businessmen's parties (part 4)

-What Steven means is that your entrepreneurial development as an agent has demonstrated that it's possible to create things without being answerable to the big companies that dominate the market. For a long time, the animation world hasn't seen the kind of shake-up you've brought about. Your movies, brimming with animated characters, have caught the attention of many. If you were to offer your company tomorrow, any corporation wouldn't hesitate to pay the price for it. Of course, it's logical. Success attracts success, - said David Geffen.

-It's flattering. You can count on my assistance, though my financial support alone isn't enough to cover ambitious investments. However, I can invest a few million if you decide to create an animation studio, - said Billy, knowing two relevant things about these two individuals: they are people to be feared, and their likely alliance could bring about some headaches, as it did when negotiating with Warner. However, Spielberg's golden figure could blind, once was enough to learn from his mistakes.

-Animation? - asked Steven.

-Yes, animation. From the Pixar studio, we have some ideas that don't fit Pixar's profile. They could be used from different angles or by another 3D animation company. Also, I can sell you my animation technology at an affordable price. The investment will speak for itself. With Autodesk and Pixar, we believe that software development can deliver better animations. We've set up a license for three years with a wide range of capabilities, such as 3D animation studio and 2D animation studio, - said Billy.

-Ohhh, quite the capitalist lad, - Spielberg chuckled.

-Business waits for no one, gentlemen. My products speak for themselves. We invest year after year, money and effort in improving our animation equipment. Average animation houses invest money in their software. But is that what they want? Sometimes it's only achieved through necessity. But if there's a company that can fulfill the service, - said Billy.

The subscription, one of the first services created by Pixar, was encoding an application for the company's animation services, as well as the most important aspect: security. Three million for three years, the list of potential clients, seven universities, with CalArts being profiled among them. The subscription allowed the use of 20 pieces of equipment; for more than twenty pieces of equipment, the price rose considerably to 12 million for the three years. A product of Autodesk and Pixar. For universities, a 60% discount was offered, considered an educational bonus, bringing more animators to Pixar and forming alliances. However, these universities didn't request more than 20 equipment.

-An interesting idea, which we'll keep for when it's necessary. Although my team isn't interested in animation, we could potentially make a movie perhaps every five years, - said Steven Spielberg, who already had an animated film from Amblin, not rushed; it was a testing of the animated market, which had been thriving since the 90s with the wonderful movies both Disney and in 1993 Lux Animation had developed.

-It's a pity, - said Billy.

-We're still going through all the procedures; the company is in its infancy. We want to plan our development as a company and strike when the iron is hot. That's why I ask you again: Are you with us or not? - asked Steven Spielberg.

-You can count on me; our alliance is tentative, - said Billy.

-Well, that's interesting. As a gesture of goodwill to a future partner, Sony Columbia, who has a tentative alliance with your company—emphasizing tentative—has been sounding out your animation studio. Perhaps they want a business deal, a purchase. They've delicately probed your company, - said Steven Spielberg.

-Like all companies. Thanks for the information, - said Billy. The conversation was settled, not far away, Steven and Geffen resumed their conversation. Not far away, Michael Orvitz had a friendly conversation with Michael Eisner, while Billy approached the ballroom, a dance floor that now only fostered a classic Viennese waltz, much simpler and accommodating to the dedicated style.

Billy was interrupted by a greeting from an old acquaintance, Terry Semel. A man who had hovered in the thoughts of many at Lux Animation for his analogous ability to separate Billy from Warner, a mistake, but from the board, the growth of Lux Nation as a threat was seen, that if space was left to grow, it would annex Warner without any remorse.

-Billy Carson, I didn't expect to see you here, lad, - said Terry Semel.

-Again, it's a pleasure to see you, Mr. Semel. I heard you were promoted. Congratulations! - said Billy.

-Unfortunately, it's only altered my way of working. I haven't rested properly since I was promoted. Among my many ideas, Warner continues to grow and expand as a company, - said Terry Semel, who has been president and CEO of Warner Bros. since the beginning of the year.

-I see, your work sounds bitter. You've done a good job, - said Billy.

-Very bitter, lad. But, as you come from heaven. Warner will continue to fight in the courts. Now I see it's a futile struggle. Your resources are deeper than we expected, and the business terrain will be open to you soon. However, you have a deficiency in the project reception area. I would recommend having a development executive to evaluate movie or television show ideas and an acquisitions executive, a small group that will make you money, - said Terry Semel.

-We're growing slowly, but the position has been considered. For now, I serve as a development executive, and I have many activities in mind, - said Billy.

-Certainly, we'll send a settlement offer. Don't expect a better one, - said Terry Semel.

-Indeed, Mr. Semel, I'll review your offer carefully, - said Billy.

The idea of a settlement wasn't something Billy would expect from Warner Brothers, which was, curiously, run by two people who had been hitting Lux Animation. Even Billy was irritated by exchanging words that sounded more like an awkward chat than a conversation. He didn't expect a good offer, just another ploy to squeeze more money out of the company, or time, maybe they needed time.

Although Terry Semel's words sounded like a temptation, there was something deep and hateful in his thoughts, as a director of development and content acquisitions. The only problems, offering opportunities to some creatives from the Academy of Arts, and some impressive resumes that addressed management.

He saw Julie Delpy in an aromatic conversation with two other women; Gwyneth was participating, and Winona was settling in a more distant corner, sipping a glass of wine or champagne.

-You seem upset, - said Billy, taking a seat beside Winona.

-I'm not, - Winona replied.

-Well, you seem to be. I am too. I just feel like going to a real party. If I stay a second longer in this room, I think I'll have to face another four businessmen eager to discuss some particulars I don't feel like dealing with, - said Billy.

-Sounds nicer than the simple music we have here, but the paparazzi would catch us the moment we step into the club. It's not usually the case, but Johnny told me it's the manager of the establishment who usually calls them, you know, whenever they mention the place, - said the girl with a sigh.

-Unfortunately, - said Billy.

-Was everything okay? - Winona asked.

-It's nothing, just business talks, - replied Billy.

-I didn't expect you to be in the Hollywood business. Gwyneth asked her godmother if you were James Cameron's nephew. You have a certain style. I don't see the connection, - said the girl, smiling, her cheeks chubby.

-James? My uncle, not at all, -- the boy encouraged, surprised. -- It's just a good relationship. Oh, James threw me to the wolves, according to Jim, my agent. He explains clearly that Hollywood is a whirlwind of social relationships, and I should always maintain composure when dealing with the industry. I go with the flow most of the time and operate on my intuition, - said Billy.

-Good advice. You men have it easier sometimes. Sometimes, going with the flow feels like I'd go crazy. Sometimes we're nothing more than commodities in the eyes of cinema. You'd be surprised how many times I've been asked to undress, - Winona said in a delicate whisper, understanding well that the thought was dangerous and degrading, depending on whose ears heard her thoughts.

-Why don't you leave it? For a while maybe, a vacation to relieve your stress. You've been making movies vigorously since a young age. Mental health is as necessary as physical health, - Billy asked.

-It's not that simple, - Winona said.

...