hunt hollywood

There were already many guests at the reception at this time, and they noticed that Brian De Palma and David Giller were walking towards a pair of young men and women at the same time, and they all looked at them curiously, occasionally whispering a few words.

After the two parties greeted each other, the two middle-aged people immediately became obviously curious about the elegant Janet beside Simon.They still have a better understanding of Simon's personal situation, so they are very puzzled why Simon can suddenly bring such a female companion today.

After all, at first glance, Janet is not one of those unknown little actors who want to hitchhike into Hollywood, but more like a lady from a wealthy family.

Sensing the curiosity of the two, Simon took the initiative to introduce: "Brian, David, this is Janet Johnston, she is a painter. Jenny, this is Mr. Brian De Palma, this is Mr. Mr. David Giller."

After listening to Simon's introduction, Janet shook hands with the two middle-aged men gracefully, and even complimented them appropriately.

After everyone exchanged greetings, Brian De Palma was going to meet other guests. David Giller whispered to Simon that Mike Medova, president of Orion Pictures, would wait a while before arriving, and then took the initiative to bring He and Janet shuttled among the guests tonight, offering to introduce Simon.

Hollywood seems to be very big, but in fact, as long as one breaks in, the circle becomes very small.

It was only the first time to attend a gathering in this kind of circle, and Simon met Al Pacino, Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Melanie Griffith, etc. Hollywood star.

Of course, when we met each other for the first time, we just chatted briefly, so naturally it was impossible to establish any friendship immediately.But Simon also knows that this kind of contact opportunity is a dream for many people who want to desperately enter this circle.

The reason is actually very simple.

They have met each other, and they are familiar with each other. If there is a possibility of cooperation in the future, they will get in touch. The two reactions of "XXX, oh, I met at the party at Brian's house" and "XXX, who is that?" The result must have been completely different.

After leading Simon to socialize very enthusiastically, David Giller also walked away temporarily.

Simon and Janet stood together on the railing overlooking the entire Los Angeles, each holding a glass of cocktail for a short break.

Janet took a sip of the drink in her glass gracefully. Seeing Simon's eyes focused on the brightly lit city night scene at the foot of the mountain, she teased, "Little boy, did you suddenly become ambitious?"

"No," Simon shook his head, and said, "I just remembered a movie, there was a guy, um, very unprofessional."

Janet noticed the inexplicable emotion flashing across Simon's expression, and was a little puzzled: "Huh?"

Simon raised his head and drank the drink in his hand, returned to normal, and said with a smile: "It's nothing, it's a movie that hasn't been made yet, so I can't tell you."

Janet looked at Simon, but nodded suddenly. The bright eyes against the lights seemed to hide two little beasts eager to try, and echoed: "Little boy, are you going to start talking crazy? I will accompany you."

Simon looked at Janet's serious expression hovering on the edge of madness, and suddenly wanted to touch the woman's fair face, raised his arm slightly, but stopped in an instant, and said, "Don't do this, I hope you will stick to this elegant temperament to the end Well, it's a very face-saving thing for a man."

"Hehe, okay," Janet chuckled, and some of the aura that had gathered just now dissipated instantly, and said, "Actually, I feel that many of them know you."

Simon naturally also noticed the amusement in the eyes of many people when David Giller introduced him, and said with a smile: "It should not be a good reputation."

Compared with him, a budding rookie screenwriter in the last WMA packing event, Simon feels that these people are more likely to notice him because he smashed the leg bones of those five guys a few days ago, even David Giller I would ask about it in private chats, and ask if Simon had learned kung fu like Bruce Lee.

To be honest, Simon himself doesn't quite remember what happened that night. He was completely on the verge of collapse.

However, during this period of time, Simon also gradually realized that his strength was indeed much greater than that of ordinary people.Moreover, although he doesn't know much kung fu, he still has some professional fighting skills in his mind.It's just that Simon has no idea how strong these factors will be when turned into force values. He is not a violent person, and he doesn't bother to do this kind of test.

The two chatted like this for a while, and David Giller soon appeared again, with a tall and handsome middle-aged man.

"Mike, this is Simon," David Giller gestured to Simon, and said, "Simon, this is Mike Medova, the president of Orion Pictures."

Simon shook hands with the other party politely, and briefly introduced Janet beside him, before David Giller led them to the terrace on the second floor of the villa behind him.There is a set of tables and chairs on the terrace, and the view is much better than the railing just now.

After ordering the waiter to serve drinks and snacks, David Giller chatted with him for a while, then got up and walked away, leaving the communication space to Simon and Mike Medova.

The next thing to talk about is not a secret. Simon did not signal Janet to leave, but only concentrated on dealing with Mike Medova's temptation.

In the 80s, due to the overall recovery of the film industry, a large number of outstanding independent production companies emerged in Hollywood.

Compared with the more well-known New Line and Miramax, film companies such as Orion, Canon, Carlock, and Castle Rock are actually more powerful in this era.

Among them, Orion has many similarities with Miramax. This film company has produced and released "The Silence of the Lambs", "Dancing with Wolves", "Prague Love", "Platoon" and many other films. An excellent film favored by the Academy Awards.

After Orion went bankrupt in the early 90s, Miramax's Weinstein brothers only gradually started to make their mark at the Oscars.

In addition to Orion, other film companies such as Canon, Carlock, and Castle Rock also fell one after another before the new century, and most of them were reduced to dispensable shell labels under the names of some media groups.In the end, only the New Line and Miramax, which had joined Time Warner and Disney in advance, were relatively lucky to survive.

On the terrace, Mike Medova was not a talkative person, but in his words, it was obvious that he had a detailed understanding of Simon himself and the script of "Run Lola Run", and even read the script of "The Butterfly Effect".

Aware of this, Simon also realized that Orion is really interested in "Run Lola Run", and the possibility of cooperation between the two parties is still very high. .

But, come to think of it, if it wasn't for this, David Giller wouldn't have solemnly arranged this meeting.

The two exchanged for a while, and Mike Medova gradually talked about the topic of substantive cooperation: "Simon, "Run Lola Run" is indeed a very novel story, and its low cost can also offset the commercial impact of this film. Short board in potential. However, it is difficult for me to agree to your request for absolute creative autonomy."

After listening to Mike Meadova, Simon said: "Mike, although the story of "Run Lola Run" seems simple, the details are very coherent and meticulous. I don't think anyone else can tell this story apart from myself. The story unfolds in its entirety. And, as I have already said, I can start the film with my own money, and if Orion is not satisfied with the results of my pre-shoots, I can immediately opt out. But if Orion approves of my work , then I also hope to get an undisturbed creative environment.”

"Of course, I don't have any opinion on the script." Mike Medova shook his head and said, "Simon, I mean the film cast and the like. Speaking of it, Orion is not interested in independent film projects that are too small. Interesting, we are not B-movie producers like Roger Corman. So, Orion can provide a production budget of $100 million for this movie, but if it chooses to invest, Orion will not stop halfway."

Simon hesitated, and said, "Mike, what do you mean?"

Mike Meadow said: "Simon, let's not talk about your plan to start the production with your own money first. However, I respect your idea of ​​​​wanting a chance. So, Orion can invest in this film, With a budget of $100 million, the cast of the movie must be selected by Orion. At the same time, we will give you a week of shooting time. If your work results are satisfactory, then continue, and Orion will try not to interfere with your work as much as possible. Create. Otherwise, we'll take the project back and move on with a different director. By the way, I can give you $5 for the script, plus future videotape and TV airings. Also, Orion wants to get you another one First option for scripts. I know you have a contract with Fox, but, it’s not a conflict, you’re not going to have just three scripts, are you?”

Chapter 040

After staying at the reception for two hours, just after 09:30, Simon took Janet to leave.

On Sunset Boulevard, the flushed Janet leaned against the slightly open car window to enjoy the wind for a while, then looked at Simon beside her, and said, "Little boy, are you planning to agree to come down?"

Simon nodded and said: "Yes, Orion's conditions are still very sincere."

"But," Janet tilted her head, and said, "They only give you a week of trial shooting, aren't you afraid that they will kick you out on purpose?"

Simon naturally has such worries. He is not a naive person, and he is very aware that Hollywood is full of countless intrigues.However, if he wants to start "Run Lola Run" in the short term, he cannot have other better choices.Moreover, at the reception just now, Brian De Palma gave Simon another guarantee.

"Didn't you hear it just now? Brian said that as long as Orion finally chooses me as the director, he can name the executive producer of this film."

Although Brian De Palma's name is far less effective than Spielberg's, and he has been in a low period in the past two years, he is still one of the few well-known directors in Hollywood.Being able to name an executive producer on a completely new and new work can still add a lot of attention to this movie.

In addition, Simon has enough confidence in his own strength. As long as Orion doesn't intend to take the film maliciously from the beginning, he believes that this matter will have a very good result.

It's just that, in this way, the favor owed is getting bigger and bigger.

Moreover, Orion gave a budget of 100 million US dollars, so naturally it would not agree to a newcomer like Sandra who has no qualifications to be the heroine, which is also a problem.

Janet, who was sitting in the co-pilot, noticed Simon's frown gradually frowned while thinking, and she was silent for a moment, and said: "If you didn't donate the money, you can definitely make this movie now without any restrictions. right?"

When Simon heard Janet mentioning this again, he glanced sideways at the woman, saw a slight apology on her expression, and said, "This matter has nothing to do with you. If I want to keep the money, you No one can take it away from me."

Janet blinked her eyes, her expression was a little more dissatisfied, and she insisted: "How can it be okay, it must be."

Simon smiled, stopped answering, and began to concentrate on driving.

Janet turned her head away like a little girl, and seemed suddenly angry with Simon.

The Ford car drove along the winding Sunset Boulevard at the foot of the Santa Monica Mountains. After more than ten minutes, Janet noticed a neon billboard on the side of the road, turned her head again, and said, "Hey, go further We just passed the Palisades, are you lost?"

Palisades belongs to a mid-mountain luxury residential area on the westernmost edge of downtown Los Angeles in the Santa Monica Mountains. Although it still belongs to the city of Santa Monica, it goes a little further to the end of Sunset Boulevard and turns to California One. The highway is the Malibu area.

This side has obviously missed the Montana area where Simon lives.

Simon shook his head and said, "No, don't you live in Malibu? I'll take you back."

Janet curled her lips and said with contempt: "Coward, you are really afraid that I will stay at your house."

Simon smiled and said, "You've been drinking."

Janet was startled, but a little unconvinced, said: "Have you been drinking too?"

Simon only drank a very weak cocktail at the beginning of the reception, the strength of which was not even as good as beer, but Janet asked the waiter to mix a glass of strong vodka after he finished talking with Mike Medova, Simon was naturally worried about the woman Drive back like this.

Seeing that Janet was still looking at him, Simon shrugged and said, "So, I'm a man. Even if I'm caught by the police, I'll go to jail."

When Janet heard Simon's words, her long eyelashes flickered a few times, and her whole body seemed to soften suddenly. She leaned sideways on the seat, her eyes glistening with water.

Simon felt that the woman next to him suddenly stopped moving. He turned his head to look at it, and immediately shivered as if he was frightened, and said, "Don't be like this, people are actually not tasty at all."

Janet blinked again a few times, then reached out her hand suddenly, pinched Simon's waist mercilessly, and said bitterly, "You bastard, you really are a fool."

With such a ruckus, the Ford sedan has arrived outside a mansion near Dumei Point Park in Malibu without knowing it.

Simon stopped the car, looked at Janet who was still huddled on the passenger seat like a little girl, paused, then leaned over, kissed Janet lightly on the cheek, and said, "Okay, good night, Go back and go to bed early. Also, lend me the car and return it to you tomorrow."

Janet found that when Simon approached, she lifted her cheek cooperatively and let him kiss her, and suddenly felt that she was too disappointing.However, after hearing Simon's instructions, she still nodded and reluctantly opened the door to get out of the car.

Watching the black sliding iron gate on the opposite side of the road open and then slowly close again, Simon turned the car around and drove towards the way he came.

Inside the mansion, Janet felt that her alcoholism might not have woken up, and it was even a little bit stronger.

Turning on all the lights in the living room, the whole person fell softly on the sofa, feeling a little floating, so he rolled to the left, rolled to the right again, and then fell on the carpet.

Rubbing his head, feeling a little hurt, he naturally vented his anger on a certain guy.

Then I remembered what happened tonight.

After pondering for a moment, he quickly made up his mind.

I didn't want to get up, so I crawled to the low side of the sofa like a lazy cat, reached out and pulled off the phone and hugged it in my arms, dialing a series of numbers slowly.

After a few beeps, the call was connected.

"Hey, Bingshan, have you missed me recently?"

The quality of long-distance calls across oceans is very poor. Not only does it have obvious waiting time, but it is also mixed with electric sounds.

After a while, there was a reply from the other side, which was a little blunt.

She was not angry, but smiled.

"Of course I have something to do with you. If it's okay, no one wants to talk to you. I'm afraid I'll be cold... okay, okay, that's it, lend me 100 million, by the way, it's dollars... I don't agree The old man opened his mouth, and tell him, if he dares to send some messy men over to go on a blind date with me, I will openly find a woman to marry... Please, if you refuse to borrow, I can only sell stocks ...Woo, you cold-blooded woman, you actually have an idea for my stocks, are we still relatives? Be careful that I will cut ties with you...Then how much can you lend me...50? How could you only have 50? ...Okay, well, it should still be daytime in Melbourne, you call me now, I will use it tomorrow...That's it, goodbye, oops, talking to you for a while, I'm about to freeze to death La."

Woke up the next day and had breakfast ready.

There is no table in the restaurant, so you can only sit at the bar in the kitchen and eat slowly.

Some distressed how to talk to Sandra Bullock about what happened last night.During this period, Sandra also spent a lot of energy on this movie. The two originally agreed to go through all the surveyed spots today.

Mike Medova said that he could seriously consider it for a few days, but Simon did not intend to delay it.

It seems that there will only be a chance to make amends in the future.

Thinking about it this way, after breakfast, Simon was about to call Sandra Bullock to come out and chat, when the doorbell rang suddenly.

Opening the door, Janet, who changed into a casual outfit today, reappeared outside the door.

Simon looked around again and asked, "How did you get here?"

Janet raised her limited-edition Hermès satchel in contempt: "You don't think I only have one car, do you?"

"Okay," Simon let Janet in and asked, "So, what's going on today?"

Janet didn't say much, and took out a check from her satchel and handed it to Simon: "Hey, you can make "Run Lola Run" completely according to your own ideas. If it's not enough, I can get it again next month." Some."

Simon glanced at the check, and it was $68. If it was based on the budget made by the production assistant he hired, this amount would be enough.

just.

Simon hesitated for a moment before saying: "Jenny, I am still very confident in this movie. However, you must also know that movies should be regarded as the most risky investment in the world, and no one can predict the risk of a movie. whether it will be successful."

Before Simon finished speaking, Janet rolled her eyes impatiently: "It's really long-winded, little boy, do you want it or not?"

"Yes," Simon nodded immediately, but said quickly: "But if you lose money, don't cry, especially don't cry like you did in the hospital that day."

Chapter 041 Who Is Daenerys

Parking the car on the side of the road, Lawyer George Norman unfastened his seat belt, looked again at the niece on the co-pilot with a somewhat embarrassed expression, and said with a smile, "Jenny, what's going on, did you know her before?" Simon Westeros?"

Jennifer Leibould, who was still dressed in a ponytail today, shook her head and said, "No, uncle, I just, um, I just think he's quite special."

George Norman looked at his niece again, smiled, stopped asking, and said, "Perhaps, I can formally introduce you to him next year. If it wasn't for Janet Johnston's relationship, I would represent this boy's affairs , a newcomer is completely enough."

Having said that, George Norman and the two got out of the car, came to the door of the villa, and rang the doorbell.

A moment later, it was a short-haired girl who opened the door, looking at the two people outside the door with some doubts.

George Norman glanced at his niece with a smile before introducing himself: "Hello, is this the home of Simon Westeros? I am George Norman, Simon's lawyer, and we have agreed."

"Oh, hello, Mr. Norman, please come in," the short-haired girl stepped aside and explained, "I just ran out of copy paper, and Simon went out to buy it, and I'm sorry he hasn't come back yet. Also, I'm Sandra Bullock, Simon's friend."

"It's okay, we arrived a few minutes earlier." George Norman shook hands with Sandra, and then introduced his niece: "This is Jennifer, my assistant."

Jennifer Raybould also reached out to Sandra, but looked at the empty living room.

George Norman looked around with the same strange expression. .

"Well," Sandra looked around, also a little embarrassed, and said with a smile: "Simon said that he was forced to rent this apartment."

Jennifer Leibould smiled, and noticed a strange painting hanging on the wall not far away, so she walked over curiously.

Seeing the girl move, George Norman and Sandra followed.