Chapter 707： Honest and trustworthy good businessman

Pixar Studio Industrial Park, Emeryville, California.

A Bentley passed through the gate, bypassed the huge jumping lamp statue, and stopped in front of the office building designed with all-glass curtain walls.

Before the secretary on the co-pilot opened the door, Michael Eisner pushed the door and got out of the car, and walked towards the office building. The clerk at the front desk knew who Michael Eisner was and hurriedly informed Idel Kamut and John Lasseter.

The secretary followed Michael Eisner from behind, but he didn't dare to talk too much. The boss is currently raging, so let’s burn Pixar.

Just yesterday, Disney received a notice from Pixar Studios that due to the huge technical difficulties encountered with "The Incredibles", the production of "Cars" will not be delivered on time and needs to be delayed for at least ten months.

"The Incredibles" has been postponed due to inexplicable technical problems, the boss is already very upset, "Cars" will also be postponed, Pixar Studios is obviously thinking about it.

With the boss’s consistent strength, this fire must burn in the Pixar studio.

"Good morning, Michael." Adel Kamut greeted him, followed by John Lasseter.

Michael Eisner ignored the hand stretched out by Idel Kamut, nodded slightly, and asked in a cold voice: "Where is Jobs? Don't tell me he's not here."

Adel Kamut maintained a polite smile, leading the way: "Steve is in his office."

John Lasseter is a technical man in general, unlike Idel Kamut who has such a good superficial skill, his eyes are always cold when he looks at Michael Eisner.

He and Idel Kamut are the two oldest people at Pixar.

Idel Kamut was hired by George Lucas and joined Lucasfilm’s computer department as the boss in 1979. The department is engaged in the development of computer graphics technology related to the film and television industry. John Lasseter joined in 1983 The graphics team of the department led them to develop and complete the first computer-produced short film-"The Adventures of Andrew and Willie".

In 1986, Steve Jobs used the $10 million gained from selling Apple's stock to buy the computer department from Lucasfilm, and then established Pixar Studios.

The feelings of these two people for Pixar even far exceed those of Steve Jobs.

Led by Idel Kamut, a group of people entered the office at the end of the corridor, and Steve Jobs was sitting in the office.

Jobs looked a little haggard in a dark turtleneck sweater and Levi's jeans: "Michael, please sit down."

The two quarreled more than once, and they were almost torn apart. Michael Eisner was not surprised by his indifferent attitude towards Jobs, and sat down opposite him.

Adel Kamut and John Lasseter sat on the couch next to them.

Steve Jobs is not in good health and his condition has just stabilized. They are not at all assured to let Jobs face Michael Eisner alone.

"Long time no see." Michael Eisner did not talk nonsense, and went straight to the subject: "Jobs, Pixar Studio postponed "The Incredibles" and "Cars"..."

Steve Jobs blushed and his heart was not beating, and said: "Pixar Studio has encountered a technical problem and needs time to solve it.

Michael Eisner asked: "Technical problems? Did you encounter technical problems?"

Jobs said casually: "You don't understand computer animation technology."

This immediately choked back what Michael Eisner had to question. He really didn't understand computer animation.

"Pixar will fulfill the contract." Jobs looks like a good honest and trustworthy businessman: "After the two animated feature films are completed, they will be handed over to Disney for release."

Michael Eisner adjusted quickly, and instead of answering Jobs' words, he asked: "In half a year, "The Incredibles" must be completed! In 2006, "Cars" must be released!"

Jobs tit-for-tat: "There are technical difficulties, Pixar cannot guarantee."

Michael Eisner's eyes sharpened: "Pixar Studios don't want to fulfill the contract?"

"No, we respect the contract." Jobs still had a little illusion about Disney: "Disney also respects Pixar, and the contract must be fulfilled, but should Disney consider returning the copyright of the animated feature film produced by Pixar to Pixar?"

Michael Eisner stared at Jobs and said with a mockery: "Then, modify the share agreement between Disney and Pixar?"

I've talked about this a long time ago, and Jobs made no secret of it: "Exactly."

"Are you completely disregarding the relationship between Disney and Pixar for many years?" At present, Michael Eisner has somewhat tempered his temper: "Jobs, don't forget, when Pixar was the most difficult, Disney helped you. "

In the early days of Pixar's establishment, Jobs made major decision-making mistakes. Instead of taking advantage of Pixar's huge advantage in graphics production, he continued to use Apple's old practice and asked Pixar to sell hardware, such as Pixar's graphics computer and animation processing plug-ins.

Steve Jobs also returned to animation production after he hit his head in selling hardware.

In the 1990s, Pixar was facing a serious financial shortage crisis due to a mistake in decision-making. Jobs himself had no money. In the end, he could only choose to cooperate with Disney and signed a series of contracts. Disney thus obtained the animation feature produced by Pixar. Distribution rights and copyright.

Without that contract with Disney, it is unknown whether there will be the current Pixar studio.

Maybe Steve Jobs at that time was grateful to Disney and Michael Eisner, but now it's a completely different mentality: "Disney is in danger, even in the business world, is this contract very glorious for Disney? "

Michael Eisner understands that, in the face of business interests, Jobs is not a bit old-fashioned.

He immediately adjusted, and said very solemnly: "Jobs, Disney's patience is limited."

Jobs's expression has not changed: "Pixar is trying to solve the technical difficulties."

Idel Kamut and John Lasseter never interrupted, but supported Jobs's position, Pixar encountered technical difficulties.

"Technical difficulty! What a technical difficulty." Michael Eisner suddenly smiled: "Many of Disney's distributors have encountered financial difficulties, resulting in Disney being unable to return the payment. Disney will no longer be able to pay Pixar for all animated feature films in the short term Revenue sharing."

Adel Kamut and John Lasseter changed their faces, but they both endured it and continued to remain silent.

Steve Jobs remained unchanged, and asked: "Anything else?"

Since deciding to follow the advice of Ronan Anderson and Robert Iger, using technical difficulties as the reason to postpone "The Incredibles" and "Cars", the management of Jobs and Pixar Studios has been mentally prepared.

For the long-term benefit, for the copyright of Pixar's children, they are ready to tear their faces with Disney and Michael Eisner.

Pixar Studios has been retired, it is impossible to retreat.

Michael Eisner downplayed: “Disney’s liquidity is tight and it decided to postpone the next investment in Pixar’s animated feature film indefinitely. The board of directors has doubts about the revenue of Pixar Studios. The previous loan provided to Pixar, Disney Loans must be drawn in advance."

Walt Disney's advantage over Pixar Studios, in Michael Eisner's view, is simply crushing.

Steve Jobs and Pixar Studios want to tear their faces with Disney. It is beyond their own control. He added: "The news will be spread soon. Pixar's stock price... Jobs, you have 50% of Pixar in your hands. One's share, his net worth is shrinking."

While talking, he looked at Idel Kamut and John Lasseter, who were also Pixar shareholders.

But Idel Kamut and John Lasseter did not express anything.

"That's it?" Since Jobs dared to say it, he was prepared: "Michael, it's up to you."

Michael Eisner still smiled: "Should you not want Apple to rescue Pixar? You are not so stupid. I am also a minority shareholder of Apple, waiting to launch shareholders to impeach you."

Having said that, he stood up and walked out without looking back.

Steve Jobs sat on the sofa peacefully, with no intention of getting up and seeing him off.

Edel Kamut and John Lasseter did not move either.

Jobs looked at these two people, and Idel Kamut said: "It is very difficult for us to return to the negotiating table with Disney Disney Animation Studios have fallen." Jobs said: "No Pixar The studio, Disney will have new big-selling animated feature films in a short period of time? The news is public, and the stock price plummeted first."

He looked cold: "Disney's stock price plummeted, who will be the most dissatisfied?"

The answer to this question is obvious. If the stock price plummets, won't shareholders go crazy?

John Lasseter admired: "Ronan Anderson has a vicious vision," he glanced at Jobs: "Second only to you, Steve."

Adel-Kamter said: "The key now is that Disney really has the possibility to borrow and depress our share. It takes time to go through any procedures and we need funds."

On the surface, Pixar Studios is the best animation studio in Hollywood.

But the management knows best that most of the proceeds from the animated feature film are taken away by Disney, and Pixar is more like an empty shelf.

Steve Jobs had already thought about it: "You go to Los Angeles today to meet Robert Iger and Scott Swift. It is best to meet Ronan Anderson."

John Lasseter asked, "Aren't you seeing him?"

Jobs shook his head: "It is not yet time for the king to meet the king. Once I meet him, the leeway will be small."