On the 29th, Linton arrived at Daniel's Universal office with the step up movie script, project proposal, and 17 movie soundtracks.
He first discussed the Grammy awards publicity situation with him. The Grammy public relations work was proceeding in an orderly fashion and was currently going smoothly.
Daniel was also very satisfied with his recent gossip, the American Music magazine interview, and his performance at the charity gala. Both of them were confident about winning an award.
After discussing the Grammys, Linton changed the subject and took out the step up movie script and 17 movie soundtracks.
"Daniel, I'm planning to make a movie next. This is the movie script. It's a youth musical with a lot of singing and dancing. I've written 17 songs for the movie, 8 of which I'll sing solo, 1 by a boy band, 4 duets (I'll sing the male parts), and 4 female solos."
"Good, good, good. You wrote all these songs?" Daniel snatched the 17 songs.
"I wrote them. Most of them are of high quality, and I plan to release them as a movie soundtrack album."
"A movie soundtrack album? All these songs are for one movie? Can one movie really use so many original songs?"
"Yes, it's a youth musical movie, so of course, the more songs, the better. The script is right here."
"Which film company is it? Who will produce the movie soundtrack album? Have the female singers been determined yet?" Daniel didn't care about the movie at all.
"The movie is tentatively being invested in and produced by my own studio. If you can help me a little with the movie's distribution, I can give you responsibility for the movie soundtrack album, and even the selection of the female singers and boy band."
"I can designate the female singer, without auditions?"
"Of course, these songs are all R&B. You can promote a newcomer, provided her voice is suitable. I'll have the final say."
"R&B, no problem. In three days at most, I can give you suitable candidates, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied. But please keep this information strictly confidential."
Daniel immediately said. You know, ever since Warner promoted Madonna, countless record companies have followed suit, all wanting to promote their own divas. Universal was naturally no exception, and even every executive had a good number of promising talents under their wing. Any good song suitable for them would be fought over.
What's more, four songs appeared at once, plus four songs co-sung with the popular singer Linton. This was definitely a situation where whoever sang them would become popular.
Daniel naturally wanted to keep this opportunity in his own hands. Even if his current talents didn't meet the requirements, he was confident he could find suitable newcomers within three days.
If this information got out, it would cause an uproar. There would definitely be countless connections and favors knocking on his door, and Daniel wasn't sure he could control the situation.
"Okay, I'll wait three days for you, but let me be clear, if the vocal quality doesn't meet my requirements, I won't agree."
Linton actually didn't want to hold open auditions, as it would waste too much of his time and get him caught up in office politics, even offending a lot of people.
Moreover, he didn't have his own record company. No matter who was chosen in the end, he wouldn't gain any additional profit. It was better to use it as a trade-off for Daniel's help with movie distribution.
"Tell me, what are your conditions?" Daniel knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch.
"As I said before, my own studio is preparing to invest in making a movie and needs Universal to distribute it. I hope you can help me make the connection."
"Your studio is investing in making a movie? What kind of movie? What genre? How much investment?"
"The movie is called step up, it's a youth musical, with an investment of about 10 million us dollars. I'll be the director and play the male lead." Linton handed the script to Daniel.
"What? You're going to direct a movie and act as the male lead? Aren't you singing anymore?"
It was a bolt from the blue, immediately extinguishing Daniel's excitement. Last year, Linton was so popular, his single and album sales set records for Universal, bringing huge profits to Universal.
He also reaped huge benefits, not only receiving a substantial commission but also laying a solid foundation for his next step in competing for the presidency of Universal Records (President John Smith was about to retire).
This year, he was still thinking of building on his success and continuing to create miracles, but he didn't expect Linton to want to switch to making movies. How could that be? Absolutely not.
"Yes, being a director is my dream. Besides, I majored in directing in school. And, my making movies and singing don't conflict, do they?"
"No, no, no, if you go make movies, how can you focus on singing? I'm still planning to hold concerts and release a new album for you this year."
Daniel shook his head like a rattle drum.
"You see, aren't I releasing a movie soundtrack album? And I definitely won't give up singing. This year, I'll release at least two more singles."
"Not enough. My plan is for you to release another album this year and go on a concert tour."
"I'm not Superman. To release an album, I need to write good songs. A movie soundtrack album plus two singles is already a lot of effort, isn't it?
How about this, I plan to release this movie in August. After its release, I'll fully prepare new songs, release two singles this year, and then an album next year. How does that sound?"
"I still don't think it's appropriate. You're doing so well as a singer, becoming hugely popular in just one year. With such a good situation, instead of building on it, you're taking such a big risk to make a movie.
You should know that making movies is very risky. Count for yourself, how many singers who went into movies have failed, simply throwing money away to Hollywood film companies."
"So I haven't given up singing. I know being a singer is my foundation, but making movies has always been my dream. Now that I have the conditions, of course, I have to try my best to achieve it."
"What about concerts?"
"I've only released one album and 13 songs in total. That's not enough to hold a concert, is it?"
"No problem, you can hold small indoor concerts. 13 songs are almost enough, and you can also invite guest performers."
"No, if I'm going to hold a concert, I want to hold a grand, large-scale concert. Let's wait until next year when I have enough songs."
"Concerts can be very profitable, you know? Do you know how much Michael Jackson earned from his global tour last year?"
"80 million US dollars! Michael Jackson himself earned 80 million, and Sony Columbia Records earned at least 100 million US dollars." Before Linton could answer, Daniel loudly blurted out the answer himself.
Linton grumbled inwardly, so he was envious of others making big money. But didn't he consider, is there a second Michael Jackson in this world? Someone who can earn massive wealth just by holding concerts, without releasing new songs or albums?
"Michael Jackson has already accumulated a deep catalog of songs and countless fans. Is it not overestimating me to make him my goal? Also, the three singles and album I released last year must have earned Universal Records more than 100 million US dollars in profit, right?"
"That's why I don't agree with you making any movies! Being a pop star is so good, you get fame and fortune, easily earning massive wealth. Isn't that good?" Daniel gave up the idea of Linton holding concerts but still strongly urged Linton to give up making movies.
"I said, I won't give up singing. Making movies is just fulfilling a childhood dream. Don't worry, this year I'll guarantee one movie soundtrack album and two more singles."
"Then it's settled, the movie soundtrack album will be your responsibility, and the female singer and boy band selection will also be up to me." Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Daniel put forward his own demands.
"Of course, but the prerequisite is that you must help me secure a distribution contract with Universal Pictures, and the movie soundtrack album is movie merchandise, so the revenue split must follow market rates. I'll have the movie producer come and discuss the specifics with you."
"No problem. Let's talk about the movie. I don't understand movie scripts, and I certainly don't understand the market prospects for movies. But you, a singer, crossing over to write a script, direct it yourself, and also play the male lead, the risk is too great. It will be difficult to get Universal to invest money," Daniel said, flipping through the script.
"No, I don't need Universal's investment. I will fully fund this movie myself. I just need Universal to help me distribute it under reasonable terms."
"You're fully funding it yourself? Well, you've made a lot of money anyway. If it's just distribution, if we work hard together with Universal Pictures, there should still be hope." Daniel calculated and felt that he still had the advantage.
"Wait a moment, I'll call Levitt Gore, Universal Pictures' Head of Distribution, to see when he's free."
Daniel picked up the phone and dialed a number, "Hi, Levitt, it's Daniel. When are you free? I'd like to talk to you. Now? Good, I'll be right over."
He hung up the phone, "Perfect, Levitt is in his office now. Let's go."
"Also, can a portion of my album royalties be settled in advance?"
"No problem, I'll arrange for someone to tally sales up to December and calculate your royalties," Daniel readily agreed.
"And, please don't mention anything about the songs later," Daniel instructed Linton.
