Editing a movie is usually a three-step process, the first step is the editor's cutout, they will cut the shot together according to the script, and there will be a lot of extra shots at this time.

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

Finally, there is the final cut version, which is the public version that you usually see in movie theaters, and the producer or director or film review agency cuts out this version after discussing the market situation.

The vast majority of Hollywood directors don't have the final editing rights, even Ridley Scott!

Some not-so-strong film and television production companies can get this power, but Universal Pictures will not easily hand over the final cut rights of the "Lord of the Rings" movie.

The planned production cost alone is close to $500 million, and with the promotion of each film, it could end up close to $900 million or even a billion.

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

Fortunately, Ridley Scott's agent also knows the situation, and the reason why they are entangled in this clause is just to let Universal delegate power in the filming and production stages, and not always meddle in the crew's affairs.

lost the right to final editing, but the right to speak in casting, script, shooting, and post-production increased, in fact, this is not too difficult for the creators.

As for the more detailed and specific treatment, it is to refer to Hollywood's consistent habits, anyway, Ridley is not a picky Hollywood star, and he does not need to have a team of dozens of people guarding at any time, nor does he need a specific body wash or shampoo.

And the only requirement on Chris's side is that he must submit a physical condition examination report every three months to ensure that the old man Ridley Scott is healthy.

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

No one wants the old man to have a half-point spread pool, so a physical health test is essential.

Unlike Zhang Chu, the listed producer, Ridley is a director who has real power, and now he not only makes movies by himself, but also brings a lot of business to his special effects company!

Of course, Universal will not place an order easily, the demo video just now is not particularly good, Ridley's special effects company is set up in the United Kingdom, and has provided post-production in movies such as "The Martian" and "Alien Contract", but the sci-fi style is a little different from the fantasy epic style, Chris They still have to look at specific things and negotiate specific templates.

The script has not yet come out, which scenes are filmed in real life, which scenes are shot with models, and which scenes are shot in the form of green screen cutouts, all of which have to be considered a little bit clearly.

In comparison, it is still the best modern movie, at least it doesn't take too much preparation time.

The contract was signed fairly quickly, and Chris said to Zhang Chu: "You happen to be on vacation now, how about staying in the United States for a few more days? Tomorrow we will have a small press conference, you can just attend, and then discuss the script with Sir Scott, the presence of you as an author is very much needed." ”

"I'm sorry, but I've signed an agreement with a domestic TV station and can't break it. I have already written out my thoughts on the plot, you can take a brief look, of course, it mainly depends on the strength of the director and screenwriters. By the way, the script you brought over earlier really doesn't work and needs to be overhauled. ”

What Zhang Chu said was the script that Chris brought when he came to Yanjing to buy the film adaptation rights for himself, because he had seen the movie in his previous life, the script that came out in a few days seemed very rough, and of course it can't be used directly now.

"It's a pity, maybe I'll contact you by email often in the future, don't forget to check your email!"

"I'll check back regularly, but don't call me in the middle of the night. I know a lot of people lose track of time when they work. ”

"Try your best, no one can say. Don't forget, you're also a producer. Chris reminds that producers don't just enjoy dividends, they also have to put in the work!

……

After having lunch at Universal Pictures, Zhang Chu returned to the hotel to pack his things and prepare to leave for China.

He completed all kinds of work in almost two days after coming to the United States, and almost all of them were effective, without wasting his time and energy.

Claire said regretfully, "I hope you'll be 21 years old the next time you come to the United States." ”

He has always been obsessed with this, and he really wants to drag a pure young man down and see the decadent life of American teenagers.

Zhang Chu sat in the passenger seat and looked at his mobile phone, and replied at this time: "Maybe, I may come to the United States again in a few months, just look at the progress of the crew of "The Lord of the Rings". ”

"Hopefully everything will go well with that movie, and now a lot of readers are worried that they think Universal might mess up all three. ”

There are more and more movies and TV series adapted by it, but there are fewer and fewer high-quality products, and many times it looks good in all aspects, but it is just unsatisfactory.

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

If the movie is too bad, the bad reputation will backfire on the book!

Because when everyone discusses a bad movie, they usually label it as bad everywhere, and no one is spared.

Previous readers may know that books are much better than movies, but the problem is that consumers in the back don't know, they see that the movie is so ugly, who has the heart to review the book, what if it's just as bad?

The original strong stamina of the book will be cut in half because of this.

It's just that what Universal Pictures makes is not up to Random House.

"By the way, you're writing an oriental book right now, right, do you have any ideas for a new book?" Chris knows about the existence of "Ghost Blows Out the Lantern" and also contributed some box office to "Ghost Blows Out the Lamp: The Spirit of the Ancient City" in New York, but the book sales are still far from "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Da Vinci Code".

Not even in the top 10 of the best-selling list, let alone the top of the list!

Americans are certainly interested in the East, but they don't necessarily want to spend time reading about it.

Zhang Chu had already thought about the subject of the new book before he came to the United States, but fortunately now Chris asked, otherwise he would have forgotten about it, and he would have to rely on Random House to help contact the FBI and explain the basic rules and procedures for handling cases, and it would be better if he could go to a modern prison entity to take a look.

"You're going to love my new book, because it's set in the United States, and it's going to be quite thriller and suspenseful, about crime and serial killers, can you help me contact the FBI? ”

"What?"

Chris was surprised and delighted, this type of book is indeed very popular with Americans, and Zhang Chu happens to be an expert in this area, and several previous thriller and detective books are very good.

Finally put the background of the book in the United States, and it sounds like the pleasure of the confrontation between good and evil!