Back to 80: My Literary Life

"Mr. Fang, I want to ask, have you really given up on acquiring DreamWorks?"

Fang Minghua shook his head and sighed: "I am very interested in DreamWorks, but the asking price is too high. Mr. Spielberg, a DreamWorks animation costs US$800 million. In the entire Hollywood, who would spend so much money to acquire an animation?" A department that has just been established less than a year ago and has less than thirty people in total? "

"Mr. Fang, you are talking about DreamWorks Animation, which is independent from DreamWorks." Spielberg reminded.

"But in my eyes, if there is no DreamWorks Animation, it is not a complete DreamWorks. An incomplete DreamWorks is meaningless to me." Fang Minghua put down his knife and fork and looked at the other party seriously:

"When Universal Pictures negotiated with you, they didn't care about DreamWorks Animation because Universal Pictures itself has a strong animation department, but I don't have one, so please understand my feelings."

Mr. Spielberg understands Fang Minghua’s bottom line: DreamWorks Animation must be bundled with DreamWorks, otherwise there will be no negotiation.

There was a brief silence in the restaurant, except for the slight sound of knives and forks.

After a while, Fang Minghua suddenly spoke again: "Mr. Spielberg, I remember that we met in 1986 when I came to Iowa to study, and you found me to adapt the science fiction novel "Solar Catastrophe" I wrote. Bar?"

"Yes, after the novel was adapted into a movie, the box office reputation was very good." Spielberg replied.

"At the same time, Pixar Animation Studios purchased the copyright of the novel "Wall-E" I wrote, and the director Steko asked me to help him write a science fiction script "Inception." After the release of these two films, the box office All very good.”

"Yes, "Inception" also won the box office championship that year, and Steko made a turnaround." Spielberg also agreed.

But he was a little confused, why did Fang Minghua talk about these old things?

After all, it was 18 years ago.

Soon, Fang Minghua gave the answer.

"Mr. Spielberg, I mean one thing when I say this: I acquired DreamWorks. I am not only the boss, but I am also a good writer and screenwriter. I will provide DreamWorks with good scripts!"

"On this point, Mr. Spielberg, you don't need to question my husband's words. The "Harry Potter" series is enough to illustrate his abilities." Song Tangtang also joined in and added.

yes

Spielberg knew it too.

Indeed, Fang Minghua has this huge advantage after acquiring DreamWorks.

Thinking of this, Spielberg added: "Mr. Fang, I understand how you value DreamWorks Animation very much, but your offer of 380 million is a bit low."

Fang Minghua knew in his heart that Spielberg had approved the bundled sale of DreamWorks, but he was a little dissatisfied with the price.

So he laughed: "Mr. Spielberg, do you want to negotiate with me today?"

"No, no, I just want to have a casual chat in private, not a formal negotiation." Mr. Spielberg said quickly.

"Whether we are chatting privately or negotiating formally, let me tell you my bottom line." Fang Minghua's face suddenly became serious.

He held out four fingers: "Four hundred million, up to four hundred million, to acquire DreamWorks Animation. Of course, this includes the company's debt. Together with DreamWorks, that's 1.9 billion. The three of you will discuss it again. If you agree, Talk to my wife. If you feel it’s not appropriate, leave it alone. My wife will still talk to 20 Fox about co-production of "Harry Potter", so I won’t waste time here."

Fang Minghua's attitude became tough, and the atmosphere at the dinner table was a bit awkward.

At this time, Spielberg's wife spoke in time. She looked at Spielberg with a smile: "Dear, you invited Mr. and Mrs. Fang to our home to be guests and taste the food I cooked, not to negotiate. ”

"Yes, yes." Spielberg reacted immediately, smiled and said to Fang Minghua: "Mr. Fang, my wife cooked today's dishes. How does it taste?"

"It tastes great." Fang Minghua smiled, looked at Mrs. Spielberg sitting opposite, and raised his glass: "Thank you for preparing such a sumptuous meal and this fine wine for me and My wife had a wonderful time here”

After finishing lunch, everyone had some dessert together and rested for a while. Then Fang Minghua and his wife said goodbye and left.

Sitting in the back row, I saw Song Tangtang frowning and still thinking about what was said at the dinner table today, so he smiled and said: "Okay. Don't think about it, relax, spend the weekend in Los Angeles, and then we will return to San Francisco."

"Okay then." Song Tangtang sighed softly.

Walking, fishing, and planting flowers, Song Tangtang put down all the work at hand and accompanied Fang Minghua on a leisurely vacation in the manor.

Spielberg was not idle. Although it was Sunday, the three of them gathered in the DreamWorks headquarters office in Glendale. He explained to the two in detail how he chatted with Fang Minghua, and finally said: "I guess this is Fang Minghua." Negotiate the bottom line.”

David Geffen was silent for a while, then asked Spielberg: "What do you mean?"

"I decided to accept Fang Minghua's conditions."

As soon as Spielberg finished speaking, Jeffrey Katzenberg jumped up and shouted: "I disagree! I will not sell DreamWorks Animation no matter what!"

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"Jeffrey, wake up!" Spielberg looked at him and raised his voice: "The current DreamWorks is no longer the DreamWorks of five years ago! Both the parent company and your DreamWorks Animation are heavily in debt!"

"You want DreamWorks Animation to be the second Pixar, right? But I tell you, Pixar has been targeted by Disney! You see that they are working closely together now, but in fact Pixar is courting disaster! Sooner or later, it will be acquired by Disney!"

"Okay, let's not talk about the future, let's talk about now. What if Fang Minghua is unwilling to acquire DreamWorks? Continue to talk with Universal Pictures? Then are you willing to accept a $1 billion acquisition?!"

"I would rather sell DreamWorks for $1 billion than sell DreamWorks Animation in a bundle." Jeffrey Katzenberg muttered.

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

"Enough!" David Geffen, who had been silent, suddenly slammed the table, and the bang scared the other two people, who looked at him in surprise.

David Geffen regained his composure: "I propose that we convene a board meeting immediately and vote to accept Fang Minghua's conditions."

After that, he raised his hand: "I agree to accept Fang Minghua's conditions."

"I agree too." Spielberg immediately raised his right hand.

"Okay, there are already two votes, more than half, the proposal is passed." David Geffen ignored Jeffrey Katzenberg and continued: "Steven, you notify Song Tangtang and continue negotiations tomorrow."

"OK, I'll call right away."

David Geffen turned and left the office, leaving Jeffrey with an ugly face.