Chapter 45: Experiencing the Death Trap!

  Thank you for the reward from Lan Fengbo YD, actually there's no need for me to say it, everyone already knows that in the future if they want to abuse the main character again, they'll have to see if they have the strength and qualifications.

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  "Alright, I can represent the company and agree to this revenue-sharing model. What kind of ratio are you looking for? For big productions, we usually accept a 3:7 split - our movie company gets 30% as investors, and you get 70%. However, since you're new, although your film is good, it still needs to pass the market test. Our company can't take too much risk on you, so let's do a 6:4 split instead - you'll get 40% of the total box office revenue, and our company will get 60%."

  Tom thought he had been very frank and also saw that Tobin's face was within his authority to make the greatest concessions, but unexpectedly Zhou Shaoming's boldness next exceeded everyone's expectations.

  "Please forgive my candor, I feel that the 46% share is still not enough to move me." The crowd's astonished gaze fell upon Zhou Shaoming as he sat up straight and spoke seriously.

  Tobin glanced at Zhou Shaoming and said in a low voice, "Smith Zhou, I know you're confident about Chainsaw Man, but I think this division method is quite objective, we can accept it."

  Zhou Shaoming nodded apologetically to Tobin and said loudly to everyone, "If I come up with a better idea for promotion, can your company agree to the 60-40 split of total box office revenue in our favor?"

  "Oh?" The publishing department manager, Joe, seeing the topic turned to his most concerned issue, hastily leaned forward and asked: "Hey, young man, if you really have a good idea, I'll explain it to Boss and fight for you to get this share method!"

  It is well known that movies must be watched in a movie theater to get the greatest visual and auditory enjoyment. Zhou Shao Ming stood up, waving his hand to add more emphasis: "And the advertisements within the cinema have always been a battleground for marketers. I think that no matter how audiences find out about a movie or what kind of advertisement they see that sparks their interest in the movie, they will all spend 10-20 minutes in the ticket hall of the cinema. During this time, their eyes are extremely susceptible to influence and stimulation from advertisements within the cinema. Audiences are easily stimulated by posters, trailers, etc., and change their original intention, buying tickets for a different movie instead. This is also the biggest characteristic of impulse consumption. Let me give an example: Tobin Bell was just an ordinary audience member who wanted to watch a movie tonight. At first, he wanted to see "The Matrix". But when he walked into the cinema, he was hit with huge promotional posters for "Saw", including 3D models of terrifying killing machines and beautiful actresses handing out flyers, inviting Tobin to experience the thrill of being killed by the machines in the movie, such as the feeling of a cross-shaped knife flying towards his head. Through these extremely attractive stimuli, Tobin became very interested in "Saw" and naturally changed his mind, buying tickets for that movie instead. His original intention was successfully diverted by our promotional methods! This is the classic and never-outdated method of terminal interception marketing!"

  "Terminal intercept? Set up a death trap in the cinema and let the audience experience it directly? The idea sounds good, but our propaganda costs will also increase greatly!" Joe savored his coffee, thinking carefully, then worried that the propaganda costs would exceed his acceptable level.

  "We don't need every household to invest heavily in home theaters. We should concentrate our resources and first invest in the top 100 cinemas with the best geographical locations and most suitable environments, test the waters, and keep other cinemas on hold, creating a market hunger effect. If the response is enthusiastic, we'll increase the number of screenings and go all out!" Zhou Shaoming's hand swung down heavily, as if a general commanding thousands of troops was issuing a final attack order, making it impossible to resist.

  "What's 'hunger effect'?" Joen quickly grasped the term and a smile spread across his face.

  "Alright, let's divide it according to your idea. Our authority is limited and we can't give you an immediate answer. We need to report back to the boss and get feedback. Of course, your idea has moved me and I will try my best to fight for you. For now, I can say that in principle, we have passed the movie censorship!"

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  Zhou Shaoming was running wildly on the street, he didn't know how to express the excitement in his heart, so he could only run desperately.

  Run, run, keep running!

  Zhou Shaoming's mood was like that of a kid after school, excited and thrilled. His excitement could no longer be expressed in words, it seemed that only by running with all his might could he vent the most turbulent emotions deep within him.

  Rushing into the temporarily rented apartment, pushing open the door, Kirsten was sweeping the room. She lifted her head, wiped away the faint sweat on her forehead, and then unfolded a bright and charming smile, concernedly asking: "Zhou, how is it? They..."

  Before she could even ask, Zhou Shaoming rushed over, excitedly embracing her, and fiercely kissing her tender lips, blocking all her questions with his mouth. At this moment, only passionate kisses were needed, passionate and intense kisses, wholehearted kisses.

  Christina closed her eyes, indulging in Zhou Shaoming's deep kiss. She responded passionately and deeply, gently wrapping her arms around his neck, returning all the happiness to this gentle kiss.

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  It's June 23rd, and Lionsgate Films has finally agreed to bring "Saw" to the big screen, with terms that were satisfactory to Gregg Hoffman after some tough negotiations.

  The deal is split 50/50, with Lionsgate getting half the profits and the other half going to Millennium Films, which will also invest at least $50 million in marketing the film, including $10 million for creating life-size replicas of the killing machines from the movie that will be placed in theaters, as well as large billboards, 3D models, and TV spots.

  The first batch of 100 cinemas will be released on a small scale on October 21, 1999, concentrated in the largest box office cities across the United States. If the market reaction is good, it will be released on a large scale during the Halloween period.

  A week later, at Los Angeles International Airport, Zhou Shaoming and Kristina arrived here together.

  Christina, through Lion's Gate Films' Jon, landed a supporting role in a romantic film shot on location in Hawaii and is now boarding a plane to head there for filming.

  Although this movie didn't leave a deep impression on Zhou Shaoming, it can be seen that it wasn't a high-grossing or highly-received film. However, Zhou Shaoming still encouraged Christina to participate in it, as she needed more experience with film acting and better learning and training.

  Although Christina was very happy, she couldn't bear to part with Zhou Shaoming. On the contrary, it was Zhou Shaoming who comforted her for half a day before Christina agreed to go and film first.