Hearing Simon's request, Peter Sanders almost blurted out: Do you know what the producer does?
Ordinary people's impression of Hollywood filmmakers is often such and such a big star, such and such a big director. But in fact, since the rise of the American film industry in the early twentieth century, Hollywood has always been a producer-centric system.
Except for a few strong enough directors and celebrities, in most cases, a crew, the one with the most power is usually the producer, who is the ultimate decision maker in the direction of a movie.
Even those powerful directors and stars who want to exert their own influence on a movie often need the position of nominated producer, which is equivalent to still not breaking the producer-centric system.
Simon looked at Peter Sanders' changing expression, waited patiently for a moment, and then said: "Peter, I know what you're thinking. However, since I have finished "Lola Run", I can naturally also put "Reaper here." "Do it well. Also, there is definitely no second person in Hollywood who knows better than me what kind of movie "Reaper is coming"."
Peter Sanders constricted his mind a little, and said, "In this case, Simon, why don't you take the role of the director yourself? Orion should be accommodating."
"Because it's not worth it, I want to focus on the movies I am more interested in. However, "Death is Coming" is my script, and I also hope that I can personally control the production of this movie."
Peter Sanders thought for a while, shook his head, and said, "Simon, you should know the situation in Hollywood. Fox will not give control of a movie to a young man like you."
Simon shrugged indifferently: "If this is the case, maybe other film companies will agree to do this."
Peter Sandston was a little speechless.
The contract signed by Simon and Fox is, in the final analysis, only a right of preference. With the box office explosion of "Lola Run" and Simon's fame, there will certainly be film companies in Hollywood breaking the tacit agreement on the option contract for profit.
If other studios agree to let Simon take control of the film, but Fox is unwilling to follow up, they can only choose to give up.
Fox had already given up on "Lola Run" before, and then "Reaper is coming". If this movie is still very successful in the future, then Fox will definitely become the laughing stock of Hollywood.
After hesitating for a moment, Peter Sanders said, "Simon, what are your conditions?"
"Including production, screenwriting, etc., I only need a base salary of one dollar," Simon finished, and before Peter Sanders could respond, continued: "However, after the film is released, I need to take 10% of the The North American box office share and 5% video tape sales share, the operating cycle of TV broadcasting rights is too long, so I don't want this."
Hearing Simon's proposal of a basic salary of 1 dollar, Peter Sanders was already surprised. When Simon had finished speaking about the follow-up conditions, Peter Sanders' expression had turned into a stunned expression.
This little guy really dared to speak loudly.
Peter Sanders heard it very clearly that what Simon asked for was not a profit share with a large operating space, but a direct box office revenue share and video tape sales commission.
In Hollywood as a whole, there is probably only Spielberg who dares to offer such conditions.
After stunned for dozens of seconds, Peter Sanders said: "Simon, this is impossible."
Simon looked at Peter Sanders almost staring out his eyes, and made a gesture of peace and tranquility, and said, "Peter, in fact, I have already made a copy of what I thought about this project in advance, Peter. Simple budget evaluation. Give me "Reaper is Coming" and it can be done with 8 million US dollars. As for the cost of the announcement, this is of course as much as you say. Moreover, I have no energy to calculate "Reaper is Coming" Break-even point. So, let's make it simple. The future North American box office will be calculated at twice the production cost of 16 million US dollars. With Fox ensuring the schedule, the number of screens and the announcement of the investment, the North American box office of the film will be less than 16 million. I only get a base salary of $1. More than $16 million, my salary is paid according to the conditions just now.
Peter Sanders was a little calmer when he heard Simon's words.
However, in a blink of an eye, thinking that "Lola Run" North America is likely to be more than 160 million US dollars in box office expectations, he quickly shook his head: "Simon, if you want to get the share conditions you just said, 16 million US dollars is It's definitely not enough, at least 50 million US dollars."
Based on the information in his memory and the popularity accumulated with "Lola Run", Simon's North American box office expectation of "Death is Coming" is indeed $50 million. It's just that, in this world, movies have always been the most difficult business to predict success or failure. Naturally, he will not set such a high threshold for himself.
Moreover, "Death is Coming" is calculated at a production cost of US$8 million. As long as the North American box office can reach US$10 million, Fox can easily achieve profitability through subsequent overseas distribution, video tape sales and television rights.
Simon gave a guarantee of $16 million, which is already very high.
"Peter, if I remember correctly, only five of the 16 films released by Fox last year had a box office of more than $10 million. Others, such as Kate Capshaw's "Space Station", have a budget of $20 million and a North American box office of 9.69 million. Sean Connery's "The Name of the Rose", the same budget of 20 million US dollars, the North American box office of 7.15 million. The Manhattan Project, the budget of 18 million US dollars, the North American box office of 3.9 million. Look, you have invested so much Rubbish projects, why are they not willing to spend less money to invest in a very secure movie?"
Peter Sanders heard Simon suddenly mention "Space Station", his mouth twitched. I don't know if the young man did it on purpose, but he immediately retorted: "Simon, before the movie is released, no one can guarantee that it can success."
Simon nodded and said, "Of course, Peter. But I can guarantee that if the film is unsuccessful, I will only need one dollar instead of 5 million."
Peter Sanders insisted: "Simon, Hollywood actually has a lot of people who are willing to take only $1 for an opportunity."
"According to the box office results of "Lola Run", we pushed forward three years, "High Aspirations" in 1986, "Back to the Future" in 1985, and "Beverly Detective" in 1984. So, do you think Is it Tom Cruise who is willing to take one dollar, or Robert Zemikis who is willing to take one dollar, or Eddie Murphy for one dollar?" Simon stared at Peter Sanders and finished speaking. He got up and said: "Peter, my terms are like this. You can discuss with Mr. Goldberg, and you'd better give me an answer next week. By the way, the hotel has been booked by the crew, if you want to stay overnight tonight , I can have someone help you clean up a room."
Simon finished speaking, called the waiter to settle the bill, and got up and left.
Peter Sanders did not get up, still sitting in the cafe frowning and thinking. He arrived at this time on Saturday afternoon. In addition to discussing the contract with Simon for "Death Is Coming", he actually had the intention of establishing a relationship with the rising Hollywood rookie, so he originally planned to live in Coolidge for two days. .
However, thinking back to Simon's strength during the conversation, Peter Sanders understood that it didn't make much sense for him to stay here.
As for Simon's conditions, when he calmed down, Peter Sanders realized that the other party's contract was not strictly speaking excessive.
Although it is still too young, although a movie has just been produced, there is still some luck in the success of that movie. But the expected box office of "Lola Run" is really amazing. Even if this movie fails to win this year's North American box office championship, as long as it achieves a breakthrough of 100 million, Simon will be qualified to make the offer just now.
Peter Sanders also understands that relying on the accumulated popularity of "Lola Run", "Reaper is Coming", a creative, novel and commercial horror movie, it is completely easy to get $16 million in the North American box office.
Moreover, even if the expectations are higher, the North American box office of "Reaper Is Coming" reached 50 million, and Simon's share of the box office was only 5 million US dollars. Sean Connery's participation in "The Name of the Rose" was paid 5 million U.S. dollars, but the film's local box office in North America just over 7 million U.S. dollars made Fox lose out.
Of course, there is a 5% share of video tape sales, which is also a price that should not be underestimated. In the "Basic Agreement" of the screenwriters union, film screenwriters can only extract 0.3% of the sales share from the video tape income of a film.
In the past 1986, the sales revenue of Hollywood movie tapes has successfully exceeded the North American box office revenue. Coupled with the fact that popular horror films are generally more popular in the video tape market than other types, Simon's 5% quotation is likely to be equal to 10% of box office revenue in the future.
but.
One point that Peter Sanders cannot ignore is that Simon's offer was made entirely on the premise of ensuring Fox's profitability.
In all fairness, this is fair.
Peter Sanders is just having a hard time accepting that an eighteen-year-old is about to break into the top of the Hollywood pyramid so soon and become a class on his own.
This is too unacceptable.