Chapter 476: Killer Move

[Chapter 476: Early Preparation]

"Filming for Jurassic Park on Kaua'i is expected to take about 10 to 12 weeks. During this time, unless there are any urgent matters, I will only be in touch with Los Angeles by phone. I hope everyone can handle their responsibilities well," Eric casually summarized as he organized the documents in front of him. The room was filled with presidents, vice presidents, and department heads who nodded in agreement.

After the meeting was adjourned, Eric, as usual, detained several supervisors from Firefly and Disney for a brief discussion.

"Eric, is there anything else?" After following him to his office, Jeffrey asked.

"It's about Columbia," Eric replied, pulling documents from the filing cabinet and handing them to Jeffrey, Michael Lynn, Katzenberg, and Frank Wells.

When Columbia was mentioned, Jeffrey and the others quickly understood Eric's intentions. He wasn't referring to matters of film collaboration with Columbia, but rather the division of Columbia's distribution channels. After several months of maneuvering, Firefly not only secured a majority of Columbia's distribution resources in South America, but through layoffs executed by Peter Guber and other measures, distribution resources from European countries began to flow into Firefly as well.

Although Columbia could not completely eliminate its European branch, it was easy enough to cut a portion of it. To disguise their true intentions, Firefly absorbed only about half from those laid off, while the other half faced the consequences of their layoffs. Accepting a pay raise from Firefly and witnessing the plight of those who were genuinely let go, those who were absorbed had no complaints.

Nothing is secret forever, and gradually, the Japanese also sensed something was amiss, questioning the Columbia management. However, Peter Guber struck back with a "killer move." This tactic was simple -- resignation. Faced with Sony's doubts, Peter Guber personally called Akio Morita, indicating that if Sony headquarters did not trust his "reform measures," he could resign from the board.

To everyone's surprise, this lame tactic worked. Eric found it rather unbelievable. Typically, only management from extraordinarily successful companies had the guts to play the "resignation threat" card. Peter Guber had brought Columbia significant losses for two years, and if it were Eric, he would rather see Guber go. Yet after receiving Guber's resignation threat, Sony surprisingly compromised and even replaced a senior executive in its US division.

"The situation in Europe is almost wrapped up. Recently, I've reviewed the data regarding Asia," Eric said as he finished distributing the documents and leaned back against the sofa. "Southeast Asian countries have been implementing increasingly stringent restrictions against the influx of Hong Kong films. However, they have eased entry barriers for Hollywood films, which is fantastic news for us."

Although this matter was unrelated to Sony, Katzenberg still meticulously reviewed the documents before saying, "Eric, Sony has become aware of this issue but has refrained from taking action due to various pressures. However, I think it's about time. In my view, Columbia's distribution channels in Southeast Asia aren't much stronger than ours. Those resources are nearly worthless, and we shouldn't test the Japanese's limits."

"I understand," Eric nodded. 

After discussing for half an hour, they established some execution details, and then everyone called it a day.

...

"Are you going to the premiere of The Mask?" As they stood together in the elevator, Jeffrey asked.

Eric nodded and smiled, "I can't skip it. The lady has been nagging me for days. Otherwise, I'd be in Hawaii right now."

"I've seen a sample of The Mask. What can I say? It's a bit too chaotic and nonsensical; it's quite odd," Jeffrey recalled critically.

"It's not intended for your age group, Jeffrey," Eric chuckled. "That's just the style of The Mask. I planned to create a film like this from the start, and the highlight of this movie is Jim Carrey's performance."

"So, how much box office do you think it'll pull in?" Jeffrey couldn't help but ask the question on his mind.

Eric considered it, saying, "I think $100 million should be doable. If it weren't for the competition from Twister and Batman Returns, it might be higher."

Jeffrey opened his mouth, hesitating to voice his estimate. He shook his head, laughing, "I just don't see where you get that confidence. One hundred million is already substantial."

As they chatted, Jeffrey declined Eric's invitation to the premiere of The Mask, leaving in his own car while Eric drove off toward the Chinese Theater where the premiere was being held.

...

At five o'clock, the school bell finally rang, snapping Britney out of her daze as she packed her bag quickly and left the classroom with the crowd.

Although she was a child star on Disney Channel, Britney, like several other young actors, still had to attend school. Moreover, to comply with the Actors Guild and child protection laws, Disney was responsible for arranging regular tutoring for its young stars. For fun-loving Britney, all of this felt like a torment.

After leaving the school building, just as Britney was about to retrieve her bike to go home, Christina ran toward her from another direction.

As Christina approached, Britney smiled and asked, "What's up, Kris?"

Christina grinned, pulling out two tickets from her uniform pocket. "Tickets to The Mask premiere! Drew gave them to me. Do you want to go?"

Britney's smile faded somewhat as she stared at the tickets in Christina's hand. "Drew gave them to you? How come I didn't know?"

Christina's smile remained, but seeing Britney's expression brought a bit of satisfaction. If it weren't for Drew specifically telling her the tickets were for the two of them, Christina might not have brought it up at all.

"Are you going or not? If not, I'll ask other friends," Christina said, showing no intention of explaining. Although Drew said the tickets were for the two of them, if Britney didn't want to go, there was nothing Christina could do about it.

Seeing the content smirk on Christina's face, Britney felt an impulse to refuse but thought better of it and replied, "Okay, but I have to call home."

"Such a hassle," Christina pursed her lips and said. "Hurry up! Also, if we run into Drew, we might snag an invitation to the after-party. You'd better give your mom a heads up; maybe Drew will invite us to stay at her place tonight."

Britney's excitement surged as she thought of the spacious rooms, game rooms, and swimming pools in Beverly Hills, especially when compared to her small bedroom.

After finishing her phone call home, just as she approached her bike, Christina grabbed her arm. "You're not riding your bike, are you?"

"What else can I do?" Britney blinked.

"Don't embarrass yourself; come with me," Christina urged, leading Britney out through a side entrance. She pointed to a nearby taxi. "Of course, we're getting a ride. This time, it's on me."

Britney bit her lip in discontent at Christina's ever-smug demeanor, saying, "We'll split it."

"Suit yourself," Christina replied as she approached the waiting driver, greeted him, and climbed into the front seat.

Britney pouted but reluctantly got into the backseat.

...

The two girls got out of the taxi and found themselves in front of the Chinese Theater, where a long red carpet stretched out, and stars donned in elegant attire posed for photographers along the walkway. Britney looked at a star in a stunning white dress on the carpet and said enviously, "So beautiful."

"Those are just the little stars Firefly hired for the pre-show; the big names are further back," Christina said, sporting a know-it-all attitude.

Not wanting to be dismissed by Christina, Britney quickly masked her envious expression, glanced around, and asked in a hushed tone, "Hey, do you think we'll see... Mr. Williams tonight?"

"Who knows?" Christina shook her head, standing on her toes to see further down the carpet. "But the chances of Mr. Williams attending the premiere are quite high. He's associated with Drew and..."

At this point, Christina abruptly fell silent. She didn't want to share the secret she had picked up on. However, Britney didn't press her for more, continuing instead, "Have you seen Twister? It's amazing! I wish I could see it a few more times, but I don't have enough pocket money."

"If we could just go to Liberty City again, we'd be able to watch it in that private screening room as many times as we wanted," Christina responded.

"Let's ask Drew to take us again, okay?" Britney said, obliviously.

Christina shot an eye of mild disdain at the silly girl beside her but didn't answer. Deep down, she was hopeful, although she smartly refrained from asking Drew herself. In her mind, Drew was miles ahead of the goofy girl next to her; she could hardly predict what Drew was thinking, while even a quick glance at Britney's face could reveal her next move.

The two girls didn't rush into the screening hall for the premiere but stood by the red carpet like other fans, eagerly counting "stars."

"Look! Mr. Williams and Drew!" As the premiere time approached, Britney pointed out the two figures emerging from a limousine at the end of the red carpet.

When Drew linked arms with Eric and walked slowly toward them, Britney began waving enthusiastically, trying to get their attention.

Eric waved to the crowd and easily spotted the two little girls, even winking at them.

The Mask was rated PG-13, which meant that parents were advised to accompany children. Thus, it was no surprise that the two girls were present at the premiere.

*****

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