Hollywood starts with a broker

After signing the 《The Silence of the Lambs》 distribution contract with Samsung, Aaron received a notice that 《Boyz n the Hood》 was to be rated NC-17 by the MPAA before he even had time to find a bank loan!

Dawnlight Pictures, office.

John Singleton and Quentin Tarantino sat across from Aaron, complaining about the MPAA.

"Okay, that's how the game is played," Aaron interrupted the two men's complaints, somewhat annoyed.

"Re-edit it, delete some of the violent scenes in the play, and apply again."

《Boyz n the Hood》 had to be rated R, otherwise, no one could afford the loss of several million dollars!

"Okay," John Singleton and Quentin Tarantino certainly couldn't do anything about it either. The MPAA was an insurmountable hurdle for independent films.

The MPAA is an effective method used by the seven major formal members against independent films!

The fiercer the scolding, the more they hope to join it.

After the two left, Aaron called in Jessica Parker, the financial officer, and asked her to take the 《The Silence of the Lambs》 distribution contract to find a bank loan.

"Borrow as much as you can, as long as the interest rate isn't too outrageous, a little higher doesn't matter!"

Now Dawnlight Pictures' current assets are less than $300,000, not even enough to pay the $12 million in interest.

Moreover, Aaron also wants to store scripts and acquire some novels or story IPs that can be adapted.

"Understood!"

After a while, assistant Aislinn Beckett brought in a producer to seek investment.

Independent producer Laurie Parker was seeking investment for a movie everywhere, and came to Dawnlight Pictures specifically!

"Recommended by River Phoenix?"

Aaron took the script 《My Own Private Idaho》 from the other party's hand. Was he very familiar with River Phoenix?

Didn't they just have a drink together once and get to know each other through Johnny Depp?

While Aaron was reading the script, Laurie Parker began to introduce it, "This is a project by director Gus Van Sant, mainly about two street hustlers from Portland to Idaho, and finally to Rome, Italy, on a journey to find their families;"

"It's a very strong homosexual theme, a queer work, bold, avant-garde, and full of artistry!"

… …

After reading the script, Aaron felt it was more than just bold. This theme was bound to be highly controversial?

"Gus Van Sant, he also directed 《Drugstore Cowboy》 released last year, right?"

Aaron had done some research on many independent directors, and they all had very personal styles.

"Yes, originally 《My Own Private Idaho》 was signed with River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves, and 20th Century Fox intended to invest $2 million to support the filming;"

"However, River Phoenix went to film other works, and 20th Century Fox withdrew its investment!"

Aaron smiled, "Ms. Parker, this kind of controversial movie is destined to have a low box office, it's just for awards;"

"Many film companies don't dare to invest, right?"

Laurie Parker looked at Aaron, "Then, what about Dawnlight Pictures?"

Aaron knew that this 《My Own Private Idaho》 was highly rated and also made River Phoenix famous.

Because the investment was very low, it definitely wouldn't lose money, and supporting these independent directors to make this kind of movie was also the beginning of establishing a cooperative relationship.

Aaron spread his hands, "Dawnlight Pictures has three movies released next year, and there is no extra money at all now?"

Seeing the look of decadence on Laurie Parker's face, Aaron said again: "However, Dawnlight is looking for a bank loan, and I am a little interested in this movie;"

"Wait a few days, we can talk in detail, and then bring in PolyGram and Legacy Entertainment. The relationship between them and me is good, they should be willing to distribute it!"

Laurie Parker's eyes lit up, "Really?"

She just came to try her luck. After all, the theme of this movie is very special, and most people don't want to touch it.

"Of course, but you have to guarantee that River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves will participate!"

Aaron didn't plan to make money from this movie, but he wanted to make a name for himself. Dawnlight Pictures, as an independent production company, still needed to gain the favor of some independent filmmakers.

This should be a case of spending a lot of money to buy horse bones, and it will also attract more excellent filmmakers to cooperate with Dawnlight in the future.

"No problem, they and the director have already met, and there are no projects now. As long as the funds are in place, filming can start at any time!"

The characters and scenes in 《My Own Private Idaho》 are extremely simple, city streets, roads, there is no need to build any scenes at all.

"By the way, Mr. Anderson, when will we meet with the people from PolyGram and Legacy Entertainment?"

Aaron thought for a while, "A week later, I will have someone notify you!"

One mistake, one first, one inside, one content, one look, one look!

River Phoenix has always been involved in art films, as for Keanu Reeves, it seems that he just filmed an action movie 《Point Break》.

The director is Kathryn Bigelow, and the producer is her husband James Cameron!

A few days later, Dawnlight Pictures took the 《The Silence of the Lambs》 distribution contract and obtained a $7 million loan from Salomon Brothers Investment Bank, with an annual interest rate of 8.5% for three years.

"Even the bank is more optimistic about 《Ghost》," the investment cost of the two films is actually similar, but the loan amount given by the bank is quite different.

However, Aaron didn't have any objections, just stick to it for half a year!

Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, Aaron invited Michael Kuhn of PolyGram and Guy Martin of Legacy Entertainment, along with Gus Van Sant, the director of 《My Own Private Idaho》, and Laurie Parker, the producer, to meet.

Dawnlight Pictures, Legacy Entertainment, and PolyGram jointly invested $2.4 million to support Gus Van Sant in filming 《My Own Private Idaho》!

Legacy Entertainment is responsible for North American distribution, PolyGram is responsible for international distribution, and Dawnlight Pictures is responsible for production.

Guy Martin of Legacy Entertainment is very supportive of this type of film being shown in Landmark Theatres. Art theaters often show this type of film.

Director Gus Van Sant was the most active and looked directly at Aaron Anderson, "I want to start filming at the end of the month!"

Aaron nodded, "As long as you are ready, you can do it at any time."

The three companies jointly invested, only $800,000 per company.

Michael Kuhn raised his glass, "This type of work is more in line with European tastes, come, let's have a drink together!"

Guy Martin smiled, "This kind of independent film with connotation always needs someone to support it. Aaron, your approach is quite admirable."

Then, everyone laughed, Aaron gave the other party a blank look, "I am also a person with artistic pursuits!"

But in his heart, he was thinking that Legacy Entertainment's biggest asset was the Landmark Theatres in his hands, and Dawnlight Pictures should find a way to acquire them.

In this way, with North American distribution channels, Dawnlight Pictures can slowly improve, and when the time comes, it can distribute movies by itself, which will be much more convenient.

Guy Martin couldn't imagine that his film company and theater chain were targeted by the man in front of him?