Chapitre 114: Chapter 114
The air in Los Angeles was particularly fresh in the early morning due to the rain last night.
October's warm and pleasant climate in Los Angeles was enchanting. In the bedroom of the Capet Manor in Beverly Hills, Charles Capet woke up holding Dona Williams and Phyllis Jones.
"A wonderful morning!" Charles didn't want to get up after seeing the two women finish their breakfast under the covers.
"Boss, are you really not going to the company today?" Dona asked and glanced at Phyllis Jones.
Phyllis Jones just licked her lips, shrugged, indicating it wasn't entirely her responsibility.
"Of course, I'm going! Why wouldn't I?" Charles would not skip work for such a reason.
Dona Williams stretched lazily and got out of bed. "I'm going to take a shower first!"
Phyllis Jones, half-kneeling on the bed, hidden under her sexy nightgown, coyly said, "Were you satisfied last night?"
Charles smiled and gave a thumbs up. Definitely satisfied!
"By the way, when is the Victoria's Secret show this year?" Charles asked. He had never attended a Victoria's Secret fashion show live before.
Phyllis Jones was stunned and then laughed, "There's no Victoria's Secret show this year, boss!"
"What happened? Isn't it held annually?"
"Because of the Super Bowl incident with Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction earlier this year, the TV networks received many complaints. The Victoria's Secret show was canceled for being too sexy!"
Charles rubbed his face. "Can't believe this happened. I had planned to enjoy it in New York this time!"
Phyllis Jones straddled him and explained with a laugh, "Though there isn't a show, the Victoria's Secret models will be doing a nationwide tour, including cities like Los Angeles and Miami."
"When the Victoria's Secret models come to Los Angeles, you can get up close and personal!"
"I see," Charles said, squeezing her 36D breasts, "Alright, get up, shower, and get ready to go to the company!"
At Capet Pictures, in a small conference room, Charles met with several company executives.
"Dan Brown, co-producer and screenwriter of The Da Vinci Code, and director Ron Howard will go to France at the end of the month to scout locations and discuss filming in the Louvre," Henry Windsor started.
"The production budget is a hundred million dollars, with Nicholas Cage getting 20 million, Ron Howard 14 million, and Dan Brown getting 1 million for his producer and screenwriting duties."
As for the shared profits, it wasn't easy to get that money. With such high upfront payments, one shouldn't expect too much from the remaining profits.
Dan Brown also had a $3 million novel-to-film rights income included in the production budget.
"What about the banks on Wall Street? How much will the movie secure in a mortgage loan?" Charles asked.
"Morgan Stanley is willing to offer a $55 million rights-based mortgage loan, but they need to be in the first tier for repayment after the movie is released."
Charles knocked on the table. That's half of the production budget. "Reach out to some European and Japanese institutions, sign a distribution agreement to get some advances."
"What about the German film tax rebate fund? How's that going?" Charles was quite concerned about this.
The distribution head, Philip, shook his head, "The German government has introduced many laws in recent years to close tax loopholes for films; the application process has also become more complex and difficult!"
"Now, Germany, like Canada, Australia, and the UK, requires spending and employment in the local area for better tax rebate applications."
Charles wasn't happy. The German film fund's tax rebate was significant and easier to obtain, but the new regulation requiring 30% of production in Germany was a pain.
Though this 30% didn't include post-production, it was still tough because The Da Vinci Code was primarily shot in France, followed by the UK.
More and more Hollywood films weren't shot in California due to the lack of tax rebates, despite California having the most film industry professionals.
Hollywood's favorite shooting locations were other English-speaking areas like Canada, the UK, and Australia, which all offered tax rebates.
Especially the UK, with its well-established film industry system and various film talents for both pre and post-production, was a major overseas production area for Hollywood.
"Talk to the TV networks, pre-sell the TV rights to raise another batch of funds, we'll be close to gathering around $80 million," Charles had a lot of films to release next year, and distribution costs were pure cash burns!
Dan Brown's novel, directed by Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, and starring Oscar-winning actor Nicholas Cage.
The Da Vinci Code was sure to attract substantial investment support!
"Meeting adjourned. For now, focus on Matrix Pictures' release of Saw II; as our first self-released film, I don't want any surprises!"
Philip, head of the distribution department, could directly manage film distribution work, with some experience and connections.
Back in his office, Charles looked over the casting and promotional posters for the Coen Brothers' No Country for Old Men.
"Javier Bardem's rendition of this sociopathic killer really is striking with that pale face and quirky hairstyle," Charles remarked while looking at the photos.
The protagonist, Josh Brolin, had a cowboy style, and the sheriff, played by Tommy Lee Jones, had a typical cop look.
"Boss, this movie will be shot in Texas. The director said Tommy Lee Jones suggested it as more fitting for the original novel," Phyllis explained.
"I thought New Mexico's tax rebate was higher?" Charles asked, then shook his head with a smile, "Never mind, the Coen Brothers are also producers, and the difference between Texas and New Mexico isn't significant. Just complete the film within budget!"
"Let's hope the Coen Brothers can return to their Blood Simple days." The Coen Brothers were good at handling this type of subject matter.
Phyllis Jones sighed, "Now we should worry about the release of Brokeback Mountain, as it's facing a lot of opposition and protests."
"Will a movie that won the Golden Lion Award not even make it to theaters in America?" Charles said, standing up with a smile.
"As long as there are no extreme actions, let them protest all they want."
*****
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
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