Chapter 605

Why is mm willing to spend so much to win Lucas film and industrial light and magic?

In the current film market, unless they have a hot IP, it is difficult to make money, and MM is an expert in building IP, which is the most dazzling pearl of the science fiction kingdom. How can they let go? Lucas film has just provided mm with a pile of ready-made valuable materials, complete Galactic Empire, thousands of character stories, thousands of planets and a history spanning 2000 years. This is the largest IP in the universe.

This summer, the revenue of the film industry fell for the first time in seven years to $4.27 billion, a decrease of 3% over the same period last year. To make matters worse, the number of movie tickets sold fell to about 532 million, a decrease of 4% over the summer of 2007 - the lowest number of film viewers since 1933. Many film companies were forced to reduce their investment. Under the uncertain market factors, it was very smart to invest heavily in films that already have a large number of enthusiastic fans.

Moreover, "Star Wars" also has a stronger fan lineup: fans of the parents' generation. When the first part of the trilogy "Star Wars prequel" was released in 1999, the queue for tickets was filled with fans who were already parents. They were loyal fans of the film in their youth and now recommend it to their children.

Paul de galabidian, an analyst at Hollywood film website, said that this was one of the greatest "intergenerational marketing moments" in history (there are a lot of videos and blogs on the Internet. How do godparents promote the film to their children.)

Lucas film is very good at cultivating the market and fans, and often organizes a large number of activities. The happy gathering scenes of these fan conferences attract thousands of loyal fans, and they are also the holy land of the star series.

In the past 35 years, six blockbusters grossed $4.4 billion at the box office. George Lucas's Star Wars film series has attracted several generations of fans with its extraordinary imagination, tortuous and bizarre storylines and dazzling high-tech special effects, creating an enduring myth in film history. Lucas, the "father of Star Wars", also became the king of independent films with his unique interpretation of science fiction films.

Star Wars has created a business myth. According to the data released by Forbes in 2004, Lucas has a personal net asset of US $3 billion. It has five companies named after Lucas Film Co., Ltd., Lucas online, Lucas art entertainment, Lucas digital technology and Lucas image product development, These companies together form a huge business empire with an annual profit of $1 billion.

However, he is 64 years old and has already passed the retirement age in many industries.

When the Star Wars trilogy was a great success, Lucas's family and company were tottering under the impact of divorce. It was because of the cash crisis in the divorce that he was forced to sell Pixar for cash. "It was a very difficult day. I had to concentrate all my energy on taking care of my young daughter and the unstable plate making company and ILM." Lucas said to mark.

This is a private party in the Skywalker manor in Lucas. The participants include the four giants of mm, Joe gang leader, Lang Howard, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Spielberg, etc. because it is a private party, they all attend with their families. The MARCKS brought little Martin and Margaret.

Skywalker manor is located in Marlin County, Northern California, in a small valley near San Francisco. It is the production base of Lucas film company and its private residence. It has a vast territory, including pastures, lakes, woodlands, hills and vineyards, as well as an independent fire brigade.

Although the base is famous for making sci-fi special effects, there is no trace of artificial carving in the whole base, and more than 95% of them maintain a natural and original appearance. There is a wooden mansion in Skywalker manor, and there are many precious collections such as antiques in its main buildings. Among them, the private library is amazing. The base enjoys a high reputation in China, In addition, there are some memorable Hollywood items on display, such as Charlie Chaplin's crutches, Rudolph Valentino's whips and the Holy Grail in Indiana Jones. Many original props, models, precious video materials, publicity materials and even movie copies in star wars are stored here.

Lucas invited a group of close friends here to celebrate the successful merger of the two companies. Qiao gang leader smiled and said, "do you regret selling Pixar or did Star Wars ruin your marriage?"

Everyone chuckled. Lucas had been single since his divorce until he publicly started dating with meleddie Hobson, chairman of DreamWorks Animation in 2006.

Melady Hobson, 40, is a famous young entrepreneur. She is not only the president of DreamWorks Animation Department, but also the president of a famous investment company in Chicago and the president of Ariel mutual foundation. Her career spans all major fields and is particularly enthusiastic about the film and television industry. Melady once invested in the famous Good Morning America program, She has also created her own investment and financial management program. She is also a well-known rich and strong woman. Today, she attended as a hostess to greet everyone.

Lucas looked at Hobson nervously and said, "Pixar, of course, let you take advantage of this hateful guy. What do you think?"

Selling Pixar for divorce is definitely a strategic failure in his career. Today's Pixar is much more valuable than his company combined.

Mark said, "George, don't worry! If I divorce, I can't finish it by selling Pixar, so I have to learn from Leston many times!"

The people nearby laughed. Mark, the poisonous guy, is a joke among the rich.

Lei Shidong's marriage broke down 30 years ago, but he refused to divorce in order not to divide half of his family property by divorce. This lawsuit lasted for 30 years, which was jokingly called Lei Shidong's 30-year Franco Prussian War.

So that every major merger and acquisition action and strategic investment, he must guarantee to shareholders and investors: "my marriage is very strong!" until he completes the great cause of dominating the world, just in time of the Internet crisis and the sharp decline of the stock market, he hurried to divorce, because he gave less money at this time.

And mark also has no prenuptial agreement. If he gets divorced, it will be enough for him to eat a pot.

It happened that Giselle came over after feeding Marguerite and asked with a smile, "gentlemen, what's so funny?"

When Mark was embarrassed, of course he didn't dare to say that he was joking about marriage just now.

Hobson said, "honey, how did you recover so well after only two months? Let's have a drink and have a good conversation. What good topics will these men have together?" then he took Giselle away.

This resolved everyone's embarrassment.

Lucas continued: "it was a very difficult time. I had to concentrate all my energy on taking care of my young daughter and the unstable production company and ILM. The copyright revenue of Star Wars supported the operation of the company like a clear stream. However, ILM" ate "a lot. Every time I finished one film, I came to ask me to shoot another star wars quickly , we needed money, so I told them that this would not work. The company should serve me instead of making money for the company. I came back to shoot a new episode of star wars after the company had a firm foothold, had the technology I needed, and my children grew up and became independent. "

Over the past 24 years, industrial light and magic has developed from a studio that makes special film effects with traditional hand-painted models to the largest and most advanced digital film effect production company in the world. With its own design software, it not only produces special effects for Lucas's star wars and Indiana Jones, but also serves all the films needed by Hollywood. The special effects in the classic films of film history, such as human ghost, Forrest Gump, tornado, abyss, Jurassic Park and saving soldiers, are masterpieces of industrial light and magic.

The biggest loser was the box office runner up "tornado" in 1996. Industrial light and magic produced a group of amazing special effects of tornadoes, which was seen by producer Catherine Kennedy and immediately made a super blockbuster.

If there is no drama, there is no problem. Find Michael Clayton and his wife, the top writers in the screenwriting industry. It is jointly produced by several major film companies in small countries. In order to pursue higher interests, the bosses have made a lot of preparations for the shooting of tornado. First, invite Stephen Spielberg, who ranks first in the world box office, as the executive director for group shooting; Then find the director Jane de bond of the highest box office speed of life and death in 95 to direct the film.

The old people are like this. When they talk about the glory of the past, they keep talking. Mark brings out the words and they go back. These are industry leaders and the top existence in Hollywood.

Egger said: "George, you don't have to worry. Lucas film and industrial light and magic don't sell, but join the powerful mm family. Industrial light and magic can eat very well, but it can't eat the fat produced by mm."

Lucas can maintain a detached position in Hollywood because of its industrial light and magic, which provides special effects support for major Hollywood blockbusters.

This special effects Department burns money, buys equipment, opens software and recruits talents, which is recognized as a high investment and low return industry.

Sony Pictures and D2, once very strong, are unsustainable due to lack of funds. Lucas has made a lot of money these years, and at least half of them fill in here. This is a golden lady that ordinary people can't afford. Her various expenses and expenses will scare ordinary people to death. Without these expenses, the young lady will lose her charm.

Who wants to go to this golden lady, there is no other way except to get her heart. If she is strong, she will certainly provoke public anger. Therefore, mm will make such favorable conditions to marry industrial light and magic and Lucas film.