Chapter 67: The Premise of Cooperation

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

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

He appropriately showed his surprise. "Thank you! It's my honor."

Murphy's reaction was exactly what Jones Butler expected. She continued, "I take this potential cooperation with Stanton Studio very seriously, but we need to discuss the specifics in detail."

Bill Rossi interjected, "We have plenty of time to talk."

He also hoped this collaboration could come to fruition.

"Specifics?" Murphy had a general idea of what she meant but still asked with a puzzled expression, "Isn't Miramax going to be the distributor for 'Hard Candy'?"

Though he knew it wasn't realistic, he still harbored some hope that Miramax would simply become the film's distributor and sign a distribution contract with Stanton Studio. This way, regardless of box office or other revenue, Stanton Studio could get a share.

He even had more ideas buried deep inside.

"Miramax will, of course, distribute 'Hard Candy'," Jones Butler said, tapping her pen and maintaining control. "But we need to own all the rights to the film."

Murphy frowned slightly. "You want to buy out the film?"

Bill Rossi gave Murphy a surprised look. Wasn't this the most normal situation?

"Can we collaborate in another way?" Murphy probed.

Jones Butler made a gesture for him to continue. "You can propose it. As long as it's reasonable and benefits both parties, we can consider it."

Her words sounded grand, as if she was thinking about Murphy and Stanton Studio.

Even though he knew these ideas were unrealistic, Murphy couldn't give up without trying. What if they agreed?

Even if they didn't, he had nothing to lose.

After thinking for a while, he slowly spoke, "Stanton Studio could sign a distribution contract with Miramax..."

Murphy was still considering his next words when Jones Butler interjected, "Then, like mainstream Hollywood commercial film distribution, Miramax would take a percentage of the box office and rights revenue as distribution fees?"

Before Murphy could respond, Bill Rossi looked at him in slight amazement. How was that possible?

After a brief silence, Murphy nodded slightly.

"That's impossible," Jones Butler shook her head without hesitation. "Buying out the rights is our premise for cooperation."

She spoke decisively, leaving no room for negotiation.

Murphy wasn't ready to give up. Though he was in a weak position, he still aimed to secure the best possible deal for himself.

"A buyout could work," Murphy continued with his unrealistic ideas, "but Miramax needs to sign an agreement with Stanton Studio. We can negotiate a suitable figure, and if 'Hard Candy's North American box office exceeds this figure, I, as the director, should have the right to a box office share."

"We can pay you a box office share," Jones Butler seemed to entertain the idea but then made it clear, "the amount stipulated by the Directors Guild."

According to the agreement between the Directors Guild and the Producers Alliance representing Hollywood's major companies, guild members were entitled to a share of the box office and video revenue from their directed films.

The stipulated share was, of course, very low.

"I'm not a member of the Directors Guild."

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

Murphy frowned deeply.

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

She decided to shatter his illusions. "Director Stanton, the plan you proposed is something no distribution company would accept. Let me remind you, 'Hard Candy' is a niche independent film, not a mainstream commercial production with an investment of tens of millions of dollars."

Murphy was well aware of this. He suggested those ideas more to see if he could find a loophole. If they agreed, the gains would be significant.

But now it seemed, Jones Butler, leading the negotiation, was not someone who would make foolish decisions.

"Your film's cost wouldn't exceed $300,000 at most," Jones Butler continued, pressing her advantage. "Miramax pushing it to the theater market would incur pre-distribution promotion and printing copies, and these expenses alone would exceed $300,000! What guarantee do you have that Miramax will recoup its investment? Do you have a complete plan? Why should we trust your plan? Do you have a successful track record?"

She looked at Murphy, speaking slowly and clearly. "If Stanton Studio covers all promotional expenses, we can agree to a revenue-sharing deal and sign a distribution contract."

An inexperienced director wanting to sign a revenue-sharing agreement or a mainstream commercial distribution contract with such a low-budget film—did he think Miramax was a charity? Or did he believe they were all fools?

Hearing this, Murphy sighed internally. Jones Butler was no fool and made no irrational decisions. His unrealistic ideas should come to an end.

With that sliver of hope dashed, he decided to return to a more practical approach.

As for Stanton Studio bearing all promotional expenses, Murphy wasn't foolish either. He would never agree to that.

"Continuing like this is meaningless," Jones Butler pressed at the right moment. "Our negotiation can end."

Being treated like a fool was not a pleasant experience. Did he really think she was that stupid?

"Hey, Jones," Bill Rossi quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Murphy was just expressing his ideas. If you have different opinions, we can discuss them slowly."

Jones Butler wasn't truly ending the negotiations. She reiterated, "Miramax buying out 'Hard Candy's rights is the premise of our negotiation!"

She looked at Murphy, feeling that this young director was too ignorant of reality. "If you don't agree, there's nothing more to discuss."

Believing that "Hard Candy" had some market potential was true, but she wasn't desperate to secure this niche independent film. Such films didn't hold that much value.