I’m in Hollywood

I hope we can cooperate happily in the future, Eric, after signing the thick contract, Robert Shea stood up with a smile.

Eric also stood up and held Robert Shea's outstretched hand: That's for sure, Robert.

On the last day of August, after nearly a month of negotiations between the two parties, Firefly Films, owned by Eric, finally acquired New Line, a veteran Hollywood film company, for a 15% stake and $60 million in cash. The scale of the two companies is far less than the Hollywood giant Columbia Pictures that Sony wants to acquire, and they do not involve too many interests and games like Columbia. After the negotiation, everything went smoothly.

As an upstart and established second-tier film company suddenly rising in Hollywood, the merger of Firefly and New Line has attracted a lot of media attention. After the signing ceremony, the two sides also complied with the media's request and held a brief press conference. Of course it was a celebration party.

Although Eric doesn't want to participate in similar entertainments, he prefers to stay in his study quietly. However, since he lives in such a country, such things as parties are always unavoidable. If he doesn't refuse a lot of invitations, In his current capacity, it can be said that he receives invitations to various receptions and parties almost every day.

Eric, I heard that you were in charge of writing the Cry on the Island test film that was very popular, right?

yes.

But as you must know, I've signed a distribution deal with Disney before, and I've had two films, Steel Magnolia and Steel Magnolia. Disney made a high cut offer that was hard to turn down. Eric nodded and briefly explained the situation to Robert.

He thought that Robert Shea was thinking about the distribution rights of Cry on a Island, so he patiently explained to the other party. Now that the contract has been signed, Robert Shea is now his own, and he will serve as the new Firefly Films, along with Jeffrey, who has been re-designated as president. The two companies' businesses will be fully integrated over the next few months.

No, I think you misunderstood what I meant. Robert Shea shook his head and said, I don't want the distribution rights of Cry on the Island, it's actually like this, since Cry on the Island is very popular, Then I think you must also be good at writing horror screenplays. So, I wonder if you can write the next script for Nightmare Street yourself, what do you think?

Hearing Robert's request, Eric remembered the information about Nightmare Street that New Line had seen before. As a very important series of horror films for New Line, during the negotiation process, Firefly collected more detailed data than before. Eric's confused memory is much more accurate, although the first movie on Elm Street only grossed 25 million at the box office. However, because the cost was very low, the new line also made a lot of money at that time, although the production and distribution costs of the next three films gradually increased. Finally made money.

However, the situation of the latest Nightmare Street 5 is not optimistic. This new work was released on August 11. In the three weeks since then, it has only received more than 16 million US dollars at the box office, and the final box office is only 22 million US dollars. Left and right, after getting the share from the theater. Excluding the production and distribution costs of about 10 million yuan, New Line made no money.

Recall carefully. Eric said: Robert, the horror style of Elder Street has been fixed, and I definitely can't write any new chapters. In my opinion, according to the box office data of the latest Elder Street , I think this series can be temporarily stopped. Since the audience is tired of watching the plot of Freddie's murder in his dreams, we will force a sequel, it will only be worth the loss. , and the nostalgic feeling of the older generation of audiences, it is the most appropriate choice to start the series.”

When Robert Shea heard Eric's words, his expression changed slightly. Monster Street is a new line of housekeeping horror film series. Although intellectually, he understands that what Eric just said is very reasonable, but he is still very uncomfortable. Just signed a contract with Firefly, Eric Planning to cut off the sequel to Monster Street, which reminded him of the king who annexed another country in ancient times to cleanse the forces in the new territory and erase the original imprint of the other party.

Eric is two generations after all, so when he noticed the change in Robert Shea's expression, Eric quickly understood the other party's mind. He didn't want to plant a crack in the cooperation between the two parties because of this low-cost horror film. , so he quickly remedied: However, Robert, these are just some of my personal opinions. You know that I am just a newcomer in Hollywood, and many things must not be considered so clearly. So if you think it is necessary, Elder Street The sequel can continue to be produced, as far as I know, the third and fourth films have both received more than 40 million at the box office, maybe this time is just an accidental mistake.

Robert Shay's expression softened a little, and he also realized that Eric was compromising himself. Now that the other party has made concessions, of course he will not hold back: Then, Eric, just do as you said, but I don't think it's good to finish it right away, we will make a final chapter next year... ...Well, it's called The Ultimate Nightmare on Elm Street, and it's a temporary end to this series, and I believe that the gimmick of the ending is here, and it will definitely get a good box office.

This is indeed a good way, Eric also admired Robert Shea's wit, so he made a small promise: Perhaps, I can help make plans for the last script.

Really? Robert Shea couldn't help confirming it again. He thought that Eric just said that was a clear rejection. The value of Eric's script is recognized in Hollywood.

certainly!

Eric nodded decisively, and at the same time added a sentence in his heart that of course he would not participate in the signature, he didn't care about the screenwriter's reputation and interests of Nightmare Street. But in case the last movie has a bad reputation after being signed, it is certain to be scolded, and among a large group of main creators, even if it is just a screenwriter, he must be the most conspicuous one, and he will definitely become the focus of fans' firepower.

Although it is said that standing by the river often does not have wet shoes, but Eric does not want to be involved with bad movies after walking near the river for a year or two. One or two bad films that have little to do with him will definitely reduce the weight of this important bargaining chip.

At the same time, this is also the reason why Eric just copied the classic movies in his mind for the time being, instead of shooting his own movies according to his own wishes. Maybe after a few years, everything will be settled, and his status in Hollywood will be completely unshakable. Then, he will definitely make a few films that were not in his previous life and that he is very interested in. (To be continued)