Chapter 580 Just right
“…I don’t think it’s a healthy thing to have that kind of ambition.”
Anson met Jeff’s gaze with a magnanimous face, sincerely and straightforwardly.
This gesture fell into Jeff's eyes, making Jeff slightly stunned, and then the corners of his mouth raised slightly, and he couldn't help but gently clapped his hands to applaud Anson——
Admiration.
Last time, Jeff and Anson met at the Emmy Awards celebration party. Jeff admired Anson very much and recommended Anson to Steven Spielberg because he cherished his talent.
Today, Jeff once again refreshed his impression. The Anson in front of him was really surprising.
However, appreciation is appreciation, and seeking his position, Jeff was not easily convinced, and his attention really fell on this project for the first time.
"So, what you are saying is that you have no ambition and hope that this project can be comprehensive; but you are confident that this project will definitely be successful."
"Word of mouth? Box office? Awards?"
"Which one are you aiming for?"
Anson did not hesitate, "Box office."
Actually, sincerely speaking, it should be word of mouth. After all, the box office performance of the "Butterfly Effect" in the previous life was mediocre, mainly relying on DVD rental and sales have made a comeback.
But Anson is not a fool. He still has a sense of when to tell the truth and when to draw the line.
And that’s not all, Anson continued.
"After all, the only thing I can pursue and the only thing I should pursue now is the box office."
Is this a self-joking "vase"?
Jeff couldn't help but smile.
Anson continued.
“The depth and quality of a science fiction movie often come from thinking about the future, the part that transcends the real world, ethics and morality, etc. These thinking often mean being ahead of the times, so If science fiction movies pursue depth, they may deviate from the orientation of the mainstream market.”
"Science fiction movies like 'Alien 2', 'Terminator 2', and 'E.T.' can win box office success, but they are often produced as another type of movie."
"Disaster movie . Monster movie. Adventure movie. "
"And this project is a love movie."
"Think about fate and the value of life from the perspective of love and family." >
“It’s not perfect because its protagonist is a college student in his early twenties. We are still impulsive and reckless and still have unrealistic dreams, so we will make mistakes and may screw up everything.”
"But it is precisely because of this that it has market potential."
Anson's unhurried and clear words completely caught Jeff's attention, and the office quietly entered Anson's rhythm.
Jeff raised his chin slightly, "Okay, I admit, I'm a little curious."
However, Jeff didn't flip through the script in a hurry, his eyes still fell on Anson.
“Tell me, what kind of story is this.”
finally!
After going around in circles, Anson finally got the opportunity to discuss the script.
Slightly surprisingly, Anson didn't talk too loudly.
“The male protagonist unexpectedly discovered that he could go back in time. In order to get the perfect life in his imagination, he began to go back to the past again and again, only to find that things seemed to be getting worse and worse.”< br>
“You could imagine it being, like, ‘Groundhog Day’ meets ‘Back to the Future,’ but it’s a tragedy that sets the tone of sadness from the beginning.”
Then, there is no more. Jeff admitted that Anson knew his stuff.
Many times, when describing their projects, screenwriters or directors always like to make things more exciting and more detailed.
But for producers, they don’t care about these trivial things. What they care about is the attraction or selling point. What they care about is the counterpoint of the film and the possibility of profit. What they care about is Production direction, blah blah blah -
Script?
Not important, really.
Unless it’s Aaron Sorkin.
If they talk about a lot of plots and settings of the story in a eloquent manner, I am afraid that less than 10% of them will reach the ears of the producers.
Of course, nothing is absolute, and there are special circumstances; but most of the time, this is the case. Producers, screenwriters, and directors view projects from completely different perspectives. Naturally, the key information that helps them make judgments is also different. .
Now, Anson's opening method is correct.
"Back to the Future" and "Groundhog Day" are both relatively relaxed movies. In a simple setting, they rely on the fate and psychological changes of the characters to connect the plots, creating entertainment effects while bringing some thinking.
Moreover, Anson grasped the key point. A "butterfly effect" can explain the core selling point of the script. Combined with Anson's attitude towards several classic science fiction works mentioned earlier, it is estimated that the movie has some philosophical thoughts on fate. , but not too profound.
Such science fiction movies can often arouse heated discussions among senior movie fans, and are sought after by audiences to a certain extent, and have the potential to receive response from the box office market.
After a while, Jeff had a vague idea of the scale, investment and market positioning of the film project in front of him, and he immediately made a preliminary judgment in his mind.
This is the correct way to open project negotiations.
During the short conversation, while Anson spoke, Jeff's brain was running at high speed. He effortlessly grasped the key points and threw out a key point.
"Director? Cast?"
Anson: Here we come.
Although Anson did not participate in the previous production meeting, he had no way of knowing the status of the meeting between McGee and Eric, but one thing is certain:
The two screenwriters served as directors for the first time, and then The Lion openly demands a production cost of 20 million US dollars, and without a cast of top stars, almost no movie company will agree.
This is one of the reasons why Anson asked the two screenwriters to wait in the parking lot today:
Anson is ready to use his name as a facade to try to open up the situation.
So.
Anson spread his hands, "I lack experience and am waiting for guidance from professionals."
Jeff chuckled directly, "Haha, Anson, you are not very honest. With your character , how could he come to the door without any preparation? ”
Anson still looked innocent, "Jeff, if I'm lying, you won't be able to tell; do you believe it?"
Jeff was stunned -
Yes, how could he? I forgot that the vase in front of me is just a protective color. It is definitely not as simple as it seems on the surface.
Anson just paused for a moment and continued, "I really don't have many ideas. To be honest, I am still in the stage of learning and exploring step by step. I am looking forward to the senior veterans to help open up the situation."
"I'm not sure, maybe we should control costs and rely more on this script. The director and actors use new people. Suitability is the most important thing."
Jeff raised his chin slightly, "So, you mean to build the whole project around you? Are you really going to make a 'Groundhog Day'?"
"Groundhog Day "When it was released in 1993, there was only one big name in the entire cast, Bill Murray. The production cost was about US$10 million, but it earned US$70 million at the box office after its release, which was the highest box office in North America at the end of that year. Number 12 on the ranking list.
Now, from all aspects, Anson is preparing to create such a work.
Anson adjusted his sitting posture and asked humbly, "Do I have such qualifications?"
(End of this chapter)