Hollywood Road

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"Murphy, I suggest selling out the film's overseas distribution rights to Fox Searchlight."

In the study room on the second floor, Bill Rossis held a cup of coffee and talked with Murphy about the follow-up of "Chain Saw". A place where many distribution companies like to play tricks."

Although Fox Searchlight's North American accounts are pretty good and there are basically no problems, Murphy will not underestimate the temptation of profits for a commercial company, especially when it comes to overseas markets where audits, distribution, sharing and taxation are different.

Moreover, the acceptance of such large-scale horror films in overseas markets is obviously lower than that in North America, that is, a few countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and there are relatively broad markets.

What's more, the 9/11 incident also had an impact overseas, so it's hard to say what the overseas market of "Chain Saw" will be like.

"Okay." Murphy nodded, "Go talk to Fox Searchlight, don't worry, talk slowly."

If Fox Searchlight is not stupid, it should also know that the farther the film lands overseas from 9/11, the better the results may be.

"There are also North American TV copyrights and videotape copyrights." Bill Rossis mentioned another source of income, "Fox Searchlight has already started contact with the Blockbuster chain."

"The negotiations in this area are dominated by them." Murphy said.

Thirty percent of the copyright of the film belongs to Fox Searchlight, and the cooperation between the two parties is in the honeymoon period. Even if it is to increase its own profits, Fox Searchlight will try to sell it at a high price.

Moreover, after so many years of development in the North American film and its surrounding markets, some mature cases have already been formed. The copyright of the first round of TV broadcast of a box office movie is generally about one-tenth of the total box office in North America. Videotape and DVD copyright The fee is about the same.

The difference between the two is that TV copyright can continue to charge fees through the subsequent second round, third round, etc., and the main source of income for video tapes and DVDs is sales and rental commissions.

In fact, it is not difficult to see from this aspect that Hollywood film revenue has gotten rid of its dependence on the box office and has many peripheral sources of income, but this does not mean that the box office is insignificant.

Just like TV copyright and videotape licensing fees, the box office is often the basis of all peripheral income, and it can most directly reflect the audience of the film. No one can expect a niche film with a box office of only a few million dollars.

Compete with a mainstream commercial film with a box office revenue of hundreds of millions of dollars to compete for peripheral income.

Murphy and Bill Rosses chatted for a while, and the accountant from Stanton Studios called, and Fox Searchlight's first share of $2 million arrived.

Murphy does not intend to keep the money completely, and directly informs the financial department. In the past few days, according to the budget established in advance, the labor union fees and the share of some crew members should be paid in place. According to industry practice, Stanton Studio will distribute red envelopes ranging from US$5,000 to US$30,000 according to different positions.

During the filming of "Chain Saw", Murphy was quite satisfied with most of the behind-the-scenes personnel. Except for a few positions that need to be adjusted, he intends to continue to cooperate with these people.

There is no doubt about the importance of a long-term cooperation team that can form a tacit understanding for a film director.

In this extremely realistic circle, fame and fortune are always the best ways to motivate people.

The phone rang again, and after Murphy picked it up, Rosa Rodriguez's voice came through the receiver, "Boss, there is a man named Ronan down there, and he said he needs to see you urgently."

Ronan? Murphy couldn't remember the name.

Rosa-Rodriguez explained on the phone, "He's a black man, he's coming from downtown, and he said it's related to 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 Rosa Rodriguez down, and then looked at the black man's bald head.

This guy's bald head was black and shiny, and his teeth were particularly white. Murphy knew him. When Stanton's studio moved, he followed Rose to help.

"Mr. Stanton..." Before Murphy could speak, and without paying attention to Bill Ross who was sitting next to him, the black man named Ronan spoke anxiously, "Our boss has an accident, please help him! "

Murphy immediately stood up and asked anxiously, "What's wrong with Rose?"

His heart sank, and he had a bad premonition, could it be...

"Last night, the FBI and the police raided the boss's residence." Ronan had already turned into a sad face. "Boss and many brothers were taken away by them. I asked many people to help..."

Hearing this, Murphy breathed a sigh of relief, it's not as good as he imagined, at least Rose's life will not be in danger for the time being.

Bill Rosses knew something about Murphy's past. Looking at him at this moment, Murphy shook his head and motioned him not to leave.

Ronan was probably in a hurry, he spoke in a hurry, and his words were not clear. Murphy walked to the water dispenser, fetched him a glass of water, handed it to him, and said, "Don't worry, just tell me what happened. clear."

After drinking a glass of water, Ronan paused for a moment, and his words gradually became clear, "The police arrested the boss on the charge of drug possession. I asked many people to help, but we basically have criminal records, so we can't help the boss at all. .”

Anxiety appeared on his face again, "If it wasn't for nothing, I wouldn't come here."

Murphy walked back and forth in the study for a few steps, and Bill Rosses roughly understood it. When Murphy's eyes swept over here unconsciously, he shook his head imperceptibly, trying to make Murphy refuse .

It's best not to get involved in this kind of thing. He roughly knew that Murphy's former prison mate was engaged in illegal occupations.

After thinking for less than ten seconds, Murphy walked back to the desk, picked up the receiver, and was about to make a call. Bill Rosses, who was sitting across from him, suddenly stood up, stretched out a hand to press the phone, and said nothing. Shaking his head at Murphy concealed.

Then, he turned his head to look at Ronan, "Can you wait on the first floor for a while?"

Ronan opened his mouth, turned around and left the study.

"Murphy," Bill Rosses asked immediately, "Is Ross your cellmate?"

"Yes!" Murphy nodded and said seriously, "He is my friend!"

Bill Rosses pressed, "Is he doing something illegal?"

Murphy didn't answer, nor would he answer this kind of question.

"Possession of drugs? Shouldn't it be more than that?" Bill Rossis was standing all the time, "You'd better leave this kind of thing alone..."

"Impossible!" Murphy interrupted him without thinking.

"Can you hear me out?" Bill Rosses didn't yell like other agents, he knew it was of no use to Murphy, "Need I remind you who you are now? You are a A well-known director whose film has just sold at the box office! Not a penniless kid in a slum, let alone a self-employed reporter with a camera!"

He bent his fingers and tapped the table lightly, and said with a little emphasis, "The most important thing you should do now is to break up with the muddle-headed you in the past, and create a mature, stable, responsible and talented director image for the media and the public. .”

"You can mess with men and women, and even have a drug scandal..." Bill Rossis was afraid that Murphy would go into troubled waters, "but you must never have a close relationship with a drug dealer!"

Looking at Bill Rossis, who was anxious to get angry, Murphy did not refute. He knew that what the other party said was actually the best choice, and he was completely considering it from his standpoint.

Turning a blind eye and listening without hearing is undoubtedly the best way to deal with it, but can he do it?

The scenes in the prison flashed in Murphy's mind. He sat on the chair and said slowly, "Bill, do you understand the feeling when someone is in despair and someone is willing to help you?"

At first, if it wasn't for Rose's help, Murphy himself couldn't imagine what would happen in prison. His current maturity was also honed step by step during that year, not born with it.

"Although we have embarked on different paths, I will never forget those!" Murphy actually made up his mind a long time ago, "I will not stand by, and I will do my best to help him!"

Bill Rossis was a little angry, and his words were sarcasm, "You need to prepare a huge sum of money!"

"We'll call Philip, Jim, David, and Helena." Murphy knew that no matter which route he took, it would require money. There’s still some money I can pay upfront out of my own pocket, and two million dollars should do a lot.”

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

"Sorry, Bill." Murphy was always clear-headed, "Even if you know it's not good for you, you still have to do it sometimes."

Bill Rossi sighed for a long time. Opposite him was his hope. After thinking about it, he finally said, "It's better for me and Robert to come forward..."

He seemed very angry, "If the media pays attention, don't answer any related questions."

Fortunately, Murphy was a director who hid one foot behind the scenes. If he was an actor who had just become famous, this matter would be the real trouble.

Afterwards, Murphy dialed the number of lawyer Robert. It was certain to help Ross, but he had to start from legal channels as much as possible.

Lawyer Robert sent a message in the afternoon. The matter was not as complicated as Ronan described. Ross was not an idiot, and he certainly would not have put a large amount of drugs in his home. The police did not actually catch any real strong evidence, but Ross also It was not clean, and the police detained him for the time being. It is hard to say what will be caught if it goes on for a long time. (To be continued.)