After a brief overview of the overall idea, Simon took a few minutes to explain several stories of Pulp Fiction and their interspersed patterns to Mike Medovar in detail.

But.

After listening to Simon's account, Mike Medois frowned tightly.

Although Simon has just explained it in great detail, Mike Medois still feels that the whole story seems chaotic. Moreover, he also completely failed to grasp where the selling point of the movie was.

Is it a non-linear narrative?

Or, to put it more bluntly, insanity.

The three-part parallel structure of "Lola Run" is indeed very interesting, but what is the so-called multi-looped story structure at the moment? If the audience can't even understand the story, how can they still be interested in this movie.

Thinking so, Mike Medois couldn't help but say with some seriousness: "Simon, it's good to use non-linear narrative once in a while, and movies still have to tell a story very orthodox." Moreover, the story seems too confusing, and I don't think the audience will be in the mood to sort out so many clues by then. ”

Many classic films that have gone down in history have been subjected to various skepticism during the development phase, and Mike Medowa's denial did not surprise Simon too much.

Simon explained seriously: "Mike, I know what you mean, and I know that I haven't fallen into the trap of deliberately pursuing a more complex narrative structure of the film. Actually, it's more like another attempt on my part, I just want to tell a very interesting story with a new kind of storytelling. As for the audience, as long as there is proper publicity and guidance, I believe they will enjoy this movie very much. ”

Mike Medowa's expression still did not relax, and continued: "Even so, Simon, according to your narrative, this movie obviously involves violence, shooting, drugs and other restrictive elements, do you think this is suitable for you as a young man who is not yet 20 years old to shoot?"

Simon suddenly remembered Catherine, shrugged, and said, "Mike, I know what kind of person I am, and that's enough." Actually, I didn't lack other ideas, but they were either not possible right now or were too expensive to make. In comparison, the current film seems to be very suitable, as long as it works properly, the budget cost should be controlled within $8 million. ”

Mike Medovar relaxed a little when he heard the budget figures given by Simon.

Hollywood's filmmaking budget in the last two years has grown at a rapid pace.

Even last year, half of the top 10 grossing films in North America had a production budget of less than $10 million, and the box office champion "Top Gun" had a production budget of only $15 million. But this year, just in the first three months, two films with a budget of $15 million, "Lethal Weapon" and "Angel Heart", have been released, and the two films are still left in the unpopular schedule like March.

However, Mackedow was not resigned, and continued: "Simon, why don't you make a horror movie? It's like 'The Butterfly Effect' and 'Death Is Coming', both of which are very good, and I think it would be easy for you to create another one like that." ”

Mike Medois has always been a big fan of the two scripts "The Butterfly Effect" and "The Grim Reaper".

While "The Butterfly Effect" was not well received by critics, Mackówer did not doubt the project's profitable prospects. As for "The Grim Reaper", just look at the terms of sharing given by Fox to see how optimistic they are about the project.

Rather than knowing the so-called "Pulp Fiction", he would prefer Simon to write and direct a similar horror thriller.

"I've explained this question many times," Simon also said a little helplessly, "Mike, I don't like to make horror movies because it's not challenging, and writing those scripts is purely to make money." ”

Mike Medois listened to Simon's tone of talking about the 'side hustle', and remembered the horror that this young man could get from the "Death is Coming" project, and felt a little sore in his teeth.

Purely just to make money.

What a good reason.

It's just that if you want to be 'pure', we want to be 'pure'!

Mike Medois almost blurted out: Simon, shall we only talk about this kind of project that can make money 'purely'? To hell with your mess of Pulp Fiction!

Of course, that's what Mike Meadows just thinks.

For many years, no matter how they jumped behind their backs and scolded their mothers, Hollywood studio executives ostensibly held and coaxed hot filmmakers as much as possible, and Mike Medois was used to doing so.

Relying on the popularity of "Lola Run", Simon's next movie, as long as it is not too badly made, it is completely easy to make money. It's just that, in any case, Mike Medowell would prefer to see a slightly more normal project, like "The Butterfly Effect" and "Here Comes the Grim Reaper."

The waiter brought dinner at this time, and everyone paused for a moment.

After a few bites of food and a rearrangement of the rhetoric, Mike Medois said again: "Simon, don't you have other ideas? Tell me, as long as the script is good enough, even if the production cost is higher." ”

Simon shook his head dryly and said, "I'm sorry, Mike, all I can say is that my next movie is Pulp Fiction." If Orion can't accept it, perhaps, you can wait for my third movie. ”

Mike Meadowis was speechless.

Simon's second film is certainly very secure, but after the third film, especially this inexplicable Pulp Fiction, who knows if anyone will be interested in the name Simon Westeros.

After a moment of struggle, Mike Meadows had to say, "Simon, you just said that this movie only needs $8 million, right?"

After "Lola Run", Simon's $20 million production budget for his second film was not too much. Now, if you only need $8 million, even if the box office prospects are bleak and you have no choice, it's not unacceptable.

"Mike, I'm just talking about a more ideal state. There are so many roles in this film that it's impossible to use all of them as nobodies, and actors' salaries definitely make up a large portion of the production budget. So, if I can convince the actors to reduce their salaries and keep the online cost to less than $5 million, I am confident enough to squeeze the production budget to $8 million. ”

The budget for film production is mainly divided into two categories: online expenses and offline expenses.

The so-called online expenses are simply the salaries of screenwriters, directors, actors and other creators, while offline expenses include equipment rental costs, salaries of behind-the-scenes employees, and expenses at the level of technical equipment such as transportation, makeup, and insurance.

Simon's previous "Lola Run" only accounted for a very small part of the online cost. But for "Pulp Fiction", think of the former big names such as John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, and this is definitely a movie that costs more than 50% of the total budget online.

The original version of "Pulp Fiction" cost $8 million to make, and this was obviously all when John Travolta and others lowered their salaries.

Now, if you want to make this movie seven years in advance, some people will definitely not be able to use it, some Simon himself will want to replace it, and some people may not be willing to reduce their salaries anymore, under the influence of this series of uncertain factors, Simon still makes an estimate of $8 million, which is neither high nor low.

Seeing Simon's insistence, Mike Meadows knew that it was useless to say more, so he had to say: "That's it, Simon, you take out the script as soon as possible, and we will discuss it later." ”

"Of course," Simon nodded, took a sip of red wine, put down the glass, and took the initiative: "Mike, one more thing, regarding the release of "Lola Run" through other channels, I hope to sell all these distribution rights at once, is Orion willing to take over?"

Mike Medowell suddenly showed obvious surprise.

The box office situation of "Lola Run" is very good, and according to the practice of most film companies, the follow-up distribution of the film will definitely be 'intensively cultivated', and the follow-up distribution of various channels will be completed little by little.

Doing so can not only maximize the follow-up benefits, but also accumulate contacts and expand channels in the process, which is completely a double win.

Although it has the priority of the follow-up release of "Lola Run", Orion originally only expected to be able to get the agency distribution rights of the local videotapes, and this agency signed a sharing contract.

Unexpectedly, Simon wanted to sell out the follow-up release at one time.

This is obviously not a very wise choice, which is equivalent to fishing for all its resources, and quickly cutting off a long-term revenue channel for itself. According to the operation cycle of various channel releases, just one "Lola Run" was originally enough for Daenerys Pictures to eat for more than three years.

Thinking to himself, Mike Meadow quickly asked, "Simon, why are you in such a hurry?"

Simon was not shy about it, and said bluntly: "I need money." ”

When Mike Medois heard this, he shook his head slightly, and suddenly smiled with a little emotion: "Actually, everyone needs money." ”

Movies are an investment that is very slow to come back to money.

In recent years, due to the economic boom in North America, many second- and third-tier film companies have been expanding vigorously, and then, looking back, they find that their stalls are too big and unconsciously unsustainable.

De Laurentiis Entertainment, an investment company on the verge of bankruptcy of "Night of the Blood Corpse", Canon Pictures, which is also in trouble now, and the takeover crisis suffered by Orion Pictures last year are all due to lack of money.

Simon just smiled in agreement, patiently waiting for Mike Medovar's response.

Mike Medois thought seriously for a moment and said, "Simon, buy it all, Orion definitely can't afford it." However, we can buy the rights to distribute the videotapes in North America. ”

Videotape sales in North America exceeded box office receipts last year, so the videotape release is undoubtedly the most lucrative piece of the pie in the follow-up distribution of "Lola Run".

Mike Medowa's answer was entirely expected by Simon.

However, if Orion takes away the North American distribution rights of "Lola Run", the subsequent TV broadcast rights of the film will not be sold alone. While the benefits of TV broadcasting rights are also very impressive, the operating cycle is very long.

Normally, a film is released in North American theaters after a three-month window before it can be released on videotape, but the sale of TV rights often has to wait more than six months.

Moreover, unlike the distribution channels such as cinemas and videotapes, which have intensive revenue periods, TV platforms are typical long-tail markets, and although the revenue scale is comparable to box office and videotapes, the operation cycle is often as long as several years.

Since he expected Mike Meadow's response, Simon also had a coping strategy, and said at this time: "Mike, of course Orion can take away the distribution rights of the local videotapes. But it can't be more than that. I considered that the follow-up distribution of "Lola Run" would be divided into two parts, the follow-up videotape and TV distribution in China, and the overseas theatrical release, videotape distribution and TV distribution. If Orion can't eat them all, then you have to choose one or the other. ”

Although it has been established for many years, Orion actually does not have much overseas distribution capacity, and basically relies on seven international channels.

Simon said this, and Mike Meadow understood that Orion could only choose the former, that is, the homegrown videotapes and television distribution, or, outright, give up.

After thinking about it, Mike Meadowis said, "Simon, what about the offer?"

Simon simply said, "$40 million." ”

"It's too high," said Mike Medovar, shaking his head at once, then smiling again, "Besides, it's not something I can decide, I need to discuss it with Arthur and the others first." ”