"Gladiator";
"Chicken Run";
"What Lies Beneath";
"Almost Famous";
...and so on, a total of 9 movies. This is the number of films DreamWorks will release in the second half of the year. Moreover, these 9 films are all produced and released by DreamWorks. If you add the films distributed for other small and medium-sized film companies, the number will increase by an additional 5 films.
"Your DreamWorks' annual output is impressive!"
After reading the "Release Schedule," Kyle couldn't help but exclaim.
Katzenberg laughed, "You don't have to be envious. Previously, a major factor limiting your company's development was a huge shortage of manpower, which resulted in a low capacity to produce multiple films simultaneously. However, you've acquired several film and television companies, haven't you? Once you integrate these film companies, your ability to produce multiple films simultaneously will also improve."
Kyle nodded in agreement.
The ability to produce multiple films simultaneously had indeed seriously constrained Page Pictures' development before, but in the future, all of this would no longer be a problem.
Without high output, how can there be high returns?
Under certain circumstances, this holds true!
"Jeffrey, which movie release do you need my help with?" Kyle asked.
Upon hearing this, Katzenberg was immediately overjoyed, "Thank you so much! You've helped me tremendously. On behalf of the entire DreamWorks Group, I thank you~"
"Cut the act!"
Kyle waved his hand and laughed, "Business dealings are never gratuitous, you know that."
A pushover wouldn't survive in Hollywood.
Besides, Kyle had been eyeing DreamWorks Animation's overseas distribution rights for more than just a day or two. Kyle had done plenty of taking advantage of others' predicaments.
A long time passed.
After several tens of seconds of deep thought, Katzenberg gritted his teeth and said, "As long as you help me overcome this difficulty with the animated film 'Chicken Run,' then in the future, the overseas distribution rights for DreamWorks Animation will be yours, will be Page Pictures'."
Overseas distribution rights?
"Shrek," "Madagascar," "How to Train Your Dragon," "The Croods," "Turbo," "Mr. Peabody & Sherman"... Weren't all these famous animated films from DreamWorks Animation in the future!
Let alone Kyle, any film company would not be able to remain calm.
"Are you sure?" Kyle asked again, suppressing his excitement.
"Of course, don't you trust my character?" Katzenberg emphasized.
Upon hearing this, Kyle nodded heavily and said, "Only you would say that, and I believe it. Hmm, if Spielberg said it, I wouldn't believe a single word."
"..."
Katzenberg was instantly embarrassed.
As a director, Spielberg's talent and contributions were evident to all; he was a world-renowned director. However... as a film company boss, Spielberg's character was simply too poor.
Spielberg had made countless promises to many people.
But, the cruel reality tells us... Spielberg's words were like farts, his habit of breaking promises was simply too common. Deceiving people, it was one after another, countless...
That same afternoon.
Kyle, who had returned to Page Pictures, found Mr. Bill and Kevin Feige and told them about the collaboration with DreamWorks Animation.
"What?"
"Help DreamWorks promote their upcoming animated film 'Chicken Run'?"
"Overseas distribution rights?"
"Boss, although Jeffrey's reputation is impeccable, the final decision on DreamWorks Animation's overseas distribution rights doesn't solely rest with Jeffrey. Don't forget, there's also Spielberg and David Geffen."
Bill Mechanic looked suspicious.
The three giants of DreamWorks were Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg, and David Geffen.
Jeffrey Katzenberg was responsible for the animation industry;
Steven Spielberg was responsible for live-action films;
David Geffen was responsible for music projects;
The three each performed their duties, aiming to create the strongest combination, but when considering major issues, their combined efforts were required for the final decision. At the same time, Spielberg was the supreme decision-maker.
Kevin Feige also echoed, "Boss, empty words are unreliable. Even with a contract, it can be torn up at any time."
In a word, Kevin Feige also didn't trust DreamWorks.
It was simply because DreamWorks had done too many ridiculous and untrustworthy things.
Their reputation was in tatters!
"Don't be nervous~"
Kyle spread his hands and laughed, "Actually, I don't trust DreamWorks either, including Jeffrey Katzenberg!"
"Uh..."
Immediately, Mr. Bill and Kevin both looked surprised.
"Jeffrey's reputation is good, but we cannot build trust on someone else's reputation; that's the most insecure thing. Moreover, as you said, the person who can decide DreamWorks Animation's overseas distribution rights is not Jeffrey alone, but all three of them!" Kyle explained with a smile.
Mr. Bill: "..."
Kevin Feige: "..."
Kyle laughed, "I chose to help DreamWorks because we still need them to be in front of us, to help us bear the pressure from the Hollywood Big Six."
He who does not think far ahead will have worries close at hand!
Why did so many Hollywood film companies collapse after entering the 21st century?
It wasn't just due to the operational problems of these film companies themselves; more often, it was due to the suppression, targeting, and exclusion by the Hollywood Big Six.
Disney was embroiled in internal strife;
Warner was embroiled in internal strife;
Sony Columbia was busy selling electronic products and promoting new DVD technology;
Universal was busy merging with NBC Television Network;
However, 20th Century Fox and Paramount were not to be trifled with either.
Once the Hollywood Big Six recovered, the pressure they would exert on Golden Dawn Entertainment Group, even if not a raging storm, would definitely make Kyle suffer greatly!
"I am certainly happy to get the overseas distribution rights for DreamWorks Animation; however, even if I don't get them, it's fine. One more target to take the fall is not bad." Kyle was very cunning.
Of course, DreamWorks was no slouch either.
The reason Jeffrey invited Kyle and sought his help was that he anticipated Kyle would very likely offer assistance.
Heh heh, they're all shrewd operators!
...In the days that followed.
While Golden Dawn Entertainment Group was promoting "Spider-Man," it also spared no effort in promoting DreamWorks' animated film "Chicken Run."
During this period, Jeffrey Katzenberg frequently called Kyle to express his gratitude.
"No words can express it, my best friend. I can only say, thank you so much." Katzenberg said.
Spielberg and David Geffen, also among the three DreamWorks giants, also made numerous calls, inquiring about Kyle's well-being and expressing their thanks.
The close cooperation between the two companies led many media outlets to speculate.
"Could it be that DreamWorks Animation's overseas distribution rights will really belong to Kyle Page in the future?"
However... on June 20th, with 3 days left until the release of "Chicken Run" and 1 month left until the release of "Spider-Man"...
DreamWorks, in conjunction with Paramount, officially held a press conference to announce that DreamWorks' overseas distribution rights would formally be transferred to Paramount Pictures.
Undoubtedly, even though Kyle had prepared for a setback, he was still played, and a wave of anger surged in his heart.