Chương 372: life change.

October 16.

The trailer for Lilo & Stitch is simply fantastic, and with Lux Animation now being considered a major player in the film industry, Disney finds itself cornered. They had expected Lux Animation to produce annual films due to the lengthy production times, but since 1993, Lux Animation has released five films. The announcement of two additional films caused Disney to enter a crisis.

-How do they do it! How is it possible that with our entire budget we can only manage one film a year, while they release four films in a single year? Are they even working? Do I need to learn animation myself to achieve success? - Michael Eisner slammed the table, completely losing his composure. His question was directed at his two companions, Roy E. Disney and Michael Ovitz.

-I know we're in trouble, but I suggest that if we want to produce more than two films a year, we need another team… I also asked my sources at CAA. They have a connection with Jim Waiit, and well, the answer is simple. Billy Carson delivers script after script, motivating the team to produce. The atmosphere at Lux Animation is said to be magical, - replied Michael Ovitz.

The trailer for Lilo & Stitch features a Hawaiian song, and several moments highlighting the culture, and extraterrestrial elements. Even their method of creating trailers is simply fantastic.

The second trailer is for "Ice Age," a story about a group embarking on a journey through the ice, featuring a diverse group and a heartwarming story. The comedy, the characters, and the concept generate great intrigue among the board members.

-Joe Roth is working hard, and we can say there is no better member to continue with our upcoming animation models… Additionally, Les Misérables is a great French work, and surely all the work we've done will bear fruit. But if you expect to produce four films a year, we need to invest a lot of money, - commented Roy Disney.

-I beg to differ, but this is not good. The acquisition of ABC has caused some problems. The merger has been costly, and we need time to generate these investments… Billy Carson has been planning since 1990, but the founder of Pixar since 1982. The films they have already released may have been planned for years, and that space allows them to produce multiple films a year,- Michael Ovitz commented, making a more reasoned but mistaken analysis.

Michael Eisner tried to breathe deeply… but being outdone in their best area clearly caused discomfort, and acquiring Lux Animation was not within their reach. Spending $15 billion to acquire ABC, and prior to that acquiring several companies and expanding their parks… they were tied up for the next three years without knowing how to take real action.

-The little upstart is taking us by the horns… you know what they say if you can't beat them, join them… I think Warner can go to hell, we need to ally with some media. They might reject us, but we'll attract flies with honey by expressing goodwill -. commented Michael Eisner.

The finances were in bad shape, but Michael Eisner's idea was to increase the animators' salaries to historic highs. However, they couldn't afford these to rise disproportionately… for example, Disney animators earned $700,000, for veteran animators.

They could poach animators with salaries of $500,000 or more, and these would always come down expecting more money. The average salary of an animator at Lux Animation is $80,000, but these come with promotional bonuses, movie bonuses, and at the same time, come with social security protections, creative proposals, and development opportunities. However, from $80,000 to $500,000, the temptation is something that cannot be denied.

For now, no one wants to raise the costs that have already been reduced.

***

Upon seeing the trailers for Lilo & Stitch and Ice Age, Billy bet more on Ice Age. With script corrections and better environment developments promoted by Pixar animators, Ice Age would be a masterpiece, as people had come to expect. It was magnificent. Just seeing the previews, it was clear the animation was ten years ahead in terms of 3D.

The children came home from school in the late afternoon. On weekends, some of them watched TV all day without stopping. Lux Animation's programming was overwhelming. The kids tried to turn off the TV, but Hardman Slash, Trigun, Samurai Jack, X-Men, Spider-Man, and Super Campeones kept them glued to the screen. It wasn't unusual; the television featured some of the best series, and even some adults couldn't resist watching Samurai Jack, Trigun, X-Men, and Spider-Man. The stories were deep, and parents were amazed by the impact of these series.

-No more TV,- said Anne Hall to her 14 and 12-year-old brothers who were watching the animation programs.

-But sister, Spider-Man isn't over yet. Tomorrow at school, all the kids will talk about the last episode,- said Robert Hall, 12, who couldn't stop watching TV. Anne sighed; this was the company she worked so hard for. It was simply annoying that her arguments were running out because it wasn't bad. She knew the dedication of the animators.

-It ends at 9:30. I'll turn off the TV. I don't care what I have to do if you two aren't brushed and in bed by 10:00, I'll cancel the TV subscription,- said Anne Hall.

-Yes, sister, yes! Just a little more,- pleaded Robert Hall.

Anne Hall took a short trip to the kitchen, looking for a glass of wine to relax. She was exhausted, living in constant fatigue lately. The travels posed a tough burden for anyone, especially when client meetings dragged on for hours.

-Tough day, dear?- asked her great-aunt.

-"¿Absolutely. We need to close a deal that will ease the burdens for the next two years,- said Anne Hall. She wasn't lying. The Coca-Cola sponsorship was enough to keep operations running for 1997 and 1998, printing multiple Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh cards, as well as Panini stickers. It was the gamble to cover costs and move beyond, securing extra licenses.

-Ah, dear… and your husband? You're getting old. You'll be thirty next year. It would be good to have a man in your life, start a family… these kids will make their own lives, forget about their sister once they find partners, and you…?- asked Evelyn.

-It's not important, - replied Anne.

-And what about that boss of yours? - Evelyn asked, uncovering a pot. The boyish look had long gone, leaving behind a man.

-Please don't bother me, - said Anne, taking an extra glass of wine.

-He's a catch, he's rich, and you two have a good relationship. I wouldn't mind bearing a few bastards from that man,- Evelyn responded, serving a pasta soup with a Caesar salad. -My dear, men like that, you don't ask permission. You sleep with them, have their children, and make them marry you. -

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