Chapter 42

Who is Denise?

Simon heard this question, and immediately remembered the long string of domineering titles of dragon mother.

The storm gave birth to danielis, the incombustible, the queen of meerin, the queen of andar, Rhona and their ancestors, the ruler and guardian of the seven kingdoms, kalixi on the prairie, the shackle breaker, and the mother of the dragon.

It's just that.

It can't be said.

I'm afraid it will scare you.

Looking at the document in his hand casually, Simon shook his head calmly and said, "I forgot where I saw the name. I thought it was very interesting, so I used it."

Sandra noticed that Simon said this with an air of indifference, and knew that he was talking nonsense. However, looking at George Norman and Jennifer Leibold opposite, Sandra didn't poke it out, but just laughed in agreement.

Holding a coffee cup, Jennifer Leibold also didn't speak, with a smile around her mouth.

George Norman didn't think much about it. When Simon looked over the registration information of the two companies, he began to explain some precautions for him.

More than an hour later, after confirming that Simon had no more questions, George Norman and Jennifer Leibold got up and left.

Simon and Sandra take them out of the villa together.

We went to see each other again. As soon as we got on the bus, Jennifer Leibold finally got up her courage and asked Simon, "so, Simon, are you going to make a movie yourself?"

Simon nodded with a smile and said, "yes."

Feeling the boy's look at her, Jennifer suddenly didn't know what to say. She gave a shy smile and said, "well, I'm looking forward to seeing it in the future."

"If you're interested," Simon replied, "you can come to park city at the Sundance Film Festival next year."

Jennifer looked puzzled. "Sundance?"

It's not surprising that the girl's reaction. The Sundance Film Festival launched by Robert Redford started last year, and it's only the third one next year. In fact, the Sundance Film Festival did not attract more and more attention until more than ten years later.

Simon patiently explained: "this is a film festival sponsored by Robert Redford in support of independent films, which will be held in mid January. In fact, even if you're not interested in movies, it's a good choice to go to park city in January. The ski resort there is great. "

Naturally, Jennifer knew Robert Redford. Hearing Simon say this, she nodded with a smile and said, "well, if I can make time, I'll be there."

After a few words of conversation, Jennifer got into the car waiting by the side of the road.

With the money in place and the company registered, Bill Locke, Simon's Assistant Producer, later worked out the budget for Lola Run.

According to Simon's specifications, the film is expected to cost 650000 dollars.

So, just Janet's check is enough.

However, since he has given up the cooperation with Orion, Simon himself hopes to invest some money in it.

Before Janet took out the check, Simon had sent his contract with fox to several banks for mortgage evaluation. The terms of the contract involving the sharing of video and television rights were still very valuable.

After auditing, Wells Fargo was willing to give Simon a mortgage of up to $100000, which was better than other banks. Simon agreed without hesitation.

The deadline of federal tax return is April 15, and it can also apply for a half year extension. Simon does not consider the issue of tax reserve for the time being.

As a result, Simon can provide $150000 for the basic remuneration of $200000 in the contract, excluding the broker's Commission and daily expenses. With Wells Fargo's loan, Simon can make a total of $250000.

After some negotiation, Simon and Janet contributed 250000 US dollars and 400000 US dollars respectively. Their interests in the film were fully allocated according to the proportion of investment. Simon and Janet accounted for 38.5% and 61.5% respectively.

In addition, Simon also completely gave up his personal director, screenwriter and other salaries. Janet had a check of 680000 dollars, and obviously had emptied her purse. Simon was very grateful for it and didn't intend to fight for more benefits for herself.

After solving the most important funding problem, Simon completed the script modification of "Butterfly Effect" around August 15, and then began to invest in the production of "Lola Run".

Then, Simon once again deeply realized the truth that mingling with Hollywood people is more important than ability.

Thanks to the help and guidance of Jonathan Friedman, David giller, Brian De Palma and others, the formation of the crew is far more smooth than Simon imagined.

Santa Monica.

Busy work, time unknowingly into September.

In an office building on 16th Street in midtown, Denise pictures' headquarters is set up here.Simon rented three offices in the five story office building at the end of August.

With the introduction of David giller, Simon hired another producer, Ron McMillan.

Ron McMillan is a thin white man, middle-aged, about 40 years old. He is said to have worked as a set designer in Martin Scorsese's taxi driver. This is his first time as a producer.

The reason why David giller introduced him was that he was very good at coordinating the shooting of location scenes, which was obviously what "Lola Run" needed most.

However, he had been with Martin Scorsese's crew ten years ago, and his native place remained unknown for so many years. Simon had some doubts about each other's ability. Ron McMillan obviously feels the same way that Simon, who may be only about 20 years old, is not reliable in making movies.

Therefore, it took the two sides a whole week to recognize each other.

In terms of salary, Ron McMillan was not polite and asked for $1000 a week.

The budget of the crew is not abundant. Simon proposed to sign a contract of base salary plus profit sharing, but Ron McMillan refused. The middle-aged people are obviously not optimistic about the prospect of "Lola Run".

After some bargaining, Ron Macmillan's weekly salary was determined to be $850.

The shooting cycle of "Lola Run" has been basically determined to be six weeks, and the preliminary preparation will probably take an equal amount of time, that is to say, Ron McMillan will get $10000 in his 12 week work.

Compared with those regular commercial films, the salary is obviously very poor, but for "Lola Run", Ron McMillan is definitely the highest paid one behind the scenes.

Fortunately, after signing the employment contract, Ron McMillan also showed enough professional ability.

In September, the main task of the cast is to select actors for a group of characters in "Lola Run". Simon will work another week for "Butterfly Effect" at the end of September. Therefore, the cast selection must be completed within three weeks.

In the plan, Simon will make the last revision to the script of the butterfly effect, and Ron McMillan will also replace Simon in selecting the lighting, scenery, props and other behind the scenes staff.

If all goes well, "Lola Run" and "Butterfly Effect" are likely to start shooting in early October.

An office temporarily set up as an audition room.

There are four people sitting behind the audition table. Simon and Ron Macmillan are in the middle. Next to Simon is Sandra Bullock. As the heroine, she is going to cooperate with her potential hero today.Next to Ron Macmillan is a woman in her early thirties, Linda Vargas, the casting director of "Lola Run" and also introduced by David giller.

After interviewing another young man who auditioned for Lola's boyfriend, and waiting for the other person to leave, Ron McMillan once again mentioned another thing: "Simon, anyway, I suggest you hire a professional photographer. If you want to learn photography, you can practice in private. It's too rash to practice with this film. "

Simon just made a few notes on the actor's profile and said to Ron McMillan, "Ron, do you think this film is very demanding for photographers?"

Ron McMillan nodded and said, "of course, there are so many lenses that need to be changed, and there are many very complicated lens movements. If not, I don't have to mention these to you again and again."

Simon said: "well, Ron, our production budget is only $650000. In any case, it's impossible to get too good a photographer. It's better for me to do it myself than to let a mediocre person take the position. I've shown you a lot of my ideas about various scenes, so let's stop here and interview the actors as soon as possible. "

With that, Simon turned the page of the material in his hand, looked at the name on the material with a strange expression, but still told Susan Landis, the first official employee of danielis pictures, who had just been hired, to call the next auditor in.

Seeing that they were no longer arguing, Sandra Bullock and Linda WAGGS on both sides turned their attention back to the list in front of them

as another young man walked into the door, everyone looked at it.

This is a very handsome young man, wearing a daily T-shirt and jeans, long hair, with a layer of stubble. It's just that this young man obviously has some eight character steps when he walks.

Simon recalled "Lola Run" in his mind, and found that the original Lola boyfriend Manny seemed to walk in eight character steps.

Is this a coincidence?

What's more.

Simon sent out this audition invitation at the beginning, but he didn't expect the other party to participate in the audition.

Linda WAGGS, sitting next to Ron McMillan, and other young people stood still, looked at Simon and Ron, and then said, "well, Mr. Keanu Reeves, can you introduce yourself first?"