I’m in Hollywood

The taxi stopped on the side of a road at the top of Beverly Hills. The driver had a pleasant chat with the middle-aged black-haired passenger in a neat suit. He looked at the luxurious mansion outside the car window and joked: Dude, I never thought that the destination of your visit turned out to be here, a Beverly mansion of this size, where either a superstar or a top Hollywood producer lives, you must be prosperous.

Chris Wedge was in the same good mood, even a little excited, and responded to the driver's words with a smile. After paying for the car, he turned around and walked towards the gate of the mansion with a briefcase.

After confirming the house number again, Chris Wedge reached out and rang the doorbell, waiting patiently, thinking of the phone call a few days ago.

It all started in 1987, when Chris Wedge was just 30 years old. He resigned from an animation studio where he was originally working, and with a few partners, he founded Blue Sky, a special effects studio on the second floor of a dental clinic. Studio, after eight years of development, although the current Blue Sky Studio is still far from being on a par with the industry overlords in the digital field and Industrial Light and Magic, it is already well-known in the film and television special effects industry. It has more than 100 employees and also Last year, I undertook part of the CG special effects production of Jumanji.

A few days ago, the producer who was in charge of contacting Blue Sky Studio suddenly called him and asked him if he was interested in computer animation. Chris Wedge has always been envious of his old friend John Lassey. With the success of 3D animation, he also made a similar attempt, of course he nodded yes without hesitation, so there is today's meeting that people are looking forward to.

A female inquiring voice came from inside the door. Chris Wedge felt that the voice was a bit familiar, so he didn't have time to think about it, so he quickly cheered up and responded.

The door opened, and a tall and slender girl with a little red on her face appeared in front of Chris Wedge. The girl's long blond hair was somewhat fluffy and she was lazy. She wore a loose beige knitted sweater on her upper body. The round neckline was wide open, revealing a small piece of white skin on her shoulders. Although the hem of the knitted sweater was a bit wide, it did not conceal the two slender legs wrapped in white skinny jeans.

Chris Wedge was taken aback for a moment. It wasn't until the girl frowned slightly that she suddenly reacted and said a little embarrassedly, Miss Roberts, hello, nice to meet you. I'm your fan.

As Chris Wedge said so, he raised his right hand slightly, looking at Julia's slender hand clutching the doorknob, but in the end she was too embarrassed to reach out.

Eric and Liz are waiting for you, come with me, Julia replied, stretched out her hand to tug on the sweater, turned and walked inside.

Chris Wedge followed Julia through the hallway in the courtyard, calming down, recalling the moment he had just seen Julia. Only then did I realize that this Hollywood first-line actress was in a somewhat abnormal state just now.

It's kind of like just waking up, and it's kind of drunk, or, it's more like... hi high, Chris Wedge is sure he didn't smell alcohol just now, it's four o'clock in the afternoon, and it's early for nap time It's over, let alone just waking up.

Involuntarily thinking about it in my heart, I went around the path. Seeing the two figures standing by the swimming pool in front of the mansion, Chris Wedge quickly put aside those messy thoughts, thinking about these things would not do him any good, in case the master guessed his thoughts. That's even worse.

Looking at the pair of young men and women walking by, Chris Wedge eagerly reached out to Eric who was walking in front: Hello, Mr. Williams.

Hello Chris, just call me Eric, this is Liz. You should be on the phone.

Of course, Miss Murdoch, it's a pleasure to meet you, Chris Wedge smiled again and shook hands with Elizabeth.

The three sat down at the round table in the courtyard, and Julia served the three of them coffee, not interested in participating in the conversation, but lazily walked to the beach chair next to them, lay down, and flipped through a magazine.

Although Chris Wedge was a little confused about the relationship between the man and the woman in front of him, he carefully controlled his eyes and tried not to look at Julia who was not far away.

In general, you and Liz must have talked on the phone. I have also seen the special effects you did for Alien 3, Brave Game and other films, which are excellent. I also know that you are in the Brave During the production of Game of Thrones, Columbia had invested in an animated short film, but it didn't work out, right?

Chris Wedge nodded: Yes, Eric, the studio I worked for in my early years worked on Disney's animation outsourcing projects, and I have always been very interested in animated films.

Elizabeth asked: If it's an investment in animation, you should be looking for Firefly. Why did you approach Colombia?

Chris Wedge smiled awkwardly and glanced at Eric, not knowing how to answer.

After Elizabeth said what she just said, she immediately understood that Firefly already has the industry's top 3D animation technology, and under normal circumstances, it is impossible to see Blue Sky Studio.

Eric didn't seem to hear Elizabeth's question, and chatted directly with Chris Wedge about 3D animated movies. Chris Wedge has also been quite well prepared these days, skillfully dealing with Eric's various He also took out a set of prepared animated short storyboards to show Eric again.

Even if it already has some technical accumulation, an animation studio still has to start with animated short films in the production of 3D animated films. At the beginning, Pixar produced short films such as Jumping Lights and Tin Iron Soldiers in succession. After accumulating enough experience, I started to get involved in animated feature films.

Half an hour later, Chris Wedge put away the drawings and said, Eric, this short film only needs an investment of 3 million US dollars. As long as the funds can be obtained, I promise to produce enough to prove us within half a year. Works that have the ability to control animated feature films come out.”

Eric shook his head and said, Chris, I don't plan to invest in Blue Sky Studio.

Chris Wedge just showed a disappointed expression, thinking that the short animation script he prepared accurately did not pass Eric's approval, but Eric continued: I plan to acquire Blue Sky Studio.

Chris Wedge raised his head immediately: Eric, you mean... acquisition?

Eric nodded with a smile on the corner of his mouth: Yes, acquisition.

Although not in Hollywood circles, Chris Wedge knew something about Eric's relationship with Elizabeth, as he had always felt. It must be that Fox is more interested in Blue Sky Studio. Even if it is to acquire Blue Sky Studio, it should be Elizabeth who represents Fox.

But after this half-hour exchange, Chris Wedge realized that Eric still played a leading role in this matter. This made him feel suspicious again. Firefly already owns two animation studios, Pixar and Disney Animation. Even if Firefly wants to continue to expand in the animation film field, it should be limited to these two studios.

Although he knew he would not reject the offer, Chris Wedge asked cautiously, Eric, can I... know why?

Of course. Eric explained: Although the rating of animated films has always been controlled within the PG-13 level because of the audience. But for Disney, there are still many good ideas that do not meet Disney's core values. concept, if these ideas are distributed by Disney, it will damage Disney's established brand image. Therefore, I plan to take these ideas out and hand them over to an animation studio that is completely independent of the Disney system for production, and hand them over to Released by other studios.

Chris Wedge asked, Don't there still be a lot of studios under Firefly?

Disney is a very important brand in the Firefly system. If other Firefly film divisions release animated films, the audience will naturally associate with Disney. What I want is a complete divestiture.

Chris Wedge nodded, glanced at Elizabeth, and said, So, Eric, what are the acquisition conditions?

In order to express the sincerity of long-term cooperation, we do not intend to acquire a wholly-owned capital. Firefly and Fox will each pay 5 million US dollars to acquire 45% of the shares of Blue Sky Studio. You can continue to retain 10% of the shares. In addition, Firefly will give Blue Sky Studio's animation technical support. The studio will produce animated films in the future, which will be distributed by Fox.

The asking price of $10 million to acquire 90% of the shares is far lower than Chris Wedge's expectations. After all, this studio is his eight years of hard work, but Eric will give Blue Sky Studio a promise of technical support. However, Chris Wedge did not hesitate too much immediately. You must know that the top 3D animation technology mastered by Firefly cannot be bought with money. This is the basis for Firefly to monopolize the 3D animation film market in recent years.

After thinking for a moment, Chris Wedge nodded decisively and said, Eric, I agree to this deal.

Very good. I hope we can cooperate happily in the future, Eric got up and shook hands with Chris Wedge. The two sat down again, and Eric began to talk about his detailed plan.

Talking to sunset, Chris Wedge took the initiative to say goodbye. The specific acquisition contract will be negotiated in more detail in the coming period.

After sending Chris Wedge away, the two returned to the swimming pool. Elizabeth looked at Julia, who was still leaning lazily on the beach chair, and said, Eric, look at her, Chris Wedge just now. Kiko glanced at Julia more than once, I think he must be guessing that Julia seems to be high, and it is big news when it comes out.

As if suddenly alive, Julia threw the magazine in her hand towards Elizabeth, and retorted: You're so excited, I'm just a little tired.

Hehe, come on, let me check for you if you're really tired, Elizabeth said. She rushed over and was about to grab Julia's waist, but Julia lifted her feet flexibly and kicked it with one foot. .

thump--

Elizabeth fell into the swimming pool without any preparation for a while.

Ah, woohoo...

Elizabeth, who was kicked into the swimming pool by Julia, quickly stuck her head out, lay on the edge of the pool, and said angrily to Julia: But, I won't let you go, you vicious woman, murder My husband.

Eric pulled Elizabeth out of the pool with a smile, urged her to change clothes, turned around and sat down on the beach chair Julia was lying on, stretched out his arms and put the girl on his knees.

After being teased by Elizabeth, Julia, who had just recovered her energy, felt the movements of Eric's hands, and whispered a few times, like a cat whose bones had been taken out, and quickly returned to laziness. misty state.

Elizabeth came back after changing her clothes, wiping her wet hair with a large towel in her hand, and looked at Julia who was soft on Eric's body. This time, I didn't provoke the cat that could go mad at any time. I sat down next to me and said, Eric, you have been talking about some animated movie ideas that don't fit the Disney release style. Do you already have an idea?

Eric picked up the magazine in Julia's hand and looked at it casually, and said, I read a picture book that is completely anti-fairy tale some time ago, the author is William Steiger, you can start it soon Take down the rights to adapt this picture book.

What, you didn't make it clear.

Eric smiled. Dao: You can buy a copy tomorrow and have a look. That picture book is basically a complete subversion of Disney's past fairy tale routines, but I think it is very interesting and can be made into a special animated film, but this An animated film cannot be released by Disney or any of Firefly’s film companies, otherwise Disney’s carefully crafted brand image will be greatly affected, so I came up with the idea of ​​forming an animation studio outside of Firefly.”

Elizabeth became interested: Oh, what is the name of this album?

Eric said: Shrek.

The original Shrek by DreamWorks in Time and Space is an animation work by Katzenberg in order to retaliate against his old club after he ran away from Disney. It can be seen from the quality of the film. The investment in the film was not high, and the production was rough, but unexpectedly, this low-cost animated film parodying Disney fairy tales unexpectedly exploded at the box office. . Now that Katzenberg has not left, and DreamWorks has changed into a different image, Eric is almost certain that if he doesn't intervene, an alternative 3D animated movie like Shrek will not even appear again. in this world.

Recently. In order to find a project for Firefly next summer, Eric also sorted out some of the films in his memory, and naturally thought of these.

Although Shrek, Ice Age and other series have achieved box office results no less than Disney's animation in their previous lives, these animated films are somewhat deviated from the core spirit of Disney's animation. Moreover, the 3D animation film market is far from being saturated. Cooperating with Fox to win Blue Sky Studio can not only put animation projects that are not suitable for Disney into this studio, but also continue to bring huge profits to Firefly. Through cooperation in Blue Sky Studio. Keep Firefly's influence on Fox.

Thinking of this, Eric thought of another thing again, and said to Elizabeth: Liz, there is one more thing, since there is a blue sky studio, are you interested in buying a toy company?

Elizabeth wondered: Toy company, why?

In the future, the animation produced by Blue Sky Studio will definitely produce peripherals.

Elizabeth stared at Eric for a few seconds, then curled her lips: You're talking nonsense again, few people would buy a restaurant for a steak, right?

Okay, Eric smiled and said, It's actually because of the copyright in the hands of this toy company, Hasbro, you know?

Transformers, Elizabeth blurted out, but immediately cheered up: You mean Transformers?

Eric nodded: Look, when it comes to Hasbro, you immediately think of Transformers. It shows how well-known this toy series is. If it is developed into a live-action movie, it has absolutely unlimited potential.

Then there's no need to buy Hasbro. Can we just buy the copyright of Transformers?

Of course not, the copyright will always have an expiration date, and Hasbro will not be stupid enough to sell you the permanent copyright, so it can be done once and for all after winning Hasbro. After the special effects technology develops for a few more years, I believe Transformers The copyright value is not much, if not comparable to Star Wars.”

You are exaggerating. What movie copyright can compare to Star Wars, Elizabeth shook her head almost subconsciously. The influence of Star Wars has been deeply ingrained in the minds of Westerners, and she even rested on Eric's lap. Julia shook her head gently.

However, Elizabeth quickly reacted. If this sentence was said from other people, it would have no credibility, but Eric said it was different: Eric, you won't be serious, right?

Eric nodded firmly: Do you think I'm joking?

Elizabeth rolled her eyes: Then why didn't Firefly take down Hasbro?

Eric shrugged and said: Firefly's goal is too big, if we take action. Not only will someone jump out to fight, Hasbro will also open his mouth. My plan is similar to that of Blue Sky Studio, Fox is in Ming Dynasty, The fireflies are dark. Take Hasbro down here first, and then we'll halve, how about that?

Elizabeth blinked shrewdly: What if I don't plan to part with you?

Eric clenched his fists pretending to be vicious and squeezed the joints: Then I must be rough.

Elizabeth was not frightened by Eric's actions at all, but Julia moved Eric's fist to her cheek and rubbed it. He shouted in a low voice, Eric...

Elizabeth looked at Julia with an unbearable expression: I think you should drag her into the house and beat her first.

Eric reluctantly pulled Julia up, stretched out his hand and tapped the girl's ass drum lightly: Don't bother people, let's cook dinner.

Well, what do you want to eat?

Eat what's in the fridge.

Watching Julia walk away erratically, Elizabeth shrugged and returned to the topic just now. Since Eric looked so determined, she no longer doubted and asked, How much does this company cost? ?

I checked. Hasbro's current market value is $2.9 billion. If it is a good-faith merger, it can be won at about $3.5 billion. Even a hostile takeover should not exceed $4 billion. Moreover, I think with Fox Influence, the possibility of a successful acquisition in good faith is still very high.”

But, $3 billion to $4 billion, Elizabeth backed down again: Eric, I think we should buy the Transformers copyright first. Try to extend the copyright period, 20 years, is it enough?

Eric shook his head and said: Hasbro's operating conditions are very stable. The net profit in recent years has been around 200 million US dollars. After the acquisition, with the peripheral authorization of Blue Sky Studio and Hasbro's perfect toys In terms of production and distribution system, there is definitely still a lot of room for improvement in future performance. Coupled with the huge potential of Transformers copyright, it can be said that Hasbro is the kind of company whose value is seriously underestimated. , I will be able to recover all the investment within ten years, if it weren’t for the fact that Firefly had too many plans to carry out in recent years, I would definitely do it myself.”

Before Eric's rebirth, the global box office of the first four Transformers series alone was close to $4 billion, and the peripheral profits generated by the movies were even more incalculable. In my memory, after Disney successively won Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, it also made a takeover offer to Hasbro, but Hasbro's price was too high, and the most important Transformers copyright was also assigned. With Ramon in his hands, the deal was never completed.

In recent years, special effects films have become more and more dazzling in Hollywood. Eric believes that someone will soon notice the copyright of Transformers. If he does not take it down in advance, he will only regret it. Hollywood-related copyright authorization is only 20 years in the longest case, but Eric knows that after 20 years, Transformers are still being filmed, even if this time and space will advance the production date, with the popularity of Transformers There is absolutely no problem with the length of the series exceeding Harry Potter, so 20 years of copyright authorization time is far from enough. What's more, Hasbro will definitely not agree to sell Transformers for 20 years. Instead of suddenly encountering the risk of copyright loss when the Transformers series is in full swing in the future, it is better to eat this company completely.

The reason why this cake was shared with Fox is that on the one hand, Firefly already owns Marvel, a huge copyright gold mine that has been developed for decades, as well as many developable animated film and live-action film copyrights. All profits are taken up, and it is impossible to have enough release time and schedule. On the other hand, the development of Firefly itself has reached a limit. Due to the restrictions of anti-monopoly and other factors, Firefly will no longer be able to merge other film companies with great fanfare. The way of cooperation has become Eric to the entire Hollywood system. The best way to penetrate, so that while making profits, Eric can also expand his control over Hollywood step by step. Just like MGM at this time, with the cooperation of many film projects, Eric is in this company. The invisible power in the film company is not even lower than that of its CEO. If Eric speaks, MGM's major shareholder, Credit Lyon, will definitely replace the helm of MGM without hesitation. (To be continued.) SJGSF0916