Hollywood New Century

In Century City, in the office of Tom Rothman, president of 20th Century Fox Pictures, Vice President Emma Watts was sitting on the sofa talking about Xinghai Pictures.

"The little guy didn't look good. Although he was calm when he left, he was definitely not convinced!" Emma Watts smiled while drinking coffee.

"Alas, this Simon Parker is indeed not easy. The success of "Juno" has exceeded everyone's expectations. I never thought that "Little Miss Sunshine" was successful again. Focus Pictures, a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, achieved good results last year. Ah, released two Oscar-nominated films and made a lot of money!" Tom Rothman, as the president of Twentieth Century Fox, certainly not only considers the success or failure of a film, but also about the influence of some films. .

Focus Pictures released two high-quality films "Juno" and "Brokeback Mountain", which not only gained economic benefits, but also gained Focus Pictures' position in the production and distribution of independent films.

Fox Searchlight is taking the same path, and it is in great need of such a movie with a double box office hit.

"However, Simon Parker should be reluctant to sign the three-year film investment agreement with us. He is very controlling and does not like others to meddle in his films," Emma Watts said and handed Tom Ross Man, an investigative report on Xinghai Pictures.

Tom Rothman opened it and looked at it and said in surprise: "Xinghai Pictures is preparing to make two more films? It is not the previous low-cost independent literary film. The investment of this "Spartan 300 Warriors" is 65 million US dollars!"

"That's right, and the little guy didn't raise money from any investment institution or issuer, and even Nicole Kidman doesn't know it. I actually can't figure out what he's doing!" Emma Watts smiled helplessly.

"This "No Country for Old Men", he decided to make it a long time ago, he was anxious to cash out "Little Miss Sunshine", it seems that it is for this movie, so you took the opportunity to press his price, so that he has no time Go to negotiate with other publishers! Simon Pike is young, but he sees a lot of things clearly. The $27.5 million, plus the North American box office share, is estimated to have a share of more than 10 million, which has met his expectations, and he will accept it. Now!" Tom Rothman was now paying attention to the young man.

"It's not easy. He has absolute confidence in his film. For the production funding of "No Country for Old Men", he relied on the explosion of "Little Miss Sunshine". For the "300 Spartans", it is estimated that he is also waiting. Come out with The Devil Wears Prada," analyzed Emma Watts.

"This little guy, every movie is his entire net worth, Nicole Kidman helped him develop "Juno", he repaid Nicole's huge benefits, and at that time, in order to fight for Nicole in "Wearing" The investment interests in The Queen of Prada, he is willing to give up his own interests, he is very grateful!" Tom Rothman pondered,

"It seems that "The Devil Wears Prada" is a movie he is very confident in. Nicole also has an investment of 10 million US dollars. "Little Miss Sunshine" is not available. It is estimated that he could not guarantee a certain profit at that time. He invested completely by himself! "

"Simon of "The Devil Wears Prada" has 50% of the producer's revenue. If you want to earn more than 60 million from this, how much will it cost at the box office?" Emma Watts can't imagine, after all, Simon Parker is not a top Hollywood man Star has an upfront salary of $20 million.

After all, 20th Century Fox charges a 15% distribution commission, minus the publicity fee. How confident is he?

"Juno and Little Miss Sunshine, two multi-million-dollar films, have already exploded, especially Juno, which earned $6 million in exchange for $250 million at the global box office, and almost won the Oscar for best. Movies, and the influence of movies is also great, Sony Columbia is already selling DVDs, and the sales are very good. At the beginning, they spent 85 million US dollars to buy out the global DVD and other peripheral copyrights and overseas theater screening rights, which is indeed worth it!" Tom Ross Mann now thinks that Simon Pike is really capable and different from other producers.

"Simon Parker is too special. He is not worried about the financial problems that plague other producers. He gambles with his entire net worth on every movie. Xinghai Pictures' finances are almost out of business. Hesitant to allocate the company's last funds to the film project to be developed!" Emma Watts also checked, he is either a rich second-generation, or an orphan who grew up and only graduated from college in 2004. It can be said that he has nothing. .

"Other film studios, whether they are producers, directors, or stars, are mainly involved in the production of films, pulling in investment from investors or distributors, and earning remuneration and production shares, and they don't have to take risks, the big deal is remuneration. Less," Tom Rothman shook his head.

"It's better for him to directly fund the production of the film himself and find a distributor to distribute it. If a film fails, he can't even get it back. He doesn't know?"

"Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, don't their film studios all pull investment from the big cooperating producers? He doesn't worry about the failure of Xinghai Pictures. already?"

Tom Rothman just thinks it's incredible, Simon Parker is too greedy? Invest in yourself to earn more.

"Tom Cruise's Cruise-Vaguera Films and Paramount have been working together for more than ten years, and now they receive about $13 million a year from Paramount, and Brad Pitt, who has just passed over, The Plan B film industry receives only $2.5 million a year!" explains Emma Watts,

"I'll give Xinghai Pictures $3 million a year, and we 20th Century Fox will invest no less than 35% of his films. He obviously doesn't want to!"

"What's the reason for this? 3 million US dollars a year is a lot! And it only has the right to invest in Xinghai Films' films. If 20th Century Fox doesn't like it, you can find other companies to cooperate!" Tom ·Rossman was puzzled, he gave up 35% of the investment, and solved the issue and funding problems, isn't it good?

"Ambition, Simon Parker's ambition is really big, he is not a director star, his film company's main business is not to deal with his personal remuneration, but to really develop and produce movies, he is a professional producer, unlike Other stars are just as famous. Other big stars have high remunerations. Participate in the production and get a share. It is not difficult to earn 20,000 to 30 million yuan for a movie. If the producer is not an investor, the income is not as good as theirs! Simon's purpose must be to become the owner of a film company that integrates production and distribution. To enter the distribution industry, in addition to content, the most important thing is huge funds. Simon's background is not good, and it can be said that there is no help. He wants to realize his dream and every Once it was a gamble, and maybe after losing everything, he gave up his dream and became a high-level film company, or became an independent filmmaker, he can also become a high-level Hollywood figure!" Emma Watts Personally speaking, I have a very good impression of Simon Pike's ability to climb up on his own.

"Indeed, his next film will depend on the proceeds of the previous film. In two years, with Nicole Kidman's $6 million backing him, he can now invest in two films. With a budget of $90 million, this method is indeed barbaric!" Tom Rothman said with a smile, and then asked again,

"You think Simon will definitely reject our proposal?"

Emma Watts shook her head and said: "Not necessarily, his films always have to be distributed by distributors, at least that distribution priority doesn't have much impact, but if "The Queen Wears Prada" After the success, we still want to receive a 15% commission for Xinghai Films’ films, but it is impossible. After all, Xinghai Films’ films are big hits one after another. This kind of distribution commission is too easy to earn, and there is basically nothing. Pay and risk!"

"Simon of course won't tear us apart. After all, "The Queen Wears Prada" still has to be released by us. It will depend on what he asks, but it should be after the release of "The Queen Wears Prada"! "

Tom Rothman stood up, smiled and said: "Independent film companies, Weinstein Pictures are now doing nothing, rolling in low-cost independent films, and it takes time to make waves, but Lionsgate won this year. Got the Oscar for Best Picture, became famous, made some money with B-movie thrillers, and is now a leader among independent studios!"

"I just don't know, how far can Simon Pike and his Xinghai Films go alone? He has completed what many people have not done for many years in only two years. Maybe, when he finds After investors support him, establish a distribution system and become the second dream factory!"

Emma Watts nodded, if a Simon Pike can turn Xinghai Pictures into the second DreamWorks, then he is a top circle in Hollywood.

"It's difficult, the foundation is shallow, there is no help, and the source of funds is not easy. He has to keep looking for movies that he can afford to invest in production, which is even more difficult. He should first explore in Hollywood for a few years. After you have your own network, at least it's easier!" Emma Watts said slowly.

"Oh, God is fair and gave him a genius mind, but also an ordinary background, and some impulsive minds, otherwise the previous conflict between him and George Clooney would never have happened! "Of course Tom Rothman knew about it, and the little guy seemed to have a conflict with Harvey Weinstein.

"Yeah, alas, I didn't expect the little guy to be quite tolerant, and he didn't take the words of those first-line male stars seriously!" Emma Watts said and laughed.