Page Pictures.
Kyle repeatedly read the script for "Spider-Man 1" in his hand, constantly comparing it to the movie from his original timeline.
"Excellent, absolutely excellent!"
Kyle said with some excitement, "Mr Bill, Kevin, the script for 'Spider-Man 1' is very well done. Kevin, later, you will represent me and go to the screenwriting department to tell them that I personally highly approve of their work."
Verbal encouragement has become almost a habit for Kyle nowadays.
Of course, on the condition that it doesn't cost money!
"Oh, by the way. Mr. Bill, Kevin, has the production department calculated the production cost of 'Spider-Man 1' yet?" Kyle suddenly asked.
Kevin Feige replied, "Boss, a few days before the script was roughly finalized, I already arranged for the production department to calculate it, but the results aren't out yet; it will take another week."
Kyle nodded, indicating he understood.
Hollywood has strict cost accounting and rigorous control procedures for films about to be shot.
Not every film company is like the Hollywood Big Six.
Frugality is king!
The production cost of the movie "Titanic" soared step by step due to director Cameron's madness, climbing from an initial $80 million to $100 million, then $130 million… In the end, even the financially strong Fox Pictures was truly overwhelmed;
They could only choose to bring in Paramount Pictures to share the risk.
Thus, a movie originally planned with an $80 million production budget eventually skyrocketed to $200 million.
Fortunately, "Titanic" ultimately exploded in popularity; otherwise, even the Hollywood Big Six would have suffered significant losses.
Cost control cannot be ignored!
"Spider-Man" is also a typical Hollywood A-list commercial blockbuster, and its high budget and high expenditure are inevitable.
If one is not careful in cost accounting and control, then during the later stages of filming, going over budget is absolutely unavoidable.
Therefore, it is better to spend a little more time now than to repeatedly add costs later;
At the same time, some obscure tax-related operations can also be better implemented and used for "falsified" accounting.
One cannot be careless!
"Kyle… oh no, Boss." Mr. Bill began.
However, before he could finish speaking, Kyle interrupted him: "Mr. Bill, don't be so awkward, just call me Kyle."
"Alright."
Mr. Bill nodded and said, "I've reviewed the finalized script of 'Spider-Man' several times, and I roughly estimate that its expenditure will require at least $100 million, and that's the minimum budget. If we want even better results, then it will probably require an additional $20-30 million in costs."
"Hiss~!"
Kevin Feige immediately gasped.
"It needs that much money?!" Kevin exclaimed.
"It does need that much!" Mr. Bill affirmed.
Kyle also nodded, agreeing with Bill McNickle's assessment.
From this simple conversation, Kyle could analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Mr. Bill and Kevin Feige.
As a young man, Kevin Feige is driven and highly efficient. He takes Kyle's assignments very seriously and can complete tasks excellently in the shortest possible time, with everything meticulously organized.
For example: regarding the finalization of "Spider-Man" this time.
Kevin Feige's screenwriting team successfully met Kyle's requirements.
All preparatory work was arranged very reasonably.
However, he also has many weaknesses.
Mainly due to lack of experience!
Especially in controlling large-scale productions, Kevin is extremely lacking in experience and expertise.
"This is not a matter of ability, but a test of time for everyone."
And this, for Bill McNickle, is precisely his greatest advantage.
Before becoming the president of Page Pictures, Mr. Bill served as the CEO of 20th Century Fox for a full six years; decades of experience in the film industry gave Mr. Bill far more valuable experience than ordinary people, and experience in large-scale film production, which is a problem for others, is absolutely no problem for him.
Of course, Mr. Bill also had his missteps!
For example: "Titanic."
The cost of the movie "Titanic" constantly exceeded the budget, and although it was due to Cameron, Mr. Bill, as the primary producer, also bore undeniable responsibility.
"Of course, anyone who works with Cameron must be prepared for actual expenditures to exceed the budget."
When filming "Terminator 1," Cameron, as a relatively "new" director, completed the film's production for only $6.5 million, creating a miracle;
However!
However, by "Terminator 2," Cameron began to spend lavishly, turning a budget of $25 million into an actual expenditure of $102 million;
"Titanic" and "Avatar" were no different.
Therefore, regarding the preparatory stages of "Spider-Man," Kyle still trusted Mr. Bill considerably!
When it comes to experience with large-scale films, there's no one in the entire Golden Dawn Entertainment Group who can compare to Mr. Bill at this stage... Regarding the casting for "Spider-Man," Kyle was quite inclined towards the original actors.
Yes, that is, Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man Peter Parker;
At the same time, Kyle was not in a hurry to launch the idea of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
"I haven't even acquired Marvel Studios yet, so if I start the Marvel Cinematic Universe now, it will definitely benefit Marvel Studios and other film companies, and might even lead to a series of lawsuits with Marvel."
"I'm not a philanthropist!"
"I must finalize Marvel Studios before 'Spider-Man 1' is released."
Kyle thought to himself.
Just then, Kevin Feige interrupted Kyle's reverie.
"Boss, 'Spider-Man 1' needs at least $100 million in costs, and the film adaptation of 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' will probably also need $100 million. The company currently doesn't have that much money in its accounts." Kevin Feige said softly.
Mr. Bill also pouted beside him.
If there's no money, don't talk too much!
"Uh…"
Kyle was stunned for several seconds. Where did the money go?
Well, the several films Page Pictures released earlier were profitable, but almost half of the profits from those films in overseas markets were earned by Paramount. The remaining profits were basically used either to fund new films or to establish overseas distribution channels.
A penny can stump a hero!
"Kevin, 'Spider-Man 1' is officially greenlit starting today. As for the money, I'll figure something out." Kyle said.
"Alright, Boss."
Kyle was not short of money, but that didn't mean Page Pictures wasn't short of money.
The company is the company, and the individual is the individual.
"It seems there are only three paths to choose from." Kyle narrowed his eyes.
1. Borrow from banks;
2. Seek cooperation with other Hollywood film companies to share profits and risks;
3. Accept investment from overseas capital outside the film industry, such as Mexico, India, China, South Korea, Japan, etc.;
Ultimately, Kyle resolutely chose the third path: accepting overseas capital investment for the "Spider-Man" project.
This is also a common capital operation for Hollywood film companies.
For example, Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks signed investment cooperation for as many as 5 films with several capital companies from India and South Korea, and ultimately, through various means, brought the profits into their own company's pockets, effectively tricking outsiders.
Page Pictures now also has a good reputation and can certainly operate this way.
Especially with the two films, "300" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," once successfully released, they are bound to deepen the confidence and enthusiasm of other investors.
Success is always pursued!
This is an eternal truth.