I am Hollywood

Chapter 5: Conditions



[Chapter 5: Conditions]

In a cafe located in North Hollywood, Eric and Michael discussed the details of their collaboration on Jurassic Park.

Eric didn't get hung up on the royalty split and settled for the standard 7% that was generally offered to newcomers. Their negotiation mainly revolved around the film rights for the novel. With Michael's seasoned eye from over a decade in the industry, he recognized the immense potential this novel had for adaptation. Since Eric raised no objections about the royalty distribution, Michael felt that Eric was young and easy to persuade. He proposed that Nightshade Press and Eric share the film rights, handing over complete control of the rights to Nightshade Press for representation.

After patiently listening to Michael's proposal, Eric firmly rejected it, stating, "That's not going to happen, Mr. Krauss."

Michael Krauss blinked in surprise, slightly thrown off by Eric's decisiveness. Adjusting his demeanor, Michael continued, "Eric, let me explain. You know I just sold one of our novels to 20th Century Fox for over a million in adaptation fees. If that author had negotiated on their own, they wouldn't have even seen half that amount. That's the advantage of going through a publisher..."

The two talked for another ten minutes, with Michael Krauss eloquently trying to convince Eric to accept his terms and even offering to reduce the publisher's cut on the film rights.

Ultimately, Michael was disappointed to realize that this young man was no naive newcomer. Instead, he was like a seasoned veteran himself, able to discern the subtle implications hidden within seemingly generous conditions. What surprised Michael even more was how Eric displayed none of the impulsiveness typical of someone his age. Even when he recognized a trap, he didn't directly call it out or walk away in a huff; rather, he subtly hinted that he understood the game.

Finally, with a rueful smile, Michael abandoned his plans to meddle in the film rights for Jurassic Park.

After that, the negotiations proceeded smoothly, and they quickly signed a cooperation agreement.

...

"Pleasure working with you, Eric. I'm sure you won't regret giving me the reins for Jurassic Park," Michael said after signing the contract, re-emerging as the affable elder figure, seemingly shaking off the shrewdness that had been evident during the negotiations.

"Likewise, Michael. I hope that's true," Eric replied, shaking his hand. They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Eric casually asked, "Michael, do you have connections in those movie studios?"

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Of course! How else could I have recommended my publisher's novel to 20th Century Fox? I actually know people in several other studios too. When I was at Simon & Schuster, I handled book rights collaborations with film companies for some time. So Eric, if you hand over the film rights to Jurassic Park to Nightshade Press, I can directly pitch the novel to producers at the big six studios."

Eric shook his head. "Let's not talk about that anymore, Michael. I'm not giving up a single inch of Jurassic Park's film rights. However, I am in the process of completing a screenplay, and I hope you might help me recommend it."

Michael's flickering hope went out again upon hearing about Eric's screenplay. He wasn't particularly interested but, out of politeness, he asked, "Could you share the rough outline of the script?"

"It's like this," Eric began, clarifying his thoughts. "Eighteen years ago, seventeen-year-old Mike O'Donnell was about to participate in a crucial basketball game that could secure him admission to an Ivy League school, complete with a hefty scholarship. However, right before the game, his girlfriend suddenly revealed that she was pregnant. In the middle of the game, Mike dropped the basketball and walked off the court, choosing to take on his responsibilities. Eighteen years later, he looks back on lost glory, a failed career, and faces a crumbling marriage with his wife, Scarlett..."

Eric didn't dive into too many details, simply giving an overview of the story. After hearing the arguments between the Ronkels, he quickly thought of 17 Again; this film could be exactly what he needed for his plans. A seventeen-year-old with the soul of a middle-aged man was just tailor-made for Eric.

Michael's eyes brightened as he listened. He had high hopes for Eric, and now, having just received Jurassic Park, he was surprised by yet another gem from Eric.

Films involving time travel or transformation were just starting to gain traction at that time, not yet saturated as they would be later on. So long as the film was of good quality, it typically performed well at the box office.

Let's not forget the 1985 box office champion Back to the Future; just this year alone, two similar films had performed admirably. One was Beetlejuice from April, and another, which had just released two weeks prior, was Big, already breaking even and likely heading to gross over a hundred million, making Penny Marshall the first female director in North American history to exceed that mark.

"That's a solid script, Eric. But don't you think there have been too many time travel films lately? Plus, you're just an unknown rookie," Michael pointed out, trying to regain some control after feeling defeated in their previous discussions about Jurassic Park's film rights. Eric smiled slightly, clearly sensing Michael's posturing. He simply held up five fingers. "Fifty percent commission!"

"What?" Michael exclaimed, struggling to believe his ears. Had this guy suddenly become so generous?

Eric reinforced, "Michael, you heard me right. If the script sells, I'll give you fifty percent of the script's fee as your commission! But I have one condition."

Of course, nothing comes for free, and with that last comment, Michael felt a slight relief, as things seemed to be back on their original track; Eric remained that astute young man.

"Let's hear it."

"I want to be the male lead in this movie, that is, young Mike O'Donnell."

"That's not going to happen," Michael said instinctively. "Even directors may not have the power to decide on the roles, let alone a rookie screenwriter like you."

"There is a saying -- 'Man plans, God laughs,"" Eric replied. "How would you know it's impossible if you don't try? Besides, with Big hitting theaters, the possibilities have

increased."

Michael Krauss found himself a bit perplexed. "What does Big have to do with this?"

Casually stirring his freshly poured hot coffee with a spoon, Eric said, "I think this movie has a good chance of hitting over a hundred million at the box office. If that happens, a similarly themed, quality script might get someone to consider my terms."

Though Michael hadn't seen Big, he believed what Eric said. "Alright, Eric. I can give it a shot, but about the commission..."

"Michael, you're being too greedy. You really think you should take more than the original author?"

Michael couldn't help but rub his nose with his finger, feeling a bit embarrassed. "It's not as serious as you say, and if you land that lead role, you'd likely make around five hundred thousand, while the script might only earn twenty thousand tops."

Even so, Michael didn't raise the topic of commission again. As they parted ways outside the cafe, he suddenly said, "Honestly, Eric, I have this feeling that you really do fit the role of that character in your script. Because during the contract negotiations, I felt like I was dealing with a peer, not an eighteen-year-old high school kid."

Eric chuckled, "Don't sweat the details, Michael. I'll get the script to you in a couple of days. In/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

hope you bring good news."

*****

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