Jim Robinson is the head of the editorial department at Warner Bros. You had talked to him when you started hunting for investors. As he was one of the few people hearing you out despite your newcomer status, you decide to return the favor.
Jim greets you warming before getting to business. He talks in a savvy businessmen tone.
“Warner Bros. has taken a keen interest in your script. Although we are unable to meet your request as a director at this time, we would like to buy its copyright and right to publish and distribute. The price is negotiable.”
Your arch a brow. You would never sell off any copyright for any amount of money. This is because it is bad business in the future. No one would sell the goose that lay the golden eggs. You sell the eggs instead – meaning merchandising, broadcasting right, and so on.
Or do it yourself.
George Lucas makes a killing by exchanging his directorial salary for a full merchandising right of Star Wars. He then went on to make approximately $20 billion via merchandising revenue. He would have made a lot more if he has held the entire copyright of the franchise.
That was in another world, but there is no reason to suggest that George couldn’t do the same in this one with his budding Star War franchise.
It is a good thing that you check the contract very carefully, making sure that you still retain all the copyright other than the production and distribution right. These belongs to Lucasfilm as part of your agreement.
As for Warner Bros, you are curious how much your script would sell for.
Normally a high-grade screenplay goes for $250,000. It could well exceed 1 to 2 million dollars if the owner is a well-known screenwriter and has been proven to produce profitable work. Your screenplay on the other hand is deemed to be mid-tier quality.
You are also a newcomer.
“How much are we talking about?”
Jim Robinson pauses for a moment. He knows that the number quoted by the Board is far too low for any screenplay writer, including newcomers. However, there is a good chance that you would accept the given price. This is because everyone knows about your activities in last several weeks, desperately looking for an investor only to be rejected.
“We have weighted your script and found it to be of –
You roll your eyes.
“Just cut to the chase, Mr. Robinson. I have places to be, and I know you do too.”
You interject. There is no point of talk like business men.
“We will pay you… 250.”
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Jim Robinson quotes you the number given to him by CEO Meyer. It didn’t sound so bad off the bat if one to misheard.
“$250,000 huh. I didn’t think my script would go for that price.”
You state with pride.
Jim realizes that you must have misunderstood the amount. He had meant $250 dollars, not $250,000 like you have assumed. Even so, he did not interrupt you speaking.
“But I am afraid I can’t take the deal. I have found an investor and they are willing to allow me to direct and even share in the revenue as well as suggestion to the casting and editing of the film. Unless your company can offer me a better term, we will have nothing else to talk about.”
Jim Robinson is utterly shocked. He feels that someone just slap him across the face. He would never imagine you have netted yourself such an impressive deal, especially for a newcomer like yourself.
“I will have to discuss with the Board.”
You notice his tone had changed but didn’t make anything of it further. “Yes, you go and do that. But if they can’t meet my terms, I promise for my next film, I will go straight to you first.”
There is no need to close any doors, especially ones that apparently fair to you.
Jim Robinson thanks you for your time. You return the courtesy before hanging up and continue your way to Ocean Way Recording with a happy mood.
You friend isn’t as savvy as Jim Robinson when you meet up with him. In fact, he is a little pissed that you keep on bothering him at his workplace.
“What? I already have a job.”
Mark snorts after he heard your proposal. You want him to come and work with you on your new film as a sound engineer. You also tell him your grand plans and your desire to enter the Music Industry in the future.
“If you can call this a job.”
You joke after looking around the room.
“But seriously man, this is a golden opportunity, once in a lifetime kind of thing. When I make it big, you will have your very own recording studio! Heck, maybe your very own record label as well. Delight Records!”
Mark raises the middle finger to shut you up.
“If you make it big. You know how hard it is for me to get this gig? Fuck, I have to run around like an errand boy and work like a slave for months! For months!”
You understand his frustration very well. You have been there before. Getting a good job anywhere is hard, especially when there is no prior experience.
“And do you even know anything about music?”
Mark asks.
“Nope. Not at all, but I’m an audience. I know what I like and what I don’t like.”
You are completely honest, staring at your friend.
“What? Get the fuck out of here and leave me alone!”
Marks shouts and tries to return to his work. He puts his headphone back on and continues listening to countless song tracks and readjusting their audio outputs. Many named and no-named singers had come to the studio to have their single recorded, and it is his job to produce the best version for them.
You switch off the power to the console to get his attention.
“What the fuck man!?”
Mark is incredibly pissed. You just interfere directly with his work.
“Alright, alright. How about this? Since I have time right now, let me help you produce a good single together, and if it reaches the top of the chart, you will come and work for me. I will even double your pay.”
You didn’t bother hearing what Mark had to say before switching the power back on and putting on a spare headphone. You gesture your hand to tell Mark to resume while he still glaring at you.
He eventually gives up and let you join in.
As you listen to music, you could see the silvery aura spreading out from the speaker. It is not uniform, and it isn’t as intense as it could be.
You will need to do a lot of adjusting to get the song topnotch and break all previous records. However, you thought of something and realize you should take advantage of it.
As Mark replays the previous song, you take the headset off and speak up. “Can I borrow the live room for a minute. Don’t mind me and my screaming okay?”
“What?”
You head to the live room. Before Mark could switch the audio to hear what you are saying in there, you lay on the floor and start holding your head, screaming and cursing.
You eventually pass out from the pain.