Chapter 448: Face-to-Face Confrontation

"Universal is really going downhill," Charles thought as he left the Roosevelt Hotel. He pondered Universal's upcoming new movie projects and realized that aside from the Fast & Furious series, there wasn't much else worth noting.

Relativity Media's influence in its collaboration with Universal was increasing, taking up to 75% investment in some films.

Award season brought the release of more Oscar-aspiring art films and dramas. Capet Pictures' co-production of The Reader had its premiere in New York.

In the Capet office in Burbank, Charles leaned back in his chair, looking over recent movie lists.

"Frost/Nixon is a political biographical drama focusing on the Watergate scandal. Our film The Reader is centered on a difficult and scandalous romance," Phyllis Jones said, voicing her thoughts.

"These two movies are a shoo-in for Oscar nominations for Best Picture!"

Charles suddenly asked, "Is the rule change for Best Picture nominations starting next year?"

Phyllis Jones nodded, "Yes, from next year, the number of Best Picture nominees will increase from 5 to 10. Which means, in early 2010, the number of Best Picture nominations will double!"

"Those committee members really know how to change things up," Charles said, recalling how the Oscar committee had been planning reforms earlier that year.

"Slumdog Millionaire has now earned over $60 million at the North American box office. The financial crisis has made this optimistic underdog story a morale boost for those experiencing economic hardship. With the word-of-mouth set, we can keep pushing our PR efforts, increase screenings after Golden Globe and Oscar nominations, and then release the DVD!"

Charles felt good about having The Wrestler slated for release the day before Christmas, making Capet's award contenders competitive.

Phyllis Jones reminded her boss, "Warner Bros. and Paramount's collaboration Benjamin Button is also getting lots of buzz. It's adapted from a short fantasy novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald!"

F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of the greatest writers of the 1920s, authored The Great Gatsby, a classic of American modernist literature.

Charles shook his head, smiling, "David Fincher directed it, so it's a strong competitor."

"Without Harvey Weinstein, the Oscars feel like they're missing something," Charles sighed and asked, "Where did Harvey Weinstein go?"

Phyllis Jones shook her head, "He faced lawsuits with huge compensations, sold his shares in Weinstein Company amid the financial crisis, and declared bankruptcy. Also, the new investor in Weinstein Company is Soros Strategic Media."

Charles squinted, "Him again?"

Previously, when Paramount acquired DreamWorks, George Soros was the buyer for DreamWorks' library of 60 live-action films to raise funds.

Those Jews sure stick together!

"Now, Bob Weinstein is managing Weinstein Company, focusing primarily on horror, gore, and violent B-movies, abandoning the previous awards-centric approach," Phyllis Jones explained.

"Forget it, he can't stir up much anymore," Charles waved his hand. "What's the situation with Viacom? Sumner Redstone has any new moves?"

Recently, Capet Entertainment has faced increasing negative reporting, making Charles frown. From movie criticisms to personal gossip, the bad press was piling up.

This made Charles feel annoyed, like he was being punched!

"Well, MTV and CBS News have given our movies some biased reviews. Most of the bad press is coming from there!"

"Biased!" Charles immediately knew they were targeting Capet; biased barely covered it.

"Do we have any ads or deals with CBS or Viacom?"

"Very few. We only have The Twilight Saga cooperating a lot with MTV. MTV focuses on teen entertainment, which fits Twilight well."

Charles shook his head, "MTV's ratings have dropped a lot. Young people are more interested in YouTube. Spread the word, Capet Pictures' films won't participate in the MTV Movie Awards anymore. We'll focus on the Teen Choice Awards.

Also, tell Capet Records to leak that Capet artists like Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears will all skip the next year's MTV awards (VMA) ceremony.

These artists are Grammy-nominated. MTV dares to mess with me?"

Additionally, Michael Jackson, ever since being humiliated by MTV's music festival in 2002, never attended any MTV events.

It seemed Britney Spears was involved in that incident too!

Charles wanted to bring Michael Jackson into opposing MTV as well.

"By the way, Capet TV's Gossip Girl Season 3 will renegotiate ad shares with CW TV next year." Charles was already upset with Sumner Redstone's aggressive tactics and intended to fight back in low ways.

No one would back down; it's all about content now.

Currently, the advantage was with Capet Entertainment.

Phyllis Jones widened her eyes, "Boss, are you going for a head-to-head confrontation?"

This was a direct retaliation against MTV TV and CBS, indeed. CW TV was formed from a CBS and Warner TV merger.

Gossip Girl was CW TV's ratings ace, given their target audience was teenagers.

If Charles wanted, he didn't mind buying out the Gossip Girl series contract with CW. Networks like Fox, ABC, or NBC would no doubt eagerly seek cooperation.

"Also, for Capet Pictures' movie pay-TV rights, prioritize HBO, Starz!, and Bravo, and put CBS's Showtime last!"

Charles had a naturally bad temper, and since Sumner Redstone wanted to play, they'd have fun amid the financial crisis.

Phyllis Jones nodded, but she wondered how long this war would last.

*****

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