Hollywood Tycoon [US Entertainment + Business War]

Luc Besson is not a fool either. Seeing that his assistant insisted on letting him answer the phone, he asked who was calling.When the assistant said Jed's name, Luc Besson was a little silent.Of course he knew who Jed was, and he also knew that the Galaxy Films and Industrial Light & Magic under his name could indeed solve his problems, but if he actively recommended himself, he would definitely have his own interests.

Although Luc Besson is considered a rebel among European directors, it does not mean that he is willing to accept American producers' instructions.Therefore, many producers wait for Luc Besson to finish the film, and then decide whether to act as the distributor of the film depending on the quality of the film.This is why Luc Besson didn't have much money to shoot the movie he is planning to make after he finished filming "Nikita" and "The Killer Is Not So Cold". Because he had nothing to do and went to shoot a documentary called "Atlantis".This documentary not only consumed all of his income from "Nikita", but also advanced the dividends from "The Killer Is Not So Cold", which made him a bit stretched for the current film.

After being silent for a while, Luc Besson took the phone from his assistant.It suddenly occurred to him that this Samsung mobile phone seemed to be an investment from the Hollywood producer, and it seemed that this man's funds were really abundant.

"Mr. Besson, I heard that you are planning to make a sci-fi movie, and I am very interested in it." Jed said straight to the point.

"Mr. Sherman not only didn't watch the film, he decided to invest without even reading the script. Isn't he too confident in me?" Luc Besson joked.

There are generally two types of film cooperation. One is that the production company directly shoots the film, and then sells the film to the distribution company in the form of share or buyout.This is of course the best, because all the initiative is in the hands of the production company, and the risk to the distribution company is not that great.But now the number of independent film companies that can independently undertake a large-scale production is becoming more and more limited, so many independent film companies first shoot a part of the film or simply bring the script to the distribution company for negotiation, and the distribution company decides whether to invest in the filming this movie.This method is a bit like buying off-plan properties in later generations. Who knows whether this building can be built, and who knows whether this building can be sold in the end... So for the issuing company, it is a gamble, and in order to control risks, make Film companies will naturally be suppressed miserably.

Although Luc Besson doesn't like Hollywood distributors very much, in order to survive, he still sent his script concept and shot drawings to several major Hollywood distribution companies shortly after the filming started, seeking investment.However, Luc Besson clearly remembered that he did not send materials to Yinhe Movies. He thought that this Jed just heard about this movie, so he decided to "blackmail" himself.

Jed was taken aback for a moment, but he didn't expect to be treated as a movie again.When I came to Europe by myself, I was first suspected by JK Rowling, and now by Luc Besson. It seems that I have a conflict with the European characters.But Jed can't explain it, oops, I'm from the future, so I know you're making a movie that's going to sweep the Baftas and Césars in France, and it's going to win Oscars, MTV Movie Awards, and Saturn in the U.S. There were also a lot of nominations for the award, and finally the global box office won 2.6 million box office.If it is true, Jed will either be regarded as a lunatic by Luc Besson, or he will be sent to Area 51 by the FBI for vivisection.

Jed only said on the phone: "I have watched Mr. Besson's "Nikita" and "This Killer Is Not So Cold". I have to say that Mr. Besson's movies have made new progress in the theme of killers. Say, "Nikita" is a milestone work in the history of killer movies. Under your direction, although killers are not positive characters, their inner humanity is stimulated, and they are no longer so ruthless. And " This Killer Is Not So Cold further sublimated the theme of "Nikita", the dilapidated city under the warm yellow lens, and the little flower standing alone in the wind...Mr. Besson, I highly admire your film aesthetics .”

Although Luc Besson is a very proud director, it does not mean that he is arrogant.On the contrary, Luc Besson is actually a director who knows how to compromise, otherwise he would not have made his own career in Hollywood.He has heard Jed's admiration for himself, especially for his film art, which is very important for a director.If the producer doesn't appreciate your style, then your collaboration must be a tragedy.

Luc Besson thought for a while and replied: "Mr. Sherman, I will probably return to London on Thursday. Then we may meet and discuss cooperation. How about it?"

"Of course there is no problem." Jade and Besson made an appointment for a time and place to meet in London.

Then Jed smiled wryly and realized that he had come to Paris for nothing, but fortunately, as the fashion capital, there are still some things worth buying in Paris.Jed thought for a while, and bought a bottle of Romanee-Conti's 1952 vintage wine for John, which was the first batch of wine after the disaster of Romanee-Conti.Although the grapes used for brewing come from new vines, the taste is excellent, and it is already a good drinking year.Although the bottle of wine was expensive, Jed thought it was worth the money.At the same time, Jed also ordered a set of high-end fashion for Shannetti from Gianfranco Ferrena, then Dior women's design director, as a reward for the previous work.

After purchasing in Paris, there will naturally be a special company to send the gifts purchased by Jed back to Los Angeles, and Jed rushed back to London in a suit.The restaurant where Luc Besson met Jade was not ordinary. It was a French restaurant called Le Gavroche.Since its opening in London in 1967, the restaurant has been considered an iconic restaurant for top London cuisine.Of course, it is also the first Michelin-starred restaurant in London.

When the waiter brought Jed and Besson a starter of "roasted scallops and clam chowder," Besson said, "This is the only restaurant in London that I think I can still eat."

Jed shrugged. The French are famous all over the world for their love of wine and food, but the food of their neighbors, the British, is a negative example of the world's famous food.Coupled with the contradictions between the British and the French, Luc Besson couldn't help but venomously.

"LeGavroche? It seems that this name comes from Mr. Hugo's "Les Miserables"?" Jed brought up the topic.

"Yes, one of the stories in "Les Miserables", "The Girl Cosette." Luc Besson added, "Mr. Sherman, I am very glad that you are interested in my film, but I want to know, why ?”

"I haven't seen your clips, but I just learned about your script concept from some friends. I have to say, it's very interesting." Jed began to choose his words carefully, after all, it's not good to slip the tongue accidentally.If Luc Besson really thinks that he has seen similar movies, I am afraid that director Besson will think that he crashed and stop shooting "The Fifth Element", that would be cheating. "What I'm actually interested in is, if this movie comes out, what would the critics say?"

Hearing this, Luc Besson couldn't help laughing.In fact, "The Fifth Element" is a comedy movie dressed in sci-fi, but when this movie was released, countless film critics wanted to draw some elements about human nature or social criticism from it, but racked their brains It's just far-fetched.

In fact, Luc Besson just wanted to make a comedy film. As a result, film critics who have watched "Nikita" and "The Killer Is Not So Cold" felt that there must be very deep metaphors in it.It's as if one day suddenly, you saw the anchor of the news station go to a variety show to be a comedian, and it was unbelievable, but it just happened like this.

Of course, there may be a little bit of Luc Besson's narrow-mindedness in it.

"Okay, Mr. Sherman, you convinced me." Luc Besson said with a smile, "But I want to know what the terms of cooperation are?"

"I will invest, note that I invested a sum of money to Mr. Luc Besson, and asked Mr. Besson to set up a production company in Europe. You are free to use this production company to shoot the movies you want, provided that the company's The operation is good. However, Galaxy Film must be the copyright partner of this company, that is, the copyright of all the films shot by this company belongs to Galaxy Film Company. Of course, we will determine the final copyright income according to the agreement and capital contribution Divided into." Jed said.

Luc Besson frowned, "Mr. Sherman, why must the copyright belong to Galaxy Movies? This is too harsh!"

"It's not harsh at all." Jed shook his head, "First, we have given you the most free creative environment, you can shoot whatever you like. Don't forget, I provided the start-up capital for this company , and according to your personality, it is very likely that Galaxy Films will need another capital injection. It is hard to come across a company that only provides funds and does not dictate your creation. Second, your film needs us to promote it in the North American and Asian markets, And this is what we are good at. To put it bluntly, you are only in charge of making movies, and we are all worried about the promotion and distribution of later movies, so it’s okay for us to ask for more, right?”

Luc Besson really had nothing to say, he was only in charge of filming, and then he didn't have any worries, so he really couldn't accuse Jed of being harsh.More importantly, Luc Besson wants to make movies, but he is often limited by funds, so if there is a family of funders who are willing to pay and not interfere with him, what else can he say.Luc Besson thought about it and agreed.

Jed added, "This contract lasts for ten years. After ten years, we have the priority to renew the contract for five years. After all, to us, a European production company is not worth much. The real person before it is You, Monsieur Luc Besson."

Although Jed said it bluntly, Luc Besson didn't feel offended, and he felt that it was a kind of capital to be considered valuable by his boss.In the restaurant, Jade and Besson basically negotiated the details, and Jed also promised that once the contract was signed, the first funds to support the shooting of "The Fifth Element" would be in place.

Now that the matter has been negotiated, it is natural for the host and guest to enjoy the meal.Just when Jade and Luc Besson shook hands and said goodbye at the door of the restaurant, a camera in the distance suddenly pressed the shutter.

A young man muttered behind the camera, "What is the famous Hollywood Mr. Jed Sherman doing in London? Just to have a meal with the great director Luc Besson? It must be not easy behind it! He is well-developed and can be photographed. How much is The Sun willing to pay for this photo?"