Chapter 434: Moving with the Wind

Reed Hastings' words were very firm.

After he finished speaking, the reception room was also silent, with only the sound of waves from afar coming "swish, swish."

Hastings deliberately paused for a few seconds, leaving Chen Nuo a little time to think, and then continued: "Therefore, the board and I sincerely hope that you can star in this series and serve as the executive producer. These are the conditions we offer. Please look."

After speaking, he took out a snow-white envelope from his briefcase, placed it on the table, and moved it to Chen Nuo with two fingers.

Chen Nuo picked up the envelope, took out the folded white paper inside, and opened it to look.

He saw written in handwriting on the white paper: "$2,000,000 per episode + 5% backend deal."

Needless to say, Chen Nuo also understood that the 2 million USD per episode in front was his acting remuneration, and the latter was his executive producer remuneration—a 5% profit share.

This compensation package was not ungenerous, not lacking in sincerity.

2 million USD per episode; according to their current 11-episode script, this was 22 million.

The latter's profit share was even more not to be underestimated, actually including Netflix's playback revenue, overseas distribution revenue, and other related derivative rights, such as DVD, peripheral products, IP development, etc., etc.

As far as Chen Nuo knew, generally, this kind of actor + producer combination usually had a ratio between 2%-5% in movies. Netflix giving 5% was absolutely top-tier treatment. When Tom Hanks cooperated with HBO on "Band of Brothers" in 2001, he also got this much as an executive producer.

Chen Nuo looked at the white paper in his hand carefully again.

He suddenly saw that the two numbers 2000000 and 5% had subtle differences from the ink of the other English words, clearly filled in later.

After looking, Chen Nuo folded the paper back up and said seriously: "I understand, Reed, give me some time to consider."

Reed Hastings said: "No problem."

Actually, Chen Nuo had also done some executive producer work in many movies before, such as casting, controlling filming quality, post-promotion, etc.

But serving as an executive producer explicitly, if he agreed, this would be the first time.

Serving as an executive producer is often seen as a sign of an actor breaking through their career ceiling.

Although there are actors like DiCaprio and Brad Pitt who are not interested in this. But like Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Bradley Cooper, etc., after achieving success and fame, they all serve as executive producers. This not only brings them generous remuneration but also gives them greater power.

Greater power also means greater responsibility and deeper binding.

Rory said that if they finally cooperated with Kevin Spacey on "House of Cards," they would also adopt the same model.

The reason,

Just as Hastings said, for Netflix's first self-produced drama in history, "House of Cards" was not just a project, but a huge gamble. The entire company was actually trembling and under huge pressure.

The pressure didn't just come from external capital market investors, but actually more from within.

Although the strategy was set that they would focus on content from now on, could a company that originally rented DVDs really shoot good TV series?

Would this matter be like the previous transformation, looking beautiful but failing miserably in the actual execution process?

This question, within Netflix, from the chairman and CEO to the sales staff handling membership cards, no one had full certainty.

So under these circumstances, for Netflix, the best strategy was to find a reliable thigh to hug.

Before, they thought this thigh was Kevin Spacey.

Now, they chose him.

"Who wouldn't choose you? If I remember correctly, you haven't failed a single movie yet." Rory Eisner held a red wine glass and took another sip with her bright red lips. Under the golden light, there seemed to be a hint of drunkenness in her ice-blue eyes.

"Not just Netflix, before you finally encounter a failure, all Hollywood film companies will kiss your ass. I heard you even rejected Murdoch's socialite wife and the cooperation with 21st Century Fox a few days ago."

Chen Nuo waved his hand, "It was Quentin Tarantino, he had some conflicts with them, I actually didn't care at all. I'm just an actor, who I cooperate with, whose play I shoot, it's actually all the same."

"So, will you agree to cooperate with us?" Rory Eisner put one hand on the sofa.

Behind her was a floor-to-ceiling window, and outside the window was a pitch-black lawn and a path illuminated by streetlights.

At this time, 2 or 3 hours had passed since Hastings and the others left. The sky had darkened, and the sea and coconut trees had hidden in the night, but precisely because of this, under the dim light of the living room, it was also a place suitable for chatting.

Under the rippling light reflected from the swimming pool in the backyard into the room, Rory's blue eyes seemed as deep as the sea.

Chen Nuo said truthfully: "I don't know, I really plan to use this time traveling around the world to think about it properly. I've arranged too much work these years. Originally, after Twilight came to an end, I wanted to rest for a while next year. But if I really take this TV series of yours, my plans will all be ruined."

Rory nodded, blinked lightly, her eyelashes casting faint shadows in the light, and the whole person looked quite serious, "Whatever decision you make, I understand."

"Thank you." Chen Nuo picked up the red wine glass on the coffee table and clinked it with hers.

Rory drank a sip of wine and smiled: "I should say this to you. Anyway, you let me vent my anger on Ted Sarandos. However..." She looked up at the ceiling, and there were faint discussions coming down from the second floor, "They should be very disappointed?"

Chen Nuo shook his head: "No, if you give up, I will also take out money to shoot."

Rory heard this, her eyes lit up immediately, and said: "How much money did you actually earn in 'Inception' this time?"

Chen Nuo was surprised: "Didn't I tell you?"

"No, it's a hot topic on the internet recently. Everyone is guessing your specific shares in Reborn-Pic. 50%? 60%? Or 70%?"

Chen Nuo laughed out loud, just about to say it might be a little more than 70%, when the phone on the coffee table suddenly rang.

He picked up the phone, looked at the name, and answered it.

"Hi Ivanka."

"Yes, I'm in... I've been here for a few days, you're here too... Hahaha, thank you, but I'm afraid that won't work, I'm leaving tomorrow... Oh? Is there something... No, it's okay, I have a friend here, Rory Eisner, you should know..."

"Your dad is coming too?"

After the call ended, Chen Nuo frowned and understood a little. This family should have come here for vacation today, and knowing he was here too, they called him.

This call probably wasn't what Ivanka wanted to make, but entrusted by her old man. There should be some urgent matter; hearing he was leaving tomorrow, they had to come over to meet tonight.

However, he really couldn't think of what her dad would come for late at night?

Last time Ivanka asked him to call to persuade him, he was busy and forgot. This time, could it be that he came to discuss a grand plan with him?

Rory Eisner didn't really want to meet the New York real estate businessman known by the media as "shallow and snobbish," so she went upstairs to rest.

Chen Nuo then, accompanied by Guli Nazha, received old Tang and his tall and beautiful daughter.

The two didn't come empty-handed either, but old Tang personally brought him a bottle of 1982 Lafite and a box of Cuban Cohiba cigars, the two combined worth tens of thousands of dollars, making Chen Nuo's heart tighten.

According to his understanding of old Tang's character, this person talks more than he acts. This gift was absolutely unique since they started associating, not very normal.

Sure enough, after meeting, first there was a burst of praise for his house, then a burst of praise for him, and finally an invitation to go out to the yard to chat alone.

By the pool, when no one was around, he finally said the purpose of his visit—borrowing money.

It's truly true that people fear fame and pigs fear being fat. With a little money, tsk tsk, after Charlize Theron, this brother also moved with the wind.

It turned out that during the 2008 financial crisis, because the house in Chicago couldn't be sold, old Tang owed Deutsche Bank over 300 million USD, and then played rogue and fought a lawsuit for almost 2 years. Finally, last year, he reached a settlement with the bank, exempting him from quite a bit of debt. But he still needed to pay back the money before the end of October. This time he came, hoping Chen Nuo would do him a favor and lend him some small change.

"48 million, I actually don't not have it. For the 13th season of 'The Apprentice,' NBC will pay me 1 million USD per episode, a total appearance fee of over 20 million USD, plus advertising shares, I'll have a large sum of money before the end of the year."

"I'm just a bit tight on cash flow right now, you know, it's all a paper game, I'll be able to pay it back in one go by then."

Old Tang narrowed his eyes, suddenly lowered his voice, leaned close to Chen Nuo and said: "To tell you the truth, Chen, I trust you, I know you will help me. I've dealt with those Wall Street guys for twenty years, they are all vampires, they wish I would fall. But you are different, you are a winner, a real winner, I could see it two years ago. You have signed a contract with FB now, you got the shares, right?"

This news belonged to top secret, but this person was the contributor who helped him settle Zuckerberg back then, and it was only natural for him to know the content of the agreement and remember the performance time.

Chen Nuo nodded and admitted: "Yes."

A look of pain and regret flashed across Tang's face, but he immediately restrained it and laughed: "Well done, this is a real big deal. Congratulations Chen, now that 2% should be worth a lot, lot of money, right?"

Chen Nuo smiled: "They are just numbers. I don't plan to sell."

The complexity of Tang Tang Nade's expression at this moment almost made Chen Nuo laugh out loud.

Chen Nuo knew why this old man was like this.

2 years ago, in 2009, after he finally signed the contract with Zuckerberg, this person said he wanted to convert the consulting fee into an investment in FB, which also made him marvel greatly at the time, thinking this person truly had extraordinary vision.

As a result.

Before two months had passed, old Tang went back on his word, withdrew the nominee agreement the two had signed, and made him pay the consulting fee directly.

It was truly no different from talking and farting.

Now it's good, counting the accounts, he lost ten million dollars at once; it would be painful for anyone.

Chen Nuo said: "Thank you. Well, Tang Tang Nade, I am willing to help you. However, I don't have money right now. The dividends from 'Inception' haven't arrived yet, and I have no way."

Tang Tang Nade spread his hands: "Chen, I'm not saying you must lend it to me. After all, I have many friends. You know, on this year's Forbes Celebrity List, I am ranked 17th. I am very famous, I can say I am one of the most famous people in the whole United States. The variety shows I perform in are very popular, and I don't lack friends—Epstein, Tom Barrack, Carl Icahn, they are all very rich, very rich, they are all willing to lend me money, and maybe I don't need to pay them back at all. So... how long will it take for the dividends from Inception to arrive?"

The final long breath might be a critical hit for others. But Chen Nuo had long been used to it, his expression didn't change at all, "At least a month."

Tang Tang Nade said: "No problem, I can wait for you."

Chen Nuo said helplessly: "However, Tang Tang Nade, I have to remind you of one thing. Last time at the Oscars, you still owe me a favor, remember?"

Tang Tang Nade said: "Of course I remember. Look, I definitely keep this favor in my heart. As long as you speak up, I will definitely help you if I can."

"I don't need your help with anything right now. I just want to say, what about this time? Tang Tang Nade, you are my friend, and I have been paying you consulting fees for these two years, and I also really want to help you. But I can't lend you 48 million just based on your words, I'm not a fool. So you have to give me something, at least give me a voucher so I can lend you the money with peace of mind."

"... Look, it's like this, my fame, my reputation, all can..."

Chen Nuo listened to him finish bragging with patience and smiled, "I respect your reputation, Tang Tang Nade, you are also someone I respect very much. However, I do need collateral."

The old man felt his determination this time, so he didn't say anything more.

The two left the swimming pool and walked toward the lawn.

Chen Nuo didn't know that in the previous life, old Tang also encountered the same difficulty in 2011, and at that time it was his son-in-law who helped him through it with family assets, but this time, that brother who liked to wear a green hat had long since broken up with Ivanka, and old Tang felt a bit desperate. Finally, arriving at Mar-a-Lago today, hearing he was here, he had a sudden inspiration and came looking for him.

Lending Tang Tang Nade 48 million, Chen Nuo didn't think it was a big deal. Perhaps from the outside, this person's credit was very poor and it was very likely he would lose everything, but he knew that there was actually no risk.

... A few years later, those who know, know.

By then, he wasn't afraid that the money lent out wouldn't be recovered.

After a few minutes, Tang Tang Nade finally considered it well and hesitated: "If I mortgage... to you, how about that?"

Chen Nuo thought for a while and nodded: "Sounds quite reasonable. That's it."

PS:

This chapter is to fill in the previous pits of Tang Tang Nade and Netflix. It's a bit short, and it can be considered taking a day off on Sunday.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 435 =====