Find a quiet spot, turn the page, and let’s see what this story has been hiding 🌙 ✦ Yes.
Just as Jimmy had said, Evan did not think what was between his legs could possibly be worth millions either.
Luke, on the other hand, was completely lost in the joy of projection.
From the afternoon onward, every screening had twenty or thirty viewers.
Luke stood at the back watching the audience in the front rows, and the grin never left his face.
Evan was thinking about the important man he had to meet that night.
At this point in time, even before the man had fully turned Oscar campaigning into a private war game, he was still absolutely a big figure to people like Evan.
Harvey Weinstein was complicated.
In Evan’s memory, he would become both an influential producer-distributor who helped elevate independent filmmakers and an abusive power broker whose coercion and misconduct eventually became impossible to ignore.
Evan respected his commercial instincts and distrusted nearly everything else about him.
At eight that night, after calling Tally, Evan, Luke, and Jimmy took the film print and a taxi to the Hilton.
Tally waited at the hotel entrance and took them directly to a seventh-floor meeting room.
The projection equipment had already been prepared, so they could begin immediately.
Once the film started, Evan and Luke sat behind the projector and watched the film company boss whose eye for commercial material was practically legendary.
Harvey obviously did not take a small-time director like Evan seriously.
He did not even ask Tally to introduce them properly.
Weinstein was heavy, domineering, and unpleasant to look at in the way of a man who expected every room to move around him.
His arrogant posture alone made Evan feel this would be a difficult person.
Still, if the man offered a better price, Evan did not care that much who distributed the film or worked with him.
The screening gradually approached its end.
When the heroine finally broke out of the death loop and kissed the male lead, Luke turned on the meeting room lights.
“Mr.
Weinstein.” Jimmy had only said half the greeting when Harvey cut him off.
“Sorry.
Could you give us a minute?
I need to discuss something with Tally.” Jimmy shrugged, nodded, and took Evan and Luke into the hallway.
“Jimmy, is this guy always that pushy?” Luke paced in irritation.
“I didn’t see anything apologetic about him.” “Luke, Evan, that’s how it is.
Right now, he’s operating on a different level than we are.
Don’t get angry over this.
Think about how hard it was to make the movie.
As long as he buys it and releases it, these are small things.
Don’t fight money.” Evan listened and nodded silently.
Jimmy was afraid that two young men might not tolerate Weinstein’s attitude and ruin the real business.
The warning was for their own good.
Outside the meeting room, the three formed a small circle and discussed how they should price the film if Weinstein wanted it.
Inside, Harvey and Tally were evaluating its prospects.
“Tally, you did well.
This film has potential.
But considering that it’s the first feature from a rookie director and a niche horror thriller, we have to press the price down and buy it outright.” “I agree.
There is no major problem with the film.
The selling points are clear, and the design is clever.
Should I bring them in?” When Harvey nodded, Tally went to the door and called the three men back.
Evan sat across from Weinstein.
“Director Rosenberg, one million dollars.
I buy out all rights to the film, and I’ll put it into theaters.
If you agree, we can sign anytime.” Harvey made the offer before Evan could even speak.
Evan shook his head.
“Impossible, Mr.
Weinstein.
That price is not possible.
I won’t sell the movie at a loss.
Other companies have offered much more.” This was only Harvey’s probing offer.
No matter how confidently he spoke, even he knew the other side would not accept it.
He looked at the rookie director across from him and only now seemed to notice how young Evan was.
Early twenties at most.
Maybe not even graduated.
Harvey judged the situation quickly.
The kid had probably thrown all his savings into this film.
Impulsive, talented, possibly idealistic.
“Fine.
One point three million.
Your film absolutely did not cost that much.
How about it?
I’m being sincere.
I guarantee it will go into theaters.
This is your first feature, right?
I don’t need to explain what it means for a rookie director to get his first film into theatrical release.” Evan looked at him with disappointment.
Weinstein was treating him like a fool, using idealism to press the price down in the open.
Even if Evan accepted the terms, he would not dare trust this man.
Weinstein’s shamelessness was already notorious inside the business.
“I’m sorry.
Let’s stop here for today.
I’ll go back and think it over.
See you next time, Mr.
Weinstein, Ms.
Tally.” He had no patience to keep listening.
This was the kind of man who would grab any advantage and never spend one extra cent if he could avoid it.
Evan had clearly been too optimistic.
He collected the film print and left the meeting room with Luke and Jimmy.
“Director Rosenberg.
One point five million.
The film will appear in theaters.
I guarantee at least ten screens.
This is the final price.
If you walk through that door, don’t contact me again.” Evan paused for one step when he heard the offer, then continued walking without turning around.
Harvey was not the only buyer.
Luke disliked him, and Evan disliked that pushy fat pig just as much.
The result was not ideal.
The three of them discussed other potential buyers.
Jimmy’s suggestion was to go back to Touchstone and reopen negotiations.
At least their terms were much better than Harvey’s.
Evan did not think they needed to hurry.
This was only the second day.
Before the festival ended, there would be more opportunities.
And as he expected, at noon on the fourth day of the festival, Tom from Castle Rock brought an acquisitions and business-affairs executive and said they were willing to talk price.
Evan and Jimmy took the two men to a cafe near the screening room.
After everyone ordered a drink, they began discussing the film formally.
“Director Rosenberg, I’m Edward from Castle Rock’s acquisitions team.
Tom told me about the film, and Jennings spoke to me as well.
After seeing it today, I think they were right.
It has promise.
Castle Rock is prepared to acquire the North American rights, with Columbia handling domestic theatrical distribution.
“We are willing to pay $2.5 million for the North American rights and guarantee release as soon as possible.
Beyond that, if the film reaches an agreed box-office threshold, we can offer an incentive bonus.
I believe that shows our sincerity.
What do you think?” It was still below Evan’s ideal price, but among all the offers so far, it was the most sincere.
“I can consider it, but I want to retain overseas rights and sequel rights.
I want to try making a sequel later.” That was the only condition Evan raised.
Others did not know what he knew.
Even if the buyout fee was lower, retaining those two categories of rights could still let him make real money and build capital for his next feature.
In his previous life, this concept had supported several films.
The scope of a buyout depended entirely on the contract.
Evan was willing to sell North American distribution rights, but not sequel or overseas rights.
He was not naive enough to demand a standard revenue-sharing distribution contract.
For someone in his position, that was fantasy.
Even if a distributor offered one, he would not dare take it.
Hollywood companies cheated even Wall Street predators without giving them clean grounds to sue.
A little director like Evan would be even easier to bury.
“That can work, Director Rosenberg.
Those are the broad terms.
Tomorrow you can bring your lawyer to our hotel, and if the contract is clean, we can sign.” Evan finally relaxed.
After shaking Edward’s hand, he returned to the theater and leaned back in a chair.
The pressure of the past few days had been enormous, but now everything seemed to be ending.
Looking at the audience in the theater, he felt his confidence return.
These viewers had given it to him.
He believed the people who looked down on this film would be shocked.
The next morning, he went to the airport first to pick up Ryan, his lawyer, then drove straight to the hotel where Tom and the others were staying.
In a fourth-floor meeting room, Evan, Luke, and Tom chatted and laughed while Ryan reviewed the contract.
Before Ryan finished, a Castle Rock employee hurried in and called Edward outside.
Ryan completed his review, nodded to Evan, and indicated that there was no problem.
Evan smiled and picked up the pen to sign.
Edward pushed the door open and stopped him.
“I’m sorry, Director Rosenberg.
The signing is canceled.
Castle Rock has decided not to buy the film.
You can ask other companies.
I hope we have a chance to work together in the future.” Everyone stared at Edward, stunned by the complete shift in attitude.
“Mr.
Edward, can you give me a reason?” Evan forced himself to stay calm.
“I need to know what happened.” Edward had left the room smiling and returned coldly canceling the deal.
There had to be a reason.
“No reason.
I’m sorry, Director Rosenberg.
That’s all for today.
I have work to handle.” He glanced at Tom, then turned and left the meeting room.
✦ ✦ ✦ Ready for more?
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS TheBacklot Thank you for reading.
I hope this chapter drew you further into the story.
Stick around, because there’s still a lot waiting just ahead.