Chapter 142: What Happened to Ross  

"Murphy, I suggest selling the overseas distribution rights of the film outright to Fox Searchlight."

In the study on the second floor, Bill-Rossis, holding a cup of coffee, discussed the follow-up matters of "Saw" with Murphy. "Many overseas markets are quite chaotic, and we cannot regulate them as effectively as the North American market. This is also why many distribution companies like to play tricks."

Although Fox Searchlight's North American accounts are very clean and basically problem-free, Murphy would not underestimate the temptation of profits to a commercial company, especially when it involves audit, distribution, revenue sharing, and taxation, which vary from one overseas market to another.

Moreover, the acceptance of such large-scale horror films in overseas markets is obviously lower than in North America, with only a few countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the UK having relatively broad markets.

Besides, the impact of the 9/11 events is also felt overseas, making it hard to predict how "Saw" will perform in these markets.

"Okay," Murphy nodded, "You talk to Fox Searchlight, no rush, take your time."

If Fox Searchlight is wise, they would also know that the longer the release of the film is delayed from 9/11, the better the performance it might achieve.

"There's also the North American TV rights and video cassette rights." Bill-Rossis mentioned another source of income, "Fox Searchlight has already started contacting Blockbuster."

"This negotiation will be primarily handled by them," Murphy said.

The film has thirty percent of its rights belonging to Fox Searchlight, and as both parties are in their honeymoon phase of cooperation, even if it is to increase their own profits, Fox Searchlight will strive to sell at a high price.

Moreover, the North American film and its peripheral market have developed over many years, forming some mature cases. The first-round TV broadcasting rights of blockbuster movies are generally about one-tenth of the total North American box office, and the rights fees for videotapes and DVDs are about the same.

The difference is that TV rights can continue to generate fees through subsequent second and third rounds, etc., while income from videotapes and DVDs mainly comes from sales and rental commissions.

It's not hard to see from this aspect that Hollywood's movie income has broken away from reliance on box office, having many peripheral sources of income. However, this does not mean that box office is insignificant.

Like TV rights and videotape licensing fees, the box office often serves as the basis for all peripheral income, most directly reflecting the size of the audience. No one can expect a niche film with only a few million dollars in box office to compete with a mainstream commercial film with hundreds of millions of dollars in box office revenue for peripheral income.

After chatting with Bill-Rossis for a while, Murphy received a call from the finance person at Stanton Studio; the first installment of $2 million from Fox Searchlight had been deposited.

Murphy didn't plan to keep all the money but immediately informed the finance department to pay the union fees and some crew members' share of the profits according to the budget set in advance. Since "Saw" was a super box office hit relative to its investment, following industry practice, Stanton Studio would distribute bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 to different staff members based on their roles.

During the filming of "Saw," Murphy was quite satisfied with most of the crew, except for a few positions that needed adjustment, planning to continue working with these people.

The importance of a long-term cooperative team that can form a tacit understanding to a film director is undeniable.

In this utterly realistic circle, fame and profit are always the best motivations.

The phone rang again, and after Murphy picked it up, Rosa-Rodriguez's voice came through the receiver, "Boss, there's a man named Ronan downstairs. He says it's urgent and needs to see you."

Ronan? Murphy didn't remember this name.

Rosa-Rodriguez explained on the phone, "He's a black man who came from downtown, saying it's about your friend Ross."

Hearing this, Murphy immediately remembered, "Bring him up."

In less than a minute, a black man was brought into the study by Rosa-Rodriguez. Murphy waved his hand to dismiss Rosa-Rodriguez, then turned to look at the black man's shiny bald head.

This guy's bald head was so shiny it made his teeth stand out even whiter. Murphy recognized him; he had helped move Stanton Studio with Ross back in the day.

"Mr. Stanton..." Before Murphy could speak, and regardless of Bill-Rossis sitting nearby, the black man named Ronan started speaking anxiously, "Our boss is in trouble, please help him!"

Murphy immediately stood up, asking urgently, "What happened to Ross?"

He had a sinking feeling, fearing the worst...

"Last night, the FBI and police suddenly raided our boss's residence." Ronan's face turned somber, "Our boss and many brothers were taken away by them. I've asked many people for help..."

Hearing this, Murphy breathed a sigh of relief; it wasn't as bad as he had imagined. At least Ross wouldn't be in immediate danger.

Bill-Rossis, knowing some of Murphy's past, looked at him. Murphy shook his head, indicating there was no need for him to leave.

Ronan seemed desperate, speaking quickly and unclearly. Murphy went to the water dispenser, got him a cup of water, handed it over, and said, "Don't rush, explain clearly."

After drinking some water, Ronan calmed down a bit and spoke more clearly, "The police arrested our boss on charges of drug possession. I've asked many people for help, but most of us have records and can't really help our boss."

His face showed urgency again, "I wouldn't have come here if there was any other way."

Murphy paced back and forth in the study. Bill-Rossis understood the situation somewhat. When Murphy's gaze inadvertently swept over, he subtly shook his head, suggesting Murphy refuse.

This kind of thing is better left untouched. He roughly knew that Murphy's former prison buddy was involved in illegal occupations.

After thinking for less than ten seconds, Murphy walked back behind his desk, picked up the phone, ready to dial. Suddenly, Bill-Rossis stood up, extended a hand to stop the phone, and shook his head unmistakably at Murphy.

Then, he turned to Ronan, "Could you wait downstairs for a moment?"

Ronan opened his mouth but eventually left the study.

"Murphy," Bill-Rossis immediately asked, "Is Ross that prison buddy of yours?"

"Yes!" Murphy nodded, speaking earnestly, "He's my friend!"

Bill-Rossis pressed on, "Is he involved in illegal activities?"

Murphy didn't answer; he wouldn't respond to such questions.

"Drug possession? Surely there's more to it?" Bill-Rossis remained standing, "You really shouldn't get involved..."

"Impossible!" Murphy cut him off without thinking.

"Can you listen to me?" Bill-Rossis didn't shout as other agents might, knowing it would be useless with Murphy, "Do I need to remind you of your current status? You are now a well-known director whose film just made a huge box office hit! Not some unknown poor kid from the slums, nor a freelance journalist roaming around with a camera!"

He tapped his finger lightly on the table, emphasizing, "What you should do now is to sever ties with the past murky you, and present a mature, stable, responsible, and talented director image to the media and the public."

"You can mess around with relationships, even have drug scandals..." Bill-Rossis was afraid Murphy would get into trouble, "But you absolutely cannot have a close relationship with a drug dealer!"

Looking at the anxious Bill-Rossis across, Murphy didn't argue. He knew what was said was truly for his best, completely from his standpoint.

Turning a blind eye was undoubtedly the best approach, but could he do it?

Scenes from the prison flashed through Murphy's mind. He sat down, slowly saying, "Bill, do you understand the feeling when someone is willing to help you out of despair?"

If it weren't for Ross's help at the beginning, Murphy couldn't even imagine what would have happened in prison. His maturity now was honed step by step during that year, not something he was born with.

"Although we've taken different paths, I won't forget those times!" Murphy had already made up his mind, "I won't stand by idly. I'll do everything I can to help him!"

Bill-Rossis was somewhat angry, sarcastically remarking, "You better be prepared to spend a fortune!"

"We'll call Phil, Jim, David, and Helena," Murphy knew regardless of the approach, it would cost money, "Delay the profit distribution for now. If anyone disagrees, I still have some money in my bank account. I can pay upfront. Two million dollars should be enough to do quite a bit."

"You..." Bill-Rossis didn't know what to say, "You're too irrational!"

"Sorry, Bill." Murphy was always clear-headed, "Sometimes, even knowing it's not in your best interest, you still have to do it."

Bill-Rossis sighed deeply, seeing his hope in front of him. After thinking, he finally said, "Let me and Robert handle it..."

He seemed very angry, "If the media catches wind of this, don't answer any questions related to it."

Fortunately, Murphy was a director who stayed behind the scenes. If he were a newly famous actor, this matter would truly be troublesome.

Later, Murphy called his lawyer Robert, helping Ross was a given, but it had to be done through legal means as much as possible.

In the afternoon, lawyer Robert reported back that the situation wasn't as complicated as Ronan described. Ross wasn't a fool; he definitely wouldn't store large amounts of drugs at his home. The police didn't actually have strong evidence, but Ross wasn't clean either. The police's detention of him without release could lead to potential issues over time.

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