Made in Hollywood

When the subtitles fell and the singing started, Wallace Lee leaned back on his seat, and like everyone else in the auditorium, he couldn't help clapping his palms. This is an unquestionable masterpiece, even in his CalArts In the eyes of the graduates of 2008, "The Fellowship of the Ring" will definitely be a classic, and it will leave a strong mark in the history of filmmaking.

He is also a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts, majoring in film and video. Why can he make such a masterpiece, but he can only be ups and downs in the independent film circle, and he can't see a way out in the future?

Because the seat was relatively far in the back, Wallace Lee did not stand up immediately, but instead remembered some past events.

He and Duke Rosenberg were graduates of the same class of film and video majors. Although the two of them could not say how good their friendship was, they were extremely familiar with each other.

On the CalArts football team that year, the opponent was the quarterback, and he was the tacit running back.

Only after graduation, the two chose two completely different paths.

The other side plunged headlong into the world of commercial films, and quickly achieved success.

With his longing for art films, he entered the independent film circle, and wanted to walk on an artistic path through training.

However, the dream is beautiful, but the reality is cruel. There are indeed more opportunities for newcomers in the independent film circle, but this circle is far more chaotic than the mainstream commercial film circle. Maybe even entered the torture center.

Beginning last year, he left the independent film scene and returned to the city of San Francisco, where he grew up, to reconsider his future.

Maybe it's time to make some changes, just like "The Fellowship of the Ring", which is obviously a commercial giant, but who can deny its artistry?

Wallace? Lee the last few out of the theater. Right at the exit of the corridor, he saw various products related to the Lord of the Rings hanging on the shelves, the Evening Star Pendant, the Supreme Lord of the Rings chain, the dolls of the main characters, and the model of the Needle Sword. Troll Dolls and more...

It is rare for him to be interested in peripheral products because of the wonderful movies, but he found that there were too many people in front of the sales area, and he couldn't squeeze in at all, so he had to walk out of the theater and prepare to go home.

As soon as he came to the road, he found that not far from the opposite side, under the huge neon light. The Nine-headed Ringling Prancing Horse waved his sword and walked over unconsciously. It was a store selling movie merchandise. Through the thick glass curtain wall, Wallace could see all kinds of products related to the Lord of the Rings. .

Enter the store. Wallace found that there were also a lot of people in the store, dozens of people, but the area of ​​the optional store was large enough. It doesn't seem too crowded.

He chose only two, the hardcover version of the Evening Star pendant and the Lord of the Rings pendant. Total cost is $199!

Although he doesn't work in the commercial film industry, Wallace Lee also knows that "The Fellowship of the Ring" is likely to make a fortune in the surrounding area.

The voice from the cashier. Undoubtedly confirms his point of view.

"One evening star pendant, one lantern of the Lord of the Rings, one troll figure, one Legolas figure, one needle sword model, a total of $325, thank you!"

"This is a limited edition of Gandalf's wizard hat, $366!"

"You have such a good eye, ma'am, this is Queen Galadriel's gauze, the material comes from the ancient East, and it only costs $299!"

Listening to this, Wallace Lee took out a newspaper from his pocket and slowly opened it. It was a job posting published in the Los Angeles Times. Duke Studio was recruiting an experienced assistant director!

Wallace Lee, who left, did not attract the attention of the store clerk. As more midnight audiences walked out of several nearby theaters, more and more people entered the store to buy their favorite peripheral products.

"The store manager..."

A Latino clerk came over and said to Zhou Xin, who was standing behind the checkout counter, "A few shelves are going to be empty, and we have to restock!"

"So fast!"

Zhou Xin was a little surprised, turned his head and said to the person next to him, "Yang Ge, I can't chat with you anymore, I'm going to be busy."

Yang Ge stood here, his eyes were a little straight, and the scene in the store completely exceeded his imagination. Those products that were beautifully made, priced very high, but the actual cost was mediocre, were so popular. Those who had just watched the film on the opposite side bought it. It does not consider the actual value or even its own wallet at all.

These people are more luxurious than him!

He even heard a few people who swiped credit cards saying that they would rather eat two months' worth of dry bread than grit their teeth to buy their favorite ornaments, hats and dolls.

These people who are excited and crazy because of the movie cannot be measured with a normal business perspective!

Standing behind the cashier, he found that the two open cashiers couldn't be busy at all. The cashier could only repeat the actions of scanning, swiping, collecting money and making change mechanically, while the people who queued up after purchasing the goods became more and more busy. more.

At this moment, the boss Ke Peng came out of his office and stood behind the third cashier in person. Yang Ge winked and hurried over to help...

Nearly an hour later, the last customer was sent away from the store. Yang Ge felt that he was almost exhausted, and he was breathing heavily with his hips on his shoulders.

This really is a crazy sales peak!

"BOSS."

When the clerk closed the door, Zhou Xin said loudly, "The sales statistics are out!"

The boss Ke Peng looked at the empty shelves with a smile on his face. Even if the store manager didn't say it, he knew that this must be a dazzling statistic.

Sure enough, the numbers Zhou Xin read out lifted everyone's tired spirits.

"From the end of the movie until now, 932 people have entered the store to make purchases, with sales of $113,899!"

"What?" Yang Ge couldn't believe his ears.

Indeed, for a wealthy man like him, this number is nothing, but this is only an hour's sales in the early hours of the morning!

The smile on Ke Peng's face was even stronger, and he said loudly, "Everyone's wages are doubled tonight!"

Although I haven't seen the movie, it's not hard to draw the conclusion that the movie is quite good from the hot sales tonight. The hot sales tonight is just the beginning.

The store was closed, and Yang Ge followed Ke Peng towards the parking lot, his eyes swept across the other's face frequently.

He was a little older than the other party, and at this time he couldn't help asking curiously, "Why is your chain store rising so fast? Is there a secret?"

"Of course there is!" Ke Peng said directly, without any intention of concealing it, "The movie products that my store recommends every year are all products related to Duke Rosenberg, made by Duke Rosenberg. That's the secret to my success!"

His chain store wants to expand and needs capital, "Yang Ge, are you interested in investing?"

The night is getting dark, and even the bustling Los Angeles is gradually falling into silence. In the luxury suite of the Hilton Beverly Hills Hotel, Ivanka Trump opened the window, and the oncoming night wind dispelled the dullness , brings bursts of refreshment.

Looking down at the night scene of Los Angeles, Ivanka went back to the computer in the room and refreshed Duke's personal website. It was probably the relationship that had ended at midnight, and more people posted themselves on the message board. viewing experience.

"Duke's production is worthy of being produced by Duke. The shock brought by "The Fellowship of the Ring", as well as the magnificent sound effects, exquisite pictures, and invincible imagination, are all moving! In fact, there is no need to praise too much, as long as it is Duke Rosenberg's production must be a great work!"

Ivanka pouted, "Brain powder!"

Although she said so, but in her heart, she felt that such a brainless fan was really cute.

"The film gives people a grand visual impression and is also full of magic, especially the psychological description in the epic conspiracy. Sacrificing death has created an extraordinary journey, and many details have also laid the groundwork for the follow-up, ending the expedition team. The two-way split gives people more expectations! What's more, the soundtrack is epic and majestic!"

"Director Duke Rosenberg not only brings us a great story, but more importantly transports us into a magical Middle-earth, with all-encompassing vistas and shots through towering cities and castles that are unparalleled. Imagination! And Ian McKellen's amazing performance of Gandalf, Elijah Wood's Frodo was the most unexpected surprise, their clever and full of character performances, once again proved Duke's choice of actors Great vision! There is no doubt that this film is the first chapter of a unique, charming, and undeniably epic trilogy! I am sure the future will be even more exciting! Looking forward to "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King"!"

"There are a lot of handsome men and beauties, and there are beautiful scenery. Just looking at the handsome guys and angels and the scenery shots is enough to be worth the ticket price..."

"Alessandra Ambrosio looks so beautiful..."

After swiping down a few lines, Ivanka simply closed the entire web page, stared at the computer for a while, checked the time, and then dialed Tina Fey's number.

"It's so late and you haven't slept yet, Evie?"

The other side of the phone was obviously still working. Ivanka knew that Tina Fei, who was on the night of the show, was very busy, so she didn't go around in circles, and asked the question she wanted to ask the most, "Has the midnight box office statistics been calculated?"

She heard Tina Fei mention that the North American Cinema Alliance has long since updated the latest computer ticketing system. Although accurate statistics will take a while, rough statistics will be available soon.

"Guess what!" Tina Fey was obviously in a good mood.

After all, Ivanka has worked with Duke for a long time, and has some understanding of some situations, and quickly asked, "Is it a record?"

"Darling, the answer is correct!"

A number from Tina Fey rang in the receiver, "The box office is roughly $9.5 million, but the actual number should be between $9 million and $9.5 million. Duke broke the record again!"

"Did he sleep?" Ivanka's mouth curled up in a beautiful arc unconsciously, "Congratulations to him for me." (To be continued ~^~)