I’m in Hollywood

“After our analysis of the distribution department, the reason why “Witch Blair” is so hot is mainly dependent on the audience’s voyeurism and curiosity. The content of this film does not have much to offer. If we want To make this film a better box office, it is necessary to maintain the hunger of the audience as much as possible. Therefore, the scale of the next screening is not suitable for expanding too much at one time, 1000 screens are enough. Second In the week and the third week, the number of screens will remain at around 1,000. If there is more room for the next week, we can further expand the scale of the show in the fourth week."

At the new weekly company meeting, Kenneth Hohen reported the first weekend box office data of "Witch Blair" and talked about the subsequent issue of the film.

An ultra-low-cost movie with a total budget cost of only $60,000 was created at the box office of $11.2 million in the first three days of the weekend. Not only was the outside media in turmoil, but the inside of the Firefly Group was also amazed. Therefore, this matter has also become the most important issue at the company's regular meeting this week.

After carefully reading the project information about "Witch Blair", Robert Thompson, president of Bowei Distribution Co., Ltd., although not responsible for this matter, still raised objections: "I don't think so, Ken, the previous month, the company targeted this The propaganda strategy of the film is fake, but since we declare that this is just a movie marketing, coupled with the public release of the film, the truth has been disclosed one after another, and the popularity of the original marketing strategy has begun to dissipate. Fortunately, the film The box office miracle created in the first weekend just happened to bring the topic of this film to the highest point again. Therefore, we should seize this opportunity and expand the scale of the screening to more than 2,000 screens at one time, as much as possible. Still harvesting more box office."

Simon Pike, president of the Consumer Products Division, listened to Robert Thompson and joined in the fun: "I still agree with Kenneth's plan. The popularity of "Witch Blair" is enough to support a long box office curve. Too much eager to achieve it will be counterproductive. The Hasbro's chorus before the Star Wars just gave us a negative case."

Simon Pike’s voice just fell, and Firefly’s head of the film, Thomas Schumacher, said: “But I have to remind everyone that the next two weeks without any competitors should be the most crucial for “Witch Blair”. Two weeks later, the Easter schedule was opened. I remember that on March 26th, there were three new films, Paramount's "The Three Men", Universal's "Ed Private Channel" and Warner's "Lola Run". "The competition in the new film will be more intense in the next few weeks, and will not leave long-term operation time for "Witch Blair"."

When I heard Thomas Schumacher’s words, everyone paused and looked at Eric, who was sitting at the top.

That's right, "Lola Run" was eventually taken away by the more savvy Warner Bros. for $12 million. Moreover, under the popular support of Eric Sundance, in order to fight the heat, Warner Bros. simply put the film in the Easter period.

Eric is not too concerned about this matter, "Lola Run" is only a relatively low-cost independent film, and the box office has limited potential. Even if the subordinates want to rush to grab the film because of Eric's optimism, Eric will not agree. His attention was still on "Witch Blair". In order to avoid management's arbitrage, whispered and Kasenberg whispered a few words, Eric sighed and said: "As soon as possible, this film does not have this film. We have enough strength to go long. Next, we will discuss the topic of setting up a special network marketing department. I think everyone has already realized the effect of internet marketing. However, I must remind you that online marketing is only one of the traditional movie marketing models. This kind of supplement, at least, will be the case for a long time in the future. "Witch Blair" can only be regarded as an example, it is difficult to copy, I mean, Xinyi and Bowei each set up a special network marketing office, everyone must remember Live, we are a big movie company, and the upright operation is fundamental. Don’t fall into the business idea of ​​this sword because of the moment."

Eric made a decision, everyone no longer opposed, Kenneth Horn said again: "So, Eric, about the sequel, need to be approved as soon as possible?"

"No, this movie, we don't consider any sequel issues for five years."

In the past history, Hollywood has seen a relatively famous low-cost pseudo-documentary film, one is "Witch Blair", and the other is "Ghost Record".

Compared to the "Ghost Record" that has been photographed in many parts and sold in the department, the sequel to "Witch Blair" can only be described as failure.

This is mainly because "Ghost Record" also uses the pseudo-documentary mode, but it is a real horror movie that creates a very good atmosphere for the horror atmosphere. Therefore, the sequel to "Ghost Record" will still be bought by the audience.

"Witch Blair" is different. This film, if there is no rich background story created by the original counterfeiting, the film is just a few surprises of several protagonists. It seems that there is no horror. Most viewers watch this film, which is just a kind of inquiry psychology generated under the influence of overwhelming theory. Once the past is over, it is found that there is nothing special about the whole film, and there will be no more interest, even Many people feel that they have been deceived.

In this case, the sequel is started immediately, and there is really no other possibility than failure.

However, five years later, or longer, to start the project, the results will definitely be different.

As for the reasons, in the final analysis, there are still two words, nostalgia.

The two-hour regular meeting ended and everyone returned to their jobs. Eric and Kasenberg remained in the conference room.

This afternoon, Kasenberg will rush to Huasheng to participate in the consultation meeting of the Federal Ministry of Justice on the AOL and Time Warner mergers and acquisitions to the entire information media industry.

As the first large-scale mergers and acquisitions of emerging and traditional media, the scale reached an unprecedented 140 billion US dollars. The Ministry of Justice is very cautious about the performance of this merger. Of course, this is also full of secret games of various forces.

According to the merger announcement issued by AOL and Time Warner, once the two parties merge, the new company will rely on AOL's large user base and Time Warner's content advantages to build a network access, cable TV, and fixed-line services. Comprehensive media group.

At that time, AOL-Time Warner will also cover all information and media business areas such as channel services and content production. If it can really follow Steve Case's vision, the new company will undoubtedly develop into a super media oligarchy.

Therefore, in theory, any company that has a competitive relationship with AOL and Time Warner should stop this merger as much as possible.

Both the Firefly Group of the Firefly System and the Yahoo! Network have a very direct competitive relationship with AOL and Time Warner. However, Eric has no intention of stopping this merger. Not only that, but the Firefly System will also do its best. It is possible to use its own influence to facilitate the completion of this merger.

According to Eric's expansion plan, the Firefly Group will be involved in the field of cable TV service providers in the next step, which is actually a step that the firefly system must take. After all, whether it is the Firefly Group, the MGM Group or the Alliance's 20th Century Fox, it operates a number of cable channels. With the further popularization of the North American cable TV network, if the Firefly system does not involve the cable TV provider business at all, In the future, it is likely to be the dilemma of the channel card neck.

"If AOL Time Warner is rejected by the Justice Department, we will be more difficult to get involved in the cable operator business in the future. I have already talked to him on Ian, he originally wanted to advance with AOL. I have reached some restrictions, but I don't think it's necessary at all. Now is not the time to win and lose. Helping AOL to merge Time Warner is to help ourselves," gently rubbing the bandage on the arm across the shirt fabric, Eric After thinking about it, he said to Kasenberg: "In addition, after going to Huasheng, you can meet with the president and the wife in private. After experiencing so many things, I think he should be able to see the reality as well. Playing a war to divert domestic attention to his personal political taint, I think, Hollywood's attitude tends to help him even more."

In February, after the last round of impeachment by the Federal Senate, Klin finally passed the zipper door with trepidation.

At this time, in order to divert the attention of the domestic zipper door and reshape its image and political influence, the White House is lobbying the Federal Ministry of Defense to wage war against Kosovo, or even a full-scale ground war.

Kasenberger nodded seriously, but still said: "Eric, don't you worry about the impact of AOL and Time Warner's merger on us?"

“There is nothing to worry about,” Eric smiled. “You look at Steve Case’s personnel arrangement for the new company. After the merger, although AOL’s management led the new company, Time Warner’s internal There has been no change in the power structure. Even the 100% control of the new company cannot be mastered. Do you think Steve Case can successfully implement his own development plan?"

Kasenberg considered it for a moment, and apparently recognized Eric's point of view. He said: "If it is you, Eric, if you come to dominate AOL-Time Warner, what do you do?"

Eric stopped the action of Capricorn's arm, with a little cold in his expression, saying: "First of all, of course, a big cleansing. Or all the disobedient people are getting out, or I will get out of my own hands. Phoenix is ​​not broken. ""

Even now, Time Warner has all aspects of media resources that are not weaker than the Firefly Group.

Warner Bros., Times Media, Warner Cable, Turner Broadcasting, and even d comics, n, hbo, etc., are all very good media assets, but even if it is a premium acquisition, AOL’s price for Time Warner is only At $63 billion, only the majority of the media is half the general valuation of the Firefly Group.

The reason why this happens is, in the final analysis, the endless internal competition of the Time Warner Group.

Speaking of it, if Steve Ross, who created the Time Warner Group, could continue to live like the old man of Murdoch and Redstone for 20 years, Time Warner will never have the current situation, but unfortunately, Steve Ross I died unfortunately in 1992.

As for Steve Case.

Even if there is no previous memory, just watching the other party have not completed the merger, they have begun to make compromises on the issue of control. Eric is very pessimistic about the future of this new company.

On the working day, in the 200 screening rooms in North America, the popular trend of "Witch Blair" is unabated, and almost all the auditoriums continue to be full.

On March 12th, when the "Witch Blair" was released at the box office in the first day of the seventh day, it again shocked many people's eyes.

Because, although the first three days of the weekend fell behind the "Dangerous Person" $3 million box office, but after the workday accumulation, "Witch Blair" relied on 200 screening halls, and finally the first week of the box office reached an astonishing 21.27 million US dollars, successfully achieved The overtaking of "Dangerous People" won the box office champion of the week. Affected by the sharp drop in the attendance rate on the working day, "Dangerous People" ended the second week at only $20.54 million at the box office, regretting the second place.

At the same time, after a tense operation, starting from March 12, the screen size of "Witch Blair" has increased to more than 2,100 pieces at one time, officially spread across the entire theater in North America. New Line Pictures also temporarily allocated a $10 million promotional budget and began advertising on Witch Blair through traditional media channels.

After the first meeting, I took a full week and the global record again gave a response.

Eric agreed to meet with Edgar Bronfman again on Friday morning. This time, Universal Music eo Doug Morrison did not attend.

Firefly Studios, Eric's office.

A few simple words, Edgar Bronfman came up with his own request: "Eric, since Yahoo Music Store needs to get a commission from digital music sales, I think the record company also has the right to fireflies from The hardware sales have a certain benefit."

Eric put down the coffee cup he just picked up and shook his head. "Ed, there is no such reason. Have you heard of the equipment company that sells projectors to give the film company a profit split?"

"There is no such truth," Edgar Bronfman said without hesitation: "I believe, you should understand what I mean."

Eric naturally understands what the other person means, and Seagram wants to buy firefly electronics.

However, if Firefly Electronics is just a portable music player company, Eric may agree, but in fact, this company involves too much Eric's future layout.

Eric is considering how to word it, the office door is knocked, Caroline pushes open the door, and holds a mobile phone in his hand: "Sorry, Mr. Bronfman, and Eric However, there is a call from New York."

Eric looked at Caroline and asked, "Wait a minute?"

"Mr. Paul Roland of m company," Caroline said. "He said that there is a very urgent matter. He is now rushing to JFK and will fly to Europe soon."

When I heard Paul Roland, Eric knew that it was definitely related to Carmenkes. I don't know what happened to this girl, wouldn't I bite someone else?

Eric thought, sorry to stand up and said: "So, Ed, I am sorry, wait a moment."

Although Edgar Bronfman was somewhat unhappy, he did not show it. He smiled a lot: "It doesn't matter, you should answer the phone first."

Leaving the office, Eric took the phone that Caroline handed over and looked at the little cousin who was shining around him. After a guilty conscience, he walked to the outside corridor and put the phone in his ear: "Paul, what happened?" What happened?"