Eric attended the movie in person, which immediately made "Run Lola Run" more media attention than all other films at this Sundance Film Festival.
Originally, the film studio's valuation of the North American distribution rights of "Run Lola Run" was generally within 5 million U.S. dollars, but after only one afternoon, it is said that Hollywood studios' quotations for this film have already approached the 10 million mark.
Prior to this, no film at the Sundance Film Festival had sold for more than $10 million, and "Run Lola Run" will clearly become the highest-grossing film ever sold at the Sundance Film Festival.
At the same time, as the news of Eric's appearance at the Sundance Film Festival further fermented, more media and filmmakers also began to gather in Park City, and this small town in the mountains of Utah instantly became popular.
Although Julia casually threw away the "Blair Witch" leaflet with the contact information of the creator, but as long as he remembered the name, it was easy for Eric to win the movie.
While most Hollywood studios are focused on bidding for "Run Lola Run" and other film screenings that Eric Williams may attend, New Line Cinema's buying team quietly found They met two young people who were selling their film works to film dealers in Park City.
"Mr. Williams, this is the copy of "The Blair Witch". For the convenience of viewing, I temporarily burned a DVD."
In the afternoon of the next day, Murray Bradow, the purchasing manager of New Line Films, personally delivered what Eric needed.
Although after watching the sample of "The Blair Witch", Murray Bredow's first impression was only two words-garbage, but he still dutifully completed the tasks assigned by Eric and did enough homework at the same time. After all, to be able to work for a big boss in person, anyone with a little ambition in the workplace knows how to seize the opportunity.
Respectfully got up and took the coffee handed over by Julia, Maury Bredow sat down again after thanking him, looked at Eric who picked up the background information of "The Blair Witch", and continued: "I have read The project planning done by the two directors, they conceived a very complete background setting for this documentary film, which is completely fake. I think that if this film can be used as a promotional material, and then based on the background of this story, the script will be produced. It’s a horror movie, and it should do very well at the box office.”
Eric just nodded with a smile, and gestured to Julia for the DVD on the coffee table, and the girl picked it up and walked to the TV in the living room, put the disc in the player, and then came back, without hesitation Leaning beside Eric, he looked curiously at the TV screen.
Watching the video on the screen start to play, Murray Bredow also looked over.
After the introduction of subtitles similar to those on the leaflet, the rough DV shooting picture appeared on the TV screen.
Looking carefully, the plot of the film imitating the form of a documentary is somewhat gradual. The three expedition partners first gave a background introduction to the legend of the Blair Witch, and then presented a whole set of evidence chains with explanations. 'Interviews' with residents of the small town of Booksheville. After doing all this, the audience is fully brought into the legend of this witch story, and the three talents embark on the journey of adventure.
After entering the jungle, various situations come one after another, inexplicable disputes, lost maps, stone piles around tents, totems hanging on trees... Finally, one of the team members disappeared inexplicably, which also brought the storyline to the climax.
If you don't understand the background story at all, after watching this film, the audience will definitely feel confused and inexplicable.
That's clearly the case with Julia.
When the end credits appeared on the TV, the girl leaning on Eric couldn't help but put her arms around the man's arm and said coquettishly, "Eric, we're going to lose."
Murray Bredow paid $80,000 for the film. Hearing Julia's words, he had some vague guesses, but he didn't dare to ask any more questions. He just turned to look at Eric again, waiting for the big boss to speak.
Maybe just throw away the pair of garbage in front of you
Murray Bredow couldn't help thinking that the only way he could think of using this story was to re-conceive a horror movie based on the background of the story as just mentioned. As for the film copies and video materials on the coffee table in front of him, they seem to be of no value.
After all, if the Blair Witch legend really existed in Maryland, like some other ancient legends of vampires and such, a little publicity to make the audience curious and involved might still make the movie some money.
But in fact, the legend of the Blair Witch is completely fabricated by the two directors, without any basis for popularity, and the company is unlikely to go all out to promote a false story and legend just for the sake of this low-cost DV film worth tens of thousands of dollars. It is a waste of resources and time, and there is a great possibility of losing everything in the end.
Eric waited for the movie to finish, thought for a moment quietly, and then said to Murray Bredow who was waiting for orders: "Murray, I give you three days to discuss with the creators, investors, and even the characters in the movie. All actors, re-sign a full contract to resolve all potential legal disputes with this film. Also, send those two directors, Daniel Merrick and Eideardo Sanchez, to Los Angeles, I I will meet with them next Wednesday. By the way, I will send a team from the company's distribution department to them. It doesn't need to be too formal, just interns. Arrange an office for these people in Firefly Studios. That's all for now, you go back first .”
Although he couldn't figure out what the big boss was thinking, Murray Bredo nodded seriously, wrote down the matter, and then got up to say goodbye and leave.
The Sundance Film Festival will be held from January 21st to January 31st. However, as more and more media and filmmakers gather in the small town, Eric gets up in the morning and talks to Judy in a closed resort. Leah went for a walk and could 'meet' some people, and there was really nothing to do, so she left early on Sunday morning and returned to Los Angeles.
Firefly Studios, busy with work, Wednesday is here.
Temporarily decided to release "Underworld" as a 3D conversion film early next year to fill the gap between "The Lord of the Rings" and "Sleepy Hollow". Although New Line needs to make adjustments to the established release plan, Kenneth Horn did not object to Eric's decision either.
In the morning, Eric happened to take time to discuss the post-production 3D conversion of the film with the main creator of "Underworld" and the 3D conversion team in the digital field. Kenneth Horn also rushed over specially. So, at noon, Eric invited Kenneth Horn and Baige Wu, who hadn't seen him for a long time, to have dinner together in the restaurant on the big ship.
After ordering lunch, he handed the menu to the round-faced waiter who was said to be named Amy Adams. Kenneth Horn glanced at Natasha Hens who was sitting docilely next to Eric. Qu Qi had to envy his boss's beauty again, but said, "Eric, Murray said you bought a DV documentary in Park City?"
Eric nodded and watched Natasha pour her bottled mineral water into the crystal glass with a smile, without stopping, said: "I'm going to do a marketing experiment, have you prepared all the people who need it for me? "
"Of course, Miss Wilson can take you there after lunch. Speaking of which, I don't have much work in the afternoon, so I'm curious if you let me go and have a look."
"Don't meddle in it," Eric shook his head, jokingly said, "However, you said in front of your boss that you have no work to do, are you reminding me to add some burden to you?"
"Ah, did I just say something?" Kenneth Horn smiled and pretended to be stupid: "I didn't say anything just now, did I?"
Everyone laughed, and Eric didn't ignore Wu, the white pigeon who was sitting next to Kenneth, and asked, "Wu, what have you been up to lately?"
"I'm talking with Columbia about the cooperation of a new film. It's starring a good actor from our Hong Kong Island. The name is temporarily called "Stand-In Killer". I'm still looking for a director," Baige Wu said: "Eric, what about that?" The status of this actor in Hong Kong Island is no worse than that of Jack, and the box office will definitely be good."
Eric couldn't help smiling. He met Mira Sorvino a few days ago, and he thought about why there was no shadow of the "Stand-in Killer" she collaborated with Fa Ge, but he didn't expect it to appear so soon.
I haven't seen the film materials submitted by Columbia. I think the project has not been finalized yet, and Eric didn't mean to intervene. He just said: "Wu, you can't always be a producer. Director is your job. ?”
"Of course," Baige Wu said, "My agent recommended a war movie script to me a few days ago. I read it and thought it was good. I plan to try it out, but I just need to finish the work in hand first."
Hearing Baige Wu's war movie script, Eric's eyes couldn't help but twitch. Could it be the "Windtalker" that almost bankrupted MGM
Shaking his head subconsciously, Eric said: "Wu, you are not suitable for war movies. I think it is best for you to do action movies that you are good at."
Baige Wu didn't expect that Eric, who seemed to have always favored him, would suddenly say that. He was a little dazed, but quickly nodded tactfully and said, "Then I'll think about it."
With the success of several blockbuster films in a row, although he is of Chinese origin, Baige Wu has been successfully promoted to a first-line director in Hollywood. Even if he leaves the Firefly system, he can still reach cooperation with other film companies.
Eric could see that the other party didn't intend to give up the project easily, and he didn't persuade him too much. He chose the path himself, and of course, he had to bear the consequences himself.
After having lunch together, White Dove Wu said goodbye first and left. Eric also sent Natasha Henstridge away with a few words, and then said to Kenneth Horn: "Please tell everyone, Wu's We are not involved in this war film, and of course, don’t mess it up, it’s best to push it to other film companies.”
Kenneth Horn was very puzzled: "Eric, the box office of "Saving Private Ryan" a few years ago was very good, and Wu's directing ability is also guaranteed, why not give it a try?"
"Every director has his own field of expertise," Eric shook his head, and said, "I don't think Wu Neng can make a good war movie. In short, let's take it as my personal feeling. We don't participate in this project."
Kenneth Horn had no choice but to nod, and suddenly said: "Speaking of which, Eric, you seem to be good at all types of movies. Is this not common?"
Eric shrugged and smiled: "So I'm the boss, you have to give me a job."
"Uh, okay."
Eric remembered what happened at Sundance, and asked again: "How is the situation of that "Run Lola Run", if it can be taken down, it can just fill the gap left by "Underworld" on your side?"
"Bill called a few of us. Columbia wants this movie, and the offer there is 11 million US dollars. After we discussed it, we won't compete with him," Kenneth Horn said: "However, if If the other three bids exceed this price, Colombia will also give up."
"That's fine," Eric said, "After all, it's just an independent film, and it only has distribution rights in North America. If it's too high, it's not worth the candle."
The two chatted and came to the administrative area together. Caroline and Mayer were already waiting downstairs in the administrative building where Eric's office was with a folder in their hands. Kenneth Horn left and returned to his office.
Eric came to the two women, asked a few words, and the three came to another office building together.
The office door was pushed open, and several men and women in the room immediately got up at the same time and looked at the young man who appeared at the door.
Eric had heard that the two directors of "The Blair Witch" were students at school, and thought they would be very young, but in fact, both Daniel Merrick and Eideardo Sanchez were older Older than him, Daniel Merrick, wearing a pair of rimless glasses, is thirty-five years old, and Eduardo Sanchez is thirty-five.
Although Eric ordered Murray Bradow to find a few interns, the staff in the room were obviously not ordinary interns in the company. Murray Bradow also appeared in the office and gave AI Rick introduced the small team.
Eric naturally didn't care about Murray Bredo's arrangements. Since the other party wanted to take charge of this matter personally, after introducing each other, he didn't let the other party leave the office, which was regarded as acquiescing.
Caroline and Mayer distributed the pre-printed materials to several people in the office, and everyone sat around a large conference table. Eric walked to the writing board prepared in advance and said, "Hey, I Time is limited, so I will only tell you about it once. The detailed information is in the document in front of you. If you still don’t understand it afterwards, then discuss it with each other and don’t ask me. This time, for "The Blair Witch", I plan to do it once A marketing experiment on the Internet platform, considering the characteristics of this marketing model, I gave it a name."
Eric said, picked up a pen and wrote two words on the clipboard: viral marketing.