"Ajun, is it too expensive to spend so much money just to buy the copyright of a novel?" On the way, Li Xiuxiu was very uneasy. US$500,000 is more than 4 million yuan, which can buy a house outside the Fourth Ring Road of Beijing.
The key is that Shao Shuaijun has not read this novel, he only heard about it.
Shao Shuaijun gave her a reassuring smile: "Sister Xiuxiu, don't be nervous, trust my vision. The price I gave is definitely low, compared to the future achievements of this novel. Didn't I give you a copy of the manuscript?
, after you read it, I guarantee you will fall in love with it and understand its charm!"
"So how are you going to run Twilight?"
"First find a publishing house and publish it. Let's go to Phoenix Publishing House. We can charge in this way. It's free for 100,000 copies. For 500,000 copies, we'll get 5% of the profit. For 1 million
We take 10% of the book. If it exceeds two million, then 50% of the profit cannot be less! By the way, it is only the copyright of "Twilight", not including the sequel copyright. If there is an opportunity, establish a company in the United States
, specializes in running The Twilight Saga.”
Shao Shuaijun thought for a while and said that the value of "Twilight" is worth setting up a company to handle all the procedures. Because this is Shao Shuaijun's private transaction, he hopes to have a completely independent company to operate it instead of letting
Shao Shuaijun Studio is owned by Huayi Brothers.
"Open a company specifically?" Li Bingbing was surprised.
"Yes. But first, we must build on the popularity of "Twilight"!"
Regarding the publication of "Twilight", Shao Shuaijun left it to Li Xiuxiu to complete, while he himself contacted Zhao Cheng and went to California, USA.
The special effects company Zhao Cheng found is called Animal-Logic Company, which can be translated as Animal Logic Special Effects Company. This is a special effects company headquartered in Australia, and its branch in Hollywood, California, USA.
There are more than 200 special effects companies in Hollywood, why choose Animal Logic?
Because this company charges the cheapest price and has perfect technology, and more importantly, the Chinese are familiar with it. Most of the special effects shots for "Heroes" back then were produced by this company. The company is more than ten kilometers away from Hollywood, right here.
The distance of more than ten kilometers makes it excluded from the mainstream Hollywood circle.
Therefore, everyone in the company is very enthusiastic about guests from China.
The price has been negotiated, with a total length of 11 minutes, 32 sets of special effects shots, and a price of 600,000 US dollars per minute, which totals 53 million yuan. The price is within Shao Shuaijun's affordability. Zhao Cheng went to contact the finance department, and Shao Shuaijun began to participate in the special effects.
Production, working with special effects engineers every day, participating in the modification of every shot.
This prevented him from even taking time to visit Hollywood, let alone watch the release of the American version of "Buried Alive" and interfere with the publication of "Twilight".
…
On Thursday, February 3rd, the movie "Buried Alive" was quietly released in the first batch of more than 300 theaters under the arrangement of Lionsgate Pictures. There was no excessive publicity, just a poster posted at the door of the theater. It was so low-key.
Released, relying on the promotion of the Sundance Online Film Festival and the good reputation of Lionsgate Pictures.
The box office came out the next day, $2.3 million!
"Oh, dear China Shao, I didn't disturb you, did I?" Morris contacted Shao Shuaijun immediately.
Shao Shuaijun had just participated in special effects production and was still very excited: "What can I do, Mr. Morris?"
"Haha, of course. Guess what the box office of "Buried Alive" was on the first day."
"How many?"
"Guess."
"Can't guess."
"Oh, Shao, you are so boring. Well, let me tell you, don't be scared, it's 2.3 million US dollars! Haha, I made my money back on the first day."
"Congratulations." Shao Shuaijun shook his fist, good luck.
"Haha, I also want to congratulate you. It will not be a problem for the box office to exceed 10 million. You will receive a large amount of additional distribution expenses." Morris had reason to laugh, because he was the one who brokered this deal, not only
Once you gain a reputation as a discerning eye, you can get a lot of commissions.
On February 7th, the box office of "Buried Alive", which had been released for half a week, reached 7.9 million. Morris made another phone call and proudly reported the good news. This also greatly excited Shao Shuaijun and others who had invested in intense special effects production. "Buried Alive"
"Successful, is "Source Code" still far behind?
On February 8th, it was New Year's Eve in China. Shao Shuaijun made a long-distance call to wish his relatives at home a happy New Year. And he, Zhao Cheng, Li Xiuxiu, Wang Yixue, and Ma Hu were in a small town not far from Hollywood.
A small restaurant simply celebrates this most solemn festival of the Chinese people.
During the Chinese New Year this year, they didn't have time to go back.
Zhao Cheng wants to manage the finances. Li Xiuxiu has contacted the publishing house and is waiting for further publishing plans. Wang Yixue and Ma Hu are working for Shao Shuaijun and following up on the special effects production. Although it is New Year's Eve, the United States is still quiet, as usual, there are no
In a festive atmosphere, the five of us ate with gusto.
Time passed and it was February 20th in a blink of an eye.
The box office data of "Buried Alive", which has been released for two and a half weeks, is 21.1 million. Among the movies released in the Valentine's Day, "Buried Alive" has the second highest box office. The first place is "The Rivals"
, which has only been released for one week, has already earned more than 23 million at the box office. In third place is "Night Stalker" with more than 19 million.
Impacted by "Rivals", "Buried Alive" was officially released over the weekend. As promised, Morris paid an additional $2.5 million in fees. In this way, "Buried Alive" earned Huayi Brothers another $3.5 million. Unfortunately,
, the money belonged to Huayi Brothers, Shao Shuaijun could only stare, after all, the ownership was sold.
"China Shao, the company will hold a celebration banquet tomorrow. Will you and your partners come over to attend?"
"Thank you for your kindness, but we don't have time. By the way, you can invite Mike from Telescope Entertainment for us. I think it would be a big pity not to have him present on this occasion." Shao Shuaijun laughed. At first, Mike invited him
I was so angry that when I look at it now, Mike is just a clown, adding more jokes.
As for door-to-door visits, there is no need. A successful person must be as generous as a successful person.
"I think so, hehe."
"Morris, I don't have time to attend the celebration party, but I think you should have time to come over and watch my new movie."
"Oh, you have a new movie, I will definitely go!"
After hanging up the phone, Shao Shuaijun stretched. "Buried Alive" was a shot in the arm, sweeping away the sullenness that had accumulated in his heart. Brothers Wang Zhonglei, as well as Yu Dong and Zhuang Cheng, also became more confident after receiving the news.
, some time ago there were various negative reports in newspapers, and many major directors expressed their opinions on "Source Code".
It makes everyone feel heavy.
Now, there is more or less a glimmer of hope.
Morris arrived quickly, and Shao Shuaijun simply screened the half-produced sample. An hour and a half later, Morris, who was watching carefully, had a smile on his face: "China Shao, let's talk about cooperation.