Chapter 32

I just feel that it's not easy to get these people into the prehistoric era; it's a shame to finish filming just one movie. If the box office does well, we could immediately have a sequel!

Translation: "I just feel that getting this bunch of people to the prehistoric era is not easy; it would be a shame to finish filming just one movie. If the box office is good, we could immediately have a sequel!"

Note: "prehistoric era" means prehistoric era. "Bring them to the prehistoric era" perhaps means "bring them to the prehistoric era".

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room didn't know whether to praise Jiang Heng for his grand vision or to call him petty and crafty.

Translation: "Everyone in the room heard this and, for a moment, didn't know whether to praise Jiang Heng for his grand vision or call him petty."

Note: "petty, stingy, crafty" means petty, stingy, crafty.

We haven't even finished the first film, yet we're already thinking about a sequel!

Translation: "We haven't even finished the first film, yet we're already thinking about a sequel!"

Deputy Factory Chief Wu Guoping said: "Jiang Director, doing it this way, won't it affect the box office? You made a lot of money filming The Matrix; a little more or less doesn't matter. Our Beiying Factory is a state-owned enterprise; if we lose money, it'll be hard to explain."

Translation: "Deputy Factory Chief Wu Guoping said, 'Director Jiang, doing it this way, won't it affect the box office? You made a fortune from The Matrix; a little more or less doesn't matter. Our Beiying Factory is a state-owned enterprise; if we lose money, it'll be hard to explain!'"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Afraid of a loss? Simple—we can sign a minimum guarantee agreement. I guarantee this film will bring Beiying Factory an investment return of over 20%. If it falls short, I'll personally make up the difference. If it exceeds that, we'll still split the profits according to the original investment ratio."

Translation: "Jiang Heng laughed, 'Afraid of a loss? Simple: we can sign a minimum guarantee agreement. I guarantee this film will bring Beiying Factory at least a 20% return on investment. If it falls short, I'll make up the difference personally. If it exceeds that, we'll still split the profits according to the original investment ratio.'"

Hiss!

Translation: "Hiss!"

Wu Guoping sucked in a breath of cold air; this treatment is too generous.

Translation: "Wu Guoping sucked in a breath of cold air; this treatment is too generous."

Although deposit and government bond interest rates in 1997 were higher than they would be 20 years later, a 20% minimum return still appeals to many; the key is that it doesn't affect profit sharing after the box office takes off.

Translation: "Although savings and government bond interest rates in 1997 were higher than they would be twenty years later, a 20% minimum return still moves many people; the key is that it doesn't affect profit sharing after the box office takes off!"

Some couldn't help but ask directly: "Are you serious?"

Translation: "Someone couldn't help but ask directly, 'Are you serious about this?'"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Of course, I don't have time to joke!"

Translation: "Jiang Heng laughed, 'Of course, I don't have time to joke!'"

Han Sanping was quite tempted, but as the factory chief, he couldn't rush to jump in.

Translation: "Han Sanping found it quite tempting, but as the factory director, he couldn't rush into it."

Wu Guoping asked, "What are the conditions?"

Translation: "Wu Guoping asked, 'What are the conditions?'"

Jiang Heng said, "My condition is also simple: for this film, I have full authority. You can recommend some actors, and I'll generally agree if they're suitable, but the final decision rests with me!"

Translation: "Jiang Heng said, 'My condition is also simple: for this film, I have final say on everything. You can recommend actors, and I'll basically agree if they're suitable, but the ultimate decision rests with me!'"

As soon as he said that, everyone's faces fell.

Translation: "As soon as he said that, everyone's faces in the room fell a little."

What does it mean for him to have full control? Then what is Beiying Factory—just a creditor?

Translation: "What does it mean for him to have complete control? Then what is Beiying Factory—a creditor?"

Is our money considered an investment or a loan?

Translation: "Is the money we put in considered an investment or a loan!"

Han Sanping couldn't help but ask, "Jiang Director, what do you mean by that?"

Translation: "Han Sanping couldn't help but say, 'Director Jiang, what do you mean by that?'"

Jiang Heng laughed, "I just want to make a good movie without interference, so everyone can make money!"

Translation: "Jiang Heng laughed, 'I just want to make a good movie without interference, so everyone can make money!'"

The Beiying Factory staff fell silent, mainly because they'd never encountered such a situation, and Han Sanping wasn't speaking, so they didn't know what to say.

Translation: "The Beiying Factory people fell silent, mainly because they'd never encountered this situation before, and Han Sanping didn't speak either, so for a moment they didn't know what to say."

Jiang Heng said, "How about I take a look around while you hold a quick meeting?"

Translation: "Jiang Heng said, 'How about I take a look around while you hold a small meeting?'"

Han Sanping let out a slight sigh and told a bespectacled girl, "Xiao Li, take Jiang Director on a tour!"

Translation: "Han Sanping let out a slight sigh and, turning to a bespectacled girl, said, 'Xiao Li, take Director Jiang on a tour!'"

"Ah, okay, okay, Director Jiang, please follow me!" The bewildered girl hurriedly stood up and led Jiang Heng around the Beiying Factory, without further mention.

Translation: "'Ah, okay, okay, Director Jiang, this way!' the dazed young lady hurriedly rose, leading Jiang Heng to wander around Beiying Factory."

But after the door was closed, a short, older man slammed the table and said: "What does this kid mean, treating our Beiying Factory like a bank or a subsidiary? Just because he wants full control—he's only had one success; who knows if he'll be the next Stephen Chow?"

Translation: "But after the door was closed, a short, older man slammed the table and said, 'What does that kid mean, treating our Beiying Factory like a bank or a subsidiary? Just because he succeeded once doesn't mean he'll be the next Zhou Xingxing!'"

Speaking of which, when Stephen Chow once collaborated with Xiying Factory on *A Chinese Odyssey*, the factory's leaders, upon seeing the script, first thought, "What is this nonsense?"

Translation: "Back when Zhou Xingxing collaborated with Xiying Factory to film A Chinese Odyssey, the factory's leaders looked at the script and their first reaction was, 'What is this?'"

But considering Stephen Chow's tremendous box-office draw, they still went ahead with the collaboration.

Translation: "But considering Zhou Xingxing's tremendous box-office draw, they still gritted their teeth and cooperated."

Unexpectedly, the film's box office in mainland China was extremely low, reportedly causing Xiying Factory to lose over a million.

Translation: "Unexpectedly, the film's box office in mainland China was extremely low, and it's said that Xiying Factory lost over a million."

The old man wasn't saying this because he thought the project would lose money for Beiying Factory; he just couldn't swallow the indignity.

Translation: "The old man wasn't saying this because he thought the project would lose Beiying Factory money; he just couldn't swallow this indignity."

These people are all professionals who have recently studied well-known foreign monster films.

Translation: "These people are professionals who have recently studied famous foreign monster films extensively."

They know that many films of this type receive low ratings but still achieve strong box office.

Translation: "They know that many films of this type receive low ratings but still have strong box office."

As long as the plot isn't utterly brainless and the effects are convincing, they basically always make money.

Translation: "As long as the plot isn't brain-dead and the effects are convincing, they basically can make money!"

And everyone can see Jiang Heng's ability to direct effects-heavy blockbusters.

Translation: "And everyone can see Jiang Heng's ability to direct effects-heavy blockbusters."

If we split after one film and each form our own crew, Jiang Heng could quickly secure funding, but Beiying Factory would struggle to find a director more suited to big-budget spectacles than him.

Translation: "If we split after one film and each form our own crew, Jiang Heng could quickly secure funding, but Beiying Factory would find it hard to find a director more suitable than him for a big-budget picture."

More importantly, with Jiang Heng in charge, selling the film internationally would not be difficult.

Translation: "More importantly, with Jiang Heng in charge, selling this film internationally would not be difficult."

But if an individual like director Xu Ke were in charge, it's uncertain whether the film could get a wide release in North America.

Translation: "But if it were someone else—say, Director Xu Ke—there's no guarantee the film could get a wide release in Beimei."

Everyone understands the reasoning, but they feel it would undermine the factory's prestige, making it hard to accept at once.

Translation: "Everyone understands the reasoning, but they feel it would lose the dignity of a major studio and are momentarily unable to accept it."

Han Sanping naturally hoped to continue cooperation, letting everyone speak freely and vent.

Translation: "Han Sanping naturally hoped to continue cooperation, letting everyone speak freely and vent."

Afterwards someone said the benefit of this cooperation is the 20% minimum return—not bad—but who can guarantee a profit?

Translation: "Then someone said the benefits of such cooperation: a 20% minimum return isn't low, but who can guarantee a profit?"

And it doesn't interfere with profit sharing after a big box office hit—why not?

Translation: "Moreover, it doesn't interfere with profit sharing after a box-office hit—why not?"

Then someone suggested raising the minimum return to 36%, so an investment of ten million would yield at least 3.6 million back.

Translation: "Then someone proposed raising the minimum return to 36%, so an investment of ten million would at least yield 3.6 million back."

If Jiang Heng could agree, then everything would be up to him.

Translation: "If Jiang Heng could agree, then everything would be up to him."

Han Sanping was quite tempted, invited Jiang Heng to his meeting room, they negotiated, and finally set the minimum return at 30%, signing a supplementary agreement.

Translation: "Han Sanping was quite tempted; he invited Jiang Heng to his office, they bargained, and finally set the minimum return at 30% and signed a supplementary agreement."

Gazing at the signatures and seals on the contract, Han Sanping lamented, "Jiang Director, why go through all this?"

Translation: "Looking at the signatures and seals on the contract, Han Sanping sighed, 'Director Jiang, why go through all this?'"

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "I came alone to the mainland; I rely on Beiying Factory for many conveniences, but I don't want to be restrained—consider this a reassurance for you."

Translation: "Jiang Heng chuckled, 'I came alone to Neidi; I rely on Beiying Factory for many conveniences, but I don't want to be restrained—consider this a reassurance for you.'"

Han Sanping casually put the contract away and laughed loudly: "Hey, you're the biggest guarantee—this film could easily gross over a hundred million dollars worldwide. In my view, your agreement is pure nonsense."

Translation: "Han Sanping casually put the contract away and laughed loudly, 'Hey, you're the biggest guarantee—this film could easily gross over a hundred million dollars worldwide. In my view, your agreement is pure bluff!'"

Jiang Heng gave a chuckle and offered no explanation.

Translation: "Jiang Heng gave a hehe laugh and didn't explain."

In fact, he drew up this contract simply to legitimately establish his overall control of the project.

Translation: "In fact, he drew up this contract precisely to establish legitimate control over the entire project."

After all, the post-production of his films is done by a "super micro computer".

Translation: "After all, the post-production of his films is all done by the Super Microcomputer."

Although during his time abroad he registered a few shell companies in the Cayman Islands, which could barely conceal things, having direct control is still more convenient.

Translation: "Although during his time abroad he registered a few shell companies in the Cayman Islands, which could barely conceal things, having control is still more convenient."

As for the idea of always making films independently without collaborating with anyone, that's clearly unrealistic.

Translation: "As for the idea of always filming independently without collaborating with anyone, that's obviously unrealistic."

The entertainment industry, the entertainment industry—it's all about personal connections and worldly wisdom; it's really just a circle.

Translation: "The entertainment industry, the entertainment industry—it's all about human relations and favoritism, really just a circle!"

By the time they were busy, it was almost dark; Han Sanping arranged a dinner, another round of eating and drinking.

Translation: "By the time they were busy, it was almost dark; Han Sanping arranged a banquet, and it was another round of eating and drinking."

The next day they returned to Beiying Factory to confirm the film's investment amount.

Translation: "The next day they returned to Beiying Factory to confirm the film's investment amount."

The total investment in the film was 80 million RMB, though outwardly they claimed it was 100 million.

Translation: "The total investment in the film was eighty million RMB, outwardly claimed to be one hundred million."

Of that, Jiang Heng contributed 65 million, and Beiying Factory contributed 15 million.

Translation: "Of that, Jiang Heng contributed sixty-five million, and Beiying Factory contributed fifteen million."

Of the total, 70 million went to filming and post-production, and 10 million was allocated for promotion and distribution.

Translation: "Seventy million went to filming and post-production, and ten million was used for promotion and distribution."

Regarding salaries, since it's his own film, Jiang Heng took only 2 million, effectively lowering his own price.

Translation: "As for salaries, since it was his own film, Jiang Heng took only two million, which counts as lowering his own price."

Wu Jiazu's side also received only 3 million.

Translation: "Wu Yanzu's side also received only three million."

First, he currently has only one released film; second, he had already signed a preliminary agreement with Jiang Heng.

Translation: "First, he currently has only one released film; second, he had already signed a preliminary contract with Jiang Heng."

Li Meiqi, being their own artist, received even less—a salary of 2 million.

Translation: "Li Meiqi, being their own artist, received even less—two million in salary."

The rest, such as Hong Jinbao, Yuan De and other behind-the-scenes staff, were given low pay.

Yuan Hua and Hong Tianming came over to do bit parts, and they were also paid at a rate slightly below market price.

When Ge You filmed Party A and Party B, his salary was six hundred thousand; this time he wants eight hundred thousand, but Jiang Heng thinks it's a bit expensive, and besides he's not the lead and doesn't have that many scenes.

The main point is that when he filmed To Live in 1994, he already received seven hundred thousand.

In 1997 he got six hundred thousand, which shows he can negotiate.

Jiang Heng simply halved it, with a twist, offering a fixed price of three hundred thousand!

Unexpectedly, Ge You happily agreed on the spot.

(End of chapter)