In the corridor leading to the cinema, the sound of "thumping" footsteps came one after another.
Dialect selected a few novels that he thought were suitable for the tastes of European and American readers, such as "Malice" and "Artificial Intelligence"...
However, Jason Epstein obviously did not show any interest in the novels. The same interest as "Midnight Ring", plain and uneventful.
"Fang, maybe you don't know much about the trends in the European and American markets. The share of mystery novels has been shrinking."
"American readers would rather watch suspense criminal investigation dramas than mystery novels , they are tired of the "basic" and "tough guy" types, and they don't care about the criminal motives and social background behind the case. They only care about how clever the killing method is. ”
“…”
Listening to Jason Epstein’s market analysis, Fang Yan was not surprised.
Not to mention Europe and the United States, Japan is also the same. Socialist mystery novels are becoming less and less popular. Instead, the "New Original Style" that designs murder methods exquisitely and sets up mysteries in a magnificent way is becoming more and more popular. An appetite for mystery fans.
"Kindaichi Boy's Chronicle" and "Detective Conan" were born under this background.
"So, what about the other "Artificial Intelligence"?"
Seeing that Teacher Fang was silent, Bai Ruoxue asked the question on her behalf.
“Well, the sci-fi version of Pinocchio, this kind of fairy tale has at least a much larger audience than “Malice.”
Jason Epstein changed the subject, “ But compared to "Midnight Ring", it seems a bit simpler and less imaginative. It's a little worse."
"If you have read the content of the novel, you will definitely not have this idea!"
Bai Ruoxue blurted out the issue of "Artificial Intelligence" in "Science Fiction World". ", but sold more than 800,000 copies nationwide.
"Due to cultural differences and sci-fi aesthetic differences between countries, what may be best-selling in China may not be popular in Europe and the United States."
Jason Epstein smiled: "Of course, what you said makes sense, so I I am very willing to read "Artificial Intelligence" "Intelligent", after reading it, I will give you my pertinent and professional suggestions. As for whether it can be published..."
"We will talk about it later."
Fang Yan is not annoyed. , walked into the theater calmly.
As far as the eye can see, there are rows of elderly spectators sitting in the front row. They are old but energetic. They are all wearing American military uniforms from the Second World War, with various medals on their chests. Even wearing epaulettes, they were obviously World War II veterans specially invited by the organizer to watch the movie.
Like "Changjin Lake" and "Operation Red Sea", how can such an American-style military movie without veterans be included?
When the time comes, if the slogan "Veterans never die, they are just carved zeros" is used, wouldn't the movie have one more selling point?
When competing for Oscar awards, isn’t there another one who is politically correct?
…………
Having just stepped up the steps, Fang Yan and the others were stopped by Steven Spielberg before they had even walked a few steps.
After his introduction, I got to know the creative team one by one. The cast was completely different from that of "Saving Private Ryan" in my previous life.
Captain John Miller, who plays the captain of the eight-man team, is not "Forrest Gump" Tom Hanks, but Nicholas Zhao Si, no, Cage.
The current "spiritual guy" is not the "King of Bad Movies" who accepts all bad movies, but the nephew of Francis Coppola who made the "Godfather" series and is a famous Hollywood actor. A "connected person" with acting skills and strength.
And Ryan's actor is not "Hollywood's most difficult to save" Matt Damon, but "young meat" Tom Cruise and Tom Cruise.
“This is my father, Arnold, who guest-starred as a general in the movie, which is considered a general addiction!”
Steven Spielberg supports his father.
Fang Yan shook hands with Arnold Spielberg, and during the chat, he learned that the veterans sitting in the front row were members of the Shaw Foundation invited by Arnold Spielberg.
“This movie is my gift to him and his friends!”
Steven Spielberg said that without his father’s recommendation, he might not have made up his mind To film "Saving Private Ryan."
Fang Yan was very surprised and thanked Arnold Spielberg repeatedly for being such a loyal book fan.
"You're welcome, you wrote it well, it was so well written."
Arnold Spielberg said: "Many of our veterans at the Shaw Foundation are the same as in "Saving Private Ryan" Wonderful stories, there are also some about the 101st Airborne Division, if If you are willing, you can come to our foundation and listen to everyone’s stories.”
Fang Yan smiled, “If you have the chance, I will.” Just take it and shoot it," Steven Spielberg said.
Fang Yan said, "Is it settled in one word?"
"It's a deal!" Steven Spielberg said, "But by then I don't want to make any more movies. I want to make a war TV series."
Suddenly, there was a joking laugh from behind. Voice, "Wow! Steven, are you kidding?"
< br>Fang Yan looked back and saw the long-bearded and white-haired Lucas, standing next to the paunchy, fat and round Francis Coppola, and the short, bushy-browed Martin Scorsese. This is Hollywood. The leader of the Italian gang and a master of gangster movies.
"The Wolf of Wall Street", "Taxi Driver", "Goodfellas", "Shutter Island"...
These four stand together and are known as the "Four Elites of New Hollywood". They are also the group of directors who will have the most say in Hollywood in the future.
So he smiled and greeted them politely, "Nice to meet you."
"So are we!"
What Lucas held in his hand was not "Salvation" Private Ryan" instead of "Guns, Viruses, and Steel."
Martin Scorsese said: "This book of yours is so popular, this book will be mentioned at every party I attend!"
"It is indeed worth reading. "Francis Coppola said seriously, "Many of the questions raised here are very profound, 'Why do human beings Becoming so different from other animals in such a short period of time', 'Why have human societies developed so differently on different continents in the past 10,000 years', 'Why do some societies collapse into themselves, while others can survive? Prosperous for hundreds or even thousands of years'..."
Steven Spielberg nodded repeatedly, "Kubrick talked to me on the phone all night specifically for this book."
"This is indeed Stanley's character."
Lucas and others looked at each other and smiled, then looked for Kubrick in the crowd, but found nothing.
Steven Spielberg shook his head and said: "He is not here."
The dialect is not without regrets. Kubrick not only made "The Shining" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" "'s famous director, and according to America's own "conspiracy theory," he was the chief director of the Apollo moon landing program and forged those moon landing images.
Martin Scorsese was puzzled, "Stanley didn't come?!"
"There was an accident." Steven Spielberg told the truth.
Kubrick originally saw a short story called "The Super Toy That Lasted All Summer" and planned to adapt it into a movie script. He even specially invited himself to be the producer. However, the filmmakers changed the script again and again, and the many revisions were not to Kubrick's liking.
The only option is to fire the screenwriter, and now Hollywood is looking for a new screenwriter to take over.
"What does Stanley want to change it to?" Lucas was curious.
“He wanted to change the story into the adventures of a robot teddy bear.”
Steven Spielberg said: “He wanted to make it into a big science fiction movie, like " "2001: A Space Odyssey"
Bai Ruoxue let out a light sigh and turned to look at Fang Yan, "Teacher Fang, I think your "Artificial Intelligence" seems to be quite suitable..."
Francis Coppola can't understand Chinese, "You guys What are you talking about?”
Dialect didn't say "Thank you, sir", but told the plot of "Artificial Intelligence" concisely and concisely.
"A story about a sentient robot who longs to become a human?"
Lucas eyes suddenly lit up, "Steven, I think Stanley might like this story, do you think What?"
"If the two stories are merged, they become the adventures of an artificial intelligence boy and a robot teddy bear."
And Steven Spielberg. There was no retort.
Dialect said: "It fits the Pinocchio story that you are familiar with in the West."
Lucas said: "Yes, change the 'Bodhisattva' you talked about to 'Blue Fairy', and it will be a A wonderful sci-fi fairy tale."
Steven Spey. Erberg made up his mind, "Fang, has your book "Artificial Intelligence" been published?"
"There is only a Chinese version for now, as for the English version..."
Fang Yan shrugged Shrugging, while casting a playful glance at Jason Epstein.
He was restless and anxious, especially when he heard that Steven Spielberg hoped that Fangyan could write an English version of "Artificial Intelligence" as soon as possible and was ready to recommend it to his old friends as soon as possible. When watching Kubrick, I really regretted even my intestines.
I am so stupid, really!
I only knew that "Saving Private Ryan" could be adapted into a movie, but how could I have expected that "Artificial Intelligence" could also be adapted!
Seeing that there was still a possibility of remedying the situation, he immediately made up for it and followed Fang Yan closely, with a hint of flattery in his guilty smile:
"Fang, I thought about it carefully again. The novel "Artificial Intelligence" was signed by Random House!"
"Yes, but didn't you just say that Pinocchio-style science fiction fairy tales are too simple and not imaginative enough..."
"No, no, no, I mean, the story is simple but philosophical, and although the imagination is There are few but amazing creativity. I think the majority of teenagers and children will like "Artificial Intelligence" as much as "ET"!
"No, aren't you talking about the cultural differences and science fiction aesthetic differences between countries? What may be best-selling in China may not be popular in Europe and the United States." Fang Yan glanced at Bai Ruoxue with a smile, "Ruoxue "That's what Jason said just now, right?"
"That's right, Teacher Fang."
Bai Ruoxue snickered and pursed her lips.
Jason Epstein coughed awkwardly, "I was careless and ignored the essence of "Artificial Intelligence"."
Fang Yan said: "I think it's better to wait for the novel to be translated, just in case. It would be bad if you take a wrong look.”
When Jason Epstein thought that Lucas, Steven Spielberg and other four major Hollywood figures were so optimistic about "Artificial Intelligence", and thought of the "Midnight Ring" he had on hand, he finally couldn't help but raise his spirits again. chips, begging him to sign an "exclusive author agreement" with Random House.
Fang Yan said: "Don't force it."
"Don't force it at all!"
Jason Epstein replied seriously, as long as the dialect can be tied to Random House's "thief ship", it will be worth the price!
Fang Yan squinted his eyes, leaning forward and then respectful, which made him laugh when he thought about it.
…………
“Saving Private Ryan” has received rave reviews since its premiere.
"The Hollywood Reporter" called it, "The brutal war scenes and realistic visual impact will leave no one shocked, frightened, and in tears. There is no doubt that this is one of the most realistic World War II movies ever made. First, Spielberg proved that he can control war movies! ”
The "Los Angeles Times" clung to the father-son relationship, "This is Spielberg's gift to his father!"
Universal's TV stations even simply sent reporters to focus on the audience of World War II veterans to interview and publicize American theme.
With the help of the media, the movie opened in 2,463 theaters across the United States, and the box office exceeded US$23 million in three days.
He is indeed Steven Spielberg in his prime.
With the popularity of the movie in the summer season in July, the sales of the novel have also increased. Whether it is a paperback or a hardcover, bookstores and department stores across the United States are either sold out or will be sold soon. The stock was out of stock, and the calls to Random House to push for shipments came one after another.
As a result, whenever a movie is released in a state, Random House immediately distributes its products to that state.
Of course, the author and screenwriter Fang Yan was not idle, and was forced to do a TV interview by Steven Spielberg.
Although it is not a live broadcast, we must not forget to "bring goods". We took advantage of the opportunity of the interview to promote "Guns, Viruses and Steel".
As dialects become more and more famous, publishing companies such as Penguin, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Holtzbrinker all hope to cooperate, and the number of calls to the Dialects Foundation is increasing. There are more and more, and the one that hits the most and most frequently is naturally Random House.
“Teacher Fang.”
Bai Ruoxue put down the translation work of "Artificial Intelligence" and pushed the door open.
Fang Yan stopped writing, raised his head, and shifted his gaze from the first draft of "Farewell My Concubine" to her.
Bai Ruoxue said that Jason Epstein has increased the price again. In addition to increasing the fee for a single word from US$2 to US$3, the royalties for novels that sell more than 10,000 copies have also increased from 20% to 22.5%. Even if It's the remuneration of a Nobel Prize winner in literature, nothing more than that.
“That’s true.”
Fang Yan grinned, “Ask Random House to fax the contract over, and then give it to Luo Dian for review to see if there are any pitfalls in the contract.”< br>
Bai Ruoxue nodded, "Also, Teacher Fang, Sister Gongjie asked me to ask you, when will we go to University Park in Los Angeles?" Let's go shopping." Fang Yan felt a little excited when he thought that tomorrow was the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. (End of this chapter)