Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 376 Everyone Wants a High Salary
That night, Aaron and Nicole Kidman left Warner Bros. Studios and returned to their Pacific Palisades villa in Santa Monica.

"My friend, it seems like filming for Naomi Watts' action movie 'The Rock' has been halted."

"She called specifically to thank me!"

On the bed in the bedroom, Nicole Kidman lay on top of Aaron, her blonde hair flowing freely, looking incredibly alluring.

"Well, he's just a supporting actor. The main roles are played by Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage."

As Aaron caressed the woman's body, he recalled that Naomi Watts was indeed a blonde beauty.

Nicole Kidman smiled, snuggled against Aaron, and then sat up. "Yeah, she really wants to thank you!"

Aaron smiled without saying a word, and reached out to stroke the woman's soft skin. "Wasn't that enough?"

“What do you think?” Nicole Kidman brushed her long blonde hair back.

Soon, the room was filled with babbling sounds again...

With Time Warner's acquisition of Turner Group, Time Warner, which was in a slump, achieved a soft landing. In particular, the major shareholder, Ted Turner, relinquished management control and agreed to let Gerald Levine take the helm, which changed the direction of Time Warner!
Ted Turner also pledged to establish a collaborative corporate operating mechanism, cut expenses, and restructure the organization, making him a major contributor to Time Warner's revival.

Gerald Levin, 56, a strategist who rose to prominence on HBO, has also become a darling of Wall Street.
The title of head of the world's largest media conglomerate is not just a casual remark.

Hollywood, Universal City.

Aaron sat lazily in his office chair, taking a sip of champagne. Charles Johnson, chairman of the Franklin Templeton Fund, sat beside him, beaming. "Aaron," he said, "Wall Street is very interested in Dawn's stock."

"Dawn's IPO will definitely set Wall Street on fire!"

Aaron glanced at the other person, his eyes then darting downwards. The listing documents on the table showed that Dawn would issue shares at $35 per share.
The estimated total share capital of Dawning is 4.2 million shares.

Is this the final price?

Charles Johnson shook his head. "There may be minor discrepancies, but a valuation of around $150 billion for Dawn is about right."

Charles Johnson then glanced at Aaron, "Mergers between film studios and television stations seem to be the new trend."

"With the experiences of Time Warner and Disney right before our eyes, doesn't Dawn have any ideas?"

Aaron smiled. "Don't worry, it's not the right time yet. Disney needs time to integrate ABC, and Time Warner needs time to restructure Turner Group."

"The impact of the internet needs to be considered; Time Warner is betting everything on cable television!"

It's important to know that Television Communications, a subsidiary of Time Inc., is the second-largest cable television operator in the United States, after TCI Group.
AT&T (American Telephone and Telegraph Company) was broken up into several companies due to its excessive size and antitrust issues. The current AT&T is also developing rapidly.

On the cable television operator front, Comcast, controlled by the Roberts family, is also expanding its reach.

Back then, Comcast's support for QVC's acquisition of Paramount failed, but Comcast's expansion in the cable television sector did not stop!

Charles Johnson cautioned, "Wall Street is very bullish on cable television networks."

CNN, ESPN, MTV, and HBO are all kings in their respective fields;
The competition is fierce among cable channels such as TBS, USA, TNT, FX, Sci-Fi, AMC, and Showtime!
Aaron tapped the table. "Cable television channels are also a key area for Dawn's development, but Dawn's biggest advantage lies in its content."

“If the opportunity arises, Dawn should compete with HBO for the top spot among pay-TV networks.” With that, Aaron stood up. “You go to New York first; I’ll be there next month!”

Dawning went public the day before Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, Twilight Pictures' comedy-horror film "Scream" has grossed over $4000 million at the North American box office.
It performed much better than the previous "Garage Horror"!
Another project, "The English Patient," was also officially launched. After 20th Century Fox withdrew, Universal took over the script.

The production budget for "The English Patient" was $2500 million.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. took over the disaster film script "Lifeline", which had been abandoned by Universal.
This disaster film, with an investment of $8000 million and starring Sylvester Stallone, ultimately did not die in the womb.

Burbank, Dawn Headquarters.

"A $2000 million salary got Schwarzenegger to star in 'Eraser,' and another $1750 million got Stallone to star in 'Lifeline'!"

Aaron shook his head. Sony's decision to pay Jim Carrey $2000 million for "Kingsman" was indeed a bad start.

This has led to top Hollywood male stars now demanding $2000 million per film.

Brad Gray chuckled and shrugged, "Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger are, after all, top action stars."

"And then there are Mel Gibson, Bruce Wesley, Harrison Ford, and others—they all get top-tier salaries!"

Aaron leaned back in his chair. "To get a high salary, you need to have commensurate results."

"These American actors have really been spoiled by Hollywood."

Because next month, Universal will be releasing a gangster crime film called "Casino," directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci.

Brad Grey came specifically to talk to Aaron about the marketing plan for this movie!
The premiere of "Casino" will be held in New York in mid-next month, after which it will be officially released.

With a big director and big stars, "Casino" is somewhat anticipated, as gangster movies are Martin Scorsese's forte.

"At the end of the year, New Moon Pictures will release 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Dead Man Walking,' both of which are aimed at winning awards."

"We need to pay attention to publicity and marketing. Dawn just acquired Universal this year, so we have to maintain our artistic style!"

After all, Dawn had already won three Academy Awards for Best Picture with "The Silence of the Lambs," "Schindler's List," and "Forrest Gump."

We can't afford to have no Oscars after acquiring Universal; even if we don't win, we should at least get a nomination.

Brad Gray nodded. "The test screenings of 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Dead Man's Walk' went quite well."

"Film critics and journalists have given both films high marks."

"Sense and Sensibility" was produced by Dawn Films in conjunction with Phantom Productions, and invested and distributed by Dawn Films.

"Dead Man Walking" was produced by PolyGram Films, with Dawn Pictures handling North American distribution.

(End of this chapter)