Chapter 439: Treatment Overhaul

Wang Tianlin doesn't understand the way.

"Boss Yang, you want us to come up with ideas?"

Yang Qing said matter-of-factly.

"Of course, you're the professionals—what else would you decide on if not ideas?"

"Of course, we should also listen more to Manager Chen's opinion; he's familiar with the market and can sensitively grasp the direction."

Wang Tianlin said.

"I want to shoot a comedy kung fu film; Boss Yang, what do you think?"

Yang Qing looked at Chen Ziqiang.

Chen Ziqiang knows Wang Tianlin well; what he wants to shoot will surely be good.

"I think it's fine; I trust Director Wang's vision."

"Then let's shoot; I'll first invest five million in Eternal Splendor, and Uncle Tianlin's project will be arranged ASAP."

Afterward, several directors proposed some ideas; because there was no script to refer to, Yang Qing had no idea either, but having said he'd let them decide, he must give them the chance.

"As long as Manager Chen approves the proposals, if there's no major issue, I can approve them all."

Everyone was very pleased.

Yang Qing's tone shifted here.

"I'm giving everyone authority, letting everyone have autonomy, so here I also want to raise a few requirements."

A crowd looked at Yang Qing; Chen Ziqiang also wanted to hear what Yang Qing had to say.

"I can fund everyone's films, but I can't allow endless losses; I want to rank the directors."

"D-level directors are for newcomers; each year they get one chance to direct a film independently; otherwise they can only do set work, cinematography, or be assistant directors. Their salary is three times the ordinary worker's wage, 900 dollars."

"C-level directors: after directing a profitable film, they are directly promoted to C-level; C-level directors' salary is three times that of D-level, 2,700 dollars; however C-level is not fixed—if the combined box office of their films is a loss, they automatically drop to D-level. C-level directors may independently direct two films per year."

"B-level directors: having seven high-box-office films grants fixed C-level treatment—meaning regardless of future films or how many loss-making films they make, they enjoy C-level benefits. B-level directors' salary is 8,100; they may independently direct three films per year, and additionally enjoy a 1% box‑office share—note, this is global box office; for sold distribution rights, the amount sold counts as box office."

"A-level directors: possessing sixteen blockbuster films grants fixed B-level treatment; salary, they may film without limit per year, and enjoy a 3% box‑office share."

"I don't know if you all think there are any problems, or what needs to be changed."

Wang Tianlin directly raised his hand.

"Boss Yang, you mean I'm now a B-level director with a monthly salary of 8,100?"

Yang Qing looked at Chen Ziqiang.

Chen Ziqiang nodded.

"Director Wang has already met the standard you set, Boss Yang."

"Great, Uncle Tianlin is now our B-level director."

"Holy cow, the salary is that high? Where do directors today get such pay, plus box‑office shares—crucially, this share isn't split with the company and theaters; it's the total box office."

"A film grossing two million yields twenty thousand; shooting five or six a year, plus salary, that's several hundred thousand."

"Let his salary of several ten‑thousands be multiplied how many times?"

"Boss Yang, I support this; the ranking is great."

Other directors also nodded.

"Not bad, not bad, Boss Yang is excellent."

Yang Qing looked at Chen Zhiqiang.

Chen Ziqiang nodded slightly, feeling the ranking was quite reasonable.

A group of editors looked at Yang Qing, eyes full of hope.

Yang Qing smiled.

"Editors are also ranked, but their pay starts at 500, and the box‑office share is halved."

"Directors' work is far more complex than yours; getting a bit more is only fitting."

Afterward, Yang Qing looked at Chen Ziqiang.

"Let the crew split 3% of the box office of profitable films."

"What I've said are just frameworks; Manager Chen will study them later, make adjustments, make them reasonable, and satisfy most people."

"Management salaries won't be changed much; they'll be three‑tenths above market, and year‑end bonuses will be distributed according to company profits."

"The company's future equity incentives will also be distributed according to weighted contributions."

"These, Manager Chen, must be adjusted according to the framework set by Chief Hu, in light of Eternal Splendor's situation."

"Manager Chen, your salary—calculated as an annual salary—is temporarily 100,000; the rest depends on how much dividend you can get."

"Manager Chen, any problems? If so, I can make adjustments."

This salary is double his current salary.

There's also dividends; he thinks it's fine.

However, going forward we still need to see how the company develops; if it doesn't take off, all this is just a pie in the sky; if it does, the prospects are great—key is that this is work he enjoys.

"No objections, Boss Yang; if you take these benefits out, the whole Gangdao will be in an uproar—if Shaw Brothers knew, they'd probably lose sleep."

"However, Boss Yang, what about the actors? Should their benefits also change?"

Yang Qing nodded slightly.

"I want you to build a specialized economic department to commercialize the actors."

"Actors' contracts should also be graded A‑B‑C‑D; before signing a letter contract they are trainees, paid the basic wage of 120 per month; if they give a standout performance in a play, they can upgrade to a D‑level contract, wage 300, and apply for supporting‑role parts, guaranteed one supporting‑role slot per year."

"If a supporting role shines, they upgrade to a C‑level contract, wage 1,000, gaining eligibility for all roles, and each year they get at least one lead role and three supporting‑role opportunities."

"If a lead is very successful and the box office is respectable, they upgrade to a B‑level contract, wage 3,000, enjoy a 30% commercial cut, and are guaranteed at least three lead roles per year."

"If they star in seven consecutive hit lead‑role films, they upgrade to an A‑level contract: base wage, enjoy 2% box office, a 50% commercial cut, and have the right to set their own pay freely; furthermore they can take on work freely, not limited to the company."

If you achieve the performance of creating sixteen box-office hit starring films at our company, you will be upgraded to an ultimate S-class contract, with a monthly salary, 5% of box-office revenue, a 70% cut of business earnings, and you may use the company's resources to establish your own studio, independently take charge of film production, and enjoy the company's investment rights.

These are my opinions; how exactly to implement them still depends on your opinion.

Chen Ziqiang secretly rolled his eyes; you've already explained it in such detail, what more is there for me to bother about?

I'll follow your lead, but Manager Yang's plan sounds really good; however, the initial costs will also be high.

"Manager Yang, what about the funds?"

Don't just talk the talk; when it comes time to spend money, you'll feel reluctant again.

Yang Qing said domineeringly.

"Rest assured, since I proposed it, the initial funding will naturally be sufficient."

"I hope the company can get on track as soon as possible, letting Eternal Splendor Film Studio start operating."

"Get it on screen as soon as possible."

"Shaw's current focus is shifting to television; this is a rare opportunity for us."

"We need to be bolder, improve quality, and increase quantity."