As the sun set, Sun Ziming, who came back from the set of "Apollo 13", accompanied Li Zhi, who had a bulging lower abdomen, after dinner, and just wanted to help her go out for a walk in the garden, Douglas and Kayo Sato came together.

"We'll be back in fifteen minutes, and you'll sit down first."

"Yes/sir," Douglas said yes, and went straight upstairs to the study. The bugging thing has been hanging, and in order to teach those guys a long-term lesson, not particularly confidential matters, Sun Ziming will talk about them in the study, and even sometimes let the other party take a ride to make a few small profits.

Ten minutes later, Sun Ziming, who had accompanied Li Zhi for a walk, came back, took the tea made by Kayo Sato and drank two sips before signaling that Douglas could start.

"Boss, do you remember the last time you had a fight with James?"

"Hmm"

Last time in the special effects company, Sun Ziming quarreled with James, but in the end, he and Tim were still opposed, so they had to abide by the rules they had set and send their ideas to the mainland branch to make Zuò. Of course, the 'Gollum', which is still making zuò in the mainland branch, is destined to be useless, and the new line company stubbornly refuses to cooperate with Light and Shadow, and wants to independently produce Zuò "The Lord of the Rings" and dominate this cash cow.

Speaking from the heart, this is also the sequelae of Sun Ziming's overly 'sensitive' sense of smell at the box office. When Alexander went to negotiate with the new line company, no matter how she disguised her true intentions, she gave the other party an impression that the timing and technology of filming "The Lord of the Rings" were ripe, otherwise China would not have been able to send people to negotiate cooperation matters repeatedly. Although New Line is a subsidiary of Time Group and is affiliated with Time Warner, it has not lost its controlling stake and is an independent film company, and even Time Warner's president, Pation, cannot influence its decisions.

Robert Saya, the founder and chairman of New Line, who is the largest shareholder in control of 45 percent of the company's shares, does not need to think about the company's short-term performance like Pationes. The only thing he has to consider is that China is optimistic about the market prospects of "The Lord of the Rings", then this is a cash cow, and it is worth taking the risk to let his company monopolize the benefits! As for whether it will offend the Light and Shadow Group, that is not something he considers, it is something that Time Warner, which owns 40% of the company's shares, has to consider.

In fact, when Robert Shayer decided to produce "The Lord of the Rings" independently, Time Warner immediately paid $50 million in production fees to New Lines, and issued a $50 million credit guarantee to ensure the film's success. Who would be willing to share a piece of the pie?

When Douglas finished reporting the cause and effect, Sun Ziming was stunned. It's not that he didn't think about planting a landmine for the new line company, but he felt that he would make himself the focus of public opinion again, and he gave up that tempting idea because it was a bit worth the loss. After all, once is it a coincidence, is it still a coincidence twice?

After Douglas finished speaking, he explained: "Boss, you and Peter Jackson are both geniuses, and if there is a coincidence like Dean Devlin's case, we can take the initiative, so I asked Jia Dai to protect your drawings for 'parcel copyright'." ”

There is no need for Douglas to explain this, and Sun Ziming fully agrees, "OK, just give the copyright to Jeffrey, as long as he can do it according to your agreement." ”

However, Douglas was a little speechless, and Sun Ziming laughed and said: "Say all your thoughts, I always feel that you have other ideas." ”

“Ok”

Douglas doesn't have the talent to be a director, not even a qualified screenwriter, but his ability to understand human nature is superb, so he can easily maneuver between stars, agents, producers, etc., and keep Sun Ziming's personal film studio in order and become his effective personal assistant.

If the plan succeeds, the new line company will be doomed, but the beneficiary is the light and shadow company, and Jeffrey, the direct executor, is difficult to get substantial benefits. And then there's the Black Boy of Garry, who inspired Douglas and Jeffrey, and he should benefit from it.

Sun Ziming nodded again and again after hearing this, "Well, that's the truth, do you have any ideas?" ”

Douglas took out a script from his briefcase, handed it to Sun Ziming and whispered, "Boss, this is a script written by Jeffrey." If you think it's okay, I'll fund him to shoot it. He is the screenwriter of "Apollo 13", and if the box office results are good, his remuneration and share should be able to co-produce this small production with the Chinese branch. ”

After taking over the script, Sun Ziming did not read it immediately, but said thoughtfully: "You mean, let the branch start to take over some business independently?" ”

As Douglas himself said to Yoshiyo Sato, the two of them are attached to Sun Ziming, and the relationship between the three is one glory and one loss, so they regard Sun Ziming's interests as more important than the interests of the group. Before coming, Douglas St. Yi called the Chinese branch to inquire about the progress of the production of 'Gollum', and knew that it was only poor in terms of creativity, and the actual production capacity was not much different from that of the parent company, and it already had the conditions for independence.

"Yes, in the future, the branch will definitely operate independently of the parent company and operate in Asia. Boss, this time it's just time for them to give it a try, anyway, their cost is low enough. If you succeed, you can make a name for yourself in your future independent work, and if you fail, you can also accumulate experience and lay the foundation for your future independence. ”

Well, that makes sense! According to everyone's plan, the parent company will eventually become a research-oriented institution, and the mainland branch will be the manufacturing factory. If you bypass the parent company, the price of those special effects will be so low that Hollywood special effects companies will despair.

Following Douglas's train of thought, Sun Ziming thought further. It's time to sell special effects in the Chinese-language film industry, as long as Chinese-language films are on par with Hollywood films in terms of special effects, they can enter the South Korean film market on a large scale, further squeezing the living space of the other side's local films. As for whether Japanese films will compete with Chinese-language films, Sun Tzuming has never been worried, because due to historical and cultural reasons, and their level of development far exceeds that of other parts of Asia, their films have always been unable to be recognized and accepted by everyone.

India? Is there a movie in India? They only have song and dance films to entertain themselves!

After being reminded by Douglas, Sun Ziming also remembered his other identity - the chairman of the Light and Shadow Group. Allowing the mainland branch to become independent, or even transferred to the Hong Kong Light and Shadow Group, will touch the interests of the United States, and even Jiang Peng will subconsciously delay time. You have to deal with this matter yourself, and only you can balance the interests of the two sides.

Well, when Roland finishes revising "Independence Day", this matter will have to be hurried. This "Jack's Monster Friend" is just a test of the water, allowing the mainland branch to try to independently undertake the Hollywood special effects business.

Sun Ziming, who had made up his mind, began to flip through Jeffrey's new script "Jack's Monster Friend". As long as the branch can speed up the pace of independence; Tearing down New Line and putting it in Warner's hands, he wouldn't mind spending millions of dollars to fund Jeffrey and make that guy Hollywood's new billionaire. Hmph, only if the new line company is controlled by Warner, it is possible for him to get a piece of the pie through Guò Pation. As for Douglas's plan to snatch the adaptation rights of "The Lord of the Rings", Sun Ziming is not optimistic, and only when he is in this position does he know how deep Warner's background is.

This script is very simple, that is, a little boy who loves fantasy inadvertently gets the friendship of a monster 'Gollum' in the forest that no one else can see, and under its bewitchment, cheats on exams, lies, takes revenge on classmates, and so on. With the help of 'Gollum', the ordinary little boy became an honor student and became the focus of everyone'....... In the end, the little boy who started out to be unscrupulous finally almost got into a big accident - he pushed his classmates who were arguing with him into the pool and almost drowned. After repeated guidance from his parents and teachers, he realized that 'Gollum' was not his angel, let alone a friend in reality, but just the Satan in his heart, a fictional character he imagined.

Closing the script, Sun Ziming hesitated, this story meets the requirements of mainstream Hollywood films - honesty, integrity, kindness, very educational for children, but can children accept an ugly, weird 'grunt'?

After groaning for a long time, Sun Ziming smiled dumbly. This is originally a trap, and you have to consider whether the child accepts it or not, and the box office? Besides, if you invest millions of dollars, you won't be able to recover the cost, right? After all, 'Gollum' is a character created by a computer, and this novelty alone can make many people pay to enter the cinema, and once the new line steps on the landmine, the gimmick of infringement alone is enough to attract some people to the cinema. And all I have to do is to use my own distribution channels and connections to let the film be released at the same time as "The Lord of the Rings" without anyone knowing.

Sun Ziming finally laughed and laughed at himself: "OK, let Jeffrey draw the storyboard script, and then help him find a better director." Money is used when it is earned, and when it is lost, we pay Jeffrey a commission for outrage. ”

“Yes/sir”

Douglas and Yoshiyo Sato smiled knowingly, even if they couldn't defeat the new line company, even if they got a piece of the pie from "The Lord of the Rings", the studio would not lose money! If the studio makes money, it means that they also make money.

……

With Sun Ziming's approval, Douglas went to finalize the cooperation plan with Jeffrey.

Coming to the café in the Jeffrey community, Douglas first returned the script to him, and repeated Sun Ziming's opinion: "Jeffrey, this script market is very risky, and children may not be able to accept the character of 'Gollum'. ”

Jeffrey smiled wryly, the image design of 'Gollum' was so imaginative, it was simply tailor-made for "The Lord of the Rings". It's not that he can't make up a good story, but it is too difficult to tailor a script for 'Gollum', and it must be consistent with the original book, and the script can make the other party fall into the infringement trap.

"Doug, this is a trap, the cost is too high, it's not worth it!"

Yes, it's a trap, and it's not worth spending too much on it. Douglas also knows this, if it is not too difficult, the boss will definitely help modify it.

Waiting for the waiter to bring the coffee, Douglas took a sip of coffee, and saw that no one was paying attention around, so he whispered: "Jeffrey, we can help you make all the special effects and post-production zuò and distribute it, and only charge you two million dollars, do you and your partner dare to invest in this film independently?" ”

After a pause, Douglas whispered pointedly: "Jeffrey, although our ESPN TV station has obtained the film library of Universal Company, the programs are still not rich enough, and we are buying rights everywhere. You are our friend, and we will certainly not treat you badly. ”

Looking at the smiling Douglas, Jeffrey immediately understood his subtext.

This is a deal that does not make money, and they help them out of this breath, and even snatch the adaptation rights of the "Lord of the Rings" series of movies, they are responsible for contributing money and efforts: their own one million is used to shoot the film, and two million are borrowed from them to make and distribute it. If the box office is good, he and Gari can make a fortune, and then return the money to them; If it fails at the box office, ESPN will buy out the rights for $3 million to bolster the station's inventory.

Jeffrey swallowed and said excitedly, "Ok, when can I shoot?" ”

Douglas smiled and whispered, "Jeffrey, you and your buddies have to hold their breath. As far as we know, the new line company has only just begun its preparations, and it will only be in the second installment that a completely virtual character will appear. ”

Isn't that a matter of waiting for a few years?

That's right, it does have to wait a few years, and this time is just enough for Jeffrey to earn the two million special effects fees.

“What?”

Jeffrey was stunned, Douglas laughed, and whispered: "Don't worry, you will definitely make more than two million dollars, enough for you to make a movie." ”

Oh, and that's the fabled behind-the-scenes deal in Hollywood. As long as you hand over the remuneration in "Apollo 13" to Douglas to take care of, you can earn a movie's production fee in the capital market, which is legal.

The big pie that fell from the sky made Jeffrey promise: "OK, come according to your plan." ”

"Happy to work together (happy to work together)"

Jeffrey shook hands with Douglas and said goodbye, and hurriedly went back to talk to Gally, the kid couldn't hold his breath, and he had to be a little patient if he wanted to make a lot of money. What Jeffrey didn't expect was that Gary, a black boy who likes to get a little cheap, also has the open-minded side of black people.

"Ok, you can just do it, anyway, you invest, and I don't have the money to invest. You'll make a lot of money, so don't treat me badly. ”

If Galli had this attitude, it would have made Jeffrey uneasy. This is an ulterior plan, if this guy leaks out, not only will it not be successful, but it will offend a big man like China Ming.

"Garry, did you understand what I just said? Except for my million, the rest of the business belongs to the two of us.

If you don't take the money, will I have a chance to do it? ”

Yes? Garry's eyes widened, and he was stunned for a long time before he reverently drew a cross on his chest and said, "Thank God!" O God, Ming's words are true, 'If you are kind to others, God will reward you inadvertently.'" ”

Jeffrey was defeated by his own friends, and he was a conspirator for a long time, and he was a good man who was kind to others, so God rewarded him.

……

A few years later, "The Lord of the Rings: The Lord of the Rings Reappear" set a box office miracle, but when the second "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" was released, it caused a lot of trouble. Because the amazing character 'Gollum' in the film is almost the same as the 'Gollum' in the independent film "Jack's Monster Friend" released in school theaters and independent theaters at the same time, and after removing the sound effects, the performances of the two are similar.

The similar roles of the two films made the reporters render, and immediately set off an uproar and became the focus of heated discussions among fans around the world, is there really such a coincidence in the world?

Compared with the famous Peter Jackson, the director of "Jack's Monster Friend" is just an unknown junior, and the influence of the film is not satisfactory. Public opinion is almost one-sided in favor of Peter? Jackson and New Line believe that "Jack's Monster Friend" infringes the copyright of "The Lord of the Rings".

Enraged, independent filmmaker Jeffrey Cruter took New Line, Weta Digital, and "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson to court the next day. During the court investigation, everyone looked at Jeffrey's 1996 'parcel copyright' in shock, which turned out to be infringing on The Lord of the Rings.

What makes everyone even more incomprehensible is that Jeffrey categorically rejected the settlement conditions repeatedly raised by New Line, insisted on immediately stopping the release of "The Lord of the Rings", and compensated him for losses of up to $200 million.

Although everyone thinks this is a coincidence, the law is the law, and the second part of "The Lord of the Rings" was fully painted just three days after its release, and faced claims from theaters, blame from investors, and severe legal sanctions.

and "Jack's Monster Friend" relied on the gimmick of becoming a topic of conversation to win 80 million at the North American box office in one fell swoop, making Jeffrey and Gary, who only invested 3 million, famous and rich overnight; New Line and Weta Digital Studios are struggling to deal with lawsuits.

In the end, the court declared "The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers" an illegal film and banned it from being shown on any occasion, so that the new line company, which had just made a lot of money, could not afford to pay the claims of the theater chain, distributors, souvenir agents and other parties, and filed for bankruptcy protection; Weta Digital was ordered by the court to suspend business because of its infringement.

After this battle, light and shadow special effects completely monopolized Hollywood's special effects production, and other special effects companies could only rely on it because of the huge gap in technology or cost.

Of course, this is all for later, and the hottest topic in Hollywood now is whether "Tornado", which temporarily replaced "Independence Day", can create a box office miracle? If it can't create a box office miracle, it proves that the magical China is starting to decline, and the vision is no longer so accurate. The second part of "Ring" was fully painted just three days after its release, and faced claims from theaters, condemnation from investors, and severe legal sanctions.

and "Jack's Monster Friend" relied on the gimmick of becoming a topic of conversation to win 80 million at the North American box office in one fell swoop, making Jeffrey and Gary, who only invested 3 million, famous and rich overnight; New Line and Weta Digital Studios are struggling to deal with lawsuits.

In the end, the court declared "The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers" an illegal film and banned it from being shown on any occasion, so that the new line company, which had just made a lot of money, could not afford to pay the claims of the theater chain, distributors, souvenir agents and other parties, and filed for bankruptcy protection; Weta Digital was ordered by the court to suspend business because of its infringement.

After this battle, light and shadow special effects completely monopolized Hollywood's special effects production, and other special effects companies could only rely on it because of the huge gap in technology or cost.

Of course, this is all for later, and the hottest topic in Hollywood now is whether "Tornado", which temporarily replaced "Independence Day", can create a box office miracle? If it can't create a box office miracle, it proves that the magical China is starting to decline, and the vision is no longer so accurate.