Hollywood Tycoon [US Entertainment + Business War]

After signing with Quentin Tarantino, Jed began to think about the future director of commercial films in his mind.After all, the success of DreamWorks is not only due to Spielberg alone. Isn't the reason why the big film companies are called big film companies because of their talented directors?Although directors generally do not directly sign fixed employment contracts with film companies nowadays, big film companies can still use option incentives or form satellite production companies to attract popular directors to their banners.

Jed thought about it, and soon the first name was on the list, Michael Bay.Although Michael Bay was once ridiculed by movie fans as "selling copies" because of his over-commercialized production in the later period, this does not prevent him from becoming one of the best-selling directors at Oscars.Especially now that Michael Bay has just transformed from an advertising director to a film director, it is a good time to win over.

After writing Michael Bay's name, Jade immediately thought of Luc Besson, a talented director.Unlike Michael Bay, Luc Besson still retains the heart of a middle-aged literary uncle while insisting on commercial production. The Europa Films he formed later has become the most humanistic and romantic film company in Hollywood.Such a director, even if he doesn't get much money at the box office, will definitely bring praise from critics to the company.

These two people must be signed at present, and the other name is temporarily kept in Jed's heart, and he will win it in one fell swoop just waiting for him to show up in Hollywood.

After calculating the name, Jed called Jia Fei and said he wanted to check Michael Bay's relevant information, especially whether he had a fixed contract with any film company.

At this time, Michael Bay should still be just an advertising director, and has not yet entered the film industry.However, the news sent back by Ja Fei made Jed a little disappointed, because Michael Bay had already signed a contract with Columbia Pictures and would shoot ten films for Columbia in the next ten years.This kind of semi-fixed employment contract is also common in Hollywood, and it is usually encountered by second- and third-tier actors or directors.The advertisement of this kind of contract has a two-way choice for both the company and the individual, that is, both parties have a chance to break the contract, but the contract that Columbia gave to Michael Bay obviously does not have this clause.Since this kind of commercial contract is usually backed up by the Hollywood city government in name, Jed also got the backup of the contract through Ja Fei's relationship.

I have to say that Colombia, which was acquired by the Japanese, is really as harsh as the Japanese.On the surface, the contract gave Michael Bay a very good box office share, but the threshold for box office share is very high.More importantly, five movies in ten years means that Michael Bay has no chance to cooperate with other companies except Columbia.And this contract that almost tied Michael Bay to the Columbia chariot did not mention any benefits other than box office sharing and director's salary, and even the follow-up benefits of the film were not provided to Michael Bay.Although this is a contract for a newcomer director, the terms are too harsh.

"Jia Fei, contact our law firm to see if there are any loopholes in this contract for us to exploit." Jed called Jia Fei again, "Then arrange a time for me to meet with Michael Bay."

"Yes, Mr. Sherman." Jaffe said, "I have a small question. Is Mr. Sherman planning to recruit this director? I have to remind Mr. Sherman that Talent Mr. Nuo's contract is already very special, is it possible that our company plans to sign another director dedicated to us? This is not Hollywood in the 50s and [-]s!"

In fact, I can't blame Jia Fei for being so annoyed now, because Jade's whimsy made Jia Fei have to ask a lawyer to study the relevant laws before concocting a very special contract.Quentin Tarantino and Galaxy Films will form a company called "Tarantino Film Studios", which will become a subsidiary of Galaxy Films.

In short, after a series of legal and financial entanglements, Quentin was finally signed according to Jed's expectations.This process was very easy for Quentin and Jed, but it was a very torturous process for Jia Fei and other staff members.Therefore, when Jia Fei noticed that Jade was interested in a director again, he felt that he must kill this idea in the bud.

"Of course, Mr. Michael Bay is the guarantee of the future box office." Jed didn't think there was anything wrong with doing so.

"Mr. Sherman, do you know why directors and film companies no longer sign fixed contracts with the development of Hollywood? Of course, the production company founded by the director is no longer included in the discussion." Jia Fei patiently talked to Jed Explain, "Because of the risk! No film company can guarantee that they will always have enough funds for the director to make films, and no director can guarantee that they will always make money. Therefore, there is no longer a fixed contract between the production company and the director. Everyone is signing one piece at a time, at most it is a priority when asking for a sequel. Mr. Sherman, please don't put the company in a dangerous situation."

Jed was taken aback for a moment, and he realized that he really considered the feelings of the directors too much.To be honest, he now feels more like the manager of the directors, desperately fighting for the interests of the directors without thinking about what his company needs.Yes, for a long time, Jed's company could rely on Jed's unrivaled vision to make money.But what about the future?Jed didn't want the company he created by rebirth to end up in bankruptcy.So he felt that he had to consider the opinions of professionals, such as the opinions given by Jia Fei this time.

"I understand what you mean, and I respect your opinion." Jed said calmly.In just a moment, Jed quickly reflected on himself.Yes, it is too easy to succeed by yourself.He was born in a wealthy family, and then relied on his foresight to quickly accumulate popularity and wealth for himself.On top of that, his ancestry also opened the door for him in American showbiz, but none of this is real.For the first time, Jed realized that his success was like a reed in the wall, but it was top-heavy and shallow-rooted.This kind of success is like a dream in the mirror, and it may be a dream at any time. "I'm sorry for my last decision, and I'm grateful that you have made amends for my reckless decision. Jia Fei, Michael Bay may be the most successful commercial director in Hollywood in the next few decades, how should we keep Get him down?"

Jia Fei was actually a little worried about whether he was too strong, but he didn't expect Jed to listen to his advice and ask him how to deal with it.In fact, Jia Fei does not agree to maintain a long-term cooperative relationship with any director, because if the style of a film company is too deeply influenced by the director, it will cause other directors with different styles to stay away from this company. The company's competitiveness has declined.But Jed's vision is notoriously vicious, which even Jia Fei has to admit.

If Jed believes that Michael Bay is the most successful commercial director in the next few decades, then this director can at least make money for the company in the next 20 years.For such a director, Jia Fei also felt that it was necessary to sign him.However, the long-term employment contract is obviously not in line with Jia Fei's principles, and there is a way to terminate the so-called long-term employment contract.

"If you want a director to serve the company for a long time, then it is necessary to bind his interests with us. Some things cannot be reflected in the contract, such as we can provide the best script and the most sufficient production Cost, we can only let him know our sincerity through a few times of cooperation. In addition, there is another way to imply that to a certain extent, we can give him equity incentives, or even take the example of Cameron and Quentin to form a satellite The production company, let them serve the company in the form of share control. However, this will inevitably involve whether the satellite company will be independent in the future, and whether it will ask to share copyright. My principle is that the copyright of the film cast by the company must belong to company."

Jade also agrees with Jia Fei's business philosophy. The most important fixed asset of a film company is its film library.Why did Miramax dare to turn against a giant like Disney back then?It is because it holds the copyright of nearly half of Disney's blockbuster movies.Therefore, after several negotiations failed, Disney could only spend a lot of money to send Miramax away from Disney, just for the sake of sharing this library in the future.

This is the risk of establishing a satellite company. Miramax is Disney's satellite company, and DreamWorks was also Paramount's satellite company back then, but they will ask for a separation after they grow stronger.In fact, it is not necessary to separate the family. The important thing is that the film library is divided. It is a very tricky thing.Quentin's satellite company is not what Jade cares about. After all, Quentin's films have always been word-of-mouth, and the follow-up box office is relatively limited.But if Michael Bay wants to split up, I'm afraid it won't be so easy for Jed.

"I agree with your suggestion, and I will discuss it with Michael Bay in detail."

Hearing that Jed agreed, Jia Fei also breathed a sigh of relief.So I tried to arrange a meeting between Jed and Michael Bay. The boss of a production company wanted to meet a director. Although this is not common in Hollywood, it is not illogical.After all, the current Galaxy Films is just a small independent production company, and Jed is just a well-known producer in Hollywood, and his fame still comes from his identity as a screenwriter and director.Therefore, there is no need to hide from anyone that Jed wants to meet Michael Bay, and even Columbia will not think there is anything wrong with the two meeting.

It's just that Columbia will find it funny, because Michael Bay will be kidnapped by Columbia for the next ten years, and the Galaxy has no hope.However, if Columbia knows that Galaxy is looking for the most unreasonable law firm in Los Angeles to discuss Michael Bay's contract, I am afraid that Columbia will try its best to prevent this meeting.It's a pity that history cannot be assumed, and Jed soon made an appointment with Michael Bay.

Michael Bay is preparing to shoot "Bad Men" at this time. Columbia not only gave him a sufficient budget, but also invited two popular newcomers Will Smith and Martin Larence for him.Although Michael Bay was somewhat dissatisfied with the superficiality of the script, he also knew that he had been defined as a popcorn movie director by the film company, and those in-depth scripts would not be his turn anyway.

From his days as director of commercials and music videos, Bay had dreams of becoming a real film director one day.Therefore, he has also planned his own career path. Should he find an independent production company to realize his ideal?Or find a major production company to open up your career path?Finally, when Columbia Pictures approached him, Michael Bay knew he couldn't say no.

Just imagine, which director's debut work can make Hollywood giants invest?Moreover, the scheduled schedule is still a very lively summer vacation, so this work of mine will definitely become a hit.But when Michael Bay heard that Jade asked him to meet, he thought about it and agreed.Hollywood is also a place where popularity is concerned. No matter how small Galaxy Films is at present, it is still a formal film production company.Offending a producer in Hollywood is obviously an unwise choice, not to mention that Michael Bay is also quite interested in Jed.

Before Michael Bay had the opportunity to make a movie, he was still full of envy and hatred for a film director like Jed who became a monk halfway through.A writer suddenly transformed into a screenwriter, and then became a director with the support of his seniors.What made Michael Bay jealous the most was that such a young director actually won the Oscar for Best Director.Although Michael Bay felt that it was Spielberg who made Jed, Michael Bay was still a little upset when he thought that there was an Oscar for Best Director trophy in Jed's office.Therefore, Michael Bay didn't know what kind of mood he had when he went to see Jed, and he was a little entangled anyway.

In fact, Jed originally thought that Michael Bay should look like an otaku, because the director industry is easy to stay at home.As a result, when I really saw Michael Bay, my first feeling was to tidy up a little bit. In fact, there is hope for the gangsters in front of the stage.And when Michael Bay saw Jed, he also thought that Jed should look like a middle-aged tycoon with a fat belly.But Jed in front of him is a gentleman-looking man, every part of his body has been carefully groomed, but he doesn't feel hypocritical at all.The most important thing is that Jed always gives people a feeling of being easy to get along with, but when you really want to get close, you will be pushed away by something that seems to be there.But Michael Bay is obviously not the kind of man who wants to go deep into Jed's heart, he just feels a little spring breeze now.He immediately felt that Jed was actually someone who could be a friend.

"Actually, I came to see Mr. Bei because of a kind of unfeeling invitation." Jade said with a smile, "I know that for Mr. Bei, Columbia has the grace of knowing you, but the grace of knowing you should not come from Mr. Bei's freedom. repay."

"What do Mr. Sherman's words mean?" Michael Bay was really grateful to Columbia at this time, so he was a little dissatisfied with Jed's straightforward words. "I've enjoyed working with Columbia and don't want to change companies."

"This is Mr. Bei's contract, and this is the contract that Hollywood usually gives to newcomers." Jed threw out the two contracts, "Pay attention to the red lined part, this kind of contract is public, go to the Hollywood City Hall to spend some money You can make a copy of the money.”

Although Michael Bay is very grateful to Columbia, it does not mean that he is willing to accept an unfair contract.After comparing his contract, a trace of anger appeared on his face.Jed took advantage of the victory and chased after him: "If Mr. Bei thinks that Columbia Company has discovered you, then you can make this movie for them. But it should be Mr. Bei's own freedom to choose whose movie to choose next. Columbia It's unfair and immoral that a company can't bind your freedom with terms!"

"After all, don't you want me to switch to your company?" Michael Bay sneered.Although he was cheated by Columbia on the director contract, after all, he has also been in the entertainment industry for many years, and he can't tell whether he is sincere or not.

"Yes, I'm here to cooperate with you." Jed didn't think there was anything wrong with his blatant poaching.Good things, of course, go to the one with the highest price.Coupled with the relationship between myself and Sony, it is also right to cheat Columbia. "I will not limit your freedom, but I will use the best script to keep you. I will give you the script you want most, and give you the budget you are most looking forward to, so that you can make the greatest and most popular movie on the planet. commercial film."

"Is it a popcorn movie again?" Michael Bay's heart really moved when he heard the best script and the best budget.But I didn't expect that in the end, the man in front of me still wanted to make a commercial movie by himself. Did he really want to be a popcorn movie director?

"What's wrong with commercial movies?" Jed asked with a sneer, "Commercial movies are dream machines, allowing the audience to come in and relax and forget the troubles in reality. If your movie can make them temporarily forget the troubles in reality, you Isn’t it still successful? Don’t always think that art movies are movies, and movies that audiences like are good movies!”

"A movie that the audience likes is a good movie?" Michael Bay murmured to himself.

Jed saw that the fire was almost done, and it would be too late to burn it down, so he got up and said, "Galaxy Films looks forward to the cooperation with Mr. Bei with the greatest sincerity! We not only have the best script and the best budget, but also the most professional team." Solve all your worries! All we need is your directing talent!"