361 One shot and two breaks
Renly's answer was neither humble nor arrogant, and he had a strong counterattack without saying a word. He gave Harvey an invisible slap in the face and used Harvey's words to refute Harvey. This move is really brilliant..
For reference, the North American distribution rights of "Blue Valentine" are held by Weinstein Pictures at a cost of US$6 million; "Growing Up" was acquired by Sony Classics at a cost of US$4.5 million..
Of course, different movies, in different years, and on different occasions, the final transaction price of the distribution rights is different. However, just now Harvey kept saying that the height of "Crazy Love" is no less than " "Blue Valentine" and "Growing Up Education", now in comparison, the $1.5 million copyright buyout fee for "Crazy Love" sounds like a joke.
In fact, the two movies "Blue Valentine" and "Growing Up" are not bought out, but divided into shares. Although the share ratio is not high, the crew can reap more profits from the North American box office..
The reason is very simple. It’s not that these distribution companies are out of kindness, but because it’s too difficult to make profits for these artistic independent films. Most of the crews will end up losing money after shooting a film, which will form a vicious situation. cycle, fewer and fewer people are willing to devote themselves to making art films.
For the sake of long-term development, the issuing company will generally be a little more generous. This is an industry rule..
If you choose to buy out, the price will generally be relatively high, which will not only cover the cost of the film, but also leave some credits to ensure that the crew can achieve a small profit. Therefore, news occasionally breaks out in Sundance or Toronto, and the amount of the distribution rights transaction Up to 10 million, or even more, this is the case.
If you choose to share, the price will be slightly lower. It is normal to hover around five million. However, considering that the cost of Sundance works is generally relatively low, it will generally fluctuate around three million. Correspondingly, The distribution company will allocate 25% to 45% of the share. As for whether it can make a profit, it depends on the performance of the movie..
In fact, this is a win-win situation. For the distribution company, they can reduce some risks and avoid raking in the cake, especially the sharing. The distribution copyright price is controlled within the effective range, and the box office burden is also shared with the independent crew, which allows them to invest. More independent films, don’t put your eggs in one basket.
Of course, for independent film crews, their works have been appreciated and earned profits, while also attracting the attention of large production companies, paving the way for future development. Sundance is also known as "the commercial The best springboard for blockbuster directors".
The reason why Harvey lowered the price was actually to bully Drake and Renly, two newbies who didn't know the ropes..
The distribution rights of 1.5 million US dollars is actually a reasonable price for an independent film at Sundance, if you don't refer to "Blue Valentine" and "Education".
If Harvey can win "Crazy" at such a price, it means that with his spare funds, he can compete for more works at Sundance and cast his fishing net wider..
However, Renly knew nothing about these twists and turns, and he had no interest in understanding them. Strictly speaking, he didn't even know the transaction prices of "Blue Valentine's Day" and "Growth Education", or even "Buried Alive" "He has forgotten the transaction price in Toronto last year. He is just an actor, a pure actor..
Renly was able to make an accurate judgment because after receiving the invitation from the Weinstein brothers, Andy reminded him that judging from the pattern of Sundance this year, especially with reference to the current momentum of "Crazy Love" , the final transaction price of the distribution copyright must not be less than 3 million, and the ideal range should be 4 million to 4.5 million..
Of course, this is the price of sharing.
If it is a buyout, Andy estimates that the price should be around 7 million, and 6 million is barely acceptable..
So, when Harvey proposed a buyout price of 1.5 million, Renly was watching the show..
Although in business, it is natural for Harvey to lower prices, but the price pressure is really too harsh; moreover, Harvey seems to take it for granted and give orders..
For Harvey, "Crazy" is just an ordinary one among the countless works at the Sundance Film Festival, or a pawn in the layout of this year's awards season. His attitude is understandable..
But Renly knew that for Drake, "Crazy Love" was more than just a movie..
So, this scene just happened.
Renly's seemingly simple words concealed so many mysteries, which completely disrupted Harvey's entire chess game..
Harvey is a smart man, a top smart man, but the biggest weakness of smart people is that they always complicate simple things and always take superficial things into depth. When he looked at Renly again, Harvey's His eyes became deep - he underestimated Renly, a young man who was only 21 years old. Obviously, he was not that simple..
“So, what’s the number in your mind? "Harvey's panic only passed for a moment, and he calmed down as soon as he breathed out. He said with a smile, as if he was willing to hand over the initiative..
Derek felt that his brain could no longer keep up with his thinking speed, and looked at Harvey dumbfounded: What does this sentence mean? Do they set prices casually? So if they offer 10 million, will Harvey immediately change his face?？
But Renly's answer surprised Drake even more, "One and a half million, that's pretty good..”
This... what kind of answer is this? Drake cast a confused look at Renly. If he was satisfied with 1.5 million, Harvey had already proposed it just now. They just nodded and agreed. What was the purpose of the confrontation after this? If not satisfied, Renly repeated the number, what does it mean?？
slap in the face？
Harvey's cheeks were indeed burning, not because of Renly's counterattack, but because of his underestimation of Renly. He asked Renly to bid, which was actually testing Renly's bottom line; but Renly didn't buy it at all, understand. Let’s just say 1.5 million. This time, it pushed him into a passive position without embarrassment..
If he says one and a half million now, it would be a slap in the face - the distribution rights of "Blue Valentine" are six million; if he says a number that is too high, it means he has exposed himself His trump card was too low, and he fell into the embarrassing situation of haggling in the vegetable market..
Renly's seemingly random move was not only full of irony, but also made Harvey passive. This guy is really... rude..
“I thought you were just an actor, but now it seems that your comedy talent is also good, and your words are so funny and humorous." Who is Harvey? The boss who can turn his hands into clouds and rain, how can he be so messed up? It's just He was caught off guard by being killed by Renly, but he quickly calmed down, but his assessment of Renly needs to be adjusted a bit..
“Four and a half million, buy it out at one price." Harvey made a calculation in his mind and gave this price, which not only showed his sincerity, but also maximized his own interests as much as possible..
Of course, more importantly, the shock of creating a new "bomb" and tripling the transaction price in one breath is incomparable..
It's like at an auction, the price is increased by one hundred thousand dollars, one hundred thousand dollars, and suddenly someone adds two million dollars in one breath, which is enough to make others retreat. Even if the real price of the auction item may be five million, But this kind of aggressive increase in price is also very likely to be sold at a price far lower than 5 million..
Drake was completely dumbfounded at this time. The price of 4.5 million made his head spin. He felt that he couldn't turn around. Such a transaction price was very high even at the Sundance Film Festival in previous years. It was rare. Now it was thrown directly in front of his eyes. It was like a gold brick dropped from the sky. He was hit dizzy..
Faced with Harvey's insistence, Renly also showed his decisiveness, "Mr. Weinstein, I thought today's meeting was full of sincerity. But obviously, you just regarded 'Crazy in Love' as a A dispensable investment is like casting a net for a big fish. It seems that this fish is quite fat, so I will catch it first and take a look..”
Renly didn't like such an occasion, and was constantly plotting for some petty gains. Since Harvey showed his so-called sincerity, he didn't mind opening the skylight and speaking out..
Renly showed a sincere smile, "How about this, let's go back and think about it again. You think about whether this fish is worth more investment; we think about whether we should fish this fish." fishing boat.”
Harvey looked at Renly seriously. For the first time since they met today, he tried to catch the wise and sharp light in Renly's eyes, but he failed. He actually failed.！
The Renly in front of him looked so calm and composed. There was no edge at all in his understatement, not even the slightest fluctuation. It was as if he was just discussing what the weather was like today. This calmness, calmness and magnanimity were even better than his intelligence. Even more terrifying, showing a composure that is completely inconsistent with his age..
Harvey couldn't believe that he had really made a mistake. Now that he thought about it carefully, Renly's two sentences at the beginning were obviously not a coincidence. He had meant something. In this confrontation, , Renly was fully prepared, but he knew nothing about this newcomer, which led to his fall..
It's rare, it's really rare.
“What, you're not satisfied with this number? "Harvey became really interested in Renly as an actor and asked the same question a second time..
“Ha." Renly chuckled softly, and a glimmer of light flashed through his dark brown eyes, "No, I'm not satisfied." Such a direct answer successfully made Harvey raise his eyebrows slightly, and then smiled. got up. Renly continued, "Because I don't think 'Crazy' is another 'Ed.’.”
Harvey nodded indifferently and sighed with a smile, "Maybe it's not really the case..”
What does this sentence mean? I mean... they broke up in one fell swoop？
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