Chapter 75

This meeting continued until close to noon before it concluded. Determining the intention to cooperate was just the first step; there were too many specific matters to discuss. Today, everyone had not brought their lawyers, so they did not talk much, only discussing the production budget, equity distribution, and financing methods.

At Ye Wei's strong request, the two people from Focus left early because he was "uncertain whether Focus needed to be involved!"

Watching those two sinister-looking men in black leave with their unopened briefcases, he felt as if he had eaten a bowl of ice cream on a scorching summer day, a great relief!

Regarding the production budget, Ye Wei proposed his idea: he wanted to shoot using digital photography technology, which would cost about $5 million.

This figure was not much compared to the production budgets of Xia Yan Enterprises over the past few years.

Although the $80 million "Perfect Thief" and the $70 million "Hart's War" were mainly funded by MGM, the $70 million "Tears of the Sun" was produced by Xia Yan Enterprises, and the $40 million "Ten Yard" that had been shot but not yet released, they would not blink at investing $10 million for each project.

So when Willis heard the $5 million budget, he immediately said, "It's too little." What can $5 million do? He and Ye Wei would join with zero pay, but what about the others? They wouldn't even be able to invite a few decent actors! His point was that the budget should be at least $10 million; "Crocodile Hunter" cost $13 million!

Of course, not all this money would be provided by Xia Yan Enterprises. Lobbying about five independent production companies to co-fund the project, and not doing overseas pre-sales, was better because if the blueprint could be realized, selling the major overseas distribution rights at a low price before production would be a loss.

Rifkin also thought this way, but he believed a $5 million budget was enough. This was always a crazy attempt; who knew if Ye Wei could really become an idol and shoot well? With $5 million, Xia Yan Enterprises would contribute 60%, and the remaining 40% would be provided by Dream Chasers and other co-funding companies, which would be very suitable.

However, Ye Wei still insisted on doing overseas pre-sales for "zero risk," actually due to a hidden reason. Co-funding required him to put up his own money, but the company's account only had a few thousand dollars, and it was difficult to find investment quickly, which was awkward. Besides the value of the script, what could Dream Chasers bring to the co-funding?

The money raised from overseas pre-sales would be shared, and the equity ratio could be directly negotiated. Even if Xia Yan Enterprises took 80% and Dream Chasers 20%, it would be better than co-funding.

Xia Yan Enterprises would definitely be the main producer, and he only hoped that Dream Chasers could secure the position of the second-largest shareholder to maximize their benefits.

Everyone had different ideas, so by the time the meeting dispersed, there was still no consensus. A production meeting for a film project couldn't be resolved in one session. Today's meeting was over; after all, several big shots wouldn't directly participate in future production affairs, which was Rifkin's job.

Lowitt and Brougham's job was to create the image of "genius boy Ye Wei"!

Ye Wei followed Willis and the others to "The Spout on Main Street" for lunch. The owner here was also Wolfgang Puck, like all the restaurants that celebrities and stars loved: beautiful environment, expensive prices, and delicious food.

Happy and not having to pay, Ye Wei ate to his heart's content. During the meal, everyone laughed and joked, and the big shots treated him as "one of us."

Lowitt and Brougham brought up the old topic again: Ye Wei needed to find a white female star of the same age to pursue the "young couple" route! First, through their resources, they would create opportunities for Ye Wei to meet the target star, then pursue her, and both teams would determine the publicity strategy: she falls in love with his talent, he falls in love with her beauty, and everyone is happy.

"I don't want to do this, really, it's not suitable for me. Think of other ways, this won't work." Ye Wei kept shaking his head.

"This is the best way for you, the best way! Others do it too." Lowitt was very insistent. How could he be promoted if he was so disobedient?

This wasn't some immoral act; it was just a matchmaking method. CAA had done this many times, introducing a male star and a female star through their agents, going on a date, and if they liked each other, they would continue; if not, they would try with someone else.

Like Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's love, which was arranged by CAA, they even got married, and everyone admired them, everything was fine.

"No, I'm doing well with Lily; she's almost my girlfriend." Ye Wei shrugged, impossible to go on matchmaking with others!

"Don't continue, that girl won't do. Wei, you're a smart person, don't make a mistake in choosing a partner. You need a girl who can elevate you, and Lily Collins won't do."

Listening to Lowitt, Ye Wei just smiled and did not continue the argument. It wasn't too late to have a disagreement after all the contracts were signed...

After lunch, they still had no consensus on how to create the image of "genius boy Ye Wei" and maintain his fame from the short film promotion, making it grow like a snowball.

Despite this, with many uncertainties, Ye Wei truly felt the happiness of being surrounded by important people! Look at who these people were!

The co-chair of a famous PR company, a top agent from CAA, and a Hollywood superstar! Having lunch with them and thinking about how to create his image, yes, they were together for mutual benefit, but without respect and trust, there would be no mutual benefit.

The feeling of being valued and trusted was really great.

After lunch, the big shots had other things to do, so they dispersed at the restaurant, maintaining contact by phone, email, and text.

"Ha ha ha!" At this moment, Ye Wei was walking alone on the main street of Santa Monica, dragging his suitcase, smiling brightly, and occasionally excitedly punching the air, looking at the blue sky and the passing cars. Oh, everything happened so suddenly! Ha ha!

He took out his phone; only now did he have the time to share his joy with everyone.

"Oh, I don't really want to share it! I want to keep it to myself, ha ha... just kidding!" He muttered to himself, smiling, and pressed the phone keys to send a group text message...

...

In the morning, not long after texting Ye Wei, Lily and her mother boarded the plane back to Los Angeles. The phone had to be turned off on the plane, and the flight was six hours long. But she was always nervous about the situation with Wei, so she secretly turned on her phone several times during the flight. Either there was no signal, or he hadn't sent any messages, so there were no new messages.

Finally, she was caught by the flight attendant again, who gave her a warning. After her mother apologized, she firmly confiscated her phone. Now, she had to wait.

When the plane landed in Los Angeles, it was already nearly 4 PM local time. Before even getting off the plane, Lily quickly snatched her phone back from her mother, turned it on, and saw several messages from Wei!!!