Chapter 54: Maximizing benefits

Does Cao Yang have sincerity?

Of course he does, otherwise how could he have let the people from Sony Classics and MK2 come over before participating in the film festival.

If it were to maximize copyright benefits, he would definitely have to wait until the film won an award, so that the sold copyright would be more valuable and he could earn more US dollars.

But doing so would be a bit short-sighted.

For example, Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" received ten nominations at the Oscars and finally won four, ten nominations and four wins.

Did the judges give him ten nominations because his film was wonderful after he signed up for the Oscars?

How is that possible?

In the US, if you don't lobby and don't spend a lot of money, how can they give you nominations, and how can they let you win?

Which Oscar-winning film's lobbying operation fee doesn't cost hundreds of thousands, and that's in US dollars.

Who pays this money?

If you sell the copyright, the company that bought the copyright definitely decides whether to operate it, and they also pay for the operation. Of course, winning an award will bring greater benefits.

If you don't sell the copyright, you have to find a lobbying company yourself and pay for it yourself.

Cao Yang's purpose is very simple. Assuming he doesn't bring in Sony Classics and MK2, relying solely on the school, there is a great possibility of winning an award, but he can't maximize the benefits.

If Sony Classics and MK2 are added, it is possible to maximize the benefits.

Cao Yang assumes that this film can win an award in Venice, then the film's overseas copyright fee will be around 2.5 million to 3 million, in US dollars.

Why is it not as much money as the first film sold for?

The first film won two Silver Bears, so it definitely sold for more money.

Even if it wins an award this time, because there are no insiders in the jury, it is difficult to win two big awards. Even with the addition of fame, it is definitely not as valuable as the first film.

This is in the absence of special circumstances.

What are special circumstances? It is cooperating with Sony Classics and MK2.

Don't look at MK2's home field being Cannes, but this year they definitely have the ability to influence the Venice Film Festival.

Just at the Cannes Film Festival a while ago, Nanni Moretti, an Italian director supported by MK2, won the Palme d'Or at Cannes with "The Son's Room."

According to reliable news from Old Tian, the Venice Film Festival intends to invite Nanni Moretti to serve as the jury president this year.

MK2 has the ability to influence Nanni Moretti.

Cao Yang didn't know what Mikhalkov and Behrman talked about, but when Behrman saw Cao Yang again, his attitude was much more enthusiastic than before, and even to show closeness, he called Cao Yang "Cao" directly.

However, due to pronunciation problems, Cao Yang felt it was particularly awkward and quickly stopped him, telling him to call him by his full name.

One wanted to sell, one wanted to buy, and this copyright negotiation went particularly smoothly.

Moreover, unexpectedly for Cao Yang, the price given by Sony Classics was 200,000 US dollars higher than the last film, giving 1.7 million US dollars for copyrights outside Europe and Greater China.

MK2 still wanted the European copyright for 1.6 million US dollars.

Cao Yang didn't bargain too much. If the film didn't win an award, this price would definitely lose money.

Therefore, if you want to make money, go operate it for me.

If you want to make big money, work hard to operate it and win a few more awards for the film.

If you want to make huge money, then find a way to operate a Golden Lion!

After the negotiation, Cao Yang told Hou Ke Ming that he had sold the overseas copyright to Sony Classics and MK2.

Talking to smart people is easy. Cao Yang just mentioned it, and Hou Ke Ming understood immediately, saying directly that he would find the two parties to discuss Venice.

The three parties have common interests. Cao Yang believes they will definitely be able to talk very happily.

At the same time, Hou Ke Ming also told Cao Yang that the film had been submitted for review, and he would keep a close eye on it, and would definitely find ways to let the film pass the review as soon as possible. Moreover, Hou Ke Ming also intentionally reminded Cao Yang that he could discuss the matter of the film going to Venice more with Tian Zhuangzhuang.

The most annoying thing is a riddle-maker who only says half of what they mean!

Two days later, Mikhalkov and Behrman and the others were going back. Before leaving, Mikhalkov specifically found Cao Yang to give some personal advice.

He told Cao Yang that if the film wants to win the highest award at the European Big Three, besides luck, in the case of not lacking help, don't seek "completeness." You can try to take a different path, and going to the extreme might have an effect.

Going to the extreme?

Cao Yang understood Mikhalkov's meaning. Going to the extreme might hit the points of certain members of the upper echelons of the film festival, and they will get their strong support, which will make it easier to win the highest award.

The more extreme you go, the more perverted you play, the easier it is to get support. These European guys who do art are indeed a bit abnormal.

Although Cao Yang didn't understand Hou Ke Ming's deep meaning two days ago, the people from Sony Classics and MK2 were gone, so he was free. He went directly to Old Tian to ask and he would know.

Still the same restaurant as last time, the two ordered four dishes and a few bottles of beer, chatting while eating.

"How good would it be to have some white liquor? This stuff has no kick when drinking."

Old Tian drank a glass, shook his head, and complained to Cao Yang.

"Teacher said, let me watch you outside, can't let you drink excessively. I can't know it's wrong and still commit it." Cao Yang took a sip and said while picking up food.

!

Old Tian picked up some food, chewing while asking vaguely: "Just relaxed for two days, don't tell me you have ideas again."

"How could that be? I'm not a god. Polishing the script always takes time."

Old Tian picked up the glass and was about to drink, but put it down upon hearing this, and said in surprise: "You kid wouldn't really have ideas, right?"

"I do have some ideas, but not that fast. Even if I want to shoot, I have to wait until after the Venice Film Festival. Don't talk about this. Dean Hou told me that you have an acquaintance in Venice and told me to find you."

Cao Yang decided to bluff Old Tian to see if Old Tian was really like what Hou Ke Ming said.

Old Tian's hand picking up food paused, let out a "heh," put down his chopsticks, picked up the glass, and drank it in one gulp.

Is there really a special situation?

Cao Yang filled Old Tian's glass and said: "Senior Brother, if it's difficult, just pretend I didn't ask."

Old Tian was silent for a while, then sighed and said: "Actually, it's not a secret. I have a very good friend who particularly appreciates my talent and values me highly. Because of certain reasons, I was banned from directing for ten years, so I'm a bit embarrassed to ask him for help."

Without waiting for Cao Yang to ask, Old Tian drank another half glass of beer and said: "His name is Muller, an Italian. He came to China to study in '74 and likes Chinese films very much. Because we are similar in age, he is almost friends with the Fifth Generation directors you speak of..."

"Wait, wait..."

Cao Yang reached out to stop Old Tian's words, and he couldn't help but ask again: "What did you just say the person who values you is called?"

"What value, value! Value! It's value! We are good friends, pure friendship!"

Old Tian emphasized it several times before saying: "Muller, his name is Marco Muller. We all call him Old Ma. Otherwise, where do you think I got the ability to know in advance who the Venice Jury President will be?"

"Damn! You're good, Old Tian."

Cao Yang looked at Old Tian in surprise. He really didn't expect that while Hou Ke Ming was still hinting, Old Tian had already acted.

So he asked again: "Marco Muller, from '86, the Asian selection person in charge of the Venice Film Festival, and he still holds the position of Asian selection person in charge until now, is it him?"

Old Tian nodded and asked with some confusion: "He is indeed the Asian selection person in charge of the Venice Film Festival, but what does it mean to still hold it? Did he become the chairman of another film festival? Is it Rotterdam or Locarno?"

Old Tian, Old Tian, your information is too closed. It seems that you haven't really cared about these things in the years you haven't been a director.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 55 =====