South of Venice Beach, in an office park covering an area of ​​about two acres near Los Angeles' famous Marina del Rey.

As soon as Michael Ovitz got off the car in the parking lot, Jennifer Raybould came up to him and said politely: "Mr. Ovitz, the boss is already waiting for you, please come with me."

Ovitz was a little unhappy when he didn't see Simon greeting him, but he still nodded gracefully in front of the beautiful woman. He followed Jennifer into a large factory in the park. The factory was filled with various types of vehicle assemblies.

Parts, Simon was discussing something in a low voice with a middle-aged white man around a strange-looking 'motorcycle'.

"Good afternoon, Michael," Simon stopped talking and came over, shook hands with Ovitz, and introduced another middle-aged man: "This is Adam Locklett. He used to be an engineer at General Motors and now runs the business.

My own studio.”

Ovitz shook hands with Adam Locklett again before looking at the 'motorcycle' in front of him again.

The reason why it can be called a 'motorcycle' is simply because this vehicle only has two wheels, two wide wheels that are obviously only used in racing cars. But other than that, the entire vehicle has an exaggerated sense of technology.

The shape is completely out of the category of 'motorcycle'.

Because he had been paying attention to Simon's activities consciously or unconsciously, Ovitz quickly understood the purpose of this 'motorcycle' and asked tentatively: "Simon, is this a prop you designed for "Batman"?"

The 'motorcycle' in front of you is actually the super cool Batmobile in the original "Dark Knight" series.

Simon was not interested in the completely pragmatic Batmobile in Nolan's "Batman" version, and designed the shape of the Batmobile separately, but retained the concept of the Batmobile. After confirming the filming of "Batman", he began to let people

Start designing this car.

Simon heard Ovitz's question and nodded: "Yeah, what do you think?"

Ovitz stepped forward and looked at the Batmobile in front of him carefully, and said: "The shape is very novel, but I don't seem to see the power system. Can it run?"

Adam Locklett, who was standing next to the two people, took the initiative to explain: "Mr. Ovitz, this motorcycle uses in-wheel motor technology. Its power system, transmission system and braking system are all integrated in the wheel hub.

, and is driven by electricity, so it can run."

Ovitz has always been a very curious person. After hearing this, he suddenly became more interested and asked carefully about the details of the car. The three of them started chatting, and Ovitz finally tried it himself.

We drove a short distance inside the factory.

Because many details are still being perfected, although it can run, the Batmobile is still very slow at this time. Simon's expectation is that it can only reach a speed of about 30 kilometers per hour during the filming process.

After getting off the Batmobile, Ovitz thought of the advantages of a series of wheel hub motor technologies that Adam Locklett had just introduced, and exclaimed: "It's really surprising. I didn't expect that there would be such advanced technology in the world. It may not take many years.

, we are about to usher in a new revolution in the automobile industry."

Adam Locklett carefully pushed the Batmobile back to the center of the factory and said with a smile: "Mr. Ovitz, in-wheel motor technology is actually not advanced at all. It has almost as long a history as the internal combustion engine. As early as 1900, Porsche

The company's founder, Fernand Porsche, designed the first electric vehicle using in-wheel motor technology. However, over the past century, our automobile industry has focused on the research and development of internal combustion engines, and in-wheel motors and electric-driven vehicles have not been able to

Popularize it.”

Ovitz suddenly realized, "This is really a pity."

Simon couldn't help but sigh: "I have always felt that because we are driven by fundamental interests rather than simply the pursuit of science, we have missed too many things. The Apollo program already sent humans to the moon in the 1960s.

, but in recent years, instead of continuing to develop, aerospace technology has been regressing."

Ovitz said: "I think the Apollo program was a waste of time and money."

"Before the Age of Discovery began, some countries on this planet had too many opportunities to dominate the world. In the end, it was Britain, which had only a few million people at the time, that became the empire on which the sun never sets. Above our heads is only the starry sky that humans can touch.

It’s a thousand times vaster than the ocean, who knows what it can bring to us?”

After chatting casually for a while, Simon and Ovitz sat down at a workbench in the factory, and Adam Locklett took the initiative to leave.

Picking up a wrench from the workbench and playing with it, Simon asked Ovitz in a relaxed tone: "How was the conversation with Sony?"

Ovitz was a little surprised. Although he did not hide his trip to Japan, not many people knew that he rushed to Tokyo to discuss the acquisition of a Hollywood movie company with Sony Group.

However, now that Simon has pointed it out, he did not deny it and said: "Sony wants to acquire a major Hollywood film company, and CAA happens to be expanding its own business. Speaking of which, Simon, the Japanese are very interested in you.

, they also specifically asked about Daenerys Films."

"I'm not interested in the Japanese," Simon said, without making too many comments, and got down to the topic: "Now that you're back, Michael, I think this recent farce should be over. Levinson

They have all achieved their goals, so I hope they will all shut up next."

Ovitz, who had been smiling just now, turned serious and said, "Simon, you shouldn't fire Barry just because you disagree."

Simon looked at Ovitz and said: "Michael, we are all smart people. They all think that "Rain Man" cannot be successful. Levinson does not want to be promoted to the first-line celebrity status just with "Good Morning Vietnam"

It was a loss, and Hoffman was also worried about repeating the same mistake as last year's "Isda" that failed at the box office, so several people put the blame on me. Now that they have got their wish, this matter should be over."

Ovitz originally wanted to extract some more benefits from Simon for several of his clients, but Simon revealed the inside story, and he could not speak again. He had always felt that he and Simon were the same kind, two smart people, and if he

Deliberately messing around will make him look very stupid.

He doesn't want to become a fool.

"I will talk to Barry and the others." After a moment of silence, Ovitz nodded in agreement and said, "Next, Simon, what are you going to do?"

"I remember that you liked this script very much, Michael. In fact, I do too. Next, I will personally take over the post-production work of this project until it enters the theater." Simon shrugged and added: "Since the three of them are not

If they hope to be associated with "Rain Man" again, then this project will have nothing to do with them. Daenerys Pictures will pay all the remaining balances in their contract, and all they have to do is shut up. And, at least for now

The entire federation knows that there is a movie like "Rain Man", which is actually a good thing. Movie marketing, whether it is marketing in a good direction or a bad direction, as long as it can make the audience pay attention to the movie, then it will

Marketing is successful.”

Ovitz did not show any indignation at Simon's contempt for his clients in his words. Instead, he said with enlightenment: "Is this the strategy you used on "Basic Instinct"?"

"Yes, this should be regarded as controversial marketing. It is very easy to use. You can also try it when you are in charge of a film company in the future."

Ovitz subconsciously shook his head and said: "Simon, I have no intention of taking charge of the film company."

"If you don't take advantage of the opportunity, it will only be your loss. After all, CAA's structure is too small. You must be tired of it, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't try to do consulting work for Sony." Simon recalled his memory.

Regarding Ovitz's personal career experience, he added casually: "However, if you are in charge of a movie company but do not have absolute control, your losses will be greater."

Ovitz couldn't help but think of the invitation from Sony executives during his trip to Japan to buy a major Hollywood movie company and let him take charge of it.

CAA's influence in Hollywood seems to be growing, but due to the limitations of the industry itself, it can only be regarded as a small business after all. Its more than 600 customers can actually only bring the company a total revenue of 100 to 200 million US dollars every year.

, this money has paid the salaries and dividends of all the more than 100 agents in the company, and not many of them can fall into the hands of Ovitz himself.

In comparison, even the now dilapidated MGM has an annual income of more than one to two hundred million US dollars. The Universal Pictures parent company MCA (Music-Corporation-of-America) that he recommended to Sony for acquisition this time is even more behemoth.

.

Neither party was idle. Now that the matter had been settled, Ovitz quickly said goodbye and left. Simon continued to discuss some design details of the Batmobile with Adam Locklett, and also rushed back to Daenerys in Santa Monica.

Film industry headquarters.

As soon as she sat down in the office, Amy knocked on the door and walked in with a document.

Handing the folder in her hand to Simon, Amy explained: "This is the new contract just provided by the Producers Alliance to the WGA."

Simon opened it casually, and there were two plans in the folder. One was today's new contract, and the other was the plan that was voted down by the WGA in mid-June.

After a brief browse, Simon discovered that the Producers Alliance was completely ruthless this time.

In the new plan, compared to the previous three-year contract, the Producers Alliance directly requested that the contract be extended to four years.

In addition, regarding the network's syndicated revenue from one-hour TV shows at the center of the strike dispute, the Producers Alliance completely rejected the WGA's request for a share based on the number of reruns, insisting on giving writers a share based on the replay revenue ratio, and offered

The share ratio is only 1.2%, far lower than the 2% generally expected by the industry.

In comparison, although the contract in June stipulated a payment ceiling, the Producers Alliance provided a compromise clause in which the screenwriters could choose between a fixed share and a proportional share.

As for the WGA's demands for other film sharing ratios, minimum salary standards and even more creative control in this strike, the Producers Alliance has also made varying degrees of compression based on the June contract. All calculated,

Compared with the June plan, the value of this contract is reduced by US$50 million, which is equivalent to the average loss of at least one month's salary for each of the WGA's more than 10,000 members.

Moreover, the Producers Alliance also strongly demanded that the WGA respond within a week. If the new contract cannot be approved, the negotiations between the two parties will be postponed for another month.

Today is already August 5th.

At the end of last month, ABC officially signed a contract with Daenerys Pictures, and ABC quickly relaunched the program "Who Will Be a Millionaire". Although there are only two episodes left per week, this did not stop the audience from enjoying this real-life show.

The show is so popular that compared to the original pilot episode, the total viewership even reached 20 million.

In addition to ABC, the two major television networks NBC and FOX have also begun to vigorously promote the other two reality shows they just acquired from Daenerys Pictures. Although CBS failed to cooperate with Daenerys Pictures, it also

I created a reality show based on game breakthroughs by myself, and also started publicity.

In recent days, the four major TV networks have also publicly stated that they will develop more interesting reality shows, and also announced that they will promote more non-union member TV drama project cooperation.

This is obviously an obvious form of pressure.

After Simon flipped through the information in his hand, he looked at Amy and said, "Do you think WGA will agree to this contract?"

"The WGA doesn't have many options anymore," Amy nodded, and added, "I'm just worried that our TV series projects may be affected."

After completing the acquisition of New World Entertainment, Simon's first request to the top management of New World Entertainment was to restart the suspended TV series projects as soon as possible. Now, although those projects no longer lack funds, Daenerys Pictures

The WGA's reality show project suffered a complete defeat in this strike. It is obvious that the company's TV series will be boycotted by the writers.

TV series rely more on screenwriters than movies.

After frowning and thinking for a while, Simon said: "It depends on the situation. Everyone is here for their own jobs. I don't believe that the screenwriter will have the courage to refuse the job in front of him after losing income for half a year. If they are really like this, we will invite non-

Union members or overseas screenwriters.”

Amy knew that this could only be the case for the time being, so she changed the subject and asked: "How was your meeting with Ovitz?"

"It's settled," Simon nodded and said, "CAA has no plans to completely fall out with us."

Amy was a little worried. Barry Levinson would definitely not get involved in this project again, but she didn’t think it was a good choice for Simon to personally be responsible for the post-production of “Rain Man”: “You really have to personally supervise the production of “Rain Man”.

"People" to be re-edited?"

"Otherwise, apart from Barry Levinson, I am probably the only one in Hollywood who is more familiar with this project."

"Perhaps we can invite the editor of "Rain Man" over."

"I checked," Simon said: "Stu Lind, he is Barry Levinson's long-term partner, so forget it, I don't plan to have this project have anything to do with Barry Levinson and the others.
Chapter completed!