Hollywood starts with a broker

At the end of August, Dawn Television officially approved the project for "Sleepless Cafe" and entered the preparation phase. The script was also renamed "Friends" according to Aaron's wishes.

GOOGLE SEARCH TWKAN

At the same time, Aaron also specifically gave Jennifer Aniston's contact information to the two people in charge, David Crane and Marta Kauffman!

However, the real good news was that CVC agreed to sell AMC cable network, selling 80% of the shares for $100 million, with Charles Dolan himself retaining 20% of the shares.

"Happy cooperation, Dawn will definitely make AMC a top-rated TV station," Aaron naturally agreed to the other party's request since they didn't ask for much of a price increase anyway.

"I have confidence in you!"

Charles Dolan smiled. Anyway, AMC didn't have much competitiveness in his hands, so he let the young Aaron Anderson manage and operate it.

Because now AMC mainly broadcasts some classic old movies, it lacks competitiveness in new films, and the fees are also cheap, and the GG fees are not high either.

But Aaron will definitely change this. AMC must have self-produced dramas, and in addition to broadcasting old movies, new movies will also be played.

Subsequently, Aaron met with Joven Adams, the current head of AMC, "Dawn is producing 'ER', and the premiere next year will be on AMC."

"AMC also needs to set up its own production department to make self-produced dramas. I will find someone to be responsible for this."

"Also, when it comes to broadcasting new films, AMC must also join the competition!"

Joven Adams nodded and agreed to Aaron's arrangement, "TBS's Turner Classic Movies channel TCM, which is being built, is our direct competitor."

"AMC has cooperation agreements with several major Hollywood film companies, but TCM's entry into the competition has increased our costs a lot."

Aaron shrugged, "When will the TCM channel be broadcast?"

"Next year."

TCM is backed by the TBS Group, which is not comparable to the Dolan family's CVC Group. The difference in size is too great.

If TCM also enters the old movie market, it will indeed be a direct competitor to ACM, and a wealthier one at that!

"Ted Turner, I've met him before, he also intends to enter Hollywood."

Aaron tapped the table. The TBS Group is probably the only television group second only to Capital Cities/ABC now.

TBS's current market value should be similar to Viacom's, but its debt is not low.

"The Piano" was released in North America in August. Although Aaron didn't pay much attention, it has grossed over $20 million in North America in one month.

It seems that Aaron also has more expectations for another film, "Farewell My Concubine"!

At the same time, another film directed by Chinese director Ang Lee, "The Wedding Banquet", was released in August. The distributor is Samuel Goldwyn Films, and it won the Golden Bear at this year's Berlin International Film Festival.

"The Wedding Banquet" has done well at the box office, also breaking $10 million in North America.

As the second film in Ang Lee's "Father Knows Best" trilogy, he also directed "Pushing Hands" the year before, which received a lot of praise from film critics!

Dawn has an art film label, New Moon Pictures, so of course it would be interested in Ang Lee, but the North American distribution rights to the final work of his trilogy, "Eat Drink Man Woman", already belong to Samuel Goldwyn Films.

At a cocktail party at the Carlyle Hotel in New York, Aaron met Martin Shafer, co-founder of Castle Rock and CEO of Castle Rock Entertainment!

"Turner Broadcasting is also preparing to acquire your Castle Rock Entertainment?"

Aaron was a little puzzled, "I heard that Ted Turner is eyeing New Line Cinema."

New Line has its own distribution system and chain of theaters, while Castle Rock is just a production company.

Martin Shafer shrugged, "New Line Cinema acquired our Castle Rock's partner, Nelson Entertainment, and became our new partner;"

"Turner Broadcasting not only wants to acquire New Line, but also made an offer for our Castle Rock!"

This year, there has already been the precedent of Miramax being acquired by Disney, with independent film companies moving into large entertainment groups.

Aaron smiled, "It seems that the future of Hollywood independent film companies is always destined to be co-opted by big companies?"

Martin Shafer looked at Aaron, "Unless you can be like you, Dawn's current development can be described as being in full swing;"

"Even the Big Six film companies feel your threat, and you just acquired a cable TV station, congratulations."

Aggressive, popular, and precise, Dawn Films has achieved the ultimate in independent film companies, but with the number of commercial films that Dawn is now developing, is it still considered an independent film company?

"Now is a good time, the economic recovery has also boosted Hollywood," Aaron said, looking at Stallone in the distance.

"Stallone's 'Cliffhanger' seems to be doing very well, right?"

Martin Shafer followed Aaron's gaze and looked over, "Yes, $84 million in North America, plus $170 million overseas, for a total global box office of $250 million;"

No mistake, one first one release one content one in one one see!

"Carolco Pictures seems to have released another good film."

Carolco, like Castle Rock, is a film production company, and both have signed distribution cooperation agreements with Sony Columbia.

Aaron smiled, "This should be Stallone's most acclaimed and highest-grossing film in recent years!"

"Aaron, in terms of results, how can it compare to Dawn Films?"

Martin Shafer was helpless. Not to mention Dawn's several art films from the first half of last year, just look at Dawn's performance this summer, who wouldn't envy it?

"Four Weddings and a Funeral" only grossed $50 million in North America, but the overseas market earned $200 million, for a global total of $250 million, the same as "Cliffhanger";

However, "Cliffhanger" is a $70 million action blockbuster, while "Four Weddings and a Funeral" is a low-budget comedy film with an investment of less than $10 million!

"The Mask of Zorro", $140 million in North America, $150 million overseas, $290 million worldwide;

"Speed", which is still in theaters, has already grossed $110 million in North America, and has now exceeded $180 million overseas.

Even the art film "The Piano" is performing well overseas, exceeding $30 million in North America, but already $70 million overseas!

Aaron raised his glass and took the initiative to clink it with the other party, "Haha, let's drink, Martin."

"By the way, how is 'The Shawshank Redemption' being filmed by Castle Rock?"

Aaron himself likes this movie very much. Compared to "Forrest Gump", "The Shawshank Redemption" is more touching.

"'The Shawshank Redemption', because the director is a newcomer, the filming process is a bit slow;"

"It should be wrapped up in October."