HWI 162

Hollywood What If Chapter 162

"You are...?"

"Hello, Director Grey. I'm Camille Green, from Universal Pictures."

The woman who was wearing thick eyeglasses sat down. The office had a good ambiance, although it was clear that Kazir Grey used the office as his own room. 

There was another room where he could sleep. A complete set of TV, VHS, and sound system in the corner. 

'It seems like the rumor is true... Director Grey lives in his own office.'

As a career woman, Camille Green was serious about her job, but she like to sleep in the office. The atmosphere in the company was too suffocating for her to fall asleep. 

Yet the man in front of her had the guts to close his eyes in this dreadful place of endless works. Perhaps this was the difference between an employee and an employer. 

"Universal Pictures is interested to buy a script, no, three scripts from you."

Kazir nodded. 

'We are talking about Universal Pictures, one of the Big Six, of course they have ways to get information about my scripts.'

In fact, Universal Pictures was not the first to express their intention of buying his scripts. 

However, Kazir Grey decided to play the long game. 

"3 million dollars."

"Excuse me?"

Camille Green tilted her head. She didn't even say which script Universal Pictures wanted to buy. 

"3 million dollars, for each script."

"... You got to be kidding me. Director Grey, that's too much. Is it because of what happened last time?"

"People changed. I'm more mature now, I don't hate Universal Pictures. But I don't like it either. I hope my feelings for Universal Pictures will change... You know what I mean, right?"

"I understand. But still..."

Camille probed. $3 million for a script was too expensive. Unless it was a movie adaptation rights from a novel or comic, Universal Pictures won't open its pocket. 

Original Screenplay is a huge gamble because it has no fanbase that was ready to spend money to watch the movie. 

Lately, Hollywood focuses more on buying movie adaptation rights from novels and comics since this kind of genre had a safe profit model. 

"Miss Camille. I believe you heard that Walt Disney tried to buy the Meet The Parents for $3 million."

"That's right, but I heard that you sold it to Paramount for half a million."

"I bet you know the reason why I did that."

"..."

Indeed. Because of that transaction, Paramount decided to sign a three-movie distribution contract with Grey Pictures for a 25% box office share. In a way, Grey Pictures earned more from that negotiation. 

"I'm not petty enough to interfere with Universal Pictures. If they want to buy it, they can buy it. But they can only buy it if the price is right."

"I have to contact my superior."

Camille Green was just a Producer in Production Management. Their buying limit was $2 million at best, more than that would need approval from the higher-ups. 

"I don't have a problem. But you have to be fast, the price is increasing every hour." Kazir smirked. 

"Meet The Parents is going to be released in January. If the movie is a success, the price of my scripts is going to be extravagant."

"What if it flopped?"

Camille Green asked back. 

"Then my price will decrease. It depends on Universal Pictures' decision if they want to wait."

Kazir had the advantage. Meet The Parents was a successful movie in his past life, so the chances of it flopping were very small. 

'If you want to wait and see the results of Meet The Parents, no problem. But you have to take responsibility for your actions.'

Actually, his opinion of Universal Pictures didn't change. He hate the company. 

However, Grey Pictures was looking for another distributor because the contract with Paramount was going to end once The Bourne Identity was released. If Universal Pictures extended its hand and gave him a good contact, Kazir Grey would be generous to offer them a very lower price.

As of now, he took more importance on the Continental Cinematic Universe than any project. If the only way to be in good grace was to sell his non-action scripts cheaply, then Kazir Grey would gladly do it. 

'In the first place, I have no intention of directing these projects. So they are free to buy them.'

"Is there a way to lower the price?" Camille Green crossed her legs. 

"Miss, I'm sure you have an idea." 

"..."

The two stared at each other before Camille Green stood up. 

"I guess I really have to talk to my superior."

The only way to buy the script cheaply was by signing a distribution contract with Grey Pictures. A contract that would make both parties happy. 

"I'm hoping to hear good news."

"Director Grey, before that. Please reserve the Bruce Almighty for Universal Pictures. We are interested in that movie."

"I can't promise anything."

The woman's lip twitched before leaving. She was actually wearing a very nice office dress that emphasized her cleavage, yet Kazir Grey never showed any interest. As expected, he was difficult to talk to. 

"Looks like Universal Pictures wants a piece of the cake."

When Camille Green was gone, Kazir Grey leaned against the chair and sighed. He massaged his forehead, getting migraine these days. 

"This is the reason why I don't want to be a CEO or anything related to being a boss of a business. It's too tiring. It's not for me, I will slowly die if I keep signing these documents. God, I want to film a movie!"

Perhaps he should hire a professional manager. Someone who could take care of Grey Pictures while he was busy filming. 

"At this moment, I'm really thinking of selling the company for a billion dollars."

He controlled his urge. At least not until the Continental Cinematic Universe was successful.