"Then we'll still have 45%, plus 5% from David and 5% from Janetti, so we'll still control the company."
"Good, I hope it stays that way. By the way, I almost forgot about Elizabeth's gift. Her birthday is tomorrow, and she's turning 14."
"What did you get her?"
"It's a surprise, I'm not telling. Let's see which gift she likes more."
...
It's Saturday today, and the students in Santa Rosa are on break, so the film crew is also taking the day off. Eric decided not to visit the set until Monday.
Yesterday, the film Whale Rider, which Eric had acquired, was presented at the Sundance Film Festival.
Since it's an art-house film, it's not being shown everywhere. Even if MGM wanted to do a wide release, theaters wouldn't agree, fearing low profits.
The film was released in over 600 theaters, and $1 million was allocated for its promotion. This money was spent on newspaper ads and online campaigns, mostly focused on environmental themes.
Environmental and animal rights issues are always popular in the West and are considered politically correct.
Just as films like Barbershop and Get Out attracted African American audiences, Whale Rider is targeted at those who support environmental protection.
Meanwhile, at A.K. Films, directors Bema Hardy and Warren found two up-and-coming directors and extras, working on films based on scripts from little-known authors.
One film is called Chainsaw and is obviously a rip-off of the eponymous movie, while the other is Dragonfly, which is likely a response to Sony's Spider-Man.
Sony might sue A.K. Films, but even Disney wouldn't be able to win the case due to the transformative use law.
If the film introduces its own innovations that distinguish it from the original, it's considered a new work with its own copyright.
An example of this is Scary Movie, which parodies many famous films but doesn't infringe on copyrights because it's clearly a comedy, not a horror film.
However, movie review vlogs technically violate copyright because their content is based on explaining and commenting on other people's films without significant changes.
If the companies that own the film rights actually sued, vloggers could lose everything—their pants and their channels.
...
Beverly Hills, the Cooper residence.
"Dad, do you know Robert Solny?" Eric asked.
Charlie Cooper nodded. "Yes, he's the CEO of Dualstar Entertainment, the Olsen sisters' manager. He has some influence in the television industry."
"What kind of person is he? What's known about him?"
"Hard to say, we haven't interacted closely. I don't even remember the last time I saw him, and I can't recall his face."
Charlie frowned. "Why do you ask? Is this about the Dualstar Entertainment shares?"
"Yes, exactly. Robert Solny is our target."
Eric told his father about his conversation with the Olsen sisters, and Charlie immediately understood the situation.
"It seems the Olsen sisters no longer want to work with Solny, but given their long-standing relationship, they don't want to damage their reputation by having an open conflict with him."
"Correct. However, MGM is intent on acquiring shares in Dualstar Entertainment, so the question is how to convince Solny to sell them."
Charlie Cooper pondered for a moment and then slowly said, "Let's do this. I'll first investigate the situation at Dualstar Entertainment, and then I'll try to gauge Solny's stance."
"If he decides to sell the shares, we can offer him even an inflated price, of course within reason."
"But if Solny refuses to sell, then we'll look for other ways."
"Yes, I hope he's a reasonable man. Otherwise, we'll have to set a trap for him so that he 'voluntarily' sells the shares," Eric said, gazing into the distance with a cold look in his eyes.
...
Santa Monica, near Los Angeles, is a popular summer vacation spot due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
In one of the hotels, the staff moved through the corridors with carts.
As she passed room 706, a maid heard loud noises that almost broke through the walls, despite the good soundproofing.
"Damn whore, she's screaming like she's being murdered," she muttered, crouching slightly and pressing her ear to the door.
Now the sounds became even clearer. Her heart pounded wildly, and she didn't notice how much time had passed.
"Ouch!"
Her legs went numb, and she fell to the floor. Glancing around and seeing no one had noticed her, she quickly left, blushing with embarrassment.
"Oh, how shameful. I should call Francis; he's always wanted me."
Inside the room, Chloë Sevigny coughed hard, her throat filled with something foreign.
She looked at the half-naked Eric with disdain. "You're still as rough as ever, Eric Cooper!"
"But you like it, don't you?"
"Hmph! Did I ever say I liked it?"
"No, but your body can't lie."
"You bastard! You're just using me to satisfy your needs."
Eric frowned. "Sev, that's hurtful. In this world, everyone is someone's tool; the only difference is how they're used."
Chloë looked at him with mixed feelings. "Why do you so openly say such shameless things? As a man, you should at least comfort me, even if only pretending."
"In principle, you're right, but you're the one who said 'pretending.' I think it's better to be honest."
"But it makes me feel bad," Sevigny pouted.
Seeing this, Eric smiled and gently lifted her off the floor. "Better now?"
"Yes, at least you helped me up."
"And how about this?"
Slap!
Sevigny fell onto the bed, holding her hand to her reddened cheek, looking at Eric in surprise. Her eyes lit up with excitement. "I like that even more!"
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