Exploiting Hollywood 1980

  Chapter 951 Three reasons why Samsung Pictures invested

   "Without any additional conditions, just invest 10 million?"

  Ronald got the intention of Samsung Pictures, and was surprised by such a simple and powerful investment intention for this joint venture studio with a complicated background. Do they trust themselves that much? It's not available in other film studios.

  Tristar is called Samsung because when it was founded in 1982, it had three main shareholders.

  The only film company among the shareholders was Columbia, which had just been acquired by Coca-Cola at that time and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coca-Cola. Because of various internal political struggles, the original Columbia faction had great conflicts with the airborne Coca-Cola gang, which pushed the capable president, Frank Price, the only one in Hollywood who read the script by himself, out of Columbia.

  When Price was still the president of Columbia, he felt that the contradictions between the two factions were too great, and the increasing cost of filming was a headache. At that time, a large number of middle-level managers airborne from Coca-Cola headquarters also clamored to make a movie, but suffered from insufficient budget.

  So in 1982, on the eve of his exit, he brokered a deal. At that time, the two TV stations, HBO and CBS, who wanted to enter the film shooting market and provide their own TV stations with more broadcastable film sources, agreed to invest in the establishment of a joint venture company, Samsung Pictures. Columbia provided filming capabilities, and HBO provided cable television channels. CBS will launch a public TV channel, and the three companies will win three times if they join forces.

   But the reality is cruel, whether it is cable HBO or wireless CBS, what is needed is a large number of mediocre quality movies to fill the air time.

  The strategy of Columbia Studios to make movies is to focus on quality rather than quantity. Casting fifteen or so films a year has consumed most of their share of the ethical Delphi fund they raised from Wall Street.

  The production quantity of the three parties and the differences in production quality caused CBS to withdraw from the joint venture in 1985 and HBO in 1986.

  In this way, Samsung has changed from a joint venture company to a Colombian wholly-owned company. The original arrangement was mainly to allow the managers of the two factions to have work, but now it has become a redundant burden.

  The parent company, Coca-Cola, couldn't tolerate such waste, so it invested 50 million yuan at a price of 15 US dollars per share to continue to increase its capital in Samsung Pictures and became the largest shareholder. The intention of this capital increase is mainly to revive Samsung's profitability.

  Samsung’s management was originally airborne by Coca-Cola, and their motivation has greatly increased, and they have successively signed contracts with two medium-sized Hollywood production companies, Caroco Films and Heimdell Films, to underwrite their distribution business.

  The two companies released the third part of First Blood and The Last Emperor respectively that year. Get ready to go big, and work with Samsung Pictures to continue producing the next installment of the Rambo and Terminator movie series.

  Who knows, it's not a good movie market, but a stock market crash on Wall Street. Coca-Cola's stock price stagnated immediately. The stock that had maintained a growth rate of more than 30% in the past few years rose by less than 1% in 1987 from the previous year.

  Although in the stock market crash, if there is no fall, you win, but Coca-Cola is also adopting various tightening policies. The money-losing film business is the first to be adjusted.

   In any case, the two studios, Columbia and Tristar, are terrible investments. Coca-Cola decided to reorganize Samsung Pictures and inject all the assets of the original Columbia into Samsung Cinemas.

   And changed the name of Samsung Pictures to Columbia Entertainment, becoming the parent company of Columbia Pictures. Samsung Pictures is only used as a label, and it was retained in consideration of the continuity of the audience's word of mouth.

  In this way, the first large-scale comprehensive production and distribution company established in 30 years ended its operation as an entity.

  The one who found Ronald this time and wanted to invest in Sybill Shepard's new film was actually Columbia Entertainment, which is under the Samsung label. It was their new president, Dawn Steel, who made this decision.

   Contrary to Ronald's expectations, Dan Steele was wearing a man's name, but she was actually a middle-aged beauty. She was **** and hearty. When talking about things with Ronald, she expressed her thoughts clearly.

  “My purpose is very clear, which is to give women a commensurate status in Hollywood. I have promoted qualified women to serve as directors of film promotion and production. They have been delayed for a long time by the deep-rooted discrimination in Hollywood.

  This "Love in the Afterlife" is very to my liking. It is rare to see such a movie in recent years that can reflect women's work-life balance. So I have the idea to invest, as long as Sybill Shepard is the heroine, there is enough appeal.

  I will find a male lead who matches her, for example, her old partner Ryan O'Neal is very good. "

   "So, Ms. Steele, how do you plan to divide the production rights between my daydream and Samsung Pictures?"

Ronald looked at the plan proposed by the other party. The new president who just took office at the end of last year to succeed David Putnam, who had pushed Frank Price away, didn't seem like he had no idea about film production. species of people.

  The Ryan O'Neal she was looking for was the most attractive handsome star in Hollywood in the late 1970s. He was also director Peter Bogdanovich's favorite male lead, when Sybill Shepard was his favorite female lead. We've made several movies together.

   While it wasn't a box office success, critics loved the duo's chemistry, so it might be a good idea to bring them back as a middle-aged couple.

   "I want Samsung Pictures to dominate the production business. Your daydreaming is to retain the production rights and the highest priority dividend rights." Dan Steele was straightforward.

   "Our company's Emile Adolino will be the director." Ronald put forward the condition.

  "Actually, I originally intended for Peter Bogdanovich. He cooperates well with both the male and female protagonists. But his performance recently disappointed me."

Dan Steele was talking about that Bogdanovich film for De Laurentiis, because Laurentiis slashed the production budget as it got closer to filming, so the film was shot Very bad.

"So I can agree to give your Emile Adolino a chance, but I have one condition, you have to participate in the pre-casting and work as a producer. Otherwise, I can't give him such a big investment Make your debut."

   "Very fair conditions", Ronald thought for a while and agreed. Emile Adolino's level is actually good, and he won't spend too much time on his project.

  The two stood up and shook hands, indicating that they had reached a verbal agreement. This Dan Steele, it can be seen that he was a big beauty when he was young, but he spoke and acted very masculine, and he deliberately imitated the behavior of male executives, making an appearance that I can do it too.

   As he spoke, Dan Steele poured two glasses of brandy and handed one to Ronald to celebrate the cooperation.

   "Actually, I have been paying attention to you for a long time. When you were the co-producer of the "Lightning Dance" crew, I was the production supervisor at Paramount. I carefully read all the set reports you wrote.

  Afterwards, I like a series of films from the female perspective that you made, which is why I invested in your project this time. I am optimistic about your vision. "

"cheers…"

  After parting ways, Ronald and Dan Steele went back to daydreaming about an agreement for their subordinates to prepare for cooperation. I drank black tea in the office and slowly thought about something.

  He always feels that although there is a female president who wants to get off to a good start, this cooperation is still a bit frivolous. Dan Steele is unlikely to decide to invest in a film just because it has a female perspective. I don't know the reason behind it that I don't know.

   The puzzle that Ronald couldn't figure out was solved soon. CAA's Michael Ovitz approached him to take credit.

   “I was talking to them about other things at Columbia, and Dan came over and asked me if there was something worth investing in, and I immediately thought of your movie.”

   "Why did she make a movie about women?" Ronald asked Ovitz.

   "All women in Hollywood are very excited now, including your friend Gail Hurd, and New York film critic Pauline Carr." Ovitz talked about the impact of this incident on Hollywood.

  Dan Steele may not be the first female president of Hollywood's seven major film studios, but she is definitely the first executive with real power. Shirley Lansing was the president of Twentieth Century Fox before, and basically didn't work as a family for a few days. , Fox was bought by the oil tycoon. After that she was just a decoration, put aside, no one came to ask her anything.

So Dan Steele made a series of actions to highlight the advancement of women in Hollywood. In addition to promoting a large number of female managers, she needs a movie with a strong female statement to announce to everyone that women have surpassed After opening the vase, he officially came to Hollywood.

   "Paulyn Carr even believes that no matter what Dane Steele says or does, what she does today will be cutting-edge and progressive in the next twenty years."

   "Ah...", Ronald felt uneasy after hearing this kind of thing. Dan Steele doesn't make investment decisions based on the quality of the movie itself at all. She makes investment decisions for women's empowerment, which has nothing to do with the movie's box office.

"I just seized the opportunity and highly recommended you. Your working girl is really a great female theme. Harrison Ford even made a vase for supporting roles. And your Moonlight Sultry won the Oscar for Best Actress The leading role, and the Best Supporting Actress award, Dan Steele appreciates it very much."

   "I see, it seems that I still have to thank you for your recommendation", Ronald didn't think so. Hollywood is so big, Dan Steele will not know that he is good at shooting female stars. But Ovitz has always liked to take credit for himself.

"I'm helping you, and you're helping me, CAA, are you? We've got a new signing and a young male star, Robert Downey Jr., and I hope you'll be there when he auditions for the role in this movie. His own acting skills are very strong, and he is also very suitable for this role."

   "Of course, when the Emir held a casting meeting, I went back to show my support." Ronald thought to himself that I would have to support the Emir.

  This young actor has seen it himself. His girlfriend at the time was Sarah Jessica Parker, who almost chose the heroine of "Dirty Dancing" and failed in the end.

   I wonder if they are still a couple now? I just remember Sarah Jessica Parker's face, which looks like a long-shaped utensil that is convenient for changing shoes at the door of a newly renovated home in Huaguo.

  If it’s not suitable for the movie, no matter how good the acting skills are, I can’t give the green light, and I must resolutely deny it.

   Sarah Jessica Parker is also Jewish. Between the two candidates for the heroine, Jewish Babay, Ronald chose Jennifer Gray, who has few Jewish facial features.

   Ovitz recommends this, maybe Robert Downey Jr. is also Jewish this time?

   "The supporting actress is Shepard's daughter. I will recommend all young girls who are suitable for CAA. You will decide when the time comes. Your vision for choosing women is very good."

   "Huh?" Ronald felt that Ovitz's smile was a bit wretched, like a pimp.

  …

   "Ronald, our mutual friend from Japan has come to America again, is it convenient for you to meet him?" Immediately afterwards, Ronald received a call from Bannon.

   "Oh, is there any clue about his acquisition?" Ronald knew he was talking about Sony's Norio Ohga.

   "I heard that the target has been selected, I didn't ask more, this time he may also want to consult your opinion. You need to charge more consulting fees."

   "Hahaha... It's all about helping friends. Dongying people are very particular about this. Not everything is measured by money."

  This time, the meeting changed to a different place. Norio Ohga asked the chef to cook in the private mansion he lived in during his stay in Los Angeles, and the two had some French meals.

"We have basically delineated the target of the acquisition, Columbia Pictures. On the one hand, the hero of the acquisition of Columbia Records, Michael Schulhoff, the vice chairman of Sony America Branch, and Walter, the former vice president of Columbia Records, Yetnikov, need a reward.

   On the other hand, our research shows that Columbia is the studio with the most business card rights. "

  Norio Ohga said something about their plans to acquire Columbia Pictures. It turns out that the overlord of Hollywood, the copyright of MGM has been sold in pieces. Warner Bros.' library is focused on gangster movies. After Paramount was anti-monopoly, the copyright situation was complicated.

  Only 2,700 films owned by Colombia, all with full copyright. Moreover, Frank Capra's "It Happened One Night", David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia", and even Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", these famous masterpieces are all lying in Columbia's film library. .

  Sony wants to release video tapes. These business cards in history are the most powerful weapon and the first choice for audience collection.

  And Columbia Pictures, and Samsung Pictures, also have a lot of business in TV stations. The TV series "A Fairy Wife" produced for CBS has many viewers and fans, and the entertainment program "Lucky Rolling" is also sought after by many people.

"My interest in Columbia, first of all, lies in its programming capabilities. Movies are just a big sign of the studio, and the money mainly depends on TV stations and video tapes. What I'm interested in is how many new movies they can produce every year, and how many movies they have in their library. How much is in stock."

  Norio Ohga is full of confidence. The last time Ronald reminded him of the main points, we must pay attention to the perception of the American people.

  This time they have deliberately considered it in the acquisition project. They plan to follow the rules of the American stock market, honestly and publicly buy at a premium, and not seek private blending with Coca-Cola, so that there will be no big public opinion opposition. Even if you pay hundreds of millions of dollars more, it is worth it.

   "Ronald-sang, do you think there are any flaws in our plan? We are personal friends, and I hope to hear your sincere words." Da He added another sentence at the end.

  Ronald didn't know whether the Dongying people were sincerely asking for advice, or just talking casually, wanting a little flattery and praise.

  He thought for a while, "I think the team hired by Sony must be the most professional..."

  Seeing Norio Ohga nodded, Ronald thought that he probably wanted to praise himself, "If I can think of it, you must have thought of it a long time ago."

   "Please be sure to teach me. Last time your opinion was very useful, and Mr. Morita also praised you very much." Norio Ohga continued to ask for advice and suggestions.

"You must be aware of the lawsuit between Dongying's game console company, Nintendo and Universal." Ronald thought about it, "Hollywood's copyright is very complicated. There are various sharing agreements, dividend agreements, and some are signed by directors, screenwriters and film individuals. Yes, there is also the unified residual dividend after the collective bargaining of the trade union.

  Many people bought copyrights, and they all suffered from these inconspicuous pieces of paper hidden at the bottom of the file box. So you better hire the best lawyer team in Hollywood to prevent future troubles. "

"We have approached the gentleman who won the lawsuit for Nintendo, but his current energy is mainly serving Nintendo, and the movie copyright and the game adaptation copyright are not the same thing." Dahe said, "What does Ronald Sang have? Do you know any lawyers?"

   "Ah... I only hired lawyer Mitch Kanter, he helped me win the screenwriter's copyright lawsuit, a very capable lawyer."

"Mitch Kanter, Ronald Sang's recommendation must be very good. We will talk to him. This is not a small amount compared to legal fees. He will owe Ronald Sang's kindness." Norio Oga used steel Take note of the lawyer's name that Ronald said.

   "Ah, haha..." Ronald was a little annoyed that he couldn't charge a referral fee.

"Ronald-san, we Dongying people will never forget old friends." Dahe seemed to understand Ronald's mind, "I have instructed Schulhoff to remind Columbia Entertainment about your project. , they must have already looked for you. When the time comes, I will watch the videotape in Dongying."

"Aha...that's just my production project. The director is a friend of mine who used to be my assistant." Ronald understood the reason behind the 10 million capital injection. Very refreshing.

   "It turned out that it was not a project directed by Ronald Sang himself. Next time you have a film directed by yourself and need our support, please feel free to propose it through Bannon Sang."

   "Ah, then I would like to thank Mr. Dahe." Ronald thought to himself that he might as well ask me to invest directly, although I haven't thought about a new movie yet.

   "I really like Ronald Sang's Japanese-themed movies. I don't know if there is a third Longwei Boy?"

  “In Hollywood, it’s up to the producers to decide through market analysis.”

  (end of this chapter)