Chapter 183 The Hollywood script negotiation is full of pitfalls!
Chapter 183 Hollywood script negotiations are full of pitfalls!
Author: You want Cayenne
Chapter 183 Hollywood script negotiations are full of pitfalls!
What???
Genius playwright...Gu Ran?
Rachel froze completely!
For a moment she couldn't figure out whether she was crazy or whether the great director Nolan was crazy.
Annie walked up to Gu Ran, took Gu Ran's hand without hesitation, and introduced the three Nolans with pride: "Mr. Nolan, this is the talented playwright you are looking for, Gu Ran!"
"What???"
Now it's director Nolan's turn to be shocked!
He had already guessed from Gu Ran's Chinese name that Gu Ran was of Chinese descent, or was Chinese, but...
He couldn't even imagine that Gu Ran was so young!
"Annie, are you kidding me, right?" Nolan laughed and said, "I know that most geniuses and masters like to tease people, hahaha! This is so funny! I almost fell for it!"
Gu Ran smiled and said, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Nolan. I am really Gu Ran, the creator of the hand-drawn script of "Batman 3: The Dark Knight Rises."
Nolan was stunned, "...God! This, this is impossible! You, are you really Gu Ran? Is the hand-drawn script really your work?"
…Actually, it’s yours, but after I’m reborn, it’s mine.
Gu Ran smiled and said, "Yes."
"It's unbelievable! It's unbelievable!" Nolan shook his head vigorously, took out a top and put it on the table for a spin.
Anne:……
Rachel:……
It wasn't until the top stopped that Nolan took a deep breath, "This is not a dream, this is really not a dream. Mr. Gu Ran, I really didn't expect you to be so young! You must have grown up in the United States and been deeply influenced by American culture.
Chinese Americans who are culturally edified, right? I know that Chinese Americans are very smart and are elites in all walks of life."
Gu Ran smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Nolan, but I am not of Chinese descent. I am an authentic Chinese and my nationality is Chinese."
Nolan's pupils dilated in shock, "Oh God! God! This is incredible! Mr. Gu Ran, you are more genius than I thought! You are the genius among geniuses! In your hand-drawn manuscript, you have positioned Gotham City
It's so precise! It's also very deep and thought-provoking! Your portrayal of the general environment has raised the tone of the entire film to a new level!"
Criticizing the corrupt and sinful capitalism is something we have been able to do since we were young.
Gu Ran smiled and said, "I didn't think about it that much, I just followed my heart."
Nolan couldn't help but give a thumbs up, "Awesome! You are indeed a genius! Moreover, you are such a young genius!"
Seeing Nolan so excited, Rachel next to her couldn't help but ask Annie in a low voice: "What, what's going on? Isn't Gu Ran a football student? Why did he suddenly become a playwright?"
Annie said proudly: "Rachel, before I had time to tell you, Gu Ran specially hand-drawn a script for me in order to let me return to Hollywood. No, after the great director Nolan read Gu Ran's script,
I flew over immediately."
Rachel was dumbfounded, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Annie rolled her eyes at Rachel, "Did you give me a chance? You scolded Gu Ran when you came up."
Rachel quickly said: "I didn't scold him! I really didn't! Maybe I just... my tone was a little unfriendly, Gu Ran won't mind, right?"
Annie patted Rachel comfortingly, "Don't worry, Chinese men are very powerful."
Rachel breathed a sigh of relief.
Nolan continued to say excitedly: "Mr. Gu Ran, your hand-drawn script is really great! This is the best hand-drawn script I have ever seen since I started working in this industry. Not a single shot is superfluous! Characters
The settings and the development of the plot are all perfect! There is no need to modify or adjust it at all, and it can be shot directly! I can’t wait to know what kind of state you are in when you use it.
How long did it take to create such a strong script?"
Gu Ran shrugged, "I wrote this hand-drawn script for Annie, and it probably took me more than ten days."
Nolan's face was full of horror, "What!!! Ten days???"
Gu Ran continued: "Well, it is indeed a bit slow, but there is a reason for that, because I have to train, compete, and at night...ahem...sleep."
Anne next to her was already blushing with shyness and happiness.
Nolan was shocked and numb!
Rachel was a little unable to stand, but luckily Bella next to her gave her a hand.
...God!
It only took more than ten days to draw it by hand!
Even the genius director Nolan was so impressed that he flew to his door to ask for a meeting!
This is no longer a genius! This is a god!
No wonder Anne fell in love with him! No wonder! No wonder! No wonder!
Rachel's intestines are so wet!
If he had known that Gu Ran was so talented, he shouldn't have told Annie to stay away from Gu Ran as soon as he came up, but should have let Annie grasp it with all his strength!
Push harder, push harder!
Nolan excitedly exclaimed: "Oh my God! Ten days is still too slow?! When I wrote the script of "Batman 2", it took more than half a year, and I still discussed it with my screenwriters.
I revised many drafts, and revised them repeatedly during the filming process. Mr. Gu Ran, your script for "Batman 3" is completely a mature work!"
"Mr. Gu Ran! You are an absolute drama genius!"
"I dare say that your talent has surpassed 99.99% of the screenwriters in Hollywood!"
"You know, Mr. Gu Ran, after reading your hand-drawn script, my first feeling is that this script has reached a completely consistent frequency with my thinking!"
"I even feel that there is some kind of mysterious quantum entanglement between the two of us!"
"I even suspect that I am in an Inception space, and you are me who have traveled through another dimension!"
Damn it...
Nolan, if you keep talking like this, you will be close to the truth!
Gu Ran said quickly: "No, no, no, Mr. Nolan, you have given me the award. In fact, I am not a genius. The reason why I can draw "Batman 3" by hand is because I imitated your first two Batman films.
The narrative style of "Batman". The reason why you feel familiar and that our ideas are highly consistent is precisely because I drew it by hand based on your ideas, so as to ensure the unity of the "Batman" trilogy. Mr. Nolan, you are the one
Giant, and I'm just standing on your shoulders."
Hearing Gu Ran call him a "giant", Nolan became even more excited, "Hahaha! Mr. Gu Ran! Thank you for saying that! It turns out that the people who understand me best in the world are not my parents, nor me.
My wife, but you who have never met me!"
Nolan, don’t be like this...
If you find out that I also know other great directors very well, will you think that I am a "scumbag" in the screenwriting field...
Gu Ran suddenly felt dumbfounded.
Nolan's excitement has not calmed down yet, "Gu - can I just call you Gu? You can just call me Christopher! Because I think we are conjoined brothers!"
Gu Ran smiled and said: "Of course."
"That's great, Gu! I have another question that I really want to know! The hand-drawn script I saw was just a scanned document, but I can tell that you seemed to have drawn it by hand with a pen, right?"
Gu Ran nodded and said, "Yes."
Nolan slapped his thigh and said, "I knew it! You are a genius! A peerless genius! You draw by hand with a pen and don't change a single word! It's really amazing! Gu, tell me, which film and television company are you working for now?
"
Gu Ran smiled and said, "Oh, Mr. Nolan - I mean, Christopher, I am not a screenwriter, and I don't have a film and television company. In fact, I am a football player."
"Wha, what?" Nolan looked back at Anne in shock for confirmation.
Annie nodded to Nolan with pride, "Yes, Gu Ran is a professional football player. He hand-drawn this script just for me."
Nolan was shocked and stunned!
"Oh God!"
Nolan held his head with both hands, his expression exaggerated to the extreme: "A professional football player? I can't believe it! Gu! Your talent should be displayed in Hollywood! Why else are you playing football! Come to Hollywood! Let's work together!"
I guarantee that in less than three movies, you will become the master screenwriter that all Hollywood producers beg for! You will become a god in Hollywood! Your name will remain on the Walk of Fame!"
...how beautiful!
but……
Gu Ran smiled and said calmly: "Sorry, Christopher, I really just want to play football."
Nolan said in surprise: "Gu, you probably don't know what it feels like to be a Hollywood superstar, right?"
Gu Ran smiled and said: "To be honest, I have never imagined it, but that kind of success will not bring me more happiness than playing football."
——The dopamine rush brought by competitive sports cannot be achieved by any other industry.
Nolan took a deep breath and re-examined the young Chinese in front of him with a serious look.
After a moment, Nolan gave Gu Ran a thumbs up in admiration, "Gu! I admire you so much! You are so young, you can stick to your original intention and not be attracted by other temptations! I dare say, this
There are few people in the world like you. No wonder you can hand-draw such an outstanding script for "Batman 3"! Because you are an outstanding talent in your own right. People like you will be the best no matter what they do.
of!"
"Of course, if you change your mind one day or retire from the court, please remember to come to me at any time and we will work together again. I think we two brothers will be able to make the best movie in the world together.
.”
Gu Ran smiled and said: "Okay, Christopher, of course there is no problem."
Gu Ran secretly complained:
I just drew a few scripts by hand, so why did I need to go to Hollywood? I just drew them when I had time. Such a small thing can't delay my big event of becoming a football superstar.
Seeing Gu Ran agree, Nolan rubbed his hands happily, "So, let's talk about the contract for "Batman 3: The Dark Knight Rises" now? Gu, do you have an agent?"
Gu Ran shook his head, "No."
When Rachel next to her heard this, she immediately stepped forward and said, "Mr. Gu Ran, if you don't mind, I can help you negotiate this contract - it's completely free of charge, just like a favor between friends."
Damn it?
When did we become friends?
Ms. Rachel, you were trying to bite me to death a few minutes ago!
Gu Ran suddenly felt dumbfounded, "...then, thank you."
After all, she is Anne Hathaway's agent, and she always needs to have a sense of presence. Moreover, trivial matters like drafting a contract can be made easier with an agent present.
Rachel happily said: "That's great, let's sit down and talk - by the way, do you want to talk while eating?"
Nolan waved his hand and said urgently: "The contract is important, let's finish it first and then eat."
"good."
Several people sat down on the sofa in the box.
Rachel pulled Annie and specially arranged for Annie to sit next to Gu Ran, while Rachel sat on the other side of Gu Ran.
Anne immediately beamed with joy.
Warner's agent politely said to Gu Ran: "Mr. Gu Ran, since you have not joined the Hollywood Writers Guild before and you have no other screenplays, and based on the quality of your "Batman 3", I will give it to you on behalf of Warner."
The price offered is 1.25 million US dollars. Believe me, we have discussed this price with Mr. Nolan. This price is definitely very sincere for a newcomer. If you agree, we can sign the contract directly.
Already."
Rachel came to Gu Ran's side and lowered her voice and said: "Gu, this price is really good in the industry. The highest price currently paid for a Hollywood script auction is the screenwriter of 2006's "Clues of Time", which sold for 5 million US dollars. However,
That playwright has a high status in Hollywood, and he has a team of screenwriters and writers under him, but you are not yet a member of the Hollywood Writers Guild. Warner can directly give you 1.25 million US dollars, which is indeed very sincere. Of course, you
You can hold your breath, after all, their first-round quotation is so high. In theory, the price can be raised to about 1.5 million US dollars. In addition, you can also ask for other things, such as net profit sharing and back-end revenue sharing."
Rachel has now completely transformed into a member of Gu Ran's group, and seriously advises Gu Ran.
Gu Ran smiled and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Rachel. I probably know what to do."
Rachel smiled flatteringly at Gu Ran, "...Thank you no matter what, we are all part of the same family."
Damn it...
Ms. Rachel, don’t be like this, I still like your unruly look!
Gu Ran cleared his throat and said to Warner's agent: "Let's not talk about the price issue for now. If you want to use my hand-drawn script, you must first agree to a prerequisite."
The agent immediately said: "Please speak."
Gu Ran said: "I require that the actor who plays Catwoman must be Anne Hathaway. Otherwise, I would rather burn this script than give it to you."
Anne next to her was suddenly filled with happiness.
Rachel was also so excited that she couldn't control herself - look! They are really a family! This young man Gu Ran is really great!
Warner's agent hesitated for a moment, "Mr. Gu Ran, I'm afraid... you have to know that casting requires a series of auditions, and then the director team and the production team meet to discuss it. This requires a very professional process, isn't it?
The screenwriter can make the decision."
Nolan next to him smiled and said, "Gu, don't worry, I can promise you here, there is no problem at all. I am the director and producer of this movie, and I have the absolute right to choose the heroine. Anne is very
Yes, although Catwoman, who is both good and evil, charming and naughty, may be a challenge for her, but when I saw Annie, I found that she was much more beautiful than before, and her eyes were much smarter.
Yes, I believe she can successfully master the role of Catwoman."
Anne happily said: "Thank you Mr. Nolan, this role was specially designed for me. I can do all the difficult actions that Catwoman can do. I am very confident that I can perform the role of Catwoman well."
Rachel also said excitedly: "Yes, our Annie is the best."
Nolan smiled and said: "That's it, just write this clause into the contract!"
Gu Ran nodded slightly, "Then we can continue to discuss the quotation."
The agent breathed a sigh of relief and asked: "Are you satisfied with the script buyout price of US$1.25 million?"
Gu Ran shook his head, "Not satisfied."
After finishing speaking, Gu Ran didn't say another word and just waited for the agent to feel anxious.
This is also a brokerage contract negotiation tip!
Rachel next to her couldn't help but secretly hissed:
This kid Gu Ran is really incredible!
Under such great negotiation pressure, his mentality can still be so stable!
The more I watch it, the more I like it!
Anne, Anne, you are so lucky! You got such a good cabbage!
The agent said nervously: "Mr. Gu Ran, the price of 1.25 million US dollars is really high. After all, you are not a member of the Hollywood Screenwriters Guild yet. Of course, we can help you with the corresponding procedures.
Let you become a member of the Hollywood Writers Guild, so that you can enjoy the net profit share, and our buyout price can be appropriately increased."
Rachel quickly reminded Gu Ran in a low voice: "Gu, if you want to become a member of the Hollywood Writers Guild, you must first join a film and television company registered in Hollywood - they actually want to sign you into Warner Bros.
Although this is beneficial, the benefit to you is small, but the benefit to them is huge. Because once you join Warner and become a screenwriter at Warner, any scripts you write in the future must be given priority to Warner."
Gu Ran nodded slightly to Rachel, "I understand."
Warner's agent continued: "Being a member of the Hollywood Writers Guild has many benefits. For example, after you get the buyout fee in batches, you can also enjoy an additional 5%-2.5% of the net profit after the film is released.
The original script can get 5% of the net profit income, while the adapted script can get 2.5% of the net profit income. Although the story of "Batman 3" you created is original, the characters have copyrights, so in theory you can only
Take 2.5% of the net profit. Of course, Warner is willing to express its sincerity and give you 5% of the net profit share."
I have to say that the American film industrialization system is really awesome.
At the very least, the screenwriter is treated as a human being. The screenwriter may not have much say, but the royalties and shares are still very high.
only……
Even more powerful than the Hollywood Writers Guild is Hollywood's accounting organization.
"Net profit" is not "box office revenue".
Hollywood's accounting agencies will always find various ways to convert a movie that is a huge hit and turn it into a net profit of a few cents, or even a loss.
Therefore, this "net profit" sounds good, but few Hollywood screenwriters can actually get it.
As Gu Ran, who was 12 years ahead of his time, although he had never been in Hollywood, he had seen enough of this kind of capitalist game.
The real income is by no means the so-called "net profit", but "box office share" and "back-end income".
Gu Ran didn't wait for Rachel to give him a hint, and said bluntly: "I don't want net profit, I just want box office share and back-end income."
Warner's agent was stunned.
Rachel couldn't help but be stunned.
She originally wanted to remind Gu Ran, but she didn't expect that Gu Ran understood it!
Rachel is really falling more and more in love with Gu Ran, a calm young man.
Warner's agent cleared his throat, "Mr. Gu Ran, you may not understand our Hollywood operating model. Box office share can only be shared by directors, producers, investors, production companies, distributors, theaters, theaters, and actors.
, staff and screenwriters cannot participate in the box office share, you can only share the net profit."
Gu Ran smiled and said, "Okay, then think of me as an investment. I use this script as an investment. I don't want any of the buyout fee you want to give me. I only want 1% of the global box office share and 5%."
The back-end revenue share - you should also know that my request is not excessive."
As soon as these words came out, everyone present was shocked.
Is this really something that young people who have never been to Hollywood can imagine?
1% of the global box office share is quite high for an individual, and generally only top directors can get it.
For example, Nolan's guaranteed share of the global box office for this film is 5%.
Of course, Hollywood movies in 2010 were not yet at their peak, and Nolan was not yet one of the top directors. When he later filmed "Dunkirk", Nolan was also the director, screenwriter, and producer.
Trinity can get 20% of the global box office share.
Now, as Gu Ran, asking for 1% of the global box office share is indeed a bit high, but it is not outrageous.
What really makes Warner's agents uncomfortable is the 5% share requirement of "back-end revenue".
The so-called back-end income actually refers to the income from other channels after the film is released.
For example, burning it into DVD, such as the income from paying to watch on TV media, such as the income from paying to watch on online media.
Back-end income is zero cost and will not be calculated in the movie box office and movie profits.
And this is actually the real big deal.
For example, the movie "The Shawshank Redemption" had a budget of US$25 million when it was shot, and the box office reached US$58 million that year. In terms of profit, it made no money, and even suffered a slight loss.
However, in the era of the explosion of the Internet age, this highly rated movie has a high number of plays every year. According to global back-end revenue, the two starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins can earn from this every year.
The money allocated to the movie was at least hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Yes, you don't have to do anything. As long as people watch "The Shawshank Redemption," the writers and actors will receive money every year.
Not only screenwriters, directors, and starring actors, but also actors with lines can receive continuous profits from the back-end income.
There was a young actor in "Titanic" who only had one line. He was only seven or eight years old at the time. Since then, he has received about 30,000 US dollars in back-end profit sharing every year. He relied on this money to successfully complete his career.
of studies.
5% of the back-end income is not much, but when accumulated year by year, it is also very scary.
What's more, Gu Ran is certain in his heart that the global box office of "Batman 3" will hit a new high, reaching 1.08 billion US dollars!
1% of 1.08 billion is still 10.8 million US dollars!
Moreover, Gu Ran's hand-drawn "Batman 3" also added many better factors.
In addition, Annie has been trained by him personally, so it would be strange if it doesn't become popular!
Maybe it can even exceed the global box office total of 1.2 billion US dollars!
The forward payment of US$10.8 million plus a long-term back-end income of 5% is not better than the buyout fee of US$1.25 million alone?