Chapter 206: Anti-customer-oriented (2 in 1 large

The black Cadillac drove quickly towards the Santa Monica Valley. Tom Cruise personally accompanied Ronan to the agreed place.
Ronan glanced at Tom Cruise and asked, "Tom, how did you start delivering the letter?"
"No way." Tom Cruise spread out his hand and said, "Who asked Steven Spielberg to find me."
How could Ronan believe this? When digging Alan Albert and Danny Donald before, he didn’t see Tom Cruise attaching too much importance to Spielberg, and when the conditions were right, he was faint. Under the corner of DreamWorks, a few hoes were dug.
Tom Cruise knew Ronan didn’t believe it, and explained:
My agent is negotiating with DreamWorks. Spielberg has a project and wants to invite me to be the leading actor.
He further explained:
I Both Spielberg and CAA are customers of CAA. CAA intends to package this project. I also think the project is very interesting."
Ronan glanced at the sign on the side of the road and said, "Spielberg's film is a guarantee of success, and the trade-off between art and commerce is also better."
Tom Cruise said with a smile: "So Spielberg called me, and I can only act as the messenger." He paused, and then said, "I'm only responsible for delivering the letter. Ronan, don't because I affect you."
"I know." Ronan certainly understood what Tom Cruise meant. He didn't struggle in this regard, and asked instead: "What project do you collaborate with Spielberg?"
Tom Cruise said: "Do you know Phyllis Dick's short "Minority Report"?"
Ronan thought for a while: "I heard of it."
"Based on this film adaptation." Tom Cruise said: "No surprise, I will be one of the leading actor and producer."
Ronan suddenly had an idea: "Tom, is it possible for Embassy Pictures to get the overseas distribution rights of this film?"
Tom Cruise said directly: "I don't have much say in this aspect, but I can find a chance to ask." He looked at Ronan: "I really didn't expect your embassy film industry to be overseas so soon. Release the film."
Ronan told the truth: "Your friend, Alan Albert, is very capable. Besides, I am willing to invest. The money thrown in is always useful."
Even if there are channels left over by PolyGram Films, Embassy Pictures’ expenses for establishing an overseas distribution network have reached 33 million U.S. dollars.
Staff salaries, recruiting new recruits, renting office space, purchasing office equipment, etc., plus the activity expenses necessary for channel business, if you calculate a certain overseas market separately, it will not cost too much, but looking at the global market, the total is huge Number.
Ronan was also fortunate to have taken the Embassy Pictures early and established a North American distribution channel, thus making full use of "Blair the Witch" to obtain huge profits.
Inside a clubhouse on Brentwood Street in the Santa Monica Valley area.
Spielberg and Katzenberg arrived at the club in advance.
"Do you see the overseas box office of "Human Elimination Project 2" last week?" Spielberg asked first.
Katzenberg nodded, his voice a little astringent: "I see, the overseas distribution network of Embassy Pictures is beyond doubt. Even if it is defective, it can be repaired later. After all, the first overseas release can have such a good result. ,It's not easy."
Spielberg said: "Sound overseas distribution system..."
If DreamWorks has independent overseas distribution channels, why bother to find six major companies to distribute movies? The overseas distribution network that he was thinking of was established by a young man in his early twenties.
The old face is dull.
When Spielberg thought of improper use of people, he regretted it. How could he believe in Albert Hoffman's useless waste?
He has also reflected on himself. Since the establishment of DreamWorks, he has been holding power, and power has gradually fascinated his eyes. As a result, the first thing he sees is not those who are capable, but those who will please him.
"I have suspended the animation studio's overseas distribution negotiations." Katzenberg said at this time: "If possible, we still use our own distribution channels."
Spielberg asked concerned: "Shrek and My Little Pony King are also stopped?"
Katzenberg nodded: "Stop. Paramount, the first contact, lacked sincerity. Some time ago, there was a negotiation with Universal Pictures that the conditions were too harsh. It is better to take the distribution channels of others to let others earn the bulk of income. Take a look."
He thought about it, and then said: "The production cost of "Shrek" is US$60 million, and the cost of "My Little Pony King" is US$80 million. It is unrealistic to rely solely on the North American market for profit."
Spielberg agreed: "Wait."
In the past few years, DreamWorks Animation Studio has not been going well. Several animation films that have invested a lot of money have very mediocre income. Films such as "Brother Ant" and "Brave to the Golden City" have all incurred losses. "Prince of Egypt" is more influential, but after selling off the overseas distribution copyright, it barely makes a profit.
This is still the original soundtrack.
Katzenberg said suddenly: "Steven, why didn't we take down the distribution department of Polaroid Pictures?"
Spielberg got stuck again, and there was an unnoticeable embarrassment on his slightly old face.
When Ronan entered the reception room alone, he happened to see Spielberg and Katzenberg both have a thoughtful expression, as if they were facing a major event.
In any case, the qualifications of the two people were displayed, Ronan politely took the initiative to say hello, Spielberg and Katzenberg responded politely, and came over to shake hands with Ronan.
"Congratulations, Ronan." Spielberg talked to Ronan once, and they were familiar with them. The eyes under the round glasses were smiling, and he said: "The "Human Removal Project 2" box office is selling well. Congratulations. "
Ronan smiled and said, "Thank you."
Spielberg added: "I didn't expect Embassy Pictures to integrate PolyGram's distribution channels so soon."
Ronan smiled and did not answer.
Spielberg asked curiously: "Ronan, can you ask? How did the Embassy Pictures impress the people in the distribution department of Polygram Pictures?"
This question made Ronan a little alert, but his face remained calm and said: "It should be sincere."
The smile on Spielberg's face instantly stiffened, the answer was simply too sincere.
Ronan knew that the other party would not believe it, but he could only answer that way. Actually speaking, he did impress Alan Albert and Danny Donald with sincerity.
Is Spielberg aware of what's behind it?
Ronan increased his vigilance and secretly observed Spielberg and Katzenberg.
Somewhat unexpectedly, Spielberg didn’t mean to ask any questions at all. He turned the topic directly:
Ronan, you established Relativity Entertainment, under which Shahai Entertainment is responsible for production, and Embassy Pictures is responsible for distribution. This is to make the company bigger Right?"
During the recent period, Spielberg has studied a lot of information about Ronan and Relativity Entertainment. The businessman's sense of smell makes it easy for him to analyze his ambitions.
Moreover, he and Katzenberg also communicated with the DreamWorks board of directors, and the overseas distribution channel persuaded all directors.
Ronan does not deny this: "Who does entrepreneurs want to make the company bigger?"
Katzenberg remained silent and didn't mean to interrupt for the time being. It seemed that Spielberg was the main one.

It’s too difficult to make a company bigger in Hollywood.
Spielberg seemed to feel deeply moved:
Although this circle is not monopolized by any company, it is monopolized by a few companies. Other companies have developed to a medium scale. I touched the ceiling."
Ronan is very clear that this is very reasonable. Relativity entertainment has a relatively broad development space for the time being. This is because the scale of Relativity entertainment is very small, and the number of films produced and released every year is limited, and it has not attracted attention in a short time. .
Spielberg's voice is not loud, but it cannot be ignored: "In fact, DreamWorks and Relativity Entertainment are the same type, and both face the same situation."
"Steven, what you said is very correct." Ronan first agreed, and then asked: "If you have something to say directly."
In the face of these old foxes, it's no use going around.
Spielberg didn't expect Ronan's words to be so simple and straightforward, but think about the young people in their twenties who have been in contact before, most of them are like this. The young generation and the old generation have different styles of work.
"You want to make the company bigger, and DreamWorks is the same." Spielberg said: "We have the same interests, why not unite and seek a piece of our territory in Hollywood?"
Ronan looked at Spielberg, his head just turned, and he was aware of his true intentions.
What does DreamWorks need most? What does DreamWorks need for Relativity Entertainment?
"Union? I don't quite understand." Ronan said.
Spielberg pushed down the round glasses and said: "DreamWorks has the largest platform except for the six major Hollywood companies, and an entire industry chain has taken shape. In the past two years, "Saving Private Ryan" and "American Beauty "" and "Gladiator" and other films have achieved great success. DreamWorks is a powerful company, if your relativistic entertainment can join DreamWorks, it will not only increase the strength of DreamWorks, but also allow you to gain broader platform."
Without waiting for Ronan to speak, Katzenberg added: "The resources that DreamWorks has are ten times or more than your relativity entertainment."
Ronan frowned slightly, and said slowly, "So, DreamWorks wants to buy my Relativity Entertainment."
After almost all small and medium-sized film companies in Hollywood develop, they will face the same situation and even fate. They will be acquired by large companies and become members of large companies.
Miramax, New Line Films, Castle Rock Films, Revolutionary Film Studios, Orion Films, etc. are all like this.
In the past life, even the largest independent film company Lions Gate Pictures faced a similar situation. Companies such as Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures had all made Lions Gate Pictures’ ideas and even instigated Lions Gate’s two major companies. Shareholders, if it weren't for Lions Gate Pictures to start the "poison pill" anti-acquisition, maybe Lions Gate Pictures would become the six largest subsidiaries.
"No, Ronan, we are not buying Relativity Entertainment." Spielberg has never been just a director: "We are inviting you to join DreamWorks and jointly open up a new territory for Hollywood."
Hearing this, Ronan can only say that he is indeed Spielberg, a well-known good old man in the Hollywood circle, and he even said that he is so friendly and harmonious that he wants to buy other companies.
Could it be that he got the twenty-four-character true biography?
Katzenberg said at the right moment: "Mr. Anderson, you can think about it. Together, you will benefit both."
Spielberg smiled all over his face: "We might become the seventh biggest in Hollywood."
This is Spielberg's dream, and it is also a slogan that DreamWorks has chanted early, and is not afraid to let others know.
Ronan could faintly understand through the words of these two people that DreamWorks really longed for overseas distribution networks.
I found him at this point, probably because the overseas release of "Human Removal Project 2" was basically successful.
"Steven." Ronan said again: "DreamWorks really intends to acquire Relativity Entertainment?"
Spielberg frowned insignificantly and said, "This is not a simple acquisition. I have reached an agreement with Jerry Fu." He looked at Katzenberg, and waited for Katzenberg to nod. Said: "Exchange the shares of DreamWorks for your shares of Relativity Entertainment."
Compared to those old and powerful figures with upturned nostrils, Spielberg did not underestimate Ronan. A young man in his early twenties who can achieve such results must be unique. If you want to impress him, you must Give sincerity.
Therefore, Spielberg said: "After the share swap, you will become a shareholder of DreamWorks and even one of the decision makers of DreamWorks."
Frankly speaking, this sincerity is full, not a simple acquisition, but a replacement for shares of DreamWorks.
Ronan said very politely: "DreamWorks attaches so much importance to it, I am honored." He directly asked: "How many shares of DreamWorks can be exchanged for Relativity Entertainment?"
If he can exchange 60 or 70% for him to hold a controlling stake, it is not impossible to accept the deal.
But Ronan didn't faint, knowing it was fantasy.
Spielberg smiled and said: "If you have the intention to cooperate, we can entrust a third-party agency to value Relativity Entertainment, and determine the exchange rate based on the actual value of DreamWorks and Relativity."
Katzenberg also said: "We can hire a third party that both parties can trust."
Ronan tapped the armrest of the sofa lightly with his fingers. What is the value of DreamWorks now? Today, DreamWorks has not split up. It has a music department, a game department, a TV series production department, a peripheral sales department, and the most famous live-action film production department and animation studio.
Although Ronan saw the other departments as a burden to DreamWorks except for the latter two departments, they accounted for an extremely heavy weight when calculating assets.
On the other hand, Relativity Entertainment, the company is simple in composition, except for the movies that have been produced or purchased, there are no assets at all.
How many shares can be exchanged?
Ronan asked tentatively: "Steven, there is always a rough figure, otherwise I will reach an agreement with you rashly, and I will not be able to explain to the company's management and employees."
Katzenberg looked at Spielberg, and in fact, after passing through the board of directors, DreamWorks has reached an agreement.
Spielberg knows very well that at this time, you can't make promises randomly, otherwise, how to honor the contract when signing the contract? How to talk during negotiation? He pondered a little, and said: "The maximum amount of shares will not exceed 5%. If the amount is not enough, DreamWorks can pay in cash."
Ronan gave up in an instant. DreamWorks wanted overseas distribution channels instead of finding himself a new boss.
Fantasy is fantasy after all.
"Of course, this is just a preliminary plan." Spielberg added: "How about it, we can talk about it slowly."
Ronan pondered for a while and decided to be more direct. This kind of thing cannot be dragged on, and there is no need to fool Spielberg. The old man's influence in Hollywood is still quite large.
"Sorry, Steven." Ronan did not apologize: "I think DreamWorks and Relativity Entertainment are best developed separately."
If you really want to take the path of being acquired, the Big Six companies are more suitable than DreamWorks.
Katzenberg wanted to speak, Spielberg raised his hand to stop him, and said, "Ronan, you think about it again. The strength of DreamWorks, how many years will it take to develop Relativity Entertainment? And with your current momentum? It won’t take long before it will attract the attention of the six major companies. Do you want to become a subsidiary company like Miramax that is constantly fighting for the right to speak?"
Ronan did not speak, but instead was thinking. Of course, he was not thinking about how to be acquired by DreamWorks, but whether he could cooperate with DreamWorks?
DreamWorks is still very valuable today.
Spielberg didn't know what Ronan was thinking, and he would definitely close the door and let his shorthands go.
"What conditions do you have, you can mention it," Spielberg said.
Ronan knew that DreamWorks would not give up easily, so he simply stated his conditions: "DreamWorks' controlling rights and decision-making power."
"What?" Katzenberg's smooth forehead instantly cracked numerous gully.
Even the well-informed Spielberg was shocked. What are the conditions? Ants swallowing elephants?
Spielberg and Katzenberg looked at each other and had the same idea. They underestimated the young man's ambition.
This is where DreamWorks acquires Relativity Entertainment, it is clearly Relativity Entertainment to acquire DreamWorks!
What a joke!
Although DreamWorks has encountered many difficulties and has not established an overseas distribution network, it is not comparable to a small company like Relativity Entertainment.
Ronan saw that Spielberg and Katzenberg looked ugly, and timely added: "Such conditions are unfair to DreamWorks, so I didn't say it at first." He smiled: "Steven, Let's forget about the acquisition."
Hearing Ronan's words, Spielberg's face looked a little better, but he was not very happy. At his level, he has rarely been rejected.
As a businessman, he is also thinking quickly, is there any way for Ronan to lower his conditions?
Spielberg thought for a while, but didn't find a very good solution for a while. The equity of Relativity Entertainment was in Ronan's hands, and the means to deal with the scattered equity was useless.
Unless Ronan agrees.
Ronan's words did not stop: "Steven, we don't need to buy, DreamWorks can completely cooperate with Relativity Entertainment."
Katzenberg immediately raised his head to look at Ronan. This person just rejected DreamWorks' kindness and turned his head to discuss cooperation with DreamWorks again? He thought he had a thick skin for a man who had been in Hollywood for more than 20 years. He didn't expect this young man to have a thicker skin.
How did this work out at a young age?
Until now, Spielberg would not know, even though he valued Ronan very much, he still underestimated him.
"Cooperation?" He asked with a sullen face, "How to cooperate?"
Ronan began to work hard to bring the conversation up to his rhythm: "As far as I know, movies produced by DreamWorks, whether live-action or animated feature films, have never had a fixed overseas distributor. You and Universal Pictures, Pai Ramon Pictures, Warner Bros., and Twentieth Century Fox have all worked together. So frequently changing overseas publishers, presumably they are not offering very good distribution conditions, right?"
Spielberg did not answer, this kind of question is obvious, there is no need to answer.
Ronan didn’t need Spielberg’s answer, saying,
Why doesn’t DreamWorks find a stable overseas distributor? Embassy Pictures has established an overseas distribution network and successfully released the film "Human Removal Project 2." If DreamWorks needs it, Embassy Pictures is willing to provide overseas distribution services to DreamWorks."
No need to think about North American distribution, DreamWorks itself has North American distribution capabilities.
"Overseas release." Spielberg seemed to have some thoughts.
The positions between the two parties suddenly changed, and Ronan added: "Steven, Relativity Entertainment has just been established, and it is not in the same class as DreamWorks, nor does it have a competitive relationship with the six major companies like you do. What are the conditions for your overseas distribution, but it will not be easy. Embassy Pictures does not have the huge scale of the Big Six companies, and its own distribution costs are low. You can get more benefits from overseas by cooperating with Embassy Pictures."
Spielberg knew that it would be difficult to acquire Relativity Entertainment as expected after Ronan stated the so-called conditions. Now there are very few companies in Hollywood that can distribute films on a large scale overseas, otherwise DreamWorks would not accept the Big Six. The company's more stringent distribution conditions, and even some films can only sell overseas copyrights to six major companies for distribution.
"Do you have offline distribution capabilities?" The questioner was Katzenberg. UU reading www.uukanshu.com
Offline distribution of animated feature films is more important than online distribution.
"Of course." Ronan is very confident: "On the basis of the former Polaroid Pictures, we have further strengthened the overseas distribution network, not only with overseas theater companies and agency companies, but also with TV stations, distributors and derivatives. The manufacturing and sales parties have established a close cooperative relationship."
He gave an example: "The masks worn by the main characters in the "Human Removal Project" have been distributed and sold in 25 countries, and sales exceeded 500,000 during Halloween."
"I'll think about it seriously." Spielberg made Ronan a little confused, and took the initiative to end the meeting: "Ronan, let's stop here today. Let's keep in touch."
Ronan stood up and shook hands with Spielberg, turning his back on the subject: "I very much hope to cooperate with DreamWorks. Especially Steven your movie, I am a loyal fan who grew up watching "ET Alien"."
Katzenberg is almost speechless. Are young people in Hollywood now so cheeky?