Chapter 34: Screenings in the Projection Room and Negotiations on Distribution

After the film’s release, rating websites published their scores:
IMDb: 8.2.
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% Fresh.
The results were excellent!
The film’s popularity remained high. The theaters had not screened a major special-effects blockbuster for a long time, and the release of this film had become a near-phenomenon.

...

Ever since the premiere and Scarlett’s departure for New York, Qin Feng had rarely left his home. He spent his time editing and performing simple post-production work. Fortunately, the film had simple sets and required no special effects, so he could handle everything himself. After several days of hard work, the film was finally completed. He watched it twice more to ensure there were no issues or inconsistencies in the dialogue.

"Whew! Finally, it's done!"

The next day. Universal Pictures headquarters. Qin Feng brought his hard drive and went to the office of producer Kennedy. Kennedy had been in a great mood lately. With the film’s box office success and critical acclaim, all the effort had been worth it—how could she not be in a good mood?

"Oh, Qin Feng, you're here. Is something the matter?" she asked with a smile.
"Yes, I have something to discuss, Manager Kennedy."
"Please, sit."

Qin Feng sat down, hands folded. The first time he met Kennedy, it was for the script of *Jurassic Park*. This time, he was there for a new film.

"Manager Kennedy, as you know, I hope to be an independent director."
"Yes, I am certainly aware of that. Based on the information I have and the feedback from Director Spielberg, you are a director with great potential."

Qin Feng leaned forward. "Thank you. To be honest, I shot a film over the past month, and it is now finished. I would like to cooperate with you; I hope Universal can help me handle the release process and distribution."

Kennedy was stunned for a moment. "What? You shot a film? How did I not know about this?!"

Qin Feng spread his hands. "It’s true. I filmed a low-budget project—a sci-fi drama. I even borrowed some equipment from the camera crew. It is completely finished now."

Kennedy’s eyes widened. "Oh my god! Qin, you are truly full of surprises! It’s already filmed... I must see it!"

Qin Feng said, "No problem, I brought the hard drive."

Kennedy tapped her forehead. "You are incredible, shooting a film all on your own. No, I must call the screenwriter, Koepp, as well. We will go to the screening room together shortly."
"Okay."

***

Ten minutes later, the three of them went to a small screening room. After hearing the situation, David Koepp was equally incredulous.

"Qin Feng, your *Jurassic Park* is currently playing all over the world, and you’ve managed to create another project? If other film companies found out, they’d probably scramble to snatch you up!"

"Don't worry," Qin Feng laughed, "didn't I come to Universal?"

Kennedy asked, "What kind of film did you say this was again?"
"It’s a drama titled *The Man from Earth*. It contains sci-fi elements, focusing primarily on a group of experts and scholars engaged in a debate."
"Oh..."

Upon hearing the description, both of them frowned slightly. Based on the title alone, it didn't seem particularly appealing. Koepp loaded the hard drive and turned off the lights. The screen lit up, and the story unfolded.

Because of the density of the dialogue, it didn’t take long for the audience’s attention to be drawn to the protagonist, John. Kennedy and Koepp were quickly drawn in. As the characters discussed John’s identity, the logic progressed in layers. Their thoughts were completely captured; they watched it like a detective mystery, unable to stop thinking for even a second.

"This John is so mysterious. Could he really be a caveman?"
"What! He’s even connected to various religious figures!"
"Huh? Those professors are practically stunned into silence by him!"

An hour and a half later... The film ended, and the lights came on. Kennedy and Koepp had not yet recovered; their brains were still processing. They looked at each other, finding it hard to define what kind of film it was.

Kennedy: "The film is indeed very special... it’s like a debate competition among university professors."
Koepp: "Yes, it’s hard to define, but the story is undoubtedly brilliant. I just don't know if the audience will buy into it."
Kennedy: "Indeed, our company has rarely seen anything like it."

She turned to look at Qin Feng. "Qin Feng, you tell us your thoughts."

Qin Feng said, "Yes, there are very few films like it. But precisely because it is so unique, it possesses a sense of freshness that will compel audiences to experience it. This film is thought-provoking, the acting is top-notch, and it will spark intellectual collisions with the viewers. It will absolutely garner good word-of-mouth. I hope, Manager Kennedy, that you can support me in bringing this film to theaters!"

***

Kennedy fell into deep thought. After a dozen seconds, she seemed to have made a decision. "Qin Feng, let’s go upstairs to discuss this. Koepp, you go back to work."

In the office, Kennedy took a sip of coffee. "Qin Feng, we have been working together since you arrived in the United States. That’s been seven months now."
"Yes."
"We think very highly of your abilities, that is beyond doubt, and I certainly hope we will collaborate more in the future."
"The application process and rating for this film are relatively simple, but as for the distribution costs..."

This was what Qin Feng cared about. He looked at Kennedy.

"Although this is a low-budget drama, if you want a global release, the distribution costs will be 10 million US dollars."
"That much??"
"Yes. Do you know the distribution cost for *Jurassic Park*?"

Qin Feng shook his head slightly.
"Its distribution cost was over 40 million US dollars!"

Qin Feng was startled. The distribution cost was higher than he had anticipated; that meant the entire film cost 100 million. It seemed that one shouldn't just look at production costs; distribution costs had to be factored in as well.

"Otherwise," Kennedy continued, "how could *Jurassic Park* have had such massive promotional reach? The money had to be spent!"

"I don't need to ask to know that you can't pay me the distribution fee upfront right now; we have to go with a revenue-sharing model."
"However, with back-end revenue sharing, the terms will be different, as the company will be assuming the risk of loss."

Qin Feng said, "Manager Kennedy, rest assured, this film will absolutely not lose money."
Kennedy nodded slightly. "I don't doubt that."
"For the split, after deducting nearly 55% for the theaters and taxes, the company will take 8% of the total box office, and you will receive about 37%."

Qin Feng rubbed his temples. 8% of the total box office was not a small amount. But at the moment, there was no other way. Who told him he was broke? The payment for his *Jurassic Park* scriptwriting hadn't even arrived yet. He couldn't wait! David Smith and the others hadn't been paid yet either.

"Fine! I agree to the revenue-sharing model."
"But I have one condition: I hope the film can be released as soon as possible!"
"No problem."

Kennedy stood up, extended her hand, and smiled. "I said it before, Qin Feng: here’s to a pleasant cooperation!"
"A pleasant cooperation!"