Hollywood starts with a broker

"Twentieth Century Fox? Okay, I'll be over this afternoon!"

Aaron Anderson received a call from Twentieth Century Fox, who seemed interested in "Phone Booth."

Years ago, Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch acquired Twentieth Century Fox Entertainment Group.

Now, the parent company of Twentieth Century Fox is News Corporation, a newspaper company controlled by Rupert Murdoch!

Moreover, because Rupert Murdoch valued the television industry, he specifically poached Barry Diller from Paramount, who was interested in the television industry, to form FOX, the fourth largest commercial wireless broadcast television network in the United States.

Barry Diller was an important helmsman in Paramount's revival in the 1970s. Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg of Disney were both Barry Diller's deputies at the time.

Obviously, Twentieth Century Fox Entertainment Group is managed by Barry Diller, and he only reports to Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of News Corporation.

However, Barry Diller's current focus is definitely on developing the FOX wireless broadcast television network.

The United States originally had three major commercial wireless broadcast television networks, namely ABC, NBC, and CBS, but there is also a non-profit broadcasting and television alliance organization—the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)!

PBS does not participate in these commercial rules, it is a television station alliance mainly focused on education. Now, the wireless broadcasting and television business in the United States mainly refers to these three major television networks.

In the afternoon, Aaron Anderson drove to Century City, a commercial district adjacent to Beverly Hills.

2121 Avenue of the Stars, Fox Plaza, a 40-story skyscraper, is the new headquarters of Twentieth Century Fox, built two years ago.

The filming location of "Die Hard" was mainly this building, which was not completely completed at the time.

Aaron arrived at the president's office on the 38th floor. After waiting for more than half an hour, he met Joe Roth, the president of Twentieth Century Fox!

The assistant whispered a few words to Joe Roth and then left, "Aaron, sit down!"

"Good afternoon, Mr. Roth!"

Soon, the office assistant brought two cups of coffee.

"The elements of 'Phone Booth' should be very attractive, and you also have successful works such as 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' and 'Cinema Paradiso.'"

"This movie shouldn't have any distributors to help you distribute it, right?"

Joe Roth still has this vision, Miramax could not refuse to distribute it.

Aaron took a sip of coffee, "New Line and Miramax are indeed interested, but they hope to directly buy out the distribution rights."

"And I personally have higher expectations for 'Phone Booth' than 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape.'"

"I'm unwilling to sell it at a low price, and there are some disagreements on the price!"

Joe Roth laughed, "'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' has the support of the Palme d'Or and grossed $24 million at the North American box office."

"'Phone Booth' is indeed very novel, but the scene is simpler. Are you so confident?"

Aaron nodded, "Mr. Roth should have seen the movie, right? What do you think of Nicolas Cage's performance?"

"Wonderful!" Joe Roth did not hesitate.

"Well, since you don't want to sell it outright, let's use a revenue-sharing model. Twentieth Century Fox lacks a movie to be released in the spring season, and it needs to be filled."

"Therefore, Twentieth Century Fox will distribute this 'Phone Booth'. The opening theaters will not be less than 300, and the marketing budget will be initially $1 million, which will be appropriately increased to no more than $3 million based on the movie's word-of-mouth."

"The distribution commission is 20% of the box office, and marketing expenses will be deducted from the profits!"

For a work of less than $2 million, Joe Roth will not waste too much time. His expectation for this movie is a box office result between $10 million and $20 million.

"Spring season, is it in March?"

"That's right, around mid-March, Twentieth Century Fox needs to have a movie released."

Aaron knew that "Phone Booth" would not have a good schedule, thinking it was in August, but it was as early as March!

"Mr. Roth, there is no major problem, but I want a tiered revenue share, 20% distribution commission for box office revenue below $10 million;"

"For the part exceeding $10 million, charge a 15% distribution commission, and after exceeding $20 million, charge a 12% commission, how about that?"

Joe Roth shook his head, "20% below $15 million, 18% above $15 million;"

"After exceeding $30 million, the distribution commission will be charged at 16%, and Twentieth Century Fox will also have the first right to purchase the movie's videotapes and television broadcasts;"

"This is the final condition. If you agree, you can sign the contract today!"

Aaron wanted to say something, but he closed his mouth and then nodded.

Twentieth Century Fox relies on News Corporation, and the publicity is absolutely trustworthy!

In the afternoon, Aaron Anderson found the lawyer who had previously registered Dawn Pictures for him to sign the contract at Fox Plaza.

In addition to clearly writing out the tiered revenue sharing based on the box office, the number of opening theaters, the number of TV plays, and the number of newspapers and posters must also be clearly written.

If you don't do well, there will be millions of dollars in profits, so it is right to be careful. Entertainment lawyers in Los Angeles do these jobs!

"Not bad, Aaron, your company has only been open for three months, and your first movie is about to be released?"

The lawyer and Aaron Anderson left Fox Plaza together, it was already sunset.

"It's okay," Aaron Anderson looked at the lawyer beside him, this guy is called Daniel Williams, he graduated from Columbia Law School, and then stayed to teach for several years.

"By the way, didn't you have a very beautiful female assistant by your side last time? Why didn't you bring her?"

Daniel Williams opened a small Williams Law Firm in Los Angeles last year. The person who received Aaron last time was a young woman!

Daniel Williams smiled, "You are young and handsome, and you don't lack money now. Aren't there enough beautiful women in Hollywood for you to find?"

"That's my student, she's still studying at Columbia Law School. She just came over to help last time;"

"Soon, she will come over for an internship during spring break in March, but she will graduate next year, so you can grasp it yourself then!"

Daniel Williams explained with a smile. He also knew about Aaron Anderson. He earned millions of dollars in his first year at CAA.

Although he didn't go to college, how could it be simple to develop so quickly in Hollywood? It is very necessary to develop into a long-term client.

"I see," Aaron just asked casually and chatted.

"Bye, Daniel!" Aaron has now signed a distribution contract with Twentieth Century Fox and should go celebrate!