Hollywood Hunter

"Danny, several major studios are currently interested in "When Harry Meets Sally", and the business prospects are certainly very secure. However, in order to maintain control of this project, Danieli Siying The industry is more inclined to invest alone. On the other hand, the funds in my hands will not be available until the end of the year, but the film will start shooting in September. So we will choose to cooperate with third parties."

Although it was after Daenerys Pictures released the quest for cooperation that he took the initiative to contact here, Dennis O'Brien listened to Simon to explain the general situation of the project, but still keenly raised his doubts.

"Simon, as far as I know, Daenerys Pictures has absolute control over the two projects "The Grim Reaper" and "Pulp Fiction." You want from the Seventh Party for "When Harry Meets Sha" Li" It shouldn’t be difficult to win equal treatment, isn’t it?"

Simon shook his head and said: "Danny, this time is different. The key is that I also intend to participate in the investment. If I cooperate with a certain company of the Seventh Congress, even if I can get control of the project production process, the subsequent release is not only the North American Academy. Line, all other channels are bound to be completely tied to each other. Moreover, the account system of the big film companies can not guarantee Daenerys film industry to obtain the benefits we deserve, you must have experienced this."

Dennis O'Brien nodded sympathetically.

All the movie capital that enters Hollywood is almost disgusted by the "Hollywood Ledger" of major studios and even the second and third tier distribution companies.

In order to intercept as much as possible the independent producer's due benefits, Hollywood distribution companies will do everything possible to misreport all costs.

As far as the cinema distribution is concerned, if it is a project of a sole producer, the usual distribution rules of Hollywood distributors and producers are like this.

After the movie is released, the distributor will first deduct a portion of the movie box office as a distribution commission.The proportion of this money is determined by the contract between the two parties. The stronger the producer, the lower the commission for the issuance.

During the cooperation between DreamWorks and Paramount and other companies, only 8% of the commission was required to be issued.But the commissions that the weak producers need to pay can even be as high as 15%.

But this is just the beginning.

The issuer's next announcement fee is the "essence" of the Hollywood bookkeeping system.

The film distribution must cost money.

Copy fees, TV commercials, offline expenses for company’s loss projects, trimming of the studio’s lawns, and private jets for management vacations will basically calculate everything for you.

finally.

In fact, perhaps less than half of the production cost of the advertising costs, the distribution company's books will even be higher than the cost of film production.

So, can the'Hollywood Ledger' be avoided?

Can't.

This is already a clear rule of Hollywood film companies. Even the "Harry Potter" series with a single global box office of one billion dollars has actually suffered losses on the books.Even if the producer is strong enough to personally send accountants to follow up on the issuance, the result will only be a falsely high budget for announcements.

Of course, this is the problem.

No one is a fool.

Hollywood is doing this, why is there so much capital rushing for it?

Obvious.

'Hollywood Ledger' must still have a strategy.

For strong capital, they usually invest in the entire large-scale studio level, and then calculate the general ledger, sharing the profit and loss.No matter how the film company plays tricks on a single project, the overall financial statements must be clear.Otherwise, the Federal Taxation Office will not agree.

As for small and medium-sized film investors, they either choose to sell out the copyright directly or set up a film company to do the distribution in person.

at the moment.

Simon's release plan for "When Harry Meets Sally" is basically similar to "Laura Run".As much as possible to retain the copyright of each channel, first push the film to the North American theater, and then gradually operate the subsequent distribution based on the local box office results.Of course, the main reason is still sold out.

In the office.

Simon and Amy spent more than an hour explaining in detail to Dennis O'Brien the main story of "When Harry Meets Sally", shooting schedule, release strategy and other details.

Finally, Simon talked about the investment ratio and the distribution of benefits.

"Danny, if Handicraft Pictures intends to invest in "When Harry Meets Sally", my request is that the budget of 15 million US dollars, each party should bear half of each, respectively, 7.5 million US dollars. However, the future distribution of benefits, as the leading The producer of the entire project, after deducting the budget cost, Daenerys Pictures needs to take 60% of the project's net profit, and the remaining 40% belongs to Handicraft Pictures."

Dennis O'Brien heard this and immediately shook his head: "Simon, it's too high."

Simon insisted: "It's not high at all, Danny, you have to understand that this is on the premise that the project is profitable. Daenerys Pictures undertakes all the production work, but actually only requires a 20% net profit share As a commission, this is fair."

Dennis O'Brien hesitated for a moment and asked, "Simon, what about the future revenue settlement process? If we participate in the investment, when will we be able to recover the money?"

"In this regard, you can discuss it with Amy. However, Daenerys Pictures intends to do it in Hollywood for a long time. We will never deliberately owe the partners' accounts. In order to show sincerity and reach cooperation After that, Handicraft Pictures can send an accountant to follow up the entire project."

After thinking about it for a while, Dennis O'Brien finally said, "Simon, I still need to discuss this with George, maybe I will give you an answer next Monday."

Simon nodded and said: "Of course, no problem. However, for this project, we are not only in contact with the handicrafts film industry. Daenerys Films has the same cooperation conditions for everyone. We will never bargain. So, if tomorrow, even Someone will give an answer tonight, then we can only say regret."

Having said this, seeing Dennis O'Brien stand up, Simon and Amy got up as well.

Send O'Brien away, Simon and Amy return to the company's office building.

Simon returned to her office, and Amy also followed in. After seeing Simon turning to her desk, she sat comfortably in a leather chair. She walked to the reception area to pack up the pile of documents just now, and said: "Simon, you I just shouldn’t take the initiative to promise that O'Brien can be an accountant."

Simon took the "Forrest of Forrest Gump", turned to the bookmark, leaned on the leather chair and said, "Amy, I'm just sincere. I hope Daenerys can go Very far away, there is no need to play tricks on these details."

Amy picked up the packed file and put it back in the file cabinet near the wall. She continued: "Many founders of film companies actually thought about it this way, but Simon, reality often doesn't allow us to not use some means."

Simon smiled and said, "Since this is the case, it is up to you to discuss things with you."

Amy rolled her eyes slightly, closed the door, turned around and sat down again across Simon's desk, looking at the young man opposite, saying, "Ron and I and We are going to New York tomorrow. The scene of "The Grim Reaper" has been completed. We are going to go through all the scenes and discuss some issues with the Queensland Government and JFK Airport. Speaking of this, you got this project from Fox, It seems that you don’t care at all."

Tomorrow is Saturday.

However, the federal 40-hour work system is actually just to protect the bottom working class.

The “Labor and Employment Law of the United States” has special provisions governing more than two corporate executives and is not protected by the labor law’s 40-hour work system.This part of people work overtime, the boss does not have to pay overtime.

In Simon's view, this is actually telling people a very simple truth, if you want to be a man, don't expect to work only eight hours a day.

Simon listened to Amy's half-truth complaints and turned the book in his hand. He said: "I am the boss. It is the job I need to do to get the split clause from Fox. As for the rest, this project does not It’s not worth my follow-up."

After completing the script and finalizing director Wes Craven, plus the assistance of Amy and others, Simon was very relieved about the project.

"Butterfly Effect" is another big success. Now no one thinks that "Death is Coming" will cross the threshold of $20 million. This is a purely entertaining horror movie for teenagers. Simon really does not need to spend too much thought.

After a few more chats, Simon glanced at his watch, closed the book, and asked Amy: "I'll get off work right now. Are there any arrangements for the evening?"

Amy raised her eyebrows and smiled, "I have an appointment with my boyfriend."

"Oh, that's fine," Simon shrugged and explained: "Actually Jonathan. You know, Robert De Niro has never had an agent. Some time ago, he fought for the actor of Fox's "Flying Over the Future". After that, I started to think about finding a brokerage company for myself. Jonathan wanted to bring De Niroa to WMA and held a special party tonight. I hope I can go too."

Speaking of which, Simon's accelerated collection of some copyrights is also affected by many recently discovered projects.

For example, "Flying Over the Future".

In the original time and space, this movie not only achieved a good score of over 100 million at the North American box office, but also brought the first Oscar nomination for Best Actor for Tom Hanks.

Simon also chatted with Jonathan Friedman in private, only to realize that Robert De Niro also fought for this project.In addition, Fox has identified "Tiger Gallbladder", which is also a box office series.

Besides Fox, many other hot items that exist in Simon's memory, he can't get started now.

Moreover, there are some projects, Simon is also hesitant to intervene.

Just like "Rainman", this is the North American box office champion of Space Time next year, and the current script is still in a state of nowhere.

However, "Rola Run" has basically confirmed this year's North American box office champion.If the North American box office champions next year, the year after, and even the year after the year are all related to Simon, this is not only conspicuous, it is completely a question of letting others not live.

If others can't live.

Gee!

In this regard, Simon has planned to consciously incorporate some of the projects that will not be hot in the memory in the next process of collecting copyrights, and will actually put into production when there is sufficient funds.

Opposite the desk.

Amy heard Simon’s explanation, but said: "Deniro is more likely to go to C+ even if he is looking for a brokerage company. By the way, you let Susan put that, um, Nicole Kidman’s What happened to Jonathan telling them to dig people?"

Simon remembered meeting with Michael Ovitz on Monday and shrugged, saying: "Nothing, I just think that C+ is too strong now, and we should use fewer C+ customers in the future."