What Should I Do If the System Forces Me To Copy Books?

Gun hit the bird.

Even Ridley Scott doesn't dare to say that he can break the "unspoken rules" set by Hollywood studios.

Fighting for the editing rights with Evans is nothing more than a symbolic struggle, just like a fish out of the water always has to writhe and struggle, or what's the difference with a salted fish?

Editing a movie is usually divided into three steps. The first step is the editor's cut version. They will cut the shot together according to the script. At this time, there will be a lot of redundant shots.

The second step is the director's cut version. Based on the rough cut version, the director will give full play to his personal artistic expression and thinking and cut out his favorite version.

Finally, there is the final cut version, which is the public release version that everyone usually sees in movie theaters. The producer or director or film review agency edits this version after discussing the market situation.

Most Hollywood directors have no final editing rights, even Ridley Scott!

This power can be obtained from some less powerful small film and television production companies, but Universal Pictures will not easily hand over the final editing rights of "The Lord of the Rings".

At present, the production cost of the planned project alone has exceeded 500 million US dollars, plus the promotion cost of each film, and the inevitable over-budget in most cases, and finally want to complete the entire "Lord of the Rings" three films The total investment in the Qu film series may be as high as 900 million or even a billion.

For such a large project, if Universal does not have absolute control, it will not invest at all.

Fortunately, Jordan Scott can also carry the weight. In a Hollywood giant-level film production company such as Universal Pictures, Ridley Scott's name is really not easy to use. To put it more bluntly, you are an old man in his 80s. One day you suddenly stretch out your feet and close your eyes, and you will never see the sun the next day. There is absolutely no place for them to invest and win over. Since this is the case Why make concessions in such a completely unnecessary place.

The reason why they struggled with the terms in this regard was just that they were fighting for the right to cut the film, but in fact it was to allow Universal to decentralize to the maximum extent during the shooting and production stages, and not to interfere with the crew. .

Lost the final editing rights, but the voice in the casting, script, shooting, post-production has increased, in fact, this is not necessarily a bad thing for the director.

Besides, even if the final editing rights are lost, it does not mean that Universal will not seek the director's advice when editing the final version, so it can be affected to some extent.

As for the more detailed and specific treatment, it is based on the usual Hollywood habits. Anyway, Ridley is not a picky Hollywood star, nor can he do big-name things, and he does not need to have dozens of people around him at any time. The team, and there are no unacceptable on-set quirks.

And Evans also put forward the last requirement on the contract: that is, he must submit a physical condition inspection report every three months to ensure the health of Mr. Ridley Scott.

When ordinary people reach the age of 80, their physical functions have already declined significantly, and he has to shoot movies on the set for a long time, which requires high physical fitness.

No one wants the old man to have a half-point difference, so physical health testing is essential.

Unlike Li Chungang, a listed producer, Ridley is a director who has real power. Now he not only makes movies himself, but also brings a big business to his special effects company!

Of course, Universal will not place an order easily. The demo video just now was not very good because of the limited production time. Ridley's special effects company was established in Eagle Country. "Alien Contract" and other movies provide post-production, but the sci-fi style is quite different from the fantasy epic style. Evans and the others have to look at specific things and discuss specific templates.

Furthermore...

The script has not yet come out. Which scenes are actually shot, which scenes are shot with models, and which scenes are shot with green screen cutouts, these have to be carefully considered.

In comparison, modern movies are the best, at least they don't take too much preparation time.

After all the negotiations are completed, it is up to Evans to persuade Universal's leadership to change their minds and choose Mr. Ray as the director of the "Lord of the Rings" series of films.

"The two of you will have a chat in the conference room first, I'll excuse you!"

After finishing speaking, Evans picked up the contract he had just negotiated with Mr. Lei but had not signed yet and hurriedly left.

As one of the project leaders and one of the producers, he brought up the "proposal", which Universal had to pay attention to, "The Lord of the Rings" author Li Chungang to affirm and agree, and finally the director candidate Ridley Scott's good physical condition and more affordable Evans is confident that he will be able to convince the company's leaders thoroughly.

Not to mention how Evans persuaded everyone in the face of many leaders in another large conference room dedicated to senior leaders' meetings.

Without Evans, the guy who gets in the way, the remaining Li Chungang and Mr. Ridley have a feeling of seeing each other late and far away, mainly because the two quickly found a good relationship on "The Lord of the Rings". Pleasant conversation topics -

For example, choosing suitable actors for each character in The Lord of the Rings; for example, Ridley Scott gave Li Chungang a lot of advice as an experienced person on how to adapt the script of The Lord of the Rings ; For example, Li Chungang agreed to give his own ideas on how to shoot "The Lord of the Rings" movie content and special effects, final editing, etc...

Li Chungang was surprised that Mr. Lei was far more talkative than he imagined, and the experience accumulated over the long years was not formidable, and he could always give him a "bright spot" in every aspect.

Compared with the surprise that Ridley Scott gave him, Li Chungang's knowledge and knowledge gave Ridley Scott a complete "scare"!

Because Mr. Lei couldn't figure out how a young man in his twenties could still use his screenwriting, filming, editing techniques, lighting, etc. Can do rhetoric.

This kind of rhetoric is not the kind of bragging that comes from nothing, and many opinions even Ridley Scott couldn't help but light up after listening to it, and always felt that the other party was shooting "The Lord of the Rings". There are detailed opinions or specific shooting plans on the film, as if... it is as if there is already a formed film in the mind!

As soon as he had this idea, Ridley Scott couldn't help laughing. He admitted that Li Chungang did have a profound knowledge that did not match his age, but he really said that the other party could shoot a movie with just his imagination. Completion is undoubtedly a fantasy.

Professional limits your imagination!

In any case, no one can imagine that there is a system deep in Li Chungang's mind!

The topic between the two also gradually came to the filming location from how to shoot and how to edit it at the beginning. It is natural to say that, it is better to say that there is also some intentional or unintentional guidance of Li Chungang.

Then the same statement I used when I met Evans was used again, basically changing the soup instead of the medicine. The content is roughly that I happened to go to New Zealand for a holiday, and when I went to that ranch, I found that it was very suitable for " The filming location of The Lord of the Rings...

He has a clear mind in his heart, neither Evans nor Ridley Scott, who is about to direct, can immediately decide on the filming location of the movie because of his own words, but it does not prevent them from burying their heads in their hearts first. The next little "seed" is waiting for the day when this seed takes root and sprouts.

The project leader, screenwriter, author of the original author, director, producer... The identities of the three people are almost all of the most powerful positions in the crew of a project.

Besides, Li Chungang is not too anxious to make a decision immediately, because the recent progress of the response from the local real estate company in New Zealand is similar. middle.

To know that the ranch is where the Mr. Felton family has lived and remembered for generations, it is not an easy thing to sell it.

Evans was in a hurry when he left, and it was the same when he came back. He pushed open the door of the conference room and strode back in.

The only thing that has changed may be the cooperation contract in his hand. It has changed from the original handwritten text to a new printed contract. Of course, the content inside is exactly the same.

The signing of the contract between the two parties was relatively smooth, mainly because Jordan Scott, the agent, checked the various clauses on the contract, and after confirming that there was no problem, both parties signed their names.

After finishing the work, Evans said to Li Chungang: "You happen to be on vacation now, how about staying a few more days in Milliken? Tomorrow we will hold a small press conference, you can just attend, and then talk to Sir Scott. Let’s have a good discussion about the script adaptation.”

"Evans, you may have misunderstood a bit. I won't go back to China right away. I will stay in Los Angeles for a few days, and I have already arranged the next itinerary. I will take my girlfriend with me. Let's visit the city of Los Angeles. By the way, I won't participate in the press conference or anything. It must be enough to have you and Mr. Lei. As for the script, you don't have to worry about it. After returning to China, I will start to adapt it. I will definitely hand it over to you before you complete the preliminary preparations for the project!"

Work is a part of life, but it is definitely not the vast majority of Li Chungang's life, not even a small part. Being able to take two days to deal with the cooperation between Random House and Universal Pictures is quite a face. After the cooperation between each other is solid in the future, this kind of entertainment should be exempted or exempted.

"I can only wish you a good time in Los Angeles! But I will be in touch with you often by email in the future, so don't forget to check your emails!"

"I'll check regularly, but you don't want to call me in the middle of the night. I know a lot of people at work forget the time, especially when we're jet-lagged."

"As much as possible, no one can tell. Don't forget, you are also a producer." Evans reminded that the producer not only enjoys the dividend, but also has to pay the corresponding labor!

—

After having a "working meal" at Universal Pictures, Li Chungang and his party were ready to go back to the hotel to rest and recharge their batteries for tonight's exciting "trip".

Almost two days after he came to Milliken, he basically completed all the work, basically achieved the results they wanted, and he did not waste his time and energy.

Thompson sadly said goodbye to Li Chungang at the door of the hotel: "I still have some work to deal with, and I may not be able to continue to accompany you, and I have to rush back to the company headquarters as soon as I finish the work. Report on your new book."

He has been obsessed with Li Chungang's new book "The Da Vinci Code" and wanted to urge the young man to write it as soon as possible, but unfortunately he never had the opportunity to say it.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Li Chungang looked at his phone and replied, "There is no need to worry about the new book. After I return to China, I have to work on the adaptation of the "Lord of the Rings" script first, and then I may come back in a month or two. Milijian, it depends on the progress of the "Lord of the Rings" crew."

"Hope your first Hollywood movie is going well, a lot of readers are worried right now that they think Universal might screw up all three."

There are more and more movies and TV series adapted from literary works, but there are very few high-quality products. Many times, they seem to be good in all aspects, but they are not satisfactory.

The global sales of "The Lord of the Rings" are gradually increasing, and Random House is of course very happy, but also a little worried.

If the movie is too bad, the bad word of mouth will backfire on the book!

Because when people discuss a bad film, they usually label it bad everywhere, and no one is spared.

Previous readers may know that books are much better than movies, but the problem is that later consumers don’t know, they see the movies so ugly, who has the heart to review the books again, what if they are equally bad?

The original strong staying power of books will be cut in half.

It's just that it's not up to Random House to decide what Universal Pictures does.

"In fact, you can write something about the conception and outline setting of the new book first, and our company can also conduct a preliminary evaluation of the value of the new book and pre-promotion." Evans is still a bit stubborn~www .readwn.com~ The main thing is to want to have something that others don't have so that I can communicate with the company, and at the same time to show my iron-like friendship with Li Chungang.

In fact, the entire "The Da Vinci Code" already exists in Li Chungang's memory at this time. If he really wants to write it, he will be almost finished after gnashing his teeth for a day or two.

It's just that he doesn't want or want to do it so easily.

The ancients paid attention to "the law is not spread lightly, the Tao is not sold cheaply, the teacher is not on the way, and the doctor is not locked in the door". To explain it with the concept of modern people, it is -

What is too easy to get will not be cherished!

If I really spent a day or two writing "The Da Vinci Code", I'm afraid Random House would subconsciously think that it was a work that was shoddy in a short period of time, and naturally it was impossible to cherish it. .

"If you want to see me finish writing my new book sooner, do me a favor."

"What are you busy with?"

"It's just trying to get some books and the materials needed to create..."