Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 70 Intertwined Relationships
Bellman’s first reaction was, This is impossible!
who do you think You Are?

In Hollywood, except for a few big directors, even Li An cannot get control, let alone you... a Golden Lion director in his twenties?

Hmm? She’s in her twenties! Two Best Actresses in one year!
If such a young Golden Lion director who can promote people could be tied to himself, how could Sony Classics, such a small company, accommodate two giants!

Bellman had a thought in his mind that kept rolling. Bind him, promise him, promise him everything. This was the future, this was power, this was everything...

"Mr. Cao, we have a pleasant cooperation and I am very optimistic about your future, so some things can only be discussed in private.

Hollywood is different from your country and Europe. It is a very realistic, sober and extremely ruthless place.

As a new director entering Hollywood, even if you win the Golden Lion Award, it only guarantees that everyone recognizes your directing ability, but it does not mean recognition of your box office ability.

Based on my understanding of Hollywood and my own experience, for projects with a budget of more than $10 million, it is difficult for you to have much autonomy. For projects with a budget of less than $10 million, you can only be guaranteed some freedom, but that’s it.”

Even a few million dollars is not a small sum, and it doesn't come from the wind. Who knows what these art film directors who consider themselves artists will do with this money if they are not restrained.

Fortunately, Cao Yang has two major advantages: he is young and can support actors.

"Relatively free?"

Cao Yang thought quickly, what is the so-called relative freedom? Can he suppress the producer? Probably not.

If you want to gain a foothold in Hollywood, your first movie must either be a box office hit or win an award.

"If, and I mean if, I could win another Golden Bear or Palme d'Or, would that give me more freedom in Hollywood?"

"This is impossible."

Berman shook his head regretfully and said to Cao Yang frankly: "Cao, I think you are on the wrong path now."

"Oh?"

“Now that you have won the Golden Lion, it fully demonstrates your ability as a director. It doesn’t matter whether you win the Golden Bear or the Palme d’Or in the short term. It won’t have a big impact.

But there is one thing that will have a huge impact on you.”

Berman saw that Cao Yang was listening carefully, so he continued, "You have an advantage over others because you have produced two international film queens in one year. This can also make Hollywood actresses look at you differently, and even have great appeal to some actresses who want to win awards."

"What does Mr. Behrman mean?"

"Prove yourself! Prove yourself in this regard. As long as you prove once again that it's no accident that you can win a Best Actress or Best Actor award, it will be more useful than winning the Golden Bear or the Palme d'Or. It will be more welcomed by Hollywood investors and Hollywood stars."

"Is that so?"

"Mr. Cao, don't disbelieve it. A director who has won the three highest awards in Europe is definitely not more popular in Hollywood than a director who can win the best actress or actor."

Berman thought Cao Yang didn't believe him, so he quickly explained, "It's a simple truth. If a movie directed by a Golden Lion Award doesn't win an Oscar, the box office won't be very high.

What about a director who can win the Best Actress or Best Actor award?

Those big stars who have proven themselves at the box office will definitely take a pay cut to join the film for the sake of the award, and some even join for free. With their box office appeal, their films can easily make over 10 million yuan when they are released. This is the reason.”

Capital pursues profit, and to put it bluntly, it is the word "profit" that drives it.

"What if I can produce another one of Europe's top three actresses?"

Berman said in a very affirmative tone: "As long as you can produce another best actress, it will prove that you have the extraordinary ability to train actors. When you go to Hollywood, even if you are offered an investment of 20 million, let alone 10 million, there will definitely be companies willing to give you complete autonomy."

Cao Yang thought carefully about what Berman said and felt that there was some truth to his statement.

For example, if a Hollywood superstar who is in the 20 million club, such as Leo or Brad Pitt, wants to win awards, he has to take on art films. How much will he be paid? Or 20 million plus a commission?
What a joke.

In order to win an award, Leo later reduced his salary to $10 million when he took the role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and he also refused to ask for a share of the profits. Brad Pitt also took the role in this movie, and he also reduced his salary to $10 million, and he also refused to ask for a share of the profits.

Reducing the pay and not taking commissions is one thing, but the most important thing is that with Leo and Pitt, the box office is guaranteed.

"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" grossed $3.29 million worldwide, $4035 million in North America in its first weekend, and a total North American box office of $1.43 million.

The box office was a huge hit.

In the end, Pitt won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for this movie, and Leo fainted in the toilet crying.

It seems that a director who can promote people is more popular than a director who can only win awards.

Cao Yang thought, why not keep the script in hand and make a popular movie?
The next day, Cao Yang attended another private cocktail party hosted by Mark Muller, which was smaller in scale and had no "dessert".

There were very few people attending, including Cao Yang and Lao Tian, ​​a few people from the Venice Organizing Committee, and several members of the Venice Film Selection Committee, all of whom were probably “insiders”.

During this period, Lao Tian asked Mark Muller whether he could take over when Venice chairman Alberto Barbara retires next year.

Lao Ma lowered his head and thought for a while before shaking his head and saying in Chinese: "It's difficult. My current team is all on the film selection committee. Only a few people on the organizing committee support me. The possibility of my election is very small."

"Who will be there? The chairman of the organizing committee?"

"Barbara won't let him."

Old Ma smiled and raised his glass to Cao Yang who was listening nearby, and said, "But don't worry, no matter who comes next, they will no longer monopolize the power, and good movies will be more likely to come out."

Cao Yang nodded thoughtfully. Does this mean that as long as the quality of the film is guaranteed, the award is also guaranteed?

It looks like Lao Ma has gained a firm foothold.

Lao Ma is actually grateful to Cao Yang. Several people from the organizing committee here have worked with him through this cooperation.

Because he had just become the artistic director of the Venice Film Festival, he had no hope of being promoted during next year's change of leadership, but now he at least has the possibility of being elected.

The purpose of Lao Ma hosting this cocktail party is to strengthen relationships.

He now attaches great importance to Cao Yang. After winning the Golden Lion, he is not only a "family member" of Venice, but also a partner of Venice. They are the kind of people who achieve mutual success.

Who knows, you might be invited to become a member or chairman of the jury and borrow each other's reputation.

It was a coincidence that Cao Yang helped him to open up the situation and he was no longer a vassal of Barbara.

"Mr. Mueller..."

"I told you, just call me Lao Ma. I like this name."

Cao Yang immediately followed suit.

"Old Ma, I don't think you and Barbara are enemies. You have your foundation in the film selection committee, and you also have supporters in the organizing committee. If you show some weakness to Barbara and selectively agree to some conditions, maybe she will support you next year."

Lao Ma thought about it carefully for a while and felt that what Cao Yang said made sense. He could test Barbara's intention first. If the conditions were not too harsh, and as long as he could become the chairman of the Venice Film Festival, it would be okay to agree to it temporarily.

Also, if Sony Classics knew that I was running for the president of the Venice Film Festival, they would probably be very happy. Who doesn't want a powerful ally?
As for MK2, their main network of contacts is in Cannes, but they are all in the European film circle. No one can guarantee whether they have any hidden connections in Venice. Don’t they want to have the chairman of the Venice Film Festival as their backer?

It’s not bad to try it out together.

　First of all, thank you all for your continued support. Thank you brothers for your monthly tickets and recommendations. Thank you "时光1979" and "板板吱" for your rewards the past two days. Sorry, I only left a message to thank you all at this time. It was mainly because I was affected by the comments area a few days ago, which made me a little out of shape these days. I haven't written novels for more than ten years. I care about the reading experience of my brothers. Basically, I will read every message and reply to most of them. Seeing the feedback has affected my rhythm a little. I will adjust as soon as possible. Thank you again for your support. Thank you.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)