Including Michael Davenport, Seagull Entertainment now had only four employees left: Mary, who temporarily oversaw daily operations and finances, Robert Lee in the marketing department, and George Clint in the publicity department, who currently had nothing to do.
Michael's next plan required manpower, at least to keep these three people stable.
Salaries had to be paid on time, as people work to earn money.
Things like "I'll give you a vast development platform" are just nonsense to fool newly graduated students.
In addition to salaries, people need to see some hope.
To be precise, they need to be busy, because idleness leads to overthinking.
"George, you've worked in the media industry and are an expert in publicity with many connections in the media."
In the office, Michael held a company-wide meeting, "Maintain those relationships well, as we will need to use the media for our next steps."
George Clint, though in his thirties, had a naturally old appearance; frowning made his face full of wrinkles like a sixty-year-old man: "Mr. Davenport…"
"Michael! Call me Michael," Michael appeared very approachable.
"Are we going to operate a new film project?" George Clint asked.
Mary and Robert Lee also looked over with concern.
Michael nodded, "Yes. We are initiating a new project to save ourselves."
The three of them were all surprised. Seeing someone wanted to ask questions, Michael quickly said, "I will handle the funding. Starting from February, your salaries will increase by ten percent, and I guarantee they will be paid on time."
This had an effect; the three felt a bit more at ease.
Michael then turned to the curly-haired man in his forties, "Robert, are you familiar with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority?"
"They have just set up an office in Los Angeles, mainly to scout for investment projects," the curly-haired man answered.
"Just scouting?" Michael saw Robert nodding, thought for a moment, and said, "Get in touch with their office staff, find out their impression of Hollywood. Also, gather some information about Abu Dhabi, such as their investment and cultural environment."
Robert Lee thought for a moment and said, "I have a friend who often does business with Arabs; I can have him reach out." He seemed to guess Michael's intention, "Are you planning to seek investment from the Arabs?"
Michael nodded, "I have a classmate from Abu Dhabi at USC, and I've been in touch with him recently. The Arab oil tycoons are very wealthy and are waving their checkbooks looking for investments around the world."
George Clint interjected, "Can we attract Arab investment in the company? As for film investment... Michael, we just messed up a project."
Michael shook his head, "Letting Arab funds directly buy into the company might put us under tremendous pressure."
The three immediately understood what he meant; there is a powerful force in Hollywood that is at odds with the Arabs.
Michael continued, "We should prioritize film projects. A single film project is not that sensitive." He needed manpower for his plan and decided to rope these three in, "The three of you are the veterans of Seagull; you didn't abandon the company or me, Michael Davenport, during tough times, and I am very grateful."
"No need for that, Michael," Mary responded, "It's what we should do."
Michael knew the importance of team cohesion. After talking about emotions, he talked about the practical side, promising, "If we can secure the investment this time, each of you will get one percent of the total amount as a reward."
The subsequent plan required their execution; these three were seasoned professionals in the industry.
Robert Lee and George Clint exchanged a glance, and the latter asked, "Michael, how much are you planning to raise?"
"My target is the Arab tycoons," Michael pretended to be relaxed, "Raising a few million dollars shouldn't be a problem."
There were other options like Indian investors as a backup.
These three had stayed with the company until now, definitely having some attachment to Seagull Entertainment. Coupled with the financial incentive, their spirits were somewhat lifted.
As soon as the impromptu meeting ended, Michael took Mary to the Los Angeles branch of Blockbuster.
In the office, Robert Lee said to George Clint, "Michael seems to have changed."
"Yeah." George Clint sighed, "It's normal to change after experiencing a painful failure."
"I hope this time won't be a mess," Robert Lee had little confidence in Michael.
However, George Clint said, "Hollywood is all about overcoming failures. Michael has talent; he just lacks experience."
There were some things he wouldn't say to Robert. He had been considering leaving the company recently, but for now, he decided to wait and see. What if they could secure the investment? It was said that Hollywood is a place where dreams can be shattered as easily as they are built, and George Clint knew this all too well. Despite his reservations, he decided to stick it out a bit longer. If Michael could pull off this coup and secure the investment, it could turn everything around.
Michael and Mary arrived at the Los Angeles branch of Blockbuster. The sleek office building was a stark contrast to Seagull Entertainment's modest setup, a reminder of how far they had to go.
As they entered the lobby, Mary looked concerned. "Michael, are you sure about this? Blockbuster is a giant in the industry. They're not known for dealing with small, troubled companies like ours."
Michael gave her a reassuring smile. "I know it's a long shot, but we need to explore every possible avenue. Besides, I have a contact here. Let's see what we can do."
They were greeted by a receptionist who directed them to the meeting room on the 15th floor. Michael's contact, a middle-aged man named Thomas, welcomed them warmly.
"Michael, it's been a while. What brings you here today?" Thomas asked as they settled into the conference room.
Michael got straight to the point. "Thomas, Seagull Entertainment is launching a new film project, and we're looking for investment partners. I believe there's a significant opportunity for Blockbuster here."
Thomas leaned back, considering. "Michael, you know Blockbuster is very selective about its projects. What makes this one different?"
Michael took a deep breath, knowing this was his moment to convince. "Our project is not just another film. We plan to tap into the growing market for Middle Eastern stories and themes. With the right backing, we can create a film that appeals to both Western and Middle Eastern audiences, bridging a gap that has been largely overlooked."
Mary chimed in, "And with the rise of streaming platforms, there's a demand for diverse content. Blockbuster can be at the forefront of this trend."
Thomas nodded, intrigued but not entirely convinced. "It's an interesting angle, Michael. But you need more than a good story to secure investment. Blockbuster needs to see a solid business plan and proven potential for returns."
Michael was prepared. He handed over a detailed proposal, including market research, projected earnings, and a strategic plan for marketing and distribution. "This isn't just a pitch, Thomas. It's a well-thought-out strategy. We're ready to deliver."
Thomas scanned the document, impressed by the thoroughness. After a few moments of silence, he looked up. "Alright, Michael. I'll take this to the board. I can't promise anything, but you've got my attention."
As they left the Blockbuster office, Mary couldn't hide her relief. "That went better than I expected."
Michael nodded, feeling a sense of cautious optimism. "It's a start. Now we need to keep moving and explore other options."
Back at Seagull Entertainment, Robert Lee and George Clint were busy making calls and setting up meetings. They had reached out to local media contacts, trying to generate buzz and secure preliminary interest in their upcoming project.
George wasn't one to get easily excited, but even he could sense a shift. "This might just work, Robert. If we play our cards right, we could be onto something big."
Robert, ever the pragmatist, replied, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We need to see some concrete results first. But yes, this feels different."
The following days were a whirlwind of activity. Michael's contact at Blockbuster managed to secure a follow-up meeting, and Robert's friend had set up an introduction with a representative from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. The team was putting in long hours, driven by a newfound sense of purpose and urgency.
Michael knew the road ahead was fraught with challenges, but for the first time in a long while, there was a glimmer of hope. Seagull Entertainment might just have a fighting chance to turn things around.