Decision Time

Star Horizon 10:30 AM October 28 1988

Inside Oliver's and Martha's shared office, the quiet hum of the fluorescent lights filled the room as Martha typed away at her computer, her eyes focused on the screen. The early morning light filtered through the blinds, casting long shadows across the small room. Oliver sat at his desk, flipping through some documents related to Williams Accounting Services, but his mind was elsewhere, his thoughts drifting to the business they had started just eight months ago.

Star Horizon. It had started as nothing more than an idea — a way to sell books, CDs, and VHS tapes online. It felt like a strange new frontier. The internet was still in its early days, and most people hadn't even heard of websites yet. The few who did likely thought of them as something too complex and inaccessible for everyday use. But Martha had seen something in it, a way to create a new kind of shopping experience.

Martha paused her typing for a moment, staring at the screen. The design of of the current Star Horizon's website had improved greatly from it's rudimentary beginnings, from just lines of text on a blank screen, barely a few words here and there to describe products. Then there was the dial-up connection that made it feel like a different world, as if every click took minutes to load. She had to remind herself that it was the nature of the beast — the slow speeds, the lack of graphics. No high-res images, no interactive features, no flashy storefronts like the future would have. Just text. Lots of text.

Thankfully, the two had capable sons to rely on.

Alex and Duke were determined to help their parents improve Star Horizon, and together they worked tirelessly for a three days on the website to make it more efficient and functional.

The first thing the brothers tackled was improving the loading speed to optimize the website. They noticed the website was slow due to unnecessary code and excessive text. Duke focused on streamlining the HTML structure and reducing the amount of code, making the site run smoother on dial-up connections. Alex worked on resizing and compressing images, ensuring they were small enough to load quickly but still clear enough for users to see product details.

The next thing the two tackled was the User Friendly Interface. The two understanding that the site was text-heavy and hard to navigate, they simplified the layout. Alex and Duke redesigned a cleaner interface with basic navigation links that allowed users to easily browse categories like books, CDs, VHS tapes and so on. They ensured that each product had a simple description and price, and implemented an easy-to-use order form for customers to fill out.

Duke, with his high level of coding knowledge, built a rudimentary order processing system that helped track orders manually. This system allowed the family to stay on top of each customer's purchase, from order to shipping, improving efficiency in their manual fulfillment process.

As Alex worked on Email Integration. While not advanced, Alex added basic email functionality to the site. Customers could now receive order confirmations and shipping updates, reducing the number of phone calls and faxes their parents had been receiving during the first three months. Alex also created a simple contact form so customers could reach the company more easily without needing to call.

Finally the two brothers both worked on Inventory Tracking: To help with fulfillment, Alex and Duke developed a simple inventory tracking system that helped their parents keep better track of what books and products were in stock. It wasn't perfect, but it made the manual process of checking inventory more manageable.

Together, Alex and Duke transformed Star Horizon's website into a more efficient, user-friendly platform that not only improved the customer experience but also helped their parents handle the growing demands of the business. Their hard work allowed their family to continue to focus on fulfilling orders and expanding their product offerings.

All of this improvement had made a great deal of in boosting work efficient on Star Horizon part and user experience for their costumers. Books and more recently CDs, VHS tapes — their humble product range was gaining a decent amount of traction. Martha remembered the early days, when the idea of a "mail-order catalog" combined with a digital storefront had seemed like a wild gamble for the two of them on Alex suggestion. But now, orders were coming in from all over, albeit slowly. Still, the physical shipping process was clunky. Oliver had taken to manually packing boxes in the evenings, relying on USPS, UPS, and FedEx for deliveries, none of which could promise the kind of speed or service they'd need in the future. Either one of them could imagined the kind of delivery revolution that would one day come.

Oliver glanced at Martha, and their thoughts seemed to align as they recalled the past. Star Horizon was so new—still in its infancy—and moving at a pace far slower than he had anticipated. The reality of running an online business in 1988 had been a wake-up call. Payments were a constant headache. The only options for customers were credit cards or checks, and the entire ordering process was clunky at best. There was no one-click checkout or smooth transaction systems like they envisioned for the future. Every sale felt like a battle, and each order had to be double-checked, manually confirmed. The hours spent on bookkeeping had worn him down, and he rubbed his tired eyes. He glanced at the small stack of print ads they'd prepared for local papers. Now—mailing physical catalogs, relying on word-of-mouth and traditional marketing to spread the word. No social media, no email lists, just old-fashioned advertising.

But then came a breakthrough. With Alex and his friends Mark and Michael, they had figured out a rudimentary system for online payments. It wasn't like the seamless systems, but it worked within the constraints of the time. They had managed to create something that allowed customers to pay directly on the website, a simple and secure way to process payments that bypassed the need for checks or phone calls. It wasn't perfect—far from it—but it was a step forward, one that made them realize just how far they had come since those early days. Martha smiled softly as she recalled the pride they'd felt, despite the current tools available to them. That had felt like a small miracle at the time.

Still, as much as the pace of the business felt slow, he could sense the potential in Star Horizon. They weren't just selling books and tapes — they were laying the foundation for something bigger. But it wasn't easy. Customer service was handled by phone calls or the occasional fax, and every day brought a new set of challenges. Sometimes, Martha would mention the future and laugh about the idea of faster shipping or automated payments, things that seemed like fantasies. But they were working with the technology they had, knowing that the world of e-commerce hadn't even begun to take shape yet.

Martha sighed and stretched her arms, her thoughts wandering. They had already come so far, and yet it felt like there was so much more ahead. "Eight months ago, this was just a dream," she thought. "Now it's a real thing. But how long will it take to make a real impact?" The thought was both daunting and exciting.

Oliver turned to her, his voice breaking the silence. "You ever think about what comes next? After we make this thing work, I mean? It could be huge."

Martha smiled. "It could. But for now, we take it one step at a time."

New York City October 28 1988

Meeting 1: Universal Pictures – 10:00 AM

Harry and Laura arrived at Universal Pictures' towering headquarters, their polished pitch materials in hand. The meeting room was spacious, with large windows overlooking the bustling Los Angeles streets.

A group of Universal executives, led by a sharp-eyed man named Richard Hall, sat waiting. After brief introductions, Harry launched into the presentation.

"Our film, Saw, is not just a thriller; it's an exploration of human psychology," Harry began. "It centers on characters placed in life-or-death situations, forced to confront their morality and will to survive. It's intense, thought-provoking, and unlike anything currently on the market."

Laura chimed in, showcasing visuals from the film. "We've brought along a tape of the movie and a teaser reel to give you a taste of the atmosphere we're creating."

As the teaser played, the room fell silent. The dark, suspenseful tone and sharp editing captivated the executives.

When it ended, Richard leaned forward. "This is intriguing. A thriller with this level of psychological depth could fill a gap in the market. We'll need time to deliberate, but I see potential."

Harry and Laura exchanged a glance, pleased with the response.

Meeting 2: Paramount Pictures – 12:00 PM

At Paramount, the reception was equally professional, though slightly more reserved. Harry presented the pitch again, emphasizing the potential for Saw to become a franchise.

"We're not just talking about one film," he explained. "Saw has the potential to be a series, each installment exploring new moral dilemmas and challenges."

Paramount's lead executive, Margaret Collins, nodded thoughtfully. "You seemed quiet confident. Franchises are lucrative, but they require commitment. If this first film performs well, we'd be interested in discussing sequels."

Laura added, "We're prepared to work closely with a studio partner to ensure Saw reaches its full potential. With the help of our distributors. "

Meeting 3: Sony Pictures – 2:30 PM

Sony's team was more direct, peppering Harry and Laura with questions about budget, timeline, and marketing strategy.

"The budget is modest," Laura explained, "but that's part of its charm. Saw is designed to be cost-effective while delivering maximum impact. The psychological intensity doesn't require over-the-top effects, just strong storytelling and direction."

The Sony executives nodded in agreement, impressed by the financial prudence.

Meeting 4: Lionsgate – 4:00 PM

Lionsgate, known for taking risks on unconventional projects, was particularly enthusiastic.

"This is exactly the kind of film we specialize in," said Greg Hanson, one of their executives. "Dark, edgy, and thought-provoking. It has the potential to resonate with audiences and critics alike."

Harry smiled. "That's what we're counting on. We want Saw to make an impact, not just entertain."

Meeting 5: Miramax – 6:00 PM

The final meeting of the day was with Miramax, a studio with a reputation for championing artistic films.

Miramax's head, Becky Sloviter, leaned back in her chair after the presentation. "This has art-house potential, but it's also commercial. That's a rare combination. We'd like to see a more detailed proposal, but this is promising."

End of the Day – 8:00 PM

Back at their hotel, Harry and Laura debriefed over dinner.

"Long day," Laura said, sipping her wine.

"But productive," Harry replied. "Every studio showed interest. Now we wait."

Laura smiled. "This could be the start of something big, Harry. Fire Foxx Productions isn't just a television studio anymore."

Harry nodded, a gleam of determination in his eyes. "Here's to the future."

When it comes to handling offers from studios for a finished film like Saw, the process generally involves evaluating various aspects of the deals presented. Since Harry and Laura are new to this industry, they'd need to discuss and consider a few key elements before deciding which studio to go with. Here's how the discussion could unfold:

Fire Foxx Productions – Hotel Suite, Late Evening

Harry and Laura sat across a small table, several folders sprawled before them. Each folder contained the proposals from Universal, Paramount, Sony, Lionsgate, and Miramax.

"Alright," Laura began, flipping open the Lionsgate folder, "we've got five offers on the table. Each of them has its pros and cons, so we'll need to break this down."

Harry nodded. "First time for everything, eh? Let's start with Universal. What are they offering?"

Laura referred to her notes. "Universal is interested, but their offer is conservative. They're proposing a limited release to test the waters. They'll handle distribution but expect Fire Foxx to co-finance part of the marketing. Essentially, they're cautious."

Harry frowned. "We'd be taking on part of the risk. I get their hesitation—they don't know Tarantino—but it's not ideal. What about Paramount?"

"Paramount's offer isn't much better," Laura admitted. "They're willing to distribute it wide, but they want creative input on future projects if Saw performs well. Essentially, they want to lock us into a longer-term relationship."

Harry leaned back, rubbing his temples. "So, they want strings attached. It's flattering, but do we really want to be tied to one studio this early?"

Laura nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Now, Sony's offer is purely financial. They're offering a straightforward licensing deal—no creative strings, no risk-sharing. They'll take the film, market it, and we get a flat percentage of the profits after they recoup costs."

"That's tempting," Harry said thoughtfully. "But they might not push the marketing as hard since it's just another title for them."

"Precisely," Laura said. "Now, Lionsgate. They're offering to handle everything—distribution, marketing, even awards submissions. They believe in the film and Tarantino, but they're asking for a higher percentage of the box office returns."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "So they'll go all-in, but it'll cost us more in the long run."

"Right," Laura said, opening the final folder. "And then there's Miramax. They want exclusivity on Tarantino's next project if Saw does well. In exchange, they're offering a wide release, full marketing support, and festival submissions. They're treating this as a prestige project."

Harry whistled. "So they're betting on Tarantino. Could be a big break for him—and us since we already to finance Tarantino. We'd need to commit to them for his next film Reservoir Dogs ."

Laura leaned back, crossing her arms. "It's a gamble. If Saw flops, we're stuck. But if it succeeds, we've got a partner willing to champion our future projects."

Key Discussion Points for Harry and Laura

1. Risk vs. Reward

Universal and Paramount's offers are safer but involve co-financing or long-term commitments.

Lionsgate and Miramax are riskier but offer stronger marketing and distribution support.

2. Tarantino's Future

Miramax's exclusivity clause on Tarantino next film could boost Tarantino's career but limits his freedom and Fire Foxx's flexibility for future collaborations.

3. Marketing and Distribution Reach

Lionsgate and Miramax offer the most aggressive plans, ensuring the film reaches a wider audience and has a shot at awards.

4. Financial Returns

Sony's flat-percentage deal offers steady returns but might not capitalize on Saw's full potential.

Lionsgate and Miramax's higher cuts might lead to lower profits but greater exposure.

Harry tapped the Miramax folder. "This feels like the best bet. They're offering the full package—marketing, festivals, and prestige. Sure, the exclusivity clause is a risk, but if Saw succeeds, it could put us and Tarantino on the map."

Laura nodded slowly. "I agree. If we're serious about breaking into Hollywood, we need a studio that believes in the project as much as we do. And Miramax seems to see its potential."

Harry smiled. "Alright, then. Let's call them tomorrow morning and finalize the deal. Here's to Fire Foxx's first step into the big leagues."

Laura raised an imaginary glass. "And hopefully not our last."