Rebirth of America, this is my time

Boss, there's something going on in Washington.

Monday, February 5, 1979. When Warner Chairman Steve Ross stepped into the office under the rising sun, the secretary's report also sounded in his ears.

explain.

Steve Ross waved his hand.

The male secretary immediately picked up.

At three a.m. Western time, six a.m. Eastern time, former Stanford professor Barbara Babcock boarded a United Airlines charter flight from Washington, D.C., destined for San Jose.

If nothing else happens, she has arrived now.

Yesterday, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas also flew to San Jose on a United Airlines charter flight, followed by Ethan Jones.

Earlier, Ethan Jones also went to the software development laboratory.

The people there said they were there to inquire about purchasing the database.

The concise words made Steve Ross nod slightly.

Is there anything else?

there is none left.

Then go to work.

Okay Boss.

The departure of the secretary gave Steve Ross some peace and quiet. He sat down on the boss's chair and glanced at the desk calendar. The circle marks made him laugh.

Found?

But what's the use?

Ethan Jones, you can't solve the problem.

Because you have made too many enemies.

After muttering a few words and withdrawing his thoughts, Steve Ross refocused his eyes on the schedule book in front of him. The full schedule of work made him abandon the early morning episode.

While he was flipping through the documents, Barbara Babcock, who flew in overnight, also rushed to Ethan's house. After hearing what happened to the two of them, the mage immediately laughed.

Oh - Ethan - your company's legal consultant can earn at least 100 million a year, right?

Why do you have this weird problem every day?

I have been working in the legal profession for almost twenty years, and I have never seen any lawyer or employer who can constantly encounter things that the public will never hear about in their entire career. I’ve only encountered tricky issues once or twice at most.”

Your company is really...

too tired!

Barbara's words were full of emotion, and Ethan responded with a smile, Oh Barbara, this may be the trouble of industry leaders, isn't it?

So the one who is anxious now is actually my opponent.

Evelin, who was sitting next to Barbara, leaned her head on Barbara's shoulder and angrily exposed Ethan's lie, Don't look at how hard he is laughing now, but he didn't sleep at all last night. These facts are so anxiety-provoking that I feel like my hair is falling out whenever I turn my head.”

Hey Evelyn- Ethan glared at his sister.

Evelin was too lazy to pay attention to him, hugged Barbara's arm and closed her eyes.

This situation made Barbara giggle and change the topic, Okay, Okay, you guys have a truce. I'm here to solve the problem, not to watch you quarrel... So, there are two main problems you are facing now. , one is how to get the movie Alien released smoothly? The other is to study Rockwell, or whether there are any legal issues in the software development laboratory?

Yes. Now that he got to the point, Ethan stopped joking.

As he nodded, Barbara also began to think deeply. After a moment, she said: You told me before that Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are here with you?

Yes, right next door.

Then invite them over. Let's deal with the Alien aspect first.

Compared with what happened to Vinton, I think the film's ban may have a higher priority.

Right?

Ethan had no objection, got up and went to call someone.

After Spielberg and Lucas arrived, Barbara also learned from them the details of the matter, including but not limited to the time when Alien was submitted for review, the time when they received the modification notice, and they went to the Film Association to think about it. The process of convincing people with reason, as well as the current processing results of the Film Association.

After asking all these questions, Barbara, who was taking notes while asking, raised her head and said, Steven, I want to know what Universal's opinion is on handling this matter.

Or, I want to know what the chairman of Universal, the chairman of Universal's parent company American Music, your good friend Sidney Sheinberg, thinks about this matter?

You know, the movie Alien has been handed over to Universal for distribution. Theoretically, after Destiny Pictures hands over the film reel, all the remaining work will be yours at Universal.

According to the normal processing procedures, it is impossible for this matter to appear in front of Ethan.

Barbara looked at Spielberg seriously.

Spielberg also nodded and said: I know, but Sidney can't find a solution now.

We at Universal have gone through the normal process, but we haven't gotten through it.

After the president of the Film Association betrayed us, Universal's voice within the association became extremely weak and insignificant, and I also told Ethan about this.

What about Universal's attitude? Barbara asked: After all, you are a film distributor.

Universal definitely supports Ethan, I can guarantee this. Spielberg said calmly: Although Universal and Destiny Pictures have not officially joined forces, Warner's actions have completely pushed Universal toward Ethan. Here, Universal is very dissatisfied with Jack Valenti's betrayal, or very angry, and if possible, we even want to kill him.

At this point, Spielberg's eyebrows instinctively raised.

He was so murderous that he almost ate Jack Valenti alive with a knife.

This statement made Barbara very satisfied. After asking Spielberg, she turned her attention to Lucas and asked about Lucas' control at Fox.

When faced with this problem, Lucas said that the Fox general manager who had previously helped him retain all the rights to Star Wars had been fired for selling the company's assets at a low price.

But this behavior did not reduce his influence at Fox. When the copyright contract for Star Wars was not signed illegally, he who controlled Star Wars was Fox's biological father.

In order to keep the distribution rights and expand their own influence, Fox even if they changed the general manager angrily, the new guy who came to connect would not dare to disobey Lucas's will.

So you can help Fox make some decisions? Barbara asked the key point of the matter.

I can make some decisions that don't affect the overall situation. Lucas took the initiative to outline the scope. For example, I can bring some movie projects to Fox and let them invest, or I can directly express that I don't like it. Some executive, just tell him to get lost.

Of course, on Ethan's side, I can get Fox to fully support him.

After all, I'm now a producer on Alien as well.

and……

In the future, all Star Wars games will be produced by Ethan.

Okay. Barbara understood.

He turned around again and looked at Ethan.

Over there at Disney... she asked with a smile.

I could have Roy Disney come over, but I don't think it's necessary.

Ethan shrugged.

If you need his help, he's just a phone call away.

Because now he wants to be bound to me immediately.

Oh - okay - Barbara understood.

His eyes were lowered, looking at the notepad in his hand, as if he was thinking about the problem.

The silence that followed also made the living room silent.

At this moment, no one spoke, because everyone was curious. When the Film Association used the power of rules to prevent Alien from passing review, what solution could Barbara come up with to solve the matter?

Directly remove the president?

Let the association reshuffle its cards?

They have already considered this plan, but it will not work if there are not enough votes.

Winning over other companies?

By all means Tactics Switcher, get Alien passed?

When Warner, MGM and Disney wanted to strangle Eason with their own hands, Columbia lost Alien in vain, and Paramount and Eason actually had business conflicts, this method did not work.

When the simplest way to solve the problem has been passed by them...

to be honest.

Spielberg and Lucas were actually enveloped in pessimism.

They don't believe anyone can solve this problem.

And Ethan...

His eyes were always focused on Barbara.

He believes that there must be a way for people to survive.

Ethan. While he was waiting patiently, Barbara suddenly looked up and said, Does the movie have to be released? I mean, does it have to be released on the same day as your home console?

If you go to the game first and press the movie, then I believe that after the game is sold for a while, the Film Association will still let Alien pass the review, because Warner and they can't make things too ugly.

After all, the movie was distributed by Universal.

If it keeps pressing and refusing to give in, then when Warner puts its own movie on the market, Universal can also press their movie and let them modify it.

Although this is my judgment, I think this judgment can be established.

Because I looked at the number of votes you have now. The influence of 2.5 is actually the same as the 2.5 opposite. Oh, 0.5 refers to Disney. Although this number of votes cannot remove the president of the Film Association , but can jam the opponent’s film.”

The solution made Ethan laugh.

He changed his posture and crossed his legs, Barbara.

The more Steve Ross won't let me go, the harder I'll have to go.

The less he wants me to do something, the more I have to do it.

You know?

Yeah~ Barbara smiled and nodded, I know.

She closed the notepad in her hand and said: Since you think so, then the matter is very simple. Just let Universal directly contact the North American theaters to discuss the arrangement of the film.

Without grading, there would be no grading.

As long as you want the movie to be released, you can just release it.

What??? These words made Spielberg and Lucas jump.

Evelin, who was holding Barbara's arm and taking a nap and listening to the sound, also sat up again.

Barbara, what do you mean? Ethan frowned. He felt that he understood Barbara's words, but he did not understand Barbara's thoughts.

And Barbara...

The archmage put the pen back on and leaned on the sofa.

The meaning is very simple.

She spread her hands and said with a smile: Ethan, since the Film Association can't give you a satisfactory rating, then you don't have to listen to the Film Association's opinion.

Because the Motion Picture Association is an autonomous organization jointly established by Hollywood giants.

“Their association’s program is to promote better development of the film industry through advocacy.”

They do have an influence that cannot be ignored in the film industry, but——

The Motion Picture Association is not a legislative body, nor is it a law enforcement agency.

They cannot make laws and the documents they issue have no legal effect.

You think the classification system has caused great interference to you? Then just ignore it.

Because they can't force you to accept their ratings.

At the same time, there is no law in the entire America that stipulates that films released in North American theaters must accept the film association's rating.

So, as long as you want your movie to be released in North America, no one can stop it.

Do you understand what I mean?

Barbara winked at Ethan.

That's right!

From Barbara's perspective, the problem Ethan faced was not a problem at all!

In other words, Spielberg and Lucas fell into a misunderstanding on this matter! I just wanted to follow the traditional way of doing things and abide by the habits, and I didn't even think about breaking everything!

Why was the American Film Institute established in the first place?

Isn’t that because early Hollywood movies were full of gimmicks and chaotic?

They dare to take pictures of anything! Then it caused great dissatisfaction among the public!

When this incident became a big deal, the men in Washington began to pay attention to Hollywood, which dared to promote bloody violence and dared to tell everything in front of ordinary people!

In order to prevent the masters from legislating and losing the right to operate independently, the film distributors in the United States united together and established a film association!

It is precisely because the producers wanted to prove their innocence to the public and show their utter loyalty to the gentlemen that they went to Washington to invite William Hayes, the chairman of the National Committee of the Elephant Party, to serve as the chairman of the Motion Picture Association. Avoid federal legislation whenever possible!

They don't want to wear shackles!

And as long as there are no shackles, then Hollywood is the hall of the capitalists!

Because when the Motion Picture Association was first established, what they wanted was autonomy rather than law. Therefore, in the past few decades, Hollywood has actually been operating on a vacuum.

Then……

Without legal enforcement and supervision, capitalists can play the monopoly that capitalists love most.

This autonomy and monopoly gave the giants unparalleled power in Hollywood, but when the dust settled on the Paramount Act, that was all over. Having lost the ability to vertically integrate, they cannot price movies arbitrarily, nor can they monopolize the movie distribution and theater markets at the same time, but——

At this point, nothing matters anymore, right?

Decades of accumulation have allowed them to squeeze out all newcomers in the industry!

In this case, the authority of the Film Association still exists, and according to normal procedures, they will continue to be authoritative, because no one can bypass the Seven and communicate directly with North American theaters.

When all small and medium-sized producers can only rely on the big seven to survive...

The standards set by the seven major companies are industry norms!

But at the same time, if someone can bypass the Big Seven and negotiate directly with North American theaters, then...

All associations!

All rules!

That's all based on the defense!

Well - this idea is very bold, but there is a problem in its implementation.

Lucas understood what Barbara meant, and he was deeply shocked and said: Although there is no law in our country that stipulates that movies released in theaters must first pass the classification review of the Film Association before they can be released, but I want to let Should North American theaters directly release unrated movies? This is difficult.

After all, North American theater chains have always relied on the Big Seven to survive.

They dare not go against the will of the Seventh Group and accept movies from some small manufacturers.

Especially the ungraded ones.

Lucas' concern made Barbara laugh.

But before she could speak, Spielberg punched Lucas and motioned for him to look at Ethan.

As he turned his head, Lucas found that Ethan, who was sitting next to him, was smiling at him.

At the same time, he was still making gestures on his lips——

'Star Wars'.

When this clear indication appeared, Lucas was stunned!

Because he suddenly remembered that the control of the North American theater chain by the Seven has become a thing of the past!

When selling Star Wars video games, Ethan Jones was already under seven pressures to negotiate business with North American theaters! And when selling Ms. Pac-Man, he even suppressed those film companies with supreme power in front of the bosses of North American theaters!

When Ethan personally called Steve Ross and told him that he was going to sell the electronic arcade machine to North American theaters, Warner's previous tough image collapsed with that roar!

Although Fox, Universal, Paramount, and Roy Disney contributed to this, how many of these guys are boycotting Alien now?

Since the film association is not monolithic to begin with!

Since the decision of the Film Association itself has no legal effect!

That--

How could they stop this?

As for what to say, North American theater chains rely on the Seven to survive?

right!

This is a fact!

But since 1977, North American theater chains have opened up another source of income!

The popularity of the Star Wars video games has made them a lot of money!

And the siege of Ms. Pac-Man made the original theaters look more like arcades!

When Ethan Jones can bring them tangible benefits and take no commission...

To be honest, as long as you are a businessman, you will vote with your feet!

So, Warner's blockade is actually easy to solve, right?

As long as North American theaters are willing to show Alien, I can guarantee that no one in the entire federation can jump out and say that it is illegal without a standard. Barbara shrugged and looked at Ethan with a smile, So...

Are you satisfied with this plan?

Ethan~

yeah--

Ethan laughed, Barbara! I'm very satisfied!

What Ethan wants is this kind of uneasy thinking of playing cards!

In other words, what he wants to do now is to destroy Warner's job!

Do you want to use rules to force him into submission?

Excuse me!

He is born with strong bones!

Can't kneel down!

Steven? Ethan turned his attention to Spielberg.

Okay, I'm going to call Sidney now.

Spielberg nodded with a smile and said, Don't worry, I will convince Sidney. Since my dog ​​is disobedient, it doesn't need to exist anymore.

Uh-huh. Ethan smiled and raised his eyebrows.

He looked at George again.

Before he could speak, George Lucas stood up with a cane.

While walking towards the phone booth in the villa, he also said: I will tell the bosses of the North American theater chain that next year's Star Wars will have a video game.

If they don't accept Alien, I will ask you to make the game a console version instead of the arcade version currently planned. I think...this is enough...

Oh - Ethan clapped his hands and said to Barbara and his sister: Okay, then I will also call Roy Disney and ask him to bring the boss of the North American theater chain to discuss business.

Although we have two things, let's deal with them one by one.

Barbara made no objection and shrugged.

Evelin hugged Barbara and got into her arms.

He said angrily: Oh - Barbara, you are so kind.

This compliment made Barbara narrow her eyes with a smile.

While touching the girl's head, he said: Oh Evelin, you are wrong. No matter what industry you are in, ideas are the most valuable things, aren't they?

“There are many people who can come up with good ideas, but very few who have the ability to implement them.”

So, you should celebrate with Ethan now.

If it weren't for the fact that he never compromises, I wouldn't be proposing such an extreme solution.

If it weren't for the fact that he used all his strength every time he faced the enemy, then even if he told others that he was going to flip the table, others wouldn't be afraid of him.

Only when everyone thinks he dares to do anything...

He can do these things.

but me?

I just followed you and got the title of a well-known non-litigation lawyer.

Looking at the figure hurried upstairs, Barbara raised the corners of her mouth.

She knew that after this case was solved, her reputation in the circle would reach a higher level.

Although the number of cases she has handled in her nearly twenty years of practice is less than that of a law firm lawyer in five years, quantity has never been the key to measuring whether a lawyer is excellent, right?

Helping your employer defeat Motorola once is more useful than handling 10,000 divorce cases.

Help your employer take down Hollywood, and this battle will definitely be more massive than the case of the century.

After all, the collapse of capital is never silent, only violent.

After sighing for a while, Barbara patted Evelin and said, Eve——

Um?

They will be busy until night at the earliest, so I want to rest for a while first.

Okay, I'll take you to the guest room.

No, please come home with me. I want to go home, take a shower, and then find some books.

No problem, let's go...

Note: ①The American Film Association was established to evade legal supervision. It is precisely because of this relationship that all their documents can only be said to be suggestions and have no legal effect. ②The method of lifting the table written in the article has indeed appeared in reality, even twice. The first time was George Lucas. On the eve of the release of The Empire Strikes Back, the Directors Guild of America discovered that Lucas had put the director's list at the end of the film. They were very dissatisfied and asked to change it. If Lucas didn't change his ways, the Directors Guild wanted to teach him a lesson and asked the Motion Picture Association to withdraw the bid and ban the film. Because the rule of that era was that the director's signature must be added at the beginning of the film, so the Film Association thought the Directors Guild's request was okay, so it helped them get in the way of Lucas, and Lucas exploded. He directly quit the Directors Guild and stated that his films do not need to be reviewed by anyone and will be released on time, because the association's decision has no legal effect. When Lucas flipped the table over, everything fell into place. He and Spielberg are two gods. When they were young, they were in awe of the sky, the earth, and the air. Another example is Nephi. When they first made the movie, they thought about using the Film Association's ratings to help audiences better choose movies. However, the Film Association's ratings were decided by members, so they gave up and chose to build their own movies. Rating. Because of this matter, Hollywood rejected them very much, but with the explosion of the Internet, the Film Association found itself becoming a joke, so it later attracted Naifei to join the association. It's not Naifei who wants the Film Association, it's the Film Association who wants him. Whoever has the bigger fist talks.