Chapter 9: Stunned

Jiang Heng shook his head, "My movie is preparing for global release, especially valuing the mainland market; it definitely won't sell the rights outright!"

The Wang brothers felt disappointed upon hearing this; they had thought Jiang Heng, being young, would be easy to fool and would sell the rights cheaply.

Who would have thought this kid spoke with such firmness, appearing as if his movie could sell big worldwide!

Hey, where did you get that confidence!

Wang Zhonglei couldn't help but ask, "I don't know what genre Mr. Jiang's film is, who the male and female leads are, and how much the investment is."

"The investment is roughly around a hundred million, the male and female leads are newcomers. Look, this Li Meiqi beside me is the female lead; as for the genre, it's sci-fi that Western audiences prefer."

As soon as he said that, several people present felt a bit dazed.

Originally intending to just watch the show, Li Meiqi silently pondered, "A hundred million? I don't feel like we've spent that much!"

With just that bit of expense from the production crew, having a few million would already be good!

The special effects scenes are good, but they wouldn't cost seventy or eighty million!

Yu Dong felt it was weird after hearing that; sci-fi? Why does it always feel like the style doesn't match!

The Wang brothers forced back their laughter; the elder brother Wang Zhongjun, with his deep scheming, found it somewhat hard to hold back.

Wang Zhonglei held it in for less than a minute, then couldn't help but burst out laughing!

"Sci-fi? You're not joking with me, are you! Sci-fi, can they even make a good sci-fi film over in Xianggang? If you're talking about action, comedy, romance and such, that's fine, but sci-fi—hahaha!"

Wang Zhonglei himself couldn't stop laughing, he reached out and patted Yu Dong's shoulder, "He's talking about sci-fi films; you guys at Beijing Film Academy wouldn't really plan to release a Hong Kong-produced sci-fi film, would you, hahaha!"

Yu Dong naturally wouldn't bring up the matter of Jiang Heng wanting to partner with him to open a distribution company; he went along with the talk, saying, "It's really hard to say; what if the film's quality is good and the higher-ups like it!"

"Mr. Jiang, could we take a look at the film's content?"

Jiang Heng shook his head slightly, "The post-production still lacks a bit; let's wait a while!"

However, because of Wang Zhonglei, he couldn't be bothered to deal with these two.

"Hmph, hiding it and not daring to bring it out; I guess it's not that well filmed either, we won't waste time with you. Old Yu, aren't you leaving?"

Wang Zhonglei suddenly stood up, still wanting to call Yu Dong to leave together.

Yu Dong gave an embarrassed smile, "No way, the task given by the superiors must be completed; we have to go through the required procedures, I'll treat you guys to drinks another day!"

He doesn't have a deep friendship with the Wang brothers, so how could they share weal and woe.

Furthermore, starting a business at sea was merely an idea deep in his heart; he had never dared to carry it out, and it was also hard to do.

But now Jiang Heng has appeared, with a project and funds; he has channels and connections—it could be called a match made in heaven.

The only problem is the film's quality; if it truly turns out to be a spectacularly bad flop, it would seem to be a loss of Jiang Heng's money.

If the film's effect is excellent, perhaps this time it will succeed!

After the Wang brothers left, Yu Dong leaned forward slightly, "Mr. Jiang, your film surely isn't truly unfinished, is it!"

Jiang Heng took a sip of coffee and smiled, "How could that be? Right now I'm actually more inclined to cooperate with you, so I don't want to show it to them!"

"Then, can I take a look at the film?"

"Of course!"

Upon hearing that, Yu Dong could no longer stay seated; he pulled Jiang Heng to look for the hotel staff to arrange a small meeting room.

When Li Meiqi, dressed in a black tight leather suit, appeared on the screen, leaping into the air with the camera rotating to show her from all angles, Yu Dong was stunned.

He has been in the industry for five years, having seen who knows how many films of various types, watched too many action scenes, yet none have ever made him feel as shocked and amazed as today.

As the plot unfolded, Yu Dong felt as if he had discovered a new continent, feeling that his brain and eyes were not enough.

"The world is virtual; we merely live in a matrix world constructed by artificial intelligence. My goodness, he actually dodges bullets—how was that shot of the bullet trajectory cutting through the air filmed? Is this the charm of special effects...?"

In the span of over two hours, Yu Dong felt countless questions popping up in his mind.

Before one problem could be figured out, a new one would appear.

"How do you feel?" Jiang Heng asked with a grin.

Yu Dong, having watched too intently, expended considerable energy, lay very fatigued in the chair, yet his eyes were bright.

"How to put it? I think calling it an epoch-making work is not an exaggeration; this, did you really film it yourself?"

Jiang Heng laughed, pointed to Li Meiqi beside him, and said, "The female lead is right here!"

Yu Dong nodded slightly, also feeling that he had overthought things.

"If this film were to be released nationwide, the box office would still be fifty million!"

Yu Dong trailed off mid-sentence, thinking that the profit-sharing ratio for the distribution agency is 5%–15% of the production and distribution side's income; with over fifty million in box office, the production and distribution side would likely get around twenty million, leaving roughly over two million for distribution fees!

If he himself held a 10% stake, that would be two hundred thousand—enough to earn for several years!

According to his original idea, starting a business alone would definitely require him to be the major shareholder, holding the decision-making power.

However, Jiang Heng's advantage is simply too great, so great that he finds it hard to contend for benefits.

"Um, actually for this distribution part, the most important thing is the channel network; funds of just over three hundred thousand would suffice, we wouldn't need as much as a million!"

"And then?"

"Um, you put in two hundred thousand, I'll contribute one hundred thousand plus the channels and network, and we'll split shares and profits fifty-fifty, how about that?"

Jiang Heng shook his head with a smile, "Your calculations are overly meticulous; channel networks are important, but not irreplaceable. With generous rewards, brave men will come; I only need to offer a high price to hire suitable people."

Yu Dong, however, said, "That's not how it works; a distribution company must think of ways to let the film pass review with as few cuts as possible, and also figure out quotas; there wouldn't be anyone more suitable than me!"

"Ten percent!"

"Mr. Jiang, if you say that, you're being utterly insincere; I've been doing well at Beijing Film Academy, coming out here for a 10% profit share—do you think that's possible?"

Yu Dong spoke while panting, seeming quite angry.

"The problem is, you also know the quality of this film and the possible income after the company's establishment; ten percent really isn't little!"

"At least forty percent, no less!"

Jiang Heng shook his head slightly and smiled, "Let me say, let's leave the discussion at that for today; everyone go back and think it over, anyway the release date is still far off."

Upon hearing that, Yu Dong opened his mouth several times, wanting to speak but stopping each time.

"Well then, I won't disturb your rest; I'll come again tomorrow!"

After Yu Dong left, Li Meiqi couldn't help but say, "Why not wait until the talk is over before letting him see the sample footage? Then there wouldn't be these issues, right?"

"That's not the case; that Yu Dong is a very capable and ambitious person. Without sufficient benefits, you couldn't hire him even at a high price. If he doesn't watch the sample footage, he won't agree to work with me."

Li Meiqi suddenly understood, laughing: "Then he probably won't be able to sleep tonight!"

(End of chapter)