"NC-17? The MPAA gave saw an NC-17 rating?" Charles Capet received feedback from the MPAA at Capet Pictures.
"James, they said the film's visuals are too bloody and violent."
James Wan also nodded and asked, "Should I cut some scenes and resubmit it?"
"Process it," Charles frowned. "I'll talk to the distributors again." The MPAA is truly arrogant.
Warner Bros., Sony Columbia, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Universal, Paramount, and MGM are currently the seven film companies that are members of the MPAA.
Independent film companies not only face suppression from the Big Seven in terms of ratings but also encounter targeting from major theater chains in securing screenings. After all, major theater chains often sign exclusive agreements with the Big Seven to specifically target smaller art house cinemas.
What is the role of the MPAA? Rating is just one part; its primary functions are political lobbying, strengthening the connection between Washington and Hollywood, promoting American culture and business expansion, and combating film and television piracy to protect Hollywood's interests.
MPAA members pay at least 20 million USD in annual fees. If the association doesn't protect the interests of its members, whose interests will it protect?
Only by becoming an official member of the MPAA can one be considered a top player in Hollywood, and a ticket to official membership is not easy to obtain!
Sony acquired its membership by acquiring Columbia Pictures, and RKO Pictures was also an early member but was canceled after its bankruptcy.
The current seven member slots have been in place for many years and will not be increased.
"Donna, please arrange a meeting for me with Mr. James Schamus this afternoon; he's in Los Angeles," Charles instructed.
To resolve things quickly, it's still best to operate within the Big Seven's system to avoid a lot of trouble.
Of course, Capet Pictures could also submit the film for review multiple times; after modifications, it would eventually become R-rated, but that would take more time.
On the second floor of a high-end coffee shop on Universal City Plaza Avenue.
Charles met James Schamus, the head of Universal Focus Features, and also Donna Langley, the Head of Production at Universal Pictures.
"Charles, Capet Pictures is developing well. Why not find a long-term distribution partner? Universal Pictures has always supported independent production companies," Donna Langley said, shifting the conversation to long-term cooperation, though they were originally discussing the distribution of saw and brokeback mountain.
Charles looked up and asked, "How would the cooperation work?"
"Universal Pictures and Capet Pictures will sign a four-year distribution contract. The investment amount will be determined by Universal Pictures based on the budget. Universal will collect a 15% distribution commission from the box office of each film. Costs and revenues will be shared based on the investment ratio for copyright earnings," Donna took a sip of coffee.
"Additionally, Universal will pay 1.5 million USD to Capet Pictures annually as operating expenses!"
Isn't that just hiring himself? After all, this is a standard practice for major distributors, at least it can solve funding and distribution problems.
However, Capet Pictures garnered considerable attention after its success, so it wasn't lacking in distribution, only in the quality of the terms.
As for funding, Charles believed that after several consecutive successful films, it would also not be a problem.
"Four years, 15% distribution commission, investment amount determined by Universal based on the budget?" Charles shook his head.
"My films progress very quickly; I won't wait for Universal's capital audit process. And even without external funding, I can invest myself!"
"A 15% distribution commission is too high. Lionsgate Films offered only a 12% box office share for saw," Charles looked at Donna Langley.
"Ms. Langley, you're underestimating me. I have confidence in my films!"
"Charles, with Universal's support, you can save a lot of time on capital and distribution, giving you more time to develop your films. I heard you haven't taken much of a vacation in two years," James Schamus, who was sitting nearby, also spoke up.
"Charles, young producers like you are rare in Hollywood. Sometimes, the loss from a single film can be more than you can bear," Donna Langley was very keen to bring Charles Capet under her wing.
"I think it's better for our two companies to sign a normal distribution cooperation agreement. Of course, films developed by Capet Pictures can also have an investment ratio from Universal, between 25% and 50% of the investment budget," Charles certainly didn't want to be fully tied to Universal for four years.
Donna Langley frowned, clearly understanding Charles's thoughts, and then glanced at James Schamus beside her.
James Schamus understood and said, "Focus Features and Rogue Pictures will distribute your brokeback mountain and saw, with a 12% distribution commission. Marketing and distribution costs will, of course, also be deducted from the revenue."
This was a sweetener. Donna Langley then said, "Well then, Capet Pictures and Universal Pictures will sign a distribution contract for five new films."
"Five?" Charles shook his head again. "A distribution contract for a maximum of three films, and for a period of three years starting next year. I will present film projects, and Universal will choose to cooperate or decline."
"Only three? And only for three years, Charles, that's not ideal," Donna Langley was visibly displeased.
"I'm not finished. For the three cooperative films, Capet Pictures will be responsible for at least half of the film's investment budget, and they won't be small-budget films; they will be large productions with budgets in the hundreds of millions," Charles continued, ignoring the surprise of the two opposite him.