Simon didn't feel too distressed or frustrated when he suddenly confirmed a fact he had been bugging him for some time.
Regardless, 'Run Lola Run' was indeed a very suitable film for him to showcase his abilities. In fact, if he hadn't misremembered the production budget back then, he might have missed this film entirely.
Now that he had tentatively established himself in Hollywood in less than two months, Simon also had enough confidence to continue pushing this project forward; it would simply involve a few extra twists and turns that he was expecting.
His more than ten years of experience in the entertainment industry in his previous life left Simon with the greatest impression that no big star in this circle had an easy path to fame.
Now, as a person in two lifetimes, Simon was even less lacking in the mental fortitude to face setbacks.
Making up his mind, Simon looked at David Giler opposite him and asked, "So, David, according to the official 35mm film specifications, how much budget do you think this film would roughly need?"
David Giler thought for a moment and said, "Based on your shooting concept you just described, it should require at least $500,000. A more detailed budget would need to be calculated according to a more specific shooting plan. However, that's not really the problem. Simon, the problem now is, do you have any previous experience producing films? Even student films? Oh, and Brian and I still don't know which university you graduated from?"
To this day, not many people in Hollywood knew that Simon was only 18 years old.
Jonathan Friedman had only mentioned it occasionally to WMA President Norman Brokaw, and because of a series of subsequent events, Norman Brokaw disliked Simon intensely, but he didn't go around publicizing this fact.
At this moment, due to Simon's exceptional talent, David Giler subconsciously thought that Simon was likely already in his twenties and instinctively regarded Simon as a promising, high achieving graduate from some university.
Hearing David Giler's question, Simon realized something, but still honestly said, "David, I studied computer science at Stanford for a while, but then I dropped out. I don't have experience in that area. However, I also didn't have any screenwriting experience before".
"Directing and screenwriting are not the same," David Giler shook his head and said, "Speaking of which, if you could provide some personal credentials that are convincing enough for investors, like a student film or something, I might be able to help you secure this investment. Unfortunately, you don't have any. Simon, although this is a small amount of money, I also need to be responsible to my connections".
Brian De Palma, who was still engrossed in Simon's storyboard sketches, also looked up at this point and said, "Simon, being a director is indeed not that easy. However, these sketches are enough to demonstrate your personal talent. How about this: for the upcoming 'The Butterfly Effect,' you can be my assistant director. After gaining experience from this film, even if David isn't willing to help, I can help you find a company willing to invest in 'Run Lola Run'".
"I didn't say I wasn't willing to help, did I?" David Giler protested with a dissatisfied smile, but he also said, "Simon, Brian's idea is indeed good. If you're willing, this matter can be settled now".
David Giler was the producer of 'The Butterfly Effect', and Brian De Palma held both the director and producer positions. Temporarily hiring an assistant director was entirely within their authority.
If Simon was truly just a newcomer to Hollywood with little experience, being an assistant to a well known Hollywood director like Brian De Palma would undoubtedly be a very rare and valuable opportunity for experience.
However, with over ten years of struggle in his previous life, plus the memories of the other twelve people in his mind at this moment, what Simon least lacked was experience in all aspects of film production. Being Brian De Palma's assistant, the only thing it could bring Simon was perhaps just a qualification.
After a moment of consideration, Simon still shook his head and said, "David, Brian, I appreciate your kindness. However, although I can't prove it, I am very confident that I am already capable enough to personally direct a film. So, David, how about this? The funds I currently have are enough to start 'Run Lola Run.' You just need to introduce me to an investor and sign a letter of intent for investment. If they are satisfied with my initial shooting results, they can inject subsequent funds; otherwise, they can withdraw at any time".
Simon was a very opinionated young man, and David Giler and Brian De Palma had already realized this through their several interactions.
At this moment, hearing Simon reject Brian De Palma's proposal, neither of them was too surprised. Hearing Simon's plan, David Giler couldn't help but secretly praise the young man's confidence in his heart.
"Simon, in Hollywood, investing your own money in a film is always a very bad choice," David Giler said with a smile after a brief consideration, but then quickly added, "However, since you've put forward such a confident cooperation plan, I can help you with this. Of course, I absolutely won't guarantee success; everything will depend on you".
Simon said earnestly, "I just need an opportunity".
David Giler nodded thoughtfully and said, "In that case, Simon, besides the cooperation plan above, do you have any other requests?"
Simon pondered for a moment and said, "My contract with Fox should still be able to be used as collateral to borrow a sum of money from the bank. Including the remaining payment Fox still needs to make, I should be able to raise around $250,000. Let's temporarily calculate the budget for 'Run Lola Run' at $500,000. I and the investor will each contribute $250,000 and each take 50% of the future profits. My personal fees for screenwriting, directing, etc., will only be a symbolic $1, but I demand absolute creative autonomy".
After listening, David Giler couldn't help but shake his head again and said, "Simon, $500,000 is just my most conservative estimate. Actually, I really hope you can use some more professional actors, and if you are more meticulous in terms of sets, music, and so on, a production budget of around $1 million would be safer".
Simon said in a relaxed tone, "David, what I just said is just a general plan. If it goes over budget, as long as the investors are willing to follow through, the profit sharing will definitely be higher. My only demand is absolute creative autonomy; I don't want others to interfere with my work".
"Alright, I'll find time to contact someone for you," David Giler nodded, then added, "However, your main focus recently should still be on revising 'The Butterfly Effect' script".
Simon smiled and said, "Of course, that's my job".
"In that case," David Giler patted the 'Run Lola Run' script in front of him and said, "I'll make a copy of this script later to help convince investors".
Although his suggestion had just been rejected by Simon, Brian De Palma didn't take it too much to heart. Hearing David Giler say this, he handed over the storyboard sketches in his hand and said, "Make one more copy of this. I think it's even more convincing than the script".
David Giler was somewhat surprised as he flipped through a few pages of the storyboard sketches that Brian De Palma had been holding, and couldn't help but nod, saying, "You're right about that".
After discussing these matters, the three realized that the once lively restaurant had only a few people left, and the lunch the waiter had brought was completely cold. They could only laugh and reorder lunch, and after filling their stomachs, they returned to the morning's meeting room to continue discussing the revisions to 'The Butterfly Effect' script.
This continued until quitting time. Simon handed a copy of the 'Run Lola Run' script and storyboard sketches to David Giler, and he himself, carrying the lengthy memo on script revisions agreed upon in the meeting that day, bid farewell to David Giler and Brian De Palma before leaving Fox Studios. He still took a taxi back to his newly rented residence in the Montana area of Santa Monica.
Traffic during rush hour was, as usual, congested. Simon arrived back at his Montana residence about half an hour later.
In front of a villa on the northern edge of the Montana area, near St. Vincent Avenue, Simon got out of the car, sent off the taxi driver, and once again looked at the luxurious mansion covering over 800 square meters. A thought that made him grit his teeth once again surfaced in his mind for the nth time since Saturday afternoon: "Spoiled woman!"
Simon had scheduled a viewing with a real estate agent for Thursday of the previous week, intending to rent an apartment.
Unexpectedly, he was sent to UCLA Medical Center. Simon had originally planned to cancel the appointment, but Janette Johnston, upon learning of this, immediately took over the task with great enthusiasm and even delivered the lease agreement to Simon by Friday.
A detached villa with three living rooms, three bedrooms, and four bathrooms. Seeing the information on the lease agreement, Simon nearly jumped out of his hospital bed in shock.
Are you kidding me?
Why the hell would a single man like him need such a large residence?
Moreover, the monthly rent of $2,700 didn't seem too high compared to the mansions in Simon's impression. But this was 1986, after all. Even in Los Angeles, most people didn't earn $2,700 in a month.
Then, when Simon raised objections and refused to sign the lease agreement, the woman, who had been perfectly fine, actually started crying in front of the doctor on rounds and the real estate agent. While crying, she accused the miser of disregarding her day of hard work, despite being rich, and not even willing to rent a slightly better house, and so on.
What else could he do?
Sign it.
Aside from being unlucky in meeting people, Simon really couldn't think of a more apt description of this situation.
Finally, what was even more infuriating was that after being discharged from the hospital, Simon inspected the villa he had rented and found that the entire villa was empty, as if it had been ransacked. Aside from the most basic decor, there was no furniture whatsoever.
Oh, strictly speaking, there was still furniture.
There was a bed frame in the master bedroom.
But what's the deal with it not having a mattress?!