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Unexpectedly, the ending was far beyond expectations.

With the same cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, compared to the B-grade films they participated in in the past, which could only rely on selling meat and selling gimmicks, "Run Lola Run" is also not considered a mainstream commercial film, but it is definitely a gap between heaven and earth.

Even, many people can't help but have an idea in their minds: This is the movie.

In the front row of the screening hall, although I have been amazed by Simon's talent in movies more than once, and I have watched the samples of "Run Lola Run" more than once before, but at this time, I am thinking about the top-notch soundtrack in the movie just now. David Giller was surprised again.

Director, Screenwriter, Cinematography, Lighting, Editing...

Now it's the soundtrack again.

David Giller was only curious about what else the kid sitting not far from him could do.

Beside David Giller, Brian De Palma was also feeling emotional.

A film, from an idea to the final film, has to go through too many steps. Any deviation in any of these steps may cause the final result of the film to be quite different from the creator's vision.

Many viewers always criticize some bad movies for their blunt plot and lack of logic.

However, these bad movies will definitely have a very perfect idea or script at the beginning, otherwise, any film company will not easily come up with tens of millions of dollars in investment.

A perfect script gets an incomplete bad movie, which involves the completion of a movie.

The completion of a movie includes not only whether a movie fully shows the story content that the script wants to express, but also includes the quality of special effects of the movie, the quality of editing, the soundtrack and other aspects.

After watching the final film and comparing it with the script he had read in his memory, Brian De Palma realized that "Run Lola Run" is definitely a highly completed movie.

If "Run Lola Run" is a commercial film, Brian De Palma is sure that this film will definitely achieve a very good box office.

However, although it is not a commercial film and the subject matter deviates from the mainstream, as long as you have watched the movie, even if you are not interested in the whole story, most of the audience will definitely give a very positive evaluation.

This is the advantage of "Run Lola Run".

Inside the theater.

After watching the video, everyone was full of thoughts.

However, if it is said that the one who was shocked the most, it must be Peter Saunders, the vice president of Fox.

A few months ago, when he accidentally learned of the stunning results of Simon's sample filming, Peter Saunders was somewhat disapproving.

Even if he has a higher talent in photography, he is still just a kid who has just entered Hollywood. Peter Saunders doesn't think that a young man like Simon can make movies that are even barely watchable.

I heard that this kid also takes care of a lot of work such as editing and soundtrack.

This is even more unreliable.

What a mess.

It's just a shame about the supposedly $65 investment.

As the vice president of Fox, he can only barely get this figure when the year is better, including a lot of salary and bonuses.

Having been in the industry for decades, Peter Saunders deeply understands that in the film industry, talent is important, but the most important thing is experience and experience.It is simply impossible to make a movie that is recognized without going through a few movies for ten or eight years.

Then, the eight or ten minutes just now completely overturned his perception all along.

The disapproval at the beginning has now turned into a deep shock.

Although the ability is not outstanding, but to be able to achieve the current position, Peter Sanders definitely does not lack the vision to judge the pros and cons of a movie.

Like Brian De Palma, Peter Saunders also realized that "Run Lola Run" is definitely a very finished movie.

Even if such a movie has a limited audience, as long as it works properly, it is absolutely easy to achieve commercial success.

After all, it is human nature to pursue perfection.

A well-finished movie is like a piece of jade carefully carved by a carver. Compared with those crudely made finished products, even if consumers don't like the variety of jade, they obviously prefer the more delicate one.

Thinking in his mind, everyone got up and chatted enthusiastically with Simon Westeros. Peter Saunders also stepped forward, but with an absent-minded expression, he said, "Simon, I still have something to go back to." Office, how about it, 04:30, you can come over, let's talk."

Simon nodded with a smile when he heard what Peter Sanders said, and politely sent him out of the screening room.

Afterwards, everyone chatted enthusiastically for a while, and all the crew who participated in the test screening left one after another.

As the male and female protagonists, Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves also specifically apologized to Simon. Both of them have new film contracts and cannot go to Sundance with him in the next few days.

Simon naturally understands that not to mention the Oscars, even those traditional old film festivals are far from what the current Sundance can match.What's more, the Sundance Film Festival does not have performance awards, and the leading actors of participating films have little motivation to rush to Park City.

Everyone was sent away one after another, but David Giller and Brian De Palma unexpectedly stayed until the end this time.

Seeing that there were only two women left around Simon again, David Giller did not shy away from it, and said to Simon: "Sanders was just making gestures just now, you must have felt it, he is such a person. So, wait Don't agree to his conditions right away, if you can, it's best to delay it after Sundance. Actually, Simon, I think you should take "Run Lola Run" to some more influential film festivals, Cannes, Berlin , Venice, these are much better than Sundance, and with the quality of your film, they will definitely accept it."

"I understand, David," Simon nodded, and said again: "Actually, I also thought about participating in the Cannes Film Festival. However, the film has just been completed recently, and the recent Berlin Film Festival has long missed the registration. The other two It’s too far away. Besides, I actually hope that “Run Lola Run” can focus on the US domestic market.”

David Giller nodded in understanding. He actually knew that there were more reasons why Simon gave up participating in overseas film festivals.Funding is also a very important factor.

Moreover, even if you rush to participate, with the quality of "Run Lola Run", you will definitely have no problem attracting attention, but the chances of winning the prize are very slim, and the possibility of returning empty-handed is even greater.

Several people chatted for a while, and David Giller and Brian De Palma said goodbye and left.

Simon retrieved his copy of "Run Lola Run" and left the theater with the two women.

Chapter 055 You Guessed Right

"Because it took too long, some of the original actors have withdrawn, and they are recasting recently. I will rush to Arizona on the 20th," said the three of them walking side by side on the tidy asphalt corridor in Fox Studios, Catherine Talking to Simon about his schedule, he casually glanced at Janet who was hanging on Simon's arm affectionately on the other side, thought for a while and said: "I have already talked to Mr. Feldman, Simon, if you come to help If you want to, you can be my assistant to the director. However, if you are busy with other things, you don’t have to come, the announcement of "Run Lola Run" should be very troublesome."

After confirming the relationship with Janet, Simon didn't have any special thoughts on Catherine. He also realized why Catherine said that, but shook his head when he heard the words, and said with a smile: "I don't intend to make "Run Lola Run" myself. Xuanfa, as long as the distribution contract with the film company is settled. After completing this matter, I will not be too busy in the next few months. So, before the end of the month, I will definitely be able to rush to your crew."

After Catherine said what she just said, she raised her thoughts inexplicably. After hearing what Simon said, the woman just nodded slightly, her eyes drifted away, and said, "Then, all right."

It's not far from get off work time, and Catherine and Janet are going back to Malibu together.

Simon sent the two women to the fork in the parking lot, separated from them, and turned alone to the administration building where Peter Saunders was.

Walking towards the parking lot together, Catherine held her arm affectionately after seeing Janet and Simon separated, and said casually, "Aren't you planning to move in with Simon?"

Janet shook her head: "No, of course I live in my own big house by the sea, and he doesn't feel comfortable there at all."

Catherine couldn't help teasing: "You are so difficult to raise, Simon will definitely suffer in the future."

"Hehe, who made him a man?"

Catherine also smiled, but instead said: "After the filming of "Blood Corpse Night", I will find a house in Los Angeles. At that time, you can let Simon move to Malibu as well."

"I've already talked to Simon about this. The house in Malibu is so big, it's fine to live in the three of us, but he doesn't want to," Janet said with a little depression in her tone, and finally said angrily: "Machismo."

"You don't want to move in, and he doesn't want to move in, so what are you going to do?"

"Wait until he earns enough money to buy a big house," Janet said, rubbing against Catherine, and then said with a smile: "However, it's not bad to live separately. If you move together too soon, I think I will be fooled." Dead, the beast."

Catherine saw that Janet had started to be unobtrusive again, and suddenly felt her cheeks slightly hot, raised her hand and tapped her on the head, and said bluntly, "Shut up, I don't want to listen to your nonsense."

"Woo, it hurts so much, hee hee."

Simon came outside Peter Sanders' office. After the secretary notified him, he waited for a while before he was able to enter.

When the secretary opened the door just now, Simon vaguely saw Peter Sanders on the phone. When he walked in, the other party had put down the phone, got up and shook hands with him across the desk, and then sat down again.

After saying hello, Simon put the lockbox containing the copy of "Run Lola Run" at his feet and sat down opposite Peter Sanders.

"Simon, I'm going to get off work soon, so let's get straight to the point," Peter Saunders said after Simon sat down, "For a young man like you, it's still possible to make a film like "Run Lola Run". Very rare. However, the subject matter of this movie is too unpopular. It has a three-stage structure and a video game-like setting. to the videotape market."

Business is meant to be talked about.

Although Peter Saunders said he was not optimistic about "Run Lola Run", Simon just listened calmly, waiting patiently for the other party to make an offer.

While speaking, Peter Sanders secretly looked at the young man opposite him, seeing that the other party seemed to be listening and being educated, but his expression did not change much, so he stopped doing futile work and said: "I just passed Mr. Goldberg Phone, because of the names of Brian and the others. Also, this movie can really help to promote the concept of 'Butterfly Effect', so Fox is willing to buy it for $80. What do you think? "

Hearing the offer of 80 US dollars, Simon didn't feel too much, but asked seriously: "Mr. Sanders, 80 US dollars, is it all copyright?"

Peter Saunders nodded and said: "Of course, for 80 US dollars, Fox bought out all the copyrights of "Run Lola Run" for a period of 20 years. After 20 years, the copyright of the film will return to your hands."

Permanent copyright deals are rare in Hollywood, but the decades-long contract period is enough for a film company to squeeze out every profit of a work.

Simon finally shook his head and said, "This is not acceptable, Mr. Sanders, the price is too low."

Peter Saunders was not surprised by Simon's rejection, and said patiently: "Simon, $80 is a very reasonable price. You should only spend $65 to make this movie, right? A profit of $15 , about 20% profit margin, which has far exceeded the average return level of Hollywood movies."

In fact, as of now, the final production budget of "Run Lola Run" is 59 US dollars, and about 7000 US dollars are left in the account of Daenerys Pictures.

However, Simon naturally would not argue with Peter Sanders, but said: "Mr. Sanders, I think there is a problem with your calculations. A 1000% profit margin for a movie with a budget of $20 million, and a movie with a budget of $65 The 20% profit margins are two completely different concepts."

Peter Sanders said with a slight smile, "Of course, you are clearly aware that a movie with a budget of $1000 million and a movie with a budget of $65 are also two different concepts."

"Okay," Simon shrugged, and said, "Mr. Sanders, actually, I was wondering if we could sign a sharing contract."

Peter Sanders flatly refused: "Impossible, Simon, this is Fox. We don't have the energy to distribute a B-movie with a production cost of only a few hundred thousand dollars."

"Mr. Sanders, 'Run Lola Run' is a B-budget movie, but it's definitely not a shoddy B-movie."

"Maybe, but, you have to understand, Simon, for a big company like ours, the cost of publicity and distribution is very high. Perhaps after a little operation, the investment in this aspect will exceed your budget for making "Run Lola Run". So, We can only give you a buyout contract for this movie."

Simon thought for a while, and said, "Then, Mr. Sanders, you can also buy it out. However, I hope to sell only the North American theater distribution rights of "Run Lola Run" for the time being."

"I just said, Simon, this movie probably won't make it to theaters."

"This is the premise of cooperation," Simon said with a slightly stronger attitude, "If Fox is not willing to distribute "Run Lola Run" in theaters, no matter what conditions you offer, I will not agree."

"Fox will not give you this kind of guarantee," Peter Sanders said in an equally strong tone, "Simon, you are not qualified to ask Fox to give this kind of guarantee, nor will any of the other six companies."

"Then," Simon stood up with a regretful expression on his face, "Anyway, Mr. Sanders, thank you for taking the time this afternoon."

Seeing that Simon had already lifted the lockbox, Peter Saunders had a troubled expression on his face, hesitated for a while, and then gestured to Simon to be calm.

Simon didn't insist either, and sat down again.

Peter Sanders said: "Simon, I know you will participate in the Sundance Film Festival next, but compared with Oscar, or several major overseas film festivals, Sundance has little influence, even if you get it The award will not have much impact on the popularity of "Run Lola Run". Therefore, 100 million US dollars, this is the highest offer I can give you."

In any case, Simon still very much hopes to cooperate with a big film company, and Peter Sanders in front of him is the only executive of a big film company he can get in touch with at present.

All the arrangements in the early stage have been completed, and there is no need to hide some things.

Simon considered for a moment, and did not accept Peter Sanders' new offer, but said: "Mr. Sanders, Sundance may not have much influence. However, the gimmick of the youngest director in Hollywood should attract some attention." ?”

Peter Saunders looked at Simon for a moment when he heard the words, but laughed, and said, "Simon, if you say you are young, Spielberg started making movies at the age of 13, do you think you are as young as he was then?"

"Unfortunately, when I was 13 years old, I didn't have the opportunity to get in touch with a super 1974mm camera, otherwise I might be able to shoot a movie," Simon just smiled indifferently, and said: "However, if I remember correctly, Spielberg's first A standard theatrical movie is "Rampage," which came out in 28, when he was [-]."

Peter Sanders still teased: "So, what about you? Simon, is it possible that you are 18 years old?"

People who are not familiar with Simon, seeing what he did, tend to consider his age to be older.

This is the case with Peter Sanders, especially after he has just watched "Run Lola", he feels that to be able to make such an excellent movie, Simon is likely to be a graduate of a top art school such as the USC School of Film .

If so, Simon should be at least 22 years old.

A top student from a top school, making a movie at the age of 22, although this situation is still rare in Hollywood, it is not too special news.

Facing Peter Sanders' ridicule, Simon just slowly took out his driver's license, handed it over, and said, "You guessed it right, Mr. Sanders, I am indeed 18 years old."

Chapter 056 I Need to Calm Down

Early the next morning, Simon and Janet flew to Utah together.

As the plane took off, Janet asked about what happened yesterday: "So, how did you talk with Fox?"

Feeling that the plane was no longer turbulent, Simon unfastened his seat belt, recalling a series of rapidly changing expressions of Peter Saunders yesterday afternoon when he saw the age information on his driver's license, smiled and shook his head: "You know, I hope Signed a share contract, Sanders insisted on a buyout. So, it may have to wait until after Sundance, and hopefully things will turn around by then."

Although Simon explained to Peter Saunders in detail yesterday the release strategy of using his age as a gimmick for publicity, Peter Saunders was obviously a little bit moved, but the other party still did not agree to it in the end, and did not even give another one. New plus size.

Simon also realized that this was probably because Peter Sanders did not have enough authority.

The power structure of major Hollywood film companies is basically determined by the helm. Although Peter Saunders is the vice president and has a certain amount of power in charge, when it comes to movies, the decision-making power rests with the president Ronald. Sandberg's hands.

Janet was also obviously just asking casually. Hearing Simon's answer, she was not discouraged at all, and said, "It's a big deal, let's do the distribution ourselves, maybe we can accumulate some experience."

Simon smiled and nodded in agreement.

Speaking of which, it's not impossible to do the distribution yourself, but it's a waste of time to do so.

It only took Simon four months to make "Run Lola Run", but it will take one or two years to complete the distribution of the film through various channels.Moreover, the final income may not be as good as selling the film directly to the film company, which is completely outweighed by the gain.

After chatting casually, Simon opened a copy of "Hollywood Reporter" that he brought on the plane. He was about to read it when he suddenly remembered something and asked Janet beside him, "Hey, I'm suddenly curious. These days, Why does Catherine always look at me so strangely?"

Janet blinked innocently: "Huh?"

Noticing Janet's appearance, Simon became more suspicious, stared at her and said, "Did you say something to Catherine?"

Janet's eyes flickered a few times again, more innocently: "What can I say, I don't bother to talk about you."