Once Upon a Time In Hollywood

  Chapter 167 The highest state of making a movie is to promote it to your opponent!

  Sony Columbia Samsung Pictures, "Seven Deadly Sins" project distribution team.

  A group of people are in a meeting.

   "September 22, the movie will be officially released, only three days away from today, and now? What's the situation now?!"

The leader of the project team responsible for distribution in the American region threw a pile of newspapers on the table, put his hands on the table, and said condescendingly, "Have you stuffed money? Have you stuffed money for those media?? Our PR Have all the funds been used up???"

   "We held the premiere ceremony and invited those media and film critics to watch the movie, hoping that they can speak for us!"

"Did I tell you when I made the plan, I don't expect all the media and film critics to be on our side, but we're going to win over the vast majority! Roger Ebert may stand his ground, We don’t waver in the face of the 500,000 we sent, but others must fight for it! But now! Take a look at what these media have written!!”

   Wow!

  The leader of the project team grabbed a corner of the newspaper and shook it vigorously.

  The next second, paper rain began to fall in the conference hall.

Although the project team members lined up on both sides and remained motionless, the newspapers and magazines scattered on the table fully revealed the ideas of each company - "Newsweek" rated it as a Nike advertisement; "Chicago Tribune" told the public that in This is a good movie when some details are ignored; while the "Seattle Times" said it was difficult to accept; handsome.

   "Does this content have anything to do with promotion?"

"No!"

   “Is this how they get paid to advertise?”

   "Or did you hand over such propaganda texts to those media?"

   Roaring like a head of state swept the scene. If DuangDuangDuang's stunts were added, the guys sitting on both sides would have been blown away by the sudden whirlwind!

Although the movie "Seven Deadly Sins" was not invested by them, Sony also spent a lot of effort on publicity and distribution. In addition, the cost of publicity and distribution after the loss was borne by them, so no one hoped that their main movie would be released. Hit the street!

  However, just when he was panting for an answer, the guys in charge of contacting and public relations media looked at each other, and everyone saw helplessness in each other's eyes—

   "Boss, these guys didn't take any money."

   "What?"

   "Uh... or rather, they refunded the money."

   "Shit? Do you dare to say the words again?"

Facing the roll call by his immediate boss, the publicist who said to refund the money smiled wryly and nodded, took a deep breath, and said, "Boss, when sending invitations to these media film critics for the premiere ceremony, we did provide I got the check, and they took it."

   "But the problem is, after the premiere, they returned the checks one after another."

   “At first, it was just the guys who wrote bad reviews that got their money back, but then even the guys who wrote good reviews got their money back.”

   "I asked them why, but none of the media or film critics were willing to tell us."

   That's right, when the news of the premiere of "The Seven Deadly Sins" was released, all the media that had received money refunded all the money.

  According to industry regulations, it is extremely normal for a distribution company to buy favorable comments from the media, but it is rare to reverse a return.

  Most of the time, there is only one possibility for the media to refund money, and that is—

   "Which company is messing with us?" The project team leader who reacted frowned.

  He didn't get angry again, but narrowed his eyes and said: "No, all the media will refund their money?"

   "Then this is not a family matter."

   "Warner, Universal, Paramount, Fox, Disney, MGM all have their own regular cooperative media. Could it be that they... block us together?"

   Wanting to come here, the project team leader who was still furious sat back slowly.

  If it's because of the joint attack of the other six companies, then it's only natural that the film's reputation is mixed.

  After all, a movie with Morgan Freeman is overwhelmingly dark, and that would be too fake. Only by forming a confrontation can the public feel that this movie is slightly bright, but at the same time, there are many problems.

  However, if six companies attack at the same time...

  Then they have no way to break through!

but…

   "Why did they join forces to attack us?"

   "Is it because our name is Sony?"

   "It doesn't make sense! If Sony alone can snipe, why didn't they do it before, they have to wait until Roland..."

   Speaking of this, the project team leader shut up.

  Because he has already guessed a possibility, that is the formation of DreamWorks and the binding of Sony.

  If it is because of this reason, it seems reasonable for the other six companies to boycott Silicon Valley and overseas capital.

   "Did Roland call to ask why?"

   Putting the matter of sniping aside, what the project team leader wants to know most is Roland's reaction.

   Facing his inquiry, all the guys present shook their heads like a rattle.

"Since it didn't, let's just pretend nothing happened." Sighing, the team leader who felt that the film was a failure waved his hand and made the last remedial measure, "Contact the media again and ask them to send a message to Blair News about De Pitt."

   "You can say that he is handsome, you can say that he has excellent acting skills, or discuss his relationship with Gwyneth. In short, try to draw his fans into the theater as much as possible. As for the rest... Leave it to God."

  The team leader pursed his lips, "The meeting is over."

  ...

  If the other six companies know what Sony thinks, they will definitely cry down the Great Wall just like Meng Jiangnu.

   Not to mention targeting Sony and Roland, they didn't even send anyone to check what the movie "Seven Deadly Sins" was about!

From the beginning to the end, they didn't think of using dimensionality reduction methods to hit Roland, because they felt that there was no need to use small means.

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  This is already a difficult mode, there is no need to spend resources to buy out the media and raise the difficulty to hell!

  As for why the media will refund the money all at once?

  They haven't even seen the movie! How do they know?

   Maybe it's because...

  David Fincher made the movie so badly?

In short, regardless of how Sony makes up their minds, the six companies have no intention of joining forces to become a big boss. In this way, when Sony buys Brad Pitt's public relations press release again, it will buy the posture of leaving the hand, and even give them an illusion—

  ‘Did our analysis go wrong? '

   But even if they had doubts, they didn't have time to think about these things, so, starting from September 20th, they published soft articles all over the sky, appearing in the public's sight.

  【Following "Interview with the Vampire" and "Years of Love", Brad Pitt once again contributed soul acting skills in "Seven Deadly Sins"]

  【Given the drama - Gwyneth Paltrow fell in love with Brad Pitt during the filming of "Seven Deadly Sins"】

  【Golden Boy and Jade Girl—David Fincher tells the love story of Gwyneth and Brad behind "The Seven Deadly Sins"】

  When this series of marketing soft articles was released, the project that was supposed to be promoted in the name of a religious movie directly became a Mary Sue love drama in the entertainment industry—what did "Seven Deadly Sins" talk about?

no one knows.

  Who is "The Seven Deadly Sins" suitable for?

   Judging from now, it is of course a fan of Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow!

  A thriller and suspense film is promoted as a youth romance film, is there any problem?

   "The Blair Witch" tricked people into the theater! As long as they can make money, the capitalists will not care about the problems behind it. After all, only the directors, actors and screenwriters standing in front of the stage are the targets of people's anger!

  In this way, when the hype and soft articles appeared, the already boring September became more entertaining.

  ...

  New York, University campus.

  When the students after class passed by the newsstand on the corner, the conspicuous newspaper headlines caught the attention of many people.

The two blond girls who walked together handed out a few big coins and took the newspaper from the boss. When they opened the entertainment section, their eyes locked on that face—wearing a suit, tie, and crew-shaven The guy with a smile on his face, although his appearance is not exaggerated, is still sunny and handsome.

   "The Seven Deadly Sins? Is this a religious film?"

   "I don't know! It says police, so it should be a crime movie, right?"

   "Crime movies? I don't like that."

   "I don't like it either, just go to see Brad... He and Tom in "Interview with the Vampire" are so handsome!"

  ...

  California, Silicon Valley.

  The engineer who was about to get off work was humming happily. Just as he was thinking about where to go to play at night, a magazine suddenly photographed him in front of him, "Do you have a date tonight? If not, let's go to the movies together?"

   "What? Why do you suddenly remember to go to the movies?"

   "I'm bored, the only good movie I've watched in the past year is "Forrest Gump", so..."

   "Well, whose?"

   "David Finch." Another engineer pointed to the magazine in his hand.

   "David Fincher?" Glancing at the pictorial, he confirmed that he was not someone he knew, "What movies did he make?"

   "Alien 3."

"No! "Alien 3"? Do you want to watch a movie by such a bad director? I remember you rented this movie and watched it? After watching it, you still dissed the whole movie in front of me, saying and Compared to James' previous work, it's rubbish!"

   "But this time it's different. The lineup of this movie is pretty good, with Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman..."

   "Wait? Brad Pitt? I heard this morning that he's having a relationship with...who?"

   "Gwyneth Paltrow, Steven Spielberg's goddaughter...she's also in this movie, they play a couple."

   "Oh? You can go and see...don't look at me like that, I just think Gwyneth is nice."

  ...

Although the media and film critics have mixed reviews on the movie, those people's movie reviews actually only affect the core movie fans. For many actor fans, although these reviews will make them lower their expectations, they will not hinder them. into the theater.

Without overwhelming praise, the market will definitely be affected on the first day, but it is actually fans of various companies that really support the box office on the first day, and when these guys are attracted by romance, attracted by the lineup, they are ready to enter the theater to contribute their own share After strength—

  The status quo is still very scary.

After all, after the release of "Thelma and Louise", Brad Pitt's face and figure have attracted the attention of many people, and after "Interview with the Vampire" won 200 million box office worldwide, fans who eat his face, It doubled several times!

Ever since, Roland was holding 'what the **** is going on with this motherfucker', Sony was holding 'we were sanctioned by the six families', and the other six were holding '"Seven Deadly Sins" must die, and raged at them David Finch is a dumb beep' case—

  The movie is released.

   On the day of the premiere, 4.6 million, on the next Saturday, 5.2 million, on the weekend of the third day, 6.7 million...

  In the first three days of the weekend, America reported a total of 16.5 million!

Although compared with Roland's 30 million in three days and 100 million in a week, 16.5 million is like going to grandma's house, but - at the end of September, it was a place where there was nowhere to go. , there is no super ordinary schedule for any holidays! You know, when Tom Hanks' "Apollo 13" was released in the summer, it was only 25 million in the first weekend!

  When the six families who thought that "Seven Deadly Sins" must die got this data, everyone's foreheads were filled with question marks!

   "Fuck! Can this kind of garbage schedule, this kind of garbage evaluation, sell so many box office?"

   "16.5 million in three days? The North American box office is definitely over 100 million! Roland will be able to make back his money in the North American market alone! Not to mention, there are overseas releases that Sony has been eyeing!"

   "Hurry up! Organize people to watch this movie! I want to know what this movie is about!"

   "Are Brad Pitt's fans strong enough, or is this movie really good!"

  Sony, who felt that the movie would definitely die violently, couldn't believe this result.

   After getting the box office data, the project team leader in charge of the publicity was not a surprise, but—

   "Did Roland buy the box office?"

   "This data is not scientific!"

   Don’t think that ticket compensation is only available in the East. In fact, Hollywood is even more ruthless in boosting the box office!

  They don't implement ticket supplements at all, but directly spend money to buy box office! Then stimulate the audience to watch the movie!

  However, those who answered the project team leader shook their heads.

   As a result, he became even more confused, "What? Didn't buy it?"

   "The movie "The Seven Deadly Sins" is really so good? Aren't the media critics' attitudes very ambiguous?"

   "If Brad Pitt is really a fan, he...will be on the A-list soon!"

  That's right, even publishers like Sony feel that the results are not watered down, it's really fake!

   "No, get me a copy right away, everyone goes to the internal screening hall to watch the movie again! We must have missed something!"

   And just when Sony felt it was wrong and wanted to remedy its 'wrong' distribution method, Roland, who also found it incredible, was not as troublesome as they were at all—

  Although Roland also feels that this kind of box office trend is not in line with market laws at all, and someone must be playing a monster, but—

  Unable to understand, he had no choice but to seek help off the court.

  Because Spielberg couldn't spare the time, and Roland was too embarrassed to find David Fincher, so he made a copy and rushed to the truck driver's house, wanting to hear this guy's opinion.

   And so the truck driver who wanted to sleep and his fiancee Linda Hamilton said good night to each other, sat in front of the screen with a look of bad luck, and thought Roland was annoying, but after watching the whole movie—

When he saw Brad Pitt shot and killed Kevin Spacey, the old man slapped his thigh and said loudly: "Who shot this? David Fincher? The one who succeeded the "Alien" series Fuck up guy?"

   "Yes! This guy is amazing!"

   Roland, who exclaimed in amazement, was bewildered. He suddenly felt that his accumulation seemed really not enough.

Before he could open his mouth to ask a question, the truck driver had already seen the beeping face, and he said directly, knowingly: "Did you not understand movies? Do you dare to invest in a project that you don't understand? You If you have this money, you might as well invest in my shipbuilding!"

   "What's wrong with you? Do you think that the killer Kevin Spacey's actions are inconsistent with Catholic teachings?"

   "Do you think he is making up the Seven Deadly Sins?"

   "Yes, that's right!"

   "David Fincher is forcing the Seven Deadly Sins!"

  "According to the teachings of the Catholic Church, believers confess their sins and ask for forgiveness. This is missionary work, not punishment!"

  “The way for sinners to be forgiven is to believe, and the way for believers to be forgiven is to confess their sins. There is no other way!”

  “Everyone is guilty before the Lord!”

   "But what's in the movie? Is everyone guilty?"

   "Yes, this is the most obvious point! But at its root, he is spraying the Seven Deadly Sins!"

"If Kevin Spacey was a devout believer, the way he would get forgiven would be to plead guilty, but he didn't! What did he do, he preached in the name of the Lord! And as long as he preached in the name of the Lord behavior, it is not jealousy, but arrogance! Because he is disrespectful to the Lord! This is arrogance!"

"And if he is arrogant, then the arrogance he killed before is repeated. This is inconsistent with the seven deadly sins. Since it does not match, why did he kill Brad Pitt's wife and then drive him into anger? Let him kill himself?"

  "Because David Fincher wants to say that Brad Pitt is the most normal person! Kevin Spacey is a religious lunatic!"

   "Fuckyou! My wife was killed by you, I can't kill you?"

   "Fuckyou! You killed so many people in the name of preaching, but the Lord never gave you the right to punish!"

   "Fuckyou! You think you are jealous! But when you rely on killing to preach, you have betrayed the Lord!"

   "What David Fincher expresses is not that everyone is guilty at all! It's religious dictatorship!"

   "This does not refer to the Catholic Church, but the dictatorship of people's spirits after the Catholic Church!"

   "What he wants to say is FuckCatholicism!"

   "If this kind of movie can't sell in America, then hell!"

   Okay...

  When the truck driver said FuckCatholicism, Roland understood how the movie was sold in a garbage schedule.

   Is it because of the actors?

   Of course, without Brad Pitt, the movie might have died violently.

   Is it because of the director?

   Indeed, without David Fincher, it would not have ended like this.

   Besides that, what else?

  The weather is wrong, but the location and people are right!

  If this movie was released in the Vatican, David Fincher's head might have been blown off, but in America, this is the best irony, because most people in America believe in Protestantism.

   Among the many great leaders who have come and gone, only John Kennedy is a Catholic.

The contradiction between Protestantism and Catholicism can’t be discussed for three days and three nights, but there is a numerical value that is the basis for supporting the data of "The Seven Deadly Sins" to sell summer and Christmas files in the garbage period - Protestants in America accounted for 50% of the total number of people. Sixty percent, about 10% for non-believers, less than half for people of other faiths, and just over 20% for Catholics.

  Roland thinks the murderer is a little nervous? Or did he think Kevin Spacey's guy was crazy?

   That's right! In the eyes of the Catholic Church, this is right!

   This criminal violated the Ten Commandments! He is guilty! And despise the Lord!

  He thinks according to the Catholic way of thinking, that can only be the result!

   But in the eyes of Protestants?

  Catholic came out, it really is a silly beep!

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  Kevin Spacey played Silly Beep really well!

  Brad Pitt is the most normal guy!

  David Fincher is simply a genius director!

Perfect!

   While Roland was humbly asking James Cameron for advice, the seven companies, including Sony, were all silent.

The Six Families who watched the show had already analyzed the problem. After finding out that the whole movie was slapping Catholicism, the idea that something was slapping Catholics behind their backs disappeared, because most people are Protestants, and Catholics, Don't dare to jump around.

   Of course, the most important thing is that their bosses are all Jewish!

  The **** about Judaism, Protestantism, and Catholicism can't be finished after thirty days and thirty nights!

  At this moment, they could only envy Roland silently in their hearts.

  The first movie this kid invested in, he wielded the big stick of public opinion most commonly used by giants!

  Using the grievances between Protestantism and Catholicism to hit the first shot to affect the company, it is too special chicken thief!

   While they were envious, one order after another was issued.

"Hello…"

   "Ah, ah, ah, good, good, good, buy, buy, buy, buy now..."

The big bosses who heard the news liked this kind of face-slapping movie very much, and the media controlled by them reported the box office situation of "Seven Deadly Sins" at almost the same time. Everywhere!

   As for Sony—

  Since the script had never been handed by their Green Light Committee at all, and the subsequent review was done by Kathleen Kennedy, so they knew little about the core of the whole movie except for the trailer and outline.

   But after they reacted, everyone had the same idea—

   "It's a real loss that this movie was released in September!"

   "If you change the schedule, it will definitely sell better!"

   "Hey! I thought that Roland's investment in movies was just for fun, and it would be best if he could get his money back. I didn't expect... I didn't expect..."

   "If I had watched the full movie earlier, this wouldn't have happened!"

   "But... hey, this schedule is fine, after all, this movie can't be hyped."

   "Because we cannot take the initiative to provoke the contradiction between Protestantism and Catholicism."

  Movies are for filmmakers, but never for filmmakers alone.

  No matter how good your story is, how cool the special effects are, in the end, it will also serve the audience.

  You have to follow the market every step of the way when creating, as long as you please the majority of people, then you will be successful.

   Criticism and compliance have never been two opposing individuals, they complement each other.

And just when various film companies expressed emotion at Roland's act of wielding the big stick of public opinion to search the market, and had to follow the idea of ​​the top Jewish boss to help competitors buy blowout drafts, the market was also Give the most honest feedback.

After the box office hit 16.5 million in the first weekend and won the first place in the week, the box office of the next week was still high. On weekdays, in seven days, it won 32.9 million, again Be the champion of the week!

   49.4 million in ten days, such a result makes the giant silent.

   Grab the grass!

   This special is for the September schedule!

   Do you want to be so exaggerated!

  Although they are very envious, although a large part of this is brought about by their bragging, they are not jealous, or in other words, these guys who do things dare not be jealous.

because-

  Who made their immediate boss like Roland, a guy who messed up things along with their thoughts?

   Opponent?

right!

   Those who are not with them are opponents!

but-

   There is no conflict between them and Roland!

To put it bluntly, Spielberg disapproved of them because he thought they were too **** the price, but as long as their interests were unified, they were a family. In this case, Roland used the film company's Open Door movie to slap the Protestant A slap in the face of the Catholic Church, isn't that the unity of interests? Isn't this a family?

   Or, at least until the next movie comes out, they're family.

   And this is also the highest state of filmmaking.

   Announcement made a mistake?

It doesn't matter!

   Opponents who have the same interests as Roland will help Roland promote it!

   No cable media network?

do not be afraid!

   The opponent with the same interests as Roland automatically broadcast Roland's news!

  And what does Roland need to do?

  Squat at home! Wait for the money!

Note: ①Pete was very popular at that time. After filming "Thelma and Louise", he attracted a lot of female fans, and after "Interview with the Vampire", many people called him a male god, such as Hollywood A+list, many of them are based on their appearance. If they look ordinary, it is difficult to become popular. ②According to the information released by New Line, after getting the book of "The Seven Deadly Sins", they felt that the ending was not good, and asked David Fincher to modify it to follow the teachings of Catholicism, and finally prevent Pete from killing Shi Pai Instead, let Pete discover his sins and achieve the purpose of Catholic missionary work, but Pete disagreed, saying that he would not accept the revision, because he is a Protestant Baptist (as are his parents), and he is naturally opposed to Catholicism. And the reasons for the ratings of those film critics have also been picked out. Those who gave 40% of the negative reviews were either Catholics or non-believers, and those who gave ambiguous positive reviews were basically Protestants. ③The reason why no one came forward to criticize this movie is also very simple. In fact, there has always been a saying in Hollywood that Jewish bosses let Catholic directors make movies for Protestant audiences. When filming The Passion of the Christ, it doesn't matter if you spray anyone.

  

  

  (end of this chapter)