Suddenly, a fact that had been suspected all this time was confirmed, but Simon was not distressed or depressed.

In any case, "Lola Run" is indeed a perfect movie for him to use to show his strength. Even, if you hadn't misremembered the production cost at the beginning, you would probably miss the movie.

Now, now that he's established himself in Hollywood in less than two months, Simon is confident enough to continue pushing the project forward, just adding a few twists and turns.

The experience of crawling in the entertainment industry for more than ten years in his previous life left Simon with the biggest impression is that no big name in this circle has a smooth road to fame.

Now, as a human being in two lives, Simon does not lack the heart to face setbacks.

MAKING UP HIS MIND, SIMON LOOKED AT DAVID GILER ACROSS FROM HIM AND SAID, "SO, DAVID, SHOOT ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL 35MM FILM FILM SPECIFICATIONS, HOW MUCH BUDGET DO YOU THINK THIS FILM WILL NEED?"

David Giller thought for a moment and said, "Based on the shooting concept you just described, it should cost at least $500,000." A more detailed budget needs to be counted according to a more specific shooting plan. However, this is not really a problem. Simon, the question is, do you have any previous experience in making films, even if it's a student film? By the way, Brian and I don't know what college you graduated from?"

Until now, not many people in Hollywood know that Simon is just 18 years old this year.

At the beginning, Jonathan Friedman only occasionally mentioned it to WMA President Norman Broka, because of a series of events later, Norman Broca disliked Simon very much, but he did not publicize it everywhere.

At this time, due to Simon's extraordinary talent, David Giller subconsciously felt that Simon was likely to be in his twenties, and instinctively regarded Simon as a promising student who had just graduated from a certain university.

Hearing David Gieler's question, Simon realized something, but was honest: "David, I studied computer science at Stanford for a while, then dropped out of school, and have no experience with it. However, I also didn't have any previous screenwriting experience. ”

"Directors are not the same as screenwriters," David Giller shook his head, "Speaking of which, if you can come up with some personal credentials that convince investors, such as a student film, I may be able to help you get that investment." Unfortunately, you didn't. Simon, it's a small amount of money, but I'm also responsible for my connections. ”

Brian De Palma, who was still looking through Simon's sketches with relish, also looked up at this time and said, "Simon, it's really not so easy to be a director. However, these drawings are also enough to show your personal talent. It's better to be like this, in the next "Butterfly Effect", you can be my assistant director. After the experience of this film, even if David is not willing to help, I can help you find companies that are willing to invest in "Lola Run". ”

"Didn't I say I didn't want to help?" David Giller protested with a disgruntled smile, but also said, "Simon, Brian's idea is indeed good. If you want, you can settle the matter now. ”

David Giller is the producer of "The Butterfly Effect", and Brian De Palma is both a director and a producer. The temporary hiring of an assistant director is entirely within the purview of two people.

If Simon is really just a newcomer who has just entered Hollywood and has little experience, being able to serve as an assistant to a well-known Hollywood director like Brian De Palma is definitely a very rare opportunity to experience.

However, after more than ten years of experience in his previous life, coupled with the memories of the other twelve people in his mind at this time, Simon did not lack experience in all aspects related to filmmaking at this time. As Brian De Palma's assistant director, the only thing that can bring Simon may be a qualification.

After pondering for a moment, Simon shook his head and said, "David, Brian, I appreciate your kindness. Still, while I can't prove it, I'm pretty sure I've been able to direct a film myself. So, David, do you think that's okay? The money I have now is enough to launch Lola Run. All you need to do is introduce me to an investor and sign an investment contract. If they're happy with my pre-shoot results, they'll inject follow-up money, otherwise, they'll always be able to opt out. ”

Simon is a very assertive young man, something David Giller and Brian de Palma have learned in several encounters.

At this time, the two were not too surprised to hear Simon reject Brian de Palma's proposal. Hearing Simon's plan, David Giller couldn't help but secretly admire the young man's confidence in his heart.

"Simon, in Hollywood, investing your own money in movies is always a very bad choice," David Giller said with a smile after a little consideration, but quickly added: "However, since you have come up with such a confident cooperation proposal, I can help you with this." Of course, I will never guarantee whether it will succeed or not, everything needs to be on your own. ”

Simon said seriously: "I just need a chance. ”

David Giller nodded with emotion and said, "In that case, Simon, do you have any other requirements besides the above cooperation plan?"

Simon pondered for a moment and said, "The contract between me and Fox should still be used as collateral, and I can borrow a sum of money from the bank, and I should be able to raise about $250,000 if I count the final payment that Fox still needs to pay next." For the time being, the filming budget for "Lola Run" is calculated at $500,000, and the investor and I will each contribute $250,000, and each will share 50% of the revenue in the future. Personally, I am only paid a symbolic $1 for my writers, directors, and other workers, but I demand absolute creative autonomy. ”

After listening to this, David Giller couldn't help but shake his head again, and said, "Simon, $500,000 is just the most conservative estimate I just made." Actually, I'd love to see you use a more professional cast, and if you were more careful about the sets, soundtrack, etc., the final production budget of about $1 million would be safer. ”

Simon said in a relaxed tone: "David, what I just said is just a general plan, if the budget is exceeded, as long as the investor is willing to follow up, the revenue share will definitely be higher." The only thing I ask for is absolute creative autonomy, and I don't want others to interfere with my work. ”

"Okay, I'll take the time to get in touch with you," David Giller nodded before adding, "However, your recent focus has been on revising the script of The Butterfly Effect." ”

Simon smiled and said, "Of course, it's my job. ”

"In that case," David Giller patted the script of "Lola Run" in front of him, "I'll make a copy of this script later, so that I can use it to convince investors." ”

Although Simon's suggestion was rejected just now, Brian de Palma didn't pay much attention to it, and at this time, listening to David Giller's words, he handed over the storyboard sketch in his hand, and said, "Make another copy of this, I think it's more convincing than the script." ”

David Giller, with some surprise, flipped through a few pages of the sketch that Brian de Palma had just been holding in his hand, and nodded without a nod, "That's true." ”

After talking about these things, the three of them reacted and found that there were no more people left in the originally lively restaurant, and the lunch served by the waiter was completely cold, so everyone had to order lunch again, fill their stomachs, and return to the morning conference room to continue to discuss the revision of the script of "The Butterfly Effect".

At the end of the day, Simon gave David Gille a copy of the script and storyboard sketches for "Lola Run", and he himself took the long memorandum agreed upon at today's meeting on the revision of the script, said goodbye to David Giller and Brian de Palma, left Fox Studios, and still took a taxi back to his newly rented apartment in the Montana district of Santa Monica.

There was some traffic jam after work, and it was about half an hour before Simon returned to his accommodation in the Montana district.

In front of a villa near Boulevard St. Vincent on the northern edge of the Montana district, Simon got out of the car, sent the taxi driver away, looked at the mansion in front of him covering an area of more than 800 square meters, and for the Nth time in his heart since Saturday afternoon, a thought that made him grit his teeth again: losers!

Simon booked a Thursday viewing with a real estate agent last week to rent an apartment.

Accidentally admitted to the UCLA Medical Center, Simon was planning to cancel his appointment, but Janet Johnston learned of this and immediately took over the errand with great interest, and delivered the lease contract to Simon on Friday.

In a single-family villa with three living rooms, three bedrooms and four bathrooms, Simon almost jumped out of the hospital bed when he saw the information on the lease contract.

Please, are you kidding me?

How can a bachelor use such a big place to live.

Moreover, the monthly rent of $2,700 does not seem to be too high compared to the mansion in Simon's impression. But it was 1986, and even in Los Angeles, most people didn't make $2,700 a month.

Then, when Simon objected and was unwilling to sign the lease contract, a woman who was originally good cried in front of the ward rounder and the real estate agent, and accused Simon of being a miser, ignoring the hard work of the day, but refusing to rent even a better house.

What else can I do?

Sign it.

In addition to being unladylike, Simon really can't think of a more appropriate adjective.

Finally, what makes people even more angry is that after being discharged from the hospital, Simon checked the villa that he had rented and found that the entire villa was empty, as if it had been ransacked, and there was no furniture except for the most basic decoration.

Oh, and strictly speaking, it's still furnished.

There is a bed in the master bedroom.

It's just that you don't have a mattress!