Behind The Spotlight Chapter 156
"The Born Identity? Isn't this the movie that was screened in our auditorium?" Greg had seen documents related to the film, but he never got the chance to watch it, despite hearing whispers from staff about its potential.
"Yes, sir. If I'm not wrong, 123 Production was the studio that produced the movie."
Greg Marinero asked his female secretary, and she confirmed his question.
"The movie was first screened here. 123 Production hoped we would buy it," the secretary added. She recalled that someone from Acquisition Department handled the business deal.
"What did we offer?"
"The acquisition department offered $31 million."
"What's the production cost of the movie?"
"Based on what I remember, it was $30 million, sir." She fixed her glasses nervously, sensing Greg's rising fury.
"So let me get this straight: this movie cost $30 million, but our acquisition department only offered $31 million?" His voice trembled slightly from disappointment.
"That's right, sir."
"..."
Greg Marinero was livid. If he were in 123 Production's position, he wouldn't have agreed to sell The Born Identity for $31 million either. The profit margin was insulting. 123 Production could earn that much simply through videotape sales, even if it would take years.
'Who in their retarded mind thought of buying an action movie for a small amount?' He gritted his teeth, unable to comprehend the incompetence.
They didn't even get the chance to compete, which made him even more disappointed.
"Tell me the acquisition department contacted the CEO."
"They didn't contact the CEO."
"No wonder they couldn't offer a higher price."
Greg slammed his fists against the table, causing pens and folders to jump and clatter.
"Who was responsible for buying the movie!? I want him here! The Born Identity has grossed $225 million in just ten fucking days! Ten days! I want that stupid man to explain why he didn't try to contact me or the CEO to buy this movie!" His voice echoed across the office.
Greg Marinero was furious because they let a massively profitable movie slip from their hands, something he considered a sin in business.
For the record, only a few films in North America had ever grossed over $200 million in ten days. This performance was extraordinary. No wonder Greg was mad.
"Are you telling me the acquisition department failed to see the profitability of this movie!? Are you telling me Metro Gold Mayer beat us to it? That dying studio!?" His pride could barely tolerate the thought.
Wash Dismay Studio was the studio that kicked Metro Gold Mayer out of its throne and took over its position. MGM had once been part of the Big Six Studios dominating Hollywood, but Wash Dismay Studio surpassed them over the years.
Greg was the one who led this venture. He secretly sabotaged Metro Gold Mayer, which gradually weakened them. He wasn't alone, the other Big Five also sabotaged MGM to eliminate them.
And now, Greg found it hard to accept that the studio he defeated had learned how to walk again.
'Metro Gold Mayer has huge film libraries, and its main sources of income are the Jamie Bond: 008 franchise and horror movie series like Karrie, Holloween, Foltergeist, Hannival, and Speciez.'
These franchises were the backbone keeping MGM alive.
The Jamie Bond: 008 franchise was hugely popular, while the horror movies were cheap to produce yet extremely profitable through videotape sales and rentals. A horror film could cost around $1 million to produce, making the return on investment incredibly attractive.
And now, Metro Gold Mayer had found another gold mine. Based on what Chairman Greg Marinero believed, MGM would likely turn The Born Identity into a franchise with many sequels, potentially restoring their long-lost prestige.
"S-Sir, you've called me."
A woman in her 30s entered the office, trembling. She was the person responsible for evaluating The Born Identity.
"Miss Telino, I want to hear your explanation for why you didn't offer 123 Production a better price. As you can see, The Born Identity is the fastest-grossing movie of the year so far. Why did you think it only deserved $31 million? You do know how much the production cost is, right?" His glare was sharp enough to make her knees weaken.
"I-It's $30 million. The production cost is $30 million," she stuttered, sweating.
"Then explain to me why!?"
"S-Sir, the movie is boring. It only has explosions, endless action fights, and intense scenes. It doesn't have depth. I admit the actor who played Jayson Born gave a compelling performance, but overall the movie is boring. It only has action," she tried to justify herself.
"Because it's a fucking action movie! What did you expect? A fucking romance? A drama? Did you expect the main character to find a sexy woman and fuck her, is that it?"
"... Yes, sir."
"Is that the reason you didn't contact me or the CEO? You didn't consider this movie worthy of our time?" His tone turned dangerously calm.
For the acquisition department to increase its budget beyond $30 million for an action movie, they were required to contact upper management, a rule strictly enforced to prevent reckless spending.
"Offering 123 Production $31 million was the best thing I could do, sir."
"You're fired. I don't think this company needs someone like you. Someone else should have handled the acquisition."
"Y-You can't do this to me! I was the one who acquired Gorgeous Lady, the movie directed by Director Nelson! Jeremiah may have been Director Nelson's partner, but I was the first to recognize his talent!" She desperately defended herself.
Director Nelson had directed Bride Runaway starring Lawrence and Jolyne.
"You have two choices: write a resignation letter, or I'll fire you. In the first place, you shouldn't handle acquisitions if you can't appreciate action movies."
"If I leave, then I can't work with any studio for the next five years."
"That's right."
There was a clause in her contract preventing Miss Telino from working for any rival studio for five years. Unless she paid a hefty fee to break the clause, she had to find a different career unrelated to movie production. She was essentially blacklisted, trapped by her own contract.
Guards escorted her out of Greg Marinero's office. Wash Dismay Studio reached its status because its employees excelled in their roles, leaving no room for incompetence.
'... I was happy because we exchanged shares with Fixar just to get its 3D animation studio, but now my mood is ruined.'
Fixar was a studio focused on 3D cartoon movies. Their first film was Toyz Story. They had a distribution deal with Wash Dismay Studio, and their partnership grew strong over the years. Now, Fixar and Wash Dismay Studio had become so close that their companies were tied together.
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