Chapter 136: Fifty Million Dollars

"Secret?" Murphy shook his head. "I don't think a secret would be of much help in shooting a film."

Miranda, sitting opposite him, showed interest, while James Franco, Jonah Hill, and Seth Rogen beside her also looked intrigued.

They understood Murphy better, knowing his past struggles. It was impossible not to be curious about such a sudden transformation.

Murphy certainly had secrets, but he couldn't reveal them to others.

After some thought, he said, "Before starting the project, I thoroughly studied horror film techniques. I discovered that clichés like confined spaces, serial killers, haunted houses, exorcisms, cursed dolls, eerie shadows, sudden noises, and unexpected twists are all Hollywood classics from content to form."

Hearing Murphy's words, Daisy recalled the horror movies she had seen before and nodded lightly. If you isolated scenes from "Saw," for instance, you could indeed find familiar elements from past Hollywood films.

"These are just the basics of making a horror film," Murphy knew how to make his words sound convincing for better publicity. "To make the film stand out, meticulous planning is essential. Every aspect, from the positioning of the vertical saw to the timing of revealing mysteries and the pacing of flashbacks, must be impeccable."

Many in the audience nodded. Murphy wasn't just talking; he had successful films as evidence.

"I want to keep the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish," Murphy said sincerely. "By using Hollywood clichés as building blocks, I aim to create a fresh and captivating film."

Miranda applauded first, then turned to the audience and exclaimed, "Murphy did it, right?"

No one responded verbally, but the enthusiastic applause was the answer.

"He's so good!" Daisy overheard someone commenting. "He's a director who cares about the audience, not just someone making random films."

Another person chimed in, "Even just for his words, I'd watch 'Saw' again."

Daisy also contemplated whether she should buy another ticket.

"I believe horror films don't need big scenes, big stars, or big special effects to attract people," Murphy summarized. "Horror films rely not on flashy tricks but on solid production efforts."

He glanced at the audience, "It's best to keep the audience terrified and hooked until the very end."

Laughter followed from the audience, followed by enthusiastic applause.

These words weren't just casually spoken by Murphy; they were conclusions drawn from the experience of a former director.

From his breakout "Saw" series to later works like "Insidious" and "The Conjuring" series, whether as a writer, director, or producer, the Wan horror films were consistently low-budget, high-return examples in the industry. They never missed the mark, earning widespread acclaim and unanimous approval from money-minded producers.

James Wan was also one of the few Chinese directors to reach the forefront of Hollywood.

Like what Murphy was doing now, all of this wasn't achieved through empty talk or boasting of genius but through step-by-step efforts.

The program ended, and Murphy's group quickly returned backstage.

"Nice job," a crisp voice sounded as Murphy looked ahead. CarlaFess walked over. "Your words made me interested in you and your films."

Murphy shrugged with a smile.

Carla approached closer, lowering her voice, "Speaking and acting like this is your style. You haven't changed."

"What else could I become?" Murphy turned and walked towards the dressing room. "I'm going to remove my makeup."

James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jonah Hill followed suit.

Kerry glanced at Carla and headed for the women's dressing room.

Having fought in the workplace for so many years, carla could read something from her eyes but didn't care.

With her identity and experience, why would she care about the thoughts of a eighteen-year-old girl?

After removing his makeup and finishing the remaining matters with the TV station, Murphy's group left. It was already late, and carla Fess escorted Murphy to the lobby of the television studio.

"Let's end it here for today," Murphy waved goodbye to her. "You go back."

Carla nodded. "I won't escort you, but I'll invite you for coffee another day."

She didn't even look at Kerry as she turned and walked towards the production room.

As before, she didn't intend to do anything and had no need to consider kerry.

It was quite late. After they came out, everyone waved goodbye, got into their respective cars, and drove off in different directions.

Adjusting her uncomfortable seatbelt, kerry's discomfort had been evident since she got into the car. Now, she sat silently, staring at the road ahead without saying a word.

"What's wrong?" Murphy glanced at her.

Kerry tilted her head, still not speaking.

Though Murphy lacked experience in this aspect, seeing kerry's demeanor, he couldn't help but recall Seth Rogen's reminder.

He turned the steering wheel, merging onto the main road, and said with a smile, "you're overthinking. Kara and I are just ordinary friends."

Although he occasionally made slightly inappropriate jokes, he and Carla were indeed just friends, and he never had any further intentions.

"Really?" Kerry turned around, staring at him with wide eyes, as if interrogating a suspect. "Or are you lying to me?"

Murphy furrowed his brows slightly. "When I met carla, I didn't even have fifty dollars on me. Do you think someone as proud as her would be interested in me?"

Kerry's tightly wound baby face gradually relaxed. "But you're not the same as before now!"

She had heard from Elizabeth that when a director succeeds, many women immediately flock to him, using all means to please him.

"Rest assured." Murphy reached out and pinched kerry's cheek. "Even if she were interested in me, I wouldn't be interested in her."

The tightly wound face gradually relaxed, and kerry turned back, leaning against the passenger seat, and whispered, "I've had a falling out with my parents, with Uncle Julian, and apart from you, I have no one else to rely on."

Murphy understood all these things. A surge of tenderness softened his hardened heart. "Darling, as long as you want, I'll always be your support."

Kerry turned around, looking at Murphy, who was close at hand, and nodded vigorously.

In fact, Murphy knew that in this ever-changing world, seizing the present moment was the best approach. No one could predict what would happen in the future, especially in the circle they survived in called Hollywood.

The interview program was just the beginning of a series of promotional plans by Fox Spotlight for "Saw." With the unexpectedly high box office results, they gained strong confidence. Wanting to maximize profits after such success was natural. Starting from the next day, Murphy's crew, led by Fox Spotlight professionals, embarked on a North American promotional tour.

These promotions were nothing special, mostly following the usual Hollywood routines.

Perhaps due to the film's expanded screenings or the effect of the program and subsequent promotions, the second week after the expansion saw no significant drop in box office earnings. Instead, "Saw" continued to perform steadily in the North American market.

In the first four working days of

that week, daily box office earnings remained around $1.5 million. Before the start of the third weekend on Friday, the film's cumulative North American box office had reached $31.28 million.

This was already triple what Fox Spotlight and most other companies had initially projected for the film's North American box office!

Subsequently, over the weekend, "Saw" exhibited an impressive box office trend rarely seen in horror films. Compared to the previous weekend, the drop was less than forty percent, earning $11.2 million and pushing its North American box office past the $40 million mark!

The $42.48 million box office earnings dazzled many people.

As with any normal film, the film's theater count and North American box office began to decline. By mid-August, fewer than 1,200 theaters were still showing the film. On August 14th, "Saw" and Murphy reached a historic milestone.

After earning $720,000 in a single day, the film's North American box office finally crossed the $50 million mark!

Like all normal films, the film's theater count and North American box office continued to decline. In the seven days of that week, "Saw" experienced ups and downs but ultimately grossed over $6.7 million, gradually approaching the $50 million mark in North America.

However, the film's theater count also began to decline sharply. By the middle of August, there were fewer than 1,200 theaters still screening it. On August 14th, "Saw" and Murphy achieved a historic moment.

After earning $720,000 in a single day, the film's North American box office finally crossed the $50 million mark!

With all the screenings and expansions, the film's final box office earnings depended on time to accumulate.

Murphy and his team returned to the City of Angels. Fox Spotlight had prepared a grand celebration party, but before that, Murphy planned to visit the California State Prison to visit his old friend struggling with addiction.