Hollywood Hunter

Jack Valenti somewhat resisted being continuously controlled by the young man in front of him, saying: "Simon, the answer to this question is obvious."

"Yes, it's obvious that the screenwriters want to get more paid and higher treatment," Simon simply answered Jack Valenti, and continued: "However, it is basically because of the screenwriter and producer. The Alliance of People has a completely different position. If the positions are different, there will be conflicts of interest. The conflicts are doomed to cause losses and even harm both sides, just like the past six months."

Jack Valenti felt Simon's calm and sharp gaze, and suddenly felt that he was really old.

"I understand what you mean, Simon, but this is definitely not a wise choice. You can't fight the whole Hollywood."

Simon shook his head and said: "Jack, you don't understand. I have no plan to fight against the entire Hollywood. Although I am not afraid of this, we are now discussing the issue of position."

Jack Valenti questioned: "A question of position?"

"Yes, a question of position, Jack, I do not dislike the rating committee's differentiated review strategy. It is the instinct of any industry to protect the privileges of vested interests. The traditional seven major film companies are the vested interests of Hollywood. , Even Orion is actually in the same line as the Seventh Big. They are the "players" in this industry and the rule-makers. The weak independent production companies can only obey the rules like "chess pieces". This is very unfair, but also Quite fair. The problem now is that Daenerys Entertainment already has the ability to become a Hollywood'player', but some people still treat this company as a'pawn', which is pushing Daenerys Entertainment towards themselves. A completely opposite position."

Jack Valenti listened quietly and said, "Simon, since you understand this, you should also know that the transformation of status is never easy. You can't expect Daenerys Entertainment to be swayed by traditional Hollywood forces so quickly. accept."

"Whether active or forced, people always have to face the reality," Simon leaned forward slightly, looking at Jack Valenti and slowly said: "Next Monday, Daenerys Entertainment will resubmit "Scream of Shock". This is the last time this year, and it also determines the position of Daenerys Entertainment. If "Scream" still fails to pass the R-rated review, I will face reality and cancel the movie’s release plan. And confirm my own'chess' position. Then, from my own standpoint, I will lead other'chess' against the MPAA rating committee's long-term unfair treatment of independent producers."

Jack Valenti leaned on the back of the chair without a trace, but didn't avoid the gaze of the opposite youth, and said, "Simon, do you think no one has done this before?"

"The real'chess' is in the game, it is naturally difficult to resist the rules, but Daenerys Entertainment is different. The production cost of "Scream" is 10 million US dollars, which is for many independent producers. It may be an investment that determines whether the company exists or not. If they encounter similar suppression, they usually have to bow their heads to the big film companies and take the initiative to hand over the distribution rights to the Seven to avoid losses. But I don’t care, Jack, 10 million US dollars , Even if all the losses are lost, it is of little importance to me. Hollywood should not find a second person with more money than me," Simon said, and suddenly increased his tone: "But I will never be willing to bear this loss. , They pushed a “player” who is fully capable of breaking the rules onto the board, don’t blame me for breaking the rules. If "Scream" still fails to pass the review, first of all, the major mainstream media in North America will immediately There is a press release about the unfair treatment of this film during the rating process, but this is just the beginning. Then, I will invest another 10 million US dollars to produce a film about the experience of independent Hollywood producers since the emergence of the "voluntary film rating system" The documentary of unfair treatment, Jack, I have asked people to list more than 30 similar movies, which I intend to use as the focus of research in this documentary. The list is in your folder."

Jack Valenti subconsciously reopened the folder in front of him. After the rating review memos for "Instinct" and "Screaming Scream", there really is a long list of movies, many of which are familiar.

Without waiting for Jack Valenti’s response, Simon continued: “Just by comparing the seven simplest films with similar plots of these films, it is very easy to prove the unfair ratings of these independent producers’ films. As a'player' who has been pushed to the position of a chess piece, I will lead all the chess pieces to change this extremely unfair film rating system. Since the positions are different, I feel that the rating committee should not be controlled by the MPAA at all , It should either become an official agency of the Federation, or be led by an association with a wider membership system such as the Film and Television Producers League, in order to maintain its independence and impartiality as much as possible. If necessary, I can use it again 10 million U.S. dollars to lobby the federal government. I believe that once the incident is initiated, those independent filmmakers who have been suppressed for a long time will certainly contribute their efforts in this process. Finally, I can even initiate the establishment of a special foundation , Filed a lawsuit against MPAA for a huge amount of compensation for films that suffered commercial box office losses due to excessive ratings in the previous 20 years. Even if the lawsuit cannot be won, I will stick to it. At that time, I am curious whether MPAA’s annual budget can be Maintain expensive litigation costs. Jack, do you want me to continue talking?"

Jack Valenti felt a thin layer of sweat unknowingly from his back.

If the documentary in Simon's narrative does appear, MPAA will immediately fall into a very passive situation. Not to mention the list of these 30 movies in the file, but "Instinct" and "Screaming Scream" two distinctly differentiated rating review documents, once published, it is enough to give Daenerys Entertainment the advantage of public opinion.

Once the storm arises, the federal government has to take it seriously, which creates the possibility for Daenerys Entertainment to launch lobbying.

Finally, the establishment of a special foundation to carry out litigation bombing, this can be called a rogue tactic is very effective, no company, enterprise and industry association can resist this fatigue offensive for a long time.

Public opinion offensive, money strategy, litigation bombing.

When the three are combined, sometimes it is enough to subvert a regime, not to mention that MPAA, in the final analysis, is just an industry association supported by a few companies.

At a certain moment, Jack Valenti even had a strong doubt as to how the young man, who was only twenty years old this year, came up with these confrontation strategies that were more pungent and sophisticated than many senior politicians.

After the list of 30 movies in the folder, there are obviously other information, but Jack Valenti found that he was a little afraid to turn it over and closed the heavier and heavier folder again. He looked up at the opposite young man. : "Simon, this will not do you any good."

"I understand," Simon said with a serious expression, "but this is a matter of position, and it is some people's own choice. Jack, some time ago an elder taught me not to break the rules easily, and I very much do not want to do this. But, Since opposing has been chosen, this is the inevitable result."

"Just for a "Scream"?"

"If this problem cannot be completely resolved, Daenerys Entertainment will face more similar situations in the future, so Jack, I will not give in."

Jack Valenti pondered for a moment and said, "Simon, you shouldn't tell me these things."

"You are the chairman of the MPAA, Jack, you have an obligation to lobby the federal government for a bill that is conducive to the Hollywood film industry, and you are also obliged to let the major Hollywood studios understand their situation. Moreover, the old men are very face-conscious, and talk about this in person. , I am worried that they will be too embarrassed and even become angry. Therefore, I am still a very good junior."

"An aggressive and respectful junior," Jack Valenti twitched his lips and said, "Simon, don't you see that I am already an old man?"

Simon shrugged: "It's a pity, Jack, but this is your job."

A few semi-joking words made the tense atmosphere unknowingly relax a lot. As the lunch came, Simon took the initiative to chat about some more relaxed topics. However, Jack Valenti could not relax at all.

At the end of lunch, Jack Valenti and Simon walked out of the restaurant together.

Looking into the rearview mirror, the young man standing at the entrance of the restaurant watching him, just as the car turned a corner, Jack Valenti picked up the car phone and dialed a series of numbers. The phone connected, he glanced at the folder on the co-pilot, and said in a serious tone: "Lu, I'm afraid we have to talk, talk carefully, I will go to your side now."

Simon waited for Jack Valenti's car to go away, but didn't board his car parked on the side of the road. He just walked along the north-south street outside the restaurant at will to the south, sorting out many recent things in his mind.

In the words at lunch, Simon didn't mean to bluff at all.

After this time, if "Scream and Scream" still cannot get the rating it deserves, Simon will not hesitate to stir up a storm and show the existence of Daenerys Entertainment to the entire Hollywood.

As for the result, let's do it first.

During the stroll, I came to the end of the street without knowing it. In front of me was a low highway overpass, which was the 101 highway that crossed Burbank.

Looking at the overpass in front of him, Simon suddenly remembered the first time he had come to Los Angeles after being reborn. He got on the car in Watsonville and entered Burbank city along the highway in front of him. He had to stay overnight in the valley because he underestimated the lack of public transportation in Los Angeles.

Two years have passed, but the situation at that time seems to have been a long time ago. Public transportation in Los Angeles has not improved in the past two years, but he is no longer the down-and-down boy he once was.

The two women I met at first became the closest people around him.

Noting a public phone booth on the side of the street, Simon suddenly wanted to call Janet or Catherine.

When I walked to the phone booth, I found that I didn't have any coins, and there were only a few brand-new 100-yuan notes in my wallet. The lunch just now was naturally his treat, but even the tip was settled with a credit card, and Simon couldn't even remember when the last time he bought something with cash.

Janet took care of his life so meticulously. Simon discovered a long time ago that Janet could only rely more and more on her "little conspiracy" if he wanted to completely lose his life. As a human being for two lives, Simon naturally cannot really become a person of all kinds, but he rarely bothers about these trivial matters in life.

Neil Bennett, who had been driving slowly by Simon's side, noticed the boss's actions and stopped the car with some doubts. He didn't know why Simon didn't choose to use the car phone, and instead walked to the public phone booth. Noting how Simon was checking his wallet, Neil Bennett pushed the door and got out of the car and offered Simon a few coins.

By phone yesterday, Janet, who had just been around Europe, is now living in that mansion in Cannes, France.

During this time, Janet has personally seen all the properties selected by Sophia Fessy, confirmed that they are correct, and is currently solving the loan problem.

There are a total of 16 luxury houses. Although he plans to buy all of them, Simon has no plan to pay in full, and he can't get the cash now.

However, with Simon's current wealth, he wants to borrow money for consumption, and banks in North America and Europe are happy to lend him money. After all, this loan is very secure for the bank. Simon's billion-dollar net worth means that he is fully capable of repaying it.

Even in the unlikely event that Simon could not repay the loan, the properties themselves could be repaid. .

Although he clearly remembered the phone number in Cannes, the public phone in front of him could not make international calls. Simon put the coin into the phone and had to dial the phone number of Catherine in his New York apartment.

After the absurdity of that night, Catherine has been living in New York. The reason given by the woman was for the production of "Thunderbolt", but Simon could feel that Catherine was at a loss for the relationship between the two or three, so he deliberately avoided.

In New York, it's the time for work in the afternoon, and I don't know if Catherine is at home.

"Thunderbolt Blue Angel" has been basically completed, but Simon knows that Catherine's life is not monotonous. At present, New York is still the stronghold of American independent film. Catherine gets along well with this circle. Recently, she also served as the producer of another independent film in the process of finishing the late stage of "Thunderbolt Blue Angel".

Originally not expecting, the call was accidentally connected.

"Catherine, it's me." Hearing the woman's voice, Simon turned and leaned against the glass cover of the phone booth, looking at the traffic on the road: "It's nothing, just here in Burbank, thinking about calling you. Phone, what are you doing at home this time... Oh... Jenny will be back in the middle of next month, so, do you want to come to Los Angeles... I am standing on the side of the road, of course, there is the sound of cars. , Why can’t I stand on the side of the road... It’s really nothing, I just ate with Jack Valenti, thinking about taking a walk on the side of the street to help digest... No one is watching, there are few people here , I’m a little bit lost, I should go to Rodeo Drive... Since you don’t want to come back, how about I secretly fly over tomorrow night? Well, it was decided so happily... Okay, okay, then I'll take some other time Go on... Then, kiss... They don't know who you are kissing... Or you hide in the bathroom with the phone... Oh, well, bye."