"In the next five years, I hope we can have a perfect collaboration."
Feng Qi’s words amount to recognition of her.
Tang Li picked up her glass cooperatively, clinking it gently with Feng Qi’s coffee cup, the smile on her lips spreading to her eyes. At this moment, she seemed to revert back to that 19-year-old girl: "Here’s to a pleasant collaboration."
"Let’s discuss the contract now."
Feng Qi picked up the document bag from the seat and handed it to Tang Li: "This is the contract I’ve drafted, which follows IMG’s historic format for new talent agreements. IMG’s salary and earnings division with new talents for the first three years is 70/30 in favor of the company, transitioning in the fourth year to 60/40.
The contract lasts for five years. Should you achieve a certain level of fame in the industry by then, when renewing with IMG, the company will adjust the split to 50/50 or even 40/60, depending on your situation. Once you reach the heights of Liang Jincheng, it could shift to 20/80, and should you surpass him, it could even become 10/90."
Currently, this "surpassing" seems somewhat unrealistic.
Tang Li flipped through the contract and noticed one clause stipulating: "Party A has the right of first refusal in renewals; under equal conditions, Party B must renew with Party A."
To avoid future disputes, Feng Qi roughly explained the contract, then said: "Compared to some smaller agencies, IMG’s commission rate isn’t low. By the end of the five-year contract—or perhaps even sooner should you become well-known in the industry—other agencies will try to poach you, and they will certainly offer more favorable terms, especially in commission."
Artist contract breaks and job-hopping are not new or unusual in the entertainment industry.
Many newcomers, after a sudden rise to fame, begin to feel dissatisfied with the "exploitative" revenue splits of their first agencies. In such situations, the poaching company typically pays the buyout fee.
Thus, many artists switch agencies with little pressure.
"As an agent of IMG, at least before I leave the company, I naturally tend to view things from IMG’s perspective," Feng Qi stated. "Although IMG Media is currently one of the largest comprehensive entertainment conglomerates in the country, it does not guarantee that you will appear in all the company’s productions. Using non-internal artists in film and television production is already commonplace in the industry."
Tang Li understood what Feng Qi was implying: He was trying to prevent her from falling into the misconception that signing a contract guarantees a multitude of acting opportunities, to not think that becoming an IMG artist would guarantee a smooth career path.
Feng Qi continued, "No matter where you are, the company is willing to make a substantial investment in packaging, promotion, and training for a new talent with potential. Only when the artist gains popularity and is well-received in the market will the company gradually recoup its investment."
The implication being—
As long as she showed potential, IMG would not allow her to go unnoticed.
Tang Li looked up at Feng Qi: "Are you going to leave IMG Media in the next five years?"
"I probably won’t in my lifetime."
Feng Qi answered, flashing Tang Li a handsome smile: "Don’t worry, I will be fully in charge of your agent contract during your time at IMG."
Tang Li didn’t hesitate any further and signed her name on the last page of the contract.
Compared to Tianhua, IMG Media was undoubtedly the best choice for her.
If she did not sign with an agency, Tianhua could easily suppress a newcomer like her.
Right now, she could only seek a "backer" for herself.
After the contract was signed, Feng Qi drove Tang Li back to the shooting location.
Seeing Feng Qi appearing as Tang Li’s agent, Yang Ning stepped into the resting room and turned around to smash her thermos on the floor.