FWTS # Chapter 129 Becoming an Investor

The car left the airport and arrived at an office building in the Lujiazui area.

"Mr. Hou, President Chu is already waiting for you in the conference room."

The office lady led Hou Muyun into Sunny Sky Films and brought him to the door of a conference room, opened the door, and invited Hou Muyun inside.

Upon entering, Hou Muyun saw twenty-some people in the conference room, all looking at him with varying expressions.

Hou Muyun hadn't expected so many people in the conference room, but he remained calm, smiling slightly, and greeted everyone present with his eyes, finally settling on Chu Qing, who was seated among them.

Hou Muyun's performance was calm and composed, polite and respectful, which exceeded the expectations of those present. After all, he wasn't just any online novelist, nor was he an ordinary twenty-something.

"Please have a seat, Mr. Hou."

Chu Qing stood up and invited Hou Muyun to sit down, showing him due respect.

After Hou Muyun sat down, Chu Qing signaled her secretary to hand a document to Hou Muyun, then she said, "We have all reviewed the script written by Mr. Hou. It's indeed an excellent script. Our company has reached a consensus that if Mr. Hou is willing to authorize the adaptation of 'Xuan Yuan Sword Master' for film and television, Mr. Hou can fully serve as the screenwriter. The document contains the authorization fee and some commitments from our company. Please take a look."

Hou Muyun glanced over the document: the adaptation rights fee was 3 million yuan; Hou Muyun would serve as the primary screenwriter for the crew; the TV series would be based fundamentally on Hou Muyun's script, with changes not exceeding 10%; any changes during filming would require Hou Muyun's consultation; Hou Muyun could follow the crew throughout the process; he had the right to make changes to the script without affecting the filming schedule; he had the right to supervise and inspect post-production...

Hou Muyun didn't fully understand the latter, more abstract rights, but the earlier points confirmed that the contract indeed granted him significant authority.

Of course, if Hou Muyun were more familiar with film production, he would know that the agreement Chu Qing proposed was almost on par with the authority given to screenwriters in the United States!

Comparatively, the status of screenwriters in China and the United States is vastly different.

In the United States, any changes must pass through the screenwriter first. In China, even a moderately well-known figure can change things at will—changing lines is relatively minor; changing the plot is more common, not to mention directors.

This disparity illustrates the generally low status of screenwriters in Chinese film and television production, except for top-tier screenwriters who garner a bit more respect.

Additionally, there were conditions in the agreement.

First, if the first season was successful, Hou Muyun needed to provide scripts for the next season or participate in their creation.

Second, 'Sword Master Chronicles' needed to be sold to Sunny Sky Films first.

Hou Muyun read through the agreement a few times, then looked up and asked, "President Chu, may I ask how much your company plans to invest in the production? Also, what about the director, filming team, and post-production team? And regarding actors—I know I don't have the right to ask about that since I'm not knowledgeable in that area. But I just want to know, what percentage of the production cost will the actors' salaries take up?"

Chu Qing wasn't surprised by Hou Muyun's questions since she had anticipated his concerns after learning that he had previously refused Legendary Century. She replied, "Our company has initially decided on an investment of 50 million yuan for the first season. As for the filming team, you don't need to worry about that; we will definitely hire top-notch professionals! Regarding the actors, I understand your concerns, so I can give you a promise: the main actors' salaries will not exceed 35% of the production cost."

Hou Muyun frowned slightly, calculating in his mind.

An investment of 50 million yuan for one season was far beyond his expectations.

For a 12-episode season, that averaged out to roughly... over 4 million yuan per episode!

This production cost wasn't the highest in domestic TV series, but it was definitely of a very high standard.

Hou Muyun had naturally done some research in recent days. The highest current domestic TV production cost aired was 5 million yuan per episode. Of course, some ongoing productions were rumored to cost 8 million yuan per episode or even more!

But no matter what, an average of over 4 million yuan per episode was very satisfying for Hou Muyun.

The most crucial point was Chu Qing's promise that the main actors' salaries would not exceed 35% of the production cost!

Compared to some so-called IP blockbuster productions, where the main actors' salaries took up 70% or even more, this was much better.

Sky-high actor salaries had long been a peculiar phenomenon in the Chinese film and television industry. It wasn't that actors shouldn't earn high salaries or that their acting skills didn't warrant it, but the proportion was too exaggerated.

What was left after deducting the actors' salaries?

If the production budget is 300 million yuan, even if the actors take away 100 million, there's still 200 million left for quality production. However, the problem is that many investors prioritize the audience pull of certain actors without caring about the final quality of the production. Various low-budget effects and half-hearted productions have become all too common in the Chinese film industry in recent years! This is precisely why Hou Muyun asked about the proportion of actor salaries.

After pondering for a moment, Hou Muyun said, "If your company can include these terms in the final contract, there will be no issue with the authorization. However, I have a few additional conditions."

Chu Qing replied, "Go ahead."

Hou Muyun said, "First, this authorization is only for the first season. If you can fully complete the first season according to the contract, I will authorize the subsequent adaptations for free."

Chu Qing nodded, "That's reasonable."

Hou Muyun continued, "Second, I want to participate in post-production, especially in overseeing the music."

Several people present frowned, but Chu Qing still nodded, "No problem. If you have the capability, you can even handle the opening and ending songs!"

Hou Muyun added, "Third, I want to use the authorization fee, script fee, and post-production remuneration to buy shares and become an investor in this series, taking a 15% stake! If there is additional investment needed later, I will contribute money according to the proportion."

This time, the people in the office couldn't sit still.

Chu Qing tapped her fingers on the table and said, "You are quite the businessman! If this series becomes a hit, you'll get returns far exceeding the copyright fee without spending a penny. If it fails, you essentially get the copyright back directly!"

Hou Muyun waited for her to continue.

Chu Qing said, "15%, with the converted portion added to the total investment, which would be nearly 9 million yuan. The copyright fee is only 3 million; no matter how good your script is, it isn't worth 6 million! How about this, let's consider it as 6 million, and you take a 10% stake. But this can only be for the first season."

Hou Muyun said, "Fine. But if I want to invest after the first season, I must have at least a 15% stake!"

Chu Qing laughed, "You should know that I don't lack investment money at all!"

Hou Muyun smiled back, waiting for Chu Qing's final response.

Chu Qing was silent for a long time, then said, "At least 10%! And I want absolute priority for all rights, including game rights, of 'Sword Master Chronicles' and all overseas rights of 'Xuan Yuan Sword Master.'"

It was evident that Chu Qing had thoroughly investigated the rights to the 'Xuan Yuan Sword Master' series and knew what was in Hou Muyun's hands.

"Pleasure doing business!"

Hou Muyun stood up.

Absolute priority? It doesn't matter who I sell it to!

The rights were Hou Muyun's biggest bargaining chip, and he naturally wanted to maximize their value.

Whether it was participating in post-production or becoming an investor, Hou Muyun aimed to increase his influence!

Chu Qing said, "Let's wait until you get the authorization from Qichuang before we talk further."

Hou Muyun nodded, got up, and left for Qiyue to get the authorization and then re-authorize it to Sunny Sky Films to finalize the contract.

After Hou Muyun left, there were naturally many voices in the conference room, evidently having some objections to Hou Muyun's demands.

Chu Qing just smiled and then asked Li Xue, who was also present, "Director Li, what do you think?"

Li Xue said, "As long as he doesn't interfere with my filming, there's no problem with the rest."

Chu Qing asked, "So, Director Li also thinks his script is worth 3 million?"

Li Xue understood Chu Qing's point. Although he didn't want to answer, he looked at the people in the conference room and still said, "President Chu, you yourself said you don't care about the investment money, so naturally, you wouldn't care about his shares either. As long as this show can be produced and make a name for Sunny Sky Films, it's worth it."

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