Los Angeles in the early morning, due to a night of rain, had exceptionally fresh air.
In October, Los Angeles' warm and comfortable climate was intoxicating. In the bedroom of Capet Manor in Beverly Hills, Charles woke up with Donna Williams and Phyllis Jones in his arms.
"Wonderful morning!" After watching the two Young Ladies finish breakfast in bed, Charles lay there, not wanting to get up.
"Boss, are you really not going to the company today?" Donna asked, specifically glancing at Phyllis Jones.
Phyllis Jones just licked her lips and shrugged, indicating it wasn't entirely her fault.
"Go, why wouldn't I go?" How could Charles not work because of such a thing!
Donna Williams stretched lazily, then got out of bed and said, "I'll go shower first!"
Phyllis Jones knelt on the bed, her sexy nightgown faintly revealing her figure, and said somewhat coquettishly, "Were you very satisfied last night?"
Charles smiled and gave a thumbs up, absolutely satisfied!
"Oh, by the way, when is this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show?" Charles inquired. He had never seen the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show live before!
Phyllis Jones was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "There's no Victoria's Secret Fashion Show this year, boss!"
"What happened? Isn't it once a year?"
"Because of Janet Jackson's Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction at the beginning of the year, the TV station received many complaints. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, being too sexy, has been canceled this year!"
Charles touched his face, "There's such a thing? What a pity, I was planning to go to New York to see it!"
Phyllis Jones straddled Charles, smiling as she explained, "Although there's no Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, the Victoria's Secret Supermodels will go on a national tour, including major cities like Los Angeles, Miami, and others."
"When the Victoria's Secret Supermodels come to Los Angeles this year, you can meet them up close!"
"I see," Charles said, rubbing the Lady's 36D, "Alright, get up, shower, and get ready for the company!"
At Capet Pictures, in a small conference room, Charles held a meeting with several company executives.
"Dan Brown, one of the producers and screenwriters of 'the da vinci code,' and director Ron Howard will travel to France at the end of the month to scout filming locations and discuss shooting in the Louvre Museum."
"The production budget is 125 million US dollars. Nicolas Cage's salary is 20 million US dollars, director Ron Howard's salary is 14 million US dollars, and producer/screenwriter Dan Brown's adaptation fee is 1 million US dollars." Henry Winster was the first to speak.
As for profit sharing, those later accounts are not easy to get. With such high upfront salaries, there's no need to think too much about profit sharing.
Dan Brown also has a 3 million US dollar income from the novel's film rights, which is, of course, included in the production budget.
"What about the banks on Wall Street? How much mortgage loan is available for this film?" Charles asked again.
"Morgan Stanley is willing to provide a 55 million US dollar copyright mortgage loan, but it requires being in the first tier for fund and interest recovery after the film's release!"
Charles tapped the table. This was half of the film's production budget. "Contact some institutions in Europe and Japan again; signing a distribution agreement should secure a partial deposit."
"What about Germany's film tax rebate fund? How is it operating?" Charles was actually very concerned about this issue.
Philip from the distribution department shook his head and said, "The German government has introduced many laws in the past two years, closing many film tax rebate loopholes. The application process has also become more complicated and difficult!"
"Now, Germany, like Canada, Australia, and the UK, requires films to be consumed and personnel employed locally to better apply for tax rebates."
Charles was also annoyed. The tax rebate subsidy from the German film fund was indeed very substantial and easy to obtain, but the new regulation requiring 30% of the production to be completed in Germany was very frustrating.
Although this 30% production does not include post-production, it is still difficult. Because the main production location for 'the da vinci code' is France, followed by the UK.
More and more Hollywood films are not being shot in California because there are no tax rebates, even though California has the most film professionals.
Hollywood's favorite filming locations are Canada, the UK, and Australia, all English-speaking regions, and all offer tax rebates.
Especially the UK, with its complete film industry system and various film pre- and post-production talents, is Hollywood's main overseas production area.
"Talk to the TV stations, sell the TV rights in advance to recoup another batch of funds. This way, we can raise about 80 million US dollars," Charles said. He has many films to release next year, and distribution really burns through cash!
Dan Brown's novel, directed by Oscar best director Ron Howard, and starring Oscar best actor Nicolas Cage.
'the da vinci code' is still very attractive to many investment funds for support!
"Meeting adjourned. For now, focus on Matrix Pictures' distribution of 'Saw II'. As our first self-distributed film, I don't want to see any accidents!"
Philip is the head of the distribution department and can directly manage film distribution. He has some experience and connections.
After returning to the office, Charles looked at the casting for the Coen Brothers' 'no country for old men' and the promotional posters for the actors.
"Javier Bardem's portrayal of this anti-social killer is truly striking, with his pale complexion and strange hairstyle," Charles praised while looking at the photos.
The protagonist, Josh Brolin, was in a Western cowboy style, and the guest-starring sheriff, Tom Lee Jones, was also in a normal police uniform.
"Boss, this film has been decided to be shot in Texas. The director said Tom Lee Jones suggested shooting in Texas would be more in line with the original work," Fili explained from the side.
"I remember New Mexico's tax rebate should be a bit more, right?" Charles asked, then shook his head and laughed, "It doesn't matter, the Coen Brothers are also producers, and the difference between Texas and New Mexico isn't big. It's fine as long as the film is completed within budget!"
"I hope the Coen Brothers can return to the state they were in when they directed 'Blood Simple'." The Coen Brothers are very good at handling this kind of subject matter anyway.
Phyllis Jones said helplessly again, "Now, what we should be worried about is the release of 'brokeback mountain'; there's a lot of opposition and protest outside."
"Could a film that won the golden lion not be released in the United States?" Charles said, then stood up and smiled,
"As long as there are no extreme actions! Let those guys protest as they wish."