After briefly describing the overall idea, Simon spent a few more minutes explaining in detail several stories and interspersed patterns of "Pulp Fiction" to Mike Medovar.
but.
After listening to Simon's narration, Mike Medova frowned tightly.
Although Simon explained in great detail, Mike Meadow still felt the whole story seemed chaotic. Moreover, he did not grasp the selling point of this movie at all.
Is it a non-linear narrative?
Or, more bluntly, insanity.
The three-stage parallel structure of "Lola Run" is indeed very interesting, but what is this so-called multiple closed-loop plot structure at the moment? If the audience can't even understand the story, how could they still be interested in this movie.
Thinking about this, Mike Medova couldn't help but earnestly said: "Simon, it's good to use nonlinear narrative occasionally. The movie should tell a story in a very orthodox manner. Moreover, the script seems too confusing, I don't think Then the audience will be in the mood to sort out so many clues."
Many classic films that have been recorded in history have been questioned during the development stage. Mike Medova's denial did not surprise Simon too much.
Simon explained earnestly: "Mike, I understand what you mean, and I am also very clear that I am not into the misunderstanding of deliberately pursuing a more complex film narrative structure. In fact, this is more like another attempt of mine. I just want to use A brand-new plot structure to tell a very interesting story. As for the audience, as long as they conduct proper promotion and guidance, I believe they will like this movie very much."
Mike Medova's expression still did not relax, and continued: "Even so, Simon, according to your narrative, this movie obviously involves violence, shootings, drugs and other restricted elements. You think this is suitable for you. Will a 20-year-old come to shoot?"
Simon suddenly thought of Catherine, shrugged, and said, "Mike, I know what kind of person I am. That's enough. Actually, I don't lack other ideas. It's just that these ideas are either impossible to realize now or make a budget. It's too expensive. In comparison, the current movie seems to be more appropriate. As long as it is run properly, the budget should be within 8 million US dollars."
Mike Medova heard the budget figures given by Simon and relaxed a little.
Hollywood's film production budget has grown rapidly in the last two years.
Even last year, half of the top ten films at the North American box office had a production budget of less than US$10 million, and the production budget of the box office champion "High Aspiration" was only US$15 million. But this year, just in the first three months, two films with a budget of 15 million US dollars have been released, and these two expensive films were still lost in March. The unpopular period.
However, Mike Meadowwa was still not reconciled, and continued: "Simon, why not make horror movies? Just like "Butterfly Effect" and "Reaper Is Coming", these two scripts are very good, I want you to Creating a similar script is also easy."
Mike Medova has always liked the scripts "Butterfly Effect" and "Reaper Is Coming".
Although "Butterfly Effect" received poor response from film critics, Mike Medova did not doubt the profit prospects of this project. As for "Reaper is Coming", look at the share clause given by Fox to know how optimistic they are about this project.
Rather than not knowing the so-called "Pulp Fiction", he hopes that Simon can recreate 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 of the lack of challenge. Writing those scripts is purely for making money."
When Mike Meadow heard Simon talk about 'side business', thinking of the horror share that this young man was able to get from the "Reaper Is Coming" project, he felt a bit sore inexplicably.
Purely for making money.
What a good reason.
It's just that you want 'pure' and we also want 'pure'!
Mike Medova almost blurted out: Simon, let's just talk about this kind of 'pure' profitable project, OK? Let your messy "Pulp Fiction" go to hell!
Of course, Mike Meadowa just thinks so.
For many years, no matter how they scolded their mothers behind their backs, the Hollywood studios' management ostensibly expressed their attitude towards hot filmmakers as they coaxed and coaxed as much as possible, and Mike Meadow was used to doing so.
Relying on the popularity of "Lola Run", Simon's next film, as long as the film is not too bad, it is easy to make money. However, in any case, Mike Medova would prefer to see a slightly more normal project, such as "Butterfly Effect" and "Reaper Is Coming".
The waiter brought the dinner up at this time, and everyone paused for a while.
After eating a few bites of food and reorganizing the rhetoric, Mike Medova said again: "Simon, don't you have other ideas? Let's talk about it, as long as the script is good enough, it doesn't matter if the production cost is higher."
Simon simply shook his head and said: "Sorry, Mike, I can only say that my next movie is Pulp Fiction. If Orion can't accept it, maybe you can wait for my third movie."
Mike Meadowwa was suddenly speechless.
Simon's second film is certainly very secure, but after the third film, especially after this inexplicable "Pulp Fiction", who knows if anyone will be interested in the name Simon Westeros.
After struggling for a moment, Mike Meadow had to say: "Simon, you just said that this movie only costs 8 million dollars, right?"
After "Lola Run," Simon even proposed a production budget of $20 million for his second movie. Now, if only 8 million dollars are needed, even if the box office outlook is bleak, it is not unacceptable if there is no choice.
"Mike, I'm just talking about an ideal state. There are so many characters in this movie, and it is impossible to use unknown actors. The actors' pay will definitely account for the bulk of the production budget. So, if you can successfully convince the actors By reducing the remuneration and keeping the online expenses within 5 million U.S. dollars, I have enough confidence to reduce the production budget to 8 million U.S. dollars."
Movie production budgets are mainly divided into two categories: online expenses and offline expenses.
The so-called online expenses are simply the remuneration of writers, directors, actors and other creators, while offline expenses include equipment rental costs, back-end staff salaries, transportation, makeup, insurance and other technical equipment expenses.
Simon's previous "Run Lola", online expenses only accounted for a very small part. But for "Pulp Fiction", think about the famous John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Samuel Jackson, etc., this is definitely a movie whose online expenses exceed 50% of the total budget. .
The production cost of the original version of "Pulp Fiction" was US$8 million, which was obviously under the circumstances that John Travolta and others dropped their pay.
Now, if you want to make this movie seven years in advance, some people will definitely not be able to use it, some people want to change it, and some people may no longer be willing to drop their pay. Under the influence of a series of uncertain factors, Simon still An estimate of $8 million is neither high nor low.
Seeing Simon's persistence, Mike Meadow knew that it was useless, so he had to say: "Well, Simon, you can get the script out as soon as possible, and we will discuss it later."
"Of course," Simon nodded, took a sip of the red wine, put down the glass, and proactively said: "Mike, there is one more thing. Regarding the release of "Lola Run" through other channels, I hope to release these all at once. All rights are sold out. Will Orion take over?"
Mike Meadowwa suddenly showed a clearly unexpected expression.
The box office situation of "Lola Run" is very good. According to the practice of most film companies, the follow-up release of the film will definitely be'intensively cultivated', and the follow-up channels will be released bit by bit.
Doing so can not only squeeze the follow-up benefits to the greatest extent, but also accumulate channels for network expansion in the process, which is completely killing two birds with one stone.
Although it has the priority of the subsequent release of "Lola Run", Orion originally only expected to be able to get the agency distribution of local video tapes, and the signing of this agency is naturally a sharing contract.
Unexpectedly, Simon wanted to sell out the subsequent release at one time.
This is obviously not a very wise choice, it is equivalent to fishing, and quickly ruining a long-term income channel. According to the operating cycle of various channels, only one "Run Lola" was originally enough for Daenerys Films to eat for more than three years.
Thinking in his heart, Mike Meadowa quickly asked: "Simon, why are you in such a hurry?"
Simon did not shy away, and said bluntly: "I need money."
Hearing this, Mike Medova shook his head slightly, and suddenly smiled with a little emotion: "Actually, everyone needs money."
Film is a very slow investment.
In recent years, due to the booming economic situation in North America, many second- and third-tier film companies have been aggressively expanding. Then, suddenly looking back, he found that his stall was too big, unconsciously, it was no longer sustainable.
"Blood Corpse Night" is on the verge of bankruptcy investment company De Laurentiis Entertainment, now also troubled Canon Pictures, last year Orion Pictures suffered a takeover crisis, in the final analysis is due to lack of money.
Simon just smiled in agreement, waiting patiently for Mike Meadowa's response.
Mike Medova seriously considered it for a moment, and said: "Simon, buy it all, Orion definitely can't afford it. However, we can buy the North American video tape distribution rights."
The sales of video tapes in North America last year exceeded the total box office revenue. Therefore, the release of video tapes is undoubtedly the most profitable piece of cake in the subsequent release of "Lola Run".
Mike Medova's answer was exactly what Simon expected.
However, if Orion takes away the North American video tape distribution rights of "Lola Run", the subsequent TV broadcast rights of the film will not be sold alone. Although the benefits of television broadcasting rights are also considerable, the operating cycle is even longer.
Normally, when a movie is released in North American theaters, the video tape can be released after the three-month window period. However, the sale of TV broadcasting rights often takes more than six months.
Moreover, unlike cinema chains and video tapes, which have intensive revenue distribution channels, TV platforms are a typical long-tail market. Although the revenue scale is equivalent to that of box office and video tapes, the operation cycle is often as long as several years.
Since he anticipated Mike Medova's response, Simon had already had a strategy to deal with it. At this time, he said: "Mike, Orion can of course take away the local video distribution rights. The follow-up release of "will be divided into two parts, local follow-up video and television releases, overseas theater releases, video tape releases and TV releases. If Orion can't eat them all, then you can only choose one of the two."
Although established for many years, Orion does not actually have much overseas distribution capabilities, and basically relies on seven major international channels.
Simon said so, Mike Medova understands that Orion can only choose the former, that is, local video and television distribution, or just give up.
After thinking about it, Mike Meadowa said, "Simon, what about the offer?"
Simon simply said: "40 million US dollars."
"It's too high," Mike Medova immediately shook his head, then smiled again, and said, "Also, this is not something I can decide. I need to discuss with Arthur and the others first."