Hollywood Road

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"And Robert Downey Jr." Harvey Weinstein looked puzzled, "If I remember correctly, is he still in prison?"

"It's already come out." Murphy explained, "I also talked to him."

Not to mention anything else, Robert Downey Jr. has no money now, even if it is for film pay, he will consider Murphy's proposal.

Harvey Weinstein closed the project proposal, looked at Murphy and asked, "Why did you choose those two?"

Murphy spread his hands, "Because this film needs a gimmick."

He never loses sight of the crucial role of publicity and marketing in the success or failure of a film.

Although the project does not come from the investment of Stanton Studio, as a director, he can’t shoot the film casually and throw it to the producer. It is no exaggeration to say that the success or failure of directing the film is closely related to his future, even Tightly tied together.

Harvey Weinstein on the opposite side didn't speak, but looked at Murphy, as if waiting for him to continue.

"A star with sufficient market appeal is very important for a film." Murphy tapped his fingers lightly, organizing his words, and said, "Our investment in this project is limited, and it is not for winning prizes or It is impossible to attract big-name stars to join a literary film that allows people to show their acting skills, but Jenna Jameson is different, and a salary of 300 to 400,000 US dollars is enough."

He coughed lightly, "Her popularity in the United States is even comparable to Hollywood's first-line stars, and she has a special status in the hearts of many audiences, especially male audiences."

"You have a good idea," Harvey Weinstein said suddenly, "but have you ever thought that her identity will have a huge negative impact on the film?"

The chasm between the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood is real, and nearly impossible to bridge.

Harvey Weinstein knew this, and Murphy knew it too, adding, "I think in the vast majority of cases, Jenna Jameson's identity would be a drag on a full-length feature film, but this project is different. , the heroine is originally a stripper, she is also a stripper, and the project is full of absurd atmosphere, and the whole film is also inclined to spoof.”

It's a dead-end move for an orthodox film to use someone like Jenna Jameson as its protagonist, but Murphy's very, very absurd project is definitely an exception.

To be precise,

This stripper is all about flirting.

Harvey Weinstein pondered.

Murphy continued, "There is also Downey. He is not as good as before, but the topic is still there. Compared with the negative effects of him and Jenna Jameson, the topic they can generate will be greater."

"In essence, this absurd film is a big farce with vigor and vitality." He added, "Adding more absurd and nonsense elements, I think it will be beneficial and harmless."

With one hand resting on his chin and the other flipping through the script, Harvey Weinstein carefully considered Murphy's words.

Murphy didn't stop, "Miramax has always been superior in public relations and publicity. If we cooperate, I believe you can easily turn the topic into popularity."

Everyone knows that the operation of media propaganda requires skills, and the person in front of him can be said to be a master in this area.

"Well, Murphy." Harvey Weinstein finally said, "I will carefully consider this, and we will contact you if there is any problem."

Murphy stood up, shook hands with Harvey Weinstein, said goodbye politely, and left Miramax.

This is a project involving an investment of nearly tens of millions of dollars. It is normal for Harvey Weinstein and Miramax to be cautious. He did not expect the other party to immediately slap their heads and cooperate with him after just a few words.

Later, after talking with Bill Rossis, Murphy had contact with DreamWorks and Harbor Entertainment. It is impossible for this kind of project to be approved after one negotiation. Even if it is a project promoted by CAA, the production company still needs to Do a lot of upfront estimation and evaluation.

Murphy knew all these things, so he was not in a hurry, and waited patiently. Moreover, the whole plan also needed time to be perfected. The submitted project proposal might not be the final version executed by the director.

Also, while continuing to perfect the new project, Murphy also has to write the script for the sequel of "Chain Saw". This series has already had a successful start, and the follow-up risks are much smaller. -Roses and Fox Searchlight looking for a suitable new director.

This kind of movie has the first one as the basis, and the follow-up shooting will be much easier. From the perspective of the overall framework structure, it is enough to imitate the first one. A large number of killing mechanisms plus appropriate suspense plus the final reversal, it seems It is the old routine of the first film, but it is the filming and production mode with the least risk and the easiest success.

Except for a very small number of sequel films, almost all Hollywood series have the disadvantages of routine.

It is impossible for a series like "Chain Saw" to play more tricks, and the film must control the scale of investment. This type of audience is limited. If the scale of investment is too large, it is likely that the cost will not be recovered.

In fact, both Murphy and Fox Searchlight are very clear that even if a bloody, cruel and large-scale film like "Saw" is done well, it is impossible for the North American box office to break through the $100 million mark.

A niche film does not mean that a small investment is a niche film, but that the audience range lies here.

Just like treating Murphy's new project, many Hollywood companies are very cautious. Even Miramax, which has the strongest cooperation intention, has repeatedly reduced investment costs in negotiations with CAA.

These are all determined by the market.

Some movies are difficult to achieve box office success because of the lack of entertainment in the subject matter itself.

The development of the North American film market for many years shows that some themes are usually difficult to achieve good box office results: first, sports movies, with the exception of boxing and American football, and second, psychological thriller movies, film noir, drama movies, etc.

Conversely, certain genres are popular with the market: horror, romance, teen movies, action, sci-fi, etc.

However, there are no absolutes. It doesn't mean that niche movie themes will definitely not be successful at the box office. It's just that the box office risk is too high, and some crews and film companies simply cannot bear the risk.

In many cases, avoiding niche movie themes is a helpless move that movie commercialization has to face.

Handing over the project to the brokerage company for operation, Murphy undoubtedly had much less trouble. He also dealt with a lot of personal affairs during his spare time at work.

Sell ​​the second-hand Ford car with minor problems, and buy a commercial vehicle as a work car for Stanton's studio; let another agent, Grace, contact the relevant company and transfer the rented house After carefully sorting it out, after finding a moving company, he and Carey Mulligan packed up the few things they had and moved there.

The separation of work space and living space also gives them more privacy.

After the move, Murphy sent invitations to his friends and planned to hold a party, but not many people came over in the end.

Many times, work is overwhelming.

For example, Kara Firth, after she was promoted, was often busy day and night. When Murphy called to invite her, she found out that she had gone to Seattle to report on an event, and it would take some time before she could return to Los Angeles.

The people who can come to the party are the people who have time and leisure, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen and James Franco came in the same car, Robert Downey Jr. has no money to go out and have fun , also ran over to eat.

When night fell, a long dining table was set up by the swimming pool in the backyard. Murphy and Carey Mulligan invited four guests to sit on both sides of the dining table. A chef baked delicious Brazilian barbecue, and the assistants kept sending them over.

Carey Mulligan doesn't like meat very much, and Murphy also asked the chef to prepare a vegan grilled vegetable skewer.

"The house is nice."

After drinking a glass of beer, Robert Downey Jr. looked at the backyard, "It's only one grade worse than my original residence."

Jonah Hill swallowed the grilled meat in his mouth and squeezed him, "Can you stop talking about the beginning?"

"We're looking at the present and the future!" Like Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen also felt disgusted by Robert Downey Jr.'s way of saying what he did back then, "Downie, you are just like us now." , are all homeless people.”

"I..." Robert Downey Jr. wanted to refute, but thinking of the current situation, he could only swallow his words.

"Drink! If you don't get drunk tonight, you won't go home!" James Franco smoothed things over, "Congratulations to Murphy for moving to a new house, and Kerry."

"Congratulations!" Both Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill toasted Murphy, "Congratulations!"

Murphy and Carey Mulligan had a drink together, and Robert Downey Jr. sitting next to Carey Mulligan seemed very depressed and poured a large beer into his mouth.

He has been far less active recently than before, and he has even talked a lot less. The comparison before and after his imprisonment has made this guy who was going smoothly at first feel the cruelty of this circle.

But Jonah Hill was still as active as ever. He wiped his mouth and said to Murphy, "Why did my character die like that?"

James Franco looked at him strangely, "You are the big villain, are you still alive if you don't die?"

Jonah Hill shook his head, "I mean, my character died too fast! Obviously I was going to get the heroine, but I died suddenly, isn't it worth it?"

Murphy and the others all laughed.

"The heroine is Jenna Jameson!" Jonah Hill said dissatisfiedly, "Can you change it so that I die after I finish Jenna Jameson?"

Murphy picked up a skewer and threw it over, "Go to hell, Jonah!"

Bowing his head to avoid the bamboo sticks, Jonah Hill pointed at Murphy and the others, "You are not allowed to rob me, I am here to warn you despicable and shameless guys, Jenna Jameson is mine!" (To be completed continued.)