Heads Up Hollywood

"Band of Brothers" has a status in the history of television, far surpassing "Titanic" in the history of movies!

Because there are many classic movies juxtaposed with "Titanic", such as "Gone with the Wind", such as "E.T.", such as "Avatar".

But in the history of TV, there is no TV series that can be compared with "Band of Brothers", not even "Game of Thrones", which has a global effect.

In the previous life, HBO and SHO were once the two heroes in the cable TV market, fighting against each other.

Under the impetus of Chris Albrecht, HBO invested in the filming of two popular American dramas "The Black D Family" and "Sex and the City", so it has a slight advantage, but the leading advantage is not obvious.

It wasn't until HBO invested in "Band of Brothers" and won the North American TV broadcasting rights that the pattern of the cable TV field changed qualitatively.

Once "Band of Brothers" was released, it immediately caused a sensation, and the number of viewers on the HBO TV network... approached 15 million!

This is not the user base that was free to watch when the STA TV network broadcast "Spider-Man" a few days ago. HBO's statistics are all paid membership users!

In other words, because of the TV series "Band of Brothers", HBO's membership users more than doubled, directly widening the gap with SHO.

After 10 years, this gap has become more and more obvious.

The per capita monthly spending of HBO users is more than 7.9 US dollars, while the per capita monthly spending of SHO users is less than 1.8 US dollars.

In other words, users of the SHO TV network will not choose to subscribe for the whole year, but subscribe in a special month of choice, and only watch one or two popular dramas, which is completely incomparable with HBO.

The appearance of "Band of Brothers" became a watershed in the history of American cable TV.

This is an epoch-making mini-series!

Now, "Band of Brothers" has become Tang En's pocket, which is why he has full confidence in the STA TV network.

Of course, this requires a prerequisite, that is, the STA TV network will not be under the influence of the Viacom Group led by Redstone during the period of accumulation from May to September.

In today's North American market, the largest cable TV network is HBO, but HBO's operator is Time Warner, and there is no direct conflict with STA TV network.

Even if it is competition, it can only start from the content.

It just so happens that what Tang En is least afraid of is the content field, and there are too many classic ideas in his mind.

The direct rival of Starz TV station is Showtime TV station under Viacom Group, so during this period of time, it is Tang En's top priority to paralyze Lei Shidong and prevent him from attacking STA TV network.

Then, Tang En used "Band of Brothers" to make a surprise attack. With a gesture of airborne, he established STA's position and influence in the cable TV network in one fell swoop.

At that time, if Lei Shidong wanted to suppress it again, it would be too late.

Unexpectedly, Tosca Musk also considered this level.

And it also played a role in the cartoon version of "Fantastic Four", the only product in hand, and the pattern is shocking!

Tang En put away his attitude of admonishing from a higher status, and for the first time had an idea of ​​discussing with her on an equal footing.

In the past, Tang En communicated with others on an equal footing because he had the foresight and was able to confirm that the other party was a famous big shot!

Like Spielberg and Cameron, like Bill McNick and Ron Mayer, like Jobs and Elon Musk…

And Tosca Musk... In his previous life, he was unknown!

But obviously, through nearly a year of contact, Tang En can almost confirm that this beautiful woman in front of him is the gold buried in the beach of Hollywood in her previous life.

Tang En left his boss's seat, came to sit on the sofa opposite Tosca Musk, and smiled slightly, "Continue talking?"

Tosca Musk was so happy, she clenched her fist secretly.

It's such a great feeling to be affirmed!

Even if Tang En didn't say anything, she could feel that Tang En's view of herself had fundamentally changed.

It's not easy!

Especially for a beautiful woman.

Tosca Musk took a deep breath and showed a charming smile, "The first two points are from a macro perspective, and the third point is from the long-term layout of Sillywood Animation."

"The broadcast fee of 8 million US dollars is indeed not high, but it is only limited to North America. We still have overseas markets, as well as the DVD market. I believe that with the quality of "Fantastic Four", it is enough to recover the investment of 30 million US dollars."

"The important thing is that Sillywood Animation can open up the situation and become famous through the channel of Nickelodeon. With the integration of Disney Channel, if Nickelodeon wants to continue to occupy a place in the children's market, it must cut prices again and completely Reduced to cheap TV."

"In order to increase the appeal, Nickelodeon will also screen "Fantastic Four" several times in a short period of time. Don't ask me why I say that, I have enough confidence in my product. In this case, more viewers know about us at Sillywood Animation Studios, and it's a wave of free publicity."

Tang En looked at her with a half-smile, "Promotion is more important than profit?"

Tosca Musk replied: "For enterprises, of course, the benefits are important. However, more important than the benefits are the greater benefits. This is the role of publicity."

Tang En smiled and shook his head, "It seems that you are determined to make an animated film."

"Of course, I am very firm about this!" Tosca Musk's face was full and serious.

Tang En was no longer full of doubts like in the past, he just nodded lightly, "Is it the manga adaptation?"

"That's right, The Adventures of Bone Treasure."

Tosca Musk said with a smile.

Tang En gave a soft "hmm".

After the last chat, Tang En specifically asked someone to look up the information of "The Adventures of Bone Treasure", which is currently the most favorite set of cartoons for American children.

It mainly talks about the three brothers and sisters of the Gu Bao family, the well-behaved "Gu Xiaoguai", the adventurous "Bone Xiaocrazy" and the cute "Bone Xiaoxi". They escaped from their homes and started a fantastic and interesting story. A comedy adventure.

It has certain adaptation value.

"Tell me what you think about the movie."

Tosca Musk’s eyes were full of brilliance, “In the process of making “Fantastic Four”, we have accumulated enough experience in animation production, and we also have two patented software. However, there are currently not enough employees in Sillywood Animation , If you want to shoot a big movie, you need more special effects artists and animators, so... I plan to directly acquire a special effects company.”

Tang En's eyelids twitched, and the corners of his mouth curled up, "Ambition is not small!"

Tosca Musk shrugged indifferently, "I gave up everything in Silicon Valley and came to Hollywood to develop, not to get a job."

Tang En smiled, "Which company are you looking at?"

Now Hollywood, there are four major special effects companies.

First, of course it is Lucasfilm's Industrial Light and Magic, which is the originator of the special effects industry;

The second is PDI Pacific Digital Image Studio, because DreamWorks Animation wants to transform and develop computer CG animation, and completed the acquisition last year;

The third is the digital field founded by James Cameron, which is the main special effects company responsible for "Titanic", "The Grinch", and "Unsinkable";

Fourth, the Rhythm Special Effects Studio was established as early as 1987, and its qualifications and status are all leading in the industry. This company is responsible for the production of 20th Century Fox's "X-Men".

However, with the advent of the era of movie special effects, there are more than 30 special effects companies in Hollywood, and even the small British film industry has 7 special effects companies.

Competition in this industry is fierce!

Tosca Musk said: "It is Sennaset Special Effects Company under Ituman Kodak Company, responsible for the "Mission: Impossible" series, and also helped to produce some special effects for "The Chronicles of Narnia."

Tang En raised his eyebrows, "The strength is very weak, right? I've never heard of it."

Tosca Musk laughed angrily, "Boss, I also want to acquire a powerful special effects company. Will you give me so much money at the critical moment? I want to make a big movie and buy a special effects company. There is no 100 million The injection of US dollars can't be played at all!"

Tang En didn't seem to hear the sarcasm in the other party's words. He squeezed his chin, half-closed his eyes, and muttered to himself: "Sony Pictures created Sony Image Special Effects, and DreamWorks also acquired Pacific Digital Imaging Studio. The main business of Blue Sky Studios under Tenth Century Fox is special effects services...a special effects company, it is necessary."

"Um?"

Tosca Musk's eyes widened, as if he had understood something from Tang En's words.

Tang En talked to himself for a long time. This was his thinking. After two minutes, he opened his mouth and said, "What do you think of the 'digital domain'?"

"Mr. Cameron Digital Realm?" Tosca Musk said excitedly with surprise on his face, "Of course, Digital Realm is recognized as the most professional fluid production special effects company in the industry. Be strong!"

"Fluid production?"

"It's the dynamic special effects! This is the biggest supplement to animated CG movies!"

Tang En smiled, "Since this is the case, then choose the digital field. It's no fun to make small troubles. If you want to do it, you must do your best!"

Tosca Musk was so excited that he couldn't sit still, "But the acquisition is not a small trouble, right? The company's operating conditions are in the best period."

Tang En waved his hand, "You don't need to worry about it, James is the major shareholder in the digital field, it's a matter of one sentence! As for the other two co-founders, Stan Winston and Scott Ross, they are both smart people , I will definitely understand that relying on Tang En Pictures is far better than going it alone."

Special effects companies were once an outlet, but the scale of the industry was too small.

With Hollywood's market demand, there is no need for more than 30 special effects companies. It is conceivable that in the next few years, a large number of special effects companies will collapse one after another.

In fact, it is true.

In the next 15 years, three of the current four major special effects companies in Hollywood have gone bankrupt, and the only surviving Industrial Light \u0026 Magic has also become the dowry of Lucasfilm and transferred to Disney.

Special effects are destined to be just a foil for movies, and it is difficult for an industry without the right to dominate fate to have room for survival.

For example, the difference between independent film companies and the six major film giants.

The distribution channel is the fundamental way for the six giants to dominate Hollywood. Independent film companies can only be used as a foil, and the living space will be tightened step by step until they go bankrupt.

No independent film company can survive this fate, not even MGM, which was once popular all over the world.

Unless, like Sony Pictures, they bought Columbia Pictures, and Tang En Pictures was thinking about Universal Pictures...