Chapter 56: Decision
When the ABC Group denied the cooperation plan with Levi again, Leslie, who was sitting in his home, also frowned deeply as he watched the program plan handed to him by Enigma Company.
It is, of course, a good thing that Enigma Company wants to open up new businesses besides CSI. But afterward, no matter how he considered Levi's words at the time, Leslie felt that Levi was acting out of anger instead of making serious plans. How could a 20% audience rating be so simple? The bet is too high.
At that time, Leslie thought that Levi was just talking, he just had the intention to make a movie now, and there was still a while before the movie started, and they could continue to negotiate. Who knew that Levi was so straightforward in his work, and the project to be introduced was finalized directly in his office? The bet between the two was established on the spot, and there was no room for maneuver.
This is not the practice of a qualified businessman.
Only a few days later, they brought in the letter of intent: they asked to co-produce with CBS for this TV show, but all they asked was for CBS to provide volunteers and viewers, as well as some necessary services, which is not hard for CBS at all. CBS has done similar programs. Their "The Price is Right" program has been broadcast every week since 1972. Every time there is filming, there are people who come to the studio to line up at the studio at six o'clock in the morning. CBS has a lot of experience in these activities, and it is not difficult to organize them at all.
It's just, can such a show can really become a hit?
This bet seems to be won by him no matter what: Although Leslie has always admitted that there are some people who are like geniuses in the world, geniuses are a minority, after all. Levi himself is a genius, but can the person he recruited also be a genius? Leslie couldn't believe it. Can an entertainment project conceived by the British become popular in the United States? No matter how you look at it, it is somewhat unlikely.
But what is there to be happy about winning? Enigma Company is now one of the top 20 companies in Hollywood TV production. Just because they [CBS] have made them [Enigma] popular doesn't mean they won't turn against themselves.
It's not worth it. Enigma is now a big company, so it's best not to offend.
"Honey, it's late. Are you still preparing for work? It's not too late to do the company's affairs until tomorrow. You can work with enough energy only when you have enough sleep." Leslie's girlfriend, Julie Chen, the anchor of CBS News, called to him from the bedroom. Leslie walked into the bedroom with some irritability, kissed his girlfriend lightly, then sat by the bed, watching the programs on TV bored.
"What's bothering you?" Julie Chen asked.
"No matter how big your troubles are, they will disappear when I see you." Leslie flattered his girlfriend and saw that she was still staring at him, before speaking, "You know the production company of CSI, Enigma Company? They gave me a new program plan."
"Is this a good thing?"
"Maybe, but I'm more worried about the relationship with Enigma Corporation." Leslie pinched the remote control a little irritably, "The TV program they want to produce is poor. Yes, it's not terrible to lose money. CBS can afford it for one or two TV episodes, and the Enigma can afford it as well. What I'm worried about is that the relationship will get stalemate in the future." Leslie simply explained to her.
After hearing this, Julie spoke, "I don't understand, why do you have to worry: if the TV program is produced, everyone will be happy. If the production fails, you just need to help them contact the film distribution, and they will be grateful to you."
Like a lightning strike over the night sky, Julie's simple words let Leslie see clearly what happened before and after. He jumped up from the bed and waved his arms vigorously, "Yes, why should I care whether he succeeds or not? Whether he succeeds or not, I can maintain the relationship with them!" Yes, that's right. Why is he worried about this? If the show is produced well, CBS will take the opportunity to make a lot of money. If the production fails, you can buy it yourself.
"Maybe that's Levi's idea in the first place: as long as you show their determination, you have to help them no matter what."
"Maybe," Leslie nodded. "It's just that my intuition tells me that it's unlikely—it seems that Nick is really confident in making this TV show a top-notch one. It's just that I just don't understand it. How can he be so confident in himself? Let's see if he loses a bit, and when I go to save him after he loses, he will beg me to support him."
***
When Leslie was puzzled, Levi and a few friends inside the Enigma company also carefully planned their own movements.
"Alex, maybe I didn't hear it very clearly: After you went to England, you learned that the result was the idea of this TV show, which was conceived in 1995. This man named David Briggs has been selling his idea for two years, but there has never been a British TV station that is willing to produce this program?"
Levi handed over this TV program to Michael. And Michael looked at the information Levi gave him, the expression on his face, no matter how he looked, he was unhappy.
"Yes."
"It is said that his TV program has been revised many times by himself, and he has no confidence in himself?"
"Yes."
"Nick bought this program to make a bet with CBS, that is to say, this idea that no one wants, we want to produce a show with 20% of the ratings?"
"Yes."
"And, this David Briggs also asked to act as a producer and director to ensure his income."
"I think if I answer yes again, you will beat me, but this answer is indeed like this." Alexander sighed.
"You're crazy. At least one person between you and Nick is crazy."
Alexander shrugged. Anyway, he didn't think he was crazy. He tilted his head, indicating Levi's direction: If someone is crazy, it's not him.
Michael looked at Levi's expression with considerable dissatisfaction. In fact, none of these people were very supportive of Levi's decision. Now that he has asked clearly, he has to think about it even more.
What on earth are you buying such an idea that can't be sold at all for?
"Nick, why do you have to do this?" Michael saw that Levi didn't react at all and couldn't help but point the finger at him directly. "Why do you have to make this kind of bet with Leslie? We still have several other plans and choices. In a few months, we can persuade him slowly, and even if he disagrees, we can find other companies to cooperate with. Do we have to ask him to help?"
In Michael's view, it is unnecessary to do so. CBS is now saying no; that's their stupidity. What's there to be afraid of in Enigma, Inc.? In the summer, they only need to reveal a little bit of news that the actors don't want to renew their contracts, delay the production of the new season, and see who will panic when the time comes! CBS intends to threaten Enigma Company, but is Enigma Company easy to bully? Do you think they can't understand these unscrupulous tricks of negotiating money?
"We are acting tougher now so that others can give us more convenience." Levi explained his opinion, "Now we have a bit of status. We can bet against each other at the table. If we are too weak, the movie's loss will be great; we must be tough now so that the movie can be made well."
Of course, Levi also knows that long-term negotiations can be made, but, in doing so, they will be under control in terms of theaters, share, publicity, and schedule. If they find a publisher by themselves, he is afraid it won't be much better. It is impossible to impress business people with a carrot-and-stick approach. It is more effective for them if they insist on a strong position and huge interests.
What Levi valued was movies rather than TV dramas. He didn't want to make concessions on movies. It would be fine if he only lost the money he shared, but if it affected other aspects of the movie, it would become a big problem.
After hearing this, Michael became a little less angry: he also knew that movies are more important than TV series.
"But, then, you can't promise 20%! 20%! You know, 10% of the ratings is enough for Leslie to dance and celebrate!" Michael was still a little dissatisfied, "How can such a program be possible? 20%?"
Indeed, even with 10% ratings, Leslie might compromise. However, Levi is quite confident about the figure of 20%, so why not say more? What's the point of bragging if you want to intimidate and lure? Even if he blows it up, Leslie will automatically forget it in front of the interests, and it is not necessarily true whether it is bragging or not.
"Don't worry. It's only 20%. We can definitely do it." Levi said confidently, "For us, this number is not high at all."
"If this is your work, I believe it. But who is this British guy? What's it for? How can I trust an idea that hasn't been sold for a year?"
"Because I've seen it—is it not enough?" Levi asked rhetorically. My current energy is only focused on the movie. The preparation of the movie is the first priority. Other things are for paving the way for the movie. He is not in the mood to create any TV programs, but this kind of thing is still useful.
He can create an idea or buy existing ideas that were popular in his previous life and make it famous worldwide!
*****
Thanks and kudos for my patreons Cherif Doghri and Abdishakur Hasan.
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