Chapter 195: Negotiation

David Geffen's arrival did indeed provide Wu Yuchen with one more choice.

The first two conditions were fine, mainly the full copyright thing. Earning is earning. Costs like publicity and other miscellaneous expenses simply couldn't be deducted from this. The accounts wouldn't be easy to do, and it wouldn't be possible to have a situation like *Harry Potter* where the lead actor was pitted.

Now the films Wu Yuchen invests in himself are all North American box office shares, and other copyrights are sold, because he doesn't have the channel to profit from other aspects. Even if the seven majors suppress the price, if something worth 100 is suppressed to 40 or 50, he can only acknowledge it.

But full copyright is directly shared from the channel. Every time a contract is settled, a portion of the revenue will be directly withheld. Without exaggeration, 20% full copyright is more profitable than the 40% or even 50% he invests as Miracle Pictures.

However, it doesn't mean that because of this, he has to join DreamWorks. Their strength itself isn't as good as the seven majors, and the channels still have to rely on Paramount. The profits born from films in DreamWorks' hands are naturally not as much as the seven majors. You have to know they are still being suppressed by the seven majors now.

Whether to join DreamWorks and who to choose for the cooperation of the next film, Wu Yuchen really has to carefully consider.

At the same time, this also reminded him that he is indeed highly valued in Hollywood now, to the point that the seven majors have started to reach a certain tacit understanding.

However, he didn't lie to David Geffen. Now his energy is indeed mostly on *The Sixth Sense*, especially the handling of the North American overseas copyright part. Such a big cake must be carefully broken down with Disney. But he didn't take the initiative to find Disney to mention this matter, but wanted to wait for Disney to come to him. Now it's a matter of who has more patience.

In the sixth week, *The Sixth Sense* collected another 24.64 million. After 28 days of release, the North American total box office reached 280 million, breaking the North American box office record of *Jaws*, and also surpassing the global total box office of *The Silence of the Lambs*. It is a genuine number-one horror film in box office, and Disney couldn't sit still anymore.

"Hey, Wu, I think it's necessary for both sides to chat about the subsequent publicity strategy, as well as the overseas box office."

Wu Yuchen frowned upon hearing this, but didn't refute. Since the other party dared to expose this number, they weren't afraid of him checking it. And based on his perception during this period, Disney did indeed spend quite a bit on this publicity. Even if it didn't reach 61 million, it should have been over 50 million.

"Respected Director Wu, according to professional organizations and our internal forecasts at Disney, the final North American box office for *The Sixth Sense* should be 330 million USD, and the global box office will be 700 million USD..."

Afterward, he looked at Miles: "*The Sixth Sense* has excellent word-of-mouth, and the box office trend is very healthy. The weekly box office drop hasn't exceeded 25%, and most are within 20%. In a week, its North American box office will reach 300 million, and within a month, the box office will exceed 330 million, and the total box office..."

Thanks to the large number of opening cinemas Wu Yuchen fought for and the promotion, the box office trend of *The Sixth Sense* in the first few weeks was far better than in his past life. And he remembered the box office trend of *The Sixth Sense* in his past life very clearly, because the long-tail effect of this film was very powerful. After the weekly box office dropped below 10 million, it stayed in cinemas for more than half a year, achieving nearly 70 million in box office. If Disney put in the effort to operate it well, rushing to 400 million really wasn't impossible.

Unlike the negotiation with Fox's professional team last time for *Phone Booth*, this time Disney only had this Miles bring an assistant over.

"Mr. Miles, do you want to chat about overseas box office first, or do you want to chat about publicity first?"

"Wu, we can settle it for you based on 330 million right now. Disney will be responsible for whatever publicity expenses remain, how about that?"

Miles nodded upon hearing this, then signaled to the assistant beside him. The assistant took out a document and said to Wu Yuchen:

Inviting the person to sit down and serving tea, Wu Yuchen asked casually:

"Wu, if you are willing for us to continue to smash publicity expenses, then no problem. I think we can smash it to 400 million USD in North American box office!"

This time, a senior executive who could make decisions came directly from Disney, and he had to come, because if it dragged on any longer, overseas distribution would be delayed.

Wu Yuchen smiled upon hearing this and directly waved his hand: "330 million is too little. Even if you do nothing, *The Sixth Sense* will definitely reach this number."

Just as he said this, Wu Yuchen interrupted: "Too little."

Wu Yuchen sighed in his heart. The seven majors hold the publicity part, basically standing in an invincible position forever, naturally occupying a huge advantage. Afterward, he simply asked directly: "Miles, then what good proposal do you have?"

Wu Yuchen stretched out one hand and held up four fingers: "It's not that I'm bragging, it might even hit 400 million in box office!"

"Wu, you should know that actually they can't be separated, they have a close connection. The reason I only brought one person instead of a team this time is precisely because I don't want to consume too much time on this matter, otherwise the interests of both sides will be affected."

"Of course, I have been waiting for your arrival~" Wu Yuchen said with a smile.

Afterward, Miles shrugged and said: "But do you think it's cost-effective to do so? I don't think you will necessarily be willing."

"Of course, Mr. Miles, on this point, my opinion is consistent with yours."

At this time, the assistant spoke at the right time: "61 million."

Miles smiled upon hearing this and then said to Wu Yuchen: "Wu, I didn't come today to argue too much with you. Maybe the possibility you mentioned exists, but you have to understand one point: high box office is built on the basis of publicity. Do you know how much the North American publicity expense for *The Sixth Sense* is now?"

"How about 340 million..."

Seeing Wu Yuchen was about to refuse again, Miles hurriedly said: "Wu, listen to me finish. 340 million settlement, in addition, our Disney will also help *The Sixth Sense*, and you personally, to impact the Oscars!"

Wu Yuchen's words that were about to be said were stuck in his throat. He looked at Miles and weighed his language before asking: "Impact the Oscars? To what extent is this impact you're talking about?"

Miles revealed a smile upon hearing this: "Nominations for important awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. At the very least, we will help you secure one. As for winning the award, we can't guarantee that. No one dares to say they are sure to win an Oscar golden statue!"

The reason Disney is willing to do this is, on one hand, *The Sixth Sense* indeed has very good word-of-mouth. Although it is a horror theme, the core expression is the emotion and mutual tolerance and understanding between people. From the current critics and public opinion, there is confidence in getting it into the nominations.

On the other hand, if *The Sixth Sense* can get nominations or even win, it will also be very beneficial for their overseas distribution. The promotional effect of the Oscars in this day and age is very strong, which can save them quite a bit of publicity expenses overseas.

Wu Yuchen's thoughts turned in his brain, and then he said: "Just nominations? Miles, I don't think exchanging tens of millions of box office shares for nominations is a cost-effective deal."

Miles shook his finger and said: "Wu, first of all, whether *The Sixth Sense* can achieve such a high box office is still unknown. We are willing to settle based on 3.4 billion in box office, which is already very sincere. This is a risk for us."

"Secondly, if you agree. After you sign the contract, you can get the revenue without waiting for more than a year. We can settle it within three months. You also know that time is the most precious."

"Finally, Oscar nominations aren't as easy as you imagine. Trust me, although you are already very famous, with your connections in Hollywood, whether you can get this nomination is really not certain. But with the help of our Disney, there basically won't be any accidents."

"And you have to know, Oscar nominations aren't useless. Every time you are nominated, you will accumulate a certain number of points in the hearts of the academy judges. When your points are enough, getting an Oscar will become much easier. If your points exceed, even the media will shout the slogan that the Oscars owe you a golden statue!"

Wu Yuchen fell into deep thought and then asked: "How is the overseas copyright calculated?"

Miles revealed a smile: "Overseas box office is also calculated based on 3.4 billion."

Wu Yuchen immediately said loudly: "Hey! Miles, are you joking? Overseas box office will be 100 million more than North American box office!"

"Wu, you can't guarantee that overseas audiences will appreciate *The Sixth Sense* as much as North American audiences."

"Miles, you are arguing sophistry. For most Hollywood films, overseas box office is more than 20% higher than North America!"

"But this also relies on our publicity, which will cost a lot of publicity expenses!"

"Forget it! With the sensational effect in North America, and Bruce Willis, a big star with great drawing power, the global publicity work for *The Sixth Sense* will be very easy."

"Where would it be as simple as you say? And this time Bruce has no action scenes at all. Who knows if the audience will accept it? There is a huge risk..." Miles also opened his arms and retorted loudly.

Wu Yuchen sneered:

"Heh, if Disney is really so worried about the high risk of *The Sixth Sense*, then I suggest handing over the overseas distribution to other companies. I think whether it's Warner, Sony, or Fox, they are all very willing to give a reasonable quote!"

Miles' tone stalled, then his face returned to a smile, and he said to Wu Yuchen: "Wu, I don't think there is any need for this. We can discuss whatever we have."

"Overseas box office 4.5 billion, this is the result *The Sixth Sense* deserves!"

"Impossible, this result is too high, it can't be talked about at all, 3.5 billion."

"4.4 billion, I think Sony is willing to buy the distribution rights at this standard!"

"No, no, no, we Disney don't agree to sell it to others, 3.6 billion, this is the highest price we can give!"

At this time, the two of them no longer had the calm they started with and began to fight with red faces and thick necks around the price.

In the end, Disney was willing to use 350 million USD for North American box office and 390 million USD for overseas box office as the calculation price.

Based on this standard, the two sides then negotiated the price of overseas distribution rights, 100 million; the price of global discs and videotapes, 120 million; other copyrights such as television rights and peripheral authorization prices, 30 million. This totaled 250 million.

However, Disney didn't have to pay 250 million to Miracle Pictures, because Disney itself occupied 25% of the investment, so Miracle Pictures got 75% of 250 million, which is 187.5 million.

In addition to this, there is the North American box office share. Because this time *The Sixth Sense* has the combination of Wu Yuchen and Bruce Willis, plus Disney's right to speak, the box office share of the film side is quite high. 350 million box office averages out to about 66% of the film side share, which is 230 million.

Then, in this 230 million, there is Wu Yuchen's 10% North American box office share, 35 million. There is Disney's 12% distribution fee, 42 million. After this deduction, 153 million remains.

Then this 153 million has to be deducted by Disney's 61 million publicity expenses. What really falls into the hands of the film side is 92 million.

This isn't over yet. Miracle Pictures has to share with Disney again. 75% of 92 million is 69 million.

That is to say, for a 350 million North American box office, Miracle Pictures only earned 69 million in hand. If the 45 million investment is deducted, it made a profit of 24 million.

Of course, counting the total revenue, it's much more. Miracle Pictures can enter 256 million, and Wu Yuchen's personal bonus is 35 million. 291 million USD in revenue—a huge sum of money!

So it really depends on selling copyrights to earn money!

At the time, Disney couldn't pay it all at once, and it was also paid in installments according to the contract. The first payment was 80 million, and the follow-up was settled within half a year.

Wu Yuchen sighed in his heart. His *The Sixth Sense* counts as 740 million in total box office, which is also a very high box office. As a result, his Miracle Pictures invested 75%, plus his personal share, only earned 290 million, less than 300 million.

And Spielberg's *Jurassic Park* box office was 970 million, but his full copyright share could reach 250 million!

It can be seen how fierce the channels of the seven major Hollywood studios are!

He is now interested in this full copyright share, and he must plan for this in the next one.

Now there are only a few people in Hollywood who can take full copyright revenue. Among actors, for example, the currently hottest Tom Cruise in Hollywood, he took it in *Mission: Impossible*.

Miles saw Wu Yuchen's expression and couldn't help but say: "Wu, are you still not happy after earning so much?"

Wu Yuchen glanced at Miles. This time Disney is equivalent to buying out the subsequent revenue rights of *The Sixth Sense*. Although Disney only invested 25%, he felt that relying on channels and operations, the other party earned more than his 75% investment.

Wu Yuchen shook his head and said: "I am very happy, Miles, but I think you Disney will be happier!"

Miles probably also understood the meaning in Wu Yuchen's words and said directly with a smile: "Wu, in Hollywood, don't think about comparing with the seven majors. The power of the seven majors isn't something that an individual or a few people can contend with!" ===== CHAPTER 196 =====