Nodding in understanding, Lou Vassalman asked: "What are the terms of settlement?"
Barry Gordon said: "Daenerys Entertainment has abandoned plans to build a film and television production base in Toronto."
"Giving up forever?"
Barry Gordon shook his head: "Three years."
Lou Vassalman was silent again.
Such reconciliation conditions are simply giving the three major trade unions a barely acceptable level.
Having controlled MCA for so many years, Lou Vassalman knows very well that it is definitely not easy to build a film and television production base overseas.
Studios may have to pay more to shoot movies in California and have to endure various union restrictions, but they have a very stable and mature film production system.
In comparison, rashly making films in an unfamiliar area often encounters a lot of problems, such as the uncooperation of the local government, the difficulties of residents, the high prices of merchants, and even the nuisance of gangs, etc. This usually makes the original hope Crews who save money spend more.
Daenerys Entertainment is able to obtain many preferential treatment and government cooperation in Australia because of the existence of the Westeros Wife Family, a powerful local snake. However, it would be naive for Westeros to assume that this model can be easily replicated in Toronto.
Probably no one would think that Simon Westeros is a naive person.
So, Daenerys Entertainment’s plan to build a film and television production base in Toronto may have been just a bargaining chip to force the three major unions from the beginning.
The three major unions took the initiative to give in, and Daenerys Entertainment conveniently used this bargaining chip that it had not planned to implement as a step at the feet of the three major unions, without any substantial losses on its own.
Barry Gordon continued to smoke a few puffs of his cigar. Seeing that Vassalman was silent, he took the initiative and asked, "Lou, what are you going to do?"
When Lou Vassalman heard this question, he felt irritated in his heart. He simply put out the cigar in his hand and said: "Probably, this studio will be given to young people after all."
I originally expected that the lawsuits from the three major unions would bring enough pressure to Daenerys Entertainment. I would then use resources to continue to create obstacles for Westeros at the public opinion and government levels, so that the other party would voluntarily give up the acquisition. In the end, No matter what, we must continue to hold control of MCA in our hands.
However, after the three major trade unions, which had high hopes, launched an attack, they faced almost one-sided passivity. They did not persist for two weeks before retreating.
On the MCA side, except for the board of directors, which is firmly controlled by Lou Vassalman, he does not have many advantages. Most shareholders prefer to cash out as soon as possible to avoid a continued decline in MCA's stock price caused by the deterioration of the U.S. economy. Judging from the current domestic economic trends in the United States and the imminent war situation, this possibility is very high.
Lou Vassalman felt that if he continued to use his backhand, Simon Westeros would directly target him personally.
Perhaps, it is the same as the accusations against the three major trade unions of 'abusing their power'.
Lou Vassalman can almost imagine that Daenerys Entertainment’s reason for accusing him may also be abuse of power. He does hope to keep his power. The entire Hollywood, Steve Ross, Martin Davis, Michael · Eisner, Shirley Lansing, etc., who is not like this.
People who have tasted the taste of power will probably only instinctively pursue more, and few can give up easily.
Speaking of which, the young man who is only 22 years old this year will undoubtedly become the most powerful person in Hollywood in the next few decades. Moreover, judging from the skill displayed by Westeros in the recent series of events, he is also able to control the power in his hands.
22 years old.
It’s hard to imagine how a young man who should have just stepped out of college could be so stunningly talented.
Lou Vassalman's frustration became even more intense when he thought of his middle-aged son who was still ineffective.
Two old men were sitting in the office chatting wordlessly. There was a knock on the door. The secretary came in, pointed at the TV in the corner of the office, and said: "Mr. Vassalman, maybe there is something you can do." You should check it out.”
Lou Vassalman nodded, and the secretary walked in and turned on the TV, quickly tuning to a local channel in Los Angeles.
A press conference is being broadcast on the TV screen.
Lou Vassalman roughly understood the reason when he saw Matthew Broderick sitting on the stage among a row of young people talking about their own experiences.
This was originally one of Michael Ovitz's preparations.
After Simon Westeros became famous, his story of breaking five legs alone became an anecdote in Hollywood, and everyone in the circle generally knew the ins and outs of the incident. Because this matter was really unreasonable for several young people, after Meg Ryan withdrew, neither Ovitz nor Vassalman thought much about using this move.
Unexpectedly, several young people would jump out on their own initiative.
At this time, looking at the young man in the center of the press conference podium who had removed his dentures and had sunken lips like an old man, tearfully recounting his tragic experience, Lou Vassalman almost couldn't help but believe it.
Five people, including Matthew Broderick and Mark Stein, who had lost several teeth due to an elbow from Simon, completely reversed the truth and claimed that they had an altercation while having fun in a bar a few years ago. , the extremely vindictive Simon Westeros secretly tracked and intercepted several of them, and eventually not only broke the legs of five of them, but also later bit back, using Matthew Broderick's reputation as a force to force the other party to make a decision. compensation.
Matthew Broderick was famous because of several consecutive blockbuster movies. In order to prevent the other party from harming his reputation, he had to shell out US$500,000 to settle the case.
However, after Simon Westeros became famous, he still did not let them go. Matthew Broderick was retaliated by Westeros and his career was ruined. He has not received any film contracts in the past year or so. .
Regarding the reporter's initial question about why Simon Westeros dared to attack six of them alone, Mark Stein, who had a pitiful expression with sunken lips, said that Westeros brought a baseball bat at that time, and they were completely bare-handed. Moreover, Mark Stein also showed on the spot the report of Simon's consecutive KO of ten professional-level fighters in the Melbourne boxing ring at the beginning of the year, proving that he has this ability.
At the end of the press conference, the five Mark Steins stated that they would file a lawsuit with the Los Angeles District Court on the grounds that Simon had caused sustained and long-lasting severe physical and mental trauma to them.
Matthew Broderick also filed a lawsuit claiming that Simon Westeros violated California's Unfair Business Competition Act and maliciously used his influence to destroy the careers of others.
Not only that, Matthew Broderick's lawyer also stated that there is reason to believe that Simon Westeros used the $500,000 extorted from Matthew Broderick to produce "Run Lola Run" ”, Matthew Broderick will also file a lawsuit, demanding that Simon Westeros return the original $500,000 in cash and all the profits derived from this cash.
The reporters at the press conference almost burst into tears after hearing the end.
Even reporters who know some industry insiders are forced to believe the nonsense of the few guys in front of them. If the profit brought by $500,000 in cash is true, it will be very exciting.
As we all know, Simon Westeros relied on the huge profits earned from "Run Lola Run" to make his fortune. Later, he not only established Daenerys Entertainment, but also made a fortune by accurately betting on S&P 500 futures during the 1987 stock market crash. Pen. If you want to calculate the original income of 500,000 US dollars, Simon Westeros' current net worth of 21 billion US dollars can be said to be all due to this.
Watching several young people leaving on the TV screen while being chased and intercepted by the media, Lou Vassalman, who patiently watched the entire press conference, couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
As the president of the Screen Actors Guild, Barry Gordon also had some knowledge of the original incident. At this time, he looked at Lou Vassalman and asked, "Did you arrange it?"
Lou Vassalman shook his head and said: "I know about it, but there is no arrangement."
Everyone in the circle knows the inside story, how to arrange it
Lou Vassalman has not yet thought about completely confusing right and wrong like those young people just now, because this matter is too unable to withstand scrutiny.
However, after thinking about it carefully, Lou Vassalman understood that several people, including Matthew Broderick, had absolutely nothing to lose. By convening a press conference with such great fanfare and making the matter bigger, they have an advantage. Even if their own rhetoric does not stand up to scrutiny, the public always tends to sympathize with the weak.
After all, Simon Westeros is simply too powerful.
At the beginning of the year, the video of Westeros beating ten people in Melbourne with consecutive KOs amazed many people. Such a powerful guy really dared to attack six people by himself.
After all, I had a baseball bat with me at the time.
Seeing Vassalman's denial, Barry Gordon looked at the TV screen again and said with a smile: "Anyway, we can watch another fun."
Lou Vassalman also smiled.
Simon Westeros worked almost step by step in this acquisition, and he masterfully resolved many of the obstacles faced by Daenerys Entertainment, leaving Vassallman completely unable to resist. Now, faced with those young men who had completely put down their shameless behavior, Vassalman was curious about how the other party was able to get rid of the cocoon.
In this era, one of the biggest characteristics of investments in large telecommunications industry giants is stability. The telecommunications industry has been developing for a hundred years. If you invest in industry giants such as AT-T and Seven Little Bells, which have monopoly properties, you will neither get too generous returns nor suffer too big losses.
Because the stock price of this type of company is easy to rise and fall with the trend of the macroeconomic situation. The U.S. economy has continued to be in a downturn recently. Since Westeros wants to acquire Bell Atlantic at a 30% premium, it controls many shares of this company. Investors have no intention of holding on.
Therefore, when the Bell Atlantic board of directors reached an agreement with the Westeros Company, the subsequent shareholder vote was passed very smoothly under the careful operation of the Westeros Company team. ,
The next step is to submit it to the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which governs the telecommunications industry.
After arranging things in Los Angeles, Simon has been traveling between New York and Washington on the East Coast these days to obtain approval from government departments.
Although the Department of Justice is one of the presidential cabinet departments, and ministers are nominated by the president, the Bush administration obviously does not have a great fondness for Simon. However, this department is not fully controlled by the White House.
In the U.S. midterm elections in early November, the Democratic Party achieved a resounding victory, gaining a majority of seats in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. At the same time, within the Department of Justice, there are also Democrats serving as senior department officials, which confirms that Westeros' acquisition of Bell Atlantic will not encounter one-sided obstacles.
As for the FCC, this aspect is more favorable to Simon.
Because as an independent government agency, the FCC is directly responsible to the U.S. Congress and is not under the control of the White House.
Moreover, after all, the Bush family is a very mature political family. Unless necessary, they will not offend Simon, a super rich man with a huge net worth and great social influence, to death. In addition, Westeros The company's acquisition of Bell Atlantic will not affect the industry structure and is not suspected of being a monopoly.
Therefore, this acquisition is almost a certainty.
It can be said that in the days from the end of November to the beginning of December, Simon was more reorganizing and deepening his connections in American politics through the Bell Atlantic acquisition incident.
When he heard the news about the press conference held by Matthew Broderick and others, Simon had just had dinner in Washington with U.S. Congressman David Meloth, who had been in contact with him a few days ago.
Janet had fully experienced the ins and outs of the original incident, so she was absolutely furious on the subsequent phone call. She threatened to teach those guys who were confusing right and wrong a lesson, and told Simon to leave the matter alone. She planned to take responsibility for it herself.
There is no shortage of confusion in this world. After Simon knew the details, although he was angry, he was not too touched in his heart. He really did not have the energy to take care of this matter, so he casually agreed with Janet to take charge of this matter.
On the other hand, Matthew Broderick and his team obviously conspired and planned carefully. Although the story was not perfect, it was reasonable and reasonable. Coupled with the media's natural tendency to watch the excitement and not take it too seriously, this incident It quickly became hyped.
Of course, Daenerys Entertainment would not let the matter ferment one-sidedly, and immediately made a counterattack in the media.
Regrettably, that incident did not leave an official record in the police system. The situation of everyone at that time was so miserable that there was not even a record. Afterwards, the two parties quickly reconciled. After the police were manipulated by Matthew Broderick, they did not continue to investigate further, thinking that it would be better to do more than to do less.
When Matthew Broderick and others took the initiative, everyone had their own words, and there were some signs that they were about to fall into Rashomon.
After the press conference, local media in Los Angeles quickly exposed the further demands of several young people.
The five Mark Steins filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles District Court seeking a total of $100 million in compensation, citing the long-term physical and mental trauma they suffered. Matthew Broderick even opened his mouth, demanding as much as $1 billion in compensation.