Chapter 43: Far from enough

For the next few days, Helen was negotiating with Fox Searchlight about the business.

The biggest difference among them is that the distribution fee starts from 25% and decreases little by little.

Sometimes even a 0.1% share would take a long time, and according to Ryan's request, it would be best to include the cost of publicity in it.

Once the distribution fee and publicity fee are calculated separately, they will often receive a sky-high publicity fee, so it is better to just buy out the film copyright.

Fortunately, Helen is not in a hurry, but Fox Searchlight Pictures is in a hurry.

Nancy Utley was eager to make her own voice among the independent film studios in Hollywood, so she made a lot of concessions on the contract.

The distribution share in North America has been reduced from 25 percent to 18 percent, which also includes all expenses incurred for publicity.

As for the peripheral copyrights, 30% of the income will be given to the distribution rights of offline videotapes, the first-round broadcast rights on TV stations, etc., and the right of first refusal for overseas distribution, as well as the right of first refusal for the next "Chain Saw" series of films.

Such a seemingly harsh agreement is actually very generous.

If it weren't for Fox Searchlight Pictures' eagerness for success, and Ryan's last film sold well at the box office, wanting a similar distribution agreement is almost a luxury.

For example, publicity fees, labor costs, venue fees, transportation fees, insurance fees, etc., are all a lot of expenses, all of which are paid by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

The only thing that Ryan Studios needs to pay is the cost of film copying. It seems that the price of a copy is not very expensive, but it cannot hold up to the large quantity and requires large-scale printing.

Generally speaking, a film copy of about 100 minutes costs about 650 US dollars, 100 copies cost 65,000 US dollars, and 1,000 copies cost 650,000 US dollars.

Even if Nancy-Utley promised to use the 20th Century Fox channel to print copies, which would be much cheaper, it would still likely end up costing millions of dollars.

All of these need to be paid by Ryan's studio, which is Ryan's own money.

The box office share of the last film has already arrived, and he is not short of money for the time being, enough to pay for the copying fee.

In fact, Ryan also made some concessions, such as the percentage of surrounding copyrights.

At the same time, Fox Searchlight Pictures will continue to hold fan-style screenings in the next week. Based on the reactions of fans, it will finally decide the direction of the film's promotion and the release time.

Considering that "Saw" is a horror film, no critics were invited.

Ryan looked at the release plan in his hands. It will be released at the end of August, just in time for the end of the summer vacation. It starts with a screen of 430 yuan. Generally speaking, it is not very satisfactory.

The publicity plan is also somewhat silent, with a total publicity cost of less than 200,000 US dollars.

TV promo and trailer estimated — $160,000.

The cost of outdoor poster posting, including manpower and material costs is estimated - - - 5,000 US dollars.

The rental fee for large outdoor billboards, including the cost of printing and installation, is estimated to be 20,000 US dollars.

Promotional activities, press conferences, and previews are estimated to cost - - - $15,000.

Exactly $200,000, pitifully small.

There is no premiere yet.

Ryan was speechless for a while. He didn't expect to be able to compare with the massive promotional fees of "The Blair Witch", at least he could live with it.

What can you do with $200,000 right now?

However, he knew that the promotion fee plan was not so much made by Fox Searchlight Pictures, but rather by the distribution department of 20th Century Fox, so he didn't even bother to ask.

Right now, Ryan made a phone call to Helen, and even if he paid for it out of his own pocket, he would have to increase the publicity fee. The one million publicity fee might be a bit exaggerated, but to say the least, it would cost more than hundreds of thousands.

Otherwise, the mere US$200,000 publicity fee is in the summer vacation, so I'm afraid it won't even make a splash.

Helen didn't speak out to dissuade her, but immediately called Nancy Utley, with a slightly dissatisfied tone.

"Ms. Nancy, I hope you can give an explanation of what a mere $200,000 in publicity can do!"

"Besides, Ryan called me just now. If Fox Searchlight Pictures can't increase the promotional expenses, he is going to pay for it out of his own pocket."

Nancy-Utley immediately understood what Helen meant, and was dissatisfied with the publicity plan, and even prepared to pay for it out of her own pocket.

In this regard, she has nothing to do. Fox Searchlight Pictures is just an empty shelf, and many things have to rely on the distribution department of 20th Century Fox.

"I'm sorry about this matter."

"I will try to increase some publicity expenses as much as possible, and at the same time increase the number of screens."

After getting what she wanted, Helen's tone couldn't help but calm down, and she chatted with Nancy Utley for a while before hanging up the phone.

Nancy-Utley put down the phone with a slightly ugly expression on her face. As a distribution company, she was very embarrassed to let the director of the film increase the promotional expenses out of his own pocket.

The next moment, UU reading www.uukanshu. com Nancy-Utley suddenly shouted to the assistant: "Immediately help me contact Robert from AMC theaters, Kim from Cinemark theaters, and Mr. Keith from MTI theaters, and say that I want to discuss with them in person about "Movies." Saw horror release plan.".

At around three o'clock in the afternoon, more than 20 people came. In addition to the directors of several large theater chains, there were also many owners of small theater chain companies and some advertising businessmen.

Nancy Utley didn't talk nonsense at the moment, and said, "You don't need me to say more, I need more screens and advertising space."

"Don't talk nonsense with me, I know you will definitely have a solution, as long as "Chain Saw" is released, everyone here will make a lot of money."

Robert of the AMC Theaters looked distressed, and said: "The summer schedule has already been fully booked, and there are no vacant screens, unless after September, the AMC Theaters can increase the number of screens on a large scale."

Nancy Utley said firmly, "Not enough."

"Far from enough."

Everyone can only continue to discuss, and at the same time call back to the company to inquire.

After more than three hours, the night was dark, and these theater companies agreed to free up some screens, and together there were barely 650 screens.

This is the number of screens released on the first day. As long as the box office results are good in the first week, it is likely to continue to increase to more than 1,000 screens.

The reason is very simple. The release time of "Chain Saw" is scheduled to be on the Friday of the penultimate week in August. There is only a little more than a week. block the arrival.

At that time, there will be more and more screens vacated by theater companies.