After sitting down, before the meeting started, Yi Feiyang chatted with Gusta beside him.
During this period, "Pirates of the Caribbean", which Fantasy and Lionsgate Pictures co-produced, was a global hit. Gusta was very enthusiastic, "Yi, I saw you right! You are indeed very talented. Just one movie can
You earned me hundreds of millions!"
"Really?" Yi Feiyang shrugged and said with a smile: "You really made a profit on this deal. Now I am regretting why I cooperated with you. You are too smart."
Yi Feiyang did regret it. He should not have cooperated with Gusta. Even if he cooperated, he should not have dug out the golden mountain of "Pirates of the Caribbean". Instead, he should have messed with other pirates, such as Somali pirates and Malacca pirates...
But Yi Feiyang is an honest person, especially since it was Gusta who first proposed the concept of pirates. Yi Feiyang was too embarrassed to hide good things, and this is how "Pirates of the Caribbean" became a win-win for both families.
In fact, judging from the profitability of the movie "Caribbean", if Dream were to film it solely, it would be able to earn more box office. Now cooperating with Lionsgate is tantamount to giving future money to Gu for no reason.
Star.
But then again, as the saying goes, you can make a big fortune from a small loss. It is not without benefits for Yi Feiyang to do this. First of all, it reduces the investment risk. After all, whether "Pirates of the Caribbean" can be as popular as in its previous life, the current audience is
It is still unknown whether the movie will be bought or not. Secondly, Yi Feiyang has won a friend like Gusta, and the personal relationship has been completely established. Finally, and most importantly, without the support of Gusta Lionsgate Cinemas. "
"Caribbean" cannot beat Universal's "Gladiator" to dominate the box office.
"To be honest, you really lost a lot on this deal!" Gusta chuckled. He didn't expect Yi Feiyang to be so capable, which was beyond his expectation. "But for
As for me, we need to work more closely in the future. I heard that you are writing the sequel to the play "Caribbean". Yi, my dear good friend, I am optimistic about you, how about we continue to cooperate?!"
I have to say that Gusta is quite thick-skinned. Being thick-skinned is not enough, and Yi Feiyang cannot refuse him, so he can only nod, "Okay then, man!"
"Ha, Yi, you are so great!" If there weren't people around, Gusta would probably hug Yi Feiyang warmly.
Ten minutes later, the North American Film Association meeting began.
The person presiding over this meeting was the "talker" of the Film Association, commonly known as the chairman---an old guy with a head as smooth as an otter. He looked at the time and saw that people had almost arrived, so he knocked on the table.
Said: "Okay. Since everyone is almost here, let's start!"
"This time I called everyone here mainly to discuss some sensitive issues between film companies and cinema chains."
Through private inquiries, Yi Feiyang knew that the talkative and aura-filled guy in front of him was the chairman of the Film Association. His name was Abbas. This man had a rich background, in addition to being a super figure in the cultural, entertainment and business circles.
He is also closely related to the U.S. government. It is said that the leaders of the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and the Federal Reserve are all personally acquainted with him.
"As we all know, our American films have always opposed monopoly, but we must not forget the history of monopoly. Yes, we should not forget that companies like MGM and Fox used to control almost one-fifth of the entire North America.
Only one theater chain controlled one-third of the stars in the United States. At that time, American movies were prosperous and dark. Although there were excellent films such as "Gone with the Wind", "Ben-Hur" and "The Blue Bridge"
, but there are also many people who feel sad behind it. Stars are forced to take over projects, film companies are forced to transfer theaters, and screenwriters are forced to write scripts..."
"But no need now, we want to thank our dear government for their support of the American film industry, especially their absolute crackdown on film monopolies, which allowed many film companies to survive and allowed us all to have a bowl of food.
.Of course, we must also thank the government for supporting us in establishing this film association and giving us great power, so that we filmmakers can solve our own problems..."
"However, it is a pity that several film companies have recently turned a deaf ear to the government's anti-monopoly and have begun to buy up movie theater chains in an attempt to dominate the films produced by their own companies. This is not allowed and is opposed by all of us, so
, I would like to report the criticism!”
In fact, it is true. As the most famous film country in the world, the United States has almost become the aircraft carrier of world films. And all of this is not accidental, but the result of a lot of life and death. As we all know, any company will go through three
This process is workshop-style, family-style, and monopoly-style. The same goes for American movies, which have also gone through this experience, such as the current seven major Hollywood film companies, MGM, Fox, Paramount, Columbia, Universal, and Warner, etc.
, almost all come from these three modes.
Monopoly? Who wouldn’t! Who doesn’t want to! As long as you have strength, you will be like a crocodile, trying to swallow up other small companies until no bones are left.
However, the U.S. government has introduced anti-monopoly laws for the film industry, forcing those large film companies that were originally arrogant to reluctantly part ways and divert the theater chains and artist resources they control. What they could have enjoyed exclusively for themselves has to be divided.
It is undoubtedly a very painful thing to give to others. Therefore, these seven major companies can be said to have been resentful for a long time, but they have nothing to do with the government. To put it bluntly, in the United States, no matter how good your movies are, no matter how powerful you are, you still have to fight against them.
Without the federal government, the old Chinese saying that the poor should not fight with the rich and the people should not fight with the officials also applies to the United States.
Facts have proven that the film anti-monopoly introduced by the U.S. federal government has played an extremely positive role in the development of the Hollywood film industry. Especially in the 1970s and 1980s, it helped the United States become the world's film hegemon. The number of films produced every year and the box office have both increased.
Tops the list and has made an irreplaceable contribution to the U.S. national tax revenue.
Therefore, when Abbas mentioned that there was a company that dared to risk the world's disapproval and wanted to establish a monopoly, everyone was guessing. Who is this company?
"Are you curious to know which company it is?" Abbas glanced at the many company bosses present, including, of course, the up-and-coming Yi Feiyang.
Of course, Yi Feiyang would not be "sentimental" and think that he was the thorn in the side who wanted to have a monopoly. Even if he wanted to do it, he didn't have the strength, not to mention that his theater quota did not exceed the number stipulated by the Film Association.
Then it's even less likely to be me.
Sure enough, "Okay. Now I announce the name of this film company--Universal!"
Uproar!
Everyone started talking about it.
"It turns out to be Universal Pictures. No wonder their president recently invited us to negotiate. It turns out they want to acquire our movie theater chain!"
"Yes, they offered me huge sums of money to seduce me while we were drinking coffee, but I held back!"
“Why is Universal doing this?”
"What else could it be for? This time, their "Gladiator" was so miserably suppressed by Mew's three dramas. It could have been a global sensation, but in the end it was usurped by Mew. Do you think they can't be angry?
"
"No wonder, it turns out that they want to consolidate their strength and take revenge on the small company called Dream!"
"Isn't that right? It's embarrassing and embarrassing. Only in this way can we avenge our shame!"
…
Yi Feiyang, who was sitting there with the old god in his sight, never thought that in the end this matter would be related to him.
Just when everyone was talking, a tall, thin old man from Universal CEO stood up and said in a very cultured manner: "Chairman Abbas is right in his criticism. Our Universal has been a little radical during this time, but it doesn't matter, we have already
We have corrected our mistakes and reassigned some of the theater chains we acquired. In addition, this incident was a negative impact caused by some of our senior executives at Universal making unauthorized decisions. We deeply regret this. The parties involved will be dealt with correctly; here
, I want to reiterate that we, Universal Pictures, will always support U.S. federal antitrust regulations and will never do anything that harms the film industry. Over, thank you all!"
Bang bang bang!
Everyone applauded.
No one would have thought that this global boss would be so magnanimous and speak calmly and generously. This did not seem like he was admitting a mistake, but he was clearly making a report.
Yi Feiyang had a bright eye. As soon as he saw the exchanges between the Global boss and Chairman Abbas, he understood that they were putting on a show. They had probably made arrangements beforehand. No wonder the Global boss was so calm and unhurried.
But...why would Abbas do this?!
Just when Yi Feiyang was thinking about it, Chairman Abbas spoke again, first confirming that Universal's attitude was very good, and then said: "In view of the current development trend of Hollywood movies, the theater quotas of many movie companies have been far away.
It is not enough to cope with the production and release of movies. Therefore, our film association proposes to increase the rationing of theater chains according to the size of the film company in order to meet the growing market requirements. The specific content is that the big film companies will
The original number will be increased by 30%, with medium-sized film companies increasing by 10%, and small companies increasing by 5%. In short, with more theaters, we can all release more movies and provide the audience with a massive amount of movies.
, of course, it can also increase our box office revenue, I think everyone will be fine with this!"
If no one speaks, it means no one has an opinion. Even if there is an opinion, it is not something that can be raised now unless it is a fool who does so.
The North American Film Association and the seven major Hollywood film companies participating in this meeting are the main members participating in this meeting. No one who came to the meeting this time knows how many companies are relying on the seven major companies to make a living.
"In addition, we will also send personnel to check the theater chains of each company here to avoid things that will embarrass everyone!" Abbas won some applause for these words, but more of them were looking calmly.
Face. "To be honest, there is only one purpose of doing this, and that is to build our film market into a market of free competition so that it can continue to prosper!"
"As for the specific matters I just proposed, I would like to let Mr. Roger Baum, the head of MGM Film Company, say a few words!" After Abbas finished speaking, Roger stood up next to him.
He is a traditional American with a mustache. He is very old and has a very straight body.
After listening for a long time, Yi Feiyang realized that these were all nonsense and did not mention anything substantive at all.
However, he had to admit that the American Film Association was indeed very powerful. No one dared to object to any resolution he proposed.
Roger Baum's speech was very simple. He expressed his support for the resolution of the Film Association. Then the CEO of Fox, one of the seven major film companies, almost also raised his hand in approval.
In fact, increasing theater chain quotas is undoubtedly a great news for these large companies, especially established companies like MGM and Fox, which have more or less hidden theater chains in private. These theater chains themselves are not visible to the public.
, if this meeting passes the proposal to increase the quota, then they can display these theaters openly and openly to enrich their own strength.
Paramount's CEO Raymond said, "As long as everyone agrees, I will never object!" Lionsgate's Gusta seemed a little dissatisfied, so when asked for his opinion, he said,
"I will not comment on this yet."
Finally, when the nonsense was over, Abbas, chairman of the North American Film Association, asked: "If everyone has no objections, then I will declare that this proposal has been passed!"
"Wait a minute!" A voice came from far and near to everyone's ears: "I have a question and I hope the Chairman can answer it for me!"
Everyone looked at the source of the sound. It was Yi Feiyang who was speaking. He stood up and scanned the area: "How did you get the data for increasing the theater quota range? Thirty percent. One hundred percent.
Ten percent, and five percent, where do these come from?”
"This is calculated by our Film Association based on specific company data!" Chairman Abbas looked at this absolutely upstart guy in puzzlement. He didn't understand what Yi Feiyang wanted to say.
Yi Feiyang smiled. He understood the meaning of the chairman's proposal. But from a big perspective, it was a disguised form of helping those big companies to create monopolies!
You should know that according to the cinema chain quota mentioned above, as long as your company is bigger, the more cinema chains will be added, let alone 30%. The smaller the cinema chain, the less the cinema chain will be increased, let alone only 100%.
Five.
It’s ridiculous that the chairman just spoke righteously and kept talking about anti-monopoly. In doing so, he is helping big film companies to squeeze out small and medium-sized film companies, which of course includes Yi Feiyang’s Fantasy Pictures. Compared with Lions Gate Gusta also understands
The implication was that he said "not taking a position for the time being" so coldly. As for other small companies, seeing others controlling the meeting, they knew that even if they objected, it would be meaningless, so they had no choice but to knock out their teeth and swallow it, and endure it.
Yi Feiyang was not willing to pretend to be deaf or blind. He stood up just to say what was in his heart.
"Oh, really? Specific data?" Yi Feiyang laughed heartily a few times, glanced around again and then said calmly: "It seems that from the beginning, our Fantasy Film Company has not accepted the investigation of the amount of theaters by the Film Association.
How do you know these so-called specific data? Secondly, there are obvious loopholes in the increase quotas of major film companies. I think it should not be increased according to the size of the company, but according to the number of movies produced by each company each year.
, if the quantity is large, we can allocate more to some theaters, and if there is a small quantity, we can allocate less, so that we can make use of everything and avoid waste. Finally, your Excellency the Chairman has emphasized anti-monopoly before, so this concept should be implemented into practice
, such as checking the actual number of theaters of major film companies, checking the number of theaters controlled by major film subsidiaries... I think it is fair to make sure that there are no omissions, isn't it?!"
Stormy waves!
Yi Feiyang’s words are absolutely shocking!
You know, major movies, including many medium-sized movie companies, have almost invisible hidden theaters. Yi Feiyang’s words are undoubtedly to dig out these theaters!
Originally, the Film Association knew about this, but the relationship between the Film Association and the seven major film companies was so "close" that they turned a blind eye. This is not a big secret in Hollywood, but today Yi Feiyang
This was revealed in a very "stunned" way, and the situation at the scene became rigid instantly.
Just when the atmosphere was very delicate, a more discordant voice appeared.
"Hey, why is it you kid!" A voice came to everyone's ears. Yi Feiyang met the fat white man sitting among the people outside the hotel. Yi Feiyang didn't notice for a while. The fat man was very surprised and said with contempt: "Dog
Shit! Who are you, and what qualifications do you have to dictate here!"
Yi Feiyang sweated again. He didn't expect that this fat man was actually a top figure in the film industry. He didn't expect that there were people who didn't know him, and he was an insider. The fat white man was obviously despised by everyone. Who doesn't know Yi Feiyang now?
Feiyang is an absolute upstart in Hollywood. Recently, Yi Feiyang is more popular than some big stars. Actually, I don't even know this fat man.
Maybe someone told the fat man about Yi Feiyang's identity. The fat white man was stunned for a moment. He suddenly remembered Yi Feiyang and slapped the table and said angrily: "Hey, you lucky Chinese boy, what do you think?"
Who are you? This is the United States! Not your hometown, Hong Kong! You have no right to speak!"
Is it racial discrimination?!
Yi Feiyang sweated even more. He didn't expect that this fat man could survive in the film industry. It was a miracle. But he didn't know what this fat white man was, and he couldn't be the target of him anyway.
Others are also surprised that a fat white man would say such a thing on such an occasion. You must know that racial discrimination is the most sensitive and serious topic in the United States. It is often used to tease people, deceive people, and politicians.
Make weapons... In short, this fat white guy is either a fool or an idiot, or he got his head kicked by a donkey!
"Ahem, cough, cough! Okay, Foster. Can you shut up?!" Chairman Abbas has always advocated racial equality. Of course, any remarks suspected of "racial discrimination" must be stopped immediately.
"No, I'm teaching this blind guy a lesson. God, he thought..."
"Shut up!" Abbas glared at the fat man. He cursed in his heart that this Foster would cause trouble, and he didn't even look at who Yi Feiyang was. Can you afford to offend him? Don't say goodbye!
Yes, the relationship between Yi Feiyang and the Hilton family alone is awe-inspiring, not to mention the Democratic Party and the First Lady of the United States who favor him... After thinking about it, he knocked on the table and said to Yi Feiyang: "
I'm very sorry. Dear Mr. Yi, Mr. Foster is a straight-talking person. Many of the things he says are spoken without thinking. Please forgive him!"
"It doesn't matter, I won't treat those ignorant people ignorantly! Because only idiots will eat shit as honey!" Yi Feiyang shrugged casually, mocking him casually.
The words immediately made everyone burst into laughter. The fat man was so angry that he wanted to curse incessantly, but was severely scolded by Abbas.
In fact, Yi Feiyang didn't want to be so arrogant. He knew that what he just said was too sharp and not like his usual person. But he also knew that there was no need to be polite to such a small character, otherwise everyone would be able to ride on it.
He had a headache. But he didn't realize that his personality was gradually changing and becoming more profit-oriented.
Just when the whole scene was in a stalemate, Gusta from Lionsgate Pictures stood up and began to support Yi Feiyang and said: "I am deeply touched by what Boss Yi just said, so I hope the Film Association will take it seriously.
And a thorough investigation, yes, that’s it!”
With Gusta taking the lead, the other heads of small and medium-sized film companies also collectively stood up and expressed their support for Yi Feiyang. After all, what Yi Feiyang just mentioned was related to their actual interests, and everyone was unwilling to tolerate it anymore. Collectively,
Support him.
Forty or fifty film companies collectively support a Chinese-American filmmaker, which is absolutely rare in the United States.
So much so that the Hollywood big shots were dumbfounded.
Let's talk about Film Association Chairman Abbas. He didn't expect that things would turn out like this. Looking at the guys who came forward one after another, he sighed secretly in his heart, knowing that this plan was ruined. On the contrary, if it didn't work, it would be a rock.
Kick yourself in the foot.
The bold words appeased those who stood up. Abbas finally promised that the North American Film Association would carefully consider the questions raised by Yi Feiyang and give everyone a correct answer. As for the previous proposal, it will be put on hold until a new meeting is introduced.
Until everyone’s suggestions come to mind.
At the end of the meeting, Chairman Abbas looked deeply at the young man who had disrupted the entire meeting. It is estimated that Yi Feiyang at this moment has impressed everyone.
In fact, Yi Feiyang was extremely disappointed with this meeting of the North American Film Association. What a bullshit Film Association. It only takes care of the interests of the big film companies and does not care about the lives of others. Otherwise, the future Hollywood market will be extremely
Weak...
"What a bunch of idiots! They only care about building relationships. Hollywood is not the Hollywood of several companies. They don't even know this!" Yi Feiyang and Dures left MGM together and cursed: "Sooner or later it will be fun if this continues.
End, one day I, Yi Feiyang, will reorganize this damn North American Film Association!" Yi Feiyang clenched his fists ambitiously.
