Chapter 354： start negotiation

"Warner Bros. sure to start Batman?"

Two days later, on the Mercedes-Benz commercial car, Nolan was a little surprised when he heard the news, "So soon, will there be any changes?"

As the so-called concern is chaos, this is the first time in Nolan's life that he has participated in first-line production. It is normal for some to worry about gains and losses.

In addition, he has dealt with Warners before, and he understands that the other party is very difficult to deal with. He also did not shoot "The Chase in the White Night" very refreshingly.

Cooperating with big companies is always a passive side for a director like him who has not really made his fortune.

"It's okay, it's Warner who told us to go, even if it doesn't work, I'm willing to support you if you have any good ideas." Lehmann said with a smile: "My company is small, but it is also willing to provide a comfortable shooting environment. You have the strength, the poor is the chance."

Lyman is not worried about any changes in the preparation of the project. Even if he can't participate in Batman, Nolan is an ace.

What's more, he is in a very good situation now and has already passed the first step of professional accumulation.

In the follow-up, whether it is to continue to make movies, or to gradually improve the distribution channels, rely on film and television resources, and establish a more comprehensive media group, it is a relatively bright source.

And the director talents in the circle can undoubtedly make this kind of intention quickly realized.

"arrive."

Lehman, who was driving, said, and parked his car outside a commercial office building.

The office of the law firm he invited is here.

Stepping into the building, the office has long been ready.

They will send a three-person team to initiate early contact.

They have already figured out all the procedures, filings, and even related laws and regulations, and they have prepared the terms of cooperation in accordance with Lehman's wishes, ensuring that there are no loopholes in the subsequent division of interests.

This is a necessary means of negotiation and can provide Firefly Pictures with good protection without any copyright.

The group went out of the commercial building, and each drove to the Warner Bros. Building in Burbank.

This is a negotiated negotiation between the two sides, and Barry Mayer and Joshua Bloomer have long been waiting.

After a set of adult greetings, a group of people gathered in the conference room.

The interior is large and surrounded by an oval table.

Barry Mayer sat in the first place with some seriousness, obviously showing a formal attitude, "Since everyone is interested in cooperation, then set up a cooperation agreement." He waved to Lehmann and said again: "You guys What do you mean?"

"Of course."

Lehman took out the terms of cooperation drawn up by the lawyer team from his briefcase and handed it to Barry Mayer.

This contract is mainly about the criteria for determining investment and income sharing, and it goes into all aspects in detail.

It can be said that it basically represents the main cooperation idea of ​​Firefly Pictures. If we can't reach an agreement on this aspect, we can't talk about other aspects at all.

Although many terms have been discussed in the project plan or when the two sides contacted each other, Ryman emphasized once again: "The new Batman movie will be jointly produced by Warner Pictures and Firefly Pictures, and the two parties will establish a special The film studio in charge of this project, according to the preliminary preparation estimates, the total production cost of the project will be around 120 million to 160 million, of which Warner will participate in the production of the project itself, dividing 20 million, and the rest. The quota will be invested by Firefly Pictures, right?"

This is the most commonly used multi-company co-production method in Hollywood, and it is not uncommon.

Barry Mayer looks at the investment contract.

Nolan stared nervously at his face.

Lyman's attention was on another person the whole time, Joshua Blumer, the head of production at Warner Bros.

He was sitting on the right hand side of Barry Mayer, and he has been listening carefully since the beginning.

For a company as big as Warners, if Joshua doesn't nod, the so-called collaborative shooting is also very difficult.

Project approval requires the approval of the audit committee and the DC department, and the filming requires the approval of the production department. When it comes to distribution, it is also the plan of the marketing department and the publicity department to implement the distribution department.

With the separation of powers, Warner is very good at playing. It is worthy of the three-power separation system that even the national policy pays attention to each other. Laomei can play.

However, this guy was straight-faced and unsmiling throughout the whole process, and he didn't know whether he agreed with this cooperation plan or had any opinions.

"Ok......"

Barry Mayer put down the document in his hand and thought about it for a while.

For his part, he certainly supports this kind of cooperation, but he can't be so urgent.

Although his heart has long been extremely urgent to develop the Batman project, otherwise he would not think of a way to speed up the review of the project.

When it comes to negotiation, one cannot lose momentum.

"What about distribution, how much is the distribution?"

Lehman replied: "The revenue share is calculated according to the investment ratio. Warner has used the project to account for 20 million investment. This money will be provided by Firefly Pictures, but Firefly Pictures will not participate in the distribution. How much is up to you to judge based on the quality of the film, the market prospects and even the box office after the film is released, but no matter what, Firefly Pictures will not enjoy the copyright of the film, and all copyrights belong to Warner Bros.”

"What about offline revenue? Firefly Pictures' share of time as a producer?"

"Three years, after the film is drawn and entered into the home entertainment market, Firefly Pictures can only enjoy a three-year validity period, and the share is still calculated based on the production ratio And after three years, all offline revenue will follow Firefly Pictures has nothing to do with it anymore."

The typical release sequence is: theater, DVD, videotape release, TV broadcast, with decreasing profit margins.

The latter two are long-term benefits, and there is no problem in eating for 20 years. Firefly Pictures only needs the first three years, which is a relatively concessional move.

But in Lehman's view, the revenue of a film is still optimistic in the first few years, and the latter is all about making money at the cost of time. If you give up, you will give up, and you can leave some points for these senior executives of Warner. Good impression of the negotiation.

The North American film market has developed very well so far.

Movies, as the locomotive of a whole chain of interests, can even make no money by themselves, and can pay for itself from other aspects.

For example, after investing 400 million to 500 million yuan, the box office always loses money. Why does Disney insist on making "Star Wars" series to make box office money?

Toys, licensing, theme parks, these are more worthwhile money to earn, isn't it fragrant?

The same is true for Warner Bros. In their view, it is very cost-effective to obtain a film copyright that will benefit in the long run with only a small risk.

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