Hollywood New Century

At the end of May, the filming of "No Country for Old Men" invested by Xinghai Film Industry will finally start. With the fame of the Coen brothers, the media conference of "No Country For Old Men" is like that.

Several main actors Tommy Jones, Woody Harrelson, JaVale Bardem, Josh Brolin are still famous.

Especially comedy star Tommy Jones as a supporting role, this time playing the old policeman in the film.

Of course, Simon's favorite must be Javier Bardem, who plays a perverted killer in the movie. The fixed makeup photo with a wig on his head and a cold and pale face is too shocking.

"The crew went to Texas three days later to shoot, where the United States and Mexico were originally connected, and the location was very suitable," Sonia was relieved, and the film was finally about to start.

"It's not easy," Simon was also relieved, all because of the funds.

"By the way, "Little Miss Sunshine" is drawn. Has the North American box office ever exceeded 60 million US dollars?"

"Almost, more than 59 million. Fox Searchlight said that the final payment will not be intercepted, and it is estimated that the final payment will be called soon," Sonia responded quickly.

"It's not much, right?" Simon did a rough calculation, $59 million, 47% deducted by the theater, 15% deducted by Fox Searchlight plus $6 million in publicity expenses!

"$16.42 million, Fox has already called 10 million before, and we still have to give incentives to the crew. The final remaining estimate is about $3.6 million," Sonia Roman remembered clearly about the account.

"Okay, in this way, the company leaves the necessary operating costs, and I still have about 15 million US dollars to use," Simon owes Nicole 10 million in no hurry, "Spartan 300 Warriors" is still 5,000 short. Wan!

"Sigh, 20th Century Fox is also unkind. The media they use for advertising is also their News Corporation, and they are so expensive. Our film advertising revenue has also been offset into the cost of advertising and distribution. The cost of the film is only 8 million US dollars. , they really didn't spend much energy, not to mention the income from the film, and they have to charge 6 million, it's all our money!" Sonia Roman said reluctantly.

"Focus Films is different. Our "Juno" is much more popular than "Little Miss Sunshine." They didn't deduct our $8 million in advertising and distribution fees, and the film revenue was also included," Simon said of course. Knowing that it is the practice of film companies to account for the cost of publicity and distribution, it is enough that it is not excessive.

"That's why I had to recruit propagandists in the company at first. Only by getting involved in the specific work of propaganda can we reduce our losses. Their big publishers are too strong, and our people can only do some peripheral work. , Take your time, accumulate experience first, and have a good relationship with those media, newspapers, and magazines, it is also very useful," Simon is now preparing for the future, small aspects and big aspects can't be left behind.

In the evening, Simon Pike picked up Blake Lively, who had returned from Louisiana, to live at his Beverly Hills villa.

"Simon, when did you buy it?" Blake Lively asked in surprise.

"It's not mine, Nicole Kidman rented it to me, and now my funds are used elsewhere," Simon said as Blake Lively sat down.

"Is that so, because of the movie "No Country for Old Men" announced by Xinghai Pictures today? Does the company have other projects?" Blake Lively turned his head and asked.

"There is still a film project in the pipeline, is your acting course going well?" Simon changed the subject.

"It's a lot better, and after the UK shoots, I go to New York, and then I go to Louisiana, and there's a movie tax refund!" Blake explained.

"Yes, now the crew is looking for locations that can meet the requirements and save money," Simon is very clear.

"Simon, why did you have something unpleasant with George Clooney at the Oscars two months ago? I also saw that many male stars are suspected of accusing you!" Blake Lively said, hugging Simon waist.

"It's the little things, don't worry," Simon leaned on the sofa and took Blake Lively in his arms.

"It's all over, as long as my reputation grows day by day, those guys are guaranteed to be obedient like rabbits!"

"Well, but you still can't offend those big names in Hollywood, and it's not good for your own development in the future," Blake Lively is just a newcomer and a small actor anyway, and he can't get in touch with the Hollywood characters, but he also understands that he can't offend him. .

"Don't worry, soon, I'll be a big man in Hollywood, not just the boss of a small film company. Okay, let's go out for dinner and rest early," Simon said, kissing the **** the face and smiling. Said: "What do you want to eat?"

"Well, let's go eat Chinese food, your favorite food! I also think those foods are very delicate and delicious." Blake Lively stood up and decided.

Simon smiled, and then the two drove out to find a Chinese restaurant.

"Mr. Zhou's Restaurant" is a top Chinese restaurant chain with branches in Beverly Hills as well as Las Vegas.

Simon Pike brought Blake Lively here for dinner, a small private room, comfortable and neatly decorated, very comfortable.

"The local food in the UK is really bad. Fortunately, the place where we filmed is in London, and the location of the professional studio is really big," Blake Lively said while eating. Talking about the UK.

"London, is it the Pinewood Studios in the suburbs? There are many studios there, all kinds of post-production studios are well-established, there are editing, recording and special effects departments, equipment rental, various group performances," Simon of course knows the UK The Pinewood Studios are located there. Every film in the "007" series was filmed there. There is even a special 007 studio, where some series like the "Star Wars" series were filmed.

"Yeah, there are 24 studios at Pinewood Studios, and many Hollywood crews are shooting there. Simon, why do you all travel so far to foreign countries?" Where does Blake know about movie tax rebates and foreign countries? A film promotion fund.

"Save money, not only the UK, other European countries, or Asia have this kind of film tax rebate system. In order to promote local economic growth, some regulations will be introduced to support the development of cultural industries such as films. The EU does not also have an EU film support fund. Well, plus each country's own support funds, these are the funds that many movies can fight for," Simon explained casually,

"The United States also has it. Like Louisiana, New York after 9/11 also introduced tax rebate regulations for movies, and the New Orleans area, which was hit by Hurricane Katrina last year, also introduced!"

"Of course, when choosing a production area, you can't just consider this policy, but also consider the local film industry. The film industry in the UK is second only to Los Angeles, so now the US is the most popular overseas production area for films. It is the United Kingdom, of course other Germany, France or Italy, and the five Nordic countries also have it, the demand for watching movies!"

"Is that so, but there's a lot of filming in Los Angeles every year?" Blake Lively asked.

"Of course, where the film industry is the most developed, everything is perfect here. The film tax rebate production stipulates that the workload of production in this region only needs to meet a standard, and it does not need to be completed in the region, like Australia. , Canada is often used for film special effects processing, and the special effects labor costs there are much cheaper than the United States, and the increased transportation costs can be offset," Simon took a sip of coffee and continued.

"This needs to be calculated. Can the location construction, labor costs, tax rebates, etc. of overseas production areas offset this series of costs for the crew from domestic to overseas!"

"It's too complicated, Simon, are you thinking about this kind of thing every day?" Blake Lively looked up and stared at Simon.

"Professionals handle this situation, and high-budget films have more consideration for this situation. However, overseas production can indeed reduce costs in many aspects. The important thing is to see whether the local area is suitable for the scene of the film," Simon himself thought. By building its own production location, Los Angeles' status as a global film industry leader will not be shaken.

The six major film companies all have their own production locations and studios, not only for their own use, but also for renting out to make money!

"However, I think Los Angeles is still the busiest, with so many studios shooting all kinds of movies!" Blake Lively smiled.

"Is the UK fun? I don't seem to have been to Europe yet," Simon said thoughtfully.

"The weather is not very good, it always rains, maybe that's why I stay in London, I haven't been anywhere else!" Blake Lively looked at Simon and asked in a low voice,

"Simon, can you take me on a trip to France or Italy in the future, Paris and Milan are both fashion capitals!"

"Oh, of course, I haven't been to these places. My life was much more difficult than yours when I was a child. Like the Beverly Hills mansion that Nicole rented to me, I never thought I would have the opportunity to live in it. Yes," Simon smiled, traveling to Europe is a must, not only Europe, but also other places.

There are so many places I want to go. In my previous life, I didn’t even go to many domestic attractions, but I have been to Thailand. Traveling to Thailand is because it is cheaper than many domestic attractions!

"Wait a minute, these two or three years are an important career period in my life, no matter what, I have to devote myself to my work," Simon said, holding Blake Lively's hand and looking at the girl, He said with a smile: "Perhaps, if we have time, we can visit places in China. The United States is also a big one!"

"okay!"