I’m in Hollywood

ps. Here is today's update, and by the way, I will get tickets for the Qiqi 515 Fan Festival. Everyone has 8 tickets, and the voting will also send Qiqi coins. I beg everyone for your support and appreciation!

After a record-breaking $100.6 million at the box office in the first weekend of three days, the single-day box office of Jurassic Park 2 fell to the level of 10 million in the working day. Although the box office fell by 60% compared with the weekend, the film The first-week box office of 1995 will break through the all-time high of 140 million US dollars without any suspense, easily ascending to the first place in the box office list of released films in 1995. Moreover, most box office agencies predict that Jurassic Park 2 has already been released. Basically lock the throne of the annual box office champion.

Under the dazzling brilliance of Jurassic Park 2, few people noticed that a partial art film called Forrest Gump will be quietly released on June 9. Although Forrest Gump was unanimously praised by film critics in the early test screening process, this praise made the few media who paid attention to this film more pessimistic about the film's box office. After all, the more film critics like it The more artistic the film is, the more bleak the box office is.

In addition, if there is any expectation for the box office of Forrest Gump, Eric Williams will never let Flower Pictures set the film's schedule for June 9. In the eyes of the media, this is tantamount to placing a small beast with no resistance at all under the soles of the Tyrannosaurus Rex's feet, and the end can only be shattered.

You know, in order to avoid the edge of Jurassic Park 2, several other major film companies have invariably placed the flagship films of this summer's summer season at the end of June and July, and Time Warner even gave up the beginning of the end of May in previous years. The release strategy of rushing to the beach and landing in the summer file, only lost a Fair Game with a dismal box office as cannon fodder.

Jurassic Park 2 after the first day of box office release. Eric devoted most of his energy to handling the corporate affairs he had accumulated during his time away from Los Angeles. but. Although the release of Forrest Gump has always been on the sidelines. Let Drew and Amy Pascal operate, but in this world, perhaps he is the only one who has full confidence in the box office of Forrest Gump.

Although the film has accumulated a lot of praise in the early stage of publicity, Amy Pascal finally only prepared 1,500 opening screens for Forrest Gump. Eric has no objection to this either. As long as Forrest Gump is as sensational as in the previous life, the box office is destined to go a long way. The screen size of the opening week is smaller, and it can even play the effect of hunger and thirst marketing just right.

Because of the lack of presence. Although Drew took both Eric and Spielberg to the premiere platform, Robert Zemeckis, the director of Forrest Gump, has also produced Back to the Future, Roger Rabbit, etc. A well-known director who sells movies, but Forrest Gump is still quietly opening in a tepid atmosphere.

Fortunately, the actor Tom Hanks and the director Robert Zemeckis have accumulated a lot of reputation for excellent films, and their box office appeal is still very good.

therefore,

Forrest Gump earned $6.7 million on its first day in 1,500 North American theaters.

Amy Pascal's tone was light-hearted as she communicated the number to Eric. $6.7 million on the first day, then, Forrest Gump is not too problematic to reach $25 million in the first week. With the excellent reputation of the film, it adopts a long-term screening strategy. The film is likely to close to $80 million at the box office before the final draw.

The total cost of production and publicity of Forrest Gump cost 70 million, the North American box office can reach 80 million, and Huahua Pictures has been able to recover most of the cost.

The movie is positioned as an award-winning film. With the current reputation of film critics, it can even hit the Oscar for best picture. As long as a few heavyweight Oscar statuettes can be won, then the later overseas distribution and video tape sales revenue will be more. It is rich, although the cycle of returning funds will be relatively long, but Huahua Pictures can still recover well from this project.

Amy Pascal sounds like a budget-conscious housewife when she analyzes Forrest Gump's earnings prospects. It is not difficult to understand why she has this idea. Although Eric personally promoted the production of Forrest Gump, although he has created a series of box office miracles, Hollywood executives' fear of film risks has become deeply instinctive , the total cost of Forrest Gump of 70 million US dollars, in the eyes of most people, has far exceeded its commercial potential as an art film.

However, the dramatic development of things was far beyond most people's expectations.

After the large-scale release on the first day, most of the media who had only intended to introduce the new film with a short message were surprised to find that Forrest Gump far exceeded their expectations.

The film is based on the perspective of a fool with an IQ of only 75, and it perfectly shows the development of American society in the three decades after the war through stunning special effects.

The three main characters in the film are like the incarnations of the three mainstream American spiritual tendencies twenty years ago. Forrest Gump represents the roots of the American spirit, simplicity, diligence, sincerity, and perseverance. Jenny represents the rebellious generation of the 1960s, who In an attempt to break the stereotype and pursue one's own self, what they are actually heading for is a lost abyss. Captain Dan belongs to the group of people who doubt the society. They have their own persistence, but they are still confused and can't find the value of persistence. Jenny of the finale chose to return to the family, and Captain Dan also chose to follow in the footsteps of Forrest Gump, allowing us to see the three American spirits once again united and returned to their roots.

It is true that this is an 'anti-intellectual movie' that seems a little ridiculous at first glance, but the two hours and 20 minutes of watching the movie made the author fall into an inexplicable emotion and couldn't extricate himself. I couldn't help thinking, this The strength of the country is recovering, the economy is developing, and technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, but we are self-proclaimed smart people, but we are more and more indulged in the great abundance of materials, completely ignoring the spiritual level that should be adhered to.

The thing that touched me the most about Forrest Gump was that on that rainy night, Jenny brought the silly Forrest Gump back to her dormitory. She talked about her dream of becoming a celebrity with a longing look on her face. Then asked him. You What kind of person do you dream of becoming in the future? Forrest Gump replied with a puzzled expression, why do I want to be someone else, can I not be myself in the future? In the end, Jenny's dream was broken, and she left this world in regret. But Forrest Gump, who insisted on being himself, has achieved everything that ordinary people dream of.

...

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After the turmoil of the sixties and the laissez-faire of the seventies, it started in the eighties. Conservatism in the United States began to return and reached its peak in the 1990s.

At the same time, the extreme development of material has also made people's spiritual level empty, and the situation of moral corruption and weak human feelings has become more and more serious. Therefore, the image of American conservatism represented by Forrest Gump is different from his own kind, sincere and simple. The character completely caters to more and more Americans' yearning for spiritual life.

With the overwhelming spontaneous propaganda of the media, more and more people began to notice the film and went to the cinema.

Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what the next one will taste like.

This classic line, destined to be recorded in the history of world cinema, also quickly spread among the crowd.

In fact, most people do not know what the deep meaning of this sentence contains. They were just inexplicably moved and satisfied after watching the movie. Repeat this sentence a few times in your heart, and then silently write it down, and it will never be forgotten again.

The explosive attention of Forrest Gump is most intuitively reflected in the box office.

After $6.7 million on the first day, the box office for the next two days saw a single-day surge of more than 20%. In the end, the film's box office in the first three days of the first weekend reached $22.9 million.

Compared to Jurassic Park 2, this box office figure seems to be insignificant, but as a literary film, this kind of box office data that represents the box office is about to blow up everyone's spirits, after all, it was made two weeks ago. Fair Game, which costs the same as Forrest Gump, also grossed a measly $6.8 million in its three-day opening weekend.

Entering the working day, the box office momentum of Forrest Gump has not decreased at all. Compared with Sunday's slippage, it still remains at around US$6 million in a single day.

In the end, the box office data of Forrest Gump in the first week of more than 47 million US dollars once again caused an exclamation from the media, which was almost twice or even more than three times the previous week's box office forecast for this film by most media. However, after sighing, many people can't help but feel that this box office data seems so natural when Forrest Gump has almost become an American cultural symbol.

Venice Beach.

In an Italian seafood restaurant, Amy Pascal smiled and looked at Drew, who was grumbling on Eric, holding a coffee cup in his hand, taking a sip from time to time.

After the box office and word of mouth of Forrest Gump broke out, Amy has been in an uncontrollable excitement these days. She is finally 100% sure that she was right to give up her position as vice president of Columbia and jump to the small workshop of Flower Pictures. Sex, if the next meeting goes well, she will also become the second female head of the seven major Hollywood studios after Shirley Lansing.

I don't know what Drew said, but Eric reached out and pinched her little ear, pushed the girl away in a coquettish voice, and said to Amy with a smile, By the way, Peter Jackson's affairs are handled by you. How's it going?

Amy said: Although he has no experience in directing large-scale films, his talent in film is unquestionable. Moreover, we have seen his complete conception plan for the Lord of the Rings series in detail, including script, storyboard, character design As well as the filming locations he found in New Zealand, it can be said that it is absolutely impossible for us to find a second director who has devoted so much emotion to the Lord of the Rings series in Hollywood. It is very suitable for him to direct this magical epic series. Eric, do you have time to talk to him again?

Don't need it for the time being. Let him direct one or two films first, so that you can familiarize yourself with the operating rules of Hollywood. When the time is right, you can start the production of this series.

Amy nodded, and she also knew when Eric said the time was right, so she was not in a hurry. Flower Pictures' current projects have kept her and Drew busy for a long time.

After the two finished speaking, Drew said cheerfully: Eric, New Zealand is so beautiful in those photos Jackson took. Can we take time to go there for a vacation?

Okay, then buy another big farm. Raise a few horses.

Haha. I don't believe you are interested in raising horses. Drew said with a smile: Maybe you can exile some little models you don't like there and keep them as pets on the farm.

Drew didn't mention it. Eric almost forgot about it. He hadn't heard any news about Heidi Klum in the past six months. He said, but asked: How are the preparations for the two films Mean Girls and Scream?

Drew Road: The filming has already started, the guy Wes Craven is unwilling to go to Canada. Scream was selected at Santa Rosa High School in the back of California, I will go and start filming in a few days. That scene. Also, the 'Mean Girls' crew went to Vancouver, and filming in Canada could save more than 1 million of the budget, and Tina followed.

The last time Eric left Los Angeles, the two films were still in preparation. Although more than a month had passed, Eric still felt a little rushed.

Amy seemed to be aware of Eric's thoughts and took the initiative to explain: Eric, these two films involve a lot of campus scenes. These scenes are to be filmed before the end of the summer vacation, so we will The schedule is so tight.

Been away from campus for too long. Eric's concept of student vacation has become very vague. Although he has a very clear concept of summer vacation, this concept is more inclined to business terms. Therefore, after hearing Amy's explanation, Eric suddenly realized at this point. If you don’t shoot in the summer season, it will become very troublesome to shoot school shots when the students start school.

The three of them were chatting, and the waiter led a middle-aged man in his fifties, who was MGM's current e-Frank Marcasso.

Sorry, Eric, I'm late, Frank Marcasso stretched out his hand to Eric apologetically.

Eric got up and shook hands with the other party, and said with a smile: Of course not, Frank, it's just that we arrived early. These two probably don't need my introduction.

Of course, Frank Marcasso shook hands with Drew and Amy respectively, and complimented: I recently watched Forrest Gump on purpose. It's really an excellent film that makes people memorable.

Thank you for your recognition, Mr. Makasso, Amy smiled and nodded.

Frank Marcasso sat down on the chair pulled by the waiter, and did not forget to add, Just call me Frank, Amy, we are acquaintances, aren't we?

Amy nodded and said, Of course.

Let's order first, Frank, I've had lunch here a few times, the pan-fried sea bass here is good, you can try it, Eric took the menu from the waiter and recommended it to Frank Macasso, thinking in his heart But he remembered the first time he ate here two years ago, when he was with Nicole, and there was a young waitress whose eyes made him feel fluffy.

After ordering and waiting for the waiter to leave, Eric asked straight to the point, So, Frank, did Kerkorian make an offer to MGM?

Frank Macasso nodded and said: $1.5 billion, and Kerkorian seems to be eager to complete the transaction before July, but there is no reply from Lyon Credit, and they also I’ll make plans after the release of “Goldeneye” and “Night at the Museum” in July, and I heard that France’s Vivendi Group has also approached Credit Lyon, but I’m not sure about their offer.”

Although Crédit Lyon is a universal bank in France, it has no intention of getting involved in the entertainment industry from beginning to end. A few years ago, it became a major shareholder of MGM by accident. It was also because of the financial fraud of the Italian consortium. The shares of MGM were confiscated by the court and used to pay off the huge debt owed by the Italian consortium.

Because of the bubble-like expansion that began in the late 1980s, although Credit Lyon once became the largest bank in Europe, in recent years, after the burst of the financial bubble brought about by the crazy expansion, the large number of bad debts of Credit Lyon has caused huge amounts of tens of billions of dollars in a row. Losses, and even came to the brink of bankruptcy for a time.

Under the pressure of the French government and shareholders, although MGM's situation has begun to improve, Lyon Credit is eager to get rid of its MGM shares in exchange for cash to make up for its cash shortage.

Eric speculates that the $1.5 billion price tag should be a bit higher than what Kerkorian bought back to MGM in his previous life, but it's still a reasonable price.

Although MGM is now showing signs of an imminent recovery, anyone with a discerning eye can see it. Except for the 007 series. Other blockbusters such as Charlie's Angels, Resident Evil, and the upcoming Night at the Museum. Control is not in MGM's hands. Moreover, although MGM's operations have stabilized in the past two years, the huge debt Kerkorian left for the company has not been reduced much.

Frank, you can contact the relevant person in charge of Credit Lyon when you go back. We also offer $1.5 billion here, let them send someone to talk. I know that Credit Lyon is in urgent need of funds now, and we can pay off all acquisitions in one go in a short period of time. payment.

Frank Marcasso looked at Amy and Drew. Said: Eric, is it a firefly?

Eric shook his head and said with a smile: No, it's Flower Pictures, Firefly will not have an equity dispute with MGM.

Eric's simple sentence made Frank Makasso secretly startled. Eric would not let Firefly and MGM have an equity entanglement. encountered monopoly obstacles.

According to the current scale of Flower Pictures and MGM, it is normal to want to reach the level involving monopoly. It is impossible without ten or eight years of rapid development, but the world has never lacked miracles. That little 'firefly' has grown into the current giant. It only took seven years.

After considering the wording, Frank Makasso asked: So, Eric, after Huahua Pictures acquired MGM, how does it plan to operate?

Eric gestured to Amy.

Amy smiled, she knew that Frank Makasso was concerned about the arrangement of the original management after Flower Pictures merged with MGM, and said, Frank, after the merger, I hope you can stay and be mainly responsible for North American and global distribution of the company's films.

Frank Macasso is mainly responsible for the distribution of the film, because MGM has not produced any decent films in recent years except 007, and he does not expect to be able to replace Amy as the e of the new company. I was satisfied with this arrangement, nodded and said to Eric: Eric, although the offer of 1.5 billion US dollars is not low, if Vivendi and Kerkorian join the competition, I think , the final price may be raised to 1.8 billion US dollars. In principle, Lyon Credit will definitely sell MGM to the highest bidder.”

Eric shook his head with a smile and said, Frank, I don't think Lyon Credit has any principles to speak of. They don't have any trump cards and can only choose to accept or not. If they insist on selling MGM to others, I will Will immediately cut off all cooperation between Flower Pictures and DreamWorks and MGM. Without the distribution rights of Charlie's Angels, Resident Evil, Night at the Museum, MGM will immediately become a few years ago. I don’t believe anyone else will make a $1.5 billion offer for them when that happens.”

Just imagining this scene in his mind made Frank Macasso feel a strong sense of powerlessness. He knew very well that this situation was definitely not something that Credit Lyon could afford. While MGM has distribution deals with DreamWorks and Blossoms, in Hollywood, there are countless ways Firefly can get its way without 'breaking' the deal.

Frank Macasso also definitely didn't like Kerkorian to take control of MGM again. The casino tycoon was just a vampire. He had no idea of ​​making a movie at all. Like Mann, when MGM's apparent operating conditions improved, a large number of bonds were issued for financing, and then the funds were put into their own private pockets. When MGM was on the verge of bankruptcy again, they did not hesitate to sell again. to the next home. The heavy debt that MGM is now burdened with is the mess left by Kerkorian's repeated operations in the 1980s. The huge debt just overwhelmed MGM with interest.

Right now, he doesn't know what the status of the French Vivendi Group, which is interested in MGM, is, but he knows that choosing to cooperate with Firefly should be the only way out for MGM. Once merged with Flower Pictures, he believes that Eric will definitely put DreamWorks into the new company. With a slew of lucrative blockbuster franchises such as 007, MGM will soon recover and become a formidable studio once again.

Thinking of being able to personally participate in MGM's recovery, Frank Marcasso was a little excited and said to Eric, Eric, I will bring your words to Lyon Credit.

Eric nodded in satisfaction, and then it was time for a pleasant meal.

An hour later, Frank Makasso left the restaurant, but Eric, Amy, and Drew did not leave, but talked about Eric's detailed arrangements for the future of Flower Pictures.

Time unknowingly chatted for an afternoon, the beach in the distance had been dyed red by the sunset, and Eric was about to leave with the two when the phone that had been on the table rang.

I'm Williams, Eric picked up the phone, chatted a few words with the other party, nodded from time to time, and after a while, Eric had a strange smile on his face and looked at Amy and Dean who were sitting opposite. Lu, said: Do you know Godzilla?

[515 is coming soon, I hope to continue to hit the 515 red envelope list, and by May 15th, the red envelope rain can give back to readers and publicity works. A piece is also love, it must be better! ] (To be continued.)

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