Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 312 The Coming Change

InterContinental Osaka.

Aaron dined with Jessica Parker of Dawn and Tom Rothman.

"Panasonic's desire to retain a stake in Hollywood film studios is likely for its future video disc business!"

Aaron had already guessed that with the advent of VCDs in China, the United States and Japan would certainly not give up this huge market.

Just like how Philips and Sony jointly proposed the MMCD high-density multimedia optical disc standard, while Toshiba and Panasonic published the SD standard, these are two DVD technology standards.

Tom Rothman nodded. "VCDs are performing exceptionally well in China. VCD players and their accompanying discs are much cheaper than VCRs and videotapes."

"Based on VCD technology, the derived DVD has clearer picture quality and larger capacity."

Panasonic's decision not to completely withdraw clearly indicates its intention to maintain influence within the MCA!
“VCD, DVD,” Aaron smiled, “a new wave of revolution in Hollywood’s home entertainment market is about to begin.”

Philips owns PolyGram, Sony owns Columbia, Toshiba is a shareholder of Time Warner, and Panasonic's intentions are obvious!
Jessica Parker began, "A while ago, Michael Ovitz arranged a meeting between Edgar Bronfman Jr. and Yoichi Morishita."

"Judging from the current situation, it seems that the two sides have not reached any agreement."

Aaron narrowed his eyes. "Hmph, Seagram is just a liquor company. Let's see how much he can bleed to get into Hollywood?"

"By the way, we've acquired a 10% stake in AOL from Paul Allen!"

Jessica Parker suddenly spoke up, as if she had just remembered something.

Aaron nodded. "AOL has unlimited potential; it would be a good investment!"

Afterwards, Norika Fujiwara also came to Osaka to accompany Aaron for three days. After that, Aaron went to Hong Kong.
Because Aaron had been paying attention to VCDs, he and Wang Zhuxian went from Hong Kong to Beijing.

Because there are virtually no private jet services in China now, it would be difficult for Aaron's Gulfstream IV to obtain permission to enter mainland China.

For convenience, they took an airline plane directly to Beijing Capital International Airport!
Early winter in Beijing was already quite chilly. Aaron and Wang Zhuxian were staying at the newly opened Beijing Hilton Hotel.

"Hmm, is this the poster for 'The Fugitive'?"

On the way from the airport to the hotel, Aaron saw a large Harrison Ford poster hanging outside the BJ movie theater;

Moreover, there was a queue outside the cinema!
"Yes, this film, 'The Fugitive,' is the first imported blockbuster to be released in revenue-sharing format, and it was shown in six cities including Beijing and Shanghai."

Wang Zhuxian, who was standing to the side, spoke up to explain.

"The Fugitive" is an action film released by Warner Bros. last summer, starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones;

It grossed $1.8 million in North America and $3.6 million worldwide!

Aaron stared at it for a moment, "Only showing in 6 cities?"

It seems there's been quite a bit of arguing here over getting big-budget films to be imported!
"The results are excellent. The popularity of 'The Fugitive' is unmatched by any other domestic film," Wang Zhuxian said, shaking her head. "The official notification has come down; from now on, 10 big-budget films will be imported every year."

"What, do they have it over at Dawn as well?"

Aaron shook his head. "I'm not sure about the specifics, but I think there should be some. Last year, Dawn Cinema released 'Speed' and 'The Mask of Zorro,' both of which were very good action blockbusters."

"It doesn't involve any political mess, but it still depends on the arrangements here!" After all, Hong Kong films are now considered major imports here, and there are only 10 revenue-sharing films, which isn't a large number.
Moreover, the revenue sharing is Chinese-style, with the 13% share for producers differing greatly from the international standard of 35%.

In addition, the Chinese mainland film market is currently pitifully small, and Hollywood doesn't even bother with it!
This year, tens of thousands of Wanyan brand VCD players were produced, but there are not many available titles at present.
Wan Yan prioritized market expansion, acquiring a large number of audio-visual stores to release VCD songs and movies.

"Are pirated VCDs appearing now?"

In the bedroom of the Hilton Hotel, Aaron embraced Wang Zhuxian as they leaned against the headboard.

"Yes, there are already quite a few pirated VCDs in coastal cities."

"However, there aren't many movies available right now, and VCD player sales are also quite low!"

As Wang Zhuxian spoke, she turned her head and kissed the man's face a few times.

Aaron smiled, "Soon. VCDs are much cheaper than videotapes, and they'll become very popular very quickly. Then, whether it's Western films or Hong Kong blockbusters, the market will be flooded!"

Wang Zhuxian looked incredibly alluring in a sexy silk nightgown, and Aaron reached inside to feel its softness!

"You filmed another movie in Hong Kong in the second half of this year, right?"

“Yes, that’s right,” Wang Zhuxian’s breathing quickened as she rubbed against Aaron’s body. “By the way, I heard that ‘The Blood and Tears History of Chinese Laborers’ went over budget?”

"Oh, a minor issue. The budget has been increased, and filming has wrapped. The total investment is $1800 million!"

“US$1800 million?” Wang Zhuxian exclaimed in surprise. “That’s HK$1.4 million!”

“It’s okay, anyway, Jack Cheng’s action movie ‘Rumble in the Bronx’ earned Dawn tens of millions of dollars in profit this year.”

“Mmm,” Aaron said, and kissed Wang Zhuxian’s lips passionately.

As the pajamas came off, Aaron was on top of the woman!
"Next year, Dawn is going to film a Hollywood action comedy called 'Rush Hour' for Jack Cheng, and I'll arrange for you to play a role in it."

Wang Zhuxian hugged Aaron Barnderson tightly, "Hmm, is Rush Hour going to start filming next year?"

"Yes, filming will take place next year, and it will be released the year after. It will be a mainstream Hollywood commercial film starring genuine Chinese actors."

Wang Zhuxian bit her lip. "You know that Jack Cheng filmed a racing-themed action movie called 'Thunderbolt' in Japan and Southeast Asia this year."

"They even went to the United States to film on location, spending HK$2 million, and New Line Cinema in Hollywood bought the North American distribution rights!"

Aaron smiled, "Shuguang has several kung fu films slated for release in Hong Kong, starring Jack Cheng and Jett Lee."

"Dawn, there's not a shortage of Chinese-language films being released. Hong Kong film production is starting to decrease, so you can gradually move towards Hollywood."

"With me here, none of this will be a problem!"

“Hmm,” Wang Zhuxian then flipped over and sat on Aaron’s lap, her long hair flying in the wind. “If the Hong Kong film market shrinks, I’ll go to Hollywood to join you.”

Aaron caressed the woman's delicate body, "You can come anytime. You can film whenever you want, or rest when you don't want to..."

(End of this chapter)