Regarding "Juno", Ye Wei was very selfish. Reitman, who did not have absolute confidence, wanted to trick him, but with such a good script, he was eager to buy the entire project.
¡°$6.5 million is a lot of money, but it¡¯s a small cost to shoot a film, and Reitman and the others are paid, so that¡¯s part of the budget.
¡°If it fails, Reitman will not be out, but new screenwriter Coty will, and Novick will be demoted back to associate producer, or make video movies, and the careers of all the main creators will be dealt a very heavy blow. They risked their future to do this project, so they should use money to protect their future.
In fact, as long as you turn around and switch to digital shooting, 6.5 million will become abundant, instead of considering what brand and model of color negative film to use now. In the production plan that Lehman gave him, he planned to use Kodak's vion2-200t-5217 and vion2-expres on-500t-5229. Of course, of course, these are good negative films, with high sensitivity and fine grain, which can capture real and detailed colors, which will make the audience feel comfortable watching them.
But it is expensive and troublesome, especially when funds are short of money. Is it necessary?
He has shot four films with digital cameras and does not miss 35mm film. The difference is not that big. It's not like filming "Days of Heaven". The lighting and texture are enough, and the color can be adjusted later. After adjusting, there is really no difference in the audience's perception. How can they tell the difference?
W'sb doesn't even bother to do this. Firstly, because it has a low budget and doesn't have the money to do so much; secondly, time is running out and it will be released almost as soon as it is finished; thirdly, its picture style is harsh and rough, and when shooting On the set, we tried our best to control the light and shadow colors, and the material reached the desired tone without the need for color correction. In other words, we had to adjust a few night scene scenes that were difficult to control and some shots that couldn't give the feeling of winter due to the season.
To be honest, Ye Wei doesn¡¯t know when his next film movie will be, is there any more? Now is the transition period between film and digital, and digital technology is getting better and better. If this continues, sooner or later, Kodak will stop producing negative films such as VION, VION2, and Eastman-EXR. It is a matter of time.
¡°If he strongly suggested to Reitman and the others that they switch to digital shooting, and explained clearly the benefits, precautions, etc. to them, it might solve their budget dilemma, but then he wouldn¡¯t need his money. He didn't do that. Film is just as good as film, and it's not like Reitman has never shot short films with digital cameras. He just prefers Panavision, so he was given the opportunity to join.
I am so eager to join not because I want to make money. "Juno" plans to go to famous film festivals and buy out deals with distributors. Even if it succeeds, how much money can I make? It is not because I want to turn it into a viy movie. It's agreed that if he injects capital, he can be a co-producer and won't interfere with the director's creation and has nothing to do. Even if he is nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture, he will not be signed as a producer who contributes to the top three seats. He wants the top three It's okay to participate, but then you'll be really busy with work.
Early in the morning in the hotel suite, Ye Wei called Reitman. The other person said, "If there is a decision, let me know as soon as possible, any time." It was only four o'clock in the morning in Los Angeles, so I hoped not to disturb baby Qiao Xi.
Reitman is not a member of the project's production team. In addition to focusing on creation, he has become a director. He really can't be a producer. Otherwise, once the film is finished, he will have to break a basket of eggs and only be the director. I can shirk it by saying it's all because of poor production. Every movie that fails has to sacrifice one or two people, and "Carrie" sacrificed poor Kimberly Pierce.
But in fact, Reitman is one of the two founders of the project and is also responsible for contacting him at this stage.
"Jason, I've read the script. It's interesting, but it's too risky. Who's stupid enough to make a teenage pregnancy movie? I don't know what you think, it's a crazy gamble! But I'm a crazy person. I'm particularly interested in it. Your talent and Judd Apatow's talent gave me a reason to bet. So I paid 3.5 million to get a budget of 10 million, and 10 million was enough to shoot this script. Bar?"
Before Ye Wei finished speaking, he heard Reitman's voice calling from the other end of the phone. He knew that this was what he wanted to do to be like Steve Bing. Because Reitman personally invested money to fill the vacancy, there was no financial problem at all, he just didn't want to lose his own money. His appearance should not be too ugly, and his words should not be too confident, so as not to kick him out.
But Reitman thought it was too much money: "A budget of 10 million will make it difficult to sell the film. Weige, we only need another 1 million to 1.5 million."
"Is it enough to shoot in Minneapolis? Is it enough to shoot for 9 weeks?" Ye Wei refuted, "8 million is enough for this project to be successfully launched, and 10 million can realize your original best plan!"
In the distribution section of the planning book, it is said that Fox Searchlight, which successfully released "Thank You for Smoking", has paid attention to Reitman's new work. The two parties are striving for a second cooperation, but selling 10 million for a cost of 8 million is very good.It has to be sold for 12 million. They have been struggling for so long, and their initial enthusiasm has long since disappeared.
¡°We¡¯re going to consider distribution¡± Reitman said.
"If it is a good movie, distribution is definitely not a problem. At the price of 15 million, we have to consider whether to sell it or not." Ye Wei showed conflicting confidence and laughed: "I mean, if you look at "Half Nelson" now, it's not Is it selling well? If no mainstream film studio dares to buy it out at a high price, we can cooperate with Lionsgate, and we can also cooperate with independent distributors such as IFC to distribute it. What are you afraid of? Man, everything depends on your confidence. It¡¯s not a loan from a bank, and there is no pre-sale of copyrights. The return period of the financing contract is long. It would be good to ride on the release of the film at the end of next year, but it is not guaranteed. We can even participate in Sundance in 2008 and win the jury award. Look. Are there any film producers interested?¡±
Reitman is really not as frivolous as he is. ¡°Investors won¡¯t like us to only think in an optimistic direction.¡±
Ye Wei smiled and said: "No, you know, investors love it so much. What they don't like is that they can't daydream fanatically. What they really don't like are the next investors, because your previous failures prove that it's just Bragging reveals the nature of production. There is no plan, it's all gambling. Man, we know what's going on. Why do you seem to be betting on this, but you are less confident than me?"
"You can afford to lose, but a few of us here really can't afford to lose." Reitman, who was exposed, sighed helplessly, "This is the first time Manson Novick has participated in the screen as a producer. As the first producer of a movie project, you also know the rules of the game. If you can¡¯t sell it and make money, it will be a failure for the production no matter how good it is. "
"I understand, but I don't support it." Ye Weixiao said, "Sometimes you have to bet everything. If you win, you will lose everything. If you lose, you will have nothing. That's how I came here. Isn't that what movies are like? Just ask Kevin - Smith, go and ask Peter Jackson, ask George Lucas, ask your old man, ask yourself, win or lose, there is no middle line.¡±
Reitman laughed a few times, hiding his attitude.
Even if he didn't tell Ye Wei, he knew that Reitman was a director and he made independent literary films. He made the film well and had good reviews and awards and honors. He would not be sacrificed whether he made money or not, so he I'm not a producer. It's the producers who are worried about the budget being too high. No director thinks the money is too much.
???????????????????? But what to say about this, divide and conquer, if you don¡¯t stoke the fire in Reitman¡¯s heart and burn it, how can he support a budget of 10 million?
Ye Wei continued to lobby: "Brother Jason, think about it, take 10 million and shoot slowly, without the annoying producer yelling, 'If you don't delete some scenes, we don't have the money to finish filming this shit. '. Are Minneapolis and Vancouver the same? The architectural styles of the high schools are different. And if you want the supporting characters to speak with a Minnesota accent or a California accent, you might as well change the setting of the story to Vancouver. Otherwise, the scenery of Canada, the accent of California, and the story of Minnesota would be a disaster.¡±
Because Vancouver is adjacent to California, the accents are similar. This may not be a big deal to the audience, but it is a big deal to directors pursuing art.
"It's as funny as if you were in the twelfth grade in junior high school." Ye Wei paused, "But if the budget is 10 million, how much more can be done?"
This matter has been reversed. Before, it was Reitman who pulled him into the gang, but now it is he who pulls Reitman to ask for more money. 1.5 million and 3.5 million, 18% and 35% of the project shares give him different rights as co-producers and say in casting matters. What he wants is to ensure that both Juno and Leia are played by his direct descendants. , provided Reitman is also satisfied.
Ye Wei knew it was necessary to declare: "And let me tell you, no matter how much I invest, I will not dictate your work. I will write this into the contract."
"Weige, we all need a production meeting." Reitman changed his tune a bit. Money + guarantee, there was no way he wouldn't be tempted.
Of course, the meeting was needed. Ye Wei responded well and said: "I have to start working on the post-production of "Winter's Bone" tomorrow. It's best for everyone to be happy. Yes, you asked the right person about the selection. I'm here There are many excellent young actress friends waiting to be cast in good movies. Haha, maybe I can also be your casting director. I will recommend people to audition, and it¡¯s up to you to decide who wins the role.¡±
Although he was speaking in a half-joking tone, he was actually stating his request to participate in the casting.
What the director cannot accept is the final candidate being airborne, and recommending auditions is nothing. Of course he understands the importance of suitable candidates. This is a project they are betting on for the future. If his request is unreasonable, they would definitely rather have a budget of 6.5 million than be afraid of his money.
"Your suggestions on candidates are very important. That's why I'm asking you." Reitman emphasized that they were suggestions. "NowIn the case of Juno, the Ellen Page team is considering it; Leah, we don't have a candidate yet. "He is saying that Juno can never and will not be partial, and Leah can listen to you.
"Cool, let me communicate first. Whoever is willing, the list is ready, and we will talk about it at the meeting."
They discussed this on the phone in the morning. If 3.5 million is not enough, 1.5 million will be added. Ever since he read the script, he can¡¯t wait.
Who do you recommend to audition for Juno? Ellen Page is great, and so is Liz. He wants to help Nina get the role most, but when he read the script, the "Juno" in his mind was Liz, maybe because her stomach was full. It would be like being pregnant. She is not that petite but not tall either. She is not that ordinary but pleasing to the eye. She is humorous, individual and quirky.
¡°Jennifer is okay, she has her style. Saoirse Ronan is too young to be suitable, AnnaSophia is a bit too sweet, Emma? Her appearance is suitable, but when Julia heard about it, she must have screamed like a ghost: "Don't hurt Emma!" Can Emma play a unruly girl, a girl who gets pregnant early? Kill Julia.
He will still recommend Emma to audition, but if Peggy is willing to star, it will be difficult for Emma to win, and it will be difficult for anyone with the same body shape as Peggy to win. There is also Juno Temple named Juno. She is 17 years old. She is the daughter of British documentary director Julian Temple. She just started to develop her acting career this year. She participated in the viy talent show and performed well. Her appearance and temperament are similar to Peggy's. almost.
On the flight to Dallas, Ye Wei thought about it again and again. As far as he was concerned, it seemed that except Lily, all these people could play Juno and were confident in directing it well.
Liz can have her agility, Jennifer can have her toughness, with the least difficulty; Emma can have her playfulness, Anna has her sunshine, Temple has her personality, and the difficulty is medium; Nina can also have Nina. The liveliness was the most difficult because she was too beautiful and could not combine her acting skills with her appearance to create a Juno that surpassed the script.
But if Nina acts and gets good results
Selfishness being selfish, Ye Wei knew that Nina was not the most suitable candidate, and how could she win over Liz, Jennifer, or even Peggy? As if he had enough power, Reitman would definitely turn against Nina if he had to play her. But Nina really suits Leah! A tall and beautiful best friend.
Nina can¡¯t play Juno, so she plays Leah, which is quite good. It¡¯s a breakthrough for her career and opens up an image outside of horror movies. So I won¡¯t recommend this role to anyone, leaving it to Nina to ensure that she can play this potentially phenomenal movie.
And Juno, whose free time is limited, wants to focus on helping Liz and Jennifer, who have the most capital to defeat Peggy, who is still considering it.