In a café, Michael Davenport once again doubted his memory of Jessica Felton, the film editor, sitting across from him. The Latina woman, dressed in a light sweater, fitted jeans, and boots, gave off a clean and fashionable vibe.
Michael took a sip of his coffee and said, "Jessica, it's been a while. You look even more beautiful, making me wonder which version of you is real."
Perhaps due to her mixed heritage, Jessica Felton's tan skin was far more delicate than that of the average white woman. Understanding Michael's words, she touched her face and said, "Both are me. People have two sides, which is quite normal."
She then asked Michael, "I've heard that single men's homes can be quite messy."
Michael shrugged, "Not mine."
Jessica Felton was surprised, "You're not single?"
"I am single," Michael explained. "But I like a clean and tidy environment."
Jessica Felton suddenly laughed, "That's why working with you makes me feel at ease. There aren't so many messy things to deal with."
Michael immediately recalled the greasy feeling he had when they first met and subconsciously rubbed his fingers. He jokingly said, "Don't worry; no one in my crew will bother you with non-work-related matters."
Even those with thoughts might back off after seeing Jessica Felton in her work mode.
Jessica Felton tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and seemed indifferent to anything outside of work, "So, there's a new job?"
Michael smiled, "I'm here to fulfill our agreement."
The last time he hired Jessica Felton, he verbally agreed to have her edit "Final Destination."
"Final Destination?" Jessica Felton certainly hadn't forgotten.
Michael nodded and asked, "Do you have an agent?"
Jessica Felton shook her head, "An agent? No, those guys just disrupt my normal work."
"Alright," Michael didn't hesitate, "I'll discuss the contract with you. How much do you want?"
Jessica Felton casually said, "A bit more than last time is fine. I'm short on cash. I want to buy the latest editing machine. They say there's a new digital editing software out, and I need a computer and the software for technical research. It's expensive."
This woman spent her salary on learning and buying new equipment.
Michael thought for a moment and said, "A weekly salary of $4,000, and the job may last around ten weeks."
"Deal." Jessica Felton smiled, and perhaps because she was too happy, she laughed so hard that her breathing became heavy, causing her ample chest to tremble, making it a dizzying sight. She added, "But I have one condition."
Michael's mind wandered, and he said directly, "I'll provide you with a full-time nanny."
Not for any other reason but to consider his own eyes and nose.
Jessica Felton slowly shook her head, "Not that. My condition is that for your next film, you prioritize using me."
Michael didn't answer immediately, just looking at Jessica Felton. She explained, "I'm currently in a growth phase and need to work on actual films."
Michael agreed, "No problem."
With her excellent skills, reasonable price, and personal commitment, such an editor was hard to find.
Jessica Felton needed an excellent agent to bring her more work opportunities, but Michael didn't want to get involved in that hassle.
Jessica Felton checked her phone and excused herself, "If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
Michael casually offered, "It's almost noon. Can I buy you lunch?"
"No, thanks." Jessica Felton refused without hesitation, "I'm on a tight schedule and still have some practice footage to edit."
Michael didn't press, "I'll call you when it's time to sign the contract."
After Jessica Felton left, Michael grabbed a quick lunch and then returned to Seashore Entertainment.
With "Final Destination" and "Arabian Knight" projects underway, Seashore Entertainment had another round of recruitment, increasing the staff to over fifteen people.
These new employees mainly served the two film projects.
The new salaries didn't bring much pressure. As before, the production teams paid the employees' wages as long as there were film projects.
Projects without third-party guarantees or investment oversight had to be utilized to the fullest extent.
Michael also knew that such wild growth opportunities would be rare if he continued to succeed.
Returning to his office, he checked his emails and then called Mary in.
"Cut the budget for 'Arabian Knight' to $10 million," Michael had been considering this for a long time. "Reserve the saved funds as a contingency for Relativity."
He glanced at the slightly crowded office outside the glass and said, "We'll need more staff in the future. This place is too cramped. Have someone look for small office buildings for rent in Burbank, around three floors."
Mary nodded, "I'll get on it." She reminded, "Michael, you need an assistant."
Michael agreed, "Post a job listing."
After Mary left, Michael opened a copy of documents he got from Professor Johnson. The content mainly covered agency package deals.
There were many successful and failed cases of package deals.
After reading for a while, he closed the bound documents, slightly furrowing his brows, and thought of "Arabian Knight."
Compared to the smooth preparation of "Final Destination," "Arabian Knight," although officially launched to earn tax rebates, had made no actual progress.
Except for the script, plans, and tax rebate preparations, the project had nothing.
This was a film destined to lose money in North America. Michael had contacted several directors and agents, but the results were unsatisfactory.
Maybe he could hand it over to an agency for package production?
Would any agency be willing to take on this hot potato?
This film had to be made, and the main plot of an Arab knight saving the world couldn't be changed. After getting to know the Abu Dhabi Investment Bureau, Michael realized it was a giant entity. Some things could be done discreetly, but the promised film had to be made to avoid big trouble later.
The quality of the production was another matter.
Michael thought for a while and decided to let George spread the word and see if any agency was willing to take the risk.
After calling George and handling a few documents, Michael saw an industry news article online.
Lionsgate had acquired the rights to over 40 films from the former Embassy Pictures' library for a total of $5 million.
"Indeed, bankers find it easier to raise funds."
Michael shook his head, "Lionsgate is very ambitious, eager to expand the company's foundation."
The greatest asset of a film company is never the new films but the extensive library of old movies.
Any of the big six studios could earn tens of millions of dollars annually just from their film libraries, with Disney's dozens of animated films being priceless treasures.
How much profit do those animated film derivatives generate each year?
Michael was limited by funds; otherwise, he wouldn't have easily let go of Embassy Pictures' film library.
For him, the distribution channels close at hand were more important than the long-term, slow profits from the film library.
Finding a distribution company with a relatively complete system willing to sell was a rare opportunity. Missing this one might mean not finding a suitable one for another four or five years.
Distribution companies had strong profitability.
With a distribution company, he could visit the Sundance Film Festival later.
He remembered a film that had been completed early and seemed to have its rights deal at the Sundance Film Festival.
Without a distribution company, even taking the risk of infringement and making the film would be pointless.
With a distribution company, it would be a completely different story.