Chapter 235: Box Office Revenue Sharing

Da Fei practices what he says; as the top guy in Causeway Bay, his words there indeed carry some weight.

But within two days, he had already set a time with Chen Mo.

At ten p. m., Chen Mo had already arrived early at Da Fei's bar private room.

Soon, Da Fei entered the room with a man in his thirties, followed by a few subordinates.

"Mo Ge, let me introduce you: this is one of the owners of Xinbao Film Line, Mr. Chen Rong."

"Mr. Chen, this is our Great Prosperity Wang Jiao District boss, Chen Mo, Mo Ge."

Chen Mo stood up, smiled, and extended his right hand to Chen Rong.

"Hello, Mr. Chen."

Chen Rong, facing Chen Mo, was also quite courteous, took two quick steps forward, and shook Chen Mo's hand.

"Mo Ge, hello, I've heard of you for a long time."

Because they were here to discuss business, Da Fei did not call the hostess to come in now.

The server served drinks to everyone and then left.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the few began to discuss official matters.

"I heard Da Fei Ge tell me that Mo Ge has a film he wants to distribute through us, is that right?"

Chen Mo nodded, smiling: "That's right. Not long ago I started a film production company, and the first movie is ready to be shot soon."

"I plan to have my film released on your Xinbao Film Line by the end of this month."

"The film is still in production, so we can't show a sample clip yet. However, the script can be given to Mr. Chen for a look first."

As he said so, Chen Mo took a script from his bag and handed it to Chen Rong.

Chen Rong is a veteran in the film industry.

After a quick skim of the script, he discovered one of the film's selling points.

"Mo Ge, the prototype for this 'Central Heist' is the cash‑transport robbery from half a year ago?"

Chen Mo's film dropped the title 'True Colors of a Man' and, to highlight the hook, was renamed; 'Central Heist' is more straightforward.

"Exactly," Chen Mo smiled, "my screenwriter combined media reports on the robbery with some of his own ideas to create this script."

"A genius idea!" Chen Rong couldn't help but praise.

Because of Chen Mo's involvement, the cash‑transport robbery remains in a state where the main culprit is on the run, the robbers are unknown, and the loot hasn't been recovered.

However, aside from the perpetrators' identities and the whereabouts of the loot, all other related suspect information has been clarified.

The whole investigation was simple and direct, with virtually no twists.

But in the script, the post‑robbery developments diverge completely from reality.

As a result, the film's plot becomes rich and can use the robbery's hook to attract viewers.

After a few more minutes, Chen Rong finally finished reading the entire script.

"What a good script! I wonder who the director is, and who the lead actors are."

Chen Rong was already convinced that the film could be shown on their line.

However, factors affecting a film's box office, besides the script, are the director and the stars, which are equally important.

That will be their next promotional focus.

"The director is Li Yaofu from the former Cao's Film Company, and I also hired Long Wei for a role; as for the rest of the cast, they are basically unknown."

"Nevertheless, with Li Yaofu and Long Wei on board, the lineup should be decent."

"I see…" Chen Rong's expression showed slight disappointment.

In his view, such a good script and hook deserve a bigger investment, hiring more stars to make it a big production.

Perhaps this film could claim this year's Gangdao box office champion.

However, having only Long Wei is a pity.

"Li Yaofu is an experienced director, and Long Wei's fame is also strong."

"But with only these two, it may not draw much box office—too regrettable."

Chen Mo smiled without replying, having no intention to continue the conversation.

After this film is made, what advantages it has, what shortcomings, can he as the boss not know!

Chen Rong's remarks now, aside from being somewhat regrettable, are just him thinking of using the chance to push the price down.

Currently, Gangdao's cinema line revenue splits have no unified system or standard; they are negotiated between the theater side and the producer side based on the film company's strength, cast lineup, box‑office expectations, and other factors.

As the theater side boss, Chen Rong naturally hopes Chen Mo will give up a bit of the share.

Seeing Chen Mo remain silent, Chen Rong directly quoted: "Mr. Chen, our distribution fee is fifteen percent.

This is our first collaboration, and I truly like the script, so I won't ask you for promotion fees; consider it our theater's goodwill.

After the film releases, after deducting entertainment tax and distribution fees, our line takes 70% of the first week's box office, 60% in the second week, and from the third week onward we take only

50%, how does that sound?"

The split Chen Rong offered is currently the most common revenue‑sharing model in Gangdao, a tiered split.

This model, where the producer's share increases in later weeks, lets the theater recoup costs quickly and incentivizes production companies to make high‑quality films rather than just chase quick cash.

Chen Mo was slightly surprised upon hearing the offer.

Before meeting Chen Rong, Chen Mo had already inquired with Li Yaofu and got some idea of the revenue‑share ratios between Xinbao Film Line and producers.

The ratio Chen Rong quoted is a very common one.

However, this film is the first produced by Chen Mo's new film company, and its quality and future box office have no guarantee.

Chen Rong offering this ratio is rather generous.

But Chen Mo thought for a moment and guessed Chen Rong's intention.

Xinbao Film Line has two core theaters right on Chen Mo's territory, so he naturally wants to give Chen Mo some face.

【61】 However, Chen Mo is not satisfied with this revenue‑share ratio.

Mr. Chen, may I ask a question: how is the profit split with Xin Ji's film company calculated?

Xin Ji has been in the film and television industry for several years, and its cooperation with Xinbao Cinema Line has also been going on for a long time.

Each time they receive box-office revenue sharing from Xinbao Cinema Line, it is much higher than that of other film production companies.

Chen Rong gave an apologetic smile: "Please excuse us, Mo Ge, but we really can't disclose the profit-sharing ratio we have with Xin Ji."

The profit-sharing ratio between Xinbao Cinema Line and Xin Ji is much higher than that of other film production companies.

One reason is that Xin Ji's film company is relatively strong, its production team is mature, and the quality of its films is guaranteed.

On the other hand, it also includes many other transactions between Xinbao Cinema Line and Xin Ji.

For example, Xin Ji helps Xinbao Cinema Line resolve many Triad Society-related troubles, and Xinbao Cinema Line uses box-office revenue to help Xin Ji launder money.

Many of the things involved here are not suitable to be told to outsiders.

This time, Da Fei introduced Chen Rong and Chen Mo; before coming, Chen Rong had already inquired about Chen Mo from Xin Ji's people, and had beforehand learned about Chen Mo's identity and ability.

It's only because he is wary of Chen Mo's identity that he offered a relatively normal profit-sharing ratio.

Otherwise, for a newly established film company, even if the script is excellent, he would press the profit share very low for its first film.

However, this does not mean he fears Chen Mo; the question Chen Mo asked really cannot be told to him.

But Da Fei doesn't understand the ins and outs; he only feels that Chen Rong is being evasive and too unpleasant.

"Mr. Chen, it's just a box-office profit share—what's there that can't be said? Isn't that too disrespectful to us?"