America is in control

Chapter 214: Entrusted investment and the crew are on the right track

Originally, the agents of Deighton and Farris wanted to get a portion of the film's post-production share for them, but Liu Jiang and Jonathan sternly refused.

I want to eat shit! Except for the top actors, directors, and producers, no one else can even think about sharing the money later.

Business is business! General Liu is not a charity man!
Of course, Liu Jiang and Jonathan also agreed to some of the rights that the director should enjoy.

For example, when the two directors are working, the crew will provide them with separate offices or lounges, and provide special cars to pick them up when they go out.

Under the same conditions, the crew must give priority to the behind-the-scenes staff recommended by the two directors, and they also have the right to make suggestions when selecting roles.

In fact, Deighton and Faris's requirements are not too excessive. Compared with those big-name directors, they are already quite 'frugal'.

It is no exaggeration to say that the requirements given to the crew by big-name directors and actors can almost be enough to publish a book.

There are tens of thousands of words at every turn, with dozens of major clauses and several sub-clauses. It can be called "The Self-cultivation of the Yandere".

Not to mention basic things like food, drinking water, and living environment, there are even strict requirements for pet sitters and bathing water.

I don’t know whether these requirements are to highlight their B-level or to compare with competitors of the same level.

There is no way, who said the environment in Hollywood is like this!

Liu will not pay too much attention to these details, as long as they don't go too far.

What he really cares about is actual power within the crew! He must have the final decision in his hands.

For example, although Dayton and Farris have the right to make suggestions during casting, the decision-making power lies with Liu Jiang and Jonathan.

The two will participate in the post-production of "Looking for the Midnight Kiss", but the final editing rights still belong to producers such as Liu Jiang and Jonathan.

Liu Jiang and Jonathan usually do not interfere with the normal shooting of the two directors, but they have the final say on the style of the film.

They have the power to adopt or not adopt the clips shot by the two directors.

This is the producer-centered system of Hollywood, where ordinary directors are the producers’ tools.

Unless you become a big name director like James Cameron and Steven Spielberg.

Otherwise, the average director will be controlled by the producer most of the time.

Of course, Liu Jiang and Jonathan did not dare to be careless in the slightest. After all, it is not uncommon for directors to bring in private goods in Hollywood.

If the movie overturns, it is New Caesars Entertainment that will lose money and bear the responsibility.

After the two parties formally signed the director's employment agreement, Deighton and Farris took the script and went back to draw the film's storyboards.

Jonathan, on the other hand, rushed to urge the senior location selector to resolve the location issue as soon as possible.

Liu Jiang returned to the Irvine Villa, and he first called Harvey.

"Harvey, how was your talk with Beth?"

"John, it's basically settled. It's just an agency agreement. I've avoided all the legal issues that need to be avoided!"

"I don't need any investment advice from her, as long as she buys and sells according to my requirements. By the way, have you kept the commission rate to the lowest?"

"Of course, it is definitely the lowest in the industry. You can sign the contract now."

"Okay, then you can take her to the Irvine Villa later!"

"no problem!"

After hanging up the phone, Liu Jiang made another call to Li Chengxiong, who was indispensable for transferring funds.

Soon Harvey, Beth and Li Chengxiong all arrived at the Irvine Villa.

"Mr. John, I wish us happy cooperation!"

Liu signed his name on the agency agreement and handed it to Beth.

The smile on Beth's face was completely gone from the unruly look she had before.

She happily took the document and said blessings.

I don't know whether Beth did it on purpose or accidentally, but her fingertips lightly scratched the back of General Liu's hand.

"Of course, I believe Miss Beth will not let me down!"

Noticing the eagerness in the opponent's eyes and the small movements in his hands, General Liu couldn't help but be a little surprised.

Does this rouge horse really want to play with me?
The other party is really brave, and he doesn't care what the occasion is.

Liu Jiang remained calm on the surface, pretending to be invisible to Beth's provocation, but secretly made a note of her in his heart.

He just needs a chance now, a chance to be alone with the other party.

When that time comes, he must let Beth know how powerful he is!

The agency agreement was reached, and Liu entrusted the US$300 million to Beth's asset research and management company.

Used to increase holdings of stocks of large companies that were well known in previous lives, such as Microsoft, Dell, Intel, and Cisco.

In addition, the stock he originally invested in has appreciated to 12 million U.S. dollars, and he has now invested 15 million U.S. dollars in the stock market alone.

That’s not counting the Yahoo stock held by New Caesars Investment Company.

After sending Beth away, Liu will ask Li Chengxiong to transfer US$300 million to the entrusted account.

At the same time, he asked the other party if he had any idea about the venue of the new Caesar Boxing Club.

Li Chengxiong has already found several Chinese agents to help find suitable places, but so far there are no satisfactory results.

After listening to the other party's answer, Liu Jiang thought about how to allocate the money in his account.

After the last boxing title unification fight, he received about 1400 million US dollars in appearance fees and PPV shares alone.

Currently, I have invested US$300 million in the stock market, and I estimate that I will have to keep US$400 million to make the movie.

Instead of allocating $200 million to New Caesars Investment Company, let Chris find more potential start-up companies to invest in.

US$300 million will be reserved for the establishment of the New Caesar Boxing Fans Association across the United States and the purchase and renovation of the new Caesar Boxing Club venue.

The remaining $200 million is used for daily expenses, wages of logistics team members, and to prevent emergencies.

Feeling that he had considered all aspects, General Liu asked Li Chengxiong to transfer another sum of money to New Caesar Investment Company and New Caesar Entertainment Company.

At the same time, ask the other party to help him register a new Caesar Boxing Club company in Delaware to prepare for subsequent plans.

In the next few days, Jonathan and the senior location selector settled the issue of the shooting location.

Liu also received a portion of the film's storyboards drawn by Deighton and Faris.

With a director and a location in place, the recruitment of other behind-the-scenes staff began on a large scale.

The few minnows at the new Caesars Entertainment and members of the USC Kings fraternity alone cannot support the filming of a movie.

Deighton and Faris recommended some familiar behind-the-scenes staff to apply.

Liu Jiang and Jonathan appropriately respected the opinions of the two directors under similar conditions.

After all, compromise is an art, and it is basically impossible for a polished commander to command the entire crew.

If you want to successfully film "Looking for the Midnight Kiss" while maintaining quality, you must make appropriate compromises.

After the recruitment of behind-the-scenes staff was almost complete, Liu held a film preparatory meeting at the new Caesars Entertainment Company.

As the production boss and main producer, Liu will naturally have the highest level of power. Jonathan Gliman serves as executive producer, located on the second level of the pyramid, and Daniel Dubiech (Liu's friend from USC) serves as assistant producer.

Directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, assistant director Jason Reitman (Liu’s friend from USC) and some important behind-the-scenes staff were present in the conference room.

"The first project budget has been received, and the location and studio for location shooting have been negotiated."

Jonathan first introduced the current situation to give everyone a sense of the situation.

"Faris and I just went to inspect the location yesterday. The conditions were very good and there were no problems."

"We, the photographers and other behind-the-scenes staff are working hard to formulate relevant shooting plans."

"We will submit a complete shooting plan within three days."

After Jonathan finished his introduction, Deighton immediately told the producer team what he and Farris were currently working on.

"Okay, you guys, hurry up. We only have three months for this movie."

General Liu and Jonathan looked at each other, and the latter nodded in approval, but General Liu still urged.

There is no way, time is tight, and the crew must work quickly.

"No problem, we will finalize the shooting plan as soon as possible!"

"By the way, John, is there anything that needs to be modified in the movie storyboard drawings we drew?"

Farris agreed. They had almost completed the shooting plan and could finish the rest by working overtime.

Compared to the shooting plan, she was more concerned about the movie's storyboards. It would be troublesome if the other party called back and asked for major changes.

She looked at General Liu with sharp eyes and asked.

"There's no big problem. Your movie shots are very good."

"But there are a few places that I feel are not appropriate. After the preparatory meeting is over, Jonathan and I will talk to you."

"After the chat, you can arrange the shooting scene according to the movie's shot drawings."

Liu Jiang and Jonathan discussed in a low voice for a while, exchanging their respective views on the film's shot drawings.

Except for a few parts that both of them felt needed to be modified, there were generally no problems.

After General Liu expressed his approval of the two directors, he immediately issued the order.

Although he had been a director in his previous life, it was on the other side of the Pacific after all.

The pre-production preparations of the crews in the two places are still very different. Of course, seeking Jonathan's opinion is to check for omissions and fill in the gaps.

As for leaving the layout of the shooting scenes to the two directors, of course it is because of the different division of labor.

Producers need to coordinate the overall situation and cannot focus most of their attention on a certain subdivided work content.

"No problem, leave it to us!"

Dayton and Farris looked at each other and accepted the task.

"Have you chosen your photography equipment? Once you have chosen, just tell Jonathan and he will help you take care of it all."

Liu Jiang mentioned the photography equipment. Since it was a rental, he simply let the other party choose the one that suited them best.

"We'll give Jonathan the detailed list tomorrow."

With a satisfied expression on his face, Dayton said with a smile.

"Good, after you finish making the shooting plan, we will start recruiting actors!"

Liu Jiang nodded, the thing he was most looking forward to was about to come.

After all the photography equipment and props were agreed upon, the two directors’ shooting plans were also released.

"John, why don't you cast me as the female lead in Looking for a Midnight Kiss?"

On this day, Liu Jiang was in the office of New Caesar Entertainment, looking through some actress information submitted to the company by her agent.

Unexpectedly, Connery suddenly came to the door and broke into General Liu's office. No staff outside could stop her.

After waving his hand and sending the staff away, Liu Jiang closed the door of the office and looked at Connery.

The other party was wearing a simple and elegant light-colored dress, with big black and shiny waves, and the makeup on her face was quite delicate.

She wore a pair of extremely eye-catching red earrings on her ears, and paired with flaming red lips, it was impossible to take your eyes away.

"Baby, "Looking for a Midnight Kiss" is just a low-budget romantic comedy."

"In order to attract the audience to the cinema, the screenwriter designed some large-scale scenes in the script, which is not in line with your style."

"This movie is not suitable for you. Don't worry, I will definitely let you play the heroine in the next movie."

Liu Jiang racked his brains to think of various reasons, trying to fool Connery.

But Connelly seemed to have learned a lesson. She didn't answer General Liu's words at all, and instead started making demands.

"I like the script "Looking for the Midnight Kiss" very much. You can ask the screenwriter to revise those large-scale scenes."

"Little Lion, I don't think you need to find another male or female lead. I feel that the two of us can definitely play the leading role of the male and female lead in this movie."

"Don't you want to be on the big screen with me?"

Connery walked up to General Liu and put his arms around the latter's neck. The two of them were so close that they breathed each other.

While she tried her best to seduce the other person, she blinked her bright big eyes and sent love waves to Liu Jiang.

At the same time, Connery twisted his body slightly and rubbed shoulders with the other party.

The astonishing undulating curves were like torrents hitting Liu Jiang's already fragile defense.

Liu Jiang almost shuddered, the touch was so amazing that he almost fell.

With the other person's suggestive words echoing in his ears, he almost agreed.

Trying his best to stabilize his mind, he gritted his teeth and regained his composure.

"Honey, of course I would like to appear on the big screen with you, but I don't have time!"

"This movie is just a practice project during my summer vacation. Serving as a producer is a decision I made after careful consideration."

"Except for training every day, the rest of my time is spent on overall planning."

"I can't play another role, time doesn't allow it!"

"Baby, wait for the next movie, okay? I will choose a masterpiece just for you."

Liu Jiang looked into Connery's eyes and said sincerely.

He held the other person's waist with one hand, and gently stroked the other person's long hair with the other hand, using the utmost gentleness.

In fact, it is not impossible for Connery to play the role of the rich girl, but the other party will have to reduce his salary and modify the script at the same time.

No way, Connery's salary is too expensive for this small-budget romantic comedy!

After comprehensive consideration, General Liu gave up the idea.

(End of this chapter)