Amy Pascal directly expressed his interest in Eric: "Oh, Eric, you are younger than I thought. When I was your age, I just entered college."
"You look young too, Ms. Pascal," Eric complimented.
Amy Pascal smiled and said: "Thank you, Eric. Just call me Amy, I like "Jurassic Park" written by you very much, I want to ask about the film copyright of "Jurassic Park" Is it still in your hand?"
Eric raised his eyebrows: "Of course."
During this period of time, as "Jurassic Park" became more and more famous, many film companies have contacted the film copyright, but all of them were rejected by Eric. Eric had no intention of selling the film adaptation rights of "Jurassic Park" until he had enough strength to win considerable benefits for himself.
"So, I wonder if you are willing to sell the film adaptation rights of "Jurassic Park" to Columbia, and we will offer a very good price?"
Eric said: "Amy, that's not the topic we're discussing today. Moreover, the current special effects technology is not very mature yet. I have no plans to sell the copyright of the "Jurassic Park" movie for the time being."
"That's a pity. Well, let's talk about "Home Alone". Jeffrey admired this movie very much. From what I know about Jeffrey, he still has a good eye. By the way, I heard you What happened to 20th Century Fox that was going to distribute the film?"
Eric shrugged, and said truthfully: "Mr. Karta Hunter, the distribution director of Twentieth Century Fox, refused without even watching the film."
"Kalta Hunter, I know him, a very arrogant guy." Amy Pascal said with a smile: "Then, I think, let's watch your movie first."
Eric nodded, and Amy Pascal took Eric and Jeffrey directly to a screening room at Columbia Pictures headquarters, handed the copy to the projectionist, and Eric and the other two Sit together on the leather seats.
"Eric, you don't seem to be looking forward to it?" Amy Pascal jokingly saw Eric's expression before the movie screening started.
Eric smiled helplessly: "Amy, you know, I made the film from the beginning to the end. I have every shot of the film in my mind, and I have watched it many times. However, I believe you will not be disappointed of."
The lights in the projection hall dimmed. Amy Pascal nodded and looked away. At the same time, there was a feeling of rushing to the doctor in his heart. It is true that Columbia Pictures lacks good film projects now, but how could he be reduced to such a level? A movie made by a high school student would not be let go. Thinking of this, Amy Pascal sighed softly in the dark.
As one of Columbia's top management, Amy Pascal knows Columbia's situation like the back of her hand. Columbia Pictures' performance in the past two years has not been stagnant. If it hadn't been for the copyright income brought by the strong film and television drama library accumulated over the years, the company would definitely face huge losses.
Compared with Disney and 20th Century Fox, which are thriving, and Paramount, which is still at its peak in the post-Barry Diller era, Columbia seems to be depressed like an old man. In 1984, "" After "Ghostbusters", Columbia has not had a film in the top ten box office for three consecutive years. If nothing else, it still does not this year. This is simply a shame for an established film giant.
Columbia’s parent company, Coca-Cola, suffered heavy losses in last year’s stock market crash. If Columbia is still so sluggish and unable to bring profits to the parent company, it is likely to be sold. In fact, Japan’s Sony consortium has released a signal to acquire Columbia Pictures. .
Amy Pascal got to know Eric a little bit. This boy just graduated from high school. In just a few months, he published the science fiction novel "Jurassic Park" and wrote the screenplay "Seventeen Back". Was photographed by 20th Century Fox, and starred in the leading actor who surprised everyone. If it weren't for the blessing of these auras, maybe Amy Pascal would have the same love for Ai Rui as Karta Hunter of 20th Century Fox. Ke dismissed this movie.
The script of "Returning to Seventeen" was originally received by Columbia Film Company, and several producers of the company were also very interested in this film, but Eric's additional condition that he played the leading role made the current investment cautious Colombia found it difficult to accept, and eventually had to give up.
I heard that it was Barry Diller himself who personally approved the plan of "Return to Seventeen". Compared with the mediocre Mr. Blunt Cohen sitting in the president's seat of Columbia, Amy Pascal sighed , the company's current situation is inseparable from the president's lack of courage and conservative personality.
As "Home Alone" played, the witty plot and Stewart Runkel's performance as a big kid quickly pulled Amy Pascal's scattered thoughts to the movie screen.
After the movie was played, Amy Pascal was surprised. She couldn't believe that this wonderful comedy movie was made by the 18-year-old boy in front of her.
Amy Pascal stood up with excitement on his face and said to Eric: "Eric, can you wait here for a while? I'll make a call."
From Amy Pascal's expression, Eric knew that there was no accident, and the matter had been more than half successful.
Half an hour later, seven or eight Columbia Pictures executives, including Columbia Pictures president Blount Cohen, gathered in the auditorium to watch "Home Alone" again.
After watching the movie again in a cheerful atmosphere, it was almost time to get off work, but no one was in a hurry to leave. After more than half of the film was shown, these high-level officials in Colombia had already started to discuss in whispers.
In the office of the president of Columbia Pictures, Eric and Jeffrey sat across from Blunt Cohen, who was in his sixties. After the assistant brought the coffee, Blunt Cohen took a few sips of coffee leisurely, Then he said: "Eric, to be honest, we are very optimistic about the potential of "Home Alone", so we plan to buy out all the copyrights of "Home Alone" at a price of 10 million US dollars. What do you think?"
Hearing the price of 10 million US dollars, Jeffrey Hanson sitting next to him suddenly had a joyful expression. The cost of one million has increased tenfold in a blink of an eye. If it was him, he would probably nod and agree immediately.
Blunt Cohen noticed Jeffrey Hansen's expression and showed a satisfied smile. The company estimated the film's box office at around 50 million US dollars, and the film could easily be followed by a sequel. The mining potential is also great, so after some discussion, they directly decided to buy out all the copyrights of the film at a price that they seemed to be relatively high. After asking the price, it is natural to bargain, so the senior management of the Columbia company has already determined 1,200 $10,000 buyout limit.
I want to buy out "Home Alone" for 10 million dollars, do you think I'm being taken advantage of? Eric slandered, but this is the way of doing business, raising the price on the spot and paying back the money on the spot.
"Mr. Cohen, you must have already had a preliminary estimate of the box office value of "Home Alone"? May I know the figure?"
Eric didn't immediately agree, and Blunt Cohen was a little disappointed, but he still said: "Of course, we think that if the announcement is made properly, the North American box office of "Home Alone" should be around 30 million U.S. dollars. According to the usual practice, you As a producer, the share that can be obtained is about 20%, so, Eric, the buyout price of 10 million US dollars is still very reasonable. Your cost of making this movie should not exceed 200 Well, so, Eric, why are you hesitating? As long as you agree, you will immediately become the youngest multi-millionaire."