Chapter 20 Copyright
All the work in the filming stage is completed.
Lu Yang would bring all the filmed footage to the editing department of China Film Group to have the footage edited by a master.
The material goes through several processes including rough cutting, fine cutting and fine editing, plus post-production, soundtrack, subtitles, etc., before the final film is truly formed.
Of course, the director’s participation is indispensable throughout the entire process, because all decisions are made by the director.
These have little to do with Gu Wei. According to the early contract with China Film, [Gu Wei Studio] will have some advisory rights during the later distribution period.
He is now waiting for Lu Yang to complete the post-production and produce the movie, and then the studio will communicate with China Film Group Corporation about the distribution and release.
When Gu Wei brought Zhang Tianai back to the capital, it was already September and his second semester at the college had already begun.
After getting off the plane, the company car was waiting outside the airport to pick them up.
"Dear, I'll take you back to your residence first. I have some things to take care of at school. We'll contact each other after I'm done."
Gu Wei said in the car.
Zhang Tianai rented a house in Beijing. Although she has graduated from college, she is just a small-time actress who is not even on the 18th line. Her main income comes from being an advertising model. The roles she has played since she started her career have all been minor ones.
This small supporting role in "The Sword of Assassin" is the best role she has ever gotten.
Soon the car arrived downstairs of Zhang Tianai's house, and the two reluctantly parted ways.
"Mr. Gu, are we going back to school or the company?" The driver was called Zhang Long, a full-time driver hired by the studio for Gu Wei. He was in his 40s, a veteran, a very honest man, and usually spoke very little.
"Master Zhang, let's go to the company first."
When I arrived at the company, agent Yang Liwen was looking at the crew bill brought back by the finance department.
As one of the investors, [Gu Wei Personal Film and Television Studio] is not the main controlling party and is not responsible for the production of the film, but it is also its responsibility to arrange a financial person to join the crew and monitor the crew's income and expenditure.
These were all written in the contract with China Film Group in the early stages. After all, it is very easy for the director and crew to make money from making a movie.
There is a lot of room for maneuver here. Not to mention other things, just take the costumes and props used in acting, how much do they cost, where do they get them from, and whether to rent or buy them. There are many considerations involved.
The director quoted 5 million for props and costumes worth 1 million. He found a company of his own and transferred 4 million to his account, and the money went into his pocket legally and reasonably.
Just like a big Hong Kong director, Chen Kexin, who charged $6,000 for a straw hat when making a movie. After the entire movie was shot, no matter how the box office performed or whether the investors lost money, the director would make a fortune anyway.
Although Gu Wei believes in Lu Yang's character and the professionalism of China Film, when it comes to business, he should be cautious first and then be a gentleman. If the necessary supervision is carried out, naturally no one will dare to intervene, which will benefit everyone.
"How's the bill? Is everything alright?"
Gu Wei sat opposite his agent and asked
"I took a quick look and it should be fine. Some projects use surprisingly little money. Director Lu Yang really spends his money wisely."
Yang Liwen sorted out the bill book and answered.
“I trust both my brother’s character and ability.
You need to coordinate with China Film Group on the film's post-production and distribution. Although we're not the distributor, we have a significant investment share. If the film does well at the box office, it will be a good thing for us."
"Our company doesn't have any media resources right now. Once the movie is released, we'll try to promote it online."
"I understand," Yang Liwen replied.
"Mr. Gu, I have something to ask you. I contacted some of your former connections. Since your current movie is still waiting to be broadcast and you are not well-known in the circle, some TV crews are only willing to give you auditions for male third or male fourth roles.
Are you going to watch these plays?"
Gu Wei took a few scripts and took a look. They all had names he had never heard of.
He frowned and said
"I've turned down all these roles and will wait until 'The Blade of the Assassin' is released before I get another script.
How's the copyright I asked you to collect going?"
Yang Liwen said
"I was just about to report this to you. We've already acquired some of the film and television adaptation rights for the novels you mentioned earlier. It's just that in recent years, the copyright prices for any popular novel have risen dramatically, and the company's account is running low."
Then he handed over a file.
"Also, there is a Shanghai company negotiating the copyright for Gu Man's Love O2O.
The copyright of "Love Me If You Dare" was sold for 1 million yuan before. Now there are two companies competing for it. Gu Man has raised the price to 1.5 million yuan. The company in Shanghai is still hesitating. Mr. Gu, do you think we should buy it?"
"Buy it at this price. Tell Gu Man it's okay. Sign the contract as soon as possible." Gu Wei made the decision.
"But Mr. Gu, the money in our company's account is not enough."
"It's okay. I'll find a way to get the money. Please contact Gu Man as soon as possible."
"Okay, Mr. Gu."
Originally, at the beginning of June, the studio had less than 5 million in its account. After more than three months, after collecting and purchasing some film and television copyrights, only more than 500,000 was left.
Gu Wei looked at the price of Bitcoin. It has skyrocketed since the beginning of the year and has now reached $10 per coin. Selling them all now would solve the problem.
But Gu Wei knew that next year would be the year when Bitcoin would start to soar, and by the end of 2013, it would reach a maximum of 8,000 RMB per coin.
Although there were ups and downs in the following years, the overall trend was upward. At its peak, it reached over ten thousand US dollars per coin. Selling it now would be like throwing away the watermelon to pick up sesame seeds.
"The Sword of Assassin" has not been completed yet and it will take some time before it is released, not to mention the dividends.
In fact, there is a way, which is to use the copyright of "The Sword Identity" and the expected film revenue to get a mortgage loan from the bank.
In fact, Zhang Weiping had already secured loans from international financial institutions since filming "Hero" in 2002. By 2004, domestic commercial banks had also begun to enter this field. Films such as "The Banquet," "Curse of the Golden Flower," "Assembly," and "The Siege of the Fortress" all benefited from bank loans. "Aftershock" received a 120 million yuan loan from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and "The Flowers of War" received a 150 million yuan loan from China Minsheng Bank.
The Bank of Communications in Beijing is the cooperative bank of China Film Group. As long as the film is produced by China Film Group and the procedures are complete, it is very easy to get a copyright and pre-income pledge loan.
"First, prepare our company's credentials and some contract documents for investing in [Embroidered Spring Blade].
Come with me to the China Film Group later."
Gu Wei said
After everything was ready, Gu Wei brought his agent to the China Film building.
We found Deputy Director Han, who was in charge of the "Embroidered Spring Blade" matters in the film and television department. Deputy Director Han was in his 40s and also graduated from the directing department of the college. He just entered the system after graduation. He has been pursuing a career in officialdom for many years and has not developed on the artistic path.
Deputy Director Han was very enthusiastic and stood up and shook hands with Gu Wei as soon as he entered the door.
"Xiao Gu is here. Lu Yang is downstairs editing a video now. I saw the rough cut of your film 'Embroidered Spring Blade'. It's pretty good."
"No, no, it's all thanks to your strong support, Director Han. Without your support in terms of manpower and material resources, Brother Lu Yang and I would be nothing but iron and unable to hammer a few nails."
Gu Wei said with a smile
"I came here today to ask Director Han for help."
Director Han listened and looked at Gu Wei. "What's the matter? Tell me. Logically speaking, you are also my junior brother. If there is anything, as long as it does not violate the principles, I will help you."
"It's like this, Director Han. My company's main funds have been invested in [Embroidered Spring Blade], and now we have a new project, so we're out of money. I want to use the copyright and expected profits from [Embroidered Spring Blade] as collateral to borrow some money from the bank."
Director Han smiled and said
"These are all minor matters. China Film Group has a cooperative bank, and Spring Blade Assassin is a film produced and distributed by China Film Group, so the bank is trustworthy.
I'll introduce you to someone who's the vice president of a branch of the Bank of Communications, in charge of loans. His surname is Guo. Once you've prepared all the necessary paperwork, just say I introduced you. The interest rate will be based on the interest rates you've paid in previous collaborations with China Film Group.
"Thank you so much, Director Han. You've helped me a lot."
Director Han said
"It's nothing, these are just small things. If you can make a good movie and get good box office after it's released, that will be the greatest support for me."
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(End of this chapter)
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