Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 898: Sudden Interest in DreamWorks

Because Shengshi Film and Television and Warner Bros. co-produced the Harry Potter film series, Fang Minghua also got to know some Hollywood film and television companies other than the eight major film studios.

The founding of DreamWorks can be traced back to 1994.

1994 was a very important year for the film industry. Many films that are still popular today were released in that year, including "To Live" and "Chungking Express" produced by China.

"Forrest Gump", "The Shawshank Redemption", "Pulp Fiction", "Brave Years", "The Lion King", "Speed", "True Lies" and "Léon: The Professional" were released abroad.

In the same year, three influential entertainment industry giants in the United States came together and wanted to start a company.

These three people are Spielberg, a box office director loved by audiences all over the world, Jeffrey Katzenberg, an animation wizard who served as the executive director of Disney films, and David Geffen, known as the godfather of American music in the record industry. The company they founded is DreamWorks.

The "SKG" in the company's English name Dreamworks SKG refers to these three people (Spielberg, Katzenberg, and Geffen).

DreamWorks' products include movies, cartoons, television programs, home video entertainment, records, books, toys and consumer products.

After the establishment of the company, the three of them were eager to work hard and were ambitious. They hoped to combine their achievements in film directing, music and animation to create an independent film kingdom in television, film, music and the Internet that was not dominated by the consortium and could compete with big companies such as Disney and Paramount in Hollywood.

DreamWorks started out with three to five feature films a year, and the number of films it produced has continued to increase, with many excellent works including "Saving Private Ryan", "Gladiator", "War of the Worlds", "Collateral", "Anchorman", "The Terminal", and "Memento", etc.

Of course, there are the first four Harry Potter movies, but they were directed by Spielberg, but the copyright is not owned by DreamWorks.

In terms of animation, DreamWorks quickly established its foothold in the animation industry with "The Prince of Egypt" and "Antz", and also "Chicken Run", "Shrek the Monsters" series and "Madagascar".

But what Fang Minghua didn't expect was that DreamWorks was about to be acquired by Universal Pictures!

If this news had not appeared in the famous Entertainment Weekly, Fang Minghua would have thought it was a rumor.

Why does DreamWorks want to sell itself?

Is there a financial problem or is there something else going on?

Fang Minghua suddenly became interested.

Among the three founders of DreamWorks, he is most familiar with Spielberg. In addition to the filming of the Harry Potter series, the two actually knew each other as early as 86.

In the same year, Fang Minghua was invited to come to the United States to participate in the Iowa International Writing Program. Spielberg found him and bought the film adaptation rights of his novel "The Sun" from him.

Want to talk to Spielberg?

He didn't know Spielberg's contact information, but that didn't matter. He took out his cell phone and called Wu Tianmin directly.

The two worked together on "Harry Potter" for several years, so Wu Tianmin must have Spielberg's phone number.

Sure enough, Fang Minghua called Wu Tianmin to ask. Although Wu Tianmin was a little surprised, he didn't ask much and sent Spielberg's cell phone number to Fang Minghua.

Fang Minghua dialed the other party's number.

Not long after, the phone was connected and a man's voice came: "Who is this?"

"Hello, Mr. Spielberg." Fang Minghua sat on the sofa with her legs crossed and smiled at her phone: "I am the Chinese writer Fang Minghua."

"Oh, it's Mr. Fang." Spielberg's tone became enthusiastic: "Looking at your cell phone number, are you in the United States now?"

"Yes, I'm in San Francisco," Fang Minghua said. "Oh, is it to restart the filming of Harry Potter? The news said that your wife, Ms. Song, the president of Shengshi Films, came to the United States in person to negotiate with Warner Bros., but no agreement was reached."

"Yes, Shengshi Films cannot accept the conditions proposed by Warner Bros." Fang Minghua answered very frankly, and suddenly changed the subject and said:
"Mr. Spielberg, I saw in Entertainment Weekly that the negotiations between your DreamWorks and NBC Universal Pictures were also blocked. Why do you want to sell DreamWorks? Is it because of financial problems?"

"Mr. Fang, yes." Mr. Spielberg sighed and said on the other end of the phone, "Yes, so Jeffrey, David and I decided to sell it so that we can focus on what we like."

When Spielberg said this, Fang Minghua was moved: "Mr. Spielberg, are you in Los Angeles now?"

“Yes, I’m in Los Angeles.”

"I'm going to my private estate in Los Angeles this Saturday to spend the weekend. My wife and I would like to invite you to have afternoon tea with me. How about that?"

"OK, I don't have anything to do this weekend, and I'd be happy to accept your invitation," Spielberg replied with a smile.

Fang Minghua told Spielberg the specific address of Amber Mountain Manor on the phone, said a few more words and then hung up.

After calling Spielberg, Fang Minghua pulled out another number from the address book and called Lucas, the butler: "Lucas, book me a plane ticket to Los Angeles this Friday. Don't worry, I'll ask the kids if they want to go to Los Angeles with me for the weekend."

"Okay, Mr. Fang."

When Li Li and Xinxin returned home in the afternoon and the whole family was having dinner together, Fang Minghua mentioned that they were going to Los Angeles for the weekend and asked them if they would like to go there for vacation.

Son Fang Le said it didn't matter, but daughter Xinxin was very happy: "Dad, I want to go to Disneyland!"

"Okay, Dad will take you to play." Then he asked Li Li: "Li Li, what about you?"

"I'm afraid I can't go because the Confucius Institute at school is holding an event on Saturday," said Li Li.

Since the establishment of the Confucius Institute, Li Li, one of the directors, has been very enthusiastic and often works on weekends to organize various interest activities at school.

"Okay then, I'll take Xinxin and Lele with me." Fang Minghua decided.

"Don't forget to call Ruirui to see if she is willing to go with you." Li Li reminded.

"Dad, my sister said on QQ last night that she is going to Los Angeles to see Xixi this weekend." Fang Le, who was eating, suddenly said something.

These two girls have a very good relationship.

Fang Minghua couldn't help but shook his head after hearing this.

When it was almost time to rest in the evening, Fang Minghua called Song Tangtang and told her that he was going to bring his children to Los Angeles for the weekend.

"You take the kids out to play." Song Tangtang's voice sounded a little tired on the phone: "I won't accompany you. I need to have a good rest."

"Tangtang, I didn't come to Los Angeles just to have fun. I also have an appointment to meet someone at the manor." There was a hint of mystery in Fang Minghua's voice.

"Who did you date?"

“Spielberg.”

(End of this chapter)