Chapter 444 - 443: Breaking the Zero!

Chapter 444: Chapter 443: Breaking the Zero!

Los Angeles, Burbank area.

Section Eight Productions.

It is a film company founded less than a week ago, with a registered capital of $5 million. Film companies like this are as numerous as the stars in the Burbank area, very many indeed.

The difference is its excellent location, adjacent to Kyle’s Page Pictures.

However, the founders of Section Eight Productions are by no means simple.

Actor George Clooney and director Steven Soderbergh are the two founders of this newly formed Section Eight Productions.

George Clooney is a well-known Hollywood actor, with representative works such as "From Dusk Till Dawn," "batman & robin," "out of sight," "Ocean’s Eleven," "Ocean’s Twelve," and so on.

In 2012, the film "Argo," which he produced, won the Oscar for Best Picture at the 85th Academy Awards.

Even though it is now early 2001, George Clooney is already a famous A-list Hollywood actor.

The other founder—Steven Soderbergh!

He is also certainly no ordinary person.

Furthermore, he is a very famous director in Hollywood circles!

In 1989, at only 26 years old, Soderbergh directed his screen debut "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," which directly won the Palme d’Or at the 42nd Cannes International Film Festival;

In 1998, he filmed "out of sight," winning the Best Director award from the National Society of Film Critics in America;

A few years later, he won the Oscar for Best Director at the 73rd Academy Awards.

George Clooney;

Steven Soderbergh;

The Section Eight Productions created by the two of them, despite being newly formed for only a week, already possesses strong production capabilities that cannot be underestimated... At this moment, George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh are standing in the office on the third floor of the company, looking at Page Pictures not far away through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Look, take a good look!"

George Clooney pointed at Page Pictures next door and said with high spirits: "In a few years, our Section Eight Productions will be able to rise as rapidly as Page Pictures!"

Director Steven Soderbergh nodded in agreement.

"In September 1996, ’batman & robin’ starring me was released in North America; Page Pictures’ ’the sixth sense’ was released at the same time. The production cost was only half of ’batman & robin,’ and the promotional costs were even more incomparable."

"But, what was the result?"

"The film ’batman & robin’ was a massive loss!!! After six months in theaters, the North American box office barely exceeded $80 million, and the production company, Warner Company, was stomping its feet in anger."

"Meanwhile, Kyle Page’s company’s ’the sixth sense’ earned nearly $300 million in North America and a global box office of $670 million."

"Sometimes, you just have to accept it!"

George Clooney spoke calmly, his words filled with composure.

However, his heart was definitely not calm!

To be honest, how many people looked down on Page Pictures and the young man Kyle back then? But now, looking at all of Hollywood, who dares to ignore Kyle himself and Page Pictures?!"

"Hahaha~"

Suddenly,

Director Steven Soderbergh, who was standing nearby, let out a hearty laugh, "Don’t worry, I’ll help you avenge that old grudge."

Hearing this, George Clooney’s eyes immediately lit up, and he smiled: "You don’t say, the film you directed, ’traffic,’ really has a great chance of winning major awards like Best Picture and Best Director at this year’s Oscars."

Among the films released recently to contend for the Oscars, "traffic" is the best-performing one!

Even the well-performing "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was heavily suppressed by "traffic"...

At the same time.

Page Pictures’ new acting president Kevin Feige and vice head of the production department Gavin O’Connor were standing in the president’s office of Page Pictures, looking out into the distance.

Coincidentally, the two of them saw George Clooney and his partner standing at the window.

"Those two really did get together?" Kevin Feige asked.

"That’s right!"

Vice head of the production department Gavin O’Connor said: "This should be their first time coming here after Section Eight Productions was formed. Heh, I didn’t expect us to become neighbors."

In fact, the atmosphere in the office at this moment was somewhat heavy.

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," which had high hopes pinned on it, was currently being heavily suppressed by Steven Soderbergh’s "traffic" in terms of both box office and critical acclaim.

This was not good news!

"It’s going to be too difficult for us to win Best Picture and Best Director at this year’s Oscars," Kevin Feige said in a deep voice.

Gavin O’Connor sighed: "Man proposes, God disposes. This is a saying the boss often uses, and I think it makes sense. From the current situation, our chances of competing for Best Foreign Language Film are a bit higher."

Page Pictures is growing day by day. Whether it’s Kyle or every executive at Page Pictures, they are no longer satisfied with just achieving high box office results; they want to win a few Oscar statuettes to fill the company’s trophy room.

Look at other film companies.

Looking at any prestigious film company in Hollywood, which of their trophy rooms isn’t filled with Oscar statuettes?

But!

The massive Page Pictures, hailed as the top film company below The Big Six, has an empty trophy room without a single statuette.

It’s embarrassing to talk about!

Oscar statuettes are actually not that important and don’t affect a film company’s reputation, but not having even one is quite frustrating!

This year... that is, 2001, at the 73rd Academy Awards ceremony, everyone from Kyle himself down to every employee of Page Pictures wants to make a breakthrough from zero...

Golden Dawn Entertainment Group.

At this moment, Kyle, the big boss of the group, was chatting and discussing work with the group’s CEO Victor.

"From 2001 to 2003, within these two years, if nothing unexpected happens, I won’t add any more capital investment to Page Pictures. We need to consolidate our foundation and enhance our risk resistance. However, if The Big Six, or DreamWorks, MGM, or other film companies take bigger actions, you don’t need to be afraid, just go for it!"

Kyle said in a deep voice.

"I understand!"

Victor nodded and said solemnly: "To be honest, even if you didn’t mention it, Boss, I would have brought it up with you. Our entire Golden Dawn Entertainment Group has developed too rapidly. However, our foundation is not stable. From myself to the heads of various subsidiaries to every executive, almost everyone is too young!"

Youth means vitality and drive!

But... it also means a lack of experience, not being steady or shrewd enough. In handling many tasks and projects, we can’t compare to deeply-rooted companies like The Big Six, and various problems and mistakes are inevitable.

"Don’t be afraid of making mistakes; after all, we are still young!"

Kyle smiled: "How can young people not make mistakes? What we want is to learn lessons from those mistakes. Just like the competition for the 73rd Academy Awards this time, we lack sufficient experience, but we don’t lack the courage to compete!"

A few days later.

Since its release on December 27, 2000, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" finally began its wide release after a 20-day limited release period.

January 17, 2001.

The number of theaters showing "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" in North America jumped from 210 to 1,450. If the box office performance is good, the number of theaters will be further increased.