The male lead, Manny, portrayed by James McAvoy, was compensated with $45,000;
The leading lady, Lola, who is also the film's first protagonist, is played by Charlize Theron, whose salary amounted to $9,000.
That's right, $9,000.
"The producer is incredibly harsh. If the Screen Actors Guild didn't enforce a minimum salary for lead actors, the producer would certainly try to pay no more than $2,000."
Victor, the CEO of Page Pictures and producer of the film, observed Kyle during the shoot and felt a minor jolt of anxiety.
He couldn't help but remember a recent night when Kyle expressed: Damn Actors Guild, they enforce a minimum wage guideline. Organisations like this that impede Hollywood's progress should be brutally eliminated!
Today's filming was quite a spectacle.
With the presence of three major challenges: the inexperienced director, the novice male lead, and the rookie female lead, even though Victor assembled a skilled and seasoned filming crew, it was still impossible to overcome the obstacles. The overall shooting experience was fraught with difficulties.
There are numerous issues!
"Damn it, Charlize, please! Are you going to scream like that?"
"Stop! Your crying looks terrible with that cold expression. Do you think you're playing royalty? Can you still perform? If you can't, get out of here right now!"
"And you, James McAvoy, at this moment, you are embodying a small-time thug in debt, not a high school student going to prom. Could you please act more professionally?"
"Lighting! What's going on with the lighting team?"
"Can you please increase the brightness a bit? We're not shooting a horror movie, alright?
...
Kyle felt irritable the entire day.
He was quick to anger.
Kyle usually had a good temperament during the week. Even though he often used profanity, it was mostly in jest, and he seldom became genuinely angry.
However, today was different.
"Dammit!"
"Filmmaking isn't meant for humans. It's incredibly draining."
"Worrying too much could lead to grey hair or even hair loss, potentially shortening your life. That's a frightening thought."
Kyle was not only frustrated but also felt disappointed in himself.
Why did he choose to become a director?
"Aren't bosses supposed to play golf, sip red wine, eat steak daily, date attractive women occasionally, and make easy money? Isn't that ideal?"
Why put myself through so much stress?
Moreover, I can remember some future classic films, and even if I can't recall them all, I can always find a screenwriter to finish the projects. Plus, I have system assistance. Is there a reason to fear not having great films in my future? In filmmaking, it's better to hire professional directors, ensuring a good box office. I could easily employ a low-cost director or seek out a future superstar or genius!
For instance: Christopher Nolan, the mind behind Inception;
James Wan, who directed Saw and Aquaman;
Peter Jackson, known for The Lord of the Rings;
Joss Whedon, the director of The Avengers.
And others.
These amazing talents aren't famous yet!
"Next time I make a film,
I won't do it myself again; I'll get them to handle it. Not only will their fees be affordable, but I'll also gain a reputation as a mentor."
Finding future legends to create films together—doesn't that sound wonderful?
Isn't it enticing?!
"I'm such a clever little guy, haha!"
Kyle felt optimistic about producing "Run Lola Run" this time around.
He understood he was a novice director lacking talent in this area, yet he had seen the completed version of Run Lola Run multiple times and knew the kind of effect he aimed to achieve. Yes, Kyle was self-aware.
Since I'm not a skilled director, I'll just make the film according to the original and try to replicate it as closely as I can.
Indeed, after shifting my mindset, the following shoots progressed much more smoothly.
This embodies the concept of "You can't avoid the test, and cheating isn't an option!"
The film "Run Lola Run" primarily narrates the story of a gangster named Manny in Berlin, Germany, who calls his girlfriend Lola (the main character) to inform her that he has misplaced 100,000 dollars If he doesn't repay the money within 20 minutes, he will be dealt with by the gangsters.
The following plot is relatively straightforward.
It revolves around Lola travelling through time!
She runs three times through time!
The first run: Lola attempts to borrow money from her father but fails, eventually robbing a supermarket with Manny. Unfortunately, Lola gets shot by the police and finds herself in the Underworld.
After rewinding time, the second run begins: Lola takes her father hostage in a bank to snatch the cash, but tragically, Manny gets killed by an ambulance and ends up in the Underworld once more.
The third attempt concluded on a positive note. Lola emerged victorious at the casino, and Manny recovered his lost funds. Together, they not only addressed their dilemma but also made a significant profit. Ultimately, they strolled away hand in hand, content and in sync.
After digesting this, do you believe it's merely a standard romance film featuring a gorgeous woman rescuing a bear? And what qualifies it for a nomination for the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival?
No, the allure of "Run Lola Run" extends far beyond that.
Feminism!
In "Run Lola Run," it is women who come to the rescue.
Within the same 20 minutes, Lola is actively running and resolving the situation, whereas Manny is passively awaiting the outcome. Similar to other feminist narratives, Lola transforms everything, including time and space. The disconnection between men and women when confronting fate underscores a contemporary reality where the dynamics and roles of genders have experienced significant shifts.
"Run Lola Run" stands out as one of the rare female-centric films of the 1990s. Indeed, Kyle was a champion for the common person in a previous life, primarily focused on when his workday ended and the bonuses he might earn. He isn't a feminist by any stretch, but as long as he can profit, Kyle certainly won't hesitate to disguise dog meat as lamb.
....
One month!
A complete month has elapsed.
Kyle, a novice filmmaker who had never directed a film before, surprisingly completed "Run Lola Run." Not only was he swift, but he also produced a commendable film.
This astonished everyone on set, leaving them in disbelief.
"Oh my goodness!"
"Who claimed this was the boss's first film? Didn't you notice how stunning the visuals are?"
"It's astonishing!"
"Mr. Page is a cinematic genius!"
....
Everyone was in awe of Kyle's talent.
CEO Victor: "Boss, you should remain in Hollywood; you are a prodigy!"
James: "Director, may I refer to you as the most remarkable young filmmaker in Hollywood?"
Charlize: "Kyle, when you make your next film, you must consider me, even if I offer no payment!"
....
"Haha, you foolish mortals!"
Indeed, Kyle was quite pleased with himself.
Can you shoot films rapidly and with commendable quality?
Certainly, if you've watched the completed film multiple times and were made to replicate the film analysis paper fifty times, you too would succeed.
It's akin to an examination. While others stress over solutions, you enter the test with model responses, ensuring you can achieve a perfect score in just 10 minutes. Even if the film isn't flawless, Kyle believes it closely resembles the original, achieving at least 90% accuracy.
Cheating?
Who knows? Haha!
....
The filming of the movie has wrapped up.
The logical next step involves post-production editing, music creation, and other tasks.
Despite being a small company with a limited presence in Hollywood, Page Pictures possesses its editing facility, overseen by the talented Kyle and supported by experienced post-production staff, enabling the editing process to be remarkably quick.
Within just a week, the film was finished and only awaited a release date, which was significantly faster than most Hollywood films released during the same time frame.
Living a life filled with shortcuts, no further explanation required!
As for the well-known "movie genius Kyle," let him go with the flow.
Taking shortcuts can be enjoyable, but there are risks involved.
"Oh man, it's finally done. From this point on, I won't rely on anyone else; I'd rather pay someone to handle it."
To get Kyle, a vampire, to utter the phrase "spend money" emphasises how challenging the role of director can be. "Run Lola Run" marks Kyle's debut as a director, and it's very likely to be his last.
"I, Kyle, would prefer to simply be a handsome man living quietly!"
While Kyle was lost in thoughts of an ideal future, he was abruptly disturbed by a phone call.
Ding ding ding~~~
"Hello, Mr. Page, this is Lawyer Paul Goodman speaking." A voice on the line introduced itself.
"Uh..."
Didn't he just hire this attorney for tax strategies?
Kyle inquired, "Lawyer Paul, this is Kyle Page. Are you contacting me regarding the tax avoidance strategy?"
"Yes, we have designed your tax avoidance plan. Furthermore, the registrations for SpongeBob SquarePants Teletubbies and others have been completed at the Copyright Bureau. If you're available, I can come over to present it to you now," Paul Goodman informed him.
"Alright, I'm free now. I'll see you shortly."
After hanging up, Kyle repeatedly exclaimed "yes," jumped up, and punched the air in excitement.
How could he not feel thrilled?
These are SpongeBob SquarePants and Ben10! They're hugely influential franchises in the children's sector, especially in peripheral markets, which are incredibly lucrative!
Having access to two gold mines, how could Kyle possibly stay calm?
It's no exaggeration to say that if he successfully develops and releases these two series, Kyle could spend his days living in leisure, and by 2020, he could effortlessly amass a net worth in the billions.
Soon enough.
Half an hour later, Lawyer Paul Goodman arrived.
"Mr. Page, today is March 16, 1996. We have less than 45 days remaining until the tax payment deadline. We need to move quickly."
Paul Goodman is a meticulous elite lawyer, a quality Kyle deeply respects.
"Rest assured, Lawyer Paul. I will cooperate fully with you."
Kyle prioritised reasonable tax avoidance, spending considerable amounts on legal fees and service costs. Even if he was typically frugal, he understood the importance of not skimping on this commission, as it could lead to complications.
In the following timeframe, Lawyer Paul Goodman thoroughly explained the tax avoidance guidelines to Kyle.
Kyle grasped these concepts fairly well, having worked in logistics in his previous life, which made him quite knowledgeable about taxes.
Though he comprehended the information, Kyle still found himself astounded after hearing Paul Goodman's remarks.
"Curse that tax agency! If I don't find some sensible ways to minimise my taxes, I'll end up owing over 5 million dollars!" Kyle lamented.
"Mr. Page, please try not to be upset. If you hadn't purchased Page Pictures, you would be facing nearly $500,000 more in taxes. You need to remember that a significant portion of your wealth comes from the stock market," Paul Goodman explained patiently.
Kyle nodded in agreement.
Those close to him understand their circumstances. Kyle's current net worth is almost 30 million dollars, with 75% of that derived from the stock market, so the tax implications are indeed daunting.
"What steps can I take now to legally mitigate my taxes?" Kyle inquired eagerly.
In a country like the United States, where tax regulations are strictly enforced, some may incorrectly believe that tax evasion is permissible.
There is a popular saying in the U.S.: "Pay taxes as required by law and find legal means to avoid them."
Hence, tax avoidance is permitted in the United States.
"Typically, reasonable methods for tax avoidance include establishing foreign accounts, utilising tax exemptions for gifts, and creating trust and family charitable funds. However, given your situation, Mr. Page, and the time constraints involved, the strategies I recommend for you will focus mainly on investment and spending. This will help minimise the liquid assets you have on hand, thereby reducing your taxable income as a means of accomplishing reasonable tax avoidance," Paul Goodman explained.
In the next hour, Paul Goodman provided a thorough explanation on how to legally minimize taxes.