While 'saw' was sent to the MPAA for rating, Charles also began negotiations to find distribution for the film.
Thanks to the good box office performance of the two low-budget films,' my big fat greek wedding' and 'lost in translation', Capet Pictures' saw indeed attracted the favor of many independent distributors.
Lionsgate Films and Rogue Pictures were both interested in distributing "saw". After watching the rough cut, they felt it could be released on Halloween.
However, both Lionsgate Films and Rogue Pictures' first thought was to buy out the film's North America theatrical screening rights and DVD rights, which Charles, of course, could not accept.
Besides, Charles himself is one of Netflix's shareholders, so the DVD market will definitely cooperate with Netflix for long-term income, or directly sell the DVD rights to Netflix for guaranteed distribution.
Also, because Focus Features' head, James Schamus, was interested in "brokeback mountain", the distribution of both films was discussed together.
The two sides' differences on distribution commissions remained irreconcilable. Focus Features' minimum 15% commission and Charles maximum 12% distribution commission still had a gap.
Negotiations, take it slow. If Focus Features doesn't work out, there's still Lionsgate Films.
Originally, Artisan Entertainment was also an option, but New Line Cinema's condescending attitude made further talks unnecessary.
In Beverly Hills, Charles luxurious hilltop villa was newly renovated, and Charles officially moved into the villa named Capet Manor.
His mother, Evelyn, specifically came to help Charles move.
"The house is too big, you need a few servants to help out," Evelyn commented while touring the house.
"It's alright, quiet enough!" Charles didn't think too much about it. His mind was currently filled with information about Lionsgate Films acquiring Artisan Entertainment.
"Lionsgate Films is acquiring Artisan. Have they made an offer yet?" Charles asked. No wonder Artisan Entertainment wasn't very interested in business right now.
Evelyn shook her head, "The specific offer is still unknown. They have an internal offer, but Artisan Entertainment owns a library of over 6,000 films and 1,800 episodes of TV series, valued at over 200 million US dollars!"
"Is Artisan heavily indebted?" Charles hadn't heard that Artisan had high debt. Over 6,000 films and 1,800 episodes of TV series, mostly non-mainstream B-movies.
While numerous, it's not certain how valuable they are. However, Lionsgate is a distribution company specializing in genre films, and DVD/videotapes are their main business.
After all, when DreamWorks was acquired by Paramount in its previous life, its library of 350 titles was sold by Paramount to investors for over 800 million US dollars to acquire DreamWorks' live-action film rights.
Of course, Paramount retained the distribution rights to those films.
What makes a film company valuable is its library of rights. The more popular mainstream films, the more valuable the rights. It's no wonder that Hollywood's current seven major studios are all worth tens of billions of dollars, and their respective rights libraries are treasures.
"Artisan Entertainment's three investors suffered heavy losses during the previous tech stock crash, and now they have the idea of selling Artisan Entertainment to raise funds," Evelyn explained to her son.
"Alas, Artisan!" Charles sighed. Not to mention the vast number of non-mainstream film and television rights, just its North America distribution channels, aren't they exactly what Capet Pictures needs?
With a strong film and television rights library, Charles could deepen his cooperation with Netflix and gradually control Netflix's development.
"Lionsgate has already begun its next round of financing on the NYSE, and is also preparing to issue a batch of corporate bonds to raise funds," Evelyn told Charles all the information she had obtained.
"200 million US dollars!" Charles sighed. What a good opportunity, and the film market is developing rapidly now.
"Lionsgate Films must have tasted the sweetness of acquiring film companies," this company, which went public on the NYSE through a reverse merger, played its cards right.
"Paramount expressed its intention to acquire Lionsgate Films two years ago, and at the beginning of this year, Paramount made another offer," Evelyn recounted.
"Lionsgate Chairman Frank Goth created a poison pill plan to oppose Paramount's acquisition."
"Forget it, let's focus on the present first," Charles waved his hand. The more he heard, the more upset he became. Capet Pictures still needed time.
Evelyn shrugged and smiled, "Another issue, a novel is about to be published, it's about women in the workplace;"
"The content is a story of a female university student who just entered society, working as an editor's assistant in a fashion magazine, and being difficultly treated at work. The plot is good, and I think the novel should sell well after publication."
Cape frowned and asked, "What's it called?"
"It seems to be called the monster. Do you want to see the original manuscript? I have it!"
"Then I'll take a look!" Charles thought this should be the novel adapted from the movie also known as the devil wears prada.
Evelyn took the original manuscript from her bag, and Charles sat down to read it.
The author of the novel was Lauren Weisberger, and the content was indeed the novel of the same name adapted from the movie the "devil wears prada".
However, the novel is definitely not as exciting as the movie in its previous life. The movie is an sublimation of the novel. Compared to the movie's fun, the novel is actually much more dull to read.
Of course, Anne Hathaway's performance in the play was also eye-catching, as was Meryl Streep, the fashion editor-in-chief.
"Capet Pictures wants the film adaptation rights to the novel!"