hunt hollywood

"That must be what I said," Simon looked at Janet's appearance at this time, and became more determined. He rolled up the newspaper in his hand and raised it: "Bring it yourself, what are you talking about me?"

Seeing that Simon raised the newspaper, Janet shrank her small body towards the seat, but raised her slender neck again, with a look that she would rather die than surrender, and shouted in a hoarse voice: "No!"

With this shout, all the passengers in the cabin looked over.

Feeling the eyes of everyone attacking the domestic violence man, Simon could only sit down awkwardly, unfold the newspaper again, and pretend nothing happened.

After a while, Janet leaned over again, and scratched Simon's body a few times with her small paws. Seeing that he didn't respond, she hesitated for a while, and then leaned into the man's ear: "I, I just bullied you on Christmas Eve. Tell Kate what happened to me all night."

Simon looked puzzled: "How did you bully?"

Janet waved her beautiful little hand in front of Simon, and said, "Yes, yes, five times."

Simon's thoughts turned around in his own brain circuit for several times before he understood what "five times" meant. He immediately leaned against the seat with a face full of despair, feeling an urge to jump off the plane.

Ugh.

destroyed.

all ruined.

Unkind to people.

I must have become an overindulgent animal in Catherine's heart.

Although he has identified the woman next to him, no one wants to become such an image in the hearts of other women.

Why am I so miserable.

Seeing Simon's slumped appearance, Janet put a stick on him again, and said softly, "Simon, don't worry, I've already told Kate, I don't mind."

Simon said weakly: "You didn't tell Kate that I suddenly caught a cold in the middle of the night that day, and I had a severe fever, and I was so emotional that I refused to go to the hospital. You tried your best to stay by my bedside for a day and a night. You are simply a good model girlfriend." .”

Janet blinked: "Hey, didn't I catch a cold?"

Simon raised his hand weakly to the passing stewardess: "Miss, can you change my seat for me? I need to calm down."

……

It had just snowed in Salt Lake City, and the plane landed on a runway surrounded by pure white. Simon and Janet then rented a car and drove east along the mountain road for nearly an hour before arriving at the Sundance Film Festival. The venue is Park City.

The Sundance Film Festival originated as a film festival event in Salt Lake City in the late 70s, and it was later transferred to Park City.

As the founder, Robert Redford's original intention to launch the Sundance Film Festival was not too pure.The Hollywood superstar bought a ski area in Park City and built a resort that didn't do well.In order to change the status quo, Robert Redford decided to imitate the experience of Aspen, another ski town in the United States. By holding an art festival, he stimulated the local tourism market while supporting the development of independent films.

After more than 20 years of development, the Sundance Film Festival has become more and more influential, and many world-famous Hollywood directors have emerged through the Sundance platform.

Of course, these are things to follow.

Now in 1987, Park City is still unknown, and the Sundance Film Festival is far less influential than it was later.

Utah is in the Mountain Time zone and is an hour ahead of California.

Simon took Janet to Park City, and it was already past twelve noon here.

Janet booked a residence in a resort in advance. The location is located in the east of Park City. More than a dozen exquisite wooden apartments are scattered in the mountains and forests, connected by flat asphalt roads. Every house is beautiful and the transportation is very convenient.

Of course, it's definitely not cheap.

Simon is basically penniless now, and all of his credit cards are overdrawn.However, he still had to pay for the resort apartment, but he had to fingerprint Janet's IOU.

Occasionally, I thought that if I couldn't make money as soon as possible, I might really have to use Xi'er Westeros to pay off the debt.

After settling down and having lunch, the two hurried to the Sundance Institute at the foot of the Park City West Ski Resort to go through some necessary procedures for participating in the film festival, and to deliver the film copy of "Run Lola Run" to the host square.

Speaking of which, today is January 1th, and Simon is definitely the last participant to submit a copy of the film.

As early as December last year, the Sundance Film Festival had already announced the list of shortlisted films for the two major units of feature films and documentaries.If it wasn't for the personal recommendation of Robert Redford, the chairman of the film festival, and the current Sundance competition is far from being as fierce as it was later, "Run Lola Run" would definitely not be able to qualify for the exhibition.

After completing the registration procedures, Simon had just left the gate of the institute when he happened to meet Robert Redford and his group coming from the parking lot.

"Hey, Simon, you're finally here. David just asked about you."

Greeting Simon warmly, Robert Redford introduced several people around him to him and Janet, all of whom were judges of this film festival.

Simon had inquired in advance that the current Sundance only has two units of feature films and documentaries, and each unit has five judges, a total of ten people.Robert Redford was accompanied by only four people, obviously incomplete.

Moreover, listen to the names of four people, David Anson, Randa Haines, Kit Carson, and Jane Benix.

These people should all be film and television practitioners.

Simon didn't know any of them, though.

In fact, this is not surprising.Even after more than ten years, the judges of the Sundance Film Festival are all biased towards "unpopular", far less than a series of big-name judges at several major film festivals.

Following Robert Redford's introduction, Simon and Janet shook hands with several people one by one.

Hearing that one of the judges named David Anson mentioned himself just now, during the process of greeting, Simon also looked at the other party deliberately, and found that David Anson was also looking at him curiously.

"We are about to watch the shortlisted films. Since you sent the copy, we can watch it first. Everyone is very curious about your film."

Having said that, after introducing each other, Robert Redford patted Simon on the shoulder again, gave a few words of advice, and then led the other four into the research institute.

Chapter 057 Opening Ceremony

The next day is Friday, January 1.

The opening day of the third Sundance Film Festival.

At noon, Simon had lunch with Peter Butler, a reporter from the Los Angeles Times, who came to this film festival. At around 12:30, everyone rushed to the Egyptian Theater in Park City, where the opening ceremony of Sundance was held.

Many years later, at the Sundance Film Festival, the little Park City is often crowded with people and very lively.If movie fans want to watch a movie, they need some procedures such as ticket grabbing to be able to do so.

But now, Simon has been to Park City for a day, and has already been to various places. Although the crowd in the small town is indeed a little more due to the ski season, he basically doesn't feel the atmosphere of the film festival.

Moreover, from the screening schedule released by the film, Simon found that there were only three theaters that played the films participating in this film festival.

After all, it was the opening ceremony, and it was quite lively outside the Egyptian theater.

Of course, no red carpet.

As soon as Simon entered the theater, he was stopped by Robert Redford who greeted him personally.

After briefly introducing Peter Butler beside him, Simon felt that Robert Redford had something to say to him, so he motioned for Janet and Peter to go in first, and he was pulled aside by Robert.

"Simon, everyone and I saw your movie yesterday afternoon, it was amazing, it was better than I thought," Robert said, and then said: "So, I just want to ask, did you find the release Is it ready? If not, maybe I can help."

"Thank you, Bob," Simon naturally understood Redford's kindness, thanked him, and explained: "Before I came to Park City, I had already contacted Fox, and they were very interested in this film, but No terms have been negotiated yet."

"That's good, Fox is a very good choice, Simon, this is your first movie, don't worry too much about gains and losses, the most important thing is to be famous," Robert said, looked around, and lowered his voice, said : "Also, if there is nothing important, just stay in Park City these days until the end."

This implication is still very obvious.

After being busy for several months, Simon originally planned to rest in Park City for a few days. Hearing this, he nodded and said, "Bob, I will."

Robert patted Simon on the shoulder with a smile, and said, "Then, you go in first, the opening ceremony is about to begin."

Egyptian Cinema is an old-fashioned large single-hall cinema with more than 400 seats.

Simon entered the projection hall and glanced around. Although there were many people sitting in the whole theater, it was still some distance away from being filled.

Finding Janet, Simon sat down on the edge of the aisle in the fifth row.

At 1 o'clock in the afternoon, the opening ceremony started on time.

Robert Redford walked onto the stage with a smile on his face, helped the microphone, looked at the audience, and said with a bit of sigh in his tone: "I remember two years ago, in the same theater, there were only a few people sitting in the audience. to 100 people. For the next ten days, I stood in front of this only film festival screening venue, inviting everyone to enter the theater to watch movies like a bar soliciting business. In the second year, Sundance successfully sold its first The first film, "Freedom." At that time, I personally made many calls to Columbia Pictures CEO David Pnant, invited him to Park City, and personally pulled him into the screening room. Now, the third year , It’s still this screening hall, but there are more than [-] audiences in front of me. I am very pleased with this progress, and I hope this momentum can be maintained, and one day, Sundance will be full of guests.”

Amidst the warm applause, Robert Redford searched the audience for a moment. He couldn't determine the target for a while, but quickly said: "A few months ago, I encountered a very interesting thing. I was in Fox The studio was doing post-processing for a film I was in charge of. I happened to meet a few old friends who were planning to watch a sample of a film. Out of curiosity, I stayed. Then, I saw an amazing The lens, the perfect photography, the perfect lighting, the perfect composition, the perfect setting, so perfect that the samples can be edited into a movie without even using color matching. I was very excited and said loudly to the producer of that movie, put The cinematographer, gaffer, and set designer were all introduced to me, and I will definitely let them participate in my next film. Then, guess what the result will be?"

The audience was quiet, and most people showed curious eyes.

Some of the more professional filmmakers even looked skeptical. They all knew very well how difficult it was to shoot the shots that Robert Redford described. Many people felt that Robert had started to brag.

Simon also had a surprised expression, he didn't expect Robert Redford to mention himself suddenly.Janet leaned over very proudly, and hugged her boyfriend's arm affectionately, her fair face was a little rosy,

Robert Redford made a joke, and after a brief pause, he said: "In the end, the cameraman and set designer for those shots are completely the same person. After quitting at the request, I took up the job of lighting engineer myself.”

After Robert's voice fell, there was a slight uproar from the audience.

Who?

Robert, are you sure Hollywood has such great power?

Can the film still be watched?

When countless question marks appeared in the minds of hundreds of people in the audience, Robert Redford finally found Simon's figure, and raised his finger directly: "Hey, Simon, stand up and say hello to everyone."

Simon was a little caught off guard, but amidst hundreds of pairs of eyes looking at him at the same time, he got up quickly and bowed towards everyone restrainedly.

After Simon sat down again, Robert Redford continued: "It's this young man, he has a very special surname, Westeros, Simon Westeros. I'm sure everyone will be very happy in the future." Familiar with this name. Of course, regarding his movie, at 9 o'clock on Sunday morning, this theater is still there. I assure you that you will never be disappointed. And, at that time, you can also carefully observe the behind-the-scenes members of this movie List, you will find that Simon has done more work than you can imagine."

Simon is no longer an unknown person in Hollywood. Most of the filmmakers here who are at the bottom and want to enter the mainstream production circle are basically very concerned about the industry's developments.Therefore, after a buzzing whisper, some of Simon's deeds also spread quickly.

On the stage, Robert Redford deliberately waited for a moment before continuing: "Bringing up the matter of Simon, I just want to say that it is really not easy to be an independent filmmaker. Many very talented young people like Simon often Because of Hollywood's conservative stereotypes, they have hit the wall countless times and lost their dreams in the years. Therefore, I very much hope that Sundance can become a platform for filmmakers to showcase their talents and become the starting point for some people's dreams. To this end, I will do my best All out."

Amid the applause again in the screening hall, Robert Redford raised his voice: "Finally, welcome to Sundance, everyone."

After the simple opening ceremony, is the opening film.

The opening film of the film festival usually selects the works of heavyweight celebrities. However, Sundance obviously has not yet been able to attract Hollywood celebrities to send their works. The opening film this time is the new film "Raising Arizona" by the Coen Brothers.

The Coen Brothers' "Blood Labyrinth," winner of the Best Drama award at the inaugural Sundance Film Festival, has also risen to fame in recent years.It is also a gimmick that the brothers' new film will be the opening film of the third Sundance Film Festival.

"Raising Arizona" tells the story of a stupid thief who wants to rob other people's babies and bring them back to be raised because his wife is barren.The two protagonists of the film are also well-known, Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter.

However, neither of the two protagonists came over this time, and only one of the Coen brothers showed up.

It has just snowed, and the night temperature in Park City is close to minus 10 degrees. Janet is a person who is afraid of the cold. After attending the opening ceremony, the woman dragged Simon back to the apartment in the resort, and Simon had to give up attending the evening party. Thoughts, anyway, there are no stars I am interested in attending.

The next day, almost dawn, Simon drove out of Park City to pick up someone at the Salt Lake City airport.

It was just mentioned casually at the beginning, and Simon didn't expect that George Norman's niece, Jennifer Raybould, would really come to Utah.The girl got a call from him and Janet's resort apartment from nowhere last night. She called and hoped that Simon could pick her up today. She had never been to Utah before.

Salt Lake City Airport.

Simon had just arrived, and Jennifer Raybould and another girl appeared in the departure hall at about the same time. Seeing Simon holding a sign in his hand, the two girls trotted over.Moreover, although the two women were both wearing winter clothes, they obviously underestimated the coldness of Utah, and they didn't even wear hats. They looked like two little quails at this time.

Before he had time to introduce, Simon pointed to the outside of the waiting hall and said, "Let's get in the car first."

The two women nodded in agreement, the weather was too cold, and they didn't even have the courage to speak.

It wasn't until she got into the car with the heater on that Jennifer's female companion said, "It's so cold, I wouldn't have come if I had known, Jenny, you liar, and you said you were here for skiing, why do I feel something wrong?" So As she said that, the girl suddenly stretched out her little hand from the back row and said with a smile, "Hi, handsome guy, I'm Lisa Collins."

"Simon Westeros," Simon shook hands with the other party, introduced himself, looked at the two girls in the back row who were only wearing women's short trench coats, and said, "Let me take you to buy clothes first."

"Okay, what a considerate guy, no wonder Jenny came to see you in such a ghostly weather."

Jennifer, who was a little shy when she saw Simon, said immediately, "Lisa, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Hee hee, you recently rejected Edward's confession, isn't it because of him?"

"I'm not."

Simon started the car. Hearing what Lisa Collins said, he looked up in the rearview mirror. Jennifer's fair and pretty face had turned into a red cloth. She turned sideways to stop her friend from talking nonsense, and her golden ponytail swayed.

Seeing the two girls laughing and laughing, Simon felt that he had to explain first, so he said, "Lisa, Jenny and I are just ordinary friends, and I have a girlfriend."

Lisa Collins stopped laughing momentarily: "Huh?"

Jennifer also looked over.

Simon glanced at Jennifer through the rearview mirror and said, "It's Janet, Jenny, do you remember?"

Jennifer recalled the incident when Janet stayed with Simon in the hospital, she nodded slightly, and smiled, and said, "Of course, she is my uncle's client."

"One more thing." Simon glanced at the rearview mirror again, and said, "Jenny and I rented an apartment in a resort in Park City, which happens to have two bedrooms. Let’s live there, the weather is too cold, the conditions in the hotel are definitely not as good as in the apartment.”

Jennifer hesitated: "Will it be troublesome?"

Simon shook his head and said with a smile: "Of course not. Speaking of which, your uncle is also my personal lawyer now. If he can't take care of you well, he might lose the lawsuit in the future."

Jennifer smiled lightly when she heard Simon say this, and said, "That's fine. But uncle won't do that."

Lisa Collins didn't object when the two made a decision. She leaned over and hugged Jennifer with a smile, and said, "It's really going to be skiing now. But, Jenny, you don't seem to know how to ski?"

Jennifer moved her body, trying to push away the girlfriend who was hugging her, and said, "Don't you know it? Teach me. Or why should I bring you here?"

"But I can't teach people," Lisa Collins said, turning to the front row. "Simon, can you teach people to ski?"

Simon thought for a while and said, "It should be fine."

"Hehe, then Jenny will leave it to you."