Hollywood New Century

Joel Cohen, Ethan Cohen brothers are 3 years apart, older brother Joel Cohen is now 52 years old and younger brother is 49 years old.

In Simon's view, as directors in the independent film industry, the two of them are still good. In the early days, "Blood Labyrinth" and "Frozen" were not bad.

"Hunters, perverted killers, and police intertwined pursuit and escape, humorous style, suspenseful plot..." Simon sat opposite the two brothers, watching their adapted script, and exclaimed in admiration.

"The main line is the retired officer as a hunter being hunted down by gangster perverted killers, and the auxiliary line is the old police's helplessness to the social chaos. The main line attracts the audience's attention, but the auxiliary line connects the whole film and plays a role in regulating the film. This arrangement That's right," the academy judges at the Oscars liked this arrangement, and there is indeed a reason for this film to win an award.

"The choice of actors for the movie, you can decide for yourself, the budget of 25 million US dollars, the film has to be shot well, I will transfer the funds one after another next month, no problem?" Simon hurriedly went to 20th Century Fox. I'm asking for money.

"If the funds are in place, we can start shooting in June, and the actors choose the candidates we have in mind, as long as the audition passes later," Joel Cohen is very confident.

"Yes, the location is not difficult. As soon as the funds arrive next month, I will go to find a suitable location as a filming location." The work of the younger brother Ethan Cohen seems to be more inclined to the nature of the work of the producer.

"No problem, there will definitely be a fund in the account in May, which is enough for the pre-shooting of our film, and then I will send the follow-up funds as soon as possible," Simon is of course confident, "Little Miss Sunshine" is a big film. Earn movies too!

Moreover, film shooting does not need to invest all the money at one time, and it is enough to have a buffer period of more than half a month for yourself.

After the Coen brothers left Xinghai Pictures happily, office assistant Laura Collins came to remind them that they would go to Century City in the afternoon to meet with the executives of Twentieth Century Fox.

"Laura, get ready, you come with me!" Simon said, standing up and walking to the window,

"Let's go after lunch!"

"OK!"

"Little Miss Sunshine" has been released for 7 weeks, and the cumulative box office is 43 million US dollars. At most, 1,650 theaters are showing, but it has been reduced. Currently, there are only about 1,350 showings.

In Century City, in a conference room at Twentieth Century Fox headquarters, with Fox Searchlight co-chairs Nancy Atley and Steve Girulla, as well as Twentieth Century Fox Fox Vice President Emma Watts .

Simon Pike sat on the other side with his assistant Laura Collins, expecting to see Tom Rothman, the president of Twentieth Century Fox, or Gia Nopoulos, the chief executive.

However, a vice president should also be able to come.

"Simon, congratulations, it shouldn't be difficult for "Little Miss Sunshine" to surpass $50 million at the North American box office," Nancy Ateli, who met Simon at the Vanity Fair party, first congratulated Simon.

"Yeah, it's more successful than Flower Pictures, which was founded by Drew Barrymore in the past!" Emma Watts, the vice president, spoke.

"It's not the same, "One Kiss" was released in 1999, and it cost $10 million and the North American box office was $55 million. Although "Little Miss Sunshine" cost 2 million less, the film market in recent years has been much bigger than it was before 2000. It’s a lot bigger, and the ticket price has gone up, so in terms of business, “Little Miss Sunshine” can’t compare to “One Kiss”!” Of course Simon knew about Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films.

Flowers is a major turning point in the self-redemption of Drew Barrymore, a lost teenage girl.

"One Kiss" is produced by Drew Barrymore's Flower Films. She is also the star of the film. The romantic comedy invested and distributed by 20th Century Fox has made $55 million at the North American box office!

After that, Flower Pictures and Columbia Pictures cooperated to develop the "Charlie's Angels" series of films. Drew Barrymore is the starring and producer, which is her most brilliant time period.

"By the way, the company has no cash flow now. Fox should be able to share the early box office with me first, and it doesn't need much. Just pay me $10 million first!" Simon knew that the theater would The box office of the previous month was quickly distributed to the distribution company, but when "Little Miss Sunshine" opened, there were only 60 theaters, all of which were gradually increasing. The financial aspect is indeed a bit complicated. After all, it has only been a month and a half. .

However, Simon believes that 20th Century Fox will not be embarrassed by such a small matter, after all, it is its own money.

"It's no problem, $10 million will go into Xinghai Pictures' account within three days," said Steve Girulla, another chairman of Fox Searchlight. After all, "Little Miss Sunshine" North America If the box office is 50 million US dollars, how can there be 10 million US dollars allocated to Xinghai Pictures, not to mention, what to do with DVD and other peripherals, and overseas markets also need to be discussed, there is no need to save a little money. Months are difficult for him.

"Thank you, I believe that you are here today. Several of you are also interested in the overseas market and other copyrights of this film. Because I am in urgent need of money, I am very supportive of selling off the copyright at one time," Simon said. He smiled and took a sip of his coffee.

"This proposal is good, and our current cash flow at Fox is also good. The overseas market is sold out to us. This choice is very correct," Emma Watts is here today, and for this reason.

"In the North American market, we can discuss the box office market of 50 million US dollars, DVD copyright plus TV broadcast, etc., and sell it to you at one time, how about 17 million US dollars?" Simon asked very seriously.

Emma Watts shook her head, "The price is too high, the reputation of "Little Miss Sunshine" is indeed good, but in terms of attractiveness, compared with your previous "Juno", it is much worse, the DVD market is controversial We are not optimistic about the DVD market for this movie!”

"So, we can discuss DVD and TV broadcasting in the global market together, and discuss the box office in overseas markets separately!"

"Okay, let's talk about the overseas theater screening rights first," Simon was reluctant to follow other people's ideas.

"Of course, according to the type of film, the performance and word of mouth in the North American market, the overseas market of "Little Sunshine" is almost as large as the North American market, but you also know that there are more problems involved in overseas distribution, and it is divided into production Fang's interests are not as many as those in the North American market, you should be clear!" Emma Watts said and looked at Simon.

"Understood," Simon has researched the most in the past two years on all aspects of film distribution. There are various taxes overseas, as well as the rate of change in foreign exchange. However, in overseas markets, whether 20th Century Fox distributes itself or cooperates with local distributors, the distribution commissions and publicity expenses cannot be compared with those in the North American market. !

According to the overseas market, the distributor and the producer can share about 45% of the box office, after deducting some additional expenses, the producer’s share is estimated to be about 35% of the box office, but the promotion fee still has to be deducted.

If it is used as a method of distribution and distribution, the overseas box office that the producer can get is estimated to be about 3 layers, and it will take time.

For a one-time sale, the publisher needs to make a one-time payment. Of course, the price is lower, and people also want to make money.

"Simon, the overseas theater screening rights are $10 million, and the global DVD and other peripheral rights are $13 million!" Emma Watts said a statistic.

"This can't be done, it's too low. If you operate the overseas market of "Little Miss Sunshine" well, the revenue from the box office alone must be more than 15 million US dollars. DVD, TV broadcast, etc. are also not small incomes. Continuing income of time," Simon shook his head like a rattle.

"Simon, now you also know that the Fed's interest rate has risen to 5%, cash flow is what matters, isn't it?" Emma Watts smiled and continued to speak,

"Otherwise, we will all follow the way of dividing, in that case, we will not suffer!"

Simon looked at her. The top executives of big companies are so strong. Seeing that I am short of money, just do this?

"Overseas theater screening rights are 12.5 million US dollars, and global DVD and other peripheral rights are 15 million US dollars, otherwise I will find other distributors to negotiate!" Although 20th Century Fox has priority, if you give up, Simon will have to find other distributors.

However, it is not very sure. 20th Century Fox is still more optimistic about the overseas box office of this film, and other distributors are not willing to discuss it on the basis of the overseas box office of 50 million US dollars.

"$27.5 million!" Emma Watts thought for a while, and finally nodded, but continued to speak,

"Simon, 20th Century Fox Pictures hopes to sign a three-year movie distribution contract with Xinghai Pictures. We have the priority to choose the movies produced by Xinghai Pictures from 2006 to 2009!"

"And, if you want, we can provide you with $3 million in company operating expenses every year, but we need to have the priority investment right of Xinghai Films for the films produced in the past three years, and the proportion is not less than 35% in principle,"

"In this way, there is no need to worry about the production costs of the films produced by Xinghai Pictures in the past three years. At the same time, we will also handle the distribution. Simon, you can make your favorite movies with peace of mind!"

Of course Simon can't respond now, but after thinking about it, he said: "I have to go back and think about this matter, and I can't give you an answer now!"

"Of course, you can go back to the company to discuss it! You can ask a lawyer to come to our company to sign the buyout contract, and the funds will be credited to the account at the end of this month!"