The public opinion surged, with many voices of anger from those who felt deceived and cheated. Ronan needed someone to take the blame, and the best candidate was the crew members he had sent to tour the African savannah.
Ronan also had the main crew members, led by Daniel Malek, brought back to Los Angeles from Africa.
As soon as they arrived in Los Angeles, Ronan was prepared to meet them.
"How was their time in Africa?" On the way to the hotel, Ronan asked Robert, who had personally made the trip to Africa. "Why were they reluctant to come back?"
When contacted by phone, Daniel Malek refused to return to Los Angeles immediately, claiming there were important matters unfinished, almost making Ronan think he was going to marry a black girl and settle down in the savannah.
After a week of delay, Robert personally made the trip to Africa.
"Daniel Malek is shooting a documentary about the African savannah," Robert informed him after his firsthand investigation. "They just finished filming a few days ago."
Ronan nodded. "Do they know much about the situation here?"
Robert smiled and said, "Information from the African savannah is scarce. They only learned about it after returning. They were almost overwhelmed by the excitement of the film's success. I think we need to get them in front of the media and audience as soon as possible. Otherwise, once they figure things out, we'll have trouble."
Ronan had already made arrangements. "Garcia has arranged a talk show appearance for tomorrow on NBC, where he used to work. The news has also spread to the fan community. As long as they withstand the first wave, the rest will be easy for us."
Seeing Robert's confusion, Ronan explained briefly, "The anger of the news and audience is temporary, but there needs to be an outlet for it. The first ones to appear will bear the brunt. Once the outside world vents enough, even if we are exposed, the impact will be minimal."
The first to appear often ends up the unluckiest.
As for whether this would affect the future of individuals like director Daniel Malek, it was not within Ronan's consideration.
Ronan would not collaborate with them again.
Vaguely recalling that none of these people had made it big in their past lives, it was the distributing company Artisan Entertainment that had developed very smoothly later on, to the extent that Lionsgate had to spend a huge amount to acquire it.
This film, "Blair Witch," was like swiping a credit card, the kind you never pay back. Swiping the credit cards of the crew members and benefiting from it was something Ronan gladly accepted.
In a meeting room at the hotel, Ronan met with director Daniel Malek and others who had just returned from Africa.
These people exuded the smell of alcohol, and their expressions seemed a bit overly excited.
Ronan shook hands with each of them, offering words of encouragement and praise, like a military officer bidding farewell to a squad of daredevils. Then he saw Daniel Malek, the one he recognized, the leader of the group.
"The film was successful, and everyone is happy," Daniel Malek, also with a hint of alcohol, explained. "So we're celebrating with drinks."
Ronan waved his hand. "It's okay. You guys are the biggest contributors to this film."
Daniel Malek couldn't even be considered a marginal figure in Hollywood. Hearing this praise, he couldn't help but smile, suppressing his excitement as he said, "I never thought this film could gross tens of millions of dollars."
"The North American box office is bound to surpass a hundred million," Ronan emphasized.
"Yes! Yes!" Daniel Malek seemed unsure of what to say. "I... I... I actually became a director with a hundred million box office. It's... it's unbelievable."
As he spoke, his hands were trembling a bit. "Mr. Anderson, what you've done... it's just... incredible."
Having just returned from Africa, Daniel Malek was still in a state of excitement and joy, without much thought. "You guys are really amazing!"
Ronan modestly smiled and said, "Actually, you guys are the ones who have contributed the most to this film. Director Malek, do you remember the website you transferred to us? It was your website that inspired the company to develop a targeted marketing plan. The information you collected about the witch also helped us a lot. What you did in the early stages was the key to success!"
"It's nothing, really," Daniel Malek modestly replied.
Ronan said earnestly, "You are the originator of this plan. Without you, the success of 'Blair Witch' would not have been possible. Director Malek, you and your team are the key. You should enjoy the well-deserved honor, not continue to remain unknown."
Well-deserved honor? Daniel Malek was immediately drawn to these words.
Ronan's face was full of smiles, like a warm spring breeze. "You guys are the heroes behind the scenes, and that must be known."
In fact, Daniel Malek thought the same way. Now that "Blair Witch" was selling well and could potentially gross over a hundred million, if nobody knew him as the director, it would be too sad.
If nobody knew him, it meant he was still just an unknown director without capital.
Ronan had been observing Daniel Malek all along and said at the right moment, "We also have a contract that stipulates media activities for the crew. I'm ready to fulfill that agreement."
Daniel Malek couldn't help but laugh. This film hadn't been sold to the wrong person. Ronan Anderson was very reliable. Perhaps they could collaborate in the long term? He seemed like a good partner.
"Mr. Anderson," Daniel Malek couldn't contain his excitement and curiosity, "may I ask, what kind of media activities are we talking about?"
Could activities involving four or five third-tier newspapers and a top-tier media outlet have the same significance?
Ronan smiled and said, "It's 'The Jay Leno Tonight Show' on NBC."
Daniel Malek didn't know what to say. This was one of the top talk shows on one of the four major television networks in the United States. Once on this show, your name would be known throughout America.
This was the rhythm of reaching the peak of life!
With a wave of his hand, Ronan immediately handed a document to Daniel Malek. After roughly looking it over, Daniel said, "We've communicated with the program team. This is the general process and content. There may be some on-the-spot changes, but nothing major. You guys should familiarize yourselves as soon as possible."
Looking at this document, Daniel Malek felt the sincerity. He didn't expect that Ronan Anderson would offer such a generous gift right after returning from the African savannah.
It was hard to imagine.
"The content of the show..." Daniel Malek politely said, "is it too focused on the main crew? This success couldn't have happened without you guys."
Ronan waved his hand. "You're too modest, Director Malek. In fact, all the ideas came from you. The handheld DV filming of the movie, the establishment of the movie website, the information collected on the website — all of these were done by you and your team. We just did some insignificant promotion."
Daniel Malek didn't say anything. It was the first time in his life that he had achieved such a huge success, coupled with these flattering words, he felt as if he could float away at any moment.
"This show is my way of repaying the crew and the producers," Ronan said earnestly. "You guys are the key to the film's success. Director Malek, don't worry about me or the distribution company."
Daniel Malek was just being polite. Wasn't it foolish not to aggressively promote oneself in such a good opportunity and emphasize the importance of the production side? That would be foolish, right?
Ronan was sincere. "To be honest, this kind of opportunity means a lot to me and the company. Missing it once doesn't matter. But for you and your team, this is a rare opportunity. You guys were willing to sell the film to me, and I am very grateful. So, this platform rightfully belongs to you."
"Thank you," Daniel Malek said gratefully. "Mr. Anderson, thank you very much."
At this moment, Daniel Malek made up his mind. Ronan Anderson and his company had considerable influence, and there were so many opportunities to be in the spotlight. For them, little people like him, if they missed this opportunity, there might not be another chance.
Forget about his distribution company; this film's success was mainly thanks to him! He directed the film, he established the website, he collected information about the witch, and even the promotional plan Ronan Anderson used was inspired by him.
Even Ronan Anderson himself admitted it. What's wrong with telling the media about it?
Looking at the excited and even slightly frantic Daniel Malek, Ronan felt it was about enough. Moreover, the producer on the program side was Garcia's former colleague, so the issues raised during the show might be tricky, but they wouldn't involve the distribution side too much.
After this show, Daniel Malek and the other main crew members' names would probably spread throughout America and become frequent topics of discussion among the media and fans.
However, whether this was a good thing or a bad thing was hard to say.
Daniel Malek felt particularly relieved to work with someone as reliable as Ronan Anderson and said, "Mr. Anderson, I shot another film in Africa. Could you take a look at it? If possible, I'd like to hand the film over to you for distribution."
Ronan nodded. "Can I take a look first?"
Daniel Malek had someone bring a videotape and handed it to Ronan. "This is a copy of the film."
"I'll watch it carefully," Ronan said solemnly as he accepted it.
The two chatted about other matters, and they agreed that Ronan would send a car to pick them up tomorrow and take them to the NBC studio in Los Angeles. Then Ronan and Robert took the initiative to say goodbye.
Just as they left the meeting room, Ronan heard excited shouts from inside.
Turning back to look, he strode toward the elevator and said to Robert as they walked, "Garcia will personally bring people to pick them up tomorrow. You arrange the vehicles."
Then he handed the videotape to Robert. "Take it back and let the distribution department take a look. Write a detailed report if it's valuable; if not, return it to Daniel Malek."