Eric was pestered by Peter Cooper and talked for nearly an hour. If there weren't any important meetings to attend next, Eric would probably have been consumed by this guy this morning.

After seeing off Peter Cooper, Eric soon arrived at the conference room of Firefly Headquarters. At this time, the management staff at the head level of Firefly Film Department had almost arrived, and even many senior executives from overseas branches rushed back, with a total of forty or fifty people. Because in June, as a film and television entertainment company, Firefly's departments will usher in the busiest period. In order not to delay work, the management arranged the operation and financial summary meeting for the first half of the year at the end of May. Firefly is not a listed company, so there is no need to wait for the official financial report of the first half of the year before conducting business summary and adjustments in accordance with the requirements of the board of directors.

The film market in North America was not very popular in the first half of the year. Only Paramount Pictures's "Peach Deal" released during Easter was lucky enough to get a box office of over 100 million US dollars. Firefly released a total of seven medium and low-cost movies in the first six months of 1993. The best box office performance was a family adventure comedy called "Cat and Dog Game", produced by Disney label and released by Bowei International. North America received more than 43 million US dollars in box office, and the total box office of the seven films in North America was only 180 million US dollars.

This figure seems a bit inconspicuous, but Firefly's total turnover in the first half of the year in film videotape sales, surrounding copyright operations, theme parks, Disney stores and other businesses reached US$2.2 billion, and its pre-tax profit exceeded US$250 million. In this way, the revenue in movie box office has only accounted for about 10% of Firefly Pictures' total turnover. Eric knows very well. If this revenue ratio is really reached, it will be the healthiest business structure of a comprehensive media group. This will also make a media company's risk resistance strongest and will not fall into the dilemma of bankruptcy because of the failure of one or two movies.

However, in fact, Fireflies is far from reaching this level. The reason why they temporarily show such revenue is mainly because most of the first half of the year was in the off-season of the movies. The most popular summer and new year periods were concentrated in the last six months of the year. Fireflies' main films were also released within the last six months of the year. The only summer seasons, "Jurassic Park", "The Great Collision of Heaven and Earth" and "The Crisis of the Bugs" totaled 200 million US dollars in production costs. This exceeded the total production and distribution costs of the seven movies in the first half of the year.

The entire meeting ended until 4:30 pm. Although it was still half an hour before getting off work, Eric had already planned to go home early. However, he had just packed up his things and was stopped by Carsonberg. Behind him was Patrick Schneider, the head of Disneyland Paris. Because of the major mistakes in the operation of Disneyland Paris last year, Eric and Carsonberg originally planned to withdraw Patrick Schneider back to their headquarters, but then the operation of Disneyland France had a good change under the operation of Patrick Schneider. After Eric discussed with Carsonberg, he decided to let Patrick Schneider stay for the time being.

Today's meeting also talked about the situation of Disneyland Paris. In the first two quarters, the total number of tourists at Disneyland Paris reached 6 million. The operation also reached a balance of revenue and expenditure, and it may even achieve a certain profit in the second half of the year. As a project that was seriously out of control during the development process, Eric's requirement for Disneyland Paris was to maintain the balance of revenue and expenditure. It would not become a drag from the group. Eric was overjoyed. You should know that after the opening of Disneyland Paris in the original time and space, it basically brought hundreds of millions of dollars in losses to Disney headquarters every year, and there were very few years of profitability.

"Eric, that's it. Louis Bartello, the representative of the French investor in Disneyland Paris, also came to Los Angeles. France is not very satisfied with the current situation of Disneyland Paris. They hope to regain the operating rights of Disneyland Paris." Katzenberg has never been a long-winded person. He is not used to be roundabout and he said the reason for stopping Eric in a few words.

Eric did not take the two back to his office, and directly signaled the two to sit down at the conference table, asking: "I remember that last year we had already told them the situation of Disneyland Paris very clearly, and we have made great changes. Isn't the situation always developing in a good direction? Why do they still have this idea?"

Patrick Schneider, who was sitting on the other side, knew the most about the inside story and said: "Mr. Williams, the situation at Disneyland Paris is indeed developing in a positive direction, but the gap is too big compared to the profitability of Disneyland Tokyo. The reason why the French have this idea should be influenced by the Japanese who run Tokyo Disneyland independently."

Eric sneered in his heart. The French made a good plan, but did not consider whether he had the strength. The success of Tokyo Disneyland mainly lies in the Japanese's recognition and worship of American culture. These conditions do not exist in Europe. He remembered that in the original time and space, because of the huge losses in the early stage of Disneyland, Disney's headquarters was forced to give up control of the park. As a result, Disney's situation in the hands of the French for more than ten years has not changed at all, but has become increasingly a burden on Disney. With this alone, Eric could not give up control of Disney Paris. Disney's headquarters finally had rich operating experience, which is why Disneyland Paris quickly adjusted and gradually improved in less than a year after discovering the problem. If it was handed over to the French, who knew what these people would make the park look like.

"Anyway, we will definitely not transfer control of Disneyland Paris," Eric said, looking at the two of them, and asked, "Does Louis Bartrow want to see me?"

"He invited us to attend a cocktail party in the evening and talk about it by the way. We both agreed. After all, we came from afar, so we just told you and discuss how to deal with it." Carsonberg said, obviously he knew that Eric would not attend this so-called cocktail party.

"I won't go," Eric shook his head, thought for a while, and said, "Don't the French gaze at Tokyo Disneyland? Since they want to get back control, they are not allowed..."

Before Eric finished speaking, Carsonberg hurriedly said: "Eric, absolutely not."

Eric stopped Carsonberg's words and smiled and said, "Wait until I finish it. You know that I was entangled by Peter and Coopers some time ago. If we refuse, I think I will definitely be entangled by the French in the future, so I will open the price. Since they want to get control like the Japanese, just like the Japanese, we can buy all the shares of Disneyland in Paris back. We can only charge patent licensing fees like Tokyo Disneyland."

When Katzenberg heard Eric say this, he felt relieved. Patrick Schneider also smiled and said, "This is a good way. If the French are willing to buy our shares, the headquarters can get rid of this big burden, and we can also continue to make profits from Disneyland Paris in a stable manner. In the future, even if Disneyland Paris cannot hold on to the French, we don't need to bear too much responsibility."

Although the situation at Disneyland Paris improved, as the person in charge, Patrick Schneider actually didn't have many relaxed moments in his heart, and most of the time he was worried that the situation of the park would suddenly deteriorate. If he could put aside this burden and return to his post in the headquarters, he would really be eager to do so. However, he also knew that this was unlikely. The French would not be stupid enough to take all the risks into his arms. Therefore, Eric put forward this condition basically cut off the French's idea of ​​taking back Disneyland Paris.

Katzenberg also said at this time: "Since that's the case, Eric. Maybe you can come together for the evening party. Isn't it better for you to personally tell Louis Bartrow to you? Isn't it better for him to hear this condition? I'm looking forward to his expression when he hears this condition."

Eric shook his head and said, "Forget it, there is no need. In addition, Jeffrey, although he has this condition as a shield, I think you can definitely explain the benefits and interests to him with your eloquence. There is no need to let the French think about this matter all the time."

"Okay, I get it," Katzenberg nodded, and after talking about it, the three of them left the conference room with laughter.

As he walked towards the elevator, Patrick Schneider suddenly spoke: "Mr. Williams, I heard that the company is planning to open a new art film production section recently, specifically for the production of award-winning films, right?"

Eric nodded and smiled, "Michael is now responsible for the planning of this department. You don't want to recommend yourself to the person in charge, right?"

There are too many people named Michael, but Patrick Schneider still knows that Eric said Michael is Firefly Ceo Michael Lynn: "Of course not, Mr. Williams, but I have been staying in France and have good relationships with the film and television industry in France. Recently, there is a very excellent young French director who plans to come to Hollywood to develop. Although he is only in his early thirties, he has been nominated for the Caesar Award several times. Speaking of which, this guy was nominated for the first film work of the 25-year-old director, which is a rare thing in the French film industry. Everyone knows that in the conservative film circle of France, it is a hundred times more difficult for young people to stand out than in Hollywood. What is even more rare is that the director's works are both commercial and artistic."

The three of them walked into the elevator together, and Carsonberg said: "It is not that easy for French directors to win Oscar recognition, unless they developed in Hollywood as soon as they debuted."

Patrick Schneider was only entrusted to Eric. He knew that what Carsonberg said was the fact. Just as he was about to match, he heard Eric ask, "What is the name of this director?"

"Luc Besson," replied Patrick Schneider.

Eric thought to himself that it was indeed this guy, and smiled and said, "What a coincidence, I happened to watch his "Nikita", which is pretty good."

If Bai Ge Wu's three axes in Hollywood are slow motion, close-ups of characters and Bai Ge, then Eric's impression of Luke Besson's "three axes" is to chase, chase and chase.

This is not to say that Luc Besson's movie style is single, but the works of Luc Besson that Eric has watched are full of too many pursuit plots. From the early "Nikita" to the later "Hurricane Rescue", and the somewhat inexplicable "Super Body" that was successful in the box office, they can't escape this routine, but the audience is also very interested in this simple and crude plot that stimulates adrenaline.

Thinking of this, Eric asked, "Part, what's wrong with Luc Besson going to develop in Hollywood?"

Patrick Schneider replied: "He intends to make a killer-themed film, planned to shoot in New York, so he is looking for collaborators on our side."

Eric thought that the killer-themed movie filmed in New York should definitely be "Killer Lyon" and "Killer Lyon"!

"Let's do it, let the production department contact him. I'll look at the script first. If possible, Firefly can be responsible for investment and production."

Patrick Schneider didn't expect Eric to make such a decision on the spot and nodded, "No problem, he is also in Los Angeles recently, I will contact him tonight."

After leaving the elevator, the three of them said goodbye to each other and got on their own cars.

The driver drove the car onto the highway, but Eric looked out the window and was a little confused. The trajectory of the world has changed so much under his influence. Although the director is still the same director and the male protagonist should also be the male protagonist, I don’t know if Lolita is still the Lolita.

When the car passed by a cinema, Eric caught a glimpse of the huge poster of "Jurassic Park" more than two meters high hanging on the exterior wall of the cinema, and then he withdrew his thoughts. "Jurassic Park" is about to be released, and now this matter is the most important thing.

The $25 million in the early stage of the promotional expenses have been completed, and Eric has offered another $25 million without hesitation. Moreover, with the example of the successful saturation release of "Mrs. Smiths", Eric did not hesitate anymore and insisted on raising 3,000 yuan to open the screen for "Jurassic Park". There is no doubt that "Jurassic Park" will become the first movie in North America to open the screen with more than 3,000 yuan.
Chapter completed!