Hollywood Hunter

Today is June 24th, Friday.

Just yesterday, after a new round of voting, the American Screenwriters Guild once again rejected the new contract proposed by the Film and Television Producers League, which means that the Hollywood screenwriters strike that has lasted for three and a half months will continue.

The Film and Television Producers League represents more than 350 film and television entertainment production and distribution companies in the United States with the seven major Hollywood studios and the four major broadcast networks as the core, but it cannot represent all of them after all. The business was unsustainable due to the long strike.

Since last month, many small second- and third-tier production companies have chosen to sign contracts requested by the other side with the screenwriters’ union in advance, and many of them are members of the producer union.

Up to now, the situation of both sides being hurt by the strike has completely formed.

Many people have a foreboding that the Producers Alliance will begin to "settle the accounts after the fall" against those compromising production companies, and Simon even remembers the actual progress of the matter. However, standing at the door of an audition room at the headquarters of Daenerys Films, Simon could not help but smile wryly on his face when he heard the news that Amy suddenly informed him, and tentatively asked: "The Producers Alliance is in the announcement. Didn’t mention "Who Will Be a Millionaire"?"

Simon has neither joined the screenwriters’ union, and Daenerys Pictures has not joined the Producers’ Union for the time being. During the whole strike, Simon originally just wanted to watch from the sidelines. However, a popular reality show like "Who Will Be a Millionaire" does not require the participation of screenwriters, but it is destined for Daenerys Films to be difficult to stay out of.

Feeling Simon's hopeful gaze, Amy shook her head regretfully, with a wry smile, and said, "I mentioned it."

The three Jonathan Friedman listened to a few words of Simon and Amy's conversation, and understood roughly what was happening, and they all took the initiative to avoid it with interest.

Simon returned to the audition table and sat down, frowning and thinking.

Before the strike, because he refused to join the screenwriters’ union, Simon’s last year’s scripts had been completely ignored by the WGA, so he won nothing during the awards season, which is actually nothing.

But now, the "war" between the screenwriters’ union and the producer’s league has reached a fierce level. Daenerys Pictures has come up with "Who Will Be a Millionaire", a popular show that can completely get rid of screenwriters, which is equivalent to giving A nuclear weapon that can determine the outcome of a war by the Producers Alliance.

Moreover, Daenerys Pictures has more than one ‘nuclear weapon’ in preparation.

The screenwriters’ union once again vetoed the contract of the Producers Union yesterday. "Who Will Be a Millionaire" happened to have achieved an outstanding score of 17.3 million viewers last night. The Producers Union immediately announced the banning order today, and also deliberately added "Who "Will Be a Millionaire" came out, and the counterattack was fierce.

It is not difficult to imagine that in the subsequent stalemate and negotiation, the screenwriters union, which is already at the end of the war, will never have any advantage.

Daenerys Pictures is tantamount to completely offending the screenwriters' union.

The screenwriters’ union and the production company are basically the relationship between employees and the boss. The Producers’ League can block production companies that have signed contracts with WGA in advance. The screenwriters’ union cannot block Daenerys Movies without a definite reason. Reality shows such as "Who Will Be a Millionaire" obviously do not constitute such a reason.

However, as long as the screenwriters have a chance in the future, they will definitely find trouble with Daenerys Pictures. The most direct thing is that Daenerys Pictures’ films will become Oscars for best screenplay awards. very difficult.

It can be said that in the war between the Producers Union and the Screenwriters’ Union, Daenerys Films, a pond fish, has both benefited and suffered.

By the time Amy closed the door and walked over and sat down, Simon had already made up his mind to cover up, and now he could no longer fall to the side of the screenwriters' union, which would not benefit Daenerys Pictures.

Thinking about this, Simon looked up and asked Amy: "How did you talk to Daniel Burke?"

Amy shook her head and said: "ABC rejected our offer of 2 million per period and only offered 1 million US dollars."

Calculated on the basis of 20 million viewers, in the 1980s, the price of a 30-second advertisement for such a program in the popular autumn file was about 200,000 US dollars. "Who Will Be a Millionaire" is a one-hour program. The content of the program is actually only 45 minutes, and the other 15 minutes are advertising time.

Calculated in this way, each issue of "Who Will Be a Millionaire" can generate 6 million US dollars in advertising revenue.

The cost of running a national television network is very high.

Among the more than 200 ABC affiliated TV stations in North America, the number of TV stations directly affiliated to the TV network is actually not many. A large number of affiliated TV stations broadcast TV network programs at the prime time every night, just like the movie theaters distribute studio movies. Must share enough profits. Coupled with the operating expenses and program purchase costs of the TV network, the income that the TV network can obtain is not much.

Take "Who Will Be a Millionaire" as an example. It is estimated that for each issue of US$6 million in advertising costs, the operating expenses of the TV network itself and the share of the franchise TV stations will account for 50%, and the remaining 50% will be TV. The part of the revenue that the network and the producer can use to share.

Daenerys Pictures took away 2 million US dollars of the share of income of 3 million US dollars, which is actually very reasonable. After all, in theory, Daenerys Pictures also has to bear the production costs of the show. But in fact, it is difficult for ABC to accept Daenerys Pictures taking so much.

You know, "Who Will Be a Millionaire" is not the ordinary one-hour show in the autumn of 23 episodes. If there are only 23 issues per season and each issue is US$2 million, Daenerys Pictures can only get a total of US$46 million. Excluding the theoretical production costs, Daenerys Pictures’ net income will be even lower. .

but.

Only according to the initial contract, "Who Will Become a Millionaire" reached 69 issues per season, which is three times the number of ordinary one-hour TV series. Each issue is 2 million US dollars. Daenerys Pictures can earn a total income. Will explode to 138 million US dollars.

Let's talk about cost.

According to initial estimates, the production cost of "Who Will Be a Millionaire" is around US$20 million per season. But in fact, Daenerys Films also has the power to implant advertisements in the show, that is, the host Barabara’s series of brand names and the bottles and cans on the guest’s desktop. This part of the income is ABC taking the initiative to let go. So that Daenerys Pictures can offset part of the production cost.

However, with the current popularity of "Who Will Be a Millionaire", there are so many brands that are willing to spend a lot of money to sponsor, and then only this part of the income can offset the entire production cost of the show and achieve a surplus. Daenerys Pictures sells the show to ABC, no matter how much it can get in each issue, it is equivalent to net income.

Obviously, it is difficult for ABC to accept that the profits made by the show producers are more than double that of itself.

Simon looked at Amy's expression and found that his senior woman seemed unacceptable that her company earned more than ABC, so she smiled and asked, "Amy, how much do you think we can talk about?"

"$1.5 million," Amy noticed the smile on Simon's face, with some guilty conscience inexplicably, but still quoted her own price, and added: "The company has recently received AT-T, Mars, HP And IBM and many other companies’ sponsorship invitations. Among them, only Mars made an offer of 20 million U.S. dollars. They asked to become the main sponsor of "Who Will Be a Millionaire." On the ABC side, each issue of 1.5 million, everyone shares the profit equally. , This should be the best result."

Simon was noncommittal and said, "What about others?"

Amy said: "ABC also asked for a contract change. They hope to be able to participate in the production of the show. In addition, they hope to order more episodes, which will be officially aired in July. However, I don’t think this is a good idea. Putting too many programs in a short period of time will quickly cause the audience to suffer from aesthetic fatigue and shorten the screen life of the program. Therefore, I think one season per year is enough. During this period, a half-year interval can be kept as fresh as possible. "

In Simon’s memory, the ABC TV network continued to broadcast this program uncontrollably all year round, even increasing to 4 episodes a week. As a result, "Who Will Be a Millionaire" was exhausted in just a few years. Potential and was overtaken by "Survivor".

In contrast, the screen life of "Survivor" with better rhythm control is more than ten years.

Therefore, Simon very much agrees with Amy's point of view: "Your idea is correct, Amy, eager to produce more programs may bring us a large profit in the short term, but it will be difficult for long. Therefore, we insist on this. There is no room for bargaining."

Amy nodded, and then said: "In addition, ABC also hopes to get "Survivor"."

"It's impossible for "Survivor" to give them, and "Big Brother" can't give them," Simon vetoed without hesitation, "If they still want, only "The Beverly Wife". Say, you Have you selected a few good wives?"

Compared with the emphasis on "Who Will Be a Millionaire" and "Survivor", Simon wrote a simple project plan for "Big Brother" and "The Beverly Wife" and threw it to the TV production department. Toss, he did not have much free time to take care of this matter during this period.

When Amy heard this question from Simon, something strange flashed in her expression, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, saying: "There were not many people who signed up, but after the launch of "Who Will Be a Millionaire", many people have Everyone called and wanted to participate, but the final candidate has not yet been finalized. Or, the company is planning a party, and you choose it yourself?"

Simon moved closer to Amy and asked in a low voice, "Will their husband be there?"

Amy rolled her eyes clearly and said, "Boss, if there is nothing else, I'm going to work."

"Okay, just kidding," Simon sat up straight again, his expression turned positive, and said: "Amy, there is no law that we can't make more than the TV network. So, the $2 million issue, this is what we The same won’t be bargaining. ABC can make $1 million from each episode, which is more than the profit that most of the TV network can provide for it. Most importantly, "Who Will Be a Millionaire" also It can improve the overall ratings of ABC. This is of higher significance to the TV network. It is impossible for them to be unclear. Therefore, the US$2 million phase is not discussed. If ABC disagrees, then the project will be shelved."

Amy's lips moved, she nodded, and said, "So, Simon, what about "Survivor" and "Big Brother"?"

Amy obviously had no thoughts about Simon's evil taste.

Simon didn't mind, and said, "I talked to Barry Diller last time. The basic strategy for these two shows is that we make profits and the TV network gets ratings."

"But we can't prove that "Survivor" and "Big Brother" can achieve the success of "Who Will Be a Millionaire"?"

"So, I can only take a gamble," Simon shrugged and said: "If the TV network doesn't even have this courage, let alone talk about it."

After the two talked about this, they were about to get up and busy, when Amy suddenly remembered something and said: "Simon, it will be July soon, we should prepare for next year's film project."

"I know this too," Simon spread his hands and said, "But, do you have time lately?"

"No."

Amy shook her head and glanced at Simon, who obviously didn't.

Studios usually start preparing for the next year's film project a year in advance. If it is a blockbuster movie, it is usually already in production in the second half of the year.

However, Daenerys Pictures’ current production plan, excluding "Batman", may only last until Easter next year at most, and it is basically Catherine’s "Thunderbolt Blue Angel" and from Shengdan These two low-cost independent films, "Metropolitan" and "Sisters", are obviously not attractive.

However, although the scale of the company has been continuously expanding, but now a pair of projects under the company, everyone is too busy with their hands, and there is no way to take care of next year.

It takes time to cultivate the company’s team. Simon can’t hire some people casually, and then throw away the potentially explosive projects in his hands. Now he simply can’t do everything himself like the original "Lola Run", too. Too much eagerness will only lead to failure.

After all.

The strength of Daenerys Pictures is still too weak.

Simon couldn't help but want to take down New World Entertainment as soon as possible.

After all, in addition to the Marvel that he wants to get anyway, New World Entertainment also has a good film and television production and distribution team. Even if this team does not reach the first-class level, it is definitely far more reliable than the grass team that Simon temporarily hired.

Thinking about this, Simon still said to Amy: "This way, you can see if there are any good projects in Hollywood recently. If possible, we can participate in the investment."

Both "When Harry Meets Sally" and "Pulp Fiction" both have a long payback cycle. Amy Pascal had been paying attention to the company's cash flow. Now, with the emergence of "Who Will Be a Millionaire", these problems are immediately solved.

Both the sponsorship fees of advertisers and the advance deposit of ABC Television Network can bring Daenerys Pictures a large amount of cash in a short period of time. If this were not the case, Amy would not mention it to Simon temporarily. With such a small company spreading out such a big stall, Amy originally only wanted to finish all the projects with all her heart. Things for next year can only be said next year.

Getting up and walking out of the audition room with Simon, Amy nodded and said: "I will pay attention."