Hollywood Hunter

After briefly describing the overall idea, Simon spent a few more minutes explaining the several stories and interspersed patterns of "Pulp Fiction" to Mike Medova in detail.

but.

Mike Medova frowned tightly after hearing Simon's story.

Although Simon just explained it in great detail, Mike Medova still feels the whole story is chaotic.Moreover, he did not grasp the selling point of this movie at all.

Is it a non-linear narrative?

Or, to be more straightforward and insane.

The three-stage parallel architecture of "Rola Run" is indeed very interesting, but what is this so-called multiple closed-loop plot structure now?If the audience can't even understand the story, how could they still be interested in this movie.

Thinking about it this way, McMedova said intently: "Simon, the non-linear narrative occasionally just needs to be used once in a while. The movie still has to be very orthodox to tell a story. Moreover, this script is too confusing, I don’t think The audience will be in a mood to sort out so many clues."

Many classic movies written in the annals of history have been subject to various doubts during the development stage. Mike Medova’s denial did not surprise Simon.

Simon explained seriously: "Mike, I understand what you mean, and I am well aware that I have not fallen into the misunderstanding of deliberately pursuing a more complicated narrative structure of the film. In fact, this is more like another attempt of mine, I just want to use A brand new plot structure to tell a very interesting story. As for the audience, as long as appropriate propaganda guidance, I believe they will like this movie very much."

Mike Medova’s expression still didn’t relax, and continued: “Even so, Simon, according to your narrative, this movie obviously involves violence, gunshots, drugs, and other restrictive-level elements. You think this is suitable for you. Will the 20-year-old come here?"

Simon suddenly remembered Catherine and shrugged. "Mike, I know what kind of person I am, that's enough. Actually, I don't lack other ideas. It's just that these ideas can't be realized now or make budgets." It’s too expensive. Compared to this, the current movie seems to be more appropriate, as long as it works properly, the production cost should be controlled within $8 million."

Mike Medova relaxed slightly when he heard the budget figures given by Simon.

Hollywood's movie production budget has grown rapidly in the last two years.

Even last year, half of the top ten box office movies in North America had a production budget of less than $10 million, and the box office champion "Zhuangzhi Lingyun" cost only $15 million.But this year, only the first three months, two films with a budget of US$15 million have been released in Deadly Weapon and Angel Heart, and the two expensive films were still thrown in March. Popular period.

However, Mike Medova was still not very reconciled, and then said: "Simon, why not make a horror thriller? Like "Butterfly Effect" and "Death Is Coming", these two scripts are very good, I think you It's also easy to create a similar script."

Mike Medova has always liked the two scripts "Butterfly Effect" and "The Grim Reaper".

Although "Butterfly Effect" did not respond well to the film critics, Mike Medova did not doubt the profit prospects of this project.As for "The Grim Reaper", look at the split terms given by Fox and you will know how much they are optimistic about this project.

Relative to the so-called "Pulp Fiction", he hopes that Simon can create and direct a similar horror thriller.

"I've explained this question many times," Simon was also helpless. "Mike, I don't like making horror movies. Because of the lack of challenge, I wrote those scripts just to make money."

Mike Medova listened to Simon's tone talking about'sideline',

Purely just to make money.

What a good reason.

Only, you want "pure", we also want "pure"!

Mike Medova almost blurted out: Simon, let's just talk about this kind of project that can make money "purely", OK?Let your messy "Pulp Fiction" go to hell!

Of course, Mike Medova just thought so.

For many years, regardless of how they danced and scolded their mothers in the background, the Hollywood film company's management's attitude toward the hot filmmakers was as much as possible for coaxing, and Mike Medova was also used to doing so.

Relying on the popularity of "Rola Run", Simon's next movie, as long as it is not too bad, it is completely easy to make money.However, in any case, Mike Medova would like to see a slightly more normal project, such as "Butterfly Effect" and "Death Is Coming".

The waiter brought the dinner up at this time, and everyone paused for a moment.

After taking a few bites of food and rearranging the rhetoric, Mike Medova said again: "Simon, don't you have any other ideas? Let's see, as long as the script is good enough, it doesn't matter if the production cost is higher."

Simon simply shook his head and said, "Sorry, Mike, I can only say that my next movie is "Pulp Fiction." If Orion can't accept it, maybe you can wait for my third movie."

Mike Medova was suddenly speechless.

Simon's second movie is definitely very secure, but after the third movie, especially this inexplicable "Pulp Fiction", who knows if anyone will be interested in the name Simon Westero.

After struggling for a moment, Mike Medova had to say: "Simon, you just said that this movie only costs $8 million, right?"

After "Rola Run", Simon wouldn't even overstate the $20 million production budget for his second movie.Now, if you only need 8 million US dollars, even if the box office prospects are bleak, it is not unacceptable if you have no choice.

"Mike, I’m just talking about an ideal state. There are so many characters in this movie, and it’s impossible to use all of them. The actor’s remuneration must have a large portion of the production budget. So, if you can successfully convince the participants By lowering the pay and keeping online costs within 5 million US dollars, I have enough confidence to compress the production budget to 8 million US dollars."

The film production budget is mainly divided into two categories: online expenses and offline expenses.

The so-called online expenses are simply the salaries of screenwriters, directors, actors, etc. The offline expenses include equipment rental fees, salary of behind-the-scenes employees, and expenditures on technical equipment such as transportation, makeup, and insurance.

Simon's previous "Rola Run", online fees only accounted for a very small part.But for "Pulp Fiction", think about the big guys such as John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Samuel Jackson, etc. This is definitely a movie whose online cost exceeds 50% of the total budget. .

The production cost of the original "Pulp Fiction" is 8 million US dollars, which is obviously due to the fact that John Travolta and others have repaid their films.

Now, if you want to make this movie seven years in advance, some people will definitely not be able to use it, some people will also want to replace it by themselves, and some people may no longer be willing to pay their own films. Under the influence of this series of uncertain factors, Simon still Making an estimate of $8 million is neither high nor low.

Seeing that Simon's attitude persisted, Mike Medova knew that it would be useless to say more, so he had to say: "So, Simon, you take out the script as soon as possible, we will discuss it later."

"This is of course," Simon nodded, took a sip of the red wine, put down the glass, and said: "Mike, there is one more thing, about the other channels of "Roller Run", I hope to release these at one time. All rights are sold out, is Orion willing to take over?"

Mike Medova suddenly showed a clear unexpected expression.

The box office situation of "Rola Run" is very good. According to the practice of most film companies, the subsequent release of the film will definitely be personally "intensive work". This will not only maximize the profit, but also in the process. Accumulating contacts and expanding channels is a double benefit.

Although it has the priority to publish "Roller Run" through other channels, Orion originally only expected to be able to obtain the distribution of local video tapes, which is naturally a share contract.

Unexpectedly, Simon wanted to sell out in one go.

This is obviously not a too wise choice, which is equivalent to exhausting the fish, not only can not get too high a return, but also ruined a long-term income channel.According to the operation cycle of each channel, it is only a "Rola Run", which is enough for Daenerys Films to eat for more than three years.

Thinking in his heart, Mike Medova asked, "Simon, why are you in such a hurry?"

Simon did not shy away and said directly: "I need money."

Mike Medova shook his head slightly, then suddenly smiled with a bit of emotion: "Actually, everyone needs money."

Movies are a very slow investment to return funds.

In recent years, due to the continuing upsurge in the economic situation in North America, many second- and third-tier film companies have been expanding aggressively.Then, when I looked back suddenly, I found that my stall was spread too big, and I was unsustainable.

"Blood Corpse Night", an investment company that is on the verge of bankruptcy, DeLaurentis Entertainment, is also in trouble with Canon Pictures. The takeover crisis encountered by Orion Pictures last year was ultimately due to a lack of money.

Simon just smiled amiably, waiting patiently for Mike Medova's response.

Mike Medova thought about it for a moment and said, "Simon, you can't afford to buy it out. Orion can't afford it. However, we can buy the distribution rights for North American videotapes."

The sales of video tapes in North America last year exceeded the gross revenue of the box office. Therefore, the distribution of video tapes is undoubtedly the most profitable piece of cake in the subsequent release of "Laura Run".

Mike Medova's answer was exactly what Simon expected.

However, if Orion takes away the rights to release the North American videotape of "Rola Run", the subsequent TV broadcasting rights of the film will not be sold separately.Although the benefits of TV broadcasting rights are also considerable, the operating cycle is even longer.

Normally, a movie is downgraded in a North American theater, and the video can be released after a three-month window period, but the sale of TV broadcasting rights often requires more than six months of waiting.

Moreover, unlike distribution channels such as theaters and video tapes, which have a intensive income period, TV platforms belong to the typical long-tail market. Although the revenue scale is comparable to that of box office and video tapes, the operation cycle often lasts for several years.

Since anticipating Mike Medova’s response, Simon also had a coping strategy, saying at this time: "Mike, Orion can of course take away the rights of local videotape distribution. However, it can’t be just these. I have considered, "Laura Run "The follow-up distribution will be divided into two parts, the local follow-up video and television distribution, overseas theater distribution, video distribution and television distribution. If Orion can’t eat all, then you can only choose one."

Although it has been established for many years, Orion does not actually have much overseas distribution capabilities, and basically still relies on the seven major international channels.

Simon said that, Mike Medova understood that Orion can only choose the former, that is, the local video and television distribution, or simply give up.

After thinking about it, Mike Medova said: "Simon, what about the offer?"

Simon simply said: "40 million US dollars."

"It's too high," Mike Medova shook his head immediately, then smiled again, and said: "And, this is not something I can decide, I need to discuss with Arthur first."