[Chapter 393: How Cunning is Link?]
While Link, Julie, Liv Tyler, and Winona Ryder, were resting at the mansion, the summer box office competition in North America grew fiercer.
This situation worried not only the owners of small film companies but also left the executives of the Big Seven Studios with furrowed brows.
With so many blockbuster films released simultaneously, many movies suffered from poor promotion and low scheduling, which directly resulted in most films earning below expectations.
If this trend continued to worsen, all film companies' revenues would decline, and some struggling studios might even face bankruptcy.
...
Famed producer Scott Rudin voiced his concerns during a TV interview.
Scott believed that the modern North American cinema schedule was overly crowded, with too many films opening at the same time, causing congestion that prevented many quality movies from attracting audiences, resulting in box office losses.
In the long run, such a situation was very harmful as it could shake investors and filmmakers' confidence.
Moreover, the market was seeing an increasing homogenization of film genres, with many movies sharing similar content, which not only discouraged movie enthusiasts but also impeded the ongoing development of the film industry.
Scott Rudin urged all studios not to blindly follow trends in their movie themes but to focus on content innovation. He also suggested that the Big Seven should better coordinate their release schedules for commercial movies to avoid congestion, thus preventing deterioration of the market environment.
Finally, Scott emphasized the importance of supporting independent films, advocating for more space for indie productions to survive, to prevent commercial films from flooding the market.
...
Guess Pictures' producer Daniel DeVito supported Scott Rudin's views in an interview, arguing that as a primary member of the MPAA, the Big Seven should play a bigger role in the industry's development.
Daniel DeVito also criticized excessive competition, market monopolization, and other issues within the Big Seven.
He called for more openness and inclusivity towards independent film companies like Guess Pictures and urged the Big Seven to stop viewing indies as enemies.
He pointed out that the film industry is a community of shared interests -- actors, producers, independent and commercial filmmakers are all interconnected through complex collaborations.
Helping indie filmmakers was essentially helping the Big Seven themselves.
On this point, DeVito believed the Big Seven could learn from Guess Pictures. Not only had Guess Pictures cooperated with the Big Seven but also partnered with indie studios like New Line Cinema and Miramax, setting a good example for the industry.
His comments received much support from peers. However, the chaos in the North American film market and indie studios' struggles to make money were mainly due to the Big Seven's bullying tactics and the MPAA's passivity, which DeVito held responsible.
---
"What is Link up to?"
In his office, Michael Ovitz looked perplexed at the article on the newspaper.
DeVito was a very well-known producer and Link's right-hand man; together, they were a prime duo. DeVito was relatively low-profile but suddenly publicly criticizing the Big Seven, which hinted at a scheme, Ovitz sensed.
Across the room, Michael Eisner was cleaning his glasses without looking up, saying, "The film industry has been booming these years, and filmmakers are making more money. But people's greed isn't easy to satisfy. After making money, they want even more.
Right now, the competition is fierce, and total box office revenue has significantly increased. Seeing other companies making huge profits while their own movies lose money, everyone must be pretty upset.
DeVito's sudden voice in the public eye was probably an attempt to unite indie film companies, directing blame at the Big Seven, using public opinion to pressure them and tarnish their reputation."
"Damn, the most profitable Hollywood company these years was Guess Pictures, but Link took the benefits and now the Big Seven is taking the fall?"
Ovitz cursed.
"Link is indeed sly; he's been running Guess Pictures as one of the Big Eight in terms of profits, then switches to indie films when it comes to responsibility, very flexible in stance."
"This bastard has never been a good man -- lecherous and scheming. He often uses underhanded methods for film promotion, even exploiting deaths sometimes, yet many media outlets praise him as a good person, a motivational idol -- what a joke!"
Ovitz suddenly squinted, "When The Net was hot, he was shot in New York. Could that be his scheme too? Maybe he hired the shooter, intending to promote his movie and smear the Big Seven's leaders, garnering societal sympathy. Otherwise, how come the shooter didn't hit him from close range?"
Ovitz grew more convinced that Link orchestrated the shooting himself, especially after suspecting Harvey.
"The chances are slim -- such a risky stunt wouldn't be worth it given his current status."
Eisner lowered the glasses cloth, put on metal-framed glasses.
Ovitz considered this, nodding, "If that's not him, then the case isn't closed. Now he's targeting the Big Seven, probably thinking of us as the puppet-masters behind it. What's your plan?"
Eisner paused, then said, "We can have Guess Pictures join the MPAA, making them part of the Big Eight, to keep them from jumping ship or causing trouble. That way, Link can't keep using this incident to manipulate public opinion."
Ovitz's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands, laughing out loud.
---
Shortly after DeVito's statement, the MPAA announced that Guess Pictures had been approved for membership, with Link becoming a member of the MPAA board.
The MPAA was founded in 1922, initially an industry trade organization. As Hollywood's film industry expanded rapidly, the MPAA's influence grew.
Its main functions included film rating, safeguarding creative freedom, maintaining diversity in the market, protecting viewers of all ages, monitoring monopolistic practices, cracking down on piracy, expanding international markets, and promoting American films overseas.
The MPAA board consisted of presidents or CEOs of the Big Seven, with small indie studios having no representation.
Link was the only leader from outside the Big Seven on the board.
...
Michael Eisner, the current chairman, welcomed Link's joining, hoping he could play a significant role in the North American film industry.
Link expressed his thanks by phone.
Since 1994, Link had repeatedly applied to join the MPAA, but each time was rejected because Guess Pictures was too new and small.
Now, as the public started criticizing the MPAA for inaction, they decided to bring Guess Pictures into the fold to divert attention and make indies the scapegoat.
As soon as Link announced his entry, public opinion shifted, and many articles criticizing him and Guess Pictures appeared.
They claimed that Guess Pictures had acquired several poorly-managed independent studios, including Trimark Pictures, Good Machine Films, Artisan Entertainment, and Carolco, and that the company's rise was built on the "wreckage" of many indie studios.
Now that Guess Pictures was part of Hollywood's Big Eight, it was likely to exploit indie filmmakers just like the other Big Seven.
This article was welcomed by many filmmakers, with director Robert Redford accusing Guess Pictures of being Hollywood's biggest blight and the greatest enemy of indie films. Without Guess Pictures, everyone could make money.
Many agreed but then turned on Link and Guess Pictures.
...
"Ha, Link just shot himself in the foot. Let's see how he gets out of this mess."
Ovitz saw the headlines, slammed the table, and burst into laughter.
...
Link, busy filming, paid no attention to the media fuss.
After joining the MPAA, he submitted a proposal with three main points:
First, the Big Eight and their subsidiaries should control the number of commercial films made each year, while increasing the proportion of art films.
Second, attract more indie filmmakers to join the MPAA and discuss the future of the American film industry.
Third, set up an independent film week during the summer blockbuster season, during which no new commercial movies would be released, to promote indie films.
Each point was aimed at industry development.
Implementing these measures might temporarily weaken the influence and profits of the Big Eight, but in the long run, it would benefit the entire industry.
Link also mentioned that Guess Pictures was willing to support any amount of funding.
...
However, shortly after submitting, the proposal was rejected by the MPAA, who said it was impractical and hard to implement.
After the media exposed the proposal, many filmmakers praised Link and Guess Pictures for their responsibility and initiative in representing indie cinema.
Yet, the dominance of the Big Seven in Hollywood made it difficult for Guess Pictures to really help indie films flourish.
...
"Is that why Link's doing this -- using the proposal to turn the tide of public opinion?" Ovitz asked, frowning as he read the newspaper.
"If they agree to his ideas, what then? Would he really want to pave the way for indie films?" he wondered.
Eisner also frowned, saying, "Link and Guess Pictures aren't short of money. If MPAA agrees, he'll accept. But the Big Seven has to share dividends with shareholders every year, and there's not that much cash available. He's probably trying to cut their funding reserves this way.
supporting indie and art films is a loss-making venture for the Big Seven -- no studio president would approve of that. Link knows this well, which is probably why he's using such tactics to sway public opinion."
"This bastard is so cunning!" Ovitz snapped, furious. After Link joined the MPAA, he thought the public backlash would ruin his reputation, but instead, Link fought back with this clever move, which worked perfectly.
Ovitz had to admit that at 24, Link was sometimes even more shrewd than a 51-year-old like himself -- very strategic and calculating.
*****
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