Chapter 33: International Distribution

Beverly Hills, Hilton Hotel, backstage at the Golden Globe Awards, the atmosphere was lively with buzzing filmmakers and media reporters.

"You young folks go celebrate! We're old now and need to go rest," Bill Murray said, tired, as he and his wife bid farewell to Charles and his group.

The newly crowned Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes hurriedly accepted interviews from the reporters and then left for home.

"Charles, Sofia, Scarlett, let's take a picture together," a reporter said, raising a camera.

Charles immediately posed with Sofia and Scarlett for a photo, seemingly holding a trophy in one hand.

Then, Charles' phone rang. It was his mother, Evelyn. He quickly walked out to the garden to take the call.

"Congratulations, Charles! Lost in Translation received five nominations and won three awards! The biggest winner of the night!" Evelyn exclaimed.

"Well, the musical and comedy categories aren't as prestigious as the drama ones. The Hours also won two major awards," Charles seemed to have outshined Chicago.

"Alright then, we'll celebrate when I get back to Los Angeles. By the way, remember that director Zack Snyder, the one you recommended? He's negotiating a script right now."

"Of course, I remember. Zack Snyder is quite capable!"

"Yes, it's the contract for the remake of Dawn of the Dead that we are handling," Evelyn clarified.

After chatting briefly with his mother, Charles went back inside to pick up his things, ready to leave.

"Sofia is being interviewed by the reporters," Scarlett said as Charles walked over.

"Then let's leave. It seems most of our crew is gone anyway. Some have left, and some are out celebrating with other groups," Charles suggested.

Scarlett Johansson nodded and went to inform Sofia.

"Charles, we're going to a bar to celebrate tonight. Aren't you excited?" Sofia Coppola was still a bit enthusiastic.

"Alright, let's go!"

...

Charles and others celebrated until dawn at a private club on Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills before heading home.

The Golden Globe Awards for movies and television were chosen by a group of journalists. Although they had some level of expertise, they couldn't quite match the authority of the Oscars.

The next day, newspapers and magazines such as the Los Angeles Times, Hollywood Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle, and Vanity Fair extensively covered the Golden Globe Awards.

Lost in Translation won three major awards, becoming the biggest winner. Many other films also won two awards each.

Some newspapers expressed dissatisfaction that Chicago lost to Lost in Translation for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.

Charles, however, was no longer concerned. Carpe Productions had run out of funds, and they needed to sell the overseas distribution rights, DVD, and television rights of Lost in Translation for cash flow.

"Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group wants the international rights outside of North America, and not just for the Asian market!"

The distribution head of Sony Entertainment's Columbia TriStar International Motion Picture Group arrived at Carpe Productions to negotiate.

In Carpe Productions' office, Charles shook his head and smiled at the head of distribution, saying, "We have an agreement with Constantin Film for Germany, and with Village Roadshow Pictures for Australia and New Zealand."

"Other than Germany and Australia, Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group has its own channels in Europe and Latin America," said the head of Sony Entertainment. In North America, Sony Pictures handled the distribution, whereas Columbia TriStar International Motion Picture Group handled the overseas markets.

"Lost in Translation is expected to gross at least $40 million in the North American market. This type of film will be even more popular in Europe. With the Golden Globes and potentially the Oscars, we are confident that the overseas rights will not come cheap," Charles laughed.

"Moreover, the overseas rights of Lost in Translation include theater releases, DVD markets, and television broadcasting rights. We can sell them outright!"

"What price does Carpe Productions want?"

Charles slowly held up five fingers. The Columbia TriStar head was visibly excited and said loudly, "Charles, that's impossible. How much box office can the overseas market bring?"

"Wait, listen to me," Charles pressed his hands down to calm the other party. "You know the saying, 'start high and settle low.' Don't get worked up!"

"Based on my estimates, the overseas market will be about twice the North American market. Lost in Translation has strong artistic value, while Hollywood has become overly commercial. You know this."

"Moreover, Lost in Translation was entirely shot in Tokyo, Japan. It's practically a promotional film for Tokyo. Sony Group also hopes to promote Japanese culture better, and Lost in Translation is perfect for that."

"It's still not possible for $50 million. Without the German and Australian markets," the distribution head hadn't quite recovered. "$20 million. Columbia TriStar will take the overseas distribution rights excluding Germany and Australia."

"Mr. Johnson, that's too low," Charles approached the head and analyzed, "I predict overseas box-office revenue of at least $80 million. Even if we exclude $10 million from Germany and Australia, that's still around $70 million. Plus, DVD and TV broadcasting - how much can Columbia TriStar make?"

"With a good reputation in North America, the overseas promotion costs will be minimal. Plus, the income from theaters will be around $30 million. The DVD market should not be lower than the box office market, and don't forget the TV broadcast revenue! And the positive impact on Tokyo's image!"

"Charles, you can't calculate like this. We can't be sure the overseas market will double the North American box office, and we'll have to wait for the release. The DVD market also takes time!"

"Therefore, $22 million!"

"Not enough. Through promoting Japanese culture globally, Sony will benefit a lot too. If the price is right, we can also give you the North American DVD and TV broadcasting rights," Charles dropped a heavy hint.

Selling off the DVD market rights was a good choice for Carpe since they had no distribution channels. Home entertainment companies owned by distributors would drive hard bargains.

The DVD market distribution costs were about 20%-30% in North America and roughly 40%-50% overseas. Including a 30% cost, the creators would get only 20%-40% of the revenue.

"Alright, including the North American home entertainment market, Columbia TriStar can offer $30 million!"

"Mr. Johnson, I need sincerity," Charles frowned. "The North American home entertainment market is huge. $50 million in total is not too much."

"Charles, time is a factor. Putting this deal together will take at least one or two years. $35 million!"

The negotiation lasted for a week, and Charles insisted on $50 million without backing down. Columbia TriStar was indeed very interested in promoting Japanese culture and eventually raised their offer to $40 million.

At the same time, Charles sold the German and Australian rights separately to Constantin Film and Village Roadshow Pictures, fetching $5.5 million.

By the end of January, Charles received a message from Ang Lee and discussed Brokeback Mountain.

Eventually, Carpe Productions sold the North American home entertainment market and the international rights excluding Germany and Australia to Columbia TriStar for $45 million.

Carpe Productions was finally back in full swing, with more than $50 million soon to be in their accounts!

When Evelyn returned to Los Angeles from New York, she immediately celebrated with her son because Naomi Watts was filming in Europe, and Scarlett Johansson was promoting Lost in Translation.

Keira Knightley, who came from England, also attended the celebration.

"Keira, long time no see!" Charles hugged the now 18-year-old elegant Keira Knightley and smiled.

"Charles, you're awesome! Lost in Translation was fantastic!" Keira Knightley also praised.

"Alright, Charles, congratulations. Your mother was in New York earlier and then went to Park City, Utah," Evelyn joined in.

"Park City?" Charles initially didn't react.

"The Sundance Film Festival had just ended, and your mom came back," Evelyn reminded.

The Sundance Film Festival, held annually for about ten days in late January, was a grand event for independent films. Many directors got discovered by film companies there.

"Sundance Film Festival," Charles suddenly checked his watch.

At the Sundance Film Festival, Saw was picked up by Lionsgate this year. James Wan got the idea from a short film, which caught Lionsgate's attention and turned into the Saw series.

I can't believe I forgot! Charles loved low-budget movies!

*****

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