Chapter 37 Casting the Net Wide

Hollywood Film Distribution Department, Reception Area.

A middle-aged bald man with glasses set down the documents in his hand and, after collecting them, smiled and said, "Mr. Anderson, your project's shooting plan is very meticulous, and the set design drawings are exquisite."

"It's a great honor to have your approval," Ronan replied timely.

He patiently waited for what was to come next, knowing that the deputy director of the distribution department would surely have some reservations.

Sure enough, the balding middle-aged man continued, "But your film hasn't been completed yet, has it?"

"That's correct," Ronan replied truthfully. "About one-third of the shooting has been done."

Suddenly, the balding man asked, "Is the investment for this project really $11 million?"

Ronan smiled, "To be frank, that's for promotional purposes. The actual investment in the film is around $3 million."

The other party was a true industry insider; the so-called $11 million budget couldn't fool him. However, based on the truth, a little embellishment could be added.

"A $3 million low-budget horror film..." the balding middle-aged man flipped through the script once again. "The investment in production isn't small either."

Looking at the entire North American film industry, a $3 million movie investment was definitely not a small project.

Ronan presented the only somewhat influential member of the cast, "The film's director, James Huang, has directed 'The X-Files.'"

The balding middle-aged man nodded slightly. "I think I've heard someone from the Fox TV production department mention him." He put down the script and said, "Here's the deal, Mr. Anderson. Let's discuss further once your film's production is completed, alright?"

"Sure," Ronan had achieved his goal. "When the film is completed, I'll send a copy right away. Hopefully, we'll have a chance to collaborate."

The balding middle-aged man stood up and shook hands with Ronan before bidding him farewell. "As long as the film is excellent, distribution won't be a problem."

The prerequisites were made very clear.

Ronan shook his hand firmly. "It will be an outstanding horror film."

Mary had been silent beside Ronan the whole time. Seeing Ronan's expression and hearing his words, she couldn't help but nod silently. After experiencing setbacks, Ronan was truly not the same person as before.

When pitching "Deadly Encounters," she had accompanied Ronan to several distribution companies. At that time, Ronan was young and impulsive, always boasting about how excellent his film was, including many of his interesting ideas and talents that were sure to impress the audience and guarantee box office success.

When the distribution companies expressed dissatisfaction with the film, he would even shout that they would regret missing out on this film!

Looking at Ronan now, it was as if he had become a different person—mature, composed, adept at handling situations, and his words, both true and false, were extremely convincing. Even the false ones, when heard by someone in the know like herself, would be believed to some extent.

This was what a producer and a business elite should be like.

What's more important was that she had seen Ronan make use of every spare moment to study and improve himself. The enhancement of various abilities brought about by this was palpable to those around him.

Ronan left behind some materials and exited Hollywood Film Distribution. The main purpose of this trip had been achieved.

The cast lineup of the film had no fame, and the investment scale was limited. How could distribution companies sign on without seeing the film?

This was just laying the groundwork for the future.

In the parking lot, Ronan got into Mary's car. Mary started the car and asked, "Where to next?"

Ronan pointed ahead. "To New Line Cinema."

Mary glanced at Ronan reassuringly. "Don't be discouraged; you'll find the right distributor."

Ronan fastened his seatbelt and smiled. "Don't worry, it's okay. I can handle failure, and besides, they haven't rejected us."

Mary turned her head and smiled at Ronan, not saying anything more. She focused on driving to New Line Cinema.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Ronan opened the documents in his hand and carefully reviewed the recent situation of New Line Cinema and the introductions of several distribution department executives.

With the memories left by Xiao Anderson, New Line Cinema was not unfamiliar to him.

The previous film, "Deadly Encounters," had been distributed by New Line Cinema.

Like Hollywood Film Distribution under Disney, New Line Cinema was not an independent film company but a subsidiary acquired by Warner Bros. Nevertheless, Robert Shay and other management still retained relatively independent operational management rights.

Strictly speaking, both Sony Pictures Distribution and Hollywood Film Distribution he had visited hadn't rejected Ronan either. They hadn't expressed an interest in distributing "The Human Purge Plan," either. They had seen various materials Ronan brought over and basically had one attitude: they would wait until the film was made to discuss its quality in person.

Every year, thousands of films were made in Hollywood, but only five to six hundred ultimately made it to theaters. There were too many films vying for theater spots; distribution companies were not lacking in small productions that actively sought them out.

Ronan claimed that "The Human Purge Plan" had a budget of $11 million, which was fine for those outside the industry. However, it was almost impossible to fool experts from professional companies.

These experts weren't amateurs; just by looking at the cast, script, set designs, and shooting plans, they could roughly estimate the true investment in the film.

Not providing materials? Without even seeing the finished film, distribution companies wouldn't bother to talk.

The people who received Ronan were executives from Sony Pictures Distribution and Hollywood Film Distribution. This was entirely because of the commotion caused by "The Human Purge Plan" some time ago.

Ronan hadn't expected to find a distributor in one go. The main purpose of this trip was to attract the attention of some distribution companies. When the film was truly completed, Sandsea Entertainment would have more options.

Arriving at New Line Cinema, Ronan had made an appointment beforehand and smoothly met with a director from the distribution department.

"Mr. Delong, we meet again," Ronan shook hands with a blond man in his thirties.

The distribution of the previous film, "Deadly Encounters," had also been negotiated with this person.

Delong frowned at Ronan and asked, "Do you have something to discuss with me? Does 'Deadly Encounters' have copyright revenue, and are you ready to pay royalties to New Line Cinema?"

Ronan gestured to Mary, who handed over a document bag. He passed it to Delong and said, "This is a new film I invested in making. Take a look."

Delong's expression soured slightly as he opened the document bag and looked through its contents while speaking, "Are you looking for New Line Cinema to distribute?"

"Yes," Ronan was straightforward. "We've worked together before, so we know each other."

Delong's expression darkened further. "Your 'Deadly Encounters' didn't bring in any profits."

Ronan smiled. "As far as I know, your company didn't suffer losses either."

The majority of the $800,000 box office revenue from that film went into New Line Cinema's pockets. Later on, they also received a share of the peripheral copyright revenue from him.

New Line Cinema's total investment definitely didn't exceed that amount.

For the same film, the production company suffered heavy losses, almost bleeding dry, while the distribution company managed to recoup its costs.

This was all too common in Hollywood.

"You've already messed up once," Delong glanced briefly at the documents and set them aside. "To tell you the truth, Ronan, unless you're willing to sign a distribution split agreement of forty percent, the chances of the company distributing your film again are slim."

This lion's mouth was opening very wide, almost beyond the realm of sky-high demands.

Ronan wasn't angry; it wouldn't serve any purpose in a business negotiation. He maintained a faint smile and said, "Don't rush to refuse, okay? Let's wait until you've seen the completed film before making a decision. The director of this film is James Huang, who has directed 'The X-Files.'"

This was one of the reasons for choosing a director with some credentials.

Delong pondered briefly before saying, "Alright, show me the finished film, and then we'll talk."

Ronan took the initiative to bid farewell, standing up and shaking hands with Delong. "I hope we have the opportunity to work together again."

Delong's face remained dark, and he didn't say anything.

In the following days, Ronan visited various film distribution companies in Los Angeles, leaving behind materials even at the smallest ones.

As someone who had just stepped into the theatrical film industry, only by casting a wide net could he hope to catch some fish.

He even planned to try his luck with DreamWorks, which was completely under Jewish control.