Star Wars: negotiations

George Lucas was anything but a fool; from the start of the negotiations, he carefully reviewed the information. Lux Animation seemed like a secure company to bet the future of the franchise on. The security of his steps was his top priority. He reviewed the three movies the company had made as an emerging entity, and none disappointed him. Their quality was among the highest, and even the daring move with Toy Story was just a glimpse of how much the company was willing to risk in the filmmaking process.

He had been visiting Pixar frequently and was surprised by the changes in structure, investment, and operational arrangements the company had made. They had everything finely tuned like a well-oiled machine, continuing to make advances in technology, as Alvy Ray Smith had mentioned. It was a business opportunity he had missed out on while focusing on other industries.

The paradisiacal state of California was proud, standing out among other scenarios. California thrived along with its coastal beauty, characteristic of one of the wealthiest states in the United States. From the back seat, George took a turn and arrived at the new headquarters of Lux Animation. They directed him to the building they had previously been constructing, which was very elegant.

He heard the fifth floor.

He headed to the fifth floor, the doors leading him to a small corridor. He could see desks and administrative offices in the distance. A pair of heels brought George out of his reverie, and he saw Anne standing behind him. She guided him, apparently to the owner's office, where the meeting would take place. Billy was drawing at a large table tilted 45 degrees, engrossed in a comic. For a moment, George forgot about comics. Of course, he had reviewed them; they were all unparalleled masterpieces, from the innovative designs to the new drawing techniques and the large number of followers they were starting to gain, according to statistics from some magazines.

That was true; there was indeed some support from a certain number of people who religiously bought the volumes put out by Lux Comics.

-Mr. Lucas, forgive me, - said Billy, getting up from his chair, crossing the room, and shaking hands, inviting him to sit across from his desk. Anne settled into a small chair beside Billy; she was well-versed in the entire negotiation process.

-Don't worry, young man. I arrived ten minutes early, - said George, checking his watch. The appointment scheduled for 10:30 shone with the number 20, marked.

-I believe we have very little time for this meeting, Mr. Lucas. Would you like something to drink? - Billy asked.

-A bottle of water, - said George.

Billy dialed the attendance number, and Margot, who was very willing, sometimes attended to these requests.

-You've amazed me again, young man. I didn't expect to see you risking such a significant investment at such an early stage of your company's existence. I understand that the land surrounding you up to the road is yours. It only makes me wonder what your next steps will be, - said George Lucas.

-I plan to establish my television channel. We have enough content for two years, but that's not the idea. I have a fascination with documentaries. I'll delve into them as much as possible. I have agreements with three universities; they're delighted that historians, archaeologists, and sociologists will have jobs in what they studied. As graduates, they are accepted immediately. For now, I want to focus on historical civilizations, and we have three scripts, but that's a secret, Mr. Lucas, - said Billy.

-Stanford, - said George.

-Yes, Stanford, Berkeley, and San Jose State, - said Billy. The Documentary Lux Channel was a channel to meet the requirements of educational content. The initiative was to go a step further and create documentaries for a future channel. For now, under a supposed thin alliance, History would distribute their documentaries for a fee in royalties obtained from advertising. It was a topic, simply a distribution without further ado.

-Pleasant. Star Wars, I assume it has a projection in your mind, - said George Lucas.

-Of course, it does. Technology manages to break down certain barriers that would otherwise be difficult to overcome. From my experience, I believe that in twenty years, what was considered impossible will be easy, simple for many of the activities typical of the film industry, - said Billy.

-Negotiations always bring me with a certain care about the future of my company. Can you read me the options again, young man, - said George Lucas, recalling some precious values of Star Wars and the franchise's growth.

-Purchase of a license for twelve years for $25 million. We guarantee George Lucas as producer and director (in addition to, as a special producer for the television series I propose to create, specifically three animated series, as well as director of four films written by me, produced by me, and directed by Mr. Lucas. If he wishes to take on the role of producer, I invite him to work as a producer instead). 20% of the marketing we conduct, along with the integration of Star Wars into the Lux Comics comic book chains. Plus, the creation of a Star Wars museum located on land adjacent to the Pixar museum (a museum that will begin construction in mid-1999 - 2000). Mr. Lucas will receive 8% of the museum's profits. This museum, as a nonprofit entity, will invest the remaining money and occasionally donate to health causes, - said Billy.

Anne nodded behind him.

-That's why you want to buy so much land in these immediate areas, - said George.

-That's correct. I would like to build one here in San Jose. There is a lot of land to buy; California's Great America Passenger Park is nearby, and all its surroundings are empty. Not far away are the San Francisco 49ers; they have their stadium as well, just a few miles from here. We have 25.4 acres of land to build a couple of extra constructions, and I hope to buy more land by the end of the month, enough to establish a museum, - said Billy.

-Wonderful ideas, - said George Lucas.

-They are. At first glance, I believe even continuing to buy, proposing to a conglomerate the grand construction, not just museums, but shopping centers, food courts, and cultural streets. There is much land that is still undeveloped, and I am just continuing to buy, - said Billy.

-Why not bid for Lucasfilm? - George Lucas asked.

-Mr. Lucas, you must know that while I have a desire to work with you, you are asking for much more money than I have available. The benefit would only go to you, and I have other companies to worry about, - said Billy.

-Time, young man, I need time and space. But you can offer a closer collaboration, - said George.

-I am willing, then, - said Billy.

-I am, too. I hope to start filming in two years, - said George Lucas, in a gesture of encouragement.

-Good, let our employees decide the next negotiations. Star Wars will be born, and with it, rest assured that our collaboration will be very acute. I have a fixed idea for the next twelve years on how the series should be directed, - said Billy.

The bright eyes were eager to finalize their next steps; the first thing is to open the comic book rental, to great artists. They need material, they need a lot of material and a fixed action plan.

A series of shorts about Star Wars: The Clone Wars, three clear scripts, the construction of a large set, at least one block away from here, containing all the available settings to make three movies. The new laws are a real nuisance; in places near San Francisco. He will do it in San Jose, he only has one law to overturn, in the next two years, in the area designated for 18 acres, he will build a mega recording studio, recreate most of the areas, and buy the others. - Billy thought.

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