hunt hollywood

After listening to Deutschman's explanation, Simon asked, "So, how much box office do you think this film can get?"

This was another surprising question. Ella Deutschman was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Simon to be so straightforward.After deliberating for a moment, Ella Deutschman replied: "If you give it to me to operate, you should be able to get about 500 million US dollars."

Simon was noncommittal, and asked, "Tell me about your marketing idea."

"This is a niche literary film, but it is not boring. The target audience should be young people between the ages of 16 and 22," Ella Deutschmann said while thinking, "As the first release One step further, I will choose to submit this film to next year's Sundance Film Festival. "Sisters" is unlikely to win an award, but the film critics should have a good reputation. After accumulating a certain popularity, it can be shown in New York, Los Angeles, etc. For spot screenings in central cities, if I have a publicity budget of US$50, I can arrange an opening screen of about 20 yuan, and place advertisements on some literary and artistic print media, and then adjust the screening scale appropriately according to the box office of spot screenings. One of the heroines in the film, Jennifer Connelly, will become an important publicity point for it. Connery's image of Deborah as a girl in "Once Upon a Time in America" ​​has left a very deep impression on many people. She's definitely going to be able to draw some of the audience into theaters."

Simon patiently listened to Ella Deutschman's words, and shook his head unceremoniously: "This is a very orthodox and conservative method of releasing literary and artistic films. I can be sure that you are doing this entirely by luck, and it is a big deal. You may not get the $500 million box office you predicted, but if you get $200 or $[-] million, you're lucky."

Ella Deutschman's expression flashed a little embarrassing, and he actually didn't think that this movie could get 500 million US dollars.

Seeing that Ella Deutschman was silent, Simon paused for a moment, then asked suddenly, "Ella, do you like movies?"

"Of course," Ella Deutschman nodded without hesitation this time, and said, "Simon, I have been involved in film distribution since I was 19 years old. If I didn't like movies, I couldn't have been in this industry for so many years. "

Simon nodded and said, "You must already know the purpose of our meeting. But in fact, I want to find someone who doesn't like movies that much."

Ella Deutschmann was surprised again: "Simon, I don't quite understand."

"It's very simple," Simon said: "If you like a movie, you will instinctively judge the quality of a movie in your heart, and you will have a more obvious personal tendency. For example, if you don't like a movie, you may become Negative. There’s a gut feeling that the movie isn’t going to make a lot of money, so maybe you’re not motivated enough to distribute it.”

Ella Deutschmann said subconsciously: "Simon, I won't do this"

Simon raised his hand towards Ira Deutschman and continued: "On the contrary, if you don't like movies that much, movies can become a very pure commodity in your eyes. When you get a movie, the first thing you think of should be How can it be sold, how can it be sold at a higher box office."

Ella Deutschmann argued: "Simon, of course I like movies, but at the same time, as you just said, I will try my best to sell a movie. My 13 years of career in Hollywood The resume is enough to prove it."

Simon looked at Ella Deutschman and said, "Since this is the case, I will give you a minute to come up with a plan. How can "Sister" get a higher box office?"

Ella Deutschman thought for a moment, and quickly said: "Aside from the literary nature of this movie, we can market it as a youth sex comedy. A boy deals with three girls, and They maintain an ambiguous relationship at the same time, and what is even more tempting is that these three girls are still sisters, just this gimmick is enough to attract many audiences into the theater."

Simon raised his hand and snapped his fingers, and said, "Look, you have always been aware of this in your heart, but because of your inner morality, business ethics, or out of respect for the movie, you just didn't take these Express it. But that's what the audience wants to see. We all know that Michael wants to express a lot of things through this movie, about life, about love, about lust, blah blah blah. But trying to sell it , in order to attract more people to the cinema, in the promotion process, you have to sell it with what the audience wants to see, not what the director wants to express. Most audiences are not interested in discussing the meaning of love, they Just wanting to see women's breasts, it's as simple as that. Sometimes, it's even cruel, but it's a reality that filmmakers have to face."

Chapter 211 The Winner Is Not Blamed (Revised)

Ella Deutschman was a little silent. After so many years in Hollywood, how could he not understand what Simon said.

But people are like this, knowing a truth does not mean being able to do it.

As a graduate of a famous Northwestern University, Ella Deutschman has a sense of academic superiority in front of most people in Hollywood. This sense of superiority also unknowingly binds his behavior pattern, making him He never forgot to maintain the dignity of an intellectual.Therefore, although it is clear that hyping elements that audiences love will make the film higher at the box office, Ella Deutschmann has always resisted doing so from the bottom of her heart.

The waiter just brought up the lunch at this time, Simon waited for a while, and after the waiter left again, he asked Deutschman, "So, do you still want this job?"

Ella Deutschman hesitated for a while, but still asked: "Simon, is it really right to purely pursue the commercial interests of a movie?"

"Many maverick filmmakers always say that I don't make movies for money. But that's not the case. Since they choose movies, they are destined to have a stronger desire for expression than ordinary people. In their bones, they absolutely hope to be more Many people can see your own film," Simon looked at Ella Deutschman, and said slowly: "As a film distributor, it is your job to find ways to let more people see the film. The filmmaker is also responsible to the investors, it has nothing to do with whether it is correct or not. For a film about the true meaning of life, if you use "sex" as a publicity stunt, the director of the film may be very angry because of this, but when the film originally only had a few million $1000 million, 2000 million, or more, with $[-] box office potential, and an Oscar. Well, in hindsight, instead of blaming you, he looks forward to continuing to work with you. Ella, only the winner is Always right, the winner goes beyond blame."

Ella Deutschmann's expression changed slightly after hearing Simon's words, and then he said sincerely: "Simon, I need to confess. Before the meeting, I very, very hoped to get this job. But now, I found that You have more expectations than I ever imagined for the company I might run, and I'm not sure I can do well."

A smile appeared on Simon's face, and he said: "Actually, I'm not sure, Ella, I chose you mainly because your conditions in all aspects are just right. You are only 35 years old this year, and you won't be like those old men who are 60 or [-] years old. They also completely lose their plasticity, and they also have more industry experience than fledgling young people. However, once you enter the job, you only have one year.”

Ella Deutschman wondered, "One year?"

Simon nodded, and said: "That's right, even if you are willing to accept this job, you still need to go through a one-year probationary period. During this year, I will completely monitor the operation of Gaomen Films and personally urge you to change the traditional Conservative business thinking. After one year, if your work results can satisfy me, we will sign a formal long-term contract."

Ella Deutschman keenly captured another layer of meaning in Simon's words: "Simon, you mean that Gaomen Films operates completely independently, and I am only responsible to you personally, and I do not need to accept Ms. Pascale leadership?"

"Yes, and High Gate Pictures is more independent than you think. Daenerys Pictures and New World Pictures have separate production and distribution departments, but High Gate Pictures will have a set A completely independent film production and distribution system, in addition to the financial aspect that needs to be supervised by the parent company, you will have a lot of autonomy in other aspects.”

Ella Deutschman's expression changed for a few seconds, and she quickly made up her mind, saying, "Simon, what should I do in the next year?"

"Complete the familiarization and adjustment of Gaomen Films as soon as possible. You can hire or fire some people yourself, and at the same time take over the distribution of several literary films under the company. In the next year, find projects, purchase films, operate and distribute... All of this work is up to you, but I will be as involved in major decisions as possible, offering my own advice, and personally urging you to change distribution strategies that I think are inappropriate, and I will help you find some projects to work on,” said Simon. At this point, there was a brief pause, and after Deutschman digested it for a while, he continued: "As for the criteria for judging your work results, the core is of course the commercial benefits of the film, but it is not absolute. Films have always been an uncertain project. I allow my subordinates to fail. Therefore, all the projects you operate in the next year will be judged individually, as long as you put your heart and soul into each project and walk on a path that I think is right Now, we can sign a formal contract in a year's time."

Ella Deutschman took down Simon's words carefully, and when Simon finished speaking, he continued to ask: "So, Simon, how much company budget can I get in the next year?"

"$3000 million, it's a pure film business budget, you can do whatever you think is feasible, produce, buy, distribute, etc., and it doesn't need to be completed by next year's deadline, you just need to put your Proceed with the project.” Simon said, and then added: “In addition, your salary for the next year is 15 U.S. dollars, and there is no incentive clause. But if your work is good enough, when you sign the contract next year, you will get a Signing bonus, you can bet on whether my boss is generous or stingy. Oh, and one more thing, you can use the company's private jet after joining the company, but only for business flights. If we successfully sign the contract after one year, you The right to take the family on vacation. If you work at Daenerys Entertainment long enough, you might even have a private jet paid for entirely by the company.”

3000 million US dollars, such a sum of money may not be enough for the production cost of a blockbuster movie in Hollywood. The public budget of "Batman" that Simon is preparing has reached 5000 million US dollars.

However, Ella Deutschmann has no dissatisfaction.The Xinying Film Company he was in before, did not have 3000 million US dollars to spend at will in the year when the finances were the most relaxed.Ella Deutschman even began to think quickly about how to spend the money.Although Simon did not forbid him to invest in the field of film production immediately, Deutschman made up his mind that all the money should be used for film purchase and distribution. The risks of these two businesses are relatively minimal, and the operating cycle Also short.The investment in literary films is much lower than that of commercial films. According to the average budget expenditure of 500 million US dollars for a single project, 3000 million US dollars is enough for him to operate six films next year.

As for the production, it is completely possible to find the script first, and if he can formally sign the contract next year before starting production, he will definitely have more budget by then.

Thinking about this, Ella Deutschman quickly got up, stretched out her hand to Simon across the dining table, and said with a smile, "Boss, I'm looking forward to the day when I can own my own private jet."

Ella Deutschman was straightforward, and signed the entry agreement decisively from the next day and devoted himself to the work of Gaomen Films.

In the next few days, Simon also confirmed the other two supporting roles for "Batman".

'Black Mask' Roman Sionis fell outside of Willem Dafoe, Tommy Lee Jones was finalized for Director Gordon, and Anthony Hopkins was chosen for the role of Batman's butler Alfred.

Both Tommy Lee Jones and Anthony Hopkins became famous later on. One entered the 2000 million salary club by relying on the "Men in Black" series, and the other won an Oscar for his superb performance in "The Silence of the Lambs".

If, ten years later, Simon wants to put the two together to play the two supporting roles of "Batman", don't even think about it.But now, they are still far from the fame they had later, and they can barely be regarded as second-tier in Hollywood.

Tommy Lee Jones is in his early 40s this year. Since his debut in the 70s, except for a biopic of "The Miner's Daughter" in 1980, he has no other works that can be sold.In the five films before he accepted Director Gordon, except for a low-cost sci-fi thriller "Furious Moon Rising to the Sky", which happened to be produced by New World Pictures, which had a box office of more than 600 million US dollars, the other four films all had a box office of only 100 million US dollars. More than ten thousand dollars can only be described as rushing to the street.

Anthony Hopkins, who is 51 years old this year, is even worse than Tommy Lee Jones. In recent years, he has not even had a few big-screen works, and basically starred in TV movies and TV series.

Therefore, both of them belong to the old drama level with low pay and familiarity to the audience, and they completely fit Simon's role positioning for Sheriff Gordon and Butler Alfred. Up to five long-term contracts.

In the original time and space, the widowed sister Scarlett Johansson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Samuel L. Jackson, who plays the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., are supporting roles in the series, but their pay is much higher than that of Thor, Hawkeye, and Hulk. The main reason is that the roles played by the two are irreplaceable, but they have not signed long-term contracts like Thor and other protagonists.

Unlike Catwoman, Director Gordon and the butler Afu are completely bound to "Batman". As long as this series can continue, the two are unlikely to hide out of thin air, and Simon does not want to change midway.

After negotiation, the starting salary of both of them is 15 US dollars, and the salary increase of each subsequent sequel is up to 30 US dollars. Simon has not shown too generous in this regard. For supporting roles, the salary increase of 30 US dollars each time Not stingy either.Moreover, if the two can reach the former coffee level in the next few years, whether it is $30 or $50, it will only seem insignificant.

Therefore, although it is impossible to restrict the future films of the two supporting actors like the leading actor Adam Baldwin, Simon also secretly made up his mind to suppress the career development of the two as much as possible if necessary, such as replacing "Silence" "The Lamb" actor and the like.

As long as he can smoothly promote the DC movie universe series in his hands, he can't care too much about the others.

In addition to the core main and supporting roles, some secondary roles of "Batman" have also been finalized during this period, and there are also some minor characters at the level of utility, which will probably be temporarily selected during the filming process.

The role was determined, and the film also started more frequent script reading meetings and plot rehearsals.Simon's deputy, Joe Silver, flew to Melbourne again in late October to coordinate the location and scenery for the film's shooting early next year.

In such a busy schedule, the Halloween schedule is gradually approaching.

Compared with the same period last year, the upcoming October schedule can only be described as bleak.

In October 1987, the total revenue of the market was close to 10 million U.S. dollars, but this year, although October has not completely passed, the total revenue of the market is expected to be only 1.8 million U.S. dollars, which has shrunk by almost one-third.

Moreover, even in the following November and December end-of-year schedules, the number of films expected to be released is much sparser than in previous years.The Hollywood screenwriters' strike in the middle of the year led to generally low quality films during this period. In order to avoid risks as much as possible, major studios generally adopted a business strategy of tightening the distribution scale.

As a result, Daenerys Entertainment, which is about to launch four films, "Scream", "Steel Magnolia", "Dead Poets Society" and "Rain Man", has become the most conspicuous presence in the schedule at the end of this year.

Under Simon's insistence, after urgent consultations with major theaters in North America, "Rain Man" finally succeeded in signing 1136 screens. Counting the other three films, Daenerys Entertainment's four films at the end of the year can all be counted. is a standard large-scale commercial distribution.

At the same time, Simon also approved a special advertising budget of 500 million U.S. dollars for each film, and launched a carpet-style advertising campaign on various media platforms such as North American TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines, including other costs such as copying and printing. , It is estimated that the total publicity budget of each film will reach more than 800 million US dollars. As long as the box office meets expectations, additional investment will be made in the future.

In this era when traditional Hollywood distribution is changing to full-scale distribution, studios generally tend to be conservative in film distribution. Daenerys Entertainment's investment in publicity and distribution, which even directly follows the production cost, is very unsatisfactory in the eyes of many people. Sensible, but Simon didn't pay any attention to it.

After all, whether it can get rid of the restrictions of distribution channels of major studios is basically a fight.

In the next few years, it is impossible for Daenerys Entertainment to encounter a market that is completely inclined to itself at the right time and place.Once missed, when the major film companies recover from the impact of this year's Hollywood screenwriters' strike, Daenerys Entertainment, which is too aggressive, will definitely face joint suppression from all parties in Hollywood.

After the last wave of intense teen-oriented trailers bombarded major networks and MTV, Scream's release date has finally arrived.

In the past week, due to the release of the well-known horror film series "Moonlight Panic 4" by an independent film company Galaxy International, the weekly market in North America rebounded slightly, reaching US$3267 million. The box office of "Moonlight Panic 4" in the first week of just over $800 million is basically unable to pose a threat to "Scream".

On October 10, "Scream" officially opened on a large scale on 28 screens in North America.

Chapter 212 First Weekend Box Office (Revised)

Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas, Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia, New York, Boston.

From west to east, from north to south.

Hosting premieres, interacting with fans, appearing on TV shows, being interviewed by local newspapers...

In just half a month, she traveled to nine cities. When the team completed the recording of a local TV station in Boston and announced the end of the carpet marketing trip, Courteney Cox felt that she was about to fall apart.

Somewhat exhausted, he slumped on the big bed in the hotel where he was staying. He couldn't help thinking of a certain guy, and immediately felt a little bit of hatred.

Participating in "Scream", he only got a newcomer price of 20 US dollars, but he had to be used like a first-line actress with a salary of 200 million. It will make her famous, but it may affect her future career.

but.

Bastard, did you give me other options?

Tired with resentment, he fell asleep unconsciously.When he was woken up by the knock on the door, the sky outside the window was completely dark.

Today is October 10th, the first day of painting for "Scream".

Now that I have done everything that I should do and can do, I was a bit self-defeating at first, how the box office is, it has nothing to do with me.Woke up again and suddenly found myself still wondering if the movie would be a hit.

It is rumored that the script of the film was conceived by that guy himself, but he did not sign it, saying that he did not want to cause controversy like "Basic Instinct".Relevant gossip has been heated up recently, and it was accidentally discovered that Daenerys Entertainment deliberately contributed to the flames, but the media has never had an accurate conclusion.

She does know the truth.

He really conceived it himself, met him at a marketing meeting before the tour, and when asked in jest, he admitted it himself.

So there is a little more sense of superiority.

Get up and wash up, go out to have dinner with everyone, and then, a group of people who have gotten to know each other recently proposed to watch a movie of her own, and she readily agreed.

Everyone rushed to an AMC theater on the banks of the Charles River. After all, they were considered starlets. Naturally, the staff bought movie tickets for them in advance, so they could enter the theater directly.

However, everyone was not in a hurry to enter the screening hall, and a group of six people looked around curiously in the theater hall.

It was the prime movie viewing time, and there was already a queue at the box office. Eye-catching "Scream" posters were posted everywhere in the hall, and the voice of someone discussing the movie could still be heard.

He didn't deliberately conceal it, so he was quickly recognized by the men and women in the hall, and a group of people rushed forward, those who wanted to sign, those who greeted, those who were purely curious, and so on.I habitually squeeze out the friendly smiles I have practiced during this period of time to interact with the people around me. After nearly 10 minutes, everyone was able to enter the screening hall.

This is a screening hall with a capacity of about 100 people. Several people consciously chose the back row. When the movie starts, the screening hall is densely packed, and there are almost no empty seats.

Finally completely relieved.

The film was acted by people like myself. I don’t know how many times I have read the script. Naturally, I didn’t pay much attention to the plot. Instead, I could hear the audience around me screaming and sighing in surprise. There was a thrilling plot at the end, and A guy with a loud voice couldn't help yelling 'Run, idiot', which drew a lot of attention.

Leaving the screening room, it was inevitable to be stopped again.

The theater manager, who is very good at seizing opportunities, specially prepared a batch of posters for everyone to sign and send to fans on the spot. After half an hour of busy work, the team sent a commercial vehicle to pick them up, and a group of people squeezed into the spacious commercial vehicle compartment. Only then did I vaguely feel that this couldn't be arranged again, right?

The guy who led the team to promote, Mark Belford, I heard that he was personally promoted to the "Scream" promotion team at a meeting. He is indeed a very shrewd and capable guy, and he will seize every opportunity To promote the film, Robert Rehm also attaches great importance to it.

But, it doesn't matter.

Back at the hotel where we stayed, everyone gathered in a bar downstairs and had a lively time. As the night approached, they went back to their rooms to rest, while looking forward to the box office data of the movie.

It must be good, right?

Because of the time difference, it was already early morning on the east coast, and it was not yet nine o'clock in the evening on the west coast.

The market has been in a downturn for more than a month, and too many people in Los Angeles are paying attention to "Scream".

For Daenerys Entertainment's marketing campaign like promoting a blockbuster film, some people naturally disagree, thinking that this is a very unwise move, but when the theater reported another queue phenomenon after the end of the summer, Some people's mood began to be complicated.

Inside a mansion on the hillside of Beverly Hills.

In the blink of an eye, it was the next morning, and Warner Bros. Pictures CEO Terry Semel hadn't had a good rest all night.

This Halloween schedule, due to the lack of films, other major Hollywood film companies have no choice but to give up. Only Warner Bros.'s "Oolong Secret Agent" and "Scream" will be released at the same time.

"Oolong Secret Detective" is a derivative version of the heroine of Warner's best-selling series "Gold Medal Police Academy", starring Hollywood beauty Rebecca De Mornay.

In 1984, the first part of "Gold Medal Police Academy" achieved a North American box office of more than 450 million US dollars with a production cost of 8100 million US dollars, ranking No.6 on the list that year.In recent years, Warner has continued to develop the sequel of "Gold Medal Police Academy" at a frequency of one per year.

However, due to the screenwriter's strike, the quality of "Secret Detective" was seriously affected. During the internal preview stage, the executives basically had no expectations when they saw the scattered and disorderly plot. This release only arranged 850 block screen.You know, "Gold Medal Police Academy 5" at the beginning of the year, although the final box office results were not satisfactory, it was 1700 yuan for the opening screen.

In recent years, the theater ticketing system has been updated, and now it is possible to quickly calculate approximate single-day box office data with relative accuracy.

Waking up in the morning, Terry Semel completely gave up his last hope without seeing the fax of the box office data for the first time.He is very clear that if there is good news, the company will send the data as soon as possible, and the executives of the publicity department may even call him in person.

Waiting like this until around eight o'clock, the fax machine finally sent a page of data.

Terry Semel, who had just picked up today's newspaper from the outside, took a quick glance at the page of data from the fax machine, and even showed a wry smile on his face.

The box office of "Scream" is higher than expected, and the data of "Oolong Secret Detective" is more bleak than expected.

On the first day of its opening, the box office data of "Scream", which screened 1755 yuan, was the best. According to preliminary statistics, the box office on the first day was about 450 million US dollars.

"Moonlight Panic 2", which ranks No. 4, has roughly the same scale of 1692 screens. The first-day box office in the second week of screening was 150 million US dollars, only one-third of that of "Scream".

No.3 is not "Oolong Secret Detective".

Not even No.4, No.5, No.6.

Paramount's "The Pear Blossom," Fox's "Alien Empire," Universal's "The Mist," and Columbia's "Headlines," all four old films that have been in theaters for weeks.

Although it was the first day of painting, "Oolong Secret Detective" was directly dropped to No.7 on the single-day list.This film, which has the same production cost of US$1000 million as "Scream", only had a poor first-day box office of US$35, which is less than one-tenth of "Scream".