Heads Up Hollywood

Possibly spurred by a new round of negotiations between the Writers Guild and the producers, The Hollywood Reporter reported an article that added fuel to the fire—"Top Ten Top Mansions in Entertainment."

The number one place was Tang En. His mansion in the Malibu area of ​​Los Angeles, also known as No. 1 King's Landing, was worth 300 million US dollars.

Ranked second is the 81-year-old TV producer Aaron Sparling, who has produced countless well-known soap operas. His mansion in Beverly Hills is worth as much as $100 million.

Then, there's the $50 million mansion of black host Oprah Winfrey. In addition, TV actor Jerry Seinfeld's mansion is also worth 50 million US dollars. He became a household name with "Seinfeld" and at the peak of his career in 1998, he was making $267 million a year.

The fifth mansion still belonged to Tang En, the mid-level manor worth more than 45 million US dollars, which is now King's Landing No. 2 Villa.

In addition, Sylvester Stallone and Barbra Streisand's mansions are worth more than 30 million US dollars, singer Lord Stewart's mansion is worth 25 million US dollars, and TV actor Kelsey Grammer's mansion is worth more than 30 million US dollars. Over $22 million, George Clooney's mansion is worth $20 million, Jennifer Lopez's mansion is worth $15 million…

This list can show that popular movie stars are not keen on spending big money to buy luxury houses. It also shows that the income of screenwriters is really low enough!

Among the celebrities on the list, there are producers, directors, actors, singers, hosts... but there are no screenwriters.

The media is not afraid of big things, the more chaos the better.

However, Tang En's attitude towards improving the status of screenwriters still promoted the friendly negotiation between labor and management.

The imagined dispute did not arise.

After 3 rounds of negotiations, on November 18, the two parties reached an agreement and signed a welfare contract with a total value of 140 million US dollars.

In addition to the recent labor negotiations, the relatively big event in the Hollywood industry is the listing of Dreamworks Animation Division on NASDAQ.

In particular, DreamWorks' new animated film "Shark Story" was released for 8 weeks, with a North American box office of 140 million US dollars and a global box office of 320 million US dollars. The success of the box office directly pushed the market value of DreamWorks to a peak, reaching 3.45 billion US dollars!

Then, Jeffrey Katzenberg, the head of DreamWorks Animation, proudly declared in front of the media: "I'm fucking fed up with Hollywood politics! Now I'm finally on the shore. In Hollywood for 30 years, everything has to be done. Following the logic of Hollywood, now, I want to be myself!"

Everyone in the industry understands what this sentence means.

Hollywood film companies are all occupied by a group of lawyers and accountants. DreamWorks is dominated by artists.

In addition, there is a deeper meaning.

He is rebelling against Disney's master Michael Eisner!

Back then, he was the chairman of Disney's film department and a key figure in Disney's revival, but he was fired by Michael Eisner and forced to create DreamWorks.

Now, DreamWorks Animation is successfully listed, and has achieved great success, with a market value approaching 3.5 billion US dollars!

Although it cannot be compared with Disney, which has a market value of nearly 60 billion US dollars, there is a fact that we have to admit that the current DreamWorks Animation is more successful than Disney Animation!

"Twain, you can't let some thorns break the rules and stability of Hollywood." Michael Eisner invited Tang En to the country club in Beverly Hills to play golf together.

Michael Eisner's moral standards are very high, he is strict enough to restrain himself, and he does not have a female companion.

But beside Tang En, there was never a shortage of beauties.

This time, he was accompanied by Anne Hathaway, the leading lady of "The Devil Wears Prada", and Sienna Miller, the third leading lady personally selected by Tang En.

In the movie, they will all play Meryl Streep's assistants, and they will practice with Twain during this time.

Tang En was resting on the recliner, admiring the beauty of the two beauties who were swinging golf balls in the distance and smiling sweetly, and said casually, "What's the rule?"

"The existence and rise of the DreamWorks Animation Department." Michael Eisner bluntly expressed his inner thoughts, "Pixar rose and was acquired by New Universal. This is a normal development model. But the DreamWorks Animation Department... this It is not in the interest of Hollywood as a whole."

overall?

Tang En was a little funny.

Isn't it in Disney's interest?

Was it slapped in the face by Jeffrey Katzenberg's success?

In the animation market, New Universal has become a giant with its unstoppable Pixar and the newly established Lego Animation Studio. Twentieth Century Fox owns Blue Sky Studios, and its strength should not be underestimated.

In addition, Warner and Sony have also established their own computer animation studios.

The competition in this market is fierce!

Although Disney acquired Sillywood Animation Studio from New Universal at a high price, the pressure of competition is too great. It is almost impossible to recover the pattern that Disney monopolized the animation market back then.

Let alone a monopoly, there is no half of the country!

"At the beginning, DreamWorks brought together the Big Three and Paul Allen's financial support. The start-up capital was as high as 2.6 billion U.S. dollars. It bought an abandoned airport of more than 1,000 acres on the southwest coast of Los Angeles in an attempt to build a huge studio, Recording studios, rehearsal halls, theaters, and stadiums are called "the movie city of dreams". As a result, ten years later, it failed miserably. The current momentum of DreamWorks Animation is relatively strong, and it may not be able to continue."

Tang En shook his head, disapproving.

Dreamworks' animated film "Shark Tale" has been in theaters for two months, and the box office is only 320 million US dollars. Pixar's cartoon "The Incredibles" was released for 3 weeks, with a North American box office of 210 million US dollars and an overseas box office of 180 million US dollars. The global box office has already approached 400 million US dollars.

There is no pressure at all on New Universal.

Michael Eisner said angrily: "If I remember correctly, the distribution partner of DreamWorks in the past has always been Universal Pictures. Now DreamWorks, the distributor has been replaced by Paramount! This is a big deal. Not a small loss!"

Hollywood moguls have assembled a large army of lawyers and accountants whose main focus is distribution.

The right-handed accounting and legal processing will make the issuer's income very significant.

For example, "Shark Story" cost 75 million U.S. dollars, and the current box office is 320 million U.S. dollars, with a share of 150 million U.S. dollars. Paramount draws 8% of the distribution share, can DreamWorks Animation get 1.5-3.2*8% of the income?

Of course not, Paramount must first remove publicity expenses, distribution expenses, copying fees, transportation fees, insurance fees, labor costs, public relations fees, damage fees, and other expenses.

A lot of expenses are internal transactions between Paramount and Viacom, which is too tricky.

An independent film company like Dreamworks was squeezed hard by Hollywood giants.

"Saving Private Ryan", which was so popular all over the world, was distributed by Universal Pictures. As a result, DreamWorks only made $30 million.

Universal Pictures is now Tang En's company, so he has read the internal materials. Universal Pictures earned 25 million US dollars through the distribution of "Saving Private Ryan"!

DreamWorks and Spielberg worked so hard to make a movie that earned $30 million.

Universal Pictures easily earned $25 million through distribution.

It's easier than lying down and making money.

Tang En Pictures' "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and "Wedding Crashers" were distributed by 20th Century Fox, and they were also cheated in this way.

Tang En was unmoved, and said calmly: "The contract has expired, and DreamWorks has the right to choose a new partner."

Michael Eisner looked at him with a half-smile, "What's on your mind?"

"Cough cough."

"Ha ha!"

Tang En said angrily: "What do you mean?"

Michael Eisner said: "DreamWorks will release an animated film called "Madagascar" in May next year."

"I know." Tang En nodded, "Someone watched the test screening of that cartoon, and it has a good reputation. Pixar's "Kung Fu Panda" will be released next year, and the schedule has been adjusted to November."

Michael Eisner gritted his teeth and said his real purpose, "Disney will release 3 cartoons next year, "Savage Mission" in April, "War Pigeon Story" in August, and "Four-Eyed Sky" in November. chicken"."

Three cartoons are released a year, and Disney has really spent a lot of money in order to revive the animation business.

"What do you mean?"

"There is "Savage Mission" in the April schedule. If you arrange "Kung Fu Panda" to the June schedule, just sandwiching DreamWorks' "Madagascar" in the middle, maybe... it will be a big hit."

By adjusting the schedule of "Kung Fu Panda" from November to June, Disney's first computer-based 3D animation "Four-Eyed Chicken" released in the same period will have more room for survival.

Michael Eisner is killing two birds with one stone.

Tang En shook his head and said, "To be honest, I really didn't care about such a trivial matter. Back then, I used the movie schedule to suppress Paramount because Paramount was too powerful. Dreamworks... No need, no need. "

"Madagascar" is a very good cartoon.

Let "Kung Fu Panda" go to the ring?

Nine times out of ten, you can't beat it!

Disney wanted to suppress DreamWorks Animation, but Twain didn't care.

It's only a matter of time before Jeffrey Katzenberg is headed to a dead end with his DreamWorks Animation project in a few years.

Michael Eisner lingered a few more words, but Tang En's expression remained calm, but he did not let go.

He doesn't do things that are not beneficial.

Letting "Kung Fu Panda" compete with bad films like "Four Eyes Chicken" is much safer than competing with "Madagascar".

In the previous life, Disney's three animated films "Savage Mission", "War Pigeon Story", and "Four-Eyed Chicken" released in 2005 all failed, and the animation business collapsed, which was the fuse for Michael Eisner's resignation.

It is also the fundamental reason why Disney later bought Pixar at a sky-high price of US$7.6 billion at all costs.

"After the acquisition of Prada, will New Universal continue to develop in the fashion market?" Michael Eisner suddenly changed the subject.

Tang En laughed and said, "Of course, since we have made a move, there is no reason to give up halfway."

Michael Eisner said slowly: "Disney's animation business is only a short-term crisis, especially after the acquisition of Sillywood Animation, we restarted the princess series of movies. The project "Princess Rose" and the upcoming "Princess Rose" "Rapunzel" is all about this theme. "Disney Princess" is Disney's trump card, and it is also very popular among girls in the fashion field."

"oh?"

Tang En's eyes lit up.

Michael Eisner turned his head and stared at Tang En, "I think Disney and New Universal can continue to deepen the cooperation between the two parties."

"The Disney princess brand?"

"That's right!"

Tang En blinked his eyes and thought secretly.

...

Sienna Miller started to enter the big screen this year. Two films, "Alfie" and "Layer Cake", were released, and the box office results were mediocre.

But this beautiful and sweet blonde still attracted the attention of Hollywood.

Tang En gave her an important role in "The Devil Wears Prada", a role that is in stark contrast to Anne Hathaway.

"Did Tang En invite you?"

Anne Hathaway and Sienna Miller, playing leisurely, whispered to her.

"Um."

Sienna Miller understood her meaning and nodded slightly.

"what do you think?"

"I'll move in this weekend."

Sienna Miller hesitated, then said frankly.

There was nothing to hide, the two of them were interns at New Universal. When Tang En was free, he would inevitably call the two of them over to pamper them.

Anne Hathaway lowered her voice: "Where's your boyfriend? If you don't clean up over there, I advise you not to move in and live with Tang En. He cares about this very much."

Sienna Miller said: "I know, it's all taken care of. I talked to Jude and we broke up temporarily."

Her boyfriend is Jude Law. The two met while filming the movie "Alfie", but their relationship was unstable. They had been separated once before and then reunited.

"Temporarily breaking up? What do you mean?"

Sienna Miller said lightly: "It's just a temporary separation. During the time we live together, we won't contact each other for now. Wait until I move out of Tang En's house and see if we want to continue dating."

Anne Hathaway was also quite surprised by this solution, and asked curiously, "Does he agree?"

"Why don't you agree? Don't forget, he is still famous because of "Wedding Crashers", an actor promoted by Tang En. Besides, even if he wasn't promoted by Tang En, I don't trust him as an actor. Dare to rob women from Twain." Sienna Miller analyzed calmly and said clearly.

Anne Hathaway smiled and said, "Yes."

"By the way, you have a lot of experience. How long do you think it's appropriate for me to live with him?" Sienna Miller asked in a low voice.

"Look at the frequency."

"What's the meaning?"

Anne Hathaway said in a low voice: "Twain has a lot of women, one after another. He invited you to Villa No. 3, right? As far as I know, he has a total of eight in the Los Angeles area Villa, do you understand what this means? Usually he can’t take care of everyone. If he visits your place often, it means that he is very interested in you, so you’d better not leave. If he goes to your place The frequency is getting lower and lower, or even not going for a long time, it means that he has had enough fun and lost interest, and you can move out."

"Oh." Sienna Miller nodded suddenly, "What about you? How long have you lived with him?"

Anne Hathaway pulled her hair by her ears, and said: "I have lived with him twice, the first time was 10 months, and the second time was 6 months, we lived in Banshan Manor, which is a newspaper The one reported on the Internet is an absolute super mansion!"

"Why don't you come to Villa No. 3 to stay for a while?"

"ah?"

"The Devil Wears Prada should be launched in March. During this period, you come to live with me, and it will be convenient for us to communicate."

Anne Hathaway hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Ask him what he means. If he agrees... I will move in for a while. Anyway, if I don't, he will definitely call another girl past."