~： Seven hundred and forty-eight - from worker to master

Is Greenberg Studio Worth It? A few years ago, people would have thought of him as a mediocre shell film studio, after all, there are countless such small shell film companies in Hollywood.

Basically, every relatively successful person in the circle has more than one similar film studio, just like every successful person has a charitable foundation for tax avoidance.

Most insiders set up film studios not to invest in films at all. On the contrary, more than 9% are to sign contracts with the film projects they want to join, as well as to receive work salaries and various shares. This type of Shell companies, no one expects to make money with them from the beginning.

But with the recent years, first the joint investment of "The Departed, and then the brilliant "The Matrix Trilogy" and other works, Greenberg Film Studio has gradually attracted many people's ideas.

In addition to this year's summer season, "Charlie's Angels", these films do not mention the offline income, and the box office on the bright side is there. As long as you know the industry, you can easily calculate how much money you make. .

If that's the case, it's not uncommon for film companies to be much larger than Greenberg's studio. Temporary success can be said to be entirely dominated by luck. The decades of history in Hollywood all show that such a small film company cannot survive for a few years.

After all, luck isn't always on your side.

There is a very important point, distribution. Similar to a lucky small film company, even if they succeed in making multiple films for two or three years in a row, they will only be acquired or go bankrupt because of an investment error.

The reason is very simple. As long as it is a film company that can be called a name, it does not make money by itself. The six Hollywood giants, as well as companies such as MGM United, will always support the company's profits.

This is the tragedy of Hollywood content producers, who dominate the superstructure, from decades ago to now, it has been the distribution company.

There are countless stories in it, such as Warner Bros., even if it is a film that is wholly-owned by itself, it will lose money in the account in the end.

It’s like turning left and right, borrowing from each other, advancing funds, taking priority, etc., without having to do anything on the accounts, so that if you walk around the rules that are on the bright side and fully comply with laws and regulations, you will find that, Apart from the fact that the producers who invest in it do not make any money, as long as it is related to the movie in this circle, it will make a lot of money.

You don't need to try to find loopholes in it. As long as the big movie companies want to do it, even if they invite a team of lawyers from the best law firm on Wall Street, and a team of accountants from PricewaterhouseCoopers, they will still be able to do it under the review of a professional team like them. There is nothing wrong with the law.

This has also created a situation, that is, no matter how profitable a small film company is, after a few years, it will inevitably become a subsidiary of the six giants. output sector.

The point is, Wayne's Greenberg Studios has been the content production department of Warner Bros.

But what about the actual situation? Not only did Warner Bros. because of their relationship with Wayne, they were completely unable to work on the projects they cooperated with, but he also quietly acquired various copyrights later, making this studio, which is more and more profitable, about to develop. Become a shell monster.

Especially in the past two years, you must know that the previous "The Departed Walker", "The Matrix Trilogy, is half of the Warner Bros. family in terms of the most lucrative copyright.

On the surface, the two sides co-financed the production of the film, and the money earned is of course half of the family. Of course, half of this family is in the distribution department of Warner Bros., after deducting the part of the money after distribution.

But the problem lies here. With the relationship between Wayne and Warner Brothers, the projects released by Greenberg Studio, Warner Brothers are all given to the company's films to get the treatment, which means that the distribution fee is within the industry. minimum level.

Then there is the most profitable offline copyright operation, whether it is the authorization, sale and purchase of peripheral items, or the right to broadcast one, two or three rounds of TV, and the most profitable videotape sale, lease, etc., etc., the money earned offline in the later stage , all are one and a half family members.

It's not a one-shot deal. According to Hollywood's operating rules, this situation will continue forever because of the half of the copyright of "The Matrix" held by Greenberg Studios.

Yes, Hollywood is a business society, and there is no shortage of intrigue and shady tactics. But no one will challenge the most basic operating rules.

Just like a certain Oriental actor named Zhaolong, even if he only played a small character in "The Matrix, but according to the rules of the Actors Union and the Producers Union, as long as the film is still profitable, then it will be proportionately. Every year, this part of the money is divided into the hands of the actors.

The same is true for Wayne, not to mention that he can get the money now, as long as the Greenberg Studio is still there, and this part of the copyright is still there, even if he is gone in the future, his descendants will still be able to get the money.

This is only the "Matrix trilogy" that owns half of the copyright, and "Charlie's Angels", which was released this summer, but it was agreed with the publisher Warner Bros. at the beginning that the copyright is 100% owned by Greenberg Studios.

From the treatment of these projects, the significance of Wayne's existence can be reflected. If it is another independent filmmaker, the most basic price to make the six major hairstyle films is to pay for the copyright of the film.

"Wayne, Greenberg Studios has had too much action this year."

Looking at Wayne who was in deep thought, Bruce Rosenblum was smoking a cigar, and it took about ten minutes before he said: "First, "Quick Pursuit, as far as I know, this film only needs If you are successful, you will be able to integrate the procedures, but in addition to the salary of the son of the Oriental Kung Fu superstar, the investment in this project is still very low.”

There is no doubt that big investments are prone to explosive models, and big productions are the most stable money-making projects. These have always been common sense in Hollywood.

But the investment of tens of millions of dollars at every turn means extremely huge risks. Even if a medium-sized film company messes up such a project, it still faces the crisis of bankruptcy.

Therefore, such a film project that the investment is not high, the success rate has a certain guarantee, and can be easily sequelized, is the best choice in the eyes of Hollywood film companies.

"I won't mention King Kong. As long as this kind of big project is successful, it is inevitable to make a lot of money. But..." Bruce Rosenblum's voice was a little hesitant, and he glanced carefully at the man opposite. face, and continued:

"The success of "Charlie's Angels" has made many people see the feasibility of this kind of female protagonist film. Greenberg Studio's "Tomb Raider and "Resident Evil" are also of this type. As long as the film has good results, the series Transformation will never be a problem.

Dude, are you saying this is still a shell movie studio in the eyes of some Time Warner shareholders? "

Wayne nodded slightly and threw the cigar into the ashtray, whether it was still burning or not. With his hands folded on his chest, his upper body rested on the sofa, watching Bruce Rosenblum thinking.

That's right, it was okay to say that now, with the Greenberg Film Studio, more and more projects are produced, larger and more serialized, which will inevitably attract more people's attention.

This is equivalent to a savagely growing film company, but it doesn't have to suffer a little interference. It can be said that the benefits are fully accounted for, but the corresponding obstacles have disappeared because of the existence of Warner Bros.

Thinking of this, he grinned unnaturally, and suddenly thought, I am afraid that Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks dreamed of wanting such treatment.

"I'm here this time, just to remind you privately."

Bruce Rosenblum shook his head, looked at the lazy man across the table, and couldn't help but say: "Wayne, every top Hollywood director, its existence itself is an intangible asset. It is precisely the Because of this scarce asset, you and Warner Bros. have become a community of interests.

But as Greenberg's studio becomes more visible, that balance is bound to be upset. So, whatever you want to do, it's best to speed up your movements. "

In fact, from these reminders from Bruce Rosenblum, Wayne has already understood that there are some things Jeff Robinoff, including the head of Time Warner, Kevin Te Souhara, has never been clear. to tell the distribution executive.

Maybe he guessed something, maybe he got some hints from Jeff Robinoff, at most that's it.

"Tell me which shareholder of Time Warner is interested in my studio."

Looking up across the table, Wayne asked with interest.

"Avenevo."

Since talking about this matter, Bruce Rosenblum didn't hesitate and gave a name directly. He went on to say: "On the regular board of directors of Time Warner the day before yesterday, he proposed that Time Warner or Warner Bros. should start to acquire your film studio.

The proposal was ultimately shelved by Kevin, though with Greenberg Studios, it will surely be brought back to life after a slew of films are released next year. "

"Well, good proposal."

Fumbling with one hand on the stubble of his chin, Wayne nodded solemnly and joked: "I think he should have investigated my studio secretly, not to mention these. But how can he be sure, Would I be willing to sell this studio?

How much money I take from Warner Bros. every year, as Time Warner's major shareholder, shouldn't it be clear? "

Avinyvo, Wayne has an impression of this guy, a typical Jewish investor. He still remembered that this guy seemed to have a close relationship with a certain Warner Bros. executive. Most importantly, this guy not only held a large number of Time Warner shares in his hands, but he was also very rich.

More importantly, he instantly thought of several sets of beach photos. Well, if you have time, you may be able to make an appointment with the lady in advance and find a beach to go on vacation.

"When Time Warner's board of directors really decides to do this, you will have no choice." Bruce Rosenblum slowly frowned. He didn't believe in the intelligence of the other party and couldn't figure out the possibility. sex.

"I'm very much looking forward to that day." Wayne shrugged and waved indifferently. Then he put away all the ridicule, his face gradually became serious, staring at the eyes of the Warner Bros. executive opposite, and said word by word: "Of course he can buy it, but I absolutely cannot. Not a penny in cash!"

Bruce Rosenblum's eyes widened, and he gasped for a moment. "**k, you want to exchange shares!"

"Don't get excited, it's not impossible to cross each other's shares, isn't it?"

Without even looking at the cigars still burning in the ashtray, Wayne lowered his head, lit a cigarette, and muttered, "But there is a precondition for all of this, and Time Warner has to give me my share of satisfaction. Don't worry. , Bruce, I believe this will not happen in a short time, and when it does happen, I don't know how long it will be."

His subtext is clear, since Greenberg Studios has produced a lot, its value will increase greatly over time.

Even if it were to acquire his studio, Time Warner would never pass this rather complicated resolution in a short period of time. Especially when it comes to the issue of shares, he estimates that with the efficiency of those people, it will take a few months, or even a year or two, to discuss within the board of directors.

"Don't forget, Bruce, and Kevin Tessauhara."

Wayne smiled and reminded him that he believed that since Kevin Tesshara did not call, it showed that this proposal did not have the support of many shareholders in the board of directors.

Even if the Time Warner ceo really had to pass a similar resolution someday, he would ventilate him in advance. The interests of the two of them have always been the same, and even Kevin Tessahara, I wish he could. Get a huge stake in one fell swoop.

"Wayne, Kevin Tesshara is not Michael Eisner yet. Even if you and he are aware of some plans, these cannot be said on the surface. You should understand what I mean?"

"Of course, I understand, but I can tell you clearly." Wayne took a big puff of his cigarette and said sternly: "I never wanted to make Greenberg Studio bigger, even if it was foreseeable, this The studio is going to be a freak, but in the end I'm okay with selling to Time Warner."

Bruce Rosenblum laughed when he heard him say Time Warner, not Warner Bros. Combining all the information, he figured it all out in an instant.

Of course, if the result that I imagined does happen, it is definitely not a bad thing for me, after all, I and Wayne are a community of interests no matter what.

"And, Bruce." Wayne stretched out his hand indifferently, shaking it from side to side between the two of them. "I don't need Kevin Soohara to be Michael Eisner, and I don't need him to be like Michael Eisner. My ambitions are not as big as they are."

Some things about Disney, basically everyone in the circle knows. Since becoming the head of Disney in 1984, Michael Eisner has not only developed Disney into a media group with a market value of tens of billions of dollars, but has also become the actual controller of Disney virtually.

Who is Michael Eisner now? That's right, the chairman of Walt Disney. But as long as the time goes back more than ten years, he was only a professional manager of Disney at that time, or to put it bluntly, he was a complete part-time worker.

However, this highly capable professional manager is also a dark-minded master of power. For more than ten years, he first made full use of the power in his hands, as well as some drawbacks in the management. The entire management has been replaced by their own people.

Then, using this same management like a word, he became a major shareholder of Disney unknowingly, and then gradually became the chairman of Disney with more and more shares in his hands. UU Reading

To put it bluntly, Walt Disney has no relationship with the Disney family now, and the initiator behind the scenes is Michael Eisner.

Up to now, the shares in the hands of the Disney family are already pitiful. Especially in the past few years, the entire Disney board has become a voting tool for Michael Eisner.

From a professional manager to becoming a major shareholder and chairman of Walt Disney, this is a typical example of a migrant worker turning into a master, and these are very widely circulated news in the circle.

In fact, Time Warner is completely different from Disney, but as long as Wayne wants to get similar results, it is not necessarily impossible with the cooperation of Kevin Tessauhara.

For example, the world's top media groups have a market value of more than tens of billions of dollars, which is similar to Warner Bros. and Disney. And Michael Eisner took great pains to gain power and became Disney's chairman and largest shareholder, with only a little more than 6% of the equity in his hands.

Don't underestimate this figure. These media groups are huge, and their shares have long been completely dispersed. In fact, apart from the Murdoch family of News Corporation, no media group is controlled by one family.

In the end, Wayne's goal is to gain enough voice, the kind of voice that can influence the direction of the group. He never thought of turning Warner Bros. into his own backyard like Michael Eisner did, and he had never been interested in running a company.

Besides, even if everything develops according to his plan, it is still not an easy thing to get enough equity in Time Warner.

All Wayne can do is to take advantage of the extremely fast accumulation of capital in the past two years, and when the right time comes, strive to get everything he wants.