bullyxtreme Chapter 198 The Real Entertainment Industry
Chapter 198 The Real Entertainment Industry
Chapter 198 The Real Entertainment Industry
There are roughly three types of brokers.
One type has its own resources, such as those who come from top-tier forces, but are just some of the side branches or marginalized members who are not valued.
But this doesn't prevent them from getting to know the important figures inside and acting as matchmakers for some people.
Their existence is essentially a manifestation of the spillover of resources from the top power circles. They are familiar with the rules and subtexts within these circles and know how to establish effective communication with important figures.
For example, in the early days of Hollywood capital operations, many such brokers came from established families in the East. Although they were not the core heirs of the family, they were able to use their family reputation to connect newly emerging wealthy people in California with the opportunity to access the top figures who controlled the discourse of the entertainment industry.
This inherent resource advantage means they don't need to build connections from scratch; they only need to accurately grasp their position in the resource chain, making their lives the most comfortable.
The second type is those with connections; in layman's terms, they have high emotional intelligence and know how to flatter.
Through continuous social activities, one gradually expands their network of contacts, gets to know more influential people, and makes everyone happy.
Hollywood has the most people like this. Many of them start as ordinary practitioners and then gradually become well-known producers, directors, or even executives of film and television companies through their connections.
The third type relies on women, like Epstein.
"Hollywood is essentially a giant brothel. In ancient China, high-ranking officials and nobles frequented brothels, and the same is true for important figures today."
Robert Iger, seeing the sarcasm on Ernst's face, nodded in agreement, "That's why the entertainment industry has such high added value; compared to other industries, the entertainment industry in any country is highly developed."
He took out his own coffee beans, ground and brewed them himself, his movements skillful and focused, as if he were performing a ritual.
A moment later, two fragrant cups of coffee were brought to the sofa area. Robert handed one to Ernst, then sat down on the opposite sofa, adjusting himself to a comfortable position before slowly beginning to speak, "Do you know how Hollywood developed?"
Ernst immediately became interested upon hearing this, so he shook his head, signaling the other person to continue.
"Hollywood was born purely because the public needed entertainment." Robert first gave an objective premise, and then changed the subject.
"But Hollywood was able to develop to where it is today thanks to a group of Epsteins."
This statement made Ernst pause slightly, and he subconsciously sat up straighter, waiting for Robert's further explanation.
Robert took a sip of coffee, gently placed the cup on the coffee table, and the bottom of the cup made a crisp sound as it struck the wooden table.
He continued, "For those powerful officials who have been developing since the early days of the nation's founding, and those old families, what haven't they seen and experienced? Money has neither meaning nor significance for them."
"It's meaningful because there's competition within their circle, and they need funds to maintain their family's status and expand their business. It's meaningless relative to ordinary people like us. The wealth we pursue might just be an insignificant number in their eyes."
Ernst couldn't help but laugh when he heard this. Because when Robert was talking about ordinary people like us, he specifically pointed to the two of them.
Despite their considerable achievements in the entertainment industry or the financial sector, they are still worlds apart from the true top powers.
This is true in any country. Apart from a few people who can reach the core of top power, the names on the Forbes rich list are nothing compared to the real big shots.
"But these top figures also need to have fun, and the entertainment industry is one of the things they find enjoyable. So, it's fair to say it's still entertaining."
"However, at that time, Broadway was all the rage, and the resources of the entertainment industry were controlled by New Yorkers. For the newly emerging wealthy people in California, there was simply no way for them to get in touch with the real big shots through the entertainment industry."
"This also means that their capital cannot be more securely protected, nor can they participate in higher-level distribution of benefits."
"So they started investing heavily in Hollywood," Ernst continued, following Robert's train of thought, gradually understanding the logic behind it.
“That’s right.” Robert nodded. “California’s new rich are pouring a lot of capital into Hollywood, partly to create their own entertainment hub and break free from the Eastern capital’s monopoly on the entertainment industry. On the other hand, they also want to use Hollywood to cultivate resources that can attract top figures, using this as a stepping stone into the highest social circles.”
"It is precisely because of the continuous investment of this capital that Hollywood has prospered in this century."
Robert Iger shrugged. "You've seen the results, haven't you? How well has California developed?"
"Relying on the entertainment industry to develop the economy? The GDP of the entertainment industry is nothing compared to that of real estate, energy, steel and other industries. The entertainment industry is not even qualified to be their subordinate."
"How much value can it create? How many jobs can it provide?"
"If it weren't for the later emergence of the advantage in public opinion and the advantage in cultural export, the entertainment industry would have been nothing more than a brothel for big shots to have fun in."
Upon hearing this, Ernst couldn't help but think of the Asian entertainment market from his previous life.
South Korea's entertainment industry is highly developed, with K-pop and Korean dramas having a large global fan base. However, the GDP generated by the entire South Korean entertainment industry is less than 20% of that of Samsung Group alone.
Looking at the three major video websites of Dongda University, Youku, iQiyi, and Tencent Video, these platforms are losing money every year, but their annual investment is increasing, often amounting to billions or even tens of billions of yuan in content production.
Ernst didn't understand the logic behind this before, but now he finally does.
This is not simply a business transaction, but a strategic move based on strategic value.
No wonder they have top-tier corporations backing them up. What are a loss of billions or tens of billions? If they can please the big shots and get some support, they can make it all back.
"That's why I say you need an Epstein, someone who can help you."
"Then Cochrane..." Ernst was a little confused. If entertainment was such an important value, why did Cochrane sell MGM back then?
Robert Iger chuckled, his eyes full of mockery, "Because he's already been abandoned by the big boss."
"Think back to Cockerell's business development period. When was the development not during the time when MGM was in control? But he overplayed his hand and treated the big shots like fools."
"For him, MGM was just a stepping stone. He first used MGM to build relationships and get resource support from top bigwigs, and then sold MGM to raise funds and use those funds to develop his core business."
"Once the core business stabilizes and the previous gains are absorbed, he will take over MGM again, wanting to repeat the previous model and continue to reap benefits from the big boss."
"But the big boss isn't stupid, and he won't let him be a fool," Ernst chimed in, having already grasped the key point. "Once or twice might work, but if it happens too often, the big boss will realize he's being used."
"That's right." Robert nodded. "Besides that, there's another important reason, which is MGM's decline."
"At its peak, MGM successfully resolved several financial crises, as funds always came to its aid."
""
Why?
"It's not because the business owners are so charismatic or have so many connections, but because of Marilyn Monroe and Feynman Leigh, these manufactured actresses."
Ernst fell silent and turned his gaze to an exquisite wooden box on the table.
I sat up straight, reached out and opened the wooden box. Inside lay a brown paper folder.
This was Epstein's pledge of allegiance, but Ernst was not satisfied.
Ernst didn't see Epstein's client list as a major weakness; what he wanted was incriminating evidence, the kind that could deliver a fatal blow.
"I think your thinking is heading down a dead end," Robert Iger said, having already seen the list.
"How so?" Ernst asked.
"Actually, you don't even need this list. There's no need to be afraid that Epstein will turn around and bite you. On the contrary, having this list will be more disadvantageous to you."
Ernst frowned, still unable to quite figure it out.
"Do you think the Stephens family would want their crimes to fall into the hands of others when the truth is revealed to the world?"
Ernst's eyes lit up instantly. That's right, how come he didn't think of that?
Alessandro Stephens was Epstein's biggest client and the person Ernst considered most valuable.
Because he was the second-in-command of the Stephens family, he held a high position and great power.
Even Americans may not have heard of this family, but the man who led Washington's horse during the Revolutionary War was also named Stephens.
This family is also an important member of the Roosevelt family group, which controls half of New York State's grain, oil, rice, flour, and salt.
Without the family's approval, none of the four major grain traders could have distributed their products throughout New York State.
With his self-built media empire, Epstein would certainly be able to access even bigger figures and expand his resources.
If Epstein's dirty dealings are ever exposed, who will let him live?
Prison is probably not his final destination; even if he keeps his mouth shut, he can still escape death.
Because only the dead have the tightest lips.