HWI 51
[Shout out to Arka B, Herson B, Toros S, Chris A, Mariano R, and Bast Z!]
Hollywood What If Chapter 51
"Sigh..."
Producer Enrico Pusi entered the room in a bad mood. He sat down next to Kazir, who was redrawing his storyboard.
As a director, Kazir has a considerable talent for drawing. He had already finished the storyboard. He was just polishing it. So that once the shooting started, he would never waste time on experimental shots.
Especially when the project signed an insurance contract with Merrill Lynch. He knew how pesky the insurance company was. As much as possible, they would do their best to keep the production costs within the quota.
Sometimes directors hate insurance companies because they stifle their creativity.
Perhaps one of the directors the insurance company hated was James Cameron. This man would never hesitate to overspend just to get the best shots.
"Sigh..."
"Why are you sighing?"
Because of their positions, the two need to have clear communication. So they talk to each other almost every day to make sure the project runs smoothly.
The job of a producer in general was to oversee the production process in film, television, or other commercial productions. This includes organizing, managing, and overseeing every single phase and aspect, including talent, creative team, deadlines, executives, and finances.
To be honest, their job was much more tedious than that of the director. So having a talented producer who could control the entire project was an important part.
"We have problems with Ed Helms' salary."
Enrico Pusi talked to Ed Helms' agent for the second time, and the result wasn't good.
"Are they still asking for an extravagant amount?"
"$5 million. Hell, even Brad Pitt didn't make that much when he was in Se7en!"
Kazir just shrugged as he listened to his producer's grumbling.
The more time he spent with Enrico, the more he realized that he was serious about his job. He had worse eye bags than Kazir right now.
'Maybe he wants to use The Hangover as a springboard for his career.'
It was not a bad intention. Everyone has his own motives.
'At least he thinks The Hangover will be successful.'
"I don't understand why they do that. Everybody knows Ed Helms is not that famous. Why are they asking for the impossible?"
So far, only Napoleon Dynamite has been Ed Helms' biggest role. In fact, most of the success came from Kazir, who directed the movie. He had a good vision of what he wanted to make.
Kazir just listened. He didn't bother to explain why this situation happened.
'It's probably because I rejected the "sincerity" of the WMA. That didn't sit well with them, so they're trying to kick me in another way.'
However, both sides understood that this was not the right thing to do.
Kazir was able to find another actor to play Stu. He didn't have to be so attached to Ed Helms.
WMA also understood it. If they tried to play tough, Ed Helms would lose this project. If things got worse, Ed Helms might jump to another agency. Because WMA kept messing with his decision.
"Enrico, I suggest you tell them that Ed Helms is not our first choice. We have a lot of actors to choose from."
"But I thought you wanted to hire Ed Helms?"
"Let's not kid ourselves. Yes, I want him to work with me again. But I put the project ahead of him. I think WMA and Ed Helms understand that, too."
Kazir said while drawing the scene where Mike Tyson hits Alan.
'Speaking of Mike Tyson, the legendary boxer was released from prison last year. '
Mike Tyson is a different animal after his time in jail.
If there's one person who can kill a person with one punch, it's probably Mike Tyson.
Fortunately, Enrico Pusi convinced Mike Tyson to make a cameo in the movie.
Enrico told them that they could use the movie to promote Mike Tyson's fight against Bruce Seldon.
Like movies, boxing fights need promotion.
"I am going to talk to Ed Helms tomorrow. I will tell him that 1.5 million is the best I can offer. If they don't agree, we'll find another actor. By the way, can you recommend anyone?"
"Hm...? I think there's an actor who auditioned for the role of Stu and made it to the third round. If I'm not mistaken, his name is Steve Carell. We can contact him if the negotiations with Ed Helms don't work out."
"Okay... Are you really sure you want to keep the movie R-rated?I know the pervasive language and some sexual content is a must in this kind of movie, but why don't you tone it down?"
"Enrico, we have already discussed this with Terry Semel. We both agree that the movie will lose its power if we keep it PG-13."
Kazir stopped what he was doing and stared into Enrico's eyes.
Like most directors, Kazir didn't like it when someone tried to stifle his creativity.
He wanted to make the movie as close to the original as possible. So making it PG-13 would be disastrous.
"O- Okay. I will never talk about it again."
Enrico Pusi realized that he was overstepping his bounds. He knew so many directors who would fight the producers just to keep control of the filming.
So far, his relationship with Kazir had been good, and he wanted to keep it that way. He believed this would not be the last time he worked with Kazir.
He sighed and left the room after telling him his problem with Ed Helms' salary.
"Oh, before I leave, Nokia has agreed to sponsor the movie. They would pay us $1 million initially. Once the movie makes over $100 million at the North American box office, they will pay us another $1 million."
"What about the global box office? Do they have conditions?"
"We are still negotiating. But we already have an agreement that they will sponsor the movie."
"That's good to hear."
Just like that, the $35 million budget of The Hangover made back $1 million. Product placement is one way to recoup your investment.
'This does not mean that it is easy to get $2 million. The box office of "The Hangover" has to reach a certain number.'
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