Since 1983

Beginning in the 1980s, the Big Eight in Hollywood began a series of asset reorganizations.

The first to fall was United Artists, which was acquired by MGM in 1981, so it should be the top seven now.

Paramount was acquired by Redstone's Viacom, Time acquired Warner Bros., and merged with AOL to become Time Warner.

Murdoch's News Corporation bought 20th Century Fox; Canadian liquor tycoon Seagram bought Universal; Sony bought Columbia.

Two of them are foreign capital.

Besides, the definition of independent film does not refer to the type of film, one is low cost, and the other is that it is outside the monopoly of major manufacturers.

Before the 1990s, big studios squeezed and suppressed independent films, but after the 1990s, the trend changed.

Because a large number of young talents have emerged in the independent film industry, they have frequently won awards and achieved good box office results, and the market is increasingly accepting them.

The big studios needed these works to supplement their own structure, so they established their own art divisions and acquired these production companies.

For example, Sony created Sony Classics, Disney acquired Miramax, Time Warner acquired New Line, 20th Century Fox created Searchlight, Universal acquired October Films, and so on.

Independent production companies are undersized, or go bankrupt and die, or cannot withstand the encroachment of giants. Of course, there are some who survived and became a big boss-Lionsgate Films.

All in all, Hollywood is a structure centered on the Big Seven, based on a number of companies attached to the core, and supplemented by a number of bottom-level production companies.

…………

Cactus is such a low-level independent production company.

When Xu Fei and the others arrived, they were so horrible that they felt that even the company's signboard was crooked. The LOGO is listless and dull.

Ah Chu said, Do you want to change your name?

No, cactus is very good, it has thorns to pierce people.

When Xu Fei went in, he saw more than a dozen employees squeezed into two rooms, plus a small decent room, which was regarded as the reception room. The overall value is poor, more than one million US dollars to buy, mainly a batch of shooting equipment and office equipment.

What is the most valuable thing in Hollywood?

Not a star director, not an ace producer, not even capital, but a film library. To be precise, it is the development of various IPs based on copyright.

A company without a library is worthless!

Because Hollywood's routine is, make a film, the box office is hot, and the sequel will follow immediately. The second part, the third part and the fourth part, if you find that the market is tired of aesthetics.

Stop right away, refrigerate for a few years and restart.

In addition, there are audio-visual products, peripheral derivatives, TV broadcasting, etc. to expand income. For example, Spider-Man, an IP has been eaten for twenty years and has not been finished.

This aspect is poor in China, no matter how good the film is, it will be taken away in waves.

OK, guys look here!

Jerry clapped his hands and acted as a dog's leg: These are high-level personnel sent by the parent company to work with us for a period of time.

Let me report the good news first, we are going to start a new film, er, it is a commercial film...

Shit! I just said they don't understand movies! They want to pull us over and play with that big-nosed clown to entertain those third-rate audiences!

One person was suddenly very angry and shouted: We are making an art film, and we respect the spirit of independence!

Who is this?

Tom, I'm in charge of the production as well.

Xu Fei nodded and turned to the buddy: You're fired! Someone will go through the relevant procedures with you.

Shit!

That buddy was quite straightforward, packed up his things and left.

The rest are spineless, after all, they have to be just right. Xu Fei patted Jerry on the shoulder and said with a smile, Be happy, you will be the only supervisor from now on.

Fatty Bai forced a smile, his jaw trembling.

In Teacher Xu's view, cactus is a naive idealist who wants to play art if he has no skills. Art needs money to back it up.

He didn't talk nonsense, and said: We will start a movie, and the script is here. Although you have not been very successful, you have some experience. Within a month, I want to see the crew complete.

A month? Oh my God, that's impossible!

Are you kidding me?

If you can't do it, I don't mind changing a group of people.

Xu Fei threw out a booklet and said, If you have any difficulties, read this.

After he left, everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, Jerry tried to ease the atmosphere and said, Don't be discouraged guys, let's at least read the script first.

We'll have a meeting this afternoon to discuss it.

No way, it's just a meal.

So they acted in twos and threes.

After reading the script first, I couldn't stop after reading it, and then I was very excited. It is a matter of concept that they make art films, and it does not mean that they have poor vision. The meeting in the afternoon became very lively.

Excellent commercial work, I think it is feasible.

There is a breakthrough in the original genre, and it can even be said to be a new genre.

Is it really written by that person, an oriental person who knows so much about American youth culture?

I also find it incredible, but obviously, he wrote it.

Hey, didn't he give you a pamphlet? Would you like to open it?

Only then did Jerry remember, and opened the booklet curiously, the content was straightforward:

American Pie

Directors: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz, who wrote the script of Ants and Heroes.

Cast: Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Sean William Scott.

...

Everyone became more and more confused, Jerry said: He wants us to search according to the list?

should be.

But how does he know these people? How does he know whether these people are suitable?

Hiss!

In an instant, everyone seemed to be enveloped by a mysterious force from the east, and they all shuddered.

…………

Xu Fei wrote two scripts, which were filed and registered in the United States long ago, so as not to crash the car.

Make American Pie first.

Historically, the film was released in 1999, and a total of seven films were filmed. The impact was not small, making youth comedies officially popular.

Directed by brothers Chris Weisz and Paul Weisz, they are a well-known duo in Hollywood, and later developed independently. Chris was relatively successful, filming the big poisonous weed Twilight, um.

Teacher Xu was young and ignorant at the time, and he was deeply impressed by American Pie. Of course, he can't remember some clearly, such as the names of the leading actors, he only remembers these three.

The metaphysical power of the East permeates America.

Jerry followed suit and found some people soon. Except for the director, they are all miserable marginalized people, eager to have the opportunity to participate in the show.

The company also conducted a budget analysis and showed it to Xu Fei today.

Twelve million dollars?

Teacher Xu asked with a half-smile, Are you sure this film costs 12 million?

This is calculated accurately by us. After all, there are many extras, parties, and shots...

Snapped!

The analysis form fell on Jerry.

8 million, I won't give you a penny more.

gentlemen……

You act as producer.

Sir, I think 8 million is enough, just give it to me!

How did you choose the actors?

There are still a few roles, especially female roles that have not been decided. The announcement has been sent out, and the audition will be performed tomorrow. I wonder if you are interested in watching it?

Of course there is!

I'm most interested in picking an actress, so that's where I came from.

(besides……)