Chapter 46 There Should Be an Audience Target

"How do you feel about this movie?"

"It's alright, at least it's watchable."

As the movie ended, Gray Enrick walked among the crowd of film company personnel. Just as he stepped into the lobby, he overheard a few audience members discussing the film.

"I think it's average, not scary at all."

"What a terrible movie!"

"You don't get it. Once you step into society, you'll understand. This movie is truly chilling. I'll recommend it at the film fan club next week..."

"Yeah, I could recommend it to my friends. I just don't know when it's officially released."

Those people continued walking and talking as they left the theater.

One after another, more movie fans came out, and discussions about "The Human Purge" could be heard everywhere, with both praise and criticism for the film.

Gray Enrick mingled in the crowd as he walked out, nodding silently. A film that sparks discussions among fans is the one that piques people's interest.

Some like it, some don't, and that's perfectly normal.

At the theater entrance, Ronan Anderson and a middle-aged man named Robert were waiting. Gray Enrick exchanged greetings with them, politely declined their invitation, and left the theater.

The others who came to the screening also soon bid their farewells.

After seeing them off, Ronan breathed a sigh of relief.

Robert, seeing no one around, spoke softly, "Would mixing in some negative comments about the movie backfire?"

"No movie can please everyone," Ronan replied, feeling that those people did a decent job, worthy of the pay they received. "Having both praise and criticism is normal."

"I just wonder how effective it will be," Robert looked into the distance.

Ronan smiled, "As long as it slightly influences their choices, we've gained something."

Robert genuinely admired, "You always have a way."

Ronan replied slowly, "The movie itself is the foundation, but outside of the movie, we can think of more ways to operate. Operations will become increasingly important for a film."

Robert nodded lightly, realizing that apart from having more experience than Ronan, he seemed to be surpassed in all other aspects. But working under such a boss, with passion and drive, was an enriching experience.

Ronan changed the subject, asking, "Will the copies be ready tonight?"

"Twenty copies of the film," Robert assured him. "They'll be delivered promptly at 8 p.m. tonight."

"Arrange for them to be delivered tomorrow as well," Ronan instructed.

The screening was just the beginning. Copies of "The Human Purge" had to be delivered to every distribution company that had attended.

Distributors often went through multiple rounds of comprehensive evaluations for films they intended to distribute.

The next day, Ronan had someone deliver the copies one by one. He also instructed the newly hired telephone operators to call the relevant personnel at each distribution company every two days.

"Sir, our film 'The Human Purge' really has market value. Have you made a decision yet? Haven't submitted it to your boss? You can invite your boss to watch it together..."

In the same week, Ronan himself made several phone calls, but the responses he received were mostly unfavorable.

Chris from Warner Bros. was the first to politely decline the film. Then, the representative from Hollywood Pictures mentioned that the film didn't fit the overall style of Disney's live-action films. Empire Pictures said there was no problem with distribution but wanted to buy the rights outright. Gray from Lion Gate said his boss hadn't seen the copy yet...

"Sorry, Ronan."

In the office, Delon held the phone with one hand while picking his ear with the other. "New Line Cinema isn't interested in your new film. Let's collaborate another time when there's an opportunity."

After hearing a response on the phone, he hung up, picked up the copy of "The Human Purge," opened a large cabinet, and stored it alongside many dusty copies.

If even New Line Cinema wasn't interested in the film, there was no point in bothering their bosses.

Five days after the screening, Ronan finally received some good news. A distribution company under Sony Entertainment was willing to engage in preliminary negotiations with Sea Horizon Entertainment regarding "The Human Purge."

"Your film has flaws, but it also has its strengths."

In Sony's meeting room, Chris looked at Ronan and said, "Sony Entertainment is interested in collaborating with your company."

Ronan nodded lightly, saying, "I also hope to collaborate with your company."

Chris didn't beat around the bush. Sony Entertainment was the parent company of Columbia Pictures, and there was no need to waste time on such a small production. "Let's talk about the distribution commission first."

This was the core issue. If they couldn't agree, there was no need to continue the discussion. He said directly, "Sony Entertainment is willing to buy the global distribution rights for 'The Human Purge.' Regarding distribution commission, we'll take 30% of the North American box office revenue, 40% of overseas box office revenue, 40% of total revenue from videotapes, DVDs, all television rights, and new media rights, and the standard 50% for merchandise rights in the industry."

Ronan furrowed his brows slightly. This wasn't the highest distribution commission rate in the industry, but it was still quite strict.

He had seen a few cases recently where small production companies collaborated with major distribution companies, and the distribution commission for box office revenue was as high as 40%, with merchandise rights reaching 50%!

Chris continued, "Additionally, Sony Entertainment will have the sequel production rights."

In commercial negotiations, of course, one had to strive to obtain the maximum benefit for oneself.

"The commission rates are too high," Ronan said slowly. "Unless this film becomes a blockbuster, Sea Horizon Entertainment will inevitably suffer losses."

He attempted to negotiate, "Let's discuss overseas distribution rights after the North American release, reduce the commission for peripheral rights to 20%, and Sea Horizon Entertainment retains the sequel rights..."

Chris raised his hand to stop Ronan from continuing, "Mr. Anderson, these are Sony Entertainment's conditions for distribution." He smiled, "Forgive me for being straightforward, but so far, no company has expressed interest in collaborating with Sea Horizon Entertainment."

Ronan wasn't annoyed either, his face remained calm as he said, "That's the current situation."

This fact couldn't be hidden from someone with insight like Chris; it was clear he was seizing the opportunity to negotiate.

The negotiations were so passive, completely within Ronan's expectations. Sandsea Entertainment lacked the bargaining power against Sony Entertainment, especially when Sony had no competitors for "Human Cleansing Plan."

It's no exaggeration to say that Sandsea Entertainment needed Sony Entertainment now, and whether Sony had "Human Cleansing Plan" or not was irrelevant.

Even though Sony Entertainment's controlling Columbia Pictures was one of Hollywood's most pathetic of the Big Six.

Ronan contemplated briefly, thinking of what Gray from Lionsgate had said about the boss not having seen the copies yet. He decided to delay momentarily, "Could you allow me a few days to consider? I also need to discuss it in a meeting."

Chris still showed some patience, casually remarking, "Opportunities are rare, don't make us wait too long. Our schedule for this year and next year is quite packed."

Ronan smiled, "At most a week."

In truth, it wouldn't take a week to know Lionsgate's true stance. After all, Lionsgate had been established not long ago, and their distribution business wasn't extensive.

...

Inside Lionsgate's screening room, workers were putting the copies into boxes.

Navas, the head of the distribution department, was the first to step out of the screening room. Gray quickly collected the questionnaires from everyone and gave them a cursory glance before leaving the room as well and heading to the boss's office.

"This film is better than I expected," Navas said as he wiped his eyes uncomfortably with a tissue. "Its strengths and weaknesses are equally prominent."

Gray, as the recommender, naturally had to speak positively. "We've been focusing on horror films in recent years. Can we include this one in this year's distribution candidates?"

Navas didn't answer directly but asked, "What do the others think?"

Gray placed the stack of questionnaires on the desk and said, "Two Bs, three B-minuses, and two Cs."

Although there were no As, Navas nodded, "That's acceptable."

Even within a professional company, the evaluation of horror films was generally low.

"There's another situation," Gray said, trying to keep it simple. "During the screening, while many people said the film wasn't good, there was also a considerable number of fans who thought it was good. Oh, and..."

As he recalled, he continued, "Some fans even walked backward to the restroom just to catch a few more glimpses of the exciting scenes."

Navas pinched his chin. "So, this film has a strong appeal to certain demographics."

Gray nodded. "That's entirely possible."

Could a film be so compelling that fans would hold their bladder just to catch a few more scenes? Navas frowned in thought. If Gray hadn't misjudged, "Human Cleansing Plan" should have its audience.

Moreover, the recent internal screening within the company had received overall positive feedback.

"All right, let's conduct a few more rounds of internal screenings," he made a decision. "Then, bring Ronan Anderson to me. I'd like to have a talk with him."