Just like the appetizers that whet one's appetite, Xu Xin didn't look excited after Lao Qian said he agreed to the "perfect" conditions.

He even remembered a sentence he had forgotten where he saw:

"Behind all the glamour, there is a price secretly marked."

He may choose to believe that Lao Qian can make decisions, but he does not believe that Hollywood, with the attribute of "capital", will easily change the meat from exclusive to sharing based on its generous kindness.

Therefore, even though his appetite was whetted, he still maintained a restrained attitude and asked his doubts.

Then I heard another rhetorical question:

"Xu, when it comes to your first impression of Paramount, what do you think?"

"The Godfather, Titanic, Mission: Impossible, Shrek, and for some reason, I always come across Transformers."

Mentioning the film that always appeared in his life and swept the Chinese film market every time it appeared, Xu Xin showed a rare expression of dumbfounding:

"I really feel that I am quite unlucky. When "Transformers" harvests the ticket sales of China, I am always one of the other unlucky ones. But..."

Speaking of this, he paused and said:

"But to be honest, maybe "Transformers 4"... there will be a fourth part, right?"

"Of course, it is already in production."

"Well. When we mention the "Transformers" series, everyone will always think of the adrenaline-rushing special effects and the explosion effects of big scenes... Even McCombe has a nickname in our country, called: Explosion Expert. But I

To be honest, starting from the second part, its story quality has been continuously weakening.

And after 3 was played, I also paid attention to the audience's reputation. George, one thing you have to admit is that the audience is gradually beginning to get tired of aesthetic appreciation. So... From my personal point of view, maybe "4" is this movie.

The final highlight of the series. Of course, this is a chat between our friends.

Unless we change the director, script rhythm, and inject different things into the movie, otherwise...if we still shoot it in the same style as before...I think the economic value of this movie will become something that is open to question. This is

My thoughts on Transformers."

When Xu Xin expressed his thoughts, Lao Qian kept nodding.

I just don’t know if it’s out of politeness or if I really agree with Xu Xin’s idea.

Then, he did not discuss the topic of "Transformers" in depth, but changed the topic again.

"Actually, Xu, except for "Transformers" and "Mission: Impossible," we won't talk about "The Godfather." For now, the other movies you mentioned, such as "Titanic," are actually between Fox and us

It is a joint venture. When it comes to ownership, we only have the distribution rights in North America. The copyright does not actually belong to us. The copyrights to "Shrek" and "Madagascar" also belong to DreamWorks. We are only the distributor, not the publisher.

Producer, my friend, don’t you think it’s a little strange?”

"For example?"

"For example, why is it that, as the oldest film company in the United States, it currently holds the copyright and production rights of only a few well-known film IPs. "Transformers", "Mission: Impossible"... and even "Raiders"

"Raiders" all because after Disney acquired Lucasfilm, we lost the copyright..."

Hearing this, why did Xu Xin not mention it? Yang Mi muttered in her heart:

"No wonder people say you are the BIG FIVE of Hollywood..."

Everyone knows that the most valuable thing about a film company is its film IP. But here you are... the oldest film company has almost become a distributor.

"Xu, let me give you some data, and you will actually understand what I want to tell you. After "Transformers" was released in 1984, its total revenue so far is about 22 billion US dollars.

This includes derivatives licensing, box office revenue, home entertainment, video games, television revenue, etc. Its total value is this, but in fact the majority is with Hasbro. And Paramount, as the holder of film and television IP, we

The revenue is about 2.7 billion US dollars.

As for "Harry Potter," which only appeared in 1997, its total IP revenue is close to 30 billion. And its box office revenue is about 6.9 billion U.S. dollars.

Another example is the Marvel MCU series and the Avengers series, which have become popular in the past two years. Not to mention their total IP value, their film and television revenue alone has approached US$4 billion.

There are also movies such as "Batman", "Spider-Man", and even "Star Wars". These are the most valuable IPs in Hollywood. Each of them has exceeded 20 billion US dollars in terms of revenue.

.And among the 50 most valuable global IPs compiled last year, Paramount only had "Transformers", ranking 7th on the box office list.

But in the total value list, "Transformers" ranks 27th."

"Disney should be the absolute ace, right?"

Hearing Xu Xin's words, Lao Qian nodded:

"Yes, they are the absolute leader on this list."

"So... George, what you want to say is that you are lacking content?"

"Yes, Xu. We are gradually declining from a film company to a distribution company. This is actually very similar to the Huayi Brothers in your country."

Lao Qian suddenly brought up a topic that caught Xu Xin off guard.

Along with the appetizer, some pan-fried fish arrived. Under Xu Xin's surprised eyes, Lao Qian said with an unusually understanding tone:

"Xu, don't you think your Western Film and Television Group is very similar to Paramount? You both have a very old history. You have even brought you countless classic works in the past few decades. Each of these works has

Every time you take it out, it will be engraved in the history of Chinese movies. But as time goes by... it is inevitable that everyone is faced with some choices.

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Before you go to Western Film and Television, their choice is not to expand development, but to guard their past glory, just like lying in the hospital

Like an old man, waiting little by little for "death" to approach. But Paramount's choice is similar to the style of Huayi Brothers in your country.

We can have no IP, but we cannot lose our stock price. We represent, distribute, and integrate into those works. In this way, when these works are released, our mountain LOGO can appear in the public eye. And along with the box office of these movies

If it improves, our stock price will look better and satisfy the shareholders behind it. You should understand the operating rules I mentioned, right?"

Does Xu Xin understand?

He was so understanding.

In other words, Paramount...Western Film, Huayi. They are like branches along the main trunk of "movies".

In fact, there is no clear concept of who is good and who is bad on both sides. Everything depends on how to look at it.

From the perspective of Xiying, Huayi’s operation method, where the stock price is more important than the work, cannot produce high-quality films. Because films are now not only spiritual entertainment, but also cover the scope of art.

But from Huayi's point of view...it's good to make money, not shabby.

Only after an artist starves to death will his works start to fetch a crazy premium.

What?

Is the artist still alive?

Then die quickly. If you don’t die, how can your art be valuable?

To put it bluntly, this is a simple and general question of art or money.

but……

"George, how long have you been at Paramount?"

He suddenly asked a question that seemed unrelated to these topics.

But Lao Qian is happy:

"My friend, I said that when I was filming "The Godfather", I played a young newsboy in it. Do you believe it?"

"..."

Believe it or not, it doesn't matter.

Importantly, he should have been at Paramount for a long time.

So, he continued to ask:

"So, you are a very firm content person?"

"Yes. Xu. I have experienced that period and I understand very well what is most important to the film company. Therefore, over the years, I have always been a staunch content person."

He barely touched the food on the plate. After saying these words with the help of a sip of red wine, he continued:

"Xu, Hollywood is very big, and this soil is enough to feed many people. And every seed in the soil has the potential to escape the weeds and grow into a towering tree. For most people in Paramount, they need

The animation of Mount Everest appears in the title sequence of "Perfect". But for a few, we prefer to have our own content."

As he spoke, he spread his hands:

"So, after learning about "Perfect", my friend, our people conducted a very detailed investigation on you and Yang. Including your first movie, including where you have been in these years.

The changes brought about by the Western Film and Television Group. Perhaps in the eyes of most people in Hollywood, it is not unusual for even the best director in Venice to fail in Hollywood.

What's more, you don't have any commercial films to prove your worth yet. However, after learning that the company wanted to move the film "Perfect" to North America, I immediately applied to be the person in charge of this negotiation.

.Although the negotiation standards are set by the company, the final decision-making power rests with me.

My friend, the movie "Perfect" is actually not something I really care about. Even after we reach a cooperation, your life will not change in any particular way. After all, you still have to wait a year for the Oscar. But I

I really hope we can reach another kind of cooperation, such as...like Yang, you enter Hollywood."

After completely understanding what Lao Qian meant, Xu Xin suddenly became happy.

smiled and said:

"But Paramount is not a Western film and television group. Do you really expect me, a foreign director and an unknown person who has never made a commercial film, to be Captain America?... Speaking of which, if I remember correctly

If so, you are also responsible for the distribution of "Iron Man" and "Captain America", right?"
To be continued...