American Fortune Life

"As of December 26, 2008, the total box office in North America for the year 2008 was $ 9.179 billion.

Compared with the year-end results of the six major movie companies in 2007, all of which crossed the $ 1 billion mark, in 2008, only four of the total box office exceeded $ 1 billion. . .

Peak Entertainment and Legendary Pictures, the other two are Disney and 20th Century Fox. . . . . . "

In the conference room, Andy Smith held the first new year meeting of all management after he joined Universal Studios, listening to the 2008 summary report.

It has to be said that the performance of the Hollywood film industry in 2008 compared to 2007 still fell to a certain extent. Both the year-end total score and the number of movies exceeded 100 million are not as good as last year, and more importantly, the overseas box office is shrinking.

The six major film companies represent the trend of mainstream movies in Hollywood today. Except that the number of Sony's movies released in 2008 was the same as last year, several other companies have fallen to varying degrees.

In fact, the overall performance in 2008 is quite good. After all, under the influence of the Hollywood Screenwriters Association strike at the end of 2007 and the impact of the financial crisis, Hollywood has experienced a major landslide after the summer season and a depression in the Christmas season. The total box office score jumped to the second place in history, which is really not easy.

Andy looked at the form in his hands. In 2007, the world was more beautiful, the box office was a double harvest, and five films were sold over 100 million in the local box office, ranking first among the six major companies.

In 2008, small-cost films performed well, but because there were no annual box office dummies like "Fake Tenjin 2" and "Golden Compass", although there were no dazzling blockbusters, they still maintained a certain market share. .

In 2008, there were no 200 million files under Universal Pictures. Under the careful interpretation of Aunt Mei, the local box office became popular all over the country, and the overseas box office was as high as 430 million, which surpassed the position of the "night knight".

However, the magical Hulk is the most ironic film of the year. It was suppressed and ridiculed for the old version of the Hulk many times before it was released, but in the end the box office was not satisfactory and the losses were not small.

Okay, Andy almost vomited blood. It was originally to share the risks and let Universal Pictures help Marvel Pictures. Now it ’s okay. . .

By the end of 2008, Universal Studios had only four films worth over 100 million yuan. Think of the number of billion-dollar films in 2007 that other companies are envied by, but now they are just a few people.

Andy looks at Robert Freeman, who has taken over the role of Universal Pictures ceo, and feels much better. After all, his peak entertainment film industry is very competitive, and he has stepped on four of the Big Six.

The rise of Zenith Entertainment is really a shock to Hollywood. You must know that this has not been counted as several major productions that have been filmed and postponed to release in 2009. "Superman", "Twilight", "Speed ​​and Passion 4", also Some are in the midst of shooting, no matter which one, the local box office can easily exceed 100 million.

You know, when the management of Universal Pictures saw Robert Freman's 2009 Summit Entertainment release schedule, they were dumbfounded. The 12 movies were three times the Universal Pictures' schedule.

Everyone sighed that when the peak of the peak entertainment has come, it is extremely rejoicing and happy, after all, now the peak entertainment has become a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, the distribution, Universal Pictures will also receive a large piece of cake.

Andy believes that this year will inevitably surpass last year, set a new historical record for Universal Pictures and help Hollywood hit the 10 billion mark!

"There are definitely no plans for the release of only 4 movies this year!" Andy looked at the project plan, closed the folder with an unsightly frown, and threw it on the conference table.

"$ 2 billion! Excluding Summit Entertainment, which is the minimum standard Universal Studios will achieve this year."

Hearing the request of the big boss, everyone in the conference room was unconsciously a black line came from his forehead, and his heart was bitter and speechless.

Adam Ferguson opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but when he saw the opposite Robert Freeman blinked a few times, he shook his head slightly and couldn't help grinning.

"It shouldn't be a problem." The room was quiet and abnormal, and the breathing was clear and audible. At this time, Robert Freeman only smiled and said, immediately attracting everyone's staring eyes.

"However, boss, can you get some scripts from the mocking bird copyright company?"

"Oh, you'll save trouble, okay, I'll let Carl send the script of" The Hangover "... so, let's also bring him to the" Red Flame Battlefield "and" The Shocking Bandit "." Andy smiled at Robert Freeman.

Rob and Carl get along well, knowing from him that his big boss has written several scripts and also read the outline of these scripts, so he knows very well that those scripts are very good stories.

To be honest, this script by Big Boss has solved a lot of trouble for Rob. Since he took over the CEO of Universal Pictures, in addition to familiarizing himself with various departments to sort out personnel issues, a lot of time has been devoted to viewing the script outline.

Universal Pictures has been running a set of about 7 pages of story outlines submitted by the creative team to the decision-making level. Only projects that have been approved by the decision-making layer can continue to be developed until the final script is confirmed. This process can take up to two years.

Although it is safe, the project approval cycle of a movie is too long and cumbersome, and he has no freedom at the peak of entertainment. Of course, the six major Hollywood schools have their own unique screening mechanism. Originally, he worked for Paramount's Rob Freiman is no stranger to nature, and he has also changed his thinking very well. After all, the way in which the big film industry and the new company are managed is different.

However, once Universal Pictures changed hands again, inevitably caused some turbulence and confusion within the company, high-level changes, and the entry of the new team, naturally it takes time to run in. This is not something that can be resolved overnight. When is the human heart the biggest problem.

Project development has always been a top priority for film companies. The production management department is also in a very important position in the Universal Pictures system. In order to get Universal Pictures on track as soon as possible, Robert Freeman, the ceo, personally Part-time head of the department. In just one month, he has personally reviewed and read more than 200 items.

The production department is very important in the structure of a film company and has great power. From the earliest stage of script development, it will be involved in the project. From filming to post-production, most of the discourse rights are managed by the production. The control of the department also requires that the production department must have a high degree of professionalism, formulate standard production processes, and have a keen control and accurate judgment on the market.

These problems and difficulties, Robert Freeman has already reacted with Andy. Today's meeting is also the subordinate platform that Andy gave himself to solve the problem, and the easiest way to solve this problem is to put the entertainment on the peak. A brilliant 'Green Light Committee' run by Marvel Pictures was set up.

"In order to ensure the annual production of 15-17 movies, the development department with only 10 people needs to have high work efficiency and accurate judgment, and the number of projects that need to be reserved each year has increased to 400. This is also owned by Universal An important guarantee for strong vitality and competitiveness.

In order to shorten the project approval cycle of high-quality projects, the company will set up a film project risk assessment control system consisting of the planning department, production department, financial department, global distribution department, derivative development department, and legal department, which is the 'Green Light Committee'.

A high-quality project, with its various links made estimations and financial trial models, and after the data is submitted to the Green Light Committee, it can ensure that the profit return index of more than 15% is reached, and the project can be immediately established. "

Andy looked around the people in the conference room with a serious expression, and his decision was made with a clear voice. This benefit is one word, and there is no need to discuss and discuss. His big boss can decide one word at a time.

"The creation and production of a movie is not a game. It must not be abandoned halfway or with suspicion. The commitment and investment of each staff member to the movie, and the adjustments, compromises, and quarrels experienced in each link, can be used to create an increasingly perfect Team.

The turmoil has ended, nbc Universal has become my asset, and its future will only be brighter. I hope you will seize this opportunity and witness the new glory of Universal Pictures with me! "

"Papapa--"

There was a warm applause in the conference room. No matter what you think, the big boss's declaration is still very encouraging. The Green Light Committee is nothing new. Universal Pictures has also had it before, but it was not left. The turmoil made management want to be stable and not afraid to take risks.

Now start the green light again, maybe we are really about to usher in a new round of growth period!