America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM

Chapter 290 288. Don't blame me for attacking your girlfriend

"Crazy! Frozen has surpassed $1 billion at the box office, becoming the sixth movie in history to have grossed over $1 billion, and also the fastest movie to achieve this goal."

"For your information, the movies that have grossed over $1 billion worldwide are Jurassic Park at $1.1 billion, Titanic at $1.84 billion, Star Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace at $1.03 billion, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at $1.02 billion, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King at $1.15 billion, and Frozen, a new member of the $1 billion club at $1.04 billion."

"Now standing in the way of Frozen are dinosaurs, Middle-earth knights, and that big ship, and the Jedi Knights and Hogwarts wizards have fallen one after another."

"With the impact of Frozen, it will be screened on a large scale for at least two weeks, and Spielberg and Peter Jackson will have to admit defeat, but if you want to There is no chance to surpass James Cameron. "

"It is impossible to surpass the big ship, but think about it from another angle. The economic value created by the big ship is actually far less than that of "Frozen". The peripheral sales of the latter in more than a month have surpassed those of the big ship for several years, and with the participation of Hasbro, it will create more. "

"MGM broke through Disney's defense with "Frozen". According to insiders, Mickey Mouse's senior management was very angry, especially the Disney model of singing and dancing in "Frozen". It is rumored that Disney plans to launch Snow White, Mermaid, Mulan and other princesses to fight against Elsa and Anna. "

"Eric Cooper is definitely a business wizard. He seems to have anticipated many results long ago. Taking over Hasbro at this time has formed a strong boost to peripheral sales. "

The outside world's discussion of "Frozen" is still hot, and Eric is working with Judy, Chen Xing and others on special effects at Weta Digital and Peter Jackson.

"Very good, you did a great job, this is the effect I want, but there is still a small gap, I hope it can be more refined." Eric pointed to the special effects made for "Inception" on the screen and said.

Although it is already very good at the level of Weta Digital, it is close to the complex texture dynamics of Transformers, but Eric still hopes to achieve the best in detail processing.

"Are you not satisfied?" Peter Jackson looked over.

"I am satisfied with the other plots, but I hope this part will be better, especially the folding special effects of these buildings are the focus of the movie, I hope it will be more shocking."

"Do you want the kind of special effects that people will remember for a lifetime after seeing it once?"

"You are right!" Eric nodded heavily.

"Sorry, that's impossible."

"Uh"

Peter Jackson shrugged: "Technology will continue to develop and progress, and special effects will be eliminated sooner or later. What you have seen now has done the best of Weta Digital. We have used the latest developed technology."

"Well, since we have tried our best, I can't ask for more."

"In fact, it is not completely impossible. There is a way to try." After a moment of silence, Peter Jackson suddenly changed the subject.

"What's the solution?"

"I've watched Frozen several times. The part where Elsa sings solo in the mountains is the essence of the special effects of the entire movie, especially the beautiful details, so."

"So what? Peter, you're not a hesitant person."

Peter Jackson laughed a few times with embarrassment: "Then I'll tell you, you have a very good relationship with DreamWorks, can you ask them to share the technology for this special effect and integrate it with Weta Digital's technology? I'm sure it will be more perfect."

Eric rolled his eyes. So this guy had this idea.

"Peter, I'm afraid I can't ask you for this. After all, it's a new technology that DreamWorks has just developed. They will definitely not release it."

"Everything depends on human effort. How can we know if we don't try it? Besides, it's not for nothing. Weta Digital is also willing to share some of its own technology. We can learn from each other's strengths and make up for each other's weaknesses."

"Is this called learning from each other's strengths and making up for each other's weaknesses? I think you are planning to squeeze DreamWorks dry. They are not a professional special effects company and they are definitely not as good as Weta Digital."

"I would rather the special effects are slightly worse than this big eye roll. If you want, you can develop it yourself. DreamWorks can do it. Don't tell me Weta Digital can't do it."

The bearded man laughed and said, "Being able to do it and how long it takes to do it are two different things. What the market needs is efficiency , who wants to spend a lot of effort on research and development when they can pick up ready-made ones, and do you think research and development technology is simple? "

"I think I am better than Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic in special effects, but iterating technology is also a very expensive behavior."

"Don't you have preferential subsidies from the New Zealand government? You are New Zealand's national treasure director, the face of the card!"

"Why do I feel that your words are not sincere but sarcastic? The face of the card can't be eaten. The country does have subsidies, but the amount is also limited."

"And since the war in the Middle East, the funding has been reduced. I don't know how much money will actually be received this year. Who would complain about too much money?"

"By the way, now you are a billionaire, and you are about to squeeze into the top ten of the Forbes list. How about lending some money to Weta Digital?"

Eric refused without a second thought, because he knew very well that Peter Jackson's loan was pure loan, not a share.

As a company with New Zealand background, Weta Digital is not a company that can be entered casually, and Big Beard does not have this power.

Besides, Peter Jackson does not have the final say in the company. There are two decision makers besides him, and the three of them have to discuss such major matters.

Eric has always wanted to establish a special effects department belonging to MGM. He has been working hard for this since he took over the company, but the progress is not fast.

The special effects field is too professional, and most of the talents are monopolized by Industrial Light \u0026 Magic and Weta Digital.

Even if MGM purchases the most advanced hardware in the world today, without the support of software technology, it cannot play the effect of the equipment, which is far worse than these two professional companies.

The best way to set up your own special effects department is not to start from scratch, but to acquire them.

As Big Beard just said, who wants to spend a lot of effort on research and development if they can pick up ready-made ones.

However, acquisition is not easy to carry out. Weta Digital is excluded first. I remember that it was sold to the outside once.

The game company Unity acquired the special effects system for rendering hair and fur for $1.6 billion. Note that it was just this one technology, not the whole company.

Don't think it's too expensive. It's good that they are willing to sell it.

Relatively speaking, it's easier to acquire Industrial Light \u0026 Magic. Lucas is really willing to sell it if the price is right.

Disney bought Lucas' company for $4 billion, including Industrial Light \u0026 Magic, Skywalker Post-production Company, and game companies.

However, Lucas accepted the acquisition model of cash plus shares at the beginning. It is impossible to kick him out completely. After the acquisition, Lucas also became the second largest individual shareholder of Disney.

The largest one is Apple's Steve Jobs, from whom Disney acquired Pixar Animation.

After leaving Weta Digital, Eric has been lingering with this idea in his mind.

"What are you thinking about? You don't look right."

"Huh?"

"You're in a daze, and you've been for several minutes. You've become a fool."

"Ahem. If you talk like that, I'll fire you."

"Do you dare?"

"You can try!"

He found that after the last incident, Judy became more and more unbridled, and privately she gradually ignored him as her boss.

Damn it, knowing that she couldn't do anything to her, she was arrogant with confidence.

"Well, I'm just thinking about the special effects company. It's not a long-term solution to always rely on others. We need to have our own cards in our hands."

"Isn't MGM doing it?"

"But it's too slow."

"Then buy it, acquire a ready-made one."

"I don't want junk."

"If you want a good one, there is no choice. The only one left in front of you is Industrial Light and Magic, but Lucas must be reluctant to sell it. Is he 70 years old?"

"I don't know, but it doesn't look like it. Maybe 60."

"Hehe. 60 is still too early to retire, unless you can make him seriously ill."

Eric pointed to her mouth: "Watch your words and deeds, lady."

Who knew that Judy leaned over her head, then bit his finger and sucked it back and forth.

Seeing her licking the corner of her mouth seductively, Eric secretly cursed her as a little bitch.

"Don't pretend you don't know. Although the press conference was held with sincerity, there are rumors that you poisoned Allen and forced him to retire."

"Bullshit! I haven't even met him, how could I poison him?"

"Oh? That's not right. Didn't you say you knew him very well? You even took a plane to visit him. You're so close that you almost wear the same pants."

"Uh"

"You let it slip, didn't you? Then you might as well think of a way to get George Lucas to retire quickly, and he will naturally sell Lucasfilm."

Eric snorted coldly: "Judy Newhouse, I find you a little too active, energetic, right?"

"Let me put it this way. If the work is not tiring, the contact with Lucas will be left to you. Try your best to convince him, and it would be best if you can acquire the whole set."

"Star Wars Episode 2 is far from meeting the standards in terms of box office and reputation. I don't believe Lucas has no ideas. Go and talk to him."

Judy's face fell: "Are you kidding me? You're assigning me work! I'm in charge of two departments now. , I can't even find time for a relationship."

"Hehe. Isn't it better if you can't find time? Don't forget that you promised your parents to be a good girl. Maybe they sent someone to watch you secretly. Don't show up."

"But I'm a young man, I have desires to vent."

"Use your hands. At worst, I'll give you a few toys. I'll prepare a set of various materials and models to ensure your satisfaction."

"Fuck you, I'm not that sad. You can assign me work, but don't blame me for using tricks on you if you squeeze my time."

"What? What tricks?"

"Hehe, the relationship between the Olsen sisters is definitely not normal. Every time I see them, my radar will buzz. Don't forget that I'm also the producer of "Blue Is the Warmest Color". Their every move can't escape these eyes. No, it should be said that all three of you can't escape."

"I don't have time for a relationship, so I can only attack your woman. This way, I can hide it from others and my parents won't find out."

"Uh, young people don't have martial ethics!"

"Cindy, this is a movie based on real events. Do you know the Warrens? They were famous psychics and exorcists in the last century."

"Don't talk nonsense Brenda, how can there be ghosts in this world? And exorcists? It's a joke. I heard this is a movie adapted from a novel."

"No, you have to believe it. I watched the interviews on the TV station back then, and they were all true."

"TV stations dare to say anything for the sake of ratings. Don't forget that "Blair Witch". Facts have proved that everything is marketing and a scam by the film company."

"Okay, let's not argue, but "The Conjuring" is James Wan's new work. I believe in that director. His taste is very unique."

"'Saw' and 'Get Out' are both very good, but 'Dead Silence' is really bad, but I also think he is very spiritual, and this 'The Conjuring' can definitely turn things around."

"It's very possible, haven't you noticed? His cooperation with MGM was successful, but his cooperation with Lionsgate failed. And this time Eric Cooper is the producer, so the quality of the film will be guaranteed. ”

In a cinema in Los Angeles, James Wan's new film "The Conjuring" has just landed on the big screen.

Among the excellent directors Eric knows, he is the second fastest shooter, always able to balance quality and efficiency.

As for the number one shooter, it is naturally Clint Eastwood, the master of Dongmu.

In Theater 2 next door, another new movie from MGM, "Mean Girls" directed by Eric's former assistant director Andrea, also landed on the big screen.

Both movies cost relatively little, with "Mean Girls" costing $15 million.

Since the Olsen sisters passed on, Rachel McAdams and Alexandra Daddario were cast in the lead roles.

The former was decided long ago, and the latter was selected through interviews, when Andrea reported the list to Eric's desk.

Seeing those beautiful blue eyes and that seductive face, Eric agreed without thinking.

As for Lindsay Lohan, who is on the other waiting list, what kind of hot chick stuff do you think you are worthy of competing with a husky girl?

Compared with "Mean Girls", "The Conjuring" cost less, only 13 million US dollars to complete. James Wan is really a Greek god in charge of saving money.

Since they were all low-budget and had original scripts, there were no big stars to support the scenes, Andrea was a new director, and James Wan had just split, so the big six didn't pay much attention, and they didn't even have the desire to snipe.

But they'll soon regret it, as The Conjuring shows just how great one of the most beloved horror franchises can be.