Empire of Shadows

Chapter 325: Not That Simple [666+7]

The recent rise of audio-visual films has spurred rapid development in the entire film industry, attracting the attention of many investors.

The influx of capital naturally brings a series of changes. To address these changes, a "Film Industry Workers Union" has been established at the initiative of some screenwriters, directors, and actors.

Anyone involved in the film industry can join this union, and the organizers claim it will integrate and efficiently utilize the industry's resources.

Many newcomers to the industry lack connections and relationships, and the birth of the Film Union effectively fills this gap.

They can gain more opportunities for various jobs through the union. Actors have more avenues to meet directors, and directors have more opportunities to meet actors.

Screenwriters no longer need to submit their scripts individually to production companies; they can directly send them to the union's screenwriting division, register them, and then showcase them to most production companies.

It only took four months from drafting the idea to deciding to implement it, which is remarkably fast.

Gerald, as the lead actor in a film, was naturally invited. He, along with the director and the entire crew, are in Creek Valley City.

When he heard Lance's call and its contents, he was clearly surprised. "I'm not aware of this, Lance. We entrusted the distribution business to a company specializing in distribution, and they promised to guarantee our screening times."

"I have no idea about what you're saying!"

He paused, then said, "I need to talk to the director. Hold on a moment."

Soon, the sound on the phone disappeared. After waiting for about four or five minutes, the sound of footsteps approaching from afar appeared in the receiver, and then the microphone was picked up.

"Mr. Lance?"

"Yes, I'm still here."

"Gerald just said that our film hasn't been released. What's the situation?"

Lance explained what he had encountered. The director breathed a sigh of relief. "Mr. Lance, I don't think there's any problem."

This made Lance feel a bit incredulous after hearing it. "Why isn't there a problem?"

"They're selling tickets for our movie but showing someone else's film. People can't see Gerald's performance or your work on the big screen. I think there's a big problem here!"

Listening to Lance's words, although he refuted the director's point of view, the director was not angry at all, because these words were essentially for his benefit. He explained to Lance.

"Mr. Lance, you may lack some understanding of the current film market."

"Currently, we use a buyout screening system. Simply put, after our film is produced, we invite theater companies and cinema owners to watch it."

"When they think our film is excellent, they can enter the next stage with us, which is the price negotiation stage."

"We will sell our completed film at a price that both parties can accept. As for how many times they screen it or how they screen it, it has nothing to do with us."

"Because they have already bought it out, we only need to worry about one thing, and that is that the cinema won't pirate our film."

"As for whether they screen it after buying it?"

"I believe they will screen it, because it's related to whether they can make money."

After listening, Lance felt a bit unbelievable. This wasn't quite the same as the box office revenue sharing system in his memory. "But I heard that some places are… the production company and the theater chain split the money based on the box office."

The director laughed and said, "That's true, the films of a few major production companies are indeed divided according to box office revenue, but Mr. Lance, they are them, and we are not them."

"Before our film has proven its market value, it's actually unlikely that so many theater chains will sign contracts with us."

"And even if we sign such a contract, it's difficult for us to guarantee that they can truly fulfill it. We also have to arrange for people to run around the country."

"Go to their cinemas and collect some data. This is a very complicated task, Mr. Lance."

"And we don't have any good means to confirm whether they have stolen our box office revenue."

"Currently, our main targets are some small and medium-sized theater chains and private cinemas."

Hearing this, Lance roughly understood. "So, what they screen has nothing to do with us, including their profits?"

"Yes, Mr. Lance, but as long as we can prove that our film can attract more people to the cinema, then the price of the next film will have a qualitative improvement. If we can continue to maintain success, we can negotiate revenue sharing with the theater chains."

In fact, after saying so much, Lance also understood. The general meaning is two things.

First, they don't have any fame. In this environment that clearly belongs to a buyer's market (introducing film sources), they are not qualified to make demands.

Second, if they want to change from a buyout system to box office revenue sharing, they must at least become very famous. Only when they prove that "our film has a dominant position during its release period" will those theater chains talk to them about revenue sharing.

Lance didn't expect the current situation to be so complicated. He then asked, "Then how much money did our film sell for?"

The director's voice seemed to rise a bit, obviously he was in a good mood. "It has already sold for 135,000 yuan, Mr. Lance. You have already made money from this."

He thought for a while, "After deducting taxes, it's probably… about 15,000 yuan."

"15,000 yuan?"

Lance didn't quite understand, but the director was still so enthusiastic, "Yes, and there may be a few more theater chains that will buy in later, and the revenue at that time will be pure profit."

"This film can bring you at least 30,000 yuan in income. Actually, this income is already not low. Although it can't compare to the films of those big companies, it's already in the top tier in our scale."

Lance suddenly felt a bit speechless, and even wanted to curse. Just this?

If it's all buyout system, how can he use movies and cinemas to launder money?

"Listen, Director, 30,000 yuan is less than my income from selling more alcohol tonight."

"I will continue to invest, but I hope our influence can be greater. Also, next time you go to negotiate with the theater chains, tell them that we will discuss a revenue sharing system."

"Don't do buyout system, I don't like it!"

The director didn't quite understand after listening, but as an investor, Lance has the final say. He still understands this principle.

"It's just that it's difficult for me to guarantee how many cinemas we can negotiate with, and whether we can ensure that they won't steal the money that should belong to us!"

Lance interrupted him, "That's not what you need to consider. That's what I need to consider, okay?"

"Also, do you have plans for the next movie?"

The director was currently in high spirits and immediately stated the filming plan for the next movie. Lance then asked him to talk about it after he came back.

Originally, he thought this matter would be very simple, but now it seems that this matter is not that simple.

Box office revenue sharing does exist, but small companies simply can't afford to play it. Just arranging supervisors to investigate box office situations in theater chains across the country is a considerable expense.

Not to mention other aspects, such as piracy and other things. For small production companies, buyout is the most reasonable way.

Moreover, the return on investment is very fast. After filming here and negotiating there, they can get all the money, which is much more convenient than waiting for the screening to end and then sharing the revenue.

After ending the conversation with the director, Lance called Vice President Vaughn again. After confirming that he was at the Dockworkers Union, he immediately took a car to the dock.

In the office of the Workers Union, Lance met Vaughn.

"When will Scott be promoted?"

It has been a month since the Competition Assembly, and it seems that Chairman Scott hasn't left yet. Lance felt a bit strange.

Vaughn asked his secretary to bring a cup of coffee. He sat on the sofa next to Lance. "At the end of this month, the beginning of next month."

Lance looked him up and down. He could see that he was in a very calm state, without any uncertainty about whether the chairman was about to leave and whether he would take over the power.

"So you've already been internally appointed?"

Vaughn showed a faint smile on his face. "This still needs to be voted on. The Workers Union is a democratic organization."

The more he said this, the more Lance understood that this matter had already been decided, but it was not easy to reveal it to the outside world.

"Is there a way to urge Scott to leave early?"

Vaughn looked at Lance a little puzzled. "What's wrong?"

"Because at the end of this month, the beginning of next month, there may be a riot, at the docks, or even the entire city."

"If he doesn't leave, there's a high probability that he won't be able to leave!"

Vaughn was stunned for a while after listening. If Scott couldn't leave, wouldn't his internally appointed chairman have to revert to being the current vice chairman again?

He quickly asked, "What exactly is going on?"

Lance told him the general situation. "…So this is a multi-faceted reason, and it's related to the future of this city."

"Actually, I shouldn't have told you about this, but we are friends, Vaughn, I have to tell you in advance."

"But you don't have to worry that this is a bad thing. In fact, it may not be a bad thing for you, for the dockworkers."

"The capitalists will offer the workers higher incomes. The dissatisfaction within the dockworkers can be greatly alleviated. The immigrant community can also voice their calls for fair treatment, as well as those illegal immigrants."

"If you can cooperate with me and get these things done, and do them beautifully, Vaughn, you'll have a chance to go to the General Labor Union!"

"And after you go, your position will definitely be higher than Scott's!"

"Because you will be a person at the forefront of the times, and you will also be a person with great influence!"

Lance swore that he didn't want Vaughn to be at the forefront. He just felt that this was an opportunity, and it would be a pity not to try!