Chapter 183: Animation Thoughts

Dona Williams approached Charles Capet somewhat hesitantly and said, "Boss, do you have some thoughts about Rainbow Media?"

"You noticed?" Charles smiled, then pulled the woman into his arms. Dona Williams was dressed in a sharp women's business suit.

"Interested but can't do it," Charles shook his head. The American Cable Television Group was not small, and Rainbow Media, as a cable TV network group, was definitely one of their important assets.

Even if Charles had ideas, it was only for one of their cable channels!

Charles then kissed the woman's lips and his hands roamed over her chest.

"Alright, for now, focus on acquiring shares of IMAX and Dolby. Capet Investments should take action too." Charles was certainly focused on the company's affairs. With money, it was time to expand the company's business.

Dona nodded, already aware of the upcoming tasks. After all, both were publicly traded companies, so they could just buy stocks directly from the market.

After the Golden Globe Awards, though Capet Pictures received many accolades, the focus remained on the upcoming Oscars ceremony.

Hollywood was never calm, with new news always popping up. Under the efforts of Disney's new CEO Robert Iger, Disney healed its relationship with the 3D animation studio Pixar and successfully acquired it.

On this day, Disney CEO Robert Iger and Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced jointly: Disney acquired Pixar Studios for a total of $7.4 billion, through a stock exchange.

According to the agreement, each Pixar share could be exchanged for Disney shares, making Steve Jobs, who owned 51% of Pixar's shares, Disney's largest individual shareholder.

At this moment, in Charles's beachside villa in Palisades, Santa Monica, his long-absent companion Camille sat with him on the sofa, watching this piece of news.

"The Apple chairman now owns 7% of Disney shares," said Camille, who was studying for her Master's at Southwest Law School and would graduate next year.

"Disney and Apple are probably setting up some strategic partnerships," Charles commented. He had no doubt about Steve Jobs' genius in marketing.

Years ago, Pixar was just an animation department in Lucasfilm, which he acquired for $10 million.

Of course, the person Charles really cared about was not Steve Jobs, but John Lasseter, the true leader of Pixar. Initially working at Disney Animation, he moved to Lucasfilm, then witnessed Pixar's establishment, always following investor Steve Jobs.

With her short blonde hair, Camille hugged Charles's neck intimately. "Does Capet Entertainment have plans to develop animated feature films?"

Charles nodded and frowned, "There are plans, but it's not the right time yet!"

Charles was waiting for Chris Meledandri, the head of 20th Century Fox Animation, to leave and establish Illumination Entertainment, then buy it directly.

Since Blue Sky Studios' Ice Age was a huge success in '02, Chris Meledandri had helped 20th Century Fox Animation acquire Blue Sky Studios.

Last year, they profited again with Robots, and this year Blue Sky Studios was releasing Ice Age 2.

The founders of Blue Sky Studios, Chris Wedge and his boss Chris Meledandri, were already at odds.

After all, before Blue Sky Studios, 20th Century Fox's animation department's Titan A.E. was a flop, leading to the closure of their animation department and signing a contract with Blue Sky Studios. After Ice Age succeeded, they directly acquired Blue Sky Studios.

Charles could only watch but couldn't have a share in Hollywood's children's animation market at the moment!

"What about you? You should be starting your internship later this year, right? Any plans?" Charles knew Camille early on, and her looks and figure suited his taste.

Their relationship was maintained, and with Charles's financial support, Camille never had to worry about money. Charles practically kept Camille as a mistress.

"I'm planning to find a law firm in Los Angeles for my internship to gain experience," Camille whispered in Charles's ear. "Didn't you say you wanted me to help you out? I've always focused on entertainment law!"

In Hollywood's movie industry, whether it's various business contracts, tax calculations, completion guarantees, or other aspects, lawyers are indispensable.

Then there's handling celebrities' private lives, scandal lawsuits, or divorce agreements, all opportunities for lawyers to make money.

"With your look, I bet those law firm partners would ask you to dye your hair black and dress more conservatively," Charles laughed and slid his hand into the woman's low-cut sweater.

"Charles, don't you like Legally Blonde types?" Camille said as she took off her sweater and straddled Charles.

"Looks like Reese Witherspoon's movie had quite an impact on female lawyers," Charles said, hugging the woman, reminded of Reese Witherspoon's charming presence in Legally Blonde.

Unbuckling Charles's belt, Camille responded, "In the legal field, dominated by men, they think we only need to make coffee, print documents, and tidy up desks. They don't give us opportunities to work on cases, so they can't see our capabilities!"

Charles, no longer listening, kissed the woman's lips, silencing her words.

On the sofa, Charles held the woman while watching the TV.

On TV, Disney CEO Robert Iger was appointing John Lasseter as the head of Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios!

John Lasseter would oversee all animation creativity at Disney and Pixar, marking Disney Animation's full transition to 3D animation production.

With Disney's successful acquisition of Pixar, the era of 2D hand-drawn animation had officially come to an end.

*****

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