Chapter 569: Theater trouble

After staying in Relativity Entertainment for nearly an hour, Shirley Lansing took the initiative to leave and talked about cooperation from beginning to end, as if she had been friends with Ronan for many years, and Paramount Pictures and Relativity Entertainment were strategic partners.
Ronan sent Shirley Lansing away and called Mark Randolph directly to learn more about the competition between Netflix and Blockbuster.
Netflix’s Internet leasing business has had a huge impact on entities such as Blockbuster. In particular, Netflix has developed rapidly last year and the strengths and weaknesses of the two companies have begun to reverse.
What attitude will Viacom and Summer Redstone have?
Ronan didn't worry too much. The support behind Netflix used to be far less powerful than now, so he went directly to Blockbuster. With the support of Relativity Entertainment, this process will only be faster.
But some things have to be guarded.
Ronan called Connie again and asked her to check the recent dispute between Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks.
On the other hand, Robert Iger's team is still negotiating with Artisan Pictures, but the progress is not big.
Fortunately, Lionsgate is not the kind of company with deep pockets. After bidding to around $340 million, it will not raise prices rashly.
At the same time, there was not very good news.
Several small chain theater companies refused to enter their chain theaters to show the film on the grounds that "The Passion of the Christ" was suspected of slandering religious history.
"Sorry, Thomas." Hodell of Derby Theater Company was full of apologies, and said to Thomas, the director of distribution of the Embassy Pictures, "After the trailer for "The Passion" was released, the theater received a lot of fans and fans. For the church’s protest, we are a small regional company and cannot go against the demands of local audiences and public opinion. We are very sorry and can only abandon the film "The Passion of the Christ"."
Thomas's face remained the same, and he felt a little unhappy, and said, "Hoddle, are you sure you want to reject the Embassy Pictures film? This is an important project that Mr. Ronan Anderson pointed out."
Hearing the name Ronan Anderson, Hoddle almost wavered, but thinking of some pressure, he said: "We are not a big company like the four major cinema chains. We are too regional. If we don’t focus on the local market, Public opinion has no room for survival."
"I see." Thomas nodded slightly, then sighed, meaning: "In this era, there are even commercial companies and profits that can't make it through."
Hoddle opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
Thomas' complexion suddenly turned cold: "In this case, we have nothing to say." He stood up directly: "In the future, "The Bournemouth 3" and "Pirates of the Caribbean 2", I guess you don't want to cooperate with Relativity Entertainment."
After saying this, Thomas didn't even give a chance to reply, so he left.
Hoddle sat there shaking his head repeatedly, and suddenly regretted giving up "The Passion of the Christ", but it was a bit of a fluke after thinking about it. This film does not have many special effects and is not very commercial. It must be a big box office?
Let's just wait and see. You don't need to bear huge pressure, but you can also watch the development of the situation. Even if the film has a big box office reputation, you can follow up in time. The big deal is to bow to Relativity Entertainment.
No one wants to have trouble with the profit, this time the favor is paid back, and there is no need to think about it so much in the future.
Thomas met with representatives of several theater companies in a row, not all of them were like Hoddle.
The people at Big Rock Entertainment in New Mexico are carefully considering the pros and cons.
"Felipe, although you only have less than a hundred theaters, you have always had a happy cooperation with the Embassy Pictures." The movies produced by Relativity Entertainment have been selling continuously, giving Thomas enough confidence: "This time for some inexplicable reasons. It’s disappointing and chilling to refuse Embassy Pictures’ films to enter your theaters."
Hearing this, Felipe was also a little helpless, and could only say: "On this one, how can we cooperate and cooperate in the future."
Thomas laughed: "Continue to cooperate? Haha... Felipe, do you think that the films released by Relativity Entertainment, the films released by the embassy film, and the projects promoted by Ronan Anderson, will lack theater screening? I remind you. Last year, in 2003, did the Embassy Pictures release more than a dozen films, but one failed at the box office?"
Felipe was speechless, and the movie released by Relativity Entertainment is simply synonymous with making money.
Thomas added: "This year, in 2004, Embassy Pictures released more films. If Jushi Entertainment does not release it, we will not force it. The cooperation between Embassy Pictures and Jushi ends here."
"This..." Felipe thought of the performance of Relativity Entertainment last year, and heard more films this year, and hesitated: "Thomas, we never said that we would cut off cooperation with Embassy Pictures."
Thomas looked at him, just laughed.
The four major cinema companies are strong, and Embassy Pictures must be easy to talk about, but a small company like Jushi Entertainment...
Felipe weighed it back and forth in his mind.
Thomas said seemingly casually: "Let's compare the income that the film brings to you."
How to compare? Box office is the most intuitive data. Although theaters do not fully expect box office revenue, the basis of sales revenue is passenger flow, and box office directly reflects the amount of passenger flow.
That pressured company hasn't had a box office hit for several years in a row? Relativity entertainment? The momentum has been getting stronger and stronger in recent years.
Who has a grudge against big income in business?
After a few minutes of deliberation, Felipe made a decision: "Sorry, I apologize to Embassy Pictures here, because of my short-sightedness, Jushi Entertainment almost lost one of its most reliable partners. Thomas, I promise here. , All theaters under Jushi Entertainment will screen "The Passion of the Christ" on the premiere day. We tomorrow...no, we will sign a formal screening agreement this afternoon!"
Thomas immediately smiled and stretched out his hand, and said, "Happy cooperation."
Philip quickly stretched out his hand and shook it firmly in Thomas's hand: "Happy cooperation!"
Later, Thomas met with people from several small cinema companies. Some of them continued to cooperate with Embassy Pictures, like Jushi Entertainment, while others held a wait-and-see attitude.
The latest information was quickly collected on Ronan's side. Ronan was not surprised because Connie had some information.
In the office, Connie stood across from her desk and said to Ronan: "In the recent headhunting incident for Relativity Entertainment, many small chain cinema companies refused to show "The Passion of the Christ". Although there is no clear evidence, all of them are behind. The shadow of Paramount Pictures."
Ronan was not surprised: "Paramount Pictures, huh... Shirley Lansing is really a good friend."
Connie added: "Paramount Pictures is currently focusing on DreamWorks. From the feedback from many sources, we are only a secondary goal."
Ronan nodded slightly. Someone from the six major companies is eyeing Relativity Entertainment. It is normal at this stage, and it is Paramount Pictures under Viacom.
The current competition between Netflix and Blockbuster is almost fierce.
Connie’s words continue:
Originally, Embassy Pictures won close to 3,400 theaters in North America for "The Passion of the Christ", but it was affected. Many small theater companies gave up our films. Director Thomas of Embassy Pictures did it. A lot of work has caused several companies to change their minds. "The Passion of the Christ" currently has about 3,000 cinemas."
"Not less." Ronan is not afraid of competition, nor of any competitors: "No matter what pressure those companies are under, as long as the box office of "Passion of the Christ" hits the box office, they will actively seek to return to the ranks of screenings."
American law does not allow movie companies to operate theaters at the same time, even if they hold shares.
Relevant bills have been implemented for decades. Even if traditional large companies still have a certain degree of influence on theater companies, this influence cannot withstand the temptation of profits.
This is not the age of barbaric growth. The game needs to abide by the minimum rules, especially when the opponent's strength is good. If you use methods outside the rules, you must face the risk that the opponent will also use methods outside the rules.
Ronan is not worried about the theater, nor is he worried about the troubles caused by Paramount Pictures' headhunting. Perhaps in the eyes of outsiders, Relativity Entertainment is a new company. There must be many internal problems. The poaching of some personnel will inevitably cause internal problems. , Thus affecting the company's development.
This is indeed very likely to happen before Robert Iger enters the Relativity Entertainment, but Robert Iger has been very in place to adjust and manage the Relativity Entertainment in the past two years. There is no need to worry about the problem that the company will not function properly if some middle-level personnel are used.
"What's the situation on Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks now?" Ronan considered that Paramount Pictures stretched out his hand~EbookFREE.me~, he must slap back, otherwise Relativity Entertainment will be weak. , Other companies that look on as wolves will definitely follow up.
Connie said:
Paramount Pictures is pressing on DreamWorks every step of the way, except for the increase in the distribution rate when negotiating with DreamWorks for the release of "World War" some time ago. Recently, several small shareholders from DreamWorks In their hands, they bought part of the shares of DreamWorks. It is said that they are still in contact with Koreans. The Koreans are quite dissatisfied with Spielberg because of the problem of the distribution channels of DreamWorks..."
Ronan understood: "Paramount Pictures is going to swallow DreamWorks, Spielberg's life is not easy."
"Very sad." Connie said simply: "Spielberg hasn't appeared in public for a long time."
Ronan nodded slowly: "I see."
He picked up the phone, dialed Robert Iger's number, and spoke for a long time.
Paramount Pictures digs into the entertainment corner of the theory of relativity, digs into the theaters of films released by Embassy Pictures, and is now ready to swallow DreamWorks. Have you ever asked his opinion?