"There's a new director's film, crash, that describes racial discrimination. The film was shot this year, and the director is Paul Haggis. He wrote and directed the film!" Donna Williams handed the information to Charles.
"He brought together a host of stars including Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Howard, and Thandiwe Newton to star in this independent film!"
"The budget is very low, only 6 million US dollars. Many stars either don't take a salary or take very little money, and some even pay for their own airfare."
Charles nodded. He knew about the film crash. In his previous life, it was released in Canada in 2004, but because it was not publicly screened in Los Angeles, it did not participate in the Academy Awards for 2004 films, which was the Academy Awards Ceremony in early 2005.
After Lionsgate purchased the distribution rights, it was released in 2005, so it participated in the Academy Awards Ceremony in 2006. At that time, brokeback mountain was also competing in the same year, and best picture lost to crash.
One of Oscar's biggest snubs? Charles shook his head. brokeback mountain could not have won best picture. The conservative old white men on the Oscar jury would not have given the Oscar for Best Picture to a gay-themed film.
Perhaps, ten years later, if America's political direction deviates, there might be a chance.
"Paul Haggis also wrote the screenplay for million dollar baby!" Charles was a little surprised. This was also his screenplay?
"That's right, the million dollar baby script was completed three years ago. Paul Haggis adapted it from a short story. Producer Albert S. Ruddy initially planned to have Paul direct, and sought Sandra Bullock and Morgan Freeman to star, but there were disagreements over the director choice, and Sandra withdrew;"
"The producer then found Hilary Swank to play the female lead, but unfortunately, he couldn't find funding to support the film's production. The producer then found Clint Eastwood to play the male lead, with Morgan becoming a supporting actor;"
"Clint Eastwood also lacked confidence in the director and wanted to withdraw. The producer then asked him to direct, and he agreed;"
"Unable to find investment in the United States, the producer went to Japan and Europe, raising 20 million US dollars through overseas distribution pre-sales. This year, Warner Bros. exchanged the remaining investment for North American rights."
Donna Williams explained very clearly; this was the arduous process of a Hollywood film from concept and script to production.
Millions or tens of millions of dollars in investment, no one would casually take it out. Oddities like Charles, who personally funded projects, were basically non-existent.
"The film hasn't started shooting yet, has it?" Charles hadn't heard any reports outside yet.
Donna shook her head, "It's already on Warner Bros.' schedule. Filming will start next year, and the crew is currently in preparation!"
Clint Eastwood, plus oscar best actress winner Hilary Swank, and Morgan Freeman, among others.
Now, whether it was crash or million dollar baby, Charles couldn't be bothered with them. Building his own distribution channels was the most important thing.
"Pacific Theatres in California, keep an eye on it. It has a total of 46 cinemas, over 300 screens, and most of the cinemas are multiplexes, mainly spread across California!" This was a suitable target Charles found from the cinema chain information he collected.
In the evening, at the Chateau Marmont Hotel on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, a Hollywood party was in full swing.
Peter Jackson, Ang Lee, Nicole Kidman, Orlando Bloom, and Johnny Depp, among many other Hollywood directors and stars, attended.
The Chateau Marmont Hotel is quite famous in Hollywood, with all sorts of news about debauchery, ostentatious enjoyment, deaths, and so on.
In his previous life, Scarlett Johansson's elevator incident next year happened at this hotel, but that was after Scarlett attended the lost in translation Academy Awards Ceremony.
Now, lost in translation was released early, and she participated in this year's Oscar. He wondered if it would still happen?
Charles now felt different from before. After several consecutive high-grossing films, his status had completely changed.
Being the person in charge of Universal's announced blockbuster mr. & mrs. smith, which budget is over 100 million US dollars, also added to his prestige.
More people actively greeted him, more women leaned in, and of course, there were more smiles.
"Li, good evening!" Charles shook hands with director Ang Lee.
"Good evening, Charles!"
"I heard that brokeback mountain encountered a lot of resistance in distribution. James complained to me," Charles said with a smile.
"The subject matter is a bit bold, and the publicity strategy needs to be carefully planned. I believe James will solve it. I heard you also gave some advice. Let's start the publicity from the European film festivals next year," Ang Lee responded with a smile.
"Compared to Europe, American conservatism is very strong. Europe is more accepting. In the United States, it might face some resistance, but it shouldn't affect the overall situation," Charles sensitive topics next year were not just brokeback mountain, but the more pressing the passion of the christ!
After chatting with Ang Lee for a while, Charles also met Hollywood stars like Johnny Depp and Robert De Niro in the hall.
"Beautiful elf princess, may I have this dance?" Charles extended his hand to Liv Tyler like a gentleman.
"Of course!" Liv Tyler smiled, took his hand, and the two went to the dance floor.