Chapter 27

The two of them were discussing the plan in detail in the lounge, while Wang Laoer had also finalized the distribution model and release date with Manager Lei.

They set the release date for August 12th, just a few days before Valentine's Day!

Once the matter was settled, Wang Laoer and his investors left.

As they left, Wang Laoer deliberately glanced at Fang Hong, still harboring resentment inside.

A few months ago, this man had been groveling to him, lecturing him on art, speaking well, and maintaining a good relationship—now they were complete strangers.

Probably didn't agree to the credit, so stingy!

The good relationship was his illusion; Fang Hong never regarded him as a friend—just a stranger.

Besides, not giving credit? Fang Hong thought he was the stingy one!

After discussing with Chen Zhixi, Fang Hong returned to his previous seat.

Now only three people remained in the office.

"Manager Lei, we've just discussed and chosen Option One—we'll handle our own promotion—but we have another proposal for you to consider."

Chen Zhixi paused here, then continued:

"Set the benchmark at fifty million. If box office reaches this amount, reduce the agency fee to 10%; if it reaches eighty million, reduce it to 8%; if it reaches 120 million, reduce it to 6%."

That means if box office hits fifty million, China Film Group can take over five million.

If box office hits eighty million, China Film Group can take over six million!

If it hits 120 million, China Film Group can take over seven million!

With each tier up, although China Film Group's share decreases, they still earn over a million more—without any upfront promotional investment, this is pure service fee profit.

In other words, the higher the box office, the more China Film Group earns, and the more Fang Hong's team earns—a win-win situation.

Of course, if the fifty-million benchmark isn't met, the standard 12% split under China Film Group's terms applies.

Chen Zhixi's proposal leaves the model flexible, showing sharp thinking—no wonder she later became a "queen."

If Liu Tianxian had this talent, how wonderful!

Fang Hong certainly had feelings for Liu Tianxian; not having any would be impossible—he wasn't a eunuch, he couldn't remain unmoved by beauty.

Even when kissing, his member still stirred!

But without strength, all talk is empty—if you say material foundations don't matter, then ask Liu Tianxian to marry a nobody—would she agree?

With the proposal now on the table, both looked at Manager Lei, who was sitting across from them, deep in thought.

After understanding the logic, Manager Lei was impressed and said: "An excellent proposal. I'm just curious—can your film really reach the box office levels you claim?"

No one has ever played this way before—everyone tries to lower their share using fixed splits!

Because no one knows how their film will perform; if it flops, a lower share means less loss and more profit.

"We don't know if we'll reach it, but I have confidence in my film," Fang Hong said.

"It's good for a young man to have confidence, but don't lose touch with reality," Manager Lei said.

First-time director aiming for fifty million, then a hundred million? How easy is that?

Currently, hitting a hundred million in the market is extremely difficult—only a few blockbusters manage it.

"As long as Manager Lei agrees to our proposal, please let us give it our all!" Fang Hong's words were perfectly phrased.

"Very impressive—if I refuse, I'm blocking your effort," Manager Lei smiled and shook his head.

"You're too kind," Fang Hong said.

Manager Lei leaned back in his chair and sighed: "I'm suddenly very curious—I want to see what kind of film you've actually made."

"The hard drive is right here—Manager Lei can watch anytime," Fang Hong indicated.

"Good!" Manager Lei slapped his thigh and stood up. "Let's watch!"

Someone at his position doesn't have much spare time to watch films—one or two hours, even three—just one movie can eat up an entire day.

Usually, they just watch trailers and teasers; if it looks promising, they schedule based on cast and investment size.

Just get a general sense!

But for big directors or big-budget films, they still watch—because of their status and power; not watching would be disrespectful.

Actually, those big directors' quality is inconsistent—you simply can't tell if it's good or trash without watching.

The three went to the screening room, where staff took Fang Hong's hard drive to begin playback.

The screening room was small—a mini theater seating about ten people—but the facilities were excellent, with individual leather armchairs.

The three sat side by side; the lights dimmed, and the film began playing on screen.

No opening credits—directly into the main story: the male lead appeared riding a bicycle, beginning to recount his tale.

Manager Lei looked at the protagonist on screen, then turned to the young man beside him and asked curiously: "Who directed this film?"

"I directed it," Fang Hong said.

Manager Lei gave him a long, deep look—self-directed and self-starred? Are today's young people really this capable?

Then Liu Tianxian appeared, and Manager Lei was surprised!

Just now, Wang Laoer's film also starred this girl—coincidence.

About an hour and a half later, the film ended.

"At first, I felt nothing—but the ending hit me hard," Manager Lei commented, nodding. "It's a good film!"

"Thank you for the praise," Fang Hong said.

"But your film feels a bit rough—watching it is stiff, not smooth," Manager Lei said.

"This is just the rough cut; the fine cut hasn't been done yet," Fang Hong explained.

"I see."

Manager Lei said no more—this level of achievement was already impressive; no need to be overly critical.

He couldn't judge the film's market potential, because no such youth campus-themed film had ever succeeded on the market before.

A good story doesn't mean good box office—that's two different things!

There are too many great films that get praise but not tickets, and too many terrible films that draw crowds but not praise.

Besides, this film has only Liu Tianxian as a celebrity; everyone else is unknown—meaning they can't carry the box office.

"What's your name?" Manager Lei asked.

"Fang Hong!" Fang Hong replied.

"Little Fang, don't say I'm not giving you a chance—I'm giving you one chance to try your best."

That proposal isn't excessive; on the contrary, it's forward-thinking and motivating. You know, those big directors, no matter how good or bad their films are, always demand cuts of around 5%—or even less!

It's still the fixed model—no matter the box office, it's always this number.

"Thank you, General Manager!"

Fang Hong took his hand and held it warmly.

"I've given you the chance—I expect to see a surprise." Manager Lei pulled his hand away; too much familiarity made him uncomfortable.

If it were the beautiful woman beside him, he'd be perfectly fine with it—opposites attract, after all!

But Chen Zhixi wouldn't act like that; she switched careers precisely because she couldn't stand these "opposites attract"-style social games.

"We'll work hard!" Fang Hong said it again.

"Enough talk—how long until your film is edited? Let's set a release date." Manager Lei pulled out the screening schedule.

"At most one month to finish editing. How about setting the release date for August 12?" Fang Hong said.

It's currently July; by then, the editing, sound mixing, and color grading will all be done—it'll be different from what you see now!

Hearing this, Manager Lei looked up and asked: "Do you know whose film is releasing on that day?"

"No, I just picked it because it's close to Valentine's Day—it's good for promotion." Fang Hong said.

"Pick another date. Don't create homogenous competition."

Both are youth films, both star Liu Tianxian as the female lead—what's this supposed to be? Like a love rivalry.

"We're not afraid of competition—we're afraid of having no one compete with us."

Fang Hong's words radiated confidence!

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(End of Chapter)