Chapter 31: Finalized Release
In the afternoon, after the screening, the relevant personnel of 20th Century Fox gathered in a small conference room to discuss the film they had just seen in the morning. The film exceeded everyone's highest expectations. For these professionals in the industry, it may be a little difficult to judge whether the film will really be accepted by the market, but it is not difficult to distinguish between bad films and excellent productions.
Perhaps it was because of an initial recognition of "Speed" in his heart, or perhaps because of George Lucas, CEO Jim Gianopulos also appeared in this conference room.
"Keller, let's hear your opinion first."
As the secretary brought coffee to everyone, Tom Rosenthal said, "It's obvious you have some thoughts on this film."
"This is an extremely exciting and non-traditional action movie."
Karelitz organized the language and directly said his own views. "The young director named Duke did better than I imagined. Every detail of the film was polished by him. It looks so perfect..."
Singleton organized the language and directly expressed his own views. "The young director named Duke did better than I imagined. Every detail of the film was polished by him. It looks so perfect..."
As the most senior Fox executive in charge of film acquisitions in the 20th century, Curtis Singleton's attitude is quite obvious.
"Tom Rosenthal, how about you?"
Just as Curtis Singleton's voice fell, CEO Jim Gianopulos directly asked Tom Rosenthal, the head of the distribution department, for his opinion and importance. "What strategy do you think we should use for this movie?"
Although there are flaws in the plot logic and some scenes, the vast majority of the film is excellent. Duke Rosenberg uses a lot of short lenses and ultra-fast rhythms to create a sense of urgency that only top-level productions can have.
"Generally speaking, the movie trailer must gather the best shots, the best visual effects, and the most exciting moments in the film, but Duke's film is full of such lenses, like a row of labels, each of which stimulates adrenaline."
"This is an extremely entertaining action movie," he concluded.
As a true professional, Tom Rosenthal of course would not be so foolish as to look at commercial films with a literary eye.
"But we cannot ignore the risks behind the film."
Since the discussion began, Tim Fisher has been observing the situation, and it was inevitable that Fox would sign the movie in the 20th century. He couldn't change this, and he also admitted that the film was indeed exciting and full of highlights, but he didn't want to see the film sell well.
First, this is a film that his future CEO competitor is pushing to introduce.
If the film is successful, it will definitely have a negative impact on him, because he will find that the script has been delivered to him before.
"Although action movies have been popular in North America in recent years, we shouldn't forget that audiences' tastes are fickle and that nobody knows when they'll get tired of this genre. This movie also lacks a star actor with appeal to help with promotion, which means we'll have to put more resources into publicity..."
To become one of the top executives of the Big Six companies, not one is a idiot, Tim Fisher has listed all the facts.
Develop a promotional strategy based on B-type films.
After discussion among many high-level officials, they gradually reached a consensus, and CEO Jim Gianopulos made the final decision based on these opinions, "arrange the rating, preview, and screening of the film as soon as possible."
This is the safest way and no one else has any objection.
After the screening, Duke cut two trailers according to the requirements of 20th Century Fox, and the production of the film was basically over. But he did not take a vacation for himself and continued to maintain close contact with the 'Speed' studio. The publicity strategy of the film company is also essential to the success of the film.
The studio is at the top of this game, and even with support from Lucasfilm, a new director like him won't have any say in the negotiations. Duke wasn't involved in the talks either. Professionals will naturally do professional things.
Less than a week after the talks, 20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm have agreed on a distribution deal.
Fox will become the North American distributor of "Speed," taking fifteen percent of North American box office and fifty percent of North American television royalties as distribution fees, with first purchase rights to overseas distribution rights. The costs of publicity and promotion, and the making of copies of the film will be deducted first from the box office receipts after the film is released in North America.
At the same time, Fox also formulated a North American release schedule for the film.
Fox will be holding sneak previews for film fans and critics over the next two weeks and, based on the feedback, will invest in appropriate promotional campaigns to generate buzz for the film. In the traditionally slow movie month of mid-April, it plans to release "Speed" on 200 screens across North America.
The schedule was quickly sent to Duke's hands, and although he was dissatisfied with the conservative release strategy of 20th Century Fox, he knew that he had no capital to object to this.
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