"Danny, at present, several major studios are very interested in "When Harry Meets Sally", and the commercial prospects must be very secure. However, in order to maintain control of this project, Daenerys The industry prefers to invest alone. On the other hand, the funds in my hands will not be available until the end of the year, but the film will start shooting in September. That's why we chose to cooperate with a third party."
Although it was after Daenerys Pictures announced that they were seeking cooperation, Dennis O'Brien keenly raised his doubts after hearing Simon's explanation of the general situation of the project.
"Simon, as far as I know, Daenerys Pictures has absolute control over both the "Reaper Is Coming" and "Pulp Fiction." It shouldn't be difficult for Li to get equal treatment, right?"
Simon shook his head and said, "Danny, this time is different. The key is that I also intend to participate in investment. If I cooperate with one of the Seven Big One, even if I can get the control of the project production process, the subsequent release will not only be the North American Institute Online, all other channels are bound to be completely **** with the other party. Moreover, the accounting system of big film companies cannot guarantee Daenerys Pictures' benefits that we deserve. You must understand this."
Dennis O'Brien nodded in sympathy.
Almost all movie capitals that enter Hollywood hate the "Hollywood Ledgers" of major studios and even second and third-tier distribution companies.
In order to retain the benefits of independent producers as much as possible, Hollywood distribution companies will do everything possible to falsely report various costs.
Take cinema distribution as an example. If it is an independent producer's project, the usual rules for splitting accounts between Hollywood distributors and producers are like this.
After the movie is released, the distributor will first deduct a portion of the movie's box office as a distribution commission. The proportion of this money is determined by the contract between the two parties, and the stronger the producer, the lower the distribution commission.
In the process of cooperation between DreamWorks and Paramount and other companies in the original time and space, the issuance commission to be paid was only 8%. But the distribution commission paid by the weaker producers can even be as high as 15%.
But this is just the beginning.
The issuer's subsequent publicity costs are the 'essence' of the Hollywood ledger system.
Film distribution must cost money.
Copying costs, TV commercials, offline expenditures on company's loss-making projects, lawn mowing in studios, private jets for management vacations, basically everything that can be counted for you will be counted for you.
finally.
In fact, it may be less than half of the production cost, which is even higher than the production cost of the movie on the books of the distribution company.
So, can the'Hollywood Ledger' be avoided?
Can't.
This is already a clear rule for Hollywood studios, and even the single "Harry Potter" series, which has a global box office of 1 billion US dollars, is actually losing money on the books. Even if the producer is strong enough to send an accountant to follow up with the release, it will only get an inflated publicity budget.
Of course, this is the problem.
Everyone is not a fool.
Hollywood does this, why is there so much capital rushing to it?
Obviously.
The 'Hollywood Ledger' certainly has a countermeasure.
For strong capital, they usually invest at the level of the entire large studio, and then calculate the general ledger to share profits and losses. No matter how the film company plays tricks on a single project, the overall financial statements must be clear. Otherwise, the Federal Revenue Service will not agree.
As for small and medium-sized film investors, either choose to sell the copyright directly or set up a film company to distribute it themselves.
at the moment.
Simon's release plan for "When Harry Meets Sally" is basically similar to "Lola Run". Keep the copyright of each channel as much as possible, first push the film to North American theaters, and then gradually operate subsequent releases based on local box office results. Of course, it is mainly sold out.
In the office.
Simon and Amy spent more than an hour explaining in detail to Dennis O'Brien the main cast of "When Harry Meets Sally", the shooting schedule, and the release strategy.
Finally, Simon talked about the investment ratio and benefit distribution.
"Danny, if Handicraft Pictures intends to invest in "When Harry Meets Sally", my request is that the budget of 15 million U.S. dollars, and both parties will bear half of the budget, which is 7.5 million U.S. dollars. However, the distribution of future benefits will be the dominant one. The producer of the entire project, after deducting the budget cost, Daenerys Pictures needs to take 60% of the project's net profit, and the remaining 40% goes to Handicraft Pictures."
Dennis O'Brien heard this and immediately shook his head and said, "Simon, it's too high."
Simon insisted: "Not high at all, Danny, you have to understand that this is on the premise that the project is profitable. Daenerys Pictures undertakes all the production work, but in fact only requires a 20% net profit share. As a commission, it's fair."
Dennis O'Brien hesitated for a moment and asked, "Simon, what about the future income settlement process? If we participate in the investment, when will we get back the money?"
"In this regard, you can discuss with Amy next. However, Daenerys Pictures intends to do it in Hollywood for a long time. We will never deliberately default on the payment to our partners. In order to show our sincerity and reach cooperation After that, Handicraft Pictures can send an accountant to follow up the entire project."
Dennis O'Brien thought for a while, and finally said, "Simon, I still need to discuss this matter with George. Maybe I will give you an answer next Monday."
Simon nodded and said, "Of course it's okay. However, for this project, we are not only in contact with the handicraft film industry. Daenerys Films has the same cooperation conditions for everyone. We will never bargain. So, if tomorrow, even Someone will reply tonight, so we can only say regret."
After that, seeing Dennis O'Brien stand up, Simon and Amy also stood up.
Send O'Brien to leave, Simon and Amy return to the company office building.
Simon returned to her office, and Amy followed in. Seeing Simon turned to the desk and sat down comfortably on the leather chair, she went to the reception area and packed up the pile of documents just now, and said: "Simon, you I shouldn't have voluntarily promised O'Brien that he can be stationed as an accountant."
Simon took the "Forrest Gump", turned to the bookmark, held the book and leaned on the leather chair, and said: "Amy, I was very sincere just now. I hope Daenerys Pictures can go. It's far away, there is no need to play tricks on these details."
Amy picked up the packed pile of documents and put it back into the filing cabinet by the wall, and continued: "Many film company founders have actually thought about it this way, but, Simon, reality often doesn't allow us not to use some tricks."
Simon smiled and said, "In this case, you should discuss with them about the repentance."
Amy rolled her eyes lightly, closed the cabinet door, turned and sat down across Simon's desk again, looking at the young man opposite, and said: "I, Ron and Wes are going to New York tomorrow. The scenes of "Reaper is Coming" have been completed. We are going to go through all the scenes and discuss some issues with the Queens District Government and JFK Airport. Speaking of which, you have won this project from Fox. It looks like you don't care at all."
Tomorrow is Saturday.
However, the federal 40-hour work week is actually just to protect the bottom working class.
The "U.S. Labor and Employment Act" has a special clause that manages two or more corporate executives and is not protected by the 40-hour work system of the Labor Law. For these people to work overtime, the boss does not have to pay for overtime.
In Simon's view, this is actually telling people a very simple truth. If you want to be a master, don't expect to work only eight hours a day.
Simon listened to Amy's half-truth complaints, turned the book in his hand, and said: "I'm the boss. Getting the share clause from Fox is what I need to do. As for other things, this project doesn't It's not worth following up all the way."
After completing the script, finalizing the director Wes Craven, and with the assistance of Amy and others, Simon is very relieved of this project.
"Butterfly Effect" was once again a big success, and now no one thinks that "Reaper is coming" will not exceed the minimum threshold of 20 million US dollars. For such a purely entertaining teenage horror film, Simon does not need to spend too much time.
After talking for a few more words, Simon glanced at his watch, closed the book, and asked Amy: "I will be off work soon. Are there any arrangements for the evening?"
Amy raised her eyebrows and said with a smile: "I have an appointment with my boyfriend for dinner."
"Oh, that's it," Simon shrugged and explained: "It's actually Jonathan. You know, Robert De Niro has never had an agent. Some time ago, he fought for the lead in Fox's "Flying the Future" to lose. After that, he began to plan to find a brokerage company for himself. Jonathan wanted to bring De Nirol to WMA, and held a special party tonight. I hope I can pass too."
Speaking of which, Simon has accelerated the collection of some copyrights, which is also affected by many projects discovered recently.
For example, "Flying Over the Future".
In the original time and space, this film not only achieved a good score of over 100 million in the North American box office, but also brought Tom Hanks the first Oscar nomination for best actor.
Simon also learned that Robert De Niro had also fought for this project when he was chatting with Jonathan Friedman in private. In addition, among the projects that Fox has confirmed is Die Hard, which is also a box office hit series.
In addition to Fox, there are many other hot items that exist in Simon's memory, and he can't get involved now.
Moreover, there are some projects, Simon is also hesitant to intervene.
Just like "Rain Man", this is the North American box office champion next year in the original time and space, and the current script is still in a state of nothing.
However, "Lola Run" has basically confirmed this year's North American box office champion. If the North American box office champions next year, the year after, and even the next year are related to Simon, this is not just conspicuous, it is a question of keeping others from living.
If others can't live.
Gee!
For this reason, Simon has planned to consciously incorporate some projects that are not hot in memory in the next process of collecting copyrights, and will actually invest in production when sufficient funds are available.
Opposite the desk.
Amy heard Simon's explanation, but said: "Even if De Niro finds a brokerage company, it's more likely to go to C+. By the way, you asked Susan to take that, um, Nicole Kidman's What's the matter with the information being passed to Jonathan and asking them to dig people?"
Simon remembered the meeting with Michael Ovitz on Monday, shrugged, and said, "It's nothing, I just think that C+ is too strong now, and we should use fewer C+ customers in the future."