novelraw Chapter 342
Chapter 342
? December 2000, 12.
Beijing.
It's the first Christmas Eve since the beginning of the new millennium, but the city's festive spirit isn't all that strong.
Christmas, a traditional festival in western countries, has not been fully popular among the common people on the other side of the ocean so far. The reason why many people choose to stay at home on such a cold winter afternoon is just because today is the weekend.
But junior high school students do not have weekends.
"Thank you, grandpa, may I bother you?" The 14-year-old girl poked her head out of the door.
"You can do whatever you want, Comrade Xiao Han." The gray-haired old Mr. Xie chuckled and picked up the tea in hand.
After getting an affirmative answer, Xiao Han blinked and asked the head of the family in the study: "Old Han, I'm almost done with my homework, can I watch TV first?"
The person called "Old Han" was a middle-aged man. After hearing the words, he first apologized to his old friend, and then turned around and replied to his daughter: "It's almost finished, but it's not finished, right, Comrade Xiao Han."
"Dad, I'll just watch 10 minutes, just 10 minutes—" Xiao Han grabbed the door frame, gestured with two fingers, and deliberately elongated his voice.
"What show is so exciting, huh?" Old Mr. Xie asked casually after putting down his teacup.
"Thank you, Grandpa, today we have an appointment to broadcast Qiao Meiren's movie "Leading the Coquettish". Many students in our class have been looking forward to it since last week." The little girl just said, "Qiao Meiren is Josie Horton who plays the big ship, Dad, you know that, right?"
Old Han scolded with a smile: "Are you questioning your dad's professional level? All right, let's watch your TV."
With that said, he walked to the desk, took out a key from the drawer and threw it over.
——The TV in the living room is locked. Parents are always worried about their children watching TV without restraint, and the Han family is the same.
"Hey, long live dad!" The little girl caught the key, turned around and ran away.
Old Han smiled helplessly, and continued to say to Mr. Xie: "Where did we go? That's right, Josie Horton can't be invited now. Her agency replied that the schedule is not suitable, but the next The next or next film festival can definitely invite her earlier, I dare say that as long as she is willing to come, the effect will be much better than inviting those messy Korean stars, to tell you the truth, my wife and daughter are her fans."
Old Mr. Xie shook his head: "No way, Hollywood movie stars are too difficult to get, and the whole set of procedures required by their own company is very cumbersome without mentioning visa issues, and Korean dramas have become too popular in recent years, and some voices in the organizing committee are more concerned I agree with the Hallyu wave, look at how many tears this year, "Blue Life and Death" and "Falling in Love with the Female Anchor" made."
"But Hollywood is the center of the world's movies." Lao Han does not agree with the so-called Hallyu culture. "The biggest difficulty for film festivals now is the 'lack of stars'. Let alone foreigners, our own domestic stars don't like to come. , what should we do? We must improve the style of the film festival."
International film festivals held in China have been tepid.
A few years ago, although movie stars like Sophia Loren were invited to help out, they never made it to the international stage. Even domestic filmmakers felt that this film festival seemed to be officially organized for self-entertainment, and lacked the corresponding gold content. Of course no one wants to come.
Over time, a vicious circle has formed.
Mr. Xie, as one of the founders of the film festival, is also troubled by this.
提升格调说难也难、说容易也容易，最简单直接的办法就是找世界级别的电影明星助阵。
What's the use of inviting those Hallyu stars who came from TV dramas, and foreign directors whose names and faces don't match?
Oscars, Cannes and other international film festivals attract media reporters from all over the world to flock here every year. Is it just to get the list of winners in the first place?
The art of the movie itself is important, but the masses love to watch big stars!
The hottest movie in China in recent years is undoubtedly "Titanic". The shock brought by watching this Hollywood special effects blockbuster for the first time is unprecedented. Although some of the imported blockbusters are also exciting, there is still a big gap with it.
Therefore, as the heroine of the movie, Josie Horton was so popular that she was sung into a song by Bay Bay singers. This is really not an exaggeration at all.
Lao Han continued: "I think Josie Horton is very suitable. She has a quarter of Chinese blood, and her attitude towards China has always been relatively close. Her Tianji Films is also preparing for a Beijing office. Zunlong is also good, I heard that he has always wanted to return to China to develop, but there is no suitable opportunity."
Mr. Xie still shook his head and sighed: "It's not easy, Xiao Han. Because of the Yugoslavia incident last year, the attitude towards America was very subtle. This kind of influential world-class star is even more subtle."
"We have to find a way to be subtle." Lao Han said directly, "Old friend, the domestic film market is so big, it is very difficult for us to make this cake stronger and bigger. I think we can contact them and see. .”
With the changes in the economic situation after the financial turmoil three years ago, the name of the Four Asian Tigers has become a thing of the past, and more and more eyes are quietly paying attention to the rejuvenated Oriental Dragon.
Movies are undoubtedly an emerging sunrise industry.
The huge population base and rapid economic development make this country destined to become Hollywood's largest overseas ticket holder in the future after Japan.
Some in Hollywood were pleasantly surprised to find this out.
Others still remain disdainful.
And Josie and her partner are obviously the former, and they are the pioneers of decisive action.
Tianji Films' Beijing office is just the beginning.
Cultivating a new market environment is not something one or two film companies can do, but attracting overseas investment can.
At the beginning of the new year, under the personal recommendation of Zun Long, Qiao Qian met Chen Chong, an actress who had worked with him in "The Last Emperor" in San Francisco, as well as a special guest who came from afar.
That night, the time and place of the Asian premiere of "The Trap of Stealing the Sky 2", which has not yet started filming, was roughly finalized. One of the important roles other than "Tang Xiao" will also be played by a Chinese actor. This project has given the green light, including but not limited to the convenience of framing, tax reduction and subsidies, simultaneous introduction, etc.
These are all later, so I won't repeat them here.
Time goes back to the last day of 2000.
The "Year 43 Bug" crisis that caused widespread panic at the end of the century has long passed. A new president is about to be sworn in in the new year. The White House finally got rid of the notorious former president and ushered in its [-]rd owner.
The most iconic New Year's Eve celebration venue in the United States, Times Square, continues its tradition of being open to the public this year. Millions of citizens and tourists flock to the streets to watch the New Year's Eve show and the ball drop ceremony.
At 1907 o'clock in the evening, the giant crystal ball born in [-] was lit up into the sky, representing the official start of tonight's carnival.
ABC, the organizer of the New Year's Eve concert, is setting up a stage near 42nd Street, and in the nearest Hilton Hotel suite, Josie, who will appear as a guest, looks at the live TV scene through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"What wish did you write on the wishing note?" Josie's boyfriend tonight, Paul Walker, who was wearing a Christmas sweater, asked casually.
"I hope the world is peaceful." Josie didn't look back, still looking out the window.
Manhattan is as bright as day tonight.
The bustling lights reflected on the glass window in front of her, and also reflected her natural and fresh makeup and festive style.
A white cashmere sweater suit, a red and green plaid woolen scarf, and an absolutely warm long down jacket wrapped in it. This is probably the thickest Josie has worn on the show this month.
"Oh, come on, I remember all the beauty pageants in our movie said that." Paul Walker spread his hands, looking extremely bored, "I'll come first, my wish is that the new year's new movies will continue to sell well, and I will Not every time I have a car, my agent catches me on the spot."
Only then did Josie turn around and glance at him, shaking her head: "Life is precious, I can't understand why you like racing cars."
"Because, 'The Fast and the Furious'? Come on, your turn."
"Health? Wealth? Power?" Josie thought for a while, "I don't know. Perhaps for me, the most urgent wish right now is for the next acquisition to go smoothly."
"A takeover? That sounds like a big deal."
"Maybe you have played "StarCraft" or "Diablo". A few years ago, I poached a group of Blizzard and Sierra employees, and they all hope to continue the series."
"So, you bought it?"
"More importantly, I think this is a profitable business." Josie sat on the sofa opposite Paul Walker and talked eloquently, "The Internet represents the future, and the game industry will also be a part of it. Maybe after a few years, the profession of actors will be eliminated, but the virtual characters in the game can perform wonderful Hollywood-style blockbusters."
现在的游戏赚钱吗？
At least in the absence of rampant piracy, Blizzard's "StarCraft" and "Diablo" have made a lot of money, but if the products they launch are not recognized by players, there are also many large and small studios that have gone bankrupt .
By the way, the game adapted from "The Trap of Stealing the Sky" is also under intensive development, and it is roughly trying to be fully launched before the promotion period of the movie sequel.
There was a knock on the door.
The filming team dispatched by ABC entered the room under the guidance of the staff, and saw the two stars sitting casually in the living room of the suite chatting.
The filming team was in charge of dispatching and commanding a woman, who patiently and gently explained the next filming: "We will enter the world of Broadway from this theater, pass through the backstage and corridors here, and then arrive at another theater , Outside the gate is our main stage, and above your heads is the sign of Broadway, and the cameras will be in these positions, and the security personnel will firmly isolate the crowd.”
"Please wait a moment—" Josie's bodyguard Jason interrupted loudly, "Ma'am, may I know how many meters the isolation distance is."
"Two or three meters? I guess?" the lady gave an unsettling answer.
Jason immediately exchanged glances with Josie, and continued to ask: "So, how many security personnel have you prepared within two or three meters around?"
"We try to put everyone there." The other party avoided talking about it, "And under the camera of the national live broadcast, no one should do anything out of the ordinary, right?"
Jason shook his head, "No, it's not a matter of probability, so I have to talk to your security director in detail."
"Um, I have to ask for instructions."
After some negotiation, the organizer temporarily arranged plainclothes to occupy a small area at the entrance of the theater opposite the main stage, and strengthened the security on this side, which made Josie agree to appear as planned.
For this reason, the lady in charge of scheduling could not help complaining to her colleagues later: "Josie Horton is really a big name, just because of her persecution paranoia, fifty or sixty people circled around her .”
However, to her surprise, the colleague did not agree with her, but said: "Oh God, you'd better watch the live broadcast dear, I don't think this is persecution paranoia..."
The scene of the New Year's Eve concert.
Facing the entrance of the theater on the main stage, as soon as Josie appeared, it caused a tsunami of cheers and screams. The people occupying the best terrain shouted her name in surprise, and the crowd behind noticed the commotion ahead, and also One by one, they squeezed forward with all their strength.
For God's sake, this is Times Square with tens of thousands of people!
In particular, people quickly learned the cause of the commotion, and crowded even harder... That was the real Josie Horton who was so close at hand!Is there anyone who doesn't love her?
"Ah ah ah ah ah--"
"Josie!"
"Baby Sissy!"
"I love you ah ah ah-"
"Happy New Year!!!"
The security personnel at the scene had to immediately pull up the human wall.
The host wiped the sweat from his forehead, and read the script to the live camera: "Wow, look who this is! We were very lucky to find Josie Horton and Paul Walker in the crowd. Both actors brought so much joy to this past Christmas. Hi Josie and Paul! I was wondering, did you make your wish tonight?"
"Yes."
"Can you tell me your New Year's resolution?"
In the camera, Josie looks radiant, with a bright and sweet smile, "I hope that the federal court can consider increasing the penalty for those who violate the parole regulations."
"Aha?" The host made a dull expression on purpose.
"Hey, there's world peace." Paul Walker cleared his throat and added for Josie.
"Yes—" At this moment, Josie showed a standard beauty-pageant smile, and said in a serious voice: "And, world peace!"
This is the classic bridge in the movie "Secret Agent".
It can be said that this movie is one of the most popular family comedy movies during Christmas this year, especially against the overwhelming loneliness of another masterpiece "Cast Away" in the same period, enjoying such a no-brainer and The novel and hilarious chick flicks are really a kind of relaxing entertainment.
Countless viewers who watched the New Year's Eve live broadcast tonight in front of the TV were amused by this familiar joke, and the atmosphere at the scene was extraordinarily enthusiastic. Enthusiastic fans were about to burst the double line of defense at the entrance of the theater.
The host hurriedly interspersed: "World peace! That's great, we all hope so! Well, let's say goodbye to Josie and Paul, and the next guest performer will be..."
After barely completing the live interview, everyone escorted the two stars back from the original passage as quickly as possible.
Paul Walker patted his chest with lingering fear, and sighed: "To be honest, for a moment just now, I had the illusion that I was about to be torn apart."
"Trust me, Paul, it wasn't an illusion." The assistant he brought teased with a smile. "There was a boy who almost caught your shirttail."
"really?"
"real."
"……boy?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Oh, my God!"
Everyone laughed happily, and they had already returned to the hotel before they knew it.
Paul Walker was going to his friend's New Year's party, and probably out of politeness, he personally invited Josie to go with him.
不过乔茜对此兴趣不大，因为她今晚还有一场硬仗要打。
He had to say goodbye with regret.
Putting on a long dress suitable for a dinner party, Josie, who has re-touched her makeup, appeared at Dina Merrill's New Year's party. Tonight she came here to meet Michael Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg.
Michael Bloomberg's personal entrepreneurial history is very exciting. He is also an important figure in the New York Jewish Chamber of Commerce. It is said that he has no rivals in the business field. He is planning to quit the company's management and move to the political arena to continue to shine.
In fact, in Josie's increasingly blurred memory, Michael Bloomberg was indeed successfully elected as the mayor of New York for several times, and announced his participation in the presidential election—but he didn't succeed—no matter how you look at it, it is very successful politician.
Of course, he is currently more famous as a billionaire.
"There is no hatred between me and Mr. Bronfman. It's just a normal business." Josie shook the champagne in her hand and didn't drink it. "Business is business. My father told me that since I was a child. I think Bronfman Mr. Man should also understand this truth."
Did she make a mistake in attacking Universal Music?
That's right.
After all, Universal Music is full of holes, and it seems easy to start.
Not to mention that their financial problems have not yet been resolved, and there are still many internal factions. David Geffen, the so-called godfather of the music industry, after a series of confrontations with Josie - especially after Barry Diller's departure - is obvious The prestige of the company has plummeted, and it is becoming more and more impossible to control those rebellious musicians under its banner.
So it's not just Qiao Qian's side, other people in the circle are also taking advantage of the chaos. For example, Tommy Mortola, the president of Sony Music, sent people to frantically poach Universal Music's corner.
Michael Bloomberg was noncommittal, glanced at the young girl in front of him lightly, and said, "Tell me, what do you want."
Josie smiled without saying a word, lowered her head and took a sip of the champagne in her hand, her posture was extremely elegant and moving.
Then, she casually put the cup on the table beside her and said, "But there is animosity between me and David Geffen, I am absolutely sure of this, so as long as he is willing to leave Universal Music, I am willing to believe that World Peace."
"I want you to know that he is the founder and owner of the two most important labels under Universal Music." Michael Bloomberg reminded.
"So?" Josie raised her eyebrows lightly, making her sweet smile a little more arrogant, "Since I entered the industry, this person has been hurting me continuously, isn't it because of the little power in his hands? And now, the person who holds the life and death power of Universal Music is me."
For a while, Michael Bloomberg did not answer.
He was not interested in the personal grievances between Josie Horton and David Geffen. The only thing he and the interest groups behind him were interested in was the handle on Universal Music that this girl had grasped.
Today's crumbling Vivendi-Universal has no confidence to experience another storm.
Therefore, they have been investigating her cards during this time.
The greatest possibility is that Josie Horton will take advantage of the kidnapping case she suffered in Toronto that year to attack the Bronfman family, because at that time Bronfman's heiress Claire Bronfman was indeed related to the case, and had also passed His brother Sam Bronfman put pressure on the local police department.
And Sam Bronfman is the spokesperson of the Bronfman family in Universal Music.
Think about it, the huge popularity of the name "Josie Horton", as long as her public relations team has a shred of evidence to attack, Sam Bronfman and the Bronfman family will be stared at in disgrace On the column, the sharp drop in Vivendi Universal's stock price is also an inevitable result.
Yes, they never thought it was only Universal Music that was targeted, nor did they think that all this was just a purely personal grievance.
Josie Horton was right when she said: business is business.
This is a universal truth.
"Okay, I can agree to your conditions on behalf of Bronfman." Michael Bloomberg pondered for a moment, and said decisively: "But you have to promise that before this, all the damage to the reputation of the Bronfman family will be done." Hand over the documents."
Josie showed no guilt at all in her expression, she chuckled and shook her head: "No, no, no, Mr. Bloomberg, this is not how business is done. If you let him withdraw the shares, it's fine if your people take over. I'll let you It doesn't matter if Barry takes over, when David Geffen really gets out, when will the thing in my hand enter the fireplace in my house."
Michael Bloomberg also shook his head: "This is impossible, Miss Horton, we are not sure whether you will keep your promise."
"Then how about finding a supervisor that both parties can trust? I don't really trust whether someone will take those things back." Josie suggested, "Do you prefer Barry Diller, my Uncle Stanley, or Lauren? ?”
Michael Bloomberg hesitated for a moment, thinking to himself: That psychotic rich third generation of the Bronfman family can really do such a thing...
So he only thought for a while before agreeing to the proposal: "Yes, we believe in Ms. Bacall's character, and hope she won't disappoint people because of you."
"Of course." Josie smiled unchanged.
The "small" goal that was not originally planned was accomplished with ease. Such a surprise made Josie completely uninterested in this kind of unnecessary verbal dispute with others.
Compared to this, she was more curious about what kind of shady "handle" she had in her hands, so that the other party's attitude was a little too weak, and she almost surrendered like the French.
The two sides reached a consensus temporarily, and Michael Bloomberg did not continue to stay at Dina Merrill's New Year's party.
In fact, he didn't really want to deal with Bronfman's mess.
But helplessly, the old Bronfman was lying in the intensive care unit, and the young Bronfman was only capable of causing trouble, let alone the two Miss Bronfman. As for the remaining Sam Bronfman, at best he could only It is said that it is just a dog that is not very obedient next to little Bronfman.
Hey, it's not a big deal for the heir to be a little arrogant or crazy, but being mediocre but defiant is his biggest weakness.
This generation of Bronfman is really coming to an end...
Well, I can only say sorry to David Geffen, who made him not only commit evil, but also not have a good father?
Doing business is all about win-win.
From a certain point of view, a win-win situation means concessions, especially concessions from others.