Chapter 607: Independent Film Cold Wave

In the morning, at the gate of a villa in Simi Valley, Charles was kissing Kristen Stewart.

"I'll come over tonight," Charles whispered in the girl's ear, "and I'll bring Blake Lively too!"

Kristen, wearing a white shirt, yawned and waved, "I'm going back to sleep for a while, see you tonight."

Charles drove through the San Fernando Valley and arrived in the North Hollywood area near Burbank.

In a private club in North Hollywood, Charles sat on the sofa in the room. Soon, Phyllis Jones brought in the current Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa.

"Mr. Capet," Antonio Villaraigosa was a bit nervous.

Charles glanced at him indifferently, "How long will it take to settle this?"

"About three days, I can convince that woman!"

Of course, Antonio Villaraigosa knew what Charles was asking about.

Charles nodded, "Los Angeles operates under a weak mayor system, unlike Chicago or New York with a strong mayor system, where the mayor's importance and power are much higher. You're of Mexican descent and have high public opinion in the Latin American immigrant areas. If you can't move further up, your political career will be over!"

Antonio Villaraigosa could only nod to show he understood.

In cities like Los Angeles and Washington D.C., although they are governed by a city council-mayor system, they have a weak mayor system where the mayor's power is not significant, and the city is primarily managed by the city council.

Unless it's a city like New York or Chicago, where the strong mayor system means the mayor holds significant power, almost like a small-scale presidency!

Thus, for Charles, Antonio Villaraigosa was just a disposable pawn.

However, being an elected mayor, he could propose ideas in the city council or oppose some decisions.

The city council-mayor system is primarily seen in larger cities, while over half of American cities adopt the council-manager system, where the mayor is more of a figurehead, and the city council manages the city like a company, hiring managers to oversee various departments.

If the public is dissatisfied, they can replace the managers at any time without a vote.

Antonio Villaraigosa left North Hollywood around noon and returned to the Los Angeles Mayor's office.

"Boss, are we really going to help him?" Phyllis Jones seemed to hold a low opinion of Antonio Villaraigosa.

"Hehe, he's useful. Our Spanish channel telendo targets Latin Americans. There are lots of Mexican-Americans in Southern California, and a Mexican-American mayor in Los Angeles can help promote the telendo channel!"

...

After a while, Charles returned to the Capet Pictures' headquarters office in Burbank.

Donna Langley came to report, "The group's layoff plan is almost complete. About 4,500 people have left Capet Pictures."

Charles smiled, "It took over ten months, but it's done. However, compared to the massive layoffs at Universal Entertainment's production department, Universal Studios Resort and the Consumer Products division have expanded a lot. In the future, the number of films from Universal will be significantly reduced, and with the further development of the internet, we won't need as many traditional distribution personnel anymore. We can save a lot on costs!"

The major layoffs at Capet Pictures heavily affected the former Universal Pictures production department and the distribution department of former Capet International Pictures.

Donna Langley smiled wryly, "Previously, there were many Universal personnel responsible for liaising with independent production companies. Now, with the significant reduction in the number of films, they are no longer needed. Also, canceling our distribution agreements with so many production companies all at once, is it okay?"

Charles was indifferent, "Maintaining cooperation with independent production companies is nice, but now Universal is not interested in low-budget films.

Morgan Creek Productions, Russell Productions, they release three or four low-budget films costing twenty to thirty million dollars each year, and their combined box office doesn't even reach 100 million dollars, they're not of much use!

The good projects, we need to fight for and find ourselves. It's unnecessary to pursue quantity by casting a wide net for cooperation. Every time we prepare funds, it adds up to a significant expense."

Regarding this, Charles was interested in Rupert Murdoch's crazy budget system, which was said to be accurate to the cent.

Capet Pictures began preparing the next year's budget right after Christmas each year because Capet Pictures' fiscal year runs from April of the prior year to April of the current year.

Universal Pictures, as the main distribution entity, under it Universal Studios takes care of special effects and action blockbusters, Capet Productions handles romance and comedies, Marvel Studios takes care of the Marvel series.

Focus Features is responsible for the North American distribution of international films and the production and distribution of art films.

Matrix Pictures handles the production and distribution of thrillers, horror films, and other B-grade movies!

Both Focus Features and Matrix Pictures have strict budget limitations, and commercial viability is their first consideration.

It could be said that the reduction in the number of films from Focus Features is a blow to Hollywood's independent films. With Miramax, Focus Features, Fox Searchlight Pictures, and The Weinstein Company all reducing and ceasing production, the impact on the independent film market was too great!

Donna Langley, being in such a high position, was not a sentimental person. She laughed, "Looks like an independent film cold wave is coming."

"The cold wave should have been predicted when the DVD market started shrinking," Charles dismissed it. "Disney reducing Miramax productions, Paramount closing Paramount Vantage, Warner Bros. closing Warner Independent, The Weinstein Company ceasing production. Now only Sony Classics, Focus Features, and Fox Searchlight Pictures are still of significant scale!"

Donna Langley nodded, "Even the Oscars are pursuing commercial reform, let alone films."

In the evening, Charles drove a Cayenne to West Hollywood to pick up Blake Lively and then headed to Simi Valley.

"Is Kristen here too?" Blake Lively asked.

Charles smiled and nodded, "She said she has some experience to teach you!"

Blake Lively playfully slapped Charles' thigh, "You're so bad..." Then she brushed her long hair and bent forward.

*****

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