The sun is gradually setting in the west, only the afterglow of the setting sun is left on the horizon, and the Los Angeles Convention Center, which has been noisy for several days, has gradually returned to calm, and the first E3 exhibition hosted by IDSA (Interactive Digital Software Association) has quietly come to an end.

The next morning, most of the people who came to the exhibition left this time, and the game production company under Dongfang Electronic Entertainment Co., Ltd. went back to continue the unfinished development work, because several contracts were negotiated at the exhibition, and the staff of Activision in the United States and Eidos in the United Kingdom also left a part to prepare for the official signing.

At the invitation of Zhang Lexing, the members of the E3 delegation stayed, ready to spend two or three days to visit Los Angeles and Hollywood before going back. Originally, Zhang Lexing also planned to accompany him in person and do his best to be a landlord, but he didn't expect to receive a call from Eddie Bergner of DreamWorks, saying that there was a temporary board meeting to discuss some more important things, and he had to participate, so Zhang Lexing had to arrange another person to lead these members who had become a three-day self-guided tour group in Los Angeles to visit, and he and his accompanying bodyguards came to Burbank City, which is about 20 kilometers northwest of Los Angeles.

The interim board meeting was held in a small conference room in the DreamWorks building, and by the time Zhang arrived, the other members of the board, Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, and Eddie Burgner, as well as DreamWorks financial director and director Danie Yu, had already arrived.

After Zhang Lexing came to the round table in the conference room and sat down, Eddie Bergner cleared his throat and said, "Okay, the main topic of our board of directors this time is about the development of DreamWorks, please take a look at the information in front of you first." ”

Zhang Lexing picked up the information in front of him and flipped through it, which is mainly about the recent operation of DreamWorks, judging from the report, DreamWorks is still making money, but the profitability is not ideal.

"Everyone has read the information, although DreamWorks is still making money, but there is a downward trend, mainly because we lack our own distribution channels, we are weak in the negotiation of film distribution, and most of the profits are taken by the distribution company. In addition, the same is true for the production of TV dramas, which lack corresponding channels. In order to solve this problem, I have considered several options, please take a look. After waiting for a while, Eddie Bergner took out the folder containing the information and distributed it to everyone one by one.

Zhang Lexing took the folder, opened it and looked at it, and the information in it was written like this: "...... DreamWorks needs its own distribution channels, and the entire DreamWorks Pictures Group needs its own distribution channels. Although the initial distribution channel has been established through the acquisition of several independent distribution companies, the coverage is very limited, and there is a lack of overseas distribution capabilities, if we continue to rely on our own construction or acquisition of independent distribution companies to expand the distribution network, on the one hand, we will face the suppression of those film companies with large distribution networks, and on the other hand, it will take a long time. If we want to solve this problem, the quickest way is to buy a large film company with a very strong distribution capacity, so that we can solve this problem as quickly as possible, and even if we need to negotiate with other film companies in the future, we will have more leverage in our hands.

After a period of investigation and analysis, there is now a very suitable target - Universal Pictures.

Universal Pictures was born in 1912 when Carl Lemmer, the owner of the American Independent Film Company, merged seven other small film companies to form Universal Pictures.

In 1915, the 230-acre Universal Studios was built, which later became the famous Universal Studios in Los Angeles.

By 1936, unable to repay the loan, the Lemmer father and son handed over the company. The new owner, Cheever Karting, gave up the big productions in favor of giving the green light to the smaller ones, and Universal has been mediocre ever since.

After World War II, Ranke Films, founded by British billionaire Arthur Lanke, bought a quarter of Universal's shares. This is the second time Universal has been sold, albeit only in part.

In 1952, Decca acquired Universal, but the business situation was still not improving.

In 1962, the American music company that had worked with Universal for many years merged with Universal and the new company was called MCA Universal, which gradually became a film company that mainly produced TV shows.

In 1991, Japan's Matsushita Electric bought an 80% stake in MCA Universal from an American music company and became the new owner of Universal Pictures, which was the fifth time Universal was sold. However, Japan's Panasonic Company didn't understand the film industry at all, and it couldn't overcome the huge cultural differences, so it tossed around for a few years. Now MCA Global is doing even worse.

At present, there is news that Panasonic of Japan intends to transfer its shares and give up MCA Universal, so our opportunity has come, if we can win MCA Universal, not only can we make up for the lack of distribution capacity, but also have access to Universal's huge video library and other resources owned by MCA,...... So I hope the company will consider acquiring MCA Global. ”

"Are you going to buy MCA Global?" After reading the information, Zhang Lexing felt incredible, although the acquisition of MCA Global can indeed bring the distribution channel that DreamWorks dreams of, but with DreamWorks' current strength, how can it be possible to eat MCA Universal, which is several times larger than himself, you must know that the unlucky Panasonic Company spent $6 billion to achieve its goal. On the other side, Steven Spielberg and James Cameron and others also think it is incredible, although they are playing movies, but at least they know a little about the company's financial situation, and it is impossible to buy MCA Global under the current situation.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I do have this intention. Eddie Bergner said dryly, "Hmm...... Now I would like to ask Denean to introduce the relevant financial situation to you. ”

"Hello everyone, DreamWorks' total assets are currently about $1.65 billion, with no liabilities, and the company currently has about $550 million in cash available after deducting the funds that have been used for the filming of films and TV series, as well as a portion of the funds set aside according to the shooting plan and the expenses used for the company's marketing operations......

MCA Universal was formed by the merger of the former Universal Pictures and MCA, and its portfolio includes a large number of assets in the film, music and other industries, mainly Universal Studios ...... located in Northwest Los Angeles. According to the survey, Panasonic of Japan owns 80% of the equity of MCA Global, for which Panasonic spent about 6 billion US dollars, due to the operating conditions of MCA Global in recent years are getting worse and worse, so the cost of acquiring this part of the equity should be reduced, according to our analysis, about 32~4 billion US dollars.

If you want to make an acquisition with DreamWorks' own strength, and the funding gap is expected to be 2.65~3.45 billion US dollars, then it must be financed, whether it is through borrowing or adding new investors, and it is necessary to dilute the existing equity for the current shareholders......" Yu Daini paused, looked at everyone's faces, and then said: " In addition, it can also be directly acquired by the group headquarters, I believe that the funds it has should be relatively abundant, once it is successful, it can be merged into the group after the restructuring of MCA Global, so that DreamWorks can also have the ability to issue, although it is not as convenient as directly getting it into the hands, but in the future issuance process can also enjoy better treatment than now. ”

As soon as Yu Daini's voice fell, everyone else nodded in unison, Zhang Lexing understood, or the richest man was the fault of the brand, it seems that everyone has pinned their hopes on themselves. Zhang Lexing will not object to the acquisition of MCA Global, but the amount of funds required for the acquisition is as high as 3.2~4 billion US dollars, which requires careful consideration of the way of operation.

Thinking of this, Zhang Lexing smiled and said to Eddie Bergner: "Okay, this matter will be handed over to me, and I will take MCA Universal back from the Japanese." Well, is there anything else?"

"Zhang, there's something you need to think about. James Cameron pushed a document off the table and continued, "I wanted to make a movie, but they didn't agree, now it's up to you." ”

Zhang Lexing took the information and looked at it, which read: "In order to find the Titanic that sank in the Atlantic Ocean in 1912 and the precious treasure on the ship - the priceless "Heart of the Ocean" gem, the treasure hunter Bullock salvaged a rusty safe from the sunken ship, but there was only a well-preserved sketch - a young woman wearing a diamond necklace. The television news caught the attention of a centenarian woman, who, in a fit of excitement, rushed to Brock's salvage ship by helicopter. It turned out that her name was Rose Dawson, and she was the woman in the portrait, and then the old man told her story.

On April 10, 1912, the "Titanic", known as "the miracle of the world's industrial history", sailed from Southampton......, England to New York, USA.

"Titanic!" Zhang Lexing couldn't help but snort.

"It's the Titanic, and I hope to make a classic romantic film. James Cameron said.

"Is there anything wrong with that?" Zhang Lexing knew that it was a good film and that it was very profitable, so he couldn't understand why anyone would object to it.

"Mr. Zhang, Jim's film budget is 100 million US dollars, and our current budget for other films is generally 5000~60000000 US dollars, which is too high in comparison, I'm afraid it ......" Eddie Bergner explained the reason why he was reluctant to support it.

Zhang Lexing remembered James Cameron's name as a "money-burning director", and couldn't help laughing, it's only 100 million US dollars, that's it, if Eddie Bergner knows that he will exceed this budget, and it will be more than 100 million, it is estimated that he even has the heart to kill. However, Zhang Lexing also knows that James Cameron's films are generally very profitable, such as this "Titanic", which has reached an unprecedented height of 1.8 billion US dollars, and has always ranked first in the global box office list ("Avatar" was not completed when Comrade Zhang Lexing was reborn, so ...... Due to the success of this film, Hollywood films have since entered the threshold of 100 million yuan, and a large number of films with an investment of more than 100 million dollars have been released, and no one can catch up with the success of "Titanic".

So when such a gold mine is placed in front of him, Zhang Lexing obviously will not let it go, so he said to everyone: "I am very optimistic about this film, I hope DreamWorks can shoot it, do you have any opinions?"

James Cameron looked at everyone expectantly, Yu Dani sat expressionlessly, and no one else said anything, but their expressions were not so relaxed.

Zhang Lexing smiled: "Okay, since everyone is quite embarrassed, it is better to change the investment method, DreamWorks will pay 50 million, and the rest will be managed by the East Star Fund, and then it will be divided according to the size of the investment after the film is released." ”

The expressions of Steven Spielberg and the others suddenly relaxed, and Eddie Bergner also spoke: "That's fine, when the time comes, both parties can appoint a trustworthy person to be the producer." ”

This is the end of the main agenda of the board of directors for today......

After the meeting, as soon as Zhang Lexing walked out of the conference room, James Cameron caught up and said to Zhang Lexing: "Zhang, thank you for your support to me, if you are interested, you can come to the set to see it then." ”

"Okay, I'll go when I have time. Zhang Lexing suddenly remembered something: "Jim, you should need a lot of computer special effects shots for this film, have you contacted the production company?"

"There should be quite a few of them in my vision, but the production company has not been contacted yet. Zhang, you want to recommend ILM. James Cameron knew that Zhang Lexing owned half of ILM, and he had worked with ILM several times before, so he thought of it by inertia.

Zhang Lexing shook his head, took out a business card and handed it over: "It's not Industrial Light & Magic, it's a computer special effects company I invested in Hong Kong, called Oriental Shen Yun, the technical level is on par with Industrial Light & Magic, and now there is a secret weapon that can provide better special effects and faster production speed." Jim, I want you to check it out. ”

James Cameron hesitated, but took the card. Hong Kong he had never been to, only known as an oriental metropolis, but for him it was a very distant place on the other side of the world. If someone else said this to James Cameron, he wouldn't even think about it, but Zhang Lexing's words he couldn't help but be cautious, after all, he had just helped himself get the investment in the film, even if he was not interested, he had to express it at this time. Out of trust in Zhang Lexing, James Cameron decided to take some time to visit Hong Kong, maybe Dongfang Shen Yun's secret weapon can really help him.

After James Cameron left, Zhang Lexing was about to go downstairs before walking to the elevator, but he didn't expect Eddie Bergner to be waiting in front of the elevator. Seeing Zhang Le walking over, Eddie Bergner hesitated for a while, but was embarrassed to speak.

Zhang Lexing noticed Eddie Bergner's hesitant expression and asked, "Eddie, is there something wrong, you can talk about it, maybe it can help." ”

"Hmm......" Eddie Bergner slurred for a long time, finally making his meaning clear. It turned out that he had a friend who was working in a brokerage company and was planning to leave the brokerage company to take on more challenging work, and his friend's shares in the brokerage company had to be transferred to someone else. Unfortunately, none of the other partners in the brokerage firm could afford to accept 55% of the shares in the hands of Eddie Bergner's friend, and he couldn't help because not everyone could easily come up with hundreds of millions of dollars in cash. In order to help his friends, Eddie Bergner had to ask for help from others, and there were not many people who had financial strength and trust for him, and the most reassuring of them was undoubtedly Zhang Lexing, so he staged such a play.

After listening to Eddie Bergner's narration, Zhang Lexing thought for a while, in the entertainment industry, the agent company is indispensable, but he will not be wronged by the way, at least he must understand the situation.

"Eddie, what's the name of your friend's company?"

"Ah, Mr. Zhang, would you like to buy my friend's shares?" said Eddie Bergner, looking surprised.

"That's an idea, but Eddie, you're going to have to at least let me know about it first. ”

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhang, I'm so excited. My friend is Michael Ovitz, and his agency is called Innovative Acting Agency, which is his business card, and you can contact him directly if you are interested. ”

"Okay, let me find out about this innovative entertainment agency first. Zhang Lexing took the business card and said noncommittally.

At this moment, there was a "ding" sound, and the elevator door opened......

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