American Fame and Fortune Chapter 156

Chapter 156 Trying to form a game

I have read all the script synopses, and Martin has passed them all. Original films are not taken seriously in Hollywood. Among the piles of original scripts submitted by ordinary screenwriters, the chance of finding one that has left a successful impression is naturally very low.

 After all, it's not the ordinary films that can leave an impression on him.

 Martin went back to look at the project plans submitted to Pacific Pictures.

These are mostly adaptation types. Screenwriters or small producers find literary works or real-life stories worth adapting and recommend them to production companies, which often attract investment and then buy the copyright.

Martin soon discovered the familiar outline of the story.

 As for the adaptation of the black stockbroker, if I remember correctly it should be "The Pursuit of Happiness".

Of course, the project is not suitable for him. Black people can pass it first, and Will Smith's personal appeal is the key to this film.

In this era, Shi Huang's bad acting can be paid for. The one that impressed Martin the most was "Hancock". That shabby movie might have been thrown into the street if it had been replaced by a male protagonist with little appeal.

 Martin still called and asked, after all, this was Louise's project library.

He doesn't have much conscience, but he still has a little.

I called and was disappointed. Relativity Media got the authorization in the first half of the year.

Then, Martin saw Frank Miller's Sin City. After asking, he found that as early as last year, the rights to adapt the graphic novel had fallen into the hands of Weinstein's Dimension Pictures.

Don't expect the fat man to spit out what he swallowed.

 Martin found that today was a bit rough. Could it be that Robert's ritual was only useful when auditioning for a role?

He thought for a while and called Bruce: "Old Bu, help me buy a bottle of Coke. It must be produced in 2003."

Bruce was confused: "There are less than two months until 2005, and you want me to buy 2003 Coke?"

 Martin nodded: "Remember, it must be in 2003."

 Bruce responded.

 Martin will not look at the project library for now and will talk about it later.

Nearly half an hour later, Bruce came over with a box of Coke cans. He opened the box, took out a can and threw it to Martin: "It's hard to find, I got it from a discount store."

　　Martin signaled Bruce to be quiet. He placed the Coke in front of the keyboard, mouse and monitor, waited for a while, then opened it and drank it all in one breath.

 He then continued to look through the project library.

 When the database turned to the last page, Martin saw a comic adaptation project.

The submitter is a screenwriter named Michael Bradt, who has participated in the script writing of "Album" and "Fast and Furious 2". He wants to adapt a niche and unpopular comic from Dingniu Comics into a script.

 The comic is called "Wanted Order".

 Martin had just met Julie and naturally thought of the movie adaptation of the same name.

 According to the project planning introduction, the comic is a short story published by Dingniu Company last year, with a total of six episodes. The original author is Mark Miller.

This name is somewhat familiar to Martin, but he can't remember it if he thinks about it carefully. In his previous life, like most people, he watched a lot of movies adapted from American comics, but he had never read the comics themselves, let alone the author.

The only American comic book author that I know is Stan Lee, because he often makes cameos in Marvel movies.

 Martin looked up Mark Millar through the Internet, an author who has participated in writing DC comics many times.

  Among his numerous works, "Wanted" has a very average reputation and response.

 Maybe it was for these reasons that when Martin called Dingniu Comics, they confirmed that the adaptation copyright was still there.

  Martin thought about it carefully and realized that this film should have been a success. James McAvoy later played Professor

 After quickly browsing the remaining items in the database, Martin turned off the computer and said, "Let's go, Old Boo."

Bruce followed Martin and threw the can into the trash can, wondering: "The 2003 Coke tastes nothing special."

 Martin said hello to the custodian and went out of Pacific Pictures to find a comic shop.

 There is one near Warner Studios.

Martin went in and asked the boss, "Wanted" was not sold in this unpopular niche store.

The boss called several colleagues and found all six issues of Dingniu Comics that published "Wanted Order".

 "Wanted" has not yet been published as an independent volume...

 Martin went to the nearby coffee shop and looked through "Wanted" carefully. It was not unexpected. Comics and movies are completely different things.

The comic is a carnival of self-deprecation, without a trace of moral integrity, and full of all kinds of obscene jokes. The protagonist Wesley has evolved from an ordinary person to a super villain, reaching the pinnacle of life, highlighting the real magic of good overcoming evil.

 The male protagonist is a perpetrator on the evil side, not a guardian on the heroic side.

 Another important character, Fox, is black in the comics.

If it were shot according to the comic book, with the villain hero going on a killing spree, the movie might become a niche carnival for certain groups, but it would be a hit on the street.

 Martin is self-aware. As a super academic scumbag, he has no ability to adapt scripts. His acting is okay, he can come up with some crooked ideas for publicity, and he has a not-so-strong support group behind him, and the support group has a relatively high degree of trust in him.

 Others are far behind.

 Martin thought for a while, found the number he had written down, and dialed Michael Bradt's phone. He claimed that he had seen his project plan and was interested in promoting this film project. He wanted to ask him how to adapt it.

Bradt did not describe it in detail, but said roughly: "If I write the script, it will definitely be changed drastically. Good and evil are opposites. The male protagonist is righteous, and Sloan and his subordinates are naturally evil."

 Because he didn't have the copyright, he was worried about being kicked off. After a brief talk, Bradt stopped mentioning the script adaptation.

 Martin chatted with him for a few more words. The reason why he submitted the project was that he not only wanted to be a screenwriter, but also hoped to develop into a producer.

There is no other way. Without the title of producer, the screenwriter has no rights.

Martin doesn't know much about the Hollywood comic copyright market. According to Bradt's estimate, such unpopular comics can be obtained for less than $500,000.

 Then there are various pre-development expenses such as screenwriting, directing, producing and finding investment.

 After experiencing Wax Museum, The Mountain Has Eyes and Jeans, Martin also wants to start his own business, but his ability, experience and funds will be under tremendous pressure.

  After coming to Hollywood for the three films he made, he received a total salary of 1 million US dollars. Adding in the savings in Atlanta, after excluding various expenses, he had at least one million dollars in funds at his disposal.

 Martin thought of another thing, the need to set aside taxes.

However, investing in the film and television industry can be partially tax deductible.

He can't spend all his money on a movie project, and besides, this little money is far from enough.

 Martin found that it was safest to seek support from a rich woman.

 Louise's experience and ability are not a problem.

 The project comes from the inventory of Pacific Pictures. It would be unethical not to involve Louise.

 Martin couldn't handle such a project on his own, so it was most appropriate to ask Louise to cooperate.

 Martin immediately called Thomas. In Hollywood, where every star is a film and television production company, setting up a studio is very simple, and there are professional companies that provide one-stop services.

 After drinking a cup of coffee and making a few phone calls, Martin realized that he still had to continue on the road of being supported by a rich woman.

Act quickly before Louise drains you dry.

 Martin left the cafe, went to Pacific Pictures, and found Louise in the president's office.

Louis is wearing business attire and black-rimmed glasses. She is dealing with official business, which is completely different from the dissolute way she behaves in private.

 She glanced at Martin: "Anything gained?"

 Martin pulled up the chair and sat across from her: "Recommended comic adaptation project No. 040717, the work "Wanted Order" by Dingniu Comics."

 Louise opened the database search and quickly found it. She had read this project and was somewhat impressed: "The comics are relatively niche, and the style is more dark and cult."

She remembered more: "Michael Bradt called me and I had a little chat with him. According to his idea, the production cost would be at least US$35 million. If star-level actors were invited, the budget would be It will increase significantly.”

Martin said: "I just called Bradt and talked about adapting the script. I think this project is going to work."

 Louise shook her head and reminded: "Martin, you have been in Los Angeles for less than a year."

Martin knew that he had no persuasiveness and was not entangled in the so-called prospects of the film. Those were all nonsense, so he simply said: "I am going to set up a studio, buy the copyright of this work, and then discuss it carefully with Bradt. Is it appropriate?" If so, he will write the script.”

Louise understood what he meant: "You invest upfront and the rest of the funds will be settled in a platter?"

Martin said: "This project will definitely be released after The Mountain Has Eyes. As long as The Mountain Has Eyes succeeds, I am 90% sure to convince Vincent and Sofia to continue investing. This will cover half or even more of the investment. The rest of the platter funds need to be thought of again." How can you and Pacific Pictures participate?”

 Louis was alert and asked: "Martin, what are you planning?"

 “Me?” Martin couldn't help but smile: “I'm planning to become a superstar earlier so that I can make more money to support you.”

 Louise sneered: "Do you need me to remind you? Your heart is black."

 Martin knows that words are not convincing: "You help me this time, five brand new cocktails, not improved recipes."

"Sure enough, your heart is dark." Louise confirmed: "You actually hid so many private goods."

In Los Angeles and Hollywood, she was not afraid of Martin's upheaval. She pondered for a moment and said in business: "Pacific Pictures can help you organize a platter, but the fee I have to pay cannot be less. If the film fails, Pacific Pictures' funds will be withdrawn first. The same goes for profitability.”

 She is invincible.

 Martin had no foundation, it was his first time plating, and he had no experience. He needed a veteran like Louise, so he immediately responded: "No problem."

 As for the platter, the production funds must come from others.

Louise suddenly laughed: "This project requires an investment of tens of millions of dollars. If you mess up, your career will be basically over. Idiot, don't you want me to keep you? I will lock you in my wine cellar." , raised as a slave, researching new cocktail recipes for me every day.”

 Martin was so thick-skinned that he said deliberately: "I know you want to protect me from having my head blown off by the support team."

The two of them have finalized their initial intentions, and there is still a lot of things to do in the future.

 (End of this chapter)

Chapter end