Chapter 27

The $500,000 crowdfunding goal was successfully reached!

In less than a week, Ye Wei achieved a happy ending in his fundraising efforts, thanks to the passion and trust of the crowd. This fundraising miracle for a production, which will be recorded in history, saw 162 Harvard-Westlake middle school students (21% of the junior high school students) raise $560,000!

Yes, it exceeded the target by $60,000. Behind this number were dozens of students who refused to leave the storage room, and Ye Wei accepted them all, together!

The extra $60,000 gave him more time to sell his collection of comics and toys. He could list them at a higher price on eBay without having to sell them at a loss.

On Saturday night, Ye Wei and Lily had another casual stroll or date. The two dined at "Giorgio Baldi" restaurant by Santa Monica Beach, then strolled and chatted along the beach, enjoying the sea view. Although they still couldn't buy alcohol and had to be home before 11 PM, they really had a pleasant evening.

However, they were not boyfriend and girlfriend.

For their current relationship, the word "love" was too heavy. If anyone said it, the other would be scared and never want to see them again. "Like" also had to be used cautiously, as it still felt burdensome. They just had a mutual attraction and a desire to go on dates, enjoying each other's company, and that was it.

A dating relationship (Dating) and a romantic relationship (Relationship) are two different stages. They were still in the "seeing" stage, where they could date multiple people simultaneously. Someone might get angry, thinking the other wasn't serious or didn't like them enough, calling them a heartless jerk, but there was no issue of who was wrong.

When would they become a couple? It would develop naturally. After several dates, they might realize they weren't suitable for each other, and the attraction was just a temporary impulse, so they wouldn't continue. Or, they might grow to like each other more, both wanting a serious relationship, and then ask, "Can you be my girlfriend (boyfriend)?"

So, who knows? What stage they were in would be revealed as they continued dating.

However, they didn't meet again that weekend. Ye Wei was busy with the script purchase; Lily, of course, had no trouble arranging her schedule. Her mother, Jill Taverman, was the president of the Beverly Hills Women's Club and a prominent figure. She had to attend a charity gala for Thanksgiving at the end of the month on Sunday.

Although it was Sunday, the transfer wasn't complete yet. Ye Wei had already called Gale to inform him that the transaction could proceed!

The negotiations officially began. Both parties' intentions were clear: one wanted to buy, the other to sell. However, the specific contract details needed thorough discussion.

In fact, although there were standard contract templates, almost every contract in the film industry was unique.

For example, an actor's contract, even for a minor role, usually spans dozens of pages. Even for non-union members, the terms are complex and overwhelming. For big stars, the contracts are even thicker, each one tailored, detailing the salary, responsibilities, profit-sharing, break-even points, and more.

Just look at Arnold Schwarzenegger's contract for "Terminator 3."

From June 2000 to December 2001, Hollywood's top lawyer, Jacob Bloom, drafted a 33-page contract for Schwarzenegger after no fewer than 21 revisions. Schwarzenegger received a $29.25 million "pay or play" fee, meaning he would be paid regardless of whether the film was made.

At the time, this set a new record for the highest "guaranteed compensation" for a star. A $3 million advance was paid upon signing, with the rest paid over 19 weeks of filming, plus $1.6 million for each additional week.

Additionally, there was a $1.5 million "additional allowance" for private jets, luxury cars, luxury hotel stays, and personal security.

There was also a creative "break-even point," a financial figure indicating when the film started making a profit. After reaching this point, he would receive 20% of the global gross, including all markets. The "pre-approval" clause gave him the right to choose the director and lead actors...

This was the 21st-century movie star. It was hard to say whether they were the boss or the producers were the boss.

After all, they didn't hire directors, as French director Jean-Jacques Annaud said, "I know many director friends who were excited about the opportunity to direct in Hollywood, only to find themselves mere employees hired by the studios to serve the stars."

Ye Wei's situation wasn't that complex. He wasn't a member of any union, so there were fewer complicated terms, but his rights were also less protected.

Therefore, for this project transfer contract, he had to scrutinize every clause, and Lawyer Salton had to do the same, identifying all the traps and securing the best interests for the Dream Chasers Alliance.

On Monday, he received the draft contract, and Lawyer Salton immediately began his research. Compared to the standard template, there were a few special clauses.

In simple terms, Focus was selling the entire "Little Miss Sunshine" project to the Dream Chasers Alliance for $500,000, including 30 drafts of the script, all materials, and all pre-production documents. However, Focus retained the right to invest, with a maximum 30% stake if the project was produced, and the right to participate in production.

Additionally, if the project wasn't produced within two years (November 2003 to November 2005), Focus had the right to produce it with 70-100% funding and the highest production approval rights. The production had to be in 35mm film or digital high-definition format, with a budget exceeding $1 million.

These clauses were a well-calculated plan. Everyone knew that buying a script was easy, but production was difficult, especially with a group of teenagers!

The most likely scenario was that after two years, not a single shot of "Little Miss Sunshine" would be filmed, and the script would be used as a coaster by these wealthy teenagers.

At that point, without spending a cent, the project would return to Focus, and they would have the initiative to produce it or not.

This move was truly ruthless!

On Tuesday afternoon, at the Focus office in Universal City headquarters, a bright, small meeting room, both parties were engaged in another round of discussions.

On the Focus side were Production Department Head Robert Harmon, Manager Gale Wilson, Marketing Department Manager Matthew Harrington, and legal representative Lia Monroe. One of the co-CEOs, David Linde, had planned to observe the "middle school producer," but he was absent due to an emergency.

On the Dream Chasers Alliance side were Ye Wei, Lawyer Salton, and the school-appointed advisor and supervisor, Mr. Lipson, who was also the advisor for the Entrepreneurship Club.

Before entering Universal City, Ye Wei had instructed Mr. Lipson not to reveal his true identity, just to say he was his personal assistant, and not to speak without permission.

Mr. Lipson felt very stifled. After all, he had a business degree! To be treated like this by a 15-year-old was absurd! But he had to almost swear an oath to comply, or he wouldn't be allowed to go...

This discussion focused on those special clauses.

"They are like the old witch in a fairy tale; I can't accept them."

At the left end of the long conference table, Ye Wei leaned back in his leather chair, spinning as he said, "Gentlemen, Woody Allen likes old witches, but I'm a commoner; I like Snow White."

Focus had been playing the "good cop, bad cop" game. Robert Harmon was the bad cop, the stern middle-aged white man, who responded sternly, "These clauses are not excessive; they just protect our rights. If you're afraid, we'll doubt your sincerity."

"Afraid? No, I find it ridiculous." Ye Wei was also playing the bad cop.

At this point, Gale coughed and said sincerely, "Wei, you should know how much effort we've put into 'Little Miss Sunshine.' Thirty drafts! It's like our child. We're selling it to give it a better future; we don't want it to remain a script for ten years."

"Ha, please!" Ye Wei laughed, spreading his hands. Everyone knew the state of the script; there was no need for such hypocrisy.

Gale, however, was determined to play the role, probably having read "An Actor Prepares," "These clauses are for the project's protection. We want a result, whether good or bad."

"Yes, I believe you, yes." Ye Wei nodded with a smile, believing the latter part, and Focus wanted a bad result.

That way, the Focus executives would have another wise decision; if he didn't produce it within the deadline, even better, they could take it back, adding to their assets; if he did produce it and it was good? Focus had 30%! No matter the outcome, they wouldn't lose.

Ye Wei glanced at Lawyer Salton, signaling the good cop to step in.

"We're not rejecting these clauses outright; we want to adjust the details." Lawyer Salton maintained a poker face, his tone calm but his content more moderate, "One, Focus's maximum stake can only be 15%, unless we agree to more; two, Focus has no production rights unless we agree to your participation."

This was the industry standard. To share risks and raise funds, it was common for independent films to have multiple producers, so Focus could invest, but the initiative had to remain with the Dream Chasers Alliance.

The Focus representatives frowned, thinking they could take advantage of the middle school students, but they were unexpectedly tough...

Lawyer Salton continued, "Three, in case of production conflicts, we have the right to refuse any funding from Focus."

What were "production conflicts"? They could be a wide range of issues, from how a line was delivered or a shot was framed, which were creative team conflicts, to who was in the creative team, which were producer conflicts. Sometimes conflicts could be resolved, sometimes they became news: someone quit due to disagreements, or a company withdrew funding.

Without this refusal right, if Ye Wei said, "I want to be the producer and director," and Focus responded, "How can that be, you're just a kid!" who would make the final decision?

To realize his production vision, he needed to firmly hold this power, a right even stronger than "pre-approval," allowing him to kick Focus out if they weren't needed.

"Four, remove the unreasonable clauses regarding production deadlines, format types, and budget limits."

After Lawyer Salton finished, the meeting room was silent. The Focus representatives exchanged glances, their faces full of reluctance.

"No." Robert Harmon refused to budge. After these four adjustments, Focus would lose all initiative, diminishing the luster of this sale.

"You know this is the industry standard. You can't take advantage of my client's age to create such an excessive contract." Lawyer Salton's tone grew firmer.

Focus's lawyer, Lia Monroe, said seriously, "But there's a fact you can't deny: Mr. Ye's age and actions could damage Focus's reputation. If he buys the script and doesn't produce it, or just makes a home DV, how will the public view this?

Will producers still dare to buy scripts and projects from Focus? After years of work, to sell it to a kid as a toy? Focus would become a laughingstock in the film industry! These clauses are just protecting ourselves."

The argument was valid, and Lawyer Salton was momentarily speechless, still far from being a top lawyer...

Ye Wei pondered for a moment, knowing his determination and confidence. Producing a film with a budget over $1 million within two years wouldn't be harder than raising $500,000 in a week. If he couldn't do it, keeping the script would be meaningless. He decisively said:

"The clauses can remain, but if they take effect and Focus leads production, regardless of your investment, we will directly invest $500,000 for the script, or Focus can buy it back at three times the price. As for the first three points, we won't budge. Either way, or the deal is off."

Mentioning the end of the deal, the Focus representatives became nervous. In reality, they didn't care about the first few points because Focus never intended to invest! They were all tired of this mess, playing movies with teenagers? Asking for trouble!

This was just a way to gain more unnecessary initiative. Since they couldn't fool the other side, there was no need to be serious.

But they valued those clauses because the project was likely to fail, with wealthy teenagers losing interest after a while.

"Sorry, we need to discuss this." Robert Harmon stood up, and the other three temporarily left the meeting room.

At this moment, Mr. Lipson, who had been silent, took a deep breath, as if he had just started breathing again. Looking at Ye Wei, he had a new appreciation for this devilish student...

Previously, he and everyone else had worried that Ye Wei would be out of his depth, naive, or even embarrassing in this adult setting. But the facts proved them wrong. The incredible continued, and Ye Wei could handle the situation!

"What's wrong?" Ye Wei shrugged and smiled, "Assistant, if you're nervous, have some water."

Mr. Lipson was speechless, picking up a glass of water from the table and taking a sip...

Next, Ye Wei and Lawyer Salton exchanged opinions. As long as they stuck to their final points, it was acceptable.

After a while, Harmon and the others returned to the table, looking like they had reached a consensus.

"We can accept the other points, but you can't have the refusal right..." Harmon's expression was serious.

"No, we need it, we want the refusal right." Ye Wei responded directly, his calm face exuding a rock-solid determination, leaving Mr. Lipson in awe.

Harmon frowned, sighing after a moment, "Then the contract must clearly define what 'production conflicts' mean."

"Simple, the above-the-line team is entirely decided by the Dream Chasers Alliance." Ye Wei said.

The above-the-line team included the producer, director, lead actors, and screenwriter, often the most expensive part of the budget and the royalty of the production team. The below-the-line team included supporting actors, cinematography, lighting, sound, and all non-above-the-line members, as well as equipment, extras, and labor.

Controlling the above-the-line team meant controlling the entire production.

"This won't work, we need participation rights..." Harmon tried to resist.

"No, the above-the-line team is entirely decided by the Dream Chasers Alliance." Ye Wei repeated.

It seemed they couldn't gain any advantage here? Gale looked helpless, and Harmon had no choice, resorting to his last move: "You should know we have other buyers. The repurchaser even said they would match the $500,000. Our negotiations might just be a waste of time."

"Ha!" Ye Wei laughed, bringing up the repurchaser's "trick or treat"? Halloween was long over!

Although he desperately wanted the script, he wore a carefree, spoiled smile, "Robert, you can choose the repurchaser; I don't care. We just want to make a movie. There are so many film companies, agencies, and the Writers Guild with good scripts for sale, right?"

He frowned, scanning the Focus representatives, "And the more I think about it, the less I like 'Little Miss Sunshine.' There are too many characters, and the story feels fragmented. I don't know, maybe I'll change my mind tomorrow, but not now."

The Focus representatives couldn't tell if he was serious, growing more nervous. Playing with fire could backfire. If Ye Wei withdrew, it would be awkward... The repurchaser would know in a few days and revert to the $400,000 price...

So the two co-CEOs had ordered to keep this buyer and close the deal.

Given the situation, maybe they should accept? Harmon and Marketing Manager Matthew Harrington exchanged glances, nodding silently, making their decision.

"Alright."

Hearing this beautiful word, Ye Wei clenched his fist in secret, Mr. Lipson was moved, and Lawyer Salton rarely smiled... They succeeded!

Both parties reached an agreement on the contract!

After the project transfer, Focus retained a 15% stake; the Dream Chasers Alliance had absolute production rights and the right to refuse funding. Ye Wei got everything he wanted!

The only downside was that the clauses remained, requiring the Dream Chasers Alliance to produce "Little Miss Sunshine" within two years, with at least a $1 million budget, or Focus would have the last laugh...

Ye Wei wasn't too concerned. These clauses were a form of motivation. As long as the film was produced within the deadline, they were meaningless.

However, the deal wasn't final yet. The repurchaser had the right to match the offer within three days of the contract signing.

Before leaving Focus, Ye Wei shook hands with Harmon and Gale, wishing everyone a pleasant collaboration, and added mysteriously, "You know what to do, right?"

Yes, Harmon and the others knew: block the repurchaser...