Chapter 46: How to Build a Mini Film Group from Scratch in Three Months

[Chapter 46: How to Build a Mini Film Group from Scratch in Three Months]

Tom Rothman couldn't keep up his casual act any longer.

Disney's ambition and their methods of expansion were certainly more complex than what Charlie implied.

But no doubt, Harvey's near-decade-long growth was a standout in the independent film industry.

Two years ago, Pulp Fiction ranked in the top 10 at the box office for the year, a remarkable feat in a market dominated by the Big Six studios.

Disney itself lacked the production experience for films rated PG-13 and above.

In some ways, Harvey was even more important to them.

Because a giant conglomerate always tried to perfect the upstream and downstream industry chains and supply channels. The missing link was a bottleneck!

Though the entertainment industry wasn't as brutal as tech, where one weak link could choke a company.

Industry insiders knew that the feud between Harvey and Eisner was more than just internal strife.

If someone asked Tom Rothman, one of the Fox executives, he would have proudly confirmed that.

Now, the questioner was Charlie Corleone, a 19-year-old who had just entered the film industry three months ago!

Tom was silent for a moment, shook his head with a smile, and kindly patted Charlie on the shoulder. "Godfather, that nickname really suits you! I think we need to have a serious talk. What's your plan, or rather, my plan?"

Charlie laughed silently in his mind.

"Your plan, my plan!"

Talking with a smart guy was truly enjoyable.

They exchanged a knowing look and smiled. Charlie pulled out documents from his bag.

"I just signed a six-film package deal with CAA. I want Fox to handle the global distribution rights for five of those films on a commission basis. Also, the film rights for Fifty Shades of Gray by Corleone Studios are sold to Fox, and I've even written a sequel outline for free."

The handwriting on the A4 paper was messy but sharp as a blade.

Rothman reached out and read more of the agreements.

He saw a request for Fox to help Corleone Holdings obtain a $30 million bank loan via distribution and copyright purchase agreements.

Then, under the loan, the wholly-owned subsidiary Corleone Film Studio would cooperate with CAA to fully acquire Mafia Distribution Company.

Next, Corleone Film Studio would allow Miramax to purchase part of the shares in cash and equity.

Tom asked, "Are you confident Miramax will agree?"

Charlie smiled, "Harvey wouldn't want to be controlled. He values a certain project Eisner forbade him to produce. I plan to persuade him to move that project to Corleone Company to fulfill his wish. He's also interested in several of my personal projects.

Plus, I think Fox would be glad for Harvey to see that project is profitable and help the feud between Harvey and Eisner."

"Yes, I'm certainly happy to," Tom laughed with a sharp gaze. "Your ambition rivals his. You want to build distribution channels to increase your scale and maintain more independence when cooperating with him."

Charlie feigned modesty and teased, "It's just a small distribution company with only theatrical release capabilities."

Tom said with meaning, "But without Fox and CAA's help, you couldn't buy it! Are you confident in managing it?"

Charlie nodded calmly.

Money and assets weren't the same.

A lottery winner with a billion dollars wasn't the same as someone who actually owned a billion in assets.

Not many people understood this.

Mafia was a small distribution company that many could afford to buy. But for Charlie, if they didn't want to sell, no one could force them!

Rothman admired Charlie's boldness and confidence.

No need to ask about the rest of the plan; Rothman fully understood.

Fox was gaining global distribution rights from Corleone for several films, and fracturing Disney and Miramax's alliance.

What they had to pay was primarily relationship capital and trust -- assets and power.

Rothman skimmed the stack of data again -- a dense pile of information that was overwhelming.

He couldn't help but marvel that a 19-year-old could devise such a strategy in such a short time under intense pressure.

Incredible!

Even in a huge crisis, Charlie had found a chance to rapidly expand himself!

With Fox distribution agreements and a skilled "spy" placed between Harvey and Eisner, there was a strong chance to cripple Disney.

A quarter of an hour later, Tom pondered, "The contract looks fine; just need to polish the legal details. I'll use my name to convince the other executives."

He studied Charlie with appreciation. "My friend, I don't see how this solves your current troubles. Do you want Fox's help?"

Charlie shook his head with a smile, "No, Harvey and I have an agreement."

Just kidding. To pay Harvey and keep his independence, he'd had to burn a lot of brain cells, nearly ready to draw blood with these guys!

If he asked Fox, there'd be no way to recover from the damage.

Finally resolving this, Charlie breathed a fierce sigh of relief.

Dealing with CAA wasn't that hard, but Fox was beyond his current reach.

It wasn't like before Independence Day's release -- a better time. Even if he messed up and tried to extort money, kneeling to apologize wouldn't quell McCarny and company's anger; he'd be crushed.

His tactics: first convince CAA, then Tom Rothman to fight on his behalf. Like dominoes, step by step, prying open Fox.

Upon hearing this, Rothman no longer asked about Charlie's troubles and stood holding the documents.

"Wait here; I'm going to talk to the president."

"Tom, please hurry, I'm really struggling."

Charlie appeared sincere and pleading, hiding the fact he feared some clauses would be exposed.

Five films sounded like a lot. But which five, and when to release, this century or this millennium? That made a difference.

Generally, big companies rarely made legal mistakes or left loopholes.

Signing with CAA was done; Charlie just hoped Fox had no issues.

Having been given such a gift, Tom felt very favorable toward Charlie, treating him like a lifelong friend.

"Don't worry, I know you're pressed for time."

...

Upstairs in the conference room, McCarny, Benjamin, and others discussed for two hours.

Most saw from Tom's enthusiasm that the plan likely came from the Godfather himself.

But no one revealed that.

The big boss finally smiled, "I find the Godfather an interesting kid. He's pushed his network and chips to the limit. So, what do you think about these collaborations?"

Benjamin flipped through papers, "I agree. It might help suppress Disney. From the Godfather's performance, we can have higher expectations. He also planned a new marketing campaign for Fifty Shades of Gray's current release and sequel."

McCarny laughed heartily, "Yes, that guy's shameless, using Will's breakup to promote."

Tom Sherak, Fox Entertainment's VP, came today for talks about Independence Day's TV and other distribution marketing.

He curiously listened and said, "The angle is that call girl pretending to be pregnant? Now I wonder, did he plant this time bomb on that silly woman a long time ago?"

The room fell silent; the theory was too sinister for normal people.

Moments later Rothman chuckled, "I don't think he needed to do that. Just a way to promote the movie and give the girl a hard slapback. The Godfather holds grudges."

Everyone laughed in agreement.

"Haha, if no objections, bring him up for talks. Sign quickly. Don't keep our kid waiting till he wets his pants," McCarny joked with a wave, thinking he was funny.

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.