From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

“… … I don’t think harboring such ambition is a healthy thing.”

Anson's face was open, sincerely and directly meeting Jeff's gaze.

This attitude, falling into Jeff's eyes, made Jeff slightly stunned, then the corners of his mouth gently raised, involuntarily clapping his hands to give Anson applause—

Admiration.

Last time, Jeff and Anson had a brief encounter at the Emmy Awards after-party, and Jeff was particularly fond of Anson, and recommended Anson to Steven Spielberg because of his talent.

Today, Jeff refreshed his impression again, and the Anson in front of him was really surprising.

However, appreciation is appreciation, doing one's job is doing one's job, Jeff was not easily persuaded, his attention for the first time truly fell on this project.

“So, you mean, you have no ambition and hope that this project can be all-encompassing; but you are confident that this project will definitely succeed.”

“Word of mouth? Box office? Awards?”

“Which one are you aiming for?”

Anson did not hesitate, “Box office.”

In fact, truthfully speaking, it should be word of mouth, after all, the box office performance of "The Butterfly Effect" in his previous life was mediocre, mainly relying on DVD rentals and sales to achieve a turnaround.

But Anson is not an idiot, he still has a sense of proportion as to when he should tell the truth and when he should paint a big picture.

Moreover, this is not all, Anson continued.

“After all, the only thing I can pursue now and the only thing I should pursue is the box office.”

Is this a self-deprecating remark about being a “pretty boy”?

Jeff couldn't help but reveal a smile.

Anson continued to speak.

“A science fiction film, its depth and quality often come from thinking, thinking about the future, about parts that transcend the real world, about ethics and morality, etc. These thoughts often mean leading the times, so if a science fiction film pursues depth, it may deviate from the orientation of the mainstream market.”

“‘Aliens 2’, ‘Terminator 2’, ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ these science fiction films that can win a box office harvest are often made as another type of film.”

“Disaster movie. Monster movie. Adventure movie.”

“And this project is a love movie.”

“Taking love and family as the perspective, to think about the value of fate and life.”

“It’s not perfect, because its protagonist is a college student in his early twenties, we are still impulsive, still reckless, still harboring unrealistic dreams, so we will make mistakes and may screw everything up.”

“But it is precisely because of this that it has market potential.”

Eloquently, Anson's unhurried and well-organized words completely grabbed Jeff's attention, and the office quietly entered Anson's rhythm.

Jeff gently raised his chin, “Okay, I admit, I’m a little curious.”

However, Jeff was not in a hurry to read the script, his gaze still falling on Anson.

“Tell me, what kind of story is this.”

Finally!

After going around in circles, Anson finally got the opportunity to discuss the script.

Now, Anson's opening method is correct.

“Groundhog Day”, “Back to the Future”, both movies are relatively relaxed, in a simple setting, relying on the fate and psychological changes of the characters to connect the plot, while creating entertainment effects, they also bring some thinking.

Moreover, Anson grasped the key point, a “Butterfly Effect” can explain the core selling point of the script, combined with Anson's attitude towards several classic science fiction works mentioned earlier, it is estimated that the film has some philosophical thinking about fate, but not too profound.

Such science fiction films can often cause heated discussions among senior movie fans, and to a certain extent, be sought after by the audience, and have the potential to get a response in the box office market.

Suddenly, Jeff had a vague concept of the scale, investment, and market positioning of the film project in front of him, and he immediately had a preliminary judgment in his mind.

This is the correct way to open project negotiations.

In a short conversation, while Anson was speaking, Jeff's brain was running at high speed, and he effortlessly grasped the key points and threw out a key question.

“Director? Cast?”

Anson: Here it comes.

Although Anson did not participate in the previous production meeting, he had no way of knowing the details of Mackie and Eric's meeting, but one thing was certain:

If the two screenwriters serve as directors for the first time, and then ask for a production cost of 20 million US dollars with a lion's mouth, and there is no cast of top stars, almost no film company will nod in agreement.

This is also one of the reasons why Anson asked the two screenwriters to wait in the parking lot today:

Anson is prepared to use his own name as a facade to try to break the situation.

Thus.

Anson spread his hands, “I lack experience and am waiting for the guidance of professionals.”

Jeff laughed directly, “Heh heh, Anson, you’re not very honest. With your personality, how could you come to the door without any preparation?”

Anson still had an innocent face, “Jeff, if I were lying, you definitely wouldn’t be able to tell; do you believe it?”

Jeff was stunned—

Oh right, how did he forget, the pretty boy in front of him is just a protective color, he is definitely not as simple as he looks on the surface.

Anson just paused slightly, and continued, “I really don’t have too many ideas, to be honest, I’m still in the stage of learning and groping step by step, and I’m looking forward to senior veterans being able to help open up the situation.”

“I’m not sure, maybe we should control costs, rely more on the script, and use newcomers for the director and actors, suitability is the most important thing.”

Jeff gently raised his chin, “So, you mean to build the entire project around you as the core? Are you really preparing to make a ‘Groundhog Day’?”

“Groundhog Day”, when it was released in 1993, the entire crew only had one big name, Bill Murray, the production cost was about 10 million US dollars, but it grossed 70 million US dollars at the box office after its release, ranking twelfth on the North American box office charts at the end of the year.

Now, in all aspects, Anson is preparing to create such a work.

Anson adjusted his sitting posture and asked humbly, “Do I have such qualifications?”