Chapter 67

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Naive, innocent, lacking social experience...

These labels were inevitably thrown at Murphy by Jones-Butler. △

Bill Roscis looked at Murphy with even more surprise. In his memory, Murphy was mature and rational, with social experience far beyond his peers. How could he say something so unreliable?

Crossing his hands on the conference table, Murphy fully returned to reality, "I agree with your terms."

Without a suitable distribution channel, the film would have no value, and the funds he invested would not be recoverable.

Jones-Butler's lips curled into a beautiful arc, and she said very directly, "This is a wise decision."

She threw the pen onto the notebook in front of her, raised a hand to Murphy, and showed four fingers, "Four hundred thousand dollars. If you agree, we can sign the formal agreement tomorrow."

Four hundred thousand dollars? Only ten thousand dollars more than his investment? Murphy certainly wouldn't agree.

Three hundred thousand dollars was just the cost of filming and production. He and Paul Wilson needed money to fly over, the film festival expenses required money, the printing and screening of the film required money, and renting this meeting room also required money. These costs should be included in the total cost. When everything was added up, the total cost of "Hard Candy" had already exceeded three hundred and ten thousand dollars.

Murphy was more than once grateful that he hadn't invested all his funds initially. Otherwise, not only would he not be able to participate in the Sundance Film Festival, but he might have to prepare to drink the northwestern wind again.

Looking at the high-and-mighty Jones-Butler, Murphy didn't hide his feelings, "This is impossible. Your offer is too low."

Jones-Butler's offer was a probing price. She then made a gesture inviting him to speak, "Director Stanton, what price do you think is reasonable?"

Gently tapping his left hand with his right index finger, Murphy smiled humbly and made a bold demand, "Three million dollars!"

"What?" The man in glasses to Jones' left exclaimed in surprise, "This isn't negotiation; it's robbery!"

Murphy shrugged, completely different from when he proposed those naive ideas at the start of the negotiation, "Miss Butler asked me to give a reasonable number. I think three million dollars is very appropriate."

Jones-Butler frowned and looked at Murphy, feeling that this person seemed different from before.

"I need a sincere price!" she interjected.

Murphy spread his hands, "Miss Butler, I also need a sincere price."

The principle of making an outrageous demand and then accepting a lower offer is universal.

Four hundred thousand dollars was not Jones-Butler's bottom line. She deliberately waited a moment before slowly saying, "Five hundred thousand dollars!"

In fact, after watching the screening, she had made a certain estimate. The film had a limited audience, and even with the most optimistic estimate, the box office revenue in North American theaters would be in the million-dollar range, and even less would end up in Miramax's hands.

But Miramax was a top independent film distribution company in the industry. The films they distributed were never known for their box office success, even the films of their flagship director, Quentin Tarantino, didn't have astonishing box office numbers.

Revenue from video tapes and other copyright aspects was the main source of profit for Miramax.

"I don't feel your sincerity," Murphy shook his head and said proactively, "I cannot accept such a price."

Was this still the naive guy from before? Jones-Butler felt as if the person opposite her had changed. It seemed he was trying to seize the initiative in the negotiation from her.

Backed by Miramax, and facing a new director, how could Jones-Butler be suppressed?

Her tone became more forceful, "Miramax doesn't lack such a small project, but Director Stanton, without Miramax, your film might be stuck in your hands forever. Do you want to see your work never meet the audience? Do you want to see the funds you invested remain unrecovered for a long time, eventually turning into waste paper?"

These words hit Murphy's weak point. Ultimately, it was he who needed the distribution company, not necessarily the other way around.

Film distribution was never a simple matter, and it wasn't something that could be handled by just setting up a distribution department and talking to theaters. Otherwise, distribution companies wouldn't be at the high end of the film industry chain.

"Two million dollars!" Murphy remained calm, as if he hadn't heard Jones-Butler's words.

"Six hundred thousand dollars!" Jones-Butler made an appropriate concession, "This is twice your cost!"

Murphy shook his head, "Let's put it this way, I will show the greatest sincerity. My bottom line is one and a half million dollars..."

Jones-Butler still shook her head, "I can only say sorry."

Six hundred thousand dollars was the highest amount she could decide on her own.

She stood up, slowly closed the notebook, and slowly put away the pen, as if preparing to leave.

Murphy sat calmly, didn't speak, didn't stop her, and showed no intention of retaining Jones-Butler.

"What are you thinking?" Bill Roscis leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Six hundred thousand dollars is not a small amount!"

According to his agreement with Murphy, if Stanton Studio ultimately reached an agreement with the company he introduced, he could take five percent of the commission.

Three hundred thousand dollars was a huge sum to him.

Murphy slowly stood up and extended his hand to her, "I'm sorry, we can't reach an agreement."

Jones-Butler put away the notebook and shook his hand, "Your asking price is too high."

After saying that, she shook her head. Not reaching this deal was somewhat regrettable.

"If you can consider my price..."

An offer higher than six hundred thousand dollars itself exceeded Jones-Butler's authority. This was just the first negotiation, and she didn't completely close the door to future negotiations, "You can call me."

Murphy also wouldn't close this door, "I still hope to work with Miramax. Your company is a blessing to the independent film industry."

Jones-Butler looked at Murphy again, feeling that she was gradually unable to understand him.

This was just the first negotiation, and a breakdown in negotiations was a normal situation. Murphy and Jones-Butler didn't say much more and left the meeting room one after the other.

Bill Roscis was somewhat dissatisfied with the breakdown of the negotiations. Back in the room where Murphy was staying, he reminded him, "Your asking price is too high. Miramax won't accept it."

Murphy shook his head, "Their offer is too low, and I can't accept it."

"You need a distribution company!" Bill Roscis warned solemnly, "This will scare them away."

"We can find other partners," Murphy took out a business card from his pocket, "We can call Fox Searchlight and invite them to come and watch the film."

Bill Roscis frowned.

Murphy, not noticing, took out his phone and dialed the number on the business card.

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