Chapter 902： The circle of technophiles

Before Thanksgiving, the USC Film School Alumni Association, led by Ronan, George Lucas, Ron Howard and Robert Zemeckis, held a party in the Beverly Hills Clubhouse.

One thing I have to say, whether on the Pacific side or on the other side, a person’s position in the alumni association is always closely related to social status and cannot be separated at all.

Therefore, Ronan has become one of the directors of the alumni association even though he is not very senior.

The expenses of the party are entirely borne by Ronan. It is held as a cocktail party and the main purpose is to facilitate the communication between alumni.

The alumni of the USC Film School have always been a big force in Hollywood.

From the earliest beginning with George Lucas and Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, this organization is moving in the direction of Baotuan development.

Nowadays, whether it is Spielberg’s DreamWorks, Ronan’s Relativity Entertainment, or George Lucas’s Lucasfilm, there are many graduates of the USC Film School.

"In fact, make good use of the power of USC alumni."

Walking in the banquet hall, Jessica Felton whispered to Ronan, "It's also very helpful for the Oscar."

Ronan said: "I have thought of this a long time ago. Helping each other as far as possible is one of the aims of the Alumni Association."

Jessica Felton said, "By the way, I just saw David Ellison."

Ronan nodded slightly: "Although he has dropped out of school, he is considered an alumnus of USC. If someone can help introduce him, it is normal to come here."

Jessica Felton turned to look at Ronan: "I remember you were also a member of the dropout army."

"There is no way." Ronan said helplessly: "At that time, I didn't quit school and took over Shahai Entertainment, and I would go bankrupt."

The two came to a small circle together. Ronan greeted George Lucas, Ron Howard and Robert Zemeckis one by one, and then solemnly introduced Jessica Felton to they.

Compared to Ronan, Jessica Felton is a full graduate of the USC Film School, and is a technical background, and shares many topics with George Lucas and Robert Zemikis.

Dressed up and dressed in an evening dress, Jessica Felton is born with strong capital and is well-known in the industry, which has attracted many people's attention.

"Is this your official girlfriend?" Ron Howard was obviously misunderstood: "Ronan, she is a good match for you."

Ronan explained in gratitude: "It's a good friend, not a girlfriend."

Lang Howard is clear: "I heard many people in the academy mention Jessica, a very capable woman, rarely seen in Hollywood."

Ronan didn't bother to say anything. He glanced at Jessica Felton, who was talking about computer CG technology with George Lucas and Robert Zemikis.

These technical madmen, together seem to have endless words.

"CG production is inseparable from editing and synthesis." Jessica Felton said of her own experience: "Using editing and synthesis technology can effectively reduce the cost of CG production..."

She noticed Ronan's gaze, turned her head and smiled.

Robert Zemikis said embarrassedly: "When I talk about new technologies, I always forget about other things."

George Lucas said seriously: "Jesse, I hope you can go to Industrial Light & Magic recently, and your theory can help Industrial Light & Magic."

Ronan interjected: "George, do you want to dig someone in front of me?"

George Lucas smiled and said, "Don't worry, I hired Jesse to teach theory at Industrial Light & Magic."

Jessica Felton said, "This is my honor."

Ronan just joked and said deliberately: "Jesse, I hope you can come back from Industrial Light & Magic to dig a few experts in special effects production."

Several people couldn't help laughing.

George Lucas asked: "I heard that you got the live-action film rights of those fairy-tale animated feature films from Disney?"

"Yes." The agreement has been signed, and Ronan didn't need to cover it up, saying: "I always think this is a very valuable asset. Unfortunately, I can't get the copyright of those classic animation features."

George Lucas said: "That's Disney's roots, they can't sell it."

Lang Howard asked curiously at this time: "Is there a market for those cartoons made into live-action movies?"

"Computer special effects are developing rapidly and it can be said to be changing with each passing day." Ronan replied: "Even with the current CG production technology, it is not very difficult to realize the beautiful world in fairy tales."

Jessica Felton added: "The production cost will be very high."

Ronan nodded: "But these cartoons have a huge impact, affecting more than one generation, and bringing a huge potential audience. Just like Robert's filming "Alice in Wonderland", as long as it can create a real and dreamy fairy tale In the world, I believe there will be many consumers willing to pay."

George Lucas said: "Your vision of filmmaking is unmatched. I believe you will succeed."

Robert Zemeckis said: "Technology is the key to the success or failure of this type of film."

Ronan looked at the people around him and said, "I have never worried about this. When it comes to technology control, I have Jesse."

"I heard people talk about it," Robert Zemeckis said, "Jesse is a technology madman."

Jessica Felton said modestly: "I have to learn from you on this."

Several people gathered together for a chat, and each went to other places. Ronan chatted with several screenwriters about their script.

These are basically screenwriters who have been in the industry for a long time, but have not produced a single one, and are currently working hard to create their own script projects.

Ronan can give the green light appropriately, but he won't give too much preferential treatment. Let them directly send the electronic version of the script to his work mailbox, and he will reply to them no matter what the result is.

Then, Ronan saw Steven Spielberg, who was overdue.

Although he did not graduate from the USC Film School, Spielberg has always regarded himself as an alumnus of USC Film School, and even made donations to USC Film School many times.

Ronan still remembers that Spielberg once directly donated a building to the USC Film Academy.

"It's been a long time, Ronan." Spielberg immediately found Ronan.

Ronan shook hands with him: "Steven, you are too busy lately."

Spielberg asked in a low voice, "I heard Jeff Kasenberg talk about some things about Disney. What are your plans?"

Ronan, of course, can't tell the truth, saying: "It is profitable to cooperate with Disney."

"Really?" Spielberg is not convinced: "Why do I feel that your purpose is not simple?"

Ronan laughed: "What can I do? I just want the company to profit from it."

This sounds very reasonable, Spielberg is not good at asking any more, instead he said: "Jerifer Katzenberg is a little disappointed that you support Michael Eisner."

Ronan understands Katzenberg’s grievances with Michael Eisner: "I can only say sorry for that."

is related to the great interests of relativity entertainment, and even the survival and development space of relativity entertainment in Hollywood in the future. Ronan can't hurt himself just because he takes care of someone's feelings or thoughts.

But Ronan also has doubts. What does Spielberg mean?

Spielberg seemed to just mention it casually, as if he had no other purpose, and then said: "Relativity Entertainment has been licensed for so many classic Disney animated films. Are you interested in cooperating with DreamWorks? We only participate in investment, not copyright. And dominance."

Ronan didn't expect that as soon as the authorization was obtained, someone would come up and want to share a piece of the pie. It can only be said that Spielberg is indeed the best director among businessmen, with a very keen sense of smell.

"Thank you for the kindness of DreamWorks." Ronan would of course not agree, and casually said nonsense: "These projects are jointly developed by Relativity Entertainment and Walt Disney, and Disney is the lead. I have no right to decide to accept new investors."

After all, the news that was shown to the public was a live-action film project between Disney and Relativity Entertainment. Spielberg believed somewhat and said, "When I have the opportunity, I will talk to Disney."

Ronan said with a smile: "Yes. The three companies cooperate, and the risks can be shared."

These scenes are spoken from his mouth without any obstacles.

Spielberg asked: "By the way, we still have a director contract. Do you have a suitable film project?"

At that time, Relativity Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation Studios revised the agreement After "Shrek 3", the feature film of DreamWorks Animation Studios was abandoned.

Spielberg directed a relativistic entertainment film, which is one of the conditions.

Ronan shook his head slightly: "Not yet. If there is a suitable project, I will send it to you as soon as possible."

Spielberg nodded: "Okay." He pointed to the other side: "I'll talk to George for a while."

This DreamWorks tycoon has been working on reviving DreamWorks recently, and seems to have regained his ambitions.

Of course, the process is not that smooth.

Especially the relationship with Jeff Katzenberg has always been stumbling, and the power struggle between the two has not been extinguished because DreamWorks is back on track.

Ronan had had a lot of contact with Jeff Katzenberg before, and he could guess some of his thoughts. With the experience of being kicked out of Disney by Michael Eisner, Jeff Katzenberg could not give up. Power, especially the dominance of animation studios.

Even if the opponent is Spielberg, a well-known good old man in Hollywood.

involves the struggle between major interests and power, where is the difference between good and bad.

In the past six months, there have been rumors in the Hollywood circle that DreamWorks Animation Studios and Universal Pictures are collaborating, as if Jeff Kasenberg is ready to abandon Spielberg at any time. .

has developed to the extent that there are many rumors, this kind of thing cannot be completely false.

At least Katzenberg has indeed contacted Universal Pictures.