Chapter 407: Interview

After staying in Montreal for three or four days, Charles returned to New York. The construction and management of the production base were naturally followed up by the company's personnel.

Additionally, the production base in Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, was also managed and constructed by the chief operating officer, Michael Lynn.

Atlanta, known as the Hollywood of the South, compared to the Northern Hollywood of Canada, Montreal, had a prosperous film and television industry.

The Georgia state government offered tax credits of up to 30% for film and television manufacturers who shot in the state. This initiative made Georgia and its capital, Atlanta, one of the most favored American film and television production bases.

"Atlanta's media industry is quite developed. There are a total of 9 TV stations, 5 cable networks, and 41 radio stations. CNN and TBS have their headquarters in Atlanta," said Charles, sitting in Capet Pictures' office on Greenwich Street in Lower Manhattan, flipping through various materials about Atlanta.

"Our production factory's original site was an abandoned U.S. military base located in the southern suburbs of Atlanta, with 330 acres of exterior scenes. Many scenes from The Walking Dead were built there," explained Phyllis Jones beside him.

Charles nodded. The West's Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, the Midwest's Chicago, the South's Atlanta, Dallas, and Miami, and the East's New York, Philadelphia, and the Northeast's Boston - these major cities were key locations for Capet Entertainment's distribution offices.

"We've helped solve a lot of employment issues for the government, haven't we?" He was satisfied with Georgia's tax credit for the entertainment industry, with the next best option being Delaware as a registration place for entertainment companies.

Charles put down the file in his hand, stretched his arms, and said, "How's Sony's Spider-Man 4 coming along?"

"They are still reworking the screenplay. Last year, after the first movie's screenwriter, David Koepp, took over the Spider-Man 4 script, both sides had a falling out due to the writers' strike," Phyllis responded. "After the strike ended, James Vanderbilt was hired to write the Spider-Man 4 script. Now, another writer, Lindsay-Abaire, is reworking Vanderbilt's draft of the script. According to our information from Marvel Entertainment, Sony seems keen on having Sam Raimi shoot Spider-Man 4 and Spider-Man 5 back-to-back!"

Spider-Man 3 grossed nearly $900 million worldwide, making Marvel's superhero the undisputed king.

"Huh, the reputation of Spider-Man 3... the script for the next one would be hard to write. Producer Avi Arad's excessive interference messed up the third one," shook Charles, noting that Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst were getting older, and their sequel fees were climbing.

Charles knew Sony would eventually cancel Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man 4, but for now, Sony was still very active in its operations.

"Boss, it's time for the Vanity Fair magazine interview," Phyllis Jones checked her watch and reminded him.

Charles nodded, "Let's go!"

Subsequently, Charles was interviewed by Vanity Fair magazine in a reception room.

"Mr. Capet, want to say hello to everyone first?" the beautiful Vanity Fair reporter asked, sitting on the couch with Charles.

"Hello, everyone, I'm Charles Capet!" Charles waved with a smile towards the camera.

"Mr. Capet, the global economy is in a slump due to the financial crisis. This round of crisis has significantly impacted Hollywood, hasn't it?"

"Absolutely, it has. Now all the Hollywood studios have reduced their film output and production budgets. Many companies are also implementing new waves of layoffs to cut expenses during this crisis."

"Layoffs, indeed. Especially Viacom Group, which plans to lay off 850 employees, about 10% of its total workforce," the beautiful reporter said, glancing at Charles.

"Does Capet Entertainment also have layoff plans?"

"Maybe. Capet Entertainment has invested heavily in a large film production factory in Atlanta. We haven't reduced the number of film developments, and the budget for film and television production is still very large. If the revenue is insufficient, layoffs are not impossible," said Charles. Capet Entertainment was already set to cut part of its promotion staff, primarily because there were too many traditional promotion personnel, and Charles wasn't happy with it.

"But Capet Entertainment's revenue has always been one of the healthiest in Hollywood. Is laying off still necessary?"

Charles nodded, "Without reducing the number of films produced, laying off some company employees is inevitable; Nevertheless, if we do lay off, we will control the number of cuts to the smallest extent possible!"

"Now, including Universal, Disney, and 20th Century Fox are all in contact with DreamWorks, hoping to collaborate with Steven Spielberg. Does Capet Pictures have such an intention?"

Charles nodded, "Spielberg is a world-renowned director. Not many film companies would refuse to work with him!"

"So, will Capet Pictures join the race for Spielberg? Everyone now knows Capet Pictures will join MPAA next year as the seventh association member, officially forming the Hollywood Seven Studios!" The beautiful reporter stared at Charles Capet, not even thirty years old and the boss of one of the world's seven largest movie groups. Too perfect.

"Competing for Spielberg?" Charles shook his head, "No!"

"Why not? Didn't you just say not many film companies would refuse Spielberg?"

"Because Capet Pictures can't offer the conditions other movie companies can. Capet Pictures is a commercial film company with its own profit benchmarks," said Charles, smiling. "Most of Spielberg's works do not meet our profit benchmarks!"

The beautiful reporter smiled, understanding what Charles meant. One only needed to look at DreamWorks to know most of their live-action films were losses.

However, Charles' interview further created troubles for DreamWorks and Steven Spielberg, who were already having a hard time.

*****

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