Hollywood Director 1992.

Chapter 394 features a dinner with Charlize Theron.

Link was still filming on set and was unaware of the numerous slanderous things Ovitz had said about him behind his back.

However, he didn't care even if he found out. His original plan was to make a fortune in Hollywood, sell the film company, and use the billions of dollars in his account to focus on making movies.

Without having to manage the company or fight with the seven major film studios, he can free up his time to make more movies.

However, after the shooting, he changed his mind and did not want to simply walk away and hand over the North American film market to the Big Seven studios to reap the benefits.

In Hollywood, without the support of a powerful film company, a director will not only be subject to others in film production and distribution, but will also be exploited by the seven major film studios.

Furthermore, decades later, his foresight was gone, box office revenue plummeted, and no film company was willing to work with him. At that time, he could not make films on his own.

So he decided to continue expanding Guess the Movies, making more money, capturing a larger share of the box office, and then acquiring one or two of the seven major film studios to become the most powerful film company in the world and the undisputed mastermind of Hollywood.

Jingle Bell!
After finishing filming in the afternoon, Link returned to his apartment and had dinner with Charlize Theron when he received a call from Michael Ovitz.

"Haha, Link, are you busy? Do you have time to chat?"

Ovitz laughed heartily, but for a director who often pondered the emotions of his actors, Link could quickly detect a hint of artificiality in his laughter.

"We're eating, what do you need?"

Link glanced at the blonde beauty Charlize Theron across the table and said, "She's wearing a white halter-neck, fitted dress that shows off her fair and sexy collarbones. She also has a pair of alluring long legs under the table. She looks even more delicious than the $820 French meal on the table."

If he weren't such a career-driven person, he wouldn't have given Michael Ovitz a chance to speak in this situation.

"Okay, then I'll make it short."

Ovitz paused, his tone turning serious, "Link, what do you want to do?"

"What do you mean? Just say it directly, don't beat around the bush."

Link took a sip of the red wine.

“Link, I’ve been keeping an eye on you and Guess the Studios lately. I’ve noticed that after the shooting, your hostility towards the Big Seven studios has increased significantly. Why? Do you still believe that the Big Seven studios were behind the shooting?”

“Mike, before the shooting, guess what? Our studio and the Big Seven studios were rivals. The Big Seven studios often used the media to suppress our films, and we had to fight back by creating news that was unfavorable to them. We did the same thing after the shooting. I didn’t notice any difference before and after.”

Link said slowly.

“Link, stop lying to me. How about we be honest with each other? We’re allies. Being honest can deepen our trust in each other and prepare for further cooperation.”

"Okay! I have a question, and I hope you can be frank. I've received accurate information that because Guess Watch Pictures has performed so well in the past two years, some people from the seven major film studios are jealous and want to deal with me in extreme ways. Have you heard about this?"

".No!"

"Okay, let's talk again when we have time."

"Link, don't hang up."

Hearing his tone, Ovitz added, "Well, I heard a little bit about this a while ago, but it's completely unfounded and highly unlikely to be true. It's like someone threatening to kill you because you've taken a lot of beautiful women. Such rumors are very unbelievable, and I didn't take them to heart after hearing them."

Link chuckled softly. "Is that so? Perhaps you have a problem?"

Ovitz breathed a sigh of relief on the other end of the phone. Fortunately, Link didn't press the issue further, otherwise he would have had a hard time backing down.

"Your recent actions have sharpened the conflict between Guess Movie Studios and the seven major film studios, and have also exposed the conflict between ordinary film companies and the eight major film studios. You are a cunning, no, a rational person, and you would not do something foolish. What is your purpose this time?"

"Mike, the newspapers say that the North American summer box office market is becoming increasingly competitive, and it's becoming harder for film companies to make money. Do you agree with this?"

"Of course, that's true."

"Very good, so what's causing the current fierce competition in the film industry? And what are the solutions?"

Link asked.

"The newspapers say it's because of the increase in commercial films that film production costs have risen. I agree with that statement, but what does that have to do with my question, Link? Don't try to change the subject like that."

"No, I'm answering your question. You're right, the main reason for the current fierce competition in the box office market is that there are too many movies. So what do you think is the solution?"

"I don't know, what do you think?"

Ovitz was getting impatient. He had only asked one question, and Link not only didn't answer it directly, but also asked him a question in return. "This question isn't difficult. Since the reason why the film market is too competitive is because there are too many films and too few total box office revenues, we only need to reduce the production of Hollywood films to solve this problem."

"Reduce film production?"

On the phone, Leowitz chuckled coldly, clearly unconvinced by his statement.

Everyone knows that the reason for the fierce competition in the film market is that there are too many films, which compete with each other and cause box office revenue to fall short of expectations.

Everyone knows that reducing the number of film screenings can also reduce the intensity of competition, but the key is that the film industry is currently very prosperous. Driven by profits, a large amount of capital has flowed into Hollywood, attempting to become the next Link.

In the coming years, with increased capital, the number of films produced will increase year by year, rather than decrease.

According to statistics, only 247 films were released in 1992, while 191 films have already been released before July this year, and the total number of films released throughout the year is expected to be no less than 320.

In another three or four years, the total number of films released throughout the year is expected to exceed 600 or 700, or even more.

Everyone is optimistic about the film industry now, and everyone wants to make money from movies.

In this context, Hollywood's film production cannot be reduced; artificially reducing film production goes against market principles and is fundamentally doomed to failure.

Having been with Disney for over half a year, Ovitz has gained a deeper understanding of the film industry and will not be easily deceived by Link.

"Michael, you think it's impossible?"

Link smiled and said, "If the Hollywood Big Eight were reduced to seven or six, and each film company were to release two or three commercial films each summer as agreed, would the competition in the summer season still be as fierce and chaotic as it is now?"

Ovitz frowned upon hearing this. "There are eight major film studios in Hollywood now. How do you expect to reduce it to seven or six? Unless you're willing to give up Guess Movies."

"There's no need for that. According to data analysis from Complete Film magazine, given the current situation, 80% of the existing small film companies will go bankrupt within five years, and one or two of the eight major film studios will also go out of business. This view is very forward-looking, so it's not impossible for the eight studios to become seven or six."

"Okay, even if you're right, what does that have to do with my question?"

Ovitz was starting to get a little impatient. He had asked Link a question five minutes ago and still hadn't gotten an answer from him. Anyone would lose patience in this situation.

“Mike, my purpose in doing this is to expose the conflicts between film companies, to make the film market more competitive, and to accelerate the survival of the fittest. Film companies that would normally take five years to go bankrupt may go bankrupt in less than three years. Isn’t that good news for us?”

Link said slowly.

"that is it?"

Ovitz somewhat believed him, but considering Link's cunning, he dared not completely trust him.

Link laughed and said, "I am the head of Guessing Pictures. My actions are for the benefit of the company. I have no other purpose."

"Also, Mike, after hearing my ideas, have you considered partnering with Guess the Movies on behalf of Disney? We could join forces to defend against other film companies. I believe that with the combined efforts of our two companies, the Hollywood Big Eight will soon become the Big Seven, Big Six, or even Big Five. At that time, our two companies will be able to capture a larger share of the box office, and we will have more power. What do you think?"

"I"

On the other end of the phone, Ovitz couldn't help but want to agree with him, but he quickly covered his mouth before he could speak, thinking to himself, "Link is treacherous and cunning. I have to be extremely careful when cooperating with him. I must never trust him and must keep my distance. Otherwise, I'll end up being sold out and still have to help him count the money."

"Haha, Link, I must say, you have quite the ambition, and your suggestion is excellent. However, I cannot make the decision on this matter; I need to consult with Eisner."

"Okay, I'll wait for your call."

Link hung up the phone, raised his glass, and apologized to the beautiful woman who had been waiting across the table.

"Sally, I'm sorry to have disturbed your meal."

"It's okay. I've discussed with my friends the working conditions of you big shots before. We wondered if you were strict or intimidating. I just saw it, and it was quite interesting."

Charlize Theron smiled slightly.

"Okay, if you want to know anything else about people like us, just tell me, and I'll be happy to satisfy your curiosity."

Link raised his glass and smiled.

"Okay."

Charlize Theron raised her glass to him, clinked it against his, and took a sip of the clear, fruity red wine, her red lips barely touching the rim.

(End of this chapter)