Chapter 394 Dinner with Charlize Theron
Link continued filming on the set and had no idea that Ovitz had repeatedly slandered him in private.
But he didn't care even if he knew it. His original plan was to sell the film company after making some money in Hollywood, and then concentrate on making movies with the billions of dollars in the account.
Without having to manage a company or fight with the Big Seven studios, he can spare some time to make more movies.
It was only after the shooting that he changed his mind. He did not want to simply withdraw from the market and leave the North American film market to the Big Seven studios to reap the benefits.
As a director in Hollywood, if you don’t have a strong film company to support you, you will not only be controlled by others in film production and distribution, but you will also be exploited by the seven major film studios.
In addition, he lost his foresight decades later, the box office of his movies dropped, and no film company was willing to work with him. At that time, he could not make movies independently.
So he decided to continue to expand Guess What Pictures, make more money, and occupy more box office share. The next step is to acquire one or two of the seven major film studios to become the most powerful film company in the world and the undisputed leader of Hollywood.
Ding-a-ling!
After finishing filming in the afternoon, Link returned to the apartment to have dinner with Charlize Theron when he received a call from Michael Ovitz.
"Hahaha, Link, are you busy? Do you have time to chat?"
Ovitz laughed heartily, but as a director who often tries to figure out the emotions of his actors, Link could quickly detect some falseness in his laughter.
"I'm eating. What do you want?"
Link glanced at the blonde beauty Charlize Theron sitting across the table and said, the beauty was wearing a white halter waist dress that revealed her fair and sexy collarbone, and a pair of seductive long legs under the table, which looked more delicious than the $820 French meal on the table.
If he wasn't a very career-oriented person, he would never have given Michael Ovitz a chance to speak in such an occasion.
"Okay, let me make it short."
Ovitz paused, his tone becoming serious, "Link, what do you want to do?"
"What do you mean? Just say what you want to say, don't play dumb."
Link took a sip of the red wine.
"Link, I've been following you and Guess What? I noticed that after the shooting, you've become more hostile to Big Seven. Why? Do you still think Big Seven is the mastermind behind the shooting?"
"Mike, before the shooting, Guess What and Big 7 Pictures were rivals. Big 7 Pictures often used the media to suppress our films, and we had to fight back and hype up some news that was unfavorable to Big 7 Pictures. We also did this after the shooting. I didn't notice any difference."
Link said slowly.
"Link, stop lying to me. How about we be honest with each other? We are allies. Being honest with each other can deepen our trust in each other and prepare for further cooperation."
"Okay! I have a question, and I hope you can be frank. I received accurate information. Because Guess What Pictures has performed so well in the past two years, someone from the Big Seven Pictures is jealous and wants to use extreme means to deal with me. Have you heard about this?"
".No!"
"Okay, let's talk again when we have time."
"Link, don't hang up."
Hearing his tone, Ovitz patched up and said, "Well, I heard some news about this some time ago, but this news is groundless and has very low authenticity. It's like someone clamoring to kill you because you have occupied so many beautiful women. This kind of rumor is very unreliable. I didn't take it seriously after hearing it."
Link smiled softly, "Yeah, maybe, you have a problem?"
Ovitz on the other end of the phone breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Link did not delve into the issue, otherwise it would be difficult for him to step down.
"Your recent actions have intensified the conflict between Guess What and the Big Seven. It has also exposed the conflict between the regular movie companies and the Big Eight. You are a cunning, no, rational person who would not do stupid things. What is your purpose this time?"
"Mike, the newspaper said that the competition in the North American summer box office market is becoming increasingly fierce, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for film companies to make money. Do you agree with this?"
"Of course, that's true."
"Very good, so what causes the current fierce competition in the film industry? What are the solutions?"
Link asked.
"The newspaper said that it's because of the increase in commercial films and the rise in film production costs. I agree with this statement, but what does this have to do with my question, Link? Don't try to change the subject in this way."
"No, I'm answering your question. You're right. The main reason for the fierce competition in the current box office market is that there are too many movies. What do you think is the solution?"
"I don't know, what do you think?"
Ovitz was a little impatient. He only asked one question, but Link not only did not answer it directly, but also asked him back.
"This is not a difficult problem. Since the reason why the film market is too competitive is because there are too many films and the total box office is too small, we only need to reduce the production of Hollywood films to solve this problem."
“Reduce the amount of movies produced?”
Leovitz on the phone sneered and disagreed with what he said.
Everyone knows that the reason for the fierce competition in the film market is that there are too many films, which compete with each other, resulting in box office sales lower than expected.
Everyone knows that reducing the number of movies scheduled can also reduce the intensity of competition, but the key is that the film industry is now very prosperous. Driven by profits, a large amount of capital has flowed into Hollywood in an attempt to become the next Link.
In the next few years, as capital increases, the number of films produced will increase year by year, rather than decrease.
According to statistics, there were only 247 films released in 1993, while the number of films released before July this year has reached 191. It is estimated that the number of films released throughout the year will be no less than 320.
In another three or four years, the total number of films released throughout the year is expected to exceed 600, 700, or even more.
Now everyone is optimistic about the film industry, and everyone wants to make money from movies.
Under this background, it is impossible for Hollywood film production to decrease. Artificial intervention to reduce film production goes against market laws and is simply impossible to succeed.
Ovitz has been with Disney for more than half a year and has a deeper understanding of the film industry. He will not be easily deceived by Link.
"Michael, you think it's impossible?"
Link smiled and said, "If the eight major Hollywood studios become seven or six, and each film company releases 2-3 commercial films every summer vacation according to the agreement, will the competition in the summer vacation still be as fierce and chaotic as it is now?"
Ovitz frowned when he heard his words. "There are eight major film companies in Hollywood now. How can you turn it into seven or six? Unless you are willing to give up Guess What?
"That's not necessary. According to data from the magazine Complete Cinema, under current conditions, 80% of the existing small film companies will go bankrupt within five years, and one or two of the Big Eight will also go bankrupt. This view is very forward-looking, so it is not impossible for the Big Eight to become the Big Seven or the Big Six."
"Okay, even if you're right, what does that have to do with my problem?"
Ovitz started to get a little irritable. He had asked a question five minutes ago, but he still hadn't heard an answer from Link. Anyone would lose patience if this happened.
"Mike, the purpose of doing this is to make the conflicts between film companies public, so that the competition in the film market will be more intense and the survival of the fittest will be faster. A film company that originally took five years to go bankrupt may go bankrupt in less than three years. Isn't this good news for us?"
Link said slowly.
"Just that?"
Ovitz believed his words a little, but considering Link's shrewdness, he didn't dare to believe it completely.
Link smiled and said, "I am the head of Guess What Pictures, and everything I do is for the company. Apart from that, there is no other purpose.
Also, Mike, after listening to my idea, have you ever thought about cooperating with Guess What on Earth on behalf of Disney? We can join hands to guard against other film companies. I believe that with the joint efforts of our two companies, the eight major Hollywood companies will soon become seven, six, or even five. At that time, our two companies will be able to occupy a larger share of the box office, and we will have more power in our hands. What do you think?"
"I"
On the other end of the phone, Ovitz heard his words and couldn't help but want to agree, but he quickly covered his mouth when he was about to say it, thinking to himself, Link is insidious and cunning. You must be extremely careful when cooperating with him. You must never trust him and must be reserved, otherwise you will be sold out by him and help him count the money.
"Haha, Link, I have to say that you are really ambitious. Your proposal is very good, but I can't make the decision on this matter. I need to discuss it with Eisner."
"Okay, I'll wait for your call."
Link hung up the phone and raised his glass to apologize to the beauty who had been waiting for a long time.
"Sally, I'm sorry to disturb your meal."
"It's okay. I once discussed with my friends how you big shots work, whether it's strict or scary. I just saw it, it's very interesting."
Charlize Theron smiled slightly.
"Well, if you want to know anything else about people like us, you can tell me directly. I will be happy to satisfy your curiosity."
Link raised his glass and smiled.
"OK."
Charlize Theron raised her glass and clinked it with his, then pursed her red lips and took a sip of the clear, fruity red wine.
(End of this chapter)
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