hunt hollywood

After a few months, a series of actions such as acquiring two companies, hiring employees, and purchasing expensive graphics workstation equipment have cost Simon more than 1000 million U.S. dollars. Naturally, he will not let these more than 100 people idle.

The development of film special effects is actually driven by various projects. Simon has been providing Daenerys special effects with various projects about "Batman" and even the planned "Ghost Love" and other projects during this time. Ideas, and let these people research solutions and make various CG special effects shots for practice like making 3D animation short films.

On the projector screen, a large group of bats passed through the city streets like a terrifying dark cloud. Although there was no sound, such a scene still made people feel scalp tingling.Mark Silvers personally operated the video recorder to play the footage of less than ten seconds several times, and the staff reopened the curtains that had just been closed.

Simon played with the pencil in his hand, waited for the room to light up, and said to Mark Silvers: "The composite effect is very good, but the bat doesn't look realistic enough, I hope it will be finer by then."

"This is a rendering problem," Mark Silvers explained, and then said: "Simon, if possible, we would like to re-develop a set of rendering software based on the existing technology. Next, it will take about a year to complete.”

The production of CG special effects for movies is roughly divided into several steps: modeling, rendering and compositing.

The two companies previously acquired by Simon, Alias ​​developed 3D modeling software, which is actually the predecessor of Maya. Wavefront's technical achievements are more inclined to post-synthesis, and there is exactly a technical shortcoming of rendering between the two.

The so-called rendering is to make the original digital CG model present the effect of real objects through a series of complex lighting, shadow and texture operations.

Speaking of which, Pixar's famous Renderman rendering tool has been developed.This software can not only be used for 3D animation production, but also suitable for CG rendering of live-action movies.However, Jobs still has no intention of letting go, and Simon does not intend to pin his hopes on Pixar.

"I can agree with you to do this," nodded, and Simon continued: "However, "Batman" can't wait for a year. From now on, you only have eight months at most. Eight months later, "Batman" " will enter the post-production stage."

Mark Silvers thought for a while, and said: "Eight months is fine, we can take the lead in perfecting the technology needed by "Batman"."

The two chatted for a while, and Mark Silvers left the meeting room with several executives.

After the others left, Warner Bros. Pictures CEO Terry Semel, who had been listening quietly just now, said with a smile, "Except for the schedule at the end of next year, I am getting more and more optimistic about "Batman."

Simon knew that Terry Semel had called to check on the progress of the preparations for "Batman" in the past few days, and the fundamental purpose was not for this. At this time, he just followed the other party's topic and said: "A good movie is always It takes time to grind.”

Terry Semel is no longer devious: "Simon, I heard that Pascal is looking for a new project recently?"

Simon didn't deny it either: "Yeah, the company is too small, and suddenly everyone has finished what they are doing, and we won't have any films for next year's popular schedule."

"So, how about our cooperation?"

"Ok?"

Terry Semel said: "I remember that you were very interested in the copyright of the "Bourne Shadow" novel held by Warner at the beginning of the year. It just so happens that our company also wants to start this project recently, so why not Warner and Dan?" Cooperation with Nellis Films."

Simon smiled and didn't reveal it.

If it weren't for his own interest in this film, Warner would probably make "Bourne Shadow" into a miniseries and sell it to the TV network this fall. This is a common practice for production companies after the screenwriter strike.

Paramount's long-planned "Mission: Impossible" movie was also aborted because of the strike.

However, Paramount has already released "Crocodile Dundee 2" and "Journey to the United States" two blockbuster movies at the box office level of [-] million yuan just this summer. This year will definitely have a good harvest, so there is no need for Warner Seeking a partnership with Daenerys Films.

Simon heard the news that after the film version was aborted, Paramount has planned to restart the production of the TV version this fall.

Terry Semel noticed the smile on the corner of Simon's mouth, and felt bitter in his heart.

Unlike the continuous blockbuster films of Paramount, Fox, Daenerys and even Orion in this summer, Warner Bros. Pictures, which should be the top of the top seven, has a mediocre summer box office performance.

Chevy Chase's "Funny Farm," in June, has grossed just under $2500 million so far.This month, Eastwood's new film "Tiger Hunter" was released at the same time as "Basic Instinct". In the past weekend, the box office fell by 33% compared with the first week.Such a decline is difficult to go out of the long-term. It is expected that the total box office in North America may only be more than 3000 million US dollars.

In comparison, although "Basic Instinct" caused various controversies, the box office fell by only 17% in the three days of the following weekend, and it received another US$1391 million.

Counting the US$2392 million in the first week, the total North American box office of "Basic Instinct" has reached US$3783 million within ten days of its release.

Moreover, in the past weekend, another family comedy "Little Caddy 2" by Warner Bros., with a production cost of 2000 million U.S. dollars and 1556 opening screens, the three-day box office in the first weekend was only a poor 396 million U.S. dollars. The total box office in North America is only a little over 1000 million US dollars.

As of now, Warner Bros. Pictures has more than half of its release plan for a total of 24 films this year, but the best box office record is only Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice", which was originally underestimated. The box office was 7163 million U.S. dollars. Before the release, the total North American box office of this movie will be around 7300 million U.S. dollars.

What is even more frustrating is that, after "Beetlejuice", Warner Bros. ranked second in terms of film releases in the first half of the year was Chevy Chase's "Funny Farm" with a box office score of only more than 2000 million US dollars.

The performance of such a movie can only be described as dismal.

Terry Semel is a direct descendant of Warner Bros. chairman Steve Ross, so he is not too worried that the company's poor performance will affect his future. Steve Ross is a very protective person.However, as a listed company, Warner's film business is too bleak, and he, the person in charge, still has to bear the responsibility.

Recently, even Steve Ross has started beating him to improve Warner Bros. Pictures' business situation as soon as possible.

For a high-risk business like a movie, no one can guarantee success.

Even Spielberg, who has been highly sought after over the years, last year's "Empire of the Sun" that he cooperated with Warner burned a production budget of 3500 million U.S. dollars, but the total North American box office was only a pitiful 2223 million U.S. dollars.

However, the emergence of Daenerys Films completely broke the usual cognition of many people.

Since "Run Lola Run" turned out to the present, a series of movies related to Simon Westero, "Run Lola Run", "The Butterfly Effect", "Death Comes", "When Harry Met Sally" , "Pulp Fiction" and even the most recent "Instinct", among the six films, five have reached the level of the billion-dollar box office club.This can no longer even be described as a miracle, it is simply a miracle.

If Simon Westeros wasn't a boy in his early 20s, his prestige in Hollywood would definitely reach the level of 'God', which is not an exaggeration at all.After the success of "Alien ET", some people in Hollywood pointed to Spielberg and said, "Look, that's God", but Spielberg failed to continue the miracle of "Alien ET", The films produced in these years have also made losses and profits.

Simon is also very aware that his limelight has been fading for more than a year, and he has tried to make a few slightly mediocre films more than once so that Daenerys Pictures does not seem so dazzling.However, just as there is a big hole in front of him, it is difficult for a normal-thinking person to convince himself to go over and trip himself, Simon has always been very resistant to the idea of ​​intentionally making a few failed films in his subconscious mind.

Noticing Terry Semel's expectant eyes, Simon spread his hands around and said, "Terry, as you can see, I'm very busy now, and I don't have time to take care of more projects at all."

"You don't need to do this at all, Simon, none of us have that much energy," Terry Semel saw that Simon's tone was loose, and immediately said: "As long as you agree to cooperate with Warner, we can invite anyone you want, And make the film exactly as you want it to be."

Feeling Terry Semel's earnest tone, Simon suddenly understood one thing.

Daenerys Films has been in the limelight for more than a year, but its own company has not encountered great pressure from traditional Hollywood forces.Now, Simon realizes that this is mainly because the projects under Daenerys Films are basically cooperating with major film companies.

In addition to Orion, the previous six projects of Daenerys Films, Fox, Warner and Disney have all benefited greatly from the seven major projects. Now Daenerys Films still has "Rain Man" and "Rain Man". "Batman" keeps in touch with MGM and Warner among the top seven. Now that these big film companies have received profit sharing, they naturally don't want to suppress Daenerys Pictures.

While thoughts were flying, Simon quickly made up his mind.

Since there is no way to convince myself to trip myself deliberately, it is obviously a very good way to continue to maintain the current state of cooperation.Moreover, by keeping the major studios in a state of flocking to Daenerys Films, Simon's power in Hollywood can also be rapidly expanded.

Thinking of this, Simon said calmly on the surface: "Terry, what is the specific cooperation plan?"

Terry Semel has obviously made preparations, and said without thinking: "We can adopt the cooperation model of "Basic Instinct". Simon, Warner and Daenerys will each have half of the rights and interests in this project. Daenerys The studio is solely responsible for the production and Warner Bros. for the distribution."

A big factor for the success of the "Bourne Shadow" series lies in the crisp and sharp action style and realistic shooting techniques. It is not impossible to produce more than ten years in advance.However, Simon also knows that if he cannot supervise the whole process, there is no director in Hollywood who can control this project, and it is more likely to end up with a film that is completely different from the original.

In fact, on the "Rain Man" project, although he is the original team, Simon has been facing this kind of problem recently.

After thinking about it for a while, Simon still shook his head and said, "Terry, I have a lot of novel ideas about "The Bourne". However, I haven't found anyone in Hollywood who can perfectly express my ideas."

Of course, Terry Semel will not be ignorant of the workaround: "Simon, of course other projects are also possible, and it doesn't have to be "Bourne Shadow."

Simon shook his head slightly and smiled, and said, "Terry, if it's another project, I don't necessarily have to cooperate with Warner."

Terry Semel also smiled: "Simon, what do you want?"

Simon set out his own conditions: "Daenerys Pictures can cooperate with Warner on a project, the equal distribution model of "Instinct". In exchange, I need to get two copyrights from Warner, "Bourne Shadow" and "Wonder Woman."

"No problem," Terry Semel said very simply, "However, Warner must retain the investment and distribution rights of these two projects."

"This is definitely not possible," Simon refused, "I can't always bind the company's projects to other studios. Projects like "Basic Instinct" are calculated based on the North American box office breaking [-] million. With such box office results, including the subsequent operations of various channels, only half of the rights and interests, Fox may earn hundreds of millions of dollars in the entire profit cycle. Therefore, "Bourne Shadow" and "Wonder Woman", this It's a bargaining chip."

"Simon, but you can't guarantee that the project we cooperate with can reach the level of "Instinct"."

"Yes, no one can guarantee it," Simon spread his hands and said with a smile, "Let's take a gamble."

The two bargained for a while, but Terry Semel didn't agree immediately in the end. "The Bourne Shadow" is lucky to say that the copyright of "Wonder Woman" is accurately in the hands of DC, which requires the parent company to intervene to make a decision.

Simon isn't too worried about Warner launching these projects on their own.

Everyone knows that different projects often lead to two completely different results in the hands of different people.

After finishing his work in the afternoon, Simon got off work at six o'clock, and instead of returning to Malibu, he rushed to Beverly Hills.

Today is Sandra's birthday, and Simon had received an invitation to the girl's birthday party last week.However, although Janet also knew about this, she did not attend with Simon this time, but told him viciously with small eyes that he must go home before twelve o'clock.

Chapter 187 Disagreements (Revised)

Sandra's residence is located in the Bird Street community in Beverly Hills, next to the star-studded Trousdale Estate.

The Land Rover Range Rover drove into the mansion with an area of ​​about a quarter of an acre. Before Simon got out of the car, Sandra, who was wearing a white dress with mesh suspenders at the waist, trotted out of the villa.

Simon looked at all kinds of cars parked in the yard and the moving figures in the villa, hugged Sandra, and then took the gift from Neil Bennett and handed it to her, then asked curiously: "How could it be?" so many people?"

After Sandra and Simon hugged, they took the man's arm and walked towards the villa with a gift in one hand, saying, "I just wanted to celebrate quietly, but people started asking me about it half a month ago." I even asked if Simon Westero would attend, I couldn’t say no, how embarrassing it would be. Then it became like this.”

Simon smiled and said, "Say it earlier, I'll lend you the house in Palisades."

Sandra rolled her eyes and refused, "Forget it, I can't afford your birthday party."

It was already evening, when the two walked into the villa, many guests who were chatting or pretending to be chatting and laughing looked over instantly.

During this period of time, Daenerys Films became more and more shining in Hollywood. Not only were the two summer films "Pulp Fiction" and "Instinct" all successful, but they also successfully entered the TV market. "Who Will Be a Millionaire?" The ratings of "Rich Man" are simply eye-popping.

As the person who created all of this, Simon naturally became the focus of attention in the circle.

Although there are some controversies, everyone knows that in Hollywood, except for the box office and ratings, everything else is false.

As long as you can make blockbuster movies and hit TV shows, you're god in the eyes of studios and networks.

Similarly, "Pulp Fiction" and "Instinct" once again made a lot of people popular. In the eyes of countless Hollywood actors who are always looking forward to chasing such opportunities, Simon is also the God who can make them reach the sky in one step.

Because of his busy work, Simon seldom attended parties during this period, and Sandra's birthday party became a great opportunity for many people to seek contact with him.

As the first actress to become popular with Simon, there are also various public or private scandals between the two, and no one thinks that Simon and Sandra are innocent.

Simon was walked through the crowd with Sandra's arms arm-in-arm undisguised, socializing like the host for more than half an hour.When he was free, he hid with Sandra in a rather private living room on the second floor.

The size of this mansion is small, but its location is very good. It happens to be a gentle slope to the south. You can see the downtown Los Angeles that has started to light up from the sun loungers on the terrace of the living room.

Sandra came over with a glass of red wine, sat down on the edge of the recliner, watched Simon leisurely leaning on the recliner and flipped through a magazine, passed the red wine over, and asked jokingly, "Why didn't Jenny come with you?"

Simon took a sip of the red wine, enjoying the pleasant scent wafting from Sandra, and said, "You want her to come?"

Sandra leaned down, lay on Simon's chest, and said, "So, do you want to stay tonight?"

As a normal man, Simon does not resist the feeling of being intimate with Sandra.However, closeness is closeness, if you stay tonight, then you will be in a bit of trouble.

Shaking his head regretfully, Simon imitated Janet's tone and said, "You must go home before twelve o'clock."

"It's so strict," Sandra immediately showed a contemptuous expression on her face, grabbed Simon's wrist, took a small sip of red wine from the glass in his hand, and said, "So, dump her, I can allow you to go home at two o'clock in the morning."

Simon carefully held the goblet to prevent the wine from spilling, and said with a smile: "Then you are not afraid that I will find another one who will allow me to stay all night?"

Sandra frowned in distress. This is indeed a big problem. After thinking for a while, she quickly compromised: "It can be discussed."

"I don't like women who have no position."

"Hmph, spineless man, you can go home whenever a woman tells you to."

As for a man's dignity, Simon immediately became unwilling: "How is that possible? Of course I can do whatever I want. To prove this, I decided to go back at eleven o'clock."

"Ha ha."

There were guests coming one after another. As the host, Sandra couldn't leave for too long. The two stayed on the second floor for a while and then went downstairs quickly.

When the guests in the living room saw the two of them coming down the stairs together, they all looked as if nothing had happened on their faces, but there was more or less ambiguity in their eyes, and some of the female guests were somewhat disappointed.

This is less than half an hour.

As night fell, the lively birthday party officially began.

Naturally, this party was not as grand as Simon's birthday party at the beginning of the year, but there were definitely a lot of Hollywood bigwigs present.

The executives of WMA and the bosses of several major film companies rushed over. Although many people just showed their faces and left again after simply greeting everyone, this was enough to make many young stars at the party envious.

However, even Sandra herself understood that these people mainly came for Simon.

Like Terry Semel's intentions in the afternoon, Hollywood knows that Daenerys Pictures is currently looking for new movie projects.

The two projects "Pulp Fiction" and "Basic Instinct" made Orion and Fox, which cooperated with Daenerys Pictures, earn a lot of money. "Pulp Fiction" directly supported Orion's performance this year. The Hollywood filmmakers in their eyes are naturally doing everything possible to get a relationship with Daenerys Films.

"Nancy is a trader in the Chicago commodity futures market, but her performance is lacklustre, and she is even about to face the embarrassment of layoffs. By chance, she met the devil Naike, who has the power of prophecy and can clearly foresee the future Desperate to succeed, Nancy made a deal with Naik, she exchanged her soul for futures information on futures rise and fall from Naik..."

On the lawn in the backyard of the mansion, Simon patiently listened to the script introduced by a producer, George Crane, recommended by Jonathan, and said with a smile: "George, this is a very interesting idea. However, the design of futures traders It must be a little far away from ordinary people."

George Crane suddenly became enlightened, and immediately said: "This is indeed a problem, Simon, if necessary, we can change it to a stock trader."

Simon doesn't intend to be too perfunctory with the other party. This kind of setting of dealing with the devil is difficult to shoot new tricks. The final result is nothing more than the heroine repenting, giving up the devil's conditions or passing the devil's test, and then having a lover Finally get married.

"Well, George, you can have someone send a script to Daenerys Films tomorrow. After I read it and think it's good, I'll contact you again."

When George Crane heard what Simon said, he naturally understood that there was not much hope for the matter, so he continued to chat with Simon for a few words before walking away wisely.

Jonathan looked at the figure of George Crane leaving, and said to Simon: "I like this script quite a bit, Simon, do you think it won't work?"

Simon shook his head frankly, and said, "The story is too clichéd, and besides, I haven't seen anything eye-catching."

"Actually, Hollywood has never been short of creative scripts, but everyone has always been more inclined to add something to the proven successful idea, which involves tens of millions of dollars of investment, which is safer. "Jonathan talked about his own experience, glanced at Sandra beside Simon, and said: "Speaking of which, the "A Fish Named Wanda" you introduced to Sandy is really surprising. North America can earn more than 6000 million US dollars at the box office. Sandra signed a 10% omni-channel profit sharing contract, which is enough to make her the highest-paid actress in Hollywood this year."

Simon shrugged and said, "I was also a little surprised. At the beginning, I just thought this script was very interesting."

Jonathan had a smile on his face, but in his heart, he instinctively thought it was no accident.

I just heard the idea of ​​making a deal with the devil in exchange for predicting the future. Jonathan even felt that everything that Simon has shown since his debut, whether it is what Hollywood did or the operation of making more than one billion dollars in the stock index futures market last year , It's almost like making a deal with the devil.

Thinking this way in his heart, Jonathan would naturally not say it. Although he was not an atheist, he also felt that his thoughts were a bit ridiculous.

Sandra waited for Jonathan to walk away, but she didn't hide her thoughts. She hugged Simon's arm and touched it. She lowered her voice and asked, "Hey, did you also make a deal with the devil?"