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- "For decades, almost every studio has been occupied by a bunch of lawyers and accountants. Maybe DreamWorks will be different." Tom Hanks
In 1994, Jeffrey Katzenberg, who was kicked out of Disney by Michael Eisner, joined forces with music tycoon David Geffen, film master Steven Spielberg, and then co-founder of Microsoft Paul Allen received huge investment and established DreamWorks.
The three giants are determined to build a "21st century, high-tech driven, independent multimedia entertainment empire independent of consortiums, comparable to Disney, Sony, etc." outside of Hollywood. At that time, people had two opinions: one thought it was a great plan, and the other thought it was just a pipe dream and would collapse sooner or later.
Hanks¡¯s views represent the expectations of most filmmakers, who expect DreamWorks to bring a new scene to the industry, where everything is no longer about money, money, money.
They have reason to expect that DreamWorks¡¯ start-up capital is as high as 2.6 billion US dollars. Paul Allen also said, ¡°How much money do they want, how much money will I give?¡± Financial pressure? What is that?
Three ambitious dream-chasing middle-aged people have unlimited building blocks, and they only need to let go of their hands and feet to build the kingdom they want.
Film and television, music, games, the Internet everything!
In 1995, Spielberg personally designed the blueprint for "DreamWorks Studios", which is located at an abandoned airport southwest of Los Angeles. There will be photo studios, recording studios, theaters, and amusement facilities with an initial cost budget of 200 million. Dollar.
In 2005, DreamWorks Studios was just a blueprint. In the past ten years, the Internet, games, television, and music have either closed down or been resold one after another. It¡¯s not that they don¡¯t have strategic vision, they don¡¯t have talent, and it¡¯s not that they don¡¯t have money, but it¡¯s precisely because of this that DreamWorks died from generosity, dreams, and conceit.
Games, if you want to do it, do it the best, and more! Cooperating with Microsoft, we develop 10-12 games every year, including virtual reality games that have not yet been technically realized. 10-12 models per year from the beginning? Soon, that number dropped by half. Spielberg is a master in making movies, but a rookie in game development. He quickly gets bored if he fails to achieve results. In 2003, the gaming division was sold to EA.
Video website, this will be the trend! In 1999, DreamWorks announced that it would launch a website called Pop, which would specialize in live-action short films and cartoons. In the same year, the Internet stock bubble burst, and Pop died before it even went online. On the other hand, the old ifilm and the new Yutube are becoming more and more valuable.
With regard to television, DreamWorks' style is still expensive, sophisticated, and artistic. As a result, except for "Spin City" and "Band of Brothers," the others were unable to recover their costs, and the television department was finished.
Music, with David Geffen, how could it still fail? People couldn't understand it, probably even he himself didn't understand it. But sometimes what doesn¡¯t work just doesn¡¯t work. DreamWorks¡¯ record department has been in poor business and was sold to Universal in 2003. Since then, David Geffen has been away from DreamWorks affairs and focused on charity.
What would it be like for the Big Three to meet together?
Tom Hanks, who has witnessed it many times, said: "David Geffen's words are usually very short and his tone is very gentle. Katzenberg is a 'substantive issue' man, and he will strictly control the meeting time to Within 22 minutes. Spielberg is like a cartoonist, he can draw anything on paper and turn it into reality.
For example, if you invite someone, Geffen will say, 'We think you're great, and it would be great if you could join us, but if not, we still think you're great,' and Katzenberg will say, 'You're great. Great, there are 17 reasons why you should work with us, the first of which is'
Spielberg would say, 'I loved what you did in that movie five years ago, where you had the platypus dancing on the table. If you could do that, it meant you could do anything.' That's how they start the meeting, and it's bound to be over in 22 minutes. "
For Spielberg, 22 minutes is a lot. He almost never participates in a financial meeting and hopes that "any meeting I attend can end in two minutes", so as not to prevent me from making movies. Many people have commented that Spielberg is a big kid.
This was true when he was young, and it was true when he was middle-aged. Let alone a tycoon, he couldn't even be a successful businessman, but DreamWorks' film department was counting on him.
"The reason why DreamWorks is finished is because Spielberg and his colleagues are living too comfortably." When the news of DreamWorks being acquired by Paramount was confirmed recently, "Business Telegraph" commented. Previously successful Hollywood tycoons had only one dream for movies, money. The same is true for Murdoch, Redstone and other media group leaders, and the three giants of DreamWorks? They were spoiled, and their pursuit of art and spendthrift attitude doomed DreamWorks to its demise.
Look at what Spielberg has done, apart from the animation department that has been spun off, 1In 1 year, DreamWorks' film library only had 61 movies, and there are indeed a lot of high-quality movies in it, such as "Saving Private Ryan", "Cast Away", "American Beauty", "Gladiator", "American Soul", " "The Pentium Era"
These films not only received box office success, but also received a large number of Oscar nominations and awards. From the 72nd to the 74th Oscars, the best films for three consecutive years were produced by DreamWorks.
But, you can¡¯t make any money.
If you know that "Saving Private Ryan" with a global box office of 481 million (70 million production fee) only earned 30 million for DreamWorks, it is not difficult to understand why. There is no distribution channel, and the new distribution system that was agreed to be established in cooperation with Microsoft has never been seen. In many aspects, DreamWorks has to rely on Universal and Paramount to jointly distribute, so there is not much profit.
And since the 1990s, movie games have become increasingly difficult to play. It is not uncommon for "everything in the research prediction to be correct, only to find out in the end that it was a big mistake" is not uncommon. Independent companies are increasingly unable to afford the consequences of a failure. Playing this game is like gambling, with only two outcomes: success or bankruptcy.
It just so happens that DreamWorks likes to spend a lot of money. In fact, it has been driven to bankruptcy by the failure of a movie several times. In 2003, "Sinbad" lost 125 million, which is equivalent to losing 4 "Saving Private Ryan" movies at once. It can still survive. , when a series of failures occurred this year, led by the fiasco of "Escape from Clone Island", it couldn't survive.
Since its inception, DreamWorks has been the most willing to spend money in the film industry, sometimes even taking advantage of it. This is Spielberg's responsibility.
But Katzenberg was no better. When it comes to diligence, few people can compare to Katzenberg. He gets up at 5 o'clock every day and goes to the office at 6 o'clock every day without any holidays, including offices, airplanes and various work places. He is just conceited, loves great achievements, wants to compete with Disney all day long, and is arrogant after some achievements. These are also Katzenberg.
No one likes to keep losing money, especially businessmen. When DreamWorks was left with only movies and animations, both high-risk and low-return products, things started to go wrong. Paul Allen no longer had the patience to go public! He finally got something in return, and the Big Three, who had not received any salary for 10 years, also received some dividends. But Wall Street and investors were fooled.
¡°If it were today, I would never be in the entertainment industry,¡± David Geffen said earlier this year.
He knew something, maybe he just let it go because he was frustrated.
On December 5, it was announced that Viacom Group, the parent company of Paramount, would acquire DreamWorks for US$1.6 billion, which shocked Hollywood and the film industry around the world! About 400 million of this amount was used to assume debt.
The media went crazy reporting on why DreamWorks failed, the past and present of DreamWorks, where DreamWorks will go, why it dramatically changed from Universal to Paramount, and its impact on independent films these have all become the most popular topics among professional film media.
In the face of the media, the three giants avoided talking about their feelings. Only Katzenberg said with emotion: "It is too difficult for even the most outstanding talents to survive in today's film industry." He was the one who stayed alone and was separated. DreamWorks Animation, the only profitable division, remains independent, and he has not lost all the battle with Disney.
Spielberg is very silent, and no one knows his specific mood. Sad? relief? Wake up from dream?
No matter what, Spielberg is still the movie giant. Why is Paramount willing to spend 1.6 billion to acquire DreamWorks, which has no animation department? This is not cost effective at all. But with Spielberg's first right to collaborate, it becomes a bargain. However, he no longer has the time to spend money like water. He spent 2 million to buy the rights to adapt the French novel "If-Only-It-Were-T¨¦" and spent 58 million to make "Like Paradise" because he liked it. In this novel, things won't be so easy anymore.
"I don't make movies to make money." Spielberg once said, although he is the most profitable director.
Throughout the 11 years of the DreamWorks Film and Television Department, he is qualified to say this.
DreamWorks is like the TV series it produced, "Freaks and Geeks" (1999-2000). This campus comedy with only one season and 18 episodes has a very good reputation, with an imdb score of -9. It has now formed a kind of It has a wide influence in cult culture and has even been published in novels, with countless fans.
But when it was broadcast on NBC, the average audience was only 6.77 million, ranking it only 93rd.
And then, there is no second season.
The longer time passes, the more people criticize NBC for cutting off the show too early. This is cutting off a generation of dramas and cutting off a dream.
DreamWorks was born in money and died in money.
The collapse of DreamWorks was a collapse of idealism. It's different, but money still rules the game, and probably always will.
There are now regulationsLionsgate is the only truly independent film company left. What is certain is that Lionsgate is different from DreamWorks. It spends money carefully and recruits talents widely. It is not interested in so many businesses at once, and it advances step by step.
If DreamWorks is a rich kid who talks about dreams and art, strives for supremacy and changes Hollywood, but ends up losing everything until he goes bankrupt; Lionsgate is a poor kid who saves money bit by bit to make a fortune, always keeping his pockets tight, and Hollywood It's none of my business what you do, living your own little life is the most important thing.
What the future holds, no one knows yet. DreamWorks is indeed a thing of the past.
In the past 11 years, spending money time and time again, investing millions in a teenage movie boy is definitely the most squandering and most successful time for DreamWorks. Although he is the main investor of Playtone, Tom Hanks said in an interview: "I only made up my mind after being Steven's assistant for a day and Steven told me, 'That guy is a genius.'"
?That¡¯s them. At that time, no big studio would take care of Ye Wei. Talented newcomers only appeared in independent films.
But things have changed. "Little Miss Sunshine" and Ye Wei have become important assets to DreamWorks. Paramount spokesperson Brenda Seacoon mentioned that Paramount hopes to have a close cooperative relationship with Ye Wei. She said "His talent is priceless and we are actively communicating with him about possible cooperation."
Regarding this major industry event, Ye Wei did not make any comments. He was caught up in the gossip of a fight with Peter Jackson.
The media and the public are concerned about the movements of this talented young man. Will the changes in DreamWorks cause any changes in his new projects? What is Paramount communicating with him?
¡ù¡ù
"What!?" When she heard the news, Julia Roberts blushed with excitement. Emma is absolutely suitable for the role, better than "The Lovely Bones"! ! !
She feels that this is really a gift from God. How many projects can compare to a large-scale commercial production with a budget of 100 million?
He immediately called Ye Wei, and she laughed and scolded her affectionately: "You bastard, you still hid it from me. I already know it! I really want to congratulate you, this is great."
"Ohyou mean? I didn't agree, and I'm not ready to agree."
Hearing what Ye Wei said, Roberts' eyes almost turned black. Are you kidding me? Are all talented people like this? Jesus Christ! She persuaded: "Wei, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Not just for Emma, ??but for you! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you can seize it without screwing up, you will not only A child prodigy, you are a great director!¡±
"You know, Julia, I love independent production, and I don't think I can stand the process of making a big project like this for a big studio."
Roberts was very anxious and continued to persuade in a good voice: "You don't plan to only make small-budget independent films in your life? Don't you want to try a blockbuster? Ang Lee, Ang Lee also made "The Incredible Hulk", right? Spielberg , tell me what blockbusters he has? But, which big director doesn¡¯t make commercial blockbusters?¡±
"Actuallya lot, Terrence Malick, Woody Allen, Lars von Trier"
¡°Lars? Lars von Trier? I don¡¯t even know what this guy has filmed!¡±
¡°He¡¯s a lunatic, I don¡¯t like him, but I love him calling Roman Polanski a dwarf, haha.¡±
"Believe me, I know who Lars von Trier is" Roberts was very helpless. This kid has now grown wings. She said helplessly: "I don't care about Trier or Polanski. 18-year-old shot Have you ever seriously thought about a movie with a budget of 100 million? How many people have struggled for this opportunity? You are not ready to agree?"
¡°I¡¯m really not interested in this project.¡±
"You must seize this opportunity, otherwise you will regret it, really!"
¡¡
Tend to refuse! ?
Brian felt like he had something stuck in his throat, viy ah viy, don¡¯t do this, just this time, show your cleverness, you are a genius!
Ye Wei's words were still coming from the mobile phone: "I know you want me to take on commercial films, and I will, but I'm just not sure if it's now. I'm about to win tlb, I still have SS, and there's another me A project that I really want to make. Brian, I don¡¯t owe money now, and with my LMS results, I don¡¯t owe anyone any more. I thank you, but for me, the first thing about making a movie is fun. ¡±
"Listen to me, this project is so much fun. You can use CGI special effects to express your imagination. Isn't it fun?" Brian knew not to anger him. When communicating with people with talent and personality, he must be patient and considerate. The solution is, "You're not scared anymore, are you? Does the 100 million budget scare you?"
"The best way to stimulate the general? Please. Only when you have fun can you have passion, and only when you have passion can you make a good movie. I forced myself to make it, and I only know how to make it.screw things up. "
Brian continued enthusiastically: "The budget of 100 million is very high, but you only need to be the director. Paramount is not planning to let you produce, so your workload will not be much. Even if you agree to direct, you will not be able to do it." It doesn¡¯t have to be you, you still have to pass the exam, which is a huge challenge, Wei!¡±
"That's why I'm not interested. Why can I produce "Exorcist Video" in 18 days? Because it's really an independent production! But what about LMS?
Even if it is a small-budget project supervised by DreamWorks or Playtone, I am the first producer and I am the director. There are so many meetings and disagreements one after another. It is not about creation, but about power. It is a waste. time. If it is the tet model, I can complete LMS in three months at most, but how long did it take me?
Brian, I also want all meetings to end in two minutes! I say, you do it. Making a commercial blockbuster for a major studio? I'm afraid, I'm afraid that one football team has so many producers telling me I can't do this, and the other football team has so many guys who I don't know who tell me what I should do.
And those research, analysis, numbers In the end, nothing I say counts. I definitely don¡¯t have the final editing rights. I can¡¯t even change a line. Is that still called making a movie? I'm very skeptical. "
"You haven't tried it yet. It's not as bad as you think." Brian couldn't refute it. Of course the big studio model would be like that. Spielberg and Cameron had a lot of meetings. He had no choice but to advise: "We can slowly talk about the issue of power, and maybe we can talk about final power."
"Maybe! Or maybe I've been in pain for a year or two and made a shit, and it's not the shape I want. Man, I like taking risks, but I can't risk this."
Brian sighed, "Wei, don't live up to everyone's expectations of you. Now the whole world wants you to make the right choice. You win, I win, everyone wins!"
He said with excitement: "This is a broad avenue! As long as you film this project well, its power in future releases will be ten times greater than LMS. The power of "Harry Potter" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" Level! No matter how many meetings you have, your reputation and status will rise to the top in the world!
However, this is a huge challenge, and it will definitely not be easy. If it is a challenge, it will not be easy. Do you dare to accept the challenge? "
The phone rang with Ye Wei's laughter, "Brother, your words are very encouraging, but I have done too many of these things since I was a child, so they are not very useful to me. You know, I don't want to endure it, I would rather take a few more shots." I think it will be much easier if I make an independent film to give myself more power and then make a commercial blockbuster.¡±
"No, independent films and commercial blockbusters are two different things. Even if you have 10 LMS, your first blockbuster will still be subject to restrictions! However, this is a huge challenge!"
"I will consider it again."
¡°A huge challenge!¡± - Didn't finish reading? Add this book to your favoritesI'm a member and bookmarked this chapterCopy the address of this book and recommend it to your friends for pointsChapter error? Click here to report
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