Chapter 190： Target award season

After the two parties reached a preliminary agreement in Cannes, Ang Lee and Xu Ligong proposed to officially negotiate to move to Los Angeles. Ronan very happily agreed, knowing that the two wanted to sign a formal contract in Los Angeles to obtain a more reliable law. Guaranteed.

Ronan's purpose is simple. It is to buy out all North American copyrights of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" at one time. The more complete the agreement, the better for him and the Embassy Pictures.

Since the most important buyout fee was negotiated, the negotiations went smoothly, but there were differences.

For example, the Embassy Pictures proposed that the film crew including Lee Ann must cooperate with the North American publicity plan, and Zongheng International Pictures required the Embassy Pictures to bear all personnel expenses.

Ronan will try to promote this film to the awards season. Last year, he saw a lot of practical operations and analyzed many classic cases. Now that he has a suitable film, he also wants to give it a try.

The so-called Oscar push hand is also step by step.

The most important promotion plan of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is actually the awards season promotion.

Fortunately, the honor of Oscar is a huge temptation for everyone in this crew. Not to mention getting the little golden man, it is possible to be nominated. Let the creators of the crew pay out of their own pockets. It is estimated that many people are willing.

Besides, just let them cooperate with Embassy Pictures.

This small difference did not constitute a major obstacle. After five days of see-saw negotiations, the two sides formally signed a licensing agreement.

Zongheng International Pictures transferred the North American copyright of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" except the sequel to Embassy Pictures for a price of 8 million U.S. dollars. Embassy Pictures paid a one-time buyout fee to ensure that the film will be in North America. Distributed in theaters, and the minimum screening scale will not be less than 500 theaters.

Other small details basically comply with various provisions of the copyright law and Hollywood industry regulations.

Ang Lee, a director who has worked hard in Hollywood for many years, also understands some operating rules in the circle.

Ronan didn't even think about digging a hole. It is enough to buy out the copyright of this movie at one time.

Buying out copyright is also a basic condition for large-scale investment in publicity.

Foreign films enter the North American market, and agency distribution is a minority, most of which are buyout copyrights.

"This martial arts movie is different from Hong Kong's martial arts film."

In the conference room of Embassy Pictures, a seminar on "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is being held. Thomas, the director of theatrical distribution department, did not conceal his worries, saying: "Martial arts films are originally a minority. Degree is a problem."

Had it not been for Ronan to introduce this film, Thomas would have thought that the decision maker was dizzy.

Terry, director of offline distribution, said: "Ann Lee is also a typical niche director."

García Rodríguez, who just returned from Argentina, didn't really understand the situation and did not speak.

Alan Albert is new to the company and will not question the company's boss.

David Villa, the director of the propaganda department, looked at Ronan and asked, "Do you have special ideas or plans for publicity and distribution?"

As soon as these words came out, several other people remembered for an instant, the bad movies like "Blair the Witch" were all turned into magic in Ronan's hands...

The eyes of several people turned to Ronan, as if they saw hundreds of millions of dollars in income.

Ronan smiled and said: "I don't have any special thoughts, I think this film is very interesting." He simply said: "The beautiful scenery in the film, rich in the cultural atmosphere of the ancient oriental charm, are actually superficial and complete. It’s a Western story. I talked to Ann Lee. This is an Eastern version of "Sense and Emotion."

"I have this feeling too." Alan Albert said: "Because of Danny, I understand some Eastern culture. In addition to the form of expression, this film is filled with Western ideas."

Everyone else is thinking.

Ronan added: "North American audiences may be easier to understand and understand this film than expected, and we can also use the concept of science fiction film appropriately in our publicity."

"As a science fiction promotion?" David Villa asked.

Ronan said, "That's what it means, but it needs to be moderate, how to do it specifically, David, you come up with a plan."

It’s not that he was talking nonsense. After watching the premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, he recalled some of the news about "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" that he had seen in his previous life. Among them, the publisher was propagating to ordinary American audiences. , To promote the concept of science fiction films.

And unlike the propaganda of "Blair the Witch", this did not cause any negative effects. In the eyes of many unfamiliar martial arts films, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is a super soft science fiction.

"Okay." After David Villa experienced the publicity baptism of "Blair the Witch", he was unambiguous at all and said: "I will make a corresponding plan as soon as possible."

Ronan also said to Thomas: "You communicate with the theater company. When the film is released, the first theaters should be close to the Chinese community."

Thomas certainly knew that this was the safest way to show it, and said, "I understand."

Garcia asked at this time: "When will it be released?"

"December!" Ronan gave the answer: "The goal of this film is the awards season."

Alan Albert asked: "Oscar?"

Ronan said: "Let's give it a try and get a few Oscar nominations, which also means huge profits. Now the North American copyright of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is in our hands. If possible, we must maximize our profits."

Garcia asked again: "Is it the best foreign language film?"

Ronan nodded: "Prioritize guaranteeing the best foreign language films. Garcia, you will start looking for a professional awards season PR agency next week to develop relevant strategies for the future. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" has premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and it is impossible To participate in the competitions of the Berlin Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival."

To participate in the competition of the three major European film festivals, the film must premiere at the current film festival.

"Let's do it." Ronan thought slightly, and said: "Try to apply for the Toronto Film Festival competition unit, and sign up for the outpost awards of the award season as much as possible."

"Okay," Garcia said.

It’s only May, and it’s too early for the awards season to start at the end of November and early December, but a film that impacts the awards season is often started at the Cannes Film Festival or even the earlier Saint Denis Film Festival.

Ronan plans to spend most of his investment in the publicity of the film on the Oscars. The film is released in December, which does not conflict with publicity such as expanding the film's popularity.

As for whether you can get an Oscar nomination or even an award, it depends not only on operation, but also on luck.

Such as competitors, and their investment.

Fortunately, the best foreign language films are all films from outside North America. Most of the producers have no influence in North America, and the distributors are unlikely to invest heavily.

The oriental version of "Sense and Emotion" is also a gimmick, and it may satisfy many arrogant old white men: You see, I wear oriental clothes outside, and my heart is all Western...

Don't underestimate these psychological influences, Oscar's political correctness is the epitome of Hollywood.

In a few years, the quality of the film will play a role in the Oscar selection. Some broken films can be nominated and even the statuette just because of political correctness.

A black movie put on the garb of LGBTQ is simply the existence of invincible mode.

Ronan is also observing the social situation. As long as the time is right, this kind of good opportunity that can earn fame and gain, of course, cannot be missed.

Besides, after having one cooperation with Ang Lee, there may be a second cooperation in the future.

Don’t worry too much about Li Ang. This great Chinese director has experienced ups and downs throughout his career. The next fall will be even worse than "Riding with the Devil". Gain some favors.

Five days later, Ronan and Garcia met and talked with the head of a Hollywood agency specializing in Oscar public relations, and initially reached a cooperation intention. The other party is also a very powerful public relations company. Last year, they acted for DreamWorks’ "American Beauty "Oscar business" helped "American Beauty" win three heavyweight awards for Best Actor, Best Director and Best Picture.

For a business like Oscar public relations, it is difficult for newcomers to open the market, and the more successful people are, the easier it is to succeed.

Oscar public relations are very high and big, but in simple terms, it is a process of elevating oneself and degrading competitors, while making most of the judges have a good impression of you.

In this highly materialized society, if you want to make some strangers have a good impression, you must definitely invest in them.

However, once the Oscar succeeds , most of the money invested in the film can be steadily earned back, and even with the Oscar halo, it will become a big winner in the offline home entertainment market.

Entering June, the stock market was still slumping. Ronan returned to the crews of "Human Removal Project 2" and "The Bourne Shadows". The former has already started shooting at Warner Studios, and the latter has also ended key actor training. Lint and Paul Greengrass led the team to Europe and made the final preparations in European locations.

Ronan also went to Europe for a round. The crew was operating normally, and the problems encountered were basically within controllable range. Although the addition of third-party guarantees allowed the crew to be supervised in all aspects, the filming and production of major projects in the future, this It will become the norm, and it can be considered early adaptation.

In addition, the crew of "Fatal Bend" has also formally signed contracts with several CAA actors. The crew is currently applying for a tax refund in Louisiana. If they can get a tax rebate, all the locations of "Fatal Bend" will be in Louisiana. Shoot.

In mid-June, Ronan just returned from Europe, and a movie related to him will be released soon.

DreamWorks launched "Blair the Witch 2".