The Hollywood Reporter: "New Globe Shines Golden Globes!"

Time: "Donn makes the box office and he makes the art!" After the box office market, Donn once again dominates the awards season. ”

"Full Movie": "Unbelievable, three films, seven appearances, New Globe is ruling the Golden Globes!"

Entertainment Weekly: "Competition is fierce, and New Universal is proud of all the heroes!"

The Times: "The Golden Globe rejects the style of European films? ”

Sohu Entertainment: "The 60th Golden Globe Awards ceremony was grandly unveiled in Los Angeles, and the high-profile awards were also announced one by one, and "Chicago" won three awards in the musical comedy category: Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress, becoming the biggest winner. The Chinese film "Hero", which was previously pinned on by domestic fans, was defeated by the famous Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's new work "Say to Her" ......"

"Ming Pao": "The mainland film "Hero" participated in the competition for the 60th Hero Award, and Director Zhang and Mr. Jiang went to the United States respectively. Due to the fact that all the leading actors of "Hero" have new film tasks, many leading actors, including Mr. Liang and Miss Zhang, cannot go to the Golden Globe Festival. Mr. Jiang was the producer and distributor of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", and although he didn't win the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film this time, they will aim for the Oscar!"

……

With the announcement of the Golden Globe winners, New Globe shines throughout the awards season.

"New York Vice", "Chicago", and "All the Time" are three art films, which are almost invincible. However, it is surprising that "The Pianist" directed by Roman Polanski failed in all aspects.

In previous years, every time there was a big harvest during the awards season, Don would hold the newspaper in his hand and quietly hide in his office or study alone, reading articles and stealing fun.

Well, I'm immune.

If it was an Oscar, Donn might still be in high spirits.

Golden Globe ...... It was no longer possible to arouse his interest.

After the Golden Globe Awards, the next award ceremony that Donn will participate in is the Grammys.

However, during this period, Donn and Robert Iger, Andrew Mooney, Bob Chapek and several others flew directly to Osaka.

The tourism and vacation business is the top priority of New Globe at present!

In 1998, Universal Pictures, the Osaka City Government, Goldman Sachs Investment Bank, and a number of Japanese companies jointly invested $2 billion in two and a half years to build the world's third Universal Studios.

The design is similar to that of Universal Orlando City, including the "Jurassic Park" area, the "Terminator" area, the "Jaws" area, the "Future Water World" area and other classic movie renovations.

At present, the entire Universal Studios is owned by New Universal 41%, Osaka City Hall 9%, Goldman Sachs 40%, and other Japanese companies, a total of 10%.

With New Universal's current financial resources, it is unrealistic to buy back all the shares of Universal Studios Osaka.

In the past year, Universal Studios Osaka has generated more than $100 million in revenue, which is very promising.

If you want to buy back all the 59% equity controlled by the outside world, you have to pay a premium of at least 15%-20%, that is, it will cost at least $1.4 billion!

Don could get the money, but the cash flow was cut off.

Donn also plans to continue to increase his investment in Universal Studios Osaka, and jointly invest another $300 million to expand a "Spider-Man Amazing Adventure" park.

This time, Tang En mainly wants to take back the 10% stake in the hands of Japanese-funded companies, so that New Universal's controlling stake in Universal Studios Osaka will reach 51%.

Then you can sit back and relax and absolutely control.

Prior to this, Bob Chapek and the heads of the public relations and marketing departments had negotiated with the six companies to reclaim the 10% stake for $220 million.

As a result, the shareholders of Universal Studios Osaka are only New Universal, the Osaka City Government and Goldman Sachs, and it will be easier to reach an agreement to strengthen further investment in the studio.

Because "Spider-Man" is the copyright of New Universal, don't look at New Universal's 51% stake after the completion of the transaction, in fact, it only needs to pay $120 million in cash, and let the Osaka City Government and Goldman Sachs invest $180 million to build a new "Spider-Man Amazing Adventure Park".

Tang En had no intention of staying in Osaka, so after completing the signing ceremony and having lunch with the presidents of several major companies, he wanted to return.

The rest of the negotiation work was left to Robert Iger.

However, when he left, Don was invited by one of Toshiba's executives, Atsutoshi Nishida, to have a drink.

"Okamura is there with the president?"

There's something strange about Donn.

Nishida Atsutoshi is the head of Toshiba Group North America, and he speaks English very fluently, and he politely said, "President Okamura is not good at English, so he asked me to communicate with him." ”

Don nodded, "What are you talking about?"

"Sony. ”

Nishida Atsutoshi bluntly said the answer.

Tang En understood as soon as he heard it, and smiled, "Okay, let's go find a café outside, the environment is quiet, the hotel is too complicated." ”

Nishida made a deep bow and expressed his sincere gratitude to Don for accepting the invitation.

The two found a quiet café on Dotonbori Street, where the music of Lisa Ono was played, full of petty bourgeoisie.

Through the window, you can see the landmark "Poor Eataro" and the giant "Glico" billboard, which is very local cultural characteristics.

Such a quiet environment is rare in the nouveau riche rhythm of life in the United States.

Unless it's a top-notch business club like Beverly Hills.

"You're talking about the format standard of high-definition discs, right?" Don didn't hide it, and generously provoked the topic.

Nishida Tsutoshi was sitting on his lap, coffee was placed in front of him, he didn't even move, and his hands were on his knees, as if he were a samurai during the Meiji Restoration, sitting upright.

Hearing Donn's question, he immediately bowed, "That's right, Mr. Walker, I'm sorry to trouble you. ”

Tang En smiled: "There is nothing sorry or sorry, since it is a business cooperation, it is equality and mutual assistance, Mr. Nishida, you don't have to be too restrained." ”

"Thank you Mr. Walker for your care. Nishida nodded again.

Don was speechless, so he let him agree, "When will your HD-DVD format be released?"

"The final tests and online adjustments are underway. Within this year, it will definitely be able to be launched to the market. ”

Donn's eyes lit up, "So fast? This is a good thing, at least a year ahead of Sony's Blu-ray, right?"

"Yes, D-DVD is a high-definition format that is updated and upgraded according to DVD technology, so there is no need to replace the existing production line, only the production line equipment needs to be upgraded, and HD-DVD can be made. This is our greatest strength. ”

"Oh, what about the blue light?"

"Blu-ray is a new disc medium developed by Sony, which is completely different from the DVDs of the past. Therefore, Blu-ray is not only slow to develop, but also has to replace the entire production line after it is launched. ”

Don nodded without moving.

Where in the world is there such a good thing?

If Blu-ray were so useless, would you still find me?

It is true that the upfront investment of Blu-ray is much larger than that of HD-DVD, but once the production equipment and R&D technology are completed, mass production is completed, and the advantages of Blu-ray disc are reflected, with larger capacity and lower cost!

Tang En didn't break it, followed his words, and said: "Well, if you launch it first, you can be the first to seize more market share." ”

Nishida Houcong said: "Sony owns Sony Pictures after all, and they have more resources in Hollywood......"

"Wait, isn't Microsoft going to buy MGM?" Donn interrupted him abruptly.

Nishida shook his head and said: "After Microsoft sent a team to investigate, they have already withdrawn from the bidding, they have no experience in managing film and television companies, and they don't think they can save MGM." ”

"Well, go on. ”

Don sighed.

Now, MGM is facing bids from eight major companies, and it is the best in the market.

Unexpectedly, Microsoft withdrew so quickly.

Nishida Houcong said: "The launch of high-definition video discs is inseparable from content protection. In this regard, New Universal is a leader in Hollywood!"

Tang En waved his hand disapprovingly and said, "I can't talk about the best, it's just that the box office performance in recent years has been beautiful." In terms of film and television library, Warner Bros. is the largest in the world, with 6,500 movies in stock! almost twice as many as New Universal. ”

"Warner, we've got it done. ”

"What?"

Done's eyes widened.

The combination of Toshiba and Microsoft is really fast enough!

Got Warner Bros. done it so quickly?

"Yes, we have reached an agreement with Warner, and since 2004, Warner's film and television works will be exclusively produced in HD-DVD format when producing high-definition images. ”

Done's eyes narrowed into a line, "How many years has it been a sign?"

Nishida Houcong said: "Two years." ”

Don bowed slightly.

This should not be a lie.

With this kind of agreement, it is impossible to sign a long-term contract.

"What conditions did you offer?"

"Cost price. ”

"More than that, right?"

If it is only the cost price, it is impossible to get the "exclusive right".

Besides, the real cost price is known only to Toshiba itself.

The cost price of external publicity must have been processed.

"For every HD-DVD sold, 50 cents will be given back to Warner. ”

Donn's eyes jumped.

If he's not mistaken, last year, New Globe sold a total of 180 million DVDs.

After the launch of the HD format, 20% of the 180 million DVDs will be sold in HD-DVD, which will bring $18 million in subsidies to New Universal.

To be honest, not much.

This kind of side payment (i.e., additional subsidy) is too small compared to the Internet subsidy war that Tang En has seen.

"Mr. Walker, look ......"

Nishida looked at Don with anticipation.

Don frowned and said nothing.

He was not satisfied with such conditions.

glanced out of the corner of his eye, but found that on the seat not far from the next door, a strange pair of men and women were sitting.

The man is in his forties, with a big nose and small eyes, short and fat, and the woman is sixteen or seventeen years old, and she is beautiful and lovely.

Especially in the winter of January, she wore a school uniform with a knee-length skirt underneath, revealing two smooth legs.

Don couldn't help but open his eyes.