Behind The SpotLight

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 34

The people who attended the screening looked at each other in disbelief, their earlier confidence visibly shaken. They had thought they could buy the movie easily, like a grocery item. Suddenly, some of them hesitated as the reality of competition set in.

Emmanuel noticed this moment of uncertainty, the tension thick in the air, and approached Collin with purposeful strides.

"Then how about $8 million? Are you fine selling the movie for $8 million? We'll pay you in cash. We'll also handle the taxes." His tone was steady and persuasive, an attempt to mask his growing desperation.

Taxes were complicated and often a hidden landmine. Based on the amount they were discussing, Collin and the others might owe 30% of their income to the IRS, a significant blow to their earnings. If Emmanuel, the representative of Wash Dismay Studio, was telling the truth, the offer was at least worth considering.

Collin even paused for a moment, letting the numbers race through his mind, before shaking his head firmly. He believed their movie was worth more than $8 million, far more.

"Then how about $9 million!" someone shouted, louder and bolder than before.

"$9.3 million!" another voice called out from the back of the crowd.

"$9.5 million!" The tension was rising, nearly reaching a fever pitch.

"$10 million!" someone else blurted out, as the room practically erupted with energy.

Suddenly, it became an auction without rules, chaotic and intense.

Emmanuel could see their intentions clear as day in their greedy faces. He recognized some of the Big Six studios participating in this impromptu auction and knew the stakes were only rising.

He gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw in frustration.

"$12 million! My promise still stands, we'll handle the taxes. Come and take our hand. Wash Dismay Studio is the best studio in Hollywood. You don't want to waste this moment."

His voice rang with passion, but beneath it was something else.

There was a veiled threat, and Collin recognized it instantly.

'If we don't agree to sign a contract, they'll blacklist us,' Collin thought without surprise.

He almost laughed at the predictability. He'd heard this kind of threat many times, even in his old career. Some followed through. Others faked it to apply pressure. The fact that Collin was still standing, alive and well, meant these tactics rarely worked on him.

Besides, Emmanuel was just a nobody, despite how loud his voice was. He had no decision-making power in Wash Dismay Studio. He was just trying to act important. His words didn't represent the entire company and Collin wasn't so easily fooled.

Other people in the room sneered at Emmanuel's tactic with amused, mocking expressions.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not going to sell the movie. We're only looking for a distribution deal," Collin said, calm and resolute.

He shook his head with polite finality.

"Then how about $25 million!" a booming voice interrupted.

Tyler showed up, breathing heavily like a man who had just sprinted a 100-meter dash. He had just finished a call with the Chairman, who approved a $35 million budget to buy the movie. He had the green light he desperately needed.

The Chairman had said, "Don't fuck it up." A warning Tyler took seriously.

When Tyler announced his offer, murmurs spread like wildfire. A film that cost just $300,000 being offered $25 million felt like overkill, some even thought it was madness. A few whispered it was financial suicide.

Yes, the movie was profitable on paper and by performance. But buying it at such a high price could erase that low-budget advantage. If it underperformed, they could end up losing money.

"..." The room fell silent for a moment.

Collin was shaken by the offer. Even his heart nearly skipped a beat. He hadn't expected someone to offer $25 million so early or so aggressively.

'My joke about selling the movie for $50 million… I can't believe someone just offered half of that.'

"I'm sorry, but I still only want to sign a distribution deal." Collin's voice cracked slightly, but he recovered quickly.

"What!?" Tyler barked, frustration visible in the tight clench of his fists.

Tyler frowned and glanced at Emmanuel, who nodded reluctantly, as if conceding defeat.

Indeed, for a movie like this, retaining the copyright was the smartest choice. A long-term play for even greater rewards.

"Are you even sure your movie will make $25 million at the box office? Just take the money and let us do our job. $25 million isn't a small amount. Even if you sign a distribution deal, the most you'll probably earn is $20 million. That's because you'll only get a 30% share of the box office." His tone now blended logic with manipulation.

Tyler lied as naturally as he breathed, smooth and constant. He knew the movie's potential.

Let's say the film earned $150 million at the North American box office, a number that now seemed likely. The Cinema Alliance would take 40%, and the distribution studio would claim 30% as their fee, leaving 30% for Collin and the team.

30% of $150 million was $45 million in clean, cold cash. Just not today.

It meant Collin and the others could earn $45 million, almost double what Tyler was offering. But that money would take time to arrive, perhaps months, or even a year.

Still, in the rush of negotiations, Collin had forgotten this detail.

"You don't understand. Distributing a movie takes time. Screening takes time. Calculating the box office also takes time. You might earn more than $25 million, but it'll take at least a year or two." Tyler's voice softened slightly, sounding more like advice than pressure.

He was right. The box office wasn't a waterfall, it was a slow drip. The money would trickle in, not crash all at once. Collin and the others wouldn't see that hypothetical $45 million anytime soon.

"It's better to take the $25 million. At least you get the money today, no hassle, no waiting." Tyler ended with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

'Come on, take the fucking bait! The less money I spend, the bigger my bonus,' Tyler thought while trying to maintain a neutral face.

For every million he saved, he earned a 1% bonus, as per the Chairman's deal. If he locked in the deal at $25 million, he'd have $10 million left from the budget. That meant he'd take home $1 million himself and finally enter the elite bonus circle, because of the Chairman's personal promise.

Everyone in the room wanted to buy the movie for their own reasons, but distributing it wasn't a bad fallback. If it performed well, the studio would get a decent bonus, not massive, but enough to justify the effort.

"..." Collin remained silent, lost in thought.

Now Collin was hesitating, and it showed. He admitted to himself that he hadn't considered how slow the money would be in a distribution deal. He was paying attention to that detail now.

Truth be told, Collin wasn't a producer. He was a talent agent. He was used to negotiating contracts for actors, not facing off against greedy executives from the acquisition departments. Producers were the ones who knew how to talk to studios and decode the jargon.

"If you're not inclined to sell the movie, then that's fine. We can sign a distribution deal, you'll get 25% of the box office." Tyler shifted tactics, sensing Collin's wavering resolve.

Seeing that Collin was on the fence, Tyler realized that even a distribution deal was acceptable. As long as they secured the movie, whether through a full buyout or partial control, it was still a win.

"Before you make a decision, why don't you hear from the others? Maybe they can offer better conditions than Wash Dismay Studio." A calm, new voice broke the tension.

A figure stepped forward from the side of the room, commanding attention with quiet authority.

The people were stunned and began whispering immediately.

They hadn't expected to see...

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