Chapter 37

All of a sudden, he confirmed the fact that he had been doubting for a long time, but Simon didn't feel distressed or depressed.

In any case, "Lola Run" is a very suitable film for him to show his strength. Even if I didn't remember the production cost wrong, I would have missed the movie.

Now that he has established his foothold in Hollywood in less than two months, Simon has enough confidence to continue to push forward the project, nothing more than adding some twists and turns.

Simon's experience of more than ten years in the entertainment industry in his previous life left him with the greatest feeling that no one in this circle has a smooth road to fame.

Now, as a man of two generations, Simon does not lack the heart to face setbacks.

After making up his mind, Simon looked at David giller across the street and said, "well, David, how much budget do you think it will take to shoot the film according to the official 35mm film specifications?"

David giller thought about it and said, "according to the idea you just described, it should cost at least half a million dollars. A more detailed budget needs to be counted according to a more specific shooting plan. However, this is not a problem. Simon, now the question is, do you have any experience in making movies before? Even student movies? By the way, neither Brian nor I know which university you graduated from? "

Until now, few people in Hollywood know that Simon is only 18 years old this year.

At the beginning, Jonathan Friedman only mentioned it occasionally with Norman Broca, President of wma. Because of a series of subsequent events, Norman Broca did not like Simon, but did not publicize it everywhere.

At this time, because of Simon's extraordinary talent, David giller subconsciously thinks that Simon is probably in his twenties, and instinctively regards Simon as a promising student who has just graduated from a university.

Hearing David giller's question, Simon realized something, but said honestly, "David, I studied computer science at Stanford for a period of time, and then dropped out of school. I didn't have any experience in this field. But I didn't have any screenwriting experience before. "

"Director and screenwriter are not the same," said David giller, shaking his head. "In a word, if you can come up with some personal qualifications that are enough to convince investors, such as a student film, I may be able to help you get the investment. Unfortunately, you didn't. Simon, although it's only a small sum of money, I also need to be responsible for my contacts. "

Bryan De Palma, who is still relishing looking through Simon's split shot paintings, also looked up and said, "Simon, it's not so easy to be a director. However, these drawings are also enough to illustrate your personal talent. Why don't you be my assistant director for the next butterfly effect. After completing the experience of this film, even if David is not willing to help, I can help you find a company willing to invest in "Lola Run."

"I didn't say I didn't want to help?" David giller protested with a discontented smile, but also said: "Simon, Brian's idea is really good. If you like, it can be settled now. "

David giller is the producer of the butterfly effect, and Brian De Palma is both a director and a producer. It's entirely within the scope of two people's authority to hire a director assistant on a temporary basis.

If Simon is really just a newcomer who has just entered Hollywood and has little experience, it would be a very rare opportunity to serve as the assistant of such a famous Hollywood director as Brian De Palma.

However, with more than ten years of experience in his previous life and the memory of 12 other people in his mind at this time, what Simon lacks most at this time is all aspects of experience related to film making. As the assistant director of Bryan De Palma, the only thing Simon can get is a qualification.

After a moment's deliberation, Simon shook his head and said, "David, Brian, I appreciate your kindness. However, although I can't prove it, I'm sure I've been able to direct a movie myself. So, David, do you think that's ok? I have enough money to start "Lola Run" now. You just need to help me introduce an investor and sign an investment contract. If they are satisfied with my early shooting results, they can inject follow-up funds, otherwise, they can choose to quit at any time. "

Simon is a very independent young man, which David giller and Brian De Palma have experienced in several contacts.

At this point, they were not too surprised to hear Simon refuse Brian De Palma's offer. Hearing Simon's plan, David giller could not help but praise the boy's self-confidence.

"Simon, in Hollywood, it's always a very bad choice to invest your own money in movies," David giller said with a smile after a little consideration. However, since you have put forward such a confident cooperation plan, I can help you. Of course, I will never guarantee the success. Everything depends on you. "Simon said seriously, "I just need a chance."

David giller nodded with emotion and said, "in that case, Simon, do you have any other requirements besides the above cooperation plan?"

Simon thought for a moment, and said: "my contract with Fox should still be able to be used as a mortgage. I can borrow a sum of money from the bank. With the balance that Fox needs to pay next, I should be able to raise about 250000 dollars. For the time being, the shooting budget of "Lola Run" is US $500000. The investor and I will each contribute US $250000, and each will account for 50% of the revenue in the future. My personal screenwriter, director and other labor are only symbolic $1, but I demand absolute creative autonomy. "

After hearing this, David giller shook his head again and said, "Simon, half a million dollars is just my most conservative estimate. In fact, I really hope you can use some more professional cast CASS. In addition, if you are more careful in the setting, soundtrack and other aspects, the final production budget of about $1 million will be more secure. "

Simon said in a relaxed tone: "David, what I just said is just an overall plan. If it exceeds the budget, as long as the investor is willing to follow up, the profit share will certainly be higher. My only requirement is absolute creative autonomy. I don't want others to interfere in my works. "

"Well, I'll take the time to get in touch with you," David giller nodded, then added, "but you're going to focus on the revision of the butterfly effect."

Simon said with a smile, "of course, it's my job."

"In that case," said David giller, who filmed the "Lola Run" script in front of him, "I'll make a copy of it later, so that I can convince investors."

Although Simon had just rejected the proposal, Brian De Palma didn't pay much attention to it. At this time, David giller said, he handed over the split shot painting and said, "make another copy of this. I think it's more convincing than the script."

David giller was a little surprised to turn over a few pages of the split shot sketch that Brian De Palma had just been pressing in his hand. He didn't nod and said, "that's true."

After chatting about these things, the three of them reacted and found that there were not many people left in the restaurant which was still lively, and the lunch brought by the waiter was completely cold. They had to order lunch again, and then went back to the meeting room in the morning to discuss the revision of the script of butterfly effect.

In this way, until the end of work, Simon copied the script and sub shot draft of "Lola Run" to David giller. He also took a long memorandum on the revision of the script agreed at today's meeting and left fox after saying goodbye to David giller and Brian De Palma. He still took a taxi to return to Montana, Santa Monica Just rented.

There was a bit of traffic jam after work. About half an hour later, Simon returned to his residence in Montana.

In front of a villa near St. Vincent Avenue on the northern edge of Montana District, Simon got out of the car, sent the taxi driver away and looked at the luxury house with an area of more than 800 square meters in front of him. For the nth time since Saturday afternoon, he had the idea of biting his teeth again: loser!

Simon and his real estate agent made a schedule for Thursday's house visit last week, intending to rent an apartment.

He was unexpectedly sent to UCLA Medical Center. Simon had planned to cancel the appointment. When Janet Johnston learned of this, she immediately took over the job with great interest and sent the lease contract to Simon on Friday.

Three bedrooms, three bedrooms and four bathrooms. Seeing the information in the lease contract, Simon almost jumped out of the hospital bed.

Come on, are you kidding me?

A bachelor can't afford such a large residence.

What's more, the monthly rent of $2700 doesn't seem too high compared with Simon's impression of a luxury house. But it's 1986 after all. Even in Los Angeles, most people don't make $2700 a month.

Then, Simon is not willing to rent such a house, but, just after a few words, a good woman actually cried in front of the ward round doctor and real estate agent. While crying, she accused Simon of being a miser, ignoring his hard work all day. Although she was very rich, she even refused to rent a better house.

What else can we do?

Sign it.

Simon can't think of a more appropriate adjective besides being ungrateful.

Finally, what's more irritating is that after he left the hospital, Simon looked at the villa he had rented and found that the whole villa was empty, as if it had been ransacked. Except for the most basic decoration, there was no other furniture.

Oh, strictly speaking, there is furniture.

There is a bed in the master bedroom.

It's just that you don't have a mattress!.