On the early morning of April 29th, Michael Eisner arrived at the Global Headquarters more than 20 minutes earlier as usual. Before entering the office, he couldn't wait to ask his assistant: "Has that matter been investigated?"
"Yes, Mr. Eisner, I have sorted out the materials and put them on your desk."
"Very good," Michael Eisner nodded, opened the door and walked into his office.
There was a red leather folder on the large desk. After Michael Eisner sat down, he couldn't wait to open it. When Columbia announced layoffs, Michael Eisner felt more keenly than others that this matter must be related to the cooperation agreement reached between Columbia and Firefly some time ago, so he was very concerned about the follow-up of this matter from the very beginning .
Three days ago, Colombia directly closed its branches located in several small countries in South America. When Michael Eisner heard the news, he was almost certain that these abolished departments were probably taken over by Firefly as a whole. Obviously, This is a secret agreement between Firefly and Columbia's Peter Cooper.
As the former CEO of Disney, Michael Eisna is well aware of everyone that Disney's only shortcoming is overseas distribution, which is why he has been promoting the development of Bowei International and the distribution company since he took charge of Disney. However, although Budweiser International broke away from the cooperation with Warner two years ago and tried to publish independently, the overseas distribution capabilities of Budweiser International are still not comparable to those of several other established distribution companies with decades of overseas distribution accumulation. Therefore, , after the combination of Firefly and Disney. The strength of overseas distribution is still insufficient.
But Colombia is different. The seven major Hollywood studios. Colombia's overseas distribution capabilities are second only to the powerful Warner. In many countries, Colombia has established branches dedicated to film distribution.
After carefully reading the documents in front of him, Michael Eisner said to himself, "It really is."
The investigation report in hand shows that after the dissolution of several Colombian distribution companies in South America, the employees were quickly absorbed by other film distribution companies. Although the names of these branches in South American countries are different, they will not Reminiscent of Firefly Pictures. But Michael Eisner can be sure that after a few years, these distribution companies will definitely replace the logo of Firefly Pictures.
Michael Eisner tapped the table lightly, thinking silently, South America is just the beginning, and the next step is either Southeast Asian countries or Europe.
Firefly's distribution strength in European countries is still good, plus Europe is the second largest film market after North America, Peter Guber certainly dare not close the distribution company in Europe. However, it is inevitable to 'eliminate' some elites, and those countries in Southeast Asia are close to Japan. Peter Guber may be placed at the end, and it won't make much noise.
However, once Firefly is allowed to complete this plan, then Firefly's only shortcoming in film distribution will be fully made up for, and Firefly will no longer be constrained by any of the other major film companies.
After thinking about this, Michael Eisner then began to think about what he should do.
Over the past few years, the overseas film market, like the North American local film market, has been in a period of rapid growth. It is precisely because of the expansion of the market that more and more big-budget films have emerged in Hollywood.
The overseas market is far from being saturated so far, so letting this matter go unnoticed will not have a big impact on Universal. After all, in the overseas market, the interests of Hollywood film companies are Consistently, Firefly's excellent movies have won high box office overseas, which can also stimulate the consumption of other Hollywood movies by audiences in overseas markets.
If you ignore it completely, Michael Eisner will not be reconciled anyway.
If this matter is exposed, it may cause a certain degree of interference to Firefly's plan. However, once Eric knows that he is behind the scenes again, then Firefly will definitely target Universal again, just like Firefly targeted Disney in the past two years. Michael Eisner even occasionally has a doubt. The movie "Cut Throat Island" is probably a trap specially set by Eric.
After thinking about it for a long time, Michael Eisner still picked up the phone on his desk, dialed a series of numbers, and got connected quickly.
"I'm Michael Eisner."
…
There was some noise outside the car window. Eric looked at his watch and couldn't help frowning. This was already the fourth wave of people he encountered. Today is not Martin Luther King Jr. Day, how could there be so many black buddies gathered outside, holding banners and blocking the entire road in Burbank.
Eric pressed the car window and looked out for a few times, and was about to ask the driver to get out of the car to find out what happened, when the mobile phone next to him rang suddenly, Eric was not in a hurry to answer the phone, and ordered The driver in the front row asked the other party to go out to see what was going on before picking up the phone.
"Hi, I'm Eric Williams..."
Hearing the voice of the man opposite, Eric was a little surprised: "Mr. Eisner, what's the matter?"
Michael Eisner leaned back on the leather chair, stared at the document in his hand, and said, "Eric, have you heard about the recent large-scale layoffs in Columbia?"
Eric raised his eyebrows slightly: "Of course, Columbia has been losing money for the past two years. It's normal for the other party to make layoffs. If I would definitely do the same. Mr. Eisner, why are you asking this?"
Michael Eisner couldn't hear any guilty conscience from Eric's tone, but, based on his understanding of Eric, the other party really wouldn't show any guilty conscience in this situation: "Erik Ke, I don't think things should be that simple, right?"
Eric's tone was a little lazy: "Oh, Mr. Eisner, what do you think is going on?"
"I heard that the employees who were laid off did not really lose their jobs, not only that, but their salaries were increased by 20%."
"Mr. Eisner said so. Then it must be so." Eric still replied unhurriedly: "However. This has nothing to do with us, does it?"
Michael Eisner wondered, "What?"
"I mean, it has nothing to do with us," Eric repeated, "I think we should take care of our own business, I heard that Universal just reached an agreement with Mr. Spielberg to shoot Schindler's To be honest, I am also quite optimistic about the cooperation of the book "Ark". Moreover, I have a good relationship with Steven."
Michael Eisner fell silent, and Eric, who was stuck in a street in Burbank, continued: "Mr. Eisner, I also heard that Universal is planning to cooperate with Lucasfilm, but you know , Firefly will continue to produce a number of special effects films in recent years. Although there is a competitive relationship between the digital field and Industrial Light and Magic, if we are willing to share some special effects technology, I believe. Lucasfilm is very willing to take over the special effects of Firefly film project."
Michael Eisner understood completely now, and Eric told him to shut up on this matter. Otherwise, he will also interfere with Huang Universal's cooperation with Spielberg and George Lucas.
Realizing this, Michael Eisner felt aggrieved. Even a year ago, few people in Hollywood would dare to speak to him like that. However, he knew that Eric was fully capable of doing this now. This time He seems to have to choose a compromise.
"Eric, I think, I must not be the only one who knows?" Michael Eisner said paradoxically.
There was a smile on the corner of Eric's mouth. Eisner said that it was almost a compromise: "We don't care about other people's affairs, but if someone opens his mouth too much, I don't mind knocking out a few of them." front teeth."
Michael Eisner coughed dryly and babbled a few more words before hanging up the phone.
Eric threw the phone aside casually, looked at the driver who had returned to the driver's seat, and asked, "What's going on outside, have you asked clearly?"
"Yes, Mr. Williams," the driver replied, "it was a very old case last year. A black man named Rodney King was suspected of dangerous driving. When he was arrested by several policemen, he resisted and was beaten up. pause."
Eric frowned slightly when he heard the name Rodney King. Although the information on this incident in his memory was not too detailed, he should not remember the name Rodney King wrongly. Thinking about the time again, it is now April 1992, and the time is right.
But the driver continued: "However, when the four white policemen were enforcing the law, a passerby happened to take pictures with a hand-held camera and sent them to n. That part was completely cut, and only the part where the police beat someone was broadcast. After the incident became serious, although the complete video was broadcast on the three major TV stations one after another in an attempt to calm the storm, it was of no avail. The lawsuit dragged on for a year. The verdict was officially pronounced today, and these black people are expressing their solidarity...”
The driver wanted to continue talking, but Eric waved his hand and interrupted the other party: "Turn around, let's go back."
The driver looked puzzled.
Eric repeated: "I mean turn around, let's go back, back to Sharp Point Manor."
Although the driver was very puzzled, he quickly turned the car around when he heard Eric's unquestionable tone.
Eric leaned on the seat and rubbed his forehead.
The Los Angeles riots in 1992, unexpectedly happened to me.
Regarding the upcoming riots in Los Angeles, Eric has very little information in his memory. He only knows that this is a once-in-a-century racial riot in the United States.
On the way home, Eric kept making calls, and several women called one by one.
Both Virginia and Joanna are in New York, so it doesn't matter. Although after the Los Angeles riots, there will be riots in other places in North America, but it will not be a short-term thing to expand. When the news spreads After that, there must be defenses over there.
Jennifer Connelly is at Stanford. The girl has not finished her studies. After joining Eric, she no longer worries about her acting career. Instead, she is relieved and puts more energy into her studies. in hand.
Nicole is still training in the 'School of Secret Service' and has no problem.
Famke Jansen just woke up at his villa in Beverly Hills, and he was a little excited when he heard Eric's voice. Eric asked a few words politely, and he knew that the girl would stay at home today, so he Without saying much, if even Beverly Hills is not safe, then Los Angeles will be completely ruined.
The three daughters Drew, Julia, and Elizabeth are still at home, and the girls plan to go to Playa Vista's digital domain headquarters to check the production progress of "Ghost in Disguise".
Eric thought for a while, asked the driver a few words, and learned that the Rodney King case would not be tried until the afternoon, so he decided to divert to Playa Vista, and at the same time made a phone call with Jeffrey , Tell the other party to go to Playa Vista to see the dinosaur model, and finally calm down.
After thinking about it for a long time, everything that should be notified has been notified. Others, Eric can't control so much. He is a very indifferent person, and he has no intention of becoming a saint. In this kind of personal ability, it is completely useless In the face of big events, he can't do too much.
The car was driving slowly on the road in Los Angeles, and Eric suddenly thought of someone again.
Picking up the phone and thinking about it, Eric finally couldn't help dialing the number, and that sweet, stubborn face appeared in his mind.
"Hello, I'm Miss Aniston's assistant, may I ask who you are?" A female voice answered the phone and asked politely.
"I'm Eric Williams."
"Ah..." There was a small exclamation on the other side, and it quickly fell silent: "W...Mr. Williams, I, oh, I'm going to call Miss Aniston, she is putting on makeup."
"No, no need," Eric interrupted and asked, "Where are you now?"
"Global Studios, Mr. Williams, you... do you want to come over?"
Eric didn't answer, and continued to ask: "What about Jane's schedule today?"
"Miss Aniston is currently filming a romantic comedy, and today it's all indoors, and she'll be in the studio all day," the unknown assistant replied quickly.
Eric hummed lightly and said, "Oh, then I'm fine."
"ah?"
"Don't tell Jenny, I called."
"Mr. Williams, I don't understand."
Eric raised his voice and said, "You don't need to understand, I just want you to remember, don't tell Jane that I called."
"Oh, I... I see, Mr. Williams," the assistant stammered. (To be continued..)