The 45% revenue-sharing ratio was somewhat unfair, but it wasn't completely intolerable. The problem was that the following conditions were even worse; almost all of the rental income from video tapes was swallowed up.
Well, he could let that slide too.
Only having two hundred screens was a bit much. Even that number didn't guarantee anything.
Summer blockbuster? That was absolutely impossible; the schedule was set for November, and there were no guarantees.
This conversation couldn't go on much longer. Everyone had seen the sample reel. Even if it wasn't breathtaking, it certainly wasn't as dismal as they suggested.
A company like United Artists had a massive distribution volume. More than half their profits came from film distribution. It was a guaranteed money-maker.
Hollywood, being a rather big place, naturally attracted some negative attention from the press. They weren't holding back in their efforts to tarnish William White's film.
Such actions obviously struck a nerve with someone. The news about the internal screening wasn't supposed to leak out. Even if it did, it was absolutely forbidden to report on it.
William White was not about to back down. He not only took several media outlets to court but also filed for arbitration with the Federal Trade Commission.
Hollywood's major players monopolized distribution channels and openly belittled competitors' films. The leak from the internal screening evidently violated the most basic codes of professional ethics.
The big cats of Hollywood didn't expect to run into such an inexperienced tough guy. They thought it was no big deal to toy with a new company, just like they always did.
Now the situation was clearly different. This guy was ready to stir up trouble. Once United Artists' proposal hit the streets, the industry went wild. A 30% share was already outrageous; it was outright robbery.
When industry players usually pulled stunts like this, it didn't matter. But now there was someone who wouldn't let it go, and that made things complicated. This case had to be heard by the Federal Trade Commission, which had stated, "You can form your little alliances, but we are ready to go to the Justice Department."
A new company was directly challenging the three major Hollywood giants, leaving bystanders completely stunned. They had never seen such a bold rookie.
United Artists was indeed in over their heads, caught right in the fire. They guessed how the Trade Commission would rule on this - once entangled with this group, countless troubles were sure to follow.
...
How they got to that point was another matter. William White was starting another groundbreaking move; he planned to rent three hundred theaters for a full month.
You need to understand how many screens a single theater has. On average, they have at least two, putting that at six hundred screens. The number standard for the major studios fell right in that ballpark unless you were dealing with a blockbuster movie.
Hollywood hadn't seen such a blunt tactic. The implication was pretty clear: at worst, they'd just buy a few theater chains and clean house with the management.
Aside from the theaters backed by the big three in Hollywood, there weren't many smaller chains left for him to mess with. Saying he would acquire some was one thing; actually doing it was another.
Times had changed. Now the banks were practically begging him for loans. Those New York banks regretted their decisions, turning them into a joke within the industry.
The big Hollywood feud naturally intrigued the media; discussions about William White surged once again.
"I think it's highly inappropriate for a minority to control Hollywood. There's a lack of fairness at the very least. You'll need to wear your little caps to negotiate; otherwise, nobody will pay you any mind. Unfortunately, I enjoy my cowboy hat and have no plans to change my beliefs."
The media exaggerated his words, igniting a firestorm across America. This guy was not just trying to stir up regional tensions; he also aimed to drag religion into the mix.
Hollywood understood the destructive potential of his words very well. Before the situation even calmed down, everyone responsible for White Films' operations was already fired.
The big players were excited and began waving their flags, viewing William White as their leader.
The head of the Hollywood giants was furious. While making money was important, promoting their values was even more so. Now someone was ready to be unreasonable; they better handle this properly, or else someone might end up suffering.
Things were getting serious; the exhibitors didn't dare make a fuss. This guy was like a hard-headed porcupine, blatantly looking for a fight. He practically offered a safety net, making it clear that if anyone remained dissatisfied, they could expect to be thrown into chaos.
The big three studios were now deep in trouble and finally wanted to negotiate. United Artists simply couldn't take it anymore. Investigating their circumstances had turned quite unfavorable; a misstep could turn them into the public's punching bag.
William White had made his stance clear: there would be no further collaboration. At most, he'd simply take his business elsewhere, ensuring they learned a lesson.
The most troubling aspect was public opinion. William White garnered overwhelming support. Many interviewees insisted they would back this film no matter what.
...
Meanwhile, ticket sales across theaters were plummeting. Hollywood's winter seemed to have arrived early.
Certainly, in a short time, William White could stroll through Hollywood without fear. Nobody wanted to tangle with this madman.
He had said that Maupassant was his favorite author and wanted to learn more.
To some, this was a blatant threat. In Maupassant's novels, they were the epitome of greed and stinginess. The man's exquisite writing was unforgettable.
Those who understood recognized the message; he was declaring, "I'm still a bestselling author. You can bet I'll continue to undermine you."
The old guard behind him were getting anxious. This was a warning: don't try any funny business. It was imperative that the three companies learned their lesson. If they dared to act recklessly, the consequences would be serious.
The most crucial point was that he only set the fires; what happened afterward was their responsibility. They shouldn't count on him to cover for them.
Hollywood insiders feared these giants, but the younger crowd represented by students had no such fears.
After all, today's films were quite lackluster; groups in California and Texas were protesting Hollywood to varying degrees.
Now, everyone was going against the mainstream, and Hollywood's big players had clearly become targets. The dreadful economic conditions only amplified social tensions.
In this highly sensitive period, United Artists' actions bordered on self-destruction. The so-called Federal Trade Commission was easily swayed by public opinion and sentiment, and how they ruled was anyone's guess.
Soon, insiders leaked that the pressure on William White came from elsewhere, as someone hoped to secure the film rights for Forrest Gump.
After the giants' demands were denied, retribution was inevitable. The film's quality was actually good; the current predicament was a result of deliberate suppression. If William White compromised and sold the rights cheaply, all that pressure would vanish like smoke.
In no time, public uproar erupted.
Such occurrences were actually commonplace in Hollywood. You could do it, but it must never become public knowledge; crossing that line challenged public ethics. The news about the suppressive tactics surged back, and now it was impossible to contain. The media didn't want to catch any collateral damage.
If this guy directed his wrath at the media, it would truly throw everything into chaos, leaving no way to backtrack.
*****
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