With the sharp decline of Disney animation studios, a new pattern has emerged in Hollywood's animated feature films, with Pixar Studios dominating.

Since the release of "Shrek", DreamWorks Animation Studios has soared, and the production of "Shark Gang" has also been a success, becoming the second largest animation producer in Hollywood after Pixar.

Madagascar is the latest installment from DreamWorks Animation Studios.

Under the agreement between Relativity Entertainment and DreamWorks, Embassy Pictures continues to promote and distribute the animated feature film.

Ahead of the second weekend in August, Madagascar held its world premiere at the Hollywood Theatre.

The Avenue of Fame in front of the theater has also become a paradise for animals.

Posters and giant dolls of various African animals can be found everywhere.

Ronan had seen the sample film of "Madagascar" before, and was sure that the quality of the film was guaranteed, and the investment of Embassy Pictures in publicity and distribution was naturally guaranteed.

With the distribution capabilities of Embassy Pictures, it is not difficult to win more than 4,000 theaters for "Madagascar" after the film is tested and approved by the theater company.

And high-quality animated movies are often the guarantee of profitability.

"Madagascar" has opened in 4,288 theaters in North America.

Again, this is also the positive response after the success of two consecutive "Shrek".

On the day of the premiere, Jerry Katzenberg was a veritable focal point.

On the other hand, in terms of relativity entertainment, both Ronan and García Rodriguez, who attended the premiere as a representative of the distributor, were very low-key.

The best way for a publishing company is to quietly make money in their hands.

"For the two "Shrek", how much profit does Embassy Pictures make as a distributor?"

Inside the theater, Ron Meyer, the former CEO of Universal Pictures, asked Garcia, "You guys took at least half of the profits, right?"

Garcia was very modest: "How can it be so exaggerated, Embassy Pictures has also invested heavily in publicity and distribution." ”

Although Ron Meyer did not continue to work in Hollywood, he also knew something about things in the circle: "Two "Shrek" and one "Shark Gang", Embassy Pictures, as an online and offline distributor, is the biggest winner. ”

Garcia smiled and said, "The first "Shrek", North America, was released by DreamWorks itself. ”

"Speaking of which, I really admire your Ronan Anderson. Ron Meyer looked at Ronan, who was talking to Spielberg, and said slowly: "Relativity Entertainment's acquisition of Artisan Pictures not only packaged the distribution department that was highly overlapping and had no use for Relativity Entertainment to DreamWorks, but also recovered most of the funds invested in Artisan Pictures from DreamWorks, and also let DreamWorks give up the North American distribution rights of DreamWorks Animation Studios' animated feature films......"

"Relativity Entertainment is a strategic partner with DreamWorks, and we have solved the much-needed distribution channel problem for DreamWorks," Garcia said. ”

Ron Meyer has nothing to say, because it is true, the cooperation between Relativity Entertainment and DreamWorks is completely one willing to sell, and the other is also in a hurry to buy.

Garcia continued: "The Artisan is arguably DreamWorks' last chance. Ron, you're an old man in the industry, and you know the industry very well, even if you spend a lot of money to buy the distribution channel now, can you still buy it?"

Ron Meyer, after all, is the former CEO of Universal Pictures and is certainly well aware of this.

Why are the six major Hollywood companies the Big Six? Not because of their strong production capabilities, but because they have the right to speak in the MPAA and complete distribution channels.

Ron Meyer didn't dwell on this topic anymore, but returned to what he just had: "Of the three animated feature films from DreamWorks Animation Studios that have been released, your online and offline distribution profits will definitely not be lower than this number, right?"

He held out two fingers.

Garcia said with a smile: "The specific statistics have not come out yet. ”

Ron Meyer shook his head: "You relativistic entertainment, you should be financially open and transparent. ”

Garcia replied directly: "Relativity Entertainment is not a public company. ”

On the other hand, Spielberg was in a very serious private informal conversation with Ronan.

"Last time, how did you think about my proposal?" Spielberg spoke in his capacity as the head of DreamWorks, "Ronan, DreamWorks' distribution channels are getting better and better, and it's time for DreamWorks Animation Studios to return to DreamWorks, right?"

Seeing the distribution company take away nearly half of the profits of the three animated feature films online and offline, the heart of the entire DreamWorks is dripping blood.

Ronan pondered for a moment and said, "Steven, the contract hasn't expired yet. ”

Spielberg laughed and said, "I know, but the shareholders of DreamWorks put a lot of pressure on DreamWorks. ”

Ronan has been thinking about it, and now "Kung Fu Panda", "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Crazy Primitives" are all in the hands of Shahai Animation Studios.

DreamWorks Animation Studio's next three projects, "Bee Story", "Super Villain" and "Monsters vs. Aliens", Ronan has the impression that they are all very ordinary animated feature films.

The successes of the Shrek series and the Shark Gang have also boosted DreamWorks Animation's self-confidence, most notably in the dramatic increase in the production budget of animated feature films.

For example, "Monsters vs. Aliens", the production budget is as high as $175 million!

Even for the two projects of "Super Villain" and "Bee Story", DreamWorks Animation Studio plans to invest $150 million each!

What is this concept?

Looking at Hollywood, except for the group of hanging coers at Pixar Studios, there is no company that plays like this.

The problem is, DreamWorks Animation Studios is not Pixar.

DreamWorks Animation Studios has been following a low-cost, high-volume route.

It can only be said that the huge success of "Shrek" has made the entire DreamWorks animation studio, including connoisseurs like Jarev Katzenberg, full of confidence.

Today's DreamWorks is no longer the DreamWorks it once was, and the complete distribution channels have also reawakened Spielberg's goals when he founded DreamWorks.

"DreamWorks only has two businesses: live-action and animated films. Spielberg said, "Ronan, a complete DreamWorks is a better way to share the pressure for Relativity Entertainment." ”

No one is stupid, Spielberg has seen it clearly, Relativity Entertainment and DreamWorks have become an alliance, just to let DreamWorks share part of the pressure from the six major companies.

Similarly, DreamWorks needs Relativistic Entertainment to share the stress.

Thinking of Shahai Entertainment Animation Studio, and thinking of DreamWorks Animation's next three top animated feature film projects, Ronan made a decision: "Relativity and DreamWorks are allies. Steven, I'm friends with you and Jaredford, and since you've brought it up, I can't object to it. ”

Spielberg's smile was even better, but he knew Ronan more or less about what he was like, and immediately said, "Ronan, if there is a need for Dream Factory, just open your mouth ......"

Ronan raised his hand to stop Spielberg from continuing: "Steven, don't worry, is it okay to listen to me?"

Spielberg nodded: "Please." ”

Ronan continued: "After the release of Shrek 3 next year, I will have someone negotiate with Jereif about terminating the contract. ”

Hearing that it was next year, Spielberg frowned slightly, but then returned to normal, which was also expected, and it was impossible for Relativity Entertainment to give up the "Shrek" series.

It is also very rare to terminate the issuance contract next year, after all, the issuance contract between the two parties was signed until 2008.

Spielberg said directly: "Yes." ”

Ronan added: "ComeWorks Animation Studios cooperated with Embassy Pictures, and the offline distribution of the film lasted until the contract expired in 2008, but the new animated feature film, Embassy Pictures withdrew. ”

This request is very reasonable, and Spielberg is not willing to oppose it with a black heart, and hurriedly said: "No problem." ”

Ronan's words are not finished: "To end the contract early, I also need to give an account to Embassy Pictures and the group company." Steven, I have two more conditions. ”

Spielberg kind of understood, if he wanted to get back the distribution rights of DreamWorks Animation Studios, it was impossible to do so without paying something.

"Just say. Spielberg decided to listen to the conditions first.

Ronan didn't go around in circles: "As a director and at a reasonable price, you signed a contract with Shahai Entertainment for two films. ”

Spielberg frowned slightly, thought for a while, and said, "A contract." He knew he had to make concessions: "I only want $20 million and make sure the film is finished." ”

Of course, this is measured from the perspective of commercial films, and Spielberg's director's salary on commercial productions will not be lower than the 20+20 model.

As early as 1994, Spielberg was paid $200 million for a project in "Jurassic Park".

Originally, Ronan wanted the people below to talk to Spielberg's agent about the remuneration, and since Spielberg had made it clear, of course he would not object.

"Yes. Ronan went on to say the second: "As far as I know, you and Javifer, as well as DreamWorks, all have a stake in Walt Disney?"

Spielberg said, "Yes, very little, and it doesn't add up to less than one percent. ”

He has a small stake in his hands, having been purchased in the late eighties when Disney financed its expansion.

Jerry Katzenberg has a lot in his hands, he was the head of Disney Animation Studios back then, although he later sold some of it when he founded DreamWorks, and he still holds about five thousandths of a thousandth.

Ronan said, "You and Jared sold the stake to me, a market price deal when an agreement was reached. ”

Spielberg thought for a moment, "I'll talk to Jarever about it. ”

Ronan nodded, "Yes." ”

It was inevitable that Relativity Entertainment would end its cooperation with DreamWorks Animation Studios, and those three big-investment animated feature film projects also made Ronan full of doubts about DreamWorks Animation Studios.

Ronan then entered the screening room, sat in the third row, and explained a few words to Connie next to him about DreamWorks Animation Studios and Embassy Pictures.

Someone walked over and sat directly next to Ronan.

"Hi Ronan. Sofia Coppola greeted Ronan: "I didn't expect that we would work together again so soon. ”