After leaving DreamWorks in Burbank, the first thing Zhang Lexing did was to call Russell Market Research and arrange for them to investigate MCA Universal, ABC and Innovative Entertainment Agency. In addition to the current situation of these three companies, Zhang Lexing also specifically asked to investigate whether other companies are interested in acquiring MCA Universal and ABC.

After explaining clearly, Zhang Lexing called the East Star Fund and asked them to arrange for someone to contact James Cameron immediately to discuss the film investment, and also negotiate with DreamWorks about cooperative investment. After all the arrangements were made and after a night's rest, Zhang Lexing returned to San Jose, since he planned to acquire one or two companies, it was obviously very necessary to consult with professionals.

As soon as he arrived in San Jose, the investigation report of Russell Market Research Company was delivered, and Zhang Lexing flipped through it slightly, and the report read: "...... MCA Universal was formed in 1962 by the merger of American Music Company and Universal Pictures, and currently 80% of the equity is owned by Matsushita Electric of Japan, and the remaining 20% of the equity is divided between the company's management Leo Vasalman and Sid Szydschinberg. MCA Universal's current assets include Universal Studios Northwest of Los Angeles...... The company's total assets are $200 million, including liabilities of $200 million and net assets of $200 million......

According to the investigation, Japan's Matsushita Electric intends to transfer its 80% stake in MCA Global, and its agent is banker Hubbert Alain......

If it is necessary to acquire 80% of the shares of MCA Global owned by Matsushita Electric of Japan, the amount required is expected to be 33~4 billion US dollars.

Headquartered in New York, ABC was formerly known as Blue Network, one of two broadcasting networks owned by NBC. In October 1943, confectionery merchant Edward Noble bought it for 8 million yuan, and on June 15, 1945, it was officially renamed ABC. In March 1985, Metropolitan Communications was acquired for $3.5 billion, and the company was changed to Metropolitan ABC, but it generally still used its original name.

Currently, Metropolitan ABC owns and operates the ABC television network, seven ABC-owned radio stations, eight affiliated television stations, and an 80% stake in the highly rated ESPN cable sports channel......

The ownership structure of Metropolitan ABC is 18% owned by Berkshire......

According to the investigation, Disney is interested in acquiring ABC, and the two sides have made preliminary contacts, and the specific situation needs to be further investigated......

If the acquisition of Metropolitan ABC is required, the preliminary estimate is that the amount required is not less than $15 billion.

Innovative Performing Arts Agency (CAA) was founded in 1975 by five agents, including Michael Ovitz...... The company currently has a number of film and television stars such as Sean Connery, Paul Newman, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, and a large number of top singers and bands...... The company's current total assets are ...... Annual Income......

The acquisition of a 55% stake in Innovative Performing Arts Agency is expected to cost $800 million. ”

In this report, Zhang Lexing looked at the part of the innovative performing arts agency most carefully, after all, it was recommended by Eddie Bergner, and if the conditions are right, of course, it is better to agree as soon as possible. Zhang Lexing doesn't know about the agency company, he only knows that it is a communication bridge between the film and television company and the artist, but having an agent company is obviously of great benefit to the development of his film and television entertainment company, so when he heard that Eddie Bergner's friend was going to transfer the shares of a brokerage company, Zhang Lexing was still a little interested, and the only thing he was worried about was the level of the brokerage company, but after reading the investigation report, this worry no longer existed.

So Zhang Lexing immediately called Eddie Bergner, telling him that he had decided to buy 55% of the shares of his friend's innovative performing arts agency, and then notified the Red River Fund by phone, asking them to arrange for someone to negotiate with Eddie Bergner's friend about buying shares.

Putting down the phone, Zhang Lexing came to the headquarters building of VisualSystem Group with the investigation report, swiped the card and went to the floor of the chairman's office through the elevator, and walked into Yang Xinxin's office along the aisle.

Yang Xinxin was sitting on the sofa chatting happily with Mai Jiajun at this time, when she heard the sound of someone coming in, she stood up and looked out, and when she saw that it was Zhang Lexing, she asked in surprise: "Brother, don't you still want to accompany your friends to play in Los Angeles for two days? Why did you come back?" ”

Zhang Lexing shrugged his shoulders and said helplessly: "I'm busy with work, I'll arrange someone else to take them to play." Actually, I've just returned from Burbank, and I have something to ask you both. ”

Yang Xinxin beckoned and said, "Brother, come and sit, if there is something to talk about slowly." ”

Mak Jiajun also said: "Yes, if there is anything to say." ”

Zhang Lexing came to the sofa and sat down, threw the investigation report on MCA Universal and ABC on the coffee table, and said, "You guys take a look at this information first." ”

Mai Jiajun reached out and picked up the investigation report, opened it and studied it, Yang Xinxin leaned over and looked at it together. After a long while, the two of them finished reading the information.

"You want to buy these companies. Yang Xinxin glanced at the numbers on the investigation report and sighed to Zhang Lexing: "$4 billion, $15 billion, brother, you are so generous!"

"Lexing, do you really want to buy these two companies?" Mai Jiajun put down the investigation report in his hand and asked.

Zhang Lexing nodded: "MCA Universal is mainly a distribution channel that DreamWorks needs, and can further expand its business scope in the entertainment industry, while ABC is what I want." After I bought satellite TV two years ago, I built some new channels, set up a satellite media, and then established Shuxiang Newspaper, if I successfully acquired ABC, then I could form a more powerful media group, and I could also exchange resources with DreamWorks to develop and grow together. ”

"The acquisition of MCA Global is not difficult, this Panasonic company seems to be planning to let go, the key is at what price it can take. This requires further investigation, and the more you know about MCA Global, the better it will be to drive down the price of its changing hands, but be careful if there are other bidders. Lexing, your idea of buying ABC is still very good," Mak Jiajun said appreciatively, and then changed the conversation: "However, maybe you don't know much about the investment environment in the United States, as far as I know, foreigners cannot own more than 25% of the shares of radio stations and wireless television, which means that no matter how much money you have, as long as you are not an American, you can only buy 25% of the shares of ABC at most, and you can't achieve the purpose of controlling at all, and you can only be a shareholder without veto power in it." ”

"Ah, there's such a thing. Zhang Lexing was stunned, he really hadn't paid attention to this aspect of the problem, and he couldn't imagine that there was such a restriction on the United States, so now it seems that it is obviously impossible to achieve the purpose of acquiring the ABC in his own capacity.

"Yes, there are such limitations. Mak explained: "In fact, there are restrictions not only on radio and television, but also on foreign capital in many other places. For example, domestic air transportation, nuclear energy production and utilization, inland waterways, inland lakes and offshore shipping are expressly prohibited from foreign investment. The telecommunications industry, for example, is a restricted investment. ”

"Then I don't have anything to do. Zhang Lexing asked unwillingly.

"That's not true, in fact, the solution to this problem is also very simple, since there are restrictions on foreign investment in radio and television, then if it is an American, then there is no such restriction. As far as I know, media tycoon Mercado encountered this obstacle when he bought the TV station, and it was only after applying for American citizenship that he was able to successfully complete the acquisition. So......" When he said this, Mai Jiajun stopped, and looked at Zhang Lexing with a pair of eyes with deep meaning.

"Do you want me to apply for U.S. citizenship?" Zhang Lexing understood what Mak Jiajun meant, but still couldn't believe it.

Mai Jiajun nodded and said, "This is the easiest and most trouble-free way. ”

"But you know my principles, this matter has crossed my bottom line, and I will not agree. Zhang Lexing refused without hesitation.

"Once you take this step, many of the restrictions that are placed on you disappear immediately, and with the amount of assets you have, I believe that the USCIS will be more than happy to help you with the procedures. Mak Ka Chun's voice was full of seduction.

In fact, Zhang Lexing also knows that once he has American nationality, it will be much more convenient to do a lot of things, many of the restrictions that have been in place will no longer be effective, and the number of projects that can be invested in the United States will also be greatly increased, and if he returns to China to invest after changing his nationality, he will be able to go unimpeded in most fields, if he continues to maintain his current nationality, then it basically means that he is insulated from the acquisition of the American Broadcasting Corporation, and because of the existence of Disney as a competitor, he is likely to completely lose the opportunity.

On the one hand, there is a broad road full of opportunities, and on the other hand, there is the principle and bottom line of life, which is really a difficult choice for Zhang Lexing to make right away......

At Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport, after a rollercoaster-like landing process, James Cameron stepped off the plane alone, and his girlfriend Linda Hamilton also planned to follow, but their daughter Josephine happened to be a little uncomfortable, and Linda Hamilton had to stay and take care of her daughter.

Standing on the flat ground, James Cameron still felt a little dizzy, maybe because of the heart-pounding landing, maybe because of the unfamiliar environment around him, he rested for a while before he eased up. Following the signs inside the airport, James Cameron came to the exit of the terminal and took a red taxi based on what he had asked from the information desk. The driver's English was not very good, and James Cameron couldn't let the driver figure out where to go for a long time, and finally took out the business card that Zhang Lexing gave him to solve the problem of where to go.

The car drove for a while, and suddenly stopped in front of a building, the driver turned around and gestured a few times, James Cameron felt that the driver's meaning seemed to be the place arrived, so according to his habit of taking a taxi in the United States, he took out a handful of dollars and handed it over, and then did not ask for money, and directly opened the car door and got out of the car.

James Cameron didn't see obvious signs around the building, and he couldn't help but worry about whether he had gotten out of the wrong car, and after stopping a few people in a row, he finally determined that the building in front of him was where the oriental charm he was looking for was located. took the elevator to the 8th floor, and as the elevator door opened, James Cameron immediately saw the huge logo of Oriental Shen Yun, and it seemed that he was really looking for the wrong place.

When I stepped out of the elevator, I was greeted by a reception desk with a beautiful front desk lady sitting in it. Seeing James Cameron coming out of the elevator, the front desk lady immediately greeted him and asked politely, "Hello sir, have you made an appointment?"

"Appointment?" James Cameron was stunned, remembering that he came suddenly, and even Zhang Lexing forgot to notify him, and it was impossible to make an appointment.

"Sir, what is your name, I can check it for you, maybe someone else has registered for you. The front desk lady said with a smile.

"My name is James Cameron. James Cameron had no choice but to give his name a try, otherwise it would have been a trip in vain.

"Oh, it's Mr. Cameron, our boss has already explained it, please wait a minute. The front desk lady turned back to the reception desk and picked up the phone to connect.

Unexpectedly, it was really useful, and James Cameron couldn't help but secretly rejoice in his heart. After a while, a man wearing glasses walked over from the side, not far from the reception desk, and he greeted: "Mr. Cameron, welcome to Oriental Shen Yun, I am Lin Feng, the person in charge here, you can also call me Raymond." My boss told me that you have recently returned to Hong Kong and asked us to treat you well. Mr. Cameron, why don't I give you a tour of the company first? ”

I came to Hong Kong to investigate the computer special effects production ability of this oriental charm, and since the other party took the initiative to propose it, James Cameron naturally agreed.

Lin Feng took James Cameron into Dongfang Shen Yun's office, and as he walked, he also introduced: "Mr. Cameron, the production center of Dong Fang Shen Yun has a total of eight floors, in addition to the entire floor, there are seven floors upstairs. At present, there are 850 people working in the production center, many of whom have worked in ILM before. In films such as "Terminator 2" and "Jurassic Park", we have worked with ILM and provided computer special effects production services for the filmmakers. ”

"'Terminator 2' was made by you guys together, why didn't I know anything about it?" said James Cameron.

"Mr. Cameron, at that time, we were not very old, and most of us studied in ILM, and when we participated in the production of Terminator 2, it was under the name of ILM, so it's not surprising that you haven't heard of it. Lin Feng explained.

"Oh, I see. James Cameron suddenly understood.

"Mr. Cameron, please come this way. Lin Feng made a "please" gesture, and then said, "This is the computer special effects production department, I think what you are most concerned about should be here." ”

Of course, James Cameron cared, and this time he came here for the computer special effects department, so he followed Lin Feng over. But at first glance, he was disappointed, this so-called computer special effects production department, there are still quite a lot of people, and there are quite a lot of computers, but almost all of them are ordinary PCs, and there are hardly a few SGI workstations. In this case, no matter how strong the production ability is and how rich the imagination is, I don't know how long it will take to finish the final rendering of the picture, which is not good at all.

It seems that Mr. Zhang is still overestimating his compatriots, and this so-called computer special effects department is expected to be able to serve the local film company. James Cameron thought so in his heart, but he still had reservations, after all, the investment in his film was still in the hands of others.

Lin Feng saw the disappointment in James Cameron's expression, but he didn't panic when he knew the bottom in his heart, and after reading the computer special effects production department, he sent out an invitation again: "Mr. Cameron, are you a little disappointed, in fact, the computer special effects production department is not only what you just saw, we also have a secret weapon." ”

It's a secret weapon again, James Cameron remembered that when he was in the United States, Zhang Lexing also mentioned the secret weapon of Oriental Shen Yun, could it be that there is really any secret, so he asked curiously: "What is the secret weapon?"

Lin Feng smiled and said, "Mr. Cameron, you can come and take a look with me." ”

James Cameron followed Lin Feng downstairs in confusion, and when he reached the 8th floor, Lin Feng didn't mean to stop at all, and continued to go down.

"Downstairs is also a place for oriental charm?" asked James Cameron.

Lin Feng nodded: "This is the place we only rented this year, the secret weapon is on this floor, wait a minute, you can see it right away." ”

Coming to the 7th floor, Lin Feng picked up his identification card and swiped it at the door, the door opened, and then registered at the guard at the door, and then led James Cameron inside. didn't go far, Lin Feng swiped the identification card again, then opened a door next to him, pushed the door and walked in.

"Look, Mr. Cameron, that's our secret weapon – rendering clusters. Lin Feng said with a finger in his hand.

There were many multi-layered cabinets in the room very regularly, and there were three computer cases on each floor of the cabinet, and James Cameron was puzzled: "What are these?

"It's really a computer, but through the latest research results of our group research institute, a rendering cluster built with 500 computers is built, and after the design is completed by the production center above, the rendering cluster is transmitted here through a private network, and the rendering task of the picture will be completed according to the requirements. With the speed equivalent of 80 SGI workstations working in parallel, rendering jobs that used to take a full day can now be completed in less than an hour. Lin Feng explained.

"So fast. James Cameron was taken aback, and he couldn't imagine that there was such a sharp weapon hidden in the far east, so it seemed that the computer special effects of "Titanic" could be done a little better.

"Mr. Cameron, it's not fast. Our group's research institute is working on a high-performance computer project, which, if successful, will only need a place the size of a cabinet to replace the current computer in an entire room, and the rendering speed can be increased by a hundred times, and the rendering effect can be more refined. Lin Feng revealed mysteriously.

Hearing this, James Cameron's heart couldn't help but move, if the project in front of him is true, then the sci-fi movie he is conceiving seems to have hope, and it seems that he needs to make a choice for this......

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