The Best Director

Chapter 85 Domestic Violence

On the fifth day of this year's Sundance Film Festival, a blockbuster deal was reached that set a record for previous transaction prices. Flame Films bought out Newmarket's "Memory Fragments" at a price of 8 million yuan. All film copyrights, including theatrical distribution rights and DVD distribution rights, have been acquired. (Reading the novel) The purchase managers of every film company saw this news in the newspaper, and couldn't help muttering, "That young man is crazy again."

As revealed by "Film News", "Memento" is not a hot item. Although no one said it was a bad movie, on the contrary, it was applauded all over the place, and its script is very good, and it is expected to win this year's Santa Smith's best screenplay award, but apart from the flame movie, almost no one is interested in buying it. Film companies label it as "good or bad", "box office up to 5 million", etc. If it costs 1 million, I believe many people will bid for it, but its cost is 5 million, and it will definitely lose money.

"This is the first time that a flame movie has been shot at an independent film festival. It was a surprisingly large amount of money when it was shot, which is very in line with Miracle Yang's style of action. In the absence of competition from companies, the purchase price of "Memory Fragments" remains the same. As high as 8 million, this shows the determination and confidence of Flame Movie in it, will a miracle happen to this unpopular movie that Fan Yang placed high hopes on?"

At the beginning, Flame Movie proposed a price of 6 million, but Newmarket was unwilling to sell it. The profit of 1 million was too little, so it might as well continue to participate in other film festivals, or even bite the bullet and release it by itself; until the price reached 8 million, and Flame The film made it clear that "there will be no more bids." Seeing that no company participated in the bidding, Newmarket finally nodded and agreed to the deal.

They are naturally very happy. This investment has brought them 3 million profits, and the cost-return rate has reached 60%. This is definitely a ratio that makes people overjoyed. , Summit Entertainment and other small companies share their accounts proportionally. A 5 million independent film has several investors. up to dozens.

"Chris, I'm very happy that Flame Films bought "Memento". This is the biggest gain in film purchases since our establishment." Wang Yang smiled, and the Nolans across the dining table also smiled slightly, and he went on Dao: "I believe that "Memory Fragments" can also do a lot in the screening market, instead of those companies predicting that it can only receive 5 million."

After the deal was concluded, the Nolans invited Wang Yang to have dinner together, and Wang Yang readily agreed. He understood that apart from making friends, the Nolans also wanted to know the plan of the flame movie.

Nolan on the opposite side is still in a suit and trousers, with a white shirt and blue tie, parted hairstyle, combed a little shiny; Emma Thomas is wearing a casual women's jacket, and the husband and wife are looking at it seriously While Wang Yang was talking, Nolan said "thank you" when he said that the box office was promising, and Emma Thomas took the opportunity to laugh and said, "Yang,

I want to know the release plan of "Memento"? Oh this is my husband's brainchild and I would love to know so much. "

"Ha, I understand." Wang Yang nodded with a smile, organized a bit and was about to speak. Nolan immediately pricked up his ears, and Wang Yang said, "We plan to release this movie on Halloween this year, and it will start soon." The publicity in the early stage is mainly on the Internet; the promotion before the release will start in September." That is where the main money is spent, including poster advertisements, interviews and so on. He added: "We plan to arrange a few specific theaters for trial screenings before the release, and 500 theaters in the first week of the release. If the results are good, we will further expand."

500 theaters Emma Thomas couldn't help showing joy. For an independent film, this number is very high, which also shows the importance of flame movies, and the previous promotional specifications will be higher. Nolan frowned slightly, and told himself not to be too happy. He took a sip of water and asked, "Yang, will the released version be the current one?"

"Of course" Wang Yang answered him without hesitation, spread his hands with a smile, knowing what Nolan was worried about, and said: "Chris, I can tell you clearly that we will not re-edit and modify "Memento" , not unless you have some new ideas, but I'd say the current version is good enough."

Nolan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then he smiled again. He was really afraid that "Memory Fragments" would be re-edited. He didn't think it would be edited like a "fake documentary", but the current version poured his heart into it. He didn't want to modify it at all. If the flame movie wants to modify, he can not participate, but nothing can be changed, he has no right to decide, because the copyright of the movie is now in the hands of the flame movie.

Fortunately, it seems that there is no need to worry about this now. Nolan couldn't help laughing and said, "I know what I'm shooting, and I know what I'm editing. Jan, I'm confident to prove your words, the current version is the best." Emma Thomas With a happy smile on her face, she also breathed a sigh of relief. If Huo Huo wanted to make changes to "Memory Fragments", with her husband's temper, there would definitely be an uproar, which she was extremely unwilling to see.

"Chris, what I like about "Memento" is that it is complex and changeable." Wang Yang looked at Nolan and said his own understanding: "Watching this movie is like playing a jigsaw puzzle. Law, but sometimes you will be deceived by yourself, you need to analyze, think, and slowly solve the mystery in the movie, fascinated and excited by it, this is the charm of suspense films, and also the charm of "Memory Fragments", I will not to destroy it."

Nolan still kept a faint smile on his face, but his bright eyes showed the joy in his heart. He let go of the last trace of worry, and was very glad that "Memory Fragments" was bought by Flame Movie, Wang Yang He is a person who understands movies and his movies. The respect and recognition he received is more gratifying than the release of "Memento".

"Actually, I have a question. What is the real ending of "Memory Fragments"?" Wang Yang asked with interest. At first he thought he understood everything, but when he looked again in his mind, he found that the more The more you look, the more puzzled you are. There are many different ways to solve puzzles, and you can get different answers. Nolan was about to say something when Wang Yang suddenly raised his hand and called him back, "Don't tell me!"

Nolan and Emma were both startled, Wang Yang shook his head with a smile, and said, "If I know the real answer, what's the point? The open ending is great now, and everyone can have their own way." This is my favorite place.” After a pause, he laughed at himself, “I just said I wouldn’t destroy it, but I asked a stupid question right away, oh my god…” The Nolans both laughed.

Next, the three of them talked a lot about movies and Hollywood. Hearing Emma Thomas talk about the investment for "Memento", Wang Yang looked at Nolan and asked with interest: " Any ideas for the next movie, Chris? We'd love to invest in it, but maybe next year. Ha, no money now, we need time to get the money back."

Excitement flashed across Emma Thomas's face. She looked at Nolan next to her, and winked at him, "Be nice." Nolan ignored her, nodded slightly, and calmly said: "There is a Ideas, but just ideas for now, I want to do a biographical movie, Howard Hughes's..."

※※

After staying in Park City for a week, before the Sundance Film Festival ended, Wang Yang bid farewell to this town full of film flavors, returned to Los Angeles, picked up the scissors again, and Margaret- Goodspeed continued editing work on "The Knock of Happiness." The initial cut has already been completed, and what they are doing now is the fine cut, which slowly reduces the picture and adjusts the structure, and then after the fine cut, cuts the current 200-minute initial cut version to 120 minutes, the goal is in Finished in an orderly manner.

Wang Yang also began to look for the position of the original musician of "When Happiness Knocks on the Door". Through the introduction of Robert Zemeckis, among several candidates, he contacted 46-year-old Jann Katz Melik is a well-known Polish composer and film composer, but he is very unfamiliar to Hollywood, but Wang Yang found out from the information in his mind that Jann Kezmelik won the award in 2004 with "Looking for Neverland". Oscar for the best original soundtrack, and he is also the original soundtrack of another touching movie "The Story of Hachiko".

Wang Yang was very happy. He almost didn't need an interview, and he decided that it was Jann Kezmelik. It was not because Jann was the "best original score", but because of his score style, which uses strings and piano perfectly. The perfect, simple and elegant style, this style is the most suitable for "When Happiness Comes Knocking", no matter when it is happy or sad, it will not lose that refreshing and warm feeling.

During the call with Jann Kezmelik, Wang Yang expressed his sincerity and understanding and love for his music, and solemnly invited him to come to Los Angeles to compose the soundtrack for "When Happiness Comes Knocking". Jann Kezmelik didn't refuse outright, nor did he immediately agree. He hoped to see the appearance of "When Happiness Knocks on the Door" before making a decision. Wang Yang naturally agreed. He understood Jan Kezmelik's concerns, but he also believed that "When Happiness Knocks on the Door" could impress the composer. En came to Los Angeles to negotiate again.

"Oh, really?"

In the living room, Wang Yang was lying on the rattan sofa, holding the mobile phone in one hand, and when he heard the news from Mark Slanter, he immediately smiled and said, "Wow, so I'm going to walk the red carpet? Yes, it's pretty cool." People are happy, although it is a foil. By the way, can I wear a pair of beach shorts?" He laughed and said: "Just joking, Mark, I find that your head is like a donkey sometimes. OK, I will find Manager, I've been looking for..."

There was a sound of opening the door, and there was only one girl besides him who had the key to this room. He said softly to the mobile phone: "Mark, thank you for the news, bye" and then put down the mobile phone. He turned over and landed, and walked towards the door. Suddenly, some mischievous thoughts arose in his heart. I came back early today, but Jessica didn't know it, and the lights in the room were not turned on... Thinking of this, he quietly hid himself.

Soon, Jessica walked in with a few big bags of things, as if she had just returned from shopping in the supermarket. She put one bag of things on the coffee table, and walked to the kitchen with the rest, talking to herself authentically : "I seem to have forgotten what to buy? What is it?" Wang Yang followed behind her. Although he consciously stepped lightly, he couldn't help but sigh that she was so confused. It was only three steps away, and he couldn't even notice him behind.

Coming to the kitchen, Jessica opened the refrigerator and put the drinks and other food in the bag into it. Wang Yang shyly walked behind her, tried his best to hold back a smile, stretched out his hand, and patted her shoulder lightly. Jessica suddenly said "ah", and turned around suddenly. Wang Yang quickly kissed her on the face, and then with a "snap", her cheek was hit hard by a slap from her conditioned reflex. .

"Jan?" Seeing clearly that it was him, Jessica's eyes widened in surprise, and she withdrew the kick she was about to kick. Wang Yang covered his burning face and said in pain, "Yes, it's me." Jessica frowned and said angrily, "What are you doing?" Apologetically, he reached out and caressed his face: "Did I hurt you?" Wang Yang gritted his teeth and said, "I deserve it, a failed prank." As he spoke, he couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Did I get domestic violence just now? My God..."

"You...you're so boring." Jessica couldn't help laughing, punched him on the chest, and said, "You scared me to death just now, do you like scaring people so much? Horror director" She smiled, as if she was too lazy to talk to him With an expression on his face, he continued to put the food on the kitchen cabinet into the refrigerator. Wang Yang watched her carry the food, walked around, and said with a smile: "I bought a lot of things, do you have beer?"

Jessica gave him a strange look, and said, "No, how can I buy it?" Wang Yang rubbed his face that was still hurting, and said, "I don't know, some people can buy it. By the way, Jie Sica, I have some news for you, don't get too excited, okay?" Jessica's heart skipped a beat, could it be about the wedding plan? She turned around and asked calmly, "What?"

"Oscar, we are nominated for Oscar." Wang Yang waved his fist and said excitedly: "We have been nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress." Jessica was slightly startled, then smiled and said: "Really ?” Wang Yang nodded and said, “Really.” Jessica rolled her eyes with a smile, closed the refrigerator and walked to the living room, saying, “I don’t want to talk to you.”

"Well, it's actually the best original song. There are probably several songs from "High School Musical" that will be shortlisted." Wang Yang walked out after her, and said solemnly: "The Oscar organizing committee invited us to attend, the invitation letter is very It will be sent soon." Jessica said absent-mindedly: "Oh, is it?" Seeing that she was not interested, Wang Yang's originally not-so-high interest dissipated, and he shrugged and said, "Yes. "