Tokyo Bubble Life

Chapter 1390: 1399, just throw money at people, how can anyone else compete?!

Chapter 1390: 1399, just throw money at people, how can anyone else compete?!

"Naoki-san, what do you want?"

Sugiyama Yoshihiko felt he had misheard and asked again.

"Satellite relay equipment, and it needs to be small and easy to assemble?"

"Ok!"

Naoki Nagayama nodded while continuing his work.

Backstage in the screening room, he placed a copy of "Jurassic Park" onto the cinema projector to check for any malfunctions and whether it could be played normally.

"I'd like to set up a satellite relay system in the hotel to facilitate face-to-face communication with Japan. You've already opened a distribution company in the US, so you should have similar equipment, right?"

"Naoki-san, we have the equipment, but it needs to be set up inside the hotel."

Sugiyama Yoshihiko hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke.

"Naoki-san, could it be that we have some kind of connection with the Japanese government?"

It means, Naoki Nagayama, you're not planning to do any espionage, are you?

It's no wonder he's overthinking things. One of the three giants of the Shuyu Group, Shuichi Itō, is an important advisor to the Doi Cabinet. Shuyu is also said to have played a significant role in the election. It's quite normal for them to have secret connections with the political arena!

Thinking about it this way, it does seem a bit unreasonable that Naoki Nagayama could amass such wealth at such a young age without anyone supporting him.

"Government departments?"

Naoki Nagayama glanced at Yoshihiko Sugiyama.

"Do you think I'm James Bond? Playing Hollywood solo?!"

"I hadn't thought that far ahead."

Sugiyama Yoshihiko scratched his face.

"However, if Naoki-san were to play Bond, he'd probably be very popular."

"."

Seeing his subordinate's obsequious manner, Naoki Nagayama shook his head. Sure enough, they'd say anything to flatter him!

"Okay, I just want to contact my family so we can see each other."

Naoki Nagayama and Yoshihiko Sugiyama explained,

"In Japan, I'll have someone handle the coordination; you just need to have the repeater equipment installed."

Given his relationship with Fuji Television, it would be very easy for him to borrow the television station's communications satellite.

"Hey, I get it!"

Sugiyama Yoshihiko nodded in agreement, but inwardly he was filled with mixed emotions.

Rich people really know how to have fun! Why use a two-way satellite relay and insist on face-to-face communication when you can just use a phone to contact family?!

Even when Nakai Genta was away for half a year, he didn't do this!

Naoki-san has only been separated from his family for two days, and he can't wait any longer?!

"I'll have someone arrange it right away!"

However, face-to-face video calls are indeed a great way to connect, even across the Pacific Ocean. Should I borrow it when Naoki-san isn't using it, so I can contact my family?

At that moment, Shuichi Itō walked in:

"Naoki-san, we've already invited Carl Molden, the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, over here in the screening room!"

"Ah, they're here!"

Naoki Nagayama clapped his hands and walked towards the door.

"Then let's go see him right away."

Upon entering the screening room, I saw Nakai Genta talking to an elderly man with glasses, gray hair, and a clean-shaven beard.

"Naoki-san!"

Upon seeing Nagayama Naoki arrive, Nakai Genta began his introduction.

"This is Carl Morden, the famous actor Carl. And this is Naoki Nagayama, whom I mentioned before!"

"Hello, Mr. Morden!"

Naoki Nagayama was very polite to the elderly, extending his hand to shake theirs first.

"I've heard so much about you! I'm Naoki Nagayama, a director from Japan!"

"Naoki Nagayama, I've heard your name many times! Just call me Karl, I'm used to it!"

Carl Morden smiled and shook hands. As a veteran in the film industry, he had naturally heard of Naoki Nagayama, the Palme d'Or winner, and had seen several of his films.

After letting go, he turned and looked around the screening room, saying with a touch of emotion:

"Since I became chairman, many people have wanted to meet with me to talk about the Oscars, but it's quite rare to find someone to meet at a movie theater!"

"Haha, we're all filmmakers!"

Naoki Nagayama gestured for him to sit down.

"I invited you here today not for the award, but to have you appreciate my new work!"

"Oh?"

"It's called 'Jurassic Park,' and it was only recently released in Japan."

Carl Morden grew increasingly curious. He naturally had no idea what was going on with the movie in Japan. Even if it was a huge hit in Japan, people would probably only hear faint sounds of water in the US.

"Is it a dinosaur movie?"

"Yes!"

Naoki Nagayama had Yoshihiko Sugiyama start the playback, then had Shuichi Itō and Genta Nakai sit down before introducing Karl Morden.

"It's adapted from one of my previous science fiction novels, and it uses the most advanced special effects technology, which is why I wanted to invite you to take a look."

"It's adapted from one of your works, Naoki Nagayama?" Carl Morden exclaimed in surprise. "Are you still a great writer?"

"Haha~" Nakai Genta quickly chimed in, "Naoki is a famous author in Japan!! Several of his books have been introduced to Europe and America!"

"I see, this young man is indeed very talented!"

"I can only say that my writing happens to cater to the tastes of today's readers."

In American culture, you can't be humble, or others will really think you're weak!

"Carl, the movie is about to start."

The lights in the screening room dimmed, and Carl Morden, Shuichi Itō, and Genta Nakai all fell silent. None of them had seen it before!

The screen lights up, and the story of Jurassic Park begins with a tunnel construction team.

Carl Morden was a film enthusiast. As an Oscar winner, he went on to participate in filmmaking and eventually became president of the Academy. He had seen hundreds of films and had extensive experience.

However, when he saw the Brachiosaurus appear, his mouth still gaped open.

"Oh my God!!!"

Never before in film history have such lifelike dinosaurs appeared!

Even in monster movies like "King Kong" and "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," it's easy to see that the monsters' movements are stiff and the aliens feel fake!

However, the Brachiosaurus, Velociraptor, Triceratops, and other dinosaurs in Jurassic Park have such fluid movements and realistic visuals that it's impossible not to agree that this is how dinosaurs should move!

However, as the film progressed, something even more surprising happened to Carl Morden!

"That Triceratops!! It's blinking and panting!!"

"Wait a minute. That velociraptor is really cunning!!!"

"."

This usually quiet old man, who was watching movies in silence, once again felt the same excitement and thrill he had when he saw his first movie as a teenager!

When the Tyrannosaurus Rex appeared, Carl Morden once again let out that exclamation:

"OMG!!!"

When the Tyrannosaurus Rex roared, he felt that all the monsters in the movies before were utterly weak!

King Kong? That's just a hairy giant gorilla!

Where is the aura of our Tyrannosaurus Rex—its gaping maw, its icy vertical pupils, its cold-blooded hunter nature, its domineering presence of the forest?!

He could practically smell the blood!

At this moment, Shuichi Eidou and Genta Nakai, who were also watching from the side, were also in shock.

Both of them knew that Naoki Nagayama would be making a great dinosaur movie, but they didn't expect the special effects to be this amazing!

Even Sugiyama Yoshihiko, who was hiding in the back, was staring at the big screen in shock. When did movies evolve to this extent?!

He remembered that the special effects in the neon displays were still at the level of Ultraman fighting monsters!

The movie "Jurassic Park" continues to play on the screen. After an accident occurs on the island and the park's security measures fail, all the dinosaurs are released, and the main characters embark on a thrilling and exciting escape journey.

When the Tyrannosaurus Rex discovered the two children in the SUV, Carl Morden couldn't help but grab the handrail!

When the Velociraptor suddenly darted out from the basement server room, he trembled violently!

At the exhibition hall, when he saw the Tyrannosaurus Rex kill the Velociraptor in one bite, the old man gasped for breath.

Every second of the movie seems to grab the audience's attention, making it impossible to look away.

Carl Malden finally relaxed when the group managed to escape to the helipad.

Two hours flew by in a flash, making it almost impossible to notice the passage of time!

"Mr. Naoki Nagayama!"

Carl Morden took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead, his tone even carrying a hint of respect.

"This movie is absolutely fantastic!! It could even be called a masterpiece!"

"It will definitely have a place in the history of world cinema!"

"You flatter me!"

Naoki Nagayama replied with a smile, and pressed his advantage by presenting his request.

"Karl, if you think this movie is good, could you let him appear at the museum screening party? So that filmmakers from all over the world can see it?"

"Jurassic Park has already been released in Japan, but due to some delays, we weren't able to submit it for the Oscars earlier. But waiting until next year is just too long!"

"Of course no problem!"

Upon hearing that it wasn't for an Oscar nomination, but simply a screening at Museum Night, Carl Malden immediately slapped his thigh in agreement.

"Such an excellent film should naturally be shown to more people as soon as possible!"

"Perhaps film companies from various countries will take notice and import it!"

"It's not certain that many countries will request to import it!"

"Haha~"

Naoki Nagayama smiled and thanked him.

"Thank you so much!"

Looking down at their watches, they realized it was already past 9 a.m. when they came to see the movie, and now it was almost noon.

"Two hours have flown by, and it's almost mealtime! I'm starving!"

"I heard there's an authentic high-end Japanese restaurant in Hollywood!"

Naoki Nagayama continued,

"Perfect timing! Let me treat you to some authentic Japanese cuisine!"

"This"

Carl Molden hesitated, worried that accepting his friend's invitation would be discovered by others.

However, both Itō Shuichi and Nakai Genta were shrewd and quickly persuaded the man to stop. The group then headed towards a Japanese restaurant.

After lunch, Naoki Nagayama didn't linger with the old man. After agreeing on a time to deliver the copy, he readily took his leave.

After Nakai Genta saw the people off, the remaining Itō Shuichi and Nagayama Naoki returned to the hotel and started talking about the matter.

"Naoki-san, why don't we talk about 'Departures' at the dinner table?"

"Ha~ Haven't you all tried persuasion before?"

Naoki Nagayama shook his head.

"It's only the first time I've met him, what can I possibly say!"

"But... is this all just to get 'Jurassic Park' to the Museum Night screening party?!"

"Yes, that's actually what it is!"

Naoki Nagayama nodded. He knew from the very beginning that relying on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to win an award had already achieved the maximum effect, since the Oscars also needed to maintain a semblance of fairness!

Continuing to lobby won't produce any significant change. He needs to look in other directions.

"Shuichi-san, sometimes you can't just lobby the judges if you want to win an Oscar!"

Naoki Nagayama explained with a smile,

"Sometimes, you can even persuade your opponents!"

If you want to be number one, you can't win over the judges, but you can win over your opponents!

"Naoki-san, how could that be?"

Shuichi Itō's eyes widened.

"There's no way 'The Last Emperor' will be withdrawn from the competition! Their director is very confident."

"But the production company might be different."

Naoki Nagayama smiled and said,

"For film producers, all movies have one purpose: to make money!!"

"Besides, he has eight production companies."

"Once the price is agreed upon, these production companies may not insist on awards."

"How is this possible? The more famous 'The Last Emperor' becomes, the more box office revenue they can make!"

Naoki Nagayama shook his head:

"No matter what you say, 'The Last Emperor' is actually an art film. Even if it's very successful, it will only gross a maximum of $100 million at the box office. But its production cost was too high!"

"I heard that there are 20,000 extras alone! Not to mention the expenses for the Forbidden City, costumes, props, and other costs, plus advertising expenses, the profit margin won't be very high!"

Even so, it still needs to be shared by 8 companies, so it might even result in a loss.

Naoki Nagayama then pointed to himself and said:

"And my film, *Jurassic Park*, a pure science fiction commercial film, conservatively estimated to gross over $10 billion in box office revenue given the growing popularity of science fiction films, with a budget of no more than $2 million."

The total box office revenue is ten times higher, and the net profit is estimated to be more than ten times higher!

"If I offered the distribution rights revenue sharing of 'Jurassic Park' to the producers of 'The Last Emperor,' do you think they'd be interested?!"

"ah?!!"

Shuichi Itō's eyes widened; of course, the production companies would be tempted!

Once imported into their own country, they can rake in nearly a hundred million dollars in box office revenue in no time. Even with a revenue share, they can still earn tens of millions!

"But...but this is too much of a sacrifice!"

That's not how you win an Oscar!

That money could be used to host an international competition that surpasses the Oscars!

"Of course we're not giving them all of it! We need to discuss a ratio!"

Naoki Nagayama said,

"We'll give them a maximum of ten million."

"And let me make it clear, we were very confident about 'Departures' to begin with. If it really comes down to a hard fight, who knows who will come out on top!"

"No matter what happens then, that ten million in net income will truly be gone!"

"They're all businessmen, they're experts at accounting!"

"On one hand, there's the guaranteed profit; on the other hand, there's the uncertainty of winning a major award, plus the revenue pressure of 'The Last Emperor'."

Some film companies in small European countries are already incredibly lucky if they can earn a few million dollars in net income a year!

When faced with conflicting interests, even if the director didn't want to agree, he had no choice!

"If even one or two of the eight production companies succumb to temptation, then the momentum of 'The Last Emperor' will collapse. 'Departures' will then have no competitors!"

When Shuichi Itō heard about such a grand gesture, it completely exceeded all his previous expectations!

"Naoki-san, this is a profit of hundreds of billions of dollars!"

If you just throw money at people, how are the others supposed to compete?!

This is why the Shuyu Group is wholly owned by Naoki Nagayama, and just like how they don't care about money, which is why other film companies wouldn't dare to just give away tens of millions like that!

"Haha, Xiu Yi-san, you need to think long-term!!"

"Our movies will be shown all over the world in the future!!"

"After winning this Oscar, Tree Friends Pictures will definitely become even more well-known in the European and American film industry! Our entry into the European and American markets will also be much smoother!"

Naoki Nagayama said magnanimously:

"It's only tens of millions; we'll earn much more in the future!"

Beyond Japan, the global film market, plus the money Naoki Nagayama had in mind for other films he could make, was simply unimaginable!

"."

(End of this chapter)