[60,000 USD, over 100 million USD in box office?!]
[DV movies, an epoch-making concept!]
[Genius directors Daniel and Eduardo become famous overnight!]
Report after report, promoted by America's major media outlets, newspapers, and television stations, set off a massive wave across the country in just one day.
A marketing success?
Many didn't think so; they just felt like they had been toyed with.
However, quite a few economists considered it a successful marketing campaign.
Both sides held their own views.
Of course, the vast majority of people were in a mood to vent their anger!
"Bullshit secret files, dog-crap 'true' cases~"
"Stripping away the gimmicks of secret files and witches, what's left of the blair witch project? I dare say, without this deceptive marketing, the box office for this movie would be lucky to reach 200,000 dollars."
"To be honest, the blair witch project is truly mediocre, one could even call it trash."
In just half a day, public opinion reversed.
Genius directors Daniel and Eduardo became targets of public scorn. Even the film's three leads were affected, being blasted as shameful liars.
Did Daniel care?
Was Eduardo angry?
Not at all!
On the contrary, they were secretly delighted!
Daniel is 37 this year, and Eduardo is 31. While they weren't exactly worthless or destitute, they were just ordinary people whose lives could only be described as getting by.
However... things were different now. They were famous!
"With a production cost of 60,000 dollars, creating a movie with a box office of over 100 million dollars—tell me, besides us, who else in all of Hollywood has done that?"
"No one!"
"Not a single soul!"
"Such a high profit ratio,"
"only belongs to our the blair witch project!"
At this moment, Daniel and Eduardo were very excited.
Their hearts were racing.
"Eduardo, look, I was right. What does losing a bit of reputation matter? What does being cursed to our faces matter? As long as we can get our entry ticket into Hollywood and win the favor of the major film companies, then it's all worth it!"
Daniel was incredibly excited.
To that end, he suggested opening a bottle of champagne to celebrate on the spot.
"You're right, Daniel!"
Eduardo lamented, "Once upon a time, in many people's eyes, we were just a piece of dog crap—ignored and despised by everyone. But now, who dares to ignore us? Even if we're still stinking dog crap in many eyes, we're now wrapped in candy paper. As long as it's not punctured, we are delicious candy!"
People with dreams don't fear difficulties or suffering; what they fear most is being ignored by others.
If others trample on you, at least it proves you exist;
but once everyone ignores you, that's what people like Daniel fear the most!
Clearly, at this moment, they had achieved unprecedented success in a certain sense.
"Ring, ring, ring~"
Just then, the hotel room phone rang.
Daniel picked up the phone.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Oh, you're a reporter from the Boston Post, and you want to interview us?"
"No problem!"
"But there's one condition. I have to tell you that California Entertainment News, Global Times, Washington Morning Post, and Social Youth News have already made appointments with us. You'll have to wait in line. I'm very sorry."
"No~, it's not about the money!"
"What? A 10,000-dollar fee?"
"Well, since you're so sincere, Eduardo and I have no reason to refuse. Hmm, three days from now—we can reserve a half-hour exclusive interview for you in three days."
After speaking, Daniel hung up with a beaming smile.
"Another request for an interview?" Eduardo asked with a smile.
"Exactly."
Daniel said happily, "Including this one, there are already seven major media outlets. It's clear how popular we are now."
They were triumphant; had it gone to their heads?
Anyone who went from being a nobody to the darling of major media reports would find it hard to stay calm; it was only human nature.
Daniel added, "Eduardo, setting aside the interviews, I think we should talk to Page Pictures."
"Talk about what?"
"Talk about the blair witch 2, of course. And this time, we can't be as hasty as before. Without a 2-million-dollar director's fee, we absolutely won't direct the blair witch 2."
Hearing Daniel's words, Eduardo nodded heavily.
Just the first the blair witch project 1 movie had indeed brought the two of them a significant income. Along with the large red envelope from Kyle, they had earned a full million dollars. However, they felt that compared to Page Pictures' earnings, they had been shortchanged.
Shouldn't they get a bit more for filming the sequel this time?
...That afternoon.
After finishing their interview with California Entertainment News, the two of them went to Page Pictures.
vice president Kevin Feige received them personally.
"Hi, welcome, you two genius directors." Kevin acted extremely warm.
That's how film companies are.
Whoever can make money for the company is the boss.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Feige." The two responded warmly.
After some chatting.
Daniel spoke up, "Mr. Feige, I think we should strike while the iron is hot and immediately announce to the public that the blair witch 2 is about to start filming. This would definitely have a huge impact on our box office."
"Exactly!"
Eduardo quickly chimed in, "With the two of us directing again and the original cast assembled, we're bound to create an even higher box office."
Clap, clap, clap!
Kevin Feige nodded repeatedly and even clapped in approval.
"Your ideas coincide perfectly with my own," Kevin laughed.
Really?
Immediately, Daniel and Eduardo showed looks of surprise and joy.
Before they could ask, Kevin added, "Don't worry, for the second film, you two are still the only choice for directors."
"Thank you, we're very grateful." Daniel and Eduardo thanked him repeatedly.
"However..."
Suddenly, Kevin Feige showed a look of difficulty. "As you probably know, it takes at least 4 to 8 months for theater chains to settle our shares and earnings. Our company's capital is a bit tight."
Daniel: "..."
Eduardo: "..."
Bullshit!
Was Page Pictures' capital really that tight?
True, after all, the funds needed for Harry Potter and Spider-Man were not small, plus the filming of The Butterfly Effect and final destination, and the 10-million-dollar investment in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", and so on.
Page Pictures did lack liquidity, but to say they had no money at all was absolutely impossible.
If nothing else, Page Pictures could come up with 30 million dollars at once without any problem.
However... the consensus among Kyle, Kevin Feige, and the others was that they would absolutely not film a sequel to the blair witch project anytime soon.
Now that they had successfully passed the buck, they ensured Page Pictures' innocence.
Once they started filming the second part, it would inevitably hit Page Pictures' credit and reputation hard.
Even if the blair witch project could make a quick buck then, the loss in credit and reputation wouldn't be offset by those profits.
Once a reputation is ruined, it's not an easy thing to win back.
That evening.
Kevin Feige called Kyle.
"Boss, I've temporarily stabilized Daniel and Eduardo," Kevin Feige said.
Hearing this, Kyle praised him, "Well done. Besides the marketing success, what else does the blair witch project have? Do it again, and do you really think the audience are all fools?"
At those words, Kevin laughed too.
"Boss, I suggest that once the box office for the blair witch project stabilizes, we sell the rights to the sequel to another company."
What could Kyle do?
Agree, of course!
Making quick, dirty money once is enough. Do it a few more times, and see if the audience is still willing to be harvested like leeks?