After Apocalypse Music relocated to the new address, according to the plan, the original office located in Brooklyn Heights was transformed into Apocalypse Pictures.
Although this old building next to the "One-Time Love Exchange" is a bit shabby, it is enough to cope with daily office needs.
After all, movies are not filmed in office buildings, not to mention this is still Brooklyn Heights where land is expensive.
Under James Wan's suggestion, Leon selected a batch of people from hundreds of job seekers and established a team of about thirty people.
Most of these people have rich work experience in the film industry, and most of them come from MGM Studios.
Many people are not unfamiliar with each other, so there is no need to worry about integration issues.
This historic film giant once participated in the production and distribution of countless classic blockbusters such as the Alien series, 007 series, and Hannibal series.
On April 8, 2005, Sony Corporation bought MGM Studios for nearly $5 billion.
Since then, the last independent film company among the Big Eight Hollywood studios disappeared.
However, the Japanese's massive acquisition plan of nearly $5 billion failed to extend MGM's life for a few years.
Due to the impact of the financial crisis, lack of hit movies, and declining DVD sales, MGM was financially tight.
Sony put its MGM shares up for sale, but there were few interested buyers.
Finally, in November last year, unable to repay huge debts and launch new works, this legendary film company announced bankruptcy custody at the beginning of the month.
Although it merged with Spyglass Entertainment one month after announcing bankruptcy and forcibly extended its life with $500 million in financing, large-scale layoffs were inevitable.
Those laid-off employees were mostly not due to lack of ability, but lack of interpersonal relationships with the top management.
Among the many job seekers, a heavyweight name attracted Leon's attention—Russell Green.
This 55-year-old producer has worked in almost all important departments of DreamWorks Pictures, and his career is as long as the history of DreamWorks Pictures.
Eventually, due to irreconcilable contradictions with David Geffen and Spielberg, he decided to leave after the three founders decided to sell it to Viacom in 2005.
Based on the importance attached to Russell, Leon decided to preside over this interview personally.
Every question in the interview was easily resolved by the other party with perfect professional quality.
"Whether it is production, post-production, marketing, or distribution, I can be competent for any job." Russell took the cigarette from Leon, and his micro-expression betrayed that he was actually not happy.
A producer who has participated in a series of masterpieces such as Saving Private Ryan and Shrek actually has to compete for jobs with these unknown young people.
If there were really no way out, he would never have made such a decision.
Falling out with David Geffen and Spielberg doomed his path in the film industry to a dead end.
In the six years since leaving DreamWorks Pictures, he has been drifting around Hollywood like a stray dog, his edges smoothed by cruel reality.
"I fully trust your ability." Leon held a resume in his hand. The work experience column was filled completely, and many words even spilled out of the bar frame.
He paused for a few seconds and then asked: "There is one thing I am curious about. With your ability, you could have continued to stay at DreamWorks Pictures after it was sold. Why did you insist on leaving? Just because of the conflict with Spielberg?"
Considering the other party's work experience at DreamWorks, Leon must be cautious and cautious during the interview to guard against the risk of commercial espionage.
His conflict with Spielberg has long been put on the table, and David Geffen seems to be plotting in the dark too. He has offended two of the Big Three of DreamWorks at once.
"Don't you know Spielberg? He is stubborn, arrogant, conservative, short-sighted..." Mentioning this name, Russell's mouth sprayed endlessly like a machine gun. "No matter how well I did my job, he never wanted to put my name on the producer list. He did this in Saving Private Ryan, and he did the same in Jackie Chan's movie The Tuxedo... And I was the head of the DreamWorks production department at that time. His various behaviors were not only oppression of me but also an insult!"
"You are absolutely right." Leon showed a satisfied smile. The way the other party sprayed wildly with a red neck didn't look fake.
"I know you and Spielberg had a very unpleasant time because of Ready Player One. I know that bastard too well. What he worries most about is his limelight being stolen by newcomers." The discord between Leon and Spielberg was also an important reason why Russell chose to join Apocalypse Pictures.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. This may be the only opportunity in his life to hold his head high in front of Spielberg.
The two became more and more congenial, and unknowingly the interview lasted for more than an hour.
Most of the time, Russell recounted his experience of being stepped on by David Geffen and Spielberg together.
Just when Russell was smugly thinking he could take a key position, Leon sighed and shook his head. "Unfortunately, Mr. Russell, I cannot offer you the position of head of the production department or head of personnel."
Russell straightened his lapel, trying hard to maintain dignity. "It doesn't matter; I am also very good at movie promotion. Do you know the roadshow of Saving Private Ryan in Normandy, France, and the ruins of the Berlin Wall? That was my idea..."
Although he lowered his posture infinitely, Leon still shook his head.
He simply threw up his hands and showed his cards. "Okay, what else can I say? I thought you would be a smart and discerning young man. I didn't expect you to be as short-sighted as those two Jewish bastards. You have to trust professionals; the film market is much crueler than you think!"
Just as his emotions were getting more and more out of control, Leon gave the final answer. "Considering your outstanding ability, my partner and I agreed that putting you in a leadership position of a competent department is completely a waste of talent."
"I don't quite understand what you mean..."
"Mr. Russell, I sincerely invite you to serve as the Vice President of Apocalypse Pictures."
"What?"
"You heard right. Listen, although this is just a deputy position, you know my daily work is very complicated, and I can't devote more energy to the film industry..."
Leon has spoken quite bluntly. Russell's nominal position is vice president, but he exercises the power of the top leader.
Except for the decision-making power of major issues, the daily management of the company is all responsible by him.
Russell was so excited that he didn't know what to say, only thanking repeatedly.
Although this is just a minor independent film production company, it is much better than the previous identity of "Hollywood wanderer."
Under the double suppression of Geffen and Spielberg, it is simply like a dream that a company is willing to hand over such a prominent position to him.
Leon took advantage of the other party's high emotions to paint a big picture (make promises). "Although we are just a startup film company, maybe we will be comparable to giants like Paramount and Warner in the future."
"No independent film company can grab a project from Spielberg like us, investing hundreds of millions of dollars at once."
"My vision is to let this company last for a hundred years, create new history in Hollywood, and trample those old box office records underfoot."
"If I am the captain, then you are the helmsman of this giant ship..."
A series of big promises made Russell dizzy, and a faint heroic spirit of youth ignited in his heart.
"I will prove my worth!"
Although Russell spent several years drifting among major Hollywood studios, relying on the family property saved in the 90s, he did not show excessive desire for salary.
For him, the meaning of being able to restart in the film industry is far higher than money.
After some uncomplicated pulling, he served as the Vice President of Apocalypse Pictures with a pre-tax annual salary of $480,000.
As soon as the contract was signed, he immediately entered a fanatical working state. Facing him was the big project Ready Player One with a budget of over 100 million, and the low-budget horror film The Witch which is very likely to be greenlit recently.
After settling Russell's contract, as soon as Leon returned to 413 Fulton Street, he immediately called Jeff.
Two days ago, he verbally promised Anya to tailor a movie for her, letting movie fans all over the world familiarize themselves with her name before Ready Player One is released.
Although the investment in The Witch is not large, according to Robert Eggers' description, it will not exceed $5 million.
This is not a big number for Leon. Yesterday, UFC parent company Zuffa paid the PPV share of the "BMF Gold Belt" battle after the audit was completed.
That program sold 1.01 million PPVs. Calculated according to the 10% share, Leon profited $4.4 million.
This money alone is enough to support the movie shooting.
But even so, if The Witch wants to achieve ideal results, it cannot do without the support of major film studios.
Without the endorsement of a powerful distributor, relying solely on the resources of an independent film company cannot achieve the ideal promotional effect, and it is also very difficult to win awards at influential international film festivals.
Leon thought of Warner Bros. immediately. Through the cooperation of Ready Player One, he and Jeff are already in the same boat. The other party participated in 20% of the investment of this movie as an individual.
As soon as the phone was connected, he went straight to the point and asked: "Have you finished reading the script sent to you yesterday?"
"Honestly buddy, at first I didn't take this matter to heart. My schedule has been very busy recently, Film Association activities, business negotiations, and damn various charity gatherings." Jeff suppressed first and then raised, "But I was attracted by it from the first line of text I saw in this script. It doesn't rely on plasma splashing to satisfy the audience's curiosity, but intimidates the audience through a weird and gloomy atmosphere..."
Listening to the other party rambling a large paragraph of nonsense, Leon's brows furrowed tighter and tighter. "Don't keep me in suspense; tell me, is Warner interested in this project?"
"Of course." Jeff didn't hesitate for a second. "We are interested in projects that can make money. Horror films have low risks and high returns. No one loves horror films more than me."
"Very good." Leon's brows gradually unfolded. Since the other party is interested, the subsequent cooperation will be easy to talk about.
But the subsequent things did not go as smoothly as he thought. Jeff kept him in suspense and did not make a statement on the spot on the phone.
"You are in New York, right?" Jeff said, "Heard your record company moved into Downtown Brooklyn. Why didn't you invite me over to take a look?"
"Of course I welcome you anytime, but your time is hard to book. Your schedule is busier than President Barack's." Leon dealt with it while pondering what medicine the other party was selling in his gourd.
"I am free now."
"Are you in New York?"
"No, I'm on a plane, landing in about an hour." Jeff said, "Those politicians from the New York Democratic Party have been very interested in the film industry recently and invited me to attend their themed gathering."
"Democratic Party?" Mentioning the New York Democratic Party, Leon instantly became alert and immediately thought of Charlie's name.
With the fermentation of the Diddy arrest incident, relying on the weapon of holding a large number of evil secrets of public figures, the power of this veteran politician is growing.
Faintly showing a trend of becoming the number three figure in the Democratic Party after President Barack and Speaker Pelosi.
Considering Charlie's potential threat to himself, after thinking for more than ten seconds, Leon asked: "Can you tell me what kind of themed gathering it is?"
"Damn political correctness, you know." Jeff's helpless tone could be clearly heard on the other end of the phone. "They require Hollywood film companies to add more politically correct elements to their works, such as using more blacks and minorities as protagonists, reducing vase female roles, emphasizing female power and so on..."
Hearing this, Leon breathed a sigh of relief. The Democratic Party holds similar gatherings every month and is even considering establishing a special review agency to screen politically incorrect elements in movies.
Big shots like Charlie are unlikely to attend gatherings of this level.
Less than an hour after hanging up the phone, Jeff arrived at Fulton Street as agreed.
"Your office is extremely beautiful. Look at this floor-to-ceiling window; the lighting effect must be unparalleled." Jeff pulled out a chair and sat face to face with Leon. "To be honest, it's even better than my office. It seems the media didn't exaggerate your money-making ability at all."
Leon smiled and signaled Bonnie to hand over two cups of coffee. "You are alone? Where is your team?"
With Jeff's identity as the president of Warner Bros., the array of travel is not inferior to superstars like Leonardo. There are at least three accompanying assistants alone.
"I let them all go back to the hotel. I want to talk to you about something private."
"Private?" Leon raised his eyebrows and blew the steam from the coffee. "Don't beat around the bush. I think with our relationship, there is no need to hide?"
"That's right." Jeff shrugged. He invested heavily in Ready Player One and even offended Spielberg for this.
The relationship between the two cannot be measured by time; the same interests bind them deeply together.
"Heard you formed a professional management team for Apocalypse Pictures and hired Russell Green as vice president?" Jeff asked.
"That's right, you know Russell?"
"Of course, I knew him in the 90s. That guy has some ability." Jeff said while getting up and wandering in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. "But what I'm going to say next has nothing to do with him. It's between the two of us. By the way, and that Asian kid James Wan."
At first, Leon didn't quite understand the meaning of these words until James Wan's name came out of the other party's mouth.
The answer became clear instantly.
Jeff's subsequent words also confirmed his conjecture, bluntly proposing the idea of deepening cooperation.
Both offended Spielberg at the same time, and both invested heavily in the same movie.
To deepen such a relationship, maybe sleeping together is the only way.
Leon didn't wait for the other party to finish and directly pointed out the topic. "Are you interested in Apocalypse Pictures?"
Snap—Jeff snapped his fingers, revealing a greedy fierce light in his eyes. "That's why I like working with you. Can't find a second guy as smart as you in the entire Hollywood! I am very optimistic about the potential of this company. Think about what I can bring you; this company might become the second DreamWorks!"
Leon tilted his head without saying a word, squinting at Jeff dancing with joy while describing the beautiful picture of the "Big Three Model."