Chapter 70 Intertwined Relationships
Bellman's first reaction was, this is impossible!
Who do you think you are?
In Hollywood, except for a few big directors, even Li Yin cannot control it, let alone you... a golden lion director in your twenties?
Um? More than 20 years old! After one year of double filming!
Such a young Golden Lion director can praise others. If he can be bound to himself, how can such a small company like Sony Classics accommodate two giants?
A thought kept rolling in Behrman's mind, bind him, promise him, promise him anything, this is the future, this is power, this is all...
"Mr. Cao, we have a great cooperation, and I am very optimistic about your future, so some things can only be discussed in private.
Hollywood is different from your country, and it is also different from Europe. It is a very realistic, sober and extremely ruthless place.
As a new director entering Hollywood, even if you win the Golden Lion Award, this guarantees everyone's recognition of your directorial ability, but it does not mean recognition of your box office ability.
According to my understanding of Hollywood and my own experience, it is difficult for you to have much autonomy for projects above 10 million U.S. dollars. For projects below 10 million U.S. dollars, you can only be guaranteed some relative freedom, that is, just a little. ”
Even a few million dollars is not a small amount, nor does it come from a strong wind. Who knows what these art film directors who consider themselves artists might use the money to create for you without restraint.
Fortunately, Cao Yang has two major advantages: he is young and can be praised as an actor.
"Relatively free?"
Cao Yang thought quickly, what is the so-called relative freedom? Can you outshine the producer? Probably not.
If you want to temporarily gain a foothold in Hollywood, your first movie must either be a box office hit or win an award.
"If, I mean if, I could get another Golden Bear or Palme d'Or, would I have more freedom in Hollywood?"
"This is impossible."
Bellman shook his head regretfully and said frankly to Cao Yang: "Cao, I think your current path is wrong."
"Oh?"
"You have now won the Golden Lion, which completely proves your directorial ability. It doesn't matter whether you win the Golden Bear or the Palme d'Or in the short term, the impact will not be too big.
But there is one thing that will have a huge impact on you. ”
Behrman saw that Cao Yang was listening carefully, so he continued: "What you have an advantage over others is that you have won two international movie queens in one year. This can also make Hollywood actresses look at you differently, and even look at a certain person." There is a huge appeal among actresses who want to win awards.”
"What does Mr. Bellman mean?"
"Prove yourself! Prove yourself in this regard. As long as you prove once again that being able to win the Best Actress or Best Actor is not an accident, then it will be more useful than getting the Golden Bear or the Golden Palm. It will be more popular with Hollywood capital and more popular with Hollywood stars. Welcome.”
"Is that so?"
"Mr. Cao, don't believe it. A director who has won the three highest awards in Europe is more popular than any other director in Hollywood who can win the Best Actress or Best Actor Award."
Behrman thought Cao Yang didn't believe it, so he quickly explained: "It's very simple. As long as movies made by Golden Lion Award-winning directors don't win Oscars, their box office will generally not be very high.
What about a director who can win the Best Actress or Best Actor?
Those stars who have proven themselves at the box office will definitely cut their salary to join for the sake of awards, or even join for free. With their box office appeal, the movie can easily exceed 10 million box office when it is released. This is reason. ”
Capital pursues profit. To put it bluntly, it is driven by the word profit.
"What if I bring out another one of Europe's top three best actresses?"
Behrman said in a very affirmative tone: "As long as you can win another movie queen, it will prove that you have the extraordinary ability to train actors. When the time comes to go to Hollywood, let alone 10 million, it will be an investment of 20 million. There are certainly companies that are more than willing to give you complete autonomy.”
Cao Yang carefully considered Behrman's words, and there should be some truth to his statement.
For example, if a superstar in Hollywood's 20 million club, such as Leonardo DiCaprio or Brad Pitt, if they want to win awards, they have to take on artistic films. What about the salary? Or 20 million plus bonus?
What a joke.
Later, in order to win an award, when DiCaprio took over the filming of "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", he lowered his salary to US$10 million and did not ask for a share. Brad Pitt also took over the filming of this movie, and he also reduced his salary by 10 million and did not ask for a share.
Reducing film remuneration and not taking commission is one thing. The most important thing is that with DiCaprio and Pitt, the box office is guaranteed.
"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" has a global box office of US$329 million, with a first weekend box office of US$40.35 million in North America, and a total North American box office of US$143 million.
It was a box office hit.
In the end, Pitt won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor as he wished for this movie, and DiCaprio cried and fainted in the toilet.
It seems that a director who can praise people is more popular than a director who only wins awards.
Cao Yang thought, why not seal the script in his hand and make another movie that can be praised?
The next day, Cao Yang attended another private reception hosted by Mark Muller. This time, the scale was smaller and there was no "dessert".
There were only a few people participating. Apart from Cao Yang and Lao Tian, there were also a few people from the Venice Organizing Committee, and several members of the Venice Film Selection Committee. These were probably "our own people."
During this period, Lao Tian asked Mark Muller if he could take over next year when Venice president Alberto Barbara retires.
Lao Ma lowered his head and thought for a while, then shook his head and said in Chinese: "It's difficult. My current team members are all on the film selection committee, and only a few people in the organizing committee support me. The possibility of me being elected is very small."< br>
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"Who will attend? Chairman of the organizing committee?"
"Barbara won't let him."
Lao Ma smiled and raised his glass to Cao Yang, who was listening next to him, and said, "But don't worry, no matter who comes next, they will not monopolize the power, and it will be easier for good movies to get ahead."
Cao Yang nodded thoughtfully. Does this mean that as long as the quality of the film is guaranteed, the awards will also be guaranteed?
It looks like the old horse has found its footing.
Lao Ma is actually grateful to Cao Yang. Several people on the organizing committee here have come together with him through this cooperation.
Because he had just become the artistic director of the Venice Film Festival, he originally had no hope of being promoted next year, but now he at least has the possibility of being elected.
The purpose of Lao Ma's holding this cocktail party is to connect with each other.
He now attaches great importance to Cao Yang. After winning the Golden Lion, he is not only a "family member" of Cao Yang, but also a partner of Cao Yang, the type of mutual achievement.
Maybe you will be invited to become a member or chairman of the jury in which session, and use each other's fame.
Cao Yang coincidentally helped him open up the situation and was no longer Barbara's vassal.
"Mr. Mueller..."
"I told you, just call me Lao Ma. I like this title."
Cao Yang immediately followed Shan Ruliu.
"Lao Ma, I don't think you and Barbara are enemies. Your foundation is in the film selection committee, and there are people in the organizing committee who support you. If you show weakness to Barbara appropriately and selectively agree to some conditions, maybe he will be there. I will support you next year.”
Lao Ma thought carefully for a while and felt that what Cao Yang said made sense. He could test Barbara's meaning first. If the conditions were not too harsh, as long as he could become the chairman of the Venice Film Festival, it would be okay to agree temporarily.
Moreover, if Sony Classics knew that they were running for the chairman of the Venice Film Festival, they would also be very happy. Who doesn’t want to have a strong ally?
As for MK2, their main connections are in Cannes, but they are all involved in the European film industry. No one is sure whether they have any hidden connections in Venice. Don't they want to have a Venice Film Festival chairman as a backstage?
It would be good if we all work together and give it a try.
First of all, thank you for your continued support. Thank you brothers for your monthly tickets and recommendations. Thank you to "Time 1979" and "Banban Zhi" for the rewards two days ago. I'm sorry that I only sent a message to thank you at this time. Mainly because I was affected by comments in the comment section a few days ago, which caused me to be a little out of place these days. I haven’t written novels for more than ten years. I care about my brothers’ reading experience. Basically, I read every message and reply to most of them. , seeing the feedback somewhat affected the rhythm. I will adjust as soon as possible. Thank you all again for your support. Thank you.
(End of chapter)