Chapter 087

After a brief introduction of the whole idea, Simon spent a few more minutes explaining in detail several stories of the vulgar novel and the interspersed mode to Mike medova.

However.

After hearing Simon's story, Mike medova frowned.

Although Simon has just explained in great detail, Mike medova still feels that the whole story is chaotic. What's more, he didn't grasp the selling point of the film at all.

Is it a non-linear narrative?

Or, more bluntly, insanity.

The three-stage parallel structure of "Lola Run" is really interesting, but what is the so-called multiple closed-loop plot structure now. If the audience can't understand the story, how can they still be interested in the film.

With this in mind, Mike medova said: "Simon, it's good to use nonlinear narration once in a while. Movies still have to tell a story in a proper way. What's more, the play seems too confusing. I don't think the audience will be in the mood to sort out so many things. "

Many classic films in history have been questioned in the development stage. Simon was not surprised by the negation of Mike medova.

Simon seriously explained, "Mike, I know what you mean, and I'm very clear that I'm not in the wrong way of thinking about the pursuit of more complex film narrative structure. In fact, this is more like another attempt of mine. I just want to tell a very interesting story with a new plot structure. As for the audience, as long as they have proper publicity and guidance, I believe they will like the film very much. "

Mike medova continued: "even so, Simon, according to your narration, this film obviously involves violence, shooting, drugs and other restrictive elements. Do you think it's suitable for a young man under 20 to make it?"

Simon suddenly thought of Catherine, shrugged and said, "Mike, I know what kind of person I am. That's enough. In fact, I don't lack other ideas, but they either can't be realized now or the production budget is too expensive. By comparison, the current film seems to be more appropriate, but as long as it works properly, the production cost should be controlled within $8 million. "

Mike medova relaxed a little when he heard Simon's budget figures.

Hollywood's budget for film production has grown rapidly in the last two years.

Even last year, half of the top ten North American box office movies had a production budget of less than $10 million, and the production cost of box office champion "top gun" was only $15 million. But this year, just in the first three months, two movies, lethal weapon and angel heart, with a budget of US $15 million, have been released, and these two expensive movies have been left out of the popular schedule in March.

However, Mike medova was still reluctant and said, "Simon, why don't you make a horror movie? Just like "Butterfly Effect" and "death is coming", these two plays are excellent. I think it's easy for you to create another similar play. "

Mike medova has always loved the butterfly effect and death.

Although "Butterfly Effect" is not well received among film critics, Michael medova does not doubt the profitability of the project. As for "death is coming", we can see how optimistic they are about this project by looking at the sharing terms given by fox.

Compared with the so-called vulgar novel, he hopes Simon can create and direct a similar horror thriller.

"I've explained this question many times," Simon said helplessly. "Mike, I don't like making horror movies because it's not challenging. I write those scripts just to make money."

Listening to Simon's "sideline" voice, Mike medova remembers that the young man can get a lot of money from the "death is coming" project. He feels a bit sour.

Just to make money.

What a good reason.

It's just that you want to be pure, and we also want to be pure!

Mike medova almost blurted out: Simon, let's just talk about this kind of "pure" money making project, OK? Go to hell with your messy vulgar novel!

Of course, that's what Mike medova thinks.

For many years, no matter how much they scold behind their backs, the management of Hollywood film company has been trying to coax the hot filmmakers as much as possible, and Mike medova is also used to doing so.

Relying on the popularity of "Lola Run", Simon's next film, as long as it's not too bad, it's easy to make money. It's just that, in any case, Mike medova would like to see a slightly more normal project, such as "Butterfly Effect" and "here comes death".

The waiter brought up dinner at this time, and everyone stopped for a moment.

After eating a few mouthfuls of food and reorganizing his speech, Mike medova said again, "Simon, don't you have any other ideas? As long as the script is good enough, it doesn't matter if the production cost is higher. "Simon shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Mike. I can only say that my next movie is vulgar novel. If Orion can't accept it, maybe you can wait for my third movie. "

Mike medevarton was a little bit speechless.

Simon's second film must be very secure, but after the third film, especially the inexplicable vulgar novel, who knows if anyone will be interested in the name of Simon westero.

After struggling for a moment, Mike medova just said, "Simon, you just said that this movie only costs 8 million dollars, right?"

After "Lola Run," it's not too much for Simon to propose a $20 million budget for his second film. Now, if you only need $8 million, even if the box office prospects are bleak and you have no choice, it's not unacceptable.

"Mike, I'm just talking about an ideal state. There are so many roles in this movie, and it's impossible for all of them to use nobody. The actors' salaries certainly account for the majority of the production budget. Therefore, if we can successfully persuade the actors to reduce the film payment and keep the online expenses within $5 million, I will have enough confidence to reduce the production budget to $8 million. "

Film production budget is mainly divided into online expenses and offline expenses.

The so-called online expenses are simply the salaries of writers, directors, actors and other creators, while the offline expenses include equipment rental expenses, wages of employees behind the scenes, transportation, makeup, insurance and other technical equipment expenses.

Simon's previous "Lola Run", online costs only account for a very small part. But for vulgar fiction, think of John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Samuel Jackson and other celebrities. It's definitely a movie whose online expenses exceed 50% of the total budget.

The production cost of the original version of "vulgar novel" is 8 million US dollars, which is obviously due to the fact that John Travolta and others have lowered their pay.

Now, if you want to make this film seven years in advance, some people will definitely not be able to use it, some people will want to replace it, and some people may not be willing to reduce their pay. Under the influence of a series of uncertain factors, Simon still makes an estimate of $8 million, which is neither high nor low.

Seeing Simon's insistence, Mike medova knew that it was useless to say more, only to say, "well, Simon, you can get the script out as soon as possible, and we'll discuss it later."

"Of course," Simon nodded, sipped the red wine, put down his glass, and volunteered, "Mike, one more thing. I hope I can sell all the distribution rights of" Lola Run "through other channels at one time. Is Orion willing to take over?"

Mike medevarton showed an obvious surprise.

The box office situation of "Lola Run" is very good. According to the practice of most film companies, they will certainly carry out "intensive cultivation" for the follow-up distribution of the film. This can not only maximize profits, but also accumulate contacts and expand channels in the process. It's killing two birds with one stone.

Although Orion has the priority of distributing "Lola Run" through other channels, Orion originally only expected to get the local video distribution agency, which naturally signed a sharing contract.

Unexpectedly, Simon wanted to sell it all at once.

Obviously, this is not a wise choice. It is equivalent to fishing with all our efforts. Not only can we not get too high returns, but also a long-term income channel is cut off. According to the operation cycle of various distribution channels, just one "Lola Run" would have been enough for danilisi pictures to eat for more than three years.

Thinking, Mike medova asked, "Simon, why are you in such a hurry?"

Simon is not shy, straight: "I need money."

Hearing the speech, Mike medova shook his head slightly, and suddenly said with a smile of emotion, "in fact, we all need money."

Film is a very slow return of capital investment.

In recent years, many second - and third tier film companies have been expanding vigorously due to the continuous hot economic situation in North America. Then, suddenly looking back, I found that my stall was too big to continue.

D'laurentius entertainment, an investment company on the verge of bankruptcy, and Canon pictures, which is also in trouble today, suffered the takeover crisis of Orion pictures last year because of lack of money in the final analysis.

Simon just smiles in agreement, waiting patiently for Mike medova's response.

Mike medova thought it over for a moment and said, "Simon, buy it all out. Orion can't afford it. But we can buy the rights to distribute videotapes in North America. "

Last year, the sales of video tapes in North America exceeded the total box office revenue. Therefore, the distribution of video tapes is undoubtedly the most profitable piece of cake in the subsequent distribution of "Lola Run".

Michael medova's answer was entirely in Simon's expectation.

However, if Orion is allowed to take away the North American video distribution rights of "Lola Run", it will be difficult to sell the subsequent TV rights of the film. Although the revenue of TV broadcasting right is also very considerable, the operation cycle is even longer.Under normal circumstances, a film will be released in North American cinemas after a three-month window period, but the sale of TV rights often takes more than six months.

Moreover, unlike cinemas and videotapes, which have intensive distribution channels, TV platforms belong to a typical long tail market. Although the revenue scale is comparable to box office and videotapes, the operation cycle is often as long as several years.

Now that he had expected Michael medova's response, Simon had already had a strategy. At this time, he said, "Mike, Orion can certainly take away the local video distribution rights. But it can't be just that. I have considered that the follow-up release of "Lola Run" will be divided into two parts: the domestic follow-up video and TV release, and the overseas cinema release, video release and TV release. If Orion can't eat it all, it's a choice

Although it has been established for many years, Orion does not have much overseas distribution capacity, and basically relies on seven major international channels.

Simon said that. Mike medova understood that Orion could only choose the former, that is, local video and TV distribution, or simply give up.

After thinking about it, Mike medova said, "Simon, what's the offer?"

Simon simply said, "40 million dollars."

"It's too high," said Mike medova, shaking his head and then laughing again. "Besides, it's not up to me to decide. I need to discuss it with Arthur and them first."