"Go to America? You mean now?"
"Yes, now. We've been planning for half a year, and now the opportunity has finally arrived... Do you have any questions?" Yang Wei asked me casually over the phone.
Part Two: The Road to Success, Chapter 136: A Pie Falling from the Sky (Part 1)
Billy Hill Film Company
I have a yellow plastic folder in my hand, and the first page of the cover has this line of big text on it.
"This company was founded in the 1960s and experienced the golden age of Hollywood. It's well known that Hollywood has always had the concept of the 'Big Seven' film studios. These seven are undoubtedly the leading group in the film world. Billy Hill Films' best period was in the mid-1990s. Although still far behind the leading group, it briefly entered the second tier. In its most glorious year, it produced two blockbuster films, both grossing over ten million dollars. One of them was a classic example of a low-budget, high-return film, even making it into the top ten highest-grossing films in North America that year. Of course, that was also the company's most glorious year, and its only one."
"After entering the 21st century, due to the poor financial condition of the company's largest shareholder, the company's film investments became somewhat chaotic. Coupled with errors in decision-making, the company invested in two wrong films within a single year, resulting in losses of several million dollars. More importantly, it lost a crucial year of development time! It's worth mentioning that this company also has a legendary aspect… the now-famous *Harry Potter* film series made British author J.K. Rowling a female author whose annual income surpassed that of the Queen of England. Back then, when *Harry Potter* was merely a bestseller, Warner Bros., one of Hollywood's seven major studios, invested tens of thousands of dollars to purchase the rights to the *Harry Potter* series." The film rights to the first Harry Potter movie! And what happened next... you know, Harry Potter became Warner Bros.' most successful and profitable film in recent years. It became a true cash cow and gold mine! However, things weren't that simple. To be precise, before Warner Bros. approached J.K. Rowling to buy Harry Potter, another Hollywood film company had already set its sights on this incredibly charming little wizard. Keep in mind that Harry Potter wasn't nearly as famous as he is now! And that company, with remarkable foresight, saw Harry Potter's market potential even before the giant Warner Bros.! This was undoubtedly a very clever move… and that company was 'Billy Hill Pictures'.
"Unfortunately, for various reasons, Billy Hill Films made the wrong investment in two other films, resulting in losses of millions of dollars. More importantly, it eroded the confidence of shareholders and investors! These factors prevented Billy Hill Films from ultimately purchasing the Harry Potter rights, which were subsequently acquired by Warner Bros And now, as everyone sees, any Harry Potter film grosses hundreds of millions of dollars! The fifth Harry Potter film will be released this summer. We can imagine that back when Billy Hill Films was at its peak, if they hadn't made those investment mistakes, investing in two unprofitable films and instead successfully acquiring Harry Potter... Keep in mind, this company also had a partnership with DreamWorks back then... Given Billy Hill Films' peak performance and DreamWorks' excellent production, if they had successfully capitalized on Harry Potter, I have no doubt that the company could have even become a new Hollywood giant with this currently most profitable film series in the world!"
"However, history doesn't allow for 'what ifs.' Billy Hill Films missed out on Harry Potter, and the losses that year plunged them into crisis. Their cash flow dried up, and a lack of investor confidence further hampered their operations. As a result, they only produced one low-budget film in the following three years, barely scraping by at the box office. This was their worst period, thankfully. They eventually recovered. The company fell out of the second tier and never recovered. Now, it's a third-rate Hollywood studio. However, despite being a third-rate company and essentially lacking the ability to produce its own films, they still occasionally invest in movies or take on projects from other studios, helping with distribution or other distribution work. While the company is smaller now, it's fully functional. With sufficient funding, it could be very promising! They have their own independent distribution, operations, and film production departments—everything they need, just on a smaller scale."
"To add some context, this company's current financial situation is...red level. They're practically on the verge of bankruptcy. We have to thank old Thorin for that. A year ago, he just threw in a few million on a whim, probably intending to extend his reach into the film industry and launder money through making movies."
Unfortunately, he seems to have shelved the plan for too long, and the company has not received any new funding, has accumulated a large amount of bank loans, and is now in a dangerous stage of insolvency.
The bank's final ultimatum was to repay the debt within two months, or prove that sufficient funds had been injected back into the company! Otherwise, two months later, the bank would apply to the local court for liquidation and sell the company. In other words, the company was bankrupt. In fact, almost all of their assets with any value had already been mortgaged to the bank.
Yang Wei sat next to me. She didn't even look at the document; instead, she talked on and on, clearly having done thorough research on the company beforehand.
By the way, we're not in a conference room right now, but 30,000 feet above the ground.
In the first-class cabin of a North Atlantic Airlines flight.
Yang Wei sat next to me. I rested my chin on my hand and listened patiently as she finished speaking before asking, "I have a question. Generally speaking, banks don't easily force companies to go bankrupt, because once a company goes bankrupt, it's as if all its debts are automatically forgiven, so the bank is the one that suffers the loss, right?"
“Oh, that’s because the company is definitely insolvent now.” Yang smiled. “It seems that since the company’s film library and all its assets have already been mortgaged to the bank, there’s no way the company can repay its debts, and the bank doesn’t want its money to go down the drain… The sooner the better, so the sooner they file for bankruptcy and liquidation, the faster the bank can auction off the company’s mortgaged assets and at least recover some of their losses. The current situation is that the bank has decided to try to salvage whatever they can. Because if things continue like this, the return of funds will be a long way off.”
I frowned and looked at Yang Wei: "So, according to you, this company is already ruined! Their bankruptcy is the best outcome. The company has a lot of debt, and they're just a third-rate Hollywood film company. If we want to take it over, we'll have to spend money to pay off their loan debts... Isn't that too high a price to pay? Is it worth it?"
Yang Wei's tone was calm and confident: "Of course it's worth it!"
She picked up her coffee, took a small sip, and smiled, "I've been keeping an eye on this company for a while now. So I did a thorough investigation and discovered some interesting things. Because in the year when the company suffered its biggest losses in history, the founder, who was also the original CEO, sold his shares and left the company. Two other people from the decision-making team also left with him. In other words, after that, there were no truly knowledgeable experts left in the company's decision-making team."
The new leader elected by the board later clearly lacked understanding of the film industry, and a series of mistakes further exacerbated the company's problems, leading to another leadership reshuffle… Currently, the company's leadership is managed by a professional manager from a trust company, jointly entrusted by the bank and the company's shareholders. This professional manager is quite competent, managing to keep the company afloat. However, the frequent changes in leadership have caused some internal problems. And I've obtained crucial information: this company possesses some very valuable assets, the details of which the current leadership is unaware of. If they knew, they would have sold them off long ago!
"Oh? What?" I asked, puzzled. "Does this company still have anything valuable? Didn't you say that all their valuable assets were mortgaged to the bank?"
“It’s a film contract!” Yang Wei blinked, her smile sly. “In Hollywood, sometimes a film contract with a big-name director or star can be worth tens of millions!”
Seeing my somewhat bewildered expression, Yang Wei's eyes gleamed with excitement: "Don't understand? Come on, let me explain... You'll understand, we're practically holding a treasure trove in our hands right now!"
She quickly put down her coffee, and this time finally opened the yellow plastic folder in front of her. She flipped to the second page in one go, a faint smile on her face, and slowly said...
Part Two: The Road to Success, Chapter 137: A Pie Falls from the Sky (Part 2)
"The Billy Hill Film Company was at its peak in the mid-to-late 1990s. Back then, they were among the second tier of Hollywood. And at their most glorious period, the company's leadership was ambitious and driven. They not only tried to buy the film rights to Harry Potter, but also planned to make several more films… So, they signed contracts with many actors at that time. You have to understand, how many years have passed since the mid-to-late 1990s! In the film industry, those years are enough for an entire era to change!!! And you have to understand that the big names now carrying the torch in Hollywood…" Many of the big-name directors and stars of the time were not yet famous in the 1990s; some were merely second-tier actors. They were nowhere near as famous as they are now! Back then, Billy Hill Film Company, while ambitious to expand, was only a second-tier company and couldn't afford to sign big-name stars. So, they could only sign ordinary, talented young actors, perhaps with a few second-tier stars as backup… But fortunately, many of those actors they signed back then are now iconic figures in Hollywood!
"And what's more, after Billy Hill Company signed contracts with some actors, a sudden loss occurred, causing many of their planned films to be abandoned... and those contracts were never executed. They were all shelved!"
I rubbed my temples: "I don't understand... Don't those film contracts ever expire?"
Yang smiled and said, "No, these kinds of film offers aren't what you're imagining."
She explained to me, "In Hollywood, movie actors don't sign with a fixed company and only make movies for that company. Generally, actors here sign contracts with companies... It's very simple. For example, if I'm a film company owner, and I think you, Chen Yang, are a good actor, and I have high hopes for you, then I'll sign you to make two movies. I'll sign a contract with you stating that I will use you as an actor to make two movies... But at the same time, I won't restrict you from making movies for other companies. It's completely your freedom. And, the two movies I sign with you won't be filmed immediately. Generally, the contract will specify an approximate date, two years..." Three years, etc...anytime within two or three years. I'll film two movies and have you act in them, and that'll complete the contract. Of course, if it involves big-name stars, we'll need to discuss scheduling and other issues. And the bigger the star, the more likely they are to sign contracts one film at a time. They won't sign a long-term contract with one company all at once. They want to maintain their freedom. But don't forget...when Billy Hill Films signed those actors, none of them were famous! The most successful were just second-tier stars! In Hollywood, actors are more common than dogs! Most actors are only worried about not having any films to work on! So, naturally, the more contracts the better, and the longer the better!
My heart started racing, and I finally understood what Yang Wei meant: "Then...then aren't we rich now?!"
For example, Andy Lau is a huge star now, and he charges ten million for a single movie... and even if you're willing to pay that much, he might not even bother with you! Because there are tons of people lining up with money to hire him for movies!!
However, what if you had a contract that Andy Lau signed with you before he became famous? The contract clearly states in black and white that he must make a movie for you. And the fee is only ten thousand yuan…
Tell me, did you post it?
I leaned back in the comfortable first-class seat, realizing my smile was a bit wicked. I couldn't help but pick up Yang Wei's coffee and gulp it all down, then let out a long sigh: "Damn... tell me, who are these people being paid by this company right now?"
"Hmm... As for the actors, Colin Farrell, his salary per film, this guy is super popular right now, he has become the new generation of tough guy! Now his salary is close to ten million dollars per film... while according to our contract, his salary is only one hundred and fifty thousand dollars."
I whistled.
Yang Wei smiled, then quickly named two more actresses, both currently very popular in Hollywood. The contracts we have are only one-tenth of their current salaries and market value!
I continued whistling.
Yang Wei glanced at me, then deliberately read on quickly: "There are two more male actors... um, one is John Depp..."
"Pfft!!" I almost spat out the coffee in my mouth!
"Who? Who did you say? John Depp?" I bit my lip hard. "Which John Depp? Could it be..."
“That’s right, the one who starred in Pirates of the Caribbean.” Yang smiled happily: “He’s the highest-paid actor in Hollywood now! The film contract we have was signed with him back then. He was somewhat famous back then, but he was far from being a superstar, so we’re absolutely going to make a killing on this contract!”
I shook my head vigorously. Damn it, the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy is so popular, everyone on Earth knows that!
“Don’t worry…” Yang Wei smiled wryly. “There’s one last actor on my list… You’ll definitely be interested in this one too. This actor was actually quite popular in the early 1990s, but unfortunately, he had bad luck. Every film he starred in lost money, and his career faded. By the late 1990s, he had almost no films to make. And back then, Billy Hill Company happened to sign him to a three-film contract right when he was at his lowest point!” Yang Wei paused here. “Unfortunately, the following year, Billy Hill Company’s plans were completely thrown into chaos, while that actor suddenly became an overnight sensation after starring in another movie, making a comeback! He became a top Hollywood superstar again.”
"Who? Who is it?"
Yang Wei looked at me and said, "Keno Reeves from The Matrix."
"My God!" I sighed. "What did you just say? We still have three movie contracts with Keanu Reeves? Holy crap! That's enough to make another Matrix trilogy!!"
Although I'm not religious, I couldn't help but sigh: "If God really exists... he must be a relative of ours!"
For the next few hours of the journey, I was completely in a state of shock! I was utterly stunned by Yang Wei's information!
It's safe to say that this nearly bankrupt Billy Hill Film Company... is not trash at all! It's a gold mine!!
My God, once I control this company, I can hire three Hollywood A-listers to make movies for me anytime!
You know, whether it's John Depp or Keanu Reeves, either of them commands tens of millions in salary these days!! But the contracts I have... I only need to spend a million or two to get them all here...
This is absolutely insane!!
Before meeting Yang Wei, I was quite worried. I wondered if she would talk to me about my upcoming marriage.
The news of my marriage wasn't a secret; it had already been spread. Yang Wei suddenly contacted me at this crucial moment. For this business deal, I flew to Las Vegas overnight, and then we flew together to Los Angeles.
Throughout the journey, Yang Wei didn't mention my marriage at all, as if she knew nothing about it. All she talked about was our business and the film company's affairs. She didn't touch upon anything else, not even a word about our personal relationship!
She was so calm!
Finally, a few hours later, the plane landed in Los Angeles.
Yang Wei and I walked out of the airport. Behind us, Yang Wei brought Hansen, and I brought Hammer… and Lei Xiaohu. This guy had come to China with me, and I guess he enjoyed the feeling of having someone pay for his trip. Knowing I was going to Los Angeles and Hollywood, he actually offered to come with me this time.
Out of respect for my senior brother, and also because I quite like the kid, I brought him along. My senior brother knew I was going to Los Angeles to discuss serious business, so he didn't object to me taking his son on the trip.
As I walked out of the airport, I couldn't help but sigh, clutching the document in my hand. Yang Wei reminded me, "Things might not go so smoothly. You haven't taken control of the company yet. You're not even the largest shareholder! You only own the shares that originally belonged to Old Solin. What we need to do now is, at the company meeting, persuade the other shareholders to sell their shares to you. You need to take control of the company first, and then we'll personally cover its debts to prevent it from going bankrupt! Only after we've done all that will our assets have any value! If the company goes bankrupt, then everything will be for naught."
"Oh my god... how long will it take to finish all this?" I sighed.
“The bank’s term is two months. After two months, the bank’s assessment team will conduct another assessment of the company’s assets… In other words…” Yang Wei looked at me, “We’ll be staying here for two months.”
When Yang Wei said, "Two months," I couldn't help but sigh.
Then, even though she looked completely calm, a strange thought suddenly popped into my head:
Damn it! This woman... she probably knew I was getting married and deliberately created this situation to drag me out, just trying to find a way to prevent me from getting married!
Part Two: The Road to Success, Chapter 138: Turning Hands to Create Clouds, Turning Hands to Create Rain
"Damn it!"
Jessica Alba threw the newspaper she was holding away, then took a few deep breaths, stood up in her bathrobe, walked barefoot on the soft carpet, then jumped to the window and forcefully pulled open the curtains…
With a whoosh, the curtains were drawn open, and the bright sunlight streamed in, falling on her beautiful face.
Jessica Alba couldn't hide the frustration in her eyes, and couldn't help but glance again at the newspaper she had thrown on the ground—the entertainment section.
Undoubtedly, the past six months have been a period of great bad luck for her. Once hailed by film critics as one of the most promising newcomers, and America's new generation "sweetheart," she never wanted to be just a pretty face relying solely on her looks. But ambition needs a bit of luck, and poor Jessica clearly lacked that.
The first half of the year's release, *Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer*, being a comic book adaptation and a sequel... naturally couldn't offer much substance; it was simply a typical Hollywood blockbuster with special effects. While its box office performance was passable, it was almost universally panned by film critics as garbage... or nearly garbage.
I had originally had high hopes for this film. But because of it, film critics ridiculed my acting, saying I wasn't even good-looking enough to be considered a pretty face…
Her luck seemed to worsen afterward; the film even received a Golden Raspberry Award (a mocking award specifically for bad movies). Her career then appeared uncertain, with a new film she was working on being repeatedly delayed due to funding issues. After the disastrous reception of *Fantastic Four*, Jessica was determined to salvage her reputation. Her demands for the script of her new film reached an extremely high level of pickiness…
"I want to be an actress, not a pretty face!" This was once Jessica's motto, but now it has become a huge joke.
People magazine didn't feature me on the cover even once this year... I used to be their darling! I even ranked twelve places lower than last year in this year's list of the sexiest and most beautiful women!
And now...
Jessica walked to the mirror. She glanced at her hair, which she had recently dyed black. Dyeing her hair black, adding a touch of Eastern mystery, would undoubtedly make her look sexier… This was entirely the suggestion of her image consultant, but…
The newspaper actually rated his new hairstyle as one of the five worst-tasting celebrities of the month!
Her acting was ridiculed by film critics, and now it seems she can't even be a pretty face anymore?
And yesterday, my agent actually suggested that I make a guest appearance in a currently popular NBC soap opera!
Damn it! I'm a movie actor! I'm a big-screen star!! Am I really supposed to go back to acting in those cheap TV dramas?! That's a disgrace! (In the US, the general consensus is that film is far more prestigious than television. Film professionals hold a superior position compared to television professionals. Many stars who became famous on television refuse to do television again after entering the film industry, considering it a step backward and a degeneration.)
But what good would it do if they didn't film? He hadn't had any new material for months, and even the gossip newspapers were reluctant to dedicate space to him anymore. He disliked the agent somewhat, but he couldn't deny it. He was right.
"Exposure! If you want to maintain popularity, you need to maintain exposure to the public!"
Perhaps he's right, but Jessica still feels that for a well-known film actress to go back to television is a degenerate act. Didn't she see that Jennifer Aniston, since becoming famous with "Friends," has refused to appear in any television series? Even though her movies have been getting worse and worse, she still refuses to go back to television.
Despite this, the agent made arrangements, claiming that if he was willing to make a guest appearance on that soap opera, he could be arranged to appear on "TONIGHT" (a very famous American talk show), which would be very beneficial to his exposure.
Well, maybe this is the only way. There are no suitable movies to shoot right now... I don't even have a single film contract in hand.
Seemingly overnight, Jessica Alba, once Hollywood's most beautiful doll, once voted by male movie fans as the most desirable woman to hug in Hollywood, the prettiest American sweetheart... suddenly became forgotten.
Indeed. She is beautiful, and a stunning beauty at that. But a 27-year-old beauty, once hailed as "the most promising newcomer," still hasn't managed to break into the top tier of the industry...
Don't forget, this is Hollywood! What's most abundant here are beautiful women and handsome men!! Tens of thousands of young 18-year-olds from all over the world, dreaming of becoming stars, gather here!!
And I'm already twenty-seven years old!!