Two Hundred and Sixty-Nine - Throw Money at It

"Wayne, you did a great job."

The old man who spoke had a conspicuous hooked nose. He was a member of the old academy and a director and producer who was active in the 1960s.

Perhaps in this day and age, almost no one knows the fame of Raheem Weitzman, but this old man can influence a large portion of the votes in the academy.

"You're still young, don't worry." The old Jewish man with a hooked nose was obviously in a good mood. He held the wine glass with a smile and said to the young people in front of him. "Some things will be yours sooner or later. Just know that there are many old guys like me who are always paying attention to you."

"Thank you, Mr. Weitzman." Wayne did not show a flattering expression, but looked reserved, picked up the wine glass and clinked it with the other party. "The reason why Hollywood has developed like this is inseparable from the hard work of seniors like you. I can only achieve some success by standing on your shoulders."

Now that he is here, he must be ready and put away some of his personality. The basic operations of talking to people and talking to ghosts are really not difficult for him.

Wayne knows better than anyone in his heart that if he wants that statuette, he cannot do without the support of these old guys.

Although they are out of touch with the times, their influence on awards is definitely not comparable to that of those happy film critics. Old men like them never represent just one person and one vote, but a group of people. Large Jewish groups.

After hearing Wayne's words, the old man was obviously in a better mood, and the smile on his face became brighter. Although he knew that what the young man said was very flattering, Rahim Weizman still felt Very useful.

These few words simply touched the hearts of these older generation of filmmakers. In the hearts of these older generations in Hollywood, they have always felt that it was their own efforts that allowed the film industry to overtake Europe and become the center of world cinema.

"We're getting old, Wayne."

Raheem Weitzman took a sip of champagne and looked at the young man in front of him with more appreciation. "You have done a great job in promoting the development of the Hollywood film industry, and the Academy will not forget your contribution."

As he was talking, he saw the two giants of DreamWorks walking over and shook his head with a smile. "As an old man, I won't take up your time. Let's play golf together when we have the chance."

Wayne nodded and shook his hand again. "Okay, you can call me anytime."

What the other party said was that the Academy would never forget his contribution to the promotion of the Hollywood film industry. This was the most important thing and what he wanted to hear most.

To be precise, this sentence is not wrong at all. The movie "Joker" broke down the market barriers of many countries around the world several years in advance. For the first time, many countries saw how the Hollywood film industry has failed. Luo's, harvesting the global box office.

This achievement cannot be compared with even the subsequent release of "Jurassic Park".

You know, this thing was supposed to be done by the truck driver. At the end of 1997, that big ship made everyone in the world understand for the first time what the film industry is.

Now that he has taken the lead, the meaning is very different.

"Boss."

Seeing that her boss was habitually stunned, Nina reached out and poked him lightly, and whispered behind him: "Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg are here..."

Before she could finish speaking, the good old man who came over came up to her and started chatting with a smile. "How is it? Doesn't it feel like being the center of the world?"

"Maybe, it doesn't feel too bad anyway." Wayne shrugged and stretched out his hand to the bald man wearing glasses next to him. "Hello, Mr. Katzenberg, nice to meet you."

"Hello, Director Greenberg."

After they greeted each other, Steven Spielberg took a look at Jeff Robinov, who had been observing here, and said straight to the point: "There are some things I want to talk to you about. It's not convenient here. Let’s find a lounge.”

"Okay, our problem."

He had already met everyone he should know, and he sold his smile all night and continued to stay here. The rest was nothing more than socializing, so Wayne readily agreed, wanting to see what this good old man was selling in Hululi. What medicine.

Before leaving the banquet hall, he raised his glass to the CEO of Warner Bros., then took Nina and followed the two industry bosses into the corner lounge.

The space in the lounge is not large. Four people sit around a table and observe each other on the sofa. After the waiter served the coffee, he exited and closed the door.

Steven Spielberg glanced at Nina first, then turned his head with a serious look on his face and said, "Wayne, I have contacted your agent several times before, but unfortunately, the results were not very good."

"I am too busy."

Wayne explained equally seriously. "The filming of Batman has just ended, and I have to focus on post-production again, and I can hardly even take a break."

He had roughly guessed the other party's purpose, but he still took out a cigarette, lit it and waited patiently for the other party to continue talking. He was very curious about what conditions the two big bosses of DreamWorks would use to impress him.

"Okay, Wayne." Steven Spielberg didn't beat around the bush and said directly: "DreamWorks has a project in hand. We all feel that you will be the best director. The scale of this project and The style suits you perfectly.”

Seeing that he had been listening attentively, the good old man and Jeffrey Katzenberg looked at each other and continued: "This film has the humanistic care that you are good at, the bloody and real battlefield depictions, and most importantly, We all agreed that this project would be most suitable to be made into an R-rated film."

Wayne's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. He probably guessed which project it was. If he was right, it should be the World War II film that started with the beach landing.

"Of course, if you feel that this film is not suitable for you after watching it," the other party continued. "It's better to get used to projects initiated by yourself. We can also talk about your ideas."

"Steven."

Without thinking, Wayne shook his head. "We all know that it is impossible for me to shoot a project invested by DreamWorks, so I don't need to take it out. I'm sorry."

"Don't be too busy refusing. Maybe you can take a look at the plan and script first."

Seeing that he shook his head and refused without hesitation, Steven Spielberg stated his conditions. "Thirty percent! Wayne, 30% of the global box office will be your remuneration as a director and producer.

No matter how much the movie earns at the box office, this share ratio will not change! The current planned production cost is US$70 million. If you are willing to take over, DreamWorks will add an additional US$20 million as your basic director's remuneration. "

Yes, Steven Spielberg thought very simply, just spend money on Chi Luoluo.

As long as the other party is willing to direct, he is willing to pay the terrifying upfront remuneration and post-production share to ensure that the film can achieve maximum success.

These shares sound scary at first glance, almost equivalent to DreamWorks giving up most of its profits. The good old man has already made a plan. If this can be done with money, the price of thank you will definitely not be much, and DreamWorks can earn more profits offline.

"I admit, no one doesn't like more money, and I like it too." Wayne took a deep breath and suppressed the momentary heartbeat in his heart. "But it's a pity, Steven. My work plan has been scheduled for five years. I'm afraid I don't have the time and energy to direct this film."

He was not lying. If he guessed correctly, the preparation time for this project would definitely not be shorter than that of "Batman Begins." A large number of actors in the film need to undergo several months of military training and learn to use equipment from World War II.

When it comes to preparing and completing the shooting, the work is not easy, and it cannot be completed in a short time. It involves a large number of actors, a large number of explosion scenes, and a large number of battlefield restorations, which are almost impossible to complete in a short time.

Even if the factors of different positions are removed, he does not have that long to shoot an alternative war film.

"I hope you're thinking about it." Steven Spielberg had expected it and didn't show any disappointment. “This film really suits your style, especially the depiction of the cruelty of war and the discussion of human nature.

And the most important thing is that this is a realistic film that is naturally suitable for the Oscar stage. "

"never mind."

Wayne still refused face to face. If it were a different director, the sky-high remuneration and the temptation of an Oscar might be enough to convince him to agree, but he already had his own plan, and he was not short of money.

"Steven, I suggest you direct this film yourself. I really don't have enough time."

"Okay, if you change your mind, you can contact me." Steven Spielberg took a deep look at Wayne for the last time, stood up and said politely to him, and met with Jeffrey Katzenberg, who had always been taciturn. Grid, walked out of the lounge.

The remaining two people were not in a hurry to go out, but sat on the sofa and continued drinking coffee.

From a pure perspective of remuneration, the other party's sincerity is indeed very sufficient. Even Warner Bros. would not dare to play with the conditions offered by DreamWorks. It can only be said that Steven Spielberg is too eager to use a box office bomb to overcome the increasing constraints of DreamWorks.

It's a pity that Wayne really can't spare time. Even if he could spare a year, he wouldn't shoot a movie invested by DreamWorks. This is the basic premise.

If you just want to use money to knock him out, the price the other party has to pay is terrifying and not enough.

"Sorry, I didn't see anyone here..."

The door to the lounge was suddenly pushed open, and a woman smelling of alcohol stumbled in. "Ah! Director Greenberg, what a coincidence."

Wayne looked at the woman who smelled of alcohol but had clear eyes, and muttered something in a low voice. "interesting."