Benshan’s beloved disciple, starting from the 2009 Spring Festival Gala Chapter 20 - Raising Status, Investment

Chapter 20 Raising Status, Investnt

In an instant, the banquet fell silent. Besides Chairman Han, the attendees at this gathering included the twin kings of Huayi, Li Binbin, Cheng Long, Fan Binbin, Zhang Yimou, Zhang Ziyi, Feng Xiaogang, Ge You, Jiang Wen, Guo Degang, the host Xiao Cui, and dozens of other well-known figures from both inside and outside the entertainnt industry. All of them were also invited guests for tomorrow’s grand opening ceremony.

“Lost on Journey has surpassed ten million on its opening day!” Chairman Han explained.

The people who had been sitting further away and didn’t know why the room had suddenly gone quiet now all turned to look at Uncle Benshan and Qu Yiming.

“Really?”

Although Uncle Benshan thought it was possible the movie could make over ten million on the first day, possibility and reality are two very different things. He turned his head and looked to Qu Yiming for confirmation. Qu Yiming gave a slight nod.

“Hey, that’s great news!”

Uncle Benshan bead and said, “Yiming, co give a toast to your Uncle Han.”

“Sure.”

Qu Yiming obediently stood up and toasted Chairman Han. With a broad smile, Chairman Han praised Qu Yiming.

“Only twenty-one, and you’ve already written, directed, and starred in such an excellent film. No wonder the dia is calling you more talented than Ning Hao!”

Upon hearing that, everyone at the table looked at Qu Yiming with new eyes. A debut film, self-written, self-directed, and self-acted, achieving over ten million in box office on its first day — that likely ans the film has a strong chance of surpassing one hundred million.

One hundred million…

At the ti, due to the limited scale of theaters in China, the dostic film market had not yet reached the ten-billion level. Directors with a single-film box office record exceeding one hundred million could be counted on one hand, and among them, the youngest was Ning Hao, who had just achieved this a few months ago with Crazy Racer at the age of 32 — 11 years older than Qu Yiming.

Twenty-one…

Everyone couldn’t help but think back to what they were doing when they were twenty-one.

Dating, studying, racking their brains to get a single role…

Why is it that your twenty-one involves overnight fa from the Spring Festival Gala and over ten million in box office on your first movie?

It made their teeth grind in envy!

“Director Qu, congratulations. Let’s work together soti,” said the elder of Huayi, raising his glass and acknowledging Qu Yiming’s rising status.

At this mont, Qu Yiming was no longer just the effeminate supporting actor who gained overnight fa on the Spring Gala thanks to Uncle Benshan. He had real achievents — a rising star director!

“Congratulations, Director Qu!”

Others stood up as well, raising their glasses.

“Thank you, thank you all…”

Looking at all these once-unreachable figures now smiling flatteringly and toasting him, Qu Yiming felt ecstatic.

Fa feels amazing!

At that mont, Liu Shuangping was cursing internally.

Damn it, is making movies really this easy?

So simple to get a box office over ten million?

Did this kid pray to so god or what?!

Damn!

Watching Qu Yiming being treated like the center of the universe, Liu Shuangping was burning with anger.

…

“Director Qu, here’s my card. May I exchange one with you?”

As the banquet ended and people were leaving, Qu Yiming exchanged business cards with everyone, collecting a full pocket of them. After sending off the guests, Qu Yiming, Uncle Benshan, Liu Shuangping, and the leaders of Benshan dia went to the lounge connected to the private room to have tea, sober up, and discuss the bet and future developnts.

Currently, Qu Yiming only had an actor’s contract with Benshan dia. The company could only take a cut from his acting and endorsent fees. But for directing, music, or any other roles — those had nothing to do with Benshan dia.

After sipping tea and sobering up, Liu Shuangping suggested, “Yiming does have talent and ability, but his success also wouldn’t be possible without the company’s support. In my opinion, the revenue split between Yiming and the company should change from 80/20 to 90/10 — Yiming gets 90%…”

The 50-million bet was basically lost. Liu Shuangping now just wanted to salvage so dignity.

“Besides adjusting the split and the betting agreent, we should also refine the contract, like extending the contract duration and adding clauses for directing, music, film rights, and song rights…”

In short — they wanted to offer a high revenue split in exchange for a new “selling-your-soul” contract.

“Chairman, what do you think?”

Liu Shuangping looked at Uncle Benshan. Uncle Benshan frowned and lit a cigarette. This was a fight over interests. No doubt about it — Qu Yiming was now a golden goose that lays eggs.

Trying to pressure him into signing a long contract using their master-apprentice relationship or company support was naive.

Blacklist him?

How could they?

With this kind of talent, there were plenty of companies ready to scoop him up. When he was average, you wished he’d be a bit more capable. But once he did beco capable, you started wishing he were just average again.

Uncle Benshan was deeply conflicted.

“Yiming, what are your thoughts or requirents?” He finally asked, pushing the decision to Qu Yiming.

“Ahem…”

Qu Yiming cleared his throat:

“The five-year actor’s contract I signed with the company will remain unchanged. The terms of the bet will also be honored. As for how I move forward with the company, I hope my master can support in creating my own company. Any future projects from my company can offer a share for investnt by Benshan dia, but this does not an my company will be subordinate to Benshan dia — it’s a partnership. The office will also not be in the northeast, but in Beijing…”

In short, Qu Yiming wanted to strike out on his own — but without falling out with Benshan dia.

“You want to go independent? That’s impossible! The company nurtured you, your master…”

Liu Shuangping protested.

“I mostly agree.”

Uncle Benshan interrupted,

“You can’t put all your eggs in one basket. Yiming now has the ability to go independent, and he should be supported. You can take your five-year actor contract with you. But a few terms need to be added to the contract.

Benshan dia will have a fixed 10% investnt share in every project from your company. Benshan dia’s artists will have priority for auditions.

I want 10% equity in your company. Not for free — I’ll buy it for ten million. Consider it your startup capital from your master.”

“Thank you, Master, for your support.”

Qu Yiming knelt on one knee and offered tea. Uncle Benshan accepted the tea and drank it in one gulp, then patted Qu Yiming on the shoulder:

“Do your best — don’t embarrass our Zhao family in Beijing.”