Chapter Thirteen: Beyond Humanity, There Are Others
Page (1/3)
“Teacher Xu, what price range are you expecting per episode of Loser Men 2?” the representative from Sina Entertainment asked.
The other three remained silent, turning their eyes toward Xu Ming.
Clearly, they were somewhat displeased and resistant to Xu Ming’s approach.
“More than one hundred thousand yuan.” Xu Ming named his price without hesitation.
The representative from Tudou let out a derisive laugh. “Do you know how much a proper television drama’s exclusive online premiere rights usually cost? Three hundred thousand yuan at most for an episode. One hundred thousand per episode? You’re trying to fleece us. Tudou won’t be playing along.”
With that, he rose and made to leave.
“This will be the final season of Loser Men that I participate in. And let me make one thing clear: that price includes both the exclusive online premiere rights and priority partnership rights for all future seasons.”
Xu Ming spoke unhurriedly. “In other words, if there are Loser Men seasons three, four, and five, you’ll have first priority to work with us. This will also be the only film or television project I appear in for the foreseeable future. After that, my next project will be a film made in collaboration with Master Zhang.”
“I’ve said my piece. You’re free to leave.”
Yet when Xu Ming finished speaking, the Tudou representative, who had been about to walk out, stubbornly lowered himself back into his seat.
With that clarification, the deal was no longer impossible to discuss.
Everyone knew how much buzz Money Is No Object had generated, and Loser Men itself was already an immensely famous online intellectual property.
It would not be an exaggeration to call it the pioneer of web dramas. Combined with Xu Ming’s current popularity, the premium was worth considering.
“How many episodes are there? And how long is each one?” asked the representative from Sohu Entertainment.
“Ten episodes in total, thirty minutes each. Naturally, each episode is made up of several short segments, and you’re free to divide them further yourselves.” Xu Ming smiled.
The original Loser Men 2 had consisted of six fifteen-minute episodes.
Xu Ming reckoned that he would not be appearing in web dramas again anytime soon. He might as well increase both the quantity and the price in one stroke, packing the content of the following two seasons into this deal as well.
And since the other party was asking about those details, they clearly had an interest in buying.
The remaining three representatives lowered their heads and thought it over. At last, one of them said, “The situation is beyond our estimates. We’ll need to contact our companies before we can give you an answer.”
“No problem. I’ll give you an hour. After that, we’ll submit sealed bids. I’ll choose whichever company offers the highest price. That will save us from wasting time going back and forth.”
Xu Ming smiled.
His intention from the outset had been to settle the matter swiftly. Otherwise, once the four companies had compared notes, they might easily have joined forces to drive the price down.
The hour passed quickly.
No matter how reluctant they were, all four companies eventually handed Xu Ming slips of paper bearing their bids.
They had little choice. In 2009, China’s various video websites were all seeking to go public. Any piece of information that might boost investor confidence had to be seized as fully as possible.
Page (1/3)
Page (2/3)
“Congratulations to Sohu Entertainment. One hundred and fifty thousand yuan per episode. I’m delighted to work with you.”
Xu Ming extended his hand and shook that of the Sohu representative, a smile curling upward at the corners of his mouth.
To be honest, the price had far exceeded his expectations.
Compared with China’s struggling entertainment companies, these major Internet firms truly had money to burn.
Besides, under the contract he had signed with Benshan Media, only his performance income had to be turned over. All other earnings, including those from writing and creation, belonged to him personally.
In other words, after taxes, that one and a half million yuan would be pure income for him.
The representatives from Youku and Sina Entertainment applauded with complicated expressions. They, too, had not expected their competitor to be so generous.
After all, the exclusive online premiere rights to The Qin Empire, which Sohu Entertainment had purchased that year, had cost only twenty-five thousand yuan per episode.
Only the Tudou representative completely lost his composure.
“We offered the same price—one hundred and fifty thousand per episode. Why did you choose Sohu?”
So it had been him who shouted that he was leaving, yet he was also the one secretly offering the highest price.
There was a traitor among them.
The other three shot him contemptuous looks, though they, too, stared at Xu Ming in bewilderment.
“The prices were identical, so I made the decision based on my mood.”
Xu Ming’s expression remained composed. He then continued, “That said, this doesn’t mean we can’t work together again. There’s also a low-budget comedy film project. Would any of you four be interested in investing?”
You’re really determined to shear the same four sheep over and over, aren’t you?
“You mean the one you’re making with Master Zhang?” the Youku representative asked hopefully.
“What do you think?” Xu Ming tossed the question back.
The other man gave an awkward smile. Master Zhang’s films had never lacked investors.
“The total investment is only seven million yuan. My mentor has already agreed to help me raise one million, and I’ll put in another million myself. That leaves five million in shares, which the four of you can divide among yourselves.”
Naturally, when dealing with these wealthy Internet companies, Xu Ming had to inflate the investment figure.
In truth, five million yuan would be enough to cover the production costs.
“The market environment for domestic films is extremely harsh right now,” said the Sina Entertainment representative. “What can you offer as a guarantee that investors will see a return?”
Xu Ming looked at him as though he were an idiot.
“If anyone tells you that his film is guaranteed to make money, you must call me over. I’d like to see who has such an enormous mouth. Even Master Zhang wouldn’t dare guarantee that one of his films would certainly turn a profit, would he?”
“What are the project’s advantages, then?” the Sina representative asked, changing his wording. “What strengths does it have?”
“The script is excellent, and I’m the lead actor. The domestic film market may indeed be in poor shape, but low-budget comedies have still produced quite a few box-office dark horses.”
Page (2/3)
Page (3/3)
After all, any of the people sitting before him might become one of his future financiers. He was willing to show them at least a little respect.
“Who is the screenwriter...?”
“I am.”
Xu Ming’s shameless reply left all four representatives stunned for quite some time.
They had thought themselves shameless enough. That day, they discovered that there was always someone even more shameless.
“Tudou won’t be participating. Farewell.”
“Heh heh. Youku’s funds have been rather tight lately.”
Just like that, two companies withdrew. Xu Ming looked toward the remaining two—the very two in which he placed the greatest hopes.
“I’ll have to report this to the company and wait for a decision from above.”
“So will I.”
Both Sina and Sohu indicated that they would need to study the proposal and think it over.
Xu Ming was not disappointed. Soliciting investment was always a matter of casting a line whether or not there were fish to catch.
To put it bluntly, the film project Love Is Not Blind did look rather implausible on the surface. Its greatest advantage was Xu Ming himself.
That was also why he had been willing to risk breaking with his mentor by fighting for the project during the internal meeting at the media company.
His greatest bargaining chip was himself.
After the other three companies had left, the Sohu Entertainment representative somehow produced a contract.
Once Xu Ming had signed his name, he immediately received a text message notifying him that one and a half million yuan had been transferred into his account.
He extended his hand and shook hers, speaking with complete sincerity.
“Seriously, you should give my proposal careful consideration. With me in this film, it would be difficult for it to lose money.”
“Heh heh, we’ll consider it seriously. It’s been a pleasure working with you, Teacher Xu.”
She smiled awkwardly. She had just realized that she was having trouble pulling her hand free.
“Then let me ask you for one more favor. Could you help me obtain Director Teng Huatao’s contact information?”
Only after saying this did Xu Ming release her hand.
Did she really think he had chosen Sohu merely because he happened to be in the mood?
Not at all. He had chosen them because of their extensive connections in the entertainment industry—connections he might find useful in the future.
Many entrepreneurial ventures could not be invested in with money alone. If the project owners had sufficient confidence and leverage, they would also consider whether the investor’s connections and background could contribute to the project.
Page (3/3)