Chapter 96 New Line Cinema

Chapter 96 New Line Cinema

Chapter 96 New Line Cinema
In the early morning, Fan Binbin drove Zhang Chen to the airport with a radiant look on his face.

Zhang Chen finally couldn't succumb to the temptation and was taken as a pilgrim by the fox spirit. He felt empty and extremely tired.

In the waiting room, Zhang Chen told Diane his flight number and that he would arrive in Los Angeles in twelve hours.

Fortunately, during these twelve hours, Zhang Chen slept all the way and finally got some rest.

It’s good to be young. No matter how much you have lost before, you can make it up immediately after a good night’s sleep.

Zhang Chen feels like he is Ip Man now and can beat 10 people.

If Fatty Fan was here right now, he would definitely smile disdainfully. "Ten more? It's hard for you to fight me alone."

After getting off the plane, I breathed in the free and fragrant air of America. Well, it wasn’t sweet…

As the crowd poured out, Zhang Chen saw Diane next to the baby carriage in the distance, holding signs welcoming guests.

Waving~
Diane saw him, too.

"Boss, welcome to America again."

Diane came up to Zhang Chen and hugged him, and then Zhang Chen saw the woman holding a child behind her.

"This is?"

"My new assistant is sometimes too busy to take care of the baby, so I found someone to help me take care of the baby."

"Haha, it looks like you make a lot of money~"

"It's all thanks to you, boss~"

Diane has a good understanding of Chinese culture and can even say such polite words.

"Boss, New Line has asked you several times. Pete is afraid that we will bypass them and cooperate with other companies. He often asks me about your situation in a roundabout way. Haha..."

Diane seemed very proud of herself. In all the previous contacts between the two sides, she had always been in a weak position. Now that the offense and defense were in different positions, how could she not be excited?

"The word 'indirect hint' is well used." Zhang Chen was also infected by the other party.

"Haha, I feel like we are very powerful now."

Diane is very satisfied now. She has not worked for Zhang Chen for a long time, but she has already received her first considerable income.

If the next cooperation with New Line can be successfully achieved, her commission will still not be small.

She was full of affection for this Chinese boss who brought her Franklin.

"We need to find a professional lawyer this time. We need to be careful about the traps they set in the contract."

Diane is well acquainted with the Hollywood way of things.

"I know a few law firms that have extensive experience in this area. I'll make a list for you when the time comes."

"Don't worry about this. We haven't discussed it yet. Let's see what the final result of the negotiation is."

"OK."

A group of people got into the car, and because there were children and safety seats, the car seemed a little crowded.

"Sorry, Boss, I'm still breastfeeding, so I have to take the baby with me wherever I go. It will be fine after this period of time."

Zhang Chen nodded: "It's okay, as long as it doesn't affect your work."

In fact, Diane has done a very good job. Taking care of children is very tiring. There are very few people who can take care of children and work as energetically as Diane every day.

"Oh, by the way, this is a little gift for you."

Zhang Chen took out a box of mooncakes. It was the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, and they were being sold everywhere recently.

He had bought it to fill his stomach because he was hungry while waiting for his flight. Then he suddenly had the idea of ​​bringing some for Diane to try, but he was afraid it wouldn't pass inspection.

Later I found out that the airport allowed it, so I brought it here directly.

"What is this? Oh, Moon Cake, I know, Bruce took me to eat it..."

Zhang Chen was a little surprised at first, but then he remembered that the other party’s ex-boyfriend was a Chinese.

"But I'm sorry Boss, I'm afraid I can't accept your kindness."

"why?"

"I'm allergic to this thing. To be more precise, I'm allergic to melon seeds. Yours is a five-kernel one, which contains melon seeds."

Zhang Chen was dumbfounded. There were people who were allergic to melon seeds.

After Diane’s popular science, I learned that foreigners are allergic to many things.

Peanut allergy, milk allergy, seafood allergy, grain allergy, soy allergy, metal allergy, rubber allergy, pollen allergy, alcohol allergy, cat allergy, dog allergy...

Various allergies.

"We also envy the physiques of you Asians. You don't seem to be allergic to anything. My ex-boyfriend was like that. Once he was sick and went to the hospital for treatment. The nurse tested him before taking the medicine. Everyone in the hospital was shocked because he was not allergic to any of the 23 tests. This is impossible in the United States."

Zhang Chen was even more shocked, "Then how did you grow so big?"

"Okay, I think we should change the subject." Diane felt that Zhang Chen was being Versailles.

"OK, take this." Zhang Chen handed the other party another briefcase.

"what is this?"

"A new script. I wrote it while I was bored waiting for my flight."

"Really, you're a genius, can I see it?"

"of course."

The script only had tens of thousands of words and was in Chinese, but Diane could actually understand it.

Ten minutes later, Diane finished reading the script and looked incredulous: "Boss, I have to take back what I said just now." "What?"

"You are not only a genius, but also a genius who knows how to make money. Believe me, this script will definitely sell for a high price."

"Okay, if you keep talking, I'll think you're trying to flatter me."

"Haha, you don't seem to like being flattered, well, you Asians are like this, except for Korea."

When Zhang Chen heard Diane complain about South Korea, he also laughed out loud.

"You don't seem to have a good impression of them?"

Diane curled her lips: "Indeed, they always like to yell and discriminate against women."

Zhang Chen shrugged, no longer entangled in this topic, and reminded: "Remember to file the script."

"Don't worry, I'm a professional. Boss, why don't you let New Line take a look at this script? They will definitely like this type of script."

"Not yet, let's talk about it after this cooperation is over." Zhang Chen was not prepared to give the other party too many benefits at once. He would try cooperating once first. If he was not happy, he would decisively change people next time.

"Has Lionsgate said when they plan to start filming Orphan?"

Diane thought for a moment and tilted her head, "I don't think it will be soon. They have a lot of projects in the works right now, such as Saw and The Fast and the Furious. They probably won't start filming in the short term."

Zhang Chen felt a little regretful. It seemed that his idea of ​​taking advantage of the east wind would fail.

"Other companies contacted me, but gave up after learning that both scripts were already interested. I listened to you and the other two scripts have not been released yet."

Zhang Chen nodded: "Well, let's wait and release it after "Eden Lake" is released. By then, whether it's cooperation or selling the script to them, the price can be higher."

Diane agreed, and the initial offer for "Orphan" was only $120,000, and the highest was no more than $220,000.

But after "The Dark Knight" became a big hit in North America, she asked for $50 and Lionsgate agreed immediately.

"Actually, I think we can do it ourselves." Diane said suddenly.

Zhang Chen looked at her and found that she was also looking at him. This woman obviously had other ideas.

"It's not the right time yet. My current focus is on China. I don't have any roots in North America. I'll wait until I have released a few movies and become famous. If I want to set up a company here, I will give you priority."

"Thank you Boss, I will definitely satisfy you."

Diane was very happy to know her boss's idea. As an employee, who doesn't want the company they work for to develop and become strong so that they can be promoted step by step?

The car arrived at a star-rated hotel, which was the residence Diane had prepared for him.

After arranging for Zhang Chen to stay in the hotel, she spoke: "Boss, are we going to New Line now or tomorrow? Or do you want to walk around the area first? This place is very close to Hollywood, and the headquarters of almost all American film companies are nearby."

"Let's make an appointment this afternoon. Notify the people at the new line and we'll go there in the afternoon."

"Okay." Diane admired people like this who put work first.

An hour later, the two stepped into the New Line headquarters building and were greeted by Pete at the office door.

"Hi, Zhang, nice to see you again."

Pete came up to hug him enthusiastically, but was blocked by Zhang Chen's outstretched hand, so he could only shake hands in the end.

"Let's go into the office and talk."

After letting the two into the office, Peter picked up a cigar from his desk and said, "The company attaches great importance to cooperation with you. A senior executive will come to participate in the negotiations in person. By the way, would you like to have a cigar?"

"Forget it, I suggest you don't smoke either. Our Ms. Diane is a mother and is still breastfeeding."

After Diane translated this sentence to Pete, she saw that the latter looked obviously embarrassed for a moment. Diane smiled. She liked such a boss.

"Uh, sorry, I didn't notice~"

Diane had come to his office many times, and there had never been any breastfeeding issues, but this time Zhang Chen made him feel pressured.

Then the office door was pushed open and a middle-aged man walked in. He should be the executive. Pete introduced him to the two men.

"Let's talk about the Eden Lake project," the executive said straight to the point.

Zhang Chen didn't like beating around the bush either, so he shrugged and said, "Of course, I came here for this project."

"Well, Zhang, tell me your terms."

"I invested in the script and director's fee, which gives me 30% of the box office and all the peripheral revenues. In addition, I have exclusive rights to the copyright."

Zhang Chen asked for a high price right from the start. This was what Diane taught him. In a negotiation, one should not show one's cards right from the start. One should always call out a high price first and then slowly negotiate down the price.

"No, NO, No, Zhang, your appetite is too big. This is Hollywood and you are just a newcomer." Pete smiled politely.

"Besides, Zhang, this is not what we talked about before." Rather than being a reminder, Pete was trying to prove his innocence. He was afraid that the executives would think this was a mistake on his part.

Zhang Chen sat on the sofa calmly. "Is it new? You should know the first weekend box office of "The Dark Invasion" better than me. I have already proved my ability in the North American market."

“But that’s a foreign language movie~”

"Yes, if foreign-language films can get this much box office, shouldn't local films get even higher?"

uh~
Pete was choked by his retort and was speechless.

Diane, who was in charge of the translation, felt really relieved.

At this time, the executive finally spoke up: "Mr. Zhang, you probably know in your heart that New Line will definitely not agree to this condition. Let's stop wasting time and show your sincerity and state your bottom line."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen knew that the time had come for the bayonet to draw blood.

"I have already stated my request, and I want to hear what New Line has to say first."

The executive glanced at him, tapping his fingers on the table. Pitt had told him before that the negotiations between the two sides were deadlocked on 20% of the box office and peripheral revenue share. Obviously, this was their main demand.

(End of this chapter)