Chapter 56： cater to contacts

Lyman calmly looked at Harvey Weinstein's instantly stiff face with a stiff smile, his expression indifferent and unhurried, as if he had no idea how much damage his words had given to Harvey, just as Harvey was unwilling to talk to him back then. Lehman's words during the negotiation were generally meaningful.

If you don't have to talk, you just don't have to talk!

Harvey frowned slightly, and looked at the young man in front of him carefully, as if he had only really seen Lehman's character at this moment.

The anger in his heart suddenly set off a stormy sea. According to his previous thoughts when he came to talk - Miramax was the first person to extend an olive branch, and even if he really wanted to cooperate, he would take a loss and let a part of the profit go to him. Europa Films is also worthwhile. The most important thing is to establish contact with director Lehmann to facilitate future cooperation.

But now facing such a ruthless face, there is no room for negotiation at all, and Harvey's emotions are indeed a little out of control.

For many years, since he led Miramax to become famous in the entire independent film circle, even first-class directors such as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas would give him face, but he did not expect to be here. Being harassed by a "nobody".

But the sullenness in his chest was quickly suppressed, and all his anger was temporarily hidden, with a smile on his face as always.

This is the party scene, and he wants to give the host here some thin noodles.

It is true that Harvey can just turn around and leave now, he can vent his emotions face to face, and he can even make use of the connections he has accumulated over the years to make this kid Lehman suffer.

However, this approach is really too short-sighted, and making enemies for nothing is not Harvey's style.

Who can be bullied and who can't be bullied, he has a book to measure in his heart.

Lehmann is no longer the little director who had no connections at the time. He relied on Europa Films, and his base is still in France.

In any case, the whip is beyond reach, and Miramax can't reach that far.

"Okay, I get it. I'll find the person in charge of Europa Films to negotiate with "Three idiots in Bollywood". Although you haven't been able to help me, and I can't say anything, I still hope that in the future There will be opportunities to cooperate, Lehman, you are an excellent director, I think, only Oscar is your ultimate attribution." Harvey said vaguely, then turned and left.

Lyman watched Harvey's back disappear into the crowd, and continued to walk in the direction of George with steady steps.

Harvey is worthy of being an old fox who has been able to traverse the Hollywood independent film circle for nearly ten years. He has vision and consideration. In the face of the grievances between the two sides, he can still maintain his demeanor, and even face the irony inside and outside of his own words. He was still able to deal with the courtesy, and when he was assassinated later, his answer went straight to the point, and he was neat and tidy.

The whole conversation showed Harvey's heroic temperament and determination.

It is also for this reason that Lehman has a higher view on Harvey.

It's a pity that there is no prerequisite for cooperation between the two parties.

Thirty years in Hedong, thirty years in Hexi, he still remembers all the events of how his predecessor was killed.

Lehman admits that he can't do it if he can grin and talk about cooperation in the face of the gap like Harvey.

Although in the last sentence Harvey said, the meaning revealed is very intriguing.

After all, from the perspective of the competition for awards season, Miramax led by the Weinstein brothers is indeed unparalleled in the world and has a good set. If Lehman really wants to make "Three Silly Bollywood" at the Oscars To make a difference, the choice of cooperation seems to be the most sensible.

But speaking of which, he still can't pass the level of Lehman's bottom line.

So, facing the last sentence he said, Ryman ignored it.

"Sorry, the two of you, let me introduce you. This is the director of "Three idiots making trouble in Bollywood", Lehman." George watched Lehman come over, and immediately stopped the topic and introduced it first.

"Oh, so young and promising." Surprisingly, the first to greet was Kevin, the distribution manager of Warner Bros.

With a warm smile on his face, he took the initiative to reach out to Lehmann, "Excellent work, but seeing you so young, I don't even know how to praise you."

Kevin's generous but humorous words made Lyman and George and Robert Rayford chuckle.

Lehmann shook hands politely, "I think it's more satisfying to praise the work."

"Okay, let's get back to business." Seeing that the two still wanted to gossip, Robert took the initiative to bring the topic back.

Robert Rayford is a slightly fat old man. He is 65 years old this year. His gray hair makes him look old, and his face is filled with a hearty smile, which gives people a thick intimacy. .

At this time, he was talking, and with his lively expression, the atmosphere became lively.

"Oh, by the way, what did we just say." Kevin laughed.

"Talk about the possibility of cooperation?"

After Robert's suggestion, Kevin said directly: "Yes, that's right, I want to ask, has "Three Silly Bollywood" found a suitable distribution company? If not, we Warner Bros. are very impressed. interest."

After the reception was over, we immediately got to the point.

After all, this is the Sundance Film Festival, and this is not the only film that will be exhibited or the project seeking distribution.

Kevin also came with the idea of ​​wanting to gain something, and the topics he talked about were relatively pure, except for movies, movies.

Lyman looked at George and motioned for him to answer.

After all, in terms of negotiation, a professional like George is more suitable.

"It's true that there is no clear partner with which publisher has been negotiated." George said honestly.

Sure enough, the joy in Kevin's eyes flashed past.

He never thought that the distribution rights of this film were still in the hands of Europa Pictures. After all, as usual, they cooperated with Paramount Pictures for distribution. He didn't expect this time, but he changed his mind.

Unlike Harvey, Kevin didn't investigate too deeply.

Because the two sides have different considerations and levels of emphasis, Warner Bros. has no shortage of good projects, and does not pay much attention to the development of independent films. Compared with these, they prefer capital operation, and they can make more money by engaging in large-scale film projects; Miramax's main business is to explore the main battlefield such as independent production, so it is also very careful to investigate the information of all parties in order to make more accurate investments.

Of course, when there is a real opportunity in front of him, Warner Bros. behind Kevin will not let it go.

"In my opinion, "Three Silly Trouble in Bollywood" is a good work, but it is not an easy task to make a difference at the box office. You two or the producer Europa Pictures, What do you think, and what is the idea of ​​cooperation?"

Different from Harvey's strength, Kevin's negotiation strategy is to give the initiative to you first.

"We already have a concrete plan, not to mention that our expectations for the box office are greater than the illusory and uncertain awards." George continued: "Compared to awards, profit figures It will be more realistic.”

Kevin was quite surprised by these remarks. He asked Xiang Leiman with a chuckle, "As a director, do you think so too?"

"Of course, I actually always think that I am a businessman, and whether the film can make money is what I have always paid attention to."

Lehman's candor intrigued Kevin even more, he had never seen such a strange director.

Because the bonus of awards can truly reflect the worth and honor of a director, but it seems that he is not interested in this aspect.

"Very good, so, how about 35% of the box office dividends? Europa Pictures doesn't need to consider the announcement." While talking and laughing, Warner Bros., as a big company, fully demonstrated its deep pockets. Different from the various design competitions at the Venice Film Festival, Warner Bros. doesn't care about the pull of a small profit As long as this work can be obtained, and it can be harvested in the awards season, from a strategic point of view , all worth it to Warner Bros.

Therefore, even the most critical issue of who will be responsible for the cost of publicity and distribution, they will directly take the initiative to answer the question.

Hearing the 35 percent figure, Lehman was instantly excited, but it didn't show at all on the surface, he just continued to watch George speak. He's the one who asked for this.

"I'm thinking about whether I should agree immediately. Maybe I need to call the boss and ask the boss, because you guys are really sincere."

Kevin was amused, "Then call and ask."

The smile on his face seemed very relaxed, and then he said again: "I think we can sit down and have a good talk tomorrow and the day after."

Kevin can also understand the shirk in George's words. He just wants to find a few more publishers to compare the conditions first, and he doesn't want to be killed by one so quickly. So I just made an appointment for the next meeting.

George didn't nod or shake his head, obviously tacitly acquiescing.

Because even if he has great autonomy in this matter, he must look at the overall situation before making a decision.

After all, do you have to shop around? Besides, even if you can't cooperate, it's good to get acquainted more and make contacts.

At this time, it has only been three days since the whole film festival started, so there is no need to worry too much about everything.

Looking at the word-of-mouth trend of "Three Silly Bollywood" in the future can also add some chips, and it is also excellent to create more favorable conditions for the subsequent negotiation and contact war.

After a few polite words, George took Lyman to take the initiative to leave.

The banquet is far from over.