Sivis said with a bitter face, "Publicity and marketing costs are already very high."
“This is a sequel, so it's already generating buzz, which will significantly reduce marketing costs,” Cao Kun said. “If that’s your attitude, then we don’t need to talk anymore.”
"I also need to seriously consider whether to collaborate with Universal on 'Fast & Furious'."
"No, let's talk some more," Sivis said hastily.
This negotiation, of course, cannot be concluded in a single day.
Cao Kun didn't have time to waste with Sivis, so he handed over all the responsibility to Seiko Yamashita and his lawyer Mia to negotiate with Universal.
After a protracted negotiation, Universal gave up 10 percentage points and took 20% of the issuance fees.
This is already the bottom line for Global Times.
After all, they have to pay for the publicity and distribution costs upfront.
10% is not a small percentage.
Based on a global box office of $200 million, Universal gave up $20 million.
There is a high probability that this box office figure can be achieved.
This doesn't even include family income.
If Cao Kun didn't have so many options, even if they beat Universal, they wouldn't be willing to give up so many profits.
Cao Kun was satisfied with the fee.
Even if you were to choose another company, the price wouldn't be lower than this.
Unless, of course, they try to save money on marketing and promotion.
After careful consideration, Cao Kun did not switch companies and chose to continue cooperating with Universal.
Universal's promise goes a step further than the first film, guaranteeing at least 1,500 screens for release, also during Halloween.
For a horror film with a budget of only $3 million, this is already an S-level or higher treatment.
Meanwhile, when Mia signed the distribution contract on behalf of Cao Kun, Cao Kun was filming "Fast & Furious".
Now, the entire crew revolves around him.
Aside from acting, whatever he says goes, and no one dares to object or refute him.
He received the best treatment in every way.
Cao Kun finally understood why so many people wanted to be the protagonist.
He is not only the protagonist in movies, but also seems to be the protagonist in everyone's life.
Everyone follows his lead, and that feeling is really great.
Of course, Cao Kun receives this treatment because he is the boss and the investor.
The others were chosen because they were big stars.
A movie relies on the popularity and fame of big stars to promote it and make money.
Newcomers, even the main characters, don't get this treatment.
Cao Kun had read in the news and some gossip that the "Fast & Furious" crew was one of the most troublesome film crews.
Diesel is always causing trouble and bullying other actors.
Later, two more people joined: The Rock - Bald Sen and Jason - Bald Sen.
Things kept happening every day, leaving the producer and director overwhelmed.
But now, the Fast and Furious crew is arguably one of the most harmonious film crews in the world.
Everyone got along very well, and the whole crew was filled with love.
Yes, Michelle often found opportunities to openly express her love to Cao Kun, trying to seduce him into doing something.
Jessica, on the other hand, acted very subtly, like a naive girl who was new to the world and had just entered society.
However, she would always intentionally or unintentionally reveal a slender waist and a deep cleavage in front of Cao Kun, showcasing her feminine charm.
After Cao Kun discovers it, she will then act shy and coy.
Cao Kun sighed inwardly, thinking that none of the women in Hollywood were easy to get along with.
But these are all minor issues and will not affect the filming schedule of "Fast & Furious".
On the contrary, the progress often exceeded Lin Yibin's expectations, which greatly surprised him.
That is, spending money like water every day was the first time Cao Kun witnessed the embodiment of this phrase.
To date, Cao Kun has spent more than $30 million.
But we've only made it a little over halfway.
The later stages haven't even started yet.
The original estimate of 50 million was simply not enough.
It now appears that we may need to add another ten million or so.
In this way, Cao Kun will probably have to invest all of the 6 million he just earned, plus the 5 million he earned from Little Li.
The cost of materials for Cao Kun's cultivation, plus the purchase of another batch of amulet coins, the previous purchase of the Han Eight-Sided Sword, and other expenses, amounted to more than 20 million.
In addition, there are taxes totaling over 30 million.
Currently, Cao Kun has only a little over 40 million US dollars left.
For ordinary people, this is enough to live a carefree and comfortable life.
But for him, that was far from enough.
Perhaps even purchasing a powerful magical artifact wouldn't be enough.
Cao Kun originally wanted to allocate some money to invest in stocks, but now he's hesitant to do so.
"Damn, watch your temper. You're a police officer with a sense of justice, not a sinister assassin. Be more positive and don't be so scary."
Behind the monitor, Lin Yibin called "cut," signaling Cao Kun to adjust his expression and the aura he exuded.
Cao Kun had the most takes during the entire filming process.
Even the three newcomers, Diesel, Jessica, and Michelle, combined didn't have as many NGs as he did.
This is also one of the reasons for the increased filming costs.
After all, we were shooting on film, not with the digital equipment of later generations.
Each time a NG (no good) occurs, it costs a lot of money.
This is only possible because Cao Kun is the boss; if it were any other actor, they would have been severely criticized.
Cao Kun was helpless. It was his first time acting seriously, and he lacked experience. He would often reveal his true nature, which made the actors he was acting with feel scared.
Fortunately, as filming progressed, he gradually mastered some techniques, reducing the number of takes.
However, there is still a significant gap compared to professional actors.
"You'd better be sunny, but with a touch of roguishness."
"It's like a good person pretending to be a bad person."
Lin Yibin patiently explained the play to Cao Kun.
"This character has three layers. One is that he is a policeman, a good person."
"One is an undercover agent, who has to look like a bad guy."
"The last one is someone who looks like a bad guy, but isn't actually a bad guy."
Cao Kun: "Do you think I can portray this level of depth?"
Lin Yibin: "Of course it doesn't need to be that precise. This isn't an Oscar-nominated art film. As long as it fits the description in some way, that's fine."
"I'll give it a try."
Cao Kun frowned.
What followed was a series of retakes.
Then, Diesel acted with him again and again.
In another world, Diesel would have already lost his temper and quit, but now, he doesn't dare.
After so many takes, Cao Kun began to regret taking on the lead role.
However, considering that this might be an effective way to combat his inner demons in the future, he patiently continued to do his job as an actor.
Finally, after 21 takes, this one was a success.
Diesel plopped down on the ground, he was almost exhausted.
"Boss, can you please stop torturing me like this?" Diesel pleaded with Cao Kun, downing a bottle of mineral water in one gulp.
Compared to Cao Kun, Diesel's terrible acting deserves an Oscar.
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