Five Hundred and Twentieth Chapters Final Warm-Up

Eric was entangled by Peter Cooper and talked for nearly an hour. If it weren't for the important meeting to attend next, Eric estimated that he would have been consumed by this guy this morning.

After sending Peter Cooper away, Eric quickly came to the large conference room of the Firefly headquarters. At this time, the managers at the director level of the Firefly Films department had almost arrived, and even many executives of the overseas branch had rushed out. When I came back, there were always forty or fifty people. Because the summer season is approaching in June, as a film and television entertainment company, all departments of Firefly will also usher in the busiest period. In order not to delay work, the management has arranged the operation and financial summary meeting of the first half of the year at the end of May. , Firefly is not a listed company, so there is no need to wait for the official financial report for the first half of the year to be released before conducting business summaries and adjustments in accordance with the requirements of the board of directors.

In the first half of the year, the North American film market was not sullen. Only Paramount Pictures, released during Easter, was lucky enough to get a box office of more than 100 million US dollars. Firefly released seven low- and medium-budget films in the first six months of 199. The best-grossing film was a family adventure comedy called "The Cat and Dog Game," produced by the Disney label, published by PVA International, and harvested in North America. It grossed more than $4 million at the box office, while the seven films grossed just $180 million in North America combined.

This figure may seem unremarkable. However, in the first half of the year, Firefly's total turnover of film and video tape sales, peripheral copyright operations, theme parks, Disney stores and other businesses reached 100 million US dollars, and the pre-tax profit also exceeded 550 million US dollars. In this way, the revenue of the movie box office has only accounted for about 10% of the total turnover of Firefly Pictures. Eric is very clear. If it really achieves such a revenue ratio. It is the healthiest business composition of a comprehensively developed media group, which can also make a media company have the strongest anti-risk ability, and will not fall into the dilemma of bankruptcy because of the failure of one or two movies.

However, in fact, Firefly is far from reaching this point. The reason why such a revenue ratio is temporarily presented is mainly because most of the first half of the year is in the off-season of movies, and the most popular summer and new year are concentrated in last six months of the year. Firefly's flagship films are also released within the next six months, and the production cost of the three summer films "Jurassic Park", "Crash" and "A Bug's Life" totaling 200 million US dollars is only 200 million US dollars. That's more than the combined production and distribution costs of seven films in the first half of the year.

The entire meeting did not end until 4:30 in the afternoon. Although there was still half an hour before get off work, Eric had already planned to go home early. However, as soon as he packed up, he was stopped by Katzenberg, and behind him was the head of Disneyland Paris, Patrick Schneider, because of a major mistake in the operation of Disneyland Paris last year, Eric and Kaz Schneider originally planned to withdraw Patrick Schneider from the headquarters. But then the operation of French Disneyland had a good improvement under the management of Patrick Schneider, after Eric discussed with Katzenberg. It was decided to let Patrick Schneider temporarily stay in office.

Today's meeting also talked about the status of Disneyland Paris, which had a total of 6 million visitors in the first two quarters,

In terms of operation, it has also reached a balance of payments, and may even achieve a certain profit in the second half of the year. As a project that was seriously out of control in the development process, Eric's requirement for Disneyland Paris was that as long as it could maintain a balance of payments and not become a drag on the group, it would be ok to achieve profitability, which has already made Eric overjoyed. You must know that after the opening of the original time and space Disneyland Paris, it basically brought hundreds of millions of dollars in losses to the Disney headquarters every year, and there were very few profitable years.

"Eric, it's like this, the representative of the French investor in Disneyland Paris, Louis Bartello, also came to Los Angeles. The French side is not too satisfied with the status quo of Disneyland Paris, and they hope to take back the right to operate Disneyland Paris. "Katzenberg has never been a long-winded person, and he is not used to beating around the bush. In just a few words, the reason for stopping Eric was revealed.

Eric didn't bring the two back to his office, he directly motioned them to sit down at the conference table, and asked, "I remember last year we made it clear to them about the situation of Disneyland Paris, and we also did the same. It has changed a lot, and now the situation has not been developing for the better, how can they still have this idea?"

Patrick Schneider, who was sitting on the other side, had the most detailed knowledge of the inside story and said: "Mr. Williams, the situation of Disneyland Paris is indeed developing for the better, but compared with the profitability of Tokyo Disneyland, the gap is too large. Some. The reason why the French came up with this idea should be influenced by the fact that Tokyo Disneyland is run by the Japanese.”

Eric sneered in his heart, the French had a good plan, but he didn't consider whether he had the strength. The success of Tokyo Disneyland is mainly due to the Japanese identification and worship of American culture, these conditions do not exist in Europe. He remembered the original time and space. Because Disneyland Paris suffered huge losses in the early stage, the Disney headquarters was forced to give up control of the park. As a result, Disneyland Paris has not changed in the hands of the French for more than ten years. Instead, it has become more and more Disney's burden, and with that alone, it's impossible for Eric to give up control of Disney Paris. After all, Disney headquarters has a wealth of operating experience, which is why Disneyland Paris quickly adjusted and gradually improved in less than a year after discovering the problem. If it was handed over to the French, who would know that these people would turn the park into a bad place. what is it like.

"In any case, we will definitely not transfer the control of Disneyland Paris," Eric looked at the two and asked, "Does Louis Bartello want to see me?"

"He invited us to a cocktail party in the evening to talk about this incident. The two of us have already agreed. After all, we are guests from afar. I just want to tell you and discuss how to deal with it by the way." Katzenberg said. He obviously knew that too. Eric will not attend this so-called reception.

"I won't go." Eric shook his head, thought about it, and said, "Aren't the French people eyeing Tokyo Disneyland? Since they want to take back control, it's not impossible..."

Before Eric was finished, Katzenberg said anxiously, "Eric, absolutely not."

Eric stopped Katzenberg's words and said with a smile: "Wait for me to finish. You know that I was entangled by Peter Cooper a while ago. If we refuse, I think I will definitely suffer in the future. The French are constantly fighting, so let's put the price out. Since they want to get the Japanese control, just like the Japanese, buy back all the shares in Disneyland Paris in our hands. , we can do the same as Tokyo Disneyland and only charge for licensing fees.”

Katzenberg immediately felt relieved when he heard this, and Patrick Schneider also smiled: "This is a good way. If the French are willing to buy our shares, then the headquarters can get rid of this big burden. And we can continue to make profits from Disneyland Paris. Even if Disneyland Paris cannot survive in the hands of the French in the future, we don’t need to take too much responsibility.”

Although the situation of Disneyland Paris has improved, as the person in charge, Patrick Schneider actually does not have many relaxing moments in his heart, and spends most of his time worrying that the situation of the park will suddenly deteriorate. If he could put aside this burden and return to the headquarters, he would really wish for it. However, he also knew that this was unlikely. The French are not stupid enough to take all the risks into their arms. Therefore, Eric's proposal of this condition is basically equivalent to cutting off the French's idea of ​​taking back Disneyland Paris.

Katzenberg also said at this time: "In this case, Eric, maybe you can come to the evening reception, isn't it better for you to tell Louis Bartello in person, I'm looking forward to him hearing this. The face of the condition has changed."

Eric shook his head and said, "Forget it, it's not necessary. Besides, Jeffrey, although I have this condition as a shield, I think that with your eloquence, you will be able to explain the benefits to him clearly, there is no need. Let the French always think about it."

"Okay, I see," Katzenberg nodded, and after talking about it, the three of them left the conference room with a smile.

When walking towards the elevator, Patrick Schneider suddenly said, "Mr. Williams, I heard that the company is planning to open a new art film production section recently, which is dedicated to making award-winning films, right?"

Eric nodded and said with a smile: "Michael is in charge of planning for this department now, don't you want to recommend the person in charge?"

There are too many people named Michael, but Patrick Schneider still knows that Michael is the firefly Michael Lynn in Eric's mouth: "Of course not, Mr. Williams, but I have been staying in France, with the French There is also a good relationship in the film and television industry. Recently, there is a very good young French director who plans to develop in Hollywood. Although he is only in his early thirties, he has already been nominated for several Caesar Awards. Come on, this guy is a twenty-five-year-old director His first film work was nominated for a Caesar Award, which is a rare thing in the French film circle. Everyone knows that in the conservative film circle in France, it is a hundred harder for young people to make their mark than Hollywood. What is even more rare is that the director's work is both commercial and artistic."

The three walked into the elevator together, and Katzenberg said: "It is not so easy for French directors to get Oscar recognition unless they develop in Hollywood as soon as they debut."

Patrick Schneider was only entrusted to mention it to Eric. He also knew that Katzenberg was a fact. Just as he was about to match, he heard Eric ask, "What's the name of this director?"

"Luc Besson," Patrick Schneider replied.

Eric's heart is really this guy, he smiled and said, "What a coincidence, I just watched his "Nikita", it's not bad."

If Bai Ge Wu's three axes in Hollywood are slow motion, close-ups and white doves, then Eric's impression of Luc Besson's "three axes" is chasing, chasing, and chasing.

It's not that Luc Besson's films have a single style. It's just that the works of Luc Besson that Eric has seen are full of too many chase plots. From the early "Nikita" to the later "Hurricane Rescue", as well as the somewhat inexplicable "Super Body" that succeeded at the box office, there is no way to avoid this routine, but the audience is also all about this kind of adrenaline-stimulating The simple and rough plot is very popular.

Thinking of this, Eric asked, "Pat, what is going on with Luc Besson going to Hollywood?"

Patrick Schneider replied: "He's going to make a killer movie, and he's planning to shoot in New York, so he's looking for collaborators on our side."

The killer movie Eric wanted to shoot in New York must be "Killer Lyon", "Killer Lyon"!

"Well, let the people in the production department contact him. I will look at the script first. If possible, Firefly can be responsible for the investment and production."

Patrick Schneider did not expect that Eric would make such a decision on the spot, and said, "No problem, he was also in Los Angeles recently, and I will contact him tonight."

After getting out of the elevator, the three of them said goodbye to each other and got into their own cars.

The driver drove the car onto the highway, but Eric looked out of the window in a trance. The trajectory of the world has changed so much under his influence. Although the director is still the director, the actor should also be the actor, but no Find out if Lolita is still the same Lolita.

The car passed by a movie theater, and Eric caught a glimpse of the huge two-meter-high Jurassic Park poster hanging on the outer wall of the movie theater, and then recovered his thoughts. "Jurassic Park" is about to be released, and now that's what matters.

The 5 million US dollars invested in the early stage of the announcement has been fully drawn, and Eric has not hesitated to open another 5 million US dollars. Moreover, there is an example of the successful release of "Mrs. Smith". Eric did not have this time. Hesitate again and insist on raising 1,000 screen shots for Jurassic Park. There is no doubt that "Jurassic Park" will be the first film in North America to exceed 1,000 screens.

Now, "Jurassic Park" has entered the final warm-up period. (To be continued..)