"The current media and fans'... um, criticisms, are all directed at the crew led by Daniel Malick."
In the office, Robert updated Michael Davenport on the latest situation: "After attending three consecutive media events, they are now hiding in the hotel, too scared to go out again."
Michael was in a good mood. After all, Daniel Malick had been doing a good job, so he asked, "Didn't they try to clarify? For example, by pointing fingers at us?"
Robert smiled and said, "After the last event the night before last, Daniel Malick mentioned you and Seashore Entertainment, but the public opinion against them has become irreversible. They don't have the media channels to voice their side, and any attempts at interviews only lead to targeted attacks by journalists."
Michael was a newcomer to Hollywood, not very powerful. He couldn't suppress unfavourable reports from top-tier media with a single phone call like Harvey Weinstein could in the past. However, when dealing with someone like Daniel Malick, a small-time director on the fringes of Hollywood, Michael was undoubtedly in a much stronger position.
"Yesterday, Daniel Malick posted a rebuttal blog, putting the entire marketing plan on us," Robert continued. "But no one believes them. Fans are leaving nothing but insults, and a single blog post can't change the media narrative."
Michael nodded and said, "In situations like this, the first to show their face is always the most unfortunate."
He recalled how, on an NBC show, he had told the entire country that everything about 'The Blair Witch' stemmed from him. When the media and fans started criticizing them, he quickly changed his stance, saying it had nothing to do with him, but hardly anyone believed it.
People did mention Seashore Entertainment, but with Daniel Malick attracting most of the fire and Seashore Entertainment keeping a low profile, the negative impact on them was minimal, almost negligible.
Robert remembered something and said, "Daniel Malick wants to meet with you to discuss remuneration."
"Hmm?" Michael raised an eyebrow. "Didn't we just give them the $50,000 box office bonus yesterday?"
Robert spoke frankly, "They are not satisfied."
This didn't surprise Michael. If he were in their shoes, having made a film for a few tens of thousands of dollars, sold it to a distributor, and then seeing it gross $100 million in the North American market alone, he wouldn't be content with just a box office bonus either. He would want a bigger piece of the pie.
People are rarely easily satisfied.
He vaguely remembered that in his previous life, Artisan Entertainment had a falling out with two directors.
Artisan Entertainment bought 'The Blair Witch,' and the directors made a deal with them: if the film was a big hit, Artisan would reward them with a top-quality pool table.
The film was a big hit, and Artisan delivered the best pool table on the market, but it still couldn't satisfy the directors' appetite.
Michael understood, but it wouldn't affect his actions. He said directly, "Stall them. If we can't stall any longer, send them away. We have the contract."
When he bought the rights, Michael had anticipated this situation.
Daniel Malick was a business partner, nothing more. The contract was clear and straightforward, and the book did everything.
Moreover, if he agreed to give Daniel Malick a share of the profits, what about the other director, Eduardo Sanchez? And the three main actors? Would they also come for a piece?
That would cost at least a few million dollars.
Besides, these people wouldn't hold much value in the future.
A trick like 'The Blair Witch' can only be played once in a short time. In the next couple of years, anyone who tries to follow the trend will undoubtedly fail miserably.
But Robert was a bit worried about making someone else take the fall: "Recently, the media and fans have been harshly criticizing the crew and 'The Blair Witch.' Could this affect the future box office performance?"
Michael shook his head slowly. "This film can't be measured by ordinary Hollywood standards. For a typical film, such heavy criticism would likely spell disaster. But for 'The Blair Witch,' controversy and criticism are not bad things."
As a founding member of the company, Michael didn't hide the truth from Robert. He pulled out a report from a hired research company. He handed it to him, saying, "This is a sample survey conducted in theatres in thirty cities across the U.S. Nearly 100% of the audience won't watch 'The Blair Witch' a second time after seeing it. This movie can only fool people once. Another phenomenon is that starting from the third week, nearly 65% of the audience went to see the movie because of the media and people around them talking about it, wanting to know why it was getting so much criticism."
Finally, he said, "Of course, these people were already familiar with the Blair Witch legend and the disappearance of the three college students."
The logic was simple. Many people criticized 'The Blair Witch' as fake, and some who hadn't seen it were curious to see how such a hyped-up event was faked.
With "viral marketing" as the core promotional strategy and achieving good results, 'The Blair Witch' had transformed, no longer a typical Hollywood movie.
Michael's prediction was accurate. Despite widespread criticism from fans and the media, 'The Blair Witch' maintained a stable box office performance.
The Discovery Channel timely launched a program debunking the Blair Witch legend, heavily featuring 'The Blair Witch,' which stirred a strong reaction and indirectly boosted the film.
In its fourth weekend, the film grossed another $9.62 million in North America, bringing its cumulative North American box office to $114.53 million.
North American box office successfully exceeded $100 million!
It was only 1999, and $100 million at the North American box office was a significant milestone, representing a substantial difference in meaning.
If this film had an evident main character, it could have made a big star.
Unfortunately, the director, Daniel Malick, was the most famous person associated with this film, and it was for bad reasons.
According to Michael's calculations, the negative impact would likely follow Daniel Malick for a long time.
Regardless, 'The Blair Witch' had achieved great success, aligning with the consistent pattern of Hollywood movies—any film that becomes a big hit in North America easily attracts international attention.
However, Seashore Entertainment lacked the capability for overseas distribution. Michael wanted to establish an overseas distribution channel, but the company was still too new and had insufficient funds. For now, overseas distribution remains a plan on paper.
Many companies with overseas distribution capabilities approached Michael, wanting the overseas rights to 'The Blair Witch.' Michael had not talked to any of them yet. The potential of the North American market had not been exhausted, and the higher the future North American box office, the more advantageous the negotiations for overseas distribution rights.
As for Daniel Malick, Michael didn't meet him again. When selling the film, none of the crew members were union members, so the mandatory post-production share set by the union didn't apply to them. Michael had already paid the $50,000 box office bonus, fulfilling the contract.
Legally speaking, this business was over.
But while Michael ignored Daniel Malick, Malick actively sought him out.
Seeing the weary-looking director in the office, Michael was still quite courteous: "Director Malick, please sit down."
"Hello, Mr. Davenport." Daniel Malick sat opposite Michael.
Michael sized up Daniel Malick, estimating that he had been under a lot of pressure recently and was not in good spirits.
Not everyone can calmly face media and public attacks, especially a novice.
"Is there something you need?" Michael asked directly.
Daniel Malick wasn't stupid. Over time, he gradually came to terms with the situation but still harboured various grievances. He tentatively asked, "Has 'The Blair Witch' grossed over $100 million in North America?"
Michael roughly guessed his intention and nodded: "It's close to $120 million."
This information could easily be found in any newspaper.
"The film is a big hit!" Daniel Malick licked his dry lips and asked, "Does your company have any rewards for those who helped make this film a success?"
Michael feigned confusion, "Hmm?"
Daniel Malick continued probing: "The crew keeps asking if there should be bonuses or profit shares since the film grossed over $100 million. I had no choice but to come and ask."
Michael nodded and said, "I remember your $50,000 bonus has already been paid."
Daniel Malick squeezed his left fingers hard and said, "What about beyond the $50,000?"
Michael didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Director Malick, our contract stated that if the film's total revenue reached $500,000, I would pay your side a one-time $50,000 box office bonus. Although the box office revenue has not yet been settled, to show our appreciation for your efforts, I had the company pay this $50,000 bonus in advance."
Daniel Malick understood that Michael had no intention of giving more money. He raised his voice involuntarily: "Mr. Davenport, this $50,000 doesn't match the effort my team and I put in! The film grossed $120 million in North America alone, with more revenue from merchandise and overseas rights. I only ask for our fair share!"
Michael still smiled gently: "I respect your efforts, but I respect the spirit of the contract even more. Although I am a businessman, I treat people with sincerity. Any promise I make is fulfilled." He emphasized, "Director Malick, have I not honoured our contract and promises?"
Daniel Malick didn't know how to respond. Michael Davenport had indeed fulfilled all the contract terms.
"We signed a formal contract," Michael added. "People should keep their word. I have done so, and I hope you will, too."
Daniel Malick finally reacted, anger rising: "Treating us like this is extremely unfair!"
Michael smiled, "You want something beyond the contract. That is unfair to me."