Hollywood Hunter

After a short two-day break in Park City, Simon returned to Los Angeles and was again surrounded by busy work.

Santa monica.

In the conference room of Daenerys Pictures headquarters, Simon, Amy and CAA President Michael Ovitz sat around the conference table. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the upcoming Rainman by Daenerys Pictures "And "Steel Magnolia" two films.

The main production plan of "Rainman" has been finalized, and only some details remain, and the two sides have not wasted much time for this.

In "Steel Magnolia", the atmosphere became tense.

Daenerys Pictures wants to invite CAA directors Herbert Rose and actress Sally Field to participate in the film, both of whom are also original creators of "Steel Magnolia".However, the conditions issued by Michael Ovitz made Simon unacceptable.

"Michael, Herbert Rose and Sally Field are packing $10 million. This price is too high. "Magnolia Flower" is a group play. If I pay Rose and Field a high fee, other actors will also If you ask for more, Daenerys will have a hard time with this project. So, we can pay Rose $5 million for the film, and for Ms. Field, it’s only $1.5 million."

Herbert Rose was not only the director of the original "Steel Magnolia", he was also the director of "Developed Road" with Michael Fox's North American box office of more than 60 million US dollars last year. Further forward, Herbert Rose in 1984 Directed by the song and dance film "Freedom" at a cost of 8 million US dollars in North America to obtain 80 million US box office, also makes the film company profitable.

Hollywood directors are ultimately worth talking at the box office, so Herbert Rose is totally worth $5 million.

However, although Sally Field won the best actress Oscar twice in 1979 and 1984, the actress was basically unable to talk about the box office appeal.In the 1980s, there were not many Hollywood actresses worth more than 2 million US dollars. Because "Steel Magnolia" is a group drama, Simon can only make 1.5 million US dollars.

Michael Ovitz heard that, and fixed his eyes on Simon. This was his habitual posture during the negotiation process. His tone was dissatisfied: "Sally, but after two Oscars, Simon, do you think $1.5 million is possible? "

Simon was not affected by Orwitz's eyes at all, saying: "This is something that happened a few years ago, Michael, we all understand that no one in Hollywood can take a lifetime of first-line compensation with one or two little gold men, compared to Ms. Field. 'S box office appeal, $1.5 million is already high."

"It's impossible," Michael Ovitz shook his head and paused. He only slightly slowed his tone and said: "Well, Simon, considering the specifics of this film, I can make a little Some concessions, Herbert 6 million US dollars, Sally 3 million US dollars, but you must promise me two other conditions, first, the film's other supporting roles, all must be selected from the CAA. Second, Robin is still on " "Death Poetry Society" is very interested, I hope you can give the actor to her."

"If you insist on this requirement, Michael, my answer is the same as yours. This is impossible. First, I don't plan to make "Steel Magnolia" a packaged project of CAA. Second, Bob has agreed to star in "Death" "Poetry Club", I can no longer give Robin Williams the role."

Three weeks of small-scale screenings have accumulated enough word of mouth. "Good Morning Vietnam" officially opened on Friday and received $11.75 million at the box office on the three days of the weekend. The media predicts that the movie will exceed the box office in the fourth week of the week. 16 million US dollars, as a popular film destined to go long-term, "Good Morning Vietnam" North American box office is just over 100 million.

As the actor, Robin Williams also successfully promoted from the original second-line actors to the ranks of first-line superstars.

At the end of last year, CAA made a temporary change on the day of signing, but Daenerys Films failed to pick up the leak.Simon has some regrets about this,

The words fell, and no one spoke again. After a stalemate, Owitz relaxed and leaned on the back of the chair, saying: "Perhaps, our meeting today can only stop here."

Simon stood up and reached out to Ovitz across the desk: "So, Michael, I hope we have the opportunity to cooperate next time."

Michael Ovitz was stunned. He didn't expect Simon to be more decisive than himself. The young man's saying this obviously means that Daenerys will not contact CAA again with "Steel Magnolia".The "Death Poetry Society" has no room for change.

He got up and shook hands with Simon. Michael Ovitz persuaded: "Simon, you can’t do business in a hurry. You can reconsider and you can call me at any time."

"I think I have considered it."

"Then I can only wish you good luck."

Sending Ovitz away, Simon sat back at the conference table again and raised his wrist to look at his watch. He said to Amy Pascal: "Give up Herbert Rose and Sally Field. ICM picks a few people."

According to Herbert Rose and Sally Field, Daenerys Pictures’ budget for Steel Magnolia is $15 million.But if according to Ovitz's quotation, the film budget will definitely expand to 20 million or 25 million US dollars.

The original North American box office size of Steel Magnolia is 80 million US dollars. Even if calculated according to the production budget of 25 million US dollars, Daenerys Pictures can still make a profit, but compared to the total investment that the company plans to issue independently, Simon only It can be expected that the subsequent issuance of other channels will bring profits, which will greatly extend the payment cycle.

Although Amy Pascal likes "Steel Magnolia", a story about the lives of women in small towns in the southern United States, her expectations at the box office are far lower than Simon's.Out of commercial considerations, Amy actually wants to make this film into a low-cost film with a budget of less than 10 million US dollars.

Therefore, after hearing Simon's decision, Amy did not refute, but talked about other things: "Simon, we have to talk about the company."

Simon regained his spirit and said, "What's wrong?"

Amy handed over a folder and said, "Look at it first. In short, the company's funds are not enough."

Simon took the folder and opened it, which contained the budget table of a series of film projects of Daenerys Pictures and various other expense reports.

Excluding the post-production of "When Harry Meets Sally" and "Pulp Fiction", the films that Daenerys Film officially launched include "Instinct", "Scream", "Steel Magnolia" ", "Thunderbolt Blue Sky Envoy", "Rainman" and "Death Poetry Society".

Among them, except for "Instinct" with a budget of 20 million, which was jointly produced by Daenerys Pictures and Fox Pictures, all the other five films were solely invested by Daenerys Pictures.

The budgets of the five films range from US$10 million to US$25 million, and a total of US$75 million is required.After setting aside the funds, the $100 million loan that Daenerys Films obtained from Wells Fargo was only $25 million.

But out of the 25 million US dollars, just buying out the copyright of "Perky Jiaowa" cost 7 million US dollars. In the transaction with United States, the two scripts of "The Hobbit" and "Rainman" cost 2 million US dollars. "Spider-Man", "Ninja Turtles" and other copyright purchase expenditures have also spent millions of dollars, including all aspects of the company's operating expenses. At present, Da Ni Lisi film industry can use only 1,000 working capital. Ten thousand dollars.

Amy looked at Simon who read the document and added next to it: "The Grim Reaper came down last week. North America has a cumulative box office of $72.61 million. According to the contract, we can get a 10% box office share next month. This is $7.26 million. However, if you want to buy the copyright of the "Lord of the Rings" series according to your offer to Sol Zahnz, or the "Elven Diamond" in the hands of the Tolkien Heritage Foundation, the funds in our hands are definitely That’s not enough. The few scripts you picked in Park City, as well as the planned TV shows and the cost of distributing several movies in the future "Scream", all require a large investment. Simon, I can feel When you are anxious about many things, but I think you should slow down. You are only twenty years old next month. Compared to most people in Hollywood, you have enough time."

Simon looked at the documents in his hand, and suddenly realized more deeply why Canon Pictures, DeLaurentis Entertainment and now the New World Entertainment are suddenly in trouble.

The entertainment industry is too much money, and the payback cycle of film and television projects is so slow that once the income brought by the project cannot cover the expenditure, and there is no capital supplement from the outside world, a company will immediately collapse.

If it is not that he already owns a large amount of assets, if he does not have a prophetic advantage in selected projects, Simon is sure that Daenerys Films will definitely follow the likes of Canon Pictures in the next few years.

Simon actually understood Amy's exhortation very well.

But can you slow down?

After busy with this matter, he will soon go to meet with Terry Semel, CEO of Warner Bros. Pictures, to discuss the matter of "Batman".

If he slows down, if he abandons "Batman", according to the original timeline, the film will be directed by Tim Bolton at the end of this year, will be released next summer, and will become the annual box office champion next year.

By then, "Batman", "Superman" and even the entire DC will no longer have any relationship with Simon Westeros.

Due to the failure of "Superman 4" last year, Warner's confidence in the adaptation of "Batman" is at the lowest stage. This is also the last time Simon took the opportunity to intervene in the copyright of this top superhero. How could he slow down.

same.

The copyright of the film that Daenerys Film is developing is already purchased, and it is basically a project that will definitely explode in the next few years.

Once these projects have been successful, Simon will see other novels or scripts, which will definitely cause robbery. It will be more difficult for Daenerys to continue to hoard more copyrights.Simon must take advantage of the opportunity that many people still regard him as a "fatty sheep" and win as much IP as possible at a lower cost.

Even for many things outside of Hollywood, he is also unlikely to slow down.

Can't slow down.

After turning over the information in his hand, Simon had already made a decision and said, "Amy, the expenses of buying "The Lord of the Rings" and "Elven Treasure Diamond" will go directly to Westero's account. I will let George Responsible for negotiating these matters with the copyright owner. The company continues to follow the original plan. The three scripts I brought back from Park City, "Sisters" by Michael Hoffman and "Metropolis by Whit Stillman" "Man" is set up as soon as possible. The cost of these two films is very low. The total cost of the two films may not be US$6 million, which will not affect the overall situation. The script of "3000" is temporarily shelved. I have other arrangements. Moreover, these are only budget expenses. The money in the account will not be spent all at once, and there is a lot of room for operation. "When Harry Meets Sally" will be released at the end of March, we will definitely have credits next. It is not possible, I will start from West Luo Company transferred a fund over there, or you can continue to apply for a loan here."

Amy felt Simon's determined attitude and knew that persuasion was useless, so she had to say: "With two movies, this is eight. I can't be too busy."

Simon thought for a while and said: "After completing "Pulp Fiction", I will focus on the company's projects for the rest of the year, and signing a few more producers is definitely enough."

For example, projects such as "Steel Magnolia Flower" and "Death Poetry Society", since they gave up the use of the original version of the human horse, in order to maintain the original style and standard of the film, Simon himself must invest more energy into it.

Simon actually wanted to try to see if these movies would be as successful as the original space-time without using the original creation.

After all, there are many movies that Simon may not be able to make up the original team. He also doesn't like this invisible bondage, and he doesn't want to be pinned by the CAA agencies because of an actor problem.

I continued to discuss with Amy for more than half an hour, worrying that the traffic jam at noon would cause lateness. Near eleven o'clock, Simon departed from Santa Monica to the city of Burbank in the San Fernando Valley in the north of the city.

Simon and Terry Semel agreed on a lunch at a restaurant near Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank.

Arriving at the agreed restaurant, Terry Semel was already waiting for Simon.

The two sat down and ordered a meal, and Terry Semel smiled and asked Simon, "I heard you gave up buying New World Entertainment?"

Simon nodded a little helplessly and smiled bitterly: "Yeah, we must slaughter the fat sheep. A group of people fired the stock price so that I can't afford it at all and can only let go."

Today is already January 20, Wednesday.

In New York, Westeros had cleared the shares of New World Entertainment yesterday. However, perhaps the investors on Wall Street who are still on the move are still expecting Simon to kill a carbine, so when the market closed yesterday, the share price of New World Entertainment remained at The high of $11.5 is far above the $7.5 before the news was released.

After a short half-month operation, after selling all the shares, Westeros earned more than 11 million US dollars, which is not in vain.

At New World Entertainment, attempting to formally initiate acquisition talks with Westero failed, and Larry Couping learned that Simon had cleared all stocks. In an interview with a newspaper yesterday afternoon, he threatened to sue Westero for malicious manipulation. New World Entertainment stocks, this matter is not yet for the time being.

In any case, Simon will definitely not give up New World Entertainment, at least Marvel in the hands of New World Entertainment.

However, Simon does not intend to shoot again in the short term.

Relative to the sullen film department, the main profitable business of New World Entertainment is still TV program production.

However, the next big strike is the longest in Hollywood history.Hollywood film companies often hoard a large number of scripts, and will not be hit too seriously in the strike.Since TV dramas are usually produced while writing scripts, the situation of the TV industry will be very bleak.

Once the strike continues, even if the funding problem can be solved, and the lack of screenwriters, the TV production department of New World Entertainment will definitely be shut down, which will further deteriorate the company's operating conditions.

therefore.

In the second half of the year, the strike went to a certain level, and that was the best time for Simon to take another shot.