Heads Up Hollywood

Tang En said: "In the past two years, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" sparked a wave of martial arts craze in North America. Miramax took the opportunity to rebroadcast several old Hong Kong films. "Fist of Fist" alone has a box office of 3 million US dollars in North America. Well. Jeter Lee still has a certain appeal in the United States."

Director Zhang was a little embarrassed, ""Hero" in North America...is aimed at the Oscars."

"Hero" is a milestone for Chinese films. It doesn't need the North American market at all. It can earn 200 million in the Asian market alone.

Director Zhang has already proven his strength in Europe. In front of him, only Oscar is left!

As long as he wins this award, he will be the number one Chinese director on par with Ann Lee!

This is not only a personal honor, but also a political task.

Tang En shook his head regretfully, "I'm afraid you can't imagine how much box office "Hero" can sell in North America."

"How many?"

Director Zhang's complexion changed.

Tang En extended a slap, "At least 50 million US dollars!"

"ah?"

This time, the entire "Hero" crew was stunned.

The North American box office of 50 million U.S. dollars, even if only 30% of the account is taken, is 15 million U.S. dollars. Converted into the currency of the other side, it is 120 million!

Tang En said lightly: "This is only the box office market. The videotape and DVD market can sell another 20 million US dollars, and the cable TV can also get millions of dollars in rebroadcast fees. Overall, Miramax can at least earn from "Hero" made a huge profit of 40 million US dollars!"

Everyone on the crew of "Heroes" was dumbfounded!

Even the young actress, Ms. Zhang, turned pale with shock at the terrifying numbers Tang En uttered.

Director Zhang's face was almost distorted.

Tang En shook his head helplessly.

In this era, China has just joined the WTO, and the international market has just opened up. The idea of ​​worshiping foreigners and fawning on foreign countries is too heavy. They just want to gain fame abroad. After returning to China, they not only have movie fame, but also political image.

But then again, the reason why "Hero" can sell so much in North America, apart from the popularity of the Chinese, the biggest factor is Harvey Weinstein's editing.

That's right, the American version of "Hero" is different from the mainland version of "Hero".

Without Harvey Weinstein's final edit and Quentin Tarantino's producer's signature, the mainland version of "Hero" has a mysterious and strong oriental color and overly concise lines. Impossible to understand.

In the United States, there are many independent film companies operating overseas films, and only Miramax is the jewel in the crown.

Why?

Because of Harvey Weinstein!

All foreign films received by Miramax, except for a few films that are too good, or films with obvious cult styles, must first be reviewed by Harvey Weinstein.

He will re-edit according to American taste, and then push it to the American market.

Through this model, Miramax made a lot of money.

From this perspective, Harvey Weinstein is the god of the American independent film industry!

However, this guy has tough bones.

Even Michael Eisner bowed to Twain, even Kirk Douglas was finished, this guy is still standing up.

I don't know if it's stupid or self-confident.

"Let's learn a lot of wisdom, and don't sign a buyout agreement casually in the future."

Tang En waved his hand, looking helplessly at the devastated crew of "Hero".

"Director Tang En... Oh, oh, Director Walker, do you think "Hero" really won't win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film?" Director Zhang still refused to give up.

Tang En said sternly: "Then let me just say it, "Hero" is too imitative. Oscar has already promoted "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" to the whole world, and it is impossible to release another film of the same type in a short time." Movies. The Oscar is a worldwide award, and it is impossible to serve martial arts movies only.”

Director Zhang's face was like a pig's liver, and he didn't seem to give up.

Tang En didn't say much.

He has already said what he said, and it is up to him how he should go in the future.

Just like Tang En pointing John Wu.

I told him all, don't change the style randomly, don't make war films that you are not good at, but you just didn't listen, and took over the filming of "Wind Talker".

You can't get along in Hollywood, right?

However, pointers belong to pointers.

Collaboration is impossible.

With Director Zhang and John Wu's level, Twain was also powerless.

Make domestic films and Hong Kong films!

One is the "Light of the Continent" and the other is the "Light of Asia". Such a big name is enough to last a lifetime.

If it were directed by Ann Lee, Twain would definitely spare no effort.

...

There is no need to elaborate on the details of that night.

Tang En thoroughly enjoyed the night.

During this period, Natalie took her annual leave, which made his personal life a bit restrained and not enjoyable enough.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, he can show his glory, one dragon and three phoenixes, making the sky dark and the earth dark!

Even Nicole Kidman chided and blamed him for his endless nonsense.

...

As soon as Kevin Turner took office, imax gave him a performance.

Dunn and Kevin Turner personally came to the imax company for inspection.

"This is the latest digital projection equipment?" Tang En looked at a brand new playback machine in front of him, a little surprised, "It looks the same as the old one."

In 1994, Richard Gelfond partnered with another investor to buy the imax company, which had an annual box office of only 35,000 US dollars at the time, and jointly took charge of the power.

After Tang En acquired IMAX, Richard Gelfond was appointed as the chairman and CEO of IMAX.

Richard Gelfond laughed: "The hardware doesn't actually need to be updated, the main thing is the change of the playback system."

Tang En nodded.

At Tang En's request, imax Corporation stepped up its research and development on digital projection technology, digital copy and digital conversion technology. After one year, it finally made a major breakthrough.

Richard Gelfond explained: "We borrowed DMR technology to make a digital copy of the digital cinema package format (DCP format), with a resolution four times that of ordinary movies and twice that of last year's imax digital movies. With today's playback technology, such clarity is enough to make digital copies as real as film copies."

It's 2003 and digital technology is advancing at a rapid pace.

However, many veteran filmmakers still love film. In addition to personal habits and adherence to traditional film models, the low definition of digital copies is also a major reason.

The digital copy in DCP format newly launched by imax is enough to promote to the market in a large area and in an all-round way!

After all, imax film copies are too expensive, and Twain can't afford it.

Last year's "Pirate Alliance: The Curse of the Black Pearl" had a box office of 21 million U.S. dollars in imax theaters. According to statistics, the profit was less than 3 million U.S. dollars.

In comparison, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", which is obviously inferior in visual effects, because it is a digital copy, got a box office of 16 million US dollars in the imax theater, but the profit was as high as 8 million! Fully half!

Kevin Turner suddenly asked: "What about the cost? How much does a DCP format copy of a two-hour movie cost?"

Richard Gelfond replied: "$400 is enough."

"What about the selling price?"

"The same as last year's digital copy, $800."

Kevin Turner's eyes widened, "Exactly double the profit?"

Tang En laughed loudly, and patted him on the shoulder, "Kevin, this is not Wal-Mart, which is profitable and quick to sell, but Hollywood, which can create miracles!"

Kevin Turner has just taken office, and he still doesn't have enough understanding of the various companies in the Interactive Entertainment Department, and the one he knows best is Netflix.

On the way back, he brought up the old matter again, "Tang En, I don't think you pay enough attention to Netflix's business!"

"Um?"

Tang En was a little surprised.

He has exclusively licensed the copyrights of New Universal and Disney's film and television works to Netflix, and also acquired the IMDb database to integrate Netflix. Is this not enough attention?

Kevin Turner said: "If you have absolute trust in Netflix, then it is better to make arrangements as soon as possible, so that you can save more expenses in the future. Now... is a golden period for bottom-hunting."

"Buying the bottom?" Tang En frowned and stared at him.

Kevin Turner said: "Video tapes are on the verge of being phased out, and the future of video discs is unclear, just like records. The future belongs to the information transmission of the network, not this hardware medium that requires additional transportation, which is what Reid said that day. Yes, the streaming business.”

Tang En was thoughtful, "What do you mean?"

Kevin Turner said: "Netflix is ​​a monthly subscription system. In the future, video on demand will definitely not be paid per view. Even if Netflix is ​​willing, the content side is afraid of being tricky. The best way to cooperate must be Pack and buy out."

Tang En nodded, "Indeed."

"I have not been working in New Universal for a long time, but I have a feeling that Silicon Valley is full of confidence in the Internet! Hollywood has always been skeptical of the Internet. Currently, several major entertainment companies are bidding for MGM , isn’t it because MGM’s film library is valued in an attempt to make greater profits in the video business?”

Tang En smiled and shook his head, "Otherwise, when I bought MGM, I was more concerned about the copyright! Not only the current DVD and video tape market, but also the foreign Internet streaming market."

"That's right!" Kevin Turner slapped his thigh and looked at Tang En intently, "Boss, don't you think we should plan ahead? Taking advantage of the low prices of online copyrights for film and television content, let's have a super big one." Acquisition!"

Tang En's eyes opened suddenly, revealing a surprised expression.

Kevin Turner's whimsical ideas are unconstrained, but there are traces to follow!

From Tang En's foresight perspective, it's totally feasible!

In the previous life, after Netflix launched the streaming media business, in order to obtain the online copyright of film and television programs, not to mention other film companies, Disney alone had to pay 300 million U.S. dollars every year!

Why did Netflix start to independently produce film and television works?

It is because the copyright fee is getting higher and higher, and Netflix can't afford it.

It's 2003 now, if you take advantage of the low copyright price now, sign a long-term online copyright licensing agreement for film and television content with major film companies.

Ten years later, this will be a huge fortune!

Of course, the price is that in recent years, these copyright fees have to be paid in vain.

The online copyright of these film and television content will not be effective until the Internet bandwidth bottleneck is broken and high-definition videos can be watched on the Internet.