In the days that followed, Kyle was incredibly busy, juggling the production of "300" and finalizing the scripts for four American TV series.
Logically speaking, at Kyle's current level, he could completely let go and let his subordinates handle things. However, given the current premise that "Paramount is no longer a partner," Kyle truly couldn't be a hands-off boss.
One misstep, and the Golden Dawn Group, this media empire that had only recently been built, could very likely collapse with a crash!
One develops deep feelings for a cat or dog after a few years, let alone a company built with one's own hands.
The entertainment industry, built upon movies and TV shows, is also one of Kyle's few current hobbies. How could he willingly allow it to be taken away?
No, Kyle would absolutely not compromise!
Fight!
Fight!
Fight!
Only through battle can one win survival!
This day, Kyle was absent from the on-set production work for "300" and instead attended the preview screening of the animated film "A Bug's Life," hosted by Pixar Animation.
"Hi, Mr.Bill!"
"Hi, Kevin!"
At the entrance of the "A Bug's Life" preview screening, Kyle, who had just gotten out of his car, saw two of his company's key figures.
Page Pictures President: Bill McNichol;
Vice President: Kevin Feige;
The three exchanged greetings and then walked into the venue together.
Of course, while entering the venue, Kyle also saw John Lasseter, one of Pixar's "Five leads." However, due to the large number of invited guests today, Kyle didn't chat with him much.
"Old Bill, Kevin, have you encountered any difficulties in Page Pictures' work recently?" Kyle asked after sitting down.
"Not yet," Kevin Feige replied.
Old Bill was much more cunning, smiling at Kyle and saying, "Boss, don't be impatient. Well, Kevin and I also know your concerns. After all, that's Paramount, one of the Hollywood Big Six! Plus its parent company, Viacom Group, with a market value of tens of billions of dollars behind it, anyone would have to treat it carefully."
Kyle gave him an annoyed glance.
"You know, you know, just stop with the sarcastic remarks."
Of Kyle's two key subordinates, Kevin Feige was, after all, a young man. While not lacking in drive, he still showed considerable respect for Kyle.
But Bill McNichol was completely different!
He was quite old this year and would retire in two or three years. He was also a very clear-headed person; taking on the role of President of Page Pictures wasn't about gaining anything, but simply wanting to shine and contribute once more in his remaining years.
Therefore, his daily interactions with Kyle almost had no distinction between superior and subordinate.
Kyle didn't mind.
An experienced old hand could absolutely play a pivotal role at certain times.
"Young man, oh no!"
"Boss, you should know that the Hollywood Big Six are never a monolithic block."
"They cooperate, but more often they compete. We're just not collaborating with Paramount; it's not some mortal feud like ruining someone's livelihood or stealing their wife. They won't rashly move against us, and of course, the main reason is that you, boss, are not short on money!"
"The five giants—Warner, Fox, Columbia, Disney, Universal—might even try to win us over, which would give us enough time to develop."
"And we're not incapable of taking the initiative!"
Old Bill laid out the path, analyzing it step by step. His sagacious words of statesmanship truly put Kyle and Kevin Feige, the two young men, at ease.
Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure!
"Mr. Bill, what do you mean by 'taking the initiative'?" Kyle inquired.
Kevin Feige also waited curiously for Mr. Bill's next words.
"DreamWorks!"
Old Bill uttered these three words, startling Kyle and Kevin.
Both were intelligent people and instantly understood, their faces lighting up with joy.
Kyle nodded, saying, "That's right, DreamWorks is the real enemy of the Big Six. With them blocking the way, our pressure will be much less."
Kevin Feige echoed, "We can also form a series of collaborations with DreamWorks to make their resistance against the Big Six stronger and longer, which would allow us to slowly develop."
Kyle, Old Bill, and Kevin exchanged a silent smile.
Old schemer!
Little fox!
Cunning, cunning fellows!
As the saying goes: "Better you die than I."
For the survival of the Golden Dawn Group, they could only make good use of the behemoth that was DreamWorks. Of course, DreamWorks was not so easily exploited, and no one was a philanthropist. The balance of power would require careful consideration from Kyle and all the senior executives of the company...
The film "A Bug's Life" was Pixar Animation Studios' first work in three years since "Toy Story" was released in 1995.
"Toy Story," with a production cost of $30 million, grossed $192 million at the North American box office and $360 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Hollywood film of 1995;
Furthermore, it instantly elevated Pixar Animation to become the world's most watched animation company. Upon its IPO, Pixar Animation's market value soared to $1 billion;
As of now, over the past three years, "Toy Story" has generated a total revenue of $1.03 billion from the offline DVD and videotape markets, broadcasting rights on TV platforms, and merchandise markets such as books, dolls, and apparel.
Even after deducting fees for various levels and distributors, and excluding Disney's exploitation, Pixar Animation, as the production company, still achieved astonishing and attractive high profits.
"A Bug's Life," as Pixar Animation's second feature-length 3D computer-animated film, naturally attracted significant attention.
Spielberg from DreamWorks came;
Jeffrey Katzenberg, one of the three DreamWorks giants and head of DreamWorks Animation, also came;
Major film studios such as 20th Century Fox, Time Warner, and Sony Columbia mostly had their company CEOs and owners personally attend; other companies also sent representatives to attend this preview screening of "A Bug's Life."
Undoubtedly, the scale of the "A Bug's Life" preview screening was so high that even the Academy Awards ceremony couldn't compare, because the attendees were all titans from major companies!
The Oscars could not gather so many bigwigs in one place.
During this time ~
Kyle also chatted separately with Murdoch, Redstone, and others.
"Mr. Page, your recruitment of Bill McNichol, that discarded minister, into your Page Pictures has put our Fox Pictures in a somewhat passive position!" Murdoch said calmly.
Upon hearing this, Kyle immediately shook his head vigorously.
"Mr. Murdoch, Mr. Bill is just old and has-been, here to retire with me. If I do anything wrong, as a senior, you must remind me." Kyle put on a respectful expression.
Murdoch: "..."
Kyle's words, meant to fool a ghost, felt to Murdoch like punching cotton.
What nonsense about doing something wrong?
Would you actually correct it?!