Now that there is money, the next is how to make the TV series.
The production cost of the premiere episode is relatively high because, at the show's beginning, it was necessary to build a studio and buy various costumes and props to shoot the movie. It can be said that of the 4 million funds, 1 million is used to rent venues and equipment, and the rest of the money is used to shoot the episode.
Three million for an episode; it's already quite a small amount. Fortunately, this TV series did not have too many explosions. Big scenes such as car chases cost money. Having famous stars in a new TV series is next to impossible, so 3 million per episode may be enough.
The rest is preparation.
"Can the problem on the set be solved?" Levi turned his attention to Michael.
"I've already contacted the studio of Warner Studios, so you don't have to worry about it." Michael immediately replied, "You don't have to worry about props; I've been in touch with prop production since we wrote the script. The team is up, and Harvey Schwartz is willing to deliver us props. There will be no problems in this regard. As for the shooting equipment and crew, as long as we have money, we can have as many as we want in five minutes. This is Hollywood; there will be no shortage of people."
Apart from the studio, the essential thing is props production. There are a large number of professional instruments and dissected corpses in CSI. Of course, props are used for these. Therefore, when the script was still being written, Levi had already started to discuss the possibility of making props with a continuous professional team. And Harvey Schwartz, mentioned by Michael, is the manager of the props company of the 20th Century. This company, which has been operating in Hollywood for forty years, claims to be the largest props company in Hollywood. With their technical means, there is no need to worry.
Levi estimated they would be very willing to accept this business: Computer technology is becoming increasingly popular, and prop production has begun to decline. Moreover, while exploring overseas markets, Hollywood has also sent many labor-intensive jobs abroad. 'I am afraid that even Hollywood's number-one prop company will not do well.' In CSI, almost every episode needs to use the corpse, and many instruments still need to be used, so it is also a long-term order for them.
"Of course, I am the producer of this drama and will also be the director of the first few episodes. Michael, you can be my assistant producer. You are needed in many places during the filming process. Clark, you will do the post-production. Bob, screenwriting responsibility, I am leaving it to you. Alex, will you be the producer or stay out of it?"
In the production of the TV series, there is nothing to say about the script. Michael has rich experience, and Levi also needs to use his ability. And Clark is a professional, so dealing with the later stage of the TV series is fine. Levi has already thought about these aspects, and the remaining important part is the issue of money.
TV drama producer earns quite a lot in TV drama. Except for those unimaginably high-income TV series starring TV series in the later stage of production, the income of these people is unmatched. Although it is said that once the TV series is released, ABC will probably send a producer to watch it. If the entertainment company becomes an investor, it may send a producer. However, this TV series is made by Enigma anyway. The income of TV series mainly depends on rebroadcast rights and peripherals. Before getting the money, the only revenue is the producer's salary, which needs to be discussed carefully.
Levi knew that no matter how good a friend was, it was possible to have a falling out when money was involved. These people used to be poor and could support each other, but if CSI succeeds, the amount of money will be something few people have ever seen. With so much money, it is easy to cause disputes, so Levi also wants to clear things first.
Levi's question made Alexander hesitate, "I don't know anything about filming. I don't think I should be a producer anymore. If I become a producer, I can only handle some liaison work with other companies for you. If the company can develop, there will be many things left, and I will be too tired to deal with the company's affairs, so, I won't work with you on the production of TV dramas."
"Does it make a difference who the producer is? Anyway, after the part that should be taken by the artists and ABC is removed, and when we share it, we are all sharing money from our friends." Clark, who was on the side, said.
There is nothing wrong with saying that. But isn't it because he fears that his friends will make trouble if the money is not evenly distributed? Levi was also thinking about it in his heart: when he had no money, he could talk about anything, but now he also feels that he should discuss how to deal with these things with Alexander.
"After other things are settled, it's about casting. Alexander, you're still in charge of the agency. We need a large number of actors. You can contact them. We may need them to help us organize auditions.
"You don't have to worry; I've already contacted Endeavor Elite Brokerage Company—among several brokerage firms, they have the idea of expanding the market."
"That company was established less than two years ago, right? Can they handle it? Do you need the help of a bigger agency?"
The filming of TV dramas naturally requires the help of a brokerage company. Levi has heard of the Endeavor Elite Company, but still, it is only a small company now, and Levi's problem is ensuring that his TV series will not go wrong.
"I talked to Endeavor Elite about the production of TV dramas. They are very interested. A company that has been established for a year relies on the old relationship of its partners to develop its business. Now I know they will support us when we want to shoot a new drama. No matter where we want to find actors, they will help us. Their network is good enough. If you want to shoot Titanic, then forget it. If you want to shoot a TV series, then there is absolutely no problem."
Now that big ship is being filmed. Levi also thought of something and couldn't help being fascinated. But he quickly returned to his senses; he knew that no matter how envious he was, he had to walk step by step and eat every bite.
There is no problem with Endeavor Elite, so shooting is much more convenient.
Many people hope to become an actor. Everyone knows that being a movie star is very profitable. The top movie stars can earn as much as 20 million dollars per movie because dividends were not popular in the 1990s—the highest income and the high degree of attention make this profession attract much attention. So, what qualifications do you need to become an actor in Hollywood?
The answer is simple: you don't need any qualifications, just find a brokerage company, and you are an actor.
Brokerage companies make money in multiple ways. On the one hand, they collect monthly fees from actors and take a cut of their wages, and on the other hand, they also collect intermediary fees from producers. And how to maintain long-term cooperation with the producer? To put it simply, whatever actor the producer wanted, they had to find a suitable person immediately. And to meet the producers' requirements, the brokerage company must have a wide range of contracted actors and actresses with different levels of popularity and talent, prepare the team, and be ready to report at all times.
Sometimes, some actors claim to have many talents, including dancing, playing guitar, riding horses, foreign languages, and other skills. This is because when directors are looking for someone from an agency, they don't appoint a specific person; they only specify a particular talent - someone who can ride a horse, someone who can speak Spanish, someone who has practiced kickboxing —It is a director's habit to make such a request. Because the director's request is all kinds of strange, it is also necessary for the brokerage company to add as many people as possible to the list on hand. Therefore, it is not difficult to become an actor. The agency is delighted to take in all kinds of people. Anyone can wait for the opportunity if they sign up and pay. Then, when the directors make a request, the brokerage company has sufficient reserves and can immediately find the personnel—of course, the agency can do the introduction, but it is up to the person whether they can get the role.
Because the brokerage company needs a lot of manpower, it is easy to become an actor in Hollywood. You can go directly to the brokerage company to apply. Their records of actors have nothing to do with whether the actor is handsome or able to act. They care about how talented the actor is and how many directors' requirements they can fulfill. The more genres they can adapt to, the brighter the actor's future will be. Such low requirements and high returns make Hollywood have many actors. The required conditions are also less. Once you become famous, your income will be enviable. Such a substantial gap, in comparison, naturally makes many people willing to gamble and try their luck come here.
According to statistics, there are as many as 50,000 actors here.
The number of actors in Hollywood has already reached 50,000, but this is only a Hollywood number. In fact, since the late 1990s, every state in the United States has encouraged filming on its territory to promote the development of its tourism and other related industries, so they all have tax rebate policies. An extensive group of actors is waiting for opportunities in New York, Michigan, Florida, and other regions. And outside the United States, there are also many actors waiting to shoot American movies. Because the American race composition is complex and the transition is mixed, it has made it difficult for Americans to distinguish between German, British, and Italian descendants after the 1980s. This causes a director who wants to shoot some historical themes or World War II or even the 1950s cause many issues. Compared with Americans in the 1990s, Australians are closer in appearance to American soldiers during World War II, which is also a major competitive factor for American actors.
It is challenging to pick a few actors out of tens of thousands of people, and naturally, they need the help of a brokerage company.
Now, Levi's TV series is to select five or six people from the 50,000 people as their leading actors.
TV drama production is one in a million, so why not actors? If you want to be successful, you have to get out of the crowd. All other preparations are over; only the selection of actors is pending now.
*****
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