All successful people often have their stubborn side. Tim Berners-Lee is not only the inventor of the World Wide Web concept, but also the inventor of the world's first web server. If such a person is willing to set up a company, he will The commercial operation of the research results has already become a billionaire. However, as an idealist, Tim Berners-Lee gave up the wealth at his fingertips and chose to publish his research results to the outside world for free. Such a person is definitely worthy of respect.
Eric chatted with Tim Berners-Lee for a whole day. Although the chat was very pleasant and they both admired each other very much, Tim Berners-Lee was still unwilling to give up his insistence on free sharing.
It's not impossible for Eric to completely abandon Tim Berners-Lee, set up IE company according to his own ideas and develop a graphical interface browser, but in this case, he also loses the opportunity to directly participate in the formulation of Internet protocol rules .
Until the evening, the two people sitting opposite each other became quiet, and Chris next to him also looked at the sunset on the sea in silence. Tim Berners-Lee also picked up his coffee cup again, crossed his legs and followed Chris looked at the burning sunset outside the glass curtain wall, and he knew that Eric was about to make a final decision.
After a long time, Eric said: "Mr. Li, sir, I can agree that the ie browser is free."
Tim Berners-Lee showed a smile, and Chris looked at Eric unexpectedly. Among the three planned projects, Chris always felt that IE was the most commercially promising. If you choose free, the loss is not a little bit. However, Chris did not raise objections on the spot.
Free strategy is almost an inevitable trend of software development. Although Eric doesn't know much about the browser software industry. But he also knows that software sales revenue is often only the most inconspicuous part of the income of many Internet companies, and the most important thing is users. As long as the number of users is large enough, then the implementation of value-added services on their own platforms is the most profitable for Internet companies. .
"However, I still have a few conditions," Eric continued.
Tim Berners-Lee gestured for please.
Eric said: "First of all, Mr. Li. I hope you can serve as the senior technical consultant of ie company."
"I can promise you that," Tim Berners-Lee nodded readily.
Eric continued: "The second condition is that when the World Wide Web Consortium formulates Internet protocols, it needs to lean towards the technical standards of the IE browser to a certain extent. In return, IE can donate a research and development sum to the World Wide Web Foundation every year." At the same time, although ie is open to the public for free, we still have the right to apply for technology patents.”
Tim Berners-Lee gave up patent applications for web servers and World Wide Web technologies, and he gave up his chances of becoming a billionaire. However, Eric did not have the consciousness to be such a good person. His idea is that the software I independently funded and developed can be used by you for free, but mine is still mine, and you can use it, but don't think about keeping it for yourself.
Tim Berners-Lee knew that Eric still did not give up the idea of monopolizing, but this seemed to be the best solution. He was unwilling to commercialize his technological achievements, but he could not demand Others do it.
"Eric, personally, I can agree to your second condition, but I still need to discuss this matter with other members."
"Of course no problem," Eric nodded. He knew that Tim Berners-Lee had a high prestige in the World Wide Web Consortium. Since he personally agreed to this, basically this matter would not happen much Accident.
Tim Berners-Lee returned to MIT the next day. Although the riots in Los Angeles continued, the situation has stabilized. After the new week, people also returned to work, and Eric continued to be busy with the preparations for "Jurassic Park".
The most important dinosaur models needed in the movie have all been determined, and cg special effects artists in the digital field have begun to develop dinosaur special effects technology.
As the producer of "Jurassic Park", Jerry Bruckheimer has also been in contact with the shooting location of "Jurassic Park" during this time. Kauai Island in Hawaii, the most important shooting location, has been confirmed. During the Los Angeles riots, Bruckheimer had been scouting several Central American island nations for the amber mine scene needed for the opening of the film.
Eric, on the other hand, was involved in the most important casting work of the movie.
Perhaps it was because the memory in his mind was too clear, Eric didn't like any of the materials submitted for the audition of the male lead, and finally got someone to contact Sam Neal.
Sam Neill has already entered the film and television industry in the 1970s. Although his acting skills are good, he has never been popular. Except for the occasional supporting role in some mainstream commercial films, he has been in the circle of small-budget independent films for the rest of the time. inside.
Sam Neal was of course very happy when he received the invitation from Firefly about "Jurassic Park". Without reading the script at all, he called and agreed in person.
But then there was another trouble. Before receiving the invitation of "Jurassic Park", Sam Neal had already signed the lead role of Warner's sci-fi film "The Invisible Man Through the Wall". Invested 40 million US dollars, but Eric didn't have any impression, and he must have rushed to the street.
Although "The Invisible Man Through the Wall" is barely a big production, the second male lead of this movie cannot be compared with the male lead of "Jurassic Park".
Sam Neill immediately chose to terminate the contract with Warner. Even during the filming of a movie, changing roles is a common thing, but after learning the reason for Sam Neill's termination, the shrewd Warner was unwilling. There has always been controversy within Warner about the project "The Invisible Man Through the Wall". Therefore, although the investment of this film is as high as 40 million US dollars, the cast of actors is very simple. Among all the actors, only those who have participated in "Wall Street" and "Steel Daryl Hannah of such famous films as Magnolia and Blade Runner is somewhat famous, and the leading actor, Chevy Chase, is a middle-aged actor who is about the same age as Sam Neill. At the same time, it was also in the same situation as Sam Neil. It has been tepid.
Warner realized that this was a very good opportunity. After all, Eric's movies often make some lesser-known actors famous in one fell swoop. Therefore, Warner directly raised the price on the grounds of the actor contract in hand, and put forward the condition that if Eric wants Sam Neal, he must be in "Invisible". The film "The Man Through the Wall" is named as the executive producer. Eric has not failed as the producer of the film. Warner obviously wants to use Eric's personal box office appeal. Not only that, but Warner also promoted Sam Neal to the role of male number one.
Such things as actor contracts. If it is not serious, the contract will be terminated as soon as the contract is terminated, and everyone will get together and relax. After all, the investment of a movie is tens of millions, and no one has time to argue with each other.
But if it is serious, it will be a lot of trouble, and it is not uncommon to have a lawsuit for several years.
Of course, it is impossible for Eric to be the executive producer of a movie he has never heard of. After he asked Warner for the script and read it, he was even more reluctant. This script except for the gimmick of an invisible man. There is not much new ideas, and the plot is a bit scattered.
but. Warner has already put a lot of pre-work into this project, and it has cost millions of dollars. It is definitely impossible to cancel this movie project.
After a week of negotiations, the two sides finally reached an agreement. Eric was named as the executive producer in another Warner movie, and Sam Neal was changed to be the male lead of "The Invisible Man Through the Wall". After Jurassic Park was finished, the filming continued.
After picking and choosing, Eric finally chose a film that Warner Bros. is filming. The leading actor happened to be Kevin Costner, who won the Best Director and Best Actor for "Dances with Wolves" this year. , The name of the movie is "The Bodyguard".
The position of executive producer has very broad powers, and he can control everything or nothing. The most famous executive producer in Hollywood is Spielberg. The film is named executive producer.
While arguing with Warner about Sam Neill's contract, Eric was also busy with the heroine and other supporting roles. The two small protagonists, Eric in Spielberg's "Captain Hawk" "A little boy was chosen as the little protagonist, and the other little girl was recommended by Jerry Bruckheimer. Eric readily sold it to Jerry Bruckheimer.
However, Eric did not tell Jerry that this little girl would become the most unpopular character in "Jurassic Park". The sales were in full swing, but because of the series of pig teammate behaviors of the granddaughter of John Hadmond in the movie, she became the most disgusted character in "Jurassic Park", so the producer simply canceled it later. That little girl's live action doll doll making.
During the audition process of the heroine, Nicole, who was nervously filming "Mr. and Mrs. Smith", took Pi Kingsley to find Eric in person, and recommended to him an actress that Pi Kingsley signed recently, Pi Kingsley After Li terminated her contract with Tom Cruise, she soon signed some actors with good potential. Originally, Pai Kingsley planned to get the leading role in "Jurassic Park" after being reminded by Nicole. Information They have all been handed over to Eric, but Eric already has the best candidate in his mind, so Pai Kingsley can only settle for the second best and focus on the heroine.
Coincidentally, after Eric saw the actress recommended by Pai Kingsley, he was also very surprised. This actress was about 27 or 28 years old, tall and slender, with small eyes, but her smile made her laugh. People feel very comfortable, and most importantly, this actress named Helen Hunt happens to be the heroine of "Tornado" in the original time and space.
From Pai Kingsley, Eric knew that Helen Hunt's career in the film industry has not improved. He had planned to act in a TV series, but under the persuasion of Pai Kingsley, he quickly decided to let go. Fighting, transferred his contract to Pai Kingsley, and actively fought for the opportunity of the heroine of "Jurassic Park".
Although he understands Nicole's small thoughts, Eric doesn't care much about it. In the past few years, Eric has deeply understood that Hollywood is actually a small circle of people. Although the rules for selecting actors according to the standard audition process It has been going on, but more often, actors and directors or producers chat casually, have a few meals, and the roles are settled. So Eric does not object to Nicole running her own small circle.
Moreover, Helen Hunt's original time and space also won the Oscar for Best Actress with "As Good as It Gets", which shows that this woman's acting skills must be fine. Eric was more satisfied after the audition, so he signed a contract with the other party soon.
May passed day by day, the summer vacation of 1992 was approaching, and the aftermath of the Los Angeles riots gradually dissipated. Although during the riots, some incidents of black people saving white people were exaggerated by the media, which played a certain role in buffering racial conflicts. , but in fact, many things have not changed. Not only that, but because of the impact of the riots, discrimination has become more intense. In Los Angeles, many owners have dismissed black employees because they feel that black employees are a very unstable factor.
In addition, the Los Angeles County government also stated to the public that it would retry the Rodney King case. Eric knew that there would only be one result in this case, that is, 'guilty'. Moreover, as the fuse of the riot, Mr. Rodney King, a parolee who was imprisoned for robbery and drunk and raced, also sued the Los Angeles County government in due course, seeking huge personal compensation. According to the information released by the media, this Mr. Rodney King asked the Los Angeles County Government to compensate him for 54 million dollars at a 'price' of 1 million US dollars per stick (in the video of police brutality, Rodney King received a total of 54 sticks).
After Eric saw the news, he could only sneer. It is destined that nothing will change. Although the huge compensation of 54 million US dollars cannot be paid by the Los Angeles County Government, the final compensation amount will definitely reach millions U.S. dollars, and the money will also come from taxpayers, but this time, Eric thinks that the taxpayers who have been devastated by the riots will definitely not make unfair representations. (To be continued..)