Back to 80: My Literary Life

The bosses of DreamWorks are a little anxious.

Today, the three founders of DreamWorks, Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, gathered in the office of DreamWorks headquarters in Glendale to discuss this matter.

"The Chinese are really dishonest. We were talking well, but suddenly stopped!" Jeffrey Katzenberg said with a somewhat unhappy tone.

Hearing Jeffrey Katzenberg complaining, David Geffen was complaining in his heart that you rejected the other party's acquisition at the beginning, and then asked for 800 million.

However, he also understood that Jeffrey Katzenberg was the CEO of DreamWorks Animation and had more feelings for DreamWorks Animation. He personally served as the producer of "Shrek 2" and hoped to make a comeback for DreamWorks.

But what he didn't expect was that the filming of "Shrek 2" was forced to be temporarily suspended due to funding!

This is actually due to Jeffrey Katzenberg himself: he hired computer talents at a high price, adopted breakthrough advanced lighting technology, developed "DCC technology", and even made 3D models of more than 6,000 characters in the movie.

The use of these technologies can improve the realism of the movie pictures, but it also greatly increased the expenditure. Most of the original budget of 70 million US dollars has been spent, and the completion of the movie is far away. It is estimated that the budget will exceed 100 million US dollars! This has made the company, which is already in financial crisis, even worse.

As a last resort, David Geffen, the president of DreamWorks, temporarily stopped the filming of the movie.

If it continues, even the employees' salaries will not be paid!

However, David Geffen did not express his opinion immediately, but looked at Spielberg who was sitting on the sofa and smoking a cigar silently: "Steven, what do you think?"

Spielberg was silent for a while and raised his head and said: "I want to talk to Fang Minghua again."

"Find Fang Minghua?"

"Yes, he is the planner and decision maker of the acquisition case. I want to hear what he thinks?" Spielberg said.

"What's the idea? This Chinese wants to take advantage of the situation and acquire DreamWorks Animation at a low price. Steven, don't be naive." Jeffrey Katzenberg sneered.

"Take advantage of the situation?" Spielberg looked up at him: "You and I are both very clear about the valuation of DreamWorks Animation, which is only about 350 million. The other party offered 380 million without lowering the price! In fact, I know in my heart that before Universal Company negotiated with us to acquire DreamWorks last year, you quickly separated the animation department, just to keep DreamWorks Animation firmly in your own hands!"

"But DreamWorks Animation is still short of funds and needs to rely on DreamWorks for blood transfusion! But DreamWorks is also in a financial crisis, so you encouraged the sale of DreamWorks to obtain funds to support DreamWorks Animation. Katzenberg, do you think I am right?!"

"You are right." Jeffrey Katzenberg shrugged: "DreamWorks has been losing money for years, but DreamWorks Animation can make money. In Chinese terms, I call this "a heroic act of cutting off one's arm"!"

"You" Spielberg was so angry that he couldn't speak.

In DreamWorks, except for animated films, all other film productions are his own responsibility. Isn't this a hint of his own incompetence? !

"Okay, okay, old guys, can't we discuss it calmly? What's there to argue about?" David Geffen stopped the quarrel between the two in time.

In the trio, he often acts as a peacemaker.

Hearing David Geffen speak, Jeffrey Katzenberg looked at him: "David, you are the president of DreamWorks, what do you think we should do now?"

"I think Stephen is right. It is necessary to talk to Fang Minghua to see if we can only sell DreamWorks without bundling DreamWorks Animation." After that, he looked at Spielberg: "Leave it to you, you are more familiar with Fang Minghua."

"David's suggestion is very good, let's go back to the original negotiation conditions." Jeffrey Katzenberg immediately became happy.

"I think Fang Minghua will not agree, but I can try." Spielberg took out his mobile phone to make a call.

At this time, Fang Minghua and his wife had returned to San Francisco, and the two were walking on the path of their manor.

Hearing the ringing of the cell phone, Fang Minghua took out the cell phone from his pocket and said to Song Tangtang with a smile: "It's Spielberg calling." Then he pressed the speakerphone.

Spielberg's voice came from inside:

"Mr. Fang, are you still in Amber Hill Manor now?"

"No, my wife and I have returned to San Francisco. The negotiations are over and there is no need for me to stay there." Fang Minghua said.

"Hehe. Although the negotiations are temporarily suspended, we are still good friends. Did you say you wanted to come to my house as a guest? I formally invite you! This Saturday at noon, please come to my house with your wife!"

Huh?

The two looked at each other, and Fang Minghua said to the phone: "Yes, we are still friends, I accept your invitation."

"OK! See you on Saturday! I will send you the detailed address."

Finally, after hanging up the phone, Song Tangtang smiled and said: "As you said, they can't help it."

Fang Minghua and his wife left for Los Angeles on Friday afternoon and lived in Amber Hill Manor. At ten o'clock the next day, the two dressed in formal clothes and the driver drove them straight to Palisade.

Palisade is also located in the west of Los Angeles, not too far from Amber Mountain, a 40-minute drive.

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This place has a unique geographical location and beautiful natural environment. It is also the first wealthy area in Los Angeles. Hollywood stars especially like to live here.

Spielberg's home is located in a villa west of Palisades. This is actually a small manor, smaller than Fang Minghua's Amber Mountain Manor, and about the same size as the manor in San Francisco.

The Audi drove into the manor and stopped at the door of the villa. Spielberg and his wife were already waiting at the door of the villa.

After Fang Minghua and his wife got out of the car, the four shook hands and greeted each other.

"Mr. Spielberg, since the negotiations with DreamWorks were interrupted, I thought we would never meet again." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

"How could it be? Look, didn't we meet again soon?" Spielberg replied and said, "I hope that this time you come to my house as a guest, just like the last time I went to your house for afternoon tea, everyone chatted happily."

Fang Minghua naturally understood what he meant and smiled slightly: "I hope so."

The four entered the living room, sat for a while, and then went to the restaurant to start eating.

Typical Italian dishes.

Caprese, bacon and egg yolk pasta, fried salmon, vegetable salad, and a bottle of Italian red wine, everyone ate and talked.

Soon, Spielberg brought up the topic of the acquisition of DreamWorks.