Hollywood's annual grand event is definitely the Academy Awards Ceremony, the most prestigious film awards ceremony in the world.
Compared to the three major European film festivals or the previous Golden Globe Awards for film and television, it's not on the same level, which can be seen from the viewership ratings.
Film companies, actor teams, and public relations Agents are all working hard for nominated films, with media press conferences, judges' receptions, film promotional advertisements, and so on, visible everywhere.
During the Oscar season, it's the liveliest time for Hollywood, with celebrities of all sizes shuttling between various parties.
Focus Features had some interest in distributing brokeback mountain, but Charles hoped to lower the 15% distribution commission.
Therefore, the two sides have not yet signed a distribution agreement; since the film is still in early preparation, they can take their time to negotiate.
Los Angeles, Malibu.
A corvette drove into the courtyard of a luxurious beach villa.
Charles and his assistant, Donna, got out of the car and saw Mel Gibson standing at the main entrance.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Gibson!"
"Good afternoon, Charles!" Mel Gibson also welcomed Charles and Donna into the living room.
Charles came to visit Mel Gibson, of course, to invest in the passion of the christ, so he specifically came to his large beach villa.
"What a beautiful house!" Charles praised after entering the living room.
Mel Gibson smiled and said, "With your current financial resources, Charles, you can buy one anytime."
"However, I don't have very high demands for where I live; funds have more useful places," Charles said as he sat down.
"Am I right, Mr. Gibson?"
"Charles, what would you like to drink, coffee or alcohol?"
"Uh, beer!" Charles knew this guy was a heavy drinker, and a little beer wouldn't hurt; as for driving, it wasn't a big problem.
Besides, Donna was also there; she could drive.
Mel Gibson got two bottles of beer and then had a servant make Donna a cup of coffee.
"It's rare to see a young man like you in Hollywood. Have you considered the consequences of investing in the passion of the christ?"
Mel Gibson led Charles to the balcony, which offered a view of the Pacific Ocean.
"What consequences? It's just a movie, even if the subject matter involves religion. Haven't there been films of this type in the past?" Charles would say that he wasn't really worried, after all, the sensitivity of brokeback mountain was also considerable.
"the passion of the christ will be very difficult to find both investors and distributors. I will definitely make the film, but I can't be sure when it will be released," Mel Gibson did not hide anything, as these matters are transparent.
Charles smiled, "The script for the passion of the christ follows the Bible, so catholicism will not object. The pressure comes from judaism. There are many Catholics in the United States;"
"At that time, copies can be sent to the heads of major Catholic archdioceses, plus the nearly 200 dioceses they manage across the country, and there will be people who support it!"
Mel Gibson said nothing, as long as he was willing to invest, it was a good thing. "the passion of the christ needs a budget of 25 million US dollars, and I will direct it myself!"
Charles thought for a moment and said, "Capet Pictures will invest 15 million US dollars and own half of the copyright, with Icon Productions responsible for the production!"
With 15 million US dollars, Gibson's Icon Productions would be responsible for the remaining budget. After all, Gibson himself is also a director, and such a film would not lose money.
Charles's proposal was very sincere, and Mel Gibson, of course, would not refuse.
"Okay, I've already traveled to Italy to look for filming locations, and the ideal candidates for the main actors have also been confirmed," Mel Gibson had wanted to make this film for many years and was very excited to finally get his wish.
As a traditional Catholic, he is one of the most hostile branches of catholicism towards jewish people, because the jewish people's betrayal of Jesus is recorded in the Bible.
"Regarding the film, Mr. Gibson can decide everything himself. I don't actually know too much about film production," Charles would not participate too much, just as an investor.
"I will have someone draw up the contract!"
"After the contract is signed, Capet Pictures will transfer the funds immediately!"
Concise and efficient, clean and neat, the investment problem for the passion of the christ was quickly resolved.
Of course, if Capet Pictures had not invested, Mel Gibson would have funded the film himself.
Within three days, Capet Pictures signed a contract to invest 15 million US dollars in Icon Productions' the passion of the christ, owning half of the shares.
Capet Pictures also kept its word, transferring the funds immediately. With the budget, Icon Productions immediately began to accelerate project operations.
In the evening, in West Hollywood at Evelyn's house, Charles came to visit his mother and had dinner with her.
"You invested in the passion of the christ?" Evelyn asked.
"Yes, I invested 15 million US dollars for half of the equity," Charles did not hide anything.
"Oh, with so many projects, why did you choose to invest in this film?"
"I need money, a lot of money. I will invest in films that can make me a lot of money," Charles said, wiping his mouth after finishing his meal.
"I need my own distribution network, otherwise I'll always be constrained. brokeback mountain, the passion of the christ, and the upcoming project wedding crashers are all like this. I want to distribute them myself;"
"Building one myself takes money and time. I want to directly acquire an independent film distributor. With a foundation, I can invest resources to expand and improve!"
Evelyn knew her son's thoughts, but she was always a little worried and reminded him, "Your investment in the passion of the christ will give some jewish capital a bad impression. It will be harder for you to raise funds later."
"Don't worry, I know all about it. Anyway, I've already handled a subject like brokeback mountain, so investing in the passion of the christ is also fine," Charles understood the profit-seeking nature of capital. As long as you are profitable, capital will come to you.
After Mel Gibson's the passion of the christ was successful, he was equally in the limelight. If his drunken anti-Jewish remarks hadn't been made public later, capital would not have touched him.
"Alright, these few days I'm planning to buy two villas in Beverly Hills, one for each of us. Living in them is also an investment," Charles still had 30 million US dollars to spend to offset taxes!
"Mother has lived in this house for a long time!" Evelyn's house wasn't big, and the location was average, but she had lived there for many years and had some emotional attachment to it.
"Buy a bigger, safer, and more private one. You can also host parties in the future. Haven't all those celebrities bought big houses?" Charles smiled.
"The money I earn from one movie is much more than what those celebrities earn!"
"Okay, I'll listen to you!"