Heads Up Hollywood

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J.J. Abrams can also be regarded as a talented director in Hollywood, especially for science fiction films, he has a unique understanding, especially when he wrote the "Star Trek" trilogy and "Star Wars" trilogy. , have achieved great success.

Tang En'ai was eager and said with a smile: "Jeff, we met at the Golden Globe Awards dinner."

Abrams produced, directed, and wrote the American drama "Double Spy", which won multiple nominations at the Golden Globe Awards. Tang En and he have met from afar.

Abrams was very pleasantly surprised, "Director Walker, I am very interested in the third point of making blockbuster movies. In order to increase the added value, you said that movies can be reflected by stars, big directors and film values. Can you be more specific about the problem?"

Tang En said: "Big star, big director, and film value, these concepts can provide richer elements for the film and make fans interested. From the perspective of importance, it is an increasing relationship, that is to say, the value of the film is greater than that of the big director, and the big The role of the director is greater than that of the big star."

"In the past ten years, there was a 'blockbuster' theory. Everyone must remember that the model launched by CAA was led by big stars and big casts. But the era of superstars has passed. I know that in Hollywood, some people use How absurd is it for a top-tier paycheck of $20 million and 20% of the global box office?"

"I have invested in so many films, and I have never offered any actor a box office share contract. In my opinion, this is connivance! It is a violation of market rules! For the sake of one or two star faces, half of the film will be taken away , and even more profits, isn’t this abnormal? How unfair is it that the leading male lead earns an astonishing top salary while the leading female lead earns only $500,000?”

"I am a feminist, everyone knows that. I am very dissatisfied with this phenomenon of unequal pay for equal work between men and women, and I deeply don't understand it. I repeat, the star halo will become weaker and weaker! Film companies oppress women Actors' remuneration, to pursue big stars, this is the flaw of the system!"

These words immediately attracted strong approval from all the women present.

This phenomenon exists not only in Hollywood, but in all walks of life. For the same job, women's salaries are lower than men's.

After a round of applause, Tang En continued: "I am 24 years old this year. I proposed a platter investment plan to solve the film's financing difficulties; I also proposed the theory of blockbuster money, and put forward some personal opinions for commercial productions. Next, I will work hard to make more and better contributions to the film industry, including protecting the rights and interests of actresses and female filmmakers."

"Twain Pictures has proposed a new mission since last year: 'New Order, New Model, New Power, New Hollywood'. This is by no means just rhetoric, and I will prove it with actions. I hope the film industry will get better and better , I will promote Hollywood’s investment environment to become better and better, and I will also help film practitioners to obtain more legal rights.”

This topic is equivalent to firing at the top superstars, Tang En didn't say much.

But this problem, he will reach out to solve it sooner or later!

Hollywood's top male stars are paid too much, which is unreasonably high. They don't need any endorsements and advertisements like female stars, just getting movie pay is enough to live a luxurious life.

This not only harms the interests of other actors, but also the interests of the film company.

What's more, the exorbitant film salary leads to insufficient film budget and a decline in quality, which is likely to cause an industrial crisis, just like the excessive life he lived in his previous life.

If Tang En wants to aspire to control Hollywood, he must let Hollywood have a better and healthier development environment.

Tang En wants to lead Hollywood to do things that Hollywood could not do in the previous life!

...

After the speech was over, Tang En went directly to Abrams and said with a smile, "I watched a few episodes of "Double Spy" that you filmed, and it's pretty good."

"Thank... thank you."

Abrams was a little flattered, the disparity in status between the two was too great.

Although he has a good family background, his parents are veteran TV producers and he has many contacts in the TV circle, which allows him to write and direct as he pleases. But in the movie circle, his reputation is still too small.

Tang En patted him on the shoulder, "What's your plan next? Do you want to continue filming TV dramas?"

Abrams said honestly: "Yes, there is already a plan, and we are negotiating with ABC to co-produce a TV series "Lost."

Tang En raised his eyebrows, "Didn't you want to come to the film industry?"

Abrams nodded, then shook his head again, "I want to be a director myself, but movies... I have also participated in the production and screenwriting of several movies before, but the ability of directors is too far behind. I hope to accumulate more experience through TV dramas first. experience."

"I have an idea!" Tang En praised him, "Then what do you think of my lecture today?"

"Excellent!"

Abrams blurted out.

Tang En gave him a deep look, "Since this is the case, haven't you been touched?"

Abrams was slightly taken aback, "I'm very touched, I... I'm a staunch supporter of the explosion theory!"

Tang En smiled slightly, "Then you still want to shoot "Lost"?"

"ah?"

Abrams is really at a loss.

Tang En said with a smile: "The theory of blockbusters is not only applicable to movies, but also to TV series! Last year's "Band of Brothers" was the biggest blockbuster! Didn't you think about making a blockbuster TV series?"

"Me?" Abrams seemed to understand Tang En's thoughts, his eyes widened in surprise and joy, "Mr. Walker, you mean... you want me to cooperate with Starz TV?"

"How? Are you interested?"

"Of course... well, I have to think about it." Abrams smiled apologetically, "You know, my friend and I started a company called Bad Robot Production Company, and I..."

Tang En waved his hand, "It's okay, you have plenty of time to think about it, anyway, I haven't thought about the specific development project yet. But... I think this project will definitely start this year, and it's a super big project!"

"Super big project?"

"Yes, maybe five seasons, maybe more. The production cost of each season is estimated to be between 100 million and 150 million US dollars."

Abrams was so shocked that he couldn't speak, "Mr. Walker, are you kidding me?"

"Do you think I'm joking?" Tang En twitched his lips, and then patted him on the shoulder, "Jeff, I appreciate your talent, but in my opinion, TV dramas will only make you dusty, while movies will It's your future direction. Do you know directors Nolan and Schneider?"

Abrams nodded slightly.

Tang En gave a faint "Yes", "They are about the same age as you, Chris is filming "Daredevil", a big project with 150 million US dollars; Zach is also starting to prepare "Ghost Rider", this project is at least Also $150 million. Jeff, I hope you will work hard!"

Abrams opened his mouth wide, and it was inevitable that a competitive thought rose in his heart.

Tang En smiled and said, "Rome wasn't built in a day, and their success was achieved after years of hard work. But compared to hard work, direction is more important. I believe you must understand this truth."

Abrams' face was tense, as if he was struggling with something, "I know that if the direction is wrong, the harder you work, the farther you will be from your goal."

"clever!"

Tang En sighed in admiration.

For J.J. Abrams, Dunn definitely wanted to recruit him.

Solicitation is different from cooperation. It is to give favors and let his future career track develop in a direction that is in line with his own interests.

After this guy finished filming "Star Wars 7", he went back to filming TV series directly.

In the restarted "Star Wars" trilogy, the framework of the story is set by Abrams.

But his withdrawal directly made the script of "Star Wars 8" a mess. Although the box office has exceeded 1.3 billion US dollars, there is a big gap compared with the 2 billion US dollars of "Star Wars 7", and more importantly, the word of mouth is bad!

Twain has coveted Lucasfilm for a long time and has already regarded it as something in his pocket.

Abrams' restart of "Star Wars 7" was severely criticized by George Lucas in terms of plot, but it received unanimous praise from North American film critics, and the box office even surprised the world. ("Star Wars 8" also has a bad reputation in North America)

It was necessary for Tang En to plan ahead and make some preparations for the future.

For example... win over Abrams!

Of course, there is another part of the reason, which is to solve the current problem.

Abrams' parents are both producers in the TV circle, very influential, Abrams himself also has excellent production ability. Tang En wanted to develop a hit TV series, and with such influence, the possibility of success would be even greater.

When Starz TV broadcasted "Band of Brothers", the most subscribed members exceeded 15 million!

Now, 3 months later, it has dropped to 13 million, and it is still showing a downward trend.

STA TV network subscription fees are too high!

If there are no shocking TV series, North American families will definitely choose relatively cheap HBO and SHO.

So Twain has been conceiving and preparing for a real super hit American drama, to bind users to Starz TV station.

Relying on TV series of the level of "Six Feet Under" and "The Wire" will attract people, but they are not blockbusters and cannot cause a sensation.

Of course, the best choice is to directly shoot the TV series of "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings", and Twain has also obtained the copyright.

But the timing is wrong, the movie "Lord of the Rings" hasn't finished yet, no matter how good the TV series is, the visual effects can't be as good as the movies.

At this time, filming the "Lord of the Rings" TV series, isn't it just looking for a slap in the face?

The best time is 5 years after the release of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, the audience has nostalgia and expectations, and then start the TV series plan.

As for "A Song of Ice and Fire"...it's also very difficult.

George Martin, an old man, was too queer to sell the rights. Because he said that the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series has only now published the third "A Storm of Swords" and the fourth "A Feast for Crows", and he hasn't started writing yet.

His writing speed is very slow. There are 7 novels in total. He doesn't want the speed of TV dramas to be too much faster than the novels, and the plot will be revealed too much. Let's wait a few years to talk about it!

It's no wonder that the "Song of Ice and Fire" series of novels are so popular, and the TV series was not filmed until 2011.

Twain is very melancholy now, he urgently needs a hit TV series to increase the number of users of STA TV network, the best choice must be a big production with fantastic special effects!

Under the continuous impact of "The Chronicles of Narnia", "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter", this will be the most popular subject at the moment.

But... what should I shoot?