profits with the main creative team.
No matter how you calculate it, Global is guaranteed to make a profit on this deal.
"Deal." Sidney finally relented, extending his right hand with a perfect smile returning to his face: "30/70 split."
Universal will provide its most professional distribution team to support your—a youth film brimming with brilliant ideas.
Qin Han reached out and shook his hand tightly, and he perfectly completed the last piece of the "American Graffiti" puzzle.
Once the business was over, the atmosphere in the office instantly relaxed.
Sidney took a box of Cuban cigars from the drawer, lit one for himself, and then handed another to Qin Han.
Pale blue smoke slowly rose in the luxurious office.
"Qin, I'll have the legal department deliver the contract to Sunset Tower first thing tomorrow morning. But—" He exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes revealing an undisguised curiosity: "I really don't understand, what exactly did you see? Is it worth going to such lengths to gamble like this?"
Qin Han took the cigar and placed it on the table, his tone becoming extremely serious: "Sidney, I have a feeling that once the final box office results for this movie are in, the 'Vice President' on your office sign can be completely removed."
"I must congratulate you in advance on becoming the president of Global." He said, emphasizing each word.
Sidney's fingers, which were holding a cigar, jerked suddenly, and the gray ash fell onto the carpet.
"You really think highly of this movie directed by a box office poison?" His voice rose several decibels.
Although he is now the de facto head of Universal Pictures, he still needs to produce several outstanding results to prove himself to the board of directors before he can truly sit on the president's throne.
If this zero-investment film can indeed generate massive profits, it will certainly be a highlight on his resume.
"It's just a feeling, just like when I defied all opposition and planned to force the release of 'Fist of Fury' by taking advantage of the Oscar controversy."
Qin Han's voice sounded unusually low as he thought of himself—traveled to this era filled with nostalgia, and this film resonated with him: "Sidney, with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords, more and more American soldiers are returning home in droves. They bring back not only mutilated limbs, but also indelible psychological trauma."
"With their return, the scars of war are rapidly spreading throughout this society."
Sidney nodded involuntarily.
He was certainly able to perceive the shift in social sentiment, and Qin Han's description struck at the biggest pain point in contemporary American society.
"When I saw Lucas's film in the screening room, my first thought was—this is the best remedy for the wounds of this era."
Qin Han looked directly into Sidney's eyes: "It depicts the pure sixties, before the assassination of Kennedy, before the quagmire of the Vietnam War swallowed up a generation's youth. It was an innocent era."
"Rock music, graduation partying, carefree boys and girls—that's the best summer in every American's memory."
"When those people, worn out by reality, go to the cinema and see this scene on the screen, they will cry. Everyone will go to the cinema to mourn their lost youth and the lost innocence of this country."
"As long as it hits this social sentiment, the film will definitely do well."
At this point, Qin Han picked up the soda bottle on the table again and shook it at Sidney: "So, my friend, this isn't throwing money down the drain, it's giving money to Universal."
A long, deathly silence fell over the spacious CEO's office, with only the faint hum of the central air conditioning system echoing in the air.
Sidney Sinberg was struck by this social psychological analysis.
He stared blankly at Qin Han, as if he understood why so many people called him a "prophet".
Can a seemingly ordinary coming-of-age film heal the wounds of a nation?
If what he said is true, then the energy that this film can unleash will be immeasurable.
Sidney took a deep breath, threw the cigar in his hand into the ashtray, and after a moment of contemplation, slowly spoke: "Qin—hearing these words from your mouth, I feel—I still want less of this 30% box office revenue share."
""
As the head of Universal, he realized that if the film became a phenomenal blockbuster, the 30% distribution fee would be nothing more than a cheap labor fee for Universal.
The real gold mine is the 70% that Han's Film Studio takes!
Seeing Sidney's expression, a mixture of frustration and admiration, Qin Han couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Trust me, Sidney. Even if it's only 30%, when the final box office figures come out, that number will definitely satisfy you and the Universal board. Get ready to receive your president title."
Leaving Universal Studios, the red sports car once again merged into the congested traffic of Los Angeles.
When Qin Han returned to the Han's Film Studio headquarters on the third floor of the Sunset Tower, the sky outside was already beginning to turn slightly yellow.
The corridor was quiet.
He pushed open the door to the executive officer's office, and a series of harsh curses came out!
"Screw your independent spirit! I represent Hollywood's top talent agency! You stubborn Italian, don't you even know what an opportunity to change your destiny is?!"
A furious roar came from behind the desk.
"Bang!"
The microphone was slammed hard against the landline phone, making a loud thud.
Michael Ovitz braced his hands on the table, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath.
His suit jacket had long been tossed onto the sofa, three buttons on his white shirt collar were undone, his tie hung loosely around his neck, and his hair was a mess, like a bird's nest.
Michael turned his head when he heard the door open.
His amber eyes were bloodshot, making him look like a gambler who had spent three days and three nights in a casino.
When he saw that it was Qin Han who walked in, the ferocious anger on his face vanished instantly, replaced by an excited ecstasy.
"Boss!" He strode around the desk, his voice trembling with excitement, "I found him! That damn crazy director!"
Qin Han walked over to the sofa and sat down. Looking at his disheveled yet energetic appearance, he found it amusing.
"Looks like you've had a tough time these past few hours." He gestured to the telephone on the table that had almost been smashed. "Is Martin Scorsese difficult to communicate with?"
"He's more than just difficult to communicate with; he's like an aggressive buffalo!"
Michael rushed to the water dispenser, filled a glass with ice water, and drank it all in one gulp, which calmed his turbulent emotions a little.
"After you left, I contacted every underground film producer I could find and theater managers in New York," he reported breathlessly. "You were right, dollars really are the best connections. I spent a full two thousand dollars on 'information fees' to get the phone number of a producer who specialized in B-movies."
"When I called him, introducing myself as the CEO of Hans Films and wanting to discuss a project, guess what this bastard said?"
Michael, mimicking the rude tone of a New York accent, said, "Fuck commercial corporations! You capitalists who only know how to squeeze the marrow out of creators, don't expect me to make those popcorn garbage movies used to brainwash idiots!" Then he hung up on me!
Qin Han chuckled to himself.
This is indeed very much in line with Martin Scorsese's temperament in his early years.
Extremely paranoid, extremely aloof, and filled with hostility and contempt for the traditional Hollywood studio system.
"So how did you make him submit?"
Michael's eyes gleamed with a wolf-like cunning: "I kept calling him, and in the end, we argued on the phone for a full hour!"
He excitedly waved his fist, "He called me a money-grubbing broker, so I called him a penniless swindler who couldn't even afford to rent a camera!"
"I told him that Hans Films had just spent a lot of money on an independent film and given the director 100% creative freedom and editing rights."
"When he heard those words, the Italian finally shut up."
Michael straightened up, a triumphant smile spreading across his face: "He finally agreed. He'll fly to Los Angeles next weekend to visit Sunset Tower."