Chapter 209 (1/2)
”Yesterday, MGM pictures suddenly announced that it would take over the distribution of Dan eckroyd and Kim Basinger to play in the family comedy” my stepmother is an alien ”, which is scheduled for December 23. ”My stepmother is an alien” is co produced by wintraub entertainment, a Hollywood independent production company, and Katarina production company. The production cost is $20 million
”According to public information,” my stepmother is an alien ”would have been released by Columbia Pictures. Our reporter said to Franklin levy, the producer of the film. Levy said that the producer and Colombia only signed a contract of intent at the beginning, and the two sides could not reach an agreement on the terms of the final agreement, so they switched to MGM. ”
”However,” my stepmother is an alien, ”scheduled for December 23, will compete directly with another MGM film,” Rain Man, ”scheduled for December 16
”Rain Man” is directed by ”Good Morning Vietnam” director Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. This film has previously exposed that there was a fierce conflict between the creator and the producer. Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise once publicly supported Barry Levinson and denounced Denise film's wanton interference in the film creation. Barry Levinson said, ”Good Morning Vietnam is a good morning movie.” Finally, the project was launched, and it was said that Simon westero took over the post work himself. ”
”As to whether MGM's sudden introduction of” my stepmother is an alien ”is due to a lack of confidence in the film” Rain Man ”, whether it will temporarily cancel the schedule of” Rain Man ”, or whether it involves other inside information, the author calls MGM, Denise and CAA respectively to get a response.”
”This newspaper will pay close attention to the follow-up progress.”
Santa Monica.
Denise entertainment headquarters, in Simon's office, puts down his daily variety and looks at Amy Pascal and Robert REM opposite.
Amy said: ”I've been asked about the internal audition of” my stepmother is an alien. ”The audience's response was very poor. Colombia wanted to increase the distribution commission ratio and asked the producer to share the publicity expenses, so the two sides broke up.”
Simon picked up his pencil, turned it around in his hand and said, ”I'm not interested in this movie.”
”As for MGM, I just went to see their publicity plan yesterday, which is very hasty. Tony tomopoulos also said in my face that rain man is nothing, ”Robert REM said at this time.” moreover, we were asked to advance the $5 million publicity budget, but according to the current situation, we should only be able to get 1000 screens which are completely guaranteed by the contract, not more. Although we can send accountants to follow up the release of the film according to the agreement, MGM still has many ways to avoid our supervision. ”
Simon has long understood that the success of a film depends on the quality of the film as well as its strength and luck. But there are also too many ways to make a mess of it, and is it too simple. Therefore, he insisted on retaining the distribution right of ”flying over innocence”.
Looking down at the newspaper in front of him again, Simon felt the shadow of CAA without Amy and REM reminding him.
Hollywood actor Dan mccloyd, who rose to fame with 1984 box office runner up ghost hunters, is also an important customer of CAA. If there is no other external influence on this matter, as independent producers, Columbia Pictures asks for harsh conditions such as higher commission, so the two independent producers may have to hold their noses to recognize it.
CAA, which has become more and more powerful in recent years, just has the strength to promote this.
Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise and even Rain Man director Barry Levinson are CAA's top ace customers. Now that everyone has completely broken down in the Rain Man project, and several creators have successfully shifted the responsibility to Denise entertainment, CAA obviously does not allow rain man to have any chance of turning over. The result of this film can only be a failure, and the more it fails, the better it will be.
Simon listened to them, raised his wrist and looked at his watch. There was a role audition for Batman in the morning. He had a schedule at noon, afternoon and even evening.
No more nonsense, Simon said to Robert rem, ”you go to MGM now and get the distribution rights of rain man back.”
Robert REM hesitated: ”Simon, what if MGM doesn't want to let go?”
Simon got up, buttoned up his suit and said, ”it's your business, Bob. If MGM doesn't want to, it's a pity that your year-end bonus will shrink this year. ”
Robert REM watched Simon walk out of the office, looked at Amy helplessly and said, ”Simon doesn't seem very happy today?”
Amy also stood up and said, ”maybe I'm too tired recently. Besides, no one would be too happy to meet this kind of thing.”
”Well,” Robert REM stood up together, followed Amy out, and then said, ”it's about us and CAA. Although the big seven are not very friendly to us recently, tomopoulos should not be willing to offend Denise completely. Amy, how much do you think my offer is suitable?”
”MGM owns the distribution rights of rain man through various channels in North America. The proportion of cinemas, videotapes and TV platforms is 15%. The overseas copyright is still in our own hands.” Amy recalled the original agreement and said: ”if the North American box office of rain man is calculated at US $20 million, I think US $5 million is more appropriate to recover the distribution right.”Robert REM nodded, and so did his heart.
According to the North American box office of US $20 million, MGM can get a distribution Commission of US $3 million, not counting overseas, but the sales commission of the North American domestic video and TV platforms should be equivalent to the box office revenue, about US $3 million, but it means a long payback cycle of several years.
However, Robert REM immediately asked in a slightly ironic tone, ”Amy, do you think rain man can only get 20 million dollars?”
When they came to the corridor outside Simon's office, Amy rolled her eyes and said, ”don't you think so?”