Chapter 18: 2 million
" So Alexander your quite intelligent for your age young man. To be able to write such an interesting and exciting story like Jurassic Park honestly. I had suspected that it was written by a very experience an accomplished writer when I first read your manuscript." Said Spielberg as he cut into his steak.
"Thank you for the praise, it's truly an honor to hear those words from one as successfully as yourself." Answered Alex.
As he began eating from his plate he had ordered for himself a piece of steak. With a side of vegetables salad which he drank with a glass of water.
"Are you sure don't want to have a glass of apple juice with your food Alex?" Suggest Martha.
To her son who had resently began to change the way he eating habits. Usually washing down his food with a glass of water then having his usual grape or apple juice.
"Thanks for asking but, this is just fine for me mother." Ever since Alex came out of his coma and their financial situation slightly improved after awhile.
His diet had suddenly completely changed as he cut out fizzy drinks like Coca-Cola. Alex would only have concentrated fruits juice drinks in occasionally in the evening.
"Alex do you have any plans on becoming a screenwriter or flim director like myself in the near future?" Ask Steven Spielberg as he finished his steak.
"Yes, I do have plans on entering the entertainment industry in the near future when I'm a bit older?" Replied Alex as he took a bite out from his vegetable salad.
"Is that so?.. Well if you do enter the movie making business in the future give me a call when that day arrives. I could help you get started if you need it and I can also maybe even teach you a few things. That can help you greatly in your future endeavours."
Said Spielberg with a confident smile on his face. He is currently the most in demand movie director and producer in Hollywood. Hence why he was so confident that he he could help Alex inter the industry with no fear.
Another reason was that currently in this era of Hollywood there weren't a lot of famous black filmmakers to speak of. Beside maybe Spike Lee who could be sad to be the most recognisable and famous black directors.
There is a very small amount of well-known black directors in Hollywood. Which is much smaller number compared to famous black actors which is larger number.
This is mostly due to the change in the perception of people in this era changing greatly. It was also thanks to the success movie staring black leads having rather good success at the box office.
"Okey since it seems we've all become acquainted with one another. So why don't we start with our contract negotiation, isn't that right Mr. Henry?" Said John as it had already been 15 minutes since they all set down together.
Where in the first 5 minutes Steven Spielberg paid more attention to Martha by asking her various questions. Like if she was married and other slightly personal questions. Before both David and John interrupted him to change the conversation between the two of them.
"So I want through the contract details for selling the flim rights to Jurassic Park and everything seems fair. However I and the management at Universal Studios. Hmm... how can I put this... would like to make same small changes. With same details written, like your client receiving a ten percent stake in movies box office and also the 15 years renegotiation for the movie rights."
Said John as he took out a copy the contract he brought with him that was sent by David through fax.
Nodding his head David also took out his own copy of the contract seeing that the real reason they were all here to talk about was going to start now. Steven Spielberg raised a hand to their waiter to come and takeaway their dishes. The waiter seeing this signal call for a few of his co-worker to come over and help him grab the plates.
"Well, that was just the rough draft of what we considered fair from our standpoint and we aren't apposed to any new proposals." David spoke. Tactfully as he wasn't very clear on how things worked or were done in the entertainment industry.
He could only rely on his experiences in negotiating and reading his advisory body language to determine the best course of action. David had also contacted some of his old friends who entered the Hollywood circle from his old law school days and had also done a lot of research on the matter.
"That good to here..hahaha." Replied John with a playful laugh. "Alright here what we're thinking 2 percent stake in the flim box office, 500,000 US dollars for the full movie flim rights to Jurassic Park. Along with other posable live action and animated television series rights." Offered John taking a sep from his glass of wine before continuing again.
"We also like to add that if a new Jurassic Park flim is made before the end of the fifteen years. We will retain the rights to make more movie rights."
John's proposal about retain the rights to Jurassic Park movie rights by making a new flim just before fifteen years deadline ended. Is the exact same deal Universal, Sony and 20th Century Fox had with Marvel to keep their movie rights to their character. However they needed to make a new Marvel movie project every five to six years.
Hearing this offer David was ready to pour his glass of wine all over John face and walk away. Any sensible person could tell that this was a complete robbery on there part. "Sorry, we simply can't except that offer you just made. And like I said before the contract I sent you was just a rough draft of what we were considering." Said David as he place the new documents on the table.
"This is the new contact I and my client came up with after further discussion on this." Said David as he handed over two new documents to Spielberg and John receiving the new contract both men quickly began reading them.
The new documents made major changes such reducing the pervious ten percent stake in the movie box office to five percent, which also included both live action and animated adaptations television series.
It also included new details that weren't previously in the previous contract like a stake in merchandise sales from the flim and other media ventures. The were also several smaller stipulations in the contract to clear up any vague terms.
That could be used by Universal Studios to same how use to escape from paying up what was legally owed to Alex. Other contract details like the fifteen year renegotiation for the flim media rights to Jurassic Park were still included.
After careful reading through all the details of the contract John was about his mouth to speak but, was quickly interpreted by Spielberg. "How much do you want to for this contract now."
Without wasting any time David immediately gave their number " Three million dollars."
Hearing this number John immediately shook his head quickly to the absurd number. Which wasn't a big issue for Universal Studios. But that was before the movie production began which could cost tens of millions at the end of the movies production not including marketing.
"John... please contact your superiors and tell them I want this deal completed by tomorrow." Said Spielberg with a commanding voice as he quickly wanted to complete this deal as soon as possible.
And begin his own negotiations with Universal Studios as in the contract it state he could make his own small changes to the book. It even stated that Alex and his lawyer wouldn't interfere with the flim production. As long he kept close as possible to the source material. As long the weren't too dramatic to the source material.
Hearing Spielberg serious tone and expression John immediately excused himself from the table to make a quick phone call. "So Alexander are you sure I can make some changes to your movie script you wrote?" Asked Spielberg.
"Yes, as long it's 90 percent similar to my book I won't get involved in any legal pursuit as stated in the contract." Replied Alex as he shrugged his shoulders.
"I can make a 10 percent change hmmff..." Said Spielberg smilingly. After two minutes John came back to the table to his seat and looked at David and Spielberg then finally Alex and his mother.
"1.5 million dollars for the all the production rights and we change the clause about the right. Automatically reverting back to the your future instate after fifteen years." Said John showing his and the Studios agreement on the other contract details besides this two.
"Sorry, the 15 years automatically rights movie returns is non-negotiable and your price for right is a little small. How about we go down to 2 million." Countered David
After going back and forth John and David finally reached the price tag of 2 million US dollars. After they had settled the matter Alex immediately wanted to leave the restaurant had back to his and his mother hotel room.
However, before leaving he asked to get Steven Spielberg's autograph for his friend Mark. Who had asked him to get it for him if he mat Spielberg. Upon getting his autograph and talking for a few more minutes. They all left the restaurant after Martha signed the paper on Alex behalf.
Everyone else then lift there separated ways to their places. "So I think everything went well don't you think Alex?" Asked David with a big smile on his face
"Yes, it did." Answered Alex simply
"You don't too excited about it." Asked David Alex simply continued to look outside the car window and answered simply again.
"I wish I was the one who making the movie myself." As he knew if everything went well and Universal Studios saw it as one of their most important movie franchise. Exchanging it for the movie production rights for The Incredible Hulk in the wouldn't be a problem. Before Ang Lee 2003 Hulk flim ever became a fully fledged film.
As he had planned on to make a fairly decent Hulk movie in the near future. Which would take some inspiration from the two thousand and three flick.
"Well maybe someday in the future when you get back the right you can make your own interpretation of you're book." Comforted David.
Alex just shook his head lightly at his godfather words and continued looking out of the window. No one able to read what he was thinking. Turning to his eyes to Martha, David look for confirmation that he hadn't done the wrong thing. Only to receive a head shake from her as she also wasn't sure they had done the right thing.
Seeing Alex have an interested in becoming a director like Steven Spielberg in the future. Giving away the flim rights of his first book was certainly not an easy thing to do.
However, contrary to what the two thought Alex didn't really care that much about directing the first Jurassic Park movie. It was just one of the pieces he put in place to get something else he wanted to get later.
Right now he main goal here was accomplished and all he could do now was get back and work. Meanwhile back with Spielberg and John who was a little upset by Spielberg strong arming him into quickly finishing the deal.
He was sure he could have gotten done for a steal with his years of experience. The main reason why he didn't argue with Spielberg was due to the influence he had. Especially inside Universal Studios who had tremendous trust in his flim making ability.
Another reason was to use this case of Spielberg inserting himself and forcing them to spend more than they possibly needed to gain the flim rights. In their own negotiations with Spielberg on how to split their possibly earning from the flim and merchandising.
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