Chapter 229: I Want to Try

"Citibank has offered a 7-year loan plan with an annual interest rate of 4.25%, slightly lower than that of Crédit Lyonnais. However, they require Daenerys Entertainment to use 10% of its company shares as collateral. Additionally, if Daenerys Entertainment seeks further loan financing within the next three years, Citibank will have priority. I believe this plan is feasible. The company's operational status is excellent, and a 10% share collateral won't pose a risk of control transfer. As for the priority rights, there are many negotiable details in the related clauses."

Two years ago, Daenerys Entertainment secured a $100 million loan from Wells Fargo with a 5-year term at a high 6.5% annual interest rate. With the improving North American economic situation and the continuous enhancement of Daenerys Entertainment's own strength, the company's loan interest rates from banks have been decreasing, now on par with many 3A credit rating companies.

In the office of Daenerys Entertainment's headquarters, Nancy Brill was reporting her achievements from her trip to New York. Amy listened attentively on the surface but her thoughts were drifting.

Capable, energetic, and ambitious.

The woman sitting opposite her, only a few years older and petite, had made Amy feel a strong instinctual threat in just two months after joining the company. Although Nancy's integration and operation of the consumer products department hadn't shown results yet, her business acumen and negotiation skills in the company's investment in Baishi达 had already gained Simon Westeros's approval.

Logically, the board seat offered by Baishi达 should have been for Amy, the CEO, but Simon had given it to Nancy, which inevitably caused some irritation in Amy. She somewhat regretted poaching Nancy from Mattel.

Perhaps, if Simon were to choose someone to replace her in the future, Nancy would likely be the top candidate.

Due to this subconscious anxiety, Amy had been working much harder recently. Moreover, she dared not use her authority to set obstacles for Nancy.

Simon's forced promotion of cooperative synergy across various departments was actually to avoid internal strife within Daenerys Entertainment. If Amy dared to deliberately marginalize Nancy and Simon discovered it, she would be the one to suffer. Daenerys Entertainment, unlike publicly-held companies, could be decisively managed by Simon as the owner.

With these thoughts, Amy's mind inadvertently conjured the image of Janet's smiling face from noon.

It's actually quite common for Hollywood studio executives to slyly leverage some company benefits.

In the late 1970s, an incident where David Begelman, the head of Columbia Pictures, misappropriated $61,000 of company funds for personal travel expenses was exposed, becoming that year's biggest scandal in Hollywood.

The matter was sensationalized by the media, and Begelman resigned due to the scandal.

However, inside the industry, few criticized Begelman. Instead, they overwhelmingly condemned the whistleblower, accusing him of making a mountain out of a molehill and tarnishing Hollywood's image by bringing the matter to the media.

In the end, David Begelman continued to thrive after leaving Columbia, while the whistleblower, Cliff Robertson, was ostracized by the entire industry, ruining his career.

Ron Macmillan's actions were no different from David Begelman's, and similar to many Hollywood studio executives.

Having been in this circle for over two years, both Simon and Janet were undoubtedly aware of these practices. However, Simon's acquiescence in Janet's decision to oust Ron Macmillan was actually a warning to the company executives not to behave like their counterparts in other studios.

Whether it was forcing internal cooperation to avoid infighting or setting an example to regulate executive behavior, Simon's actions clearly showed his ambition to continuously grow and strengthen Daenerys Entertainment.

It was evident that if Amy couldn't keep up with his ambitions, she would have to leave.

"Amy?"

The voice from across the desk interrupted Amy's reverie.

Coming back to her senses, Amy organized her thoughts and said, "Nancy, a 4.25% annual interest rate is indeed good, and the priority rights can be negotiated. However, you don't quite understand Simon. He's unlikely to agree to mortgage Daenerys Entertainment's shares. Moreover, a 10% ratio is too high."

Hearing this, Nancy raised her eyebrows slightly, quickly grasping something, and said, "Only little boys hold on to their toys and won't let others touch them. He's already a grown man. Plus, I've already explained that this kind of mortgage carries no risk."

"Okay," Amy replied with a smile, glancing at the clock on her desk, "Simon should have started working in Melbourne. I'll call him tonight to discuss this matter."

Nancy glanced at the line of mini electronic clocks on Amy's desk, displaying the time in Los Angeles, New York, and Melbourne, and immediately decided to ask her assistant to buy a few clocks for her office. However, she said, "Let me call him. And Amy, I think you should be more assertive in front of him, not always so compliant."

Amy nodded without arguing over the phone call, simply saying with a smile, "He is our boss, after all."

In Melbourne.

Today was the second day of filming "Batman."

Movie making is never entirely fun, especially for blockbuster films that often involve tedious and monotonous processes. Additionally, managing a large-scale crew with daily expenditures amounting to millions of dollars adds significant pressure on the creators.

"Batman" had a generous budget, but Simon still had to deal with various unexpected situations.

Just two days into filming, the crew faced a serious problem—leaks.

Disney didn't push "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" to the top of the box office through buying tickets, and "Rain Man" had just started gaining traction. Therefore, last year's "Pulp Fiction," with a box office of $156.93 million, remained the 1988 box office champion.

With consecutive box office champions like "Run Lola Run" and "Pulp Fiction," even without Simon's other accolades, his new movie was inevitably the media's focal point.

Little information about "Batman" had been revealed prior to filming. As it commenced, media from around the world, including numerous paparazzi and die-hard Batman comic fans, flocked to Melbourne.

Under relentless paparazzi siege, many behind-the-scenes photos appeared in various gossip magazines on just the first day of filming.

The production team carried on with their usual schedule, but producer Joe Silver was busy issuing copyright statements in major media and implementing stricter confidentiality measures.

Ordinary behind-the-scenes photos weren't a big deal if leaked. However, details involving the Batmobile, Batcycle, the main actors' costumes, and even the script, if exposed, would significantly impact the film.

Daenerys Entertainment had already released Batman's official photo, but the designs for "Catwoman," "Black Mask," the Batmobile, and Batcycle were still confidential, with the company planning to reveal them according to their marketing strategy.

Audiences crave mystery and novelty, and premature leaks would disrupt the film's promotional rhythm.

Fortunately, since the leaked content, like props and actor costumes, were copyrighted, the production team made a formal copyright declaration. Most mainstream media, not wanting lawsuits, wouldn't rashly publish obtained photos. Of course, this didn't apply to unscrupulous tabloids, which the crew countered with increased secrecy.

To harmonize the crew, the first two weeks focused on the film's dramatic scenes. Excluding external distractions, everything was orderly.

Australia doesn't have the stringent working hour restrictions backed by strong unions like in the U.S., but the "Batman" crew still followed an eight-hour workday, shooting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Today's filming included several scenes at the headquarters of JANUS Cosmetics, owned by the "Black Mask" Roman Sionis's family business, located in a 30-story building near the Yarra River in Melbourne's city center.

At 5 p.m.

The day's work ended on time, and the crew dispersed. Simon's Australian-hired assistant director proactively brought the director's script to him.

Taking the script, Simon paused his conversation with Joe Silver to review it, asking the young, round-faced, tousle-haired man beside him, "Peter, how do you feel?"

The young man was Peter Jackson.

Yes, the Peter Jackson who later directed "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

At 28, Peter Jackson had just completed his first film, "Bad Taste," with a group of friends in his spare time, but it hadn't made much impact.

Upon hearing "Batman" was filming in Melbourne and needed some local filmmakers, Jackson, though a New Zealander, excitedly applied.

Initially, the crew wasn't interested in this unknown Cult film director, but Jackson, willing even to do menial tasks, eventually secured a job as a stagehand.

Simon, upon arriving in Melbourne and discovering Jackson, promoted him from stagehand to his assistant director after a chat.

Despite being seven years older than Jackson, Peter felt somewhat constrained around Simon.

If he were to share his true feelings, he thought Hollywood's wastefulness shocking, with just two days' expenses enough to make several "Bad Taste" movies. However, he obviously didn't express this, simply replying, "Very good, Simon."

Simon chuckled at Peter's restraint and caution.

From memory, Peter Jackson was always a tactful person, lacking the typical sharpness of Hollywood filmmakers. It's understandable since breaking into Hollywood from small New Zealand wasn't possible without shedding some filmmaker pride.

Having brought Jackson under his wing, Simon intended to support him but didn't want to rush things.

Opportunities would be given, but it was up to Jackson to seize them.

Chatting casually, Simon checked the day's work record and confirmed its accuracy. He then discussed the next day's schedule with the main creators before everyone dispersed.

The "Batman" crew was staying at a three-star hotel called Kendale in Collingwood, northeast of Melbourne's city center.

Although Janet's father hoped Simon would stay at the Johnston family estate, Simon preferred not to commute long distances daily. The hotel was booked entirely, so he chose to stay with the crew.

Returning to Kendale, Simon had just entered the lobby when Jennifer approached with Sophia Fesi, followed by others.

Simon greeted Sophia and was introduced to the others by Jennifer before temporarily leaving with the two women.

In Simon's sixth-floor suite, Jennifer proactively searched for suitable clothes for him, as they were hosting a dinner for the group. To avoid repeating the Plaza Hotel incident, Jennifer personally managed Simon's daily needs, including the servants cleaning his room sent by the Johnston family.

After a busy day, Simon sat on the sofa, leaning wearily against the soft backrest.

Sophia prepared coffee for Simon, delivering it before sitting on an adjacent armchair, saying, "About Gucci, I think it's a great opportunity. Since the second-generation head Rodolfo Gucci passed in 1983, the Gucci family has been in turmoil. Maurizio Gucci, Rodolfo's son, to fight his uncle Aldo Gucci for control, reported Aldo for tax evasion, landing him in jail. Although Maurizio gained control, he lacked business acumen, leading Gucci into decline. After Aldo's release last year, he countersued Maurizio, seeking to split the Gucci brand and even requested the Italian court to freeze Maurizio's shares. Now, Gucci is significantly weakened, with many family members willing to sell their shares. We could even gain absolute control."

Simon asked, "How much money is needed?"

"Around $135 million," Sophia said, quickly adding, "Gucci has over a hundred stores in Europe and North America, a comprehensive product line, and most importantly, the brand itself. If not for recent turmoil affecting operations, such a price would be impossible."

Simon looked at her, saying, "$135 million, let's set that aside for now. Sophia, you initially told me you wanted to start with the wine business. Now, if I take over Gucci, do you think you can manage it?"

Sophia nodded without hesitation, "I want to try."

"It's not something you can just try," Simon sat upright, putting down his coffee cup, "$135 million might not be much to me, but you should know how many people in this world can't even access a tenth of that."

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