Chapter 88: Back to Basics

In Embassy Pictures' rudimentary screening room, everyone was silent, watching the final scenes. Several people were rubbing their eyes and pressing their temples, visibly uncomfortable.

As the screen turned black, signalling the end of the screening, Garcia breathed a sigh of relief, feeling dizzy and nauseous. If this continued, he might throw up.

The new film the boss had bought from the Sundance Film Festival was worse than any small foreign productions Embassy Pictures had acquired from Central Asia for two or three thousand dollars. It could easily be classified among the worst films he had ever seen.

Thomas, the head of theatrical distribution, took off his glasses and wiped his eyes with a tissue.

What a torture.

Was the new boss dissatisfied with Embassy Pictures' management and using this film as a form of punishment?

Thomas looked at Terry, the head of offline distribution, who shook his head. He clearly did not like this terrible film either.

David Villa, the marketing director, was silent, trying to find a marketing angle for this film but coming up empty.

Robert turned off the tiny projector and drew the thick curtains open, looking at Michael sitting in front, full of confusion. Why did he buy such a film?

Was Michael going back to his old foolish ways? The lesson from "Survival of the Fittest"…

"What do you think?" Michael asked the fierce Latina woman beside him.

Since the film needed re-editing, he had specially brought Jessica Felton.

With her arms crossed, Jessica Felton leaned back, her slim arms pushing her high, soft chest to the sides, making the shirt buttons strain as if they could pop off at any moment.

"The camera work is terrible, amateurish," Jessica Felton, being a technician, was honest. "The editing is even worse."

She asked, puzzled, "You didn't shoot this, did you?"

Michael scratched his itchy nose and said, "I bought it from the Sundance Film Festival."

Jessica Felton was blunt, "Well, the person who sold it to you got rich."

At this point, the curtains were fully open, and Garcia turned on the lights, bringing brightness back to the screening room.

"You want to discuss this film, right?" Although a tech enthusiast, Jessica Felton was not dumb and understood basic social cues. Seeing Michael nod, she said, "I'll take a walk outside. Call me when you're done."

Michael had brought her away from her busy technical work, not just to watch this DV recording.

Jessica Felton left the screening room.

Michael stood up, looked at the key figures from the distribution company, and said, "I bought this film from the Sundance Film Festival for $80,000, buying out all the rights."

Hearing this, Garcia immediately started calculating how long it would take to recoup the costs through videotape and DVD sales.

"I'm planning to release this film in theatres," Michael continued.

Garcia looked at Michael in astonishment. Did this film even have any theatrical release value? It seemed like no matter how much money was invested, it would never be recovered.

Terry and Thomas exchanged glances, seemingly sharing the same thought. This young man had previously shown considerable knowledge, and with financing channels in hand, they had been excited about the company's bright future.

But now, how quickly had he revealed his amateurish side…

David Villa frowned, estimating that it would be lost no matter how much was invested.

Robert couldn't understand why Michael suddenly seemed unreliable.

Michael could sense his subordinates' lack of approval and even guessed Garcia's doubts. If he hadn't had some capital to back him up, he would never have taken an interest in this film.

The film had low production costs, but success would require significant investment.

"I'm planning to set up a special distribution team for this film," Michael knew that no explanation would dispel their doubts, so he said directly, "I need someone to take charge of this distribution team."

He looked around at the faces in the room, "Who wants to be responsible for this project?"

Thomas, the head of theatrical distribution, opened his mouth but held back. He couldn't help but think, was this a scheme to set up a failed project to weed out dissenters? If the project fails, the person in charge must take the blame…

Terry had no intention of speaking; theatrical distribution wasn't his area.

Seeing no one respond, Robert stood up, ready to take on the project. Perhaps Michael saw something he didn't.

After all, two trips to Abu Dhabi and the success of "The Purge" had proven Michael's vision and execution ability.

He had long recognized that Michael stood higher and saw further than he and George.

But before Robert could speak, Garcia said, "I oppose the distribution of this project."

Michael looked at Garcia, who, without hesitation and with a sense of responsibility to the company, continued, "The film quality is average, the risks are too high, and it could easily lead to losses."

He thought for a moment and added, "The company has just completed the acquisition. If the first film we release fails, it will have multiple negative impacts. We must be cautious with this project."

Michael nodded inwardly. These words showed Garcia's sense of responsibility. If his subordinates blindly supported distributing a poor-quality film just because he was the boss, he would have to reconsider their suitability for their positions.

In fact, Michael was also secretly assessing them.

A new company with new personnel meant everyone had their own ideas, and he couldn't understand them all just from their resumes.

"I have a preliminary plan…"

Michael said, opening his briefcase and handing out several copies of a plan to everyone in the room, "Take a look. This is a plan centred around viral marketing. Of course, it's just a preliminary plan. The specific implementation needs you professionals to develop."

Garcia stopped talking and started reading. After half a page, he was hooked.

The idea was too incredible. Hollywood had never seen anything like this before. The creativity was wild, but could it succeed?

Hollywood's established methods were the safest, right?

Terry and Thomas flipped the pages, feeling a mix of shock, absurdity, and a sense that it might be worth trying.

Robert swallowed hard, quickly reading through Michael's plan, and his view of the film suddenly changed.

It might succeed, right?

If it were someone else, it might not work. But with Michael and his team, they definitely had a chance.

Robert thought we were experts at this kind of thing. Going back to basics, it would be a piece of cake!

David Villa closed the copy, repeatedly running the preliminary plan through his mind, considering the possible effects and adding some tweaks based on his experience.

Embassy Pictures was new to him, and Michael knew they were still building trust. He wouldn't use force unless absolutely necessary.

"A crazy idea," Garcia looked at Michael, seemingly at a loss for words. After a moment, he said, "But one that could potentially ignite public interest if it succeeds."

Michael smiled, waiting for Garcia to continue.

Garcia took a deep breath, "It has strong feasibility, but the risks are high." Ordinary people wouldn't kneel before a crazy idea. Instead, he questioned, "Following this plan, the film has many content flaws."

Michael replied, "That's why I brought an editor to re-edit the film."

Garcia still doubted, "This marketing strategy might affect the company's reputation."

Michael, needing more than yes-men, patiently explained, "The distribution company will remain behind the scenes. This film has no union ties and doesn't need to include Embassy Pictures in the opening credits."

He had considered this well in advance, even noting in the signed copyright contract's additional clauses, "If the film succeeds and becomes public, the director and actors will be pushed to the forefront to enjoy media and fan accolades, basking in the spotlight."

The company that previously distributed this film seemed to have adopted a similar strategy. The director and actors shone brightly for a moment before fading away.

The distributing company continued operating without much negative impact.

Michael also noted that the film's director and actors lacked experience and were far from Hollywood insiders, making them relatively easy to control.