Made in Hollywood

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"The new work is still a hot and exciting action movie. As for the specific content? You have to wait until the movie is released and watch it yourself in the theater."

In the face of many reporters, Duke still had a calm expression and answered their questions in the most appropriate way, "Why choose Warner Bros? Because Warner Bros is my favorite film company, they have a long history, mature The concept and rigorous system are every film director's dream partner..."

This is the signing ceremony of Duke and Warner Bros., which is completely different from the situation of "Speed ​​of Life". Warner held a press conference for this purpose. There were more than 50 reporters present. The name of Duke Rosenberg , is not unfamiliar to these reporters who specialize in entertainment.

Of course, this is to promote the movie!

Since Duke signed the agreement, Warner Bros.' publicity work has taken the lead. News about "Brave Dead Island" has appeared in the newspapers and magazines under the Warner Group, and many national tabloids have also appeared. It has been hyped that Keanu Reeves will continue to play the leading role in the film, and the heroine has locked in candidates such as Julia Roberts and Jodie Foster...

As long as those who pay attention to entertainment and movies can notice that a movie called "Brave Island" is about to start filming, the purpose of pre-publicity has been achieved.

As for the male and female protagonists of the film, they must have nothing to do with the candidates hyped by the media. Besides, how can there be a female protagonist in this film.

"How does it feel to be noticed by the media?"

As soon as he walked into the back lounge, Duke heard Sophia's iconic voice, shrugged, and said, "I'd rather sit behind the monitor..."

The preparations for the crew have already kicked off. Duke did not stay in the hotel where the signing ceremony was held for too long, and went directly to Warner Bros. headquarters.

Today is more for publicity, the official contract was actually signed yesterday.

As Duke hoped, he got one-fifth of the film's investment of $10 million, and served as director, screenwriter and executive producer, with a total personal salary of $3.5 million, while Sofia Coppola, Zach Snyder, Mike Dawson, Robin Grande and John Schwartzman have also passed the relevant assessment of Warner Bros. and will serve as assistant director, first assistant director, editor, and second producer respectively. Film manager and director of photography positions.

These are actually the first things to be finalized in the negotiation. After all, their personal abilities are not a problem, and the longest negotiation time is naturally the investment income share of Duke's Duke studio.

The film is mainly invested by three parties, Warner Bros. Financing, Duke Studio and Malibu’s AUG Film Fund, as well as some small investors. In order to ensure that the film can be completed and released, Warner Bros. also insures the American State Insurance Company and introduces them as the film. third-party completion guarantee.

Frankly speaking, Duke does not like to bring in third parties, because many things need to be reviewed by the other party during the shooting, but this is the most common film production system in Hollywood, and it is not an individual can fight.

The investment composition of Hollywood movies is very complicated, and often involves pre-sale. If there is no third-party insurance company as a guarantee, why should investors, including overseas distributors who pay the prepaid fees, believe that the movie will be released? Isn't their investment in vain?

Such examples are by no means rare, so the third-party insurance system came into being.

Investors and prepayers will not directly hand over the funds to the film company or crew, but are supervised by a third-party insurance company. Every expense of the crew will be strictly reviewed. If the project ends without completion, as a third-party insurance company. The guarantee company must find a way to complete the work or pay for the related losses.

In short, this is a very complex and perfect system, and it is also an important guarantee for the normal operation of the Hollywood film system.

Even so, in the past, present and future, it is not uncommon for Hollywood production companies and crews to defraud investors of funds.

For directors, it will definitely not feel very comfortable to have a third-party audit stuck on it, but let alone Duke now, even Spielberg and James Cameron in the future will also be in this project. operate their own films under the system.

According to information obtained by Duke, there are more than ten small investors who invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in "Brave Island", which can also reflect from the side that after the success of "Life and Death", the investment market will He is still a little confident as a director.

As for how Warner Bros. divides it with them, that is a trade secret. Duke doesn't care. He only needs to pay attention to the income he can get.

Duke Studio occupies one-fifth of the film's investment, and should be entitled to one-fifth of the film's revenue share. From the surface of the signed sharing agreement, this is indeed the case.

One-fifth of the film's worldwide box office net proceeds and one-fifth of the TV and video rights transfer fees, that's what Duke Studios can get, and like Nancy said, it's all short-term revenue, according to The contract stipulates that Warner Bros. must pay in the future six months after the film is released.

The film's future TV and video tape sales, as well as other peripheral income, have nothing to do with Duke Studio.

In addition, once the share is received, Duke Studio must automatically give up the corresponding copyright brought by the investment, and Warner Bros. will own the full copyright of the film, including the copyright of the sequel.

Foreign investors do not obtain copyrights, which is also the default rule of Hollywood. Duke can of course object, but this touches the bottom line of Warner Bros. Not only Warner Bros. Hollywood's second- and third-tier film companies will not allow pure investors Share the copyright of the video.

You must know that some movies, watching the box office or peripheral income at that time, are completely lost money, but as long as the copyright is in their hands, the film company can obtain long-term benefits, and since Star Wars, the most significant change in Hollywood is that the income of the movie is not right. The reliance on box office has been greatly reduced, and the income brought by related copyrights has increased significantly, and the trend of increase has been increasing in recent years.

The traditional Big Six or the Big Seven are Hollywood giants not only because they have perfect distribution channels, but also because they own thousands of film rights.

Copyrights can be shared among the Big Six, even with second-tier film companies, but the newly established Duke Studios, forget it.

Duke didn't intend to get a foot in the copyright. What he wanted was the box office and TV and video rights sharing. If the film can get the expected revenue, this is enough for Duke Studio to make a beautiful account.

Of course, Duke will not overestimate the credibility of Warner Bros., and the team of accountants he hired will be involved in the whole process of the film's preparation, shooting, production, publicity, and payment collection.

In fact, it is not easy to grab this profit from Warner. Duke not only voluntarily reduced his salary, but also signed a 1+2 agreement with Warner, which means that Warner Bros. owns his last two films. priority investment and distribution rights.

Arriving at Warner Bros., Duke went straight to a large conference room. Currently, the crew who initially signed the agreement are concentrated here for the time being and are discussing the next work.

The film's producer is Jeff Robinoff himself, the first production manager is Charles Rowan, the representative of Warner Bros., the second production manager is Robin Grande, and Duke is the director. The executive producer and the financial supervisor assigned by the insurance company to the crew constitute the first floor of the crew of "Brave to the Dead Island".

The meeting was between them. After listening to the dizzying numbers from the third-party representatives, they needed to determine the art direction, sound design, sound direction, Key positions such as action guidance, pyrotechnic explosions, etc.

Unlike "Speed ​​of Life", which was completely decided by George Lucas, Duke needs to participate in the whole process, and he must find people with similar concepts to himself, especially the fireworks explosion. The last time the team's skills were really average.

As an expert in this area, he naturally knows the names of the top teams in Hollywood, but unfortunately most of them don't know where they are now, and there are no relevant names on the list.

"The pyrotechnic team is on hold," Duke suggested. "I need a top pyrotechnician, and I want to talk to the candidates in person."

Others have no opinion. The selection of each type of work requires a process.

"Do you have any suitable audition recommendations for actors for several major roles?"

The conversation turned to the other side, and Charles Rowan, the production manager, was the first to say, "Tom Cruise is very interested in Goosby, but his agent has asked that the role must be changed..."

He looked up at the crowd, "Well, although he has a lot of box office appeal, it's better to exclude him."

"Let me mention a few audition candidates."

Made a gesture to Sophia, Duke asked her to send the prepared materials to everyone, "Stanley Gusby, I propose Nicolas Cage, General Hammer, I think Ed Harris fits my mind very well. image."

Both Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris have worked hard in Hollywood for many years and starred in many films. There is definitely no problem with their acting skills, and Duke is not worried about this aspect.

Another candidate he did not say, after the film was approved, Nancy proposed to let Naomi Watts play Gusby's fiancee. This kind of insignificant vase role, the actor selection is not important, and Duke has no objection to this.

"You forgot an important role..." Robin Grande looked at Duke, "John Mason's candidate."

"Former British agent." Duke spread his hands and said, looking at the laughing crowd, "Is there a more suitable candidate?"

"Sean Connery, there's no one better than him!"

"But Sean Connery is short-tempered, impulsive, alcoholic and drug-addicted, and is notoriously difficult to deal with!" Some people worry.

"Let's get in touch first," said Charles Rowan. "After the meeting, I will send a formal invitation to CAA."

CAA?

Duke realized that he had overlooked a problem. Sean Connery is not only a contracted actor of CAA, but also the oldest one! (My novel "Made in Hollywood" will have more fresh content on the official WeChat platform, and there will also be a 100% lucky draw gift for everyone! Open WeChat now, click the "+" sign on the upper right to "Add a friend", search for The public number "qdread" and pay attention, hurry up!)