Entertainment: My wife is a superstar

Chapter 35 3 Days: Sign a Contract or Get Out

"It's alright, Sister Li is a very busy person, we understand. But next time, if the time changes, it would be best to let us know in advance."

Liu Mian put down her teacup and looked up at Zhou Li.

Zhou Li's smile froze for a moment, clearly understanding the warning in Liu Mian's words:

"Yes, yes, Sister Mian is right, it was my oversight."

As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Lin Yi: "Teacher Lin, shall we begin? Regarding Haoxuan's contract for the next season..."

"Hmm?" Lin Yi pretended to have just come back to his senses and gestured for Fu Mingyang to distribute the documents.

Zhou Li represents Sun Haoxuan, and her lateness sends a very bad signal.

Lin Yi was also quite dissatisfied with this.

However, as the project leader, it is not convenient for him to directly launch an attack at the moment.

"Sister Mian, Sister Li, now that everyone's here, let's begin."

Lin Yi's gaze swept calmly over everyone present, especially Zhou Li.

"Today is mainly for a preliminary discussion about everyone's ideas for the second season of the collaboration."

Haoxuan and his two companions are the core of "Detective X," and they will have a place in the second season and beyond.

Liu Mian opened the folder, quickly browsing through the terms and conditions inside, without saying a word.

She knew in her heart that although they were both core members of the main cast, Sun Haoxuan was more important than Gao Xiaolan and Gao Yao combined.

Her main task this time is to help Gao Xiaolan and Gao Yao secure these two roles; her salary is secondary.

Zhou Li also quickly skimmed through the contract, focusing on the terms and conditions, particularly the remuneration:

"Teacher Lin, Haoxuan's achievements are evident to all, and we look forward to continuing our cooperation."

However, given Haoxuan's steadily rising industry position and market value, we hope to discuss the specific terms of cooperation further.

Zhou Li's intentions were self-evident.

Upon hearing this, Liu Mian raised her eyes, her gaze lingering on Sister Li's face for a moment before turning to Lin Yi, the half-smile on her lips deepening.

Then she lowered her head and carefully reviewed the terms of the contract.

Lin Yi did not directly respond to the price increase, but instead pointed to the contract:

"Sister Li, please take a close look at the terms. This is more than just a performance contract."

The contract Lin Yi offered was different from the short-term contracts that production crews usually give to actors; it was a long-term contract.

It's not just an employment relationship; it's more like a deep strategic partnership.

This treats the actors as a long-term, managed intellectual property.

This contract is very binding.

By signing this contract, Earth Studio will have even greater control over Sun Haoxuan (Gao Xiaolan and Gao Yao) than if they had signed an agency contract, except that they will not take a cut of his (Gao Xiaolan and Gao Yao) income.

To some extent, this can be seen as a contract of servitude.

Of course, the benefits are also very generous.

In addition to the basic salary, the contract also stipulates a tiered revenue sharing system.

They also receive a certain percentage of revenue from derivative products such as merchandise, games, animations, and comics.

There are many other details in the contract, which I will not go into detail here.

"I fully respect your business considerations."

However, the success of the character X is the result of the combined efforts of the script, production, actors, and platform.

My plan is to build a long-term IP, which requires partners who share the same vision and are willing to grow together.

Lin Yi's subtext was very clear.

The success of Detective X is not solely due to Sun Haoxuan, and he is not even the one who deserves the most credit.

If Zhou Li insists on demanding high pay and high profit sharing, Earth Studio doesn't necessarily need Sun Haoxuan.

"Teacher Lin, I have seen this contract. It shows your long-term plan for the Detective X IP and your ambition to develop this IP well."

I admire him greatly, and I believe that Haoxuan will grow tremendously in this process.

But the binding force of this contract...

Zhou Li maintained a professional smile on her face.

She first affirmed Lin Yi's plan, then changed the subject and emphasized Sun Haoxuan's current commercial value.

"As I just mentioned, Haoxuan's market value and industry position have been significantly and substantially enhanced through the success of the first season."

For Haoxuan, which is in the midst of a rapid career growth, we need more flexibility to respond to various market opportunities.

Perhaps, based on the collaboration in the second season, we can reach a solution that better reflects Haoxuan's current market value?

If the second season's collaboration continues to be a huge success, then the conditions will be more ripe for us to discuss a longer-term, deeper partnership. What do you think?

Zhou Li has once again passed the buck to Lin Yi.

Lin Yi sighed inwardly.

Working with big-name celebrities is a hassle.

If Li Ming hadn't stood him up at the last minute, the actor playing X would have been an unknown nobody. Even if that nobody had become a top star because of the role of X, he wouldn't have dared to negotiate with him.

"Although this contract is a long-term contract, it will not completely restrict Haoxuan from taking on roles; it only requires priority."

Lin Yi leaned back slightly, his tone becoming more formal and authoritative:

"Regarding the collaboration in the second season, I have no other short-term plan prepared."

My requirements for the core character X are very clear:

Alternatively, accept this long-term contract that focuses on the future and shares the benefits of IP growth.

Alternatively, I can only regretfully conclude that there are fundamental differences between the two sides in their long-term development philosophies.

To maintain the stability and consistency of the Detective X IP, it will be necessary to find new actors with similar values ​​for the second season.

Lin Yi paused briefly, giving Zhou Li time to process the information, before adding his own words.

"Sister Li, I hope you can understand. The success of 'Detective X' is based on the script, the concept, and the IP planning."

X is a character; he belongs to this IP, not to any specific actor.

Lin Yi's response completely negated Zhou Li's attempt to test him, first in the short term and then in the long term.

Zhou Li's expression turned serious, and even her professional smile disappeared.

"Teacher Lin, I can't make this decision on my own."

She paused, then continued.

"I need to take the contract back and communicate and evaluate it with Haoxuan himself and the company. This will take some time."

Lin Yi had anticipated this.

He nodded calmly: "Okay, I understand. However, Sister Li, preparations for the second season have already begun, and time waits for no one."

"Three days."

"I'll give you a maximum of three days."

If I do not receive a clear and definite intention to sign a contract three days later.

In order not to affect the progress of the entire project, I will assume that you have voluntarily given up continuing the cooperation and immediately start the casting process for the new season of Detective X.

Zhou Li's expression changed slightly: "Okay, Teacher Lin, three days. I will get back to you as soon as possible."

With that, Zhou Li hurriedly left the meeting room.

At this moment, Liu Mian, who had been silent all along, spoke up: "I can make the decision and agree to sign this contract."

However, it needs to be reviewed by our legal department first. I hope Teacher Lin won't mind.

"Of course not," Lin Yi said with a smile.