Witness of the film and television world

Chapter 170 How much can you take out?

In a small meeting room.

Payton, together with the chairman of the Reasoning Writers Association, several permanent members appear here.

What they need to negotiate is what they had intended to do last time - the establishment of the Film Critics Association, and then launch their own awards to expand the association's influence.

Peyton painted a very good picture of them. Regarding the awards, they are completely operated according to the Oscar model...

Several committee members have different attitudes towards Payton, some with a kind smile and some with a stern face.

Obviously, their views are also different, for or against.

Just as the parties are divided into progressive or conservative, within the Association of Reasoning Writers, it is obviously not a monolith. Facing the matters raised by Peyton, they have different views and are full of various voices.

Of course, in a certain fact, this is almost a famous scene in all negotiating seats, red faces match white faces.

Even if all the high-level members of the association intend to facilitate this matter, they will find someone who is a bad face to protect their initiative in the negotiation table and future interests.

Anthony Butcher had a smile on his face: "Many people in the association are very interested in establishing a professional film critics association, but there are also some disputes."

Payton asked back: "Oh? What dispute?"

"For example, they don't confirm whether the Film Critics Association will affect the organization of the association, and we also have film awards, maybe we only need to add, such as best actor, best actress..."

"Hahaha!"

A somewhat presumptuous laugh immediately interrupted Mr. Chairman's words.

Members of the Mystery Writers Association glared at the laughing guy, and even Mr. Chairman frowned slightly, looking at the middle-aged man beside Payton.

He thought this was Peyton's assistant before, but now it seems that this person's identity may not be simple.

"Chris, who is this?"

Peyton smiled and was just about to introduce.

The middle-aged man covered his mouth and bowed: "I'm sorry, I suddenly thought of something funny. My name is Ruth Batchelor, a freelance writer."

Ruth Batchelor, a professional hired by Peyton, used to be a contributor to Charlie Chaplin. He is very influential in the industry, and he is also inextricably linked to Oscars and other awards.

Even now, in future generations, with his connections, he would be Oscar's best publicist.

(Note: In fact, he almost played a similar role in later generations. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association launched by him and Chaplin is a recognized Oscar vane. He launched an unknown number of actor and actress.)
However, today's Oscar is still far from the commercial effect of later generations, and his personal connections do not have many channels for cashing in.

He was struggling with funding for a film review magazine when Peyton contacted him.

Knowing that Payton is planning to organize the "Film Critics Association", which is a perfect fit with his establishment of a professional film review magazine, he immediately has the intention of seeking refuge. (pull funds)
Peyton got to know this person a little bit, realized his value, and also showed that he deliberately solicited him, and explained that he could provide funds.

The smart gentleman took the initiative to lean over.

Willing to work hard for Payton!

"Sir, is there anything to laugh about in what I just said?"

Ruth Batchelor smiled: "Just imagine, the Oscars are awarded the best bodybuilder? Maybe my smile is too low, this is really unbelievable."

"Besides, an award for the best actor is still sponsored by the Mystery Writers Association?"

Mr. Chairman looked a little ugly, but Payton smoothed things over: "Okay, since we are talking about disputes, some opinions are naturally free."

"However, Mr. Chairman, I must emphasize one point. It is not easy for the Association of Reasoning Writers to get to where it is today. It is definitely not a good idea to change the direction of development rashly."

Mr. Chairman's complexion softened a little. Naturally, he can see through such a stupid question at a glance and know how stupid this matter is.

It is impossible for the Reasoning Writers Association to make a hodgepodge, which will have a huge impact on their status in the reasoning world.

But when he mentioned this matter, he just wanted to use it to fight for dominance at the negotiating table, but he didn't expect to be ridiculed by this guy who came out of nowhere.

"You're right Chris, opinions are free."

A member on the side said: "Mr. Chris, I have some questions to discuss with you."

Payton nodded and looked at the gentleman with a stern face. This is Commissioner Davis. He is a professional organizer who has provided services to the association all the year round and has been helping to promote the development of the association and awards. Influential.

"Huh? Talk about what?"

Commissioner Davis: "Mr. Chris, we have professional writers and screenwriters, and we have enough influence in the public. These are the advantages of the association. As a member of the association, I must ask clearly."

Payton nodded: "What do you want to ask?"

Davis stared straight at Payton, and said simply: "Working with you, what can you bring?"

Clearly, Commissioner Davis is not a friendly negotiator, he is a little cute direct.

After a word, the atmosphere instantly became a little dignified.

Those who didn't know it thought they wanted to get rid of Payton, so they questioned Payton's strength.

But Peyton knew, how could the people in the association want to get rid of him?
On the contrary, it is more likely to get rid of them and directly contact specific writers and screenwriters.

All they want is greater leverage at the negotiating table, giving them a more prominent position in the Film Critics Association.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible to deliberately show kindness before.

Peyton smiled slightly: "Perhaps, Mr. Ruth Batchelor can make a perfect answer."

Ruth Batchelor smiled contemptuously: "Of course."

"First of all, Mr. Chris has great influence in the industry. He is the owner of the Washington Post. The production company under his name has successively launched such high-profile films as "Life is Beautiful", "The Sound of Music" and "Saw". Movies with high quality and high box office occupy an important position in the box office list."

"At the same time, Mr. Chris is actively involved in film-related matters. In the past few years, he has funded and held many grand events in the film industry, and donated a lot of funds to local film organizations, especially those involved in the protection of film materials. project, it's a huge charity."

"His influence covers well-known film critics in local newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and TV channels in Washington and Los Angeles. I have no doubt that Mr. Chris can establish the most influential film critics association in Los Angeles, California, and even the Federation..."

Ruth Batchelor praised his family's benefactor very much, and his exaggerated remarks made Payton feel embarrassed.

You're not thick-skinned enough!

Payton does get active in film-related things, endowments, but that's to avoid taxes and make connections.

As for influence, this is also a matter of benevolence and wisdom.

Ruth Batchelor, on the other hand, flattered him and felt confident. In his eyes, if his benefactor had Dao Le, he would have everything.

After a pause, Ruth Batchelor said: "Finally, let me talk about a practical question, relying solely on yourselves, have you ever thought about how much money you will spend to run this business?"

During the previous conversation, Ruth Batchelor realized that his benefactor might be restrained by face, and he didn't want to break his face with these people. Many practical things were not described, and the specific operation content was not involved too much. .

For example, financial issues.

Society is real, it is not a world full of fantasy in fairy tales, in this real society there is always one thing that is inseparable, that is money.

Money can be seen as the source of motivation for everything. No matter what you want to do or what purpose you want to achieve, you cannot avoid money in the process of accomplishing these goals.

What is needed to form an association?
Organizers, propagandists, participants...these things are inseparable from one thing, that is money.

A mature association of film critics is definitely not a group of people who get together to talk about the recent good movie, how I think it is...

This is just a game in a small circle, not on a scale, and it is not what Payton wants.

If you really want to make the association bigger and stronger, just look at the Oscars.

Before the awards start, holding a simple evening party requires more than just the cost of the venue and facilities...

It is even more necessary to pay another large amount, or even an additional expenditure not lower than this amount, for other expenses.

From the cost of picking up and dropping off the judges, to their accommodation, travel, meals, and various reception costs.

Arrangements for various staff, such as announcements from certain celebrities...

There are also various publicity costs and additional hospitality costs, the media and some people invited to watch also need to be paid by the association.

To hold a large-scale party, at least about 20 to [-] U.S. dollars will be spent, so how much money will it cost to operate a large-scale commercial event covering the entire Federation?

How much does it cost to develop a complete model and spread their influence to the world?
Maybe when the association develops, the awards will gain influence, and someone will pay for it, but how should we spend the time before it develops?

Who would want to continue transfusion?

For a possible bright future?

From Ruth Batchelor's point of view, his benefactors had been helped by some associations, because many things were unwilling to be torn apart, and they simply attracted these people with a bright future, so that these people had more delusions.

Of course, this is also the purpose of the gold master bringing himself, tearing off this layer of film, and showing blood dripping in front of everyone.

Cut off all delusions!
Ruth Batchelor is very clear about his own position, he is here to be a bad face, and for certain problems, it's over.

So Ruth Batchelor's question hits the nail on the head!

Do you have money?
To formulate an industry standard and open up a new field, these cannot be said by mouth, and in the end it still costs money.

This is precisely the biggest shortcoming of the Reasoning Writers Association.

Ruth Batchelor's question hits the core and the most critical point. How much money can the Reasoning Writers Association spend to operate this matter?

You must know that the Reasoning Writers Association is not a profit-making organization, it is just a non-profit civil organization, most of its operating expenses come from donations from various aspects of society, and income from some activities.

It may be enough to have a decent party every year.

But when it comes to the entertainment industry, Hollywood, a huge gold-eating field, what is this little money?

Invite an influential star to stand on the platform, and most of them will be removed.

Are you still charging writers for starting a brand new association?

What writer would be so selfless?
"Mr. Chris painted a very beautiful picture with everyone before. However, these are actually based on the association's sufficient budget to formulate industry standards and let others follow your ideas and opinions. In new areas To occupy a higher position and get more power, first you need to have money.”

"I know very well that you are standing here and negotiating because you want to occupy an important position in the cooperation, so how much can you offer?"

"Or how much money can the Federal Association of Reasoning Writers spend to operate this matter?"

Ruth Batchelor's meaning is obvious, if you want to take the lead and have more power, you must spend more wealth to support this stall.

Otherwise, who would allow others to use their own money to do their best and even override themselves.

"Let me give some simple examples. Once our new organization starts to operate, the initial publicity costs, organizational costs, and the salaries of relevant personnel in various regions..."

"This is a lot of money. As described by Mr. Chris, it may involve the investment of millions of dollars. How much can the Reasoning Writers Association give?"

"Do you rely on sponsorship? There are several sponsors who can sponsor an association that has not yet been established. What can the association bring to them?"

"Is there anything we can do that the New York Film Critics Association can't do?"

"Where is our advantage?"

Seeing what Commissioner Davis wanted to say, Ruth Batchelor raised his hand and interrupted: "I know what you want to say, yes, we have professional writers and screenwriters, and they all have considerable influence .”

"But they are not our workers, and we cannot always ask them to pay without asking for anything in return. What can we bring to them?"

"Even, once they're on track, they're part of the association's payout."

Commissioner Davis looked ugly: "If you want to say that, what is the premise of our cooperation?"

Ruth Batchelor smiled and shook his head: "I don't know!"

do not know?
This answer obviously stunned everyone.

"To be honest, we don't understand why Mr. Chris has been working with you. Under the Washington Post, there should be no shortage of professional film critics. Their scope is even better than writers who are only good at reasoning movies. "

"As for the influence of reasoning writers, we can also directly contact..."

"Okay!" Peyton hastily interrupted Ruth Batchelor's words.

But the words have been said to that extent, none of the people present still understand what he wants to express.

It's nothing more than skipping the Mystery Writers' Association and directly contacting relevant writers and screenwriters. Do you still have a fair reason to organize?
The Federation doesn't even require a unique nationality. Can you still force the actors of the Mystery Writers Association not to join a certain organization?
This kind of risking the world's disgrace, you reasoning Writers Association, do you still want to do it?

No influential writer wants to accept such constraints.

Payton bowed to the crowd and apologized: "Ruth Batchelor, I was a little excited just now, let's talk about it later."

(End of this chapter)