MC Bookstore Chapter 30: Revenue Received
Chapter 30: Revenue Received
When Shi Nansheng returned to Hong Kong from London, she had no shortage of excellent suitors.
She was particularly fond of Xu Ke, who had an extraordinary physique, because she was captivated by his talent.
Xu Ke's sincerity towards the art of film is something many people lack.
In Hong Kong, a major commercial metropolis, both films and filmmakers carry a strong commercial atmosphere.
Filmmakers like Tsui Hark, who have a genuine passion for the art of film, are few and far between.
But Shi Nansheng is also well aware that a film that only pursues art and not commerce is unlikely to last.
Therefore, she was willing to be the woman behind Xu Ke, solving his business problems so that he could focus on film creation.
She has encountered situations like this many times.
"The films 'Uncle Cai's Sweeping Across the Army' and 'The Chess King' should be able to be postponed until the second half of next year."
I'll talk to Shi Tian properly; he won't disagree. There's not much of a problem with Wanwan either; I'll communicate with them personally.
We need their funding, and they need our production capabilities.
You can delegate the direction of "A Chinese Ghost Story 3" to Cheng Xiaodong. This series has already reached its third installment, and he has been the director all along.
Since you highly approve of his directing skills in "The Blade," you can completely entrust the production of this film to him, and you can give it a final check.
"Once Upon a Time in China" can't be delayed any longer. We've already arranged with Golden Harvest to start filming after the Spring Festival, and they've already invested money in the project.
However, I can negotiate with Raymond Chow to postpone the start of filming for "Once Upon a Time in China" by one month.
So either you start filming "New Dragon Gate Inn" before the new year, and after that you join the cast of "Once Upon a Time in China"...
Either wait until after filming "Once Upon a Time in China" before filming "New Dragon Gate Inn".
Filming now would be too rushed, while filming later wouldn't start until at least April.
Before long, Shi Nansheng solved Xu Ke's problem and offered him different options.
Xu Ke was used to Shi Nansheng's efficiency. After a moment's thought, he replied:
"I can't wait any longer, let's start filming 'New Dragon Gate Inn' first. I'm afraid my creative drive will disappear by April."
"Since you've decided to film 'New Dragon Gate Inn' first, then you should get your team assembled as soon as possible."
"We'll split into two groups. You finalize the cast and budget in Hong Kong, while I'll go to Taiwan to scout locations and coordinate filming."
"Nansheng, I don't want to film in Taiwan this time. I'm going to the mainland."
"The Blade was filmed in mainland China, and I think the vast yellow sand and desert background in the film would be very suitable for New Dragon Gate Inn."
Nansun Shi fell silent, somewhat worried that filming on location in mainland China would affect the film's release in Taiwan.
Has "The Blade" been shown in Taiwan?
"It's been released. Don't worry, there shouldn't be any problems now. All of Jet Li's movies are fine."
"You could ask Ching Siu-tung or Tang Lung. They have experience filming in mainland China, so it should be relevant."
Mentioning Tang Long, Shi Nansheng couldn't help but ask:
"What are Tang Long's conditions for collaborating with us, bringing the script?"
"He wants to play the male lead in 'New Dragon Gate Inn'."
"His fame is not enough. The movie 'The Blade' was a hit, but the actor was not. It would be very risky to cast him as the male lead in a movie."
"I understand. After missing out on 'The Blade,' I've always wanted to work with this young man."
Originally, they wanted to invite him to play the second male lead, Leung Foon, in "Once Upon a Time in China," but now that Yuen Biao is a better choice, they have to go back on their word.
Cheng Xiaodong tried to get him the male lead role in "A Chinese Ghost Story 3," but you rejected it.
This role as the male lead in "New Dragon Gate Inn" can be seen as compensation for him.
Besides, he wrote the script, and his understanding of the character surpasses that of anyone else.
Shi Nansheng sighed inwardly; Xu Ke was still too sentimental.
In her opinion, what compensation does Tang Long, a minor actor, deserve?
If they don't want a role, they don't want one.
But since Xu Ke had made up his mind, she no longer objected:
"If Tang Long is cast as the male lead, then we should find someone with a bigger name for the female lead."
"I understand, Nansheng, you go ahead with your work, I'll go draw the movie script."
……
Meanwhile, Tang Long and Cheng Xiaodong returned to the Cheng family troupe's base and saw that Tang Jia was also there.
"Where have you two been? We've been waiting for you for over half an hour."
"Ah Long has written a new script and is going to talk to director Tsui Hark about collaborating."
"Ah Long, you've written another script?"
"It was just finished these past two days," Tang Long replied.
"Is this a substantial investment?"
"The investment is substantial."
Has Xu Ke agreed to cooperate?
"I agreed."
"That's good."
Tang Jia wasn't angry that Tang Long didn't contact him because he had a new project.
He never invested in films before, but he had no choice but to put in real money for "The Blade".
Although I made money investing in "The Blade" in the end, I've been on tenterhooks for the past few months.
His experience during that period made him realize that he was not suited for film investment, but only for earning money within his own capabilities and understanding.
Besides, he didn't have much money. Since Tang Long said that the investment in "New Dragon Gate Inn" was substantial, his little bit of money wouldn't make much of a difference.
Tang Jia and his nephew also had a tacit understanding: after "The Blade," everything would depend on him alone.
"By the way, Uncle, did you come here to see the big shot about something?"
"We're not just looking for you, big boss, but also you."
After saying that, Tang Jia took out two checks from his bag and handed them to the two men respectively.
Tang Jia looked at the number on the check and asked with a smile:
"Have the box office revenue sharing for 'The Blade' been received?"
"We've arrived, and the revenue from the overseas copyright buyout has also arrived."
The overseas distribution rights for "The Blade" were ultimately negotiated with Shao Daheng for six million Hong Kong dollars, of which we received two million four hundred thousand.
Including domestic box office revenue, the total profit of "The Blade" was HK$2.6 million.
You two put a lot of effort into the success of "The Blade," and you should both share in the profits.
Tang Jia gave each of them 600,000, and he took 1.2 million for himself.
Having invested their own money and effort and taken on greater risks, they deserve greater rewards.
Tang Long was the initiator of the project, and he put in the most effort.
Not only did they cooperate with Cheng Xiaodong to control the overall style of the film, but they also spent their own money on marketing during the subsequent promotion.
Although he was promoting himself, his ultimate goal was to improve the performance of "The Blade".
Cheng Xiaodong also put a lot of effort into this film.
The director and action choreographer team only received HK$500,000 in total, which was all used to pay the salaries of the Cheng family stunt team. He didn't take any money himself.
He also spearheaded the subsequent publicity and distribution, and it can be said that he put much more effort into "The Blade" than into another film he directed, "A Chinese Ghost Story II".
Therefore, he ultimately decided to split the profits in two, keeping half for himself and the other half for Tang Long and Cheng Xiaodong.
"Director Tang, 600,000 is a bit too much."
"Compared to what you've given, 600,000 isn't much. Just accept it. Look, Ah Long has already put the check in his pocket."
"Hehe, I won't be polite if there's money to be made."
Seeing Tang Long's somewhat sly and greedy appearance, Tang Jia and Cheng Xiaodong couldn't help but laugh.
Cheng Xiaodong said no more and put the check away.