Heads Up Hollywood

After waiting for three full days, the person Tang En was looking forward to finally appeared in his office.

West Cotton is 45 years old this year, with a medium build, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, with a gentle and bookish look; he is wearing a formal suit and a red tie, which looks very festive; he is carrying a black computer bag , suits and leather shoes, showing the professional demeanor of a business elite.

Under the introduction of Bill McNick, West Cotton said respectfully: "Hello, Director Walker. You may not know me, but we have already had four film cooperation experiences. "Titanic", "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "Wedding Crashers," and "Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Man Menace," all of which I've run for distribution."

Tang En smiled and shook hands with him, "West, you are too polite. I have heard about your experience at Fox. Bill said that you are very capable, and I look forward to continuing to cooperate with you."

West Cotton looked indifferent, "It can't be said to be an encounter, it is reasonable. After all, Twentieth Century Fox just changed its CEO half a year ago, and the change of decision-makers in a short period of time may cause even bigger problems. turmoil."

Tang En glanced at him in surprise.

This person is neither arrogant nor impetuous, and has a good attitude. He should be a hero of 20th Century Fox, but he was dismissed unjustly. It stands to reason that he should be resentful.

But the way he is downplaying now, he doesn't take the resentment from the past to heart. This is a very professional moral spirit.

Tang En glanced at Bill McNick, then jokingly said, "West, Bill mentioned you to me three days ago. These three days, I've been waiting to see you."

West Cotton explained professionally: "I'm sorry, Director Walker, to keep you waiting. But I'm here this time, after all, it's an interview, so I have to make some preparations. Even with Mr. McNick's recommendation, I think it’s more important to show your self-worth.”

Bill McNick added: "In the past few days, he has fully understood our company's strategic planning and development needs, and made a 60-page PPT to show his management philosophy and development ideas."

"A 60-page PPT? The workload is not small!"

Tang En glanced at West Cotton in surprise, and then realized that his eyes were indeed a little red, and his face was a little tired.

West Cotton said: "I would also like to thank Mr. McNick for his trust. If it weren't for the documents and materials he provided, I would be at a loss as to the strategic thinking of Tang En Pictures."

Tang En waved his hand and said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, there is no righteousness in buying and selling, so... just take a look at your PPT?"

"Can."

West Cotton came to the sofa and sat down, opened his computer bag, took out an HP notebook, and started to operate it simply.

Tang En and Bill McNick sat on both sides, and soon saw the simple and simple PPT interface, and the title of the first page deeply attracted his attention - "On the Formation of the Distribution Department of Independent Films" .

West Cotton didn't pay attention to Tang En's expression, and all his attention was on his PPT, "Mr. McNick said that the business that Tang En Pictures is currently most committed to developing is the distribution department of independent films. Coincidentally, I am in this area There is some experience, so let's tackle that first."

"good!"

Tang En's voice was very deep, and he tried his best to suppress the joy in his heart.

West Cotton said: "The distribution department of mainstream commercial films is usually a large multinational company. Take Twentieth Century Fox as an example. The company has a total of more than 16,000 employees, of which the global distribution department has more than 11,000 employees." To complete the publicity and distribution work in more than 100 countries and regions around the world, this is a very huge industrial resource. With the current scale of Tang En Pictures, it is still unable to support such a large distribution department, and even if an international distribution department covering the world is established , at least five years."

Tang En looked at the data on the PPT and nodded frequently, "Yes, so I plan to buy this part directly. Tang En Pictures now only needs to create an independent film distribution channel throughout North America."

"A direct acquisition?"

West Cotton, who was immersed in the PPT, couldn't help being surprised, and turned his head to look at Tang En.

He had already heard from Bill McNick that Dunn Walker had great ambitions and great ambitions! When making PPT, it doesn’t matter if you can be more generous, or even come up with some crazy ideas, but you can’t be too conservative.

Therefore, West Cotton set three acquisition strategies for Tang En, which is the strategic plan for the current Tang En Pictures.

But he didn't expect that Tang En's ambition was far greater than he imagined!

What does it mean to acquire a company with worldwide distribution? Looking at Hollywood, there are only six film companies with such capabilities!

Disney, Paramount, Sony Columbia, Universal, Warner, 20th Century Fox!

With the current scale of Tang En Pictures, which one can be eaten?

West Cotton shook his head, his thoughts returned to the PPT, and he said slowly: "The distribution department of independent films is relatively much easier, usually only needs a team of about 50 people, and it takes half a year to complete the establishment. "

"Half a year?" Tang En frowned, "No, this is too slow!"

Disney's movie "Undead" will be released in mid-November, and it will be more than three months from now. Tang En Pictures must complete the establishment of the distribution department as soon as possible, and then operate the distribution of "Chain Saw".

West Cotton changed a PPT page, "I know, Mr. McNick mentioned to me that in November, Rampage Pictures, a subsidiary of Tang En Pictures, will release a movie. But if you create a distribution department, you can't do it in half a year." Not to mention, this is on the premise that I have many contacts and resources. It took me 10 months to create the distribution department for Fox Searchlight.”

Tang En pondered: "Then what should we do?"

"Acquisition!"

"Acquisition?"

Tang En's eyes lit up, as if he understood what he meant.

"That's right, it is to directly acquire a small production company with independent distribution channels in North America." West Cotton pressed the shell button again, and a company's name appeared on the PPT page - Good Machine Film Production company.

Tang En raised his eyebrows, feeling that the name was somewhat familiar.

Facing the content of the PPT, West Cotton slowly explained: "This production company was founded in 1991 by James Shams and Ted Hooper."

"James Shams? As I recall, he was Ann Lee's producer."

During the preparation of the "The Chronicles of Narnia" project, Tang En vaguely remembered that Ann Lee had one of the biggest helpers, who was also the screenwriter and executive producer, and that was James Shams.

West Cotton smiled and said: "That's right, it's him! Mr. Shams is Director Li's biggest partner, and he supports all of Director Li's films in Hollywood. Good Machine Films started, It also relies on investing in Ann Lee's work "Pushing Hands."

After a long silence, Bill McNick said: "This is a small company, right? They have a complete publishing department?"

West Cotton said: "The scale is not large, but it is relatively sound. Although they don't have the ability to distribute films like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", it is enough to release a small-budget B-grade film."

Tang En half-closed his eyes and made no sound.

He seemed to remember something.

Good Machine Films... seems to be a well-known independent film production company. In 2004, it was acquired by Universal Pictures and changed its name to Focus Pictures. There were many good films for a while, and it was known as the second "Miramax".

Tang En had already made up his mind to acquire Universal Pictures.

Since Universal Pictures will acquire this company, Tang En made an early move and bought it at a lower price, which just fits into the current situation that Tang En Pictures is facing.

Well, this acquisition proposal is very good!

"How much is the price?"

"Good Machine Films has now produced 13 films, all of which are small-budget independent films with little profit, so the price is not too high, estimated to be around 15 million US dollars."

Tang En nodded heavily, "That's how to do it! I agree with the acquisition suggestion, West, I will leave this job to you. Acquire Machine Pictures in the shortest possible time, and then expand and complete the distribution department for me! In addition, okay The name Machine Pictures is too ugly, after the acquisition is completed, it will be renamed as Focus Pictures!"

West Cotton was a little surprised, "Director Walker, I...I..."

Tang En patted him on the shoulder, and said lightly: "Based on your suggestion, it is enough to take the position of Vice President of Tang En Pictures. In other words, West, you have already been hired."

"ah?"

West Cotton was both surprised and pleasantly surprised, and his mind was a little swollen.

Although at 20th Century Fox, he was also at the vice president level, but Tang En accepted him as the vice president of Tang En Pictures within 20 minutes of knowing him. This trust was really heavy.

From the vice president of Fox to the vice president of Tang En Pictures, of course it was a "demotion".

But Bill McNick was ahead, and no one could speak.

He used to be the top leader of 20th Century Fox, and he could jump ship to become the second leader of Tang En Pictures. How could West Cotton be dissatisfied?

Bill McNick was used to Twain's unruly behavior. His out-of-the-ordinary personality and decisive decision-making were definitely Hollywood wonders.

"Okay, Twain, let's put it aside and talk about it later. Didn't West say that he has prepared three acquisitions? Let's take a look at what the last two acquisition proposals are."

Bill McNick touched West Cotton's arm to calm him down and prepare for the following introduction.

Tang En crossed his legs and said with a smile: "Yes, maybe...Tang En Pictures will be able to send out three purchase invitation applications today."

For West Cotton, he already had enough confidence.