Chapter 770: Being on an equal footing
Edgar couldn't help but choked when he looked at Anson, who had a calm face in front of him:
He just dropped a big bombshell, a deviant and shocking point of view, in Hollywood If he says something casually, he will either be laughed at or complained about. Obviously no one will believe his opinion.
After all, who is Edgar Cook? Why should I give advice to Hollywood?
It was only when facing Anson that Edgar plucked up the courage to speak his mind.
But even so, looking at Anson's disapproving expression, he was still shocked, "Don't you think my judgment is too one-sided and stupid?"
Anson, "No."
< br>Answer clearly and concisely.
“Actually, I trust your judgment.”
“But the point is, captain, if you think the twenty million club is not the right answer, what do you think the right answer is? ”
Edgar did not answer immediately, still immersed in shock and shock -
Anson believed him so easily.
This kind of trust is rare in Hollywood.
Take a deep breath, Edgar finally woke up from the shock, "Anson, thank you for your trust, you didn't even question my idea."
Anson did not expect Edgar Jia reacted like this, and it took him a moment to realize how unorthodox Edgar's ideas were in 2003.
But think about it seriously, "Captain, you believe in me, so I believe in you. This is a deal, there is no need to be too moved." Anson made a joke.
"Haha." Edgar was amused.
As expected, Anson was Anson, and he could easily make a few jokes about such a thing, which made Edgar feel a little more relaxed.
Then.
“Basic remuneration plus box office dividends.”
Edgar gave the answer.
“Basic remuneration is to give actors a bottom-line guarantee so that their efforts will not be in vain.”
“There is no cap on box office dividends. This is to allow actors and film companies to share risks. If If it fails at the box office, both parties will bear the consequences; if it succeeds at the box office, both parties will share the success."
"The film company is definitely not willing. They hope to reduce the loss of failure and get as much dividends from the box office success as possible. Gains.”
“But that’s exactly the point.”
"If actors insist on the '20 million club', they are just workers, a tool, an employee, and a person who serves the film company. No matter how high the salary is, actors will always be pawns in the entire industrial system."
“But the box office dividends are different. Essentially, actors and film companies stand on the same level. Both parties are partners working together to run a project. Only then can the actor’s position be fundamentally changed.”
“Film companies should not treat actors as pawns, but as objects to play chess with themselves.”
“Obviously, film companies are 100% unwilling.”
"So, this is also the direction we should work hard to fight for more say, instead of hesitating for some small fluctuations in salary figures."
Wow!
Amazing.
From a practical perspective, actors are independent individuals, while film companies or film projects are a huge machine. It is indeed impossible for both parties to start a dialogue on the same level because the nature is different.
But looking at the essence through the phenomenon, things are different.
Actors are independent individuals and at the same time a pillar of a film project. There is no problem in treating top stars as a studio or company, and they are qualified to negotiate with film companies on an equal footing.
Of course, easier said than done?
Just imagining it makes you realize how difficult it is, and the actual operation is even more so.
However, this is indeed the trend.
Like Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck, sooner or later, they all realized this and set up their own productions The company stands on the same level as these large and small film companies to discuss cooperation, not only as a producer, but also as a company to explore new areas. However, these are all things for later.
For now, Anson needs to plan slowly step by step. He cannot think about becoming fat in one bite. He must remain patient and calm and slowly make plans, slowly approaching the final goal.
The key is——
If from the beginning, when Edgar started negotiations, he was not looking for a 20 million club, the film company would certainly not have expected that this would win for them. to a huge advantage.
And, by chance, Anson has already embarked on this path:
Since the beginning of "Spider-Man", Anson has already received box office dividends.
It now seems that it was precisely because of Anson's attitude that Edgar groped through these events and experiences bit by bit, and finally formed a new idea.
Anson looked at Edgar, "So, how are you going to reply to Focus Features?"
Edgar did not hesitate any longer, "10% of the box office dividends, and a symbolic reward of three A basic salary of 100,000 US dollars.”
“Wow.” Anson sighed. With such conditions, it’s hard not to be tempted by Focus Features.
Edgar added, "But this is actually not good for us."
"Charlie Kaufman's works have never been the darlings of the box office market."
"In the case of 'The Puppet Life', the 10% box office dividend is only 1.7 million, plus the basic salary is 200 It’s only 10,000 yuan.”
“‘Adaptation of the script’ is even worse. The 10% box office dividend can only get 450,000 yuan, and even with the basic salary, it is less than 1 million.”
This. That's why Edgar needs to seek Anson's opinion.
"Anson, we have many choices now, and the salary is only one factor."
"If we choose 'The Day After Tomorrow' or '50 First Dates', we can get more advantages in terms of box office superstars, not only the salary, but also the positioning of the film company in the future."
"If we choose 'Nuan Nuan' "Inner Light" has difficulties in terms of box office and remuneration, but we can strive for more attention during the awards season, break the idol label, and broaden our acting horizons."
"So, are you sure we should choose Charlie Kaufman? This work? "
On the other hand, it is the peak of the 20 million club.
On the other hand, it opens the door to the colorful world of actors.
Do you need to hesitate about this?
Anson smiled, "I'm sure."
Edgar laughed dumbly, "I expected your answer, but I didn't expect it to be so quick and easy."
"Hey, Captain."
Anson called, "Let's not forget, this is not all."
"'The Butterfly Effect' is in post-production, and the scripts of 'Princess Diaries 2' and 'Spider-Man 2' are being written. In a short time, we will still be active on the mainstream screen. You don't have to worry about me suddenly becoming Sean Penn or Daniel -Day-Lewis."
"But it would be a good thing to be Daniel Day-Lewis."
Looking at Anson talking to himself. Even as he spoke, Edgar couldn't hold back his smile -
Indeed, he was temporarily trapped.
I am thinking wholeheartedly about the recent situation in Hollywood, eagerly hoping that he can seize the opportunity to open up the situation for Anson. Sometimes, when thinking about problems, I become narrow-minded. If I take a small step back and re-examine the overall situation, I can realize:
Indeed, the current situation is important, but it is not imminent.
Moreover, if you think about it seriously, put aside the salary and future plans for the time being. From a purely perspective of the actor's career plan, "Warmth and Light" is more appropriate. Anson really needs this. work.
(End of this chapter)