Jack Valenti was somewhat resistant to being guided by the young man in front of him: "Simon, the answer to this question is obvious."
"Yes, obviously, the screenwriters want more pay and better treatment," Simon simply answered for Jack Valenti, and continued: "However, this is fundamentally because of the screenwriters and producers The People's Alliance has a completely different position. If the position is different, there will be a conflict of interest, and the conflict is destined to cause losses, or even lose-lose for both parties, just like the past six months."
Jack Valenti felt the calm and sharp gaze of the young man across the dining table, and suddenly felt that he was really old: "Simon, I understand what you mean. This is not a wise choice. You cannot fight against the entire Hollywood."
Simon shook his head and said: "Jack, you don't understand that I have no intention of fighting against the entire Hollywood. Although I am not afraid of this, right now, we are discussing a matter of position."
Jack Valenti showed a puzzled expression: "A matter of position?"
"Yes, it's a matter of position," Simon nodded and said, "Jack, I don't dislike the rating committee's differential rating strategy. Vested interests maintain their own privileges. This is almost the instinct of any industry. The traditional seven major Film companies are vested interests in Hollywood. Even Orion, which can join the MPAA, is actually of the same lineage as the Seven. They are the 'players' in this industry and the makers of the rules. The weak second- and third-tier film companies can only act like It's unfair, but also fair, for 'chess pieces' to submit to the rules. The problem now is that Daenerys Entertainment already has the strength to become a Hollywood 'player', but some people still treat this company as a 'chess piece' , this is pushing Daenerys Entertainment into a position that is completely opposite to itself."
"Simon, since you understand this, you should also know that changing status and class in this world is never easy. You cannot expect Daenerys Entertainment to be accepted by the traditional forces of Hollywood so quickly."
"Whether one takes the initiative or is forced, people always have to face reality," Simon leaned forward slightly and looked at Jack Valenti and said slowly: "Next Monday, Daenerys Entertainment will resubmit "Scream" This is the last review of the year, and it also determines the stance of Daenerys Entertainment. If "Scream" still fails to pass the R-rated review, I will face reality, cancel the film's schedule, and Confirm my position as a 'chess piece'. Then, I will stand on my own and lead other 'chess pieces' to resist the unfair treatment of second- and third-tier film companies by the MPAA Ratings Committee for a long time."
Jack Valenti leaned back on the chair without leaving a trace, but did not avoid the eyes of the young man opposite him, and said: "Simon, do you think no one has done this?"
"The real 'chess piece' is in the game, so it is naturally difficult to resist the rules. Daenerys Entertainment is different. The production cost of "Scream" is US$10 million, which is very difficult for many independent producers. It may be an investment that determines whether the company goes bankrupt. If they encounter similar suppression, they usually have no choice but to bow to the big film companies and actively hand over the distribution rights to the big seven to avoid losses. But I don’t care, Jack, 10 million Even if all the dollars are lost, it’s nothing to me. Hollywood shouldn’t be able to find anyone richer than me,” Simon said, suddenly emphasizing: “But I will never be willing to bear this money. Loss, they pushed a 'player' who is fully capable of breaking the rules onto the chessboard, don't blame me for breaking the rules wantonly. If "Scream" still fails to pass the review, first of all, major mainstream media in North America will immediately There will be press releases about the film being unfairly treated in the ratings process, but that's just the beginning. Then I'll invest another $10 million in a documentary about Hollywood's independent producers since the advent of the voluntary film ratings system. Documentaries on injustice, Jack, I have asked people to list more than 30 similar films, which I plan to use as the focus of research for this documentary, and you can continue to open the documents in front of you."
Jack Valenti subconsciously reopened the folder in front of him. After reviewing the rating memos for "Basic Instinct" and "Scream," he found a long list of movies, many of which were familiar.
Without waiting for Jack Valenti to respond, Simon continued: “It is very easy to prove the unfair ratings of these independent producers’ films by just comparing the simplest seven-produced films with similar plots in these films. Then, as a 'player' who was pushed to the 'chess piece' position, I will lead all the 'chess pieces' to change this extremely unfair movie rating system. Since the positions are different, I feel that institutions like the rating committee should not be used at all. The MPAA should either become an official federal agency, or it should be led by an association with a broader membership system such as the Motion Picture and Television Producers Alliance to maintain its independence and impartiality as much as possible. If necessary, I can If I spend another 10 million US dollars to lobby the federal government, I believe that once the matter is initiated, those independent producers who have been suppressed for a long time will definitely contribute their own strength in this process. Finally, I can even initiate the establishment of a A special foundation has filed a lawsuit against the MPAA for films that suffered commercial box office losses due to excessive ratings in the past 20 years, demanding huge compensation. Even if I can't win, I will persist. When the time comes, I will be very curious about the MPAA's annual budget. Are the funds available to sustain the expensive legal costs? Jack, do you want me to continue?”
Jack Valenti felt a thin layer of sweat forming on his back without even realizing it.
If the documentary described by Simon actually appears, the MPAA will immediately fall into a very passive situation. Not to mention the list of 30 movies in the document, there are only two ratings review results with very obvious differential treatment for "Basic Instinct" and "Scream". Once announced, it will be enough to give Daenerys Entertainment an advantage in public opinion.
Once a public opinion storm arises, the federal government has to take it seriously, which creates the possibility for Daenerys Entertainment to lobby.
Finally, a special foundation is set up to carry out litigation bombing. This rogue method is absolutely very effective. No company or industry association can withstand this fatigue offensive for a long time.
Public opinion offensive, money strategy, lawsuit bombardment.
The combination of the three is sometimes enough to subvert a regime, let alone an industry association like the MPAA, which is ultimately just an industry association supported by a few companies.
At a certain moment, Jack Valenti even had a strong doubt as to how the young man opposite him, who was only twenty years old, came up with these confrontational strategies that were more pungent and sophisticated than many senior politicians.
There was obviously other information after the list of 30 movies in the folder, but Jack Valenti found that he did not dare to flip through it any more. He closed the increasingly heavy folder again and looked up at the young man opposite. : "Simon, this won't do you any good."
"I understand," Simon said with a serious expression: "But this is a matter of stance, and it is some people's own choice. Jack, since you have chosen opposition, this is the inevitable result."
"Just for a Scream movie?"
"If this problem cannot be completely solved, Daenerys Entertainment will face more similar situations in the future, so, Jack, I will not give in."
Jack Valenti pondered for a moment and said, "Simon, you shouldn't say these things to me."
"You are the chairman of the MPAA, Jack. You have an obligation to lobby the federal government for bills that are beneficial to the Hollywood film industry. You also have an obligation to let the major Hollywood film companies understand their situation. Moreover, the old men are very face-saving and will talk about this in person. , I’m worried that they will be too ugly, or even angry. So, I’m still a pretty good junior.”
"An aggressive and respectful junior," Jack Valenti twitched his lips and said, "Simon, don't you see that I am already an old man?"
Simon shrugged, "Sorry, Jack, but it's your job."
A few tongue-in-cheek words made the tense atmosphere a little more relaxed unconsciously. As lunch was served, Simon also took the initiative to chat about some more relaxed topics. However, Jack Valenti could not relax at all.
After lunch, Jack Valenti drove back to MPAA headquarters.
Looking at the young man standing at the door of the restaurant in the rearview mirror, still watching him, Jack Valenti picked up the car phone and dialed a series of numbers as soon as the car turned a corner. When the call was connected, he scanned He glanced at the folder on the passenger seat and said in a serious tone: "Lu, I'm afraid we have to talk, talk carefully, I'll go to your side now."
Simon waited for Jack Valenti's car to go away, but did not get into his car parked on the roadside. He just casually walked southward along the north-south street outside the restaurant, sorting through many recent events in his mind. .
Simon was not bluffing at all in his remarks at lunch.
After this time, if "Scream" still fails to get the ratings it deserves, Simon will not hesitate to stir up a storm and show the entire Hollywood that Daenerys Entertainment exists.
As for the result, let’s do it first and then talk about it.
While strolling, I came to the end of the street before I knew it. In front of me was a low highway overpass. This is the 101 Highway that crosses Burbank.
Looking at the overpass in front of him, Simon suddenly remembered the first time he came to Los Angeles after his rebirth. He got on the bus in Watsonville and entered the city of Burbank along the highway in front of him. He also had to stay overnight in the valley because he underestimated the lack of public transportation in Los Angeles.
Two years have passed, but the situation seems to have been a long time ago. The public transportation in Los Angeles has not improved in the past two years, but he is no longer the down-and-out boy he once was.
The two women he met for the first time also unknowingly became the closest people around him.
Noticing a public phone box on the street, Simon inexplicably wanted to call Janet or Catherine.
When I walked to the phone, I found that there were no coins in my pocket and only a few brand-new hundred-dollar bills in my wallet. The lunch just now was naturally his treat, but even the tip was settled with a credit card, and Simon couldn't even remember the last time he bought something with cash.
Janet took really good care of his life. Simon had discovered a long time ago that if a woman wanted to make him completely lose his ability to take care of himself, he would have to rely more and more on her 'little conspiracy'. After two lifetimes, it was impossible for Simon to really become a person who was indifferent to all kinds of things, but he seldom bothered about these trivial matters in life.
Neil Bennett, who had been driving slowly behind Simon, noticed his boss's behavior and stopped the car with some confusion. He didn't know why Simon didn't choose to use the car phone and instead walked to the public phone box. Noticing Simon checking his wallet, Neil Bennett pushed the door open and got out of the car, and took the initiative to hand Simon a few coins.
We talked on the phone yesterday. Janet, who had just traveled around Europe, is currently living in the mansion in Cannes, France.
During this time, Janet has looked at all the properties selected by Sophia Fesi, and after confirming that there are no problems, she is currently solving the loan problem.
There are a total of sixteen properties. Although he plans to buy them all, Simon has no plan to pay for them in full, and he cannot afford the money now.
However, with Simon's current net worth, he wants a loan for consumption, and banks in both North America and Europe are very happy to lend him money. After all, this loan is very secure for the bank, and Simon's billions of dollars mean that he is fully capable of repaying it.
Even in the unlikely event that Simon is unable to repay the loan, the properties themselves can be used as compensation. .
Although he remembered the phone number there very clearly, the public phone in front of him could not make international calls. Simon put the coins into the phone and had to dial Catherine's number in New York.
Katherine has lived in New York ever since that ridiculous night. The reason given by the woman was to make "Blue Angel", but Simon could feel that Catherine was at a loss about the relationship between two or three people, so he deliberately avoided it.
It was working time in the afternoon in New York, and I didn't know if Catherine was at home.
"Blue Angel" has been basically completed, but Simon knows that a woman's life is not monotonous. Nowadays, New York is still the base of independent films in the United States. Catherine gets along well with this circle. She recently served as the producer of another independent film while completing the post-production process of "Blue Angel". After Simon learned about it, he asked her if she could help herself, such as investing some money, but she was rejected.
Sure enough, Catherine was not in the apartment at this time. The phone beeped a few times and then she left a message. Since there was nothing serious, Simon hung up the phone and planned to call again in the evening. Neither woman could get through, so Simon put down the phone, stopped wandering, got into his Range Rover, and told Neil Bennett to return to Santa Monica.
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