Chapter 27: Competition for Distribution Rights
"We'd like to meet with you to discuss the theatrical programming of Before the Light Reaches and your next project."
Geonwoo sat straighter with the phone against his ear.
"Could you repeat where you're calling from?"
"TGV Content Business Division. My name is Kim Seongho."
Geonwoo checked the number again.
It began with a Seoul landline code.
"How did you get my contact information?"
"The Busan International Film Festival office provided it. Since our company presented the TGV Award, we requested cooperation to discuss follow-up screenings with the winning film."
Geonwoo remembered a text from the festival office the day after closing.
It asked for permission to provide his contact information to the award sponsor for prize payment and follow-up work.
"I see."
"We reviewed ticket sales during the festival and the additional screening records too."
Paper rustled on the other end.
"All three added screenings after your official run had ended sold out."
The man continued.
"Once you decide on a distributor, we'd like to discuss programming at major TGV branches. We may also consider special TGV Award screenings and events attended by the director and cast."
"I haven't chosen a distributor yet."
"Are you currently discussing it with anyone?"
"I'm meeting the company that approached first this afternoon."
"Then there's one more offer I'd like to pass along."
Geonwoo listened.
"TS ENM, another Taesung Group affiliate, is also interested in domestic distribution of Before the Light Reaches."
Geonwoo's hand stopped over the mouse.
"TS ENM?"
"Yes. TGV will explain theatrical programming. TS ENM will explain its distribution terms."
Even without TS ENM handling the film, TGV could still discuss programming.
But if distribution and theater placement moved within the same corporate group, everything could proceed much faster.
Geonwoo remembered something else Kim Seongho had said.
"You also mentioned my next project."
"TS ENM's Investment and Production Division wants to hear about your future plans too. Separate from distribution of this film."
Geonwoo checked his watch.
His Bridge Pictures meeting was at three.
"I'll probably be done with my afternoon schedule after five."
"Then let's meet at six. Could you come to our headquarters?"
"Understood."
After the call, a message containing the address arrived.
Geonwoo checked it, then reopened Yoon Jihye's revised proposal.
At 2:50 p.m.
Geonwoo arrived at the Bridge Pictures building.
When the elevator doors opened, he saw movie posters behind the glass wall.
They were films Bridge Pictures had distributed over the years.
Most had begun in only a few theaters before expanding through word of mouth.
Several titles were films Geonwoo remembered watching in theaters in his previous life.
"Director Baek Geonwoo."
Yoon Jihye was already waiting outside the meeting room.
She wore a suit similar to what she'd worn in Busan.
A thick document envelope was in her hand.
"Was it easy to find the building?"
"Yes."
"Come in."
Inside the meeting room were Yoon Jihye, the head of distribution, and a contract employee.
After a brief greeting, Jihye placed documents in front of Geonwoo.
"This is the revised proposal I mentioned in Busan."
The cover read:
[Domestic Theatrical Distribution Proposal - Before the Light Reaches]
Geonwoo opened it.
The expected release regions were broader than before.
"Before the awards, we were thinking of starting with several theaters in Seoul and Busan."
Jihye pointed to marked regions.
"Now we've included the wider capital region and major metropolitan cities."
She continued.
"Winning both the Audience Award and TGV Award gives us more grounds to negotiate with theaters."
"Can you secure good screening times?"
"Not everywhere."
She answered without hesitation.
"Other films already have confirmed schedules. But we'll prioritize weekday evenings and weekend afternoons."
She opened the next page.
The plan was to add screenings in locations with strong attendance and move weak screenings to other regions.
Behind it were performance records from earlier Bridge Pictures releases.
One film started in 21 theaters during its first week.
By the fourth week, it had expanded to 68.
Jihye showed him seat occupancy by screening time.
"This one nearly got dropped based on total first-week attendance."
She pointed at the graph.
"Weekday mornings were almost empty, but evening screenings kept filling."
Starting in week two, they cut morning screenings and kept evening ones.
They used those numbers to convince other theaters.
From the third week, the film spread to more regions.
"So you didn't start with many theaters."
"With our size, we couldn't have."
Jihye answered honestly.
"But we are good at quickly deciding which screenings to protect and which to give up."
Geonwoo reviewed the theater list again.
Names of theater contacts and previous independent-film results were handwritten beside some locations.
This wasn't simply a plan to contact as many theaters as possible.
It showed which theaters they would negotiate with first and what numbers they would use to demand more.
"You prepared a lot."
"Thank you."
Geonwoo closed the contract.
"This morning, TGV's Content Business Division contacted me."
Jihye's hand stopped.
"TGV?"
"They said they'd like to discuss major branch programming once we have a distributor."
Her expression brightened slightly.
"If TGV contacted you first, that'll help. We can propose special screenings and GVs too."
"TS ENM also wants to distribute the film. I'm meeting them this evening."
Silence.
Yoon Jihye spoke first.
"Then you should hear their proposal."
"You're okay with that?"
"Even if I said I'm not, would you cancel?"
There was a little laughter in her voice.
"TS ENM will probably offer a larger initial release than us and spend more on marketing."
"How long do I have to answer?"
"Please decide by the end of this week."
"That's quick."
"The attention created by the festival won't last forever. We need a distributor before formal theater negotiations can begin."
Jihye paused, then added,
"But don't only look at the number of opening-week screens TS ENM offers."
Geonwoo looked at her.
"Check what other films they're releasing around the same time."
She continued.
"Large distributors handle several movies in a single month."
"Thanks for the advice."
Geonwoo placed the proposal and revised contract back in the envelope.
When he stood, Jihye stood as well.
"If you have questions after your meeting, call me."
"I will."
