Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 279 American Main Theme

“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.”

The premiere of "Forrest Gump" at the Hollywood Egyptian Theatre is like a mirror, reflecting the diversity and complexity of life!
In the 75s, in a small town in Alabama in the southern United States, there was a little boy named Forrest Gump whose IQ was only . He was labeled as "mentally retarded" since he was a child.

The protagonist Forrest Gump tells us his life journey with his slightly childish monologue, from elementary school to college, from sports events to the Vietnam War, and then to becoming a billionaire!

Accompanying Forrest Gump's family, love, friendship and some important events that happened in the United States, the audience is led to witness the American society at that time;
Director Robert Zemeckis made "Forrest Gump" a classic that transcends time and space. In the process of laughter and tears, it makes us deeply feel that everyone has his or her own story and deserves to be listened to and respected.

The premiere of "Forrest Gump" was a great success, as evidenced by the various reports about the movie the next day!
Los Angeles Times: "The movie 'Forrest Gump' is humorous and hilarious, yet deeply moving, thought-provoking, and deeply touching, with a strong artistic appeal."

The Washington Post commented: "Forrest Gump possesses a unique dramatic style. First, the staging of time and space, primarily reflected in exaggerated voice and action, direct exposure of character psychology, and the use of relatively fixed settings; second, the conflicting plot, primarily in Lieutenant Dan and Jenny's struggles with their respective destinies; and third, the use of techniques such as chance and coincidence, primarily depicting the impact of Forrest Gump's chance encounters with various people on his life."

The Wall Street Journal commented: "The film's kindness and warmth touched the best in the audience's hearts, showcasing honesty, trustworthiness, earnestness, courage, and loyalty, all of which represent the American spirit."

The Hollywood Reporter: "The film has a tortuous and vivid plot, beautiful and bright pictures, vivid actors and a profound and inspiring theme. Tom Hanks, who plays the protagonist in the film, portrays Forrest Gump to perfection!"

The Chicago Tribune commented: "The characterization of Forrest Gump in the film subverts the heroic image in the normal world, runs counter to traditional concepts, and is strongly anti-traditional and anti-mainstream;"

"This kind of spirit is exactly what America desperately needs right now. 'Forrest Gump' is the best gift Hollywood has given to America this year!"

In the villa of the Bel Air community, Aaron leaned on the sofa and flipped through the newspaper in his hand. "Forrest Gump" is indeed a thoroughly American mainstream movie;
Tom Hanks transformed Forrest Gump from a historical projection into a real, flesh-and-blood person. Forrest Gump is a child occupying an adult's body, a saint-level fool, an ordinary person who transcends reality, and a little man who represents the national character!
Aaron smiled and said, "Americans like fairy tales too, right?"

Aaron said this while reaching out and lifting the chin of Elizabeth Hurley beside him. "Who can resist this level of cultural awareness!"

Elizabeth Hurley sat directly in Aaron's arms. "Well, the movie has such a high reputation and has received so many positive reviews, so the box office will definitely not be low."

Aaron caressed the girl in his arms and said, "It will be released to the public the day after tomorrow. We'll know then."

Starting on July 7, "Forrest Gump" opened in 6 theaters in North America and earned $1550 million in the first three days of the weekend.

"Forrest Gump" is indeed in line with the current American society. It received extremely high discussion and popularity as soon as it was released. Dawn then increased its promotion and marketing efforts and added nearly 700 theaters.

Disney's "The Lion King" has exceeded 1.2 million US dollars in North American box office!
However, Dawn's "Interview with the Vampire" also broke through 9000 million US dollars, and "My Best Friend's Wedding" successfully broke million.

At Dawn's headquarters in Burbank, AMC Cable Networks Chairman Jovan Adams came to Aaron's office to report on his work.

"You mean, Paramount under Viacom and Warner Bros. under Time Warner are going to form UPN (Paramount United) Television Network and WB (Warner) Television Network respectively?" Aaron knocked on the table. Since Clinton came to power, restrictions on broadcast media have gradually begun to relax, and now large film groups and TV stations can unite!

"Yes, Warner Bros. and Paramount, backed by Time Warner and Viacom respectively, both have strong television systems and want to establish their own wireless broadcasting networks;"

"After ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX, there will be UPN and WB."

Aaron knocked on the table. "Disney is quite interested in acquiring a wireless broadcasting network."

"ABC belongs to C-Metropolitan Group, NBC belongs to General Electric, and the smallest CBS Group currently belongs to Los Corporation!"

ABC and NBC both own several cable TV networks, which are much more expensive than CBS, so Disney's first target will definitely be ABC or NBC;

Ever since FOX, formed by News Corporation, became the fourth largest wireless network after the three major wireless broadcasting networks, other Hollywood film groups have indeed been jealous.

"Sony and Panasonic, don't you have any ideas?"

Aaron looked at the other person.

Jovan Adams smiled. "Sony definitely didn't have any. Not only will Sony bear the losses caused by the Columbia Samsung Group, but Sony is still a Japanese company after all."

"As for Panasonic, the situation is similar. Even if Sidney Sheinberg and Lou Wasserman wanted a TV network, it would be difficult to make it happen."

Sidney Sheinberg and Lou Wasserman are the president and CEO of Panasonic MCA Worldwide Group respectively!

Aaron narrowed his eyes. Excluding the two Japanese companies and 6th Century Fox, Paramount and Warner Bros. were now planning to form their own television networks, leaving only Disney among the Big Six.
With Michael Eisner's vision, he would certainly value the distribution capabilities of TV stations and would be determined to acquire a wireless broadcasting network.

"TV station," Aaron was of course tempted, but the price for the three major wireless broadcasting and television networks was not cheap!

In 1985, General Electric (GE) acquired NBC for $62 billion. In the same year, Metropolitan acquired ABC and Los Angeles acquired CBS for $35 billion.
MetLife/ABC is the largest and owns 80% of ESPN, a cable TV channel that is as famous as CNN and MTV.

"Aaron, we should also consider this. A TV network with a wide coverage will be very helpful to the distribution of our work!"

(End of this chapter)