Hollywood Hunter

The three Simon discussed the release details of several of the company's movies. Jennifer adjusted the projector, and together with Amy's assistant Vanessa, they closed the conference room curtains and went to the video recorder.

When Simon signaled, the female assistant pressed play.

On the projection screen directly in front of the conference room, the picture lit up. In the hellish dark and blazing fire pool, accompanied by a sharp chirping, an orange-red flamingo came out on fire, hovering briefly in the air, and spread its wings. Frozen in the center of the screen, the dripping flames of the firebird's wings formed the two words'Daenerys-Pictures' underneath it, and a line of annotations under the company name:'A-Daenerys-Entertainment-Company'.

After the short opening of only five seconds, Robert Rem looked at Simon and said, "Phoenix?"

Simon nodded and explained: "The phoenix in Greek mythology, every five hundred years, this bird will throw itself into the flames and be reborn in the fire. I really like this legend, the phoenix in the picture just now The image will also serve as the company LOGO of Daenerys Entertainment in the future. I hope Daenerys Entertainment will survive for a long time and will be reborn from the ashes even in trouble."

The major Hollywood studios have impressive label titles, such as MGM's Lion, Columbia's Statue of Liberty and so on. Starting from "Lola Run", Daenerys Pictures has always used simple text titles for the previous films, and the titles of New World Pictures and Gaomen Films are also very simple.

Now, now that the company is on the right track, Simon has hired design companies in recent months to formally design the label titles and company logos for Daenerys Films, New World Films and Gomen Films.

Robert Rem had just thought of Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, adjacent to southeastern California. After listening to Simon's explanation, although he still doesn't quite understand the connection between the terms ‘Daenerys’ and ‘Phoenix’, he still agrees with Simon’s idea very much.

After talking briefly, Jennifer loaded another cassette into the recorder, and soon the title of New World Pictures appeared on the screen: After a fierce thunder and lightning, the clouds dispersed, the sky returned to blue, and appeared at the same time. The words "New-World-Pictures" in CG three-dimensional style are also marked with "A-Daenerys-Entertainment-Company" below the theme words.

Among the proposals provided by several design companies that participated in the bidding, Simon found that this idea was somewhat similar to that of Lionsgate. The positioning of New World Pictures is exactly the same as Lions Gate Pictures, and Simon directly chose this solution.

Compared with Daenerys Films and New World Pictures's gorgeous and publicity titles, Gaomen Films' titles are full of literary and artistic atmosphere.

In the soft soundtrack, several rows of slowly flowing motion pictures gradually form the words'Highgate-Pictures' against a pure black background. The carefully rendered picture looks full of realism, and the two words of Gaomen Pictures appear on the film The movie screen was still flashing, and the name of Gaomen Films was still'A-Daenerys-Entertainment-Company'.

The titles of major Hollywood film companies generally have the parent company's label on their titles, because the integration wave of the media group will not start until Sony's acquisition of Columbia next year, and there is no similar title style.

Simon started the mode of adding parent company mark on the title of the label in advance, mainly to quickly impress Daenerys Entertainment's brand impression in the public mind.

After the three titles have been played, everyone will continue to discuss, and then confirm that three titles will be released in the media in the near future and some movie lists that will be released under the names of the three labels. This is also a good time for Daenerys Entertainment. Publicity opportunities.

After discussing the matter, it was already more than six o'clock, but Simon did not let Amy and Rem leave: "Let’s have dinner together. There is one more thing to discuss with you."

Robert Rem didn't think Simon was calling himself from the valley at this time just to watch the titles of the three labels, so he readily agreed.

Amy naturally did not object.

The three of them left the company headquarters and soon came to a nearby restaurant where Simon had booked a seat with Jennifer in advance.

"That's it. I found that neither of you two are too concerned about Gaomen Films." After you were seated, everyone ordered a meal, and Simon went straight to the theme and said: "The original film buying team of New World Entertainment has been allocated. Gaomen Pictures, but unfortunately, at the Venice Film Festival last month, Danny Morris led a team to Italy, but found nothing. Some of the projects he submitted to me during this period were not bright."

Danny Morris was the former vice president of New World Entertainment's film purchasing department, and now he also holds the title of vice president of Daenerys Entertainment as the head of Gaomen Pictures.

Amy and Rem heard Simon mention it and looked at each other. Robert Rem took the initiative to explain: "Simon, Hollywood movies did flourish for a while from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, Sol. Zanz started to attract attention in those years. Big film companies also generally established subsidiaries named after "classic", specializing in the market of artistic films. But now, because of the continuous increase in Hollywood production costs, the field of artistic films There is not much profit to speak of. If you don’t count your last year’s "Running Laura", the best-performing literary film on the market in recent years, the box office is generally only about 20 million US dollars, which is already a ceiling, more Literature and art films are actually at a loss. Just like Sol Zanz’s "Love in Prague" at the beginning of the year, the production cost of 17 million US dollars, and the total box office in North America was only a little over 10 million. Therefore, I don’t think we need to be here. Too much energy was wasted on things."

"What you said makes a lot of sense, Bob," Simon nodded earnestly, "However, since there can be a "Run Laura" in Hollywood, there will definitely be a second or more. And, you guys Have you noticed the development trend of the cinema industry in recent years?"

Amy questioned: "Simon, are you talking about letting the government release restrictions on movie companies operating theaters?"

"No," Simon shook his head and looked at Robert Rem. "Bob, AMC, you surely know that, right?"

"This is a chain theater company run by the Duwood family, headquartered in Kansas City, Nebraska. The biggest feature of the AMC theater line is the launch of a large number of multi-hall theaters. The number of theaters this company currently owns in North America is about 150, with more than 1,300 screens. However, their auditorium capacity is generally low as a result." Robert Rem expertly introduced AMC's information, saying: "I already talked to the AMC manager on Monday. Regarding the issue, Simon, are you planning to acquire the theater? AMC has developed very rapidly in recent years, and the Duwood family will not sell it. The United American Theater was originally a good target, but it was just received at the beginning of the year. We have also missed the opportunity for John Malone’s telecom company."

Simon denied: "Daenerys Entertainment will not enter the theater market in the short term. I'm just talking about a trend. Bob, multi-hall theaters are a destined trend."

Robert Rem nodded and said: "This is indeed the case. The AMC model is very successful, and the industry is tracking attempts, but Simon, does this have anything to do with the topic we are talking about?"

"Of course, although the overall number of viewers in North America each year will not increase too rapidly, I believe that with the popularity of multi-hall theaters, the total number of screens in North America will definitely increase significantly in the next few years. Multi-hall means diversity A movie theater has ten screening halls, even if they use eight to show mainstream commercial films, but because they have too many screens, the operator will definitely consider introducing some literary and artistic films that meet the tastes of a small audience on the other two screens. Play on, this is the opportunity."

Amy heard Simon say this, but couldn't help saying: "Simon, even if you are right, wouldn't it be better for us to focus on the ‘eight screens’?"

Because of the lack of examples, Simon found himself unable to explain to Amy and Rem how prosperous the independent film market led by Xinxian and Miramax in the 1990s.

In this case, Simon quickly decided not to explain too much, but to give play to his own advantages as the boss: "Well, in this case, Gaomen Pictures will be separated and reintegrated into a family directly responsible to me. Company. I think Danny Morris should be so slack with the same concept as you, so let him take charge of New World Pictures, "Butterfly Effect", "Reaper Is Coming" and the new line " The success of these films in the "Mouth Ghost Street" series is ahead, and I think he should no longer feel that he has been coldly treated."

Robert Rem did not expect Simon to see Danny Morris's mind so thoroughly.

As the former head of New World Entertainment's film purchase department, Danny Morris still has a lot of power. After all, most of New World Entertainment's previous films were purchased from outside. The two companies completed the merger and Simon dispatched Danny Morris to take charge of Gaomen Pictures. The executive inevitably developed a feeling of being distributed.

Literary movies, this is simply synonymous with not making money.

Robert Rem and Danny Morris are not only in the superior and inferior relationship, the two have a very good personal relationship.

Danny Morris has spoken to Robert Rem several times before. Daenerys Entertainment is clearly rising rapidly. He has never thought of resigning, but just wants to change to a more promising position, even if he is transferred to be responsible for publishing.

Robert Rem also wanted to find a chance to talk to Simon about this matter recently. Unexpectedly, before he could mention it, Simon took the initiative to fulfill Danny Morris' wish.

However, Robert Rem was not happy for Danny Morris.

From what Simon said just now, it is obvious that his boss has high expectations for Gaomen Pictures. The appointment of Danny Morris to the company before is obviously a recognition of his ability. Now, Danny Morris must have lost a lot of points in Simon's mind. If he can't make achievements in the position of New World Pictures, the result can be imagined.

After dinner, Simon began looking for a new person in charge for Gaomen Pictures the next day.

In fact, Hollywood has two best candidates ready, the Weinstein brothers.

The Weinstein brothers, both in their thirties this year, have been in Hollywood for more than ten years and have accumulated enough experience.

Moreover, Miramax's current situation is not good. Two years ago, the brothers had their heads convulsed. A good distributor did not go to be a director, and imitated John Hughes's style to write and direct a youth film "The One Who Sees You", but the box office failed miserably, Miramax As a result, he almost went bankrupt and has not recovered his vitality in the past two years.

If Simon recruits the brothers now, the chance of success is very high.

Although Harvey was notorious for **** scandals many years later, in Hollywood, if Simon had this kind of ethical cleanliness, he would not even want to continue Daenerys Entertainment.

It's just that these two brothers are really not the kind of guys who are willing to live under the people, and they are more aptly described as wild and untamable.

In the original time and space, Miramax, as a subsidiary of Disney, the Harvey brothers frequently confronted the parent company.

At that time, Disney was negotiating with the Bush administration on the issue of cable licenses, which was vital to the company. The brothers, under repeated warnings from Michael Eisner, still invested in "Fahrenheit 911" that tried to pull Bush off the horse. Although this documentary made a lot of money, it made the entire Disney wear shoes by the Bush administration.

After Miramax’s announcement, the Harvey brothers have been trying to get rid of the company’s business positioning of focusing on literary films, but the investment in major productions such as "Cold Mountain" and "Aviator" all ended in failure. The brothers And finally broke up with Disney.

Simon once watched the entire Weinstein **** scandal. He felt that if the Weinstein brothers hadn't separated from Disney, the storm would never happen. Just like John Lasseter, the head of Disney's animation business was also exposed to news of sexual harassment of female employees in that incident, but there were not many waves.

Many people made a big deal in that turmoil, but John Lasseter is still infinitely beautiful as the "Big Four" of the Disney Empire, along with Robert Iger, Kevin Fitch, and Catherine Kennedy in the original " Cover of Vanity Fair magazine.

It is conceivable that if Harvey Weinstein did not break away from the Disney system, Disney should be the "Big Five". In addition to Marvel Entertainment, Lucas Pictures and Pixar Animation, plus the invincible Miramax in the Oscar field, Disney, the media giant, will definitely be even more in the limelight.

Since he didn't intend to recruit the Weinstein brothers to add to himself, Simon also decided to suppress them while the brothers had not yet risen, so as to avoid future competition between Miramax and Gaomen Pictures.

Moreover, it is not difficult to do this.

In original time and space, Miramax only entered the fast track of development with the great success of this Palme d’Or film after the release of "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" next year. Simon commented on Miramax’s other releases in the subsequent period. Successful movies are also clear, and they can be easily shot.

Lack of popular projects, Miramax, who has not been out of the mud in the past two years, will not last long at all.

While taking into account the high gate film industry, Simon’s recent focus is still on the casting of "Batman", "The Sixth Sense of Supernatural", "Bodyguard" and other films. Most of the protagonists of these films have been determined. , But the selection of some key supporting roles cannot be ignored.

In addition, although it was obviously deliberately delayed, on October 12th, another Wednesday, the MPAA finally passed the R-level review of "Screaming Scream". The Seventh University obviously has not yet started a battle with Daenerys Entertainment. Determination.

"Scream" passed the review, Daenerys Entertainment also started the sprint promotion two weeks before the film was released. Moreover, because of the stimulus of Daenerys Entertainment’s previous series of films and the general content shortage after the screenwriter’s strike, Robert Rem finally signed 1,755 screens for "Scream", this number It may be larger than the original film.

"Death Poetry Society" also got 1693 screens. After all, it is a popular Christmas file, which is slightly less than "Scream and Scream". However, because the female film "Steel Magnolia" was generally not optimistic, each theater finally only gave 922 screens.

However, the release of "Screaming Scream", "Death Poetry Society" and "Steel Magnolia" went well, but "Rain Man" under MGM's responsibility was in trouble.