I am Hollywood

Chapter 259: An Unreasonable Ask



[Chapter 259: An Unreasonable Ask]

After reading the script, Eric discovered that there were quite a few differences in details compared to his recollection of the film. However, the main storyline remained unchanged. Therefore, whenever he got around to shooting it, he figured he could easily make those adjustments.

Most importantly, Eric couldn't find the song Unchained Melody in the script. In his previous life, the reason Ghost became a classic was closely tied to that famous tune. It was almost as if the song took the entire story to new heights. If any other song had been used instead, Ghost surely wouldn't be seen as such a classic today.

Due to the butterfly effect, Eric was completely certain that if he wasn't directing this script himself, Unchained Melody probably wouldn't appear at all. Without that song and with all the other differences, it would be a miracle if the film managed to achieve even half the success of its predecessors.

"Mr. Rubin, I've finished reading the script. While there are many areas that need revision, overall it's not bad. How much are you planning to sell it for?" Eric closed the script and looked up to ask.

There was a glint of slyness in Bruce's eyes behind his glasses. Instead of answering Eric's question, he asked, "Mr. Williams, what areas do you think need to be revised?"

Eric gazed at Bruce and shook his head, saying, "That depends on the specifics of the shoot."

Since Eric had said that, Bruce didn't press the matter further. He even thought, deep down, that Eric only made that statement to lead him into lowering the price. He was confident that the script, which he had meticulously revised several times, may not be perfect, but it didn't require as many changes as Eric claimed.

"Actually, Mr. Williams," Bruce said, "I recommended my script to a few people at last night's party, and quite a few expressed interest. Mr. Charles Jaffe at Paramount even promised that if I sold the script to Paramount, he would personally produce the film and fully support its production. He also offered me a co-producer title to share in the film's profits."

Eric smirked internally and asked nonchalantly, "Mr. Rubin, how much will Paramount offer you in terms of profit share?"

After a moment's hesitation, Bruce hesitated to extend several fingers but thought better of it. He responded honestly, "Aside from the $300,000 payment for the script, Mr. Jaffe promised me a 1% share of the North American profits."

"And how much do you think this script would earn at the box office once made into a film?" Bruce displayed a proud smile. "Mr. Williams, since you see potential in this script, I believe it could earn at least $100 million at the box office. Maybe even more."

Eric replied, "You see, even if you gave it to another director to make, the box office would still reach $100 million. Based on a production budget of $20 million and a marketing cost of $10 million, you'd end up with just $250,000 in profit -- less than your basic payment."

"I certainly understand that," Bruce shrugged. "That's why I'm here today. Mr. Williams, what do you plan to offer for this script?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"$500,000," Eric said, knowing he couldn't set the price too high right away; he needed room for negotiation.

Bruce Joel Rubin looked at him with incredulity and raised his voice. "Mr. Williams, are you seriously saying a script that could make over $100 million is only worth $500,000?"

"Mr. Rubin, please don't naively insist on the $100 million box office. Before a film is released, no one can predict its revenue. So let's talk about how much you want."

Bruce held up three fingers and gestured toward Eric. "$3 million. I've had two scripts produced into films before, so I know what Hollywood's profit sharing looks like. I don't want profit sharing; I want 1% of the North American box office."

Even with some preparation, Eric was still taken aback by Bruce's audacious demand. He had never seen such compensation himself; the script for 17 Again had been a minimum of $200,000 with no profit share.

For subsequent films like Home Alone, even though he was the investor, he had specified all terms clearly in the contract for a reasonable payment and directing fees to avoid any complications later.

For instance, in the recently released The Others, he received no basic script payment because the film's budget was only $5 million. Instead, he had the benefit of 3% of the North American profits. Considering The Others' box office performance, that would net him about one hundred thousand.

Leaning back in his leather chair, Eric shook his head and laughed. "Mr. Rubin, your asking price is completely absurd. No screenwriter in Hollywood has ever obtained such a deal."

"No, no, no, I have one right here," Bruce complimented Eric slightly and then continued, "Mr. Williams, compared to the profits this film could generate, my offer is not unreasonable at all, is it? Perhaps even the lead actor's salary would surpass mine."

"You're mistaken, Mr. Rubin, I can't fetch that much either. The income reported in the papers was the total from all of my roles as an investor, director, and screenwriter. If I were just a writer, I wouldn't earn even a fraction of those numbers."

"Mr. Williams, can you offer me a more sincere price?" Bruce urged. "You have to realize that this script is like my child, and I hope for a great director to bring it to life."

Eric internally scoffed. He detested those who always compared their work to children. While some were sincere, most just put on a show.

Having heard Bruce's unreasonable demand, Eric understood this middle-aged man was definitely in the latter group. Otherwise, they would be discussing the content of the script rather than how much money he wanted.

"$3 million for basic script payment and box office share is definitely out of the question," Eric stated. "You just mentioned that Paramount intends to offer you $300,000 and 1% of the profits, so that's what I can offer as well. Mr. Robin, I assure you, my 1% will be more valuable than Paramount's."

Bruce Joel Rubin shook his head immediately. "Mr. Williams, you really don't seem sincere saying that."

Eric wanted to convey his sincerity; he wasn't a stingy person. However, given this man's greed, Eric knew if he raised the price too high, Bruce would probably run off to ask for an even bigger 'sincere' offer from other studios.

"Mr. Rubin, I'm already being quite sincere. My first script was only $200,000 with no profit share. You're potentially getting 1% of the profits now. Honestly, I just think this script is promising. It's my first attempt at someone else's script, which is risky, and if things go wrong, it could tarnish my reputation."

"Maybe I should go to other studios for offers. I received a lot of business cards last night," Bruce said as he tucked the script back into his bag.

Eric shrugged casually. "Go ahead, but I doubt anyone will offer a higher price. Even if you go back to Paramount, at the film's production and marketing costs, the box office must hit $60 million just to break even. The chances of you collecting that share are very slim, as I don't believe anyone else can direct your script to a high box office. Besides, if it flops, no one may ever want your scripts again."

Hearing this from Eric made Bruce hesitate for a moment, but he still got up to bid farewell to

Eric.

...

Once Bruce left, Eric turned his attention back to work, not dwelling on the matter further. Although Bruce was a bit greedy, he was still a smart guy. Smart people make smart choices. He might not fully grasp the implications of Eric's last comments now, but he would soon

understand.

If the script flopped, no one would dare accept his future scripts. Conversely, if this script became a hit, Bruce Joel Rubin would likely demand astronomical sums for future scripts, and only Eric could ensure that this script got made into a blockbuster.

...

It had to be said, Bruce Joel Rubin was indeed a patient man. For the next week, he didn't contact Eric, and Eric heard no further news about the Ghost script. Meanwhile, The Others reached a box office total of $25.54 million after its second week. Although it didn't decline as anticipated, the under 5% drop in earnings took everyone by surprise. The total gross exceeded $52 million -- over ten times its production cost. Some Disney executives who had worried that Michael Eisner's insistence on spending double the budget on marketing might lead to losses were relieved. After two weeks of release, Disney had already recouped its marketing expenses based on its share, meaning whatever profits came in afterward were pure profit.

Other studios envied Disney's good fortune and stopped criticizing Michael Eisner for his earlier lucrative deal with Firefly Films. Instead, they began praising his boldness.

*****

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