HWI 31

Hollywood What If Chapter 31

Hollywood. The center of the movie industry in the US. The place many actors long for, even foreign actors were ready to die just to see a glimpse of their faces being recorded in Hollywood. 

This place was called paradise and sin city at the same. It brings hope and despair. 

"A place where you don't wanna leave, hoping that you will reach your dream."

Kazir muttered as he looked at the managers from Hollywood distribution companies who attended the small screening. 

He sighed knowing that his first hurdle was over. The fact that even the infamous Harvey Weinstein attended the screening and congratulated him personally was enough to satisfy his vanity. 

He could feel it, he was getting close to his dream. 

However, he knew very well that this was just the start. He had something to do. That was-- sell his movie to one of these companies. 

In Kazir's opinion, movie was meant to be enjoyed. At the same time, movie was meant to be paid. It shouldn't be a free ticket, or else his hard work as a director was useless. 

'The best offer will have Napoleon Dynamite under their film library.' He smiled. 

"So what do you think?"

Nancy Utley talked to her assistant. They were invited to watch the screening after they showed their intention to buy the copyright of Napoleon Dynamite. Tom Rothman specifically sent her here. 

In her opinion, Napoleon Dynamite had a lot of good points. However, she had to listen to others' opinions as well. They were doing business and every step should be meticulously studied. 

"If you're going to ask me, this movie has potential. At least with a budget of $500 thousand, this movie will easily earn profits in the theaters... As long as we bought it cheap. However," the assistant glanced at the distribution managers around him. 

They were all thinking the same thing, they want this movie. 

"Everyone, if you're interested. We can have a coffee later." Salvatore, Kazir's agent suggested and they nodded with clear intention. 

Minutes passed and the first one shoot his shot and contacted Kazir and Salvatore after the screening. 

It was a manager from New Line Cinema. 

"Clent, your offer is sincere and I can see that New Line Cinema wants to cooperate with me once again. Give me some time to think." Kazir said with respect. 

"I hope to hear good news from you, Mr. Grey."

After the success of Se7en, the employees of New Line Cinema started respecting Kazir. 

The two had a handshake. 

"What do you think?" 

As his agent, Salvatore was listening to their whole conversation but he didn't join in. He respects Kazir's decision. He just hoped that he would choose the best offer. 

"You heard it yourself, New Line Cinema wants the buy out the complete copyright and global distribution of Napoleon Dynamite for $2.3 million. It's not that bad, but this is just the start. We can say that 2.3 is the baseline."

Salvatore nodded and agreed with him. 

The movie had a production cost of $500 thousand. Yet in just a few months, it could be sold for $2.3 million. That was a huge increase. 

Have you seen an investment of $500 thousand turning into 2 million that fast? Probably not, even in the stock market and cryptocurrency, this kind of thing rarely happens. 

'In a way, making a movie is a great investment.' 

As long as the movie is profitable, that is. 

The first day passed and Kazir and Salvatore contacted four companies that were interested in his movie. 

They were currently sitting on the bar, a high-end bar to be exact. The calm and jazz music background type of bar. 

"New Line Cinema wants to buy out the movie for $2.3 million."

"Universal Pictures,  $2.5 million."

"Miramax, $1.3 million. But they promise a 5% cut at the North American box office revenue."

Note that box office and box office revenue was different. Revenue was much smaller. 

"As for Fox Searchlight Pictures, they want to buy it for $2.5 million as well."

To be honest, the first day's result was better than they expected. At least four companies showed interest in the movie. 

"With this, their bottom line is probably around $3 million. They are just testing the water."

Salvatore next to him gulped a glass of tequila after stating each company's offer. 

It was a clear fact that these companies were profit-driven. They want to buy the movie as cheaply as possible. 

What? Do you think $2.5 million is too small for Napoleon Dynamite? 

Napoleon Dynamite had a cost of only $500 thousand and it didn't have any strong actors in the cast. No sane company would buy it for 5 to 10 million, that's not how business works. This is no fairytale. 

"At least they will buy it cash upfront. So what amount do you plan to sell it?" Salvatore was curious to hear Kazir's thoughts.

"$3 million plus 10% box office."

"Pfft--! Are you insane!?"

Salvatore almost puked his drink. 

"$3 million might be acceptable but 10% box office is an impossible task."

"I know." Kazir shrugged. He just said his best offer. 

"But let's not forget that I have Se7en under my belt. There might be someone who will agree with me."

"... maybe. If you really want a percentage cut, why not go for Miramax? Harvey Weinstein personally offered an amount, the founder of Miramax. It means that he takes you seriously."

"Indeed..."

Kazir could not say that Harvey Weinstein had a bad reputation in his past life. Kazir was not sure if he could Harvey Weinstein. 

'I heard he likes scamming foreign directors. I'm not a foreigner so it's hard to swindle a man like me who's in Hollywood.'

Kazir was confident in his movie and he knew that it would sell well in the theaters. However, he wanted to find a much better offer than Miramax's 5% revenue cut. 

Anyway, it was still the first day. Maybe he could wait for the next day and hoped that someone would offer him better.