Peter Sanders nodded, but then cautiously added, "At least, Simon Westeros's driver's license shows he is currently 18 years old. Ronald, if necessary, I can investigate".
Ronald Goldberg, however, remained silent, leaning back on the sofa in thought.
As the president of a major Hollywood film company, with years of experience in film distribution and promotion, Ronald Goldberg naturally understood the level of attention a film directed by an 18-year-old, who had just come of age, would receive if it were released in theatres.
A few years ago, former child star Stephen Paul directed his first film, 'Falling in Love Again', at the age of 20. Although the film's quality was abysmal, only earning a little over a hundred thousand dollars at the box office after its theatrical release, it still garnered significant media attention, including from The New York Times.
Now, Simon Westeros is only 18 years old, and this gimmick is even more impactful than being 20. Don't underestimate the two-year difference; in most people's minds, 18 is still a teenager, while 20 is already an adult.
More importantly, judging from the film reviews in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and other media, the quality of 'Run Lola Run' far surpassed Stephen Paul's amateurish attempt.
If they acquired this film, plus Simon Westeros's screenplay for "The Butterfly Effect," combining the two works to create a comprehensive promotional plan would undoubtedly yield unexpected results.
As his thoughts reached this point, Ronald Goldberg suddenly remembered something else: "Peter, if I'm not mistaken, our contract with Simon Westeros also includes a first-look option for two screenplays, right?"
According to the option agreement, screenplays written by Simon Westeros must first be offered to Fox Pictures. Only if Fox Pictures actively declines can he negotiate cooperation with other film companies.
Most of the post-production work for 'Run Lola Run' was completed within the Fox studio, and even Ronald Goldberg had heard about it. However, no one had taken an experimental film cooked up by a young man too seriously, so no one had ever raised any objections.
However, once things get serious, many things definitely change.
Peter Sanders, hearing Ronald Goldberg's words, nodded knowingly but then immediately shook his head and said, "Ronald, I've had someone re-review that contract. There's an exception clause: films personally directed by Simon Westeros are not subject to the option agreement. So, he's not in breach of contract".
Administrative tasks such as drafting the 'Butterfly Effect' contract were Peter Sanders' responsibility. Ronald Goldberg, hearing this, gave him a dissatisfied look: "How could you agree to such a clause?"
Peter Sanders explained with a helpless expression, "'The Butterfly Effect' was personally greenlit by Mr. Murdoch, Ronald. You know the situation at the time; we had to finalize that project as quickly as possible. Besides, at that time, no one believed that an unknown newcomer like Simon Westeros could produce any decent film".
Ronald Goldberg waved his hand, not wanting to hear Peter Sanders's excuses anymore, and said, "Alright, have Simon Westeros send over the copy. The day after tomorrow, I happen to have time in the morning. I'll watch the film first, and then we can discuss other matters".
Regardless of the film reviews, Ronald Goldberg still preferred to trust his own judgment.
Peter Sanders nodded, and seeing that Ronald Goldberg intended to dismiss him, he hesitated slightly and said, "There's one more thing, regarding Sundance. This year's juror, David Ansen, happens to be a friend of mine. I called him a few days ago".
Ronald Goldberg was well aware of Peter Sanders's personality; he wasn't a generous person, so he didn't believe he would lobby for an award for Simon Westeros.
Glancing at the film reviews on the coffee table, Ronald Goldberg shook his head and said, "Given the current situation, do you think Sundance would let 'Run Lola Run' go home empty-handed? Tell your friend there's no need for these petty manoeuvres. Simon Westeros's increased fame will also benefit 'The Butterfly Effect'".
...After a morning of making and receiving calls, learning that Ronald Goldberg wanted to personally see the finished cut of 'Run Lola Run', Simon temporarily returned to Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon.
On Wednesday morning, after watching the finished film, Ronald Goldberg didn't offer many comments. He simply doubled the price Peter Sanders had offered, raising it to $2 million.
This was clearly still not what Simon was willing to accept.
So, he simply declined some other invitations, and Simon flew back to Utah that afternoon, determined to wait until after Sundance to consider distribution matters.
On the other hand, with the widespread praise for 'Run Lola Run' from various media outlets at the beginning of the week, the film's attention gradually increased.
Although the Sundance Film Festival is non-profit, its project operations still follow standard commercial procedures. Both the subsidized Utah state government and advertising sponsors naturally hope the film festival will gain higher visibility.
Therefore, as 'Run Lola Run' began to attract attention, the film festival committee continued to subtly fuel the momentum, actively contacting more media for coverage.
Then, Robert Redford's praise for "Run Lola Run," the sold-out screenings, the young director who won a $200,000 screenwriting contract from Fox Pictures, and the fact that he independently completed the film's behind the scenes work, etc., various news items subtly appeared in the view of more and more people, continuously increasing Simon himself and the visibility of 'Run Lola Run'.
Park City.
Time quickly arrived at the second weekend of the Sundance Film Festival.
At the Sundance Institute at the foot of the ski resort on the west side of town, in a conference room, the five jurors for this year's Sundance Film Festival Feature Film category, David Ansen, Randa Haines, Jane Benix, Kit Carson, and Amy Robinson, were discussing the final award results.
Although he was the chairman of the Sundance Film Festival, Robert Redford had no right to interfere with the jurors' selection results.
Of course, at least on the surface, that was the case.
Robert Redford was currently waiting in another office for everyone to make a decision.
However, Robert had originally thought that a tacit understanding had been reached with the five individuals beforehand, but in the conference room, the discussion about the awards was clearly divided into two factions.
On one side were Randa Haines and Jane Benix, both of whom strongly believed that the Grand Jury Prize should be awarded to 'Run Lola Run'.
On the other side, Kit Carson and Amy Robinson preferred another film, 'Waiting for the Moon'. As for 'Run Lola Run', both felt that Simon was too young and only needed a Special Jury Prize. Of course, as compensation, they could also give the film Sundance's only technical award, the Cinematography Award, as 'Run Lola Run' was truly deserving in that aspect.
Beyond the four, David Ansen was somewhat silent.
After a round of arguments, Kit Carson suddenly looked at David Ansen and then said, "Randa, Jane, how about this, let's vote."
Randa Haines and Jane Benix also glanced at David Ansen, hesitated slightly, and then agreed.
Then, there was no need for a show of hands; it was already two to two, and David Ansen only needed to express his stance.
David Ansen looked at the others, but in his mind, he recalled recent events.
Before the opening of this Sundance, he had received a call from his friend Peter Sanders, the current Vice President of Fox, who subtly hoped he could suppress Simon Westeros's 'Run Lola Run' during the judging process.
Subsequently, after the first weekend of the film festival, perhaps due to the buzz around 'Run Lola Run', or for other reasons, Peter Sanders called again, stating that it was no longer necessary to do so.
However, this wasn't the end. On Wednesday afternoon, he received another call from Peter Sanders.
Peter Sanders's tone seemed very helpless, but he stated that Simon Westeros had unceremoniously rejected Ronald Goldberg's very sincere offer of cooperation. Ronald Goldberg was also somewhat angry and, having learned of Simon Westeros's intention to hold out for a better offer after Sundance, once again hoped David Ansen could influence the award results.
After all this back and forth, what kind of person did they think he was?
Although David Ansen was also a screenwriter, his primary job was a contributing writer for Newsweek, and he didn't rely much on Hollywood.
Therefore, David Ansen had originally decided not to get involved in these messy affairs at all, planning to let the other four make the decision.
At this moment, he didn't expect that everyone would hand the final decision-making power to him.
After a moment of hesitation, David Ansen's gaze swept over the others, and then he slowly spoke, saying, "I choose 'Run Lola Run'".