Hollywood Hunter

Twenty minutes later, after probably reading the script for more than a half, Jonathan Friedman forcibly stopped reading.There are other jobs today, and now is not a good time to read the script.

Moreover, although only half of the reading is done, Jonathan Friedman has determined that the quality of the script of the Butterfly Effect is absolutely as good as its story creativity.If it can be shot, it will definitely become a very classic film.

Of course, with Jonathan Friedman's professional vision, the short board of this script is also very obvious.

First of all, the name'butterfly effect' seems too niche.Most ordinary people still can't understand the terminology of the professional theory that was put forward in the 1970s, which will undoubtedly hinder the interest of many people in the film.However, just after Simon explained the meaning of the butterfly effect, Jonathan Friedman couldn't find other more appropriate names for a while. This can only be temporarily put on hold.

Second, the overall style of the story is too dark.Especially at the end of the story, the actor returns to the mother's plot to strangle himself with the umbilical cord. If you think about it carefully, it may even make people feel a creepy feeling.

However, the entire script also fits exactly with the style of his client's work.

In the course of reading just now, Jonathan Friedman is actually still thinking about certain ideas with a double focus.

Due to the internal turmoil of WMA, a large number of customers have fled, and Jonathan Friedman is also affected.

The famous Hollywood director Brian de Palma, who had directed films such as "Witch Carrie" and "Scarface" under his name, was recently invited to have the idea of ​​switching to CAA. According to the information he got, CAA has even prepared a project for the meeting.

The reason why Brian de Palma did not leave as neatly as Al Pacino, Barbara Streisand, etc., was mainly due to the sentiment cultivated through the cooperation over the years.

However, Brian de Palma has lost two consecutive large-scale production films with investment of over 10 million US dollars in recent years. As a broker, if he cannot find a quality project with sufficient box office guarantee for the other party as soon as possible, Jonathan · Friedman believes he will soon lose this client.

Now, "Butterfly Effect" seems to be more appropriate.

New enough creative, wonderful story script, but also the type of thriller Brian de Palma is best at.Moreover, judging from the storyline, the budget of the film will not be too high, which will undoubtedly make it easier for the studio to initiate the project.

Adding all these favorable elements, Jonathan Friedman believes that "Butterfly Effect" does not have much possibility of failure, and it will not even be much worse than that of Brian de Palma's famous work "Witch Carrie".

Moreover, as a group drama with rich roles, this film can be used to bring together young artists in his own name.Since CAA can make a series of successful packaging projects, the overall strength is no less than CAA's WMA has no reason not to copy the other party's experience.

Now, the low-budget and low-risk "Butterfly Effect" can obviously be tried as a good packaging project.

After weighing all the details, Jonathan Friedman looked up at the opposite youth.Perhaps, occasionally signing a film writer is also a good choice.

Determined, Jonathan Friedman said again: "So, Simon, do you have any other scripts?"

Simon listened to Jonathan Friedman's tone and realized that he would be worthwhile today.

However, since "Butterfly Effect" has aroused Jonathan Friedman's interest, he does not intend to immediately take out another script, which will only distract the agent's attention in the script sales process.

In fact, Simon originally planned that as long as he could find a broker,

Nonetheless, in order to continue to increase his weight in Jonathan Friedman’s mind, Simon replied affirmatively: “Yes, but the script is still in perfection and it will take some time. This is a story about death, combining Eastern’s Some sort of fatalistic point of view. In the view of the Orientals, they believe that if the god of death confirms the death of a person, then this person will not escape the entanglement of death anyway.

Jonathan Friedman had just asked politely and casually, but Simon's remarks again aroused his interest.

However, Simon did not go on and Jonathan Friedman stopped asking.

There will certainly be many opportunities for chatting in the future, and now we still have to solve the current situation.

"In this case, talk about the signing of the contract. Simon, since you have done so much preparation work, presumably have a certain understanding of the signing of the brokerage company, first talk about your requirements?"

Simon nodded and politely said, "First of all, I only write scripts that I am interested in. I don't accept commissioned scripts or long-term employment, so I hope to only sign simple script agency contracts."

Just listening to Simon's first request, Jonathan Friedman couldn't help but want to shake his head.

There are only a few hundred Hollywood movies and TV shows based on original scripts every year. If you rely on original scripts to make a living, the two major screenwriter unions on the east and west coasts of North America together will probably starve to death.Therefore, most of the jobs that Hollywood screenwriters rely on are still commissioned by various screenwriters, script doctors, and long-term employment of film and television production companies.

Simon's request at this time is tantamount to limiting his personal career to a very narrow range.

I wanted to talk about it, but looking at the young face opposite, Jonathan Friedman chose to dispel the idea.

Since the youth is frivolous, it is better to experience some setbacks.

Simon can probably understand the other person’s thoughts from the change of Jonathan Friedman’s expression, but he did not pause. He continued: “Second, if conditions permit, I hope I can try the work of the film director. So, I hope that Your script retains some autonomy."

Jonathan Friedman still felt his eyes jump, and looked at Simon again before finally saying: "Actually, Simon, I am very curious about your age?"

Simon took out his wallet and handed out his driver’s license, saying: "Mr. Friedman, although I don’t intend to hide this from you, I still feel that in the process of marketing the script, you need to avoid The film company executives talked about my personal age."

Jonathan Friedman took Simon’s license and glanced at the date of birth.

February 22, 1968.

Despite the facts, Jonathan couldn't help but glance at the date on the desk phone display on the desk. Today is June 19, 1986.

In other words, the little guy in front of him just turned 18 at the beginning of this year.

Some shook their heads and smiled silently, handing the driver's license back to Simon, Jonathan Friedman said: "Well, I will ignore this as much as possible next. However, Simon, you know, most of Hollywood The directors only got their first chance to direct the film after the age of thirty, so you are too..."

Simon waited for Jonathan Friedman to continue, and couldn't help shaking his head and interrupted: "You are wrong, Joe. Steven Spielberg is not, Martin Scorsese is not, George Lu Cass is not, nor is Francis Ford Coppola. If so, why should I make those mediocre majority?"

Jonathan Friedman froze.

Until many years later, Jonathan Friedman still clearly remembered the loud voice of the young boy in his office one afternoon in the summer of 1986.

Steven Spielberg is not;

Martin Scorsese is not;

George Lucas is not;

Nor is Francis Ford Coppola.

He didn't even know that there were less than 100 dollars left in the pockets of young people at that time. If he couldn't find a job that could make a living as soon as possible, he would probably sleep on the street.

After a while, and regaining consciousness, Jonathan Friedman began to discuss the signing of the contract with Simon.

Simon has left a deep impression on him at this meeting, and Jonathan Friedman involuntarily no longer puts too harsh signing conditions on Simon on the standard of a newcomer.

In fact, in the final analysis, the height that a screenwriter can achieve in Hollywood is ultimately limited, and the benefits to the agent are relatively irrelevant to the agent at the level of Jonathan Friedman.

Jonathan Friedman instinctively feels that giving this young man some convenience at this time may be able to get unexpected gains in the future.

Therefore, the two quickly negotiated the basic contract framework.

A simple script agency contract with a contract period of three years and a commission of 10%.Simon has some autonomy in his script.To put it simply, if he wants to personally direct a script of his own, he does not have to prepare a project by his agent.

The detailed contract content will not be so simple, so Simon needs to sign again tomorrow.

Finally, in order to ease the feeling that Jonathan Friedman had just been obviously scared by himself, Simon also took the initiative to explain a few words, saying that his next goal was just to make some ultra-low-cost experimental movies as a workout.

It's probably a 16MM camera, thousands of dollars, two or three people.

Jonathan Friedman really was more willing to accept Simon's remarks, and offered to provide some help within his ability.

The two had a great conversation. When the meeting ended, the time had passed by 5:40.

Once again to say goodbye to Jonathan Friedman who personally transported him to the door of the office, Simon turned around and found that two men and a woman, both young men, were waiting in the outer lounge.

As the office door opened, the three people who were chatting all stood up with a respectful expression, and could not help looking at Simon, the guy who had kept them waiting for more than an hour.With the obvious envy and vigilance in the eyes of the two young men, the girl with short black hair also looked at Simon curiously.

Simon just nodded slightly to the three. Although the short-haired girl felt familiar, she went outside without much thought.

It wasn’t until I left the WMA headquarters building that Simon remembered a name that Jonathan Friedman said more than an hour ago. It was reflected that the short-haired girl should be Courteney Cox, the one in the famous "Friends" has coercion. Monica Geller.