Hollywood New Century

Simon Parker has been single-mindedly perfecting his filmmaking program since December 2004.

As for the presidential election, Christmas, I don't care anyway, until Lionsgate released "Crash" in early 2005.

On 1.6, 2005, on Friday, "Crash" opened in 1,800 theaters.

On Monday, the 1.9th, "Crash" grossed $9.1 million in its opening weekend and received a lot of positive reviews.

This is an independent film costing only $6.5 million. Lionsgate made a lot of money because of "Chainsaw", and "Crash" was used to hit the Oscars in 2006. For this kind of film, it is possible to Strive for 1,800 theaters to open paintings.

It must not be because of how strong Lionsgate Pictures is in distribution, but that the movie theaters are also optimistic about this movie, and Lionsgate Pictures is willing to promote it in order to have a plan at the Oscars.

"This grade is enough, why haven't you contacted me yet?" Simon was walking around in the living room of his house, Sonia Roman supporting his forehead.

"Okay, it's only Monday, maybe Nicole Kidman didn't pay much attention? Are you waiting!"

"I've been waiting for a long time. The whole Juno movie is in my head. Does Nicole have any eyesight? My eyesight has confirmed it," Simon Pike said, leaning on the sofa. When I lay down, my mouth felt full of grievances.

"The budget is only $7 million, and I don't have to pay upfront, I don't take any production fees or script money, so the budget is actually only $6 million, and I'll take a share, Nicole Kidman She can definitely get back at least 50%-60% of the production cost from overseas distribution. Maybe if some overseas distribution companies are optimistic, it is also possible to recover 80% of the cost budget. She only needs to invest two or three. Just a million dollars, and then find a North American publisher, the distribution commission can be higher, what is she worried about?" The more Simon talked, the more angry he was, and his vision was lost.

"Oh, forget it, Ellen Page was signed by me and has been waiting for the heroine of "Juno", I'll go and see her!" Sonia Roman now believes in Simon Parker's vision , Now I am very interested in Ellen Page, and I finally persuaded her to sign over.

A week later, in Beverly Hills, Nicole's villa, "Crash"'s second weekend box office (Hollywood Statistics weekend box office, Friday to Sunday) $7.02 million, first weekend $9.1 million, plus work in the middle Today, the total North American box office is currently $19,614,256!

"It's close to $20 million at the box office within ten days of its release," Nicole Kidman was indeed a little surprised. Does that little guy really have such an accurate vision?

Subsequently, Nicole Kidman called his assistant.

In a high-end coffee shop nearby in Beverly Hills, Simon Pike finally received a call from Nicole Kidman.

Pidianpidian came to the cafe, and Simon asked as soon as he sat on the chair: "Did you support me? I'm ready."

In the face of this fiery little handsome guy who asked as soon as he came, Nicole Kidman smiled coldly, "This coffee is good, let's try it first!"

The waiter brought a cup of coffee, and Simon had to take it up and drink it honestly.

"Crash has made close to $20 million at the box office within 10 days of its release. Yes, your vision is very accurate. I have shown the script of "Juno" to Village Roadshow, and they want to invest $1.2 million to buy it. "Juno's distribution rights in Australia," Nicole Kidman is Australian, and Village Roadshow Pictures is a subsidiary of Australia's Roadshow Entertainment, which specializes in film production in the United States, but does not have its own North American Distribution network.

"It's already sold?" Of course Simon thought of it. Who will use their own funds to develop the film, of course, to pull investment. Overseas distribution rights are an important part of resale in advance.

"Basically, yes, and Village Roadshow has the filmmaking capabilities to help you with your filmmaking," Nicole Kidman said in an educational tone.

"7 million is not a small amount, and I still have to find North American distribution, everything..." Simon interrupted before Nicole finished speaking.

"I don't take the price of my script and the advance payment for the producer's fee, so I can save almost $100!"

"So, the funds used are actually only $6 million," Simon stretched out five fingers on his left hand and one finger on his right.

"Uh, this..." Now it's Nicole's turn to be surprised. The cost of the script is $850,000 according to her asking price. The production cost of the little guy must be more than $150,000. This calculation can indeed save $1 million. .

"Have you made up your mind?" Nicole Kidman was better off.

"After thinking about it, I want to ask, except for the distribution rights in Australia, the distribution rights in other regions have not been sold, right?" Simon really doesn't want to sell the distribution rights now, and the cost is now so low.

"Well, okay, I'll talk to Roadshow Pictures, what are you anxious about?" Nicole looked at the eager look of the little guy, it was really funny.

"The cost of 6 million US dollars, the Australian side invested 1.2 million US dollars, you only need to invest less than 5 million US dollars," Simon counted the account in a low voice, then raised his head and said,

"Then, I will get 25% of the income from the movie!"

"No, it's too high, 20%, your script is valuable, 1 million counts as a stake for you, 7 million budget, almost 15%, plus your producer share gives you 5%," Nicole Kidman said. It's a tone that can't be denied.

It's too dark, and they all make cheap money from themselves! The production fee is 5%, which is almost the same. With the participation of the script, it is not bad to be able to get 20% of the movie income.

Simon calculated in his heart. According to the standards of independent films, even if the North American box office exceeds 100 million, he will not make much money.

Even if the North American box office has 100 million US dollars and the theater takes 50%, the distribution company can receive 20% of the distribution commission for this kind of independent film, the general commission for the series is 8%, and the other films are 10% to 20%. between.

"Juno" depends on Nicole Kidman's energy. Every point less in the distribution commission is a lot of money!

Moreover, the promotional expenses paid in advance by the distribution company will also be deducted, and the remaining 30% will have to be deducted from the promotional expenses, which is estimated to be in the thousands of dollars.

The North American box office is 100 million US dollars, and as an independent production, there are still 20 million US dollars.

20%, Simon can be divided into 4 million, of course, there are some members of the crew who share the net profit of the box office. Those don't matter, they will get a smaller base if they operate casually.

Therefore, the real money will depend on the overseas box office. After all, if North America is a big hit, overseas release, whether it is sold out or divided, can be discussed.

Of course, there are also the DVD market, TV broadcasting, etc., which are also the main income.

In short, at the box office in the North American market, Simon can't make much money, North America is a big hit, and the subsequent overseas markets and peripheral income are more.

This is also because many producers generally sell off the North American distribution rights to distribution companies. For example, the producer of "Crash" sold the distribution rights in the North American market for $6.5 million at a cost of $4 million. The cost was recovered by 4 million. Now Lionsgate is vigorously promoting it, and the overseas box office is estimated to be similar to the North American market. At that time, the producer will earn the overseas market.

"20% is also ok, can you sign a contract as soon as possible, and then give me money, I can't wait," Simon doesn't care, this movie is famous, other people can make money, I want to be famous.

"That, the North American distribution rights, if we sell it, I believe there should be four or five million dollars," Nicole Kidman's thinking is normal, the North American distribution rights are sold first, and they basically don't have to pay much.

"Hey, Nicole, listen to me, now that the distribution rights are being sold, the price won't be high. After all, it's a three-no film, and there is only one script, so they won't make it very high. After the film is made, the price may be higher, but I want the movie to be released as soon as possible, so we divide the labor and cooperate. I am in charge of the film production. You are responsible for contacting the distribution company. The big distributors don’t have to think about it. There are not many movies, although the distribution ability is not very good, but please believe in the quality of this movie!" Simon persuaded.

"If it's less than $5 million, I won't spend it indiscriminately," Simon just wanted her to call the money quickly.

"You're not in a hurry, you at least have to talk to the director of the movie, and there's a lot of preparation work," Nicole Kidman said with a face up and started teaching again, thinking about asking for money.

"Here, wait, I'll introduce someone to show you," Simon made a quick phone call after finishing speaking.

An hour later, a young man walked in.

"Hi, Simon!"

"Hi Jason!"

"Nicole, this is Mr. Jason Reitman, the director of the movie, we are all ready!" Simon introduced the under-30-year-old to Nicole.

"Ms. Nicole Kidman, it's nice to meet you!" Of course Jason Reitman knew that this was an investor. For a newcomer who has only made one short film, a month ago, a more The young guy found himself and said he wanted to direct a movie, and he was stunned at the time.

Then, after reading the script, the two often chatted and exchanged opinions. Can the filming finally start now? Excited!

Nicole Kidman looked, this Jason Reitman is a director? Certainly not thirty years old, right?

"Jason, I've directed short films before, it's very good," Simon said, and then said to Jason Reitman,

"Quickly take out the preparation book you made and show it to investors!"

"Okay, Ms. Kidman, I discussed with Simon for a long time, 6 million US dollars, we shot in Canada, although the scene involves different seasons, but we don't need to change, use some fake props to show the difference between spring, summer, autumn and winter Scenery, please see..." Jason Reitman said as he took out the prepared documents.