Hollywood New Century

Simon Pike and Blake Lively were sitting in the corner seating area chatting, after all, they are small people now and not many people they know.

On the other side, Angelina Jolie held her husband Brad Pitt and whispered.

Angelina Jolie, who gave birth to her first daughter in April, started attending events after taking less than two months off.

"Pete, do you want to meet Simon Pike, I think he is very simple, he has a super self-confidence," Angelina Jolie looked at Simon Pike in the lounge area and was smiling with his little girlfriend what are you talking about.

"Julie, there's no need for this, he just has an independent film company, and the biggest investment in the film is "The Devil Wears Prada" at a cost of $35 million, and he is now working with Harvey Weinstein and George K. Rooney has conflicts." How could Brad Pitt drop his identity to meet him right now.

"Hey, he can go from a small screenwriter to a film company owner with a net worth of tens of millions of dollars in two years. This is a genius. He dares to invest in his films. How many producers in Hollywood dare to do this?" Angie Lina Jolie has no impression of Simon Parker, but after seeing Simon Parker's interview on "The Ellen Show" before admitting that he used to play tricks in the crew of "Mrs. and Mrs. Smith" and had contact with himself in action scenes, I was amazed at his rapid rise.

"Okay, Jolie, the idol factor for the success of independent films is very big, don't think about it!" Brad Pitt said, reaching out and clapping Angelina Jolie on the shoulder.

Simon was listening to Blake Lively chatting about some Hollywood gossip, all about the stars.

"Simon, I'm going to the bathroom, you sit down first!" Blake Lively said and got up and left.

At this time, Adam Goodman, the chief operating officer (COO) of DreamWorks Pictures, came over and sat next to Simon and said with a smile: "Simon, last time I met you, you also liked to sit in the corner alone!"

"Well, Mr. Goodman, I'm just a small person. I don't know these big people very well," Simon smiled, raised his glass and touched Adam Goodman.

"You are very good. Two consecutive low-cost independent films have been well-received at the box office. If you have one such film a year, you will be terrible after that!" Adam Goodman responded.

"By the way, DreamWorks invited Ms. Stacey Schneider, who left Universal Pictures, to be the company's chief executive officer (CEO). It should only be an official announcement!" Simon said casually, Stacey Schneider Ned, the CEO of Universal Pictures, was poached by DreamWorks.

NBCUniversal has newly named Mark Schimger and David Lindy as co-chairs of Universal Pictures.

After listening to Simon Parker's question, Adam Goodman nodded, which is what investor and director Steve Spielberg meant.

"Although DreamWorks is now owned by Paramount, we have a strong independence. Film production and distribution are the same as before, except that some film projects can only be developed with the approval of Paramount," Adam Goodman said.

Simon nodded, DreamWorks had suffered such a serious loss before, and high-concept movies that pursued big productions and big marketing also depend on the genre. That is the way of doing commercial blockbusters. Of course, some other types of movies have to reduce their budgets to reduce investment risks. .

DreamWorks movies cost an average of 20% more money than each of the Big Six movies. Paramount does not get stuck at the source and control the difficult types of projects, and it will continue to make DreamWorks lose money.

This is also the reason why DreamWorks became independent from Paramount in 2009. Because the differences between the two companies are too great, Steve Spielberg is not someone who likes to follow orders.

"However, you at least brought the distribution rights of DreamWorks Animation," Simon smiled. DreamWorks Animation, which was listed separately on Nasdaq in 2004, now produces almost two animations every year. Sign a new distribution contract for animated feature films, until 2012, the global theater, home entertainment and TV market distribution rights of DreamWorks Animation's films are Paramount, with a distribution commission of 8%.

"DreamWorks Animation's current chairman and CEO is Mr. Jeffrey Katzenberg. The distribution contract between DreamWorks Animation and DreamWorks Pictures was originally until 2010, and they and Paramount extended two years. Years, however, they got $75 million in cash from Paramount to pay off the debt!" Adam Goodman's meaning is obvious, DreamWorks and DreamWorks Animation have nothing to do with it, they were animated films before. Just issue a contract.

"Aren't the three founders of DreamWorks always a partnership!" Simon smiled.

Jeffrey Katzenberg, David Griffin, and Steve Spielberg correspond to the business of animated films, music, and live-action films.

Once DreamWorks was ambitious, it was bound to become an entertainment group that challenged the Big Six, live-action films, animated feature films, TV production, music groups, publishing, and magazines.

The so-called step is too big, and it is easy to be tripped. DreamWorks Animation's feature films are strong enough, and all the competitors can only watch it and only watch Pixar.

DreamWorks live-action movies have also produced many movies with good box office reviews, and the TV production department has also cooperated with HBO to produce a well-made "War in the Pacific."

No matter how DreamWorks is, it is essentially an independent film production and distribution company. The company's income relies heavily on the film itself, and there is no upstream and downstream development.

With the increasing budget of DreamWorks live-action movies, although they are all in cooperation with other film companies, after all, DreamWorks does not have an overseas distribution network. However, high investment does not result in high income, but high losses. The box office has failed for several consecutive years, and DreamWorks' debt is getting higher and higher. The music department has been closed, publishing and magazines have been sold, and finally the most valuable DreamWorks Animation also went on the market independently.

Last year, the fiasco of "Escape from the Clone Island" made DreamWorks give up its struggle, and the debt ratio of more than 100% made it only possible for him to sell himself to tide over the difficulties.

Well, DreamWorks is heavily indebted, and it has nothing to do with the three founders, they made a lot of money, especially Steve Spielberg, who made movies for DreamWorks himself, all based on his own personal The company Amblin Entertainment charges high remuneration.

"Now we also hope that the company can develop better under the leadership of Ms. Stacey Schneider," Adam Goodman was also a little embarrassed. No matter what, there is an emperor on DreamWorks. Many things are to be approved by them.

"Hey, has Paramount already started preparations for "Indiana Jones 4"?" Simon asked suddenly. According to memory, "Indiana Jones 4" will be released in the year after.

"Oh, Simon, from a very early time, the outside world said that Steve Spielberg was going to develop a new sequel to "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Isn't it all fake?" Adam Goodman certainly didn't admit it. , but he really doesn't know, after all, this project is produced by Lucasfilm, distributed by Paramount, Steve Spielberg is the director, and has nothing to do with DreamWorks.

"Hehe, Mr. Goodman," Simon smiled at Adam Goodman, then pointed to two places in the hall.

"Look, there's Steve Spielberg and Harrison Ford there, and there's George Lucas and Brad Gray there, is it really so coincidental?" Simon laughed, Lucasfilm has already After making the "Star Wars Prequels" trilogy, the reputation is not high, and the series will definitely be stopped for a few years. Now he is chatting with Brad Gray, the chairman of Paramount Pictures, and it happens that "Indiana Jones" The director and actor of the series are also chatting.

"The "Raiders of the Lost Ark" trilogy has come to an end. To restart, the script is a problem. I believe that both George Lucas and Spielberg must have thought about restarting. After all, this series is too popular. I just reported on finding someone to write the script," Simon analyzed vaguely,

"The script is indeed a problem, but it can definitely be solved. Another problem is that Harrison Ford, who plays Indiana Jones, is 64 years old this year. If it is not developed in the past few years, Harrison Ford will not be able to participate in this series. Now, Adam, do you think it's the original Raiders of the Lost Ark without Harrison Ford?"

"Hey, although what you said, Simon, makes sense, that doesn't mean that Raiders of the Lost Ark is going to be restarted this time, right?" Adam Goodman is also a fan of this series.

"Yes, but it's not important, anyway, this has nothing to do with DreamWorks," Simon just mentioned casually, and it has nothing to do with himself.

"Actually, I am very concerned about the live-action "Transformers" movie you cooperated with Paramount, how many dreams you carry!" Simon was a little jealous, really jealous.

"It's not just you, too many fans are looking forward to it, just waiting for the live-action "Transformers" to be released next year," Adam Goodman smiled confidently.

"If "Transformers" is successful, it is estimated that it will lead a wave of toy-based movies," Simon said, taking a sip of the red wine in his hand.

Adam Goodman, who was sitting on the other side of Simon, stood up at this time because a person was walking in his direction.

"Mr. Goodman, good evening!"

"Ms. Pascal, good evening, I didn't expect to meet you here!" Adam Goodman greeted with a smile.

Simon was facing Adam Goodman. Of course, he didn't know who was coming from behind, but when he heard the surname Pascal, he belonged to the Hollywood executives.

Amy Pascal is here!