As the most influential newspaper on the West Coast of the United States, the non-Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Times usually has more than 50 pages of news information. Compared with the previous "Lola Run" which was hidden in an inconspicuous corner, it was difficult for readers to notice it.

Film review, Peter Butler's article about Simon this time landed directly on the newspaper's front page navigation.

Although it is still not front-page news, as highly recommended navigation information, this part of the content is almost a must-read article for most subscribers.

In this era, newspapers can be said to be the most important channel for ordinary people to obtain information, and powerful print media such as the Los Angeles Times play a role in guiding public opinion.

and.

Young man breaking out of the mental hospital.

madman?

Unique surname.

One script made $200,000.

Made an acclaimed independent film at the age of 18.

Genius boy.

Peter Butler listed Simon's series of personal labels in the article. For Americans who advocate miracles, adventure, and personal heroism, it is simply a perfect embodiment of the American dream.

Therefore, following this article in the Los Angeles Times, the attention that Simon had accumulated piecemeal in some media since he signed the screenwriting contract for "The Butterfly Effect" with Fox Pictures last year completely exploded.

As if suddenly, many people began to discuss, who is Simon Westeros?

Then.

A series of news about Simon since he began to rise to prominence last year have been re-excavated by the all-pervasive media, and every detail involved in Peter Butler's article has also become the object of discussion in some media.

Even a local tabloid in Los Angeles broke the news on its front page about how Simon was attacked late at night in Santa Monica last year.

Although it was stated that this was a real case confirmed by the Santa Monica Police Department, the tabloid completely adopted a joking tone of surprise, describing Simon as if he had witnessed it with his own eyes, one against five, and bravely smashed five

The gangster's right leg, and an elbow knocked out seven of a gangster's teeth. It was like Bruce Lee was reborn.

Immediately afterwards, due to its proximity to the waterfront, the equally influential San Francisco Chronicle in San Francisco also published a biography of Simon, completing all his experiences before the age of 18.

Grew up in a child welfare home in San Jose.

original surname.

The only top student from a community public high school to be admitted to Stanford in many years.

Less than two months after entering Stanford, he suffered a sudden schizophrenia.

The "San Francisco Chronicle" described Simon's growing up experience in a very sympathetic tone, and raised questions about the children's welfare home in San Jose based on Simon's past that he began to be self-reliant at the age of 13, and also speculated about Simon's

The root cause of mental illness is likely to be the intense stress caused by years of hard living.

As for why such a young man who came out of the bottom was suddenly able to make a well-received independent film, the San Francisco Chronicle was unable to find the root cause. However, the newspaper also did not appear too surprised, but quoted

Here is a quote from a Simon Middle School teacher who was interviewed by a newspaper: Simon is a very hard-working kid, and I would not be surprised if he creates any miracles.

This view is almost identical to the argument in Peter Butler's article, and it also unknowingly creates a realistic basis for the fact that Simon suddenly became a film genius.

Of course, amidst all the noise, there is no shortage of doubting voices.

After the "Los Angeles Times" article about Simon was published, in the countless related calls made to the newspaper's editorial department, many people were incredulous that Peter Butler praised a young man so highly, and even felt that the "Los Angeles Times" was sensationalizing.

Regarding the news about Simon's one-on-five attack published by the gossip tabloid, the host of a late-night talk show on a local TV station even made some unceremonious and bitter ridicule.

As public opinion continues to accumulate and brew, the public's attention is gradually shifted to one thing, Simon's movie, "Run Lola Run".

Since you spoke so well of that boy, why don't you show us the movie?

As a result, as Simon's most direct partner with Hollywood, many calls were also made to Fox Pictures to inquire about the release date of "Run Lola Run". Many newspapers that were watching the excitement but had not yet joined the discussion either sincerely or jokingly

Urge Hollywood film companies to push "Run Lola Run" to theaters as soon as possible.

Los Angeles.

Now that the public opinion campaign had been successful, after Simon returned from Park City, he simply asked his agent Jonathan Friedman to help contact him and held a small preview screening for various Hollywood film companies in a screening room in Century City.

In the following days, Simon frequently negotiated personally with senior executives of major film companies.

However, the result was not satisfactory.

Friday, January 30th.

Nearing get off work, returning from Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, the Chevrolet SUV stopped in front of the villa in Montana.

Janet pushed the door and got out of the car, and looked at her boyfriend who had returned empty-handed on the other side of the car. The woman walked over and put her arms around Simon's arm, leaning her head and placing a sticker on his shoulder, saying: "Sooner or later, the film company will chase him.

Looking for collaborations with you, just like Spielberg."

Simon led the woman to the door, took out the key and opened the door. He smiled and said: "Just like Spielberg? Why can't we be our own bosses and let those executives work for us?"

"Yeah, yeah," Janet nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, and said with certainty, "Daenerys Pictures will definitely develop into a big company like Fox or Warner in the future."

Simon opened the door and saw that Janet was still hanging on him. He reached out to pick up the woman's light body and gently threw it to the sofa in the living room. Then he smiled and said: "My imagination is still not enough. In the future, I want to be like Morgan and Rockefeller back then."

Same, become the master of the entire Hollywood."

I remember once seeing a tree diagram of the corporate relationships of major Hollywood film companies in the early 20th century. The eight major film companies of that year, going back up the chain, half belonged to Morgan and half belonged to Rockefeller.

That was the golden age of capital.

Janet was left on the sofa by Simon. After listening to what he just said, her body was limp and she could barely hold herself up. She looked at the man who hung the satchel on the hanger with a flushed face: "Simon, I will help you."

"Okay," Simon agreed. When he saw a message on the phone in the living room, he walked over and pressed it and said, "How about you start by helping me make dinner?"

"Yeah."

Janet nodded, but hugged a pillow and lay lazily on the sofa motionless.

On the other side, the phone message was from Orion Pictures President Mike Medowa, asking if Simon was free tonight and hoping to have dinner together.

Simon naturally understood Mike Medova's intention, and he couldn't help but make calculations in his mind.

In recent days, Simon has basically been in contact with all seven major Hollywood film companies. However, the conditions offered by the seven major film companies are difficult to satisfy him.

Simon is not greedy either.

The current heated media discussion surrounding his age when he made "Run Lola Run" is just like the success of "Blair Witch" that relied on Internet viral marketing in the original time and space. It may only be used once in this life.

If it works properly and with enough luck, "Run Lola Run" is likely to create a small box office miracle. Simon can also use this opportunity to accumulate a good amount of original capital.

only.

The long-term industry advantages have made the seven major film companies very strong in cooperation negotiations. In addition, "Lola Run" lacks the attributes of a standard commercial film, and the conditions offered by each company are generally lower than Simon's expectations. Simon

There's obviously not much room for bargaining.

After leaving Warner Bros. Studios in the afternoon, Simon had already confirmed a reality in his heart.

At least for now.

The seven major film companies are not ideal partners.

After reorganizing his thoughts, Simon looked at Janet, who was still lying on the sofa, and said with a smile: "Get up, I don't need you to cook dinner, let's go and eat together."

Now that the decision has been made, Simon no longer pins his hopes on the seven major film companies.

Mike Medova, president of Orion Pictures, has been very interested in this project after reading the script and storyboards of "Run Lola Run". Compared with the seven major film companies, Orion Pictures can also stand on the same page.

Negotiate cooperation with Simon on a relatively equal footing.

Both parties were inclined to cooperate, so they hit it off at the subsequent dinner. After two days of intensive negotiations over the weekend, Simon quickly reached a distribution agreement with Orion Pictures.

February 2nd, Monday.

An announcement in the "Hollywood Reporter" quickly attracted the attention of many people.
Chapter completed!