Simon thought for a moment and then said: "You can think of this as an alternative workplace experience, Amy. First of all, you only need to devote two years. I already have three projects planned in hand now, and there will be at least three more next year. Take it. In the next two years, we will work together to complete these six projects. Relying on the popularity accumulated by "Run Lola Run", I believe that it will not be difficult for one of these six projects to break into the top ten of the North American box office rankings."
When Amy Pascal heard what Simon said, she couldn't help but interrupt: "Simon, although "Run Lola Run" is very successful, in my opinion, there are too many accidental factors. The annual theaters in North America There are around 400 to 500 movies, and it’s definitely not as simple as you think to get into the top ten at the box office. It’s not just determined by the quality of the movie itself.”
Simon listened patiently to Amy Pascal's interjection, and then said: "Amy, "Run Lola Run", "Butterfly Effect", and "Death is Coming", these three scripts, I think you will not deny them. All very good, right?"
Amy Pascal hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Simon continued: "Now that I can come up with these three excellent scripts, I am also confident that I can run six outstanding enough projects in the next two years. This includes "The God of Death", in addition to I will be very cautious about my next two directing works, as well as the other three. I don’t think there is much problem with six opportunities to hit the top ten at the North American box office. If you insist that this is impossible, then , and we really don’t need to talk anymore.”
Amy Pascal shrugged: "Okay, Simon, I agree with your hypothesis for the time being, but what's next? It seems like you haven't given me a reason to work for you yet?"
"If you hadn't interrupted me just now," Simon spread his hands and pointed to a round table not far away. Amy didn't refuse. The two walked over and sat down together. Simon continued: "So, the reason. Come work for me, and your participation in the next six projects will be greatly increased compared to your current authority as Vice President of Production at Fox. In fact, many people will regard this as your credit in the future, because Simon Weiss After all, Tello is just a young boy less than twenty years old. Moreover, as long as we achieve our goal of hitting the top ten box office charts again, this will become your qualifications. With this qualification, in two years, if you plan to It will be easy to leave and find another job at the Seventh University. If you want to stay, then I will certainly welcome you."
When Amy Pascal heard Simon's self-ridicule just now, a smile appeared on her lips. When he finished speaking, she quickly put away her expression and said: "Simon, I found a problem. If all six of your projects fail, Otherwise, the Seventh National Congress may never accept me again."
"Of course, everything is risky," Simon said. "But what if it succeeds? Or even very successful? Your current position is Fox's vice president of production. As a woman, I miss you." You should understand that this has almost reached the career ceiling in Hollywood. If you continue to be qualified at the top seven universities, if you want to go further, you may have to wait until ten years later. But if you choose to work for me, in the next two years, if the project in our hands is very Success. Then the old-timers at the top of Hollywood would probably think, oh, maybe let that woman give it a try."
After Simon said these words, Amy Pascal's eyes finally flickered slightly. Noticing that the boy opposite was looking at her seriously, the woman sipped the champagne in her hand and said, "Simon, you are sexist."
Simon said innocently: "Amy, this is sexism in Hollywood and has nothing to do with me. If I were sexist, you wouldn't hear what I just said."
Amy Pascal hesitated for a moment, then said: "Simon, what you just described is just a very ideal result. Frankly speaking, I feel that if I stay in Fox, the chance of encountering the situation you described is greater. .”
"Fox shouldn't have had a movie with a box office of over 100 million for several years, right?" Simon asked back, and before Amy could answer, he continued: "I know what you are worried about, Amy. A person who has just made a name for himself in Hollywood It’s crazy to think that a young director wants to recruit a vice president of a big film company. However, there are so many great things in the world that start from a crazy idea. You just started this year At the age of 29, do I have to be like those old men in their fifties and sixties who have no spirit of adventure?”
Amy Pascal finally did not answer quickly this time, and sipped the champagne in her hand.
Simon didn't rush him and waited patiently.
After two or three minutes of this, until she finished the champagne in the glass, Amy Pascal raised her head again, looked at the young man opposite, and said: "Simon, it is not impossible for you to want me to work for you. However, I want 20% of Daenerys Films."
Simon immediately shook his head and said: "Amy, as long as your work is good enough, I will definitely give you a certain equity reward in the future, but definitely not now. However, in order to compensate for your move from the seven vice presidents to an independent production company, Crazy choice, I can give you a packaged salary of US$500,000 in the next two years. Of course, bonuses are not included."
In this era, excluding project commissions, the annual salary of a vice president of a major film company is not high, probably between 100,000 and 150,000 US dollars. Simon's package salary of US$500,000 over two years at this time is definitely very sincere.
However, Amy Pascal was not impressed by Simon's salary package and insisted: "Simon, with the experience and connections I have accumulated now, if I leave Fox, I can also create my own production company. There is no need to cooperate with you. .So if you want me to work for you, I have the right to demand a certain shareholding. Of course, you can spin Run Lola Run away from Daenerys Films and I won’t receive any of the proceeds.”
The top management of major Hollywood film companies has been changing very frequently. Company sales, contract expiration, project failure and other reasons will lead to personnel changes.
It is naturally impossible for those film company executives who leave to do other careers. They usually set up a production company, either affiliated with a major film company, or go it alone. The basic process is to select projects, attract investment, and sell issuance at the same time. If the movie makes money, the investors and distributors take the lion's share and earn a production fee; if the movie loses money, the investors and distributors still bear the losses, and they still earn a production fee.
At the same time, when the time is right, these independent producers will be hired again by major film companies.
Repeatedly.
For this kind of production company that only earns hard money, the equity distribution among the partners is usually very even. After all, everyone just puts in labor and does not need to inject much capital.
Simon has just negotiated with Fox for a film called "Dead Man" that is similar to earning a hard-earned fee. Although the 'hard-earned fee' this time is a bit high, Amy Pascal obviously regards Simon's Daenerys Films as a A similar production company then asked for 20% of the company's equity.
Shaking his head again, Simon said: "Amy, Daenerys Pictures is definitely not just a production company backed by big studios as you think. If conditions permit, I will try my best to form a company. own distribution network, and if possible in the future, this company will also be involved in the field of television program production. So, it is impossible for me to give you shares now, because I will invest everything I have into this company, not just Simple personal labor.”
Amy Pascal listened to the confident words of the big boy opposite, full of youthful spirit, but said: "Simon, I happen to remember that Orion announced the establishment of its own television production department just last month. This company was founded in 1978. It has been 9 years now. Moreover, the five original founders of Orion were all senior industry executives who have been operating in Hollywood for many years. They also had to rely on Warner's publicity and distribution channels in the first few years. So, establish a distribution network and establish a television department , do you think it will take you how many years to achieve this? Or, do you think you can achieve this? "
"Last June, I met my agent for the first time. Hearing that I was planning to direct my first film, he told me, Simon, that Hollywood directors usually don't direct their first film until they are thirty years old. , you are still too young, you should not be too anxious. Then, I did not wait from eighteen to thirty, but in just over half a year, everyone saw "Lola Run"," Simon said, waving to the people nearby. A waiter came over and brought a glass of champagne to Amy Pascal again. Then he stood up with a smile and said, "Amy, I'm looking forward to you coming to see in person what I will do next in a few years. Or, let’s finish it together. By the way, this matter is quite urgent, how about you give me a reply next Monday?”