I’m in Hollywood

Chapter 23: Crazy or stupid

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Jeffrey Hansen, who was sitting next to him, felt that he should help to bargain, but before he could speak, Eric said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Cohen, I don't plan to sell "Home Alone" with a buyout. , let’s talk about the sharing agreement, shall we?”

Brant Cohen frowned slightly, showing displeasure: "Eric, if it's divided, I can only give you 18%."

"Mr. Cohen, didn't you just say 20 percent?" Jeffrey retorted from the side.

Blunt Cohen said lightly: "What I just said is just an average case. If we release "Home Alone", then the publicity cost must be much higher than the production cost. 18% is already very reasonable. .”

Jeffrey was about to argue, but Eric blocked the impulsive Jeffrey beside him and said, "Okay, Mr. Cohen, but I have another plan. How about we sign a gambling agreement?"

Although VAM agreements are very common in the film and television industry, Blunt Cohen still sneered in his heart, wondering what qualifications do you have to sign a VAM agreement with Columbia? However, he still signaled Ai Rui to go on with great interest. He really wanted to hear what kind of gambling conditions this little guy could offer.

Eric didn't seem to see the undisguised mockery on Blunt Cohen's face, and said with a smile: "The minimum limit of 50 million US dollars, under the premise of Columbia's guarantee of publicity and theater performances, if "Home Alone" " grossed less than $50 million at the box office, and I'm giving away all the rights to "Home Alone" to Columbia Pictures for free."

After saying these words, even Blunt Cohen, who is used to the storm, was a little moved. Their box office estimate for "Home Alone" is about 50 million U.S. dollars. If the gambling agreement is really signed, as long as It is very simple to do a little trick to control the box office of the movie within 50 million US dollars. While Blunt Cohen felt Eric was stupid, he had to admire the courage of this young man.

And Jeffrey Hansen stood up suddenly, and said seriously to Eric with disbelief in his voice: "Eric, are you crazy?"

Eric got up and patted Jeffrey on the shoulder, beckoning him to sit down, and then said: "If the box office is within 50 million to 100 million US dollars, I want 20% of the share, and if the box office exceeds 100 million US dollars 100 million U.S. dollars, then, for every 10 million U.S. dollars in box office increase, my percentage will increase by 1 percent.”

After Eric finished speaking, he stopped talking, picked up the coffee and drank it calmly. Geoffrey Hansen next to him fidgeted and glanced between the two of them. He was a little worried that Brant Cohen would directly agree to Eric's ridiculous agreement, so that the $10 million buyout fee would be nothing. It's over. Ten million U.S. dollars, how many people have never seen that much money in their entire lives.

Regrettably, Blunt Cohen is indeed a power lacking in courage, he hesitated for five minutes, and finally said: "Eric, I need to have a meeting to discuss this matter, can I give you an answer tomorrow? "

Eric nodded and got up to say goodbye to Blount Cohen.

When he came to the parking lot, Jeffrey didn't pick up his car, but got into Eric's co-pilot.

"Eric, you are so impulsive. Ten million dollars is gone in a blink of an eye. Look at these years, although comedy movies have generally achieved good box office, there are very few dark horses. Tomorrow we will directly choose Buy out the agreement, maybe you can fight for the price again? Listen to me, young people, sometimes people only have one or two chances in their lives. If you miss it, you will never have it again. With 10 million US dollars, You can keep making movies, you can do a lot of things."

At this time, Eric was immersed in the pleasure of digging a hole for Columbia Pictures, and his blood seemed to be boiling slightly. The box office of "Home Alone" in his previous life was included in the Guinness Book of Records. Now this copy of "Home Alone" Home Alone was as good as his previous life, and he didn't believe that with the distribution ability of Columbia, an established giant, the box office of "Home Alone" would be much worse than that of his previous life, so he didn't know how to get the best benefit for himself at the beginning.

According to normal sharing negotiations, his small-budget film can only get 20% of the box office at most. When the 20/10 share was reduced to 18%, Eric had a flash of inspiration, and only then did he think of a way to make the share float - betting against each other.

In the film industry, it is very common to bet on the box office, because usually, it is a win-win situation, and both parties can strive for the maximum benefit for themselves while avoiding risks.

If calculated according to the final US$280 million North American box office of "Home Alone" in the previous life, after signing the gambling agreement, Eric can finally get 38% of the share, which is higher than the 35% share of those powerful producers. . And, judging by Blunt Cohen's reaction after hearing his proposal, Columbia Pictures is already well prepared to jump into the pit.

"Hey, Eric, I've said so much, are you listening to me?" Jeffrey Hansen found that his mouth was dry, and Eric sat in his seat and was distracted. . It took two light taps on Eric's shoulder before Eric could react.

"Okay, Jeffrey, I know you are kind to me, but think about it, a few months ago, I didn't have anything, so it's okay to work hard, and secretly tell you something in my heart, I think, " The box office of "Home Alone" is likely to exceed 200 million, think about it, according to the gambling agreement I proposed, how much share can I get in that case?"

Jeffrey stared at Eric with the eyes of a delusional patient.

Eric smiled nonchalantly: "Jeffrey, have confidence in me, okay? If it really succeeds, as the nominal producer, I will definitely give you a generous dividend at that time. You can redeem Firefly Films from the bank, so how about doing me a favor now?"

Jeffrey dreamed of redeeming the film company he co-founded with his wife, but he didn't take Eric's words seriously. Seeing that he couldn't persuade Eric to change his mind, he had to ask: "Okay, Eric, do you need me?" What are you doing?"

"Help me contact a law firm and an accounting firm. If there is no accident, Columbia will definitely agree to the agreement I proposed. At that time, I will need someone to help me monitor and audit the implementation of the agreement. If there is a dispute, someone will help me. I'm going to sue."

Jeffrey said: "There is no problem with these, but, Eric, do you still have money now? Even just casually hiring two such teams requires a lot of money."

"Of course." Eric opened the storage box in front of the car and took out a "Jurassic Park" novel: "I pledged the follow-up royalties and film copyright of "Jurassic Park" to With the current sales of "Jurassic Park", it's okay for these two things to be worth less than one million dollars. If the bet really fails, then "Jurassic Park" will be used to offset the account. I believe those firms will not refused."

"Eric, you are... crazy!"

"All great geniuses have the attribute of madness."

Jeffrey spread his hands: "Well, you are not only crazy but also arrogant, and Aristotle can't stop you."

"Aristotle was very busy. Stendhal said that."

"..."

Jeffrey finally agreed to help contact the firm as soon as possible. At the same time, in the conference room of Columbia Pictures, several senior executives were discussing the gambling conditions proposed by Eric.

"Okay, that's about it. Everyone express their opinions." Brant Cohen described the conditions of the bet that Eric said, and looked down at the few senior executives, waiting for everyone to express their opinions.

After Blunt Cohen finished speaking, most of the executives in the conference room were in disbelief. Should that boy be said to be crazy or stupid

In the end, Lester Reed, an executive from the distribution department, took the lead and said: "Mr. Cohen, this is a good opportunity, please promise him. According to our estimation, the maximum box office potential of this movie is only 50 million. After signing the VAM agreement, it is very easy to limit the box office to 50 million US dollars with a little manipulation, and we don't even have to pay 10 million US dollars for the buyout fee."

After Lester Reid finished speaking, the others followed suit.

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