April 1990.
The conversation with Pixar has stalled, and Steve Jobs has not responded to the offer of $7 million for the purchase of Pixar's animation studio and software. Billy's argument has some validity, as Pixar doesn't need Steve Jobs. He tends to be stubborn and unyielding regarding major company issues, often burdening others with work while he focuses on negotiations. His behavior is narcissistic, and he refuses to admit his mistakes. However, it does give results, but Billy knows the formula for achieving the same result.
Therefore, the best way to negotiate is to divert his attention to other aspects, such as the technology sector, which has always intrigued him. His purchase of Pixar is for the innovation in 3D computer animation, not for the stories it can create.
He is currently in a meeting with Paula Sullen and Tony Benedict. Recently, he decided that the publication of Johnny Bravo would not follow the assumptions of the comics and would do everything possible to bring it to the screen in collaboration with Warner Media. How long does it take him to produce an animated episode without a team? Almost a month and a half, working sporadically. He completed all the advancements that Paul Higgs compelled him to make: a storyboard, a character guide document, and a set of images for the first episode, along with the opening introduction. The results were satisfying.
-So, for the new Johnny Bravo program, I want Warner Media to have full control. I already have 27 episodes of 13 minutes each lined up; we just need to produce the corresponding animation, - Billy said.
-We've reviewed the story, and I'm thrilled... we're excited to bring Johnny Bravo to television, - Tony Benedict said, preempting Paula Sullen.
-Mr. Benedict, please don't jump ahead. This is a negotiation, - Paula said, a bit nervous. This is the first time Betty Cohen has allowed her to negotiate a contract. She doesn't want to disappoint her mentor, boss, and spiritual guide for the past few years.
-Oh, sorry, but we need shows. You at Warner Media are pressuring us to release a series, and it's quite challenging to create a program on our own, - Tony said, with an apologetic look but emphasizing Paula Sullen's urgency.
-Well, I think you could also negotiate the inclusion of Johnny Bravo as long as my demands are met. We can work out a mutually satisfactory agreement, - Billy said.
-Well, as you know, even Hanna-Barbera is impressed with Johnny Bravo's artwork. This series cannot be produced with the same budget allocation we've given to Casper's Scare School and Batman, - Paula Sullen said.
-Well, it doesn't take much money to create Johnny Bravo. With a little money and dedicated workers, we can do a good job with this animated series. I have in my possession the first episode, along with the introductory arc, and sketches for another 27 episodes, each containing small segments of mini-stories, - Billy said.
-We have a proposal to buy the animated series for $300,000, - Paula Sullen said.
-That's not possible. These cartoons are my precious children. We can start a contract similar to the previous one: granting a 10-year license where you can produce Johnny Bravo episodes, and I will purchase the animated series in 10 years. However, I cannot sell the license to any major television network, - Billy said.
-Deal! - Paula said. - As long as you allow us another 10-year broadcast on our channel.
-That's possible, but if you cancel the series, those ten years of broadcasting will be lost, just as it is stipulated for Yu Yu Hakusho and Slam Dunk, - Billy said.
-Well, this time we want all the rights to merchandising. In the previous agreement, there were negotiations regarding clothing, toys, and marketing. This time, we want to have that lost market share, - Paula said.
-Fine, but I want 10% of the profits from the sale of all derivatives of the program, including advertising, toys, clothing, and program endorsements, - Billy said.
-8%," Paula responded.
-Okay, it will be 8%. So, what will be the price for purchasing the 10-year license for the program? - Billy asked.
Happy with the progress of the negotiations, making money has never been so straightforward.
-Let's set the price at $50,000. Are you agreeable to the license fee? - Paula asked.
-Completely agree. As long as you keep in mind that the repurchase will be at half the value, which is $25,000, - Billy said.
-We have that in mind, and we came prepared. We will send the terms to your lawyer now that the Johnny Bravo negotiation has been finalized. I would like to move on to discussing the matter of Casper's Scare School. In these five months, we have completed the first 22 episodes and hope to continue with the remaining 8 episodes. But before that, we made a pilot. We hope you'll provide us with a quality report, - Paula said, proud of all the work they had done to create the series.
-For the series, our best animators have worked day and night, along with Warner, to bring this series to life, - Tony Benedict said.
The episode was truly impressive. The sequences were comparable, even at the level of Akira, with two years of modernization and the incredible geniuses at Hanna-Barbera working on developing the first episode, which was presented as a 45-minute pilot, equivalent to an hour of programming.
-What a great song! Who did you hire to compose the music? - Billy asked.
-It was done by Richard Stone. He has been working with Warner and has some interesting skills. We tried to follow the smooth and slightly rock-inspired style you recommended, - Tony said excitedly. He had learned a lot from the Japanese on how to create a series, and it had been a long time since he felt such improvement. This new perspective on animation was refreshing.
-That's fantastic, - Billy replied.
-Indeed, he's a great composer, - Tony said. - What did you think of the pilot?
-It was good, even better than I expected. They adopted all the anime techniques and even perfected the use of colors, - Billy said.
-Well, Warner acquired software from Viacom, which allowed us to do computer coloring. It was a lengthy process, but it was refreshing. We saved a lot of time by using digital painting and acetate molds, delivering the best possible product, - Tony Benedict said, ecstatic about the outcome.
-It wasn't exactly the version you had in mind, but there's no doubt that it has better character graphics, more vibrant colors, and improved movement scenes, although the interaction between characters varies a bit. You're even grateful to Warner for creating this work of art.
-We based it on the composition you did with Paul, and we followed the style you used to the letter, along with the guidance and secrets provided by the Japanese company, - Tony said.
-That's fantastic, but what happened... I thought you didn't have enough budget, - Billy said.
-Well, it was all thanks to Betty Cohen. She estimated that the channel would gain a huge rating with the new Batman series and Casper's Scare School. She convinced the board to invest a significant amount of money, which would be immediately recovered with a cult series lasting the 20 years of broadcasting stipulated in the contract, - Tony said.
-It's so good! - Billy questioned, quite impressed from his chair.
-It is. When she sees something particularly good, she doesn't rest until she gets it. Although I don't think you understand, your drawings are impressive... That's why she agreed to such a high price for the comic's development, - Tony said. - Even some people at Warner have inquired about your work. That's why we could accept the deal for Johnny Bravo. They're happy with Casper's Scare School series, and the critics are raving. It has impressed all the industry critics with its innovative approach. Don't be surprised if there are new negotiations in the coming months.
-I never expected this, but with such goodwill, we can continue working together. I have many ideas that can still be produced. There's Pinky and the Brain, and I have a brilliant idea that could help create another series in collaboration, - Billy said.
-That's great, but we'll have to wait for the channel's decision. I don't think they'll invest more money in our small company, - Tony said.
-Deal. Let's see what time decides. -
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