In a coffee shop in North Hollywood, Eric and Michael are discussing the cooperation details of "Jurassic Park".
Eric didn't bother with the royalty share, and took a 7% royalty share that is common for newcomers. It was just that the two had negotiated and fought over the film and television copyright of the novel.
With Michael's seasoned vision of more than ten years in the industry, he can certainly see the great potential of this novel in film and television adaptation. In addition, Eric did not raise any objections to the royalties, which made Michael feel that Eric was very young and easy to fool, so he proposed that the night elves share the film and television copyright with Eric, and the film and television copyrights should be fully published by the night elves Agent's plan.
After patiently listening to Michael's proposal, Eric categorically refused: "This is impossible, Mr. Claus."
Michael Klaus was taken aback for a moment, as if he couldn't react to Eric's decisive refusal, and after adjusting his emotions, Michael Klaus continued: "Eric, listen to me, you know, I just Selling a novel from our publishing house to 20th Century Fox will cost millions of dollars for adaptation. And if the author talks about it himself, he may not even get half a million dollars. This is The advantages of publishing house agency... ”
The next two people talked for more than ten minutes. Michael Krauss was so eloquent that he wanted to fool Eric into accepting his conditions, and took the initiative to reduce the publisher's share of the film and television copyright.
In the end, Michael Krauss was disappointed to find that this little guy is not a fledgling young man. Not very familiar with it, but can keenly detect the mystery hidden in some seemingly favorable conditions.
What surprised Michael even more was that this young man was not as impulsive as young people of this age group at all. Even if he found a trap, he didn't point it out directly, or simply slapped his blood, but implicitly hinted that he understood caught the trap.
In the end, Michael smiled wryly and gave up his plan to participate in the film and television copyright of "Jurassic Park".
The following negotiations were naturally unimpeded, and the two quickly signed a cooperation agreement.
"Happy cooperation, Eric, I believe you will not regret giving me the control of "Jurassic Park." After signing the contract, Michael became the uncle with a bookish temperament, making people feel like a spring breeze, It seemed that the shrewdness and cunning on his face during the negotiation just now were all hallucinations.
"Good cooperation, Michael, and I hope so."
The two shook hands, sat down, and chatted a few more words, Eric said casually: "Michael, do you have any contacts in those film companies?"
Michael Klaus raised his eyebrows: "Of course, otherwise, how could I recommend the novel from my publishing house to 20th Century Fox? Actually, I also have acquaintances in some other film companies. You know, I am in Simon When I was at Schuster Publishing House, I was in charge of cooperating with film companies on book copyright for a period of time. So, Eric, hand over the film and television copyright of "Jurassic Park" to Night Elf, and I can directly sell the novel Recommended to producers at the big six studios."
Eric shook his head and said: "Let's not talk about this issue, Michael, I will not give up the film and television copyright of "Jurassic Park". However, I am finishing a script now, if If possible, I hope you can help me recommend it."
Michael Klaus's hope that had just been ignited was extinguished again. He was not very interested in hearing the script that Eric said, but out of politeness, he said patiently: "Can you tell me the general plot of the script?"
"It's like this," Eric sorted out his thoughts and said: "Eighteen years ago, seventeen-year-old Mike O'Donnell was about to participate in a basketball game that was very important to his life, because as long as he performed well, He will be admitted to an Ivy League school with a generous scholarship. However, before the game, his girlfriend suddenly told him that she was pregnant, so during the game, Mike resolutely threw away the basketball in his hand and turned away from the game. He chose to shoulder his own responsibilities. Eighteen years later, the past glory and glory have gone with the wind, and Mike has become a middle-aged man with a failed career. At the same time, his marriage with his wife Scarlett is coming to an end... "
Eric didn't go into too many details, but just briefly narrated the story. After hearing the quarrel between the Lankers, he quickly thought of "Return to Seventeen". The movie couldn't be more appropriate. A seventeen-year-old young man hides the soul of a middle-aged uncle, which is tailor-made for Eric.
The eyes of Michael Klaus, who was watching, became brighter. He was very optimistic about Eric, a young man, but he didn't expect to get the novel "Jurassic Park". Eric immediately gave him another one. surprise.
Movies such as traveling back to the future or transforming into the past have just emerged in recent years, and they are not as popular as later generations, so as long as the quality of the movie is good, it can usually get a good box office.
Not to mention the annual box office champion "Back to the Future" in 1985. This year alone, two such films have achieved good box office. One is "Back to Eighteen" in April, and the other is Only two weeks after it was released, the cost has already been recovered. "Flying to the Future", which may eventually have a box office of over 100 million, also makes Penny Marshall the first female director in North American film history with a box office of over 100 million.
"It's a good script, Eric. But don't you think there have been too many time-traveling movies these years? Besides, you're just an unknown newcomer." In order to gain the initiative in the negotiation, Michael Of course, he had to be a little more careful. The negotiation on the film and television copyright of "Jurassic Park" just now made him feel a sense of frustration.
Eric smiled slightly. Of course, he could see that Michael was pretending to be a gesture, and directly stretched out five fingers: "50% commission!"
"What?" Michael couldn't believe it. How could this guy be so generous all of a sudden? Could it be that he heard it wrong
Eric repeated: "Michael, you heard me right, if the script is successfully sold, I can give you 50% of the script's remuneration as a commission! But, I have one condition?"
Sure enough, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Michael breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Eric's last words. Things seemed to be back on the original track, and the shrewd little guy was still on the other side.
"Tell me?"
"I'm going to be the hero of the movie, a young Mike O'Donnell."
"It's impossible." Michael said subconsciously: "Even the director doesn't necessarily have the power to decide the role of the movie, let alone you, a new screenwriter."
"In the far east, there is an idiom, it is people who plan things, and things that come true." Eric said: "If you don't try it, how will you know that it is impossible, not to mention, with the release of "Leap to the Future", It's going to become more likely."
Michael Krause couldn't turn a corner: "What does this have to do with "Futurama"?"
Eric casually stirred the hot coffee just poured in front of him with a spoon and said: "I think this movie is likely to have a box office of over 100 million. If so, for a script of the same type and with a good enough script, maybe someone will Considering my conditions are not necessarily."
Michael Klaus hadn't seen the movie "Flying Over the Future", but he still believed Eric's words and said, "Okay, Eric, I can try, but in terms of commission..."
"Michael, you are too greedy, do you want to get more than me, the original author!"
Michael couldn't help rubbing his nose with his index finger, and he was rarely embarrassed: "It's not as serious as you said, and if you become the leading actor, even if you are a newcomer, the salary is about 500,000 yuan, and the script I think It would be nice to get two hundred thousand.”
Having said that, Michael Krauss did not mention the commission again. When saying goodbye outside the coffee shop, Michael Krauss suddenly said: "Actually, Eric, I have an illusion that you are indeed suitable for you." The role of the leading actor in the script. Because, when I first negotiated the contract, I felt that I was completely negotiating with my peers, not an eighteen-year-old high school student."
Eric smiled: "Don't care about these details, Michael, I will hand over the script to you in two days, I hope you can bring me good news."