Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 406 The President with No Power
Congratulations, Nicholas!

Aaron and Nicolas Cage clinked glasses; Cage had won the Oscar for Best Actor for a low-budget film, "Leaving Las Vegas"!
"Ah, thank you!"

Nicolas Cage is thrilled; as a member of the Coppola family, after changing his surname, he now finally has an Oscar in hand.

Aaron chuckled and patted Nicolas Cage on the shoulder. "Tonight belongs to you. Go and enjoy your glory and blessings!"

The Coppola family also arrived.

Aaron really has high hopes for Nicolas Cage, who is both talented and skilled in action films. After all, Dawn has already collaborated with him on three films: "Phone Booth", "The Silence of the Lambs: Red Dragon", and "The Rock", which will be released this year.
And unsurprisingly, he will be collaborating with him again on the upcoming film "Face/Off"!

Shortly after, Sumner Redstone also arrived at the celebration party, specifically to celebrate Braveheart winning Best Picture.

"You young people are so energetic!"

After Rupert Murdoch arrived at the scene, he and Aaron sat down in the rest area shortly afterward.

Aaron smiled. "It's never too late for a man to pursue his career."

“Yes,” Sumner Redstone nodded seriously, “I’m 73 years old this year. I acquired Viacom when I was 64, and Paramount when I was 70.”

"It's not too late at all!"

As he spoke, Sumner Redstone laughed.

Aaron took a sip of his drink. He had some respect for this media mogul who came from the Boston Jewish mafia.
Starting with a family business of nationwide chain cinemas, and then acquiring Viacom, Blackboard, and Paramount in succession, that's quite impressive!

"By the way, what did you think of the movie 'Braveheart'?"

"Satsuma Redstone," he suddenly asked.

"Braveheart is excellent; it deeply moved the world. This magnificent epic film is filled with sublime and tragic beauty."

"The spirit of dedication shown in fighting for justice and freedom allows the audience to experience the sublime charm of cinematic art!"

Braveheart was a good film, and Aaron was speaking from the heart. It deserved to win the Oscar for Best Picture.

"It's a pity that Braveheart is still not as good as Forrest Gump!"

Sumner Redstone smiled. "Old man, I'm going home now. It's your time, young people."

Soon after, Sumner Redstone left the Sunset Tower Hotel with his assistant.

For Sumner Redstone, Braveheart was certainly not as successful as Forrest Gump, both commercially and in terms of awards.
Forrest Gump was produced and distributed solely by Dawn Films, while Braveheart was a joint investment by Paramount and 20th Century Fox.

A while later, Aaron found Sophie Marceau, who was celebrating Braveheart's award.

"Darling, you've conquered the world with your beauty this time!"

Aaron and Sophie Marceau hugged, and Aaron couldn't help but laugh.

Sophie Marceau kissed Aaron on the cheek and then said with a hint of helplessness, "Besides my beauty, Hollywood always uses me as a pretty face." "The success of 'Braveheart' has made my 'pretty face' image even more deeply ingrained in people's minds!"

Aaron shrugged. "Most of the beautiful women in Hollywood are just pretty faces, so it's not so bad."

Sophie Marceau nodded. "Anyway, you're right. Let's go back. The Oscars ceremony lasts for several hours, and we're a bit tired!"

Not only did he sit for several hours at the Oscars ceremony, but he also rushed to attend the after-party afterwards.

“Then let’s go,” Aaron said without objection, since the Vanity Fair celebration dinner was mainly a party for Oscar winners.
Many people attend more than one celebration banquet, sometimes going to several.

Meanwhile, Disney President Michael Ovitz and Disney Films Chairman Joe Roth also attended the Vanity Fair celebration.

Woody Allen's film "The Non-Powerful Aphrodisiac," released by Miramax, a Disney-owned arthouse film label, won Best Supporting Actress.

Last year, Woody Allen's film "Bullets Over Broadway," also released by Miramax, won Best Supporting Actress!

Michael Ovitz actually had a hard time getting involved in Disney's film and television business, and Joe Roth simply didn't listen to his management.
But Michael Ovitz, who came from an agent background, thought he could start from the actors themselves and hopefully make a breakthrough.

"Michael, the scandal involving Woody Allen and his adopted daughter is not a good thing. Miramax is too closely associated with Woody Allen, which is not in line with Disney's image!"

Joe Ross couldn't help but remind Michael Ovitz and Woody Allen after seeing them getting too close.

Miramax, as an art film studio under Disney, was subject to the Weinstein brothers' right to operate independently.
However, they can only develop films with a budget of less than $1250 million. This is certainly not enough. If it exceeds that, it must be reported to Disney's film headquarters.

Disney's chairman, Michael Eisner, was also dissatisfied with Miramax's performance, and Harvey Weinstein's disobedience only made Michael Eisner angrier.
As a result, Joe Roth, who was in charge of Disney's live-action film business, naturally disliked Miramax and the Weinstein brothers.

"Non-Powerful Aphrodisiac" only grossed around $2500 million, which was not very commercially successful. Disney's most outstanding performance last year was still in animation.

"Pocahontas" grossed $1.4 million in North America and $3.4 million worldwide. To date, more than 1500 million videotapes have been sold!

It's worth noting that the globally popular "Jurassic Park" only sold 1700 million VHS tapes.
Disney's animated feature films are incredibly lucrative; Beauty and the Beast sold 2200 million videotapes.

Of course, Disney's most profitable animated film is definitely The Lion King!

"Joe, I'm doing this for Disney's own good. Hollywood says we Disney don't understand cinematic art."

"Woody Allen films released by Miramax generally receive critical acclaim and Oscar recognition, don't they?"

Michael Ovitz felt helpless; he joined Disney hoping to take his career to the next level.

Instead of being a nobody, he now has almost no power at Disney and can't order anyone around.

Joe Ross shook his head. "But we can't forget what Disney represents; Disney is a haven for families with children."

"Do you think it's appropriate to work with a director who was involved in a scandal involving a romantic relationship with his adopted daughter?"

Michael Ovitz sighed. "I understand what you mean..."

(End of this chapter)