Friday, 18 June 1999.

When the first rays of sunlight in the morning spread over the earth, quietly unveiling the veil of darkness, and gently waking up all things that had been sleeping all night, the deserted streets and alleys gradually gained a trace of popularity.

Burger King, McDonald's, and KFC, which are open 24 hours ×a day, have all opened glass doors to make it easier for customers to enter and exit, and not only that, but the closed signs at the express pick-up counters have also been skillfully replaced.

When the young man in overalls packs food neatly according to the customer's request, collects money with one hand, delivers food with the other, and then shows a mechanical smile to send the old and welcome the new with 'thank you for your patronage' and 'welcome', the whole city is like a sophisticated instrument, with the support of these people who are working hard for their livelihood, and it runs in an orderly manner.

If the earth lacks anyone, it will all turn the same, but if the society lacks people, the system will collapse.

People who get up early and are greedy for darkness are the foundation of the system, and when they set foot on their posts and shine for a new day, all kinds of trades derived from them also radiate their own vitality.

Cable radio stations deliver the latest news from around the world to the public;

The shopping malls that have been opening one after another provide the people with the necessities of life;

public facilities to serve the public;

And Hollywood, which contributes happiness to people......

With the opening of the doors of major studios, the tools responsible for creation have also arrived at their posts.

Under the guidance of the same factory, but with different projects, the lighting, scenery, costumes, props and other major groups are all busy, and while they are busy, actors and directors have also appeared one after another.

But what is different from the past is -

On weekdays, during the filming of major projects, the production director of the crew is in charge of the overall situation, but now, when all the production directors in charge of shooting, finance, and venue arrive at their posts, the producer who controls the overall situation also appears.

The most typical is Universal Studios.

In the "Never Compromise" project team directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, and Alan Eckhart, with the arrival of the main creative team, the film's producer Danny DeVito also smiled and appeared.

Although he is only five feet tall, the guys around him are not judged by his appearance, because he is a classmate of Michael Douglas, a gold medal supporting actor in Hollywood, a good friend of Woody Allen and Tim Burton, and a member of the Jewish gang.

With his appearance, Steven Soderbergh, who had worked with him in "Strategy Master" before, came up to say hello and accompanied him around the crew.

In addition, on the other side of Universal Studios, a similar situation occurred in the crew of "A Woman and Four Men".

While Kristen Thomas, Sean Penn and Anne Bancroft, who starred in the film, communicated with director Philip Haas about today's shooting plans, producer Sidney Pollack, who wore round-rimmed glasses, was accompanied by co-producer Arnone Milkan to spot check the completion of the work in various departments on the set.

And when they found that the work of some departments was not in place, the order to immediately rectify the situation was naturally blurted out, although the attitude was not bad, but the tone was very tough.

This situation also made the staff of Universal Studios a little puzzled.

"What day is it? Normally, these producers don't come to the crew to visit the class at all! ”

In the security monitoring room of the studio, a white fat dun with a belly and not long after going to work muttered suspiciously.

"I don't know! Today's groups are in a very abnormal state! ”

Hearing the words of his companion, the young man who was as thin as a bamboo pole took over the conversation.

"The two crews of 'Uncompromising' and 'One Woman and Four Men' are in fairly normal shape, and while producers Danny DeVito and Sidney Pollack are on the set, both crews have not stopped work because of their presence."

"But it's different here in "Three Kings of Prison Escape".

Speaking of this, the thin finger pointed to the surveillance screen in front of him, "You see, the stars of "The Three Kings of Escape" George Cloo, John Turtoro, and Tim Nelson are filming under the leadership of producer and director Joel Cohen, while Joel Cohen's brother Ethan Coen is in the inspection team facilities......"

"Before that, it wouldn't have been possible!"

"The Coen brothers are only creating, how can they focus on other bits and pieces?"

"There are too many production directors doing chores under them, and they don't have to worry about trivial things at all!"

"But what about today? But he put down the shooting and checked every link himself! ”

"It's so abnormal, something big must have happened!"

"Did you hear something?" The fat man turned his head to look at the thin man and asked curiously.

"I'm in the same class as you, you don't know, what do I know?"

The thin bamboo pole shrugged his shoulders and said, "I'm just guessing, guess do you understand?" ”

"Hey!" Hearing this, the fat man rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair again, "I thought you knew something." ”

Doing this made the thin bamboo pole raise his eyebrows, "Why are you like this?" ”

Faced with the accusations of his companions, the fat man didn't bother to pay attention to them at all.

The little mung bean-like eyes moved back to the surveillance, casting a curious gaze on the colorful picture.

Under his gaze, the project teams of other factories have also arrived one after another, and like the three major crews, those small-cost project teams and TV drama project teams are also frantically checking and filling in the gaps.

That hard-working state is like a candidate who is about to go to the battlefield, for fear that he will not bring the admission ticket and ID card, not to mention, and he is afraid that the black pen will be blue.

And while they were checking, the time was also passing minute by minute, when the hands of the clock quietly went to half past eight, a low-key black Buick also quietly entered the set, when the blonde lady in a red shirt got out of the car, the fat man who was watching the surveillance suddenly shouted, "Wow! Isn't this Stacy Schneider? ”

"Why is she here!"

"Could it be that those people just checked themselves because they knew she was coming?"

Stassy Schneider, a graduate of California State University, soon after receiving a law degree, became Jerry Bruckheimer's secretary, and in '92 she moved from the other studio's to Sony, becoming a content executive at Sony Columbia-Samsung Pictures, and after seven years at Sony, she came to Universal at the beginning of this year and was promoted to president of the studio.

Although he is a new official and is in a high position, for the guy who watches the surveillance, it is instinct to shout.

After all, that's what they eat this bowl of rice.

Like security, if they don't recognize people, they'll have a lot of fun.

However, after hearing the surprised words of his companion, the thin man, who was already dissatisfied with the fat man's attitude, provoked a thorn.

"Aren't you?"

"Although Stacy Schneider is the president of the film company, she still has a certain gap compared to those big names."

"If she had just come alone, the Sean Penn, Julia Roberts, and Coen brothers who were filming on the set would have been able to handle her, and Sidney Pollack and Danny DeVito wouldn't have shown up because of her at all!"

Maybe it's because the thin man's words are full of sarcasm, but it's also possible that he really understands a lot, so after hearing such an analysis, the fat man, who previously felt that the thin man's colleagues couldn't bring him insider revelations, immediately ignored the previous unpleasantness and asked: "Then you mean that Stacy Schneider, the president, is just a pathfinder?" ”

"I didn't say that!" Seeing that Fat Dun asked himself for advice again, the corners of the thin man's mouth also hooked, "It's not ......"

"According to the status of the circle, her position really can't allow a big guy like Sidney Pollack to come to the scene in person."

The words full of class discrimination made the fat man very interested.

took out a box of cigarettes from his pocket, and just wanted to take out one and light it, but the next second, the movement of 'cough cough cough' made him wake up.

"This is the monitoring room! There is a smoke alarm! ”

"If you don't want to do it, then just type the resignation report, don't pull me in!"

Although he was scolded back by the thin man, the fat man didn't care, but took the initiative to get up and brew two cups of coffee and sent them to the other party, "Brother, you came earlier than me and know more than me, tell me about it~"

Such an attitude made the thin bamboo pole very satisfied, although he understood that after he satisfied the fat man's curiosity, this guy would throw out a stinky face like before, but, it didn't matter at all, right?

Because the next time he wants to know something, he will still shout sweetly.

So, after taking a sip of coffee, he looked at the picture on the monitoring screen and told the story......

"In our industry, the hierarchy is much more complicated than other circles."

"In other industries, the president of a company is a considerable position, and those who work large and small below have to look at their faces, but in our industry, the president is also very big, and those who work below are also managed by them, but at the same time, there are also many people who work, and they don't need to look at their faces to act, not only that, but many times, in front of these big names, the president is just a position that can be replaced at any time."

"Because whether these presidents can sit in this position depends on the company's performance, and how does the performance of our entertainment company come about? Don't you still rely on various film and television drama projects? If it's an ordinary director, screenwriter, lighting, set, and actor, these presidents will naturally step on it if they want to, but if it's a popular actress like Julia Roberts......"

"Do you see these guys ignoring her?"

While the thin man was talking, Stacy Schneider, the president of Universal Pictures in the surveillance footage, had already planned to wander around the various project teams.

She went to the biggest names on the set of "One Woman and Four Men," then went on to the "Uncompromising" studio with Julia Roberts, then to "The Three Kings" with the Coen brothers and George Clooney......

It's in the miscellaneous photo studio, swaying back and forth.

As the thin man said, in the first three crews, the executive producer was responsible for the reception, and the producer chatted with her for a few words at most, and then continued to keep an eye on the shooting, and no one would stop the work at hand because of her arrival.

But the projects of low-cost film and television dramas in the back are different.

When they learned that the president of the film company was coming to their side, they took a break when they didn't shoot anymore, and they just finished filming the part at hand, so they stopped what they were doing in the name of finding a feeling.

When the other party arrived, the guys came up to say hello like licking dogs.

It's a pity -

In the face of these enthusiastic guys, Stacy Schneider stayed far less than the previous three crew leaders.

"So, what do you mean......" Looking at the various states of life transmitted from the surveillance video, the fat man turned his brain and guessed curiously, "This is the chairman of the film industry?" Ron Meyer? ”

Since August '95, Ron Meyer has served as the chairman of the board of directors and chief operating officer of Universal Pictures, and although he has not made any big hits, he is still the biggest boss of Universal Pictures.

Now that the surveillance footage has proved that those creative bigwigs don't like Stacy Schneider at all, the only person the fat man can think of is him.

But this kind of speculation is actually a little worse in the eyes of the thin man.

"Although Ron Meyer is the chairman of the board of directors of Universal Pictures, there are still many people who can make him look up and speak, like Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks-led "Tornado" is a project that Ron Meyer tries his best to swallow, but in front of Spielberg, how much Universal can invest is not something he can say at all."

"And for the project "Jurassic Park 2", the Universal he led does not even have the right to participate."

"Although none of these guys on the scene have the same power as Spielberg, but those old men, at least they can be on an equal footing with him, so that they can rush over and wait for someone in the morning? It's so unrealistic......"

The thin man's words made the fat man raise his eyebrows, and looked at Stacey Schneider, who returned to the "Uncompromising" studio to watch the shooting, and his eyes rolled straight up, "It can't be from Universal Company, right?" ”

On March 5, 95, the Canadian-based Sgrang Wine Group acquired the American music company from Panasonic, and then, on July 10 of that year, CAA executive Ron Meyer was poached by Sgeland to the world.

In December '98, the entire company underwent a large-scale acquisition and reorganization, and Universal Music Group was born, but Universal Pictures, which originally belonged to the American music company, was not divested, so it ......

Universal Pictures is actually a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.

Although in the realm of Hollywood, when people mention Universal, they specifically refer to Universal Pictures, but if Universal is specifically emphasized, it is Universal Pictures' father, Universal Music Group.

No way, as a subsidiary that doesn't make money, Universal Pictures is a stinky brother.

The fat man's analysis made the thin man very satisfied, "I also think it may be from the Universal Company......"

"Although there has always been a rumor in our circle that 'those who make movies look down on those who shoot TV, those who shoot TV look down on those who sing, those who sing look down on those who shoot commercials, and those who shoot commercials look down on those who walk the runway', music companies have always made more money than film companies."

"Although these big names won't pay attention to the executives of the film company, they won't be too stingy in front of the real financiers, plus Universal Music is the parent company of Universal Pictures, so if those executives really come today, it will be more good than bad for these guys!"

Such an analysis made the fat man deeply agree.

Although the topic of conversation between the two has nothing to do with them, but it is not a pleasure for them to be able to watch those guys who are usually high up and whisper to others?

Usually, the person who deals with them the most is the production director of each district.

I lost something and flipped through the surveillance, deleted the record when there was a scandal, and was secretly photographed to find the real culprit......

Whenever something bad happens, they're always the first to be called in and asked.

Of course, if it's a simple inquiry, that's fine.

The point is that the people have a high-minded attitude that makes them feel like prisoners being interrogated.

The subsequent sealing request made them feel humiliated.

You guys made a bunch of yourself, and we ended up shutting down?

You're a!

I don't even pay hush money!

If it weren't for the fact that the salary of this job is okay, they would have quit a long time ago, but even if the salary is good, it can't resist people's greed......

Although he hid behind the monitor and punched hard, as long as he could watch that dog-like guy bend over and smile-

This is already a sure win!

"Look, aren't you a dog too?"

Drinking coffee and humming songs, watching those bigwigs sit patiently in the studio under the sun, blowing the air conditioner, not to mention how happy they are, and when the time quietly came to nine o'clock, Ron Meyer, also appeared.

As they had guessed, Ron Meyer, who was in the higher ranks, only walked around the three important film crews, and then got together with the producers to chat in the cooler lounge area.

Isn't this a blatant waiting for someone!

It wasn't until about half past nine that an old man with gray hair appeared in the car.

When the black leather shoes stepped on the hot earth, and the neatly ironed formal clothes were meticulously stretched on the body, even if they didn't go out to feel it, even if they were separated by two screens, the fat and thin head could still feel that there was a heat wave, wrapping himself fiercely!

With his appearance, the news had already been received, and everyone who arrived at the scene and waited was all around.

Ron Meyer was the first to shake hands and hug him, followed by famous directors such as Sidney Pollack, and after they had finished greeting, it was the turn of Stacey Schneider and some of the biggest names in the circle to say hello.

"Who is this guy!" The fat man shuddered, and the cup in his hand almost smashed, "Isn't he hot?" ”

Although the question is very naïve, the thin man does not care.

Because at this moment, he-

The facial features are about to burst out of the cheeks!

“Fuck！ Isn't this Frank Biondi? Looking at the old man on the screen, the thin man exclaimed.

But after hearing the name, the fat man was still confused, "Frank Biondi? Who is he? ”

"Don't you know?" The thin man quickly turned his head, glanced at his colleague suspiciously, and then in the shortest possible time, he looked back again, "Frank Biondi turned out to be the CEO of Viacom!" ”

"In '96, he was poached from Viacom by our big boss, Edgar Bronfman Jr., and is now the chairman and CEO of Universal!"

"Not to mention Universal Pictures, even in Universal Music, that's his biggest!"

"Because he's reporting directly to Edgar Bronfman Jr.!"

Edgar Bronfman Jr. is the second generation of stupid beeps who controls Sgeland and can sell DuPont's stock worth 12 billion for 9 billion, but even if he is stupid, he is not comparable to the fat and thin head.

So when the fat man learned that the old man in front of him could represent the will of the group's biggest boss, he was still watching the excitement and became excited, not only that, but he also fantasized and asked-

"Does this mean that the head office wants to vigorously develop Universal Pictures?"

"Last year, the head office spent 10.6 billion yuan to buy Polygram, making Universal Music the world's largest record label, so this year, do they also want to make some big moves for Universal Pictures?"

"The Mummy, which we launched this year, has a box office of 400 million!"

"The released "Notting Hill" also has more than 300 million!"

"Do they think that the film company has good results and has the possibility of becoming bigger, so they came to the set to take a look?"

"And if they are willing to inject funds, doesn't that mean that our treatment also has a lot of room for improvement?"

The words that resembled a dream made the thin man look confused.

The big boss here just came down to inspect, and you're thinking about a promotion and a salary increase?

Die, I'm afraid you didn't wake up!

But just when he wanted to complain a few words viciously, so that the fat man stuffed the-like thoughts back into his head, the changes in the characters in the monitoring picture made him swallow the words that came to his mouth again.

Because when Ron Mayer and those guys all said hello to Frank Biondi, they didn't mean to enter the set to inspect at all, but just stuck in place.

The appearance of stopping and looking up at it seemed to be waiting for someone.

This situation made the thin man frown, because in his opinion, the whole group can be greeted by Frank Biandi like this, the big boss of the group company, the current chairman of the company, Edgar Bronnman Jr. -

Daddy!

That's right, in his eyes, Edgar Bronfman Jr. doesn't deserve such a welcome from Frank Biondi.

Because Frank Biondi used to be messed with Satsuma Raishidong!

As one of Satsuma Leishidong's two lieutenants, Frank Biondi was invited by Edgar Blonnman Jr. to take care of the entertainment company!

It's little Edgar Bloomman begging him to save the company, not him begging for nothing to!

For this kind of guy who can go to the world, little Edgar Bromfman's kind of gentleman will never win his respect, even if the other party has to come to inspect, this old man will only wait for the other party inside, so-

"So there's a big guy coming?"

When this speculation was blurted out by the thin man, he himself was startled by this thought, but just when he wanted to shake his head and put this unrealistic idea behind him, the fat man, who also noticed that something was wrong, suddenly pointed to the monitoring of the gate and shouted: "Oh my goodness!" Another car is coming! ”

"That's not right! It's three! ”

Hearing this, the thin man suddenly turned his gaze and looked in the direction of the fat man's finger.

An ordinary black Mercedes-Benz, without showing identification, just by two car horns, let the doorman guarding the door pull up the railing and wave his hand to let it go.

As it entered, the other two vehicles that followed it also entered directly, without the slightest hint of explanation.

This scene made the fat and thin head Tuo's eyes widen, as the content output of the six major ones, unless they are familiar with their own people, how can they get the right to enter just by swiping the license plate?

But if it's your own person-

"Could it be that a few other companies want to buy Universal?"

"Or maybe Universal wants to buy other studios?"

Apart from these two reasons, the thin man can't think of any other explanation at all!

Because if it's any other small business, then there's no need for Frank Biondi to come forward at all!

But if it's the first one, it's bad news for them!

Because all acquisitions will bring the bad news of layoffs!

If it's the second option, that's good news for them!

Because all acquisitions will bring about the decision of salary increase!

It is precisely because they feel that their future life has been dominated by those three Mercedes-Benz, so after seeing the figure of the car, they widen their eyes and try to catch the unknown movement.

And when the car stopped steadily in front of the group led by Frank Biondi-

The breathing of the fat and thin head has stagnated.

At this moment, their hearts have been chanting "MGM! MGM! MGM! ”

Because in addition to MGM, Warner, Disney, Fox, Paramount, and Sony were not acquired by Universal!

However, just as their hearts were beating faster and expecting a better life to come, the young man who got out of the car made them stunned on the spot, not because he was too young, but because he was dressed too casually!

Flower Shirt ......

Beach Pants ......

Flip-flop ......

There is also a toad mirror on the nose......

Compared with those social elites in suits and leather shoes, he is simply funny!

Not only that, after getting out of the car, in the face of the old men and women who were obviously waiting for him, he just nodded and said hello, and then ran to the other side and drove the door......

This scene made the fat and thin head puzzled!

Is this the rich second generation of which family?

Why are you so arrogant!

But after the young man opened the car door and led the young woman who was also dressed casually to get out of the car, the uncovered face made the fat and thin head in the monitoring room jump up directly!

“Fuck！！！！！”

"Isn't this Kate Winslet?!!!"

"That guy can be so close to her? That means he's Roland Allen!! ”

"Oh my God!"

"So many people have been waiting since eight in the morning! The bigwigs of the film company and the music group were all present, and the result was Roland Allen? This...... This...... This ......"

"What's going on???!!! this?"