hollywood draw

“If the opportunity is given enough, I will not hesitate to invest in any of Wayne Greenberg’s projects.”

In a villa reception room in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Mickey Locke leaned against a large sofa and tasted a thick cigar.

He held a glass of red wine in his hand, signaled to Christopher Rokencourt, who was sitting opposite him, raised his head and took a sip.

"That's right."

Shangge Yundon, who was standing by, looked through a project information and nodded involuntarily when he heard his sigh. "If these things were taken out by others, I would never take them a second look and throw them into the trash can, but if the producer was replaced by Wayne Greenberg..."

Speaking of this, he paused, threw down the simple project plan in his hand, looked up at the others present, and finally stopped at Christopher Rokencott.

It was precisely his subtext that everyone present understood.

That's right, a warm-hearted drama about animals, and two movies adapted from games that have never been successful in Hollywood, are definitely female. If it is replaced by another producer, it will definitely be thrown into the trash can by most investors in the circle without hesitation.

But the one who brought out these things was Wayne Greenberg. To be honest, even if these projects only have this name that symbolizes success, countless movie fans will have brainless buy-in. This is what makes everyone excited.

"The media has done statistics. Wayne Greenberg's income over the years is basically all bulk cash." Scandal at the project information on the table, Russell Crow, who was sitting at the end of the sofa, looked at the people around him with a puzzled look on his face and said:

"He is the director with the strongest money-making ability in recent years. Don't ignore it. He is also one of the most powerful money-making producers in the circle. The Greenberg Studio in his hand is a terrifying gold-making machine.

To be honest, Wayne Greenberg's money-making speed is no less slower than the Federal Reserve's money printing machine! I just calculated that if he and Warner Bros. jointly produce these three projects, the funds required will be about 60 million.

Of course, this money is a big sum of money for everyone, but it should not be difficult for him at all, right? I remember a few months ago, I accidentally saw an entertainment news report, and Warner Bros. paid him hundreds of millions of dollars in cash in one go."

In the eyes of countless self-proclaimed elites in the circle, Wayne is undoubtedly traditional and conservative. Everyone knows that he is rich and especially likes to hold a large amount of cash in his hand, but he doesn't like investing to preserve his value.

If anyone is confused about a movie with a top "rich man" in the circle who says he is short of money and invests in a movie that is not expensive, he will be confused and doubt whether the project in front of him will hide any problems or potential crises, which will make Wayne unwilling to take risks with his own money.

When it comes to large amounts of funds, no one is not careful, let alone tens of millions of dollars. No matter what time or place this money is, it is a number that is enough to kill people.

“I had already learned about this when Wayne came to me.”

Seeing the question raised by Russell Crowe, it aroused everyone's doubts, Christopher Rokencott smiled confidently. "There is also an animation studio under Wayne Greenberg's name. According to the information I learned, this animation studio can be called a money-burning machine, and almost all the software and hardware are purchased from Pixar."

When I heard about the animation studio, everyone present showed a look like this. No one was the bottom of the circle. Who doesn’t understand the level of money burning in the animation studio?

Especially for computer animation, the level of money burning is much higher than that of hand-drawn animation. What the latter requires is a large number of excellent painters, or what the hell needs is the foundation accumulated over the years.

The former is completely different. If you want to enter this industry, the first thing you have to do is pay tuition to Pixar. There is no way, the studio in the hands of the leader Qiao, which is like a cheat, holds more than 90% of the various software patents and copyrights. They are creating their own animation feature films while developing and selling related software and hardware.

"Also, Wayne Greenberg is not without bulk consumption, but what he pursues is completely different from other successful people in the circle." He turned his head confidently and looked around everyone's faces. Christopher Rokencourt continued to explain:

"I also learned that Wayne Greenberg has frequently purchased copyrights for best-selling books, games and other film adaptations in the past few years. By the way, he still has multiple copyrights of amazing superheroes in his hands!"

"Using my own money, I invested in film projects in large quantities, frequently buying film and television copyrights, and raising a money-burning animation studio, shit..." Shangge Yundon and Mickey Locke looked at each other, and spread their fingers and counted one by one.

"Shit, his next step is not to involve the issuance industry, right? This is such a lunatic!"

As we all know, even a medium-sized Hollywood film company is basically difficult to build an animation studio. There is no way. During this period, the animation studio spent too fast money. There are only six giants that have exclusive animation studios.

In addition, like a media group, like a film and television copyright monster, it is difficult for people to be confused by his actions. If you want to make money, at least for Wayne, you will never have to disturb so many circles.

"Ahem, what he wants to do has nothing to do with us."

After deliberately coughing twice, attracting everyone's eyes to himself, Christopher Rokencourt's face showed a very obvious hesitation and struggle. "The reason I asked you to come here is to ask you if you have any intention to invest together."

Speaking of this, he seemed to suddenly breathe a sigh of relief, his eyes filled with tenderness, looking at his girlfriend who had been silent all the time by his side. "Most of my money is still in the stock market. You know, Internet stocks are going to rise crazy starting this year, and it's a pity to take it out now.

Helen raised 10 million dollars, and I still have about 10 million on hand. If you are interested, my money in the stock market will not move. Of course, if you are not interested, 50 million dollars will not be a problem for me."

Here comes! This is what everyone in the house is waiting for, and it is also the purpose of their willingness to come to the party.

The party downstairs continued, and the few people present fully understood that the reason why the other party held this party was to select powerful collaborators.

"There's no way. Wayne Greenberg will soon take the crew to Italy to start filming "Wonder Woman", so the time left for me is too tight."

The eyes of several people were intertwined, and the first one to speak was Shangr Yundon. As the other party’s best friend in Hollywood, he naturally smiled. “Of course, Chris, I mean of course I’m interested. No one can reject Wayne Greenberg’s project.”

"It takes 50 million US dollars in financing. It seems that the funds in Wayne Greenberg are really tight." Russell Crow nodded, looked at Christopher Rokencourt, and said, "I don't have much cash in my hand, and I can only take out about 5 million in a short period of time."

"You are the first thing Chris told me."

New Oscar winner Helen Hunter raised his head and said proudly: "We are going to hold another party tonight."

Her meaning is obvious. In everyone's eyes, this is a sure-making business. If they can't make up enough funds, the door to make money while lying down will open to others.

That's right, in her eyes, investing in these projects is just to make money while lying down, otherwise she wouldn't have mortgaged the house simply and used the wealth she had accumulated over the years to raise 10 million US dollars. In fact, if she had a longer time, she would rather raise more money on her own.

Even the party this morning and even the party that she was preparing to hold tonight were invitations she used her years of hard work to send to many potential investors.

"Chris, 50 million dollars is indeed a lot." Mickey Locke smiled and shook his head, glanced at the woman opposite him. "But for us, it shouldn't be a problem to get this money together."

"That's right." The taciturn director Curtis Hanson looked at each other with his friend Russell Crow and nodded.

"Okay, I'll set up a studio temporarily." Christopher Rokencourt was very satisfied with the current situation and picked up the wine glasses to everyone. "We will discuss an investment ratio as soon as possible. Before tomorrow, we will notify our lawyers together. As long as the money is ready, I will contact Wayne to sign a financing contract immediately."

“Ok.”

"That's it."

"Cheers, I wish us a happy cooperation in advance."

Things went smoother than I thought. Christopher Rokencourt listened to the dynamic music that was vaguely heard from his ears. He smiled and raised his head, and killed the red wine in his glass in one gulp.

No one knew what he was thinking at this time. In the eyes of the few people present, he had always been the generous businessman. This time, in the face of a good opportunity to make money, he was still willing to share the benefits he was about to get. Good people like this have never been seen in the circle.

"I want to remind you that the investment in the Wayne Greenberg project should be kept confidential."

Seeing everyone's eyes rolling, Christopher Rokencott seemed to remember something in an instant and slapped his thigh. "There's no way, when I talked to Wayne about this, I promised him that the money was not a problem for me.

Everyone knows that there are more than us who are staring at his project. As far as I know, if I can't solve the financing problem, he will discuss this with Steven Spielberg. You know, how good the relationship between the two of them is, so..."

The people at the scene were stunned at first, then they all nodded slightly to express their understanding.

As we all know, Wayne Greenberg has always been an old-fashioned style. He does not care about the outside world at work and likes to take care of his own people.

Let alone his good friend Steven Spielberg, look at the actresses who are desperately snatching him. Which one of them is not taken care of by him and supported him to become famous?

The people present knew that they still knew themselves. They all thought that once Wayne understood that the funds came from the financing of the crowd, he would probably choose Steven Spielberg directly.

Seeing the embarrassment and apology on Christopher Rokencott's face, they all expressed their understanding and promised to keep it confidential until the investment is completely recovered, and it will never make it difficult for him to do it.

The party lasted until the afternoon. When the villa returned to quiet again, Helen Hunter stood by the window on the second floor, watching the party company's employees clean the venue, and asked her boyfriend curiously: "Why didn't you mention superheroes?"

“It’s too early.”

Shaking his head gently, Christopher Rokencourt stood beside his girlfriend and explained with a smile: "These three projects all have production time and completion time, but Wayne did not disclose the specific production time for that superhero project. I need to find an opportunity to talk to him again."

"Dear, do you think Wayne Greenberg will agree to let me join?"

In fact, this is Helen Hunter's main purpose. Although she is an Oscar winner, she immediately became interested after learning that the two game adaptations were purely the heroine's role.

Christopher Rokencourt also promised her that she would personally talk to Wayne after the preparations for these two projects began to be prepared and helped her join one of them.

The Oscar winner is still very valuable in Hollywood, but not necessarily in the eyes of film companies. Helen Hunter is better than anyone else. Only by being able to prove himself in a commercial project and having enough box office appeal is the fastest way to improve his status and value.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to him about this. Trust me, who would be stupid enough to reject an Oscar winner?" Christopher Rokencott said to his girlfriend confidently, squinted his eyes.

Since the investment matter has been negotiated, everyone's money raising efficiency is very good. On the morning of the next day after the party, the participants signed the agreement accompanied by their respective lawyers, waiting to negotiate a financing contract with Wayne, and everyone would transfer the money to their studio accounts.

Christopher Rokencourt did not hesitate. That afternoon, he rushed to Warner Studios with his girlfriend. Unfortunately, he did not meet Wayne. The leaders who received and negotiated with him this time became Nina and Jimmy.

Although it involves a large amount of funds, it is still impossible for Wayne to come forward in person every time. He is too busy with work. After determining the direction of the film financing, he will naturally hand over the specific matter to the people below to discuss.

Obviously, Christopher Rokencott also understood this, so he didn't care, but instead communicated with Jimmy and Nina seriously. The two sides finally reached a consensus in a harmonious atmosphere.

There are generally only two ways to raise external financing for Hollywood film projects.

The first type is more like a loan with a bank or a movie foundation. The film company and the investment institution agree on an interest that both parties can accept. As long as the movie is officially removed and the investment is recovered, the principal and interest will be repaid.

Generally speaking, such a loan-like financing method has a much higher interest rate than a bank loan, which is also the reason why many foundations choose to lend.

As for the second type, it is much simpler. Investors invest according to the production cost ratio of the film project. Without involving copyright ownership, investors' returns and losses are completely based on the market performance after the project is released.

For film investors, the first advantage is to make steady profits and not lose money. Although the money is relatively less, basically as long as you choose this financing method, it means that the profit and loss of the film project has nothing to do with the investors, and it is enough to repay the loan normally at the agreed time.

Generally, those who choose this investment method are all larger foundations. The main purpose of the money they invest is not to make money, but to preserve value.

As for the second, more mainstream way of investing in movies, the risks you need to take will increase sharply. If you are an outsider and want to enter Hollywood, you can pay a large amount of tuition fees in this first step.

Although investing in movies is like gambling, under the dazzling halo of Hollywood and the ever-emerging wealth-making myth, countless people have entered this industry one after another.

The most typical one is the son of "crazy man" Larry Ellison. Although he was finally successful in investing in Hollywood, he still paid tuition fees in tens of millions of dollars when he first entered here.

Investing in movies has always been a life full of uncertainty, but at least for people in the circle, it can reduce more than 80% of the trouble. Therefore, Christopher Rokencourt's choice is the mainstream investment method.

He will sign a formal financing agreement with Greenberg Studio and then obtain compensation based on the investment ratio of each project.

"At the latest week, you should be able to sign a formal contract."

In the Warner Studio studio, Nina and Jimmy stood beside Wayne, watching the actor training in the center of the venue together. The assistant lady's eyes were withdrawn from Matt Damon and whispered to the man around her.

"We have to be fast, we don't have time to play games slowly with him." Wayne nodded, without any hesitation at all, and directly ordered: "Stay him to death, and never get out of the game early."

"Don't worry, boss."

Speaking of this, Nina was full of confidence. "I have made a request to him, and it will also be reflected in the contract. Money must be entered into the established project studio account as soon as possible within three days of signing the contract. Moreover, this guy either really wants to invest or has great ambitions, but no matter what action he wants to do, he will not get any opportunities in the early stage."

Wayne nodded and did not continue to talk about this topic. He raised his legs and walked towards the prop group, preparing to continue to check the preparation progress of the prop group.

To put it bluntly, he just wanted to "borrow chickens and lay eggs". In fact, he and Nina knew that the money they took out was not theirs. It was very likely that they came from many well-known practitioners in the circle, and he couldn't make any more moves.

With so much money involved, it is impossible for those investors to have no regulatory measures in the early stage. In this circle, who can really feel at ease with whom? With so much money, even father and son and brother can still turn against each other, let alone cooperation between others.

So, Wayne was not worried at all, what methods would the other party play at this point in time. Christopher Rokencourt has always established a character of a generous and rich man in the circle, and it is impossible to lose a few years of character at this point in time.

Obviously, whether you have a big ambition or have other ideas, as long as you want to make some moves, it will definitely be the money you invested and then transferred back to the other party’s account.

But at that time, the money has nothing to do with Wayne here, right?

Now he just wanted to know whether the superhero bait he threw out could gain something. Even if this huge delicious bait didn't catch anything, he was not disappointed at all.

After all, when I was short of money, I had found a sucker who was willing to borrow a chicken to lay eggs. As long as I survived until next year, whether it was the producer share of "X-Men", the box office share of "The Flash", and even the investment income of "Charlie's Angels" and "The Matrix 3", the movie peripheral income will be settled one after another.

By then, once Wayne was not short of money, he would naturally look down on Christopher Rokencott's investment.

So, he didn't even think that he would play too many ways in this investment. It was not worth it and could not be violated. After all, he could not guarantee that the money would come from whose wallet, and he would not be able to offend so many people in the circle all at once.

The preparations for "Wonder Woman" have come to an end, and more and more related news has been released bit by bit under the plan of the Warner Bros. distribution department.

It can be said that the promotional plan has been started before the filming of this film was officially started. First of all, it is naturally Matt Damon's joining. Accompanied by his agent, he became the focus of not chasing.

At the entrance of Warner Studios, media reporters began to gather more and more, and the male and female protagonists were their primary goal. Just like the previous DC project, the film had not started filming, and the actors brought great attention.

The crew often releases some plausible news. Every one or two days, one or two Angelina Jolie's makeup posters will be "leaked" to the entertainment newspaper, and sometimes it is Wayne's one or two pages of manuscripts.

As the start date of "Wonder Woman" gets closer, Warner Bros.'s various publicity has gradually accelerated the frequency.