Chapter 67: Preconditions for Cooperation

"Director Stanton," Jones Butler opened her notebook, pen in hand, "Miramax is very interested in your film 'Hard Candy' and intends to push it into the theatrical market."

Hearing this, Murphy couldn't help but feel a hint of joy. After all his hard work, he finally saw a glimmer of hope.

His expression appropriately showed his surprise. "Thank you! It's an honor."

Murphy's attitude was just as Jones Butler expected. She continued, "I value this collaboration with Stanton Studios, but we need to discuss the specifics."

Bill Ross chimed in, "We have plenty of time to discuss."

He also hoped this collaboration would come to fruition.

"The specifics?" Murphy could guess what she meant, but he still feigned confusion. "Isn't Miramax becoming the distributor for 'Hard Candy'?"

Although he knew it was unrealistic, there was still a glimmer of hope in his heart. If Miramax only became the distributor for the film, and then signed a distribution contract with Stanton Studios, then in the future, whether it was box office or other rights revenue, Stanton Studios could still benefit.

Deep down, Murphy suppressed even more thoughts.

"Of course, Miramax will distribute 'Hard Candy.'" Jones Butler gestured with her pen, fully in control. "The precondition is that we own all the rights to this film."

Murphy furrowed his brow slightly. "You want to buy out the film?"

Bill looked at Murphy with surprise. Wasn't this the most normal situation?

"Can we collaborate in another way?" Murphy tentatively suggested.

Jones Butler made a gesture of agreement. "You can propose it. As long as it's reasonable and beneficial to both parties, we can consider it."

Her words sounded noble, as if she was genuinely concerned about Murphy and Stanton Studios.

Although he knew those ideas were unrealistic, Murphy couldn't give up without trying. What if the other party agreed to them?

Even if they didn't, he wouldn't lose anything.

After considering for a moment, he spoke slowly, "Stanton Studios and Miramax sign a distribution contract... "

Before Murphy could continue, Jones Butler interrupted, "Then, like mainstream Hollywood commercial films, Miramax takes a cut from the box office and rights revenue as distribution fees?"

Without waiting for Murphy to react, Bill looked at him with a hint of surprise. How could this be possible?

After a brief pause, Murphy nodded slightly.

"That's impossible," Jones Butler shook her head decisively. "Buying out the rights is the precondition for our collaboration."

Her tone was firm, showing no room for compromise.

Murphy wasn't ready to give up yet. Despite being in a severely disadvantaged negotiating position, he still wanted to fight for his maximum benefit.

"Collaborating through a buyout is also possible," Murphy continued with his unrealistic ideas, "but Miramax needs to sign an agreement with Stanton Studios, and we negotiate a suitable figure. If the North American box office of 'Hard Candy' exceeds this figure, as the director, I have the right to enjoy a share of the box office."

"We can pay you a share of the box office," Jones Butler seemed genuinely puzzled, but her next words showed she was fully awake, "according to the numbers stipulated by the Director's Guild."

According to the agreement between the Director's Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, directors who are members of the guild can receive a share of the box office and video tape revenue for directing films. This was a rule explicitly stated in the game.

The proportion in the agreement was, of course, very low.

"I'm not a member of the Director's Guild."

Hearing this, Jones Butler shrugged. "Then we can only apologize."

Murphy frowned.

Jones Butler looked at him, shaking her head inwardly. This young director's ideas were too naive.

She decided to shatter his illusions. "Director Stanton, none of the proposals you mentioned would be accepted by any distribution company. Let me remind you, 'Hard Candy' is an independent niche film, not a mainstream commercial production with millions of dollars invested."

Murphy was well aware of all this, but he had mentioned those ideas just to see if there was any room for maneuver. What if the other party had a lapse in judgment and agreed?

Now, it seemed that sitting across from him leading the negotiations, Jones Butler's mind was clear.

"Your film cost no more than three hundred thousand dollars," Jones Butler continued, seizing the advantage to press on, "Miramax will push it into the theatrical market, and we're talking about a certain amount of publicity before release, as well as printing copies. Just these expenses alone will exceed three hundred thousand dollars! How can you guarantee that Miramax will recoup its investment? Do you have a complete plan? Why should we believe in your plan? Do you have any successful cases in the past?"

She looked at Murphy, speaking each word deliberately. "If Stanton Studios covers all the marketing expenses, we can agree to your participation in the box office and other revenue shares, and we can also sign a distribution contract with Stanton Studios."

A director with no qualifications wanting to sign a profit-sharing agreement for such a low-budget independent film or a distribution contract for mainstream commercial films? Did he take Miramax for a charity organization? Or did he think all of them were fools?

After hearing these words, Murphy sighed inwardly. Jones Butler wasn't a fool; she hadn't made any irrational decisions. His unrealistic ideas should come to an end here.

That glimmer of hope was shattered, and he decided to return to a more practical path.

As for Stanton Studios covering all the marketing expenses, Murphy's head was clear; there was no way he could accept that.

"Continuing like this is pointless," Jones Butler applied pressure at the right moment. "Our negotiations can end here."

Feeling like he was being taken for a fool, she looked like such an idiot?

"Hey, Jones," Bill Rossi quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "Murphy is just proposing his own ideas. If you have a different opinion, we can definitely discuss it slowly."

Jones Butler didn't really intend to terminate the negotiations. She emphasized once again, "Miramax buying out the rights to 'Hard Candy' is the precondition for our negotiations!"

She looked at Murphy, unable to shake the feeling that this young director was ignorant. "If you don't agree, there's no need to continue the discussion."

While believing that "Hard Candy" had some market potential, she wasn't so obsessed with it that she couldn't let go. This kind of film didn't have that much value.