The Wolf of Los Angeles

Chapter 419 - 419: 120 Million is Too Little, We're Making a Blockbuster

[Chapter 419: 120 Million is Too Little, We're Making a Blockbuster]

West Hollywood, Emerson Film Studios.

Roger Keene, director of the West Coast Investment Foundation, briskly walked into Eric Emerson's office. Eric stood up to shake his hand and asked, "Are they arriving soon?"

Keene nodded slightly. "An hour away."

Eric was busy with storyboard sketches, having already finished the script. "Are the investors coming today powerful?"

Keene warned, "Yes, very powerful overseas investors. I pulled some strings from my old contacts. To put it bluntly, they're only poor in everything except money."

Hearing this, Eric immediately stood in front of the full-length mirror in his office. He fixed his tie and buttoned up his collar quickly.

Keene explained in detail: "One is the son of the Malaysian Defense Minister, who has been in office since 1990 and even took on the role of Deputy Prime Minister last year."

Though Eric was an artist in film, his two closest friends dealt with some shady business in society, so he understood the significance of a fifteen-year Defense Minister.

Hawke chose Keene as director only because of his family background and past experience.

Keene added, "The other is the financial assistant to Prince Rashid from Abu Dhabi. Although this prince isn't from the most direct royal line, he's no fringe figure. The crown prince named Zayed, appointed last year, is his cousin."

Eric, who received a formal university education, was not one of those idiots produced by Happy Education, said, "Middle Easterners are only rich in oil and dollars."

Having dealt with Eric multiple times since taking this job, Keene quickly flipped through the script storyboards. "Bring all these materials! Eric, you have to really hype our project, aim high."

Eric frowned slightly. "Hype?"

"Emphasize our strengths," Keene said, gesturing. "You have to understand, they're not ordinary investors. What they want is a project! We are in Hollywood, where commercial movies lead the world. For some overseas investors, that's irresistible."

Eric smiled, "I know how to play it."

...

Not long after, a call came in. Keene called Eric to the studio lobby to wait for the VIP guests.

Within minutes, four cars drove in one after another.

Keene greeted and shook hands with the two arriving men.

The Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister's son was named Riza Aziz, and the Abu Dhabi prince's financial assistant was Utaybah.

Keene introduced both and led them into the meeting room.

The meeting room had been redecorated per Keene's specifications.

A prominent glass display case held Eric's Oscar statuette for Best Original Screenplay.

Three walls were adorned with framed posters and photos, including a notable one with Tom Cruise.

Riza and Utaybah quickly scanned these upon sitting down.

...

Keene spoke again, "Gentlemen, the West Coast Foundation is ready to invest in a film project created by Eric."

Eric waved his hand, and an assistant immediately presented the prepared storyboard and proposal to the investors.

He said, "This film is based on last year's Los Angeles wildfires. The disaster was massive, directly affecting over 500,000 people and indirectly impacting over 15 million. Preparations started last year. I obtained a wealth of first-hand information from Fox Television Network and Twitter reports. I also interviewed hundreds of victims and frontline firefighters."

Riza responded, "That fire was truly shocking. We never imagined such a catastrophic event could happen in Los Angeles."

Eric stroked his beard and said, "It was a natural disaster but also a man-made tragedy. I've finished the script and have invited Oscar Best Actor Tom Cruise for the lead role. His production company is also investing in the film."

Utaybah happened to be looking over the contract copy showing Tom Cruise's company's involvement.

Eric continued, "This is my second collaboration with Tom Cruise. Our last film, Nightcrawler, earned him the Oscar for Best Actor and me for Best Original Screenplay. The film was also nominated for Best Director and Best Picture. We want to replicate that success with this project and aim for the Best Picture Oscar!"

Both Riza and Utaybah were wealthy beyond measure.

Utaybah's investment represented the larger strategy of the Abu Dhabi conglomerate. Besides oil, they wanted diversified investments to elevate Abu Dhabi's global image, showing that the UAE is more than just Dubai.

They recognized film's powerful promotional value.

Riza needed a solid investment channel, and film was perfect.

Eric glanced at Keene and said, "Over 40% of Oscar voters reside in Los Angeles. Many stars, directors, and producers had their homes destroyed in last year's fire. I am confident this film can win Best Picture."

Recalling Keene's earlier point, Eric hyped the project and the investment opportunity: "The production budget is expected to be $120 million. We will recreate parts of the fire scenes on set, making this a blockbuster disaster film that will shock the world!"

Utaybah frowned, "$120 million?"

Eric instantly felt anxious. Had he overhyped it? He couldn't easily take back his words and subtly signaled Keene to help smooth things over.

Keene said nothing.

Riza hesitated, "Only $120 million for the whole project?"

"Actually..." Eric wanted to suggest something lower, but realized it wasn't right.

Utaybah asked, "For an Oscar-level disaster epic with two Oscar winners involved, isn't $120 million a bit low?"

It was the first time investors thought the production budget was too low.

Quickly responding, Eric said, "If the budget increases, we can recreate more fire scenes, add more spectacle, and even invite stars and top directors whose homes were lost in the fire for cameos!"

Tom Cruise and Oscar were golden brands.

Riza, openly showing his investment purpose, said, "$120 million is too little for a movie like this. How about $160 million?"

He looked at Keene, "Utaybah and I will fill the financing gap."

At that moment, Eric felt the pressure immensely. Any director would be nervous handling a $160 million blockbuster.

Keene knew well that these two were investing more in Tom Cruise as a person than just the Los Angeles Fires project.

Eric's forehead sweat as he faced this critical turning point in his career.

Success meant reaching the top tier of directors.

Failure meant working on small productions forever.

With no way back, Eric said, "With $160 million, I will make a blockbuster!"

Riza and Utaybah's investment would not go directly into Emerson Film Studios but through the West Coast Investment Foundation before funding the movie.

This successfully solved the critical financing problem for The Los Angeles Fires production.

...

Washington, en route to a banquet, Hawke took a call from Roger Keene.

The originally planned $80 million investment had doubled directly to $160 million for a major production.

Hawke, more refined than those Hollywood bastards, committed to channeling most of the extra funds into the film itself.

If The Los Angeles Fires could succeed both at the box office and the Oscars, it would be ideal.

On the phone, Hawke responded, "Finalize the movie investment quickly. The next phase shifts to company acquisitions. Tomorrow, I'll have the Savior fax over information on two companies."

Keene replied, "I'll get it done ASAP."

The West Coast Investment Foundation had made a successful first move, and Hawke was very satisfied.

His car pulled into a business club, where he met up with Hearst before heading to the main banquet hall.

...

The event was hosted by Condoleezza Rice in her official capacity as Secretary of State, attended by not only political and business elites but also many foreign diplomats stationed in Los Angeles.

Hawke greeted Rice at the hall's center and chatted briefly.

Rice was scheduled for a multi-country trip next month, bringing along many big company reps to expand markets.

Caroline Jones had confirmed her participation in the delegation.

Hawke also saw members of the Morgan and Rockefeller families -- just brief acquaintances.

These old money families harbored a disdainful sense of rejection toward newly wealthy tycoons.

...

Like a ghost from behind, Musk approached Hawke and asked, "Feeling uncomfortable?"

Hawke smiled, "As expected, to them, we're just nouveau riche."

Musk snorted disdainfully, "They were nouveau riche themselves once; their tactics for amassing wealth were despicable."

Despite his words, he understood: "The so-called tech nouveau riche are their doing, creating a circle to isolate us."

Circles exist everywhere.

Hawke pondered briefly, "We can create our own circle."

Musk paused, then laughed, "Good idea. One person's power is limited. If we unite more people, we become a strong force."

Hawke thought and said, "Let's discuss this with Thiel and the others once we return to California."

"Sure," Musk said, then glanced diagonally behind Hawke. "A beautiful woman is coming. I don't know her. Is she looking for you?"

Hawke turned and saw a blonde woman approaching whom he'd never seen before.

*****

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