hunt hollywood

Even if the WGA can win the antitrust lawsuit, it would be easier for the TV network to give the second- and third-tier production companies who turned back in advance.What's more, turning to WGA in advance will not bring any benefits to Daenerys Pictures, and Simon does not intend to get involved in this muddy water.

Simon and Amy were chatting, executives from various departments and heads of related projects arrived one after another, and the meeting started soon.

A large number of projects that have been rolled out require a lot of manpower. After several months of continuous recruitment and expansion, Daenerys Films now has various departments such as film, television, distribution, personnel, and finance, even if it does not count the temporary employment of individual projects. , The number of fixed employees under the company has also exceeded 50 people.

The two-story office building that was leased at the beginning is now very crowded. Simon has been looking for a new office space for the company recently.

However, this is not an easy task.

If all goes well, Simon plans to upgrade Daenerys Films to Daenerys Entertainment next year, and all major departments such as film, television, and distribution will also become subsidiaries, which will definitely bring about another large-scale expansion of the company.

Daenerys Films has already moved once, and Simon doesn't want to go through such a toss in a year or two.

The meeting lasted for more than two hours, and when it was close to noon, everyone dispersed.

Overall, all projects under the Daenerys Films banner are progressing steadily.

Filming has begun on "Basic Instinct" and "Rain Man."

"Scream" will also start filming in a small town in northern California at the end of the month.

The negotiations between the Producers Union and the Screenwriters Union have broken down, and Simon has also strengthened his determination to let "Dead Poets Society" and "Steel Magnolia" be squeezed into the two most popular schedules at the end of the year. Therefore, the preparations for these two projects will also be accelerated. Filming is expected to begin within the next one to two months.

Picking out the two low-budget films "Sisters" and "Metropolitan" from Sundance, Simon completely let go of the producers below.

As for the "Blue Angel", Simon just had a mentality of "men make money and women spend money", so he let go more thoroughly. Catherine can do whatever she wants, and if she loses, she loses it. Whoever let it be herself What about women.

In the end, apart from the four reality shows that are still in the pipeline, there is only "Batman" under the control of Simon himself.

After the regular meeting in the morning, Daenerys Pictures started the first round of casting for the leading actor of "Batman" that afternoon.

Simon has released the harsh conditions of playing Bruce Wayne in advance.

With five film contracts and a 15-year contract period, Daenerys Pictures fully grasps the terms of the contract with the initiative in remuneration.

Not surprisingly, just these three terms made all the first-tier stars in Hollywood who tried to get the role of Batman retreated, and most of the second-tier stars also made the same choice.

However, Hollywood's biggest advantage is that there is never a shortage of actors.

Even though Daenerys Films put forward many other restrictive conditions under several strict signing conditions, the company still received more than 1200 resumes before the first round of casting, which is almost a large-scale audition, Simon Naturally, there is not enough time to participate in person.The casting work in the afternoon is entirely in the charge of several casting directors.

There will be no in-person interviews in the first round, but most of the people will be eliminated by reviewing resumes and performance videos. In the end, only about 200 people will enter the second round.

Simon also knows that such an operation will definitely cause many actors with good qualifications to fail, and even some private goods will be entrained by several casting directors.But this world is like this. If you meet the conditions and are eliminated, it can only be said that they are unlucky. If you do not meet the conditions but can enter the second round of auditions through your network, that is also your strength.

It is enough to think about things like fairness when you are dreaming.

Meanwhile, Simon came to Culver City with Amy in the afternoon.

Culver City is east of Beverly City and north of Santa Monica.Compared with Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Burbank and other cities, Culver City is not too conspicuous in the Greater Los Angeles urban area. The reason why Simon rushed here was mainly because the former MGM studio was in Culver City. Downtown Verde.

MGM's owner, casino mogul Kirk Kerkorian, was in the process of turning MGM into a hotel company when the more than half-century-old MGM Studios was sold to a company called Lorimar Telepictures. TV show production company.

In the previous few years, with the support of hot money pouring into the entertainment industry, Lorimar was also expanding aggressively.

With the outbreak of the stock market crash and the current Hollywood strike, compared with New World Entertainment, Lorimar, which has a more single-minded business field, will inevitably be in trouble. If it weren't for some information from other people in his memory, Simon had never even heard of Lorimar in his previous life. This company.

Now, Lorimar is already seeking to sell assets under his name to avoid bankruptcy.

The MGM studio with a long history is undoubtedly the most valuable property under Lorimar.It took half a day to go around the MGM studio with an area of ​​[-] hectares, and Simon and Amy left together.Facing Amy's inquiring eyes, Simon just shook his head regretfully.

Lorimar's asking price for the MGM studio is not expensive, $1 million.

However, Simon found that most of the studios and buildings on the set were dilapidated. If Daenerys Pictures bought it, it would cost at least another $1 million to repair it.Moreover, although it has a long history, the location of the MGM studio is really not satisfactory to Simon.

The MGM studio is relatively close to Beverly Hills, but it is far away from Malibu, which is thirty or forty kilometers away.Simon plans to live in Malibu. If he buys the MGM studio, he will spend at least two or three hours a day just on the way to work.

Chapter 162 Financial Issues (Revised)

After get off work, because there is a party to be held, Simon returned to Malibu on time today.

This matter has to go back to the purchase of Dumei Point Park. After several months of operation, George Norman has settled the state government, but if Simon wants to get Dumei Point Park, he still needs to solve the problems of the local residents in Malibu. question.

Although the local residents of Malibu rarely pay attention to Yidumei Point Park on weekdays, more tourists who visit Malibu like to climb to the sharp corner of the cliff to look at the sea.But Dumei Point Park is a public place in Malibu after all, and only with the approval of community residents can Simon completely transform it into private property.

Tonight's party is mainly for representatives of the community board and some important residents.

Because of Simon's personal habits, the party was held at Jenny's villa on the east side of Cape Dume Park.

Just after entering the door, Janet, who was directing the staff of the party company to prepare for the scene, came over and said to Simon in a low voice: "I've done it, our foundation will donate 100 million US dollars to fund the construction of Cape Dumei Elementary School and Middle School , and will participate in the lobbying of Malibu to build an independent city. Then, they will vote for us to buy Dumei Point Park. Tonight you just need to eat, drink and chat with them."

The real estate bubble in North America in the 80s promoted a peak period of Malibu construction, but Malibu really became hot from the 90s, especially after Larry Ellison hyped Malibu real estate.

Now Malibu is not an independent city, but a district under the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County, and it is far less famous than it was later.

In recent years, Malibu residents have been seeking to build a city on their own.According to California law, after obtaining municipal status, Malibu will no longer be subject to the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County government, and can independently formulate laws and reject various municipal plans of the Los Angeles County government.

In recent years, with the rapid development of the urban area, the Los Angeles County government has been trying to extend many engineering projects to Malibu, and Malibu residents have continued to resist the highways, sewage pipes and even nuclear power plant plans that the county government wants to block.

It is conceivable that if any one of the above-mentioned projects settles in Malibu, it will be difficult to become a livable paradise.

therefore.

If a super rich man like Simon with strong financial resources can settle in Malibu, it will definitely promote the development of this area.In comparison, a state park that is basically just a bushland on weekdays is insignificant, and the choices residents will make are self-evident.

The evening party is over, and things are no longer suspenseful.

Inside the mansion on the west side of Cape Dume.

In the bedroom, after taking a shower, Simon walked to the bed and kissed Janet on the face of Janet, who was leaning on the bed and flipping through magazines, and asked, "In the evening, you said that you would donate 100 million US dollars to the elementary and middle schools in Malibu. ?”

"Yes," Janet nodded, but said, "It's not a donation. There are no such schools in Malibu yet. The residents have always wanted to build them, but unfortunately the county government doesn't give money."

Simon picked up Janet's light body and threw it to the other side of the big bed, sat down on the bed himself, and asked, "This is a good thing, why don't you give me money?"

Janet was thrown away by Simon, pretending to be angry and photographing him with a magazine, saying: "The county government wanted to build a sewage pipeline extending from Santa Monica two years ago, but it was rejected by this side. , and many other things have been blocked. The residents here are so disobedient, it’s no wonder they are willing to pay money.”

"Since this is the case, let's donate more and build the school better. Our little guy will go to school here in the future."

"A million dollars is a lot, and besides, our little guy is not going to school here, he must go to the best private school."

"Okay," Simon nodded, and said, "Mom decides about going to school."

Janet giggled, seeing Simon was about to turn off the lights, and said: "One more thing, the shell company that Bingshan helped us set up has recently negotiated a new building, and all property rights including the land are added to it. $3000 million together."

Saying so, Janet leaned over and opened the drawer of the bedside table, took out a document from it, opened it, found a planar map on it and showed it to Simon.

To replicate the 'Avengers Tower' in Manhattan, Simon needed to buy six buildings east of Madison Avenue between 59th and 60th Streets.

It got a lot easier after the housing bust that accompanied the stock market crash last year.The selected land is not at the level of the "center of the universe" next to Fifth Avenue. The shell company that Aunt Janet helped to set up had previously bought two buildings for US$2000 million and US$3500 million respectively.Counting the current building, Simon has obtained half of the land he needs.

Simon looked at the information of the other three buildings marked on the floor plan, including a 16-story apartment building, which was the tallest of the six buildings, and was obviously the most difficult bone to crack: "Next, I want to continue Isn't it difficult to buy?"

Janet also reached out and clicked on the apartment building, saying: "It is difficult to persuade the residents in this building to sell the house together. There are two options. For those residents who are unwilling to sell their properties, one is We bought an equivalent apartment nearby and let them move there, and the other is to replace it with the properties of our future building.”

Simon said: "Choose the first option as much as possible. Our building plan is not convenient to disclose right now."

"I think so too," Janet nodded, and said, "However, Simon, you have to pay attention to your financial situation recently."

The original two buildings have already cost $5500 million, including the next $3000 million that needs to be spent, and this is already $8500 million.

The $3 million that Simon previously sold Motorola stock to cash in was not much left after several months of spending. Moreover, James Raybould has been investing in new technology companies in accordance with Simon's instructions. The money is no longer enough to pay for the next 3000 million US dollars to buy a building.

Daenerys Pictures' financial position eased as "Death Comes" and "When Harry Met Sally" generated revenue.But if Simon is going to find a studio for the company, it must be a big investment.

Money is needed everywhere.

Moreover, because of the public commitment in the process of reducing its holdings of Motorola stock, Simon will need to continue to cash out funds from the stock market next year.

"Raybould will come from New York tomorrow. I'll talk to him first." After thinking for a moment, Simon said, "Besides, compared to the assets under my name, my current personal debt ratio is still very low. The bank must be very happy Can you lend me money?"

Janet said: "Of course, but you don't like borrowing money at all, do you?"

"Yes," Simon nodded, and said, "Speaking of which, you hid the IOUs I wrote back then. I should be able to get them back now, right?"

"I don't plan to give it to you anymore, I want you to owe me a lifetime."

"Too vicious."

"uh-huh."

The next day, James Raybould came to Los Angeles and brought Simon the news that he still needed to spend money.

Fortunately, it is all good news that Simon likes to hear.

"The valuation of Cisco's new round of financing was finally confirmed to be 1.2 million U.S. dollars. We invested 1800 million U.S. dollars and obtained 15% of the company's shares. In addition, Quantum Link, a small company that just wants to break away from Apple's recent Cooperate and operate independently. After negotiation, we invested 500 million US dollars and obtained 25% of the company's shares. At the same time, I got the priority right for the next round of financing of Quantum Link. The next step is..."

James Raybould recently negotiated equity investments in five companies.

However, Simon actually cared about only two of them.

Needless to say, Cisco, the super giant with a market value of more than 90 billion US dollars in the new technology wave in the late 6000s, has long been targeted by Simon.

Take 1800% of Cisco’s shares for US$15 million. Even if it will be diluted in the next few years, even if only 10% is left, at the top of Cisco’s stock price, the value of this share will reach US$600 billion, and the return rate exceeds Three thousand times.

What's more, Simon will naturally not be satisfied with the current shareholding ratio, and will definitely continue to increase its holdings in the future.

Another Quantum Link was found after a careful search by Simon.

The Chinese transliteration of Quantum is 'Kunteng', and the English original meaning is 'quantum', so many technology companies like to use the word Quantum.As for Quantum Link, this company is still relatively unknown, but its later name is a household name-AOL.

What Simon remembers most is the collapse after the merger of AOL and Time Warner around the new millennium.

At its peak, the total market value of AOL Time Warner after the merger exceeded US$3000 billion, but just a few years later, with the bursting of the Internet bubble, AOL's market value fell by more than 90%, and Time Warner was also severely damaged.

However, before the dot-com bubble burst, AOL was definitely a very worthwhile company to invest in.What's more, taking 500% of AOL's shares for US$25 million, considering the market value of AOL's peak period of more than US$1600 billion, this is completely copying the price of cabbage on the soles of its feet.

After taking the equity of these two companies, even if the investment in the other three companies is completely lost, it is completely worthwhile.

"As for the Qualcomm company in San Diego, they currently have no financing plans, but the other party also said that if there is such an intention, they will contact us. Simon, the total amount of these five investments is 6500 million U.S. dollars, but Westeros Now there is only 2855 million US dollars left on the company's books, if you are sure that there is no problem, we may need to make a loan."

Cashing out Motorola's more than 3 million US dollars of funds, in addition to part of the reserved tax, Simon spent more than half of his shares in Microsoft and other companies, and bought a series of copyrights such as "Lord of the Rings" and spent a lot of money, as well as the two Manhattan buildings. Building expenses.

Now there are 2855 million left, which is considered too much.

Thinking in his heart, Simon recalled the Gulfstream IV business jet he had ordered before. The price of the bare metal was 1600 million U.S. dollars. Including the decoration cost, it would cost about 1800 million U.S. dollars.

At the beginning, Simon only paid a part of the deposit, and the plane will be delivered next month, just enough for Simon to fly to Europe to participate in the Cannes Film Festival in France.But again, Simon also needs to pay the remaining balance, which is another expense.

The budget of the Manhattan building, the investment budget of five technology companies, and the budget of private jets, just these three items need about [-] million US dollars.

It is impossible for Simon to sell his shares in the Westeros Corporation.Because of the limited liability company nature of Westeros Corporation, it is very difficult to issue bonds publicly.So a loan was basically Simon's only option.

Although he doesn't like borrowing money in his bones, Simon also knows that borrowing money is necessary to expand his business rapidly.

Moreover, compared to Simon's current net worth, which is only a loan from Daenerys Films, his personal debt ratio is less than 10%, which is definitely very low among the rich, and the bank is definitely willing to lend him money .

After a careful discussion with James Raybould, Simon made a decision to continue lending [-] million US dollars.

After dealing with personal financial issues, April is also drawing to a close without knowing it.

After two weeks of continuous release, the North American box office of "When Harry Met Sally" exceeded 7000 million US dollars, which is already the top ten threshold of the North American box office list last year.Although the single-week box office fell below 800 million U.S. dollars, as the film continues to be released, "When Harry Met Sally" has a domestic box office of over [-] million.

The selection of the leading actor in "Batman" has been going on, and this matter has inevitably become the focus of heated discussions in the media. The five-film contract and the 15-year contract period have made many people think that Simon Westeros has gone crazy. up.The contract was dubbed by one newspaper as 'Hollywood's slavery contract'.

No matter how the outside world comments, Daenerys Pictures has no intention of making concessions, and is still advancing its plan step by step.

While taking care of the casting of "Batman", Simon is also arranging to move the two special effects software companies to Los Angeles.

Wavefront Technologies in San Francisco is relatively easy to manage. Americans do not have the habit of resettling their homes, and Hollywood film and television dramas have a rampant pattern of triggering plots through relocation.

Simon selected an office building in Santa Monica, and most of the employees moved there quickly.Alias ​​Research in Toronto is in some trouble, because it is a Canadian company and involves overseas labor issues, but it will basically be resolved within the next few months.

The thing about the set.

Simon can see that Amy is obviously looking forward to him being able to buy the MGM studio in Culver City, because in the past Simon wanted to spend a lot of money to invest in some projects, and Amy would always persuade him, but this time he didn't.

But after careful consideration, Simon decided to postpone the matter.

He really didn't feel much about the MGM set.Even compared to Fox's Century City studio, Paramount's Hollywood studio, and Universal and Warner's Burbank studio, Culver City's MGM studio is just a pure real estate with little value-added potential.

Moreover, Simon is also looking forward to establishing a brand new shooting base.

So busy, in May, the Gulfstream IV business jet purchased by Simon was successfully delivered, and the Cannes Film Festival is coming.

Chapter 163 Cannes (Revised)

The opening time of the Cannes Film Festival is May 5.

On May 5th, Simon and his team set off from Los Angeles and flew to New York on the Gulfstream IV just received, and then flew directly to Cannes.