Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Planet Theme Restaurant.
Charles was happy today, so he specially came to this movie-themed restaurant with his mother, Evelyn. The restaurant's fame was due to its shareholders: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, and Demi Moore.
Well, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore just divorced last year.
"You've changed since the car accident, but your mother is very happy with your change," Evelyn said, raising her champagne glass and clinking it with Charles's.
Charles smiled and asked, "How did that thing I told you about last time go? Have those two young actresses, Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley, been signed yet?"
"Uh," Evelyn was a bit embarrassed. She had only looked into it and hadn't taken action yet. However, Keira Knightley shouldn't be a problem; it was mainly Scarlett Johansson who would require some effort.
"Alright, get on it quickly. Now isn't their peak. It's easy to sign them now; you'll regret it later when they become famous," he knew from her expression that his mother hadn't taken his words seriously.
"I'll handle it as soon as possible." Evelyn now felt she needed to take it seriously. Was it because her son was chatting so eloquently with the big star Tom Hanks?
"Naomi got the lead role in DreamWorks' remake of the Japanese horror film, the ring. It must be because of the positive effect of the Mulholland Drive preview, and this horror film has a budget exceeding 50 million US dollars!" Evelyn informed Charles of another piece of news.
Mulholland Drive was about to be officially released, but during its previews, it was very popular with critics and some professionals. The film was shot with great depth.
A typical art-house film, while it might not achieve much commercial success, it still reached a certain artistic height.
"the ring! A Japanese horror film adaptation, with a budget of 50 million US dollars? It seems DreamWorks' strategy of high-concept films with big productions and big promotions is their foundation." Spielberg's pursuit was high-concept films, as he had already been successful for many years.
Now, even a horror film was receiving such a bold investment. It's no wonder DreamWorks' debt would later grow higher and higher, forcing it to sell itself. After all, DreamWorks certainly had more losing films than profitable ones, and when they lost money, it was a significant loss.
DreamWorks only had domestic distribution channels. High-concept films required large investments, so they partnered with other major studios for overseas market distribution and financial support, sharing the risk but also losing a significant portion of overseas profits.
Finally, Steven Spielberg, one of the founding directors in charge of live-action films, although a DreamWorks shareholder, received no small amount of compensation for directing DreamWorks' productions.
In the end, the three founders themselves made a fortune, while the debt was all on DreamWorks Pictures. Did they still want to grow bigger and stronger? Their eventual sale to Paramount in 2006 due to high debt became logical, and even the hugely popular transformers couldn't save it.
"Oh, and Megan Fox..."
Evelyn nodded, "Don't worry, I know what to do. Pretty models are useful too."
As the preparations for my big fat greek wedding immediately began, with the participation of big star Tom Hanks, funding and distribution channels were secured.
After filming her scenes in Bad Boys II in Los Angeles, Megan Fox came to say goodbye to Charles, preparing to return to Florida.
That evening, in Charles's rented room in North Hollywood, Charles lay on the bed. A moment later, Megan Fox emerged from under the covers.
"What you told me last time, I've already mentioned it to my mother. It's not a big problem; my mother will help you with a career plan!" Charles said weakly.
Megan Fox nodded after hearing this, smiling as she said, "Alright then, just call me over if there's an audition."
Megan Fox pursed her lips, hugging Charles's waist, wondering if Mrs. Capet could help her get better roles.
Charles paused, then suggested, "You're still young. Finish high school first, otherwise many roles won't suit you. And you should also systematically study acting when you have time!"
Without acting skills, she'd just be a pretty face! But Megan Fox was too young to be a pretty face; she'd definitely have to wait until she was an adult. After all, she wasn't like Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley, who started as child stars. You're just a model, and not even a high-level one. What acting skills could you possibly have?
Early the next morning, Charles saw Megan off as she left Los Angeles.
Soon, Mulholland Drive began its theatrical release in North America. Of course, the initial number of theaters was small, as this type of film is difficult to release on a large scale.
It first premiered in a few theaters in North America, then opened in 66 theaters. With no big stars and being a brain-teasing suspense film, the distribution company wouldn't spend much on promotion.
Although the box office wasn't high, the critical acclaim was, with a small portion of people loving it, and Naomi Watts began to enter the radar of many filmmakers.
The start of filming for DreamWorks' the ring further boosted the popularity of its lead actress, Naomi Watts.
However, Charles wasn't too concerned because he was going to Chicago. The initial preparations for my big fat greek wedding were already complete.
Filming was set to begin at the end of the month. There weren't many actors or many scenes. It was a low-budget romantic comedy, primarily focusing on the cultural clash of ethnic minorities.
Chicago, a major northern city, is the transportation, cultural, and financial hub of the North American Great Lakes region, also known as America's'Sin City.'
The three main creators of my big fat greek wedding were director Joel Zwick, lead actor John Corbett, and lead actress Nia Vardalos.
Both the director and the actors were unknown figures in the entertainment industry.
Tom Hanks' production company hired a dedicated producer to oversee it, and Charles also joined them.
Mrs. Hanks, Rita Wilson, was very fond of this film and would be a regular presence on set. Tom Hanks, meanwhile, had a thrilling adventure film project, Road to Perdition, in production, a collaboration between DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox.
In late October, my big fat greek wedding finally began filming in Chicago.