Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 516 Expanding into the Asian Market
With the conclusion of the NBA Western Conference Finals, the Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 4-3 and will face the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals!
The third game between the Chicago Bulls and the Houston Rockets is underway at the Houston Dawn Center.

Inside the VIP box, George Bush Jr. and Aaron were enjoying the game. "The first two games are tied 1-1. Maybe the Rockets will get their revenge this year!"

Aaron smiled. "However, many people hope the Bulls can achieve another triple crown."

"If the Rockets win the championship, then Michael Jordan's farewell performance will not be perfect."

After all, Michael Jordan has said many times that this year will be his last season.

George W. Bush laughed along, took a sip of his drink, and asked, "What do you think of the independent counsel's investigation into the Clinton-Lewinsky sex scandal?"

Aaron remained expressionless. "Everyone must take responsibility for their actions. How far are the Republicans prepared to go?"

George W. Bush shook his head. "That depends on what you get in return."

Aaron nodded. That's right. Among adults, it's all about interests!
"By the way, with the current global decline in oil demand and the sharp drop in international oil prices, it must have impacted the oil extraction, refining, and related industries in Texas, right?"

Texas is, after all, a major energy state, with oil exports accounting for a significant portion of its economy.

"Yes, the impact is quite significant. Many small oil companies are facing operational difficulties, and some oil wells have been forced to shut down."

Fortunately, Texas is able to maintain its important position in the energy sector thanks to its well-developed energy industry chain and technological advantages.

"Perhaps it will also encourage companies to pay more attention to cost control and technological innovation."

Texas is a conservative state that has always emphasized small government, low taxes, individual freedom, and free market competition.
"In the next year or two, I will increase my investment in Texas, since the taxes here are very attractive."

Aaron laughed.

George Bush Jr. raised his glass and clinked it against Aaron's. "I believe you will be rewarded the most!"

With the game over, the Houston Rockets defeated the Chicago Bulls 102-98, securing their third victory.

Aaron also left Houston and flew to New York after donating $100 million to George W. Bush’s gubernatorial campaign.

While Wall Street internet companies are booming, the stock market as a whole is also showing a downward trend due to the impact of the Asian financial crisis.
The impact was particularly pronounced on the stock prices of companies with close business ties to the Asian market. For example, American multinational corporations with significant investments or sales operations in Asia, such as General Motors and Coca-Cola, experienced substantial declines in their stock prices to varying degrees.

Moreover, the bond and foreign exchange markets are also unstable. Some Wall Street financial institutions have a lot of loans and investments in Asia, and as Asian economies have fallen into trouble, the asset quality of these financial institutions has been affected.
Many Asian companies and governments have been unable to repay their debts on time, leading to a large number of bad debts and default risks for some banks and other financial institutions on Wall Street, with Citibank being a prime example!
At a charity gala held at the Midtown Club Hotel in Manhattan that evening, New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was re-elected earlier this year, and Aaron stood on the balcony.

"Congratulations! Under Mr. Giuliani's leadership, New York has become the city with the fastest-decreasing crime rate in the entire United States."

"Moreover, New York's economic development is inseparable from Mr. Giuliani!"

Aaron took a sip of his drink and admired the Manhattan night view.

Rudy Giuliani smiled. "The credit doesn't go to me alone. The President is visiting China later this month. What do you think, Aaron?" Aaron shook his head. "How would I know about these national affairs?"

Aaron is now focused on the investigation into the Clinton-Lewinsky sex scandal!

“Let’s go in, the charity gala is about to begin,” Rudy Giuliani patted Aaron on the shoulder.

At the dinner, Aaron met Joe Silver, the head of the Studios that produced action films such as the Die Hard series and the Lethal Weapon series.
Currently, Silvio Pictures is primarily a production subsidiary of Warner Bros., with Warner Bros. producing the films.

"Joe, I heard you're in Australia preparing to shoot a sci-fi film called 'The Matrix'?"

Aaron inquired whether The Matrix was directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski.
After all, the Wachowski brothers have not yet transitioned into women, and are not the Wachowski siblings or Wachowski sisters.

Joe Silver chuckled. "I didn't expect you to know about this project, Aaron. The budget for 'The Matrix' wasn't high, so we had to film it in Australia!"

The Wachowski brothers collaborated with Warner Bros. from the very beginning; they were the writers of the earliest script for "The Last Assassin".

Afterwards, the two brothers wrote and directed their debut film, "Breakfast and the Beast," which received much praise from the industry. Warner Bros. had already bought the script for "Breakfast and the Beast" before filming even began, and "The Matrix," which had been in preparation for many years, finally started filming.

Aaron took a sip of his drink. "The Wachowski brothers' 'Stunning Beauty' breaks away from the traditional gangster film formula. It creates dramatic tension through the reversal of power dynamics, and the film has a high degree of artistic merit!"

Aaron certainly had high hopes for The Matrix series, but he didn't have the chance. When the script was still in the early draft stage, Warner Bros. took notice of it.
Aaron couldn't possibly acquire all the blockbuster IPs, so missing out on The Matrix series is a bit of a shame!

Joe Silver nodded. "I think they're pretty good too. Their perspective on film is always a bit unconventional."

Aaron picked up his glass of wine and took a sip. "Next month, Warner Bros.' Lethal Weapon 4 will be released. I'm really looking forward to it!"

“Oh, really?” Joe Silver looked at Aaron, somewhat surprised.

"Yes, I'm interested in that Chinese-American action star in it, and I'd like to see his performance."

Aaron was referring to Jett Lee, who played the villain in Lethal Weapon 4. After all, Dawn still holds the North American distribution rights to three films starring Jett Lee.

"It's Jett Lee," Joe Silver recognized him. "Universal's 'Rush Hour' was a huge success, and Jett Lee's performance shook the entire Hollywood."

"Jett Lee is a Chinese-American action actor on par with Jack Cheng, and we are very much looking forward to it!"

Universal Pictures reaped huge profits from casting Jack Cheng, while Sony Columbia Pictures' casting of Chow Yun-fat resulted in the flop of "The Replacement Killers" last year. However, New Line Cinema, a subsidiary of Time Warner, has cast Chow Yun-fat again to star in a crime film called "The Edge of the Battle".
Warner Bros. also wanted to expand its Asian market by featuring Asian stars, and that's how they discovered Jett Lee.

As he spoke, Joe Silver looked at Aaron with some envy and said, "Not only did Dawn discover Jack Cheng from Hong Kong, but they also collaborated with Chinese-American director John Woo on two successful films."

"Dawn's expansion in the Asian market has surpassed that of Hollywood..."

(End of this chapter)