As the various online figures dispersed, Sean found himself at a standstill, lacking a solid solution to move forward.
He managed several companies, with his fitness club actively training, selecting, and reserving employees. If Sean could dismantle the Dimeo criminal group, his fitness club could easily expand throughout New Jersey. For now, the company's operations director was planning a series of events titled the "Sean Cup Basketball Game."
This amateur basketball tournament would span six surrounding cities, featuring teams made up of local street basketball players and fans. To facilitate this event, Sean needed to invest $50,000, which would cover sponsorship for all participating teams over two years, including sports equipment, venue rentals, and bonuses for the top three teams.
The cost seemed reasonable, especially since it was tax-deductible. Without much hesitation, Sean approved the budget. According to the operations director, if the event proved successful, they could consider establishing a regional amateur league in the future.
The competition was free to enter, aimed at promoting local engagement. Since the participants were locals, Sean anticipated a strong turnout of friends and family supporting their teams.
Meanwhile, the expansion of Sean's security company was progressing slowly. Other businesses were waiting to see the results of their collaboration with the bank, while the wine business had stabilized. For the moment, Sean felt a sense of ease.
With little else demanding his attention, Sean decided to focus on his film project.
To make a movie, a script was essential. Sean planned to draft the outline himself and then enlist a few screenwriters to flesh out the story. However, his knowledge of Hollywood was limited—he only knew it was in Los Angeles and had heard of the San Fernando Valley, along with many timeless masterpieces.
Feeling somewhat disheartened, Sean realized his understanding of the industry was still quite narrow. He reached out to Lamb from Puhua, a company with extensive connections across the United States, especially in Los Angeles and Hollywood.
Lamb, familiar with the murky financial practices in Hollywood, was skeptical about Sean's plan to invest in filmmaking. "Don't even think about it," he said, shaking his head. "There's no money to be made in the box office; the total market is limited each year. People spend big on tickets, but there's not much left to squeeze out."
"Then how do you make money?" Sean asked.
"You don't earn from ticket sales; you earn from the big companies," Lamb replied. "Have you ever made a movie?"
"No."
"Let me give you a rundown," Lamb continued. "First, you establish a project, attract actors, and pay taxes and fees. Once you get the box office, the cinema takes its cut—about 37 cents on the dollar."
"Why only 70%?" Sean inquired.
"Seventy percent goes to the distribution company, and the remaining 30% is for the brokers. What do you get? Nothing! After all the costs, what you invested may just vanish. Hollywood is notorious for preying on newcomers."
Sean frowned. "So, after handling rights and expenses, my investment disappears?"
"Exactly! You're at the mercy of others. If something goes wrong—like equipment damage or promotional costs—you'll have to cover those too. It's like paying tuition," Lamb explained. "Making a film is a treacherous business; you can easily lose your shirt!"
"Is the point of all this just to pay tuition?" Sean pressed.
"Right!" Lamb confirmed. "You think you can turn a profit? You'll likely end up losing money while relying on the distributor's goodwill."
Sean felt frustrated. "Why should I have to beg for scraps?"
"In Hollywood, if you want to make it, you often have to start by kneeling," Lamb said. "Many famous stars have done just that. It's not a glamorous business."
Sean was determined. "I'm not going to kneel. I want to stand and make money!"
Lamb shook his head. "That's a hard road. If you're serious about this, you might want to reconsider."
"I'm going to do it my way," Sean insisted, slamming his fist on the table.
As the conversation continued, the reality of Hollywood's challenges loomed large.
On a plane from Los Angeles to Newark, three men sat together, discussing the influx of wealthy individuals eager to invest in Hollywood. "Do you know what the person who paid the money does?" one man with Mediterranean features asked with a smile.
"I don't know and frankly, I don't care," another shrugged. "As long as they provide funding, there are plenty of people who think they have a great story and can get rich off it. They don't realize how many films are made each year and how few actually turn a profit."
The third man chimed in, "I heard he wrote the outline and wants us to write the script for him. I really doubt he knows what he's doing." They all laughed, aware of the common pitfalls awaiting those who naively entered the film industry.
Just as Lamb had described, the allure of Hollywood attracted countless wealthy individuals, each believing they could break in and make a fortune. However, many fell victim to well-established production companies that specialized in exploiting these eager investors. The trio knew all too well that there were numerous loopholes in the movie production and distribution processes, making it easy to cheat those who didn't understand the industry's intricacies.
"Half the companies in Hollywood are propped up by these naive investors," one of the men remarked. "It's a closed industry, and unless you know the ropes, you're likely to get burned."
Before boarding the plane, they had already been approached by multiple production companies, each vying for their attention. The competitive nature of Hollywood made it clear that involvement in the industry was pervasive, and many were eager to capitalize on the dreams of newcomers.
As the plane soared toward Newark, Sean remained resolute about his ambitions. He understood that the road ahead would not be easy, but he was determined to carve out his path. The conversations with Lamb and the men on the plane had opened his eyes to the harsh realities of the film business, but they also fueled his desire to navigate the challenges ahead.
Back in Newark, Sean knew he had to strategize carefully. He would need to surround himself with knowledgeable individuals who understood the industry better than he did. The first step was to gather a team of experienced professionals who could help him refine his script and guide him through the complexities of production.
As he prepared for the next phase of his journey, Sean was determined to approach his film project with the same dedication he applied to his other ventures. With the right team and a clear vision, he believed he could succeed where so many had failed before him.
The stakes were high, but Sean was ready to face the challenges head-on. He was not just looking to make a film; he was aiming to build a legacy that would resonate in Hollywood and beyond. Armed with ambition and a newfound understanding of the industry, he was prepared to take the leap into the world of filmmaking and turn his dreams into reality.