Hollywood Director 1992.

Chapter 25 Beverly Mansion

Link was invited to the Kerville Bar, and met director Steven Soderbergh through Quentin's introduction.

Although Director Steven has a big bald head, he is not very old, only 29 years old, and is also a young director.

He became famous in 1989 with "Sex, Lies and Videotape" and became a famous Hollywood director.

Like Quentin, he was also a director discovered by Harvey Weinstein.

"Link, tell me, why did you insist on showing "Buried" in theaters when no one else was optimistic about it? Aren't you worried about losing money?"

Quentin asked.

"I am worried. My idea is that since the film has been made, I have to find a way to release it so that more audiences can see it. Initially, I hoped to cooperate with a film distribution company, but unfortunately they were not interested. In this case, I can only raise money to distribute the film at my own expense."

"You got your $50,000 start-up capital from me."

"Thank you! Can I redeem the script now for $5?"

"What? You want to redeem the script. We signed a contract."

"It's just a joke, don't be nervous."

Link picked up the wine glass and took a sip. “After distributing it at my own expense, my idea was to try to show it for a few days. If the fans really don’t like the movie, I would end the screening immediately to avoid greater losses.

It was only after the movie was released that fans loved it, the box office performance got better day by day, and then this movie was created, which was called a box office miracle by the media.”

clap clap clap!
Quentin, Lawrence Bender and Steven Soderbergh applauded his words.

"Link, you are amazing. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to hold on to this point."

Quentin raised his glass and said.

"Me too. Making a movie is very expensive, and self-funded screening is even more expensive. It requires not only confidence but also courage. Link, you are very brave."

Director Steven Soderbergh raised a toast in Link's honor.

"Thank you! It was like a gamble, but luckily I won."

"Link, you not only won the box office, but also pointed out a way for many movies that were not favored by film companies. I think many directors and filmmakers will follow your example in the future."

Lawrence Bender laughed.

“Hopefully their movie will be a big hit too.”

Link smiled. The reason why he dared to release this movie regardless of the consequences was that he had a four-fold box office guarantee, which others did not have.

If anyone dares to learn from him and insists on releasing a movie that is not favored by all film companies, the risk of bankruptcy is very high.

"Link, when will the next movie be shot? Do you have any plans?"

Quentin asked.

"It's in preparation. If all goes well, filming will start next month."

"Next month?! Are you serious?"

Quentin supported himself on the table with both hands, his facial muscles tensed and his expression became ferocious.

If others saw this scene, they would mistakenly think that the two were arguing.

"It's true. The movie script has been completed. Next, we need to select the cast and set up the set. One month will be enough."

"You've even finished drawing the movie script?! Are you still human?"

Quentin shouted, pounding the table.

"It's people. The plot and characters of the second movie are simple, so it's easy to draw."

"You are such a hard-working guy, you are indeed a hard-working, brave, and involution-loving Chinese."

Quentin frowned and fidgeted on the sofa.

After filming "Reservoir Dogs", he began preparing for his second film, "Pulp Fiction".

I thought it wouldn’t be too late to start filming next year. I wasn’t very active when writing scripts and just wrote whatever came to my mind.

But now I heard from Link that the filming of the second movie will start next month.

Link was originally very good, his debut film did better at the box office than his, and he is still so hardworking now.

This made him nervous and he had to hurry up and write the script after returning so as not to be left too far behind by Link.

"Link, what is the budget for this movie, and has it been made?"

Lawrence Bender is the producer and is more concerned about this issue.

“The budget is not high, less than $10.”

"Under 10? Is the cost so low?"

Quentin asked incredulously.

"I'm a new director. I'll start by making a few low-budget films to practice my skills. After I have enough experience, I'll try a film project with a larger investment."

"Link, you're right. If you accumulate experience first and then shoot a blockbuster, the chances of success will be higher. After I finished shooting Sex, Lies, and Videotape, I was eager to shoot the second film, Kafka, but the box office results were dismal."

Director Steven Soderbergh said.

"Link, do you want to continue to make a small bet for a big gain with this movie? How about we compete to see whose next movie will do better at the box office?"

Quentin said.

"Only compare box office? I can consider it."

Hearing Quentin's words, Link raised the corner of his mouth and couldn't help but think of the dream he had in the small hotel in Park City. In the dream, Quentin not only competed in box office, but also in the value of the awards.

Because "Pulp Fiction" was a great success in both box office and awards.

He troubled himself in his dream for a long time before picking out a rather unreliable "Lost in Translation".

"In addition to box office, there are also awards to see whose film quality is better. Do you dare?"

"No, my next few films will only consider the box office, not awards. If I compare these films with yours, the chances of winning are too small."

"Okay, then let's compete in the box office first. Whoever loses will buy us a drink here." "Okay!"

Link reached out and bumped fists with him.

"Hello Director Link, nice to see you here."

The famous action actor Bruce Willis and two less famous actors stopped in front of the booth and greeted him warmly.

Bruce Willis is a top Hollywood action actor. His representative works include "Die Hard" I and II, which were released in 1988 and had a total box office of $4 million.

"Hello Mr. Willis, nice to meet you too."

Link shakes hands with Bruce Willis and his two companions.

"Director Link, Buried is such a profound film that my wife and I both loved it."

Bruce Willis said.

"Thank you!"

After seeing Bruce Willis off, several people from the circle came to say hello, including directors, actors, producers, character directors, agents, etc. I received more than 30 business cards, and most of them said that there was a chance for cooperation.

"Link, how does it feel to be idolized by a celebrity?"

Quentin quipped.

"very nice."

In America, being poor is worse than being a dog, and being rich and famous feels great.

"Yes, this feeling is very addictive and makes people unable to stop, but this is Hollywood, the arena of fame and fortune, no one can always be sought after, and Steven should be deeply touched by this."

Quentin looked at the bald Steven Soderbergh.

Steven Soderbergh stroked his bald head and smiled bitterly.

"It is true. After Sex, Lies and Videotape became a big hit, I was very popular in Hollywood. But now hardly anyone knows me. Even God cannot make me always popular in Hollywood."

"Steven, this is only temporary. With your ability, you will definitely become an Oscar-level director in the future."

Link raised his glass to the future Academy Award-winning director.

"Haha, Link, thank you for your encouragement."

The two clinked their glasses, and Quentin also raised his glass to join in the fun.

While drinking, Quentin also talked about the purpose of inviting him out for a drink this time.

One is to congratulate him on the huge success of "Buried" and his becoming a big Hollywood star.

The second is to convey a message on behalf of Miramax Films boss Harvey Weinstein.

Harvey Weinstein expressed his admiration for Link and hoped that he would give priority to working with Miramax when making movies in the future.

Quentin praised Harvey Weinstein for his strong production ability, Miramax Films' distribution ability is among the best in independent films, and most importantly, Harvey is very capable in publicizing the Academy Awards.

In short, following Harvey Weinstein brings both fame and fortune.

"These are the words Harvey asked me to say. It's up to you to decide whether or not you want to cooperate with him."

Quentin said, shrugging his shoulders.

"I see."

He doesn't have much moral cleanliness, and he doesn't have any special opinions about the subsequent "Harvey sexual assault scandal", and he won't be hostile to Harvey because of it.

When cooperating, he pays more attention to his own interests.

There would be more benefits to working with Miramax Films, and he would also work with Harvey.

After all, this is America, a capitalist society, where every bit of capital is dirty and bloody. Harvey's incident is really no big deal in the chaotic America.

"Hello Director Link, nice to see you here."

After chatting for a few words, other people came over to say hello.

Link currently doesn't have many connections in Hollywood, so he pays enough attention to those who come up to him and talk to him.

After sitting in the bar for a while, Link said goodbye to Quentin and the others and left. He drove his newly purchased Cadillac outside the bar and went to Beverly Hills to look at houses.

He is ready to move.

After becoming famous, living in an ordinary apartment is neither convenient nor safe.

Just like when he came home from outside on Wednesday, a group of women were crowded in the corridor waiting for him. Some even took off their clothes in front of him and rushed towards him screaming.

In addition, there is a group of dreamers living in the youth apartment, and people like him who have resources will easily be disturbed if they live there.

The place he chose to live was in Beverly Hills.

There is a famous saying in the circle: Only if you buy a house in Beverly Hills can you truly gain a foothold in Hollywood.

Beverly is a city in Greater Los Angeles, similar to Burbank.

Facing the Pacific Ocean, with Beverly Hills behind it, between Sunset Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilshire Boulevard.

Due to its good environment and proximity to several Hollywood movie studios, many movie stars have settled here since the 1930s, and Beverly has gradually become a famous wealthy area in the United States.

There are luxury houses everywhere here, most of them are villas.

Link thought it would be lonely living alone in the villa.

Eventually, he bought a mid- to high-end apartment on 108th Street at the south end of Wilshire Avenue.

The apartment is located on the 12th floor, about 280 square meters, with three bedrooms, four bathrooms and three living rooms. There is a study, coffee room, billiard room, gym, equipment room, kitchenette, etc. There is a large floor-to-ceiling window facing Wilshire Avenue.

There are many high-end bars and clubs, luxury stores, Hilton Hotels, and celebrity mansions nearby. It is one of the most prosperous and lively neighborhoods in Beverly Hills and has excellent public security.

The apartment was priced at $220 million, which Link could afford.

(End of this chapter)