New York, inside a private room of a high-end coffee shop.
Sitting opposite Xiao Qi and Du Feixing is Cameron, the world's number one commercial director.
Compared with the high-spirited filming of "Titanic", Cameron is now much older, has a head full of silver hair, and is still tired that cannot be concealed.
However, just like before, Cameron's eyes are still full of stubbornness and confidence. Although it has gone through ten years of hard work, his love for movies has never cooled down.
"Qi Shao, I just heard here that you acquired Disney, and in the blink of an eye you made 10 billion US dollars on Skype. There will never be anyone in this world who can make more money than you!" Cameron said.
While drinking coffee, he sighed.
"If I don't sell Skype, I will get more in the future." Xiao Qi shrugged, "But I am not from Europe and the United States! Just like your movies, European and American movies are the mainstream of the world, while Chinese movies are always the mainstream.
It’s just a niche, at least for now.”
"Haha, this is also the result of our continuous efforts over the past hundred years!" Cameron was not modest, "If Chinese films want to get to this point, there is still a long way to go."
yes.
Because of this, I invested in imax and invested in your company to develop 3D technology.
Xiao Qi thought in his heart.
As for the great achievements of Hollywood movies that have conquered the world, Xiao Qi is not in a hurry to surpass them. As Cameron said, it took almost a hundred years of hard work for Hollywood to become what it is today. Chinese movies have just begun.
How many years? Excluding the flash in the pan in the 1920s and 1930s, it basically starts now.
As for movies from Hong Kong and Taiwan...
Just forget it.
One is too edgy, the other is too literary, and neither of them can occupy the mainstream.
"Qi Shao, I think you already know about the predicament of "Avatar". I came here today to ask for your help. Do you think we can cooperate again?" Seeing that the polite words were almost finished, Cameron smiled and proposed.
ask.
"China is fully supportive, and the United States is not weak either." Xiao Qi said, "Didn't our Kiwi Cinema Line give you so much film schedule?"
Last time Cameron went to China, he negotiated not only the Kiwi Theater Chain in China, but also the Kiwi Theater Chain in the United States—the original AMC Theater Chain.
At that time, he promised to buy out the Kiwi theater chain in China for US$10 million. Then as a concession, the Kiwi theater chain in North America also made some concessions, taking 15% of the box office in the first week, 25% in the second week, and 25% in the third week.
40% every week, 50% in the fourth week, and 60% in the fifth week and thereafter.
But things have changed a bit.
Although Kiwi Film and Television Group acquired AMC and changed its name to Kiwi North American Cinemas, in fact most of the senior executives there are still from AMC, and they have their own way of judging movies.
Although after almost a year of development, the Kiwi North American theater chain has increased its size by almost 20%, with more than 6,000 screens, most of which have added 3D and IMAX screens, but this time they gave Cameron
The number of screens is only more than 3,000. There are more than 1,200 cinemas in total, which is only half the size.
This was the result of Qiao Guoer personally calling them and asking them to schedule more "Avatar" schedules, otherwise they would be like other theater chains and only arrange a maximum of 2,000 screens.
Cameron and 20th Century Fox were very dissatisfied with this, especially since they gave up most of the box office in China and sold the screening rights to the Kiwi Cinema Line at a low price of 10 million US dollars, and other cinema lines also
They all learned to buy out. In total, they only earned about 20 million US dollars in China, but they actually received such strong support from the Kiwi North American Theater!
Of course, 20th Century Fox is smart. They will not offend the Kiwi Film and Television Group, which already has the status of a world-class media giant. Besides, behind Qiao Guoer is Xiao Qi, the richest man in the world. No matter how conceited Murdoch is, he will not.
I dare say he can withstand Xiao Qi's pressure.
So it's up to Cameron himself to continue to win support, not only from North America, but also from the Kiwi Cinemas in Europe.
"For me, the more screens, the better for both of us. Don't worry, "Avatar" will never let you down!" Cameron said sincerely, ""Avatar" is our promotion
The beginning of 3D technology, as long as the market can be opened, it will be a great benefit for our 3D technology! The more widely 3D technology is used in the future, won’t we all make more money?”
Qiao Guoer is the third largest shareholder with 18% of shares in the Cameron Pace Group, which holds a large number of patents on 3D technology, so Cameron said that everyone's interests are consistent.
"I see what you mean, should Kiwi North American Theaters screen all of your "Avatar" in full?" Xiao Qi said with a smile.
"Even if not all of them, then I also require 3D and IMAX screens to be able to screen all shows in the first two weeks." Cameron said, "If the ideal box office cannot be achieved, you can screen them all for me. I will say
No complaints at all.”
Xiao Qi nodded and said noncommittally: "Where is Europe?"
The last time Cameron negotiated with Kiwi, it was only theater chains in North America and China. At that time, Kiwi Film and Television Group had not yet acquired the number one and second largest theater chains in Europe.
A few months later, Kiwi bought Odeon and Victoria Cinemas in one fell swoop, owning 330 theaters and more than 3,300 screens in Europe, which really surprised everyone in the film industry.
Because in this way, the Kiwi Cinema Line basically covers the world’s major movie ticket warehouses. Whichever movie they want to support, that movie is likely to be popular. If they want to suppress which movie, then which movie
It's very likely that the movie will falter.
Since then, more and more Hollywood film company executives have gone to China to visit Qiao Guoer. This is one of the reasons why "Avatar" was given a cold reception this time and 20th Century Fox was unwilling to come forward.
"In Europe, like the United States, all 3D and IMAX screens are fully booked in the first two weeks. If you are willing to schedule 80% of the total theaters in the first two weeks, then we can make concessions on the share." Cameron came today,
It was authorized by 20th Century Fox. He said directly: "In the first two weeks, we only need 70% of the box office share. From now on, no matter how good the results are, we will only need 30%."
This is really a huge concession.
Xiao Qi calculated that even if the European box office reached 1 billion U.S. dollars, the producers, Cameron and 20th Century Fox, would only be able to get a box office share of about 300 million U.S. dollars.
As a result, Kiwi European Cinemas can increase profits by RMB 50 million to RMB 80 million.
Of course, this is based on the fact that "Avatar" is very popular.
If it were another person, he would definitely feel that Cameron thinks too highly of himself and estimates his achievements too high.
But in this world, so far, only Xiao Qi knows that everyone, including Cameron, thinks too low of "Avatar"!
This is a truly record-breaking movie!!
"I agree to your conditions." After thinking for a while, Xiao Qi slowly said: "But in exchange, I hope that Mr. Cameron can also help me."
"What's the matter?" Although he asked for help, Cameron did not agree hastily.
"This year I bought the film and derivative rights of a novel called "The Hunger Games," which is a very good science fiction novel." Xiao Qidao said, "The author is planning to publish a trilogy, and I am also planning to film it.
A trilogy. If you can be the director, then I agree to all the proposals for "Avatar"."
"The Hunger Games?" Cameron recalled for a moment, "I have read this book. It is roughly about a death-match game that takes place in a kingdom that was re-established after destruction, right?"
"Yes." Xiao Qi was not surprised by this. As a good director, reading books frequently is definitely a necessary habit.
"If "Avatar" is successful, I wouldn't mind making another movie of this type." Cameron mused, "But let's wait until the results of "Avatar" come out."
Xiao Qi nodded and said, "If "Avatar" achieves unprecedented success, then will you agree to be the director?"
"If it's a big success, of course it's no problem." Cameron laughed, "I've worked hard for so many years for "Avatar". Making this kind of youth action movie, I can change my mind and take a break.
.”
"Then we've settled." Xiao Qi said, "I have one more request. I hope to get a few important supporting roles in "The Hunger Games". Is that possible?"
"I'll decide what's important. You only have the right to make suggestions, not decisions." Cameron said sternly.
"good!"
Naturally, Xiao Qi had no objection to Cameron's dominance in film production. If he wasn't such a stubborn person, how could he possibly make good films?
"Don't worry about the funds. I know your habits." Xiao Qi said with a smile, "I will give you as much production cost as you want. I only have one requirement, and that is to make the movie good."
Cameron also laughed dumbly and nodded unconsciously.
He has long been famous for his habit of spending money like water. Only the richest man in the world can be so generous and not give him any financial restrictions!
For a moment, he really felt that he could still consider filming "The Hunger Games". (To be continued.)