[Chapter 137: Sold Out Promotion, Underlying Currents]
After Linton set the main editing tone, editor Oleck took over the detailed work. With Michael Bay and Ryan's assistance, Linton's work in the editing room was minimal.
...
On March 1st, the Step Up 2 crew wrapped up filming in Los Angeles as scheduled. After a one-day break, on March 3rd, Anne led the crew to Baltimore to continue shooting outdoor scenes.
Before leaving, Linton assigned a personal female bodyguard to Jennifer. He also had David select four male bodyguards to form an elite five-person team to accompany the crew to Baltimore to ensure everyone's safety.
...
On March 3rd and 4th, Linton temporarily handed over the editing to Michael and went to Universal Music to take interviews from various dia outlets, participating in TV interviews and talk shows to promote the single Sold Out.
Because the previous two singles, I Swear and Taste the Feeling, perford extraordinarily well, even more dia showed up this ti -- not just local Los Angeles outlets but over 300 from across the country.
Even with a 5-minute interview limit per dia outlet, Linton's interviews lasted until after 2 a.m. every day. But it didn't bother him since he was in excellent health.
dia inquiries mostly focused on two things: the performance expectations for the new single and Linton's new movie.
Both Linton and Universal were confident in the quality of Sold Out and its music video. Naturally, they boldly claid global sales would not fall below 20 million copies. This wasn't re boasting; Linton genuinely believed it.
Regarding the new movie Speed, Linton didn't reveal much, as it was a single promotion interview. He just said the film had finished shooting and was in post-production, preliminarily scheduled for early July release.
...
During an MCA Television talk show, host Ian Harley asked a rather pointed question.
"Linton, everyone knows you shoot fantastic music videos with beautiful leading ladies, but many viewers wonder why, for all three of your singles this year, you chose foreign won as the female leads?"
"Is that so?" Linton was genuinely surprised.
"Yes. The lead actress in I Swear was Cristiana Reali from France; for Taste the Feeling, it was Nicole Kidman from Australia; and in Sold Out, the lead lady is Heidi Klum from Germany."
"If You hadn't ntioned it, I wouldn't have noticed. But let ask everyone here -- aren't these leads beautiful and well-suited to the music videos' stories?"
The audience cheered loudly, affirming their beauty and appropriateness.
"See, the audience's response proves our casting choices are spot on.
As for your earlier question, I honestly hadn't thought about it, and I think your observation is biased.
Everyone rembers my debut single Baby featured Caron Diaz, a bona fide Arican girl.
As far as I know, Nicole Kidman beca an Arican citizen years ago.
Besides, Arica is an open and inclusive country housing top talents from all around the world in Hollywood, allowing us to pick the best globally. The records we produce and films we shoot sell well worldwide.
This inclusiveness isn't just for entertainnt; it applies to all industries. It's why Arica keeps growing greater."
The audience erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.
...
After the show, Linton asked his publicist Ellie if his response was appropriate.
"Excellent, flawless."
"The last question wasn't in our script. Do you think it was a trap?"
"Definitely. If not answered well, it could harm your image with Arican audiences. You suspect foul play?"
"Since even you say that, it must be true. Help look into that guy's background."
He then called Daniel and Levitt, briefly explained the situation, and asked them to investigate Ian Harley.
It seed soone was finally unsettled by his two consecutive singles dominating the Billboard charts. But whoever dared ss with him would pay the price.
This was still a Universal-affiliated TV station. If Universal didn't handle it, he wouldn't hesitate to step in personally.
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On the evening of March 4th, the Sold Out music video premiered on MTV. This exciting song imdiately hooked listeners with its energy, and the handso Linton paired with stunning Heidi Klum captured fans' hearts.
The lyrics conveying thes of chasing dreams and fighting with conviction aligned perfectly with the Arican Dream, attracting mainstream audiences.
With Universal's hefty promotional budget and extensive dia hype across newspapers, magazines, and TV, despite no ti for touring or chart campaigning, Sold Out rocketed straight to number one on the Billboard single chart that week.
That week's North Arican sales exceeded 2.6 million copies, with over 2.2 million sold overseas.
Another super hit -- industry folks were left speechless.
...
The song's success boosted Heidi Klum's fa imnsely. Excited, she flew from New York to Los Angeles to spend two days with Linton. The experience was, of course, unforgettable.
---
Three days later, Daniel briefed Linton on the investigation results about Ian Harley.
Sure enough, soone had paid Ian Harley $200,000 to sabotage him on the show, ideally embarrassing him and damaging his image.
MCA had fired him and reported the matter to the police, who had summoned Ian. He might avoid jail but would never work in TV again.
...
"Did you find out who's behind this?"
"No. The culprits were cautious, using interdiaries, and the middleman left Los Angeles already. Police haven't caught them yet.
It's likely one of those record companies. Your recent singles are too strong; since they can't compete openly, they resort to dirty tricks.
This is typical in our industry, but don't worry. Universal isn't weak -- we're going to stomp on them with our best results."
...
After ending the call with Daniel, Linton told Danny to assign people to keep a close eye on Ian Harley. Once legal proceedings concluded, they would capture and interrogate him to uncover the interdiaries and ruin him.
No need for harsh penalties or jail; better for him to pay a bloody price quietly. Plus, his elite bodyguard team he'd hired could finally get so work.
---
After financial auditing, Universal Pictures settled Step Up's first-quarter video rental and sales revenue with Linton Films.
From mid-October 1992 to the end of January 1993, Universal Pictures sold 2.63 million video copies, mostly director's cut editions, averaging $35.5 each.
They rented out the videos 5.21 million tis, with an average rental price of $4.20.
Total revenue amounted to approximately $115.25 million.
According to agreents, Universal Pictures paid Linton Films a 24% share, about $27.66 million, and they got a 6% share, around $6.91 million.
The ho video representative explained that the first quarter after a film's theatrical run is the pri ti for video rentals and sales, with inco dropping sharply afterward.
Still, this revenue alone delighted Linton and Universal.
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Good news also ca from Universal's distribution departnt: test screenings of The Shallows in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago received enthusiastic feedback, averaging an A- rating from audience surveys.
For a modestly budgeted popcorn flick, this was excellent. Universal upgraded its release tier, planning to aggressively push for theater support.
However, an unexpected concern arose -- many audience mbers noted in surveys that Linton's screen ti was too limited.
In response, Linton insisted Universal emphasize Caron Diaz and the shark prominently in all The Shallows promotions while downplaying his role, especially on posters. When his na appeared, it should be credited as a cao to set audience expectations lower.
*****
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