America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 750 Inside the Mask

As the Cadillac Escalade drove out of the DreamWorks campus, Martin made several phone calls, learning about the latest situation inside the theater from people at DreamWorks.

Bruce asked, "The film rights have been sold?"

"No, the price wasn't right." Martin put away his phone and said, "The big companies all left, and in the end, only one buyer from some unknown company offered $3000 million."

Bruce said, "A $1.5 million production, $3000 million, frankly, is really too little."

Martin said, "Once the distributor buys it, they still need to promote and distribute it through distribution channels. Don't even think about a wide release without investing another $3000 million."

Bruce asked, puzzled, "You still want to buy it?"

Martin explained simply: "I asked you for $3000 million so that I could add $1000 million and resell it to Netflix."

Bruce couldn't help but ask, "Are you treating Netflix like a garbage dump?"

Martin burst out laughing.

The two chatted and joked around, returning to Burbank in a relaxed and pleasant manner.

In contrast, the atmosphere inside the DreamWorks theater was somewhat oppressive.

Megan Ellison sat in a row of armchairs in front of the screen, looking at the smooth, mirror-like alloy screen, and didn't want to say a word.

It's not surprising that "The Seventh Son" didn't sell.

But what did those bastards mean by their offer? It was a completely insulting offer!

The last guy even went back on his offer, giving the same $3000 million offer as Martin Davis.

What is Martin Davis's status and position? What is his relationship with Megan Ellison? Giving him $3000 million is normal.

How can just anyone compare to that?

Megan Ellison remains confident in public and in herself, but in reality, she's starting to lose her composure.

She asked Wilson, "What about your network in Hollywood? Keep pitching Seventh Son to them."

Wilson revealed the truth: "For deals worth tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, my past relationships with them are nothing."

Megan Ellison then asked, "Do you think we can succeed if we continue to find distributors and release this film?"

Warner Bros. has terminated its publishing contract with Annapurna.

Wilson couldn't answer this question because there's no reliable formula or inevitable rule for success in the film market.

Hollywood has been using a proven successful model to mass-produce commercial films over the years, resulting in many successes but also numerous failures.

Moreover, in recent years, there have been more and more failures, and it seems that many markets and audiences are no longer buying into that successful Hollywood assembly line model.

In his view, Seventh Son is a typical work created according to the assembly line success model.

None of the buyers at the top-tier publishing companies considered it a good fit.

Wilson had no choice but to say, "Martin's influence is too great."

Megan Ellison, already aware of what had transpired, nodded slightly and said, "Continue with the contact privately, if possible, $3 million..."

She clenched her fist, further lowering her expectations: "2 million US dollars is also acceptable."

Wilson knew it would be difficult, but as long as he was in the position, he would try his best to do his job well. After all, his job at Annapurna Films wouldn't last long, and he needed to think about his next job.

Megan Ellison, using the armrest of her chair for support, looked remarkably like Larry Ellison, but the same confidence was gone. She said, "Take the copy, let's go."

…………

In a Japanese-style mansion in Woodside, San Francisco.

Larry Ellison sat in the tea house, skillfully arranging Japanese tea utensils, but his gaze was fixed on David Ellison across from him.

Originally, I thought my son wasn't very reliable, and my daughter's personality and actions were more like his.

But you can't judge a book by its cover; you only know when you see it in action that Megan is really not as good as David when it comes to big things.

Larry asked, "Is Megan not doing well?"

David is in Hollywood, so he naturally knows, but he's a smart man and wouldn't casually comment on his sister: "It's all written in the media."

Larry nodded: "You can't intervene from your side?"

"My Skydance has no distribution capabilities, and even if I buy Megan's movie, I can't get it into theaters." David didn't want to get involved in his sister's affairs anyway, since his father had always been biased. "Skydance is no longer an independently invested and produced film; I'm involved in other companies' co-production projects."

Larry understood his son's thoughts and said, "I know, you don't need to worry about this, but make sure your sister is safe in Hollywood."

David could manage this: "Hollywood may be self-contained and prone to cheating and swindling outsiders, but they wouldn't dare mess with the Ellison family."

"What's going on with that Martin Davis?" Larry Ellison asked.

"A guy who came from the slums of Atlanta, who rose to power by sleeping with one woman after another, you could even say he's a classic example of someone who succeeded by living off a woman." David said this, but there was no hint of contempt in his tone.

If his father wasn't Larry Ellison, and he were in the ordinary working class, could he have achieved the same level as Martin Davis?

Hollywood rumors suggest that Martin Davis was able to keep two female producers extremely satisfied at the same time.

David Ellison admitted he couldn't do it.

Larry frowned: "Is this guy difficult to deal with?"

David Ellison said, "He's very difficult to deal with. He has deep ties to the Democratic Party, the aura of an American national hero, and the status of the leader of the Coca-Cola Cult, which can influence the allocation of a lot of base votes. He has a very good public image and is said to treat his friends and those around him very well. His actual personality... how should I put it, I think it's more appropriate to describe him as a mad dog. Once he bites the enemy, he will bite off a piece of flesh even if it costs him a lot."

"Another point is that he knows how to use and manipulate public opinion, and he's very rich." David Ellison had clearly done thorough research: "Some media reports say his net worth is at least $10 billion, but I feel it's more than that. He recently invested in Elon Musk's Tesla, and he also has shares in Apple and Netflix. I personally estimate his net worth to be around $20 billion."

Larry Ellison said, "I understand."

David said no more. After drinking the tea that his father had prepared using Japanese tea ceremony, he left quickly.

Larry Ellison picked up his phone and made a call: "Keep an eye on Megan's situation, but don't worry about the specifics for now, that's all for the time being."

…………

Burbank, Davis Studios.

In the newly decorated film screening room, Martin, Louise, and Jennifer Sybil are watching the latter's newly completed film together.

Last year, after receiving a lot of firsthand information and budget funding from Martin Scorsese, Jennifer Seabell began filming her second movie.

She is the producer and director of this film, and also appears in it.

By this time, the film had reached its end, and Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to prison for multiple crimes.

This is a documentary called "Inside the Mask".

The specific content concerns the background and consequences of the Weinstein scandal and a series of related cases.

The film received strong support from Martin during its production, and Jody, who knew the background best, also appeared on screen. In addition, there were dozens of victims, including Jennifer Seabell.

Without a doubt, this is a documentary in which Jennifer Seabell champions feminism and denounces Harvey Weinstein.

But it was indeed well-made, mainly because it aligned with Martin's stance and needs, portraying Harvey Weinstein as a human monster.

The film ended, and the lights came on.

Jennifer Sybil breathed a sigh of relief, but looked at Martin and Louise.

Strictly speaking, she has already left Hollywood.

As a former actress and director with dreams, Jennifer Seabelle hopes to gain recognition from top professionals in the industry.

Louise stood up and gently hugged Jennifer: "Thank you for speaking up for all women. This documentary is a remarkable achievement."

Jennifer nodded vigorously: "It's what I should do."

Martin looked at Louise and thought to himself that women really do have a good effect when it comes to empathy.

He shook hands with Jennifer and said, "I plan to release this documentary in theaters and submit it for next year's Academy Awards for Documentary Feature."

This time it was Louise's turn to exclaim, "No wonder you're Martin! Gavin Newsom is now the Lieutenant Governor of California, and you're already planning to present him with an Oscar?"

Given Hollywood's current political correctness and Martin Scorsese's experience in managing the Oscars, once this film is released, who will be able to compete for the Oscar for Best Documentary?

This was completely unexpected for Jennifer. Originally, she thought that as long as "Inside the Mask" was available on Netflix like the previous one, that would be enough.

But Martin's intention is not only to release it in theaters, but also to apply for an Oscar.

This is good too; Jennifer thinks it meets her needs.

Although the production costs of this film were covered by Davis Studios, she also devoted a great deal of time and effort to it.

Gavin also values ​​the film's subsequent impact.

At this point, it's not just the individual who's getting votes, but also their family.

Jennifer Seabell said with a smile, "Martin, thank you for your help."

Martin said with a smile, "This is a film invested in by Davis Studios, so of course we have to operate it in the safest way possible."

Jennifer Seabell naturally wouldn't refuse, saying, "As the director, I'll follow the arrangements of your production company."

Louise then pointed to her watch: "It's almost noon. Let's go have lunch first, and then we can discuss the specifics."

Jennifer Seabell readily agreed, "Okay."

Martin led the way: "There's a really great restaurant on Boway Street, and I've already made a reservation."

During lunch, the three of them further discussed the specifics of the release and award considerations for "Inside the Mask".

To be eligible for an Oscar, a film must be screened in Los Angeles theaters; this is a prerequisite.

These things were certainly not difficult for Martin; he didn't even need to find a distributor, he could simply contact a few theaters and book screenings.

No one can expect this kind of documentary to have a large audience and high box office.

(End of this chapter)