Peter Sanders nodded, but said cautiously: "At least, Simon Westeros' driver's license shows that he is currently 18 years old. Ronald, if necessary, I can investigate."
Ronald Goldberg, however, stopped talking and leaned on the sofa to think.
As the president of a major Hollywood film company, Ronald Goldberg has accumulated many years of experience in film promotion and distribution. Naturally, Ronald Goldberg knows what kind of attention an 18-year-old director's work will bring if it is released in theaters.
A few years ago, Stephen Paul, a Hollywood actor who was a child star, directed his first movie "Love Again" when he was 20 years old. Although the quality of the film was appalling, it only received a few hundred thousand yuan after it was released in theaters. The box office of the film was US$1.5 million, but it still attracted the attention of many heavyweight media including the New York Times.
Now, Simon Westeros is just 18 years old, and this kind of gimmick is even more important than when he was 20 years old. Even though the difference is only two years, in most people's minds, an 18-year-old is still a teenager, while a 20-year-old is already an adult.
More importantly, judging from the film reviews from media such as "Variety" and "Hollywood Reporter", the quality of "Run Lola Run" is far superior to Stephen Paul's popular work.
If we win this movie, plus "The Butterfly Effect" written by Simon Westeros, and the two works are combined to formulate a complete publicity plan, they will definitely achieve unexpected gains.
When his thoughts came here, Ronald Goldberg suddenly remembered something: "Peter, if I remember correctly, the contract signed by Simon Westeros and us also has two priority options for the script. Right?"
Under the option contract, scripts written by Simon Westeros must be given priority to Fox Studios. Only if Fox Studios voluntarily gives up can they negotiate cooperation with other film companies.
Most of the post-production work on "Run Lola Run" was completed at Fox Studios, and even Ronald Goldberg actually heard about it. However, no one paid much attention to the experimental film created by a young man, so no one has ever raised any objections to it.
However, once many things become serious, they will definitely be different.
Peter Saunders Hall Ronald Goldberg said this, nodded knowingly, but immediately shook his head and said: "Ronald, I have asked someone to re-examine the contract, and there is another item in it." Exception clause, the film directed by Simon Westeros himself is not subject to the option contract. Therefore, he is not in breach of contract."
Peter Sanders was responsible for administrative work such as contract drafting for "The Butterfly Effect". Ronald Goldberg heard this and glanced at him with some dissatisfaction: "How could you agree to such terms?"
Peter Sanders explained with a helpless expression: ""The Butterfly Effect" was given the green light by Mr. Murdoch himself. Ronald, you also know the situation at that time. We must get this project done as soon as possible. Moreover, no one at the time I don’t think an unknown newcomer like Simon Westeros could make a decent movie.”
Ronald Goldberg waved his hand, not intending to listen to Peter Sanders's blaming words anymore, and said: "In this case, let Simon Westeros send the copy. The day after tomorrow, I will be there in the morning If you have time, watch the video first and then talk about other things.”
No matter what the movie reviews say, Ronald Goldberg still prefers to trust his own judgment.
Peter Sanders nodded, seeing that Ronald Goldberg wanted to see him off. He hesitated slightly and said, "There is one more thing about Sundance. The judge this time is David Anson. He’s my friend, I called him a few days ago.”
Ronald Goldberg was well aware of the character of Peter Sanders, who was not a big-hearted person, so he didn't think he would help Simon Westeros lobby for the award at all.
Glancing at the movie reviews on the coffee table, Ronald Goldberg shook his head and said: "With the current situation, do you think Sundance will let "Run Lola Run" go away empty-handed? Tell your friend, there is no need. Make these little moves. Simon Westeros’s increased reputation will also be good for The Butterfly Effect.”
…
After fielding phone calls all morning, Simon made an impromptu trip back to Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon after learning that Ronald Goldberg wanted to see the finished film of "Run Lola Run" in person.
On Wednesday morning, Ronald Goldberg saw the finished film and didn't comment much, other than doubling Peter Sanders' price to $2 million.
This is obviously still not what Simon is willing to accept.
So he simply rejected some other invitations, and Simon flew back to Utah in the afternoon, determined to wait until Sundance was over before considering the release.
On the other hand, as various media outlets praised "Run Lola Run" at the beginning of this week, the film's attention has gradually increased.
Although the Sundance Film Festival is non-profit, its project operations still adopt standard commercial processes. Whether it is the Utah government or advertising sponsors who provide subsidies, they naturally hope that the film festival can gain higher attention.
Therefore, when "Run Lola Run" began to attract attention, the film festival organizing committee continued to intentionally or unintentionally add fuel to the flames and proactively contacted more media for coverage.
Then, Robert Redford praised "Run Lola Run", movie tickets for the film screening were in short supply, Fox Pictures won a US$200,000 screenwriting contract, and the young director completed the behind-the-scenes of the film alone, etc., various news appeared unknowingly. It has entered the field of vision of more and more people, and continues to increase the popularity of Simon himself and "Lola Run".
Park City.
Time flies to the second weekend of the Sundance Film Festival.
In a conference room at the Sundance Institute at the foot of the western ski resort, David Anson, Randa Haynes, Jane Bennix, Kit... Carson and Amy Robinson discuss the final awards results.
Although he is the chairman of the Sundance Film Festival, Robert Redford has no right to interfere with the jury's selection results.
Of course, at least that's how it looks on the surface.
Robert Redford was in another office waiting for everyone to make a decision.
However, Robert originally thought that he had reached a tacit understanding with the five people in advance, but in the conference room, the discussion on the award was clearly divided into two groups.
On one side are Randa Haynes and Jane Bennix, both of whom strongly approved of awarding the Grand Jury Prize to "Run Lola Run".
Kit Carson and Amy Robinson on the other side are more inclined to another film "Waiting for the Moon". As for Run Lola Run, both felt Simon was too young and a special jury award would be enough. Of course, as compensation, you can also give Sundance's only technical award, the Photography Award, to the other party. "Lola Run" is also well-deserved in this regard.
Apart from the four people, David Anson was somewhat silent.
After everyone argued, Kit Carson suddenly looked at David Anson, and then said: "Randa, Jane, how about this, let's vote."
Randa Haynes and Jane Benix also glanced at David Anson, hesitated slightly, and agreed.
Then, there was no need for a show of hands at all. It was already two to two. David Anson only needed to express his attitude.
David Anson looked at a few people, but thought of recent events in his mind.
Before the opening of this year's Sundance, he received a call from his friend Peter Sanders, who is now the vice president of Fox. He expressed the hope that he could suppress Simon Westeros' "Lola Run" during the award selection process.
Then, after the first weekend of the film festival, perhaps because of the reputation of "Run Lola Run" or something else, Peter Sanders called again and said that there was no need to do this.
However, it was not over yet. On Wednesday afternoon, he received another call from Peter Sanders.
Peter Sanders sounded very helpless, but said that Simon Westeros unceremoniously rejected the very sincere cooperation conditions proposed by Ronald Goldberg. Ronald Goldberg Berg was also a little angry, and learned that Simon Westeros wanted to wait for a price after Sundance, so he once again hoped that David Anson could influence the outcome of the award.
Who do you think you are after going through so much trouble
Although David Anson is also a screenwriter, his job is actually as a staff writer for Newsweek, and he does not rely much on Hollywood.
Therefore, David Anson had originally decided not to get involved in these messes at all, and planned to let the other four people make decisions.
Unexpectedly at this time, everyone put the final decision in his hands.
After hesitating for a moment, David Anson looked around at the other people, and then slowly said, "I choose "Run Lola Run"."