Chapter 198： First actor

After returning to Los Angeles from New York, Duke did not say much to the media, and began to concentrate on preparing for "Chicago". That round of hype fully achieved the purpose of the previous promotion, and now let alone the movie release, even if it is from the start of shooting. Very far away.

Soon after returning to Los Angeles, the Duke’s studio moved to the vicinity of the Warner Studios in Burbank. Duke leased a two-story building. In addition to the middle-aged Latin woman who was making calls, he also recruited several others. As for the staff, since the previous two screenwriters officially resigned to become independent screenwriters, Duke and Sophia recruited four more screenwriters to build the only department with real functions in the Duke Studio-the editorial department.

In addition, Duke’s accountant, David, will also send an assistant to the studio twice a week to deal with financial issues.

Compared to a real film production company, the slightly expanded Duke Studio is still a standard shell company.

After entering October, the North American box office of "Saving Private Ryan" passed the US$285 million mark, and the world officially exceeded US$600 million, reaching US$601.05 million, making it the most popular R-rated movie ever. In the past half of 1995, anyone with a discerning eye can see that after last year's "Independence Day", Duke is about to once again win the North American and global box office champions.

The global box office of "Saving Private Ryan" exceeded US$600 million, which also meant that the 20% box office share clause in the director’s contract was automatically activated. Duke’s lawyers and accountants all began to act, frequently interacting with Warner Bros. and the 20th Century. Fox communicated and urged them to pay the share as soon as possible.

Not only the share of "Saving Private Ryan", Warner Bros. has not paid the box office share of "Independence Day". So far, they have only taken out 200 million US dollars of overseas box office quota and Duke share, that is, paid 4000. Ten thousand dollars in mid-October. Warner Bros. once again paid Duke US$40 million with a quota of US$200 million.

Warner Bros. did not want to deliberately default on the remaining overseas share. After all, they have determined to cooperate with Duke for a long time. However, overseas issuers have not yet transferred the share to Warner Bros.'s accounts, combining the news obtained from several sources. It is impossible for this part of the money to arrive this year.

Now Duke is not short of money, stock brokers are still buying shares of Apple and Microsoft for him, the daily operating expenses of Duke Studio are limited, and the investment in "Chicago" will not be very high, and he is not in a hurry for the remaining share.

After talking with Warner Bros’ ceo Jeff Robinoff and an executive vice president of Time Warner, Duke decided to divide the remaining part into Warner Bros’ financing and share expansion, and replace it with corresponding Of the shares, became a shareholder of one of the six major Hollywood companies.

This is in line with Warner's needs. It is also in his interest and can significantly increase his voice in Hollywood and film production and distribution.

As for the box office share of "Saving Private Ryan", the two parties are still coordinating. In the next period of time, part of the share of North America will be credited, and the share of peripheral income will wait. This film excludes TV, video tape and online In addition to the influential vcd copyright in North America, there is actually no source of peripheral income. These will have to wait until the film is released from the North American theaters before it can generate substantial benefits.

It's the same as "Brave Heart" which is still shown in a few independent theaters. According to the release plan of the producer and distributor, "Saving Private Ryan" will not be removed from the North American theaters before the Oscar voting. Even if it is forced offline by the commercial chain theaters, it will be in several major cities. In particular, independent theaters in the Los Angeles area insisted on showing.

The final goal of the co-producer in the awards season is very clear, pointing directly to heavyweight awards such as best screenplay, best actor, best director, and best film. In particular, the best film, combined with the public relations strategy of the 50th anniversary of World War II, has been effective, and they are almost regarded as something in the bag.

According to the director contract signed by Duke, if the film hits the Oscars, he will also need to attend several key campaigns. But now there is still some time before the Oscars, public relations propaganda does not need him for the time being, Duke's main energy is still on the preparation of "Chicago.

As this musical is about to be officially approved, the main members of the Duke team have ended their vacations. In recent years, including Zach Schneider, John Schwarzman, Hannah Serena and others, almost all have become The top and highest income groups in their respective industries.

This is a commercial society. Duke knows very well that a team maintained by friendship and personal charisma is actually the most unreliable team. These people can follow him. First, it is easier to succeed by following the footsteps of successful people. The second is to obtain tangible benefits.

Even so, Zach Schneider and Sophia Coppola have also revealed to him that they will leave at the right time and seek the opportunity to direct the film alone.

Therefore, after shooting the short commercial for Estee Lauder, because he was still satisfied with Anna Prinz overall, Duke also brought this friend of Irene Lauder to Los Angeles as one of the film's associate directors.

Except for the temporary addition of a Broadway singing and dancing director team and an art director, there will not be much change in the departmental composition of the "Chicago" crew in the future. Duke will still form a crew with his own team as the core, Robin Grande As the production manager, he and Sofia Coppola served as executive producers...

The specific coordinating affairs are handled by Robin Grande. His first business is to negotiate with Tom Cruise, and after a formal audition and makeup, Liangtang signed a $5 million film pay. The performance contract became the first actor officially confirmed by the crew.

At the same time, Nancy also ended contact with Warner, Fox, and Disney. The latter two did not have much interest in "Chicago". Only Warner Bros. signed a distribution agreement with Duke Studios. According to the agreement, they will not participate in the film. The direct investment will become the North American and overseas distributors for the next three films of Duke Studios, including "Chicago", and if Duke Studios accepts foreign investment in the next two films, Warner Bros. has priority investment rights.

As a result, the issue of film distribution that Duke was most worried about was completely resolved.

According to Duke’s preliminary plan, the film does not have any location shots, and will all be shot in the studio. He wants to go to the Fox Studios in Sydney. After all, there are tax incentives there, but considering the extremely long preparations for the film, In addition, if you can't get a limited number of places, Australia's tax incentives are not particularly big, and in the end, we chose Warner Studios in Burbank.

By the end of October, "Chicago" was formally established. The investment in the film was US$20 million. Because of the type of film, according to Hollywood conventions, all actors from Duke, the director, to Tom Cruise, the actor Compared with "Saving Private Ryan", the salary of employees has been reduced to varying degrees.

Preparatory work such as script formulation, scene design, song and dance compilation, etc. have all begun to proceed in an orderly manner, but the actor audition is the next top priority. The three actors and actresses will accept the system in the next few months. Song and dance rehearsal.

Except for people to notify Naomi Watts, Catherine Zeta Jones and Charlize Theron to audition, Duke did not issue any audition invitations specifically, but there are still many actors’ agents looking for it. Duke Studio not only promotes its signature actors, competes for main roles such as male and female protagonists, but also introduces newcomers under their names and competes for other singing and dancing roles.

There are many people in Hollywood who think Duke is crazy, and he rashly made such a huge change in style, but it does not prevent many people from wanting to join it. The reason is simple. Duke is Hollywood’s top commercial director, even if he will not appear in the actor in the end. In the ranks, but as long as it is related to his new film, there will naturally be media hype and reports, and it is not sure how to grab the headlines someday.

No one can ignore the attraction of a continuously successful director to actors who are struggling to climb up.

Most of the agents, Duke gave Robin Grande to deal with, but there are always some people through various relationships, to find him to recommend their actors.

"Go ahead, Riley, what's the matter?"

Sitting in the new office of the Duke's studio, Duke looked at the middle-aged man who was dressed up across from him. It must be no stranger who can enter his office. This is an agent of icm.

"Can't I come over and see my old friend?"

Hearing this, Duke didn't say anything, just looked at him. They just met a few times at the party organized by icm, and there was no friendship at all.

"Is such that."

The agent named Riley took a sip of coffee. "I have an important client who is very interested in the role of Roxy. She has encountered some troubles in recent years, and her reputation and works are not as good as before. Icm thought Announcing her official return through a heavyweight work."

"You can let her come to the audition."

Although he doesn't like the agency's involvement in his projects too much, Duke also understands the importance of interpersonal communication. As long as the other party doesn't touch the bottom line, he can do some accommodation appropriately, "Tell me her name, and I will let someone say hello to the casting director. "

"I thank you on behalf of Julie." Riley laughed and said sincerely, "Before I came, Miss Roberts once told that if you have time, she would love to have dinner with you."

Hearing this, think about Julia Roberts's consistent behavior during the audition. Duke immediately understood that this is a very obvious hint, but the big-mouthed Zhu neither meets his requirements for the role, nor does it meet him. I can only apologize for his aesthetics.

"I'm very busy these days." Duke declined gently. "If I have time, I will contact Julie."

He will give Julia Roberts an audition opportunity, after all, this is a topic that can be hyped, but she will not appear in the film. (To be continued...)

ps: I just went out and the Jinan steamer has already started. . . . . Ask for tickets to be psychologically cool~~