Chapter 421: American Film Market

Los Angeles, known as the entertainment capital of the world and the leader in the film industry, boasted all the facilities related to the entertainment industry.

From late October to mid-November each year, the Los Angeles area was bustling with various film events organized by people from different ethnic groups, communities, private enterprises, or national regions.

From film festivals, forums, and cocktail parties to investment briefings, these events aimed to attract film exhibitors to Los Angeles, especially distributors or investors with large budgets.

Organized by the American Film Market (AFM), the event was the largest international film trade fair in the United States.

The 8-day event served as a platform for those in the film industry, such as film buyers, distributors, production teams, and investors. It provided them a platform for negotiating film business cooperation and buying film rights. Unlike the Venice and Cannes film festivals, AFM didn't have an accompanying international film festival to promote it.

Although AFM had a large number of films, they mainly focused on international film distribution. 

Capet Pictures, despite being labeled as an independent film company, had long operated and promoted films beyond the scope of independent cinema.

Their attitude towards AFM was lukewarm because Capet Pictures had already established its distribution channels or partners in all major markets worldwide. AFM's help to Capet Pictures was minimal.

However, Capet Pictures did use AFM for distributing some international films like Slumdog Millionaire, and The Intouchables. After all, many filmmakers from small or underdeveloped regions liked to seek films at AFM.

Santa Monica Beach Hotel, as the venue for AFM, attracted nearly 80 countries' filmmakers.

Gao Yuanyuan flew to Los Angeles this year specifically to experience the AFM atmosphere. Charles, of course, entertained her well.

He took Gao Yuanyuan to a seafront villa in Santa Monica Palisades and introduced her to some AFM situations.

"Is this just a market for low-budget films?" Gao Yuanyuan seemed to think AFM was very ordinary after hearing Charles's introduction.

Charles smiled and explained, "Don't always focus on famous international festivals like Venice, Cannes, and Berlin. So many films produced globally each year need to be sold."

"AFM lasts for 8 days. Let's enjoy Los Angeles for a few days. The nearby beach is bustling too," Charles said, taking the lady's hand to the villa's balcony. "The sea, beach, and sunshine. I also have a large yacht here, and we can go out to sea!"

"You sure know how to live it up, and this house is beautiful," Gao Yuanyuan said, holding onto Charles's arm with envy.

"American houses aren't expensive now. If you like, you can buy one. You're rich now too!" Charles said, pointing towards the pier, "A 3,000 square foot villa right by the beach for less than $3 million. But, since you don't come to America often, you can stay at my place. I have plenty of houses!"

Gao Yuanyuan nodded, "I heard many French wineries aren't doing well. Are they expensive to buy?"

"A winery?" Charles seemed not very knowledgeable about that. "It depends on the size of the vineyard and its location. The Napa Valley area in central California is famous for its wine, and the prices are decent."

"Why, are you interested in wineries?"

Gao Yuanyuan nodded, "I heard many French wineries aren't expensive, and I'm a bit intrigued!"

"Do you know how to manage a winery? This can easily lose money," Charles cautioned.

Gao Yuanyuan shook her head and stuck out her tongue, saying, "Well, I'm just considering it; I haven't made any plans."

Charles put his arm around her shoulder and laughed, "It's worth considering. You can buy a small winery and use it as a vacation villa. But, I can give you that private island I have in the Philippines. I've had vacation villas built on it, and you can use it for vacations or business!"

"Really?" Gao Yuanyuan exclaimed excitedly.

Charles nodded, "Of course! It's not worth much anyway."

...

Charles returned to the company and first assessed the post-production progress of Iron Man 2 and Transformers 2, before inquiring about the filming of Thor.

After all, projects by Marvel Studios and the Transformers series were of paramount importance to Capet Pictures.

"Boss, there's a script here, from Darren Aronofsky, the director of The Wrestler. He's been working on this for years," Phyllis Jones said as she handed Charles a script in his office.

Charles took the script and started reading while Phyllis Jones, who was massaging his shoulders, explained.

"This script was conceptualized by Darren Aronofsky eight years ago, when he was editing Requiem for a Dream. It was initially titled The Understudy.

Aronofsky initially envisioned a love story between a ballerina and a wrestler, but he later realized one movie couldn't simultaneously depict both worlds, so he split the idea.

With The Wrestler completed, he now wants to film Black Swan, about a ballerina troubled by her understudy, centered around Swan Lake. It's a dual personality story about a White Swan and a Black Swan."

Charles continued skimming through the script while listening to Phyllis Jones. Aronofsky seemed to have nurtured the idea of making a ballet-related movie for years.

"The story is good. Black Swan uses the struggles and downfall of a ballerina to explore internal human desires," Charles hadn't expected to come across such a script.

Black Swan unfolds gradually, using the famous ballet Swan Lake as a rehearsal backdrop.

The heroine's life was completely controlled by her mother, making her obedient and gentle despite being an adult, concealing a desire for independence and growth.

As a ballerina in Swan Lake, she needed to play both the pure White Swan and the depraved Black Swan. Pursuing artistic perfection, the heroine began exploring her dark side...

Phyllis Jones' hands, which were initially massaging Charles' shoulders, became increasingly bold.

"Hey, it's work hours," Charles pulled Phyllis Jones onto his lap, slipping his hand under her blouse.

34D felt indeed different.

Phyllis Jones continued, "Boss, Darren Aronofsky wants Natalie Portman as the lead actress. In the early 2000s, Aronofsky first discussed this project with her. There was no script yet, just the idea of a ballet movie. Portman was passionate about ballet and wanted to play a dancer. She was also seeking more mature roles. At the time, she was filming Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. Years have passed, but Aronofsky hasn't forgotten. The script is written specifically for Natalie Portman!"

Charles nodded, "Start prepping for it."

Then, Phyllis Jones slid off the chair to start another kind of task!

*****

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