Chapter 243: major event.
October 15.
California, Los Angeles, at the Grand Chinese Theater.
Curiously, the figure present to lead the discussion on the new animation channel is Jim Gianopulus, alongside Raimon, known intrinsically for his administrative as well as "creative" expertise in most series. Several notices were sent to major delegations. Curiously, Steven Spielberg attended with Ron Meyer and several others amid the intensity. Many people don't come to watch animated series like a child would; they come to judge, to judge loudly, the danger that this great animation channel entails.
The absence of Jeffrey Kazettberg leaves much to be desired. The appearance of Joe Roth, who has been gaining fame indiscreetly for several months, has broken with the basic concepts many held. Not less than three days ago, rumors circulated that Michael Eisner, in an unforeseen turn of events, decided to appoint Michael Orvizt as the president of Disney, while Michael took the CEO position, just as he did with Frank Wells before his passing. The events not only caused a stir among the indiscreet, but the Disney family line was quickly subdued, resulting in many layoffs and, in summary, the dismissal of Jeffrey Katzenberg, which ended on a sour note.
-The air is heavy, - said Jim Gianopulis.
The Warner delegation, the Fox delegation, and the Fox and Nickelodeon "Universal Studios" delegations all seek blood.
Especially the Warner delegation, which has a clear idea that cannot be allowed to move forward. They even know about Billy Carson's capitalist capacity and have had numerous meetings with Disney and Fox in the last month. The clear sign is that Lux Animation Studio is a dangerous enemy that needs to be cornered before it explodes in the face of all the studios.
But Warner only cares about one thing, and that is Fox. News Corporation has a great purchasing power in media matters, from small newspapers, small gossip column cuttings, large companies, news shows, reality shows, interview programs, and radio shows.
Between them, the concentrated power these three companies can wield if they attack together, on a business level for the entertainment industry, could be very serious. However, they cannot be obvious in their attack; thus, they are testing the waters. Cancellation is good, but even they know that a relentless attack on a 100% American, white, Stanford University graduate, part of the national future, cannot be tarnished just like that. The list wouldn't allow it, and if the list joins forces with the boy, there is no doubt Warner would be torn apart.
Who is on the list?
-Raimon, we must present the channel. Some of our animators came. I'll go greet them; please keep quiet. We're in a business environment that must not be - said Jim, attempting a kindly smile, discomfort in his stomach; there was something very wrong about it.
Steven Spielberg approached carefully and gave him a big hug, causing a stir in Jim. - Go along with it, - Jim whispered.
-Steven, great to see you, - said Jim, totally lost.
Due to the distance and concentration, only Ron Meyer noticed Jim Gianopulus's strange behavior, Lux Animation's entertainment director, formerly employed by Fox Company in film distribution services and TV series production.
The note handed to him by Steven Spielberg and a confident smile were enough. - Did you like my movie Jaws? I heard you once asked for a certificate for it, - said Steven.
-Yes, I think... - said Jim.
-Well, be careful, sir. There are many sharks, - said Steven softly, returning to his conversation with Ron Meyer.
Jim tucked the note under his sleeve, a strange behavior; people were acting strangely, and he felt suffocated. He was an adult, but all eyes were on him—fear, that's what Jim felt. He greeted a few more people and excused himself, walking slowly to the bathroom. He was sweating; his face was completely covered in sweat, and his clothes looked like they were taken from a washing machine. He had a high pulse, and his stomach itched.
Now he understood Steven Spielberg's Jaws message, but what was the fear, the bad feeling he had about himself?
He unfolded the note, and in summary, it said - Warner. Fox. Disney. Cancellation. - If a message was obvious, it was never so obvious to Jim. Now he understood the situation, however, something more primal was settling in, something that was not just business; a struggle of wills was beginning to take shape.
He returned to the cinema, taking his seat with Raimon, who also seemed uncomfortable. - Mr. Jim, I've received several proposals; they're with me in the briefcase. I spoke as your assistant, saying that we would review them carefully and, well, with all good faith, that one offer deserves my attention, - said Raimon.
-No problem, I would like Billy to be present at this presentation, - said Jim softly.
The screen lit up, displaying the iconic logo of Lux Animation, the city of the future, along with a short Pixar film of an elderly person playing chess. Just a few seats down was Randal McArthur, as Pixar members were busy with the final touches of the latest movie.
After the five-minute short, the animation hour began with a grand production of the series. From a short child with orange hair, other children chasing a ball, a rabbit and a big duck, a boy with a big nose, and a girl with blonde hair, to a hooded skeleton, three girls flying through a city, a man with a katana, dragons "gargoyles" gliding through the air, a cow, and a chicken.
Everything was in place, but the numerous series didn't stop there. With those series, the Saban Entertainment label made its appearance, alongside Lux Animation. In the corner, Spider-Man, the X-Men, and Power Rangers gave a brief presentation, along with a stunning display of the Fantastic Four and a tentative Thor, Lord of Thunder, with the giant Marvel logo facing the screen.
This was followed by a series of quick animated character shorts, each seven minutes long, swiftly showing not only a connection between almost all the series Lux Animation had to present, but also the quality displayed by the animation, worthy of admiration. Some understood why Billy offered them payment for his software program, a license that allowed him to use the same software in the animations shown. Billy was clear that the future of animation relies on two premises: quality of movement and imitation of human motion. The second is in graphic details and proprietary drawing systems, a drawing that allows for characterizing the unique design, like Pixar's 3D, known for its realism, or Hanna-Barbera, which plays with fantasy, drawing, and comedy, finding the key to design.
In the drawings, one can see a legacy from Hanna-Barbera, the absurd, and the comedy, along with a new dark design of grand designs. The Gargoyles animation is very good, even ahead of its time.
Betty Cohen, who led the Warner delegation, found the animated series brilliant. From the catchy music introductions to the intriguing stories, they were uncommon. The way the television series developed, with the approval stamp of the National Television Commission and other permits, made it evident that they were carefully handled from all angles.
-What do you think, Betty? - said Bob Daily, Warner's co-president, formerly the director of entertainment.
-Very good. Surely, they have improved compared to our usual animated series. The change and improvement are noticeable; the story is funny and has that element that makes you want to see the next animation, - said Betty Cohen.
-I see, - said Bob Daily.
In the following minutes, many similar conversations filled the room, for two important reasons. Firstly, for many, Warner was speaking seriously. Lux Animation is a company to be feared; however, the drastic approach they propose is excessive. For Fox, which has been eager to buy Blue Sky Studio, the proposal of collaboration with Saban, and permission to broadcast Power Rangers, and share some Marvel series, is intriguing.
Along with the license for the graphic studio, promoted by authors, although costly, it contains the latest 2D animation updates and a general 3D animation graphic template, which is impressive to Fox animators, who warn that it is no less detailed than the latest Toy Story movie. A three-year license for 8 million dollars for thirty teams and 10 million dollars for sixty teams.
-A business and nothing more than a business, - some would say.
Opinions are divided.
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