Chapter 23

Beverly Hills, ETA Agency.

Evelyn arrived at the company. Since last year, Evelyn felt her luck had turned. Not only did her son now run a movie company...

A small budget film had become this year's biggest box office dark horse, bound to make the top ten in North America's box office hits.

Her actors were also never short of projects, with the late-blooming Naomi Watts participating in three films this year.

The film shot last year, The Ring, was also set to be released in October. She had turned the tide!

"Evelyn, how's Carpe Pictures now?" asked Ari Emanuel, one of the partners at ETA and the office's vice president.

Evelyn hadn't been at work long today when she was called into the vice president's office for a discussion.

"Carpe Pictures has just moved to Burbank. Sofia Coppola's film has gone to Tokyo for shooting. Next, Charles is looking for suitable scripts to develop," Evelyn understood that Carpe Pictures was also her asset, but she knew to keep business and personal life separate.

How much did Charles earn from one movie? What was her salary compared to that, just a year ago?

"Evelyn, we need to strengthen our partnership with Charles. Not many people know the details about My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but we insiders know he has a good eye," Ari Emanuel didn't mind deepening the relationship with a young producer.

"Don't worry, I know. Charles will tell me in advance if he needs anything!"

After leaving Ari Emanuel's office, Evelyn received a call from her son.

"The rights to the novel Brokeback Mountain?" Evelyn heard her son inquire.

She started to look into it. Brokeback Mountain was a short story published in The New Yorker in 1997. It told the story of two Wyoming cowboys who fell in love while herding sheep in 1963 and continued their entangled relationship over the next 20 years while posing as heterosexual husbands and fathers.

"Charles, you know this story is very controversial. Several people have tried to adapt it over the past few years but gave up for various reasons. The adaptation rights are still with the original author, Annie Proulx!"

"I know it's a sensitive topic, but Carpe Pictures can only take risks now. Low-budget indie films come in various genres - horror, religion, politics, and rom-coms. The gay theme is sensitive but suitable for us to develop."

Evelyn had to agree, especially since low-budget horror films were vital for a small movie company's survival.

"Alright, I'll meet Annie Proulx and buy the adaptation rights. But the novel has already been adapted into a screenplay by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana. You should take a look!"

"Just go negotiate the price!"

Evelyn shook her head. Adapted screenplays of popular novels were not cheap and were almost complete.

In late September, the crew of Lost in Translation returned from shooting in Tokyo.

In the editing room of Carpe Pictures, Charles looked at the weary Sofia Coppola and said with admiration, "Sofia, you guys were in Tokyo for only a little over a month, right?"

Sofia nodded and said, "Yes, just over a month, though our shooting time was only 28 days. Next, we need to start editing and post-production including the soundtrack."

"Yes, get a rough cut done first. I'll have someone deliver a copy to the distributor," Charles certainly had to start figuring out the distribution of the film.

The next day, Evelyn arrived with Scarlett Johansson.

"Just finished a film shoot and no rest?" Charles said, hugging Scarlett as she also tagged along.

"No, I'm here to discuss the promotion of a film currently showing. Mrs. Carpe said she needed to see you, so I came along to see," Scarlett laughed.

"Got it. Take a break!" After arranging for Scarlett, Charles returned to his office to meet his mother.

"3 million dollars, and the Brokeback Mountain screenplay is yours. The price won't go any lower!" Evelyn stated their bottom line.

"3 million dollars!" Charles walked a few steps, then turned his head, "Buy it!"

Out of 19 million dollars, more than 10 million had been used to buy Netflix shares. Now another 3 million on the screenplay.

Next, with Lost in Translation scheduled for release, the funding for new projects would definitely be insufficient. They'd have to consider bank loans.

"You really want to produce this film?" Evelyn asked uncertainly.

"Yes, I spent $3 million to buy it. I can't let it gather dust in the warehouse, can I?" Charles was determined to produce it but not right now - definitely next year.

"Waiting until Lost in Translation is released?"

Charles nodded, confirming his intentions. By then, they should have enough to develop Brokeback Mountain. Art films were affordable.

"By the way, Mom rented a standalone house for you by Santa Monica beach. Move out of North Hollywood soon," Evelyn added.

"Santa Monica, not bad," Charles had no objections. North Hollywood was closer to Burbank but the environment was indeed worse.

Charles had also compensated Evelyn over a million dollars, so she hadn't worked in vain. After all, she had helped a lot.

Evelyn handed Charles the keys and an address card from her bag before waving and leaving.

That same day, Charles, with the help of his assistant Duna, moved out of North Hollywood.

The house in Santa Monica wasn't right on the beach like Charles imagined but a few minutes' walk away.

Alright, no big deal. Charles didn't have much to move, so he quickly settled in.

"Duna, isn't this villa smaller than I imagined? There's no pool, just a small garden. The decor's alright though!"

Duna smiled helplessly and responded, "It's not small at all, over 2500 square feet, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, the living room's quite big. For one person, it's very spacious!"

"Never mind. How's the acquisition of Netflix shares going?" Charles inquired.

"Almost done, now negotiating with a few shareholders. Many want to sell, just the prices haven't been settled," Duna explained.

Charles nodded, "10% of the shares within 12 million dollars is fine."

He estimated that Netflix shares would rise next year. With the shares, they could also secure bank loans, a few million could definitely be borrowed.

*****

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