Rebirth of Hong Kong - 1978

Chapter 1892 Missed the opportunity to rise

"They are going to raise fares together, my God, these people are really crazy."

The four film companies Universal, MGM, Fox, and Warner jointly issued a statement that the ticket prices of major productions released in the future will be adjusted.

Barry Diller smiled and shook his head when he saw the news.

The price increase in the United States is not something you can do just by saying it. You have to apply first, then hold a public hearing, and then go through a series of procedures after deliberation. Only after all these can be passed can you be allowed to raise prices. price increase.

It will take at least a few months at the fastest to walk in such a circle. If it is slower, it is possible to wait for a year. Of course, these are under the condition that everything is passed smoothly.

And after the price increase, they will face strong opposition from the audience. After all, the price increase is to make the audience pay more. Obviously, no one will support such a behavior.

But even under such circumstances, Lin Daoqiu and the others still chose to do this, in the eyes of Barry Diller, this is really stupid.

"Although Lin Daoqiu's move is stupid, I think this should be the trend in the future."

Jeffrey Katzenberg, who had always been displeased with Lin Daoqiu, had to admit that Lin Daoqiu's behavior was correct.

Because it is impossible for movie ticket prices to remain unchanged, this time Lin Daoqiu chose to raise the prices of blockbuster movies, and his reasons are very good.

The budget and energy required to make a blockbuster movie are far greater than those of ordinary movies. Under such circumstances, if the ticket price of an ordinary movie is used to show it, the cost will not be reflected at all.

"You won't suggest that I also follow them to raise prices?"

Barry Diller frowned, because he heard that Jeffrey Katzenberg voted for Lin Daoqiu's price increase.

"If they were successful, how would you choose?"

Jeffrey Katzenberg looked at Barry Diller and asked with a smile.

Asked by Jeffrey Katzenberg, Barry Diller was speechless immediately, because the answer was simple, if Lin Daoqiu and the others were successful, why would Paramount maintain the original ticket price.

Although the blockbuster films they produced are unlikely to have one in two years according to the rules laid down by Lin Daoqiu.

"Paramount will not dance with it, and I will join other studios to boycott this behavior."

After Barry Diller finished speaking, Jeffrey Katzenberg objected directly.

Although this approach looks very cool, it not only effectively hit Lin Daoqiu and his alliance, but also earned him some good reputation.

But Paramount will definitely raise ticket prices in the future. Once the price is raised, others will use Barry Diller's words against Lin Daoqiu and others to block him, and it will be even more embarrassing.

"I think we have to go up with them, or do nothing. After all, we will also raise prices in the future. If we oppose them at this time, it will be very difficult for us to raise prices."

Jeffrey Katzenberg didn't want Barry Diller to do something stupid, and it wouldn't do Paramount any favors.

Moreover, Columbia and Disney may not necessarily cooperate with Paramount. After all, Lin Daoqiu went to Disney at the beginning, and he still doesn't know what Disney's attitude is.

If Disney also joins Lin Daoqiu's alliance, Paramount's situation will be very embarrassing.

"I really can't figure it out. Are little Alan Ryder and Ashley's heads flooded? How could they go to cooperate with Lin Daoqiu? Don't they see how much threat Lin Daoqiu is to everyone?"

The more Barry Diller thought about it, he felt that Alan Ryder Jr. and Ashley, who had dominated Hollywood for so many years, believed even the words of a young man like Lin Daoqiu.

Once MGM becomes bigger and stronger, they can only serve as MGM's followers. Is this the result they want?

"Lin Daoqiu is willing to spend 8000-[-] million U.S. dollars to produce a film, and the average blockbuster film is also [-]-[-] million U.S. dollars. We have no chance to compete with him."

Jeffrey Katzenberg made the key point that Lin Daoqiu is willing to throw money at movies, and so far he has not missed a movie he has made.

In contrast to other film companies, let alone a movie with an investment of 5000 to [-] million, even an investment of [-] million must be carefully considered.

And once it hits the street, the person who made the decision will be blamed by the board of directors.

Lin Daoqiu is the boss, he can do whatever he wants, no one will dare to blame him even if he hits the street, let alone Lin Daoqiu has never missed a shot.

"From what you said, is it possible that you plan to let me join their alliance?"

Barry Diller's words were obviously out of anger. If he was asked to go to Lin Daoqiu and say that he wanted to join their alliance, it is estimated that even dead Barry Diller would not do so.

"I actually think this is a good opportunity for us to revolutionize Paramount."

Jeffrey Katzenberg suddenly said something that Barry Diller couldn't understand.

But he did not stop the other party from continuing, but motioned Jeffrey Katzenberg to continue.

"Lin Daoqiu has used his actions and achievements to prove that the future is the era of special effects movies. If this is the case, Paramount must do something in special effects movies if it wants to catch up with him."

"Are you going to let Paramount invest huge sums of money to make a few big-budget special effects movies?"

Barry Diller felt that Jeffrey Katzenberg's proposal was not too bad, because Paramount could make a lot of money as long as it was successful.

But the problem is that once the high investment fails, it may be difficult for him to sit securely in this position.

"In addition to spending a lot of money on special effects movies, I hope you can buy Lucasfilm."

"You let me buy that Lucas guy's business?"

Barry Diller looked at Jeffrey Katzenberg in shock. He didn't expect Jeffrey Katzenberg to let him buy Lucasfilm. This is an extremely crazy suggestion.

Barry Diller has heard it said many times how expensive Industrial Light and Magic under Lucasfilm is.

Even with the support of the "Star Wars" series, it can only barely maintain the research and development of Industrial Light and Magic.

If Paramount buys Lucasfilm, they will not only have to invest huge sums of money to make special effects movies, but they will also have to send a large sum of money to Industrial Light and Magic every year for them to conduct special effects research.

After such a circle, the initial investment will be at least more than [-] million U.S. dollars. This is just the beginning, and the follow-up will have to continue to invest.

Thinking of this, Barry Diller felt a dull pain in his head.

"Special effects movies are the future trend, and Industrial Light and Magic's special effects technology is no worse than Magic Studio, if we can..."

Before Jeffrey Katzenberg finished speaking, Barry Diller raised his hand to stop him from continuing.

"I think this proposal should be put aside for the time being."

Hearing that Barry Diller directly rejected his proposal, Jeffrey Katzenberg could only keep his mouth shut silently, and then a sense of helplessness suddenly surged in his heart.

It can be said that Paramount gave up its chance to catch up with MGM.

(End of this chapter)