Hollywood Director 1992

Link was invited to the Querville Bar, where Quentin introduced him to director Steven Soderbergh.

Although director Steven had a bald head, he was not old, only twenty-nine years old, and also a young director.

He rose to fame in 1989 with "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" and became a famous Hollywood director.

Like Quentin, he was also discovered by Harvey Weinstein.

"Link, tell me, when everyone else was pessimistic about 'Buried,' why did you still insist on releasing 'Buried' in theaters? Weren't you worried about losing money?"

Quentin asked.

"I was worried. My idea was that since the movie had already been made, I had to find a way to get it released and let more audiences see it. Initially, I hoped to cooperate with a film distribution company, but unfortunately, they weren't interested. In this situation, I could only raise money to self-fund the film's distribution."

"Your $50,000 startup capital came from me."

"Thank you! Can I redeem that script for $50,000 now?"

"What? You want to redeem the script? We signed a contract."

"Just kidding, don't be nervous."

Link picked up his glass and took a sip. "After self-funding the distribution, my idea was to try releasing it for a few days. If movie fans really didn't like the movie, I would immediately end the screenings to avoid greater losses.

It's just that after the movie was released, movie fans really liked it, and the box office results got better day by day, and then it created this movie that the media called a box office miracle."

Clap clap clap!

Quentin, Lawrence Bender, and Steven Soderbergh applauded his words.

"Link, you are amazing. If it were me, I wouldn't have been able to persist to this point," Quentin said, raising his glass.

"Me too. Making movies is expensive, and self-releasing them is even more expensive. It requires not only confidence but also courage. Link, you are very brave," director Steven Soderbergh raised his glass to Link.

"Thank you! Doing this is like gambling, but fortunately, I won."

"Link, you not only won at the box office, but also pointed out a path for many movies that are not favored by film companies. I think many directors and filmmakers will follow your approach in the future," Lawrence Bender said with a smile.

"I hope their movies will also be big hits," Link smiled. The reason why he dared to release this movie regardless of everything was because he had a guaranteed 4x box office. Others don't have that.

If someone dares to learn from him and insists on releasing a movie that is not favored by any film company, the risk of bankruptcy is very high.

"Link, when will your next movie be filmed? Do you have any plans?" Quentin asked.

"It's in preparation. If everything goes smoothly, filming will start next month."

"Next month?! Are you serious?"

Quentin propped his hands on the table, the muscles on his face tensed up, and his expression changed accordingly.

If this scene were seen by others, they would mistakenly think the two were arguing.

"It's true. The movie script has already been completed. Next is casting and setting up the studio. A month is enough."

"Even the movie script is finished?! Are you even human?" Quentin shouted, slapping the table.

"I am human. The plot and characters of the second movie are very simple, so it's easy to write."

"You're working too hard. No wonder you're a diligent, brave, and involution-loving Chinese person."

Quentin frowned and fidgeted on the sofa.

After filming "Reservoir Dogs," he began preparing his second movie, "Pulp Fiction."

He thought it wouldn't be too late to start filming next year. He wasn't very active when writing the script, writing wherever his thoughts took him.

But now, hearing Link say that he will start filming his second movie next month.

Link was already very powerful, and his debut film did better at the box office than his. Now he's also so diligent.

This made him have to feel nervous and prepare to go back and seize the time to write the script so that he wouldn't be left too far behind by Link.

"Link, what's the budget for this movie? Have you figured it out?" Lawrence Bender was a producer, so he was more concerned about this issue.

"The budget isn't much, within $100,000."

"Within $100,000? Is the cost that low?" Quentin asked in disbelief.

"I'm a new director. I'll film a few low-budget movies to practice. After I have enough experience, I'll try larger investment movie projects."

"Link, you're right. Accumulating experience before filming blockbusters will increase the chances of success. After I filmed 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape,' I was eager to film my second movie, 'Kafka,' but the box office results were very dismal," director Steven Soderbergh said.

"Link, are you still going to bet big with this movie? Do you want to compete with us to see whose next movie does better at the box office?" Quentin said.

"Only compare box office? I can consider it."

Hearing Quentin's words, Link raised the corner of his mouth, unable to help but recall the dream he had in the small hotel in Park City. In the dream, Quentin not only wanted to compare box office but also the gold content of the awards.

Because "Pulp Fiction" had both box office and award success.

He was troubled for a long time in the dream before he picked out a very unreliable "Lost in Translation."

"In addition to box office, there are also awards. Let's see whose movie quality is more solid, do you dare?"

"No comparison. My next few movies will only consider box office, not awards. It's too small a chance of winning to compare these movies with yours."

"Okay, then let's just compare box office first. Whoever loses will treat everyone here to drinks."

"Okay!" Link reached out and bumped fists with him.

"Director Link, hello, I'm very happy to meet you here."

The famous action actor Bruce Willis and two lesser-known male actors walked to the booth and stopped, greeting him warmly.

Bruce Willis is a top-tier Hollywood action actor, and his representative works are the first and second installments of "Die Hard," released in 1988, with a total box office of $400 million.

"Mr. Willis, hello, I'm also very happy to meet you," Link shook hands with Bruce Willis and his two companions.

"Director Link, 'Buried' is truly a very profound movie. My wife and I both like it very much," Bruce Willis said.

"Thank you!"

After sending Bruce Willis away, several other people in the industry came over to greet him one after another, including directors, actors, producers, casting directors, agents, etc. He received more than thirty business cards, most of whom said they had opportunities to cooperate.

"Link, how does it feel to be chased by celebrities?" Quentin joked.

"It's pretty good."

In America, the poor are not even as good as dogs, but being a rich man and a celebrity feels great.

"Yes, this feeling is very addictive and makes people unable to stop. However, this is Hollywood, a fame and fortune arena. No one can always be sought after. Steven should feel this deeply," Quentin looked at the bald Steven Soderbergh.

Steven Soderbergh touched his smooth head, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

"That's indeed the case. After 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' was a big hit, I was also very popular in Hollywood, but now almost no one recognizes me. In Hollywood, even God can't always be popular."

"Steven, this is only temporary. With your strength, you will definitely become an Oscar-level director in the future," Link raised his glass to this future Academy Award for Best Director.

"Haha, Link, thank you for your encouragement," the two clinked glasses, and Quentin also raised his glass to join in.

While drinking, Quentin also talked about the purpose of inviting him out for drinks this time.

One was to congratulate him on the big hit of "Buried" and becoming a Hollywood superstar.

The second was to pass on a message from Harvey Weinstein, the boss of Miramax Films.

Harvey Weinstein said that he appreciates Link very much and hopes that when he makes movies in the future, he can give priority to cooperating with Miramax.

Quentin praised Harvey Weinstein's strong production ability, Miramax Films' distribution ability is second to none in independent films, and most importantly, Harvey is very strong in public relations for the Academy Awards.

In short, following Harvey Weinstein will bring both fame and fortune.

"These words are what Harvey wanted me to say. Whether or not to cooperate with him is up to you to decide," Quentin shrugged and said.

"I understand."

He didn't have much moral fastidiousness, and he didn't have any special views on the later 'Harvey Sex Assault Scandal,' so he wouldn't be hostile to Harvey because of it.

When cooperating, he valued his own interests more.

If cooperating with Miramax Films could bring more benefits, he would also cooperate with Harvey.

After all, this is America, a capitalist society. Every bit of capital is dirty and bloody. Harvey's little matter is really nothing in the chaotic American scene.

"Director Link, hello, I'm very happy to meet you here," after chatting for a few words, others came over to greet him again.

Link currently doesn't have much connections in Hollywood, and he gives enough importance to people who take the initiative to talk to him.

After sitting in the bar for a while, Link said goodbye to Quentin and the others and left. He got into his newly acquired Cadillac sedan and went to Beverly Hills to look at houses.

He was planning to move.

After becoming famous, living in a regular apartment was neither convenient nor safe.

Just like when he returned home from outside on Wednesday, a group of women crowded in the hallway waiting for him, and some even took off their clothes directly in front of him and rushed towards him, shouting and screaming.

In addition, the youth apartment was home to a group of dreamers. People like him with resources in hand were easily disturbed when living there.

The place he chose to settle down was in Beverly Hills.

There's a famous saying in the industry: You can only really gain a foothold in Hollywood if you buy a house in Beverly Hills.

Beverly is a city in Greater Los Angeles, similar to Burbank.

Facing the Pacific Ocean and backed by the Beverly Hills, it is located between Sunset Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard, and Wilshire Boulevard.

Due to the good environment and its proximity to several film cities in Hollywood, many movie stars have settled here since the 1930s, and Beverly has gradually become a famous wealthy area in the United States.

Mansions are everywhere here, mostly villas.

Link considered that living alone in a villa would be relatively deserted.

In the end, he bought a mid-to-high-end apartment at 108th Street on the south end of Wilshire Boulevard.

The apartment is located on the 12th floor, about 280 square meters, with three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and three halls. There is a study, coffee room, billiard room, gym, equipment room, kitchenette, etc., and a large floor-to-ceiling window facing Wilshire Boulevard.

Nearby are numerous high-end bars and clubs, luxury stores, the Hilton Hotel, and celebrity mansions. It is one of the most prosperous and lively districts in Beverly Hills with excellent security.

The apartment sells for $2.2 million, which Link can afford.