The film industry is inseparable from geniuses and a place that worships geniuses. Geniuses can change the ecology of the industry on their own, such as George Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg, and the new generation that emerged in the 1990s.
Among filmmakers, New Zealand fat man Peter Jackson's genius can be compared with the first two.
In 1993, in order to produce special effects for his new film "Angel of Sin", New Zealand director Peter Jackson co-founded Weta Studios with his friends Richard Taylor and Jimmy Selkirk. At that time, the company only had one
Computer. Jackson is a master of storytelling, has many outlandish ideas, and likes to control visual effects. Taylor and Selkirk share the same spirit with him and help him realize these ideas through their professional abilities in makeup, scenery and computer special effects.
From a Hollywood perspective, "Angel of Sin" is only a low-budget movie, but Jackson and his Weta partners used a small amount of money to do big things, and made a film that can become a classic, and its visual effects can make Hollywood veterans amazed
.However, even so, at that time, Weta was just an inconspicuous small special effects company.
"Angel of Sin" attracted the attention of connoisseurs, and a Hollywood film company approached Jackson. This was New Line Films, a subsidiary of Time Warner Media.
At that time, New Line was trying to defeat the newly emerged and most threatening rival Fantasy Entertainment, so it planned to produce Tolkien's masterpiece "The Lord of the Rings" and let the Hollywood genius Peter Jackson direct it.
In fact, New Line's gamble is very dangerous. With a production cost of only $5 million, New Line asked Peter Jackson to direct this blockbuster. This is really a moonshot in the film industry.
Adventure. Looking at it from another angle, "The Lord of the Rings" is actually a super movie that lasts more than 9 hours and cost 300 million US dollars. It was only screened in three parts because it was too long. What's even more incredible is that New Line
They also agreed to Jackson's various undue demands, including that the film should be shot in New Zealand, and that the special effects and post-production would be handed over to Jackson's Weta.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy established a pattern for Weta, that is, Weta Digital, headed by Jackson, is responsible for computer special effects, while Weta Studio, headed by Richard Taylor, is responsible for other work, including concept drawings, props, costumes, and scenery.
Models, sculptures, the trump card among them is the design and production of various monsters, weapons and armor.
Now, Fantasy Entertainment has won the sequel filming rights to "The Lord of the Rings" from New Line. However, it encountered trouble when negotiating a contract with Weta Digital. Specifically, in terms of special effects production, Weta Digital required
The price increased, but Fantasy Entertainment was unwilling to pay too much. So the sequel to "Lord of the Rings" was temporarily shelved after filming part of it.
Regarding this problem, Yi Feiyang originally wanted to put it aside and talk about it later. It happened that "Iron Man" and "Spider-Man" were fighting. Yi Feiyang had to re-activate Weta Digital Company and hired them at a high price to help shoot some important parts.
Special effects shots.
This move made Weta Digital believe that it had won this unprecedented "tug of war" and won Fantasy Entertainment, which had never lost, and was even more open-minded about accepting the special effects production of "Lord of the Rings".
Yi Feiyang can tolerate others taking advantage of him for the first time, but he cannot tolerate it for the second time!
Now the war between Fantasy Entertainment and Columbia has ended. With a box office revenue of about 1.5 billion, Yi Feiyang, who originally had a family of more than 6 billion, has soared into the sky and become a well-deserved 8 billion tycoon. Now that his strength has become stronger
, Yi Feiyang felt that he needed to teach this disobedient guy a lesson - Weta Digital Company!
Yifeiyang’s lesson is simple, just acquire it directly!
In fact, it is not new news in the industry that Fantasy Entertainment, a subsidiary of Yi Feiyang, wants to acquire Weta Digital. However, compared with Industrial Light and Magic and Apple Special Effects, Weta Digital is obviously still a junior. Although "The Lord of the Rings"
》It's done very well, but it doesn't cost so much energy to deal with it.
But in Yi Feiyang's view, this is not the case, because today's Weta Digital has become quite strong after filming "The Lord of the Rings". At Weta Digital alone, the number of employees has doubled to 520. Among them, the largest
The important reason is that this company has talents that Yi Feiyang values very much. Peter Jackson is one of them!
If Weta Digital is acquired, there is no doubt that Peter Jackson, one of the bosses, will naturally join Yi Feiyang. The value of accepting such a general is absolutely inestimable!
Of course Peter Jackson, as a great director, was unwilling to do this. However, Yi Feiyang refused to give up easily. When he returned to Hong Kong for "vacation", he entrusted Dures to get this matter done.
After receiving this important task, Dures began to be so busy that his heels could not even touch the ground. Because Jackson had previously refused the company to be acquired, the negotiations between Dures and him did not go very smoothly. The only good thing is that the current Vita
Digital is not yet a future special effects giant, but an emerging company. In addition to Peter Jackson, the other two company owners, Richard Taylor and Jimmy Selkirk, are very interested in acquiring Fantasy Entertainment.
They are interested for the following reasons:
First, as the founder of Weta Digital, the two felt that Yi Feiyang seemed to attach great importance to the innovation and development of special effects, which gave them a sense of confidant. After all, not everyone in Hollywood is interested in movie special effects.
Some filmmakers even despise computer special effects as deceptive animation and retarded audio-visual fraud. Therefore, people actually have two different views and opinions on movie special effects.
Second, Fantasy Entertainment has strong financial strength and can help Weta Digital expand its technology. This is extremely tempting for the two people who are obsessed with special effects technology. Moreover, Fantasy Entertainment promises that if Weta Digital is acquired, Fantasy Entertainment will not interfere with the two.
Special effects creation will only be strongly supported from behind. Such a free creative space is unimaginable.
Third, and most importantly, Yi Feiyang gave them very generous acquisition conditions. For the shares held by the two of them alone, Fantasy Entertainment offered a sky-high price of 600 million US dollars. With this money, the two of them can talk about it for the rest of their lives.
If you don't have to worry about food and clothing, you can go all out to strive for your ideals, and you no longer have to worry about life problems.
Based on the above reasons, two friends of Peter Jackson, the founder of Weta Digital, were finally persuaded by Dures and were moved by his sincerity. They successfully won 42% of the shares for a sky-high price of US$600 million.
controlling interest.
Now, the only thing that needs to be dealt with is Peter Jackson, Yi Feiyang's old rival. But this damn stubborn guy refuses to sell it no matter what. Dures understands that the hard work of his own creation can be sold for exchange.
No one is happy. But understanding is understanding, business still needs to be discussed.
However, when Yi Feiyang returned from Hong Kong, the deal was still not completed.
In fact, Dures absolutely did not understand Yi Feiyang's determination to completely acquire Weta Digital. He did understand the complete acquisition. He knew very well that Yi Feiyang had an indescribable desire for control. He did not allow control to fall to others.
In human hands. But everyone who really does big things has this desire for control.
This may be the reason why Yi Feiyang has been unwilling to list Fantasy Entertainment for a long time, nor to circulate the company's shares in the U.S. market, nor to go public to raise funds...
What Dures can't understand is how Yi Feiyang can assert that film special effects can dominate or even lead the entire world of film in the future?!
Could it be said that the successful "Iron Man" made Yi Feiyang dizzy?
Although he didn't understand it, Dures was still very convinced of Yi Feiyang's decision-making, because there seemed to be no record of failed decisions in Yi Feiyang's history.
Let's take Google as an example. Before Google Network became the big company it is today, many people were not very optimistic about this Internet company that was about to go bankrupt. However, Yi Feiyang did not believe in evil and not only invested in it but also acquired it.
Dures was shocked by Google's profit report for the first half of the year, which was submitted last month. In the past six months, Google's profit was as high as 600 million U.S. dollars, and this was only brought about by Google advertising.
Profit. Does not include profits from other businesses.
But when you think about it, it seems normal. After all, network IT has become the largest industry in modern society. After experiencing the baptism of the Internet bubble, this sunrise industry has replaced the original real estate and hotel industries with faster development speed.
, becoming the world's largest profit-making industry. The acquisition of 42% of the equity was financed with this money.
Now, Dures no longer has to worry about the acquisition of Weta Digital alone, because Yi Feiyang is ready to take over this tough nut.
To be honest, Dures is looking forward to it. He really wants to know how Yi Feiyang can make that old stubborn Peter Jackson surrender to the Vita Digital that he can't even handle?!
…
With the end of the box office war between Fantasy Entertainment and Columbia, Yi Feiyang defeated the great director Sam Raimi and became a new star in the Hollywood directing world, but as superconductor James Cameron said. Yi Feiyang's next step
His opponent will be the great director Spielberg!
Spielberg is an anomaly in American Hollywood and even the global film industry. His filmmaking style is different from Sam Raimi's weirdness and Peter Jackson's magic. It is also different from Cameron's technical style, but is closer to "humanities".
Spirit".
Yes, Spielberg is a frequent visitor to the American Academy Awards because his movies are so touching, such as "Schindler's List", "ET", and "Saving Private".
"Ryan" and so on. At the core of the commercial film packaging, it is the humanistic spirit that is extremely touching. Now, Spielberg is preparing to shoot a science fiction film "Artificial Intelligence" that reflects the future technological era. It is said that Spielberg's film
Berg has been preparing for it for a long time, but has not been able to start filming due to various reasons. Now he is trying his best to complete the filming and will challenge Yi Feiyang in the Christmas season.
In fact, the movie "Artificial Intelligence" was released in 2001 in its previous life, but now Yi Feiyang's butterfly flapping its wings has delayed the movie for a year, but it has undoubtedly given Spielberg more time.
, so this drama may surpass its previous life and become the best among the best.
"The great director Spielberg is preparing to shoot "Artificial Intelligence" and challenges the magic to make heroes meet again!"
"Friends or rivals? The story of China's Yi and Spielberg having to fight!"
"Climbing to the peak of the king, China Yi will compete in the Christmas season again!"
…
There are a lot of public opinions outside, and they are encouraging Yi Feiyang and Spielberg to have another New Year war in this year's Christmas season. However, in the eyes of many people, the box office of this war is not important. What is important is competing for next year's Oscar!
As we all know, although Spielberg is a super director, his box office performance is not as good as Cameron's, but he is often nominated for Oscars. Therefore, the movie war between Spielberg and Yi Feiyang is the biggest.
What matters is not who has more box office and who has less, but who will win the most Oscars in the future.
Yi Feiyang had no intention of paying attention to such a clamoring media. Although he also had a plan to shoot a new film, he was not so cooperative as to compete with Spielberg. Besides, there was a more important thing in front of him that needed him.
Do it.
…
After a 12-hour flight on a Los Angeles Airlines flight, Yi Feiyang arrived in New Zealand accompanied by his entourage. He had been to many European countries, but had never been to New Zealand! He had no contact with anyone during this trip, but
Accompanied by two bodyguards, Dures, and Fat Jack Black, he came quietly.
New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, with green prairie and extremely pure white clouds, so it is also called the "Land of White Clouds".
Weta Digital, one of the three major special effects giants in the future world, has its headquarters in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand.
Although Fantasy Entertainment has a branch in Europe that is responsible for overseas distribution, it is located in France, so no one from the branch was notified of this trip. It is not easy to make an appointment with Peter Jackson, but Peter Jackson obviously has a lot of interest in this Hollywood powerhouse.
, the guy who once defeated his "Lord of the Rings" with "Spartan" was very interested. So after Yi Feiyang was busy mysteriously for a while, it didn't take much time to meet this awesome man who is known as one of the super directors in Hollywood.
Peter Jackson became famous in one fell swoop with a B-level movie. That was the horror movie "The Dead". If I had to comment on this movie, it would be: it is the most realistic and unscrupulous show of the horror movie.
A work of black humor based on blood and disgust. The film has won 16 international film awards and science fiction awards at film festivals in various countries, including the Avoriaz Film Festival in France. Director Peter Jackson has also won the
The title of "Master of Horror".
It seems that many major Hollywood directors became famous or started their careers by shooting horror films, such as Spielberg's "Jaws", Sam Raimi's "The Evil Dead", and Yi Feiyang's own "The Ghost Story" and "The Ghost Story".
"Chainsaw". It can be said that horror movies are a good platform for upgrading, and many people have stepped into the throne of great directors from here.
Peter Jackson, like many great directors, also has a big beard, but this bearded man is shorter and fatter. It seems that he usually eats junk food like McDonald's. In fact, many foreign directors almost have the habit of eating McDonald's fast food.
, because it saves time during filming and eats faster. But in Yi Feiyang’s view, this habit is very bad. At least being obese is bad for the heart. How to say, the body is the capital of revolution
!
In Peter Jackson's office, the two of them looked at each other and made judgments.
Yi Feiyang had so many thoughts running through his mind at this moment. If Peter Jackson could be invited to join Fantasy Entertainment, it would definitely be a fatal blow to the rest of his company. Unfortunately, such an idea is obviously not realistic enough, at least for the fat man in front of him.
The director has no intention of selling the company yet.
It was obviously a bit inappropriate to think about these things now. Yi Feiyang quickly calmed down and looked at the fat director who became famous with "The Dead" and said in a very respectful tone: "Hello, Mr. Jackson! I'm very happy.
Get to know you!”
Peter Jackson just feels very strange, why is China Yi so interested in the company he owns? And why has it been reported recently that Fantasy Entertainment Company is constantly acquiring this and that? Doesn’t China Yi in front of him know that being too sharp can lead to
Does it make people jealous?
Of course Yi Feiyang knows, but in his opinion, no matter how low-key he is, he will only be considered weak and can be bullied, especially in Crocodile Pond like Hollywood in the United States, where strength is important, not humility!
So he said very politely: "Can I call you Peter? After all, we are old acquaintances and old friends... In this way, Peter, you know that I have controlled 42% of the equity of your company, and you also
You should know how serious it would be if I were to go against you from this perspective!"
Yi Feiyang is not worried that he can use his current 42% equity to "separate" from Peter Jackson. That way he can get a lot of benefits. Of course, his purpose is not to split with Peter Jackson, but
To complete Weta Digital.
Peter Jackson's expression changed slightly. What he currently controls is only 51% of the absolute holding amount. Of course he can have the right to decide on the company's decisions. But if Yi Feiyang loses all the money, he can still
He was very clear about putting Fatty into crisis.
Don't think that Weta Digital was founded by Peter Jackson and that it is a wholly-owned company by him. Foreigners always like to raise funds to avoid risks when doing business. Unless it is a very sure business, financing is generally required.
Fatty Pi was still founded with financing, so Yi Feiyang was able to acquire 42% of the controlling stake. This obviously gave Peter Jackson a headache. He felt that the guy in front of him spoke very straightforwardly, but was also very sinister.
The tactics forced him to a crossroads.
"Yi..." This was probably the first time in Peter Jackson's life that he spoke in such a tone. It felt very awkward, not to mention that the opponent had defeated his opponent. There was a hint of a strong man breaking his wrist in his expression, which made Yi Feiyang confused at a glance.
Zhichao: "You don't need to blackmail me. I don't understand why you are trying to acquire it wholly. But I can tell you clearly that Weta Digital is my hard work. Yes, it is like my son, so no matter
No matter what you do, I won’t sell it to you easily!”
Isn’t it? Such a determined attitude?!
Yi Feiyang's eyes widened: "Hey, man, if you can't take a breath because you lost in a movie competition with me before, then OK, we can sit down and have a good talk; but if it's because of your own emotions that you did this?
decision, then I can only say that it is a pity, man, your choice is definitely wrong.
Peter Jackson sighed sadly, "I understand what you mean, Yi. In fact, I'm not the kind of person to act on impulse. So, after thinking about it again, it's better to do this. I'll give in and allow you to invest in Weta Digital."
How about it? Believe me, Weta Digital will definitely be able to help you make a lot of money in the future!"
Yi Feiyang: "..."
I sent my greetings to your grandmother, but you beat around the bush and made me fall into a trap!
Why take a step back? You just want to take money from my pocket to develop your company!
Peter Jackson was indeed planning to trick Yi Feiyang in order to get more investment. Because he suddenly discovered the fact that this legendary old rival seemed to be really rich, especially this time in "Iron Man"
"The box office of "has exceeded 1.5 billion, you are a rich man! If you don't take advantage of such a nouveau riche, you will be sorry to your parents.
