Simon heard Ronald Goldberg's question and felt Barry Diller looking over with the same inquiring look. He explained with a smile: "Ronald, I reminded everyone before the filming of the movie started that the reputation of "Basic Instinct"

Maybe it won’t be as good as last year’s The Butterfly Effect.”

Ronald Goldberg was still a little worried. He motioned to the crowd around him without leaving a trace and said: "Simon, no one left early during the preview last year."

"This film does not have as sophisticated a plot setting as "The Butterfly Effect". Its selling point is actually its controversial nature," Simon said to Ronald Goldberg in a slightly lowered voice after noticing that no one else was approaching:

"Ronald, what Fox needs to do next is to control this controversial public opinion trend and persist until the film is released next month. Then we will win."

After many internal discussions on the promotion strategy of "Basic Instinct", Simon's words did not bring much peace of mind to Ronald Goldberg: "Of course I understand, Simon, I'm just worried now that we may not be able to do it at all.

Control the direction of the media.”

"If it really messed up, then I can only say regret," Simon spread his hands, feeling helpless at Goldberg's indecisive character, and said, "Ronald, we all know that the movie business has never been

They are all full of risks.”

Ronald Goldberg also felt Simon's emotions to some extent. He looked around and said: "Okay, you guys chat, I'll go say hello to Garrett from "Variety Show", hoping to get one more

A good review.”

Simon watched Goldberg leave and asked Barry Diller: "Barry, has Fox found a candidate to replace Ronald?"

Barry Diller nodded and said: "I plan to let Joe Ross be the president, and Rupert is satisfied with him. Simon, do you know Ross?"

"I've heard of it, but I've never been exposed to it."

Simon answered, thinking that it was indeed Joe Ross.

In the original time and space, the president of Fox during this period was Joe Roth. This well-known producer who started in the industry in the 1970s, his greatest achievement during his time at the helm of Fox was the discovery of the "Home Alone" series of comedy movies, the most popular in Hollywood history.

Joe Ross has just turned 40 this year and currently runs a production company with several partners. He has participated in the production of films such as the early blockbuster film "Bachelor Party" starring Tom Hanks, and is well-known in the industry.

But it's not top-notch.

Therefore, Joe Ross is not qualified to join the musical chairs game of the Seven Big Seven in Hollywood. However, whether it is Rupert Murdoch, an outsider in Hollywood, who is only 46 years old this year but hopes to strengthen his influence on Fox Studios

Barry Diller, who is in control of the company, does not want to find another senior executive in Hollywood like Ronald Goldberg to run the company.

Joe Ross has been in the industry for more than ten years and has good experience in both producing and running companies, but at the same time he does not have a deep foundation in Hollywood. It seems just right to hire him to be in charge of Fox Pictures.

"I'll help you make an introduction next time," Barry Diller said, and then added: "Simon, after "Basic Instinct", I still hope that we can continue to cooperate. You also said before that you hope to cooperate with Fox TV

We have launched some cooperation with the Internet, but for these reality shows this time, Daenerys Pictures doesn’t seem to have much interest in cooperating with us?”

Simon said calmly: "Barry, this is because the conditions offered by Fox are not ahead of other TV networks."

Although it is already the fourth largest national television network, Fox Television Network still has a big gap in strength compared to the traditional three major television networks ABC, NBC and CBS.

Just the most basic number of franchised TV stations. The traditional three major TV networks have more than 200 franchised TV stations across North America, but the number of franchised TV stations of Fox Television Network is only more than 100. Moreover, in order to save expenses, Fox TV

The network currently only operates two hours of prime time programming, while the three major TV networks operate three hours from eight o'clock to eleven o'clock.

These factors have limited the Fox Network's audience base.

Daenerys Pictures actually pitched several reality show plans to the Fox Television Network, but the conditions offered by the Fox Television Network were not enough for Simon to ignore its various disadvantages.

Barry Diller is definitely a very shrewd and far-sighted business manager. It was Barry Diller who persuaded the hesitant Ronald Goldberg to promote the original "Dead Man" project, which led to the development of Fox.

Fox has also benefited greatly from the unprecedented contract between the film industry and Daenerys Pictures.

Out of the importance that Simon has created many box office miracles in succession, Barry Diller carefully studied several reality show plans of Daenerys Pictures. In his opinion, "Survivor" has the greatest possibility of causing a sensation, followed by

It was the plan for "Big Brother". In fact, North America has never lacked quiz variety shows, so "Who Will Be a Millionaire" was ranked third by him. As for the last "The House of Beverly Hills",

Barry Diller felt that it was entirely the "personal interest" of this young man. He seemed to have just disturbed the marriage of the beautiful actress named Natasha Kinski.

Barry Diller also knows that Daenerys Films has come up with four program plans at once, targeting the four major television networks in North America. Fox obviously only has one chance to make a bet.

After thinking for a moment, Barry Diller said: "Simon, let's be honest. I want to get "Survivor". What kind of cooperation plan do you want?"

"Barry, the most important thing for Fox TV Network right now is to expand the audience. As for profitability, this is obviously secondary, right?" Simon looked at Barry Diller and continued without waiting for his answer: "So,

If Fox wants to get "Survivor," the cooperation plan is simple, you get the audience, and Daenerys Pictures gets the profits."

Barry Diller shook his head and said: "Simon, this is too harsh. The cost of running a TV network is very high. It is impossible for me to allow the platform in my hands to become a money-making tool for others, and Rupert will not agree to it."

"Barry, we regard the Fox TV network as a farm that is being developed. The program in the hands of Daenerys Films happens to be the farmer responsible for pioneering. If you want this farmer to give up other farm jobs that are already on track and go to your place.

Yes, you will definitely have to pay higher remuneration. Only if the farm area of ​​​​the Fox TV Network expands rapidly, will you be able to gain more profits in the future."

"Of course I understand this," Barry Diller said: "But, Simon, I don't know the working ability of the 'farmer' you recommended to me."

Simon also shook his head and said with a smile: "Actually, I don't know either."

Barry Diller thought of the pilot broadcast of "Who Will Be a Millionaire" next Monday. This show has been intensively preparing for the recent period. He even went to the test shooting site in New York in a low-key manner to watch the recording effect. "Who Will Be a Millionaire"

"Millionaire" does give him a special feeling that is completely different from traditional quiz shows.

However, this program already belongs to ABC, and it is obviously impossible for Fox to get involved again.

The bleak autumn TV schedule caused by the writers' strike is an opportunity for Daenerys Films. It is also an opportunity for the Fox TV network, which is still very weak compared to the other three. If one or two TV networks can be launched this autumn

A blockbuster TV show, the Fox network's popularity among North American viewers will immediately increase significantly.

Just like later Internet companies burned money to expand their user base, Fox Television Network is currently in the stage of burning money. If Simon's several reality shows can be successful, Barry Diller does not mind giving up profits for ratings.

, but he also didn’t want to sign a contract with Daenerys Films that might prove to be a big joke.

There were only three days left before the premiere of "Who Will Be a Millionaire". After hesitating for a moment, Barry Diller decided to wait for three more days. At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a little self-deprecating. He had persuaded Goldberg to boldly agree to "Death is Coming".

》cooperation plan, but when it was his turn, he inevitably became hesitant.

However, Barry Diller is also determined that if the response to "Who Will Be a Millionaire" is good, he will definitely win at least one of the two reality shows he has chosen.

Although there is still the idea of ​​​​using several reality shows in his hands as bargaining chips to exchange for New World Entertainment from General Electric, for Simon, in addition to "Who Will Be a Millionaire" that has been handed over to ABC, "Survivor"

It is undoubtedly the most valuable of the remaining three projects, but others certainly don't know this, and Simon has no definite intention of handing "Survivor" to NBC.

On the contrary, if NBC's ratings situation this fall is even more bleak, General Electric may be more cooperative with itself. After all, no one thinks that Daenerys Pictures will only have these four reality show plans.

The official recording of the first episode of "Who Will Be a Millionaire" was held this weekend. Simon had to rush to the East Coast early tomorrow morning, so he did not stay too much at the reception. At ten o'clock, he took Jenny with him

Returning to Malibu.

Early the next morning, since it was Saturday, major newspapers generally withdrew from their most content-rich issue of the week. "Basic Instinct", which had just undergone a test screening, quickly became the focus of discussion in the media, and as expected

That sparked intense controversy.

In terms of the most basic film review reputation, "Basic Instinct" is actually better than last year's "The Butterfly Effect" which was also a collaboration between Simon and Brian De Palma. Overall, it is about 5 points, which is not a passing grade, but it is not thorough either.

Collapse.

"Variety" gave a very positive review: "This is an erotic thriller with a sleek style, tense performances by actors, and inspiring alternative thinking. It has a strange and strong appeal."

Rolling Stone praised the film as "a scarlet dream created by Simon Westeros and an impressive performance by Linda Fiorentino."

In addition, important media such as The New York Times and The Seattle Times also gave positive reviews.

However, the negative reviews triggered by the film became even more intense.

Roger Ebert unsparingly criticized the film in the Chicago Sun-Times as "except for a charade-like plot that's as predictable as a simple plot, all other elements are just useless garbage". It can make such a master

The top film critic bluntly used the word 'trash', and Simon didn't know if he should feel honored.

The New Yorker film critic Terrence Rafferty also criticized Basic Instinct as "a boring story that uses sex and violence to distract the audience."

Other newspapers such as Time Magazine and the Chicago Tribune also published critical remarks.

Moreover, because of the subject matter of "Basic Instinct", this polarized media reputation quickly broke away from the scope of film criticism and quickly spread to the content of the film itself.

A film critic who claimed to be a loyal Simon fan published a critical article in the Los Angeles Times the next day, vehemently accusing Simon of selling violence through "Pulp Fiction" and selling erotica through "Basic Instinct"

, and then publicly announced that he would quit being a fan.

Although Mark Hollington, the independent East Coast writer who publicly questioned Simon during the "Run Lola Run" period, was not invited to participate in the test screening, he jumped out again this time and was still working with the New York Post

"The rival Daily News published an article criticizing "Basic Instinct" for its excessive description of sex and accusing Simon of lacking a sense of social responsibility.

In the following days, the media controversy that gradually began to escalate became more and more intense, even reaching the level of personal attacks.

A film critic for the San Francisco Chronicle published an open letter questioning whether Simon, who has made "Pulp Fiction" and "Basic Instinct," two extremely uncomfortable films, may have gone insane again and should be returned to a mental hospital.

After receiving treatment, the film critic also claimed in an open letter that "Basic Instinct" should definitely be classified as NC-17 and asked the MPAA to re-rate "Basic Instinct".

After the open letter was published, many film critics who criticized the film also spoke out again, calling on the MPAA to re-rate "Basic Instinct".

Before the test screening, "Basic Instinct" had already received an R rating from the MPAA.

The MPAA's rating committee is actually in the hands of the seven major companies. They check and balance each other and occasionally use it to suppress second- and third-tier film companies. Generally speaking, film companies think that the ratings of their films are too strict, so they will appeal or re-edit them.

And submit the rating, there has never been a situation where a film with a confirmed rating has been reconfirmed with a more stringent rating.

There is a lot of noise in the media, but within Hollywood, many people actually understand that unless there is completely one-sided pressure from public opinion or other strong factors, the rating of "Basic Instinct" will not change. But I want "Basic Instinct" to be

To have a greater social impact, we can only wait until the film is released.

Obviously, once a film is released, its ratings are even more irreversible.

Therefore, Daenerys Pictures and Fox were not disturbed by this controversy. Instead, they secretly added fuel to the flames and further increased the controversy of "Basic Instinct" to attract public attention. Fox also deliberately suppressed the MPAA rating committee for this purpose.

A statement that attempts to explain to the outside world.

On the other hand, in order to show that they do not lack a sense of social responsibility, Fox and Daenerys Pictures also jointly issued a statement on the new Monday, urging theaters showing "Basic Instinct" to conduct stricter age checks to ensure that there will be no inappropriate films.

Teenagers who meet movie viewing conditions can enter the theater.
Chapter completed!