Chapter 070

Hearing Simon's request, Peter Sanders almost blurted out: do you know what a producer does?

Ordinary people's impression of Hollywood filmmakers is often so and so big star, so and so big director. But in fact, Hollywood has been producer centered since the rise of American film industry in the early 20th century.

Except for a few strong enough directors and stars, most of the time, the most powerful one in a production group is usually the producer, who is the ultimate decision maker in controlling the direction of a film's creation.

Even those strong directors and stars who want to exert their own influence on a film often need the post of nominal producer, which is equivalent to still not breaking the producer centered system.

Simon looked at Peter Sanders' changing face and waited patiently for a moment before he said, "Peter, I know what you're thinking. However, now that I have finished "Lola Run", I can do well in "death is coming". What's more, there is no other person in Hollywood who knows better than me what kind of movie death is coming. "

Peter Sanders, with a little restraint, said, "in that case, Simon, why don't you direct yourself? Orion side, should also be able to accommodate

"Because it's not worth it, I'm going to focus on the movies I'm more interested in. However, "death is coming" is my script, and I hope I can control the production of this film myself. "

Peter Sanders thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Simon, you should know what's going on in Hollywood. Fox won't give control of a movie to a young man like you."

Simon shrugged indifferently: "in that case, maybe other film companies will agree to do it."

Peter Sandton was a little bit tongue tied.

Simon and fox signed a contract, in the final analysis, is only a priority. With the box office explosion of "Lola Run" and Simon's popularity, Hollywood film companies will certainly break the tacit agreement on the option contract for the sake of interests.

If other studios agree to let Simon control the film himself, but fox is not willing to follow up, then he has to give up.

Fox has given up "Lola Run" before, and then "death is coming". If this film is still very successful in the future, fox will definitely become a laughing stock of Hollywood.

After a moment's hesitation, Peter Sanders said, "Simon, what's your condition?"

"Including production, screenwriting and other jobs, I only need a dollar base salary," Simon said. Without waiting for Peter Sanders to respond, he continued: "however, after the film is released, I need to take 10% of the North American box office share and 5% of the video sales share. The operation cycle of TV rights is too long, so I don't want this."

Hearing Simon's offer of a $1 base salary, Peter Sanders was already surprised. When Simon said the follow-up terms, Peter Sanders's expression turned to amazement.

This little guy is so bold.

Peter Sanders heard very clearly that what Simon wanted was not the profit sharing with a lot of operating space, but the direct box office revenue sharing and video sales commission.

At present, Spielberg is the only one in Hollywood who dares to offer such conditions.

"Simon, it's impossible," said Peter Sanders, who was stunned for dozens of seconds

Simon looked at Peter Sanders almost staring out of his eyes, made a slightly calm gesture, and said, "Peter, actually, I've asked someone to make a simple budget assessment in advance according to my idea of this project. Give me "death is coming" and you can do it for 8 million dollars. As for the cost of publicity and distribution, of course, it's as much as you say. Moreover, I have no energy to calculate the break even point of death. So, let's be simple. In the future, the domestic box office in North America will be calculated at $16 million, twice the production cost. With Fox's schedule, number of screens and investment in publicity, the box office of the film in North America is less than 16 million, and I only get a basic salary of $1. More than $16 million, I'm paid on the terms I just paid. "

Peter Sanders was a little calmer at Simon's words.

However, in the twinkling of an eye, when he thought about the box office expectation of "Lola Run" in North America, which is likely to exceed $160 million, he quickly shook his head: "Simon, if you want to get the share conditions you just said, $16 million is absolutely not enough, at least $50 million."

According to the information in memory and the popularity accumulated by "Lola Run", Simon's North American box office expectation for "death is coming" is indeed $50 million. However, in this world, film has always been the most difficult business to predict the success or failure, so he will not set such a high threshold for himself.

Moreover, according to the production cost of US $8 million, as long as the box office in North America can reach US $10 million, fox can easily make a profit through subsequent overseas distribution, video sales and television rights.

Simon's $16 million guarantee is already very high."Peter, if I remember correctly, of the 16 films released by Fox last year, only five took more than $10 million at the box office. Others, such as Kate kapshaw's space station, have a budget of $20 million and a box office of $9.69 million in North America. Sean Connery's the name of the rose, with the same $20 million budget, grossed $7.15 million in North America. Manhattan Project, with a budget of $18 million and a North American box office of $3.9 million. Look, you've spent a lot of money on so many junk projects. Why don't you want to spend less money on a very secure movie? "

When Peter Sanders heard Simon suddenly mention "space station", he gasped. He didn't know whether the young man meant it or not, but he immediately retorted: "Simon, no one can guarantee its success before the film is released."

Simon nodded and said, "of course, Peter. But I can guarantee that if the movie doesn't work, I'll just pay $1 instead of $5 million. "

Peter Sanders insisted: "Simon, there are a lot of people in Hollywood who are willing to take only one dollar for an opportunity."

"According to the box office results of Lola Run, we'll push forward three years: top gun in 86, back to the future in 85 and detective Beverly in 84. So, do you think Tom Cruise will take a dollar, or Robert zemigs will take a dollar, or Eddie Murphy will take a dollar?" Simon stares at Peter Sanders, then gets up and says, "Peter, that's my condition. You can consult with Mr. Goldberg and give me an answer next week. By the way, the hotel has been contracted by the crew. If you want to stay tonight, I can ask someone to clean up a room for you. "

Simon said, calling the waiter to settle the bill, then turned and left.

But Peter Sanders didn't get up. He still sat in the coffee shop, frowning and thinking. He came here on Saturday afternoon to discuss the contract of "death is coming" with Simon. In fact, he also intended to have a relationship with the rising Hollywood rookie, so he originally planned to stay in Coolidge for two days.

It's just that, looking back on Simon's strength at the beginning of the conversation, Peter Sanders knows that it doesn't make much sense for him to stay here.

As for Simon's terms, Peter Sanders realized that the other party's contract was not too strict.

Although it is still too young, although it has just produced a film, although there are still some elements of luck in the success of that film. But the expected box office of "Lola Run" is amazing. Even if the film does not win the North American box office title this year, Simon will be qualified to shout out the offer just now as long as it reaches 100 million yuan.

Peter Sanders also knows that with the popularity of "Lola Run," death is coming, a novel and commercial horror film, it's easy to get $16 million in North American box office.

Moreover, even if the expectation is higher, "here comes death" box office in North America reached 50 million, Simon's share from the box office is only 5 million dollars. Sean Connery was paid $5 million for his role in the name of the rose, which cost fox just over $7 million at the local box office in North America.

Of course, there is 5% of the video sales share, which is also a price that can not be underestimated. In the "basic agreement" of the writers' Union, the film writers can only extract 0.3% of the sales share from the later video revenue of a film.

Just in 1986, the sales revenue of Hollywood films' video tapes has successfully exceeded the box office revenue of North America. Coupled with the fact that popular horror films are generally more popular in the video market than other types, Simon's 5% offer is likely to get a share equivalent to 10% of the box office revenue in the future.

But it's not.

What Peter Sanders can't ignore is that Simon's offer is entirely on the premise of ensuring Fox's profit.

To be fair, it's fair.

Peter Sanders just can't accept that an 18-year-old is going to break into the top of the Hollywood pyramid so soon and become an equal class with himself.

It's just too hard to accept.