Allen just shrugged slightly when he heard Claudia's words. Eric, who was flipping through the information, noticed the assistant's little move and shook his head helplessly.
His actions this time are indeed different from those in the past. When investing in Cisco, America Online and other companies in the past few times, the development prospects of these companies are relatively clear, and the funds involved are not too much. Even for the three Internet companies such as Yahoo invested and established, the original investment was only in the tens of millions.
But this time the situation is very different. As a large-scale group company in Finland, although Nokia is in trouble, judging from the collected financial data, this camel that is about to die of emaciation still has 1.1 billion Book assets of about US dollars, and from Eric's personal opinion, of course, the more shares he gets, the better. If he can swallow them all, he doesn't mind throwing all the funds in the hands of Firefly Investment.
Eric stayed in Berlin for a few more days, and then moved to Paris with the main creative team of "Jurassic Park" to prepare for the film's French premiere.
At this time, the time has come to mid-July, and "Jurassic Park" has been released in North America for six weeks, and the box office has easily exceeded 300 million US dollars. Regarding the box office figure curve of "Jurassic Park" which is still full of stamina in North America, the local ♀←, the media has changed from being amazed at breaking 100 million in the first week, to being numb now. There is almost no suspense that the North American box office of the film will break through 400 million US dollars in the next few weeks, and whether it can break through 500 million is an amazing Numbers, the discussion that arouses does not seem to be so heated, after all. Whether it is 400 million or 500 million. For most Hollywood movies. It is like a person looking up at the stars in the sky. Few people think about whether a certain star is a hundred light-years or a thousand light-years away from them. Those are too far away.
The overseas box office of "Jurassic Park" also exceeded 300 million US dollars in the sixth week, and the total box office reached 600 million US dollars. 57 million and is expected to surpass its high of 70 million in total. And at the same time. "Jurassic Park" will also start painting in France, Spain, Japan and other overseas ticket warehouse countries in the near future. Especially Japan, which is a country obsessed with monsters. Although Eric does not have specific figures in his memory, the box office of "Jurassic Park" in Japan definitely exceeded 100 million US dollars.
Although "Jurassic Park" is crazily harvesting the box office all over the world, creating box office miracles one after another. However, this miraculous film did not arouse positive responses from local media in any country or region. In recent months, the media in many European countries have been evaluating "Jurassic Park" in an almost wolf-like tone, and this is especially true in France, where Eric is staying.
As the birthplace of film, the French have always been very proud of their country's film industry, and French film has indeed had a very glorious period. In order to welcome the box office giant "Jurassic Park", to defend the dignity of French film '. The French put the most expensive film "Sprout" in the history of French film on the same schedule as "Jurassic Park". The production cost of this film adapted from the French literary masterpiece "Sprout" reached 164 million francs, which is about more than 30 million US dollars. Jointly invested by more than a dozen French film companies, it can indeed be said to be the highest-invested film in France so far.
For this reaction from the French, Eric had only one thought in his mind, why bother
"Sprout" tells the tragic life experience of French miners at the end of the 19th century. It lasts nearly three hours and can be said to be an absolutely boring film. Park" recklessly fought for the box office, Eric couldn't think of the second result.
Moreover, the current timing is also very sensitive. This year is the last year of GATT negotiations. In order to establish the World Trade Organization, after years of wrangling, North American and European countries have finally reached a consensus on most of the terms. Hollywood movies are fighting for the same economic status as physical products, but European countries have put forward the argument of "cultural exception". For this reason, some famous Hollywood directors have also set off a long-distance debate with European filmmakers.
With Eric's current position, of course he wants to stand on Hollywood's side. In order not to provoke the emotions of the French media, after the simple premiere, Eric canceled most of the promotional schedule of the crew in France, and sent the other main creators to the next stop, Madrid, Spain. Anyway, "Jurassic Park" The topic is already high enough in Europe, and reducing some promotional activities will not have much impact on the French box office of "Jurassic Park".
While promoting the film, Eric has not stopped discussing with Chris on the phone in private about Nokia. Chris has decided to bring the Firefly investment team to Europe in person, and Eric will stay in Paris temporarily.
Compared with the resistance of the media and cultural circles to Hollywood films, French local film production and distribution companies are extremely eager to invest in and distribute Hollywood films. Smart businessmen can see that the decline of French films is irreversible, and capital is chasing profits. Well, French film companies certainly know how to choose.
In a hotel on the banks of the Seine River in Paris, Eric sat leisurely on the balcony of the hotel, with a faint heat in the coffee cup on the small round table beside him, tapping the keyboard of the laptop on his lap from time to time, occasionally looking up, not far away was The sky-high Eiffel Tower.
Hearing the sound of the door, Eric looked back, and Alan walked in with a stack of documents.
"Eric, the box office news of the first day of "Jurassic Park" and "Sprout" has been counted," Allen put the information in his hand on the round table next to Eric, took out a copy and handed it to he.
Eric took advantage of the night to walk around the street last night, and there were parties buying tickets in several movie theaters he passed, so he had already expected it in his heart, and he was not in a hurry to open the information that Alan handed over, but He took out a floppy disk from his laptop and handed it to Allen: "This is a script idea I came up with a few days ago. You send it back to Los Angeles and ask them to register the copyright."
The script on the floppy disk was just after visiting the Museum Island in Berlin with Caroline that day. Reminds me of Night at the Museum. These days Eric is also taking advantage of his spare time. The script was probably knocked out.
Alan didn't ask any further questions. He put away the floppy disk, introduced the information he had just sent, and then took out an invitation letter from the folder: "This is from Mr. Nicholas Seydoux, the CEO of Gaumont Company. They're throwing a celebratory reception for a movie tonight and want you to attend."
Eric flipped through the box office data of "Jurassic Park" and "Sprout", frowned slightly, and asked casually, "What movie?"
"The name of the movie is "Fang Fang". I just looked it up. It's a love movie. It was released in early June. The leading actors are two well-known French movie stars, Vincent Perez and Sophie Marceau. This movie has achieved very good response in both European and Asian markets." Allen briefly introduced, but did not mention the box office data of "Fang Fang", after all, facing "Jurassic Park", this film The box office of love movies seems a little worth mentioning.
Eric still had a trace of helplessness between his brows. Hearing Alan's introduction, he didn't even think about it. Relying on his memory, he asked casually: "Sophie Marceau paid 1 million francs in liquidated damages in order to leave the Gaumont company. Didn't the two parties have a stalemate? Why did they cooperate again?"
Allen didn't know about this. Sophie Marceau's influence was more in France and the Far East. Hollywood hadn't noticed this French rose: "I don't know about this, Eric, Want to check it out?"
Eric was stunned for a moment before he realized it, shook his head and said, "No, I just thought of it suddenly."
The story of Sophie Marceau’s breakup with Gaumont Company for the filming of Zulaski’s "Wild Love" mostly appeared in the actress’ magazine articles. After all, it was just for To beautify the image of the actress, there are more elements of publicity. Moreover, after conversion of one million francs, it is less than two hundred thousand dollars. For a well-known European actress, it is not too big a financial burden. Sophie Marceau and Gaumont Film Company may be more Mostly, it was just that they couldn't reach an agreement for a while, and everyone temporarily parted ways and went their own way, and there was no possibility of not being in touch with each other forever. To be more realistic, now that European movies are in decline, there are very few companies capable of producing commercial movies, and this French rose doesn't have many choices.
"Then," Allen pointed to the invitation: "Tonight's reception?"
Eric shook his head. He didn't know what the so-called celebration party was like, because the French media had hyped up the confrontation between "Sprout" and "Jurassic Park" during this period, if there were any media present , will definitely be asked about the box office of "Jurassic Park" and "Sprout". Sighing, Eric looked at the data in his hand again. The box office of "Sprout", which is comparable to Jurassic Park, is only a little over 1 million. At that time, no matter how he answers, he will probably be fired.
Allen could also understand some of Eric's concerns, and said: "In this case, I will call and reject the other party. In addition, Mr. Hansen will arrive in Paris at around ten o'clock tomorrow morning. I have already booked a hotel room. Eric Ke, is there anything else to add?"
"No more, that's it."
Allen nodded, turned around and left Eric's room. Just as he came to the corridor, the mobile phone on Allen's waist rang. He connected and said a few words, and Allen pushed away Eric's phone The door came to Eric and handed over the mobile phone: "Eric, Mr. Jack Valentine's phone."
Jack Valenti
Eric was a little puzzled. Jack Valenti is the chairman of the American Film Association. Eric only met him once at the annual meeting of the Film Association last year. He was a little puzzled. How could Jack Valenti call him? here.
However, Jack Valenti has been the chairman of the American Motion Picture Association since 1966. He has been in this position for nearly thirty years, and it seems that he will continue to do so now. Committed to the expansion of the Hollywood movie territory around the world, so the status in Hollywood is still very respected, Eric did not neglect, and quickly took the mobile phone handed over by Allen, the two chatted briefly, and then hang up the phone.
Allen just faintly heard the voice coming from the microphone was a little rushed, but he didn't know the content. After Eric hung up the phone, he said to Allen: "Get ready, I will go to the Gaumont Film Company to participate in the evening "Fang Fang" held a celebration reception."
Noticing Eric's solemn appearance, Alan asked, "Do you want to prepare another dress for you?"
"No, the one I wore at the premiere will do.
"Eric returned the mobile phone to Allen, still thinking about the reason why Jack Valenti appeared. Judging from the current situation, Eric guessed that the other party should be for the GATT that is being negotiated.
The Motion Picture Association of America is not only the organization in charge of grading Hollywood movies, but also the spokesperson of Hollywood interests. The GATT negotiations on movies must be made by the Motion Picture Association of America. Although the interests of Firefly are also involved, Eric Can't think of a reason for Jack Valenti to contact him.
…
Under the night, the hotel's limousine slowly drove into a mansion on the banks of the Seine River in the western suburbs of Paris. As soon as Eric got out of the car, he saw a group of people warmly greet him.
The first time he saw these people, Eric realized that this celebration reception was extraordinary. Nicholas Seydoux from the Gaumont Film Company was not surprised, and Jack Valenti had also greeted him beforehand, but , What is the president of Constantine Films Germany that I just met last week, and some other familiar faces.
"Eric, I'm glad you're here," Nicholas Seydoux warmly hugged Eric first, and then introduced others to Eric one by one.
Needless to say, the president of Constantine Films, in addition, there are also the CEO of Germany's New World Film Company, the president of France 4 TV Station, and the head of the Vivendi Group's film department...
What surprised Eric even more was that even John Carley, the president of MGM Pictures, appeared here, and the actual controller of MGM Pictures is Crédit Lyonnais.
In general, these people are basically the heads of some of the most famous film companies in Europe. At the end of the introduction, Eric could only socialize calmly with the intention of being a soldier.
"Okay, guys, give me and the little guy some time," Jack Valenti said loudly after Nicholas Seydoux finished his introduction. Looking at each other, the two walked into the villa of the mansion all the way, passed through the crowd of guests in twos and threes, and were led by the waiter to a suite.
"You must be very confused now, right?" Jack Valenti let Eric sit down on the sofa and asked with a smile on his face.
The gray-haired old man with sharp eyes in front of him is the most solid spokesperson for the interests of Hollywood. Eric nodded without concealment. Although he has realized something, Eric is not worried that the other party will do something that is not good for Firefly Pictures. Otherwise, Jack Valenti would not be able to sit firmly as the chairman of the American Motion Picture Association for decades. (To be continued..)