funbook-pk Chapter 59 Bonner's Olive Branch
Chapter 59 Bonner's Olive Branch
......
In the bedroom.
Fang Yi put away the computer and movie script and asked Chen Zhixi to boil water.
"Mr. Fang, should I take it later?"
Chen Zhixi, carrying a kettle, pointed to the open room door.
The implication was clear: she was asking if she needed to avoid the situation to prevent overhearing confidential matters.
Fang Yi glanced at the time, lit a cigarette, and said, "You can stay here for now, and then we'll see."
Soon, footsteps approached.
Yu Dong and Liu Guoning, dressed in white shirts and trousers, arrived at the door carrying a bag of fruit.
Chen Zhixi invited the two inside, glanced around the hallway, and then quickly closed the door.
Yu Dong extended his palm and greeted them first: "Director Fang, please forgive my hasty arrival."
Then, he pointed to the bag in Liu Guoning's hand.
"I bought some grapes downstairs, they taste good, so I brought them up to try."
"You two are very kind."
Fang Yi smiled and invited the two to sit in the living room outside the bedroom, and then asked Chen Zhixi to make tea.
Tsk tsk...they're putting on quite a show.
Anyone who believes a hasty on-site visit is a fool!
Chen Zhixi brewed some tea, then took the fruit to the washroom to wash it, grumbling as she did so.
"Using this to seduce President Fang, how could they even think of that?"
In the living room.
The three men were smoking and talking on the sofa.
After the grapes were washed, Liu Guoning coughed lightly and said with a smile, "Director Fang, what are your thoughts on Bona Film Group?"
"Would you like to change your environment and shoot a few movies at Bona Film Group?"
He spoke frankly, getting straight to the point.
Oh shit!
How arrogant! Not only did they block the door, but they also started lifting the lid right away.
Fang Yi's lips twitched. He glanced at Yu Dong, who was silently peeling grapes, and cursed inwardly at how reckless this guy was.
Even more rugged than Mangcun!
"Bona Film Group is very good. In terms of distribution, it is in no way inferior to Huayi Brothers and Enlight Media, and only slightly inferior to China Film Group."
"I heard that Mr. Yu has secured the rights to distribute all of Hong Kong Island's films in mainland China through Sil-Metropole Organisation?"
Fang Yi gave a compliment and steered the conversation toward Bona Film Group's strengths.
The saying goes, "It's good to have a big tree to lean on for shade."
With Han Sanping's help and Poly's connections, Yu Dong managed to negotiate with Sil-Metropole Organisation, securing nearly 80-90% of the distribution rights for Hong Kong films in mainland China each year.
That bastard made a fortune; with just this one move, he became one of the leading private film and television companies in mainland China.
It's important to understand that film distribution is the only business in the film industry that guarantees a profit.
This kind of good fortune made other film and television bosses in mainland China drool with envy.
Wang Zhonglei had cursed Yu Dong in front of Fang Yi more than once, saying that this guy was taking advantage of his connections to eat all the food and would become Huayi's biggest enemy sooner or later.
"Securing the publishing rights is just the first step."
Yu Dong spoke calmly, took a tissue from the coffee table to wipe his hands, glanced at the silent Chen Zhixi, and said, "The second step is for Bona to shift its focus to film production, emphasizing big-budget and mega-productions, while also developing cinema chains, thoroughly connecting the upstream and downstream of the film and television industry chain, in preparation for its subsequent listing."
Facing Fang Yi, he made no attempt to hide his ambitions for filmmaking.
After speaking, Yu Dong stared at Fang Yi and then spoke slowly again.
"Director Fang's talent is obvious to all. I am here today to sincerely invite Director Fang to join me in this important endeavor."
Huayi is good, but it already has Feng Xiaogang.
With Fang Dao's talent, why should he be subordinate to others?
Lao Yu can guarantee that as long as Director Fang joins Bona Film Group, he will enjoy the benefits of the position of Vice President and Artistic Director, and will invest in one of Director Fang's films every year, with a production budget of no less than 5000 million yuan and no upper limit.
Director Fang's studio can invest 30% of the budget; director's and screenwriter's fees are separate!
Oh my god...
So many!
Chen Zhixi's breath hitched, and her fair face became exceptionally striking.
Although she was a newcomer, after joining Yidongrenxin, she had already learned about the studio's contract with Huayi.
The studio holds a 25% investment in "Taken," which also includes Fang Yi's director and screenwriter fees.
Bona offered far better terms than Huayi.
This was exactly the effect Yu Dong wanted. He narrowed his eyes and smiled broadly.
"Director Fang, don't worry about the two brothers. You know my relationship with Chairman Han. They can't possibly bite us."
"As long as Director Fang agrees, I'll cover all the breach of contract penalties you incur with Huayi."
After he finished speaking, he picked up a grape, his expression sincere, as if he were genuinely inviting someone.
Yu Dong was very confident, believing that Fang Yi would receive the sincerity he was showing, and even more so that Fang Yi was a smart person.
A smart person knows how to choose!
Fang Yi picked up the glass, took a small sip, and fell silent, pondering how to respond.
Yu Dong is sincere.
but..
Bona Film Group is a rip-off!
Liu Guoning's eyes darted around, and seeing Fang Yi hesitate, he kicked out an assist.
"Director Fang, the position of vice president is a core senior executive of Bona. When Bona goes public in the future, you will be entitled to no less than 500 million original shares."
In addition, we will create a large-scale production team exclusively for you.
Director Fang, you can make whatever movies you want, completely free from anyone's control!
Liu Guoning deliberately used the honorific "you" to give Fang Yi face, implying his high status after joining Bona!
Fang Yi smiled at Liu Guoning, thanking him for the respectful address, then put down his teacup and looked at Yu Dong.
"Mr. Yu, what are your thoughts on Bona's IPO?"
He wanted to hear Yu Dong's plans for Bona, whether they would be the same as in the previous life or if there were other considerations.
"Going public..."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of excitement crossed Yu Dong's eyes, who assumed that Fang Yi had fallen for him.
He paused for a few moments, then raised his voice and said, "Going public is Bona Film Group's biggest strategic vision for the future. Once we shift our focus to film production, we can begin the necessary procedures."
With the distribution rights to Hong Kong films in hand, Bona's commercial value is self-evident; Director Fang should understand this. Many investment banks will undoubtedly be optimistic about Bona.
Fang Yi nodded. Yu Dong was right. Otherwise, why would Bona be so ambitious as to list on Nasdaq?
Bona Film Group, with its integrated production, distribution, and theater chain operations, is poised to produce blockbuster hits that far surpass those of Huayi Brothers and other film and television companies, even outperforming China Film Group.
This move also proves that Yu Dong's eye for film is much better than that of the Wang brothers.
He listened attentively, which stirred Yu Dong's emotions. He then exclaimed, "The copyright for 'Sniper Phone Booth' sold for over 200 million. Director Fang must know how huge the European and American markets are."
Having worked in the film industry for many years, I have considerable experience and insights. I intend to transform Bona into the Hollywood of the East, to take Bona Film Group public on NASDAQ, and to make it a film giant on par with the Big Seven.
call...
After finishing his speech, Yu Dong took a deep breath and looked intently at Fang Yi.
Not only him, but Liu Guoning and Chen Zhixi also looked over.
Chen Zhixi's mouth was slightly open, her mind churning as if she had heard a fantastical tale.
She blinked rapidly, screaming in her mind: Boss, don't agree, please don't agree.
This guy is toxic, Bona is toxic!
We mustn't go! We absolutely cannot go!
Yu Dong noticed her subtle movements and assumed that the young and beautiful girl was shocked by his words, so he nodded to her.
Good, that was a successful speech.
I'm surprised that I still have the ability to give speeches.
Yu Dong popped the peeled grapes into his mouth, chewed them a couple of times, and found them delicious.
Fang Yi was drunk, completely drunk.
What you fear most is what happens.
Yu Dong's words once again confirm the development path of the previous generation of Bona, rushing headlong down the road of no return towards Nasdaq.
We can't agree to this! We absolutely mustn't fall into this trap!
He gently shook his head, looked at Yu Dong who seemed confident of victory, and politely declined with a smile.
"Mr. Yu, it's too early to talk about these things now."
"Let's talk again after 'Taken' is finished filming."
"Here, you two have some grapes!"
"Where did you buy these grapes? They're quite sweet. Zhixi, go buy some tomorrow."