CHAPTER 68 PIXAR; THE UGLYDUCKLING

Eric checked his memories on Pixar: a world-renowned leader of 3D animation, and producer of theToy Storyfranchise.

But before 1995, Disney 2D animation movies were still dominating the animated film market, and no one was optimistic about the future of 3D animation. It was to the point that Jobs himself started to lack confidence in it.

BeforeToy Storywas released, he had tried to sell this unfortunate ugly duckling at all cost, and had even contacted his good ol rival Microsoft to this purpose.

During the meeting with the Microsoft executives and in order to curry favor with their CTO at the time, Nathan Myhrvold, Jobs had even went so far as to deliberately place on his desk, a laptop running Windows.

Unfortunately, Microsofts offer was not to Jobs liking, and without anyway to extricate himself from the muddy swamp he had gotten himself into, he was left with no other choice but to bite the bullet and bid his time.

That was rewarding, since onceToy Storywas released, its North American box office grossed 192 million $, and its global box office reached an astounding 373 million $, while the general production cost had only amounted to 30 million $.

After that, Pixars market value shot through the roof, reaching 7.4 billion $ when it was acquired by Disney in 2006.

Time-wise, Steve Jobs should be in the middle of his sinking ship project[1]. Eric immediately thought about buying Pixar, but soon shook his head.

Although right now Jobs only demanded 50 million $ for it, even if the price was halved, Eric had no way to pay.

He didnt have enough money yet,Home Alonehad been screening for so long, but he still hadnt received his final dividend.

He reckoned that he would have to wait untilHome Alones final grossing was out to get his share. In his past life, it wasnt uncommon for directors or actors to go straight to court to get theirs.

Its millions of dollars were talking about, with the annual interest percentage, even if it sat still in the bank, it would grow impressively. So even if they had a clear agreement, Columbia would certainly find a way to drag it all out.

Eric shuddered at the thought of what they could do. OnceHome Alonewas at the end of its screening period, they could choose to add a few more screens all over the country, making sure the movie kept running for a little longer, and Eric would only be able to helplessly look on.

Thanks to their fallout over the gambling agreement, the possibilities of cooperation with Columbia in the short future where near nil. Scratch that, it was probably 100% nil. With Columbia using petty and devious tricks to try to get ahead, he didnt even want to bother with them, especially with Blount Cohen still at the helm.

After much deliberation, Eric felt he should prioritizePretty Womanright now. If history didnt change too much, thenToy Storys release wouldnt happen until six years from now anyways, and hed surely have enough to buy Pixar by then.

..

BeforePretty Womans shooting had started, the preparatory work had been conducted perfectly, so Jeffrey didnt need to be here all the time, they could just use other producers in his stead.

Eric and the man had talked it o

ut for about an hour, and Jeffrey had hurriedly flown to New York to discuss advertising issues with NBC.

Advertising segments sales for the Super Bowl had started six months ago, and NBC had already sold 80% of them. Jeffrey had to fight for the remaining 20%, and a lot of time had passed since, which meant the prices had risen.

Three days later, Eric had just gotten up when he received Jeffreys phone call. The man had scored them their 60 seconds of time.

What, 1.5 million $ ? Didnt you say it was 1.2 million before ? In the bathroom, a cordless phone nuzzled between his neck and his shoulder, Eric was in the midst of brushing his teeth when he asked.

Jeffrey helplessly said: If no one else had wanted it yeah, but a New York fashion company suddenly got interested in the ad and made an offer for it. Since you told me I had to get it at all cost, I offered 300,000 $ more. Im pretty sure that fashion company is owned by NBC by the way, but I dont have any proof.

It was only 300,000 $, Eric didnt want to dawdle on it, he finished brushing his teeth, rinsed his mouth and went back to the living room.

Well alright, 1.5 million $ it is. Eric sat on the sofa and poured himself a glass of water: Sign the contract as soon as possible. Ah right, tomorrows the Golden Globes, will you make it ?

The way things are now, probably not. Jeffrey regretfully said, The one they want to see is the prodigious director anyways, doesnt matter whether I go or not.

Ha ha, dont sweat it, even if you miss it this time, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

Too true. Jeffrey laughed along, Well if theres nothing else Ill hang up now. It should only be seven in the morning in L.A but I just had to let you know about the extra 300,000 $ as soon as possible.

Its alright, I didnt stay up yesterday, I went to bed right after coming back.

They said goodbye and Eric hung up the phone.

Leaning against the sofa and gently tapping his finger on his knee, Eric did a mental inventory of his income and expenses: he had received a 25 million $ check from the Fox, had bought the Beverly Hills mansion for 1.9 million $, paid Drews mother 1 million $, acquired UTA for another million, acquired the Firefly Studios, the dubbing room, the editing room as well as all the professional equipment for 3 million $,Pretty Womans production cost was 7 million $ and the Super Bowl segment was 1.5 million $. In total, he had spent 15.4 million $.

Although he had never been a prodigal person, he had been spending a lot lately, and since his rebirth in the United States, Eric would be soon faced with one of the two things a U.S citizen couldnt flee from: taxes. With what he had earned, no doubt hed be taxed the highest possible amount: 35 %. Meaning he would owe nearly 10 million $.

While he profusely cursed the damned capitalist system, he regretfully realized that he would probably not have enough by the 15th April, which was the tax deadline.

Right, I dont have to pay it myself, I can take a loan instead[2]. Eric, who was massaging his temples, soon smiled. After all, he wasnt originally American, he felt no patriotism at all, and was therefore very reluctant at the idea of paying taxes.

He filed the matter at the back of his mind, and had breakfast before driving to the set.

Perhaps it was because Eric had promised them the day off tomorrow, the crew was in high spirits, and at the end of the day, they had wrapped about 6 additional takes.

After ten days of shooting, 60% of the movie was already completed, and if things went well after the Golden Globes ceremony, they should be done in about a week.

The reason they were able to go so fast was mainly thanks to Julia. Since the beginning, Eric hadnt worried about Al Pacino; for the man to have obtained so many Oscar nominations spoke for itself.

However, as a newcomer, Julia was another matter. At the start there wasnt much to say, she did well, although she NGed several times. The real problem started when she had to play opposite to Al, and the number of her NGs multiplied. In comparison to Als, Julias acting could be considered to be in its childhood stage.

However, after a few days of shooting and Erics roars, Julia gradually narrowed their gaps in performance. In some shots, she even appeared to be the one pressuring Al (but well, it was a romcom, and not exactly Als specialty in first place, so it wasnt that difficult to achieve).

Okay, thats it for today. After one last take, Eric called it a day, and the crew members loudly cheered before packing up and leaving their separate ways.

Eric stopped by the trailer where Al was removing his makeup and asked: Al, hows your practicing of the piano going ?

In the original movie, Edwards solo piano performance at the restaurant was personally created and played by Richard Gere. Eric used his memory as well as his companys music-oriented employees to recreate the 40 seconds tune, before handing it over to Al Pacino.

Als piano skills were average, but since he insisted on personally playing it, Eric had to postpone that scene.

Eric, give me one. no, two days, I still need to practice a little more.

No problem. Eric admired the mans dedication, but he still added: However Al, we cant drag it out too long, the shooting will only go faster from now on, and if we dont shoot that scene soon, youll get lost in the development of the plot and lose the mood.

Al Pacino was pensive for a bit and reckoned Eric had made a point. Realizing that whether he did it or not, it wouldnt impact the movies quality, he reluctantly nodded in compromise: Alright Eric, lets shoot that scene the day after tomorrow, if it doesnt work out, youll just have to post-dub it.

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[1] Hes referring toPixar Image Computer.

[2] Okay so I am no American, and although I have some knowledge of their lifestyle, their taxation system is completely beyond me. I skimmed through Wikipedia but Im not really sure what he is talking about. Is he referring to the credits section ? If anyone knows, please do leave a comment!