"Because it dragged on for too long, the original few actors withdrew, and they are being recast recently, and I will probably rush to Arizona on the 20th," Fox Studios, the three of them walked side by side on the neat asphalt road, Catherine told Simon about her schedule, casually glanced at Janet on the other side who was affectionately hanging on Simon's arm, thought about it and said: "I have already talked to Mr. Feldman, Simon, if you come to help, you can be my assistant director." However, if you are busy with other things, it is okay not to come, and the promotion of "Lola Run" should be very troublesome. ”

After confirming the relationship with Janet, Simon didn't have any special thoughts about Catherine, and he also realized why Catherine would say that, but he shook his head when he heard the words, and said with a smile: "I don't plan to do the promotion of "Lola Run" in person, as long as I get the distribution contract with the film company." Having done that, I won't be too busy for the next few months. So, before the end of the month, I'm sure I'll be able to get to your crew. ”

Catherine said what she had just said, and her mind was inexplicably raised, and when she heard Simon say this, the woman just nodded slightly, her eyes drifted away, and said, "Well, okay." ”

It's not far from the end of work, and Catherine and Janet are going back to Malibu together.

Simon dropped the two women off the road to the parking lot, and then parted ways for them to turn to Peter Sanders' administration building.

Walking towards the parking lot together, Catherine saw that Janet and Simon were separated, and then grabbed her arm affectionately, and said casually, "Aren't you going to move in with Simon?"

Janet shook her head: "No, of course I live in my own big house by the sea, and he is actually not comfortable there at all." ”

Catherine couldn't help but joke: "You are so difficult to raise, Simon will definitely have to suffer in the future." ”

"Hehe, who made him a man. ”

Catherine also smiled, and said, "When I finish filming "Night of the Bloody Corpse", I will find a house in Los Angeles." When the time comes, you can ask Simon to move to Malibu as well. ”

"I've already told Simon about it, the house in Malibu is so big, even if it can live in the three of us, but he doesn't want to," Janet said with a little depression in her tone, and finally exhaled angrily, "Machismo." ”

"You don't want to move here, and he doesn't want to move here, so what are you going to do?"

"When he earns money to buy a big house," said Janet, rubbing herself against Catherine and grinning, "but it's not bad to live separately, I think I'm going to die if I move in too soon, this animal." ”

Catherine saw that Janet began to cover up again, and suddenly felt that her cheeks were slightly hot, and she raised her hand and knocked on her head, and said unceremoniously: "Shut up, I don't listen to your nonsense." ”

"Wow, it hurts, hehe. ”

Simon came to Peter Saunders' office, and after the secretary briefed him, he waited a few moments before he was able to enter.

Just when the secretary pushed open the door, Simon vaguely saw Peter Sanders on the phone, and when he walked in, the other party had already put down the phone, got up and shook hands with him across the desk, and sat down again.

After saying hello, Simon put the lockbox containing the copy of "Lola Run" at his feet and sat down across from Peter Sanders.

"Simon, it's going to be off work soon, so let's get straight to the point," and when Simon sat down, Peter Saunders said, "For a young man like you, it's still very rare to be able to make a film like "Lola Run". However, the subject matter of this movie is too unpopular, with a three-stage structure and a video game-like setting, although it is novel, the audience is definitely very small. Therefore, the probability of theatrical release is not high, and it is most likely to be directly promoted to the videotape market. ”

Business is about talking.

Therefore, although Peter Saunders was not optimistic about "Lola Run", Simon just listened quietly and waited patiently for the other party to make a bid.

Peter Sanders secretly looked at the young man opposite as he spoke, and saw that the other party looked like he was listening and being taught, but his expression did not change much, so he stopped doing useless work, and said: "I have just spoken to Mr. Goldberg on the phone, because of Brian's name and the three of them, and also, this movie can really help promote the concept of the 'butterfly effect', so Fox is willing to buy it for $800,000, what do you think?"

Hearing the offer of $800,000, Simon didn't feel much of it, but asked seriously: "Mr. Sanders, $800,000, is it all copyright?"

Peter Sanders nodded: "Of course, for $800,000, Fox buys out all the rights to "Lola Run" for a period of 20 years. After 20 years, the rights to the film will be back in your hands. ”

Hollywood film and television rights deals are rarely permanent, but the duration of a decades-long contract is enough for a studio to squeeze every cent of a film's profits.

Simon finally shook his head and said, "That's not going to work, Mr. Sanders, the price is too low." ”

Peter Sanders was not surprised by Simon's refusal and patiently said, "Simon, $800,000 is a very reasonable price. You probably only spent $650,000 on making this movie, right? $150,000 in profit, about 20% profit margin, which is far more than the average return of a Hollywood movie. ”

In fact, as of now, the final production budget for "Lola Run" is $597,000, with about $53,000 left in Daenerys Pictures' account.

However, Simon naturally did not argue with Peter Sanders, but said: "Mr. Sanders, I think there is a problem with your calculations, the 20% profit margin of a $10 million budget film and the 20% profit margin of a $650,000 budget film are completely different concepts. ”

Peter Sanders smiled a little and said, "Of course, you obviously know very well that a $10 million budget movie and a $650,000 budget movie are also two different concepts. ”

"Okay," Simon shrugged, "Mr. Sanders, actually, I was wondering if we could sign a share contract." ”

Peter Sanders simply refused: "Impossible, Simon, this is Fox, we don't have the energy to distribute a B-movie that costs only a few hundred thousand dollars to make." ”

"Mr. Sanders, 'Lola Run' is only a budget for a B-movie, but it's definitely not a shoddy B-movie. ”

"Perhaps, but you have to understand, Simon, the cost of publicity and distribution for a big company like ours is very high, and maybe with a little operation, the investment in this area will exceed your budget for making "Lola Run". So, we can only give you a buyout contract for this film. ”

Simon thought for a moment and said, "Then, Mr. Sanders, a buyout is fine." However, for the time being, I hope to sell out the North American theatrical distribution rights of "Lola Run". ”

"As I said, Simon, this movie probably won't make it to theaters. ”

"That's the premise," Simon said with a slightly stronger attitude, "If Fox is not willing to do theatrical release for "Lola Run", then no matter what conditions you offer, I will not agree." ”

"Fox won't give you this kind of guarantee," Peter Sanders said in an equally strong tone, "Simon, you're not qualified to ask Fox to give this kind of guarantee right now, and neither will any of the other six." ”

"So," Simon said, with a regretful look on his face, "anyway, Mr. Sanders, thank you for taking time this afternoon." ”

Peter Saunders saw that Simon had already lifted the lockbox, and his face showed a little embarrassed, and he hesitated a little before making a slightly calmer gesture to Simon.

Simon didn't insist either, and sat down again.

Peter Sanders said: "Simon, I know you're going to be at the Sundance Film Festival next, but compared to the Oscars, or a few major overseas film festivals, Sundance doesn't have much influence, and even if you win the award, it won't have much impact on the popularity of "Lola Run." So, $1 million, that's the highest offer I can give you. ”

In any case, Simon still very much hopes to work with a big film company, and Peter Sanders in front of him is also the only big movie company executive he can contact at present.

All the arrangements in the early stage have been done, and there is no need to hide some things.

Simon pondered for a moment, and instead of taking Peter Sanders' new offer, he said, "Mr. Sanders, Sundance may not have much influence. However, the gimmick of Hollywood's youngest director should be able to attract some attention, right?"

When Peter Sanders heard this, he looked at Simon for a moment, but he laughed and said, "Simon, if you are young, Spielberg started making movies when he was 13 years old, do you think he was as young as he was at that time?"

"It's a pity I didn't have access to a super-8mm camera when I was 13, otherwise I might have been able to make a movie," Simon just smiled nonchalantly and said, "But, if I'm not mistaken, Spielberg's first standard theatrical film was The Great Escape, which was released in 1974, when he was 28 years old." ”

Peter Sanders still teased: "So, what about you? Simon, could it be 18?"

People who don't know Simon very well, when they see what he does, tend to think of him as older.

That's the case with Peter Saunders, especially since he just watched "Lola Run", and he thinks that to make such an excellent movie, Simon should at least be a graduate of a top art school like the USC Film School.

If so, Simon would be at least 22 years old.

Graduating from a top college and making a movie at the age of 22 is still rare in Hollywood, but it's not too special news.

In the face of Peter Saunders's ridicule, Simon just slowly took out his driver's license, handed it over, and said, "You guessed it right, Mr. Sanders, I am indeed 18 years old." ”