Traveling through the Tokyo bubble era

Chapter 1052 The True Protagonist, the Most Outstanding Hideki Hanyu

On December 7th, Hideki Hanyu, accompanied by Kanako Higuchi and Chikako Aoyama, arrived at the Cloud Studios headquarters in Burbank.

Although after Universal changed hands, Cloud Entertainment brought Cloud Pictures under Universal's management and even handed over all distribution rights to Universal.

In reality, besides using Cloud Pictures' films to make Universal's box office figures look better, Hideki Hanyu did this mainly to indirectly expand his influence within Universal through Cloud Pictures.

Therefore, Cloud Pictures actually operates independently in terms of film production and other operations, even though it often needs to cooperate with Universal's strategy.

Most importantly, many of the film copyrights held by Hideki Hanyu are actually registered under Cloud Pictures.

For example, films in the series such as "Bloody Night", "Die Hard", "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", and "Need for Speed".

For films like "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Bourne Identity," which have bought the original books but haven't been filmed yet, the licensing rights have also been granted to Cloud Pictures.

Even the upcoming premiere of "Home Alone" and the still-in-development "Jurassic Park" both have their adaptation rights held by Cloud Pictures.

As for subsequent Marvel series, Pixar series, and Elf Entertainment game and movie adaptations, Hideki Hanyu probably won't directly hand over the adaptation rights to Universal.

The reason for this left-hand-to-right-hand transfer is simply because Hideki Hanyu is used to keeping a backup plan.

If Universal changes hands due to external forces someday, Hideki Hanyu can at least ensure that he leaves with the most valuable assets, leaving only an empty shell for the new owner.

Besides these "big" commercial films, Cloud Pictures continues to invest in independent films and has not changed its business strategy in this area because of Universal.

Castle Rock Pictures, De Laurentiis Entertainment, and Gaumont Pictures and EuropaCorp, which are invested in by the company, are also unaffected by Universal.

This is why, even after Alan Horn became CEO of Universal Pictures, he moved to Universal Pictures headquarters to work.

However, Cloud Pictures' headquarters in Burbank still exists and construction continues as originally planned.

The company headquarters, state-of-the-art film studios, and film museum have all been successfully completed and put into use.

This is why Hideki Hanyu arranged for Fred Webber to meet with Kanako Higuchi and Chikako Aoyama at Cloud Studios when he was looking for projects for them.

Because many of the projects are actually produced by Cloud Pictures.

The projects here are also more suitable for newcomers to Hollywood.

Fred Webber, who is in charge of production, comes here to work from time to time and is quite familiar with Cloud Pictures.

After Hideki Hanyu arrived with the two women, they sat down in the conference room together. Then, after Fred Weber carefully observed the two women and tried to ask them some questions, he brought over a large pile of documents.

"Boss, these are the film materials of Cloud Pictures, its production companies, and producers that are preparing for or have already started casting."

Hideki Yuzuru glanced at the documents that were taller than the table and said with a headache.

"Fred, you don't mean you want me to read all of these, do you?"

“Uh, I didn’t mean that.” Fred Weber also felt it was inappropriate.

On the contrary, the two women beside Hideki Yuzuru had longing in their eyes as they looked at the pile of documents. Clearly, if they could, they would not mind carefully going through them and choosing the role they thought was the best.

After all, this is Cloud Pictures, currently the most successful independent film company in Hollywood.

Even after being brought under the management of Universal Pictures, many people have excluded Cloud Pictures from the ranks of independent film companies, but this has not diminished the actors' desire for Cloud Pictures.

After all, there are just too many actors who have become famous through films produced by Cloud Pictures.

Fred Weber noticed the two women's gazes and tentatively asked Hideki Hanyu, "How about letting the two ladies choose for themselves?"

Upon hearing Fred Weber's words, Kanako Higuchi and Chikako Aoyama immediately showed expectant expressions, looking eager to try it out.

However, Hideki Hanyu's next words poured cold water on the two women.

"It's best not to. They don't know anything about Hollywood. Are you sure they can pick the right projects?"

Hideki Hanyu did not want the two women to choose.

As he said, the two women knew nothing about Hollywood movies. If they had chosen projects based on past experience, they would either have been discouraged by Fred Webber or would have been guaranteed to flop.

After rejecting Fred Weber's proposal, Hideki Hanyu pondered for a moment and then simply gave his conditions.

"First, I don't want independent films. The two of them didn't come to Hollywood to hone their acting skills, and they can't possibly build up their fame slowly in the independent film circle."

Secondly, if there isn't a very suitable film, try not to choose lead roles for them, since neither their acting style nor market positioning is suitable.

Third, I need a character with a small amount of screen time, but one that is memorable, so that I can promote them.

fourth……"

Hideki Hanyu went on and on, saying a great deal.

Higuchi Kanako and Aoyama Chikako, who were standing next to them, were initially upset because Hideki Hanyu refused to let them choose a project.

After all, since they left Japan, they have served Hideki Hanyu in every way and tried their best to please him, all in order for him to help them.

But now, after hearing Hideki Hanyu's conditions, they realized that his refusal was for their sake.

Unbeknownst to them, Hideki Yuzuru had already considered everything for them.

It's astonishing that someone as important as Hideki Hanyu could be so considerate of them.

In an instant, feelings of gratitude, guilt, and joy filled the two women's hearts.

Meanwhile, Hideki Hanyu, who was talking to Fred Webber, couldn't care less about the two women's feelings. After explaining all the conditions, he asked Fred Webber a question.

"Fred, just recommend some projects to me, like I said."

Fred Webber scratched his head. "I have to say, this is very difficult. I have to think about it carefully and find a good role for them, or maybe create one for them directly from the existing scripts."

Hideki Hanyu said, "It's alright, Fred, take your time preparing. It's not something that can be rushed."

Fred Weber said, "If there are any results, I will tell the boss as soon as possible."

"I will arrange new agents for them in North America, and they can contact their agents directly then."

As Hideki Hanyu spoke, he glanced at his watch and then stood up abruptly. "I'm going to check out the new studio at Cloud Studios, so I won't stay here any longer."

"Okay, boss."

……

After saying goodbye to Fred Webber, Hideki Hanyu left Cloud Studios headquarters and drove to another Cloud Studios studio in Burbank.

During the journey, Aoyama Chikako couldn't help but ask Hanyu Hideki, "Hanyu-san, when will we see results for our project?"

"I don't know," Hideki Yuzuru replied.

Seeing the disappointment in the two women's eyes, he asked them without any politeness.

"Do you know who came to help you find projects today?"

The two women nodded, indicating that they understood.

After all, Hideki Hanyu had told them about Fred Weber's identity when they met. But Hanyu immediately shook his finger, "No, you don't know."

If you knew his identity, you wouldn't have asked that question.

His position is Vice President and Executive Producer at Universal Pictures, responsible for managing all production work across the entire company.

Don't even mention you guys, even top Hollywood stars aren't qualified to have him personally select projects for them.

Conversely, if even he can't help you find projects, then no one else will be able to either.

To give a simpler example, his position at Universal Pictures is roughly equivalent to that of Masakazu Saiki, president of Cloud Screen Pictures.

So, back in Japan, would you have dared to urge President Saiki Masakazu on projects?

After Hideki Hanyu finished speaking, the two women were immediately speechless.

At this moment, they finally understood that Fred Weber, who had seemed so ordinary in front of Hideki Hanyu, was actually such a big shot.

If it weren't for Hideki Hanyu, they probably wouldn't have even met each other.

Thinking of this, the two women admired and loved Hideki Yuzuru even more.

After all, even a big shot at the top of Hollywood would serve them because of Hideki Hanyu, which speaks volumes about his power.

Seeing that the two women remained silent, Hideki Yuzuru didn't bother to say anything more.

If they can't even figure out this small problem, their careers in Hollywood won't go smoothly.

Hideki Yuzuru dislikes fools, and if it weren't for the fact that the two women had behaved quite well, he wouldn't have said what he just said.

The photography studio wasn't far from the headquarters, so Hideki Hanyu arrived at his destination before he could finish speaking.

The studio doesn't look very big from the outside; it's just a single, independent shed.

The reason why Hideki Hanyu attaches great importance to this studio is that it was designed in collaboration with Kodak, Pixar, Psycho, and some university research institutions, and it has verified the use of many cutting-edge technologies that Hollywood will only see in the future.

Examples include digital video recording, motion capture combined with special effects, mechanical miniature models, special effects applications, green screen shooting, 3D verification, sound effects technology, and even giant screen projection, etc.

Because of these technologies, it's more accurate to describe this place as an experimental base for cutting-edge film technologies than a film studio.

After all, the projects filmed here are all experimental films for the development and verification of technologies.

Anyway, Hideki Hanyu knew that after the studio was built, James Cameron, the tech enthusiast, came to visit it as soon as possible.

The reason why Hideki Hanyu was willing to spend a huge sum of money to build this place was naturally to lay a good foundation for the future.

After entering the studio, Hideki Hanyu, led by the person in charge, visited the application scenarios of different technologies.

Having witnessed far more advanced technologies in the future, Hideki Hanyu remained remarkably calm about the rudimentary technologies that were still in the experimental stage.

On the other hand, Kanako Higuchi and Chikako Aoyama, who came in with Hideki Hanyu, were deeply shocked when they saw these technologies for the first time.

After all, in their view, the technology here is from a completely different era compared to Japanese movies.

After the tour, Hideki Hanyu left with a sense of satisfaction.

These technologies seem promising, but many still have a long way to go before they can be put into practical application.

After all, when it comes to the implementation of technology, it's not just about the technology itself, but also about the supportive environment for it.

Of course, investing in research and development now in advance will definitely be beneficial and harmless for the future.

Even if the movie doesn't get made, Hideki Hanyu can still make a fortune just from the technology patents.

On the way back to Los Angeles, the two women were still discussing what they had seen and heard at the photography studio.

Hideki Hanyu, however, was already communicating with staff from Universal and academic publishing houses in advance about things to keep in mind for the evening's premiere.

When he returned to Red Maple Manor, the stylist had already arrived with everything and started preparing Hideki Hanyu's look for the premiere.

Looking at Hideki Hanyu being styled by the stylist, Kanako Higuchi and Chikako Aoyama's eyes were full of longing.

Although they will also attend tonight's premiere, they will not be guests, but will attend as ordinary audience members.

After all, they had no fame in Hollywood, and no matter how much they tried to please Hideki Hanyu, he would never take them to the premiere red carpet.

In the midst of our busy schedules, the afternoon arrived in no time.

Hideki Hanyu arranged a separate driver for Kanako Higuchi and Chikako Aoyama to take them to the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, while he himself got into a Rolls-Royce.

After leaving Red Maple Manor, the car soon arrived at the entrance of Huaxia Theater.

Because of the premiere, the place was already very lively.

However, the most peculiar and unconventional thing about today's premiere was that the majority of the audience consisted neither of media reporters nor celebrity fans.

Instead, they were book lovers holding the "Home Alone" picture book.

The first Home Alone movie was released in 1987, which is more than three years ago.

This picture book, which achieved great success worldwide in the year of its release, has become one of the world's best-selling picture books after three years of sales.

If the publication of "Bridget" proved Hideki Hanyu's creative talent in children's books.

The huge success of "Home Alone" proves Hideki Hanyu's unparalleled commercial appeal in picture books.

Don't let Forbes magazine's ranking of Hideki Hanyu as the world's richest man fool you into ignoring his identity as a writer.

In fact, worldwide, Hideki Hanyu is best known and most recognized as a writer.

Numerous literary media outlets have hailed Hideki Hanyu as the world's best and most popular children's book author since the 1980s, bar none.

The only thing missing for Hideki Hanyu to be crowned "great" by the media is the passage of time.

This is why, after the release of "Bridget," everyone thought that Hideki Hanyu would definitely win the Hans Christian Andersen Award for illustration if he released just one picture book.

Even after he won the award, no one questioned why Hideki Hanyu was able to win, or why he was able to defeat so many opponents at such a young age.

As everyone knows, if Hideki Hanyu weren't so young, he wouldn't have won the illustration award this year, but rather the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Best Author.

This is why Alan Horn insisted on inviting Hideki Hanyu to the premiere of "Home Alone".

Because at today's premiere, no matter what celebrities were invited or how many media outlets were present, the real protagonist was always only one person.

As the Rolls-Royce slowly came to a stop, the doors opened.

Wearing a navy blue suit, the exceptionally handsome Hideki Hanyu stepped out of the car.

The next moment, a huge cheer erupted!

(End of this chapter)