Chapter 41: Galaxy Films

After Arthur returned to Los Angeles from New York, Hollywood's glitz and glamour were fully displayed in front of him due to the award season.

Since Winona Ryder went to Ohio for filming and wasn't in Los Angeles, Arthur stayed at his home in Northridge.

Arthur was busy developing Sleeping with the Enemy, and he frequently traveled between Orion's office and his home.

Following the negotiations with Mike Medavoy, Meg Ryan's agent offered Meg Ryan a $2.6 million salary to play the female lead in Sleeping with the Enemy!

Arthur sat on the sofa chatting with Mike Medavoy. "I have already sent the script to Joseph Ruben, who directed The Stepfather, and I believe he can complete this project according to our requirements.

We'll be shooting the villa scenes on Malibu Beach in Los Angeles, and the country town scenes will be filmed in Iowa. In a while, I'll take a team there to complete the necessary set preparations!"

Mike Medavoy nodded, "Is two months enough preparation time?"

"Enough. The other cast members can be handled by the director and casting director; our requirements aren't too high. If Meg Ryan hadn't wanted to take a break, I could have started filming at the beginning of March," Arthur only had a $15 million production budget, so he needed to economize.

Arthur himself even played a handsome neighbor in the movie!

"Haha, you really are capable," Mike Medavoy was very pleased with this young man's execution abilities.

"Have you met Jonathan Demme?"

Arthur smiled. "Yes, I have!"

"Although Jonathan Demme hasn't directed an A-list movie before, mostly low-budget commercial films with comedic violence, he is capable of handling a serious work," Mike Medavoy and Jonathan Demme were friends, and now The Silence of the Lambs is Arthur Smith's project and he has the final say.

But Mike Medavoy still had to put in a good word for his friend!

"Rest assured, I have confidence in director Jonathan Demme and screenwriter Ted Tally. I have also read The Silence of the Lambs script and am very satisfied with their work," Arthur shrugged. "It's just that I currently can't support them to start working right away!"

Mike Medavoy smiled, called his assistant, and then handed Arthur a $1 million check. "Orion said they'd support you with $5 million, and, of course, they mean it."

"Take this $1 million to start the preliminary preparations for the project!"

Arthur took the check. The Silence of the Lambs was no B-grade indie film; it was a project with an investment close to $20 million.

Orion secured the North American exclusive distribution contract for The Silence of the Lambs, with a guaranteed minimum profit distribution model and a distribution fee percentage.

When the time comes, Orion will take back the invested $5 million first, then directly take the distribution fee percentage. As the producer, Arthur, and the cinema and distribution companies, would split nearly 70% of the box office, with the remaining box office earnings going to cover production and marketing costs.

Arthur would then rely on the international market and video sales to make a bit of profit. Moreover, he had to find investors himself. What could he use to exchange for funds?

Simply the international distribution rights for The Silence of the Lambs. Either sell them out early or pre-sell theater and video rights, then use the contracts to secure bank loans, unsure if it could manage to cover filming costs.

Just thinking about it gave him a headache. Director Jonathan Demme was a nobody, and he himself was a newcomer. Luckily, the prestigious Jodie Foster liked the role in The Silence of the Lambs, and the financing attraction would rely on this Oscar-winning actress!

"Jonathan knows I handed The Silence of the Lambs script to you, and funds originally for this project have also been redirected to Sleeping with the Enemy."

"He's been looking for me several times recently too!" Listening to Mike Medavoy's words, Arthur just nodded and smiled, waving the $1 million check in his hand, "With this, the movie's preliminary preparations can begin normally."

"At least, for the lead actors, I will first confirm them with Jonathan Demme. Thanks, Mr. Medavoy!"

Mike Medavoy nodded again and looked at Arthur, smiling, "The Golden Globe Awards ceremony is coming up soon. You're a producer now."

"Attending some necessary receptions and parties is best. Meeting some people might bring in potential investors!"

Arthur's eye twitched. He didn't have invitations to those parties, and spending thousands to buy one seemed like a waste.

Plus, none of his projects had released yet or shown any results. Who would care about him?

"Don't worry, I will," Arthur smiled.

After leaving Orion Pictures, Arthur went to meet with his agent Tracy Jacobs at ITA.

Now, Arthur's status was different. He was a genuine producer with decision-making power over certain actors. As an agency, ITA would naturally take Arthur's conditions seriously!

"Arthur, Meg Ryan is confirmed as the lead actress for Sleeping with the Enemy. What are your requirements for the male lead and supporting male lead?" Tracy Jacobs asked Arthur to sit on the sofa and personally poured him a cup of coffee.

"The male lead is a mature, successful man, who is irritable, quick-tempered, and has OCD but can become gentle and considerate. The supporting male lead is a college professor, warm and hospitable, sexy and sunny, which will attract the female lead."

Neither the male lead nor the supporting male lead needed to be very famous. As long as they could work well with Meg Ryan, it would be fine.

"By the way, how's it going with director Joseph Ruben?"

Tracy Jacobs smiled, "Of course, he's willing. He is currently working on the script and storyboard."

"That's great. Next month, take him with me to Iowa to find a beautiful country town to build our set," Arthur had few people on hand and had to handle many tasks personally.

"No problem, and there are many villas by Malibu Beach. Whichever one you like, we can rent for filming," Tracy Jacobs was now very attentive to Arthur since his growth was indeed speedy!

"Right, today I came because I want you to help me register a film production company. The Silence of the Lambs would be handled under the name of this new company," Arthur's Sleeping with the Enemy project was under Orion; The Silence of the Lambs was different. It would be produced by his own company, but the distributor would still be Orion Pictures!

"That's simple; there are specialized registration companies for that."

"For the name, let's call it Galaxy Films!"

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.