Chapter 42: Signing

"For this, we increased our offer, yet you still refused."

The other party paused, looking at Lin Nan, "Since you accepted this face-to-face invitation, then please state your asking price."

"I can forgo the fee."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room suddenly grew tense.

"You want a share?" another Lionsgate executive's eyes widened.

Tang Mu also looked at Lin Nan in shock, wearing an expression of disbelief; he was frightened by Lin Nan's idea.

"Impossible, your appetite is too big; Lionsgate will not accept that."

The first executive said with a serious face, and Wan Ziren was equally unable to believe what he had heard.

If Lin Nan were an old hand who had been mixing in Hollywood, it might be possible to get a share, but to open his mouth like this on his first visit was truly unrealistic.

"Listen to me finish first." Lin Nan sat up straight, unhurried.

"First of all, how is the script? Is it not high quality, Director Wan Ziren?" Lin Nan asked.

Wan Ziren nodded subconsciously, and by the time he came to his senses, it was too late.

Lin Nan smiled, "Horror as a genre, although not mainstream, has a very stable audience, is very easy to produce results, and can sell for high box office. Isn't the reason you keep wanting the script because you are optimistic that it can earn high box office?"

"The last point, have you forgotten? I am not just a screenwriter; my primary identity is a director, a Berlin Silver Bear winner for Best Director! I can completely film it myself and find another company to distribute it. Aside from actors, the thing Hollywood has the most of is film companies."

Finishing in one breath, Lin Nan stopped speaking, and the people from Lionsgate fell silent.

What Lin Nan said was all very reasonable; Hollywood does not lack actors or film companies, but it does lack good scripts and good directors. Lin Nan seemed to have both, and horror film investments are generally not high. Lionsgate specializes in B-movies, so they understood this logic.

Lin Nan is a Chinese director who won a Silver Bear, and behind him is the massive Chinese market, which is also a big cake that Hollywood has long coveted.

In this instant, the two Lionsgate executives thought of many, many things.

Wan Ziren was also ruminating on Lin Nan's words; they really were not without reason. Having a Silver Bear director film a horror movie was, in itself, a very strong gimmick.

"Today, if I walk out of here, there will certainly be many companies interested in the scripts in my hands, *Insidious* or perhaps *Dead Silence*..."

Lin Nan sat there, speaking softly, every word sounding heavy in the ears of the Lionsgate executives.

Tang Mu looked at Lin Nan as if he had discovered a new continent; the people from Lionsgate seemed to have been handled.

"*Insidious* and *Dead Silence* are absolutely not inferior to *Saw*." Wan Ziren couldn't help but say; he didn't want to miss these two films, and *Insidious* was even a series.

"By the way, Tang Mu previously helped me obtain the rights to a novel. Last month, I adapted it into a series script, *The Conjuring*. Director Wan can check it at the guild; it is very suitable for you..."

"Okay, okay, I will find time to take a look," Wan Ziren replied.

"How much of a share do you want?" one executive spoke up.

Wan Ziren and Tang Mu both looked at that Lionsgate executive, "Did Lin Nan really succeed?"

Finally waiting for these words, Lin Nan kept his composure, "We can establish a long-term cooperative relationship. You know, I am a director and also a screenwriter. Tang Mu helped me register so many original scripts and bought many novel copyrights; it is impossible for me not to deal with Hollywood."

"State your asking price."

"20%."

"The North American market is very large. Lionsgate is the first Hollywood film company I have contacted. In the future, whether it is film distribution or co-production, I will prioritize working with Lionsgate."

It was evident that the two people opposite him had serious expressions. After Lin Nan finished speaking, one person left, and after less than half an hour, he returned.

"We agree to your conditions, not just because of the script, but also because of your age and achievements."

"In your country, you are the youngest major commercial director; we hope you will be the second Zhang Yimou."

Hearing this last sentence, Lin Nan didn't know whether to be happy or angry—can't I just be myself?

"You will not regret the decision made today. Happy cooperation."

"Happy cooperation. We hope you will become a long-term partner and friend of Lionsgate."

Lin Nan and Tang Mu were seen out of Lionsgate. The contracts for *Dead Silence* and *Insidious* were scheduled to be signed at Lionsgate on the 8th. Lin Nan used the script copyrights as his form of investment, accounting for a 20% share. Tang Mu needed to hurry and help Lin Nan hire some professional lawyers.

On the way back to the hotel, Tang Mu kept talking excitedly, "Lin, I will help you book the lawyers today; you are simply too amazing..."

"However, for the signing the day after tomorrow, Lionsgate should arrange for reporters. Your identity will also be a promotional highlight. The three major European festivals also carry a lot of weight in Hollywood, no worse than they do in your place."

Lin Nan was mentally prepared for this; having media was also good, as it would just help him promote himself.

With so many scripts, there must be partners. Lionsgate focuses on B-movies and cannot digest many, while Lin Nan's base is in the country; having more partners here only benefits him.

"Lin, have you ever thought about opening a company here?"

"No such plans at the moment, maybe after a while. By then, I'll have you come work for me," Lin Nan joked.

"Haha, then you'll have to pay me an annual salary, otherwise no deal."

Tang Mu sent Lin Nan back to the hotel and went to contact lawyers, frankly stating that the more elite they were, the higher the price, and some even charged by the hour. Lin Nan waved his hand, indicating these were not issues.

With the remaining day or so, Lin Nan paid attention to the American stock market and several stocks that could be held long-term, such as Amazon, Google..., as well as Apple, which had not yet gone public.

"Tang Mu, you need to add an item to our agency contract: help me buy stocks long-term. For companies that haven't gone public, try to help me get some..."

Tang Mu was a bit puzzled by Lin Nan's request, but was very happy to have an extra commission.

"No problem..."

Lin Nan planned to use the money earned from *Blind Mountain* for these things. In the country, he was just keeping an eye on Tencent; he would continue to earn money and keep buying in the future.

Real estate is a business with ten thousand times the profit, but that is too damaging to one's character. Lin Nan would rather invest and earn money elsewhere than touch houses. As for buying one to live in, that doesn't matter; perhaps he won't even need to buy a house himself in the future.

"There are many high-quality companies and stocks, so let's start with these few. Who told me I only have this much capital right now?" For a moment, Lin Nan really wanted *Crazy Stone* to be released immediately.

After finishing his investment and financial plan, Lin Nan waited for the signing on the 8th.

A large part of the reason Lionsgate agreed to Lin Nan's conditions was that such films have low production costs and short shooting times. As long as there is a high-quality script, they can be filmed and released quickly, and there is a high probability of profit.

They had carefully read those scripts; they were absolutely not weaker than *Saw*. If handed to Wan Ziren to direct, they could be filmed and released in a month or two, and the marketing department was very optimistic about the box office forecasts.

Besides that, Lin Nan's identity was another layer of the reason. As a young major director from that market of over a billion people, cooperating with him would be beneficial for Lionsgate to better enter the mainland.

On the 8th, as Tang Mu said, Lionsgate invited many media outlets to witness this signing: the cooperation signing ceremony between Lionsgate and the famous Chinese director.

The person in charge at Lionsgate said, "Director Lin Nan, as a Berlin Silver Bear winner for Best Director and also a famous screenwriter, will use the copyrights of the *Dead Silence* and *Insidious* series as investment, accounting for 20% of all profit earnings from these two films, and will establish a long-term cooperative relationship with Lionsgate..."

Discerning people could see the significance of this signing. Lionsgate not only obtained the scripts it wanted and made friends with this Chinese director, but it was also a great help for Lionsgate films to enter that market.

The numerous scripts and copyrights owned by Lin Nan were also reported for the first time.

The expensive lawyer fees were not spent in vain. Three elite lawyers carefully reviewed the contract prepared by Lionsgate to ensure their client's interests were protected, and only then did Lin Nan sign the contract.

After the signing, Lionsgate prepared a celebratory banquet for Lin Nan. At the banquet, the latter met many Hollywood independent producers, film companies, and actors.

Over the past period, they had noticed some very mature and high-quality film scripts appearing in the Writers Guild, and this time they finally saw the author of these scripts.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, they became new acquaintances and exchanged business cards and contact information. Lin Nan specifically had Tang Mu make a batch of business cards for him, with only his name and email address on them.

Independent film companies and the Big Eight still didn't get along very well; the shadows of those giants were not seen at the reception.

"Lin, looking forward to working with you."

"Thank you."

"Your script is great, the company also has intentions..."

The next day, Lin Nan appeared in Hollywood newspapers as a screenwriter and Berlin Silver Bear director.

Immediately following this, Lionsgate told Lin Nan that they would immediately start preparing for the production of *Dead Silence*. It wouldn't take long; it would definitely be released in the second half of the year.

The performance of *Dead Silence* would also be the stepping stone for Lin Nan to truly enter Hollywood; there would be no shortage of film companies watching from the sidelines.

When the news reached the country, there was an uproar.

"Famous young director participates in Lionsgate film production."

"Lin Nan makes his first foray into Hollywood."

"He is not just a director, but also a screenwriter..."

There are many Chinese people who have ventured into Hollywood as actors, but this is the first time one has participated in Hollywood film production as a producer and screenwriter.

When Zhu Yawen saw this news, it was Wang Jinghua who called him, "Damn, I said he was clattering away in the dorm all day; was it really a script?"

"You knew?" Wang Jinghua asked in surprise.

Zhu Yawen nodded. He had even joked with Lin Nan, but it ended up being a slap in his own face; Lin Nan really had registered scripts in Hollywood.

"Yawen, you are really lucky," Wang Jinghua said unexpectedly.

"Huh?" Zhu Yawen was stunned at first, then understood what Wang Jinghua meant.

The film and television circle almost all knew about Lin Nan's time in Santa Monica, his signing with Lionsgate, the share of the films, and that he still had many scripts registered with the Hollywood Writers Guild.

Ning Hao and Enlight Media's first reaction was to raise the promotion of *Crazy Stone* to another level.

*Crazy Stone* was also written by Lin Nan; this gimmick would only attract more attention under these circumstances.