Chapter 395

The Berlin Film Festival and the Oscars almost overlapped in terms of holding time.

This year, the Berlin Film Festival announced the final list of films entering the main competition unit on January 18th, while the time for the Oscars to announce the nomination list was January 22nd, only four days apart.

The Berlin Film Festival is held from February 7th to 18th, which means the awards ceremony is held on February 18th.

The Oscar awards ceremony is on February 24th, 6 days apart from the Berlin Film Festival awards ceremony.

That is to say, after Cao Yang finishes participating in the Berlin Film Festival, he almost has no time to stay in Berlin to socialize, and he has to rush to Los Angeles.

The Oscars also need rehearsals.

Of course, this is based on the premise that Cao Yang's *Manchester by the Sea* can win an award; if it can't win an award, there is no need to stay until the end, and even less need to stay to participate in a series of official and unofficial social events.

But then again, in order to expand influence, Dieter Kosslick, the chairman of the Berlin Film Festival, had finally established a good relationship with Cao Yang and was dangling the Berlin Jin Xiong to hook Cao Yang.

With such an interest relationship, how could Dieter Kosslick possibly play Cao Yang?

The Berlin Jin Xiong might be a bit difficult, but winning an award is not difficult.

Cao Yang himself also knows that winning the Jin Xiong is a bit difficult, but since he is going to the Berlin Film Festival, he must try.

Trying might still give him a chance, and even if he doesn't win, maybe he can make Dieter Kosslick feel like he owes him a favor.

In view of this, Cao Yang decided to go to Berlin a week early to see if he could operate it; he always has to try, right?

Excluding personal factors, such as Marco Müller, the current chairman of the Venice Film Festival who is obviously friendly to China, the Berlin Film Festival is actually the most friendly film festival to China among the European Big Three.

However, the Berlin Film Festival has one point that is extremely unfriendly to China, such as the holding time; every year, the holding time is almost during the Spring Festival.

This year, the Berlin Film Festival opens on February 7th; this day happens to be the first day of the Chinese New Year.

Cao Yang going to Berlin seven days early indicates that he will not be able to spend the New Year at home this year either.

Different from Cao Yang, Ning Hao, who was sent by him to serve as the executive producer for the *The Dark Knight* crew directed by Nolan, returned to the country before Cao Yang set off for Berlin.

"How is it? Those Americans didn't make things difficult for you, right?"

Cao Yang signaled Ning Hao to sit down and asked with a smile.

Ning Hao didn't sit down, but first went to brew two cups of tea, placed one in front of Cao Yang, and then sat down.

"How could they? They know I'm your person, and I'm an executive producer with considerable power; who would dare to make things difficult for me? They aren't idiots; they definitely don't want to be kicked out of the crew."

Ning Hao said, taking two boxes of cigars out of his bag, naturally pulling open the drawer in front of him, putting them in, and not forgetting to say:

"Director Nolan is also quite good; he is very friendly to me and also very supportive of my work. With your support and Director Nolan's support, can't I walk sideways in the crew?"

Cao Yang pointed to the drawer and scolded with a smile: "Good kid, are you bribing me?"

"Haha, look at what you're saying, where is that coming from? This isn't for you."

Ning Hao explained with a smile: "Doesn't Teacher Situ love to smoke? When I was with the crew, this was a cigar given to me by Director Nolan, saying it was purely handmade."

Saying this, he also gave Cao Yang a wink with an expression everyone understood, whispering: "It is said that this was hand-rolled on the thighs of virgins; Americans with some power especially like this style."

Then, he used a normal voice: "You know, I'm not used to smoking this stuff, and leaving it with me is a waste, so I thought of Teacher Situ.

I'm not very familiar with the old man, so I'll trouble you to make a trip and help me send it to Teacher Situ."

Cao Yang pointed at Ning Hao with his finger and smiled; this guy's emotional intelligence is beyond words, and he has some real skills; it is inevitable that he can make a name for himself.

"By the way, there is one more thing."

Ning Hao whispered mysteriously again: "I've shot an MV for Da Tiantian before, you know, right? That little girl in your new film, named Jing Tian, is a student at our Beijing Film Academy."

"Hmm, I know. It is said that in order to invite you, a director with a box office of over 100 million, to take this job, they spent a lot of money."

Ning Hao looked embarrassed, touched the back of his head, and chuckled.

"Yesterday, Jing Tian's agency contacted me again, asking me how much money it would take to get the Best Newcomer Actress award at the Berlin Film Festival."

Ning Hao chuckled again and whispered: "They know my relationship with you; they definitely couldn't ask you directly, so they came through me to inquire about the possibility; they are willing to spend up to 20 million."

"Best Newcomer Actress..."

Cao Yang pondered for a moment without answering directly.

This award is not a permanent award of the Berlin Film Festival; it belongs to a consolation award, and it is also an award specially set up sometimes when the cake cannot be divided evenly.

For Cao Yang, this award is like a chicken rib, but for a newcomer who has just debuted, this is an opportunity to become famous quickly; after all, no matter what, it is also a Berlin Silver Bear.

"Her role has too few scenes; it's not suitable for winning Best Newcomer Actress."

Cao Yang said to Ning Hao.

For Cao Yang, wanting to operate a consolation award like Best Newcomer Actress is very easy, and Dieter Kosslick, the chairman of the Berlin Film Festival, is also very willing to let Cao Yang "owe" him a favor.

But operating Best Newcomer for such a role without many lines is too unnecessary; it's not worth it to use up a favor for this.

This is not a matter of money; money is just a number to Cao Yang now.

For example, *The New Pirates of the Caribbean*, which is still in theaters, has already grossed 960 million USD globally, and it really might push for 1 billion USD.

You must know that as long as the global box office reaches 1 billion USD, according to Cao Yang's contract with Disney, his share will directly increase to the astronomical figure of 25%.

Even if calculated only at 1 billion USD, 25% is 250 million USD.

Perhaps some people will feel that this proportion is too high and simply impossible.

People who say this just don't understand Hollywood.

First of all, this 25% proportion is not a common case, but a tiered treaty that increases according to the box office, somewhat similar to a gambling agreement.

If this film cannot reach a global box office of 1 billion USD, Cao Yang's share proportion will fall into the 800 million USD tier; according to the agreement, he can get an 18% global box office share.

Actually, for such a super A-level blockbuster, given Cao Yang's current status and influence, a reasonable share proportion is about between 10% and 13%.

Furthermore, given Cao Yang's experience of never having a failed film, people in Hollywood are also very superstitious; they are very superstitious about constant winners, so this maximum proportion can still be negotiated, but under normal circumstances, it is impossible to exceed 15%.

In addition, don't think that Disney isn't making money by giving Cao Yang a 25% proportion.

If the film can reach the 1 billion USD level, they will only make more money.

At the 1 billion USD level, whether the box office makes money or not doesn't matter.

These are all small change.

The real big money is the expected revenue.

For example, Disney released a film at the 1 billion USD level; reflected in the stock market, it will definitely rise sharply.

With a volume of hundreds or thousands of billions, a casual sharp rise is not a matter of a few hundred million USD.

Next, if Disney releases a sequel plan, it can make a big profit in the stock market again.

This is just the stock market; there are also subsequent peripheral revenue, disc rental and pay-per-view revenue, new media copyright revenue, etc., which is another wave of not-so-small money.

Moreover, what is Disney famous for?

Of course, it's amusement parks.

It is foreseeable that *The New Pirates of the Caribbean* becoming a big hit will definitely drive a wave of global enthusiasm for playing this amusement project; the increase in the number of people playing will be reflected in the stock market...

In addition, don't think that this share proportion is unrealistic; Hollywood has a so-called 20 million club.

Of course, this is not a real club, but a description of a Hollywood star who, after becoming a big hit, has a film salary reaching 20 million USD, and the share proportion can reach up to 20%.

20% is not the limit.

Especially for sequel films.

Hollywood films, generally, as long as they haven't signed a contract for several films in advance, why do most sequels only have three parts even if they make money?

That's because after exceeding three parts, the stars' salaries and shares can be frighteningly high.

*The Avengers* is explosive enough, right? Why is it difficult to continue shooting?

Because the salaries and shares of several lead actors are so high that the producers are deterred.