Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 26: Looking for New Targets

Samuel Goldwyn Pictures' attitude towards "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" was ambiguous, and the price gap between the two parties was too large.

Therefore, Aaron focused on New Line Cinema again!

After viewing a rough cut, New Line chairman Robert Shaye expressed interest in distributing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

"Aaron Anderson, young people nowadays are really not simple!"

In New Line's office in New York, Robert Shaye looked at the young man in front of him with a smile on his face.

"Mr. Saya founded New Line in the 1970s. Two years ago, New Line went public and became the representative company of second-tier film distributors. That's truly remarkable."

Robert Shaye smiled and said, "What you said at the St. Denis Film Festival, 'The First Year of Independent Film', was really deafening."

"Sex, Lies, and Videotape's blockbuster success at the Cannes Film Festival is a major step forward for American independent films!"

Aaron's expression was somewhat casual. "Independent films or art films, these concepts are nothing more than a distinction between mainstream Hollywood commercial films;"

"The anti-Hollywood mainstream filmmakers who once huddled near San Francisco in Northern California are now deserted;"

"In front of the box office, art is worthless. The only films that are remembered by people are those art films that have made a lot of money at the box office!"

Robert Shaye cannot deny that "New Line needs another film to be released in the spring of next year;"

"'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' is pretty good. I'm buying the distribution rights for $350 million. What do you think?"

"After all, this is a B-grade action movie directed by a Hong Kong director."

Aaron tapped his knees with his fingers. The new line was indeed sincere, but unfortunately, it was still far from the price range Aaron had in mind.
Aaron knew the potential of this movie, but unfortunately he didn't have the funds. For this kind of movie, it would be better to sign a commission distribution agreement with a distribution company and cooperate in a profit-making model rather than selling the distribution rights outright.

However, Golden Harvest is still a foreign company and they only profit from the distribution. They need to wait too long. Hong Kong's film industry is famous for its speed, so Golden Harvest needs to recover its funds as soon as possible!
Aaron looked at the other man, "My expectations for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are even greater than Mr. Saya expected;"

"I can indeed accept the price of $350 million, but I need a post-production guarantee. If the North American box office exceeds $5000 million, Golden Harvest will enjoy a 15% share of the remaining box office revenue. If it exceeds $1 million, Golden Harvest's share will increase to 25%."

Robert Shaye laughed and said, "Although I don't think the film will be that successful, the share you are asking for is a bit high;"

"If it's over $5000 million, I'll give you 10% of the profits. If it's over $1 million, I'll give you 20%!"

Aaron thought for a moment, then stood up and shook hands with Robert Shaye. "It's a pleasure to work with you. I'll arrange for the person in charge from Golden Harvest to come over and sign the contract as soon as possible."

Robert Shaye nodded and stared at Aaron. "You became an agent probably to expand your network of contacts and resources. If you have any ideas after you leave CAA, you can come to New Line."

"Thank you, I'll think about it!"

Soon, in late July, Golden Harvest and New Line signed a cooperation agreement for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles;

Raymond Chow, chairman of Golden Harvest, also came to New York to attend the signing ceremony.

In the hotel room, Raymond Chow was very satisfied with Aaron Anderson's performance. "I heard from Thomas that no film company was willing to bid $300 million. New Line offered $350 million, which is really good!" Aaron shook his head. "Actually, the price could be higher, but I'm more optimistic about the subsequent box office share."

"When the movie is released next spring, you will know how profitable the subsequent share will be."

Zou Wenhuai was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "If that's the case, that's great. When the time comes, Golden Harvest will definitely not be stingy with your bonus, Aaron."

Aaron thought it was okay. If there was no share of the profits, all the profits would go to New Line, so there was nothing wrong in helping Golden Harvest to get them.

"By the way, I heard that Mr. Zou came from Seattle?"

Zou Wenhuai nodded and said, "A few days ago it was the death anniversary of a friend of mine, so I went there specially to pay my respects!"

"Seattle, it must be Bruce Lee, he is also my idol, what a pity," Aaron quickly guessed that it was him, Bruce Lee was buried in Seattle.

"Really, Aaron, you like kung fu movies too, right?"

Aaron nodded. "I like it, and I have a new director under my contract who is a huge fan of Hong Kong Kung Fu films!"

"That's great. If you have the chance, Aaron, you can go to Hong Kong. The film industry there is very prosperous right now."

"Of course, Hong Kong's film exports are second only to Hollywood. When it comes to the global film industry, Hollywood and Hong Kong can't be surpassed..."

At the same time, Japan's Sony's acquisition of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group is nearing completion, while Japan's Mitsubishi Estate Corporation has acquired the landmark Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, New York, which has caused another wave of resistance from the United States!
A political commentary book "Japan Can Say No" co-authored by Japanese right-wing politician Shintaro Ishihara and Sony founder Akio Morita was published and caused a sensation because the whole book was filled with Japan's unyielding confidence.

Electronic products, automobiles, foreign debt, Japan's current influence has reached its peak, and the United States is full of various Japanese elements!

As David Lynch's dark road drama Wild at Heart is about to begin filming, Nicole Kidman is also preparing to follow the crew to the set;

Steven Soderbergh's "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" is about to be released. After Aaron finished the movie "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", he has already started looking for his next target.

In New York, Jennifer Connelly, who had auditioned for several films during the summer vacation, sat on her bed, looking at the script "Hotspot" in her hand with some entanglement;
Since her debut in "Once Upon a Time in America", she has become an American beauty, but her subsequent works have not received much response, and her image as a vase has been deeply rooted in people's minds.

Although she transferred from Yale to Stanford, she still wanted to act. After a series of failed auditions, she received a subversive role script that required her to undress and devote her body.

Her mother, who had been in charge of her business, supported her in dropping out of school and changing her image as a vase.

However, this is bound to cause a lot of controversy. Jennifer Connelly looked at the business card in her hand in a daze!
This was exactly what Aaron Anderson told her when she auditioned for "Pretty Woman" in Los Angeles: professional matters should be left to professionals.

The other party wanted to sign her, and Jennifer Connelly had also inquired about the other party's information. Although she was a new agent, she had a good eye for movies;

Recently, another movie deal was brokered.

Moreover, Jennifer Connelly felt that the other person was about the same age as her and wanted to hear his opinion.

Then, he got out of bed, walked to the phone and dialed the number on the business card...

(End of this chapter)