Rebirth In Hollywood

Richmond, California, a very unremarkable seaside town, Steve Jobs officially relocated Pixar here in 1990. Even after various measures including layoffs were introduced, it still could not change the fate of successive losses, although 91 In 2008, he signed an animation contract with Disney, but because of Michael Eisner's obstruction and the strong advancement of the "Lion King" project, the funds were delayed.

Due to the long-term inability to make profits, but continuous losses, Steve Jobs has been determined to sell Pixar since 1991. The transaction objects are some companies including Microsoft. However, except for his old rivals once quoted, other companies are all Look at the future of Pixar.

Until 1993, Pixar was still in the hands of Steve Jobs, just like in the past few years, he was still looking for a next home for this animation studio, and there was still only one company that made an offer - Microsoft!

In the past two years, Pixar Studios had no choice but to provide computer animation production services for other companies, and successively produced TV commercials for brands such as Tropicana and Listerine, trying to maintain the operation of the studio.

At this time, in a conference room in Pixar's single-floor office area, several people were discussing the serious problems facing the studio.

"Ed, I heard Steve wants to sell the studio again?"

The speaker was John Lasseter, Pixar's veteran and creative director.

"That's right!" Ed Kammer nodded helplessly. "Next's computer business is not good. I think you should all know that Steve has encountered some troubles in terms of funds, and Pixar's loss last year..."

He made a gesture everyone knew.

"What about Disney? The $26 million investment they promised has not been paid yet!" Jim Morris said indignantly, "They signed a contract with us for an animated feature film, but they refused to invest the money!"

"Michael Eisner said that before the release of The Lion King, he would not consider executing that contract." Ed Kammer was quite helpless. Pixar, like its owner, Steve Jobs, has been out of luck since the 1990s.

"I heard that Steve is currently negotiating with Microsoft, maybe we should be ready..." Andrew Stanton's words were equally helpless.

"Don't blame Steve, he is a businessman first, and a computer enthusiast second. In recent years, he has invested nearly 30 million in capital, but he has not received any return. Selling Pixar is a normal business behavior."

Ed Kammer has no intention of judging the actions of Steve Jobs,

After all, the other party is a profit-seeking businessman.

"We should start saving ourselves." John Lasseter waved his fist, "We should pool the remaining funds. Start an animated feature film, make a clip for Disney to see, and let them understand that 3D computer animation is the future. !"

"John, I think you've heard of Michael Eisner's dogmatism, do you think it'll make him change his mind? Also, The Lion King is Ryan Jenkins, you all know the name The appeal behind the representatives, do you think they will give up 2D animation and turn to support us?"

"Ed. In fact, the animated feature film I want to make is also the work of Ryan Jenkins." John Lasseter seemed to be prepared, took out a copy of "Ryan's Tales" from under his seat, and quickly flipped through open. "Toy Story! I think you guys should have seen this short story, animated toys are perfect for computer animation."

Of course, they have all read the story, and those who are still at Pixar are full of imagination and childlike innocence. Whimsical works like "Ryan's Tales" suit them best.

In fact, they discussed the project a long time ago, but it was dropped due to funding issues.

The others showed helpless smiles. Ed Kammer said, "Yes! We've discussed this project before, haven't we, John? But have you thought about another question?"

"Funding!" He pointed to "Ryan's Tales" in front of him, "Just last year, Sony Columbia wanted to buy the "Jumanji" in it, asking for $4 million plus three percent of the North American The box office was divided, but was rejected by his agent without hesitation... Well, what are we going to do to impress that super genius? Do we expect to get free authorization?"

There was silence in the conference room. "Toy Story" is just a short story, and it is bound to be adapted into a script by the other party. Now who doesn't know that Ryan Jenkins' story is likely to become a hit movie, without paying a considerable price, How is it possible to get it?

"Well, let's get in touch first. There is still hope. If we don't do it, we can only wait." John Lasseter was obviously not giving up.

"If there is good news that Pixar is going to make a Ryan Jenkins work, maybe we can get new investment, and the pressure on Steve's side can be less." Andrew Stanton added.

"OK then."

…………

Very, very unexpectedly, Ryan didn't expect that he was playing Pixar's idea, and the other party actually contacted him, of course, this has nothing to do with the acquisition.

The historical inertia showed its power. The "Toy Story" that he wrote in advance turned out to be the object of the opponent's favor. It seems that apart from the people around him who were directly influenced by him, the rest of the people and things have gone around in a circle. , will always return to the starting point.

After receiving a call from Kingsley, Ryan thought about it for a while and asked him to visit the Pixar studio, which they happily agreed a day later.

After getting out of the car, Nicole Kidman glanced at the single-storey studio in front of her and pouted.

"Okay, Nicole, we're here to visit, not to pick on things."

Ryan knew that Nicole didn't have an opinion on the studio, but the person in front of the studio. Obviously, Steve Jobs' arrogant attitude two years ago was remembered by her.

"Hello, Mr. Jobs."

Having greeted this well-known guy in his previous life, and shaking hands with the two people he introduced, Ryan looked at them one by one, much younger than the image he remembered.

"Mr. Lasseter, I've seen The Adventures of Andrew and Power, directed by you. It's excellent." The last one. It is the director of the previous life "Toy Story".

The people who originally contacted Ryan were John Lasseter and Ed Kammer, but from what they look like today, it seems to be dominated by Steve Jobs, even though the other person in his previous life was a business godfather. , but his arrogant personality and self-centered style are not likeable.

I believe that if Pixar hadn't asked for himself, this guy would probably just show indifference and arrogance just like the last time we met.

Ryan is okay to say, after all, he had heard of him in his previous life.

Nicole, on the other hand, was polite to John Lasseter and Ed Camere. When dealing with Jobs, he showed his pointed chin directly.

Ryan knew very well that in each other's eyes, he and Nicole were nothing more than entertainment stars. In front of a business boss like him, they should be born at a lower level.

It's just that Steve Jobs won't understand that his and Nicole's assets are not necessarily inferior to him. Now Steve Jobs is not even a billionaire.

"At Pixar, there is no upper and lower. Any employee can directly state his opinion when facing the boss. Our studio is actually an amusement park."

Walking in the strangely arranged studio, Steve Jobs introduced it word by word. Ed Kammer added a few words from time to time.

Ryan also looked at each of the workshops, each different, some like a football locker room, some like a video game room. Others are like gypsies' performance booths. It's not like a company, but like a dazzling Chinatown.

More than that. Sometimes he could hear some computer programmers yelling, and he even saw two people blushing over a little disagreement. It seemed that they might fight at any time, but then it seemed like nothing had happened, and they continued to be intimate. Uninterrupted cooperation.

As for Jobs' mention of 'the following', Ryan had heard of it in his previous life, but he had not seen it. In fact, he could vaguely guess that the so-called "no upper and lower" refers to Ed Kammer and Andrew Stanton. Wait a minute, if anyone dares to choke with Steve Jobs, with his character...

Although the goal has been determined, along the way, neither Ryan nor Nicole made a sound. I believe that as long as they show interest, this guy really dares to call out a sky-high price in Scott's negotiation in the future. Come.

Never underestimate a once successful businessman's desire for profit! This is what Scott Swift said on the phone before he came.

"How does it feel, Ryan? Is Pixar different from other studios?" Ed Kammer asked with a smile.

"Well... how do you say it, it feels messy, don't mind, you should know that I am a layman on these, this is just a personal opinion."

Ryan showed his acting skills when he won the Oscar, and even Nicole next to him thought he was really not interested in Pixar.

Next, the two sides went to the reception room and talked about the adaptation of "Toy Story" in general.

"3D animation is the future development trend. The first computer animation film will definitely be born in the Pixar studio. Although we have encountered difficulties now, the future will definitely surprise everyone."

John Lasseter kept talking, as if he wanted to convince Ryan from the other side that they didn't ask for a free license, as long as the other party was willing to lower the price.

"I'll consider it!" Ryan responded casually, which was not much different from a polite rejection.

After half the afternoon, he and Nicole took the initiative to leave, and by this time Ed Camere and John Lasseter had expressions of disappointment on their faces.

"Ryan, aren't you interested in this messy studio?" Nicole Kidman asked in the car back to Los Angeles.

"No, Nicole." Ryan shook his head and said firmly, "Let Scott start the acquisition negotiations." (To be continued..) ()