Chapter 60 I heard that the actor’s agent is very powerful
Xia Lili has heard of many artists being harmed by their agencies' unfair terms and filing lawsuits.
The better-off ones were able to terminate their contracts with the company after paying a heavy price, but most of them were constantly being sucked dry by the company and were unable to escape from their misery due to the sky-high penalty fees.
This is just what has been revealed in the news. Even actors with millions of fans cannot avoid being exploited.
Xia Lili thought about it and decided to consult her only connection in the entertainment industry, Mi Weiler.
Xia Lili compiled the list of brokerage companies that had issued contract invitations and the cooperation conditions they offered, and sent it to Mi Weiler.
"Sister Weiwei, many companies have recently sent my brother contract invitations."
"Could you please help me find a reliable company?"
After a while, Mi Wei'er called Xia Lili directly and said, "It's hard to explain over the phone. Let me analyze it for you in person!"
"I'll pick you up downstairs in your house in twenty minutes and treat you to barbecue!"
Xia Lili was shocked by Mi Wei'er's actions and was stunned: "Hey, why are you treating me to dinner again?"
"I'll treat you this time. Let's celebrate my brother's successful fight back! And thank you for standing up for my brother."
——"No, no, I have to treat you to a meal this time!"
"I got it again thanks to you!" Mi Wei'er said firmly, "It's settled."
Then she hung up the phone with a snap.
Xia Lili held her phone in confusion. What did she get thanks to her luck?
An hour later.
A high-end barbecue restaurant in Yangcheng with an average consumption of over 1,000 yuan per person.
Black sandalwood tables are neatly arranged in the six-meter-high space, with each table at least three meters apart to ensure that guests' private conversations will not be heard by the neighboring tables.
The waiter was grilling the Wagyu beef flown in from Hokkaido with silver tongs, and the fat was sizzling on the Binchotan charcoal.
On a gilded plate, the beautifully textured marinated beef is paired with caviar and edible gold leaf.
Mi Wei'er picked up a piece of thick-cut beef tongue that was roasted to perfection and gently placed it in Xia Lili's bowl, a sly glint in her eyes. "Come to think of it, I have to thank my brother."
"I was previously criticized by Shangguan Xu's fans for speaking out for him. Even the official Weibo account of "Broken Moon Jue" was filled with messages asking me to get out of the crew."
She took a sip of sake, a playful smile curling up at the corner of her lips: "What's the result? The more they make a fuss, the more popular the show becomes."
"Now that the truth is out, my Weibo followers have increased by 300,000, all of whom are here to laugh at Shangguan Xu's fans."
"The funniest thing is the crew's attitude." Mi Wei'er shook her phone. "They were originally going to talk to me, but then things took a turn. The publicity director, who we hadn't even spoken to for a few words, suddenly sent me a big red envelope. In the past few days, several actors have taken the initiative to add me on WeChat."
She held her chin and smiled brightly: "The show hasn't even aired yet, and I've already contributed a wave of popularity to the crew. Lili, this is all thanks to you brothers and sisters!"
Xia Lili shook her head and said seriously, "This is what you deserve for speaking up for my brother despite the pressure from the entire internet."
The two of them ate until they were 70% full.
Mi Wei'er got to the point: "I've seen the list of agencies you gave me."
"Reilly and Fox Records are both major companies, but I know two or three artists are having contract disputes."
"The remaining small companies are even more like small workshops with shabby conditions. The conditions they offer are unreliable. They look good, but in reality, they are just empty promises."
Xia Lili frowned slightly when she heard this, feeling worried!
"In fact, these agencies are all trying to pick the best from the worst, so they're bound to be exploited. Plus, they can't control a lot of things themselves, so it's inevitable that things will go wrong, especially since your brother's eyes aren't working well."
Mi Weier sighed when she said this.
Xia Lili sighed, "Alas, all crows are black."
"But I don't think your brother is in a hurry to sign with a company."
Mi Weiler told Xia Lili the ins and outs of artist management contracts.
"The profit-sharing contracts signed between agencies and artists, also known as agency agreements, have a fairly consistent base profit-sharing ratio. During the three-year rookie season, the agency takes 70% to 90% of the commission, while the artist only gets 10% to 30%."
Xia Lili was shocked when she heard this. If an artist signed with a company and the company was not supportive, and the artist became famous through his or her own efforts, he or she would be working for the company.
"The split between established artists and companies is usually 50-50 or 30-70."
"Super-award-winning artists often open their own independent studios, with the company taking 10% to 20% of the profits, leaving the artists with 80% of the actual profits."
Mi Wei'er's eyes lit up when she said this: "These artist studios are affiliated with large management companies, but their internal finances and teams are independent. The artists themselves have a lot of say, and they are just affiliated with the company to borrow the company's connections in exchange for resources."
Xia Lili suddenly understood: "No wonder those big stars all have their own studios!"
"Your brother is already a very mature artist. He learned piano and arranging on his own, and he has a hit song. Compared to those amateurs who only have talent and good looks but no fame, he has much more bargaining power."
Mi Weier suggested: "Actually, I think the most suitable model for your brother is to open his own studio, affiliate with an agency, and negotiate with a reliable agent."
Xia Lili carefully wrote down her suggestions in her notebook. Her brother's talent was obvious, and if he didn't rush to make quick money while the popularity was high, he would easily make a wrong move.
The most important thing now is to find a professional and experienced arranger teacher for my brother and set up a music studio.
Xia Lili turned and asked curiously, "Sister Weiwei, have you signed with a company?"
Mi Weier nodded: "I signed with an agency run by a friend of my teacher, Yuehai Films. I can only say it's mediocre."
Yuehai Film and Television is a medium-sized film and television company, and Mi Wei'er's agency contract was carefully reviewed by a lawyer before being signed.
"Oh, it would be great if I could have an ace agent to guide me."
Mi Wei'er told Xia Lili about the situation in the entertainment industry: "Let me tell you, looking at the entertainment industry, the most powerful person is Ming Zhou, the agent of actor Lin Hesheng. He is said to be his good friend."
Mi Wei'er's eyes lit up when she spoke of this agent: "Mingzhou has a very sharp eye and exceptional career planning. He's brought out award-winning actors and actresses, singing kings and queens... He's a real agent, a grand slam! His resources are incredible."
Mi Wei'er said with regret: "But it is said that Ming Zhou is not taking on new artists now, and is focusing on escorting the best actor."
She held her chin in her hand and said, "I don't have a top agent. It would be great if I could sign with the agency run by the movie star himself."
"It's a pity that Heqi Entertainment's threshold is too high. Since its establishment, they have only signed one child star."
Xia Lili, who is not in the entertainment industry, is very familiar with Heqi Entertainment, an entertainment company founded by Lin Hesheng, who has won the Grand Slam of Best Actor.
Cultivate outstanding juniors, invest in various film and television dramas and variety shows, and its business advertising also involves cooperation with foreign Hollywood.
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