Rebirth of the Tech Madman

It's still the same reason, the time traveler is not necessarily the smartest, and the creativity around the movie has long been manipulated by people of this era.

It can be said that Jaws in 1975 and Star Wars in 1977 played an important demonstration role in the establishment of Hollywood's modern commercial blockbuster model.

When Jaws was released in North America on June 20, 1975, the number of screens was 464, which was already very impressive at the time. At the same time, Universal also invested a lot of advertising to hype the high-concept marketing concept.

As a result, countless merchandise attempts to capitalize on the movie's release, including soundtrack records, T-shirts, plastic cups, books about the making of the movie, the original novel about the movie, beach towels, blankets, shark-looking clothing, toy sharks, Hobby kits, games, posters, necklaces made of shark teeth, pajamas, water guns...

One of the board games, developed by a toy company, involves players using a hook to pull out the contents of the shark before it closes its mouth.

Therefore, Spielberg was not too surprised by the side request made by Tang Huan. He was surprised that the other party seemed to have more confidence in the commercial value of this work than himself. Perhaps this is the relationship between billionaires and ordinary people. One of the differences, when doing things, you are qualified to make decisions based on your preferences.

This will be a movie with children as protagonists. I'm afraid in terms of commercial returns, really... Spielberg had to remind again.

Because he estimated that a big Hollywood boss like Tang Huan might only focus on the box office.

This year, the box office is less than 100 million. I'm ashamed to call it a success.

At the beginning, 1941 had a box office of more than 90 million. The distance of over 100 million is just around the corner. The result disappointed Columbia and Universal.

Now I must learn from experience and lessons, and take preventive injections in advance, lest it will be difficult to end when the time comes.

You don't have to worry so much, I really like this subject. Tang Huan dispelled the other party's concerns in a firm tone, and continued talking about starting a company to operate the film.

How to make Spielberg and Sid Schinberg, who has the grace of supporting and supporting him, gradually drift away, and then transplant this cash cow from Universal to United Artists?

There is no doubt that it is naturally a benefit.

Spielberg's friend George? Lucas, as early as 1971 in San Francisco, California established - Lucasfilm Limited. Needless to say, he has gained both fame and fortune by operating American Graffiti and Star Wars.

Moreover, Raiders of the Lost Ark, which is directed by Spielberg and is currently in the later stage, is George Lucas' producer, and it operates under the framework of Lucasfilm.

Tang Huan didn't believe it, and Spielberg was not envious of George Lucas's wealth.

It is true that Sid Hinberg and Universal promoted Spielberg, but it was only at the pure work level. Spielberg could not get rid of his identity as a migrant worker, and Tang Huan wanted to support Spielberg to become a Bosses and producers like George Lucas, to achieve the purpose of revenge for poaching Sid Hinberg and Universal.

This e.t. movie should be produced through this company. Tang Huan set the prerequisites calmly. Just leave me 20% of the shares, the specific structure. And other shareholders, you decide for yourself.

Seeing that Spielberg did not object, Tang Huan continued: As for the method of remuneration, whether it is fixed or divided into calculations, the choice is free.

It is no exaggeration to say that Tang Huan's corporal courtesy is close to the extreme.

There is no way around this. Spielberg has the capital to go back to Sid Schinberg and Universal for help. If he wants to poach people, he can't be small.

Moreover, blue-chip stocks like Spielberg naturally have to be held for a long time, and it is impossible to just do a one-shot deal.

In addition, you have the right to make decisions about the peripheral production of movies and video game adaptations, and abide by the principle of the highest bidder wins, but the company under my name should be given priority. For example, video game adaptations should have been handed over to EA, but if someone is willing If EA has no intention of following up with $30 million, EA will lose the video game adaptation. This is just an example, and the specific rules will be stipulated in detail later. Tang Huan looked at Spielberg with a smile, What else do you have? needs, speak directly.”

Spielberg listened carefully all the time, and he already understood that Tang Huan was trying to win him over.

Although he saw this, Spielberg couldn't refuse this plan that seemed to be beneficial to him, and he was even embarrassed to say I'll go back and think about it as a buffer.

Seeing Spielberg nod his head in agreement, Tang Huan smiled gratifiedly. It was really not easy for him to successfully complete the first step of his revenge.

You know, Spielberg has been in Hollywood for many years, and he has already understood the rules and become a veteran in the industry, especially when there are successful examples like George Lucas for reference.

During the filming of Star Wars, George Lucas gave up the salary he could get in exchange for directing and owning the film.

This decision netted him billions of dollars in royalties directly from all the game, toy and collectible franchises.

In the original time and space, Forbes Online once estimated that in George Lucas's lifetime, the income generated by the Star Wars franchise was close to 20 billion US dollars.

So far, two Star Wars films have been released. Facts have proved that George Lucas's management method of controlling film ownership is extremely successful.

Therefore, Tang Huan spent a lot of thought on not only releasing the bait to win over Spielberg, but also achieving a balance of benefit distribution.

Now that a consensus has been reached, Tang Huan still has to sit in charge and urge its implementation, lest Sid Schinberg and Universal discover the signs.

In order to speed up the progress, Tang Huan specially gave up his Learjet 35, a small business jet that can take 8 people, to pick up Spielberg.

As a result, a film company named Amblin Entertainment was quickly established. Its name comes from Spielberg's 1968 film short film . The location is located near the headquarters of United Artists.

in addition. Spielberg brought in two partners. kathleen kennedy - kathleen kennedy and - frank marshall.

The former was appreciated by Spielberg when Spielberg was filming the movie 1941 in 1979 and served as Spielberg's secretary.

The latter worked with Spielberg during the filming of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

According to the development of the historical track, these two will become a famous couple in Hollywood, especially Catherine Kennedy, who is one of the few gold medal producers.

Although Tang Huan valued Spielberg, he couldn't keep his eyes on Amblin Entertainment. So he launched his own agent and asked Lin Qingxia to serve as the director.

In Tang Huan's view, Lin Qingxia's so-called reading now may not be able to learn any real materials. It is better to learn from practice. Didn't he invest 10 million U.S. dollars in production funds for e.t. With this convenience, let him hang up a false job, just watch but not talk, and have a good experience.

The establishment of Amblin Entertainment and the establishment of e.t. It was announced that Tang Huan had succeeded in intercepting Hu, and the revenge action came to an end for the time being. And the hidden ultimate move is also ready.

If the other party dares to swallow the bait, then follow the historical trajectory to bring about their own destruction, otherwise, EA will take it and make money honestly.

As a technology tycoon in Silicon Valley, Tang Huan naturally wanted to lead the members of Amblin Entertainment to visit his base camp.

Although Industrial Light and Magic is unique in film special effects, my personal computer may also be able to help. Tang Huan proudly introduced multimedia processing technologies such as graphics, images, and sound that are still in the incubation stage, which really made people Spielberg and others were curious, and at the same time opened their eyes.

I also got advertising sponsorship for this movie, including EA, Fangyuan Computer, Zheru, and Shisi Candy, etc. After the visit, Tang Huan handed Spielberg a form, You decide which ones are available.

Spielberg took a closer look, and at the same time he understood that Tang Huan wanted to hitch a ride to advertise in a subtle way. Fortunately, these products are still very reliable in sci-fi movies.

I really like this script, so I spent time thinking about it. What should this alien look like? Finally, I drew it. Tang Huan took a painting with a smile and unfolded it for everyone to see.

When Catherine Kennedy and Lin Qingxia saw such an ugly alien, their faces showed disapproval. Lin Qingxia even said bluntly, It's so ugly.

No way, I used the faces of Carl Sandburg, Albert Einstein, and Ernest Hemingway for the facial design of aliens. Tang Huan made a haha ​​in embarrassment. There is indeed a time gap in aesthetics.

This is such an ugly thing that only its mother will love it. Spielberg muttered to himself as he read the inscription on the painting, and couldn't help but startled thoughtfully.

At this time, the subordinates reported to Tang Huan that a manager of MGM asked for a meeting, and claimed to represent the boss Kirk Kerkorian to discuss business.

Even if he has business, he shouldn't have come to me directly, he should have contacted Lianmei. Tang Huan muttered puzzledly, then waved his hand, Invite someone over here.

It has been several years since MGM's publishing work has been entrusted to United Artists. The two companies have close business contacts, but so far, they have not communicated at the boss level.

Seeing Spielberg staring at the painting in a daze, Tang Huan joked, My painter is not bad.

Don, you are a veritable man of many talents. Spielberg gave a serious compliment, then pointed to the painting and said, Seeing the alien you drew, I was suddenly touched. Would you like to give me this painting to study?

Of course there is no problem. Tang Huan laughed, thinking that of course you will be touched. The reason why I drew the appearance of e.t. is to save you the time and money wasted in choosing the e.t. model.

Everyone was discussing the painting, and the MGM guy was brought in.

Can we arrange a separate place to talk? The other party looked at Spielberg and the others with hesitation on his face.

Tang Huanxin said. How can that work? It is precisely this form that I want to use. Come to convey trust and respect to Spielberg.

If you have something to say, just say it clearly, here are all our own people. Tang Huan waved his hand grandly.

Then... alright. The other party nodded helplessly, My boss, Mr. Kirk Kerkorian, believes that MGM and United Artists have long-term cooperation, complement each other's strengths, and they have a tacit understanding. Once done, is Mr. Tang willing to buy MGM?

Originally in the office. While Spielberg was appreciating the painting, Lin Qingxia explained in a low voice the various cultural relics and decorations Tang Huan had collected for Katherine Kennedy and Frank Marshall. It seemed so quiet that one could hear a pin drop on the ground.

Hearing what the other party said, Tang Huan couldn't help frowning. Even if the MGM Grand Hotel burned down last year and suffered heavy losses, it wouldn't make Kirk Kerkorian unable to survive and sell MGM.

You know, it was 1981 in the original time and space. MGM could buy United Artists from Pan Am for $350 million. It seems that they are not affected by the fire, and they want to spend money to do a big job.

But after thinking about it, he couldn't tell.

According to media reports, Kirk Kerkorian has now completely separated the MGM Hotel and MGM Films into two parts.

The significance of doing so is self-evident, so as not to drag each other down.

Before the fire broke out, Kirk Kerkorian naturally didn't care that MGM's toy was losing money, but isn't the hotel and casino business suffering a serious setback now?

If he hadn't bought United Artists, MGM would have taken United Artists under his account, which is equivalent to picking up the previously abandoned distribution business and adding the cash cow of 007.

But now that there is no United Artists to make up for its shortcomings, MGM Films seems to be unable to find a way to break through the decadent situation, and Kirk Kerkorian has also lost patience, so he has the idea of ​​simply selling .

After a quick analysis in his mind, Tang Huan asked slowly, May I know Mr. Kirk Kirkorian, how much is the price for MGM?

About US$1 billion. The other party observed Tang Huan's expression and answered carefully.

Tang Huan nodded secretly, thinking that it wasn't too dark.

In 1986, in the original time and space, Kirk Kerkorian sold MGM and United Artists to - Ted Turner, the owner of Turner Broadcasting Company - Ted Turner for $1.5 billion.

The latter founded the world's first TV news channel in 1980 - Cable News Network or CNN. Needless to say, he has a business vision, and he is interested in MGM's huge movie library.

But after the transaction was completed, the skilled Ted Turner immediately sold United Artists back to Kirk Kerkorian for $480 million.

So from that perspective, it seems like MGM is worth the price.

But Tang Huan was not moved. Lianmei was being digested and integrated smoothly. He didn't want to be dragged down by the bottomless pit of MGM, and he didn't have that spare money. The funds raised by EA, in addition to dealing with possible In addition to industry risks, it is also planned for investment in new fields.

Sorry, I don't have the financial resources to buy MGM, so I can only live up to Mr. Kirk Kerkorian's kindness. Tang Huan shrugged.

Tang Huan refused so cleanly that the other party couldn't help being a little stunned, Now the media say that you are the richest man in the United States. Isn't it a trivial matter to buy MGM with casual financing? At that time, you will be the only The bosses of two Hollywood Big Eight companies.

Hearing the other party's obvious persuasion, Tang Huan laughed noncommittally.

It is estimated that the myth of wealth deliberately created and whitewashed by Wall Street has made most Americans take it for granted that they can really do everything they want, and they can buy whatever they want.

And maybe some people will come to the conclusion that he can't get rid of the common problems of being young and frivolous, and being overjoyed. As long as he grasps this point, he can succeed in sucking blood.

Seeing that Tang Huan was there and seemed to really have no intention of making an acquisition, the other party couldn't help being anxious, One billion US dollars is only a preliminary price, and there is still room for negotiation, and the transaction method can also be flexibly combined, such as cash and stocks, both are acceptable. of.

No matter what the media says about my wealth, I know in my heart that I really don't have the strength to buy MGM. Please convey my thanks to Mr. Kirk Kerkorian. Tang Huan didn't accept the offer, and was polite He personally sent the other party out of the door and apologized repeatedly.

When Tang Huan returned to the office, Spielberg and others, who watched a gossip up close, stood up and said goodbye.

No matter what difficult difficulties you encounter in the e.t. project, you can contact me directly. Tang Huan endorsed in front of Spielberg, If there are other good ideas for new scripts, You can also contact United Artists, I believe everyone will be satisfied.”

Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall nodded in agreement. The three were genuinely happy. They felt that they had really met the best benefactor who was generous and considerate.

When the car of the three of them disappeared from sight, Tang Huan hugged Lin Qingxia's slender waist and smiled confidently, everything was under control. (To be continued..)

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