Chapter 903 Quarrel
The bosses at DreamWorks are a little anxious.
Today the three founders of DreamWorks, Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, gathered in the DreamWorks headquarters office in Glendale to discuss the matter.
"Chinese people are really dishonest. We were having a good conversation, but it was suddenly stopped!" The person who spoke was Jeffrey Katzenberg, with a somewhat unhappy tone.
Hearing Jeffrey Katzenberg complain, David Geffenzi complained in his heart that it was you who refused the other party's acquisition at first, and then asked for 800 million.
However, he also understood that Jeffrey Katzenberg was the CEO of DreamWorks Animation and was more affectionate towards DreamWorks Animation. He personally served as the producer of "Shrek 2" and hoped to turn around DreamWorks.
But what I didn't expect was that the filming of "Shrek 2" was temporarily suspended due to funding!
This is actually the fault of Jeffrey Katzenberg himself: He spent heavily on hiring computer talents, using breakthrough advanced lighting technology and the development of "DCC technology" to create 3D models of more than 6,000 characters in the movie
The use of these technologies can improve the realism of the movie picture, but it also greatly increases the expenditure. Most of the original budget of 70 million US dollars has been spent, but the completion of the film is far away, and the budget is estimated to exceed 100 million US dollars! This worsens the situation for companies already in financial crisis.
As a last resort, David Geffen, the president of DreamWorks, temporarily suspended the filming of the movie.
If we keep filming, we won’t even be able to pay our employees’ wages!
However, David Geffenzi did not express his opinion immediately. Instead, he looked at Spielberg who was sitting on the sofa and smoking a cigar silently: "Steven, what is your opinion?"
Spielberg was silent for a moment, raised his head and said, "I want to talk to Fang Minghua again."
"Looking for Fang Minghua?"
"Yes, he is the planner and decision maker of the acquisition. I want to hear what he thinks?" Spielberg said.
"What do you think? This Chinese just wants to take advantage of the situation and buy DreamWorks Animation at a low price. Steven, don't be naive." Jeffrey Katzenberg said with a sneer.
"Taking advantage of the situation?" Spielberg looked up at him: "You and I both know the valuation of DreamWorks Animation, which is only about 350 million. The other party's offer of 380 million was not a price reduction! In fact, I know in my heart that you were there last year. Before Universal negotiated with us to acquire DreamWorks, they quickly separated the animation department just to keep DreamWorks Animation firmly in their hands!”
"However, DreamWorks Animation is still short of funds and needs blood transfusions from DreamWorks! But DreamWorks is also in financial crisis, so you are instigating the sale of DreamWorks to obtain funds to support DreamWorks Animation Kasenberg, you say and I say Right?”
"You're right." Jeffrey Kasenberg shrugged: "DreamWorks has been losing money for years, but DreamWorks Animation can make money. In Chinese terms, I call this "a strong man cuts off his wrist"!"
"You" Spielberg was so angry that he couldn't speak.
In DreamWorks, except for animated films, all other films are produced by themselves. Isn’t this a metaphor for my own inability? !
"Okay, okay, old guys, why don't we all discuss it calmly? What's there to quarrel about?" David Geffen stopped the quarrel between the two in time.
In the trio, he often acts as the peacemaker.
Hearing David Geffen speak, Jeffrey Katzenberg looked at him: "David, you are the president of DreamWorks, what should you do now?"
"I think Stephen is right. It is necessary to talk to Fang Minghua to see if we can only sell DreamWorks and not bundle it with DreamWorks Animation." After saying that, he looked at Spielberg: "Leave this matter to you. You are relatively familiar with Fang Minghua.”
"David's opinion is very good. Let's go back to the original negotiation conditions." Jeffrey Katzenberg immediately became happy.
"I don't think Fang Minghua will agree, but I can try." Spielberg took out his mobile phone and made a call.
At this time, Fang Minghua and his wife had returned to San Francisco, and they were walking on the path of their estate. When he heard his cell phone ringing, Fang Minghua took it out of his pocket, looked at it, and said to Song Tangtang with a smile: "It's Spielberg calling." After that, he pressed the speaker phone.
Spielberg's voice came from inside:
"Mr. Fang, are you still at Amber Mountain Manor?"
"No, my wife and I have returned to San Francisco. The negotiations have ended and there is no need for me to stay there," Fang Minghua said.
"Haha. Although the negotiations have been temporarily suspended, we are still good friends. Did you want to visit my home as you said? I formally extend an invitation to you! This Saturday at noon, you and your wife are invited to come to my home as guests!"
Oh?
The two looked at each other, and then Fang Minghua said into the phone: "Yes, we are still friends. I accept your invitation."
"OK! See you on Saturday! I will send you the detailed address."
Finally hanging up the phone, Song Tangtang showed a smile on his face and said, "As you said, they couldn't help it anymore."
Fang Minghua and his wife left for Los Angeles on Friday afternoon and stayed at the Amber Mountain Manor. At ten o'clock the next day, the two of them dressed in formal attire and the driver drove them straight to the Palisades.
Palisades is also located in the west of Los Angeles, not too far from Amber Mountain, a 40-minute drive.
Check out the 16-9 book bar and see the correct version!
It has a unique geographical location and beautiful natural environment. It is also the first wealthy area in Los Angeles, especially Hollywood stars like to live here.
Spielberg's home is located in a villa on the west side of Palisade. This is actually a small manor, smaller than Fang Minghua's Amber Hill Manor and about the same size as a manor in San Francisco.
The Audi drove into the manor and parked at the entrance of the villa. Spielberg and his wife were already waiting at the entrance of the villa.
After Fang Minghua and his wife got out of the car, the four of them shook hands and exchanged greetings.
"Mr. Spielberg, since the negotiation with DreamWorks was interrupted, I thought we would never meet again." Fang Minghua said with a smile.
"How could it be? Look, aren't we meeting again soon?" Spielberg replied and added: "I hope that this time you come to my house as a guest, just like the last time I went to your house for afternoon tea. That way, everyone had a great time chatting.”
Fang Minghua naturally understood what he meant and smiled slightly: "I hope so."
The four of them entered the living room, sat for a while and then went to the dining room and started eating.
Typical Italian dishes.
Caprese, bacon and egg yolk pasta, fried salmon, vegetable salad, and a bottle of Italian red wine, everyone chatted while eating.
Soon, Spielberg turned the topic to the acquisition of DreamWorks.
(End of chapter)