*Chapter 11: We Are the Best in the Industry*

Hawk took out another document and handed it to Eric. "Last year, excluding films produced by Hollywood studios, only 14 independent films were sold during the Saint Denis Film Festival, even though there were 1,488 films participating."

He went straight to the point: "If we don’t take necessary measures, what are the chances of selling a niche film like this?"

Eric had an impulse to agree immediately, but when he saw the Rolex watch his girlfriend bought him, his feverish mind cooled down. He said, "I need to discuss this with someone."

Hawk did not push. "Take your time, call me whenever you're ready."

Eric called a waiter to add the coffee to his room bill.

His voice drew the attention of a few others nearby. One of them, a handsome guy with gold-rimmed glasses, turned to see Eric and suddenly became very excited, as if he were on something, and walked over briskly. "Eric, my friend, what a coincidence."

Hawk looked at the man with gold-rimmed glasses, then at Eric.

Eric muttered, "Coincidence, my ass. We're at the same festival, staying in the same small hotel. This was deliberate."

The man with gold-rimmed glasses arrived at the table, smiling brightly. "I heard your screening didn't go well. I told you not to make a film like this, but you wouldn't listen."

Eric said, "I don't need your concern."

The man continued, "You seem confident. Is it because of Castle Rock Entertainment?"

Eric's face changed slightly.

The man turned to Hawk. "Do you work for him? Let me give you some advice: leave early. He won't be able to sell the film, and he won't be able to pay you."

Hawk found the man quite strange.

"Good luck." The man patted the back of Eric's chair and returned to his seat.

Hawk gave Eric a questioning look.

Eric said softly, "His name is George Hansen. When I was making my first short film, he was the assistant director. Later, he pursued Katherine, just like I did. He failed. We also disagreed on 'Highland Special Zone,' and after he left, he managed to get some investment and shot a feature film called 'Lemon Street,' which is also in this festival."

Hawk commented, "A former subordinate trying to take down his ex-boss?"

"Maybe." Eric left to discuss things with his girlfriend.

On the other side, George Hansen dropped his exaggerated act, returned to his group, and looked seriously at a bald man across from him. "Now we can confirm that the broker’s information is true—Robert from Castle Rock Entertainment will watch Eric's film."

The bald man slowly stirred his coffee. "I've asked around. If we’re willing to pay, the broker can influence Robert's assistant to bring him to watch our 'Lemon Street.'"

George was eager to step on his ex-boss. "Ask the broker if he can make Robert watch only ours and not Eric's."

The bald man picked up his phone and made a call. After a while, he hung up. "According to the broker, Robert will only be in Park City for a day. His schedule is tight, so it is suggested that our screening coincide with Eric's, and they’ll try to invite Robert over."

He looked at George with a strange smile. "To do that, we'd have to pay more on top of his quote."

George understood the smile and shifted in his seat. "Can you help me cover the extra cost?"

The bald man, who was the financier of the project, invited George, "Alright, let's head back to our room. You have five minutes to figure out how to make me happy."

The two left the café and headed to the elevator.

Hawk emerged from the restroom, planning to take the stairs down. The sound of the elevator arriving made him turn his head, just in time to see the bald man grab George's butt.

George also saw Hawk and, annoyed, raised his middle finger at him. "Close your eyes, idiot!"

He stepped into the elevator and pressed the close button.

Missing out on Catherine's favor but gaining joy from both ENT and proctology—that was the main reason George hated Eric.

Hawk reached the first floor and was about to leave when he received a call from Eric.

A few minutes later, the two met again on the second floor.

This time, besides Eric, Catherine, the big-faced woman, also showed up.

Catherine asked Hawk more about creating a good viewing atmosphere, then said, "How confident are you?"

Hawk said confidently, "We've never lost!"

Catherine stared at Hawk.

Hawk's expression remained calm and full of confidence, with not a hint of guilt.

He wasn't lying, and he felt particularly assured.

Catherine then asked, "What's your fee?"

The information provided to the committee listed the production cost at $200,000, so Hawk used that as a basis. "Twenty thousand dollars."

"You're asking too much," Catherine shook her head. "Temporary actors only get the local minimum wage. The screening is less than two hours, and we’ll calculate it based on two hours, raising the hourly rate to $10 per person..."

Hawk raised his hand to interrupt her. "The temporary actors you mentioned can only serve as extras. My people? They need to start preparing today, familiarizing themselves with the film, understanding the preferences of the screening group, rehearsing responses—it'll be over 30 hours of work. The minimum wage in Utah is $5.15 an hour, and for a team of over a hundred people, just the labor cost exceeds $15,000."

He raised his head, his tone slightly proud. "You won't find a more professional team in the film industry. We are the undisputed best."

Catherine had money, but she wasn't willing to spend it so freely, especially since Hawk didn't seem eager to cater to her whims. "Five thousand dollars, max."

"There are thousands of crews at the festival. You're not the only option." Hawk knew where the breakthrough point lay. He reached for the information in front of Eric. "Please return the documents to me."

Eric was desperate to get his film into theaters and gently nudged his girlfriend, showing his impatience.

Catherine had no choice and made a concession. "I'll pay you $5,000 as a deposit, and another $5,000 after it's over."

Hawk shook his head. "That's not enough. I won't do a losing deal."

Catherine didn't want to shoulder the risk herself, so she shifted it. "If 'Highland Special Zone' sells, I'll give you 1% of the sale as a commission."

Hawk placed his hand on the document in front of Eric. "Two percent!"

Eric nudged Catherine again. She agreed, "Deal."

She had one condition. "I want all 200 theater seats filled, and no one leaving in the middle."

Hawk's makeshift team wasn't even set up yet—how was he going to find 200 people?

He said seriously, "More isn't always better when it comes to audience numbers. You may not have noticed, but during the festival, there are so many screenings that, except for star directors' works, few screenings are even half full. For a film like 'Highland Special Zone,' would a packed house seem a little unrealistic?"

Eric nodded. "Makes sense."

Hawk said, "Please trust our level of professionalism."

Catherine dropped the subject. "Get your lawyer. Let's sign the contract."

Hawk was prepared and called Brand. It wasn't long before Brand arrived at the hotel with a local lawyer.

The two sides drafted terms and signed a cooperation agreement.

Catherine then wrote a $5,000 check for Hawk.

After the money was deposited into the bank, Hawk paid the lawyer fees and left with Brand.

With that settled, there was still no structure for the makeshift team.

Brand was impressed. "You signed an agreement and pocketed $5,000 without having anything?"

"Because I have you." Hawk grabbed Brand's shoulder. "Remember that community theater gathering we talked about last night? They didn't want to split the costs, and there was no sponsor. Well, I'll be the sponsor!"

He continued, "I'll invite the theater group to watch a free movie, then sponsor a party afterward!"