In Hollywood, if you don't have capital, you have to play by the rules.
Gilbert was one of those without capital, and Universal Pictures' distribution plan quickly landed in his hands.
The distribution plan was very conservative, which greatly displeased Gilbert. He really wanted the film to open in a thousand or even three thousand theaters, but he knew that was a pipe dream.
Currently, printing a 35mm film copy costs about $600. To open on three thousand screens would require $1.8 million. "The Shallows" had a production budget of only $3.5 million, so with an uncertain market outlook, Universal Pictures was bound to adopt a conservative distribution strategy.
They planned to use test screenings to gauge market reaction, audience buzz, and per-screen box office performance. If it did well, they would expand the release. With Universal Pictures' distribution capabilities, printing thousands of copies and shipping them to theaters across North America in a short time wouldn't be a problem.
If it performed poorly, they would cut their losses and push "The Shallows" to the video and licensing markets. This is how major Hollywood studios with distribution power operate; in Hollywood, film companies with distribution capabilities are considered major players and are one of the prerequisites for becoming a giant.
It was well into mid-September, and there was still little advertising or news about "The Shallows" in the media, which made Gilbert quite nervous and prone to insomnia. Winona Ryder had visited him a few times, and the opportunity to practice yoga with her allowed Gilbert to release some of his stress.
Gilbert felt he was caught in a tangled trap: he feared no one would invest if he wrote a good script, then he feared film companies wouldn't distribute it if they did invest. Once it was distributed, he worried about whether the film would succeed, if audiences would like it, and what the media reviews would be like.
In short, until everything was settled, it was a source of tension and pressure.
Perhaps knowing Gilbert's anxiety, Steven Spielberg specifically had his assistant Jonathan call him, inviting Gilbert to an event. Gilbert initially didn't want to go, but then he reconsidered. Such events served a strong social function. He could meet more Hollywood professionals there, which was an excellent opportunity to expand his network.
So, Gilbert specifically took out his rarely worn suit and found a tailor to get it cleaned and pressed for the event. This suit was bought for him by his aunt, Meryl Klet, for over a thousand dollars, but it had a cheap, industrial feel, making him look like a down-on-his-luck stockbroker walking down Wall Street.
But there was nothing he could do; this was his best suit. He couldn't possibly show up in a T-shirt and jeans, could he? That would be considered impolite and disrespectful by the host.
Operating on the principle of "as long as I'm not self-conscious, no one else will be," Gilbert confidently put it on. He even styled his hair, slicking it back, somewhat reminiscent of Leonardo DiCaprio's look in "The Aviator." Of course, at this time, young DiCaprio was only sixteen, having just finished filming the seventh season of "Growing Pains."
After getting ready, Gilbert hailed a taxi and headed to the event.
The party was held at the famous Hilton Hotel, attracting a gathering of renowned celebrities and stars from Los Angeles. Media reporters continuously snapped photos with their cameras. However, as it was a private event, the media reporters were not allowed into the banquet hall and could only take pictures outside.
When Gilbert arrived, a large group of reporters had gathered outside. A Bentley pulled up and stopped at the hotel entrance. As the person stepped out, the reporters went wild.
"It's Julia Roberts!"
"Oh my god, she's so beautiful!"
"Damn it, hurry and take pictures!"
The reporters swarmed forward, ignoring Gilbert standing to the side.
At that moment, a voice spoke beside Gilbert, "Pretty envious, right? That's what a glamorous Hollywood superstar looks like."
Gilbert turned his head and instantly recognized the person standing beside him. For anyone who followed Hollywood movies and stars, this person was very familiar, and his films were loved by many moviegoers.
"Hello, my name is Matt Damon. I just arrived in Los Angeles recently," the man said, extending his hand.
"Hello," Gilbert shook Matt Damon's hand. "My name is Gilbert Landrini."
After they greeted each other, Matt Damon asked, "Are you an actor too? What movies or TV shows have you been in?"
"No," Gilbert shook his head. "I'm a director."
"A director?" Matt Damon looked at Gilbert in surprise. "You look about my age. You're already a director?"
In his impression, directors were usually in their thirties or older; someone as young as Gilbert was quite rare.
"As you can see, I am indeed a director, though my first film hasn't been released yet," Gilbert stated.
"Oh!" Matt Damon suddenly understood. An executive director or assistant director counted as a director too.
"Let's go, let's head in!" Gilbert said, taking Matt Damon with him, intending to enter the banquet hall.
Matt Damon caught up, walking beside Gilbert. "I tried earlier, but they wouldn't let me in without an invitation. Do you have a way to get in?"
"Just walk right in, isn't that how it works? What other way is there?" Gilbert gave Matt Damon a strange look and continued walking.
"But," Matt Damon scratched his head, "we don't have invitations!"
"Don't worry about that. Just follow me," Gilbert's confident demeanor piqued Matt Damon's curiosity.
So, he followed Gilbert, eager to see how Gilbert would manage to get in.
When they reached the entrance, Matt Damon saw Gilbert greet someone inside: "Hi, Jonathan."
The man named Jonathan stepped out and looked at Gilbert, "Don't you have a nicer suit?"
Gilbert chuckled sheepishly, "This is my most expensive outfit."
"Alright, just go in then! And who is this?" Jonathan noticed Matt Damon beside him.
Gilbert introduced him: "My friend, Matt Damon."
"A friend, then come on in together," Jonathan said, leading the two into the banquet hall.
"Mr. Spielberg is over there; you can go say hello to him yourself. I still have guests to attend to," Jonathan instructed.
"Okay, you go ahead. I'll be fine," Gilbert acknowledged.
After Jonathan left, Matt Damon asked Gilbert in astonishment, "Who was that?"
"Director Spielberg's assistant," Gilbert replied.
"You know Director Spielberg?" Matt Damon was even more surprised.
"It's nothing. I already told you I'm a director. Director Spielberg is the executive producer of my first film," Gilbert answered matter-of-factly, as if it were completely normal.
But these words hit Matt Damon, who had just arrived in Los Angeles, like a ton of bricks, leaving him utterly stunned.
That was Spielberg! Simply put, anyone noticed by Spielberg could immediately establish themselves in Hollywood.
Though he had only just met Gilbert, Matt Damon felt he had to re-evaluate him. This young director, about his own age, seemed to be someone with hidden depths.
At this moment, even the cheap suit on Gilbert became a symbol of understated luxury in Matt Damon's eyes.
Look at him, Matt Damon thought, he clearly has a deep connection with a major director, yet he's attending such a high-class event in a cheap suit, just like me.
Is this what high society looks like? Matt Damon felt he had finally grasped it.