Chapter 23 Cooperation
The next day, Gu Wei received a call from Yang Shoucheng of Emperor Entertainment Group.

The two chatted on the phone for more than ten minutes and agreed on the release of "Time and Space Lovers" in Hong Kong Island. Yang Shoucheng also said that Emperor Entertainment Group would send someone to the company to sign the distribution contract later.

Gu Wei agreed casually and didn't take it seriously, leaving it to Wang Chen to handle.

The next afternoon, Gu Wei received a call from Han Sanping, who had made an appointment with someone from Warner in the evening and asked him to come early for dinner.

After hanging up the phone, Gu Wei was still thinking that it was quite interesting that a group of foreigners attending a dinner party in China would not be able to leave the table without playing around.

When they arrived at the place in the evening, Gu Wei realized that he had thought too much. There were no foreigners at the dinner table. The person who came from Warner was the domestic person in charge, a middle-aged man in his forties, who was slightly overweight.

The meal was a great pleasure for both the host and the guests.

At the dinner, Han Sanping recommended Gu Wei to the person in charge of Warner. When the other party learned that Gu Wei was the director who won the Golden Bear Award this year, he was also very interested in him and the two parties exchanged contact information.

After the meeting, Han Sanping sent Warner's people away, then went to another place with Gu Wei, drank tea, and continued chatting.

"See? These people won't do anything without a profit."

Han Sanping said as he took a sip of tea in the lounge.

"Mr. Han, I could have guessed this result before I came here. The situation there is much more realistic than here," Gu Wei said directly.

"So what are you going to do next?".

"I plan to send the script registered in Hollywood to Warner Bros. first. Once they like it, they will come to me for cooperation." Gu Wei is attracted by Warner Bros.' distribution channels in Hollywood. As for the investment in the film, he can handle it by himself. If that doesn't work, there is always Guangguang.

After thinking about it, Gu Wei continued: "Let's wait for the other party's reply. If it doesn't work, we can look for other film companies to cooperate with."

"Warner also has movies to be released in China this year, and China Film is also discussing this matter," Han Sanping mentioned, and then didn't say anything else.

When Gu heard the hint, he instantly understood what Han Sanping meant. At present, China Film holds the distribution rights for imported films, and Warner must understand this.

After it was over, Gu Wei went straight home.

"Big Shot" performed well at the box office on the first day, and "Feng-style" comedy has always been recognized by the audience.

After a busy year, audiences are willing to spend money to go to the cinema to relax, watch a movie and have fun.

This is also one of the reasons for the rise in commercial film box office. After all, compared to other art films, which can easily make people cry, no one is willing to spend money to suffer during the New Year.

After seeing the box office and netizens' comments after the film was released, Gu Wei took the time to call Feng Xiaogang and said a few words of congratulations. Feng Xiaogang's voice on the other end of the phone was high-spirited and it was obvious that he was quite satisfied with the current box office.

In mid-January, Gu Wei came to the school.

In a few days, all major universities will start their winter vacations, and final exams and school performances have already begun.

Walking on the campus, Gu Wei saw many new faces. They were all newcomers who came to register for the Beijing Film Academy's art exam. There were also some parents. The leader was a teacher who looked familiar to Gu Wei. He was taking students and parents on a tour of the campus.

"Look, it's director Gu Wei."

“There were reports online a while ago that he was banned from directing. Is that true?” said someone who was unaware of the situation.

"Shh, stop talking nonsense..."

"I heard……".

After greeting the teacher leading the team, Gu Wei walked towards the director's office.

Looking at the crowd of visitors, I wonder who will be admitted to Beijing Film Academy through the art exam this year.

Class of 02, Beijing Film Academy, etc., Gu Wei thought of some things in his mind.

It was no big deal that the director called him over. The school had originally planned to let him take part in this year's art exam as a judge in the first round, but now that this kind of thing had happened, he had no choice but to give up.

Besides, Gu Wei was not in the mood to participate in the art exam judges and the school's performance. He stayed in the office for a while, talked about his next plans, and left.

Star Film and Television Company.

"Boss, Warner has responded and the email has been sent to the company."

In the office, Wang Chen said.

"Well, I also received a call from the person in charge of Warner. They feel the script is very interesting and will send someone to the company to discuss it in detail."

"After we finish discussing things tomorrow, we can arrange for staff to be on duty during the New Year and distribute the year-end bonuses."

Gu Wei, who was sitting on the sofa, added.

"Also, I will be going abroad for a while after the new year. You will be responsible for the operation of the company. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions."

"Okay, boss," Wang Chen said respectfully.

In the next few days, Gu Wei went to the school twice more and gave some New Year's goods, such as cigarettes, alcohol, tea, etc. to each teacher.

Originally, Gu Wei was planning to give each teacher a red envelope, but the director of the directing department reminded him to pay attention to the impact, and Gu Wei immediately reacted.

Gu Wei did not go directly to the dean's office, fearing that it would have a bad impact, so he asked the director to bring a few boxes of tea as a token of his appreciation. "Time and Space Lovers" began its promotion as early as the beginning of January. China Film, Guangguang, and Huayi have also been promoting it online and offline in an orderly manner. The main actors of the crew have already participated in several roadshows.

At the beginning of the month, Han Sanping contacted him and asked him to participate in media interviews and appear on talks and programs together. Gu Wei directly refused, saying that he did not want to be too high-profile and was afraid of irritating the old men and women in the relevant departments. Han Sanping also expressed his understanding and did not mention the matter afterwards.

During the crew's roadshow, Gu Wei called each of the main actors and told them to go through the roadshow with peace of mind, and that he would give everyone a big red envelope once the movie was released and sold well at the box office.

The premiere of "Time and Space Lovers" is scheduled for January 1, which will be organized by China Film Group. Han Sanping will personally inquire about the invitations from major media, directors and well-known actors. The venue will be the Great Hall of the People. China Film Group does have a lot of reputation, and Gu Wei will also attend. After all, he is a film screenwriter and will not be absent.

On the morning of the 21st, Gu Wei received the person in charge from Warner in the Xingchen Film and Television conference room. The person who came was the middle-aged man that Gu Wei had met last time.

In the conference room.

Gu Wei sat on one side with Wang Chen and the company's lawyer. Opposite them were the Warner people. In addition to the person in charge, there were four additional people, who were probably also financial and legal personnel.

"Director Gu, the head office has reviewed the script you sent us and is willing to participate in the filming of the movie with you," said Wu Jun, the head of Warner.

Gu Wei took a sip of tea and glanced at him.

"Then let's talk about the investment amount and profit sharing ratio of the movie."

"I think Director Gu has misunderstood. What the company means is that for this movie, you will provide the script and you can also participate in some of the filming during the period."

The Warner official paused after he finished speaking.

"Oh, go on, let me listen," Gu Wei said expressionlessly.

"The company will give Director Gu 5% of the box office revenue. At the same time, after the movie is released, the assistant director will also write your name on the list, and then..."

"Let me tell you my conditions!" Gu Wei interrupted him without letting him continue.

"I believe you have read the script of the movie. The investment cost of this movie is not high, and is estimated to be at most 50 US dollars." Considering that it is only 02, the cost of film production is even lower.

"I fully invested in the film and shot it myself. Warner only needs to provide the venue and help select the actors. Warner is also responsible for the global distribution and promotion. The box office revenue will be split 50-50 between the two companies," said Gu Wei, leaning on a chair.

"This, this is not something I have the right to decide, and it is far from the authority the company has given me," Wu Jun said hesitantly.

Gu Wei looked at his watch and said directly: "Let's take a break first, and you should think carefully about the conditions I mentioned." After that, he led the company employees out of the meeting room.

"But let me remind you that this movie is low-budget and the script is very interesting. You're not the only one interested in it."

"As far as I know, you are not the only partners of China Film Group Corporation." Gu Wei praised China Film Group Corporation again when leaving the meeting room.

Twenty minutes later, the meeting continued.

"Mr. Gu, the company agrees to your conditions, but there is a requirement. The later promotion costs of the film must be borne by you."

Gu Wei did not answer directly, but thought for a while.

The movie "A True Story" has a very low cost, and the main expense in the later stage is publicity and promotion. Gu Wei also considered putting more effort in this aspect and promoting it extensively.

"I will be responsible for amounts within 100 million US dollars, and Warner will pay for the amount exceeding 100 million," Gu Wei said directly after thinking it over.

In Hollywood, movies of different costs have different publicity and promotion costs. For a movie costing more than 1000 million US dollars, the advertising and copy fees are about 200 million US dollars. For a movie costing less than 50, the expenses are only tens of thousands of US dollars.

After hearing Gu Wei's conditions, Warner thought for a while, nodded and said: "Mr. Gu, I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation."

Afterwards, the two parties signed the contract in the conference room, shook hands, and took a group photo.

At the entrance of Xingchen Film and Television Company, Gu Wei and his employees saw off Warner and his team.

Watching Warner and others leave, he felt relieved. Everything was ready. Now he just had to wait for "Time and Space Lovers" to be released, and then Gu Wei's affairs would be completed.

As the 26th approaches, the promotion of "Time and Space Lovers" is in full swing, and various Internet portals are reporting extensively on the film's premiere both online and offline.

"The premiere of "Time and Space Lovers" will be held on the 26th."

"'Time and Space Lovers' has a novel plot and is the first science fiction romance film in China."

"'Time and Space Lovers' is not to be missed this Spring Festival."

"The film's director is Han Sanping, vice-president of China Film Group Corporation."

In front of the computer screen, Gu Wei looked at the online reports. Needless to say, it was definitely the work of China Film.

Except for a few small websites that mentioned Gu Wei's name, no major media mentioned Gu Wei. Seeing this, Gu Wei felt relieved.

Huayi is operating as usual. In interviews, its artists have recommended the movie "Time and Space Lovers" and invited audiences to go to the cinema to support domestic films.

I have to say that Huayi is very skilled in manipulating public opinion.

Looking at the reports and publicity on the Internet, Gu Wei felt relieved. Now it depends on whether the quality and content of the movie can impress the audience.

Generally speaking, the media and the audience are looking forward to the movie. Other film and television companies and actors and artists do not dare to spread rumors in secret. This movie is jointly invested by China Film, Guangguang and Huayi. Unless they don't want to stay in the circle anymore, no one dares to speak nonsense.

(End of this chapter)