Chapter 35: Still struggling

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"Our conditions are not complicated."
Sitting alone across from many Fox executives, Nancy Josephson didn’t seem to be under the slightest pressure, even if there were Fox tycoons like Townsend Rothman and the famous producer Jon Landau, she was still eloquent. Tan,
Mr. Rosenberg’s director and screenwriter’s remuneration totaled 4 million US dollars, and he was also the producer of the film. The final editing should be based on his opinions.
She calmly looked at the faces of everyone on the opposite side, and continued to say calmly, "Mr. Rosenberg requires at least one-fifth of the investment in the film and enjoys the same proportion of the income..."
As Nancy Josephson said one by one, the faces of everyone in Fox became more and more serious.
This is just the first negotiation. Both parties are testing each other's bottom line. The negotiation lasted only half an hour and broke up. Whether it is the agent lady representing Duke or Fox, they are not satisfied with each other.
After the negotiation, short and fat Jon Landau entered Townsend Rothman's office.
"Jon..."
The CEO sitting behind the desk was expressionless, "What do you think?"
Squeezed on a chair like a meatball, Jon Landau looks a bit funny, but he is one of the top producers in Hollywood. He is using the method of listing data to support his argument, "The script is in The review committee passed unanimously. The investment index of the preliminary investigation of the risk assessment department and the market research department is a-level, and the profit forecast of the issuing department is also a-level."
He continued, "This script inherits the thrilling, hot, and exciting style of "Life and Death" to a certain extent, but the theme is more profound and moving. Duke Rosenberg has also proved that he is extremely good at shooting this type of theme……"
"The most important thing is..." He pondered for a moment, and said solemnly, "Although Duke's career as a director has just begun, it is clearly on the rise. The works of directors in this period are often extremely valuable, inferred from the past experience of Hollywood. The possibility of his success is far greater than the possibility of a miss."
"In other words, this film is likely to be profitable."
Hearing Townsend Rothman’s words, Jon Landau slowly clicked on his fat chin,
Yes! Action movies are popular nowadays. According to the evaluation of our various departments, as long as the film can shoot the standard of "Life and Death" , There is a 60% chance that it will sell well, and the North American box office is likely to exceed "Speed ​​of Life"."
"US$50 million is a big number, but it's nothing to Fox." The brilliance in Townsend Rothman's eyes was fleeting, "I want to maximize my interests, but now some people want to enter the game and take away. one fifth!"
His voice gradually increased, "Jon, do you think Fox should share it with him?"
"We can appropriately increase his director and screenwriter's salary." Jon Landau didn't even think about it. "Other aspects made him retreat."
At the same time, Nancy Josephson got into his car, took out his large cell phone, and dialed Duke's number.
"How is the negotiation going?"
In the apartment in North Hollywood, Duke put down his packed luggage and took the cordless phone from Sofia. "Did Fox agree to your terms in full?"
"Unfortunately, I don't have a mental aura on me."
Nancy on the opposite side directly borrowed the joke Duke had said before, and then turned to serious, "According to my observations, bringing money into the game should have touched Fox's bottom line. Duke, you have to be prepared, it will be a Very difficult negotiations."
"Nancy..."
Switching to holding the phone in his hand, Duke tapped his forehead lightly, "Don't interrupt contact with other companies."
Fox is only the first choice, but not a must. Although the cost is not too much now, after all, he has a work that has just won the North American box office of more than 130 million US dollars, and after the 20th century Fox launched "Life and Death" to the European market , The film's global box office also exceeded 200 million US dollars.
This can always attract the attention of some production companies.
After finishing the call, Duke plugged the cordless phone into Sophia, followed her back to the large living room with more than 400 square feet, looked around the empty surroundings, raised his hand to support his chin.
"Should I buy more furniture and decorations?" He asked, looking at Sophia's slender figure.
"Remind you."
After placing the phone, Sophia turned and sat on the sofa, took her own folder, opened it, and said as a warning, "Duke, you must save money, or you will soon be in debt."
"What?" Duke's eyes widened, he had just received a 400,000 dollar share.
"I have here a list of your most recent expenses, as well as the necessary expenses for the next few weeks. Would you like to listen?"
Seeing Duke's ears, Sophia said as concisely as possible, "After the share was received, your accountant David withheld $100,000 in advance tax payment. Of the remaining funds, the lawyer and accountant's remuneration totaled $30,000; Nancy Because I only participated in the later work of "Life and Death", the remuneration was US$20,000; your luxury apartment was rented for a year of US$20,000; the salary advanced to me was US$15,000; the advertising fee for recruiting screenwriters in newspapers and screenwriters’ associations was 5,000. US dollars; I’ve interviewed several screenwriters..."
Speaking of this, Sophia paused and drank, "After you determine the screenwriter you hire, you need to pay part of the remuneration in advance. I set aside a budget of 5,000 US dollars; you join the Screenwriting Association, and the membership fee is 3,000 US dollars. The Screenwriters Guild has been filed for five years and charges a total of US$8,000. If you want to join the Directors Guild, you have to prepare a membership fee."
"Also," Sophia continued, "In the future, you will meet frequently with the senior executives of major film companies, and you must be prepared to make business suits..."
After listening to the long string of numbers that Sophia said, Duke had only one feeling that he was still a poor man.
"Well... you want to register a movie studio in Delaware, it also costs a lot of money." Sophia seemed to turn a blind eye to Duke's gradually turning into a bitter melon face, "Aunt Leah's $10 million has been paid. Yes, but the money is limited to investing in movies."
Duke rubbed his forehead and walked over to sit next to Sophia. "Is there no surplus of 300,000 dollars after tax deduction?"
"Yes, and not enough!" Sophia squinted at him, and after thinking about it, said, "I give you a suggestion, go to the bank to apply for a loan. Duke, with your current reputation and identity, apply for a 300,000 yuan It's not difficult to get a loan of $500,000."
"Is it necessary?" Duke looked at her seriously.
"This is the suggestion of you and Aunt Leah's accountant David." Sophia shrugged.
After receiving the loan from his mother, Duke was planning to set up a shell film studio. Currently, he is contacting a professional company in Delaware to handle this business on his behalf, even if the shell company does not have dedicated formal employees. The office of the registered place is shared with other shell companies, which still requires a lot of expenses.
The reason for establishing a studio is very simple. It can avoid taxes. Investing in a film in the name of a company will enjoy a lot of tax incentives. As for why not register in California but go to Delaware, because California’s crazy tax revenue is too scary The state of Delaware not only has the most professional commercial court of justice in the world, but it is also one of the states with the lowest commercial tax in the United States.
Many well-known companies, including Walt Disney, Apple, and Paramount, are actually registered in Delaware.
After thinking about it for a few seconds, Duke decided to apply for a loan from the bank to alleviate his urgent need.
"Right, Sophia."
After the two talked a few words about loans, Duke thought of another thing, "Is there a suitable candidate for the photographer I asked you to help find?"
He has never been a pedantic person, and since he is involved with the Coppola family, he does not shy away from taking advantage of their relationship.
"I mentioned a few words to my dad and he recommended someone."
Tilting his head and looking at him, Sophia’s face is full of the appearance that you owe me favor, "John Schwarzman, thirty-two years old this year, is a film family, graduated from the Film School of the University of Southern California, and is currently in the advertising industry. Work hard, he has something to do with our family. He is Nicolas's cousin. Dad thinks he fits you well..."
Sophia curled her lips, "It meets your requirements to be good at shooting powerful shots."
"Then if I have time to meet with him another day?" Since he was recommended by Francis Coppola, I must have some ability.
"He is shooting an advertisement for an underwear company in New York." Sophia wrote in a notebook, "When he returns to Los Angeles, I will ask him out."
"And..." Duke walked to the bookshelf, took out a cassette from the top, took out the business card inside, and gave it to Sophia when he returned. "Help me write back to Zach Schneider, and I will receive his videotape. Now, let him come to Los Angeles for an interview if you have time."
If they can get a certain right to speak in the second movie, and these people meet his requirements, they will definitely be given priority to use them. This is also the backbone of the future production team.
There are also producer Robin Grand and editor Mike Dawson. They have both experienced the running-in of the first film with him and their abilities are also very good. As long as they have the right to speak, Duke also wants to pull them into the first The crew of the two films.
It depends on the outcome of the negotiations between Nancy Josephson and Twentieth Century Fox and other film companies. Duke also knows that this is just the ideal situation. He wants to get enough power from the film company. His current capital is still Not enough, quite difficult.
In the afternoon, Duke met several screenwriters whom Sophia had initially interviewed in a cafe. After careful consideration, he finally chose a male screenwriter who is good at writing war dramas and a female screenwriter who is good at writing dog-blood love.
Three days later, Nancy Josephson reported the results of the second round of negotiations with Twentieth Century Fox. The results were very unsatisfactory.