Chapter 59 Pixar Negotiations
Chen Linfeng did not respond directly, but asked about other things, "I noticed that only you Pixar people came this time. Where is Disney? Haven't you been cooperating with them? , Disney has always attached great importance to copyright, why didn’t it appear this time?”
Stanton was about to answer.
Lassiter stopped Stanton and said, "Chen, I know something about you. You are a genius. You should know that once Disney appears, you will be eaten to pieces. Talk to us. , is your best choice."
After hearing what the translator said, Zhao Changtian was a little puzzled. He asked Sun Fengmei in a low voice, "Aren't we talking about Pixar? Why did it involve Disney?"
Sister Mei also said in a low voice, "The production of animated films in Emily Kendall cannot be separated from the influence of Disney. Later distribution will definitely have to cooperate with Disney."
She remembered what Chen Linfeng told her before he came. The content said, "Pixar currently has a contract with Disney. They negotiate alone, and they should come behind Disney's back.
Xiaofeng is using Disney to pressure them and try to gain dominance."
Chen Linfengyun said calmly, "So when talking about choices, Disney is also a choice, isn't it?"
He then added, "And Disney's reputation around the world is even more important. It’s much bigger than yours Pixar, why don’t I cooperate with them?”
Lasseter chuckled, "Disney's style is overbearing, and you won't get much profit from cooperating with them."
Chen Linfeng retorted, "But it can maximize fame, right? A writer has fame. , and benefits will follow."
Lasseter was dumbfounded. If he really wanted to meet someone who wanted fame but not fortune, he would not do anything. Pixar is not even a bit different from Disney in terms of publicity.
Stanton saw that John was speechless for a moment and stood up.
He said seriously, "We at Pixar are serious about this cooperation. Before we came to China, the two of us already had preliminary ideas for the animated film we wanted to make."
Stanton took out a notebook from his bag, which contained several simple character drawings and several storyboards.
“Look, this is my rough imagination of Wall-E and Eva, and this one is the scene where Wall-E is picking up garbage. This one is the scene where Wall-E discovers the cockroach, and this one is ...This"
After the presentation, Stanton said seriously, "Disney does have a very powerful publicity machine, and all we can do is to do our best to make this movie. Let your work not be wasted.”
Indeed, from these character drawings and storyboards, some shadows of the previous robot WALL-E can already be seen.
Chen Linfeng was silent for a moment and stopped pulling from the edge.
He crossed his arms and asked with a confident attitude, "I believe in your sincerity in production. So, how much will you pay for the adaptation rights?"
"Three Millions of dollars!" Lasseter offered.
This is the approximate price of many low- to medium-cost film adaptation rights.
Chen Linfeng was noncommittal and asked, "What is your estimated production cost?"
"One hundred million dollars!" Stanton blurted out.
Lasseter covered his forehead, even though he knew that John wanted to let the other party know that Pixar valued it, so as to promote cooperation.
But when you say this price, it is difficult to keep it low in terms of adaptation costs.
“One hundred million dollars?” Zhao Changtian and Sun Fengmei were both a little surprised, feeling like they were hearing some fantasy.
Because in this era, the cost of film production in China is still at the level of tens of millions of dollars.
"The gap is too big." Zhao Changtian sighed in his heart.
Chen Linfeng was not moved at all.
Animated movies require a large investment and take a long time. It is estimated that US$100 million is still a pure production cost without publicity and distribution.
He said lightly, "The copyright fee for film adaptation usually accounts for 10% to 30% of the production fee. I don't ask for much, I only ask for 15%."
"This is not Maybe." Lasseter immediately objected, "We are an animated film, and the production cost is very high. It is incomparable with ordinary films, and we cannot completely follow industry practices." Zhao Changtian always knew some things in the industry. Not surprising anymore.
He roughly calculated that if this ratio was really used, Chen Linfeng could receive 10 million to 30 million US dollars, which would be an exaggeration.
There has never been such a high copyright transaction case in China.
Chen Linfeng also knew that what he wanted was a bit high. He was asking for a lot of money, so he just had to pay back the money.
He took a step back, "Then let me lower it a little, how about 10%. This is the lowest standard in the industry."
Lasseter said awkwardly, "It's still a bit high, animation production The cost is high and the production cycle is still long. It is impossible for us to spend such a large amount of money to buy the adaptation rights.”
"If you don't want copyright fees to occupy the production cost, then change it to a 5% box office share?"
"Box office share is also impossible, and the investors will not agree." Lasseter shook his head.
"Then change it to a peripheral share?"
Even Stanton shook his head at this time, let alone a peripheral share.
Chen Linfeng's face darkened, "This won't work, and those won't work. If I can't get any monetary benefits, then I might as well go to Disney for cooperation."
The conference room fell silent for a while.
After a while, just when Zhao Changtian wanted to smooth things over and ease the atmosphere.
"Let's do this, I'll take the last step back."
Chen Linfeng said, "It's still 10%, but considering the long cycle you mentioned, I can agree to the release of the movie "Pay later."
He said decisively, "This is the last condition. If it still doesn't work, I can only find Disney to cooperate. Even if the adaptation fee is lower, at least I can get greater publicity. Support and fame gains”
Lasseter thought about it for a long time, discussed with the on-site financial and cost accounting personnel many times, and asked the company for instructions. In the process, he also had several pulls with Chen Linfeng.
Chen Linfeng refused to let go, and finally Lasseter reluctantly agreed to his conditions.
The two parties first signed a contract of intention, and the formal contract could not be signed until the lawyers of both parties drafted the formal contract and reviewed it.
The contract stated: Pixar bought the eight-year film adaptation rights of "WALL-E" for US$10 million. The US$10 million will be delivered after the movie is released, no later than six months after the release. back.
After signing, Lasseter shook hands with Chen Linfeng.
"I have never seen such a difficult young man like you, Chen, you have left a deep impression on me."
Chen Linfeng smiled and said nothing. At this time, it would be better to make a fortune in silence, or Don't talk too much.
After the people from Pixar left, Sister Mei cheered, "The deal is finally done, Xiaofeng, you are going to make it big."
"I can't believe that in this day and age, someone is writing a book This book was able to sell 10 million U.S. dollars in royalties."
Chen Linfeng explained, "Actually, it was my luck. Pixar's five-part cooperation agreement with Disney just ended, and they were in urgent need of a good project. Keep fighting for Disney’s support.”
"Not only that, these two people really like this story from the bottom of their hearts, otherwise they would not be able to pay such a high price."
Of course, "Infinite World" helped him make a name for himself in the beautiful country. It's also critical.
Zhao Changtian asked, "If the other party doesn't agree in the end, what will you do and really go to Disney to cooperate?"
"Of course not, I just bombarded 3D in recent years. I trust Pixar more in terms of the production capabilities of animated films. If they still disagree in the end, I will lower the price."
Zhao Changtian smiled and pointed at Chen Linfeng, "Xiaofeng, you are really..." He said. After thinking for a while, I couldn't think of the right words, so I shook my head and said no more.
(End of this chapter)