“As of December 26, 2008, the total annual box office in North America was US$9.179 billion.

Compared with the year-end results of the six major film companies in 2007, only four of them had a total box office of over $1 billion in 2008...

Pinnacle Entertainment and Legend Pictures, the other two are Disney and 20th Century Fox…”

In the conference room, Andy Smith held the first New Year's meeting of the entire management after he joined Universal Pictures, listening to the summary report in 2008.

It has to be said that the Hollywood film industry's performance in 2008 still declined to a certain extent compared to 2007. Whether it is the year-end total results or the number of films over 100 million, the number of overseas box offices is not as good as last year. More importantly, the overseas box office is shrinking.

The six major film companies represent the trend of mainstream films in Hollywood today. In 2008, except for the number of movies released by Sony, which was the same as last year, the other companies have declined to varying degrees.

In fact, overall, the results in 2008 were quite excellent. After all, under the influence of the Hollywood Screenwriters Association's general strike at the end of 2007 and the outbreak of the financial crisis, Hollywood experienced a major decline after the summer season and the recession of the Christmas season, and it still maintained its total box office performance and jumped to second place in history. It was really not easy.

Andy looked at the table in his hand. The world was quite popular in 2007, with a double-win box office Oscars, and five films had more than 100 million yuan in local box offices, ranking first among the six major companies.

In 2008, the film performed well in low-cost, but due to the lack of annual box office squids such as "Fake God 2" and "Golden Compass", although there were no dazzling blockbusters, it still stabilized a certain market share and was the same as last year.

In 2008, Universal Pictures had no 200 million works. With Aunt Mei's careful interpretation, "Mama Mia" became popular all the local box office, and its overseas box office was as high as 430 million, which was as catching up with "The Dark Night Knight".

But the Magic Hulk is the most ironic failed movie of the year. Before it was released, it suppressed and mocked the old Hulk many times, but the box office was not satisfactory and the loss was quite large.

Well, Andy almost vomited blood because of depression. In order to share the risks, Universal Pictures helped Marvel Studios take the blame. Now, I'm fined myself...

By the end of 2008, Universal Pictures had only four films worth over 100 million. Thinking about the number of films exceeding 100 million in 2007, other companies were extremely envious, but now they are just like everyone else.

Andy looked at Robert Freman, who had already taken over as Universal Pictures, and felt much more relaxed. After all, his Peak Entertainment Films was very successful and put four of the six companies under his feet.

The rise of Tingfeng Entertainment really shocked Hollywood. You should know that this has not included several major productions that have been filmed and postponed to release in 2009, such as "Superman", "Twilight", "Fast and Furious 4", and the filming is under intense shooting. No matter which movie, it can easily have a local box office of over 100 million yuan.

You know, when the management of Universal Pictures saw the 2009 Peak Entertainment release schedule that Robert Freman came up with, they were stunned. The 12 movies were three times the release plan of Universal Pictures.

Everyone lamented that when the general trend of the rise of Tingfeng Entertainment was ready, they were extremely glad and happy. After all, Tingfeng Entertainment has now become a subsidiary of Universal Pictures. In terms of distribution, Universal Pictures will also get a large piece of cake.

Andy believes that this year will inevitably surpass last year, set a new historical record for Universal Pictures and help Hollywood hit the 10 billion yuan mark!

"There is definitely not a plan for release of only 4 movies this year!" Andy looked at the project plan, frowned with a somewhat ugly expression and closed the folder, and threw it on the conference table.

"$2 billion! Excluding Peak Entertainment, this is the minimum standard Universal Pictures will meet this year."

Hearing the request of the boss, everyone in the conference room unconsciously showed a black thread on their foreheads, and their hearts were bitter and speechless.

Adam Ferguson opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but when he saw Robert Freman on the opposite side blinking a few times, shook his head slightly, and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"It should be no big problem." The conference room was extremely quiet and breathing was clearly audible. At this time, Robert Freman said with a faint smile, immediately attracting everyone's eyes widened.

"But, boss, can you see if you can get a few scripts from Mockingbird Copyright Company?"

"Haha, you'll save trouble. OK, I'll ask Carl to send the script of "Hangover" over... So, let him take "Red Flame Battlefield" and "Shocking Demons" together." Andy said to Robert Freman with a smile.

Rob and Carl get along well. From him, he knew that his big boss had written several scripts and had read the outline of these scripts, so he knew very well that those scripts were very good stories.

To be honest, the script of the big boss solved a lot of trouble for Robert. Since he took over as a CEO of Universal Pictures, in addition to familiarizing himself with various departments to sort out personnel issues, he has spent a lot of time looking at the script outline.

Universal Pictures has been running a set of story summary submitted by the creative team to the decision-making level. Only projects that have been approved unanimously by the decision-making level may continue to be developed until the last script is confirmed. This process for some projects may take two years.

Although it is safe, the project launch cycle of a movie is too long and troublesome, and there is no freedom he has at all during the entertainment industry. Of course, the six major Hollywood players have their own unique screening mechanisms. Robert Freman, who used to work for Paramount, is naturally familiar with him. He also changed his mind very well. After all, the way of taking charge of Universal Pictures, which is now a big business, and managing new companies is different.

However, Universal Pictures' re-change of ownership inevitably caused some turmoil and chaos within the company, changes in senior management and new teams took up their positions. This is not something that can be solved overnight. No matter when, people's hearts are the biggest problem.

Project development has always been the top priority of film companies, and the production management department is also in a very important position in the Universal Pictures system. In order to get Universal Pictures on track as soon as possible, Robert Freman, the CEO, personally served as the general manager of the department. In just one month, he has personally reviewed and carefully read more than 200 projects.

The production department is very important in the architecture of a film company and has great power. From the earliest stage of script development, it will intervene in the project. From shooting to post-production, most of the voice is controlled by the production management department. This also requires the production department to have extremely high professionalism, formulate standard production processes, and have a keen control and accurate judgment of the market.

Robert Freman has already reacted to Andy. Today's meeting was also the platform for Andy to solve the problem. The easiest way to solve this problem is to build a brilliant "Green Light Committee" running at Pinfeng Entertainment and Marvel Studios.

"In order to ensure that the annual production of 15-17 movies, the development department with only 10 people needs to have extremely high work efficiency and accurate judgment, and the number of projects that need to be reserved every year must be increased to 400, which is also an important guarantee for Global Company to have strong vitality and competitiveness.

In order to shorten the project establishment cycle of high-quality projects, the company will establish a film project risk assessment and control system composed of planning departments, production departments, finance departments, global distribution departments, derivatives development departments, legal departments, etc., that is, the "Green Light Committee".

A high-quality project, which can make estimates and financial trial models in all aspects and submit data to the Green Light Committee, can ensure that the profit return indicator of more than 15% can be achieved, and the project can be established immediately."

Andy looked around the people in the conference room with a serious expression, and made decisions with a clear voice. One-man order is the benefit of this. There is no need to discuss and discuss. He, a big boss, can make decisions in one sentence.

"The creation and production of movies is not a game, and you cannot give up halfway or have doubts. Only by the commitment and investment of every staff member to the movie, the adjustment, compromise and quarrel experienced in every link can heal and develop a team that is becoming more and more perfect.

The turmoil has ended, NBCUniversal has become my asset, and its future will only be brighter. I hope you can seize this opportunity and witness the new glory of Universal Pictures with me!"

"Smack--"

There was warm applause in the conference room. No matter what he thought, the boss's declaration was still very exciting. The Green Light Committee was not new. Universal Pictures had it before, but it was left unresolved later. Because of the continuous turmoil, the management was determined to seek stability and did not dare to take risks.

Now that the green light is launched again, it may be a new round of growth!
Chapter completed!