I’m in Hollywood

Chapter 29: Strange compensation agreement

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Looking around through the dense crowd, the Lankel’s house in the west has been deserted. Less than three days after the release of "Home Alone", the Lankers hurried away from the promotional crew with Stewart. It is said that someone Ask Stewart to make an advertisement at a high price.

When Eric was out of town, information about the family had already appeared in the newspapers. Because of the fire of "Home Alone", Stuart made millions through various endorsements and advertisements in just a few days, and News of the family moving into a Beverly Hills mansion.

Although I hope that the Runkels are not as mercenary as Macaulay Culkin's parents in the previous life, but judging from the situation, this couple is no different from the previous couple. Eric can only hope that Stuart will not leave Macaulay Culkin King's old way, after all, the sequel of "Home Alone" still needs this smart little guy, the third "Home Alone" in the previous life, because of the absence of Macaulay Culkin, the box office plummeted directly from the 170 million of the second part to 18 million.

Surrounded by reporters, he was thinking so wildly, and finally after more than ten minutes, someone discovered Eric's plight and called the police, and Eric was rescued from the crowd by the police.

``

They drove to the headquarters of Columbia with a tail, and the two front desk ladies recognized Eric at a glance. They didn't know the complicated emotions of Columbia's top management on the box office of "Home Alone", but they only knew through various news that Eric was about to become Hollywood's youngest billionaire. So after notifying the president's office, the two girls tried to get close to Eric in different ways. If they were spotted by this young and wealthy young man, they would fly directly to the branches.

Eric was also happy to tease the two beautiful vases, and even said a few slightly erotic jokes, which made the two girls giggle. A small card with contact information written in the smell of perfume.

"Hey, Eric." While chatting with the reception girl, Eric suddenly heard Brant Cohen's voice nearby. Turning around, I found that Brant Cohen had spread his arms, and Eric also walked forward to hug Brant Cohen enthusiastically.

"Mr. Blunt, why did you come down in person, just send someone to bring it up."

Blunt Cohen said with a smile: "Why, do you think I, an old man, disturb you young people flirting?"

"Of course not," Eric quickly denied.

Blunt Cohen said: ""Home Alone" has achieved such a good box office result, I should come to pick you up in person, let's go, let's talk about the business before thinking about dating girls, young people still have to put their careers first First."

Eric nodded, waved the pink cards in his hands to the two girls, and followed Blunt Cohen to the elevator.

Watching Brant Cohen and Eric walk into the VIP elevator, a petite girl at the front desk asked the other girl with some expectation: "Milia, do you think Eric will ask me out?"

Milia, who is tall and blond, leaned into her ear and whispered: "Who knows, maybe Eric will ask us both at the same time, would you like to?"

"Ah? Then how... how can I do it?" Thinking of some possible scenes, the petite girl's face was slightly heated.

Milia laughed suddenly, and said, "Okay, Lisa, don't think about it. Judging from what Eric Williams said just now, he is obviously a veteran of flowers. The two of us together are sure There is no scum left that was played by others."

"How is it possible? He's only eighteen years old?" Although Eric had just been molested, the girl named Lisa had a good impression of Eric. This is the way the world is, if an ordinary person molested them, he would definitely be beaten up by the security guards and thrown out of the Columbia headquarters.

"Correct me, it's a handsome eighteen-year-old guy who is about to become a billionaire. The two of us together can't catch such a great achievement at such a young age. Besides, haven't you noticed? Blunt Cohen just now When the husband left, he gave us a stare, obviously warning. So, Lisa, be realistic, come to the nightclub with me tonight, and I will introduce you to two handsome guys."

Lisa nodded in disappointment, but couldn't help but glance at the VIP elevator not far away.

In Columbia's president's office, Blount Cohen enthusiastically asked Eric to sit down on the sofa, went to the wine cabinet to get a bottle of wine, and said, "Eric, let's have a little celebration first, and wait until "Home Alone" is finished." Now, I will definitely hold a grand celebration banquet for you. This bottle of white wine is produced by my winery in Burgundy, and there is only the last bottle left."

Eric picked up the goblet and sniffed it skillfully. The amber liquid overflowed with a fresh pineapple aroma.

Blunt Cohen knew about Eric's files, and knew that the young man in front of him could not have been exposed to such a top wine before, so he thought that Eric was putting on a show, and asked with great interest, "How do you feel?"

Eric nodded and praised: "Great wine, it's not easy to produce pineapple fragrance from Burgundy wine."

Blunt Cohen was a little surprised: "Eric, I didn't expect you to know more about wine."

"Just heard about it by chance," Eric said truthfully.

Blunt Cohen didn't delve too deeply into it, raised his glass and said, "Then, let's drink to the success of Home Alone."

"cheers."

After drinking, Brant Cohen asked his assistant to pack up the drinking utensils, returned to his seat and sat down and said, "Eric, let's talk about business next, this is the box office data of "Home Alone" last week, you first have a look."

Eric took the file and opened it, not only the box office data of "Home Alone" but also the box office data of all the movies that are currently being released this week. "Home Alone" topped the list with a figure of 27.55 million US dollars "Back to Seventeen" directly dropped to 13.12 million US dollars. Although this figure is already quite good, it is much more depressing compared with "Home Alone".

"It's like this, Eric," Blunt Cohen straightened his waist and said with a little shame on his face: "There is one thing we need your understanding about the release of "Home Alone" on the screen this week."

Seeing the expression on Brant Cohen's face, Eric had a slight bad feeling, and nodded to Brant Cohen to continue.

Blunt Cohen said: "According to our betting contract, Columbia should increase the number of screens to 2,000 this week. Unfortunately, because the box office of "Home Alone" far exceeded Columbia's expectations, our preparations were not sufficient, resulting in We can only add 500 screens this week."

Although Brant Cohen's reasons were reasonable, Eric still keenly felt that there was a problem.

"So, Mr. Cohen, what is Columbia going to do?" Eric asked calmly.

"Eric, Columbia attaches great importance to the agreement between us. But after all, this matter is beyond everyone's expectations, and it is impossible for the cinema operators to adapt to our bet with empty screens, so Columbia has already negotiated a deal. a compensation agreement."

Eric was slightly vigilant in his heart: "Compensation agreement?"

"Yes, Eric, please don't worry, there will be no changes to the original VAM agreement. On this basis, because our underestimation caused losses, starting from next week, on the basis of the agreement, we will An additional 100 screens will be added until the end of the movie, I think this is enough to show Columbia's sincerity." Blunt Cohen said with a smile.

Eric nodded subconsciously. If this is the case, the compensation agreement is indeed acceptable, but Eric still felt something strange.

Seeing Eric nodding, Blunt Cohen took out the prepared compensation agreement, pushed it in front of Eric and said, "This is the compensation agreement, Eric, you can take a look at it, and sign it if there is no problem."

Eric picked up the agreement and looked at it. The agreement was very short, with a few articles, and the language was very straightforward. There was no contract trap on the surface. However, Eric said cautiously: "Mr. Cohen, can I show it to my lawyer? If there is no problem, I will send the contract back after signing."

"Of course no problem," Blunt Cohen nodded generously, and continued: "Then, let's talk about the overseas distribution of "Home Alone", Eric, due to the current popularity of this movie, the sooner The higher the box office is, the higher the box office will be if it is released overseas, and once the festival schedule is missed, the overseas box office will be reduced by at least half, so we want to win "Home Alone" with 16 million US dollars or 8% of the overseas box office share, what do you think?"

"Mr. Cohen, 8% is a bit low."

Blunt Cohen shook his head and said: "A lot, Eric, we can only get about 20% of the overseas box office excluding local theaters and high movie taxes, and you don't need to pay any price, You can get 8% of the box office, which is already very reasonable.”

Eric snorted coldly in his heart, what does it mean not to pay any price.

Without "Home Alone", there would not be any film in Columbia that could earn $50 million in North American box office revenue throughout the year. Even in the entire 1988, no more than 10 films could earn $50 million in North American box office profits. department. Only relying on the share of the movie "Home Alone", Columbia's performance in the top six this year will directly jump from the bottom to the top three. In real terms, it is Columbia who got a big deal.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Cohen, I need to think about it." Eric shook his head and rejected the proposal proposed by Blunt Cohen. Eric will not give up the benefits he should have received because he made too much money in the gambling agreement. His In values, what is yours can be yours, but what is mine must be mine.

Seemingly anticipating Eric's answer, Brant Cohen nodded and said, "Okay then, Eric, go back and think about it, but please give me an answer as soon as possible."

Walking out of Blunt Cohen's office, Eric happened to meet Lester Reed, who was in charge of the "Home Alone" project.

"Hi, Lester, good morning."

Lester did not expect to meet Eric by such a coincidence, and said with an unnatural expression: "Hello, Eric, congratulations on the success of "Home Alone"."

"It's the same for you, Lester, you are in charge of "Home Alone", and you will definitely get a generous year-end award then, right?"

It's not bad to get a scolding, Lester made a slander, but didn't show it on his face, and smiled awkwardly.

"By the way, Lester, where is Ms. Pascale's office? If it wasn't for her recommendation, "Home Alone" would not have been so easy to succeed. I want to thank her in person."

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