Upon hearing Simon's request, Peter Sanders almost blurted out: Do you know what a producer does?

Ordinary people often have the impression of Hollywood filmmakers as a certain big star or a certain big director. But in fact, since the rise of the American film industry in the early 20th century, Hollywood has always been a producer-centered system.

Except for a few directors and stars who are powerful enough, in most cases, the one with the most power in a crew is usually the producer, and they are the final decision-makers to control the creative direction of a film.

Even those powerful directors and stars who want to exert their own influence on a movie often need to be named as producers, which means that the producer-centered system has not been broken.

Simon looked at Peter Sanders's changing expression, waited patiently for a moment, and then said: "Peter, I know what you are thinking. However, now that I have completed "Run Lola Run", I can naturally also finish "The God of Death"

"Do it well. Moreover, there is definitely no other person in Hollywood who knows better than me what kind of movie "Death Comes" should be made into."

Peter Sanders calmed down a little and said: "In that case, Simon, why don't you be the director yourself? Orion should be able to accommodate."

"Because it's not worth it, I want to focus on the movies that I am more interested in. However, "Death Is Coming" is my script, and I also hope to be able to personally control the production of this movie."

Peter Sanders thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Simon, you should know the situation in Hollywood. Fox will not give control of a movie to a young man like you."

Simon shrugged indifferently: "In this case, maybe other film companies will agree to do this."

Peter Sanders was suddenly speechless.

In the final analysis, the contract signed between Simon and Fox is just an option. With the box office hit of "Run Lola Run" and Simon's reputation at the peak, there will definitely be movie companies in Hollywood who are willing to break the tacit understanding of the option contract for the sake of profit.

If other studios agree to let Simon personally control the film, but Fox is unwilling to follow suit, then it will have no choice but to give up.

Fox has already given up on "Run Lola Run" before, and now it is giving up on "Death". If this movie is still very successful in the future, Fox will definitely become the laughing stock of Hollywood.

After hesitating for a moment, Peter Sanders said: "Simon, what are your conditions?"

"Including production, screenwriting and other work, I only need a basic salary of 1 dollar," Simon finished, and before Peter Sanders could react, he continued: "However, after the movie is released, I need to take 10% of the salary.

North American box office share and 5% video sales share, the operating cycle of TV broadcast rights is too long, I don’t want this.”

When Simon proposed a basic salary of US$1, Peter Sanders already showed a surprised expression. When Simon finished explaining the follow-up conditions, Peter Sanders' expression turned into astonishment.

This little guy is really brave enough to open his mouth.

Peter Sanders heard clearly that what Simon asked for was not a profit share with a lot of room for manipulation, but a direct share of box office revenue and a commission on video tape sales.

In the entire Hollywood, Spielberg is probably the only one who currently dares to offer such conditions.

After being stunned for dozens of seconds, Peter Sanders said: "Simon, this is impossible."

Simon looked at Peter Sanders, who was about to stare out his eyes, and made a calm gesture, saying: "Peter, actually, I have already had someone make a copy of my idea for this project in advance.

A simple budget assessment. Leave "Death Is Coming" to me, and it can be done with 8 million US dollars. As for the publicity and distribution cost, of course it is whatever you say. Moreover, I don't have the energy to calculate the cost of "Death Is Coming"

Break-even point. So, let’s make it simple. The future local box office in North America is calculated as US$16 million, twice the production cost. With Fox ensuring the schedule, number of screens, and investment in publicity and distribution, the North American box office of the film is less than 16 million.

I only get a base salary of $1. Above $16 million, my salary will be paid according to the conditions just now."

Peter Sanders calmed down a little after hearing Simon's words.

However, in a blink of an eye, he thought about the North American box office expectations of "Run Lola Run" which is likely to exceed US$160 million, and he quickly shook his head: "Simon, if you want to get the share conditions you just mentioned, US$16 million is

It is absolutely not enough, at least US$50 million is needed.”

Based on the information in his memory and the popularity he accumulated with "Run Lola Run", Simon's expectation for the North American box office of "Death is Coming" is indeed US$50 million. However, in this world, movies have always been the most difficult to predict the success or failure.

Naturally, he would not set such a high threshold for himself when it came to business.

Moreover, based on the production cost of "The Coming of Death" of US$8 million, as long as the North American box office can reach US$10 million, Fox will be able to easily achieve profitability through subsequent overseas distribution, video sales and television rights income.

Simon gave a guarantee of US$16 million, which is already very high.

"Peter, if I remember correctly, of the 16 movies released by Fox last year, only five had a box office of more than 10 million US dollars. Others such as Kate Capshaw's "Space Station" had a budget of 20 million US dollars and a North American box office of 9.69 million.

Sean Connery's "The Name of the Rose", with the same budget of 20 million US dollars, has a North American box office of 7.15 million. "The Manhattan Project", with a budget of 18 million US dollars, has a North American box office of 3.9 million. Look, you have invested so much money.

It’s a rubbish project, why wouldn’t you spend less money to invest in a very guaranteed movie?”

When Peter Sanders heard Simon suddenly mention "Space Station", the corner of his mouth twitched. He didn't know whether the young man did it on purpose, but he immediately retorted: "Simon, before the movie is released, no one can guarantee that it will work."

success."

Simon nodded and said: "Of course, Peter. But I can guarantee that if the movie is not successful, I only want 1 dollar, not 5 million."

Peter Sanders insisted: "Simon, there are actually many people in Hollywood who are willing to take only $1 for an opportunity."

"Based on the box office performance of "Run Lola Run", we push forward three years to "Top Gun" in 1986, "Back to the Future" in 1985, and "Beverly Cop" in 1984. So, what do you think?

Would Tom Cruise take $1, or would Robert Zemeckis take $1, or would Eddie Murphy take $1?" Simon stared at Peter Sanders and finished these words.

Then he stood up and said: "Peter, this is my condition. You can discuss it with Mr. Goldberg. It's best to give me an answer next week. By the way, the hotel has been booked by the crew. If you want to stay tonight

, I can have someone help you clean up a room."

After Simon finished speaking, he called the waiter to pay the bill, then stood up and left.

Peter Sanders did not get up, and was still sitting in the coffee shop, frowning and thinking. He came here on a Saturday afternoon, and in addition to discussing the contract for "Death Comes" with Simon, he actually also had an opportunity to meet with this upcoming star.

He wanted to build a relationship with a Hollywood rookie, so he originally planned to stay in Coolidge for two days.

However, recalling Simon's forcefulness during the conversation just now, Peter Sanders understood that it didn't make much sense for him to continue to stay here.

As for the conditions proposed by Simon, Peter Sanders calmed down and realized that strictly speaking, the other party's contract was not excessive.

Although it is still too young, although it has just produced a movie, and although there is still some luck involved in the success of that movie, the expected box office of "Lola Run" is really amazing. Even if the movie does not ultimately win this year's box office

The North American box office champion, as long as it reaches over 100 million, Simon will be qualified enough to make the offer just now.

Peter Sanders also understands that relying on the popularity accumulated in "Run Lola Run", "Death", a horror movie with novel creativity and strong commerciality, will easily obtain 16 million US dollars at the North American box office.

Moreover, even if the expectations are higher, the North American box office of "Dead Man" has reached 50 million, and Simon's share of the box office is only 5 million US dollars. Sean Connery's salary for participating in "The Name of the Rose"

It was only 5 million US dollars. The local box office of that movie in North America was just over 7 million US dollars, but Fox lost all the money.

Of course, there is also a 5% sales share of video tapes, which is also a price that should not be underestimated. According to the Screenwriters Guild's "Basic Agreement", film screenwriters can only extract 0.3% of the sales share from the videotape revenue in the later period of a movie.

That's all.

In the past year of 1986, the video sales revenue of Hollywood movies has successfully exceeded the North American box office revenue. Coupled with the fact that popular horror films are generally more popular in the video market than other genres, Simon's 5% offer will be enough to obtain in the future.

The share is likely to be equivalent to 10% of box office revenue.

but.

One point that Peter Sanders cannot ignore is that Simon's price is entirely based on ensuring Fox's profitability.

To be fair, that's fair.

Peter Sanders just finds it difficult to accept that an eighteen-year-old boy will break into the top of the Hollywood pyramid so soon and become an equal class to himself.
Chapter completed!