Chapter 66 of 100
Chapter 66
16 min read4,004 words
Listen, I need your recommendation votes! There's another chapter after midnight, and a new week is about to start. I hope everyone will continue to support me!
"Director Stanton," Jones-Butler opened her notebook, holding a pen in her right hand, "Miramax is very interested in your film, 'Hard Candy,' and we intend to release it in theaters. △"
Hearing this, Murphy couldn't help but feel a glimmer of joy. After all the hard work, he finally saw a glimmer of hope.
He showed just the right amount of surprise, "Thank you! It's an honor."
Murphy's attitude was exactly what Jones-Butler had expected. She continued, "I take this collaboration with Stanton Productions very seriously, but we need to discuss the specifics in detail."
Bill Roscis interjected, "We have plenty of time to talk."
He also hoped this collaboration would come to fruition.
"Specifics?" Murphy could guess what she meant but still asked with a puzzled look, "Isn't Miramax going to be the distributor for 'Hard Candy'?"
Although he knew it was unrealistic, he still had some hope that Miramax would just be the distributor and sign a distribution contract with Stanton Productions, allowing Stanton Productions to share in the box office and other copyright revenues.
Deep down, Murphy had even more ambitious thoughts.
"Miramax will certainly distribute 'Hard Candy,'" Jones-Butler tapped her pen lightly, taking control of the conversation, "on the condition that we own all the rights to the film."
Murphy frowned slightly, "You want to buy the rights to the film?"
Bill Roscis gave Murphy a surprised look. Wasn't this the most normal situation?
"Can we collaborate in another way?" Murphy asked tentatively.
Jones-Butler gestured for him to speak, "You can suggest it. As long as it's reasonable and beneficial to both parties, we can consider it."
Her words were grand and seemed to show that she was really thinking about Murphy and Stanton Productions.
Although he knew his ideas were unrealistic, Murphy couldn't give up without trying. What if the other party agreed out of the blue?
Even if they didn't agree, he wouldn't lose anything.
After some thought, he slowly said, "Stanton Productions and Miramax can sign a distribution contract..."
Murphy was still considering his next words when Jones-Butler interrupted, "And then, like with mainstream Hollywood films, Miramax would take a percentage of the box office and copyright revenues as distribution fees?"
Before Murphy could react, Bill Roscis looked at him with surprise. How was that possible?
After a brief silence, Murphy nodded slightly.
"That's impossible," Jones-Butler shook her head without hesitation, "buying the rights is the condition for our collaboration."
She spoke firmly, showing no room for negotiation.
Murphy wasn't ready to give up. He was in a weak position in the negotiation, but he still wanted to fight for the best possible outcome.
"Collaboration through a buyout is also possible," Murphy continued with his unrealistic ideas, "but Miramax needs to sign an agreement with Stanton Productions. We can negotiate a reasonable number, and if 'Hard Candy' exceeds that number in North American box office, as the director, I have the right to share in the box office revenue."
"We can pay you a share of the box office revenue," Jones-Butler seemed genuinely surprised, but her next words showed she was still very clear-headed, "according to the number set by the Director's Guild."
According to the agreement between the Director's Guild and the producers' alliance representing the major Hollywood companies, directors who are members of the guild can receive a share of the box office and video sales for the films they direct. This is a clearly defined rule.
The percentage, of course, is very low.
"I'm not a member of the Director's Guild."
Hearing this, Jones-Butler shrugged, "We can only say sorry then."
Murphy's brows furrowed.
Jones-Butler looked at him, shaking her head inwardly. This young director's ideas were too naive.
She decided to shatter his illusions, "Director Stanton, no distribution company would accept the proposal you mentioned. I want to remind you that 'Hard Candy' is an independent film, not a mainstream commercial production with a budget of millions of dollars."
Murphy, of course, understood all of this. He had said those things more to see if there was any room for negotiation. If the other party was completely clueless, he could gain more.
Now it was clear that Jones-Butler, who was leading the negotiation, was not at all clueless.
"Your film's budget won't exceed $300,000," Jones-Butler continued, pressing her advantage, "if Miramax releases it in theaters, we need to do some promotion and make prints, and these expenses alone will exceed $300,000! How can you guarantee that Miramax will recoup its investment? Do you have a complete plan? Why should we believe your plan? Do you have a track record of success?"
She looked at Murphy, speaking each word clearly, "If all the promotional and distribution costs are borne by Stanton Productions, we can agree to your participation in the box office and other revenue shares, and we can sign a distribution contract with Stanton Productions."
For a director with no credentials, trying to sign a revenue-sharing agreement or a mainstream commercial distribution contract for such a low-budget film, was he treating Miramax like a charity? Or did he think they were all idiots?
After hearing this, Murphy sighed inwardly. Jones-Butler wasn't an idiot and hadn't made any foolish decisions. His unrealistic ideas should come to an end.
With that glimmer of hope shattered, he decided to return to a more practical path.
As for all the promotional and distribution costs being borne by Stanton Productions, Murphy wasn't crazy. There was no way he could accept that.
"Continuing this way is meaningless," Jones-Butler applied pressure at the right moment, "our negotiations can end here."
Being treated like a fool wasn't a good feeling. Did she look like an idiot?
"Hey, Jones," Bill Roscis quickly tried to smooth things over, "Murphy is just sharing his ideas. If you have different opinions, we can discuss them slowly."
Jones-Butler wasn't really trying to end the negotiations. She emphasized again, "Miramax buying the rights to 'Hard Candy' is the condition for our negotiations!"
She looked at Murphy, feeling that this young director was overstepping his bounds, "If you don't agree, there's no point in further discussion."
While she did see some market potential in 'Hard Candy,' she wasn't so desperate as to chase after such an independent film. This kind of film didn't have that kind of value.
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