Behind The Spotlight Chapter 60
The terms and conditions between both parties didn't differ much from the usual, which made the contract process smoother than expected. Wyatt didn't have any specific demands, he only requested a decent trailer and a nice mocha to relax in during filming breaks so he could recharge on long production days.
As for Uni-versus Pictures, they insisted on having the right to create their own version of the final cut if Wyatt's edit didn't meet their standards for quality and marketability. They acknowledged Wyatt's proven skills in editing The Accidental Wedding Crashers, and while they trusted his ability, they wanted a safety net in case post-production adjustments became necessary.
Of course, they couldn't reduce Wyatt's salary if his final cut didn't pass their criteria. That clause had already been negotiated out of the contract, something Collin ensured before Wyatt signed anything.
While most people were busy preparing for the holidays, decorating homes, shopping for gifts, and booking hotels for vacation, Collin, Wyatt, and Henry spent the four days working nonstop to finalize the deal.
On December 24, 1995, just one day before Christmas, the contract was officially signed by both parties after several hours of discussion and legal review.
Henry secured his own deal, earning $4 million as the movie's producer, which he considered more than fair. With his credentials and experience, no reason to doubt his value.
As for Wyatt, Collin successfully negotiated a $5 million base salary and a 5% North American box office share, a significant win for a director of his age and background. Naturally, Collin received a 10% commission from the $5 million and an additional $500,000 from the box office share agreement, as per their prior arrangement.
With that, Week On A Cruise Ship officially began its pre-production journey.
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"Excuse me, this is Collin, right? I'm Taylor, the executive from Wash Dismay Studios. We met a few months ago at the screening of The Accidental Wedding Crashers. I was wondering if your client is interested in working with us? I heard Wyatt has a new project–wait, what? You already made a deal with Uni-versus Pictures? But I thought your client only pitched the project three days ago? You finalized a deal that fast without waiting for other offers?"
Taylor was speechless. He knew that negotiating a movie deal with a studio typically took weeks or even months, filled with revisions, meetings, and budget approvals, depending on executive schedules and market trends.
A studio would only move quickly if they saw serious profit potential and trusted the creative team.
In this case, Uni-versus Pictures saw the value in Wyatt's new project almost immediately and didn't hesitate to secure the deal before other studios could act.
Like Collin, they recognized Wyatt's talent and trusted that he could replicate his previous success.
Since they were already interested from the first pitch, there was no reason to delay or give competitors a chance to interfere. The best move was to act while the momentum was hot.
Taylor ended the call, his jaw clenched and sweat beading on his forehead as panic crept in. He vividly remembered the time Chairman Greg Marinero fired someone right in front of him.
If Wyatt's next movie turned out to be a success, Taylor knew there was a strong chance Greg would kick him out without a second thought. The Chairman had personally expressed interest in working with Wyatt Bray and Taylor failed to make that happen despite having insider information. In Greg's eyes, that made him incompetent.
'Please, please flop at the box office,' Taylor begged in silence.
'That movie has to fail so I can keep my job. I have a mortgage to pay. I might hold a high position in Acquisitions, but I'm still just an employee, completely replaceable!'
'Why the hell did the deal close so fast? Like a goddamn rat!'
Taylor had learned about Wyatt's new project three days ago, thanks to a corporate spy planted inside Uni-versus Pictures who regularly fed him information. He assumed the negotiation wouldn't move fast, especially during the holidays. He was waiting for the right moment to step in.
He miscalculated and it cost him. He never even had a chance to read the script, so he didn't understand why Uni-versus jumped at the deal with such urgency.
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Collin and the others had a much better holiday this year, both emotionally and financially. His clients in particular earned well and found themselves in better places than before.
Jennifer returned to her hometown and spent the holidays reconnecting with her parents and relatives, whom she hadn't seen in a while.
Lawrence and Wyatt did the same, their hearts full and their pockets fuller. Their families were proud, while some relatives expressed a mix of joy and envy as success often drew both. Some cousins even asked if they could be introduced to the entertainment industry, hoping for a shortcut to fame.
Wyatt, now affectionately referred to as "the director" in the family, found himself in an awkward position. His relatives believed he could cast anyone in his next film if he chose to. But Wyatt refused their requests. He wanted to keep everything strictly professional. They weren't trained actors, and he couldn't afford to take unnecessary risks on set.
As for Axel... he spent his days alone in his small apartment.
He tried calling his ex-wife, hoping to wish his son a Merry Christmas, but his calls and messages went unanswered. Estranged from his divorced parents as well, Axel spent the holiday in solitude, reflecting on the life he once had.
The private detectives he'd hired over the years still hadn't found any leads. Was it really this hard to find someone in 1996? Could they have changed their identities? Axel was not allowed to know their address because of the court decision.
Collin occasionally called Axel to check in and offer emotional support. It wasn't much, but it was something.
Collin's own holiday was quiet, but fulfilling. His family didn't travel abroad like others with newfound success might. Instead, they visited his father's hometown and spent time with extended family. Collin had always been close to his cousins, and the reunion was warm.
Some relatives asked about his love life. Collin answered honestly, he was single and had no immediate plans to date. His focus was on building his career while his momentum was strong. It was a shame, some cousins joked, as they had friends they'd been meaning to introduce to him.
Still, for Collin and the rest, the holidays eventually came to an end, as all good things do, and they returned to the fast-paced world of showbiz.
The new year was about to begin, and the industry was revving back to full speed.
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January 4, 1996
Lawrence waved as he boarded the plane, glancing back at his family with a bright smile. His parents waved back, a mix of pride and longing in their expressions. Standing next to them was Collin, sharply dressed in his usual business attire.
It had been a month since Lawrence was cast in Passionate Island, a mid-budget film. Over the past few weeks, he'd attended daily rehearsals and script readings without missing a single session. By now, he had memorized all his lines and could deliver them with confidence.
Lawrence finally saw himself as a real actor, not just a newcomer anymore.
As the plane lifted off, his parents continued waving until it vanished from sight.
Mr. and Mrs. Terrence turned to Collin and offered him their sincerest thanks.
"Mr. East, we truly appreciate everything you've done for our son. We heard you're the reason he landed his first role, and it changed his life. Thank you so much. We brought you some home-baked cookies as a small token of gratitude."
Mrs. Terrence handed him a Tufferware container, and Collin accepted it with a soft smile. He appreciated the gesture, it came from the heart.
"Please take care of our son."
"Don't worry, Ma'am," Collin replied warmly. "I'll make sure Lawrence becomes a successful actor. I'll support him every step of the way."
He couldn't be sure how Lawrence would behave once fame truly hit, but one thing was certain, Collin believed that Lawrence had what it took to become a superstar.
The couple felt reassured. Seeing how genuine Lawrence's agent was, they believed their son was in good hands.