The two sat in the cafe until the evening, and Simon explained to Sandra Bullock all aspects of "Lola Run" in great detail.
Sandra Bullock is a very straightforward temperament. She agreed without hesitation to Simon's request for dyeing her hair. She also said that she would start working out during this time to adapt to the upcoming high-intensity shooting.
Finally, Sandra did not express any objections to Simon's $5,000 salary.
The heroine's affairs are so settled.
In a blink of an eye it is another new week.
After the article in the Los Angeles Times last Thursday, in the following days, some media turned their attention to the story content of the "Butterfly Effect".
Now that he has taken over the project, Fox has noticed this situation and started to pre-heat the "Butterfly Effect". WMA is more willing to see the media shift their attention from the company's infighting to the package project itself.
As a result, under the guidance of many sources, the group of slightly unfamiliar words "butterfly effect" began to be noticed by more and more people.
However, although many media began to include Simon's name on topics related to the "Butterfly Effect" script, Jonathan successfully blocked some invitations to interview Simon himself.
As a newcomer, the $200,000 script transaction price is indeed amazing, but after all, it is just a film screenwriter who does not pay much attention to too many people. Just like not many people still remember, last year a newcomer's original script called "Lethal Weapon" was also sold for a high price of $250,000.
In the final analysis, script trading is actually more of the attention of fellow screenwriters who also hope to get ahead. Even if most ordinary people notice, they are often amazed and envied, and then there will be no more.
As a result, Simon's life is still very peaceful.
Now that it has been agreed with Roger Griffin, Simon still has not left the convenience store in the new week, and the fat boss is also happy that Simon, a young man with a low salary but still conscientiously, continues to work for himself.
After several days of intensive negotiations, the final signing date of WMA and Fox regarding the "Butterfly Project" package contract was determined on Tuesday.
Simon arrived at the WMA headquarters at about 8:50 in the morning, and Jonathan's black Mercedes car happened to turn into the parking lot.
Locked the bicycle, Simon walked to Jonathan who was standing not far away waiting for him, shook hands with his agent, and said, "Morning, Joe."
"Morning, Simon."
Jonathan smiled and shook hands with Simon, but then looked at his bicycle.
Jonathan lent him $20,000 before Simon went to San Francisco last week, and Simon spent only $500 the entire process.
However, after returning, Jonathan never recovered the money. He knew that Simon was still living in the motel. He only told Simon to choose a suitable residence as soon as possible. This money was regarded as his advance payment for the "Butterfly Effect" authorship.
Jonathan originally thought that Simon suddenly had a large amount of money in his hands, and he would definitely not wait to improve his life. Unexpectedly, Simon is still riding that second-hand bicycle today, and his clothes have not changed much.
Although some admiration for the teenager's financial self-control, Jonathan persuaded: "Simon, you'd better buy a car as soon as possible. It's not okay if you don't have a car in Los Angeles. Even if Fox's remuneration will take a few days, the 20,000 dollars is almost It's enough."
Simon smiled and nodded, and said, "I will consider it as soon as possible."
Simon actually didn't want to improve his life. He has made an appointment with a real estate agent and plans to rent an apartment as soon as possible in the next few days. There are too many inconvenient places to live in a motel after all.
But other than that, Simon has no plans to buy a car or add other outfits.
On the one hand, Simon is too busy. He arranges his time very fully and does not have much free time to go shopping.
On the other hand, as the degree of preparation for "Lola Run" deepens step by step, Simon feels more and more that he may have missed a very important thing, one that is even better than choosing Roger's convenience store as the filming. There are also serious errors in the venue, which makes him more cautious in spending money.
After Simon and Jonathan arrived at the WMA headquarters, several other main creators of "Butterfly Effect", director Brian de Palma, actor Matt Dillon and heroine Elizabeth Sue also arrived.
After Lu Weisi and other executives intervened briefly, Jonathan is now solely responsible for this project.
Everyone simply held a small meeting and rushed to Fox Studios, not far from WMA headquarters.
On Fox's side, Fox President Ronald Goldberg also appeared at the signing ceremony, as well as Fox's producer of "Butterfly Effect" David Giller.
The signing ceremony begins at ten o'clock.
However, the whole process is rather low-key, which is actually the common will of both parties.
In a conference room at Fox Headquarters, witnessed by the lawyers of both sides, Simon, like several others, frequently signed his own name on a thick contract in duplicate. After being so busy for more than ten minutes, he was finally finalized. .
Then there was a simple lunch meeting. Everyone had a meal together in a restaurant in Fox Studios. The heads of the two companies introduced each other and introduced the staff who will be specifically responsible for the "Butterfly Effect" project.
During this period, Simon was also notified that the first production meeting of "Butterfly Effect" will be held next Monday, which will mainly discuss the issue of script modification.
Although Simon is very confident, the script he provided is quite complete.
However, this kind of thing is inevitable, and the studio has the right to modify the script according to the actual situation and even the personal wishes of the person in charge.
Of course, Simon can actually refuse.
But if so, the studio may be happier, they can find a more obedient screenwriter to modify the script, and Simon can no longer get the remaining $60,000 in the contract.
It can be said that the power of subsequent revision of the script is not only the power of the studio, but also the power of the screenwriter himself. No screenwriter would want his script to be modified beyond recognition and eventually become a bad film. Rather than let others modify it, it is better to modify it yourself.
After lunch, Brian de Palma and others drove away directly from Fox Studios, but Simon took the agent's ride to return to WMA headquarters, where his bicycle was still there.
"Fox's fund settlement is still very timely. If it goes well, you can get the check in the next few days." In the agent's office, Jonathan looked at the boy opposite and said, "So Simon, 200,000 dollars, yes. Didn't plan to do anything?"
Simon smiled and replied: "Make a movie, you know."
Jonathan also laughed and said, "Speaking of this, except for "Butterfly Effect", you have never shown me your other scripts, especially the "Reaper Is Coming", which the studio saw first. of."
Simon took out the "Reaper Is Coming" script from his backpack, handed it to Jonathan, and said, "I was too busy these days, I almost forgot to give it to you."
Jonathan took over the script, but did not rush to open it, saying: "Fox has actually taken a fancy to this story. I have also read the outline. A very special idea, not much worse than "Butterfly Effect". Simon, the problem now. Yes, do you want to hand over the script to Fox now for another sum of money, or wait for the "Butterfly Effect" to be released?"
Simon did not hesitate, and said, "Of course, after the release of "Butterfly Effect", I still have this confidence."
"Butterfly Effect" has become Fox's green light project. Although the schedule has not been determined yet, the release time will not exceed next summer at the latest.
If Simon sells the script to Fox now, he will not get too high a price due to the option contract restrictions.
But if you wait patiently until "Butterfly Effect" is released next year, the situation will be different.
Of course, things may not necessarily move in a better direction.
Once the "Butterfly Effect" box office is a big success, the price of Simon's second script will naturally rise. Conversely, "Butterfly Effect" failed at the box office, and Fox will not only further suppress the offer, but more seriously, even completely abandon Simon's script.
Simon and Fox signed the option contract for five years.
Within five years, Fox will get the first choice of Simon's other two scripts. The so-called right of preference is simply the same quotation, and Fox has priority to get Simon's script.
Moreover, over the years, the film companies have actually formed a tacit understanding.
As long as a screenwriter signs an option contract, unless the company voluntarily gives up, other studios will basically no longer participate in the competition of the other's scripts. This also allows the relevant screenwriters to rely on their previous work's performance and production. The film maker talks about the remuneration.
Of course, if Fox is not satisfied with any of Simon's scripts during the five-year contract period. After the contract expires, the initial deposit of USD 40,000 is not refundable.
After discussing this matter, Simon took the initiative to mention Sandra's participation in "Lola Run".
When Jonathan heard that the two had agreed on a $5,000 salary, he also did not express any objection. These days, busy with the "Butterfly Effect" package project, the agent still doesn't know much about "Lola Run", and I even feel that Simon's offer is a bit high.
However, as Sandra's agent, of course, such remarks cannot be said. Anyway, after the two had negotiated, Jonathan asked Simon to find Owen and let him prepare a contract for Sandra.
In any case, the brokerage is still required.
Simon had to rush to Roger's convenience store. In the last few days, he was on mid-work, from 3 pm to 11 am. After talking about these things with Jonathan, Simon got up and left.
Leaving Jonathan's office, Simon had just turned a section of the corridor, and he heard the rapid footsteps of a group of people behind him, with a vaguely arrogant aura of wanting to hit anyone who stood in front of him.
Someone wondered who would make such a publicity in WMA headquarters, Simon let him go to the corridor, turned his head, and saw Matthew Broderick with unwillingness and anger in his expression, regardless of whether this is a quiet office space. Step on the ground and came over.
Moreover, behind Ma Xiu followed a group of men and women who were also noisy.
Matthew Broderick obviously did not expect to meet Simon in the corridor of WMA headquarters at this moment.
When I was walking, I suddenly found Simon appeared in front of him. Thinking of the events of the last few days, there was a bit of hatred in his unwilling and angry eyes. He stared at Simon fiercely, but his steps did not slow down. Passed by Simon and walked outside the building.
Simon did not know that WMA chose to sacrifice the interests of Norman Broca and Matthew Broderick in order to quell the incident as soon as possible.
However, feeling the hatred in the other's eyes, Simon was still a little more wary.
Six or seven men and women behind Matthew Broderick also passed by Simon. The guy in the bar who was picked up by Simon with one hand provocatively tried to bump into Simon, but Simon easily avoided it.
This is not a place for trouble.
Simon also saw Courteney's original roommate Christie Swanson in the crowd, but the other party obviously pretended not to see Simon at all, holding a boy, mixed with other young people and left. .