Chapter 380 Admit Cowardly
Three hours later.
"Did he really say that?"
Burbank, the home of Michael Eisner, the old man who has worked for Disney for 16 years quietly asked.
In front of the dining table, holding a knife and fork, he stared at the food on the plate with a gloomy expression. The back of his hand with bulging veins explained the anger in his heart, but his calm tone showed the restraint of the superior.
As the tyrant of Disney, he hates those who dare to challenge his authority.
But as the emperor of Disney, he wants to maintain the country he has built.
"Yes." Dick Cook nodded, but while giving an affirmative answer, he sat on the side and carefully observed Boss's every move, "He suggested that if we want to succeed, we should not interfere this project.
Because we don't have the right to choose now. "
Before the words fell, Dick Cook caught the raging anger that ignited from Michael Eisner.
Holding the handle of the cutlery tightly with both hands, the flat forehead was raised with grooves.
Not only that, after listening to Dick Cook's description, Michael Eisner closed his eyes forcefully.
With his movements, his facial features also twisted into a ball.
Since becoming the chairman of Disney's board of directors in 1984, Michael Eisner has seen this kind of teaching from the superior posture many times, but all the guys were kicked out by him!
When Frank Wells, who entered Disney with him at the same time, died in a helicopter accident, and Jeffrey Katzenberg retired due to a palace fight, only after he walked off the operating table with a survival rate of less than 40%...
No one would dare to talk to him like that!
He originally thought that his iron and blood methods would make others frightened!
but-
Now it seems that capital is the key to his straight waist!
If it wasn't for Disney, he wouldn't even be a fart!
Thinking of this, Michael Eisner, who was tense, suddenly relaxed and let out a long breath.
Slowly put down the knife and fork, and wipe the residue from the corners of the mouth with a sterilized towel.
However, when he put it down, he flicked his wrist and threw it heavily on the table to vent his inner grievances.
"You think so too?"
"After I heard that he wanted to invite Johnny Depp to play the leading role, I strongly vetoed it, but... I can't say no to him."
Dick Cook is not an idiot, he knows in his heart that standing by Roland's side at this time is just for scolding!
But Michael Eisner is not an idiot, so he can naturally see Dick Cook's careful thinking.
"You can't talk to him? Doesn't that mean you have been persuaded by him?"
Such words made Dick Cook look embarrassed, but before he opened his mouth to defend, Michael Eisner said: "However, even I have to admit that what he said makes sense.
Now we have no right to choose.
After joining Disney, I really brought a lot of energy to the company.
Without me, Disney would not have been able to successfully establish an overseas distribution line in the 1980s!
Without me, Disney’s live-action movie business probably wouldn’t have started until now!
Without me, cable media programs would definitely not be what they are now, attracting tens of millions of children to watch every year!
It is precisely because of my unprecedented success in the 1980s that I gained the trust of shareholders, gained greater rights, and became the King of the Disney Group.
So, in 1990, I launched the "Disney Decade" revival plan.
At the time, what I was thinking was, take Disney out of Walt Disney's glory and make it my kingdom.
But alas...
Every project, it failed.
Paris Disneyland, so far see no hope of profitability.
MGM Hollywood Studios was demolished last year and rebuilt this year.
Go.com has no chance of success.
Disney California Adventure Park's current performance is certainly not up to expectations.
Then there is Disney Studios in Paris. Judging from the current situation, if the annual passenger flow can reach 5 million, it is considered very successful. As for the goal of 10 million? That kind of thing can only exist on paper.
As Roland said, now I am not willing to face shareholders at all.
According to his arrangement, letting him shoot commercials related to "Pirates of the Caribbean" is our only choice.
So, you're actually doing the right thing. "
Having said that, Michael Eisner raised his hand and patted Dick Cook on the shoulder.
"It was the right decision to be persuaded by him."
It was like surrendering and admitting defeat, which made Dick Cook shudder!
The corner of his mouth twitched, and he glanced at the hand on his shoulder out of the corner of his eye. Unbelievable emotions emerged instantly!
In Dick Cook's view, after learning that Roland did not want Disney to participate in the film production, the tyrant Michael Eisner would definitely fly into a rage and curse. Treating the Weinstein brothers, swearing your sovereignty in Disney, but now...
Why did he admit to being cowardly?
This, this, this...
This doesn't fit his character at all!
It seems that he has seen the subordinate's small movements, but it is more like wanting to explain his abnormality.
After discovering that Dick Cook was facing his decision with a stiff attitude, Michael Eisner took the initiative to speak, saying: "I'm curious? Actually, I don't want to compromise, but there is no way, I must compromise now.
In the case that Disney Adventure Park’s revenue does not meet expectations, I am planning to lay off 4,000 people to cut operating costs.
Not only that, with Warcraft Film and Television outsourcing, I can also reduce the investment in the live-action film business within the group.
In this way, this year's financial report will not be too ugly.
In addition, Robert Iger, the chairman of ABC, has actually been suggesting that I increase investment in ABC and build my own family channel. Therefore, I have long been prepared to make an offer to the FOX family channel after the opening of the adventure park. The other party's family channel business line, to fill our gap in this market.
But if at this time, shareholders jump out to question the problem of Adventure Park, then...
This transaction cannot go on.
Therefore, in order to allow this 5.4 billion acquisition to continue, I must gag the shareholders.
Under the current situation, only the rescue of Warcraft Film and Television can calm the anger of shareholders.
As you said before, we need someone with strength to take the blame.
And when the most powerful guys on the market are willing to take the blame, their attitude is not good, so what can we do?
For the sake of position, bear with it! "
That's right! All party struggles are actually based on a stable situation!
If one's own status is precarious due to operational errors, then the resulting struggles are all jokes!
Roland Allen told them not to get in the way, so they won't get in the way!
Without them getting involved, if "Pirates of the Caribbean" failed, Disney's shareholders would not be able to take their anger out on them, but if it succeeded, then they had made the right choice at a crucial moment!
What's more, with Roland Allen able to take the blame, they can also seize the time to expand other businesses!
What if the revenue of the media business has grown tremendously while the revenue of the park business has shrunk?
Isn’t this just overpowering the effort?
What Michael Eisner lacks now is not the rights, but the time to realize the rights!
If confessing in front of Roland Allen can gain time, then he doesn't mind putting his face in front of him and letting him slap him!
So what if you get slapped at Roland Allen?
As long as he does not face the shareholders, it will not change the fact that he is still Disney's King!
When Michael Eisner made this decision, Dick Cook, who had nothing to say, complied with the leadership and agreed to all of Roland Allen's proposals, and in writing, the "Pirates of the Caribbean" filming All rights are transferred to Warcraft Film and Television.
Not only that, the two parties also signed a copyright delivery agreement according to the prior agreement. The distribution rights and park construction authorization related to the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series belong to Disney, while the remaining sequel shooting rights, derivative physical copyrights and game production rights are all owned by Disney. In addition to being controlled by Warcraft Film and Television, Disney also opened the door of its own studio to Warcraft Film and Television.
All shooting locations, Warcraft Movies and TV can be used at will...
All machinery and equipment, Warcraft Film and Television takes it by itself...
All registered employees, Warcraft Film and Television willfully dispatch...
If you have to summarize, it is actually one sentence:
"Whatever is lacking in Warcraft Movies and TV, Disney will make up for it!"
no way!
Who made the physical assets of Warcraft Film and Television add up to three offices in total?
A film and television company that doesn't even have a single camera has launched a project worth 500 million yuan at the same time. This kind of thing can only be done by adhering to the principle of "if you can borrow, never fight; if you can fight, never rent; if you can rent, never buy" Roland Allen can do it!
And after Disney officially approved the project, passed a 150 million budget with eyes closed, and directly allocated 75 million production funds, Warcraft Film and Television also operated crazily. Here comes Jon Landau as producer.
Then, he will come forward to negotiate contracts with various people.
First, director Gore Verbinski.
Due to his lack of fame, the two films he directed before hit the street one after another, so after a brief discussion, the director, who was still tied to DreamWorks, took away a series contract of 1.5 million for a single film and a total of 4.5 million. .
Followed by the screenwriter.
"Shrek", which made Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio the gold medal screenwriters in the industry, has not yet been released. , also successfully finalized.
In addition to the three of them, Orlando Bloom, the elf prince, is also easy to handle.
"The Lord of the Rings" has not yet been released, and he is also cheap now.
One million, one and a half million, two million, the handsome guy was taken down.
Equally easy to handle, in fact, there is Johnny Depp.
Calculated according to the formula that the actor's remuneration should not exceed 30% of the budget, "Pirates of the Caribbean" has a budget of 150 million, and the money that can be spent on the actors is 45 million, while the male lead only eats 100 million yuan. In the case of one million, Johnny Depp's 20 million is more than enough, but after this guy showed his attitude that he still wanted to get a share, Jon Landau directly raised the salary to five parts. 100 million, when the average film salary reaches 30 million...
Johnny Depp happily signed the contract!
Nonsense, if you don't sign at this time, you are stupid!
In this day and age, no one can get 30 million in fixed pay!
As for not having a fixed salary like Roland Allen, but only taking 18% of the global box office share?
Do not make jokes…
Johnny Depp, I don’t have a clue!
If the advertising movie hits the street, then he will not get a penny!
After the director, screenwriter, male lead, and male lead are all done, the only thing left is actually the female lead.
But the treatment of Anne Hathaway, the female one, was not negotiated by Jon Landau.
It was Evelyn Watson, the president of Warcraft Film and Television, who came out in person.
Before, when asking Anne Hathaway to shoot "The Princess Diaries", Roland didn't intend to use her for a long time, but decided to let her shoot commercials when she was needed, so the contract was signed for a single film.
But now, after discovering that this guy has the potential to be a regular tool man, making up a long-term contract has become a matter of course. In "Princess Diaries 2", "The Queen Wears Prada", "Pirates of the Caribbean" "Trilogy and "The Dark Knight Rises" these six film projects that will definitely be made, signing ten films in one go has become a task issued by the chairman.
The same film contract as Charlize Theron got, 500,000 for a single film, and then gradually increase according to the performance.
Although this film contract meant to limit the development of Anne-Hathaway, after discussing with her mother, she decided to sign her name on this contract. After all, this thing means resources.
In this world, there is no love for no reason.
Bosses don’t praise people for no reason, but if they want to get resources, they have to pay something.
Compared to Harvey Weinstein, a guy who only likes to be honest with actresses, Roland Allen, who only squeezes money, is a good boss, because he talks about the rules.
Ah no!
In fact, many actresses hope that Roland - Allen will not talk about the rules.
After all, being the proprietress is one step up to the sky!
"After I signed the contract, I became a member of Warcraft Films and Television?"
After writing her name in black and white, Anne Hathaway asked Evelyn Watson excitedly.
However, what she got was a clean shake of her head, "No, our Warcraft Film and Television is not a big studio.
will not control your behavior, let alone prevent you from accepting projects from other companies. "
Anne Hathaway was taken aback when she heard this talk of an equal society, but after she realized it, she denied it with a smile: "Okay, Okay, I didn't mean to accuse the contract of being illegal.
I just want to ask, after signing the long-term contract, will I be able to see Roland?
I heard before that Charlize Theron, who played Phoenix in "X-Men", met the boss?
I really want his autograph!
It would be even better if it was with Kate! "
"Huh? You said this? There will be a chance."
Evelyn Watson smiled at Anne Hathaway, but did not answer her question directly.
If Anne Hathaway had signed Anne Hathaway before she proposed to Roland that "X-Men" be bundled with "Spider-Man 3", then she would definitely be willing to gossip about the boss's private life with this girl, but after being After Roland reprimanded...
She doesn't want to touch the boss's gossip at all.
Why did Roland sign a long-term contract with this girl out of nowhere?
This matter has nothing to do with her!
As for whether the peers will mistakenly think that Anne Hathaway and Charlize Theron, who have received long-term contracts with Warcraft Film and Television, are the canaries raised by Roland, Evelyn Watson doesn't bother to care at all.
All she knows is—
"After the contract is signed, you can go to Los Angeles to find Jon.
Next, you need to learn the Oxford accent within half a year.
In addition to this, horse riding and fencing should also be dabbled in..."
When Evelyn Watson explained various things to Anne Hathaway in a programmed tone, the guy sitting there listening looked serious. In such a situation, Evelyn Watson couldn't bear to tell the other party that her boss Roland will only issue tasks and test the results.
As for the process of achieving the goal?
He never cared.
"X-Men" he didn't watch;
"The Lord of the Rings" he does not interfere;
The only "Harry Potter" that asked questions, it was because of the existence of Steven Spielberg.
Sometimes, Evelyn Watson even suspects that the boss only sees benefits in his eyes.
ah!
Sin sin!
She started gossiping about the boss again!
Back to the topic, when she found that Anne Hathaway's eyes were full of hope...
In order not to dampen the enthusiasm of this girl, Evelyn Watson, who wanted to deal with everything with indifference, did not tell the truth after all, but gave the other party the motivation to move forward, "If everything goes well...
I think the boss will be at the premiere of The Princess Diaries. "
"Really?" The closing words made Anne Hathaway's eyes shine.
"Of course!" Evelyn Watson nodded with a smile.
"Oh! That's great!" Anne Hathaway waved her hand happily.
After realizing that Evelyn Watson was staring at her, she shrugged her shoulders shyly and said, "No, no, no, I mean, I will go to Los Angeles today, right away, right away... "
Note: ① Eisner's "Disney Ten Years" development plan proposed in 1990 all failed. If Parisland and California Adventure miscalculated the market, then Disney Studios was pitted by MGM. In the beginning, this park was called MGM Studios, because Eisner obtained MGM's global brand and badge authorization in 1985, and he could use MGM's brand image at will. But later, the casino, which had been separated from MGM for a long time, jumped out to sue Disney for infringement. Since MGM Casino and MGM Pictures shared the copyright of the brand and badge, Disney, which had only obtained unilateral authorization, lost the lawsuit. The court required They were dismantled in two thousand years. Therefore, Disney, which had never made any money, fell into the hands of MGM because of brand issues. ② It is true to throw out the pot of paradise and film and television to block the mouths of shareholders, thereby promoting the expansion of media groups. At the same time that the "Caribbean" project was established, Disney made an offer to the Fox family, and completed the acquisition by the end of the year (really more than 5 billion, and a family network is as expensive as MGM). ③According to the information released by Depp's asset management company TMG, Depp's salary for the first part of "Caribbean" is 20 million plus 10% of the North American box office. According to the results, he couldn't get this sharing clause at the time, but when he hoped that Disney would continue to increase his fixed salary, Disney decided to give him a share, because Disney felt that the commercial would not have a high box office. It was this decision that cost Disney a lot. Depp took more than 60 million yuan in the first film, which is more than that of "Mission: Impossible 2".
(end of this chapter)