Hollywood starts with a broker

"Hi, Aaron, good evening!"

As Aaron and Jennifer Connelly were preparing to leave the Marmont Hotel, they ran into Paramount film producer Robert Evans.

"Robert, good evening," Aaron said, shaking hands with him.

Robert Evans is a veteran Hollywood filmmaker who headed Paramount in the seventies.

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Currently, he has established his own independent film company dedicated to producing films for Paramount.

Aaron glanced around and saw actress Sharon Stone and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas not far away!

"Ira Levin's novel 'Sliver,' the adaptation rights were acquired by Paramount, right?"

Last year, writer Ira Levin published the bestselling erotic novel 'Sliver,' and several film companies bid for the adaptation rights.

I wonder how much Paramount paid to acquire the adaptation rights?

Robert Evans smiled, "$250,000 plus a percentage of the box office revenue. I've worked with Ira Levin before."

Aaron blinked, "Looks like the lead actress is Sharon Stone, and you've hired Joe Eszterhas to adapt the screenplay!"

'Basic Instinct' was written by Joe Eszterhas, and Sharon Stone is the lead actress.

It's obvious what kind of work 'Sliver' is!

"Is Dawn interested in investing? Sherry Lansing is managing Paramount now, and she's very willing to collaborate with other companies on film investments."

Faced with Robert Evans' inquiry, Aaron simply replied, "Then, will Paramount give up the North American distribution rights to 'Sliver'?"

"Aaron, 'Sliver' isn't some big-budget action movie, and Paramount isn't Carolco."

"So, the film's investment won't be too high!"

Clearly, Paramount wouldn't offer a sky-high salary for 'Sliver' like Carolco, so the film's budget wouldn't be too high, and Paramount wouldn't give up the North American distribution rights...

Because Dawn Pictures is always at a disadvantage in the competition for adaptation rights to newly released bestselling novels, Aaron had the idea of investing in publishing companies.

However, it's best to maintain good relationships with some talent agencies. With them, there will naturally be more advance news, after all, most novels have already sold their adaptation rights before publication, or at least signed a right of first refusal!

Cable TV stations, record companies, GG and publishing companies, home entertainment companies, television production companies, and brand licensing departments.

A group-based media conglomerate with a diversified copyright monetization model.

Century City, Fox Plaza, Aaron visited David Komansky, President of Merrill Lynch West, who is responsible for Merrill Lynch's investment business in the West!

Since 1988, Merrill Lynch has become the world's largest underwriter of stocks and bonds, but because the "Cash Management Account" service is now unstoppable, Merrill Lynch's diversified business model has undergone significant changes.

"Aaron, Merrill Lynch began streamlining its business in the late eighties, gradually divesting from areas such as insurance and real estate."

"Instead, we're focusing on investment banking and retail!"

David Komansky said, pouring Aaron a glass of wine, "Hollywood is an important investment business for us, and you are the Hollywood movie mogul I most admire."

"Movie mogul?" Aaron smiled.

"Alright, Dawn may be making some acquisitions next, publishing companies, GG companies, and other small distributors!"

Dawn needs to have enough film and television copyrights to build its own home entertainment department, and Legacy Entertainment's copyright library is clearly not enough.

"Orion, are you interested? If no new investors come in next year, it will be taken over by the bank, and that will be a good time to strike?"

Aaron nodded, "We'll see, Orion hasn't reached the end of its rope yet."

Orion is still engaged in film production and distribution, and Orion Classics, Orion's art label, hasn't competed with Dawn for 'Raise the Red Lantern'?

As Aaron left the Fox Plaza, he saw Macaulay Culkin and his family leaving 20th Century Fox Film Corporation.

This Christmas season, 20th Century Fox's trump card sequel 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' will be released!

"Hi, Mr. Anderson," Amy Pascal, Vice President of 20th Century Fox Film President Joe Roth, saw Aaron Anderson and specifically came forward to greet him.

"Amy, is Mr. Roth not here?"

20th Century Fox's situation is quite bad, not only because its parent company News Corporation is heavily indebted due to large-scale acquisitions.

The films it produces are also not successful enough, except for the 'Home Alone' series.

Unfortunately, after Macaulay Culkin, the absolute star of the 'Home Alone' series, became popular, his family became extremely disharmonious, with his parents controlling his acting scripts and salaries.

The box office success of 'Home Alone,' 'My Girl,' and other works has raised Macaulay Culkin's salary to $5 million, making him the most expensive child star!

"Are you here to visit Mr. Roth? I can contact him, Mr. Roth is at Universal Studios!"

Amy Pascal explained.

Aaron shook his head, "No need, just concerned about Mr. Roth's health."

Because Joe Roth's situation is not good. After Barry Diller, Chairman of Fox Entertainment, resigned this Valentine's Day, Rupert Murdoch is looking for a new CEO of Fox Entertainment.

Joe Roth was originally Barry Diller's deputy managing 20th Century Fox Film business, but he doesn't seem to have gained the trust of the parent company News Corporation.

Amy Pascal smiled, "Mr. Roth has always regretted not releasing 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' and supporting Dawn's 'Ghost'!"

"Is that so," Aaron shook his head, "Many people didn't think well of it at the time."

Then, Aaron looked at Amy Pascal again, "Amy, have you ever thought about leaving 20th Century Fox?"

"Huh?" Amy Pascal widened her eyes in disbelief. She is 34 years old now, and being Joe Roth's assistant definitely means she has the ability!

"I think you're good. If you leave 20th Century Fox, Dawn would be very willing to invite you to be a production executive."

Because Dawn Steel of Dawn's production department is now more like an operations officer, assisting Aaron in managing the overall operation of the company.

The production department now needs someone who can directly participate in the front-line production work of films!

Of course, Amy Pascal also wants to go further and become a producer who can stand alone.

Moreover, all the female producers in Hollywood now regard Sherry Lansing as their goal, hoping that one day they can also become the helmsman of the seven major Hollywood film groups.

"Thank you, I think I'll consider it!"

Aaron patted her on the shoulder, "Well, I'll be waiting for your news."