America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 78: A Great Victory (Subscription Request)

The crowd in front of the Festival Theater gradually dispersed, and most of the buyers who were interested in the film made appointments to discuss it tomorrow.

Samantha from Focus Features walked last, with Kelly Gray accompanying her out of the theater.

Samantha is nearly 50 years old and still looks pretty good. She chatted with Kelly about the movie: "The lead actor's three scenes at the beginning, middle and end are very impressive. You have a good eye and chose a good actor."

Kelly was delighted to hear this: "He has outstanding looks and first-rate acting skills. His background is a little poor, but he is very spiritual."

Samantha's gaze suddenly turned to the side of the theater entrance and looked at the people over there.

The male protagonist, dressed in formal attire, stands out under the street lights like a bright light in the dark night, which is particularly eye-catching.

She was from Hollywood and looked straight over there: "Kelly, I will strongly recommend this play to the company."

Kelly knew there were other conditions as soon as she heard it, and waited for the other party to continue.

Samantha added: "Such an outstanding actor, I really want to meet him."

Kelly had worked in Hollywood before, so she knew what he meant. Without any hesitation, she declined: "Sorry, he has to go back to Atlanta with me."

Samantha nodded slightly: "I am sorry for being so presumptuous, Kelly, we will have a chance to work together again."

There was nothing unusual in Kelly's smile: "Okay, bye."

Samantha had no intention of talking about the movie anymore and got in the car and left.

The production and distribution style of Focus Features, where she works, tends to be arty.

Coming here is more of a favor from the company's partner Louise Mayer.

Samantha originally wanted to get laid to see if the actor, who looked so good, was as amazing as in the movies.

If I can't get it, I won't force it. There is no shortage of handsome men in Hollywood.

Kelly cursed inwardly, "What a slut!" and waved towards the street light.

When Martin came over, the car also arrived and they both got in the back seat.

Kelly couldn't help it: "Those Hollywood bastards go wild anytime, anywhere!"

Martin said: "If Louise hears you, she will fight with you. You are no match for her."

Kelly asked, "Whose side are you on?"

Martin said frankly: "I will tear all your clothes off."

Kelly didn't mention what happened just now, but said: "I have a beachfront villa."

Martin hugged her and kissed her hard: "Rich woman, you finally found your conscience and want to give me a house!"

Kelly resolutely struck down this unrealistic fantasy: "You think too much." She had another idea: "I plan to have someone renovate the highest lobby and install an iron chain. How about that?"

"Not very good." Martin understood what she meant and decided to tell the truth. After all, he was the one who suffered. "I was almost exhausted when filming that scene. I can't do it alone. I need to use machinery. You can install a swing."

Kelly leaned on him: "I'll have someone get the plan as soon as possible."

Ten minutes later, the two entered the same suite in the same hotel.

Martin couldn't understand why Kelly was so dissatisfied with Hollywood tonight that she called Louise and turned on the speaker.

Louise on the other side was so angry that she smashed the bottle.

…………

The Savannah Film Festival lasts for a week, and there will be three subsequent screenings of "Zombie Dancing Man", and media reporters have been invited one after another.

The main creative crew of the show stayed in Savannah.

Martin wanted to fully understand the operation and management of Hollywood movies, so he greeted Kelly Gray and joined the contact and negotiation between the "Zombie Gigolo" studio and various distribution companies.

Most film companies offered lower bids and the negotiations basically broke down. The only North American distributors still negotiating with the studios were Lionsgate and Warner Bros.

The two companies have a clear attitude, they only discuss buying out the copyright, not the box office and copyright sharing agreements.

Representatives of overseas distributors in Europe, India, South Korea, Southeast Asia and Latin America also negotiated buyouts with the studio.

"350 million US dollars, all rights are bought out." Warner Bros.' Breitner was very strong: "If you are not satisfied, I can only say sorry."

Big companies have no shortage of low-budget films. Instead, there are piles of low-budget films begging them to distribute them.

Dave replied: "Please wait a day, we need some time to discuss."

Martin was very self-aware and only brought ears and eyes, and never said a word from beginning to end.

The studio then entered into a third negotiation with Jeffs of Lionsgate, who raised their offer to $240 million, their limit.

Since Lionsgate does not have the ability to distribute the film overseas, it only wants the North American rights to the film.

Kelly Gray then rushed over and held an emergency meeting: "We have a clear goal. If the price is right, we will sell the film rights and push it into theaters."

Dave said: "I suggest choosing Lionsgate, selling the North American copyright to Lionsgate, and selling the overseas copyright separately. This way, there will be more room for operation."

In fact, Kelly is very satisfied with $240 million, but she doesn't mind earning more.

Kelly asked, "What about the release plans offered by Warner Bros. and Lionsgate?"

Benjamin took the initiative to speak: "Warner Bros. initially plans to screen the film in March or April next year. They are a big company and don't care about the time cost." He wanted the film to be screened in theaters as soon as possible, and he had a preference in his heart: "Lionsgate is small in scale and has tight funds. They don't want to bear too much time cost. After they buy the copyright, they will immediately push it to the Motion Picture Association (MPAA) for rating. In mid-November, they have a horror film that was temporarily withdrawn, so Zombie Dancing Boy is just the right time to take it up."

Kelly was also thinking in her mind: "What if the ratings don't go well?"

Benjamin said: "Learn from 'Y Tu Mama También' and skip the ratings process and just go ahead and screen it."

Kelly knew this movie, a film directed by Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón. The Good Machine Distribution Company was dissatisfied with the MPAA rating and released it directly into theaters. Not only did it take in tens of millions of dollars at the North American box office, Alfonso Cuarón also received an Oscar nomination.

This is not an isolated case in North America.

Under normal circumstances, you should go for the rating if you can.

Small companies prefer quick results. Dave added, "Lionsgate plans to screen the film on a small scale in California and Georgia first. If the screenings are good, they will continue to invest resources in promotion. If not, after two or three rounds of screenings, they will push the film into the DVD and videotape market."

Kelly specifically said: "I understand that when a small-budget movie is screened on a slightly larger scale, the cost of publicity and distribution is much higher than the cost of production."

Martin had been listening carefully, and what came to his mind were The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity.

Kelly made a decision: "It is not in our interest to sell the global rights in one go. We will split the rights and sell North America to Lionsgate. Europa is interested in purchasing the European rights and sell them to them."

Gray Company urgently needs funds to invest in studio renovation: "Other overseas companies should wait and see how the North American preview goes. Dave, go tell them and we will send someone to talk to them."

Dave is familiar with the entire project investment process, and there is a lot of room for overseas accounting. He said, "I'll let them know right away."

The Savannah Film Festival has not yet ended, and the studio has officially signed an agreement with Lionsgate Entertainment, selling all North American copyrights of Zombie Dancing for US$240 million.

Don't even think about profit-sharing agreements.

For small-scale B-level films, the distribution company does not take full control of the copyright and is reluctant to invest resources in publicity and distribution.

The studio had been negotiating with Europa for half the morning, and the latter had bought out the European rights to Zombie Gigolo, including Russia, for $120 million.

After the agreement was signed, Blanco came over and had a chat with Martin, who seemed to have no presence.

"Your wonderful performance makes this mediocre B-level movie very interesting." He said to Martin: "If you want to be a star, the film production market in Atlanta is too small."

Martin said something like, “I’ll be in Los Angeles when the film comes out.”

Blanco smiled and said, “Looking forward to seeing you in Los Angeles.”

Martin specifically mentioned a director they both knew: "Michel said he settled in Los Angeles. I will definitely visit him. Then we can have a drink and chat about French cuisine and British dark cuisine."

Blanco smiled even more happily and said politely: "I am looking forward to that day."

The studio sends someone to accompany overseas buyers back to their respective markets.

In Latin American markets like Brazil and Mexico, once a film performs well in North American previews, it is not difficult to sell the copyright for millions of dollars.

Combined with markets in Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia, the studio expects to recoup its stated production costs of $600 million.

For the two major investors of the film, it is a great victory.

Once Gray Pictures truly opens the door to Hollywood and is able to use box office revenue sharing channels to distribute the products, it will be able to do more accounting when it produces similar projects.

The film was bought by Lionsgate, which means that Martin will inevitably become the leading actor in a theatrical movie.

This is a qualification that can be shown off.

On the penultimate day of the film festival, Martin returned to Atlanta in Kelly's car.

Kelly was in a very good mood: "Benjamin talked to me yesterday. He will prepare for the new film after a month of rest."

Martin asked, "Or a B-movie?"

Kelly smiled and said, "He is good at these. I don't feel comfortable with him shooting other things."

Martin asked vaguely, "Is funding still working this way?"

Kelly clasped her hands together in her lap: "Vincent and Sofia are willing to invest, why should I refuse such a good thing?"

Martin said casually: "It seems to have benefited a lot."

Kelly stretched out her finger and lifted his chin: "It's no problem to support you."

Martin couldn't help laughing, but he never asked how much profit Gray Company made from it.

Kelly remembered something and reminded him: "Remember to keep the money you got for the film and the kettle you bought last time, so that you don't have money to pay taxes during tax season."

Martin thought of the legendary IRS, state taxes, federal taxes, and other messy things, and said, "Introduce me a reliable accountant. I haven't studied these and I don't understand them."

Kelly opened her bag, found a business card, and handed it to Martin: "She can help you with it."

Martin kept it specially.

Kelly stretched herself, feeling good after the good harvest, and wanted to have some fun: "Let's call Louise when we get back. Will she get mad and blow up Casablanca?"

Martin pinched her chin and said, "I think you are crazy."

Kelly thought of the last time and became addicted: "Don't you think it's exciting?"

Martin thought to himself, artists really all like to spend time together.

(End of this chapter)