Chapter 290 288. Don't blame me for attacking your girlfriend
“Crazy! Frozen has surpassed $1 billion at the box office, becoming the sixth movie in history to do so, and also the fastest to do so.”
"For your information, the movies that have grossed over $1 billion worldwide are, in chronological order, Jurassic Park at $1.1 billion, Titanic at $1.84 billion, Star Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace at $1.03 billion, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at $1.02 billion, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King at $1.15 billion, and Frozen at $1.04 billion."
"Now standing in the way of Frozen are dinosaurs, Middle-earth knights, and that big ship, and the Jedi Knights and Hogwarts wizards have fallen one after another."
"Given the impact of Frozen, it will be screened on a large scale for at least two weeks. Spielberg and Peter Jackson will have to admit defeat, but it is impossible for them to surpass James Cameron."
"It's impossible to surpass Big Ship, but think about it from another perspective. The economic value created by Big Ship is actually far less than that of Frozen. The peripheral sales of the latter in just over a month have surpassed Big Ship's sales in several years, and with the participation of Hasbro, it will create more."
"MGM used Frozen to break through Disney's defenses. According to insiders, Mickey Mouse's top executives were furious, especially because Frozen adopted the Disney model of singing and dancing. It is rumored that Disney plans to activate Snow White, Mermaid, Mulan and other princesses to fight against Elsa and Anna."
"Eric Cooper is definitely a business genius. He seems to have anticipated many results long ago. Acquiring Hasbro at this time will be a strong boost to peripheral sales."
The discussion about "Frozen" is still very heated, and Eric is working with Judy, Chen Xing and others on special effects at Weta Digital and Peter Jackson.
"Very good, you did a great job. This is the effect I wanted, but there is still a small gap. I hope it can be more refined." Eric said, pointing to the special effects made for "Inception" on the screen.
Although the work is already very good at Weta Digital's level, almost as good as the complex texture dynamics of Transformers, Eric still hopes to achieve the best in detail processing.
"Are you dissatisfied?" Peter Jackson looked over.
“I am quite satisfied with the rest of the plot, but I hope this part can be done better, especially the folding special effects of these buildings are the highlight of the movie, I hope it will be more shocking.”
"You want the kind of special effects that people will remember for a lifetime after just one look?"
"That's absolutely right!" Eric nodded heavily.
"I'm sorry, that's not possible."
"Well"
Peter Jackson shrugged: "Technology will continue to develop and progress. Special effects will be eliminated sooner or later. What you have seen so far is Weta Digital's best effort. We have used the latest technology."
"Well, since I've done my best, I can't ask for more."
"Actually, it's not completely impossible. There is a way we can try." After a moment of silence, Peter Jackson suddenly changed the subject.
"What is the solution?"
"I have watched Frozen several times. The scene where Elsa sings solo in the mountains embodies the essence of the special effects of the entire movie, especially the beautiful depiction of details. So..."
"So what? Peter, you're not one to hold back."
Peter Jackson laughed awkwardly and said, "Well, I'll tell you, you have a very good relationship with DreamWorks. Can you ask them to share their special effects technology with Weta Digital? I'm sure it will be even better."
Eric rolled his eyes. So this guy had this idea.
"Peter, I'm afraid I can't ask for your request. After all, it's a new technology that DreamWorks has just developed. They will definitely not release it."
"Everything depends on human effort. How can we know if we don't try? Besides, it's not in vain. Weta Digital is also willing to share some of its technologies. We can definitely learn from each other."
"Is this called learning from each other's strengths and making up for one's weaknesses? I think you are planning to squeeze DreamWorks dry. They are not a professional special effects company, so they are definitely not as good as Weta Digital."
"I would rather have a slightly worse special effect than to be looked down upon. If you guys want it, you can develop it yourself. DreamWorks can do it, so don't tell me Weta Digital can't do it."
The bearded man laughed and said, "Being able to do it and how long it takes to do it are two different things. The market needs efficiency. Who wants to spend a lot of effort on research and development when they can just pick up something ready-made? And do you think research and development technology is simple?"
"I think I am better than Lucas's Industrial Light & Magic in special effects, but iterating technology is also very expensive."
"Don't you have preferential subsidies from the New Zealand government? You are New Zealand's national treasure director, the face of the show!"
"Why do I feel that what you said is not sincere but sarcastic? Cards can't be eaten. The government does provide subsidies, but the amount is limited."
"Besides, since the war in the Middle East started, funding has been reduced. I don't know how much money will actually be received this year. Who would complain about having too much money?"
"By the way, you are now a billionaire and will soon be in the top ten of the Forbes list. How about lending some money to Vita Digital?"
Eric refused without thinking, because he knew very well that when Peter Jackson talked about lending money, he meant lending money, not asking you to invest.
As a company with New Zealand background, Weta Digital is not a company that can be entered casually, and Big Beard does not have such power.
Besides, the company is not decided by Peter Jackson alone. There are two other decision makers besides him, and such important matters have to be discussed among the three of them.
Eric has always wanted to establish MGM's own special effects department and has been working towards this end since he took over the company, but progress has been slow.
The special effects field is too professional, and most of the talent is monopolized by Industrial Light & Magic and Weta Digital.
Even if MGM purchased the most advanced hardware in the world today, without the support of software technology, the equipment cannot be fully utilized and is far behind these two professional companies.
The best way to set up your own special effects department is not to start from scratch, but to acquire them.
Just like what Big Beard just said, who would want to spend a lot of effort on research and development when they can just get something ready-made?
However, acquisition is not easy to carry out. Weta Digital is ruled out first. As far as I can remember, it was sold to an external party once.
The special effects system for rendering hair and fur was acquired by the game company Unity for US$1.6 billion. Note that it was only this technology, not the entire company was sold.
Don't think it's too expensive. If there's no demand for it, it's good enough that people are willing to sell it.
Relatively speaking, it is easier to acquire Industrial Light & Magic. Lucas is really willing to sell if the price is right.
Disney bought Lucas' company for $4 billion, including Industrial Light & Magic, Skywalker Postproduction, and a game company.
It’s just that Lucas originally accepted an acquisition model of cash plus shares, so it was impossible to kick him out completely. After the acquisition, Lucas became Disney’s second largest individual shareholder.
The first one is Steve Jobs, the boss of Apple. Disney acquired Pixar Animation from him.
After leaving Weta Digital, this idea kept lingering in Eric's mind.
"What are you thinking about? You don't look right."
"Um?"
"You've been in a daze for several minutes. You've become an idiot."
"Ahem. If you talk like that, I'll fire you."
"Do you dare?"
“You can try!”
He found that after the last incident, Judy became more and more outrageous, and privately began to disregard him as her boss.
Damn it, knowing that he can’t do anything to her, he becomes arrogant and domineering with confidence.
"Well, I'm just thinking about the special effects company. It's not a long-term solution to always rely on others. We need to have our own cards in our hands."
“Isn’t MGM doing that?”
“But it’s too slow.”
"Then let's buy it. Acquire an existing one."
“I don’t want garbage.”
"If you want a good one, there is no choice. The only one left is Industrial Light & Magic, but Lucas will definitely not be willing to sell it. Is he 70 years old?"
The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!
"I don't know, but he doesn't look like him. Maybe 60."
"Haha. 60 is still a long time to retire, unless you can make him seriously ill."
Eric pointed to her mouth. "Watch your words, lady."
Unexpectedly, Judy leaned over her head, bit his finger and sucked it back and forth.
Seeing her licking her lips seductively, Eric cursed her inwardly as a little bitch.
"Don't pretend you don't know. Although that press conference was very heartfelt, there are rumors that you poisoned Alan and forced him to retire."
"Bullshit! I've never had any contact with him, how could I poison him?"
"Huh? That's not right. Didn't you say you knew him very well? You even took a plane to visit him. You're so close that you almost wear the same pants as him."
"Well"
"You let it slip, didn't you? Then why don't you think of a way to get George Lucas to retire quickly, and he will naturally sell Lucasfilm."
Eric snorted coldly: "Judy Newhouse, I find that you are a little too active. You are full of energy, right?"
"How about this, if the work is not tiring, I'll leave the contact with Lucas to you. Do whatever you can to convince him. It would be best if you can buy the whole thing."
"Star Wars Episode 2 is far from meeting the standards in terms of box office and reputation. I don't believe Lucas has no ideas. You can go and talk about his tone."
Judy's face fell. "Are you kidding me? You're still assigning me work! I'm in charge of two departments right now. I can't even find time for a relationship."
"Hehe. Isn't it better if you can't squeeze it out? Don't forget that you promised your parents to be a good girl. Maybe they have sent someone to watch you in secret. Don't let it get away."
"But I am a young man, and I have desires to vent."
"Just use your hands. At worst I can give you a few toys. I have a variety of materials and models. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
"Fuck you, I'm not that sad. You can assign me work if you want, but if you squeeze my time, don't blame me for using some tricks on you."
"What? What means?"
"Hehe, the relationship between the Olsen sisters is definitely not normal. Every time I see them, my radar goes off. Don't forget that I'm also the producer of Blue Is the Warmest Color. Their every move cannot escape my eyes. No, I should say that none of you three can escape it."
"I don't have time for a relationship, so I can only attack your woman. This way I can hide it from others, and my parents won't find out."
"Ugh young people have no martial ethics!"
"Cindy, this is a movie adapted from real events. Do you know the Warrens? They were very famous psychics and exorcists in the last century."
"Stop talking nonsense, Brenda. How can there be ghosts in this world? And exorcists? It's a joke. I heard that this is a movie adapted from a novel."
"No, you have to believe it. I watched the TV interview that year, and it was all true."
"TV stations dare to say anything to get ratings. Don't forget the movie 'The Blair Witch Project'. It turns out that everything was marketing and a scam by the film company."
"Okay, let's not argue, but The Conjuring is James Wan's new work. I trust that director. He has a very unique taste."
"Saw and Get Out are both very good, but Dead Silence is really terrible. However, I also think he is very talented, and this Conjuring will definitely be a comeback."
"It's very likely. Haven't you noticed? His cooperation with MGM was successful, but his cooperation with Lionsgate failed. And this time Eric Cooper is the producer, so the quality of the film will definitely be guaranteed."
In a movie theater in Los Angeles, James Wan's new film "The Conjuring" has just hit the big screen.
Among the excellent directors Eric knows, he is the second fastest and always strikes a balance between quality and efficiency.
As for the fastest shooter, it is naturally Uncle Dongmu Clint Eastwood.
In the adjacent Theater No. 2, another new MGM movie, "Mean Girls" directed by Eric's former assistant director Andrea, also hit the big screen.
Both films cost relatively little to make; Mean Girls cost $15 million.
Since the Olsen sisters dropped out, Rachel McAdams and Alexandra Daddario were chosen to star.
The former was decided long ago, and the latter was selected through interviews when Andrea reported the list to Eric's desk.
Seeing those beautiful blue eyes and that seductive face, Eric agreed without a second thought.
As for Lindsay Lohan, another candidate on the list, what a piece of shit, how dare you compare with a husky girl? Compared to Mean Girls, The Conjuring cost even less money, only $13 million. James Wan is really the Greek god of saving money.
Since they are all low-budget and original scripts, there are no big stars to support them, Andrea is a new director, and James Wan has just done his splits, so the Big Six did not pay much attention to them, and they didn't even have the desire to snipe them.
But they'll soon regret it, as The Conjuring shows just how good one of the most popular horror franchises can be.
(End of this chapter)