MTL - Best of Hollywood-Chapter 14 Signing a contract
"Happy cooperation!"
"Happy cooperation!"
In a conference room of the 20th Century Fox Building, Ryan, Helen and representatives of 20th Century Fox signed the contract under the witness of lawyers from both parties.
The representative of 20th Century Fox took over the film copy of "The Blair Witch" from Helen, officially completing the handover ceremony.
From this moment on, the film "The Blair Witch" has nothing to do with Ryan except for the North American box office ladder.
He even asked 20th Century Fox not to announce the names of the producers, directors, screenwriters, and investors.
He wasn't a union member anyway.
After several days of negotiations, 20th Century Fox finally got its wish and bought all the copyrights of "The Blair Witch".
As for the $50 million box office ladder share, no one paid attention at all.
According to the estimates of the distribution department of Twentieth Century Fox, the box office of the entire film should be between 30 million and 40 million US dollars, and it is almost impossible to reach 50 million US dollars.
Of course, if the box office finally exceeds 50 million US dollars, even if it will pay a lot of money, 20th Century Fox will still be the happiest.
To put it bluntly, the higher the box office of a film, the more profit 20th Century Fox will make. Whether it is the right to distribute video tapes or the right to premiere on TV, the final price is closely related to the box office of the film.
Colette-Singer showed a slight smile, and chatted with Ryan for a while before leaving.
"If you need to find a distribution company for your next film, you can call me anytime. Twentieth Century Fox is always your best choice."
Regardless of the quality of the film, the promotion plan alone is enough to look forward to his next film.
"I also hope to continue to cooperate with Twentieth Century Fox." Ryan naturally would not refuse the kindness of a director of Twentieth Century Fox's distribution department.
What's more, when "The Blair Witch" is released, it has achieved unbelievable box office results, which will definitely attract the attention of 20th Century Fox executives.
It is conceivable that his next film is likely to deal with 20th Century Fox again.
The two didn't talk for long, and he left 20th Century Fox with Helen.
As soon as he stepped out of the gate, Ryan breathed a sigh of relief as if he had relieved a heavy burden. It is not an easy thing to bear more than 40,000 US dollars in debt.
Helen personally lent him the investment for the entire film. During this period, Ryan also advanced some living expenses, which totaled 40,000 to 50,000 US dollars.
Forty to fifty thousand dollars in 1994 was not a small amount.
Fortunately, in the end, the copyright of "The Blair Witch" was sold for 800,000 US dollars.
Even if you don't count the next box office ladder, it's enough for him to prepare for his next film.
"Helen, although I don't want to say it."
"But I still have to say thank you."
Looking at Helen in the driving seat, Ryan couldn't help saying thank you.
Comparing his experience in the past and the present, he knows very well how difficult it is to find a distribution company. If it weren't for Helen's contacts, 20th Century Fox might not even bother to take a look.
He could only take a copy of the film, aimlessly go to one distribution company to beg, or go to major film festivals to try his luck.
Even if you are lucky in the end and someone bids to buy out all the copyrights, they will definitely not pay 800,000 US dollars, not to mention the box office ladder.
"Instead of saying thank you to me, you should seriously consider your next film."
Speaking of this, Helen couldn't help reminding him, saying: "I suggest that you'd better wait for this film to be released, and it has achieved good box office results. Then you can contact some small film companies to invest, or find some investors. .”
It's a very stupid thing to do in Hollywood with your own money.
But any director with a little common sense would not do this.
"I think my investment is very good, at least no one in the crew tells me what to do."
Ryan didn't care much about these things, and besides, instead of looking for investment in a lowly manner, it's better to pay for it himself, not to mention the convenience, but also control the voice of the crew.
In his previous life, he was bothered by investors to tell him what to do, or some actors brought money into the group, so they should be paid for by their ancestors.
Besides, knowing that the film will be a hit when it is released, you still go looking for investors to send money?
Helen seemed to have known that he would answer this way, and said: "Since you insist on continuing to invest, it is best to register a small studio, which is not only convenient for investment, but also enjoys some preferential policies."
There are many taxes in the United States, but there are also many preferential policies.
It's just that most Americans don't understand this, and Ryan's eyes are even darker.
"Can."
"But you also know that I don't have a personal lawyer, an accountant, and I haven't even hired an assistant yet, so I can only trouble my dear Miss Helen." Ryan was very straightforward and pushed the matter of registering the studio to Helen.
It's not that he wants to be lazy, but it's just as he said, and he really doesn't understand these trivial matters.
So instead of running around, it's better to leave it to Helen. Anyway, it's not for nothing as a manager.
Helen glanced at him indifferently, without saying a word, she agreed.
In fact, she also knows that Ryan has been busy revising the new script these days and has no time to deal with it.
What's more, the lawyers at the signing ceremony just now were all her personal lawyers. It can be seen that it is obviously impossible for him to register the studio by himself.
"I will find a registration company to handle it." Helen drove towards the Star Brokerage Company.
The process of registering a studio in the United States is very simple. There are many registration companies that handle these things, and even the company address will be chosen for you.
For example, in Delaware, where taxes are low, if you share an office with several companies, plus the same operator, UU Reading www.uukanshu.com only needs to share a small rent every month.
As time passed, the excitement on Ryan's face gradually calmed down.
In fact, he really has nothing to be excited about now. The money for the film buyout will not arrive until mid-April, and the box office tiered share will have to wait for the film to be released.
So he is still destitute now, with only a few hundred dollars left in his account, and he still borrowed it from Helen.
"Can we celebrate tonight!"
"Like having a good meal."
Since coming to the United States by accident, Ryan has been enduring suffering. His three meals a day are either hot dogs, bread, or pizza, sausages, and at most a piece of cheap steak. He has already had enough.
"I heard that there is a very good Chinese restaurant near Beverly Hills, maybe we can have a big meal." Ryan's tone seemed to reveal a hint of longing.
"You're talking about Mr Chow, that Mr Chow's restaurant!"
"I've been there once, and the taste is really good."
"But!"
Helen paused, and said with some uncertainty: "You have the money to pay the bill!"
In this regard, she is skeptical.
Regarding Ryan's financial situation, she is very clear that she will never be able to pay for an expensive Chinese meal before the film buyout fee arrives.
Chinese food has always been synonymous with high-end restaurants in the United States, not to mention that Mr. Zhou's restaurant is located near Beverly Hills, and the price will definitely not be cheap.
"You pay, I'll treat you."
"Big deal, let me borrow it from you." Ryan said indifferently.
Compared with the large sum of money that will arrive immediately, an expensive Chinese meal is only a small sum that cannot be smaller.