MTL - American Fame and Fortune-Chapter 750 within the mask

 Chapter 750 Within the Mask

As the Escalade drove out of the DreamWorks campus, Martin made a few calls and learned about the latest situation in the theater through DreamWorks people.

 Bruce asked: “Have the rights to the film been sold?”

“No, the price is not right.” Martin put away his mobile phone and said: “Everyone from the big companies left, and in the end I don’t know which company was left to buy it, and they only gave 30 million US dollars.”

Bruce said: "For a production of US$150 million, US$30 million, to be honest, is really too little."

Martin said: "After the distributor buys it, it still needs to promote it and push it into distribution channels. If it doesn't spend 30 million US dollars, it can't be released on a wide scale."

Bruce was puzzled: “You still want to buy it?”

Martin explained simply: "I asked you to pay 30 million US dollars, because I am going to increase the price by 10 million US dollars and sell it to Netflix."

Bruce couldn't help it: "Do you think of Netflix as a garbage disposal?"

 Martin laughed.

 The two chatted and chatted, and returned to Burbank happily.

Hollywood has been using the successful model summarized over the years to produce commercial films in an assembly-line style. There have been many successful works based on this, but there have also been many failures.

Wilson told the truth: "For a transaction worth tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, the little favor I had with them is not enough."

She asked Wilson: "Where are your connections in Hollywood? Continue to sell Seventh Son to them."

 It’s not a surprise that “The Seventh Son” didn’t sell out.

What is Martin Davis’ status? What does she have to do with Megan Ellison? Giving $30 million is normal.

Megan Ellison asked again: "Do you think this film can be successful if we continue to find someone to distribute it?"

And in recent years, there have been more and more failures. It seems that many markets and audiences no longer buy into the successful Hollywood assembly line model.

 In his eyes, "Seventh Son" is a typical work created according to the successful assembly line model.

 She clenched her fists and further lowered her expectations: "$200 million is fine."

Megan Ellison still remains confident externally, and she is still confident in herself, but in fact the situation has begun to get messy.

 Megan Ellison already knew what had happened before, nodded slightly, and said: "You continue to contact in private, if you can, 300 million US dollars..."

The last guy's offer actually went backwards, offering the same $30 million as Martin Davis.

 Which one can be compared by just one person?

Wilson cannot answer this question because there is no reliable formula and inevitable law of success in the film market.

 None of the buyers from the first-tier publishing companies took a fancy to it.

Wilson knows that it is very difficult, but once he is in this position, he will work hard to do a good job. After all, this job at Annapurna Pictures will not last long, and he has to think about the next job.

 Warner Bros. has terminated its distribution contract with Annapurna.

Megan Ellison sat on the armchair in front of the screen, looking at the smooth mirror-like alloy curtain, not wanting to say anything.

 In comparison, the atmosphere inside the DreamWorks Theater was a bit depressing.

Wilson had no choice but to say: "Martin's influence is too great."

 But what do those bastards’ quotes mean? Totally insulting quote!

Megan Ellison stood up holding on to the armrest of the chair. She looked quite like Larry Ellison. She no longer had the same confidence on her face and said, "Take the copy and let's go."

 …

 San Francisco, in a Japanese-style mansion in Woodside.

Larry Ellison was sitting in the tea house, skillfully playing with the Japanese tea sets, but his eyes fell on David Ellison opposite.

Originally, I felt that this son was not very reliable, and my daughter’s personality and behavior were more like him.

But as expected, we can’t just look at daily performance. Only after on-the-spot operations do we know that Meghan is really not as good as David in big things.

 Larry asked: "Megan is not doing well?"

David is in Hollywood, so he naturally understands it, but he is a smart man and will not comment on his sister casually: "It has been written in the media."

 Larry nodded: "You can't take action?"

"I don't have the ability to distribute Sky Dance, and I can't put Megan's movie into theaters if I buy it." David doesn't want to get involved in his sister's affairs. Anyway, his father has been partial since he was a child: "Sky Dance has long stopped investing in independent productions. , all I participated in were platter projects from other companies.”

 Larry understood his son's thoughts and said, "I understand, you don't have to worry about this matter, but you need to take care of your sister's safety in Hollywood."

 David can still do this: "Although Hollywood is self-contained and always cheats and deceives outsiders, they don't dare to do anything to the Ellison family."

 “What’s going on with that Martin Davis?” Larry Ellison asked.

“A man who came out of the slums of Atlanta, succeeded in getting to the top with one woman after another by wearing pajamas. It can even be said that he is a typical example of success by eating soft rice.” David said this, but there was no hint of contempt in his tone.

If his father were not Larry Ellison, if he were in the ordinary class, could he work as hard as Martin Davis?

 According to Hollywood rumors, Martin Davis can satisfy two female producers at the same time.

 David Ellison asked himself that he couldn't do it. Larry frowned: "Is this person difficult to deal with?"

David Ellison said: "It is very difficult to deal with. He has a deep relationship with the Donkey Party. He has the aura of a national hero of the United States on the outside, but he is the leader of the Coca-Cola Cult on the inside, which can affect the attribution of many basic votes. His public image is very good. , it is said that he treats his friends and people around him very well, but his actual character... How should I put it, I think it is more appropriate to describe him as a mad dog. After biting an enemy, he will bite off a piece of meat even if it costs him a lot. "

"Another point is that he can use public opinion and manipulate public opinion, and he is very rich." David Ellison has obviously done detailed research: "There are media reports that he is worth at least 1 billion U.S. dollars. I feel that it is more than that. He He invested in Elon Musk’s Tesla some time ago and also has certain shares in Apple and Netflix. I personally estimate that his net worth is around US$2 billion.”

Larry Ellison said: "I know."

David said no more. After drinking the tea prepared by his father using Japanese tea techniques, he left quickly.

Larry Ellison picked up his cell phone and made a call: "You should keep an eye on Meghan, and don't worry about the specifics. That's it for now."

 …

 Burbank, Davis Studio.

 In the newly decorated pull-out room, Martin, Louise and Jennifer Siebel are watching the latter's new film together.

Last year, after Jennifer Siebel received a lot of first-hand information and budget funds from Martin, she started the filming and production of the second film.

She is the producer and director of this film, and also appears in the film.

At this point, the film has reached the end, and Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to prison for several crimes.

 This is a documentary titled "Inside the Mask".

 The specific content is a series of related cases including the causes and consequences of the Weinstein scandal.

 This film received strong support from Martin during the filming. Jody, who best understood the ins and outs, also left the country. In addition, there were dozens of victims including Jennifer Siebel.

 There is no doubt that this is a documentary about Jennifer Siebel highlighting women’s rights and accusing Harvey Weinstein.

But the film was really good, mainly because it was in line with Martin’s position and needs, and it portrayed Harvey Weinstein as a human devil.

 The film ends and the lights are turned on.

Jennifer Sibel breathed a sigh of relief, but looked at Martin and Louise.

Strictly speaking, she has left Hollywood.

 As an actress and director who once had dreams, Jennifer Siebel hopes to be recognized by top professionals in the industry.

 Louis stood up and hugged Jennifer gently: "Thank you for speaking out for all women. This documentary is an amazing achievement."

 Jennifer nodded vigorously: "This is what I should do."

 Martin looked at Louise and said to himself that the effect of women's empathy is really good.

He went over and shook hands with Jennifer: "I plan to release this documentary in theaters and apply for the Oscar documentary award next year."

This time it’s Louise’s turn to praise, as expected of Martin, Gavin Newsom is now the Lieutenant Governor of California, are you planning to give away an Oscar statuette?

Given the current political correctness in Hollywood and Martin’s experience in running the Oscars, once this film is released, who else can compete for the Oscar for Best Documentary?

These words were completely beyond Jennifer’s expectation. She originally thought that it would be enough for “Inside the Mask” to be on Netflix’s on-demand website like the previous one.

 But what Martin means is not only to push it into theaters, but also to apply for Oscars.

This is not bad. Jennifer thinks it meets her needs.

 Although the production costs of this film were paid by Davis Studio, she also devoted a lot of time and energy.

 Gavin also attaches great importance to the subsequent effects of this film.

 At this point, it is not only the person who is pulling the votes, but also his family.

 Jennifer Sibel smiled and said: "Martin, please be more attentive."

Martin said with a smile: "This is a movie invested by Davis Studio, and of course it must be operated in the safest way."

Jennifer Siebel naturally would not refuse and said: "As a director, I will follow the arrangements of your producer."

Louise pointed to her watch at this time: "It's almost noon, let's go have lunch first, and then discuss specific matters after lunch."

 Jennifer Siebel said casually: "Okay."

Martin led the way: "There is a very unique restaurant on Bowai Street. I have already made a reservation."

 While the three of them were having lunch, they further discussed the specific distribution and prize winnings of "Within the Mask".

To be considered for an Oscar, the film must be screened in Los Angeles theaters. This is a prerequisite.

Of course, these are not difficult for Martin. He doesn’t even need to find a distributor. He can directly contact a few theaters and reserve the theater for screening.

No one can expect that this kind of documentary will have many audiences and box office.

 (End of this chapter)