Weinstein's arrogant and domineering attitude was unbearable not only for Leon but even for the steady Jeff.
Historically, Warner Bros. has always been the one pressuring small studios. The game of big fish eating small fish is not unfamiliar to him.
"What a greedy bastard..." Jeff cursed in his heart.
Letting Weinstein, the number one player in the independent film industry, join, one could think with their lower head that he would definitely try every means to turn SLW Apocalypse into a subsidiary of The Weinstein Company.
Things having reached this point, he was ready to fall out with this big shot who had dominated the film industry for 40 years.
For him, anyway, he had already offended Spielberg, so one more Weinstein wouldn't make much difference.
But before he could speak, Leon stated his attitude first. "Thank you for your love and appreciation, Mr. Weinstein, but currently Apocalypse Pictures is just a fledgling independent studio. My partner and I will consider your suggestion, but definitely not now."
"When will that be?" Weinstein pressed step by step, leaning forward trying to suppress him with aura. "I have to tell you, young man, we are in an era of great change. Since Louis Lumière screened the first movie in human history in France in 1895, to Al Jolson and Warner launching the first sound film The Jazz Singer... the film industry has never faced such a change as today. Streaming media will change the rules of the game. Independent film companies must unite, otherwise they can only become cannon fodder in the torrent of the times..."
"When? That depends on me." Facing the aggressive Weinstein, Leon behaved very calmly. He leaned back on the sofa deliberately putting on a contemptuous posture. "Unripe fruits won't be sweet, and sometimes they are even poisonous. This is a very simple truth."
Speaking of this, even Jennifer Lawrence smelled something wrong with the atmosphere.
"Does anyone want to dance together?" She squeezed out an awkward smile, trying to ease the atmosphere.
Her invitation received no response; the silence lasted for half a minute.
Weinstein kept staring into Leon's eyes, then suddenly laughed with a voice like a bison: "You are indeed an amazing young man... Hope the day of our cooperation won't be too far."
He shook his bulging index finger. "Oscar's golden finger is waiting for you here!"
After speaking, he walked away with a cigar in his mouth.
This unpleasant exchange made Jeff lose interest in staying here. Ignoring waiting for the bidding of his favorite painting to start, he left the scene with Leon.
"This guy's tone is getting bigger and bigger now. He thinks he is Sumner Redstone of Viacom; he simply wants everything!" Jeff suppressed the urge to curse, complaining constantly outside the hotel door.
Leon rolled his eyes at him and said: "Why didn't you say these words to his face? You were like a soft egg just now."
"You don't understand at all..." Jeff had bitterness in his heart that he couldn't express.
As the president of Warner Bros., even facing those Silicon Valley capitalists waving banknotes wanting to enter the film industry, he had never shown such a submissive posture. This has nothing to do with wealth; a large part of the factor is considering Weinstein's close relationship with AMPAS.
Offending Weinstein makes it easy to be tripped up in the Oscar selection process.
"Weinstein is just a bastard strong in appearance but weak inside. Those guys who want to make themselves look aggressive are often the weakest." Leon said, "You must have heard that his capital chain has big problems. Last year he mortgaged half of his film copyrights to asset management and insurance companies. Those low-budget literary films of his can't make money in the current market at all."
In the film industry after the new millennium, Weinstein's path was not smooth. Relatively fixed routines and conservative vision made it increasingly difficult for him to earn box office under the squeeze of major studio superhero movies.
Currently, he has put his career into the TV program production industry, and The Rap of America produced by Leon is considered a benchmark in this track.
The success of Straight Outta Compton and The Rap of America made him jealous to madness.
"You are right." Jeff spread his hands. "Maybe this guy will be sent to prison one day. The New York Times has been exposing his scandals. I know Arthur Sulzberger's character very well; this matter will have a result eventually."
In 2009, news about David Geffen acquiring The New York Times was buzzing. The two sides were once close to reaching an intention, but ultimately failed due to various reasons.
According to disclosed information, Weinstein's figure also appeared in this acquisition case.
He jumped repeatedly in the transaction, eventually not only making Geffen very unhappy but also offending Arthur Sulzberger Jr., chairman of The New York Times, who had always disliked him.
Leon stubbed out the cigarette, ready to board the Bentley to return to the Beverly Hills mansion.
Before leaving, he reminded Jeff: "Listen, we don't need to pay attention to that guy, even if he wants to use some dirty means."
"You don't need to remind me separately; I know what to do." Jeff waved his hand and watched him leave.
After returning to New York the next day, Leon immediately wrote down the lyrics and simplified score of Shallow, and entrusted Luca to register with ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) as usual.
Bonnie pushed the door and walked in, holding a coffee cup, pushed her gold-rimmed glasses, and sat on the sofa.
"The performance in Nashville was very successful. Clips were widely forwarded on the internet. Your and Taylor's names have been on the hot search." Bonnie asked with a smile: "Reporters photographed you entering and leaving the new house in Los Angeles together, fanning the flames saying you are preparing for marriage."
"I don't know how many similar rumors I've heard these days." Leon shook his head helplessly. "Let them write whatever they want; I think the heat of such news is very high."
"I hope this is true; you and Taylor are a good match."
"What silly things are you saying?"
"I'm serious. Those girls who are too obedient are not suitable for you. Taylor matches you very well." Bonnie took a sip of coffee. "And those girls who are too well-behaved will always be deceived by you round and round; heartbreak is the only ending."
"Why are you a little strange today?"
Leon looked up. Usually, the other party never talks about private life, opening and closing her mouth only about work.
"You saw through it?" Bonnie stood up with a smile and paced, high heels making a "clack-clack" sound. "Then I'll confess. I want to ask you for a week's leave. Boss, are you willing to approve?"
Leon was stunned for a moment. Employees asking for leave is not uncommon. Although he is black-hearted, he can't really treat employees as machines to squeeze, especially Bonnie.
The weird thing is that this girl is an out-and-out workaholic. Even when working in a strip club before, she never missed work. Neither cold nor fever nor period could stop her enthusiasm for making money.
"Of course, if you want a vacation, I can reimburse it."
"Oh my God, I never thought these words could come out of your mouth..."
Bonnie looked surprised. The man in front of her who used to borrow even a few dollars made her feel unfamiliar.
What's more hateful is that he never mentioned paying back the money.
"You deserve it." Leon shrugged. "You are the only employee in the whole company who hasn't asked for leave, and you do more than anyone else. If you want to relax, the company will fully reimburse your air tickets and hotels. How about Miami? Maybe you want to go abroad. Heard the beaches in Cancun are the best in the world."
"Thank you for your kindness, dear boss~ But let's leave the vacation opportunity for next time. I will always remember this."
"Could it be that you are going to lock yourself at home for a week?"
Leon thought something was wrong, especially seeing a trace of imperceptible strange light flashing in Bonnie's eyes.
He clasped his hands behind his head and asked: "I can feel that you definitely encountered something. Tell me, I will help you solve it, whatever it is."
The rare true feelings warmed Bonnie's heart. She tilted her head and squeezed out a warm smile.
"But you seem unable to solve my trouble."
"What trouble? Being stalked by those fanatical followers on YouTube?" Leon teased.
"My sister called me this morning and told me my dad suddenly had a severe cerebral hemorrhage and can't hold on anymore. He wants to see me." Bonnie sighed.
"I'm sad to hear this..." Leon didn't expect such a reason for leave, not knowing how to comfort for a moment.
"You really don't know how to comfort women at all." Bonnie burst out laughing. "Didn't I tell you my dad is an out-and-out bastard? Except for alcohol, nothing in this world is worth his care. The childhood of me and my siblings only had belts and abuse... A guy like him won't go to heaven."
The words sounded carefree, but Leon always felt that the other party didn't care as little as she showed.
"Okay, I know you have always been a strong girl."
The experiences of the two are similarly tragic. Walking together from the mire of Brownsville to the present, it is impossible without a strong heart.
"Of course, I never bind my parents' fate with myself. His current situation is the result of every choice interwoven in his life. Everyone has to be responsible for their own choices. I won't have a bit of guilt for his pathetic life."
After speaking, Bonnie revealed a charming smile as usual. "I booked a flight at 1 PM. I put your itinerary for this week in your drawer. Considering you guy might miss some important things, I entrusted Miranda at the reception to act as an assistant for a few days. She is a well-behaved good girl, just sometimes might be a bit clumsy."
Hearing this, Leon's heart made of titanium alloy couldn't help feeling a trace of warmth.
Even in the darkest moment of life when a relative passes away, Bonnie still arranged everything properly for him in advance. "Come back early then; it won't work here without you." Leon waved his hand and said with a smile: "Be careful of the hillbillies in Ohio; they rarely see girls from big cities like you."
After a short lunch break, Jorge drove Leon to Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights, the current headquarters of SLW Apocalypse.
Seeing the actual controller of this company, the hottest singer at present, employees put down their mice and keyboards one after another, probing their heads to look.
There is a big difference between the office needs of film companies and record companies. Under Russell's suggestion, this place underwent a simple renovation.
The original recording studio was demolished and became a conference room. The computers at the workstations were also replaced from backward old IBMs to new Apple Macs.
The office originally belonging to Leon was transformed into Russell's "Vice President's Office."
"It looks completely different here."
Leon looked around the office. Items originally belonging to him had all been removed, except for the wine cabinet and the collection of wine not moved away inside.
The display cabinet was filled with trophies Russell won in his film career. The most eye-catching thing was the wall behind the desk.
It was covered with posters of outstanding movies launched during his tenure as production executive at DreamWorks Pictures: Shrek, The Terminal, Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can...
The most conspicuous position was Straight Outta Compton.
Russell straightened his lapel, held a stack of documents, and reported work. "This morning the company received $400,000 remitted by Mr. Jeff. Just now Mr. James's $200,000 also arrived."
According to the agreement between Leon, Jeff, and James Wan, the company's administrative accounts should be completely separated from movie accounts. Each movie project has a dedicated account.
Financial reports are made to investors every quarter, and auditing work is outsourced to third-party accounting firms.
This can maximize the interests of investors and prevent messy accounts.
"Through communication with Mr. Robert, I have sent the preliminary budget of $4 million for The Witch to Warner. Casting work other than Anya is also proceeding simultaneously. Now the specific start date can be set..."
Russell's eyes lit up, looking very excited.
Although The Witch is just a low-budget movie, incomparable with Ready Player One invested with hundreds of millions of dollars, the advantage lies in the short shooting cycle.
According to the shooting plan set by Robert, if shooting can start in October, the movie can be completed around the Christmas holiday.
After another two months of post-production and publicity, it can be released early next year at the fastest.
He couldn't wait to see the performance after the movie was released, taking this opportunity to slap the faces of those film manufacturers who had shut him out.
"Let Robert decide. I'm only responsible for paying. As long as he thinks everything is ready, shooting can start anytime." Leon said.
The Witch is the only movie so far not produced relying on inspiration refreshing. He couldn't provide any guidance on this and could only choose to fully trust director Robert Eggers.
While Warner passed the project approval resolution, Jeff considered that this might be the first work to hit the big screen since he invested in Apocalypse Pictures. With a solid script and not high budget, he also actively participated.
James Wan, who recommended director Robert, also had absolute confidence in this movie.
In this case, the three decided to jointly invest in this film according to their respective shareholding ratios.
With James Wan coming forward, Robert's salary was easy to negotiate.
Decreased from the initial asking price of $200,000 to $150,000, and agreed to sell the script of The Witch for $50,000.
The script price is not low, but considering the other party is already a somewhat famous screenwriter and art designer, such a price is within a reasonable range.
The Hollywood screenwriting industry is as convoluted (competitive) as actors. Top screenwriters standing at the top of the pyramid and their teams take away more than 90% of the income in the industry.
As long as a manufacturer is willing to shoot, the vast majority of new screenwriters are willing to transfer the scripts they created for free, making a name first.
regarding actor salaries, Leon held the idea that the heroine Anya is a direct descendant of the agency, and agreed to Phil offering her a quote of $300,000.
When James Wan and Jeff heard this, their heads were buzzing. The latter couldn't help laughing out loud. "I didn't believe what Heard exposed in the talk show in the past; now I have to believe it..."
For amateur actresses, let alone zero pay, even "paying to join the group" is the norm in the industry.
Even for Angelina Jolie or Leonardo who started as a child star, $300,000 for the first movie is an unimaginable salary.
Finally, after discussion by investors and Phil's shameless pestering, it was unanimously decided that the salary for the pure amateur Anya was fixed at $150,000.
Anya herself felt incredible when hearing this number.
Even though she is a girl from a wealthy class, she is only 15 years old after all. $150,000 is still very impactful for a girl of this age.
This is equivalent to the annual salary of a senior certified public accountant in the financial district of London.
"Regarding Ready Player One, James insists on choosing Industrial Light & Magic, but Weta Digital's price is lower, and their CGI technology level is also top-notch. Considering cost control, I think Weta Digital is a better choice..."
Just as Russell proposed the choice of special effects company, Leon's phone rang.
The caller was Beyoncé.
"Excuse me."
Leon ran to a deserted corner of the corridor to answer the phone.
"Why haven't you called me for so long, Pretty Boy?" Beyoncé's sweet and mellow voice came from the other end of the phone.
Leon was speechless for a moment, a bitter smile on his lips.
Given that his romance with Taylor has been exposed, if paparazzi catch any clues with Beyoncé, it will be the biggest tabloid news in the entertainment industry of this century.
Probably without equal.
JAY-Z's madness and Taylor's hysteria are predictable results.
"Sorry, I've been very busy recently, you know..."
"Busy accompanying Taylor?" Beyoncé pretended to sigh and tease.
"Not what you think; it's for work. I wish I had a cloned double now..."
"Oh my God, does that mean there can be two of you simultaneously..."
Beyoncé suddenly started dirty talk, pinching her voice and lowering the volume; the teasing meaning was about to overflow the phone screen.
Just when the atmosphere became more and more provocative, she suddenly switched her tone, sighed and said, "No joking; some annoying things have been bothering me recently. I need you now."