Los Angeles. Universal Studio. June 1973
President office.
Three men in the conference room were all sitting in there drinking coffee.
Robert Rhyme placed the cup down and asked,"Sidney, I don't understand, Proposal and marketing specified is certainly good but I don't see a need to cater to a kid."
Sidney Sheinberg crossed his hands and chuckled and said,"Certainly we have no need to cater to a kid but situation is different in this case."
Sidney Sheinberg pulled out the document from his desk and gave it robert and charles
"Here take a look at this report by steven about the Light & Magic Club these children's have created, you will understand the reason for this deal."
Robert and Charles took the document and read it carefully both astonished by steven's view on Light & Magic Club.
Sidney slumped back on his chair as he explained.
"I beilieve investing in people, Steven is one of them but those kids are as well, we might have mined an unexpected gold of future."
"We don't have much to lose but if this experiment by any chance succeds, We will make lot of money and I beilive in steven for the movie and as for the music video it's not much of loss."
As Marie, Steven, and I walked out of Universal Studios.
Liam let out a deep breath,"I can't believe it. We actually did it."
Marie smiled and hugged liam saying. "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart."
Steven chuckled,"Not bad kid, Let me tell you one more good news, George read your scripts of star wars and indiana jones he was very interested on working on both but he is busy wrapping up his current movie American Graffiti."
"His visit to your studio would likely be after the release of his movie by August."
Liam nodded and smiled, "August, That's too far away for us right now."
Steven mummered in agreement.
After chatting a bit both parted ways.
Back at the Light & Magic Club hideout, the team gathered around the practice room.
"Liam, this is huge!" Sarah exclaimed.
"So, what's the next step?"
Liam nodded with serious expression.
"Songs for our Album, Deciding band name, Deciding who is singing what song, Recording the songs, we have lot to do in small amount of time."
Tommy grinned. "I can't wait to start!
This is going to be so much fun."
Rita smiled."I want to sing that song liam."
Sarah complained."Not fair, I like that song too."
Liam scratched his head sheepishly."Girls, No fighting, it's first come first serve."
Max and Tommy looked at each other an sprinted to the closet that stored the song lyrics.
Sarah puffed her Cheeks and sat down on couch.
Liam was sweating and Rita grined and nudged liam to coax sarah.
Liam sighed."Sarah, no need to get upset, I will compose another one that's equally as good besides it's a country song your voice is more suitable for a pop songs."
Sarah stared at liam."Song better be as good or better liam."
Liam nodded like a chicken while rita was giggling looking at their interaction.
Tommy and Max returned holding papers with lyrics and both said in unison
"This song is mine." Liam facepalmed and Girls bursted into full blown Laughter with tommy and max looking confused.
Rita with a straight face."Liam did you think of band name ?,"
"I don't want it to be called a funky monkey."
Sarah Chimed."Me too, No to monkey."
"I did think of a name, just hear me out and don't freak out, our band name is Little Monsters."
Liam explained the concept he stole from spice girls.
"Rita you are Pretty monster, Sarah is Cute monster, I am Epic Monster, Tommy is Funny monster, Max is Evil monster."
Max was speechless then retorted."Why am I evil monster?"
Everyone looked at him with angry eyes.
Liam smiled."Max, who is the biggest prankster and troublemaker in the group?."
Max shut his mouth instanly and sat down.
Everyone looked at each other. Then accepted their fate.
The next few days were filled with preparations, Each was focused on their own tasks.
Marie was doing her job as parent and intermedietary, She arranged for us her own accountant and a Law firm specializing in hollywood contracts.
All the preparations took a week and we went to Universal and signed a rather luxurious contract of course we paid the price as well.
Liam looked through the contract and was amazed at the generosity of universal records. Particularly at 50/50 royalty split. Copyright of songs and album is owned by Light & Magic Club.
He looked at his lawyer and asked did we real negotiate these terms.
Price paid was exceptional as well as all the production of songs was done by light & magic club as well as all the marketing and it's expenses. Only thing that Universal paid was use of it's Recording studio and production and distribution of records.
Liam scoffed at the expense part especially with the songs choosen for the album, Each and everyone of them was a super hit.
Later that night Liam and marie were making the marketing plan and budget
Marie looking at the possible expense was stunned.
"four hundred and seventy thousand dollars all for marketing an album."
"Total Cost is around Five hundred thousand dollars."
"Production cost is around $30000 to shoot addition two MVs."
"Marketing, TV ads alone take about $320000, Magazine and newspaper, Poster and Billboards, Radio take the rest $150000"
"This is over the top honey."
Liam scraching his nose."Mom this is necessary."
"Are you sure this album will sell?"
"We are wealthy and this much money is not a big deal for us but still it's not a small amount for a album of new band, is it necessary to go so big at the start, Especially the TV ads one week should be enough."
"No mom, The TV ads are necessary, We are shooting two more MVs and TV Slots will be spread out.
"We need big results to gain more recognition from Universal and Gain more power in jaws production."
"All right, Honey it's all your money any way."
Night petered out as the discussion about the marketing and budget went on and eventually came to perfect end.
The Days passed by like whirwind as they shot the MVs for a week.
Universal Recording Studio 4th July 1973.
"Alright, team, today we start recording," Liam announced, adjusting the microphone. "Let's kick things off with 'High Hopes."
Sarah, Tommy, Rita, and Max took their places, and we ran through a quick rehearsal.
"Ready when you are," the sound engineer said from the booth.
Liam nodded, signaling the start. The music began, and He started singing the opening lines of 'High Hopes.'His voice echoed through the studio, and He could feel the energy from his bandmates.
"Looking good, Liam!" Sarah called out during a break in her harmony.
"Keep that tempo tight, Tommy," Liam instructed, feeling the rhythm.
Tommy grinned. "You got it, bro!"
As we worked through the song, each take getting better and better, the excitement in the room was palpable. The final take was perfect, with everyone hitting their marks and the sound blending seamlessly.
"That's a wrap for 'High Hopes," Liam said, feeling a rush of accomplishment.
The team high-fived each other. "Great job, everyone!
"Next up, 'Sarah," Liam announced.
Sarah took center stage, her expression determined. She nodded at me, signaling she was ready.
Liam smiled. "Alright, Sarah, show us what you've got."
And with that, Sarah began to sing, her voice filling the studio with the powerful notes.
The Recordings were a smooth sailing, Everyone sung their songs and everything took a week to record.
A week later we heard the Master Tape for the album at universal Studio.