1980 My literary era

If Wenhua Film and Television wants to make a domestic blockbuster, it definitely doesn't have that much money. The Chinese Publishing House can borrow part of it, but it is impossible to provide all the funds. That will also be a huge pressure on the Chinese Publishing House.

Filmmaking is a high-risk investment, and it is a very risky decision for any production company to invest entirely with its own funds.

Finding business partners to share risks together is mature business behavior.

Especially in recent years, the domestic film market has continued to be sluggish, and even Hollywood blockbusters rarely achieve box office sales of over 100 million in the domestic market. Wenhua Film and Television has to invest 80 million in a domestic blockbuster, which is not a small risk.

As for why Lin Weimin agreed to Tian Congming's request, in addition to Tian Congming's "no free filming" treatment, it also lies in Lin Weimin's plan for Wenhua Film and Television.

The 1990s were the darkest moment for domestic films. The entire industry was shrinking and struggling to move forward amid piracy and the constant stranglehold of foreign counterparts.

Since Lin Weimin has opened up a film and television path for the Chinese Literature Society, he hopes to have a certain positive impact on Chinese films.

This is nothing to do with ideals and ambitions, let alone the feelings of a time traveler. The biggest reason is that if you want to develop, become bigger and stronger and become a leader in the industry, then you must bear such a responsibility and mission.

Faced with the encroachment of Hollywood blockbusters on the domestic film market, the domestic film and television industry is inevitable.

Just like Tian Congming said, where can we escape?

It’s impossible to give up the film market, right?

Originally, Lin Weimin thought that Wenhua Film and Television should be allowed to grow for at least two years, accumulate some foundation, and then discuss the issue of blockbusters when the domestic economic conditions develop better.

But now that Tian Congming has this urgent need, it doesn't matter a little earlier.

In China, nothing is more useful than the word "official".

Tian Congming wants Wenhua Film and Television to boost the morale of Chinese films, so he needs to take some incentives!

Tian Congming’s two incentives are the so-called “no free shots”.

First, the theater for "Hero" will be reserved by the government. Tian Congming even thought about the title, so he called it "Hong Kong's Return Gift Film." If the theater is reserved by the government, the box office is guaranteed to be at least 30 million.

Secondly, this is what Lin Weimin values ​​most. As long as "Hero" can be successfully produced and distributed, Wenhua Film and Television will obtain the first film distribution license for a domestic private enterprise.

Film distribution licenses are something that only distribution companies have. In the past, they were the exclusive property of domestic film distribution companies and studios at all levels.

Movie distribution is divided according to the box office to distribution companies and studios. Today, domestic distribution generally shares 17% of the total box office.

This is a huge expense. If Wenhua Film and Television can hold this piece of cake in its own hands, the company will be invincible in its future development.

Not only can they produce their own movies, but they can also distribute movies from other film and television companies.

At the same time, the films produced by his own company also save a distribution fee.

With these two conditions, Lin Weimin had no reason not to agree to Tian Congming's request.

Even if the investment in "Heroes" is a little higher and the risk is a little higher, it's not a big problem since we can share the pressure anyway.

Lin Weimin has already been found as a candidate to share the pressure.

Columbia Pictures, Michael Phillips' Film Pictures, Yan Film Studio plus China Film.

But Lin Weimin didn't know how Xu Feng knew that Wenhua was going to make a domestic blockbuster, so he went to Yanjing to find him, hoping to participate in the movie.

"It's not like you don't have shares in Wenhua, so why invest again?" Lin Weimin said.

"That's different. I'm only a small shareholder in Wenhua. How many people from Taiwan, Taiwan and Taiwan know that I have shares in Wenhua? But Tomson is different. This is a company I have been running for more than ten years.

The name Tomson appears in the column of production unit, which is a reflection of strength. "

As Xu Feng said, he couldn't help but talk about how miserable he was being cheated by Cheng Kaige this time.

"There are times when people make money for you." Lin Weimin joked, "My husband bought a piece of land in Lujiazui last year. There is a lot of potential in that land in the future. Are you still short of money?"

"Isn't it because of you that movies make money? Look, now that I'm away from you, won't I be able to return to my original shape?

The matter of acquiring the land was even more unreasonable. Lujiazui has only been developed for a few years, so it's not that fast to make money, and I have never been involved in his business. "

Lin Weimin smiled and said: "You and your family have made all the money. The movie was about the right time, right place and right people. There is no inevitable relationship between who and who."

Xu Feng begged for a while, and Lin Weimin said helplessly: "Then you can invest 5 million, no more."

Hearing this, Xu Feng was overjoyed and thanked Lin Weimin repeatedly.

"Don't be too happy too early. The investment in this movie is huge. It's unclear whether it will make money or not. It might lose money."

Lin Weimin put the ugly words first.

Xu Feng smiled and said: "With you pulling the strings, I will accept the loss. Besides, Director Zhang is so famous abroad. If he gathers a group of influential stars, he will definitely be able to maintain his capital. I dare not say anything else. , Xiangjiang, Bay Island and Southeast Asian markets, you can leave it to me."

Lin Weimin nodded. If it weren't for Xu Feng's ability to issue issuances in these regions, he would not have given him 5 million points of investment share.

A few days ago, Lin Weimin contacted Michael Phillips, and then contacted Columbia Pictures through Michael Phillips.

Both Michael Phillips and Columbia Pictures have expressed strong interest in the "Heroes" project.

"Gong Li, yes, there is Gong Li. Zhang Guorong, Leslie Cheung from "Farewell My Concubine" will also act, including Han Zhuangzhuang, the three leading actors in "Farewell My Concubine" will be together, you know the gold content.

There are also several top stars in Hong Kong who will star in this movie, it will definitely be an all-star cast..."

Lin Weimin's mention of other celebrities may not have much appeal in the United States, but the American people are deeply impressed by the leading actors in "Farewell My Concubine."

After some deception by him, Michael Phillips and Columbia Pictures were extremely excited and kept chanting "Oriental Epic" and "Oriental Epic".

After Lin Weimin's "introduction", the two of them decided to jointly invest 6 million yuan in "Hero" in exchange for all the profits of the film in North America.

"Hero" plans to invest 80 million yuan. Michael Phillips' Film Pictures and Columbia Pictures jointly invested 6 million yuan, which is more than 48 million yuan converted into yuan, covering most of the investment in the film.

The film doesn't even have a script, but they are willing to invest 6 million US dollars. The sincerity of Film Pictures and Columbia Pictures cannot be said to be insufficient.

However, this proposal was flatly rejected by Lin Weimin. He clearly remembered that the box office of "Hero" in North America exceeded 53 million US dollars. If you include video tapes, TV copyrights and other expenses, the income would be even more.

Offering 6 million to buy out the North American copyright of "Hero" seemed sincere in the eyes of Film Pictures and Columbia Pictures, but Lin Weimin couldn't accept it.

He approached Columbia and Michael Phillips not only to share the financial pressure, but also because of their distribution capabilities in North America and English-speaking countries.

"Farewell My Concubine" has a box office of nearly 300 million US dollars in the United States. Zhang Guorong, Gong Li and others left a deep impression on American audiences at the beginning, and they have a certain appeal among American audiences.

In the future, as long as it is properly announced and released, the box office may not be as good as that of later generations, but it will certainly not be too bad.

He is willing to share interests with his partners, but that does not mean he is willing to give them up. The North American market is the largest film market in the world.

After some negotiations, Film Pictures and Columbia Pictures still insisted on investing $3 million, but the income was not divided according to shares. They could only account for 30% of North America's box office income.

To recoup the investment of 3 million dollars, the North American box office of "Hero" will need to be at least 20 million.

For Film and Television and Columbia Pictures, this condition was a bit harsh, especially for a giant like Columbia Pictures, but they still agreed.

The reason is also very simple. Firstly, because the actor in "Farewell My Concubine" came first, they have a deep superstition for Lin Weimin; secondly, because in the future, the North American distribution rights of "Heroes" will be handed over to Columbia Pictures. This is also a considerable amount of profit. If "Hero" performs well at the box office, this may be more than what they spent on investment.

With the 3 million yuan invested by Film Pictures and Columbia Pictures, the funding gap of "Hero" is still about 55 million yuan.

Among them, Wenhua Film and Television will have an exclusive investment share of 45 million yuan, and Yan Film and China Film will each invest 5 million yuan.

Now Xu Feng is rushing to invest, so everyone has to squeeze in and give her a share. After all, she still has some connections in Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and other places that can help with copyright distribution.

A huge investment of 80 million yuan was completed in less than half a month.

Zhang Yimou was ecstatic when he heard the news. He thought that funds would not be a problem, but he really didn't expect that it would be so easy to raise.

This is a total of 80 million yuan!

After receiving the news, Zhang Yimou trembled for a while, and then put the pressure on Tong Zhonggui and Mo Yan.

"The movie investment is done, please hurry up!"

Tong Zhonggui and Mo Yan looked at Zhang Yimou with resentment in their eyes, just like long-term workers in the old society looking at landlords.

You must know that the two of them have always been responsible for checking the quality of Wenhua Film and Television. Unfortunately, this time Teacher Lin paid too much attention to "Hero" and directly left the job to them. This made the two people who were usually used to leisurely clouds and Yehe very uncomfortable.

The work is too intense!

"If you persist for two more days, the first version of the script will come out soon. When the script comes out, I will treat you to dinner."

Feeling the resentment between the two, Zhang Yimou had to comfort him with soft words.

The donkey lamo of the production team also has to give him sticks and carrots, not to mention that these two are his old partners?

I want to send you a meal?

It was easy to understand the expressions in Tong Zhonggui and Mo Yan's eyes. Before Zhang Yimou could speak, the door to the room was pushed open.

"teacher LIN!"

"teacher LIN!"

When several people saw the visitor, they all stood up.

"Sit, sit."

Lin Weimin sat down and asked, "How is the script writing going?"

Just when Zhang Yimou was about to speak, Mo Yan silently handed the half-finished script to Lin Weimin, "I've written 60 scenes."

Lin Weimin raised his eyebrows and praised: "Not bad, very efficient."

Tong Zhonggui and Mo Yan looked at each other and smiled.

After flipping through the script, Lin Weimin pointed to several scenes and communicated with Tong Zhonggui and Mo Yan.

"Don't write this scene like that, make it more straightforward. You have to consider the audience's feelings."

"The scene of Ying Zheng needs to be handled more openly. He is the First Emperor. He needs to be written with the style of a king, and he must also show his domineering attitude."

…

Zhang Yimou watched Lin Weimin instructing Tong Zhonggui and Mo Yan to revise the script. The two people who usually grinned at him were so obedient in the face of Teacher Lin that he couldn't help but curse them in secret.

However, Zhang Yimou was a little suspicious at the same time. Looking at the way Teacher Lin guided the two to modify the script, it seemed that he already had a clear idea of ​​the script, so why let Tong Zhonggui and Mo Yan write it?

Before writing the script, Zhang Yimou specifically mentioned it to Lin Weimin, hoping that he could be named the chief screenwriter, but Lin Weimin politely declined.

After Lin Weimin directed the script, Zhang Yimou asked the questions in his heart.

"'Hero' is a commercial film. It's actually not that difficult to write seriously. I tell them this mainly because I'm afraid they won't be able to handle it in their minds.

They are the backbone of Wenhua, and the company will still rely on them in the future. I cannot do everything myself. "

Zhang Yimou nodded thoughtfully.

Lin Weimin smiled. He didn't tell the truth. Why didn't he write the script of "Hero"? Or is it anonymous?

This thing is really not very good!