America’s Road To Wealth

Vol 2 Chapter 204: Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne

Chapter 204 Music Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne

The figure of 1.2 billion dollars.

Honestly, even Spielberg was moved.

Yes, Spielberg is indeed one of the most profitable directors in Hollywood.

In 1993, Spielberg earned an unprecedented $250 million in terms of box office and other profit sharing in his film "Jurassic Park".

But "Jurassic Park" is a special case.

For example, Spielberg made less than 20 million U.S. dollars on "Saving Private Soldier" in 1998.

Spielberg feels that there will be very few opportunities to make money like "Jurassic Park" in the future.

$400 million in six years is already very impressive for Spielberg.

Besides, the 250 million US dollars of "Jurassic Park" was achieved almost ten years later.

is a figure that adds up all the profit sharing from the sale of peripherals, DV, etc. over the years, in addition to the box office profit share and the director's remuneration.

All of these add up to make this number so exaggerated.

Now that he heard Abel's offer of 1.2 billion US dollars, Spielberg was very moved.

The mentality that it was not for sale at the beginning was shaken immediately.

What's more, his other two partners were even more excited about this offer.

This is why David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

One of the reasons would want to sell DreamWorks.

The price is too high.

Of course.

Let these two giants want to sell DreamWorks, there is another reason.

The reason for this is that since DreamWorks was established six years ago, it has been squeezed out by the Hollywood giants both openly and secretly.

Don’t think that there is no way to be harmonious internally because of the big six or eight big Hollywood.

This is wrong.

Once a new challenger is encountered, or outsiders harm the collective interests of everyone.

The originally disputed Hollywood giants.

When facing new challengers, they will join hands with tacit understanding to cheat people together.

DreamWorks has been cheated miserably in the past few years.

Dreamworks' movie is released. The filming was blocked, the publicity was more expensive than others, and behind the scenes was also more expensive than others. Everything was more troublesome than others.

All kinds of troubles, big and small, came one after another.

have already exhausted the Big Three.

Spielberg is okay, he just needs to get serious about making movies.

Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen are different.

The two partners in charge of the company's operations took on more pressure and work.

The dream of starting a business earlier was crushed by the giants.

It can be said that there are not many left.

Even Spielberg himself.

After founding DreamWorks.

Spielberg also felt that those Hollywood giants were hostile to him.

Let's be more realistic.

From an economic point of view.

Spielberg's income in the past six years is not even half of what he earned from "Jurassic Park".

When he was a freelance director, the whole of Hollywood welcomed Spielberg.

After becoming the Big Three of DreamWorks, except for actors who want to appear in DreamWorks works.

Everyone else is hostile to Spielberg.

Parallel time and space.

The last Big Three finally started selling DreamWorks in 2002 after carrying it for two years.

It is that their prices are more expensive, after all, DreamWorks was the first independent film company at that time.

There is also a very powerful DreamWorks animation department under its umbrella.

It was sold until 2004, the parent company of Paramount, one of the Hollywood giants.

Viacom Group finally acquired the entire DreamWorks for $1.6 billion.

Now two years ahead, with Abel knowing David Geffen.

He sent someone to contact David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg, and made an appointment with the two of them.

After these two people were settled, I came to contact Spielberg.

Doing this can be regarded as directly forcing Spielberg.

Another reason why it is $1.2 billion, not $1.6 billion.

Because at this time, DreamWorks Animation was not that strong.

We have to wait for DreamWorks to release "Shrek" this year, which has achieved great success.

The people of the world realized the power of DreamWorks Animation, which made the value of the entire company of DreamWorks rise a lot.

Now in 2001.

The quotation of 1.2 billion US dollars is already a good figure for DreamWorks.

But money is something that no one thinks is too little.

After being silent for a long time, Spielberg opened a new price.

"$1.4 billion," Spielberg said.

"DreamWorks will release a very high-quality cartoon in the near future. Its box office will definitely be very good. 1.2 billion US dollars is not the real price of DreamWorks."

Actually, 1.4 billion U.S. dollars can also be accepted by Abel.

It’s just that you can buy it cheaper, so why spend an extra 200 million US dollars?

Two hundred million dollars, is it not good to use it for the new starting point to buy a few pieces of land or luxury houses?

The haggling continues.

"Come on, Steven. We all know the upper limit of animated movies. Do you think DreamWorks can compare to Disney and Pixar when it comes to animated movies?"

"Besides, my initial quotation was only 1 billion US dollars. It was your two good friends who forcibly raised the price to 1.2 billion US dollars."

"I've regressed twice, you can't make me regress again?"

After hearing what Abel said, Spielberg looked at David Geffen.

The latter shrugged and said nothing.

If it was Spielberg, he could bargain successfully.

If you sell a little more money, then David Geffen can get a little more, of course he is happy.

Spielberg once again offered the price: "1.38 billion US dollars. This is our hard work for six years, and it was not for sale."

伱 You can buy it now.

but

Need to add money!

"US$1.3 billion, a buyout price. Steven, you know that this price is already very sincere."

Abel makes the final offer.

Spielberg seems to be able to see that this is Abel's bottom line.

The big director was silent for a while, and finally said softly:

"That's $1.3 billion. We hope it's cash."

"Of course~" Abel said with a smile, "I always buy things in cash."

Spielberg also smiled for the first time, he stood up and shook hands with Abel:

"I hope you will treat DreamWorks well. It will definitely make you a lot of money."

Abel stood up and shook hands with Spielberg and David Geffen.

"DreamWorks will become one of MGM's independent companies and enjoy the same treatment as Marvel movies."

But Abel actually valued the animation department of DreamWorks more.

Dreamworks Animation is almost in the American media industry now.

It is the cheapest and high-quality animation company that can be bought.

Even the purchase price of 1.3 billion, at least half of it was for Dreamworks Animation.

As for DreamWorks itself, its production team, distribution channels, copyright, etc., MGM actually doesn’t need much.

But it also has some value. And because of the famous musician David Geffen, DreamWorks also has a music DreamWorks company in it, which also has some value.

More importantly, the contract stipulates that DreamWorks has the priority investment and signing rights for Spielberg and other Big Three.

That is to say, if DreamWorks wants to make movies in the future, Spielberg and other Big Three must give priority to signing with DreamWorks.

Or if Spielberg wants to make a movie, DreamWorks has the right to invest first.

Of course, in terms of price and remuneration, we must follow market rules.

Spielberg's directing ability, and the working ability of the other two giants.

This is also part of the value of DreamWorks.

It all adds up to make it worth $1.3 billion today.

If these channels, animation companies and music companies are deducted.

If there is still the ability of the Big Three.

Dreamworks is basically worthless to Hollywood giants.

After this big event is done, the atmosphere of the next chat will be much more relaxed.

Abel also waved for Derek Wright and Scarlett Johansson to come over.

Let Scarlett, hand over the document to Spielberg and David Geffen.

"This is the transaction contract. Please take a look at it. If there is no problem, I will hand it over to your lawyer. I hope to complete the transaction within a week." Abel said with a smile.

By this time.

Derek Wright and Scarlett.

Only then did I know that the document sent over was MGM's acquisition of DreamWorks.

Derek Wright is okay, but Scarlett feels a little dreamy.

DreamWorks changed hands and was acquired by MGM.

This kind of super earthquake in the entertainment industry, the source of its shock was actually in my hands just now.

This gave Scarlett a great sense of participation, as if she had also become a big shot in Hollywood.

Spielberg looked at the contract and found nothing wrong.

The big director intends to take it away and show it to his lawyer.

Besides, Spielberg is still a little uncomfortable with the "betrayal" of David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg at the moment.

The big director doesn't want to be here, and continues to face Abel and David Geffen.

Spielberg said:

"I want to take it home and have my lawyer look at it for me. Try to sign the contract as soon as possible, is that okay, Mr. Smith?"

Abel raised his hand, "Please go ahead."

Spielberg stood up, took the contract and nodded to Abel and David Geffen, and when he was about to leave, he nodded to Scarlett and Derek Wright as a greeting.

This made Scarlett a little excited again.

Spielberg, super director, say hello to her!

Xiaomengxin, who has a complete status in the circle, has no resistance when facing the boss.

David Geffen did not leave, he and Abel have long been friends.

During the yacht trip held by Ovitz last time, the two of them got in touch pretty well.

David Geffen looked at Derek Wright and Scarlett, and said to Abel:

"It won't bother you, will it?"

Abel shook his head, he didn't know why Derek Wright and Scarlett came here.

At this time, Scarlett is so young, her face is not even fully opened yet.

Except that the figure is very beyond age and the scale is very large.

There is no parallel time and space, the appearance of the widow sister who is 1.6 meters tall and has an aura of 1.8 meters.

If it is not suitable, he plans to raise it first and then eat it.

At this time, it is more important to win over David Geffen.

"David." Abel said softly:

"Jeffrey will continue to run DreamWorks Animation. Spielberg can continue to make his movies. What are your plans?"

David Geffen's ability and character are very good.

This is a dare at all LGBT not ZZZQ.

Even in the wrong age of ZZ, an oily person who announced his sexual orientation.

He is one of the most profitable people in Hollywood with an investment vision.

More importantly, David Geffen is very good at music.

Abel’s current media layout is in the middle.

There is even a TV station, but there is no reliable music or record company.

He originally wanted to acquire a ready-made company, but he never found a suitable target.

This time, they just bought DreamWorks, which has a music company of its own.

I have a good relationship with David Geffen.

Abel's idea was to fool David Geffen over.

Let him help himself to support and develop DreamWorks' music company or record company first.

Actually, according to the contract just now, David Geffen is the same as Spielberg.

As long as the DreamWorks label is still there, David will continue to work for DreamWorks.

In other words, when Abel bought DreamWorks, he bought not just DreamWorks itself.

There are also the souls that make up DreamWorks, three powerful Hollywood bosses.

Including David Geffen, according to the market price, DreamWorks has the priority to sign and invest in the three of them.

Unless one day the DreamWorks label is gone, otherwise this right will continue.

The limit is twenty years.

This is one of the reasons why the value of DreamWorks will be as high as 1.3 billion US dollars.

"If you need me. Or DreamWorks needs. Then I will continue to be my producer." David Geffen said.

This is his forte.

"If you or DreamWorks don't need me, then I might buy a newspaper and try to be a newspaper tycoon."

David Geffen in an alternate time and space.

After DreamWorks was sold.

He really went off to be his newspaper mogul.

At first, David Geffen offered $2 billion to acquire the Los Angeles Times.

The latter has been slow to accept the offer and is negotiating acquisitions with other sellers. The acquisition plan came to an end.

Later, David Geffen bought a large amount of "New York Times" stock, but this acquisition also encountered twists and turns.

The Sulzberger Family Love Inn was unwilling to let go, eager buyers lined up.

David Geffen has no hope of success.

"How about helping me?" Abel said with a smile:

"How about being the person in charge of the music sector in my media group? I know you are an excellent record producer, the real music emperor."

David Geffen looked hesitant.

David Geffen did have great success in the music and recording industry in his early years. That's right.

But now he has no interest in music.

It’s just that David Geffen pays more attention to Abel as a friend, and Abel is the highest among his friends.

Plus David Geffen has a contract with DreamWorks there.

After thinking about it, David Geffen replied softly:

"Okay, but I want a deadline. Three years. No, five years."

"I'm only working for your music company for five years, and during that time, I can have my own business."

"Of course."

David Geffen emphasized his assurance: "I will never delay the development of your music company. How?"

"No problem, deal." Abel smiled and shook his hand.

In this way, Abel felt that he could start to develop his music territory.

David Geffen says:

"DreamWorks' music company is just a small label. Before that, it mainly did film soundtracks, as well as dubbing and music for cartoons."

"If you want to expand the scale and enter the record industry, you need to continue to recruit staff, add new equipment and new office space."

"You are a professional in this area." Abel said directly:

"I will let DreamWorks Music become independent and inject another $100 million."

"Then I'm fine." David Geffen said with a smile.

"David, do you have any ideas for developing a music company?" Abel said softly.

"Find out new singers and open up new channels." David Geffen replied:

"Of course. You are so rich, if you want, we can also dig Jackson, Madonna or Britney."

Abel nodded, he also understood the truth.

In fact, to put it bluntly, a new music label appeared.

It’s nothing more than finding newcomers or digging big names.

It’s these two, it’s not that easy to dig.

Finding newcomers requires a certain amount of luck and foresight.

To dig out big names, you need a lot of small money.

Few people can do the former, and few people can do the latter.

But in comparison, the latter is easier to do.

At least as long as you have money, you can poach any big guy.

But if you have money, you may not be able to find good new singers.

But Abel is different from others.

Abel said to David Geffen: "David, have you ever heard of Arista Records in New York?"

David Geffen thought about it, and said uncertainly: "It seems that there is such a company, it is a small record company."

Abel nodded and said:

"I was in New York before, and by chance, I heard this demo from Arista Records, a young undebuted singer. I think it sounds very good, maybe I can buy it and dig this potential newcomer over. "

David Geffen doesn't think Abel has much talent as a music scout, or the ability to appreciate music.

But Arista Records, just a nice little record company.

According to David Geffen's plan, Music DreamWorks itself also needs to acquire and annex several small and medium-sized record labels in order to expand its scale and channels as soon as possible.

The acquisition of Arista Records is also within an acceptable range.

At the same time, it also meets this small request of Abel, David Geffen thinks it is very simple.

David Geffen nodded: "I will get someone to contact Arista Records as soon as possible."

Abel smiled and nodded in satisfaction.

As a Reborn.

Of the American singers, Abel only remembers two.

One is Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift.

The other one is Avril Lavigne.

Taylor Swift, Abel only vaguely remembers that she was born in 1989.

At most eleven or twelve years old now, it is impossible to debut at such a young age.

This made him want to find it, but he couldn't find it in a short time.

But Avril Lavigne seems to be in New York.