Chapter 380： Take the head

As veterans of Hong Kong film industry, both Elos Garland and Andrew Liu know very well that it has become more and more difficult for Hong Kong film to enter the North American market in recent years, and this is a rare good opportunity.

If you enter a market, you will get more box office or copyright revenue.

Elos-Garland said directly: "Mr. Anderson, "Infernal Affairs" has already begun preparations, and shooting will begin in July. We are currently pre-selling the copyright of this film outside East Asia and Southeast Asia."

The filmmakers in Hong Kong City are not standing still, pre-sales of this type of financing method often used in European and American films, they will also do: "Media Asia intends to introduce "Infernal Affairs" into the North American market. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," directed by Ann, has experience in successfully releasing Oriental films. MediaAsia wants to cooperate with Embassy Pictures this time. Is Mr. Anderson interested in "Infernal Affairs"?"

He and Andrew Liu both looked at Ronan, who was already selling naked.

"Frankly speaking, I have a very good impression of Media Asia. Media Asia has always produced high-quality Hong Kong films." Ronan has his own purpose, and of course he won't take it all at once. He must strive for the most favorable conditions for him: " I bought Ang Lee’s "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" by myself, and the film was finished. But "Infernal Affairs" has not been shot yet, and I haven't even seen the film. It is difficult to judge the value."

Ailos-Garland suddenly felt helpless. He came to the Shanghai Film Festival for pre-sales. He also wanted to learn from Hollywood's financing experience and solve the huge financial pressure through financing. Liu and Liang are both famous and fooled by his own country. It is not difficult for people to invest, but Westerners lack interest.

These ghosts naturally look at Hong Kong movies with a colored eye, as if the Hong Kong movies are already finished.

Ronan put down the information in his hand and said: "Two, I haven't seen the film, so it is difficult to make a judgment. You have to sell me a film that hasn't started filming. You must always have enough persuasive reasons."

Naturally, Ronan put himself in the upper reaches of the industrial chain.

Andrew Liu took a look at Elos Garland and won his consent. He got up and took the completed version of the script and shooting plan, and handed it to Ronan, saying, "This is the script and plan of the film..."

For pre-sales and financing, he specially formulated a plan.

An English version is also specially prepared.

In the past, when filming movies, wherever these things are needed, directors like him still follow the process. Some directors dare to shoot without a script.

Ronan read the script and plan in general, and said directly: "The cast lacks appeal in North America, and the character dialogue is too romantic. This film has a strong original flavor..."

Hearing these words, Andrew Liu couldn't help frowning, then thinking of Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", and quickly said: "Mr. Anderson, in fact, the creativity and core of this film comes from Hollywood."

Andrew Liu’s basic film production company is one of the film’s investors and faces tremendous pressure. In order to promote the film, he really struggled.

"The rudiment of this story comes from Wu Yusen's "Changing Face" in 1997. This story is very good, but too peculiar. So the screenwriter and I mentioned whether we can tell a story. The two characters are exchanged, but no surgery is required. The exchange of identity and heart."

Andrew Liu is not nonsense. Mak Siu-fai’s creativity really came from "Changing Faces": "In the concept of our script, initially there were only the story lines of the police going to the undercover underworld. After reading it, I felt that writing well was good but not special enough. So I added a lot of elements. Originally, only people from the police station went to the undercover underworld, but now people who join the underworld go to the police station to do another undercover. What happens then? This is interesting. It should be said that "Infernal Affairs" is positioned as a duo movie. At first, it was focused on the wit of the police and the bandits, but gradually the elements of the gang or hero movie became stronger."

No one knows better than Andrew Liu that if there is no way to solve the financial pressure from the outside, the risk of a film loss is extremely high.

The Hong Kong film industry is in a slump. The box office of Hong Kong films sells out one movie, and the box office of a movie is mostly around 2 million Hong Kong dollars, and 5 million is already very good.

It should be said that Media Asia trusts them very much, but it is a bit hesitant to see that it needs to invest so much money. The crew needs more than 20 million Hong Kong dollars in investment. It can be said that it is A-level production. It is really a lot and the risk of losing money is also great.

The safest genres of Hong Kong movies are comedies and romance sketches.

But a large cost investment should be necessary for "Infernal Affairs", and the large cost can find big-name actors.

"Infernal Affairs" is like stepping on a steel wire, there is no turning back.

Ronan pondered for a moment and said, "If the price is right, I can take a little risk and release this film." He smiled: "After all, Media Asia's films have left me with many good memories, and I believe that This will be a successful film."

Ailos-Garland said: "This is bound to be a successful film."

Ronan asked directly: "You want Embassy Pictures to release "Infernal Affairs" in North America. How do you want to cooperate?"

The producer urgently needed funds, and Andrew Liu didn't even think about it, so he said: "We are willing to license the North American copyright of the film to Embassy Pictures."

This answer is not surprising at all. Ronan nodded and asked, "What about the price?"

Andrew Liu hesitated and said: "1.5 million dollars!"

Ronan suddenly smiled: "Two, with all due respect, you will not be able to sell the North American copyright at such a price even after the fair is over."

"This film brings together the four most appealing actors in Hong Kong..." Andrew Liu emphasized.

Ronan shook his hand and said, "They have very limited visibility in North America, and they don't have much commercial appeal. They are not Jack Chen and Jet Lee. North American audiences will not buy their accounts."

Without waiting for the response from the other party, he added: "For US$200,000, Embassy Pictures will buy out all copyrights of "Infernal Affairs" in North America at one time."

The expressions of Elos Garland and Andrew Liu changed slightly. Isn't this bargaining too cruel? These **** in Hollywood, relying on the world's largest film market and the most powerful distribution capabilities, do not put other film companies in their eyes...

Andrew Liu said: "Your purchase of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"..."

"Director Liu, movies are different from movies." Ronan didn't say much, just said: "I don't need to explain this, right?"

After thinking about it quickly, Elos Garland said: "Mr. Anderson, we can make appropriate concessions, $1 million."

Ronan shook his head: "Let's put it this way, Mr. Garland. From the script, I can judge the style of some movies. I didn't deliberately lower the price. This is determined by the market. For the North American market, "Infernal Affairs" It can only be a niche film among the niche. Even with a copyright fee of $200,000, it is difficult to recoup the cost through screening, and it must rely on long-term offline operations to make a profit."

Ilos Garland and Andrew Liu didn't expect Ronan to look down on the film's prospects in the North American market.

Ronan continued: "It is impossible for Embassy Pictures to do a loss-making business."

Although he opened three or four million US dollars, even the distribution rights and adaptation rights can be easily obtained, but now in this situation, "Infernal Affairs" is not worth the price.

The two opposing people are very clear about the situation of the Hong Kong film. This is not the era when Jack Chen's Hong Kong film could sell for tens of millions of dollars in North America at the box office at the beginning of the last century.

Strictly speaking, the North American market is not in the planning of Media Asia, otherwise it would not want to raise film production funds through pre-sales.

"$200,000 is too low." Elos Garland still shook his head.

Ronan could not hold on to the 200,000 dollars, and said casually: "Well, I have a proposal that is more in the interests of both of us."

Andrew Liu looked over immediately.

Ronan said unhurriedly: "I will increase the transaction volume to 300,000 US dollars, but there are other conditions. Embassy Pictures selected 20 old movies from Media Asia Pictures' library, and you awarded Embassy Pictures DVD In addition to the Internet distribution authority, Embassy Pictures is responsible for the distribution of "Infernal Affairs" in North America, and then the box office proceeds are split."

As soon as I heard that based on the box office revenue, Ilos Garland immediately objected: "I still hope that you will buy out the North American copyright of this film for $200,000."

In fact, he knows very well, how big a market can a typical Hong Kong film like "Infernal Affairs" have in North America? The so-called box office revenue, after the issuer's rake, can leave four digits.

It may even lose money directly.

Ronan seemed a little impatient, and said directly: "Forget it, I don't want to come back empty-handed this time. On the basis of what I just said, Embassy Pictures will add another $200,000 to buy out the North American copyright of Infernal Affairs... …"

In the case of occupying an absolute advantage in the industrial chain, first press the other party to the right, and then give some sweetness appropriately. The effect is not very good, but it basically met expectations.

Ronan seemed to be very casual and said: "This business is too risky to lose money, and you should also increase your bargaining chips. That's good. North American copyright covers all aspects including cinema screenings, TV broadcasts, Internet downloads, adaptation shooting and peripheral sales. All copyrights of ."

Elos Garland and Andrew Liu exchanged glances and said, "Yes. But we need to notify the company regularly."

Old films can once again authorize revenue generation, which is very convertible for them.

Ronan nodded: "I will send someone over to discuss with you this afternoon."

"Okay." Elos Garland responded in one gulp: "There will definitely be a clear result in the afternoon."

Ronan emphatically emphasized: "The copyrights of the 20 old films are not missing."

Elos-Garland shook hands with Ronan: "Don't worry, we believe it."

Andrew Liu seems to be hit a little bit. In the eyes of this Hollywood tycoon, "Infernal Affairs" can only be used as a lead for 20 old movies?

Even a mature director, at this moment, he has a kind of resentment after being despised, ignored and looked down upon. He is determined to make this film well and let this Yankee take a good look!