Ahead of Thanksgiving, the USC Film School Alumni Association, led by Ronan, George Lucas, Ron Howard, and Robert Zemeckis, held a party at the Beverly Hills Clubhouse.

One thing I have to say is that whether it is on one side of the Pacific Ocean or the other side, a person's position in the alumni association is always closely related to social status and cannot be separated at all.

Therefore, although Ronan is not very senior, he also became one of the directors of the alumni association.

The expenses of the reunion were entirely borne by Ronan himself, and the main purpose of the meeting was to facilitate the connection between the alumni.

USC Film School alumni have always been a big force in Hollywood.

From the earliest days when George Lucas brought up Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg, and Robert Zemeckis, the organization has been moving in the direction of huddles.

Today, whether it's Spielberg's DreamWorks, Ronan's Relativity Entertainment, or George Lucasfilm's Lucasfilm, there are many USC Film School graduates.

"In fact, make good use of the power of USC alumni. ”

Walking in the ballroom, Jessica Filton whispered to Ronan, "It's also very helpful for the Oscars." ”

Ronan said: "I have thought about this for a long time, and helping each other within the scope of our ability is one of the purposes of the alumni association. ”

Jessica Felton said, "By the way, I just saw David Ellison. ”

Ronan nodded slightly: "Although he dropped out, he is also considered an alumnus of USC, and it is normal to come here if someone helps to introduce him." ”

Jessica Filton turned her head to look at Ronan, "I remember you were also part of the dropout army. ”

"I can't help it. Ronan said very helplessly: "At that time, if I didn't drop out of school to take over Shahai Entertainment, I would go bankrupt." ”

The two came into a small circle together, and Ronan greeted George Lucas, Ron Howard, and Robert Zemeckis one by one, and then solemnly introduced Jessica Felton to them.

Compared to Ronan, Jessica Filton is a full-fledged graduate of the USC Film School and has a background in technology, and has a lot in common with George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis.

Jessica Filton, who dresses up and wears an evening dress, is born with strong capital, plus she is also quite famous in the industry, and has attracted the attention of many people.

"Is this your official girlfriend?" Ron Howard was clearly misunderstood: "Ronan, she's a good match for you." ”

Ronan explained gratefully, "It's a good friend, not a girlfriend. ”

Ron Howard knows: "I've heard a lot of people in the college talk about Jessica, a very capable woman, which is rare in Hollywood. ”

Ronan didn't bother to say anything more, and glanced at Jessica Felton, who was chatting with George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis about computer CG technology.

These tech maniacs seem to have endless things to say when they get together.

"CG production is inseparable from editing compositing. Jessica Filton talks about her experience: "Using editing and compositing technology, you can effectively reduce the cost of CG production......"

She noticed Ronan's gaze and turned her head and smiled.

Robert Zemeckis was embarrassed to say, "When I talk about new technologies, I always forget about other things. ”

George Lucas said seriously: "Jesse, I hope you can take a trip to ILM recently, and your theory can help ILM." ”

Ronan interjected, "George, are you trying to poach people in front of me?"

George Lucas smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm hiring Jesse to teach theory to Industrial Light & Magic." ”

Jessica Felton said: "It's my pleasure. ”

Ronan was just joking, and deliberately said, "Jesse, I hope you can come back from Industrial Light & Magic to dig up a few experts in special effects production." ”

Several people couldn't help but laugh.

George Lucas asked, "I heard you got the live-action rights to those fairy tale animated feature films from Disney?"

"Yes. The agreement has been signed, and Ronan has no need to hide it, saying: "I have always believed that this is a very valuable asset. It's a pity that I can't get the copyright of those classic animated feature films. ”

George Lucas said: "That's the essence of Disney, and there's no way they're going to sell it. ”

Ron Howard asked curiously, "Will there be a market for those cartoons made into live-action films?"

"Computer special effects are evolving rapidly, and it's changing with each passing day. Ronan replied, "Even with today's CG production technology, it is not very difficult to realize the beautiful world of fairy tales. ”

Jessica Filton added: "It's going to be expensive to make. ”

Ronan nodded: "But the impact of these cartoons is huge, affecting more than one generation, bringing a huge potential audience. Just like Robert's "Alice in Wonderland" that is being filmed, as long as it can create a real and dreamy fairy tale world, I believe that many consumers will be willing to pay. ”

George Lucas said: "Your eye for filmmaking is unmatched, and I'm confident you'll succeed. ”

Robert Zemeckis said: "Technology is the key to the success or failure of this genre. ”

Ronan looked at the people around him and said, "I've never been worried about this, when it comes to technical control, I have Jesse." ”

"I've heard people talk about it," says Robert Zemeckis, "and Jesse is a tech maniac. ”

Jessica Felton modestly said, "I still have to learn from you. ”

A few people got together and chatted, and each went to another place, and Ronan talked to several screenwriters about their scripts.

These are basically screenwriters who have been in the industry for a long time, but have not broken through, and are currently working hard to create their own script projects.

Ronan can give the green light appropriately, but he won't give too many preferential treatment, let them send the electronic version of the script directly to his work mailbox, and he will reply to them no matter what the result is.

Then, Ronan saw the belated Steven Spielberg.

Although he is not a graduate of the USC Film School, Spielberg has always regarded himself as an alumnus of the USC Film School and has even donated to the USC Film School many times.

Ronan remembers that Spielberg once donated a building directly to the USC Film School.

"Long time no see, Ronan. Spielberg immediately came to Ronan's side.

Ronan shook his hand: "Steven, it's because you've been too busy lately. ”

Spielberg asked in a low voice, "I've heard some things about Disney from Jareif Katzenberg, what are your plans?"

Ronan, of course, will not tell the truth, saying: "It is profitable to work with Disney. ”

"Really?" Spielberg was not convinced, "Why do I feel that your purpose is not simple?"

Ronan laughed, "What can I do? ”

This sounds very reasonable, and Spielberg doesn't want to ask again, instead saying, "Jared Katzenberg is a little disappointed that you support Michael Eisner." ”

Ronan understands Katzenberg's feud with Michael Eisner: "All I can say is sorry for that. ”

When it comes to the major interests of Relativity Entertainment, and even the survival and development space of Relativity Entertainment in Hollywood in the future, Ronan cannot harm himself because he takes into account someone's feelings or ideas.

But Ronan also had doubts, and Spielberg specifically mentioned what this meant?

Spielberg seemed to just mention it in passing, as if he had no other purpose, and instead said: "Relativity Entertainment has obtained so many licenses for Disney's classic animated films, are you interested in cooperating with DreamWorks, we only participate in investment, not copyright and dominance." ”

Ronan didn't expect that as soon as the license was obtained, someone would come up and want a piece of the pie, and it can only be said that Spielberg is worthy of being the best director among businessmen, with a very keen sense of smell.

"Thank you DreamWorks for your kindness. Of course, Ronan will not agree, and casually nonsense: "These projects are jointly developed by Relativity Entertainment and Walt Disney, Disney is the leader, and I have no right to decide to admit new investors." ”

After all, the news shown to the public is that Disney and Relativity Entertainment are cooperating in a live-action film project, Spielberg believes it a little and says: "When I have the opportunity, I will talk to Disney." ”

Ronan smiled and said, "Yes." The cooperation of the three companies can also share the risk. ”

These words came out of his mouth without the slightest obstacle.

Spielberg asked, "By the way, we still have a director's contract, do you have a suitable film project?"

At that time, Relativity Entertainment revised the agreement with DreamWorks Animation Studios and abandoned the release of DreamWorks Animation Studio's feature film after "Shrek 3".

Spielberg's directing of a film of relativistic entertainment was one of those conditions.

Ronan shook his head slightly: "Not yet, if there is a suitable project, I will send it to you as soon as possible." ”

Spielberg nodded, "Okay." He pointed to the other side, "I'll go talk to George for a while." ”

The DreamWorks bigwig, who has recently been working on reviving DreamWorks, seems to have regained his ambitions.

Of course, the process was not very smooth.

In particular, the relationship with Jereif Katzenberg has always been stumbling, and the power struggle between the two has not been extinguished because DreamWorks is back on track.

Ronan has had more contact with Jared Katzenberg before, and can more or less guess some of his thoughts, with the experience of being kicked out of Disney by Michael Eisner, it is impossible for Jarev Katzenberg to give up power, especially the dominance of the animation studio.

Even if the other party is a well-known good old man in Hollywood circles, Spielberg can't do it.

When it comes to the struggle for major interests and power, where is there any good or bad.

In the past six months, there have been rumors in Hollywood circles that DreamWorks Animation Studios is hooking up with Universal Pictures, as if Jareif Katzenberg is ready to abandon Spielberg at any time.

It has developed to the point where there are many rumors, and this kind of thing cannot be completely false.

At least Katzenberg did approach Universal Pictures.