The Best Entertainment Era

Before Thanksgiving, the USC Film Academy Alumni Association headed by Ronan, George Lucas, Ron Howard and Robert Zemeckis held a party at the Beverly Hills clubhouse.

One thing I have to say, no matter on this side of the Pacific Ocean or the other side, a person's position in the alumni association is always closely related to social status and cannot be separated at all.

Therefore, Ronan became one of the directors of the alumni association even though his qualifications were not very deep.

The party's expenses were entirely borne by Ronan himself, and it was held in the form of a reception, the main purpose of which was to facilitate the connection between alumni.

The alumni of USC Film School have always been a big force in Hollywood.

As early as George Lucas promoted Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, the organization has been moving in the direction of group development.

Today, whether it is Spielberg's DreamWorks, Ronan's Relativity Entertainment, or George Lucas' Lucasfilm, there are many USC film school graduates.

In fact, make good use of the power of USC alumni.

Walking in the banquet hall, Jessica Felton whispered to Ronan: It is also very helpful for the Oscar.

Ronan said: I have thought of this a long time ago. Helping each other within the scope of our ability is one of the purposes advocated by the alumni association.

Jessica - Felton said: Yeah, I just saw David - Ellison.

Ronan nodded slightly: Although he dropped out of school, he is still an alumnus of USC. If someone helps introduce him, it's normal to come here.

Jessica Felton turned to look at Ronan: I remember that you are also a member of the dropout army.

I can't help it. Ronan said helplessly: At that time, if I didn't drop out of school and take over Shahai Entertainment, I would have gone bankrupt.

The two came together in a small circle, and Ronan greeted George Lucas, Ron Howard and Robert Zemeckis one by one, and then solemnly introduced Jessica Felton to them.

Compared with Ronan, Jessica Felton is a genuine graduate of USC Film Academy, and has a background in technology. She has many topics in common with George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis.

Jessica Felton, who is dressed up in evening gowns, is born with a lot of money, and also has a considerable reputation in the industry, and has attracted the attention of many people.

This is your official girlfriend? Ron Howard obviously misunderstood: Ronan, she is very suitable for you.

Ronan gratefully explained: It's a good friend, not a girlfriend.

Ron Howard understood: I heard many people in the academy mention Jessica, a very capable woman, which is rare in Hollywood.

Ronan was too lazy to say anything else, and glanced at Jessica Felton, who was chatting with George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis about computer CG technology.

This group of technical madmen seems to have endless things to say together.

CG production is inseparable from editing and synthesis. Jessica Felton talked about her experience: Using editing and synthesis technology can effectively reduce the cost of CG production...

She noticed Ronan's gaze, turned her head and smiled.

Robert Zemeckis said embarrassedly: When talking about new technologies, I always forget other things.

George Lucas said seriously: Jesse, I hope you can go to Industrial Light and Magic recently, your theory can help Industrial Light and Magic.

Ronan interjected, George, are you trying to poach someone in front of me?

George Lucas smiled and said, Don't worry,

I hired Jesse to teach theory at Industrial Light and Magic.

It's an honor, Jessica Felton said.

Ronan was just joking just now, and deliberately said: Jesse, I hope you can recruit some experts in special effects production from Industrial Light and Magic.

Several people couldn't help laughing.

George Lucas asked: I heard you got the live-action movie rights for those fairy tale animated feature films from Disney?

Yes. The agreement has been signed, and Ronan didn't need to hide it, and said: I always think that this is a very valuable asset. Unfortunately, I can't get the copyright of those classic animated feature films.

George Lucas said: That's the foundation of Disney, they can't sell it.

Ron Howard asked curiously at this time: Will there be a market for those cartoons to be made into live-action movies?

Computer special effects are developing rapidly, and it can be said that they are changing with each passing day. Ronan replied: Even with the current CG production technology, it is not very difficult to realize the beautiful world in fairy tales.

Jessica Felton added: It's going to be expensive to produce.

Ronan nodded: But the influence of these cartoons is huge, affecting more than one generation, and bringing a huge potential audience. Just like Alice in Wonderland that Robert is filming, as long as a real and dreamy fairy tale can be created In the world, I believe there will be many consumers willing to pay for it.”

George Lucas said: Your eye for filmmaking is unmatched, and I'm sure you'll be successful.

Robert Zemeckis said: Technology is the key to the success or failure of this type of film.

Ronan looked at the people around him and said, I've never worried about this. When it comes to technical control, I have Jesse.

I've heard it said, says Robert Zemeckis, that Jesse is a tech freak.

Jessica Felton said modestly: I still have to learn from you.

Several people got together and chatted for a while, and went to other places separately. Ronan chatted with several screenwriters about their scripts.

These are basically screenwriters who have been in the industry for a long time but have not made a breakthrough. They are currently working hard to create their own script projects.

Ronan can properly give the green light, but he will not give too much preferential treatment, let them directly send the electronic version of the script to his work mailbox, and he will reply to them no matter what the result is.

Then, Ronan saw the belated Steven Spielberg.

Although not a graduate of the USC Film Academy, Spielberg has always regarded himself as an alumnus of the USC Film Academy, and even donated to the USC Film Academy many times.

Ronan still remembers that Spielberg donated a building directly to the USC Film School.

Long time no see, Ronan. Spielberg immediately approached Ronan.

Ronan shook hands with him: Steven, you've been too busy recently.

Spielberg asked in a low voice: I heard Jeff Katzenberg say something about Disney, what are your plans?

Ronan, of course, would not be telling the truth, saying: Working with Disney is profitable.

Really? Spielberg didn't believe it: Why do I feel that your purpose is not simple?

Ronan laughed: What purpose can I have? I just want the company to benefit from it.

This sounded reasonable, and Spielberg didn't want to ask any more. Instead, he said: Jerry Katzenberg is a little disappointed that you support Michael Eisner.

Ronan understands Katzenberg's feud with Michael Eisner: I can only say sorry for that.

It is related to the great interests of Relativity Entertainment, and even Relativity Entertainment's future survival and development space in Hollywood. It is impossible for Ronan to harm himself just because he cares about someone's feelings or thoughts.

But Ronan also has doubts. What does Spielberg mean by specifically mentioning this?

Spielberg seemed to just mention something casually, as if he had no other purpose, and then said: Relativity Entertainment has been authorized by so many classic Disney animation films. Are you interested in cooperating with DreamWorks? We only participate in investment, not copyright and dominance.

Ronan did not expect that as soon as the authorization was obtained, someone came up to get a share of the action. It can only be said that Spielberg is indeed the best director among businessmen, and his sense of smell is quite sensitive.

Thank you DreamWorks for your kindness. Of course Ronan would not agree, and said nonsense: These projects are jointly developed by Relativity Entertainment and Walt Disney. Disney is the leader, and I have no right to decide to accept new investors.

After all, the news revealed to the outside world is that Disney and Relativity Entertainment are cooperating on a live-action movie project. Spielberg believed it somewhat, and said: When I have a chance, I will talk to Disney.

Ronan smiled and said, Yes. The three companies can share the risk by cooperating.

These scene words came out of his mouth without any hindrance.

Spielberg asked: By the way, we still have a directing contract, do you have a suitable film project?

At that time, Relativity Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation Studio amended the agreement, and after Shrek 3, they gave up the release of DreamWorks Animation Studio's feature films.

Spielberg directing a Relativity Entertainment film was one of the conditions.

Ronan shook his head slightly: Not yet, if there is a suitable project, I will send it to you as soon as possible.

Spielberg nodded: Okay. He pointed to the other side: I'll talk to George for a while.

The DreamWorks tycoon, who has been working to revive DreamWorks recently, seems to have regained his ambitions back then.

Of course, the process was not smooth.

Especially the relationship with Jeff Katzenberg has always been bumpy. The power struggle between the two has not been extinguished because DreamWorks is back on track.

Ronan had a lot of contact with Jeff Katzenberg before, and he can guess some of his thoughts. With the experience of being kicked out of Disney by Michael Eisner, Jeff Katzenberg cannot give up Power, especially the dominance of animation studios.

Even if the opponent is Spielberg, a well-known good guy in Hollywood circles.

When it comes to major interests and power struggles, there is no distinction between good and bad.

In the past six months, there have been rumors in Hollywood circles that DreamWorks Animation Studios and Universal Pictures have hooked up, as if Jeff Katzenberg is ready to abandon Spielberg at any time. .

To the extent that there are many rumors, this kind of thing cannot be completely false.

At least Katzenberg did reach out to Universal.