Chapter 60: Self-Preparation

After finishing dinner, Charles turned on the TV to watch some commentary on Fox News.

Naomi Watts, who had just cleaned up, also came over to sit on the couch and watch. "Arnold Schwarzenegger is actually running for governor of California? Unbelievable!"

"This guy, always thinking about becoming the President of the United States!" Charles quipped.

"A star and a politician, what a difference," Naomi shook her head.

"His approval ratings are really high though. Most of the opposition comes from Hollywood stars!"

"Why are his approval ratings so high?"

"Ha, people always think politicians are lying, black-hearted tricksters. Suddenly, a movie tough guy wants to enter politics, the contrast makes his approval ratings skyrocket!"

Fox News supported the Republican Party and praised Schwarzenegger to the hilt. Charles felt a bit embarrassed watching the host speak.

No surprise, CNN and NBC were likely promoting the Democratic Party.

Another presidential election was coming up the next year, so America was gearing up for another lively event.

Charles joked, holding the girl by the shoulder: "Everyone just love being part of this stuff, even though a lot of them probably can't even name how many states the country has! If you ask them to name some historical figures, they might mistake Bismarck for a British Prime Minister and Churchill for a cigar salesman."

Naomi Watts had been in America for a long time and understood it quite well. Compared to Europe, America was much more brash.

"The wealth gap is too big, creating a class divide between elites and the lower class. Liberalism makes a lot of ordinary people too lax!"

Charles nodded and chuckled at Naomi Watts' assessment: "Reagan-era neoliberalism probably liberated everyone's nature. But Hollywood stars should thank Reagan; he made their incomes skyrocket!"

"By the way, who's the lead actor in King Kong?" Charles suddenly asked, feeling like he had forgotten.

"It should be the recent Oscar Best Actor winner, Adrien Brody, but everything has to wait for the official announcement from the producers," Naomi Watts, who had signed a contract, couldn't confirm her role as the lead actress yet because the preparation for King Kong was extensive and the set design alone would take a long time.

Naomi Watts' blonde hair caught Charles' eye as he reached out to stroke it.

"Is this for the movie?"

"Yes, during the audition, the director wanted me to have bright blonde hair," Naomi Watts explained, though she was naturally blonde, the shiny blonde hair seen in movies was usually dyed.

Typically, it would have some brown in it. Charles himself had blonde hair with a bit of brown.

"King Kong, with a budget over $200 million, Universal is going big," Charles noted, recalling that Hulk also had a huge investment but didn't perform well in terms of box office and reviews.

Van Helsing was another big film, with a budget over $100 million. Universal had scheduled its release for next year and was now preparing King Kong with an even bigger budget.

"What are you thinking about?" Naomi Watts leaned on Charles and asked.

"Mm," Charles looked down, just catching a glimpse of the scenery inside the girl's low-cut camisole.

He laughed and said, "It's getting late, let's rest!"

Next morning, Charles, fresh from washing up, started eating breakfast in high spirits.

"Why aren't you eating?" Charles asked, seeing Naomi only drinking coffee and not touching the eggs and ham on her plate.

Naomi Watts shook her head, "It's all protein. I don't feel like eating much first thing in the morning."

"Uh, makes sense! Alright, I'm off to the company!"

...

In October, the California election votes came in, and the current governor, Gray Davis, was directly recalled, while a new governor was chosen.

"Now, the 32nd Governor of California is Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger, an Austrian immigrant who became a bodybuilding champion before entering Hollywood to become a movie star..."

At the Carpe manor in Beverly Hills, the TV in the hall was broadcasting live from the state government capitol in Sacramento, as the presenter reported the election results.

"Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger defeated 146 candidates..."

"And now, President Bush is making a speech..."

Charles pressed the remote control and turned off the live broadcast.

He got up to grab a beer from the fridge and went out to the garden, sipping the beer while overlooking Los Angeles.

Saw was set to release this month, a golden cash cow.

He took out his phone and called Dona, "Get the company to compile data on small theater chains in North America, those with fewer than 1,000 screens. We're looking for acquisition targets."

"Got it!"

Setting up a distribution channel was urgent. After acquiring Artisan, Charles could recruit some experienced distribution personnel.

As for theater chains, all the big Hollywood companies had some controlled channels. The Paramount Decree prevented movie companies from monopolizing vertical integration, thus dividing the distribution sector.

Now, the decree was virtually nonexistent. Movie companies didn't run theaters due to profit and cost reasons. Running large-scale theater chains wasn't suitable along the supply chain.

Of course, antitrust laws still existed, but almost every movie company had its own theaters now, just on a smaller scale.

The relationship between movie companies and theaters was mainly one of cooperation and opposition.

Charles needed a distribution channel and planned to acquire a small theater chain to start. Distribution required a lot of funds and content to sustain it.

Distributing three to four films a year, promotional costs weren't small, and buying films also required cash flow.

Charles wasn't in a hurry, taking it step by step. With Carpe Films producing more movies, establishing the brand, cooperation with theaters would become more convenient.

However, for Wedding Crashers, Charles wasn't planning to wait around foolishly. If Universal wasn't interested, he would either develop it himself or collaborate with other film companies.

As for Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Charles believed Universal would make the right choice since General Electric was in talks of acquisition.

Did General Electric not have money now? That was impossible; it was just a matter of time, likely starting next year.

"Mom, I'm planning to start the Wedding Crashers project!"

Receiving a call from Charles, Evelyn wasn't surprised as Carpe Films still had many collaborations with ETA.

"Universal invested?"

"Not yet, but I won't wait anymore. The preliminary preparations won't cost much. If Universal continues to waste my time, I'll find another company to collaborate with!"

"You plan to rely on the revenue from Saw?"

Evelyn understood her son, knowing he was very decisive, given his experience.

"Confident?"

"Yes!"

*****

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