The Partners Who Pitched Themselves

The agent introduced them, "Ms. Hepburn, this is Michael Weiner, originally a film and record producer."

In 1985, Dov Recording Books Company was founded, making it a remarkably successful new company in the audiobook industry.

"This Ms. Deborah Raffin is Mr. Werner's wife. He himself is a Hollywood actress, and appeared in 'Touch of Love' in 1981."

She received Golden Globe Awards nomination for Best Actress.

Ms. Hepburn warmly shook hands with Mr. Werner and even gave fellow actress Deborah Raffin a cheek kiss, showing her close relationship with him.

Once both parties were seated, the coffee that Henry had ordered beforehand was served. But Michael Weiner couldn't wait to take out the documents from his briefcase and practically filled the entire table.

Michael said, "Ms. Hepburn, the audiobook in the form of a radio drama that you mentioned, I actually discussed a similar presentation method with my wife a long time ago."

Simply put, it's about a storyteller telling a story, using that framework to create the content of an audiobook. For the second layer of the story, we plan to adapt the works of Mary Sheldon.

"The available stories include excellent works that have been adapted into Disney animations, such as Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast. There are no issues with the copyright either; Disney's copyright coverage does not include audiobook adaptations of the original works."

"We plan to select four to five stories, and together with the storytelling itself, edit them into about an hour of content. We will also add background music, rather than making the narrator the sole protagonist."

"While there are concerns that this might distract the narrator, I believe Ms. Hepburn wouldn't mind such a minor detail and would agree to use this richer approach to make the audiobook even better."

Audrey Hepburn asked curiously, "Your plan sounds pretty good, so why wasn't it made before?"

Michael said with a wry smile, "In the past, the literary works themselves still occupied the leading position in the audiobook market. Some people didn't even care who the narrator was."

"My approach further diminished the importance of the reciter, so I couldn't find anyone willing to cooperate. And the child actors I could hire cheaply didn't have the level of dialogue skills I wanted."

"This project was shelved until Ms. Hepburn made this special request for an audiobook, hoping to present it in a format similar to a radio drama, which gave us this opportunity."

Audrey Hepburn looked at the documents on the table, the last stack in the center, with the title "A Frenchwoman's Magical Fairy Tales" on the cover. She asked, "This is—a script?"

Michael explained, "This is a script that my wife and I came up with together, and then someone else polished it. The content is about a France woman recalling when the composer Maurice Will visited her home and told her stories during her childhood."

"What If...? you'd like to participate in the production of this audiobook, then you'll be the lead, playing yourself. Oh, and of course, all you'll need to do is record your voice in the studio; it won't be too much of a burden for you."

Audrey Hepburn's health condition is an open secret. After all, even her work as United Nations Children's Fund Goodwill Ambassador was suspended. Those who want to know the reason will naturally find out.

What If...? a publishing company requires a woman to cooperate with promotions, hold book signings, etc., such a publishing company would be rejected long ago and would not appear on the woman's list of potential collaborations.

For a moment, the only sound on the coffee shop table was the rustling of papers being turned.

For Audrey Hepburn, who loved reading, it was certainly not like a group of big stars with reading difficulties who needed someone to explain the script and then verbally guide them to memorize the lines.

Ms. Hepburn read quite quickly, but not when she was carefully studying the text; she was just skimming it. The real difficulty, however, was her presbyopia, which made it a little difficult to read the standard typeface on a typewriter.

However, he still let the lady read the script in one go. He praised, "The story is already very complete. And the soundtrack is planned to be the Mother Goose Suite?"

"Yes. This is also a work by Mr. Maurice Will," Michael replied.

How do you plan to present the music?

Michael said, "What If...? I could work with Ms. Hepburn, I would expect to find a symphony orchestra to collaborate with. We must make sure everything is perfect."

"You don't need to specifically look for famous symphony orchestras; Hollywood has many excellent groups. Oh, ma'am, you're from Hollywood too."

I believe you know more about this than I do.

Audrey Hepburn did not deny this claim. He took a pen from his handbag, pointed to the script in front of him, and asked, "Is this convenient?"

"Please, please. No problem," Michael said with a beaming smile.

Ms. Hepburn then discussed certain passages in the script with Michael and Deborah. Since Deborah was also one of the creators of the script's prototype, he had many ideas to share.

However, this kind of discussion is basically something that happens when production begins. They haven't even signed a contract yet.

Judging from Ms. Hepburn's attitude, collaborating with this couple was almost a done deal. He didn't even consider waiting for other publishing companies to make offers or to see if there were better opportunities.

This is actually a very realistic aspect of the entertainment industry; there's no such thing as fair competition, only a first-come, first-served basis. And those who are well-prepared will definitely have more opportunities than others.

However, since this was their first meeting and the materials in front of Ms. Hepburn were not yet finalized, the discussion between the two sides was brief. The Michael still had much to revise before they could finalize a production plan.

Therefore, Ms. Hepburn planned to follow her usual practice and have her agent negotiate with the other party for the next contract signing.

However, some conditions could be discussed in person. So the lady said directly, "I hope that the proceeds from this audiobook can also be donated to charity. Of course, that's after deducting costs."

The agent asked, "Madam, are you donating to UNICEF United Nations?"

"Well, I don't think this amount will be too large, and it's long-term income. Donating it to UNICEF is also an option, but do you have any other suggestions?"

The audiobook market isn't huge, but it's not small either. However, compared to the fundraising dinner Hepburn hosted in New York for UNICEF, this income is really insignificant. Then, Deborah Raffin said, "Ms. Hepburn, What If...? you'd like to donate to other charitable causes, how about the United States Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)?"

"Their headquarters are also located in New York, and their aim is to 'provide effective means to prevent animal cruelty across the United States.' They have a long history dating back to 1866."

Hepburn nodded and said, "Then I'll trouble your agent to also investigate this ASPCA for me. I'll make a decision later. The negotiations are in your hands." With that, the lady stood up, preparing to take her leave.

Those present also rose to see Audrey Hepburn off. Henry, her seemingly invisible assistant, followed closely behind.