Hollywood starts with a broker

At the end of May, Steve Jobs signed a contract to sell Pixar for $28 million.

Pixar would continue to be headed by Ed Catmull as president and John Lasseter as chief creative officer!

Dawn acquired Steve Jobs' 70% stake, plus the final dispersed 5%.

With this, Steve Jobs could focus on running his NeXT computer company without worries. I'm truly a good person!

"Gentlemen, Disney has been at the top of the mountain for too long. They can't see the technological revolution in computer animation!"

At Dawn Studios, Aaron looked at Ed Catmull and John Lasseter and smiled.

"How can some GGs and logo designs be the future of Pixar?"

"Pixar's future is 3D computer animation: brainstorming ideas, developing stories, producing animated feature films, and then distributing them."

"Pixar must become as great as Disney, or even surpass it!"

John Lasseter stared at Aaron. "Does the head office really support us in creating and developing animated feature films?"

"Of course, that's my intention!"

Aaron shrugged. "Improve existing technology, brainstorm stories, and I'll have the people in the production department adapt script ideas for you."

"Dawn's special effects business will also be given to you, allowing you to continue to grow and expand..."

That evening, at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood.

Aaron specially hosted a large reception for the acquisition of Pixar and Heritage Entertainment!

"$80 million, gone in the blink of an eye?"

Jack Wells widened his eyes.

"Money is meant to be spent. Otherwise, we're just paying taxes to the government for nothing, right?"

Aaron said, patting Jack Wells on the shoulder. "Landmark Cinemas has nearly 50 theaters, which is not bad."

"You'll help Guy Martin manage it. When the time comes, I'll also build a large, luxurious flagship theater in Los Angeles, which can host film premieres and other events."

"I've even thought of a name for it: the Dawn Theater!"

Jack Wells nodded. "Weren't you going to have me prepare a security company?"

Aaron smiled. "Doesn't a chain of cinemas need a lot of security guards? It's kind of similar."

"You don't need to specifically manage it. Your main focus is still to set up the security company. You need to bring in a few partners first. Otherwise, without experience, it will be difficult to do."

Soon after, Aaron ran into Michael Kuhn from PolyGram. After exchanging pleasantries, they talked about the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival.

PolyGram's investment in the Coen brothers' new film, *Barton Fink*, won the Palme d'Or at Cannes!

"That's three years in a row, isn't it? It seems that Hollywood independent films are on the rise."

Michael Kuhn smiled. From *Sex, Lies, and Videotape* to *Wild at Heart*, to this year's *Barton Fink*, Hollywood independent films have successively won awards at the Cannes Film Festival.

"It's also related to the market. Major studios don't pay much attention to the independent film sector, which is our opportunity."

Aaron took a sip of wine. After acquiring Heritage Entertainment, Dawn could distribute its own works!

Michael Kuhn looked at Aaron, with an indescribable feeling. Dawn now had the ability to distribute its own films.

According to the other party's consistent approach, they would definitely integrate resources and improve the entire distribution channel as soon as possible.

Samuel Goldwyn Films, New Line Cinema, Miramax, Trimark Pictures, and many other independent distributors came to participate in the reception.

The main reason was that Aaron Anderson's eye for movies was too accurate, and his ambition was also great!

New Line's president, Michael Lynne, was chatting with Samuel Goldwyn's president, Tom Rothman.

"Mr. Goldwyn gave up acquiring Heritage Entertainment so easily?"

Michael Lynne smiled. Samuel Goldwyn was the first to contact Heritage Entertainment, but unexpectedly, Dawn directly cut through the mess with a swift knife.

Tom Rothman shrugged. "Everyone is clear about how much profit Aaron Anderson's works have."

"How can we compete when they bring out a large amount of cash without hesitation?"

Michael Lynne sighed. "This is a powerful opponent. We all started with foreign art films and low-budget horror films."

"He's different. His investment in movies is somewhat crazy!"

"Yes, somewhat crazy."

Tom Rothman also deeply agreed. Most of the films invested in by independent distributors are low-budget B-movies. If they have more funds, they look for financing.

The finished films they buy are also cheap foreign art films or poorly produced genre films.

But Aaron Anderson is different. Who would dare to spend nearly $15 million to buy *The Silence of the Lambs*?

At that time, Dawn didn't have the ability to distribute, but he dared to buy it and then find distribution himself!

Two years ago, Miramax spent $1.2 million to buy *Sex, Lies, and Videotape*, which was already very bold.

Looking at it now, compared to Dawn, it's completely insignificant.

"Large investment, large return?"

Tom Rothman shook his head. This approach is not suitable for small film companies, because if there are losses, they may directly go bankrupt and close down.

Michael Lynne smiled. "If he releases a few more successful movies like this, it won't be us who need to worry!"

Tom Rothman raised his glass and clinked it with the other party. "It's hard to say. If he continues to succeed, Dawn won't be an independent distributor anymore."

At that time, Dawn would have to face the competition of the Big Six studios, either becoming a member of the Big Six or becoming a part of the Big Six!

On the other side, Aaron Anderson was consulting with Hollywood's "King of B-Movies," Roger Corman, about some film production experience.

Roger Corman, who brought out great directors such as Francis Coppola and Martin Scorsese, still has a very high status in the industry!

As a representative of purely low-budget commercial films, Roger Corman's labels are: blood, sexy breasts, and biker gangs.

Crudely made cardboard monsters, hot and sexy women with unlimited spring, eye-popping blood splatters, and so on!

However, Roger Corman's B-movie style of the 60s and 70s is too crude and not suitable for the current market.

It's true that it won't lose money, but the profit is not attractive to Aaron. The profit of one of Dawn's works is enough for him to profit for three years.

However, Roger Corman created this style and is a pioneer. The current genre films all have his shadow!

Besides, low-budget horror films have always been a big market, and Aaron has never thought of giving up, but he doesn't plan to make it the main genre.

Dawn Studios now has a distribution channel, and it should also consider launching its own B-movie genre films. The theaters must have a supply of new films...