First-Day Box Office

Naturally, there were plenty of couples like Kyra and her boyfriend. Likewise, many viewers had been swayed by the critics' reviews and chose Saw from among the many films available.

Of course, that went without saying for theaters near Kevin's home turf, the University of Southern California.

Attendance had exceeded 70%. As for other theater chains, occupancy ranged from 20% to 40%. Before word of mouth had fully taken hold, achieving such attendance rates was enough to show that New Line Cinema had truly spared no effort in its promotion.

After staying up promoting the film until midnight, Kevin had long lost any interest in watching movies and returned to the hotel early to rest.

Exhausted, he had no desire to look at the numbers.

A day later, whether he lived or died would be laid out plainly before him.

A day later, at New Line Cinema, Dean paced anxiously around the production department as he waited for Saw's exact first-day box office results.

If it had only been a $1.3 million investment at the start, then even failure would not have been crippling.

But with 800 prints and promotional expenses, they had spent four to five times the film's production budget, for a total cost of roughly $5 million.

If it failed, even an executive like him would be unable to bear such a loss.

Of course, the odds of him, Shaye, the screening staff, and all the critics being wrong were not high.

So Dean still had some confidence.

It was just that before hearing the exact number, he could not help feeling a trace of unease.

Soon, the staff members carrying the box office figures sent in by the various theaters returned to the company and began calculating the total earnings from all 800 cinemas in front of him.

The bright office was filled with tension when Shaye walked in with steady steps.

Unlike the nervous Dean, Shaye seemed extremely composed. His confidence in Saw was clearly much stronger than Dean's.

"What was Saw's first-day box office?"

Shaye asked calmly.

The calculations had just reached their conclusion when the staff member said with a somewhat shocked expression, "Eight hundred screens, attendance at 30 to 40 percent, an average of sixteen viewers per screening, varying numbers of showings per theater, averaging five to six screenings..."

Shaye calmly cut off the string of data and asked directly, "What was the total box office?"

Only then did the staff member say directly, "Its first-day box office was $8.43 million!"

The calm and tense expressions on Shaye and Dean's faces immediately turned into delighted smiles.

For a film with an investment of only $1.3 million, an $8.43 million opening day meant certain profit.

After all, this year's already-predicted North American box office champion was Terminator 2, the sequel to a blockbuster film.

Even so, its first-day box office had only been $30 million.

Yes, Shaye was feeling just a little carried away.

"Call Kevin. In a week, I'll take him to an upscale party."

"Also, discuss the investment for his next film with him in advance. A genius director like this absolutely cannot be allowed to fall into someone else's hands."

After speaking to Dean, Shaye turned to his secretary and said, "Tell Finance to add another two... no, $3 million in promotional funding. I want the name Saw to ring throughout America."

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep!

Drained dry by Salma Hayek, Kevin dragged his somewhat weak body to his feet.

Under the sunlight, his muscular body was as beautiful as the flesh of Apollo, the god of war.

Of course, that was from the perspective of Salma Hayek, his admirer.

After stretching, Kevin took his phone from the clothes on the sofa and pressed the answer button.

"Hello, it's Dean. Kevin, we did it!"

Dean's excited voice came through the phone. Only then did Kevin let out a breath, casting aside that trace of fear over failure as he asked confidently, "The first-day box office is out?"

"Yes, that's right, Kevin. You'll never guess how much it made on its first day! It made $8.43 million!"

"Saw succeeded, Kevin. You succeeded!"

"President Shaye has invited you to a party at the Beverly Hills Hotel in a week. Quite a few major stars will be there."

Kevin nodded.

"I'll attend. Don't worry."

"Alright, don't forget. We'll also continue increasing the promotion over the next few days. We have to push the box office even higher."

After hanging up, Kevin called Dawson.

After hearing the news from Kevin's phone, Salma Hayek became even more excited.

She knew perfectly well what an $8.43 million opening day meant for a horror film made with such a budget.

The most difficult gate on the road to Hollywood had clearly been opened for her just like that.

In her excitement, she ignored the fact that Kevin was calling his agent. She silently got out of bed, walked over to Kevin, and dropped to her knees.

"Hiss!"

"What's wrong, Kevin?"

Hearing the strange sound, Dawson asked with concern.

"Nothing. I called to tell you some good news. Saw's first-day box office is out. It made $8.43 million."

After saying that, Kevin moved the phone slightly away and enjoyed Salma Hayek's service.

$8.43 million at the box office?

Kevin had succeeded!

Dawson's face was full of excitement. After turning it over in his mind, he immediately thought of a way to make his high-end client even more successful.

That was to use CAA's power to promote Saw on an even larger scale.

And he believed that Michael Ovitz, CAA's de facto president, would definitely agree with his proposal.

After exchanging a few more words with Kevin over the phone, Dawson hurried toward the top floor of the company, where CAA's five major partners had their offices.

There were still quite a few empty offices up there, but for now, apart from the five major partners, no one else was qualified to move to the top floor.

Standing in the hallway, Dawson looked out in every direction through the glass windows, releasing the emotions in his heart.

The joy on his face was impossible to hide.

Michael Ovitz had been about to use the restroom when he saw Dawson like this. He frowned, preparing to reprimand him.

The moment Dawson saw Michael Ovitz come out, he hurriedly said, "Kevin's opening-day box office results are in. $8.43 million!"

Michael Ovitz's expression changed instantly, and he threw his original intention out of his mind.

CAA had not arranged many investments this year, but Steve Kevin's clear and precise plan for Saw had left a deep impression on him.