game trailblazer

Chapter 166 Bergner's Request
The sun gradually set to the west, and only the afterglow of the setting sun remained in the sky. The Los Angeles Convention and Exhibition Center, which had been noisy for several days, gradually returned to calm. The first E3 exhibition hosted by IDSA (Interactive Digital Software Association) quietly ended.

The next morning, most of the people who came to the exhibition this time left, and the game production company under Dongfang Electronic Entertainment Co., Ltd. went back to continue the unfinished development work, because several contracts were negotiated at the exhibition. The British Eidos staff also stayed behind to prepare for the official signing. The hotel that was full a few days ago suddenly became empty.

At the invitation of Zhang Lexing Shengyi Quanquan, all the members of the E3 tour group stayed and planned to spend two or three days to visit Los Angeles and see Hollywood before going back.Originally, Zhang Lexing planned to accompany him in person as a landlord, but unexpectedly, he received a call from Eddie Bergner of DreamWorks, saying that there was a temporary board meeting to discuss some important matters, so he must attend, Zhang Lexing I had to arrange another person to lead the members of the Los Angeles three-day self-guided tour group to visit, while I and the accompanying bodyguards came to Burbank, which is about 20 kilometers northwest of Los Angeles.

The interim board meeting was held in a small meeting room in the DreamWorks office building. When Zhang Lexing arrived, other board members Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and Eddie Bergner , as well as Yu Daini, the chief financial officer and director of DreamWorks arranged by Zhang Lexing, and others have already come.

When Zhang Lexing came to sit down at the round table in the conference room, Eddie Bergner cleared his throat and said, "Okay, the main topic of our board meeting this time is about the development of DreamWorks, please take a look at the material."

Zhang Lexing casually picked up the information in front of him and flipped through it. It was mainly about the recent operating conditions of DreamWorks. Judging from the report, DreamWorks is still making money, but the profit situation is not satisfactory.

"Everyone has read the information. Although DreamWorks is still making money, there is already a downward trend. The main reason is that we lack our own distribution channels and are weak in the negotiation of film distribution. Most of the profits are taken by the distribution companies. I took it. In addition, the production of TV dramas is also the same, lacking corresponding channels. In order to solve this problem, I have considered several solutions, please take a look.” After waiting for a while, Eddie Bergner took Take out the folders containing the materials and distribute them to everyone one by one.

Zhang Lexing took the folder, opened it, and read the information inside: "...DreamWorks needs its own distribution channels, and the entire DreamWorks Pictures Group needs its own distribution channels even more. Although through the acquisition of several Independent distribution companies have initially established distribution channels, but their coverage is very limited and they lack overseas distribution capabilities. If they continue to expand their distribution networks by building themselves or acquiring independent distribution companies, they will face pressure from film companies with large distribution networks on the one hand. On the other hand, it takes a very long time. If we want to solve this problem, the fastest way is to acquire a large film company with very strong distribution capabilities, so that we will be able to solve this problem as quickly as possible. If there is a need to negotiate with other film companies, we will have more chips in our hands.

After a period of investigation and analysis, there is now a very suitable target-Universal Pictures (Universal Picture).

Universal Pictures was born in 1912 when Carl Lemmer, the owner of the American Independent Film Company, merged seven other small film companies to form Universal Pictures.

In 1915, the 230-acre Universal Studios was built, which later became the Universal Studios, a famous attraction in Los Angeles.

By 1936, the Leimers handed over the company because they could not repay the loan.The new head of the family, Chefer Cardin, gave up big productions and only gave the green light to small productions. Since then, Universal has gradually become mediocre.

After World War II, the Lank film company founded by the British billionaire Arthur Ranke bought a quarter of Universal's shares.This is the second time Universal has been sold, although only partly.

In 1952, Decca acquired Universal, but the business situation remained stagnant.

In 1962, American Music Company, which had a cooperative relationship with Universal for many years, merged with Universal. The new company was called MCA Universal, and Universal gradually became a film company mainly producing TV programs.

In 1991, RB's Matsushita Electric bought 80% of MCA Universal's shares from American Music Corporation and became the new owner of Universal Pictures. This is the fifth time Universal has been sold.However, RB Panasonic did not understand the film industry at all, and could not overcome the huge cultural differences, so after a few years of tossing around.Now MCA Universal's business situation is even worse.

It is currently reported that RB Panasonic plans to transfer its shares and give up MCA Universal, so our opportunity has come. If we can win MCA Universal, we will not only make up for the lack of distribution capabilities, but also obtain Universal’s huge film library. And other resources that MCA Corporation has, ... so I hope the company will consider the acquisition of MCA Global. "

"Are you planning to acquire MCA Universal?" After reading the information, Zhang Lexing found it inconceivable. Although the acquisition of MCA Universal would indeed bring the distribution channel that DreamWorks dreamed of, how could DreamWorks be able to afford to be several times bigger than himself with its current strength? Doubling MCA Global, you must know that Panasonic, which was unlucky at the time, spent 60 billion US dollars to achieve its goal.On the other side, Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and others also found it incredible. Although they play movies, at least they know a little bit about the company's financial situation. Seeing that it is impossible to acquire MCA Global.

"Everyone, I do have this plan." Eddie Bergner said simply: "Well... Now, please Denean (Yu Dai Ni) to introduce the relevant financial situation."

"Hello everyone, the current total assets of DreamWorks are about 16.5 billion US dollars, and there are no liabilities. After deducting the funds that have been used for film and TV series shooting, there is also a part of the funds reserved according to the shooting plan and the expenses for the company's market operations. The company About $5.5 million in cash is currently available...

MCA Universal was merged from the original Universal Pictures and MCA Corporation. Its assets include film, music and other industries, mainly including Universal Studios located in the northwest of Los Angeles....According to the survey, RB Panasonic owns 80% of the shares of MCA Global. At the beginning, Panasonic spent about 60 billion US dollars for this. Since the operating conditions of MCA Global have become worse and worse in recent years, the cost of repurchasing this part of the equity should be higher. According to our analysis, about 32 to 40 billion US dollars will be needed.

If the acquisition is to be carried out by DreamWorks' own strength, the estimated funding gap is between 26.5 billion and 34.5 billion US dollars, then financing must be carried out, whether it is through borrowing or adding new investors, it is necessary for the current shareholders. Fenbo already has rights and interests..." Yu Dianni paused for a moment, looked at everyone's faces, and then said: "In addition, the group headquarters can also directly purchase it. I believe it should have sufficient funds. Once it succeeds , MCA Global can be reorganized and merged into the group, so that DreamWorks can also have distribution capabilities. Although it is not as convenient as getting it directly, it can also enjoy better treatment than now in the future distribution process. "

As soon as Yu Daini finished speaking, everyone else nodded in unison. Zhang Lexing understood that it was the richest man's brand that caused the trouble. It seemed that everyone pinned their hopes on themselves.Regarding the acquisition of MCA Global, Zhang Lexing will not object, but the amount of funds required for the acquisition is as high as 32 to 40 billion US dollars, which requires careful consideration of the way of operation.

Thinking of this, Zhang Lexing smiled and said to Eddie Bergner: "Okay, leave this matter to me, and I will get MCA Global back from RB. Well, is there anything else?" ?”

"Zhang, there is something you need to make up your mind about." James Cameron pushed a piece of information from the desktop, and then said: "I want to make a movie, but they don't agree, now I can only look at you It's gone."

Zhang Lexing took the information and looked at it, which read: "In order to find the Titanic that sank in the Atlantic Ocean in 1912 and the precious treasure on board - the priceless "Heart of the Ocean" gemstone, treasure hunter Bullock salvaged it from the sunken ship. Picked up a rusty safe, unexpectedly there was only one well-preserved sketch in it - a young woman wearing a diamond necklace. This TV news caught the attention of a centenarian woman, the old man was very excited, and immediately He rushed to Bullock's salvage ship by helicopter. It turned out that her name was Rose Dawson, and she was the woman in the portrait, and then the old man told her story back then.

On April 1912, 4, the "Titanic", known as the "miracle in the world's industrial history", sailed from Southampton, England to New York, the United States. The rich girl Rose boarded the ship with her mother and fiance Carl. The young painter Jack leaned on the pier and won a boat ticket in a gamble..."

"Titanic!" Zhang Lexing couldn't help but whispered.

"It's Titanic, I hope to make a classic romantic movie." James Cameron said.

"Is there any problem?" Zhang Lexing knew it was a good movie and it was very profitable, so he couldn't understand why some people objected.

"Mr. Zhang, the budget of Jim's film is 1 million US dollars, and the budget of our other films is generally 5000-6000 million US dollars. Compared with this, this is too high. I'm afraid..." Eddie Bergner explained that he did not reasons to support.

Zhang Lexing remembered James Cameron's title of "money-burning director" and couldn't help laughing. It's only 1 million US dollars. If Eddie Bergner knew that it would exceed this budget, and it would be 1 million More, I guess he even has the heart to kill.However, Zhang Lexing also knows that James Cameron's films are generally very profitable. Like this "Titanic", it has reached an unprecedented height of 18 billion US dollars, and has always been No. 1 in the global box office list (Comrade Zhang Lexing At the time of rebirth, "Avatar" had not yet been completed, so...), due to the success of this film, Hollywood films have since entered the threshold of [-] million yuan, and a large number of films with an investment of over [-] million US dollars have been released. Catch up with the success of "Titanic".

So when such a gold mine was placed in front of him, Zhang Lexing obviously would not let it go, so he said to everyone: "I am very optimistic about this film. I hope DreamWorks can cast it. Do you have any comments?"

James Cameron looked at everyone expectantly, Yu Daini sat blankly, and the others said nothing, but their expressions were not so relaxed.

Zhang Lexing smiled: "Okay, since everyone is in a difficult situation, it's better to change the investment method. Dreamworks will pay 5000 million, and the rest will be managed by Dongxing Fund. After the film is released, it will be divided according to the investment amount. How about it?" .”

The expressions of Steven Spielberg and others suddenly relaxed, and Eddie Bergner also spoke: "That's fine, as long as the two sides appoint a trustworthy person to be the producer. "

So far, the main topic of today's board of directors is over...

After the meeting, as soon as Zhang Lexing walked out of the conference room, James Cameron caught up with him and said to Zhang Lexing, "Zhang, thank you for supporting me. If you are interested, you can come to the set to see it."

"Okay, I will definitely go there when I have time." Zhang Lexing suddenly remembered something: "Jim, your film should need a lot of computer special effects shots, have you contacted the production company?"

"In my imagination, there should be quite a few, but the production company hasn't contacted yet. Zhang, could it be that you want to recommend Industrial Light and Magic." James Cameron knew that Zhang Lexing owned half of Industrial Light and Magic. I have also cooperated with Industrial Light and Magic several times, so I think of it this way according to inertia.

Zhang Lexing shook his head, took out a business card and handed it over: "It's not Industrial Light & Magic, it's a computer special effects company I invested in Hong Kong, called Oriental Shenyun, its technical level is comparable to Industrial Light & Magic, and now there are A secret weapon that offers better effects and faster production. Jim, I want you to check it out."

James Cameron hesitated, but still took the business card.He has never been to Hong Kong. He only knows that it is a metropolis in the East, but to him it is a very distant place on the other side of the earth.If someone else said this to James Cameron, he wouldn't even think about it, but he had to be cautious about Zhang Lexing's words. It must also be expressed.Out of trust in Zhang Lexing, James Cameron decided to take some time to visit Hong Kong, maybe the secret weapon of Oriental Shen Yun can really help him.

After James Cameron left, Zhang Lexing was about to go downstairs before heading to the elevator, but Eddie Bergner happened to be waiting in front of the elevator.Seeing Zhang Le walking over, Eddie Bergner hesitated for a while, but didn't have the nerve to speak.

Zhang Lexing noticed Eddie Bergner's hesitant expression, and asked, "Eddie, is there anything else? Tell me, maybe you can help."

"Hmm..." Eddie Bergner hesitated for a long time, and finally explained what he meant.It turned out that he had a friend who worked in a brokerage company, and recently planned to leave that brokerage company to engage in a more challenging job, and the brokerage company stocks held by his friend had to be transferred to other people.It's a pity that the other partners of that brokerage company are unable to accept 55% of the shares held by Eddie Bergner's friend, and he has no ability to help if he wants to help. After all, not everyone can easily take out hundreds of millions USD cash comes.In order to help his friend, Eddie Bergner had no choice but to seek help from other people. For him, there were not many people with financial strength and trustworthiness. Among them, the one who reassured him most was undoubtedly Zhang Lexing, so he staged such a show.

After listening to Eddie Bergner's narration, Zhang Lexing thought for a while. In the entertainment industry, brokerage companies are indispensable, but he will not be taken advantage of by the way, at least he must understand the situation before talking.

"Eddie, what's the name of your friend's company?"

"Ah, Mr. Zhang, are you willing to buy my friend's shares?" Eddie Bergner looked surprised.

"I have this idea, but Eddie, you must at least let me understand it first."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhang, I'm so excited. My friend is Michael Ovitz. His agency company is called Innovative Performing Arts Agency. This is his business card. If you are interested, you can contact him directly. connect."

"Okay, let me first understand the situation of this innovative performing arts agency." Zhang Lexing took the business card and said without comment.

At this moment, with a "ding", the elevator door opened...

(End of this chapter)