Hollywood Director 1992.

Chapter 11 Figure it out
Jerome Preston didn't believe that this guy named Link would have a good idea to increase theater attendance.

In order to get rid of Link as soon as possible, he decided to take a look, just one look, and let Link go after taking a look.

After just reading the first plan, his eyes suddenly lit up and he couldn't help but sit up straight, holding the document in both hands and reading it again.

After watching the first one, continue watching the second and third.

His eyes became brighter and brighter, and he felt as if he had suddenly become enlightened. He looked at Link in surprise. How could this young man, who looked very young, come up with such a brilliant marketing plan?

"Mr. Link, are you the one who came up with these ideas?"

"Of course, I am not only a director, but also a waiter at a Burger King. Burger Kings and fast food restaurants like KFC hold regular events every week. For example, Wednesdays and Thursdays used to be the worst time for business in the store. But after the fast food restaurants held regular discount events, these days became the busiest time for the store.

When he was working part-time, he liked to connect many things to his main job.

Every time I see a long line at a hamburger restaurant, I wonder if I can use this marketing method when my movie is released in the future to increase the box office.

After a long period of investigation and research, I found that this method is completely feasible.

This was also the inspiration for the first plan to increase attendance.”

Link talked to Jerome Preston.

This film marketing method was proposed by Lionsgate, the future eighth largest film company in Hollywood. It is similar to the "Crazy Tuesday" in the film industry. On this day, all movies under Lionsgate are 50% or 60% off, or free to watch.

This method sounds simple, like copying the discount activities of restaurants such as KFC and McDonald's, but it is extremely difficult to implement successfully in a different industry such as movie theaters.

Cinemas need to develop more complete methods based on market demand and big data calculations to ensure that audiences will come to support the films, and that film companies and cinemas can make profits.

This is also the main reason why many people may be able to get inspiration from KFC's marketing methods but cannot flexibly apply them to movie theaters.

"Mr. Lin, you are such an amazing marketing master. I often go to KFC and have participated in these activities. I even thought about learning from this marketing method. However, the profit model of the fast food industry is different from that of the cinema, so it is extremely difficult to learn from it. I didn't expect that I could do this."

Jerome Preston flipped through the plan and sighed in admiration.

In addition to the first one, the second plan is also good. If you watch movies 4 times in the same theater every year, you can get a free ticket.

This method does not seem new, but how to ensure the profitability of theaters, how to attract audiences and how to get them to participate actively are relatively difficult to solve.

In Link's plan, he proposed multiple solutions.

If his method is followed, not only can theaters make money from audiences, but they can also get more box office revenue from the seven major film companies.

The third plan is also good.

After reading these three plans, Jerome Preston completely changed his opinion of Link.

Link is not a shameless liar, but a great marketing talent, especially in film marketing, he has an extraordinary talent.

If such a talent could be brought in, he might be able to become the head of AMC Theaters in Los Angeles a few years earlier.

Hey!
Jerome Preston gently put down the folder and looked at the young man sitting opposite him as steady as a mountain. He suddenly remembered that the other party came to the cinema for a purpose, and it was not specifically to bring him a clever idea to increase the cinema's attendance rate.

In order to prevent Link from asking too much, Jerome Preston suppressed his surprise and said calmly, "Mr. Lin, although these three plans have some obvious loopholes and are unrealistic, they are still ways to increase theater attendance.

If you have any requests, please let me know. As long as they are not too excessive, I can agree to them on behalf of AMC Entertainment Group."

“Mr. Preston, I’m a director and I have a high-quality movie that I hope to release here. My requirements are not high. Just give me three days and ten screening halls.

The box office performance in three days was below average, so I took the initiative to end the screening and give you the planning document as a gift. Mr. Preston, are you willing to accept this request?"

Link said, gesturing.

"Why don't you work with a film distribution company? If the quality of your film is high enough, there will definitely be a film company willing to distribute it. If you don't know anyone in a film company, I can help you get in touch."

Jerome Preston asked.

"This is a very niche art film. The film distribution company could not see the box office potential of this film and refused to cooperate. I thought, since they are not willing to make money, there is no need to cooperate with them, so I came directly to the cinema and found you to cooperate and make a lot of money together, Mr. Preston."

Link said.

Jerome Preston leaned back in his seat and pulled back his thick hair with his fingers, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

There have been several blockbuster movies in Hollywood that were not favored by film distribution companies before their release and could not find distributors, but became box office hits after their release, such as "Deep Throat."

But at the same time, there was not a single movie that was not favored by all film distribution companies but later became a big hit.

He could guess with just a hair's breadth that Link's movie wouldn't be very good.

Out of politeness, he said, "Mr. Lin, can I watch your movie first? Do you have a videotape with you?"

"of course."

Link pulled out a videotape from his bag.

"That's great, please follow me."

-

The Grove Cinema is part of the AMC Theater Chain.

AMC Cinemas is affiliated with AMC Entertainment Group and is the second largest cinema chain in North America. It has 379 cinemas and a total of 5260 screens across the United States, with an average of 13 screens per cinema.

There are 18 screening halls here, which is one of the larger cinemas in Los Angeles. New movies often premiere here.

Link and Jerome Preston came to a luxuriously decorated screening room.

The screening room is not big, with only about sixty seats.

Jerome Preston handed the videotape to the staff in the movie theater and asked the waiter to bring two drinks.

Link and Jerome sat in the front row to watch the movie "Buried".

Link has watched this movie many times and doesn't feel anything when watching it again.

As Jerome Preston watched, he kept asking questions.

When watching the opening credits, I asked him if he really completed "Buried" all by himself? Did he write, direct, act, and edit the film by himself, and was responsible for lighting, props, and recording?
When watching a movie, if you ask him if all the scenes are really in a small wooden box? One actor? A few simple tools to support a ten-minute plot? Link's answer is "yes".

After the 95-minute film ended, Jerome Preston rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

From a personal point of view, this movie is really good, very novel and eye-opening.

The film's plot and rhythm are also good, maintaining a thrilling atmosphere from beginning to end.

After immersing yourself in the story, you will unconsciously feel nervous, depressed, and a strong sense of suffocation as the plot changes.

Being able to achieve these points is considered to be at an upper-middle level among horror movies.

But the film has equally big problems.

In horror movies, there are no ghosts, zombies, no blood spurting everywhere, no mutilated limbs, and no frightening music.
None of the elements that are used as the main selling point of mainstream thriller horror movies are present here, only a suffocating feeling of horror.

This selling point is too monotonous, and there won’t be many viewers willing to spend money to support the movie after it’s released.

This is probably the reason why Link was repeatedly rejected when he sought cooperation with film distribution companies.

"Mr. Preston, after watching the movie, I wonder if you will change your mind and agree to my request."

Link asked out loud.

"Mr. Lin, your film is of acceptable quality. I will give it a score of over 75 points. However, my opinion is the same as that of those film distribution companies. Buried Alive is not suitable for showing in theaters. It will definitely lose money if it is shown in theaters. I suggest that you change your mindset and distribute the film through videotapes. If you are willing, I can also help you contact distribution companies in this field."

Jerome Preston said.

Link also considered distributing videotapes, but the system gives a 4-fold box office subsidy, not a subsidy for videotapes or peripherals.

By releasing Buried on video, the film would lose its magical aura and ultimately perform poorly.

He also can't improve his life with this movie.

"Mr. Preston, what you said makes sense, but I still hope to distribute Buried Alive through the cinema. My conditions remain the same. Give me three days and ten screening halls. If the box office results are not satisfactory, the cinema can take the initiative to end the screening."

Link said.

"Three days, ten screening rooms, this is impossible."

"My bottom line is six screening rooms."

Link said.

Jerome Preston was stunned. It turns out there is a discount?

Jerome Preston waved his hand and said, "Six screening halls won't do. You are a director and an insider. You should know that in the entertainment industry, the seven major film studios and many independent production companies are at the top of the industry. They control a large number of film copyrights and determine the amount of revenue for theaters. Every time the seven major film studios release a commercial blockbuster, the theaters need to take the lead and get the film screening rights with preferential terms.

The Grove Shopping Center Cinema mainly distributes commercial films. It starts scheduling films and arranging schedules at the beginning of each year. From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, all the theater's screening rooms are scheduled, and most of them are commercial films released by the seven major film studios.

This is the arrangement of AMC Entertainment Group. Cinemas in various locations must screen corresponding movies according to the schedule.

As the person in charge of the cinema in the shopping mall, I have no right to change the schedule of other movies to free up six screening halls for you."

"Mr. Preston, at least three screening rooms. This is my bottom line."

Link said.

Jerome Preston curled his lips. Is there a bottom line below the bottom line?
He spread his hands and said, "Link, three is not enough. The revenue of three screens is tens of thousands of dollars a day, which will have too much impact. Within my authority, I can only assign you one screening room at most. What do you think of this screening room?"

Jerome patted the arm of the sofa.

"Mr. Preston, one is too few. I'm sorry I can't accept your terms, but it's been a pleasure chatting with you. I hope we can have another chance to cooperate."

Link stood up and held out his hand to say goodbye.

Jerome Preston looked at him in confusion. "Wouldn't it be more in line with your expectations to be able to screen the film in a theater than not to be able to screen it at all? Why can't you accept my kindness?"

"Mr. Preston, you are the first director of a theater I have met, but not the last. I am glad that you like the plan I designed to increase theater attendance. In addition to these three plans, I have others. Next, I plan to talk to the directors of other theaters, hoping that they can provide more screens for my movies.

Goodbye, Mr. Preston! "

"and many more!!"

Seeing Link was about to leave, Jerome Preston grabbed his arm.

I thought that after reading Link's plan, I could control Link and have the upper hand in this negotiation.

But I didn't expect that Link, this cunning guy, would counterattack in this way.

If I had known earlier, I should not have shown such great interest in his plan in the office, so that Link would know the value of this plan and would have had the confidence to bargain.

Jerome Preston secretly regretted it.

"Link, don't leave so quickly, we can still talk."

Jerome Preston said sincerely.

The plan provided by Link on increasing cinema attendance is of great value.

Submit the plan to AMC Theaters headquarters.

Headquarters will definitely see the value of this plan.

And he, the person who submits the plan, will also be recognized and valued by the higher-ups.

If all goes well, he will have the opportunity to become the head of AMC's theaters in the Los Angeles area or even the California area a few years earlier, and his annual salary will increase dozens of times.

How could he miss this opportunity for promotion and salary increase?

What annoyed him was that in this negotiation, he seemed to be controlled by this young man who was only twenty years old.

Damn!

(End of this chapter)