Childish, naive, socially inexperienced ...
These labels were inevitably thrown at Murphy by Jones-Butler.
Bill Rossis is even more surprised to look at Murphy, the impression that Murphy is mature and sensible, with far more social experience than his peers, how can he say such unreliable words?
Hands crossed on the conference table, Murphy completely returned to reality, "I agree with your preconditions."
Without a suitable distribution channel, it also meant that the movie had no value and the money he invested could not be recovered.
The corner of Jones-Butler's mouth hooked up into a beautiful arc, saying very directly, "This is a wise decision."
She threw her pen on top of the notebook in front of her and raised a hand towards Murphy, revealing four fingers, "Four hundred thousand dollars, if you agree, we can sign the formal agreement tomorrow."
Four hundred thousand dollars? Only a hundred thousand dollars more than his own investment? Of course Murphy would not agree.
Three hundred thousand dollars is only the cost of shooting the film, he and Paul Wilson need money to fly over, the film festival expenses need money, printing the screening copy needs money, the rental of the conference room also needs money, these are also to be included in the total cost of the total cost, all of them, the total cost of "Fruitcake" is already more than three hundred and eleven thousand dollars.
More than once, Murphy was glad that he didn't put all the money into it, or else he would have to prepare to drink the northwest wind, not to mention participating in the St. Dennis Film Festival.
Looking at the towering Jones-Butler, Murphy didn't hide it, "It's impossible, your bid is too low."
Jones-Butler bid a trial price, and then made a gesture of invitation, "Director Stanton, what kind of price do you think is reasonable?"
The index finger of his right hand gently tapped the bone knuckle of his left hand, Murphy showed a modest smile and lionized the price, "Three million dollars!"
"WHAT? "The spectacled man to Jones' left uttered in astonishment, "You're not negotiating, you're robbing!"
Murphy shrugged, very different from when the negotiation started with those childish ideas, "Ms. Butler asked me to say a reasonable figure, I think three million dollars is very appropriate."
Jones Butler frowned at Murphy, feeling that this person didn't seem to be quite the same as earlier.
"I need a price with good faith!" She interjected.
Murphy spread his hands, "Ms. Butler, I also need a price with sincerity."
To ask for a price and pay it back on the spot was universal throughout the world.
Four hundred thousand dollars was not Jones-Butler's bottom line, she deliberately waited for a while and slowly said, "Five hundred thousand dollars!"
In fact, after seeing the exhibition, she herself made a certain prediction, the film's audience is limited, even the most optimistic estimate, in the North American theater box office income is the level of millions of dollars, and ultimately can fall into the hands of Miramax even less.
But Miramax is the industry's top distribution company for operating independent films, and its releases have never been known for their box office success, even Quentin Tastino's films, which are the signature, are not said to have been so impressive at the box office.
It's the revenues from video and other rights that make up the bulk of Miramax's profits.
"I don't feel your sincerity." Murphy shook his head and volunteered, "Such a price is something I can't accept."
Was this still the same childish guy from earlier? Jones-Butler felt like a different person on the opposite side, and the other party seemed to have the intention of snatching the negotiation initiative from her hands.
With Miramax on her back and a newcomer director on the opposite side, would Jones-Butler not be suppressed.
Her tone began to become tough, "Miramax does not lack such a small project, but director Stanton, lack of Miramax, your movie may be squeezed in the hands forever, do you want to see your work never meet with the audience? Do you want to see the money invested not recovered for a long time and end up as scrap paper?"
These words directly hit Murphy's key point, in the end it is ultimately he needs the distribution company, the distribution company may not need him.
Movie distribution is never a simple thing, not to casually pull up a distribution department, find the theater line to talk about it can be fixed, otherwise the distribution company will not become the high-end existence of the film industry chain.
"Two million dollars!" Murphy's face was calm, as if he hadn't heard Jones Butler's words.
"Six hundred thousand dollars!" Jones-Butler made an appropriate concession, "That's twice your cost!"
Murphy shook his head, "Let's do it this way, I'll take out my utmost sincerity, my bottom line is one and a half million dollars ..."
Jones-Butler still shook his head, "All I can say is sorry."
Six hundred thousand dollars was the highest authority she could have autonomy over.
She stood up, slowly closed her notebook and slowly put away her pen again, seemingly ready to leave.
Murphy sat calmly, not speaking, not stopping, not retaining Jones-Butler.
"What do you think?" Bill Rossis came over and whispered in his ear, "Six hundred thousand dollars is a lot!"
According to the agreement between him and Murphy, if Stanton Studios ended up being the one to reach an agreement with the company he introduced, it could take five percent of the commission.
Thirty thousand dollars was definitely a big number for him.
Murphy slowly stood up and took the initiative to extend his hand across the room, "Unfortunately, we can't come to an agreement."
Jones-Butler put away his notebook and shook his hand in his, "Your asking price is too high."
When she finished, she shook her head again, it was more or less unfortunate that the deal couldn't be reached.
"If you can consider my price ..."
An offer higher than six hundred thousand dollars was in itself more than Jones-Butler's authority, and this was only the initial negotiation, she didn't completely seal the way for subsequent negotiations, "You can call me."
Murphy likewise wouldn't seal the road, "I'm still looking forward to working with Miramax, your company's presence is a boon to the independent film community."
Jones-Butler looked at Murphy again, feeling gradually a bit unable to understand him.
This is only the initial negotiation, the breakdown of the negotiation is a normal situation, Murphy and Jones-Butler did not say more, and left the conference room successively.
Bill Rosyth was more or less dissatisfied with the breakdown of the negotiations, returned to the room where Murphy stayed and reminded, "Your asking price is too high, it is impossible for Miramax to accept it."
Murphy shook his head, "They offered too low, I can't accept it either."
"You need distribution companies!" Bill Rossis solemnly reminded, "That'll scare them off."
"We can find other collaborators." Murphy pulled a business card out of his coat pocket, "You can call and invite the Fox Searchlight people over here to see the movie."
Bill Rossis' brow furrowed.
Murphy didn't see the general, took his cell phone and dialed the number on top of the business card.