Hollywood starts with a broker

Manhattan, Upper East Side, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the annual Met Gala (Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit) was held as scheduled;

Aaron Anderson and Nicole Kidman attended the gala together, and also ran into the newly appointed Oscar Best Director Kevin Costner and Oscar Best Actress Kathy Bates!

On Fifth Avenue, at the entrance of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Central Park, the red carpet laid out along the steps glittered with stars, and actresses competed for beauty;

Reporters and fans crowded the entire entrance of the museum.

Aaron sat in the hall, drinking wine, marveling at how the current Met Gala was slightly more normal, not yet the scene of the future chaotic dance.

"Aaron, is it true that you are going to acquire Heritage Entertainment?"

Nicole Kidman asked from the side.

"It's true! With Heritage Entertainment, I can do my own distribution."

Aaron looked at her, "You need to go to the Cannes Film Festival. 'Ghost' will be promoted there."

As he spoke, Aaron turned his head to look at Kevin Costner not far away, "It's a pity that Kevin doesn't have time to go. Director Edward Zwick and Kathy Bates will be there."

Well, all the other people in 'Ghost' combined don't have half the popularity of Kevin Costner!

"Hmm, aren't you going?"

Aaron shook his head.

At the same time, on the other side, Guy Martin of Heritage Entertainment was meeting with Samuel Goldwyn Jr.

"Dawnlight Films, Aaron Anderson?"

Samuel Goldwyn Jr. was also surprised when he learned about his competitor...

In mid-to-late May, the 1991 Cannes Film Festival began screening, and some members of the 'Ghost' crew went to the film festival to participate in the promotion!

Meanwhile, 'The Silence of the Lambs' had already grossed over $100 million at the North American box office.

Los Angeles, Dawnlight Films.

Jessica Parker reported to Aaron, "The box office split for 'Boyz n the Hood' and 'The Silence of the Lambs' has been received;"

"The $50 million box office split for 'Boyz n the Hood', plus the $100 million split for 'The Silence of the Lambs' have all arrived!"

For 'Boyz n the Hood', Columbia charged a 15% distribution commission and the theaters took 51%;

After deducting the $7 million publicity and distribution costs, Dawnlight Films' profit was $10 million.

For 'The Silence of the Lambs', TriStar charged a 13% distribution commission and the theaters took 48%;

After deducting the $12 million publicity and distribution costs, Dawnlight Films' profit was $27 million!

"What about video tapes and television broadcasts? For this kind of movie, video tapes and television broadcasts are also very valuable."

Aaron wanted cash now. Brad Grey, acting according to his wishes, should have sold the video tape and television broadcast rights.

"'Boyz n the Hood' $13 million, 'The Silence of the Lambs' $29 million, Columbia and TriStar are not willing to increase the price anymore!"

Aaron thought for a while, "Okay, agree to them."

Soon, Dawnlight Films' account had a new addition of $79 million;

Plus the funds Aaron had previously borrowed using the distribution rights of 'Boyz n the Hood', after deducting interest and various expenses, there was still one or two million left. Now Dawnlight's account has over $80 million in cash.

Moreover, after 'Boyz n the Hood' and 'The Silence of the Lambs' finish their theatrical runs, the final box office split will also be a source of income;

After all, the box office of 'Boyz n the Hood' and 'The Silence of the Lambs' is still growing!

"Guy Martin is willing to sell Heritage Entertainment for $45 million, but he has to retain 50% of the Landmark Theatres shares."

Jessica Parker explained again.

"Agree to him," Aaron said, scratching his hair,

"By the way, go to Northern California yourself and resolve the Pixar issue!"

"Pixar? Okay," Jessica Parker said with a smile.

"I heard that Jeffrey Katzenberg of Disney and Steve Jobs met, and the conditions they offered were very harsh;"

"Now that I'm going there with cash, it will be difficult for Pixar to refuse!"

Aaron smiled at Jessica Parker, "They are all greedy people. When it comes to making movies, how can Silicon Valley be a match for Hollywood?"

"Understood..."

In fact, everything was as Aaron expected. Disney didn't value Pixar at all, and only regarded it as a dispensable animation production company.

Jeffrey Katzenberg, who was in charge of Disney's film and television business, was very强势. Disney was willing to provide financial support for Pixar to develop three animated feature films;

However, the copyright of the animation belonged to Disney. Pixar only owned the copyright to the animation software, and in terms of profit sharing, Pixar could only have 12.5% of the film's box office revenue as profit. The audio-visual market and all image rights belonged to Disney!

Steve Jobs truly learned a lesson the first time he wanted to enter Hollywood. If Pixar didn't agree, it would have to bear the annual losses itself.

And after Jessica Parker went to the San Francisco Bay Area, it was like an angel descending.

Without a wrong word, a first song, a first release, an inner, a tolerance, a look, a look!

Jessica Parker immediately spent $10 million from Pixar's veterans Ed Catmull, John Lasseter and others to acquire 25% of Pixar's shares;

Then, she guaranteed everyone that Dawnlight Films would fund the development of its own animated feature films, preparing to unite with the other people at Pixar to force Jobs to step down!

Richmond, California, Pixar's office.

Steve Jobs looked at Ed Catmull's helpless face, "Have you really decided?"

Ed Catmull nodded, "Dawnlight can support us in developing animated feature films. They have just acquired a distribution company in Hollywood and can independently distribute movies;"

"Steve, if Pixar wants to develop, it must find a reliance. Disney only treats us as external animators..."

"Hahaha, Jessica is amazing," Aaron said in Los Angeles after learning about Jessica Parker's actions, giving a thumbs up directly.

"Brad, go talk to Guy Martin about me paying him $40 million first, and the remaining $5 million, let him wait two months!"

Brad Grey nodded, "He won't object. Aaron, do you want to settle the Pixar matter first?"

"That's right, Pixar is about to lay off employees. It's the perfect time for us to make a move, otherwise they will agree to Disney's cooperation;"

"Now, we just need to take care of Jobs!"

Alas, Steve Jobs had no choice but to agree to Disney's demands, and the people at Pixar naturally had nothing to say;

But now it's different. With Dawnlight Films participating, waving checks, making their own movies and then distributing them themselves.

For Pixar employees, which way is more profitable, even a fool knows!

Aaron sighed in his heart. Steve Jobs previously founded Apple Computer, and then was jointly kicked out of the company by others;

Now, is Pixar, which he founded, about to be jointly kicked out by others again?

There's no way, Steve Jobs really can't support Pixar's development now!