[Chapter 29: Harvey Folds]
If Charlie was a reasonably intelligent young man, he might have immediately agreed to the partnership.
Harvey's negotiation skills were top-notch. He showcased strength, pointed out the opponent's weak spots, and released goodwill at just the right moments.
This approach worked exceptionally well.
From Charlie's perspective, working with a big company had its perks, but he'd likely be treated like just another employee. The power dynamics were clearly uneven, making it hard for him to take the initiative.
Partnering with a small indie film company was naturally the only real choice.
Charlie wouldn't just agree, not because he was naive or foolish but because he was confident in his bargaining power -- at least against Miramax.
He smiled and said, "So, Harvey, are you saying you want me to become Miramax's in-house producer? You've figured out my ambition, haven't you?"
Harvey frowned slightly. "Didn't I make myself clear? Your little boutique company would join Miramax as a whole. You'd handle producing your projects while I provide the financing and distribution. At the same time, we can negotiate a revenue-sharing contract acceptable to both parties."
Sounded good; he treated Charlie's studio as a genuine small production outfit.
None of the Big Six or other companies could offer terms like these.
"You want global distribution and project rights? What do I get?" Charlie pressed.
"All net profits from every channel..."
Charlie immediately cut him off; the words "net profits" made him impatient.
Many blockbusters made huge profits but cooked their books to show losses.
If this was how it worked, the payout would depend entirely on Harvey's mood.
Charlie said seriously, "I keep the project rights. You at least have to buy them from me.
I already have distribution partners. Hollywood's not short on talent; CAA is planning to work with me.
In the future, I can recruit excellent crews, rent or even buy high-quality equipment and props.
As for financing, I have my ways -- you should trust I can handle it."
Harvey suddenly went berserk and sneered, "You can try, kid. You're not dumb. But all of this depends on successfully producing and distributing two or three films. Do you think I don't have ways to handle that Mafia Distribution Company or everyone around you!"
The fat pig threatening me?
Charlie scoffed and pushed Harvey's face away with one hand, "Watch your saliva, didn't you brush your teeth?"
Harvey was momentarily stunned, then instinctively said, "I did."
Then he exploded, spitting, "You bastard, you have two choices now: be a lapdog for 20th Century Fox or be my underling."
Charlie laughed loudly, "You are Eisner's lapdog at Disney, and I can be Fox's lapdog. Looks like we're evenly matched."
Harvey's face flushed with anger; he couldn't understand how this young bastard could be so shameless.
Mentioning being Eisner's lapdog hit Harvey's soft spot, and he lost his temper, cursing wildly.
Melche and Gert watched in stunned silence.
They had witnessed the Godfather's grace before McCarny and were still excited.
Who else among rookie small-time producers could hold their ground against a big shot like Harvey?
Bob and Jill Messick looked grim; the latter whispered, "Damn, that shameless bastard can always maintain the upper hand against Harvey."
Why "always"? Bob wanted to ask but had no time to banter. He stepped up to break the awkward atmosphere and give his brother some breathing room.
A few minutes later, everyone sat by the pool on benches.
...
With the preliminaries done, Charlie took the offensive, grinning, "Harvey, I guess aside from threats or throwing money around, you have no other way to find a girlfriend?"
Harvey's face remained sour, he snorted coldly.
Charlie got serious, "Your tricks don't work on me. Otherwise, how do you think I could challenge Fox? Is it just my passion? I nearly wrecked Fox's strategic movie Independence Day and avoided getting torn apart."
Harvey sneered, "Right, I admit I underestimated you. Now tell me your stance. And don't try to get smart with me. You need a partner."
Charlie smiled; negotiating with smart people was interesting.
"Here's the deal, Harvey. I think we need each other. Your ambition isn't smaller than mine. You want a powerful content producer to ease Eisner's pressure and help take in more revenue at Disney."
"Exactly!" Harvey admitted outright and pointed out what he valued in Charlie, "I got all your info, understand your method of assembling film projects and management skills. Fifty Shades of Gray's content and publicity tactics prove it's bound to succeed.
Your horror script at the Copyright Office and your new book Saw: Cherish Life are both promising.
You even grabbed Good Will Hunting.
Your vision, creative ability, producing skills, and networking abilities are all excellent; you're like a seasoned pro. You're a lot like me -- capable of creating great works on your own."
Charlie politely thanked him. He somewhat liked this old guy who had done his homework meticulously.
...
Meanwhile, Charlie naturally studied Hollywood's companies, especially Miramax which was eyeing him.
He'd always had a low opinion of Harvey, labeling him a "faker" associated only with the "me too" scandal.
Ignoring that, he found Harvey and his brother Bob to be very competent entertainment industry professionals.
Founded in 1979 in New York, Harvey's company initially had no producing power and acted as middlemen, buying international films and distributing them in the U.S., mainly through VHS and HBO.
The documents didn't say, but Charlie saw it as scouring trash heaps for fine food, since no internationally famous films would pick them first.
Also, they likely employed many aggressive, even unscrupulous tactics at the start due to lack of funds, sometimes cheating foreign filmmakers without paying a dime.
Charlie didn't mind; everyone's early days are rough.
Such tactics are not uncommon; Charlie could think of countless similar methods.
The key is having a market eye for film content and promotional means.
Making quick money through shady ways is robbery; real ability means sustainable growth.
In just a few years, Miramax grew and partnered with Nielsen Entertainment.
A powerful company background, they handled Embassy Pictures and Castle Rock's distribution and production rights, and even had investment agreements with Columbia Pictures.
Miramax then released hit films like Sex, Lies, and Videotape, The Crying Game, and Clerks.
Notably, Clerks was directed by Kevin Smith, a friend of Ben Affleck.
By 1992, Miramax had become a leader in independent Hollywood films, establishing subsidiaries like Dimension Films, International, and Family Entertainment, and cooperating with Paramount for home video and TV distribution.
Strictly speaking, in about a decade, Miramax rose to a film powerhouse despite not having a single blockbuster grossing over $100 million in North America.
The next year, Disney bought them for $60 million, allowing Harvey to keep much autonomy, like independent international distribution rights.
Could such growth be achieved through robbery alone?
Charlie wasn't a fool.
Harvey's overseas tactics remained rough, but domestically he shared profits happily with partners.
Kevin Smith and later Quentin Tarantino proved this; some became Miramax's senior board members.
After studying this info carefully, Charlie's opinion of Harvey improved.
Not that his rough treatment of women or cheating foreigners was acceptable, but that his ability and methods were impressive.
Frankly, Charlie questioned if without his "cheat code" life reset, he could have done this well starting at 27.
Even if delayed till his thirties, he wouldn't have outdone Harvey.
If decades earlier when Hollywood was a wasteland, Charlie sensed Miramax might have been the then's Big Six or Eight.
Fortunately, success had a formula -- character, ability, methods, vision, emotional intelligence -- and Charlie believed he excelled Harvey in these areas.
At least he had better control, not forcing women.
Even luckier, Charlie was a transmigrator with immense content creation ability.
With clever maneuvers, who said one couldn't become a media mogul in this era?
Harvey missed a crucial step in his development.
He partnered with Paramount to gain distribution but still lacked strength, hence partnered with Disney.
Originally, Harvey planned well: Disney lacked live-action indie production channels.
Collaborating meant he'd gain resources while Disney filled gaps.
But Michael Eisner, enjoying success, had grown into a tyrant.
Harvey's temper was bad, and Eisner wanted a slave, not a partner or employee.
Now Harvey was constrained; Eisner blocked films like Kids.
Recently, Harvey approached Peter Jackson for The Lord of the Rings, but Disney and Eisner's skepticism and sarcasm doomed it.
...
As Charlie detailed Harvey's journey and current dilemmas, Harvey's eyes transformed sharply.
His sharp gaze inspected Charlie from head to toe.
Getting Miramax's info was easy, but spotting development keys and pointing out current issues was surprising!
Harvey's deep voice said, "Godfather, your nickname fits perfectly. That youthful appearance is deceiving -- you're clearly a successful middle-aged man!"
Several nearby glanced over, sensing the serious discussion.
Both teams silently speculated.
Things were looking better.
Charlie crossed his legs and nonchalantly flicked his finger at the pool water.
"I've done so much work, just waiting for the right partner to appear. Before, I pushed Fox to the edge, making them sit with me. Now, you coming to discuss deep collaboration caught me off guard. I planned to wait until Fifty Shades of Gray's release to choose a solid partner. Of course, as you guessed, a guy with ambition like me wouldn't pick the Big Six."
Casting like a seasoned angler, letting willing fish bite.
As a reborn, Charlie was naturally proud.
With no partners at first, he forced Fox onboard.
Too bad his swagger and cultured nuances were too old-fashioned for Harvey, who frowned and asked, "So, you want to keep waiting?"
"No!" Charlie shook his head and sat up straight.
"Harvey, you know and trust me more than anyone. I almost think we're brothers -- I understand you too. We know what we want and have. So don't waste time -- let's talk real partnership!"
Harvey's expression was strange, almost disdainful.
"You're a funny bastard! I admit I like you, and I'm confident our collaboration can be a win-win.
But your attitude feels like I'm being proposed to! Shit, I warn you -- I'm not into men!"
"Ha! Then you're lucky you won't get a beating from me!" Charlie joked, referencing his time on Scream.
They both laughed heartily, patted each other on the shoulder, looking like good pals.
*****
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