HWI 45

Hollywood What If Chapter 45

"Sir, Kazir Grey met Brad Grey of Paramount Pictures yesterday. Not only that, Salvatore Barlowe contacted Universal Pictures and Walt Disney as well."

As the producer that CEO Terry Semel entrusted to cooperate with Kazir's next film, Enrico Pusi was taking the job seriously.

"I see."

Terry Semel nodded after hearing his report. He already expected that Kazir would find another way to increase his chips.

Now that he had proven himself twice at the box office, most of the film companies were interested to work with him.

Se7en and Napoleon Dynamite each surpassed the $100 million North American box office.

Especially Napoleon Dynamite, it only has a small investment. Yet its performance was much better than their Batman Forever.

Warner Bros took pride in their superhero characters such as Batman and Superman. They are the faces of DC comics.

Terry Semel read Kazir's script thrice. The reason was simple, it was funny. He believed that once filmed right, The Hangover would be successful at the box office.

"... Enrico, investigate the other companies. Our offer will be a $5 million salary and 10% North American box office share, but the box office should exceed $100 million. Try to contact Salvatore and Kazir."

It was written in the proposal that the investment cost of The Hangover would be 35 million. This amount was not a problem for Warner Bros.

Unlike the budget of Batman Forever which was $100 million, The Hangover was much easier to spend money on.

"I understand."

Enrico left the place. Just like Terry Semel, Enrico Pusi believed that The Hangover would be successful as well. As one of the producers under Warner Bros, he wanted to take over the project.

Once the movie became successful, his position would elevate. He might become the head manager of Production Management.

Another week passed and it was already February. Kazir already settled his money problems and he bought a new car. A brand new Honda.

He didn't have the guts to spend more money on a car. Especially when he contacted an investment firm.

He gave the investment firm $5 million, almost half of his money, to invest in Microsoft, Cisco, and Nokia. He remembered these three companies and he knew that they would have a good performance in the 1990s.

As for Google and Yahoo, these two companies were still unknown this year. Yahoo was just recently established last year while Google would be founded in 1998.

Even though Kazir knew the future of these companies, he didn't plan to interfere with their management or become one of the shareholders.

He didn't know how these companies run their business, so he would invest only.

He believed that his 5 million dollars would multiply before the new century arrived.

"Kazir, I have now contacted the other giants and they are interested in your movie. This is the list."

Kazir just rented one of the floors in the building a few blocks from his apartment. So far, Grey Pictures has 10 workers.

Kazir hired his crew. Unfortunately, some of them were not confident in his future so they were in wait-and-see.

Kazir already gave the crew bonus so they departed with no problem.

"Let's see..."

Kazir read the offense one by one.

Universal: 6 million dollars

Sony Columbia: 8 million dollars

Touchstone (Walt Disney): 7 million dollars.

Paramount: 5 million dollars + 5% North American box office share

20th Century Fox: 5 million dollars + 5% North American box office

Warner Bros: 5 million dollars + 10% North American box office

Kazir smirked. His plan worked. At least he saw one company that was enticed to work with him seriously.

"Salvatore, what are Warner Bros conditions?"

"They hope that you can release the movie in the summer schedule. The movie must surpass $100 million at the North American box office before you can have your 10% box office share."

"... Contact them. Tell them that I want to cooperate with them."

Kazir didn't want to wait longer. Just like Warner Bros, he wanted to finish the shooting fast and release it before the summer ended.

Just like that, Kazir Grey and Warner Bros started their first collaboration.

Kazir signed the contract and officially started the project.

Warner Bros bought his script for $300 thousand and his salary as the director was $5 million.

He received the $300 thousand and $2.5 million first. To receive the other half of his salary, he had to finish the shooting.

"I hope we will have good cooperation, Kazir."

"I will do my best to make the movie successful."

"I'm glad to hear that."

Terry Semel and Kazir Grey shook hands. Since the contract was already signed, Warner Bros set up a public signing of the contract and invited reporters.

This thing was common. Of course, the contract that Kazir signed in front of the public was fake.

The contract was already signed earlier. The contract was thick and many conditions were written down.

So the public contract signing was nothing but publicity.

"Director Grey, how do you feel working with Warner Bros."

"I'm excited."

The reporters started asking him questions. Thankfully, every reporter here was under Time Warner and they would not ask him something controversial.

"Director, do you have any actors who you want to work with?"

"If I'm being honest. I want to invite Ed Helms and Pedro Pascal. I already have an experience working with them. I believe in their hard work."

He smiled and left the place after answering most of their questions. The flashing of cameras was blinding.

After that, he contacted his crew and officially started the preparation. Of course, everything should be taken seriously.

Script editing, props preparation, reviewing of the shooting locations, and such.

Perhaps the most important thing in pre-production was the auditioning for the roles.