There are many filmmakers in Hollywood who insist on writing, directing and starring with an excellent script and become famous in one fell swoop. Stallone is the most legendary among them. Unfortunately, Peter Berg is not among them.
Not only that, this guy is also considered a big trap in Hollywood.
In the past, Peter Berg's self-written and directed debut film "Bad Things" ended in failure, which did not stop this racially motivated filmmaker from rising to prominence in Hollywood. In the following years, he directed more than a dozen films. There are many films, many of which are blockbusters with large investments and big productions.
However, except for "Hancock" starring Will Smith at his peak, the others have basically failed, such as "Battleship", such as "Deep Sea", and even some have not left any impression on the audience at all. Big-budget movies such as "The Jungle Book" and "Bloody Kingdom".
However, Simon likes to see this kind of filmmaker.
As long as you don't cheat yourself, that's fine.
At this moment, when he heard Peter Berg's confident offer of conditions, Simon's expression was not displeased at all. Instead, he looked like a talented person who saw a thousand-mile horse. He decisively agreed: "No problem, Peter, I'll have breakfast with you." I’ve read the synopsis of the script for Bad Stuff, it’s a great story.”
Peter Berg obviously didn't expect Simon to be so straightforward. He was stunned for a moment and then subconsciously said: "But Mr. Westeros, Mr. Maurice and I talked once, and he thought I was a novice..."
Simon waved his hand and interrupted: "Peter, I am the boss. In this way, I think if "Bad Things" is done well, it has a good chance of winning an Oscar, so it can be put under the banner of Gaomen Pictures and let Ella be in charge."
Oscar
Peter Berg was once again surprised and inevitably excited. If his project could win an Oscar, even if it was only nominated, it would be enough to make him famous in Hollywood.
But, this good thing seems to come too easily
Seeing that Peter Berg didn't know how to react, Simon skillfully changed the subject: "But, Peter, what if you want to direct it yourself? Due to risk considerations, the budget must be controlled within 10 million US dollars. Actors It also has to be decided by us.”
This is normal.
Simon's voice fell? Even Robert Redford, who was listening in the audience, had such thoughts.
Peter Berg suddenly felt that things were back to normal, but he immediately said: "Mr. Westeros, $10 million is too little. Frankly speaking, several other studios interested in "Bad Things" have offered The budget is more than 10 million."
"Funding may be important for a movie, but it's never the decisive factor? Peter, "Good Will Hunting" only had a budget of $10 million. Look how much the audience likes this movie now? So? Collaborators are The key? Can Daenerys help you make a great movie? And also bring it to market successfully? That's what matters."
Saying that? Simon was really worried that Peter Berg would agree on the spot? So that was enough: "Well, think about it carefully, Peter, I look forward to good news from you."
After Simon finished speaking, he deliberately ignored Peter Berg and turned his attention to Robert Redford next to him.
The goal has definitely been achieved.
Surrounded by guests? Simon didn't lower his voice just now? Comparing "Bad Things" with the recent "Good Will Hunting" that continues to be a hit? When the news gets out, I don't believe that other Hollywood studios will not take the lead.
The noon reception will last until 2pm.
Simon stayed until the end, patiently communicating with all the filmmakers present. When the reception ended and he was about to leave, he was stopped again by Natasha Richardson, who had chatted with him at the beginning of the reception.
"Simon, I think you should apologize to me."
Having just whispered to Girl A to tell Ella Deutschman about "Bad Stuff", Simon heard Natasha Richardson's sudden words and asked with a smile: "Why?"
Natasha Richardson stared at Simon: "You said I would die if I skied again. This... is ridiculous."
Simon realized his mistake and corrected it: "Okay, I'm sorry, Nata."
The melancholy in Natasha Richardson's expression did not diminish at all: "But, Simon, you have ruined my hobby. Even if you take it back now, I still won't dare to ski again in the future."
"The matter sounds quite serious," Simon curled his lips slightly: "Well, don't you work on Broadway? How about I treat you to dinner next time I go to New York as compensation?"
Natasha Richardson was stunned for a moment. Is this direct or perfunctory? Although she was thinking so, her tone unconsciously softened slightly: "Simon, this is so insincere."
Simon raised his arms and put on the windbreaker handed over by Girl A, and said with a smile: "Dinner is just the beginning, we can seriously discuss more compensation then."
Sensing some hateful elements in the man's smile, Natasha Richardson shook her head subconsciously: "I didn't mean that, I mean, who knows if you will remember this next time you go to New York, could it be, um , not tonight?"
"It's a pity that I can't do it tonight. I have a lot to do."
Natasha Richardson saw that Simon's tone was serious and the man did not pursue some of the ambiguities in her words, so she had no choice but to agree.
Simon is indeed busy.
After the noon cocktail party, there was another film forum here in Park City. This time it had nothing to do with Sundance, but an exchange project jointly launched by several major studios in Hollywood. Many filmmakers would participate, and Simon also chose Attend. In the evening, there was another fashion party organized by Melisandre's CK brand.
Even if he has some free time, Simon's eyes are always on the film festival.
People collected a bunch of movie information planned to be screened at the film festival. Most of them were just simple posters. When he had a little leisure time while riding or waiting, Simon would look through them in order to find out what he missed and discover 'newcomers'.
Because there is so much information in my mind, it is easy to find many familiar names, but unfortunately they are all minor characters. However, we have discovered a trend. This year, there are many more films shot with digital cameras.
In this case, we can try to copy some previous projects, such as "The Blair Witch Project" and "The Haunting of Ghosts", which are pseudo-documentary horror films that use small details to create miracles.
At the same time, on the evening of January 19, the 54th Golden Globe Awards was officially held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
The results were basically within Simon's expectations.
The recently popular nominated film "Good Will Hunting" received nothing, the best picture in the drama category was taken away by "The English Patient", the winner of the best picture in the musical comedy category was "Mrs. Bellon", and Madonna also got her wish to get the best picture in the musical comedy category. Best heroine.
After the award results came out, the media expressed doubts as usual, mainly complaining about Daenerys Entertainment's two films "Good Will Hunting" and "Fargo."
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is also helpless.
Daenerys Entertainment’s public relations project this time is “The English Patient”, what else can they do
As a result, although "Good Will Hunting" achieved nothing, its popularity increased due to media attention, which once again stimulated an increase in box office. "Fargo", which had been released on video tape, also experienced a surge in sales.
Everyone is happy.
Moreover, Daenerys Entertainment also quietly won the overseas distribution rights of "The English Patient", which is regarded as some kind of exchange and compensation. You know, in the past, the domestic box office of "The English Patient" was only 78 million, but overseas it was 150 million.
Although it is not involved in the production, Daenerys Entertainment can also make a fortune by just distributing it.
In fact, Daenerys Entertainment has been responsible for overseas distribution of many MGM projects in recent years. On the one hand, MGM has limited overseas distribution capabilities. On the other hand, as the boss of Daenerys Entertainment, Simon also has to consider the interests of his own company. On a deeper level, doing so will also firmly trap MGM on the chariot of Daenerys Entertainment.
A new week has arrived, Simon returned to Los Angeles on Monday, and the most watched thing this week is undoubtedly Ygritte's earnings conference.
The time is January 22nd, Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock.
Holding a grand press conference specifically for the release of financial reports is not a pioneer, but it is also rare.
However, whether it is Ygriet's market value, the public attention the company has received, or even the most direct financial report data, it is worthy of such a high-profile planning.
In fiscal year 1996, Igret's annual revenue was US$33.6 billion. Compared with US$20.8 billion in 1995, it increased by 63% year-on-year. It did not fall back to the annual growth rate of less than 50% that was generally expected by the industry. .
Not only that, Yigret's full-year net profit in 1996 also reached an astonishing US$3.5 billion.
What are the concepts of revenue of US$33.6 billion and net profit of US$3.5 billion
According to the revenue ranking, it is US$33.6 billion, which has ranked among the top 20 of the top 500 domestic companies in the United States. When calculating profits, it breaks directly into the top 10 range.
In fact, this is not the key.
The most important point is that despite being ranked alongside a group of century-old corporate giants, Yigrit's revenue growth still shows no signs of slowing down. If it continues like this, the industry cannot even imagine what Yigrit will be like in the future. What a behemoth.
When Jeff Bezos showed the company's overall revenue data for 1996 to hundreds of reporters at the Eaglet Convention Center, many people couldn't help but think of someone from this new technology giant. A vague corporate motto.
You Know Nothing!
In recent years, there have been various interpretations of the rumor that Simon Westeros personally finalized the meaning of this corporate motto.
Now, how everyone feels about this is very simple.
The world is changing so fast that everyone really knows nothing about it!
Of course this is just a sentiment.
As senior executives from different business departments of Yigrit came on stage one after another to conduct detailed analysis of financial report data and different businesses, everything seemed so logical.
In addition to its core software services and advertising businesses, the business that received the most attention in 1996 was undoubtedly e-commerce.
After laying a solid foundation for several consecutive years, the Amazon Mall under the leadership of Alice Ferguson expanded even more radically in 1996. Not only did it continue to build warehousing and logistics centers across the United States, it also began to introduce more external merchants, and the product categories on the website also increased significantly to meet the needs of customers. The shopping needs of more consumers.
In addition, Amazon's European and Asian sites have also experienced rapid development.
Compared with the 63% annual growth of Yigrit as a whole, Amazon's revenue growth also ranked first among Yigrit's many businesses, reaching 103%, with a turnover of US$11.6 billion, accounting for the entire year of Yigrit. 34% of revenue.
When seeing this figure for the first time, the first reaction of some spectators who are familiar with the industry is 'water'.
Because the retail industry, like automobiles, electronic products and other fields, is very easy to obtain huge revenue.
Just like Wal-Mart, this retail giant's current revenue has reached hundreds of billions of dollars. In sharp contrast to the revenue, Wal-Mart's net profit margin is only about 3%, which is far lower than the software service industry, which can reach up to 20%. level of net profit.
Igret is positioned as a new technology company. It stands to reason that the source of revenue should be software and services with very high net profit margins. Now, using the rapidly expanding online retail revenue as revenue is not watered down. Suspect
However, after the initial doubts, most people suddenly became horrified.
Tens of billions!
The Amazon online store was launched in early 1992, and it has been exactly five years now.
It took five years to develop an online shopping business that had never been done before from zero to US$10 billion in revenue. This is already a miracle in itself. After all, only US$10 billion in revenue is enough to be listed in Fortune. 》 magazine’s ranking of the top 500 American companies.
Who can guarantee that a company with a revenue of US$10 billion will be built in five years, no matter what it is
Calculated this way, even if it is retail, so what!
What's more, when Alice Ferguson introduced more detailed data, many onlookers inside and outside the press conference also discovered the differences.
The e-commerce sector’s revenue of US$11.6 billion, of which US$10.3 billion comes from Amazon’s online retail, accounting for 88%, is indeed a high proportion, but there is another US$1.3 billion in revenue, which comes from the platform’s Commissions, storage, logistics and other income collected by third-party sellers.
This does not include advertising revenue, which is separately counted as another core business of Yigrit.
Because it is still in the early stages of development, in order to attract third-party buyers, Amazon charges very low fees for sales commissions, storage and logistics and other services. It is completely operating at a loss with its own money. Therefore, this income only accounts for 15% of the sales of third-party sellers. Around 20% even if the seller’s advertising expenses are included.
This also means that in just two or three years, the sales of third-party sellers on Amazon’s online mall have quickly reached 8.6 billion U.S. dollars, growing faster than self-operated sales.
According to Yigrit's official calculations, these sales of 8.6 billion US dollars, excluding the increasing number of employees in Amazon Mall itself, are conservatively estimated to have created 50,000 new jobs for the federal government.
This data is naturally part of the key promotion of this conference.
At the same time, Alice also announced that Yigrit will further promote the platformization of Amazon’s online mall and attract more third-party sellers. It plans to reduce the self-operated sales business to less than 30% in the next ten years and focus on supporting third-party buyers. Home, and the move is expected to bring no less than 1 million federal jobs.
With solid performance as support, no one can easily doubt that Igret is trying to spread the pie.
As the press conference continued, in addition to the dazzling financial report data, onlookers gradually realized Yigrit's purpose of holding this press conference. Yigrit once again publicly promoted the importance of his company to all aspects of federal society. .
Of course, it is impossible for most people to know the potential game behind this matter, but there are also some people who want to delve into other aspects.
For example, the antitrust investigation that Yigrit is facing.
When thinking turned to this point, certain things suddenly became clear. Yigret's high-profile financial report conference was probably to put pressure on Washington.
The subtext is simple.
If you were to break up Igret, it would likely mean the loss of millions of potential jobs.
Going further, for example, e-commerce is the fastest-growing industry and creates the most jobs. If any politicians in the authorities support the split of Yigrit, or which state is pursuing the antitrust investigation of Yigrit the most, then , unfortunately, your logistics center is gone, and so are the jobs. The end result is that some people's votes are gone.