sbdcsierra Chapter 1393, Page 1402: The most skillful persuasion requires only the simplest method!
Chapter 1393, Page 1402: The most skillful persuasion requires only the simplest method!
Chapter 1393, Page 1402: The most skillful persuasion requires only the simplest method!
"Harrison!"
Naoki Nagayama waved to the white man walking over from a distance, and Harrison Ford quickly followed.
"Naoki!"
Although it's a bit strange to call someone by their Japanese name in English, after a few months of getting to know each other, we've become very familiar with it!
Harrison gave Naoki Nagayama a warm hug before saying:
"I knew it! Naoki, you definitely wouldn't miss the Oscars!"
"Haha, of course! My goal is the grand prize!"
Harrison Ford is a star himself, so he certainly wouldn't miss such a grand event.
"Where is the others? Didn't Ms. Tanaka come?"
The tall, white man turned his head and looked around, seemingly trying to find one of the few friends he had made in Japan.
"Haha, Yuko-san didn't come this time!"
Yuko Tanaka has no reason to attend the Oscars, and her agency won't arrange any schedules for her!
Naoki Nagayama's entry in this competition was "Departures," not "Jurassic Park," but since the film was to be shown in Hollywood, Harrison naturally had to come and take a look.
"Alright, come with me!"
Naoki Nagayama led Harrison to the most bustling area of Hollywood, pointing to a movie theater and saying:
"Our film will be screened in these places in the next few days! As part of the screening event, we're paving the way for our entry into the US market!"
"We'll be doing some promotional activities here, and we'd like to ask you to help with the publicity!"
"Haha, of course, no problem!"
Harrison smiled and nodded. Although he had already received his salary, his fame would rise as the film was released in the United States. This would definitely be a good thing for his career!
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen the whole Jurassic Park movie yet!"
"Eh?"
Naoki Nagayama slapped his forehead in surprise. Because Harrison had been abroad, he hadn't had the chance to see the finished product.
"It was my fault."
"How about this, let's rent out the entire movie theater today. I'll also invite some producers to come and watch it with us!"
"That couldn't be better!"
Working with other producers can also help you expand your network!
The two walked together along the main street of Hollywood, catching up on each other's lives from time to time.
"After returning from Japan, I didn't rest for long before I threw myself back into filming 'Indiana Jones 3'!"
Harrison complained somewhat helplessly.
"This time we went directly to Venice and Germany. The filming environment there, in the wilderness, was so much worse than Jurassic Island!"
"Haha, that's how it is when you're filming an adventure movie."
Naoki Nagayama made a blunt joke.
"Otherwise, how could we demonstrate Dr. Indiana Jones's erudition and courage!"
At that moment, Naoki Nagayama suddenly recalled a famous scene from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, where Jones encountered a Nazi parade in Germany, happened to run into the Führer, and was even forced to ask for his autograph.
"By the way, when you were filming in Germany, what was the character's mindset in the script regarding the scene where the head of state signed his autograph?"
Naoki Nagayama asked curiously,
"Were they moved by the leader, overwhelmed by his personal charisma, or simply surprised?"
There are many clips of that famous scene, such as "Dr. Jones almost changed his beliefs on the spot" and "Take it, the Empire doesn't care," which are said in a very convincing way and are simply hilarious.
"!!
Harrison was horrified. He had just finished filming scenes in Germany, and Naoki Nagayama knew about them?!
Did Naoki Nagayama send a spy over there?
Or has the footage from the film crew already been leaked?!
"Naoki, how did you know?!"
"Forehead"
Naoki Nagayama then realized he might have said something wrong and quickly tried to make amends.
"Haha, I just happened to hear about it from someone. Since it was one of your movies, Harrison, they asked for more details. They also said that you acted exceptionally well in the autograph scene, showing the character's psychological changes."
"I was just acting surprised."
Harrison said dryly, then asked,
"Who was the person you were talking about with Naoki?"
"Um... Keep it confidential."
Naoki Nagayama quickly changed the subject.
"Ah, that restaurant up ahead looks nice. It'll be perfect for welcoming you. After we eat, we'll go to the cinema to see 'Jurassic Park'!"
"."
Because Naoki Nagayama suddenly accelerated, Harrison was two steps behind.
However, looking at Naoki Nagayama's back at this moment, he suddenly felt an indescribable sense of oppression!
"The production crew definitely leaked the secret!"
"And it specifically mentioned clips involving the Nazis."
"Perhaps Naoki Nagayama has some connection to a certain ideology, which is why he secretly investigates related films."
"I'm just afraid someone will try to whitewash the defeated side from the past!!"
"That's right, otherwise Naoki wouldn't have reminded me about changing my faith!"
"This is an ideological struggle!"
"No, no, I have to remind the director to be careful with the editing of this scene!"
"."
In this era, ideological struggles are fierce. Big Brother is still around! The Cold War is still ongoing!
Secret police and the like were once feared in the United States!
At this moment, Harrison found Naoki Nagayama increasingly terrifying!
Considering that he possesses such great wealth and status at such a young age, his background may involve many more aspects!
Harrison?
Naoki Nagayama glanced back at Harrison.
Why didn't you follow?
Harrison was jolted awake, sensing that this was also some kind of hint, and immediately said:
"I will definitely catch up with Naoki!!!"
Aside from the Oscars ceremony and the after-party, Hollywood's Oscar viewing parties are arguably the most attractive events for ordinary people during awards season.
In Hollywood cinemas, various free movies or super low-priced promotions are underway, attracting audiences to watch films from all over the world.
Today, thanks to a previous request to the president of the film academy, "Jurassic Park" was able to jump the queue and become a film in a major theater. Generally speaking, filmmakers from all over the world will come to watch it, which is also an opportunity to close deals.
It's hard for anyone watching Jurassic Park for the first time not to be amazed by its realistic special effects and bold imagination!
Especially in this era when movie special effects technology was just emerging!
That's roughly how people felt when they saw Avatar after the turn of the millennium.
Filmmakers from all over the world were completely captivated by the lifelike dinosaur park, with its leisurely Brachiosaurus, cunning Velociraptor, and ferocious Tyrannosaurus Rex.
At the same time, some of them, who are also film businessmen, are very clear that such a film will undoubtedly be very popular in their own country!
As a result, many people from film companies began to inquire about the production company "Tree Friends Pictures" and the price they wanted to pay for its distribution.
However, at that moment, Naoki Nagayama was having a conversation with a group of people in the meeting room of the movie theater.
"Gentlemen, I invited you to see 'Jurassic Park' the day before yesterday. What did you think?"
Naoki Nagayama smiled and asked the eight people in front of him, who were representatives of the production company of "The Last Emperor" and had been invited to attend the Oscars. Naturally, they were all senior executives of the film company.
"very good!"
Jeremy Thomas, founder of the British Recorded Picture Company, nodded in satisfaction.
"This is an excellent movie, and it could even be said to have the best special effects in a movie right now!"
"Mr. Naoki Nagayama, there's an old saying in the East: 'Honest people don't beat around the bush.' You've invited all of us here today, surely you have something to say?!"
As one of the producers of "The Last Emperor", he naturally has a deep understanding of Eastern culture and can even speak idioms fluently.
"Haha, of course I have something to say!"
Naoki Nagayama did not deny it.
"However, there are some things I need to clarify beforehand. I consider myself a businessman."
What I'm about to discuss involves dirty deals.
He looked around at everyone in the room and said seriously:
"If the people present don't consider themselves businessmen, don't care about money, or are ashamed to associate the high art of film with commercialism."
"Then, please leave this room!"
"."
This novel opening surprised everyone greatly.
Hearing these words, which sounded both self-deprecating and sarcastic, everyone present looked at each other, and for a moment no one dared to make a move.
Investing in and starting a film company—who isn't a businessman at heart!
After waiting a while and seeing that no one had left, Naoki Nagayama slapped his thigh in fear:
"Okay, since no one minds talking about money, things will be much easier!"
As he spoke, he took out a series of dinosaur plush toys from his pocket:
"After seeing Jurassic Park, I'm sure everyone understands its commercial value. I'm not bragging, but I think Jurassic Park's global box office will definitely exceed $10 billion!"
With a "whoosh," the others in the room either laughed or shrugged. It wasn't that they didn't believe it, but in this day and age, no movie has ever reached a box office of 10 billion US dollars!
"Cough cough."
Jeremy Thomas coughed twice and said with a smile,
"Mr. Nagayama, we do think Jurassic Park is excellent, but a total box office of $10 billion might be too difficult a target!"
"All right."
Naoki Nagayama shrugged, not arguing with them.
"So what do you think it should be?"
"Forehead"
This surprised everyone for a moment, but after some mental calculation, someone threw out a number.
"About 7 to 8 million US dollars?"
"Over 8 million, I guess."
No more than that.
Seeing everyone's judgment, Naoki Nagayama didn't say much. He simply smiled and asked:
"So, how much do you think 'The Last Emperor' will gross at the box office?"
"."
For a moment, everyone fell silent again. Although "The Last Emperor" was of very high quality, ultimately, art films are unlikely to have high box office returns.
"Okay, I'll say a number!"
Seeing that no one spoke, Naoki Nagayama spoke up.
"$1 billion?"
"."
Jeremy Thomas did not refute this, as it was already a very optimistic figure, even exceeding their expectations.
"It's already quite obvious to everyone!"
Hearing Naoki Nagayama's words, Jeremy Thomas began to lose his composure:
"Naoki Nagayama, what exactly are you trying to say?!"
"What I mean is, after all the hard work and time spent making 'The Last Emperor,' including the costs of actors, costumes, props, promotion, and time, even if it grosses $1 million at the box office, how much profit will you actually make?!"
Naoki Nagayama continued,
"However, there is now a way that, with no risk or loss, can make your profits far exceed what they were before!"
"any solution?"
Someone instinctively spoke up, but was immediately silenced by the glares from the other film company personnel.
"That's your company, the one that brought my 'Jurassic Park' to the market."
Naoki Nagayama said with a smile,
"I can offer you very favorable purchase prices and profit sharing ratios, and in your country, I will only authorize your company to earn far more profits than you expect!"
It's important to understand that a high-quality film is highly sought after in the global market. Besides major distribution companies, there's competition from television stations, major cinema chains, and even distributors in various countries. Typically, multiple distribution companies share the market in each country.
But Naoki Nagayama said he could grant them exclusive rights?! And with a generous revenue share?!
The thought of the expected total box office of 8-9 million, how much of it would go to their own country, plus the fact that they could obtain distribution rights with almost no cost to themselves, is quite telling.
So, the profit that can be earned.
Everyone present was a businessman. They quickly estimated the approximate profit in their minds, and then their throats became dry. Some of them couldn't help but swallow!
"Cough cough."
Jeremy Thomas cleared his throat with a light cough.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
"So, what was the price Mr. Nagayama paid?!"
Upon hearing these similar lines, Naoki Nagayama almost blurted out "everything." However, he was no longer in his chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) years and managed to hold back.
"Hahaha, there's only one price to pay!"
"The Last Emperor has withdrawn from this year's Oscar competition."
"This"
Upon hearing this, everyone understood. Naoki Nagayama was simply paving the way for his other film, "Departures"!
If you eliminate your biggest competitor, then Oscar's only option is to take the job himself!
Moreover, the competition for "Departures" is indeed not weak. The eight production companies of "The Last Emperor" spent a lot of money on lobbying!
The conditions made everyone's hearts tighten, but after weighing the options, many people began to waver.
After all, even if "The Last Emperor" doesn't participate in this year's Oscars, it can still be nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes in May, the Golden Lion at Venice in August, or even the Golden Bear at Berlin next year!
There are other international awards besides the Oscars!
After a brief discussion, Jeremy Thomas was chosen, a smile on his face:
"Mr. Nagayama, let's discuss the profit-sharing issue in more detail!"
"Haha, great!!"
Naoki Nagayama shouted.
"Sugiyama-san, come and discuss the specific terms of distribution revenue with our partners. Oh, and perhaps we can add other films as well; maybe we can have a long-term partnership in the future!"
Sugiyama Yoshihiko was originally from the American Development Bank, so it was perfect for him to discuss specific business matters!
Listening to the increasingly heated discussion inside the council chamber, Shuichi Itō and Genta Nakai remarked from the corridor.
Nakai Genta tilted his head and asked:
"Shuichi-san, although I don't know much about film marketing, isn't it a bit of a waste to exchange a solid share of the box office for an Oscar?"
You should know that Naoki Nagayama distributed tens of millions of dollars in profits from this place!
And that little golden statue only costs tens of thousands of US dollars!
"Yuanta-san, you can't look at it that way. For Naoki-san, money isn't what he pursues; honor is!"
Shuichi Itō shook his head:
"On the other hand, the council chamber contains eight outstanding film companies from Europe and America."
Normally, if our company wanted to enter the European and American markets, we would have to negotiate with each country one by one. But this time, we were able to do it all at once!
"The costs and effort involved are not insignificant."
"And now, we're actually getting the other party to help us open up the market, yet we feel like we've gotten a good deal. That's what's so impressive!"
After hearing this analysis, Nakai Genta lit a cigarette and sighed:
"When Naoki-san first arrived, he said he was going to lobby people. I thought he'd have to use some complicated methods. To be honest, I'd even considered things like gambling, prostitution, and drugs."
"Indeed. The most skillful persuasion requires only the simplest methods!"
"Yes, as long as the profits are enough!"
Shuichi Itō exhaled a smoke ring and sighed. He thought that after entering politics, he had gained a deeper understanding of issues, but he never expected that he could learn more from Naoki-san.
Next, in order to gain support from all parties, the measures in the "Culture-Based Nation" strategy need to carefully consider the distribution of benefits!
"In short, we must ensure that tree growers get the largest share!"