Chapter 203 Jin Yong’s Copyright
According to statistics from the book "The Biography of Jin Yong" written by Fu Guoyong, since the 1970s, Jin Yong’s works have always topped the best-selling list in Hong Kong and overseas. His novels have an average of There are more than 1,000 editions, with a maximum of 2,124 editions.
According to Jin Yong’s self-report, in the 1990s, his annual royalties (including movies and TV) from Hong Kong and Taiwan were about 10 million yuan.
But now...Jin Yong has not gained momentum yet.
At present, the value of the copyright of his novels is not as good as that of Gu Long, because Gu Long's novels are short and concise, independent chapters, and more suitable for making movies.
The Shaw Brothers series, represented by Chu Yuan, shoots a large number of Gu Long movies every year, and their box office results are much better than those of Jin Yong's movies.
Of course, except for "The Swordsman" shot by Yang Ye, this was an accident.
As for TV dramas, Hong Kong has now produced a total of four TV dramas: Book of Swords and Three Eagles.
Among them, Shujian and Yitian were filmed wirelessly, starring Zheng Shaoqiu. The shooting vultures and the sacred eagles were taken by Jiashi.
Although they have achieved good ratings, compared with Zheng Shaoqiu's version of "Chu Liuxiang", it is almost boring.
Cheng Shaoqiu's version of "Chu Liuxiang" is probably the most popular martial arts drama in history, and it doesn't work for anyone.
So, now is a good time to buy out Jin Yong’s copyright.
Of course, Gu Long’s cannot be spared either.
Gu Long’s copyright is easy to solve. This guy is a man of martial arts, unlike Jin Yong who is just trying to gain fame and reputation.
A year later, I saved his life and half of the problem was solved.
Just throw money at the remaining half. Isn't this guy jealous of money?
......
In the recording studio, Yang Ye and Deng Lijun were recording "Iron-Blooded Heart".
It seems like I have seen it before in my dream, and my heart is filled with waves.
Put aside the worries and resentments of the world and accompany us to the horizon.
Chasing grass in all directions, the desert is vast (cold wind blows, the sky is blue)
How can I be afraid of snow and frost hitting my face (vines and trees are connected)
Shooting eagles with bows and galloping beyond the Great Wall (strong wind blowing, the desert is vast)
< br>Smiling and proud that I will never be bored in this life (two lingering vines and trees)...
The continuous and rapid ascending strings and the overwhelming yellow sand-like harmony instantly transport people to the scene of the desert wind and sand.
The hero sang "Shooting a vulture and drawing his bow and galloping across the wall, proud and never tired of it in this life."
The beauty whispers "the two vines and trees are lingering" and "it is still in my heart after hundreds of calamities."
Singing generously, singing softly, the heroic spirit of chivalry and the lingering love are perfectly intertwined in one song.
After singing the song, Lijun Teng was infected by the emotions in the song. Like a little woman, she looked at Yang Ye lovingly, her eyes watery.
The two of them were chatting with each other, but they heard Zheng Donghan praise: "I didn't expect that electronic music and folk music can be so perfectly combined. Mr. Yang, you are a genius!"
Deng Lijun was about to say a few love words to her lover, but was interrupted by Zheng Donghan. She was very unhappy and wanted to steal a few words.
But Zheng Donghan was right, so forget it!
Yang Ye sighed and said: "Eastern Han Dynasty, even if you praise someone, you still have to choose your time. You didn't see that we are both in emotions. This interruption will have to be brewed again, right?"< br>
"Uh... let's sing it again, anyway, I haven't heard enough."
Teng Lijun finally couldn't help it, and said in vain: "You don't give me money, we'll answer Sing behind closed doors ”
Zheng Donghan slapped his forehead: "Am I a lightbulb again?"
"Of course!"
"That's right!"
"Then let me go!"
……
In the following time, Yang Ye recorded songs in the morning and filmed in the afternoon. He was so busy that his two sons rarely went back to watch.
The four duets on this album, "Iron-Blooded Heart" and "Two Forgettable Smokes in the Water" are all sung with Teresa Teng.
"Mythical Love Words" and "All Lovers in the World" are duets with Qi Yu, but these two songs are the same song, one in Mandarin and one in Cantonese.
Every time Yang Ye recorded a song, he released one and went on the radio to sing.
One song in three days, ten songs, played in one month, triggering a heated discussion in the city.
Hong Kong's literary celebrities have published comments on these songs in major newspapers in Hong Kong.
Liang Yanni, a talented girl from Hong Kong, wrote an article herself, commenting on "Mythical Love Stories":
Master Yang once said that martial arts novels are fairy tales for adults. It resonated with many people.
And "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" is a wonderful flower among martial arts novels. The depth, pain, beauty, wonder, perseverance and chastity of Yang Long's love have already surpassed the word fairy tale and become The myth of love.
Now, Yang Shao's song "Mythical Love Words" is sung for the unprecedented love affair between Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu.
Earthly love is mixed with too many earthly considerations, so how can it be paired with this song?
Another talented woman Li Bihua wrote: Yang Ye composed seven theme songs for Jin Yong's seven novels, and "The Hard to Recite Sutra" is my favorite.
This song sums up the characters in the novel in just a few lyrics, and it fits perfectly. It’s the only song I’ve ever seen in my life.
The reluctance to part with the bright earthly world is about Xiao Feng, the inability to escape the joy of infatuated love is about Duan Yu, the inability to find a substitute for the color is about Xu Zhu, and the difficulty of being able to understand the whole life is about Murong Murong. Reply...
Huang Zhan announced directly: He will not write songs for Jin Yong's film and television dramas in this life, because Yang Ye has already written them all.
Even Jin Yong himself was blocked by reporters for interviews.
Jin Yong was slow to speak. Facing the reporter, he said with a smile: "I like all eight songs."
The reporter asked: "Which one is your favorite?"
After Jin Yong struggled for a while, he said: ""The Hard to Recite Sutra", this song fits the theme and is very good."
Probably because I didn't say it well in the interview, but I turned around and said it myself I wrote a review and posted it in Ming Pao.
He believes that this "Hard-to-Recite Sutra" has beautiful writing, and at the same time, the philosophical meaning and hierarchical structure are very good. Taking meditation as the general argument, the hero is short of breath and the love between children is stronger than the argument. The two are summarized into life, and then back to Zen, they are integrated and exquisite.
After a month of continuous hype, Yang Ye's album named "Martial Arts" was released on New Year's Day in 1980 after sufficient warm-up.
It instantly triggered a panic buying effect, and long queues formed in record stores across the city, making it hard to find anything.
......
Jin Yong received the revision opinions of Yang Ye's novel. After reading it carefully, he felt that many of the opinions were very reasonable.
Not only did he point out the errors in the novel, but many of his views coincided with his own. He couldn't help but feel like a confidant, so he invited Yang Ye to dinner and Huang Zhan to accompany him.
Yang Ye went happily, and Xia Meng also went to the banquet with him.
The siblings arrived at the restaurant where Jin Yong was entertaining guests. The four of them chatted for a while, entered a private room, and started serving food.
Yang Ye personally presented the new album "Martial Arts" to Jin Yong as a gift.
Jin Yong took it with both hands and was very happy.
With Yang Ye's super popularity, excellent lyrics and music, and Jin Yong's blessing, this "Martial Arts" has sold like crazy.
Record companies continue to print more copies, and audio and video factories work day and night to rush for goods. No one knows how much the final sales will be.
Distributors in Nanyang and Taiwan are also waiting for help. Due to the urgent rush for goods, Baiyang Records has to cooperate with overseas record companies. For example, in Taiwan, Bai Yang cooperates with Kolin Audio and Video Publishing House, which distributes vinyl records on its behalf.
At this time, "The Swordsman" has been released in Taiwan for more than five months, with a box office of more than NT$47 million.
Not only did it break the box office record set by "A Boat in the Ocean", but the song "A Laugh in the Sea" was also sung to the public.
Now, the entire album has been released, and the first song can be called a classic, and there are two Taiwanese singers, Teresa Teng and Qi Yu, to help out. It would be strange if it doesn’t sell well!
As a newcomer in the music scene, Qi Yu was also pushed to the forefront by this "Martial Arts".
The song "Mythical Love Words" that the two sang together in the album is sad and lingering, and they love each other to death.
Because Yang Ye, a romantic and talented man, is so popular, many boring people have wild imaginations.
Wherever Qi Yu went, there were a lot of reporters interviewing her. Most of them asked her why she got Yang Ye's favor.
Qi Yu tried hard to explain it at first, but later found that this kind of thing couldn't be explained clearly, so he just shut up, as the song would be popular anyway.
Jin Yong said: "Young friend Yang Ye, I have read all the suggestions you gave me for revising my novel and thought about it carefully. They are really insightful. After I finalized the draft, I wrote it in the preface of the revised version. , I want to write this down to express my gratitude."
Yang Ye smiled and said: "Then I will follow suit."
Huang Zhan said while eating the dish. Check it out, you are just a petty person. Xiaoye has given you so much advice, and that’s it for you. You have to pay me, Miss Yang, am I right?”
Xia Meng smiled and said: "That's right!"
Give me money? That would cost Jin Yong his life!
Yang Ye quickly said: "The money is free. In fact, I also got a lot of benefits. If I hadn't read this novel again, I wouldn't have been able to release the album "Martial Arts"."
Huang Zhan nodded and said: "That's right, your album has cut off a lot of my money!"
Yang Ye said: "It's you who insists on saying that you won't write songs for Jin Yong's film and television dramas in the future. Don’t blame me!”
Huang Zhan took a sip of wine and said: "You've already written like this, I have no energy to write anymore."
Yang Ye said: "Then I will make Cha Sheng's movie again, and I will pay you double the price." Write a song, do you want to write it?"
Huang Zhan was shocked: "How could you do this? I will write it!"
With Huang Zhan as a living treasure, the atmosphere at the dinner table was very good. After half a drink, Yang Ye said sternly: "Mr. Cha, you must have been approached by many people to buy movie rights recently, right?"
Jin Yong nodded: "In addition to authorizing Shaw Brothers to film "Flying Fox Gaiden", other I pushed them all.”
Yang Ye said: "I want to buy out the adaptation rights of all your novels in the name of Baiyang Film Company at once. Is that possible?"
Jin Yong said in surprise: "All of them?"
Yang Ye said : "That's right, and it's an exclusive copyright. After you license it to me, you can't license it to anyone else unless our company agrees."
Jin Yong asked: "Why do you want... an exclusive buyout? ? ”
“Of course it is to prevent following trends and ensure the quality of movies. I hope to launch more high-quality Jin Yong movies in the future and make the word Jin Yong a signature in the film and television industry. But now it has been. Many people are imitating me in making movies. If I make Jin Yong, they will also make Jin Yong. All kinds of messy movies will flood into the market, which will only mess up the brand. So, I plan to buy you out at once. Copyright, cut off those people's thoughts.
With all due respect, the influence of your novel is currently limited to the Chinese world, but if you add the audio-visual language of my film, it can spread to other parts of the world. For example... Japan. The Japanese version of "The Swordsman" is now on sale at Kadokawa Bookstore in Japan and is selling well. In addition to the brilliance of your novel itself, the promotion of the movie plays a huge role. "
Jin Yong nodded, Yang Ye was telling the truth, he had to admit it.
Yang Ye was promoting the filming of "The Swordsman", and Kadokawa Haruki came to the door. To translate "Swordsman" and publish it in Japan, this is the influence Yang Ye brings.
If other movies adapted from Jin Yong's novels can continue to be released in Japan, they will definitely bring continuous popularity to Jin Yong. Influence.
Jin Yong loves money and fame, and he values being able to expand his influence
After weighing it up, Jin Yong asked: "How much are you prepared to pay for my copyright?"
Yang Ye stretched out a palm and said: "The fixed price is 50 million Hong Kong dollars. Buy you out for fifteen The rights to adapt the novel into movies, TV shows, and video games.”
Huang Zhan on the side took a breath, this is definitely a sky-high price. Jin Yong now only sells the copyright for 200,000 yuan a time, but Yang Ye actually offered such a high price?
Jin Yong is relatively calm. Although there is no specific data, Yang Ye made "The Swordsman" into a movie, and the local and Nanyang alone made a net profit of tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars. In Europe and the United States, Japan and South Korea have also gained considerable income.
The price is 50 million, which seems like a lot, but that’s all it is.
Jin Yong asked: "What is the total box office of your "Swordsman"?"
Yang Yedao: "I did not deliberately cater to European and American audiences like I did when I made "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", so The box office in Europe and the United States has weakened compared to my previous films, but the box office in the global mainstream market has still reached 50 million US dollars.” "The same as "ET", which is much worse than "ET." However, thanks to the appreciation of the Japanese yen, it can be converted into US dollars as high as 12 million.
The total value of Hong Kong and Taiwan is more than 8 million U.S. dollars, and the total value of Nanyang is about 15 million U.S. dollars.
The box office in Europe and the United States combined is over 20 million.
It is one of Yang Ye's films that has a relatively small box office, but compared to other Hong Kong films, it is still a crushing level.
All this was due to Yang Ye’s use of "Shaolin Temple" to hit a king bomb at the beginning.
Afterwards, the output continued at the rate of one film per year, and each film was innovative and would not bore the audience, forming a good reputation effect.
As a result, he has a basic base that other stars can't match.
Jin Yong appeared to be a scholar, but in fact he was a businessman, and a nationally famous Zhejiang businessman.
As the saying goes, "There is no business without treachery." Although Yang Ye has offered a sky-high price, Jin Yong will not be satisfied with it.
He frowned, his small eyes gleaming, and he began to think. Since he is not good at words, he must organize his words before speaking out.
Xia Meng did not wait for him to think, and said: "Although the box office of "The Swordsman" is very high, that is Aye's ability. If it were anyone else, let alone 50 million US dollars, 5 million There is no Hong Kong dollar. With A Ye’s ability, his own original movies are still popular. So, to be fair, 50 million is too high.”
Yang Ye said: “This is not the case. If we don't buy out the copyright, then other people can make Jin Yong movies at will, which will disrupt the market, and I will also suffer losses. But if Mr. Jin Yong only sells the copyright to me, he will lose a lot of royalties. The high price is to make up for Mr. Jin Yong’s losses.”
The two siblings sang a double act, which made Jin Yong blush.
Xia Meng's meaning is very clear. This film is valuable because Yang Ye filmed it. It would not be valuable if it had been filmed by someone else.
That's Yang Ye's ability, you Jin Yong are just the icing on the cake.
In this world, only Yang Ye can pay such a high price. Otherwise, you can sell them for 200,000 yuan each until the Year of the Monkey!
My brother is already very kind, but you still want to raise the price while you are riding a horse. What are you thinking about?
If you lick someone for a long time, you will feel a little embarrassed for her and you will not be able to pull her up in front of her. This is the case with Jin Yong.
So as soon as Xia Meng spoke up, the words Jin Yong had been holding back for a long time were all ruined.
Jin Yong had no choice but to ask: "Xiaoye, will you star in these novels adapted into movies?"
Jin Yong asked this question very strangely, and he couldn't help but want to know about Shaw Brothers' Cologne It’s not surprising that Ti Lung acted in a lot of movies by himself.
Yang Ye shook his head: "The protagonist of your novel is full of characters and has different images. How can I be played by myself? But I can guarantee that I will personally participate in every work."< br>
Jin Yong asked again: "You run a film company, and you want TV series and... what's the use of the copyright of video games?"
Yang Ye smiled and said: "Maybe one day I will be involved in these businesses, so I am planning for a rainy day."
Jin Yong nodded and finally made up his mind: "In this world, you are probably the one who understands Jin Yong's novels best. Man, I’m very relieved to hand over the adaptation rights to you!”
Yang Ye was very happy and stood up to toast Jin Yong: “Then I wish us a happy cooperation, and we’ll see you in two days. What do you think about holding a signing ceremony and inviting all the Hong Kong media to witness it?"
Jin Yong said: "Okay!"
Huang Zhan said with a smile: "I accidentally made it happen. , saw a big deal of 50 million. ”
Yang Ye smiled and said: "Uncle Zhan, I won't let your witness be in vain. I will give you ten boxes of Remy Martin later!"
Huang Zhan was overjoyed: "That's great!"
(End of this chapter)