Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 84 Three Companies Collaborate

After signing the distribution contract for "The Silence of the Lambs" with Samsung, Aaron received a notice that "Boyz on the Hood" was going to be rated NC-17 by the MPAA before he had time to go to the bank for a loan!

Dawn Pictures, office.

John Singleton and Quentin Tarantino sat across from Aaron and complained about the MPAA.

"Okay, this is the rule of the game," Aaron interrupted the two people's complaints with some annoyance.
"Re-edit it, delete some of the violent scenes in the show, and then continue applying."

It is necessary for "Boyz on the Hood" to be rated R, otherwise, no one can afford the loss of millions of dollars!
"Okay," John Singleton and Quentin Tarantino certainly had no choice. The MPAA is a hurdle that independent films cannot overcome.

The MPAA is an effective means for independent films by the seven official members!
The more fierce the curse, the more you hope to join in.

After the two left, Aaron called the financial officer Jessica Parker and asked her to take the distribution contract of "The Silence of the Lambs" to the bank for a loan.

"I'll borrow as much as I can. As long as the interest rate isn't too high, it doesn't matter if it's a little higher!"

Now Dawn Pictures has less than $30 in liquidity, not even enough to pay the $1200 million in interest.
In addition, Aaron also wants to store scripts and acquire some novels or story IPs that can be adapted.

"understand!"

After a while, assistant Esther Beckett brought in a producer to seek investment.

Independent producer Lori Parker was looking for investment for a movie and came to Dawn Pictures specifically!

"Recommended by River Phoenix?"

Aaron took over the script "My Own Private Idaho" from the other party. Are you very familiar with River Phoenix?

We just had a drink together once and got to know each other through Johnny Depp.

While Aaron was reading the script, Lori Parker began to introduce it, "This is a project directed by Gus Van Sant. It mainly tells the story of two street prostitutes who travel from Portland to Idaho and finally to Rome, Italy to find their relatives;"

“It’s a very strong homosexual theme, a queer work, bold, avant-garde, and full of artistry!”

……

After Aaron read the script, he thought it was more than just bold. The subject matter was obviously very controversial.
"Gus Van Sant, he also directed the movie 'Cowboy' that came out last year, right?"

Aaron has done some research on many independent directors, all of whom have very personal styles.

"Yes, originally, after River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves signed on to star in My Own Private Idaho, 200th Century Fox was planning to invest $ million to support the filming;"

"It's just that River Phoenix went to shoot other projects, and 20th Century Fox withdrew its investment!"

Aaron smiled and said, "Ms. Parker, this controversial film is bound to have low box office performance. It's all for awards;"

“Many film companies wouldn’t dare invest, right?”

Lori Parker looked at Aaron and asked, "So, what about Dawn Movies?"

Aaron knew that My Own Private Idaho was highly praised and was the work that made River Phoenix famous;
Although the investment is low, there's definitely no loss. Furthermore, supporting independent directors in making these kinds of films is the beginning of a collaborative relationship. Aaron spread his hands and said, "Dawn Pictures has three films coming out next year. They don't have any extra funds right now, do they?"

Seeing the dejected expression on Lori Parker's face, Aaron spoke again: "However, Shuguang is looking for a bank loan, and I am a little interested in this movie;"

"Wait a few days, we can discuss it in detail. Then we can bring in PolyGram and Heritage Entertainment. They both have a good relationship with me and should be willing to distribute it!"

Lori Parker's eyes lit up. "Really?"

She originally just came here to try her luck. After all, the subject matter of this movie is very special and most people don't want to touch it.

"Of course, but you have to make sure River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves are in it!"

Aaron didn't plan to make money from this film, but he wanted to gain recognition. As an independent production company, Dawn Pictures still needed to gain the favor of some independent filmmakers.
This should be a huge investment, and it will attract more outstanding filmmakers to cooperate with Shuguang.

"That's no problem. They've both already met with the director. They don't have any projects right now, but as long as the funding is in place, we can start filming anytime!"

The characters and scenes in "My Own Private Idaho" are extremely simple, with city streets and roads, and there is no need to set up any scenes at all.

"By the way, Mr. Anderson, when are we meeting with the people from PolyGram and Heritage Entertainment?"

Aaron thought for a moment and said, "Maybe in a week. I'll have someone notify you!"

River Phoenix has always been involved in art films, and as for Keanu Reeves, it seems like he just filmed an action movie "Point Break";
The director is Kathryn Bigelow and the producer is her husband James Cameron!

A few days later, Dawn Pictures obtained a $700 million loan from Salomon Brothers Investment Bank with the distribution contract for "The Silence of the Lambs" at an annual interest rate of 8.5% for three years.

"Even the banks are more optimistic about 'Ghost'," the investment costs of the two films are actually similar, but the loan amounts given by the banks are quite different.

However, Aaron had no objection. Just stick with it for half a year!
At the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, Aaron met with Michael Kuhn of PolyGram and Guy Maddin of Heritage Entertainment, along with Gus Van Sant, the director of My Own Private Idaho, and producer Lori Parker;
Dawn Pictures, Heritage Entertainment, and PolyGram jointly invested $240 million to support Gus Van Sant in filming "My Own Private Idaho"!
Legacy Entertainment is responsible for North American distribution, PolyGram is responsible for international distribution, and Dawn Pictures is responsible for production.

Guy Maddin of Heritage Entertainment is a big fan of showing this kind of film on Landmark Cinemas, an art house that already regularly screens such films.

Director Gus Van Sant was the most enthusiastic, looking directly at Aaron Anderson and saying, "I want to start filming by the end of the month!"

Aaron nodded, "Anytime you're ready."

The three companies jointly invested, but each company only contributed 80 US dollars.

Michael Kuhn raised his glass. "This type of work is more in line with European tastes. Come, let's have a drink together!"

Guy Martin smiled and said, "This kind of meaningful independent film needs support from others. Aaron, your approach is quite admirable."

Then, everyone started laughing, and Aaron rolled his eyes at them, "I'm also someone with artistic pursuits!"

In his heart, he was thinking that the greatest asset of Heritage Entertainment was the landmark cinema chain in his hands, and Dawn Pictures should find a way to acquire it;

In this way, with the North American distribution channel, Dawn Pictures can gradually improve it, and then it can distribute movies on its own, which will be much more convenient.

Guy Martin could not have imagined that his film company and cinema chain were being targeted by the man in front of him?
(End of this chapter)