Chapter 114: Deadlock

"This is Mr. Godin Clyde, Director of Distribution at Fox Searchlight."

In the meeting room, Tony Guzman introduced Murphy, "And this is Mr. Riley Fields, Director of Market Research at Fox Searchlight."

The former, who was slightly bald, looked to be around fifty, while the latter, wearing black-rimmed glasses, appeared to be in his thirties or forties.

Murphy and Bill Rossis greeted them one by one. From their demeanor, it was clear that Godin Clyde held a higher position and was the primary decision-maker in this meeting.

"I didn't expect Director Stanton to be so young."

Sitting on a single sofa, Godin Clyde looked at Murphy. "I heard this is your second feature film?"

"Yes." Murphy nodded.

There was a hint of surprise in their eyes as if they hadn't expected him to be so young. Murphy observed them too. They had been visibly moved by the film's ending during the screening, but had quickly shaken off those emotions once it ended.

Anyone who could reach a high position at Fox Searchlight wouldn't let a film's impression overly influence their negotiation.

Frankly, Murphy would rather work with fools than negotiate with people like these. There might be fools in Hollywood, but these weren't among them.

Godin Clyde didn't seem in a hurry to start the negotiations and instead chatted with Bill Rossis. "Congratulations, Bill, for signing such a promising young director."

Bill Rossis responded without modesty, glancing at Murphy. "Just lucky."

"I had coffee with Brian Lourd from your company last month..." Godin Clyde mentioned casually. "Brian always complains that CAA can't find promising new directors. It seems that's not quite true."

He turned to Murphy. "Saw is impressive. Director Stanton is very talented."

"Thank you," Murphy replied politely.

Bill Rossis's expression soured slightly. It's common for agencies to poach talent from each other, and there's internal competition within agencies too. While they wouldn't directly steal clients, someone in a higher position at the company might demand to co-manage Murphy. If that happened, Bill Rossis's contributions would likely be overshadowed, especially as someone less senior.

What did Godin Clyde mean by this? Bill Rossis frowned slightly. Was this a warning to not be too involved in this project's negotiation?

While Bill Rossis was deep in thought, Murphy glanced at Godin Clyde without a trace, guessing some of his intentions. Unfortunately, those intentions were misplaced. The negotiations for Saw were led by Murphy, not the CAA agent as Godin Clyde might have assumed.

"Director Stanton..." Godin Clyde turned to Murphy. "I heard you've been to several distribution companies?"

"Yes." Murphy smiled. The less-than-ideal results turned into something different as he spoke. "They all think highly of Saw. Miramax offered ten million dollars for a buyout, plus I would get a share of the box office and direct two more projects for them."

Godin Clyde tilted his head slightly. This didn't quite match the information he had. Of course, he wouldn't completely trust Murphy or the information from other companies.

These companies both cooperate and compete, something Murphy had fully grasped. With Harvey Weinstein and Milton Johnson offering no room for negotiation, Murphy's rhetoric was useless. They simply presented their terms, take it or leave it...

During those unequal negotiations, even if he had three mouths, he couldn't do anything.

From Kara Faith, Murphy learned that Fox Searchlight was not doing well recently...

And Godin Clyde's working style was clearly different. Although he was trying to lower Murphy's leverage, he wasn't as forceful.

Bill Rossis and Tony Guzman remained silent. Guzman knew why Godin Clyde's attitude was relatively mild. Fox Searchlight hadn't released any significant box office hits this year, making their annual performance concerning.

Godin Clyde was under pressure. Encountering a film like Saw, which had clear selling points, he wouldn't want to let it go easily.

"Mr. Clyde," Murphy suddenly shifted the conversation to Tony Guzman, "I hit it off with Tony in Park City. We've formed a deep friendship. Fox Searchlight is also a top independent film distributor. I very much want to work with you."

He smiled slightly. "I believe we can work together through a distribution contract."

Before Godin Clyde could speak, Murphy continued, "Lionsgate offered me a distribution contract with a twenty-five percent North American distribution commission."

Godin Clyde's smile turned slightly mocking. Twenty-five percent? Clearly, Lionsgate was trying to exploit him. Was this something worth mentioning?

"That includes marketing expenses, prints, insurance contracts, and so on," Murphy added nonchalantly.

Godin Clyde exchanged a surprised glance with Riley Fields. When had Lionsgate become so benevolent?

In negotiations with Lionsgate and Miramax, Murphy felt the inequality. In front of them, he was like an ant against a boot.

Especially with Lionsgate. After hearing Milton Johnson's terms, he had no intention of continuing. There was no room for negotiation, making further discussion pointless.

He felt like a fly caught in a spider's web, struggling to escape. This required not just effort but finding the web's weakest link.

Sitting here now, Murphy felt a difference. Unlike Milton Johnson or Harvey Weinstein, Fox Searchlight's executives didn't just throw out a few conditions, leaving him to accept or reject. They were listening.

Murphy continued, "DreamWorks offered to distribute the film for a fifteen percent commission, deducting marketing and distribution expenses after the box office revenue is received."

"That's quite generous," Godin Clyde said, impressed by the film but not easily swayed by empty words. "Why didn't you agree?"

"Because of Fox Searchlight!" Murphy replied earnestly. "Before entering Hollywood, I worked with a TV network under 20th Century Fox. Your company has helped me before. Kara Faith, the deputy director at Fox Los Angeles Channel 6, is a good friend who recognized my talent."

This was unexpected for Godin Clyde. He hadn't anticipated that the young director had connections with 20th Century Fox.

He signaled to Tony Guzman, who sent a text message. Someone outside would check.

Murphy continued his fabrication. "I have great goodwill towards Fox. Given our agreement, I wouldn't agree to any other company before this screening. I truly want to work with you because of my positive past experiences with Fox."

He concluded, "Therefore, I'm very eager to sign a distribution contract with your company."

Godin Clyde understood. Fox Searchlight wasn't like Lionsgate or Miramax, which focused on buying rights. They had their own system, but it ultimately boiled down to squeezing smaller production companies.

His phone buzzed. Turning, he saw Tony Guzman nod slightly.

The young director was telling the truth? He had connections with Fox? Initially skeptical, Godin Clyde now saw some credibility in Murphy's claims...

Murphy wasn't worried about Fox Searchlight checking his stories. Most of what he said couldn't be verified directly. The companies he'd mentioned wouldn't reveal their actual terms, especially since they were competitors. Even without competition, they wouldn't disclose specific numbers publicly.

His statements were based on truth, with some embellishments.

Regarding Kara Faith, due to recent news, she'd been recognized by Fox executives and given an opportunity for further training, making it easy to verify.

"We also want to work with you," Godin Clyde said, more polite than Harvey Weinstein or Milton Johnson. "Fox Searchlight can accept a distribution contract."

He smiled warmly but spoke harshly, "Thirty percent North American distribution commission, including marketing expenses. Additionally, we want half the film's rights and non-box office revenue."

"That's too high."

Despite saying this, Murphy felt slightly relieved. His earlier statements had some effect. This distribution contract was slightly better than those from Lionsgate and DreamWorks, whose commissions didn't include marketing expenses.

He spread his hands. "Even optimistically, if the film grosses ten million dollars, you'd take three million. I still need to pay actors' bonuses and guild fees, not even covering costs."

Godin Clyde reminded him, "We're only discussing North America. You still have overseas and other rights income."

Murphy raised his voice slightly, "But you want half of that too!"

He held up two fingers. "Twenty percent! Rights are separate."

"Impossible..." Godin Clyde shook his head. "Director Stanton, I believe Fox Searchlight is offering the best terms among all companies."

If it weren't for the film's clear selling points and Fox Searchlight's poor performance this year, they wouldn't have offered such terms.

The negotiations began a tug of war, falling into a deadlock.

___________________

(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)

If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters

Read Ahead

Patreon.com/INNIT