Matrix was a work of art, one that weighed heavily on the hearts of Hollywood's elite producers. They now dreamed of the profound idea of a person who had achieved, in their eyes, what they so deeply desired: a monumental box-office success. But that dream remained confined to Lux Animation and to DreamWorks, each envisioning every image in its own way.
-—It seems the kid figured out the ultimate move in the film industry; now he's a light that's hard to put out.— Terry Semel commented. He was somewhat worn down by the last few years of an industry that had been completely overshadowed by a young figure, while his own programming never exceeded an 80% net profit on any film. Even the most successful ones always stalled there, barely brushing against victory before being washed away by time and diluted by artificial colors.
-—You know that's why, and because of everything else, they're looking for someone else. They're no longer part of the Warner family.— Ted Turner then remarked, alongside the board of directors now standing at the front, joined by members of AOL and a new director: an investment magnate who promised to treat Warner as an asset-based investment, focused on production rather than on the endless wars and old tricks of those who believed themselves the true masters of Hollywood.
Bob Daly was rejected along with Semel. The heads of Charles Underwood, Paul Higs, Paula Sullen, and Betty Cohen were completely taken out of the game, cutting off Terry Semel's entire line of preference and clearing the field with new blood ready to act as it should—becoming the main point of reference for Hollywood's inconsistencies. They had done many things right, but they failed to surpass the expectations placed on their shoulders, and now everything was left behind.
…
The blow was felt not only by Warner executives, who completely wiped the slate clean. One thing was certain: new blood always runs over old blood, and everything that was once old eventually gets replaced—by force, by judgment, or by succession.
A man annoyed by this is completely run over by it, and when life becomes what it is—a vast forest of limited opportunities—it is then that people understand that nothing they do will ever be enough to withstand the passage of time. Such was the case with Columbia and MGM, who realized that even when trying to stand up against the Lux Animation apparatus, they were increasingly backed into a corner.
Why? The reason was simple: image. They lacked the relationships that Paramount and Warner had cultivated, and Lux Animation took many projects that once belonged to Columbia—now Sony—projects that otherwise might have offered some breathing room. That breathing room slowly faded, dimming their appeal as investments.
MGM was a true failure, having lost all of its creative direction, and the best course of action seemed to be liquidation while it was still possible. That was why, when a buyer appeared for MGM's entire library—along with all its copyrights and California land intended for a future hospitality project outside the city, as well as certain parcels near the heart of Hollywood—the deal became inevitable.
-—So this is your new adventure.— William Domer Rockefeller commented, clearly seeing how the purchase exceeded reasonable risk, yet once again suspecting that success itself was a kind of trick.
He lay back in a hotel chair, sipping a simple cocktail—something sparkling, to his taste. He was exhausted, and age was no ally. His favorite pastime had become organizing everything. They had the money to do great things, but not the money required to produce what was needed to truly multiply their wealth, leaving them as discreet billionaires. Where was greatness—in being recognized? Where was greatness in becoming the symbol of history he wanted for his family, the name on everyone's lips? To share success as a flowing source, to strike at the precise moment when wealth seemed like a mere detail, secondary and almost incidental.
-—Kirk, it seems it's our destiny to always negotiate under these conditions.— William remarked.
-—So you're the hand.— Kirk commented, with a sharp eye, now completely displeased. Negotiating with entrenched old men irritated him, even if he himself was old and entrenched.
He hated having to fight a man of such stature.
-—I'm afraid it's just business, and you've got one that's drowning.— William replied.
-—You already know everything, and that's what's annoying about people like you.
-—I'm sorry, but it's business. When swords were necessary, we used them; now it's information. I'm afraid this is where it stands—unless you're willing to completely let go of what you call your legacy.— William Domer replied.
-—I want help at the border, I want certain licenses, and I want to avoid the IRS's harsher scrutiny. Fix my problems and I'll sell.— Kirk commented.
-—Fine, but take a cut—one hundred million less, and everything will be done within two weeks.— William replied.
…
The deal was done. Billy sighed, realizing he now owned the entire animated library, and the only things that truly interested him—for now—were The Pink Panther and Tom and Jerry. Because he understood that among the many successes hidden there, if managed well, he would recover everything with double the profit in less than ten years.
-—So you pulled it off.— Billy commented.
His account showed a deficit of 1.5 billion dollars, weighing heavily on the company. But that no longer mattered, as everything seemed to align with the strategic goal of closing out the year with thousands of financial movements in the air, while value itself appeared to be clearing.
-—Now that you have the studio, it's time to make the channel worth it.— William commented.
-—It is. That's why I want to keep buying television series. Having four channels is too little. My goal is six or seven by the year 2000.— Billy replied.
William's look prompted him to continue.
-—Because what I want is simple: distraction. I want to create a few paid channels, similar to the competition, but my true goal has always been internet television. What comes next will be our next big move—when internet stocks fall, we'll buy services and provide services across all of America.— Billy replied plainly, focused on creating a paid subscription model alongside his channels.
-—We'll go by percentages, just as we promised.— William commented.
-—Of course we will. You know how it is: optimize operations, deepen content, and absorb independent industries to form true conglomerates.— Billy replied.
William nodded as he sat down. Billy was finishing his journey in Japan, and they met in Korea to see the fruits of their investments—hidden, yes, but dominant in their own way—while the industry that shifted from the United States to China was being entirely absorbed by Billy, who provided excellent jobs along the way.
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