Hollywood Hunter

After leaving Paramount's headquarters, Jonathan Friedman dismissed the idea of ​​visiting several other studios, but decided to rush back to WMA to discuss the countermeasures with the company's top management.

To curb the continued development and growth of CAA, it is imperative for WMA to follow the other side's implementation of the project packaging model.

Now that several major Hollywood film companies have connected to prevent WMA from doing so, then WMA should be strong enough to push this thing forward.However, to achieve this, the company's management must first reach agreement and work together.

Although the bottom of my heart is also very clear, WMA, which is lined with internal hills, is not easy to achieve this. Jonathan Friedman still conceived in detail in the process of returning to the company.

However, just after returning to the headquarters of Camino Street, Jonathan Friedman was stopped by Norman Broca's assistant and took him to the WMA president's office.

Coming to Norman Broca's office, Jonathan Friedman couldn't wait to wait for the old man sitting at his desk to read a document, "Norman, something has changed."

Norman Broca raised his hand and made a slightly restless gesture, instructing Jonathan to sit first, and then said: "I already know, the studio side is communicating with each other and wants to resist the "Butterfly Effect." , The matter has been resolved."

Jonathan Friedman looked puzzled: "Solved?"

Norman Broca nodded, picked a document from his hand, and handed it to Jonathan Friedman, who was sitting opposite him, saying: "I have dinner with Ronald Goldberg at noon, he told Mine. And, Fox is very interested in this film, and they don’t mind the packaging agreement. So, we roughly agreed on the cooperation plan at noon, you take a look first."

"Butterfly Effect" is a project that I promoted by myself. When I heard that Norman Broca had reached an agreement with Fox without consulting him, Jonathan Friedman was a little displeased, but he still took over the document and opened it.

Turning page by page through the cooperation plan, Jonathan Friedman's brows grew tighter.

WMA originally planned to be a complete set of production team, from core creators such as producers, directors, male and female protagonists to photographers, lighting engineers and other surrounding staff.This is also the result of Jonathan Friedman’s coordination for several weeks.

In the plan, the budgeted cost of the entire packaged project is $15 million, and WMA uniformly draws 10% from the budget as a commission.

Now, this apparently compressed project plan only has a budget of 12 million US dollars. WMA's packaging targets are not only a few core creatives, but most customers' salaries have also been reduced.

Two clients in his own name, Brian de Palma’s director’s remuneration was reduced to $1.5 million, and Simon’s script remuneration was still $100,000 to buy out two scripts.In addition, WMA no longer uniformly withdraws commissions from the entire project, but settles with individual customers in accordance with the practice.

Moreover, what makes Jonathan Friedman uncomfortable most is that, as a star in the hands of Norman Broca, Matthew Broderick still pays $5 million.

Throwing the unfinished cooperation plan on the desk of Norman Broca, Jonathan Friedman suppressed the dissatisfaction in his heart, saying: "Norman, this cooperation plan is still a packaging contract? "

Norman Broca put down the pen in his hand and said: "Of course, you must know that the initial packaging contract signed by CAA with the studio is far less than yours."

Jonathan Friedman took a deep breath in silence, wondering if he wanted to cry or laugh.

Even now, WMA is still far larger than CAA.

But the person in front, the president of the world’s largest talent agency giant,

Norman Broca looked at Jonathan Friedman and saw his expression change, and his tone could not help but a little longer. He said: "Joe, I know what you think, but many things need to be taken slowly. . And, you have to understand that the company’s current situation is very bad, so, I hope you can take care of the overall situation."

Jonathan Friedman's right hand on his knee could not help but make a fist.

Take care of the overall situation?

Ah.

If not for the sake of overall consideration, the entire project should be on its own.

In order to take care of the overall situation, he only kept the director and screenwriter and gave up all other places.

right now.

How can you take care of the big picture?

Thinking bitterly in his heart, Jonathan Friedman said indifferently: "Norman, even so, why are everyone's salaries lowered, but Matthew's salary is still so high? Anyway, I can't pay my own Customer account."

Faced with Jonathan's straightforward geological question, Norman Broca's expression did not change at all. He was very patient and said: "Joe, Brian's situation I think you know better than anyone, so give him a $1.5 million film reward and There's nothing wrong with it. As for that, um, that screenwriter, didn't you say that he was only 18 years old? For an 18-year-old Maotou, $100,000 is already very generous. You now give this news Tell him, I guess the little guy will jump up with joy."

Jonathan Friedman recalled his contact with Simon during this time, and was quite sure that the young man could not jump at the news. Even if he did, it would definitely not be because of joy.

When Norman Broca saw Jonathan didn’t speak, he thought about it and said, "So, Joe, this is a good start after all. So, as long as the project is successful, I will approve an additional bonus for you by the end of the year, how about it?"

Jonathan Friedman remained silent. After a while, he got up and said, "Norman, I need to think about it."

Norman Broca also stood up, walked around the desk, patted on Jonathan Friedman’s shoulder, and said: “Fox wants to sign as soon as possible, so you will give me a reply tomorrow Right."

Jonathan Friedman nodded mechanically, turned and left Norman Broca's office.

As soon as the office door closed, the original harmony on Norman Broca's face disappeared immediately.He actually despised Jonathan, the vice president who relied on the relationship between WMA chairman Lu Weiss and was promoted.

The eight vice-presidents of WMA, Jonathan Friedman are also basically in the last ranking.

For the packaging scheme proposed by Jonathan Friedman, it is not only the major Hollywood studios who are worried, Norman Broca also does not want this project to be too successful.If Jonathan Friedman becomes the forerunner of the company's internal reforms because of the "Butterfly Effect" packaging project, the other party's prestige and status in WMA will definitely be greatly improved, and even threaten his status.

Jonathan Friedman did not immediately agree to it, and Norman Broca also knew roughly what the other party would do after leaving.

When he came to the desk and sat down, Norman Broca immediately picked up the phone and pressed the call button to the outside secretary: "Bring me Stevens."

Jonathan Friedman returned to his office, leaning back on his leather chair.

I don’t know how long after that, Jonathan Friedman is trying to get up and give a call to WMA chairman Lu Weiss, who is far from the East Coast New York headquarters, hoping to be promoted from the old boss who has promoted himself. With some support, the phone on his desk rang first.

When the phone was connected, it was accidentally called by Lu Weisi.

The two talked for more than ten minutes, Jonathan Friedman put down the microphone in his hand, and there was a little more frustration in his expression.

As the first WMA packaging attempt, Jonathan Friedman had just been thinking about this idea for a long time, but in fact he had already chatted with Lu Weiss on the phone.Although people are on the East Coast, Lu Weiss is also very concerned about this project.

However, just after calling, Lu Weiss did not support the meaning of Jonathan Friedman. Instead, he hoped that he could complete the project "Butterfly Effect" as soon as possible, so as to avoid extracurricular activities.In the end, he also said seriously that WMA is not going to start oscillating internally, and he still hopes that he can take care of the overall situation.

Faced with this situation, Jonathan Friedman also understood.

Norman Broca must have communicated with several other senior executives of the company and even the board of directors in advance.Moreover, after working at WMA for so many years, Jonathan Friedman even faintly realized that Norman Broca did not want to see the "Butterfly Effect" package project too successful.

Now, perhaps the company's chairman Lu Weisi, CEO Lee Stevens, and even the WMA board members have reached a unified opinion on this matter.

In the face of a large group of conservatives who are no longer ambitious, if they want to force this matter forward, it may only be counterproductive, and may even lose the position of vice president they just got.

Suddenly I envy CAA, where there is only Michael Ovitz.

In this case.

Then take care of the big picture.

With a self-deprecating smile, Jonathan Friedman repressed the landline call button, and asked his assistant to call Simon to leave a comment and ask him to come to WMA tomorrow.Then he personally called Brian de Palma.

7-11 convenience store is open 24 hours, during this time, Simon has started shifts.

On Tuesday it happens to be night shift.

Work from 11 o'clock in the evening until 7 o'clock in the morning.

After working in the morning, after having breakfast, Simon rode back to the hotel by bike.Hearing a phone message from WMA over there, I took a short break for an hour before I hurried to Beverly Hills.

The familiar door came to Jonathan's office, and there were still a few minutes from 10 o'clock. Originally, I had to chat with Owen Wright from the outside, and the door of Jonathan's office was opened.

Simon stopped talking to Owen Wright and turned to look over. It happened to be opposite the gaze of a young man who came out first, but it was Matthew Broderick.

Jonathan also came out and saw Simon, and immediately smiled softly, saying: "Simon, you came just right. Now, this is Matthew Broderick, he is immediately the actor of "Butterfly Effect", you all It’s a young man and there will definitely be many common languages ​​in the future.

Simon had not yet responded, and Matthew Broderick had understood it at this time, but he did not give Jonathan Friedman a face, and said with a cold face: "Joe, I and this person are not What common language will there be."

With that said, Matthew Broderick glanced at Simon again, turned directly, and walked out to the hallway.