I’m in Hollywood - Chapter 175
[Chapter 171 There is not much time left for us]
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“Thirty percent is definitely impossible,” Eric leaned forward slightly, stared at Robert Shea and shook his head gently, before Robert Shea refuted, Eric continued: “If it’s just a merger If a distribution company is going to pay 30% of the shares, then I don’t need to do it at all, it’s not worth the loss for Firefly. I can take this share and cooperate with several major film companies to use Firefly’s current momentum , I believe that none of the seven major film companies will refuse to cooperate with me. I can even use this 30% of the shares to replace 10% of the shares from MGM, the weakest of the seven film companies. After
Eric finished speaking, Robert Shea immediately retorted: “But in fact, Eric, you won’t do much. Once Firefly becomes a vassal of the movie giant, it basically loses its ability to develop into a relationship with the movie giant. The possibility of other movie companies keeping pace with other giants. Controlling second- and third-tier companies through acquisitions and preventing them from developing to a certain scale and threatening their own status is already a trick used by these big companies. I have been in Hollywood for more than 20 years. , I’ve seen too many.”
“Of course I won’t do it. I just said a possibility. If I have to pay 30% of the shares, then I would rather cross-exchange with the giants. So, I I also have my bottom line, Robert, I will give you a maximum of 10% of the shares, of course, this is not all, I can compensate a part of the cash.” Eric also offered his own price, 10%, It was also a concession he made after thinking for a long time. He felt that this was already a lot. Firefly will definitely introduce some collaborators in the future.
“Ten percent is too little,” Robert Shea said: “The new line is already in my hands. After more than 20 years of development, he is just like my child, if it merges with your firefly, I think 30% is not much at all, and if it is less than this number, I will never agree.”
Eric almost burst out laughing: “RKO was established earlier, but now it has disappeared. Lianmei was established very early, but unfortunately it has also become a subsidiary of MGM. Robert, time doesn’t tell much. In 1981, Lianmei was merged into MGM because of the huge loss of “Heaven’s Gate”, leaving only six major film companies in Hollywood: Warner, Universal, Paramount, MGM and Fox, but now, since 1984 Michael Ace was included in Disney, and in just five years, the sixth major has become the seventh major.”
Robert Shea’s face flushed a little, and Eric’s words meant a comparison between him and Michael Eisner. , although he admitted in his heart that he was not as capable as Michael Eisner, but when a little guy 30 years younger than him said it face to face, his face was still a little uneasy, and he blurted out in a hurry: “Whatever you say, Eric, anyway, I insist on 30% of the shares.”
Eric saw that Robert Shea was a little anxious, and quickly appeased: “Why not, Robert, since both of us already have this kind of Intention, then we will discuss in detail next.”
“No need,” Robert Shea refused: “If you don’t agree, we don’t need to discuss any specific cooperation.”
Eric’s heart Wei Wei was a little irritable, and his fingers habitually tapped on the table a few times, but because of the tablecloth, there was no usual soft sound.
“Robert, you have to understand that we don’t have too much time.”
When Robert Shea heard Eric’s inexplicable words, he
was slightly curious, but he was afraid that the sudden opening would weaken his momentum, so he held back Did not ask.
Eric didn’t go around the corner, and continued: “Because of the vigorous development of video tapes, cable TV and other peripheral channels, movies have stepped out of the small circle that could only make money through theaters more than ten years ago, which has also made movies popular in the media. More and more attention is paid to the industry. I believe that in the next ten years, most of the Hollywood giants will be acquired by media groups and become a part of their huge industrial chain. Once this trend is formed, then they will have the huge media resources and Backed by financial resources, not only will big Hollywood film companies no longer worry about falling into bankruptcy due to investment failures, but they will also be able to completely consolidate their positions through the advantages of huge media resources. Then, if the second- and third-tier film companies do not defy the sky, It is no longer difficult to shake the status of big film companies that are backed by media giants. Their fate will either be acquired by big film companies. As you just said, they will completely lose the opportunity to become a giant, or they can only silently grow up The film company grabs some leftovers from the market divided up.”
Robert Shea suppressed the surprise in his heart, did not show it on his face, and retorted: “Even if what you said… has some truth, it must be many years. , I believe New Line still has a chance, as long as…”
“No, you don’t have a chance,” Eric cut off Robert Shea decisively: “Actually, from the acquisition of Twentieth Century Fox by News Corporation a few years ago , this general trend has already begun, this year Sony acquired Columbia, the seven majors went to the second, and I also read in the newspaper that Warner plans to cooperate with Turner Broadcasting Corporation, which owns an independent television network, to establish a media group, then once it becomes a reality , How long do you think the remaining four film companies can last?”
Robert Shea fell silent.
Eric didn’t stop lobbying and continued: “Robert, this is the last chance for us second- and third-tier film companies to rise up, leaving us no more than ten years, or even five years. Once missed, wait until the industry map. After the planning is completed, even if as you said, in the future, because of luck and long-term accumulation, the new line may be operated as a first-class, and the profits will exceed those of the old giants, then you are destined to only be in the second line, because those movie giants have already Being integrated with the media conglomerates, there is simply no way a pure studio could compete.”
Speaking of which, Eric thought of Lionsgate in his previous life. Although Lionsgate surpassed the two established film companies in terms of profit with the “Hunger Games” and “Twilight” series, the At that time, the remaining six major film companies had been integrated with the media group, and Lionsgate was just an independent film company, and it was still a long way off in terms of comprehensive strength to compete with the two giants that had been surpassed.
“What you said… it’s all hypothetical, isn’t it?” Robert Shea couldn’t help but retort again.
Eric could see that Robert Shea’s heart was completely relaxed, and his tone slowed down: “Robert, although it is a hypothesis, with your more than 20 years of experience in Hollywood, you can definitely distinguish this kind of hypothesis. Possibility, right?”
Robert Shea lowered his head, looking at the empty cup of coffee in front of him: “But ten percent is still too little…”
“Michael Eisner now owns Disney’s His shares are less than 10%, and his net worth is not much more than yours, but he ranks in the top three on the Hollywood power list. He is envied and admired by more than 90% of Hollywood people. Robert, you Didn’t I say that, money is no longer a big temptation for us. Think about it, after Firefly acquires New Line, you can get the position of CEO of Firefly, and the profitability of the movies I make believe you also There is no doubt, then I believe that in a few years, we will be able to join the ranks of movie giants. At that time, we will definitely have time to occupy our own place in the future integration of media groups. At that time, you will own 10%. If you continue to operate the new line independently, how long will it take for the new line to reach a market value of more than one billion dollars?”
“Twenty percent, Eric, Twenty percent, it can’t be less,” Robert Shea was completely moved by the prospect depicted by Eric, and took the initiative to make a big concession.
Eric’s mouth showed an imperceptible smile of success. Since Robert Shea no longer stubbornly insists on the so-called 30% bottom line, then he can continue to talk, so He snapped his fingers to greet the waiter, handed the credit card to the checkout, and then said to Robert Shea: “Robert, now we can’t negotiate any results, and it’s a bit late, so we still choose to be more formal. Let’s have specific consultations on the occasion.”
Robert Shea regretted his 20% concession. He found that he had been fooled by a teenager who was several decades younger than him. Slapped himself in the face, although he decided to give in in his heart, it would be too inappropriate to say it at this time. It seems that he has made several mistakes tonight, which makes Robert Shea dare not be right again. While Eric has any contempt, he also made up his mind not to confront Eric head-on when he is negotiating formally. Perhaps, it would be good to find an agent who is good at negotiating. Seeing that Eric did not take the opportunity to lower the price again and again , hurriedly nodded along the steps and said, “Okay, it’s really too late, I should go back.”
After a few people said goodbye at the restaurant door, Aniston, who was originally quiet, suddenly hugged Eric’s arm and tiptoed. He smiled on his toes and said, “Wow, Eric, you were so handsome just now. Robert was completely blinded by your aura, hehe.”
Eric stretched out his other hand and touched the girl’s forehead. With his long hair down, he smiled and said, “What about you, do you suddenly admire the urge to kneel down and kiss my shoes?” (My novel “I Am Hollywood” will have more fresh content on the official WeChat platform, At the same time, there is also a 100% lucky draw gift for everyone! Open WeChat now, click the “+” sign on the upper right to “Add a friend”, search for the official account “qdread” and follow, hurry up!)
[End of this Chapter]
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