When Levi expressed his idea of acquiring a special effects company, Theron was really surprised: she knew very well that a special effects company was not something that made money.
"Special effects company..." After a short silence, Theron opened his mouth first, "Nick, do you know how much it costs to maintain a special effects company that can be used?" Theron said. The problem is very realistic because she knows that the special effects company is just a problem of burning money.
How many special effects companies are there in Hollywood? The answer is easy to find: more than 200. So how many of these special effects companies can make money? The answer is also easy to find, less than 20.
There are not a few special effects companies in Hollywood, but unfortunately, there are not many special effects companies that can really make money. People look at the high level of special effects in Hollywood, and the special effects are very good, but what makes people feel sad is that most of the special effects in Hollywood movies are produced by the six major Hollywood companies. The other special effects companies basically lose money.
"If you acquire a special effects company and develop it to the point where it can be used to produce special effects for movies, it means that your annual investment cannot be less than 20 million." In this regard, Theron still has a rough idea she understands. Although she doesn't know the details, she knows the general investment and characteristics of these companies, "The technology of special effects is updated very quickly, and a large amount of investment is needed to maintain the leading level of technology. Twenty million is not a small number. It can even be said to be a very large investment - 20 million per year, just for your need to shoot this movie. Is it really necessary?"
Theron's face was full of bewilderment: the special effects company is too hot money; even though now Enigma Company's annual income has reached 300 million with TV dramas, 20 million a year is still not a small number. Levi's first film was finished, and "The Lives of Others" received unanimous praise, and there were no special effects, so it still received good reviews. In Theron's view, Levi only needs to shoot this type of film in the next few years to ensure that he will continue to have good works. Buying a special effects company for one of his films is too extravagant.
If it is a director of a commercial blockbuster, it is understandable to do so; after all, it is to make money. But Levi is not a commercial blockbuster director. Why bother?
Her attitude was obvious, but seeing the look on Levi's face, she also knew that she probably couldn't persuade him.
"I think having my own special effects company is very useful. First, with my own special effects company, I don't have to be controlled by others in terms of special effects, which leads to some regrets. Second, with my own special effects company, I think Some of the research to be done can naturally be invested in." Levi replied.
"I still don't think it's necessary." Theron muttered, "If you want to make a movie, why not go to Industrial Light and Magic or the Digital Domain? They have a big plate and good technology, which we need to use to shoot movies' special effects, they can definitely do it. You can take a stake in their company when you become more famous. Why do you have to do it yourself?"
Levi smiled and didn't argue with her. After all, Theron is just an actor, and her vision is not long enough, so naturally, there is no way to argue with her.
Of course, investing in "Industrial Light & Magic" and "Digital Domain" is not impossible. These big companies were relatively short of money, and Digital Domain also went bankrupt in the end. Although Industrial Light & Magic is not bad, it is not as good as people imagined. However, investing in these big companies can easily cause a problem, that is, when you want to shoot some blockbuster movies, these big companies, under other people's companies, cannot go all out to support you because you need a lot of special effects, and these companies, if your arrangement conflicts with your own requirements, then you must find other companies from elsewhere to cooperate. Using the special effects of different companies to complete the filming work of a film-in the film industry, it is not uncommon for a film to have multiple special effects companies cooperate to complete all the work.
When different companies cooperate to shoot movies, the level of special effects is prone to vary, which is very problematic. In Levi's memory of his previous life, five special effects companies were used to shoot a movie which resulted in some places looking good while others didn't. In some places, the effects were top-notch, whereas, in other areas, they looked like special effects from the mid-90s.
If you have your own company, the result will be very different. His own company can be responsible for the general framework. The details are distributed to other film companies. The most difficult part is to find a big company so that the overall special effects level can be controlled by himself. Of course, the amount of money spent will be more, a lot more, but the purpose of the special effects department he originally wanted was to make movies, not to make money and save money. It is not worthwhile to throw the money in and win a special effects company that can't be used at any time for himself.
Levi knows very well that special effects movies will have a status on the screen after this year. In just ten years, the development of special effects movies have basically replaced the status of traditional action movies and has become the most lucrative thing in Hollywood. Of course, Levi's filming is not for making money, but what if Levi wants to express his ideas through special effects in his films? What if Levi wants to shoot science fiction films in the future or wants to shoot some big-scene movies? It's always good to have a special effects company.
Moreover, if you have your own special effects company, you can also order the special effects company to strengthen research towards the aspects you need. For example, Weta Digital is owned by Peter Jackson. He developed the MASSIVE program, which allows a large number of independent characters to move independently according to the rules, which is of great help to his big-scene movies. The field is to use NUKE technology to produce static and dynamic picture effects better. It has better technology for the sci-fi scenes that Cameron movies have always liked to pursue.
No one can deny that the special effects company established by oneself can better serve its own movies. For example, Peter Jackson is good at big scenes, but he is not good at training actors' acting skills. He directed the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The movie Return of the King has won a lot of Oscars, but it didn't get any nominations for actors. Such directing characteristics determine that his company will definitely not work hard on the facial capture system because it is unnecessary. If you have your own company, you can let the company carry out research and development according to the characteristics you need, and you can have special effects that are more helpful to your shooting. This is very attractive to any director.
Since such an approach is tempting, and he doesn't care about such a small amount of money, why should he care?
Of course, an investment of 20 million dollars a year is indeed relatively high... Peter Jackson's Weta Digital came out of the investment in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and things like the Digital Domain consumed too much investment, forcing James Cameron couldn't afford it and withdraw from it. The annual cost of 20 million is not a small number, and now it is 1997, and even if a top commercial blockbuster director directs a commercial film, he will not have such a large income.
But fortunately, Levi was not an ordinary director.
"I think we have a way to solve this problem." After thinking for a while, Levi said again, "Special effects companies spend a lot of money because of technological innovation, and because it is difficult to find enough jobs, they can't make any money. If I can find a job for my special effects company, wouldn't that solve all the problems?"
In addition to being a director, Levi is also the owner of a production company. It would be difficult to encounter such a situation if it was someone else. For Levi, finding a job is not difficult.
"Find a job for a special effects company?" Theron repeated, "After establishing the special effects company, it is impossible to catch up with the top level within two or three years. Without the top level, there will be no top contract to accept... Where can you find work?"
"I'll just make it myself," Levi said immediately.
"Produce it yourself? Nick, when did you become a commercial film director? Can you write a script like that?"
Theron was a little worried. She didn't want to watch Levi become a director who only knew how to make money.
"Why should I write the script myself? Wouldn't I buy the script? Also, why do I have to be a director? I won't hire a director and be a producer myself?" Levi's answer made Theron feel a little relaxed a little. It's true that being a producer doesn't have all that bad repercussions. However, Theron still has some concerns.
"Then do you know what kind of movie script to look for so that you can use your special effects company on the one hand and make money on the other? Commercial blockbusters are all very expensive. Your company is not big, and it's easy to lose it all because of one film."
"You don't have to worry about this. I've already thought about it." Levi smiled even more proudly this time, "Not to mention the script of a commercial movie... The Marvel company is currently in financial difficulties, but they are selling their adaptation rights at a low price."
*****
Thanks and kudos for my patreons
Cherif Doghri
Adam LV
Danny York
haze2343
Scott DePaepe
Dario Cameruccio
MMMCMXCIX, or 3,999
The Main Man.
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