Lena and Annika worked separately until they reunited in a French restaurant on the Upper East Side in the evening. The first topic of conversation was not the work content of the day, but the nominations for the 56th American Film and Television Golden Globe Awards announced this morning on the West Coast. .
This is December 22nd.
Tuesday.
Sitting in a booth by the window of the restaurant, the two women were browsing a list of nominations printed from the official website of the Golden Globe Awards. Within five minutes of sitting down, they had already let out several involuntary sighs.
Because this nomination for the latest Golden Globe Awards once again proves that Daenerys Entertainment no longer hides its edge.
Not to mention the lengthy TV award nominations, nor to mention other non-core nominations in the film category, there is just one, Best Picture in the Drama and Musical Comedy categories, a total of 10 film nominations in the two categories. This time, Daenerys Entertainment-produced films, no more, no less, accounted for exactly five.
The five movies are dramas such as "L.A. Confidential," "Saving Private Ryan" and "Elizabeth," and musical comedies such as "The Hangover" and "High School Musical."
First of all, let’s put aside everything else and just talk about the quality of these five movies themselves, whether it’s Palma’s pinnacle of fame many years later, “L.A. Confidential,” or Spielberg’s war epic “Saving Private Ryan.” "En", or the recent "Elizabeth" that has received rave reviews, or even "The Hangover" and "High School Musical", two movies that have achieved dark horse-level reputation and box office in the summer, and won the Golden Globe Award for the best film in the corresponding genre. Nominations are definitely deserved.
Then, back to reality.
There is no problem in terms of the movie itself, but there are hundreds of movie companies in Hollywood, big and small, and four to five hundred movies are released in theaters a year. As a result, at an awards ceremony, the cake is so big that it is cut directly by a movie company. Halfway through, even if the quality of the films produced by this film company reaches the nomination level, it will still inevitably cause controversy.
This is not giving everyone a way to survive.
Inside the restaurant.
Annika finished browsing the nomination list in her hand and looked across the way. Lina was quickly pressing the button on the limited-edition iBerry-10 Ultra phone in her hand, and asked curiously: "What are you looking at?"
"I'm passing on some media reports about today's nominations to you."
Lina said, and after a few operations, Annika's iBerry of the same model soon sounded an email notification tone.
Only one year after its release, iBerry mobile phones have become a must-have for many business people under the influence of the ubiquitous Westeros system. So much so that some mobile phone manufacturers, including Nokia, which also belongs to the Westeros system, have quietly begun to develop their own similar business mobile phones.
The limited edition Ultra used by the two women, even though 100,000 units have been distributed worldwide, is still in short supply. At this stage, the price of the brand new iBerry-10 Ultra in some online retail or scalper channels has reached tens of thousands of dollars, even if it is second-hand. The lowest price is two or three times that of the official new product.
Annika was using the mobile phone that she still liked a few months ago. She browsed it for a while and said, "It's so noisy. The Hollywood Reporter said that Daenerys has caused a serious imbalance in the Hollywood structure. This is the latest news." I’m slightly questioning it, do you think the Golden Globe Awards jury can withstand the pressure?”
"So what if I can't stand it?" Lina asked back, and then said: "I think he did it on purpose this time."
"deliberately?"
"This is done deliberately so that Hollywood, as well as the entire film industry, including the audience, will gradually get used to the fact that Daenerys Entertainment is equivalent to half of Hollywood. Oh, what we see on our mobile phones now is only a small part of the reports. Next The media and the Internet will definitely be busy in the next few days, and I believe he will make arrangements to guide public opinion accordingly."
"You really have confidence in him."
"Of course," Lina pretended to be arrogant: "That's my man."
Annika made a retching expression that she couldn't bear, but couldn't help but echoed: "Actually, I don't think it's okay, just like this review article from the "Variety" website said, even if it won half of the best films Nominations, Daenerys also had some films this year, such as "The Truman Show" and Redford's "The Horse Whisperer," which were equally good, but they failed to get nominations."
Lina knew that "The Truman Show" would definitely not be nominated, including the next Oscar. Many people knew the reason. I believe Annika also knew it. She didn't say much, and just said: "The pattern of Hollywood has already started. Things have changed. Simon is just letting everyone realize the reality completely this time. In addition, this time he has started to promote New Line Cinema, as well as MGM, Daenerys Entertainment’s territory in Hollywood will become more and more important. big."
"This is a monopoly." Annika looked away from the mobile phone screen and glanced at Lina with a smile: "From the perspective of our agents or filmmakers, the monopoly formed by the studio giants is nothing to us. The good thing is, think about it, if you are dumped by him one day, with just one word from him, you may be completely kicked out of Hollywood."
Lina glanced sideways: "Don't worry, I will try my best to please him."
"Tsk."
"Tsk, you are actually a gift I got to please him. Simon likes girls with very fair skin, and you just fit the bill."
Of course Annika had realized this a long time ago. When Lina pointed it out, some mixed emotions inevitably emerged. She didn't know whether it was anxiety or expectation, but she didn't show weakness: "Since I'm more in line with his preferences. , be careful I squeeze you out."
Lina just rolled her eyes and continued: "In the 21st century of informationization and globalization, the integration of resources from all walks of life is an inevitable result, because only in this way can we strengthen our global competitiveness. The past seven major Hollywood companies, The coexistence of the eight and nine majors will completely change in the future. According to my observation, Simon may only intend to keep the two majors, and the others will take a back seat."
Annika blinked and quickly reacted: "Is there another Warner?"
"Yes," Lena nodded: "And in the end, Warner's strength should be much weaker than Daenerys. Only by bringing the entire GE can it be compared with Daenerys. Ha, in terms of market value, it is already That’s it, even GE Group is not as good as Daenerys.”
While the two women were discussing this matter in the restaurant, the entire North American film and television circle was buzzing about this year's Golden Globe nominations.
However, whether it is cursing, shouting or slandering, the facts are already facts.
Because from very early on, Simon adopted a strategy of boiling frogs in warm water towards Hollywood. At first, he was weak. In order to avoid being suppressed by the big studios at the time, Daenerys has been very active in using co-production for many years. The profit-sharing strategy, until now, still has many projects ongoing, the most famous of which is undoubtedly the DC movie universe series represented by "Suicide Squad 2", which opened last Friday.
Then, from a grassroots team, they first took over New World Pictures to have their own discovery channels, then took over Universal's parent company MCA, promoted to the ranks of major studios, and then annexed Metropolis ABC Group to complete The layout of the TV field until now.
With the arrival of another stage of the US stock market bull market, Daenerys Entertainment's market value has recently reached close to US$500 billion again, and it is only a matter of time before it breaks through.
The market value of 500 billion US dollars is the most direct reflection of Daenerys' current strength. If the other major studios are just talking about the media and entertainment business, they combined cannot be worth Daenerys alone. Even including their respective parent companies, such as GE Group, which currently has a market value of only US$360 billion behind Warner, the overall value is not much higher than Daenerys Entertainment Group.
It's like boiling a frog in warm water. With such a huge disparity in strength, how can other studios jump over the wall even if they want to
This is actually like 20 years from now, Hollywood will basically be an industrial structure with one superpower, Disney plus Warner and Universal, with a group of old studios that occasionally explode. Disney, which owns several major brands such as Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars series, divides about half of the top ten annual box office shares every year, and it has not seen how other companies can jump up.
Because I can't jump.
According to the business theory of the free market, this is the result of natural monopoly. If you can't make good movies or come up with good IP to compete with Disney, you can only endure it, and your market share will be reduced step by step, and you will decline step by step. In the end, only The next big studio nameplate that might have once been glorious.
Now, Simon has created such a pattern ahead of time, and has gone even further.
In the past, Disney's market value was only about 200 billion at its peak, while Daenerys Entertainment Group, with its comprehensive prosperity in film, television, games and other businesses, has a current market value of close to 500 billion, and it is not that kind of bubble. A serious 500 billion. Based on the net profit scale of US$7.61 billion in the previous fiscal year, and considering the strong growth momentum that Daenerys still maintains in games and other businesses, the price-to-earnings ratio of about 65 times is still within a reasonable range.
As Lena expected, when the Golden Globe nominations were announced, Daenerys's media and public relations department, which paid close attention to public opinion trends, began corresponding operations.
There are only two core points.
First of all, do the five nominated films have enough qualifications in themselves
The answer is self-evident.
Secondly, would it be a real injustice if these films couldn't both be nominated because they were from the same company
The answer is also self-evident.
In this case, what is there to argue about? Does it mean that the Golden Globes must distribute award nominations equally to various film companies like dividing pork
The two core principles were simultaneously exerted by the Internet, TV and print media, and the initial controversy was quickly suppressed. Even the general public, brainwashed by the overwhelming relevant arguments, generally tended to approve of this term's gold medal. Ball Award nomination.
He even went a step further and began to speak out for the next Oscars.
The problem is also very simple.
Should the Oscars divide the pork? Should, for the sake of balance, only choose one of Daenerys's series of excellent films that are eligible for nomination, and then give up all the others
Anyone with a keen sense of smell will be able to tell that this public opinion is obviously a shout-out to the upcoming Oscars.
Or put pressure.
As for the outcome, one can only wait for next month's Oscar nomination results.
Amidst the chaos, the box office week from December 19th to December 24th came to an end soon.
Although Christmas Eve on Thursday caused the day's box office to shrink significantly year-on-year, as the most golden week of the Christmas period, the North American film market still delivered a dazzling report card.
First of all, of course, the much-anticipated "Suicide Squad 2".
As another super blockbuster in the DC movie universe, "Suicide Squad 2" opened on 4,155 screens and undoubtedly topped the box office this week. Following the three-day revenue of 83.76 million U.S. dollars in its first weekend, In the first week, the box office reached US$126.34 million in the first seven days, second only to the US$162.36 million of the summer film "Jurassic Park 3" during the same period, making it the second highest-grossing film in the first week of 1998. .
In addition, compared with the US$91.78 million of the first "Suicide Squad" in its first week, the box office of "Suicide Squad 2" increased sharply by 38% during the same period. This basically means that based on the local box office of the first "Suicide Squad" of US$303 million, Box office, not surprisingly, the local box office of "Suicide Squad 2" is at least US$300 million. Considering that the final local box office of "Jurassic Park 3" in the summer is set at 406 million, the North American box office of "Suicide Squad 2" falls behind The most likely point is around $350 million.
The total cost of production and promotion of "Suicide Squad 2" is US$250 million, of which US$350 million is domestically. The DC movie universe project can obtain a higher-than-average share of about 60% from theaters, but domestically alone will recover US$2.1 100 million US dollars, considering that overseas production often exceeds that at home, and it is only in the theater stage, this project can easily achieve profits of hundreds of millions of US dollars.
What's more, the DC movie universe series also has peripheral derivative sales revenue that is larger than the box office, and the profits can be imagined.
Therefore, even if a dark horse such as "Scary" in the same period can also achieve 100 million yuan in revenue at the theater stage, the revenue volume from all channels is not at the same order of magnitude. This is why major studios are willing to Reason for the huge cost of a super bombshell like this.
Even so, "Scream", which beat "Suicide Squad 2" and two other new films in the same period to take second place on the weekly box office list this week, is still eye-catching.
In the week after its release, "Scream" still managed a well-controlled decline of 41% under the strong pressure of "Suicide Squad 2", and collected another US$32.72 million. The cumulative box office easily reached US$88.39 million, and is about to exceed 100 million US dollars.
Third place finally fell to a new film this week.
This is a mid-budget family comedy produced by Paramount called "Christmas Love." It is completely customized for Christmas. You can imagine why it was opened this week to collide with "Suicide Squad 2."
The production cost is 25 million US dollars, and there are 2,394 opening screens. Because it is very suitable for the Christmas family atmosphere, the overall score is only 7.1 points. Faced with the crushing of "Suicide Squad 2", "Christmas Love" still scored 2,373 $10,000 in first-week box office.
With such a start, even if the trend is cut in half, including overseas, Paramount will be able to recover its costs and make a small profit.
It was an unexpected surprise.
Then, the fourth and fifth places fell back to two old films.
Fox's co-production "The Mummy 2" ranked fourth. In its fifth week of release, it collected another US$15.41 million, bringing the cumulative box office to US$188.77 million, and is about to exceed 200 million US dollars.
The fifth place is "The Great Collision".
In its sixth week of release, "Collision" continued to earn 12.53 million U.S. dollars, and the cumulative box office has reached 234.51 million U.S. dollars. Based on the current trend, this blockbuster film about a comet hitting the earth still has about 30 million US dollars left at the box office, and the local box office will be set at about 260 million US dollars.
It’s a pity that it didn’t break 300 million.
Needless to say, the reason is also the same as two words.
In addition to the top five, it is also worth mentioning the award-winning film "Elizabeth" produced by Daenerys's High Gate Pictures.
In order to avoid being crushed by "Suicide Squad 2", "Elizabeth" still opened only 125 screens in its third week of small-scale production. It earned US$2.87 million this week, with an average of about US$23,000.
In the new week, with the announcement of the Golden Globe nominations, the reputation and popularity of "Elizabeth" have once again increased. In addition, the most fierce competition stage has passed, and the film has begun to increase its screening scale. This week, the number of screens reached 506 .
The new box office week begins on Christmas Day, December 25, and will end on December 31, the last day of 1998.
There are holidays before and after, so it is a golden period after Christmas week.
In addition to the expanded screening of "Elizabeth" and the award-winning films that were previewed at some checkpoints this week, there are still three movies that will be released on a large scale.
First, Daenerys produced another romance film "My Best Friend's Wedding" starring Julia Roberts, with a production cost of US$35 million and an opening of 2,613 screens.
Influenced by Simon, the super giant butterfly, Julia Roberts, who was the box office queen of the 1990s in the original time and space, although this time she also created classic films such as "Pretty Woman" under Simon's promotion, but in recent years The development is obviously not as good as before.
Just like last year, Julia worked hard for a long time to participate in "Shakespeare in Love", but was transferred to Kate Beckinsale whose style and image were more suitable. As a result, Julia at least missed out. His first Oscar nomination.
What else could Julia do
She couldn't resist a certain big shot, and even if her teeth fell out, she would have to swallow it.
Fortunately, this new film is a compensation.
Because it was Simon who came up with the idea and the well-known guarantee, both Julia as the heroine and Daenerys’ internal production team had high hopes.
Followed by MGM's crime thriller "The Perfect Murder", starring Michael Douglas, continuing Douglas's consistent style since the hit "Fatal Attraction" in the 1980s, with the same budget of 35 million US dollars. There are 2354 screens.
Finally, there is a blockbuster from Disney called "Jo Young".
Just by listening to the name, you can probably imagine the content of this movie. It draws on the famous "King Kong", mixed with Meryl Streep's "Out of Africa", and also rides on the wave of "Jurassic Park". Behemoth trend. Because the giant gorilla character was produced entirely with CG, the budget reached US$90 million and the number of screens was 3,176.