Chapter 68: Murphy's Weakness

Naive, idealistic, inexperienced...

These labels were inevitably assigned to Murphy by Jones Butler.

Bill Rossi looked at Murphy in astonishment. The Murphy he knew was mature and sensible, with far more social experience than his peers. How could he say something so unrealistic?

With his hands folded on the conference table, Murphy fully returned to reality. "I agree to your premise."

Without an appropriate distribution channel, the film would have no value, and his investment would not be recouped.

Jones Butler's lips curved into a pleased smile. "That's a wise decision."

She placed her pen on her notebook and raised four fingers. "Four hundred thousand dollars. If you agree, we can sign the formal agreement tomorrow."

Four hundred thousand dollars? Just ten thousand more than his investment? Murphy certainly wouldn't agree to that.

The three hundred thousand dollars was only the cost of shooting and producing the film. He and Paul Wilson needed money for flights, the film festival expenses, the cost of printing the screening copies, and renting this conference room. All these expenses added up to more than three hundred and ten thousand dollars.

Murphy had often been grateful that he hadn't invested all his money; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to participate in the Saint Denis Film Festival and might have ended up destitute.

Looking at the lofty Jones Butler, Murphy didn't hide his discontent. "That's impossible. Your offer is too low."

Jones Butler's initial offer was a probing price. She made a gesture for him to continue. "Director Stanton, what do you think is a reasonable price?"

Murphy tapped his right index finger lightly on his left knuckle and gave a humble smile. "Three million dollars."

"What?" The man with glasses on Jones' left exclaimed. "That's not negotiation; that's robbery!"

Murphy shrugged, his demeanor completely different from when he made those naive suggestions earlier. "Miss Butler asked for a reasonable number, and I think three million dollars is quite reasonable."

Jones Butler frowned at Murphy, sensing that he seemed different from earlier.

"I need a sincere price," she interjected.

Murphy spread his hands. "Miss Butler, I also need a sincere price."

The strategy of asking for the moon to settle for less applied globally.

Forty thousand dollars wasn't Jones Butler's bottom line. She waited a moment and then said, "Five hundred thousand dollars."

After watching the screening, she had made some estimates. The film had a limited audience, and even in the most optimistic scenario, its North American box office revenue would only be in the million-dollar range. The amount that would ultimately reach Miramax would be much less.

However, Miramax was a top distributor of independent films in the industry. Their films rarely made a splash in the box office; even Quentin Tarantino's films, which were their flagships, didn't have astounding box office numbers.

The main revenue came from video tapes and other rights.

"I don't feel your sincerity," Murphy shook his head. "Such a price is unacceptable."

Was this the same naive guy from earlier? Jones Butler felt like she was dealing with a different person, someone who seemed to be trying to seize control of the negotiation.

Backed by Miramax and facing a rookie director, Jones Butler wouldn't be suppressed.

Her tone became firm. "Miramax doesn't lack such small projects, but Director Stanton, without Miramax, your film might remain shelved forever. Do you want to see your work never reaching the audience? Do you want to see your investment stuck indefinitely, eventually turning into waste paper?"

Her words hit Murphy's weak spot. Ultimately, he needed a distribution company more than they needed him.

Film distribution was never simple. It wasn't just about setting up a distribution department and talking to theaters. Distribution companies were a high-end link in the film industry chain for a reason.

"Two million dollars," Murphy said calmly, as if he hadn't heard Jones Butler's words.

"Six hundred thousand dollars," Jones Butler made a reasonable concession. "That's double your cost!"

Murphy shook his head. "I'll show my utmost sincerity. My bottom line is one and a half million dollars..."

Jones Butler still shook her head. "I can only say sorry."

Six hundred thousand dollars was the highest she could authorize.

She stood up, slowly closed her notebook, and put away her pen, seemingly ready to leave.

Murphy sat calmly, not saying a word, nor did he try to stop or persuade her.

"What are you thinking?" Bill Rossi leaned over, whispering in his ear. "Six hundred thousand dollars is already a lot!"

According to his agreement with Murphy, if Stanton Studio ultimately closed the deal with a company he introduced, he would take a five percent commission.

Thirty thousand dollars was a big amount for him.

Murphy slowly stood up and extended his hand to Jones Butler. "It's unfortunate we couldn't reach an agreement."

Jones Butler put away her notebook and shook his hand. "Your asking price is too high."

After saying that, she shook her head again, feeling a bit regretful that the deal couldn't be closed.

"If you reconsider my offer..."

Any offer higher than six hundred thousand dollars exceeded Jones Butler's authority. This was just the first negotiation; she didn't completely close the door for further talks. "You can call me."

Murphy wouldn't shut this door either. "I still hope to collaborate with Miramax. Your company is a blessing to the independent film world."

Jones Butler glanced at Murphy again, finding him increasingly hard to read.

This was just the first negotiation. It's normal for negotiations to break down initially. Murphy and Jones Butler didn't say much more and left the conference room one after another.

Bill Rossi was somewhat displeased with the breakdown. Back in Murphy's room, he reminded him, "Your asking price was too high. Miramax would never accept it."

Murphy shook his head. "Their offer was too low. I couldn't accept it."

"You need a distribution company!" Bill Rossi reminded him earnestly. "This could scare them away."

"We can look for other partners," Murphy took out a business card from his pocket. "We can call Fox Searchlight and invite them to watch the film."

Bill Rossi frowned.

Murphy didn't seem to notice and picked up his phone, dialing the number on the card.