At this time, Polykin Pictures was actually dead in name only.

Just last year, Polykin Group, the parent company of Polykin Pictures, was acquired by Sigram Wine Industry Group of Massachusetts.

At this time, the Westgram Group, under the leadership of the wise Edgar Bronfman, had returned to the entertainment industry and first acquired 80% of the shares of MCA Entertainment Group from Panasonic.

It was then renamed Universal Pictures and Universal Music.

At that time, Bai Quinn had just traveled over and later collaborated with David Geffen for the record business. The publisher he was looking for was also David Geffen's old relationship. Universal Records, which had just completed its reorganization, now 15% of the equity of Big Machine Records is still owned by Universal Records. David Geffen took 10%, and artists such as Eminem, as well as the conscientious Scott, have also become shareholders of Big Machine Records.

So, counting it, Bai Quinn is also a partner, an employee, or a money-making tool for Edgar Bronfman Jr., it depends on which direction it is interpreted.

With this relationship, Bai Quinn appeared downstairs of Polygon Film, which was visiting his brother's unit.

What bad intentions can brothers have between them? What's more, Polygon Pictures is really nothing left now.

Since Edgar Bronfman Jr. valued Polykin's music business more, after he spent $10.5 billion to acquire Polykin's Group, he immediately split the movie business that he looked down upon to get some blood as soon as possible.

In October 1998, MGM spent $250 million to acquire 1,300 films released by Polygon Pictures before March 31, 1996 from Edgar Jr., accounting for two-thirds of its total film library.

In January 1999, Polykin's largest TV library, ITC, was sold to the British TV tycoon Carlton Group for US$150 million. The library mainly focuses on TV series. In addition to Polykin's movies, there are many film and television copyrights from other companies it has acquired over the years.

Next, Polykin Pictures' North American distribution network assets were packaged and sold to USAworks, a cable station with ambitions to enter the film industry. WWF's Monday night Raw program was broadcast on this cable station.

Now Polygon Pictures has few assets left, mainly three parts: MGM picks up the other third of the film library; the original Polygon Pictures' European distribution system; and employees who are still working at Polygon Pictures.

Edgar Bronfman Jr. must be selling the remaining one-third of the library, but there are not many suckers like MGM. Highlights like "Four Weddings and One Funeral", "Train Guess", "Furious", "American Werewolf in London", and "Lightning Dance" have all been picked up by MGM. It is still difficult to sell the remaining part at an ideal price.

Fortunately, Edgar can still use his own Universal Pictures to enrich his film library and contribute a large amount of GDP.

As for the European distribution system, it is very useless. Universal Pictures has its own European distribution company, divided into three branches: Britain, France and Germany. Polyglin can fill the gap between Universal Pictures in the Netherlands and Belgium. However, leaving the entire branch for such a small country does confirm that Prime Minister Cao's words, "It's a pity to eat, it's a pity to abandon it."

The current management of Polykin is the final say of several "receiver" sent by the Seagram Group. Their plan is to slowly divest this part of the assets and absorb them into the Universal Pictures system.

However, in this way, reducing people and increasing efficiency is inevitable, and it will inevitably cause panic among employees of Polytechnic Film.

But does "received seniors" care?

They don’t care. Those old Polykin’s employees are burdens for the Seagram Group and will definitely be thrown out in the end.

Just at this moment, Bai Quinn came stepping on the colorful auspicious clouds!

Paul Webster, a British producer who Chris dug up from Miramax last year, worked at Polykin Pictures in the 1980s, and later went to the United States and was recruited by Harvey, becoming a bridge between Harvey and the British film industry.

However, the principle of "the birds are full of good bows" is common all over the world. After Miramax added friends with the British film industry such as "Emma", Paul, the introducer, became dispensable.

Now, broker Paul is on duty again, this time he will become a bridge of new friendship between Bai Quinn and his old colleagues at Polykin.

The two are preparing to meet with Darryl Iwai, the current president of Polykin Films.

However, the meeting was not Polygon's office, but a nearby French restaurant.

Bai Quinn had a lot of resentment towards the British chef. Without Italian food, choosing French food was already his last compromise.

There is no way, as people become rich, they gradually become pretentious. When he was working at Blockbuster in Said, he could still eat fish and chips dipped in special Holmes sauce.

After a while, Darryl Iwai came. He was forty or fifty years old, with a typical Asian face. He bowed as soon as he met, revealing his thick hair on his head. He was obviously less worried than Japanese working people of the same age.

Since they are all in the film industry, the ice-breaking topic between the two sides is naturally the movie. After Bai Quinn arrived in the UK, he first watched "Notting Hill" starring Julia Roberts and British handsome Hugh Grant. It will take two weeks before the United States will be released, so I came to the UK to try it out.

If nothing unexpected happens, the film will be popular in the United States and has the potential to be a hit of the year.

"It's really $15 million?" Bai Quinn was surprised by the big-mouthed Julia Roberts's pay.

When he saw Julia's big star Anna in the movie, he said that her previous film was $15 million, he thought it was just a casual talk by the screenwriter, but Iwai told him that it was really Julia's salary in "Notting Hill".

You should know that when filming "The Pretty Beauty", the crew only got a $300,000 salary after sleeping all over the crew. This was what producer Anon Milkan said in person.

Darryl Iwai explained: "Actually, she has received a $12 million salary in "My Best Friend's Wedding". Of course, it's still not comparable to Sandra Brock's 20 million in "Life and Death 2"..."

Paul Webster said: "I got a super high pay, but the movie was a big frustration. Maybe Sandra can never call such a high price again. But Julia can still rise again. With Judy Foster already starting to tinker with literary movies by herself, Julia Roberts is already the well-deserved number one sister in Hollywood!"

Bai Quinn remembered Jenny. The three million dollar pay had already hurt him, so she secretly decided to stay away from these so-called brothers and sisters in the future, unless they were willing to play the role like Tom Tom.

"Magnolia" comes with Tomco's Little Golden Man dream, so she is willing to star in the film for $8 million. The film was jointly invested by director Paul Thomas Anderson's Gulady film and Wademark image. It has also entered the post-production stage and will be released in the 1999 Christmas schedule, impacting next year's awards season.

After filming "Magnolia", Tomco and his wife, Nicole Kidman, starred in "Eye-Opening" by Kubrick. Unexpectedly, they accidentally became the last work of famous director Kubrick, and rumors of Tomco and his wife being incompatible were also spread.

This movie is cursed.

In fact, according to Bai Quinn's aesthetic, whether it is Julia Roberts, cousin Chris's former love Angelina Jolie, or Cameron Diaz, who failed to compete for the heroine of "I'm Mad for Mary", is not his "dish". Instead, it is Nicole Kidman, a big white girl...

Well, forget it, that's my friend's wife...

Bai Quinn quickly changed the topic that made him feel uncomfortable and said, "Before I came from the United States, I also watched "Two Big Bullets", which is also a movie released by your company. I heard that this is the director's debut work."

It is rare that Bai Quinn got a new character fragment while watching the movie. A bald head named Jason Statham is one of the supporting characters in the film. The image in the memory fragment is still bald head, wearing a black suit and rushing in the air with two guns in his hand.

"Gay Rich! Don't think he was a TV commercial, it was because his father took over part of the advertising business of the BBC, and he was a nobleman. At that time, Mr. Alan Levy gave his stepmother, Baroness Rich of Brompton, so he agreed to film his messy movie that even wrote the script.

Speaking of script, QB, you are the professional one, you are the winner of the Oscar Little Golden Man..."

Bai Quinn accepted Iwai's praise with a smile and said, "But you must have made a lot of money in "Two Big Bulleys". The cost of that movie should be within one million dollars. I have made low-cost movies, and I can tell at a glance! As for the box office, I heard that you made tens of millions in the UK, and the United States probably won't be less than twenty million."

Darryl Iwai nodded and said, "It's true, "Two Big Blows" has made a big fortune with small profits, just like your "Bonnie and Freck" back then."

Bai Quinn is increasingly fond of this Japanese who can talk, but he will eventually have to talk about the main business.

"Don't Mr. Iwai feel it's a pity?"

Iwai pierced the snail meat on the plate, but when he raised his head, he looked confused.

"What a pity? Sorry, I didn't understand. Did you say "Two Big Blows" was not released in the United States earlier?

Indeed, the company was in turmoil at that time, and the US distribution side could not set the schedule. It was originally planned to be released simultaneously in August 1998, but the US was half a year late..."

Bai Quinn still kept smiling and said, "I mean, Polygon Film, which was originally prosperous, has become like this now, leaving only a broken body. Don't you feel a pity?"

Iwai joined Polygin after graduating from Kama University in the early 1980s. He first entered the recording department, but later transferred to Polygin Pictures. With his Asian identity, he worked as the president of Polygin Pictures among the British. The only one above him is Alan Levi, the president of Polygin Group.

The culprit who sold Polygon.

In terms of ability, Iwai is not enough to say. Polykin's record department is frequently losing money, while the film department he is in charge is thriving, but unfortunately he is unable to make the situation come true. Seeing Polykin's Film Company being demolished by its new owners, it was finally sold at a low price.

Two-thirds of its film library sold for US$250 million, which seems to be very high, but in fact, if you operate it well, Polykin's film library can earn US$250 million in ten years.

This is killing chickens to get eggs, and fishing through the pond!

After buying the movie library, he also had to sell the ITC TV library. What he found most unacceptable was that in addition to four movies that have been produced and not yet released, and a movie that has just started filming, Universal Pictures no longer gives Polykin Pictures new project development rights, and Polykin Pictures will only become part of Universal Pictures' distribution system in the future.

Among the four unreleased movies, Daryl Iwai is more optimistic about "Becoming John Markovic" and "The Miracle of Green" starring Tom Hanks.

As for the company changes as soon as the filming starts, it is "Interstellar" starring Vin Diesel, who is the "Soldier Ryan Rescue Team".

A film production company will die out, and it is not a war crime. It is not that they are not doing well. "Notting Hill" will definitely sell well and can bring hundreds of millions of profits. Not to mention such a fine Polygon Film Company, it will be able to release one in at least two years.

Unfortunately, I was dragged down by my previous owner, and the new owner was entrusted by someone else, so I just wanted to peel it off while it was hot and sell it in pieces.

Are you willing?

Definitely unwilling to give up!

"If I guess correctly, Edgar Bronfman Jr.'s next plan should be to sell his sincere film library to Universal Pictures. I remember that Polygon Pictures was split up and placed under his personal name. He would not run a studio. Only if it was sold, it would be a maximization of benefits for him."

Bai Quinn continued to touch his heart and said, "As for Polykin's distribution system, it is unnecessary for Universal Pictures. You will face continuous layoffs. The last few people are left. Just maintain remote areas in Europe that Universal Pictures does not care about...

So, are you willing? You are thrown away like a used napkin."

After saying this, Bai Quinn took off his napkin and put it on the plate. Waiting for the quick-eyed waiter not far away, he immediately walked up to take the plate away.

Looking at the waiter's back as he walked away, the snail meat on Iwai's fork shook for a moment and fell back into the plate.

It's Paul Webster's turn to play.

"Iwai, sorry, when you asked me about Mr. QB's purpose, I did not tell you the truth. In fact, Mr. QB has a plan to establish a European distribution company serving Wademark Image.

I also communicated with many old colleagues. Many of them have children in the UK, and it is not realistic to transfer jobs to Universal Pictures in the United States. In the end, they can only accept a blunt knife and are slowly eliminated.

You know, the distribution industry depends on relationships. It is never a matter of cooperation with theaters and audio-visual stores overnight. Every company is a carrot and a pit, and the personnel flow is not large. Once Edgar decides to close the distribution system of Polygon Pictures, it is difficult for other companies to accept outgoing personnel.

But, you see, Mr. QB happened to come. I think this is an opportunity for you and other old colleagues. Let’s jump to the new company together and start over..."

Of course, Paul naturally asked them to bring the network and connections they had established at Polykin. They understood everything. Wademark's image was willing to accept them, which means that they liked the resources accumulated by their employees and could immediately put the new issuing company into operation.

Paul's persuasion moved Iwai, and immediately stated that he would go back and consider it, and would ask his backbone for his opinions.

At this point, the inclusion work went very smoothly.

Daryl Iwai has been unaware of the high-level turmoil in Warner Bros. Pictures in the UK for a long time. Even if you know it, it is hard to imagine that Warner's high-level changes will force Wademark to establish its own distribution network in Europe.

Therefore, it is naturally unclear about Bai Quinn's urgent desire to make the European issuance system work as soon as possible.

In his opinion, Bai Quinn came with a savior mentality and naturally felt that he was lowered.

Even so, Iwai still put forward his own conditions: "However, Mr. QB, you know, although our Polygon Films has no independent development project, it still maintains long-term partnerships with many small production companies. Vin Diesel's "Star Legend" we talked about before is one of them, as well as the new film that Guy Ritchie is preparing to shoot, as well as many directors who often work with us, Mike Leigh, Stephen Frells, Mike Newell, Nicholas Heitner, and even Ridley Scott who is working with you...

These are also intangible assets of Polykin Pictures. Their partnership will be brought into the new company with our job change..."

Before he could finish his words, Bai Quinn said: "I understand what you mean, Iwai Jun, if you can guarantee the integrity of the team, we can consider cooperating with these directors or production companies in the name of Wademark Image. The colleagues in charge of the project will join Wademark Image as producer partners.

For specific interest distribution issues, you can ask Paul when you have time. He is now one of our production partners and enjoy the kind of film box office sharing!”

Darryl Iwai, who had re-expected the future, left. Bai Quinn urged Paul to be responsible for the construction of the new company and the acquisition of the team that Polykin Films changed jobs.

Paul took advantage of the benefits and became a member of the American Academy of Film Arts and Sciences with the help of the "influence" of Wademark's image. Naturally, he should also assume the corresponding responsibility. In the future, this issue of European distribution will fall on him. In the short term, Iwai will only be his deputy.

There is no way, who told Paul to surrender early, and he has made a lot of efforts in the "war" between Wademark Image and Miramax, and has long proved his "loyalty".

Having put aside the distribution company's business, Bai Quinn hurried to the small town of Fassum near London, and "Gladiator" will be launched in the local Burnwood Forest.

Ridley Scott has been waiting for him for a long time!
Chapter completed!