Heads Up Hollywood

"Billboard" magazine is the most prestigious music magazine in the United States. Its Billboard TOP100 list is considered to be the leader of global pop music.

In the past few months, the billboard charts have been dominated by two songs, one is Nickelback's "How_you_remind_me" and the other is Linkin Park's "In_the_end".

In particular, the "Silver_Side_Up" album released by the Canadian rock band Nickelback became a hit, which meant pointing out the direction for rock songs.

In the past few years, there has never been a rock song that can occupy the top spot of the US Billboard chart for a long time!

However, in late April, the peace of the music circle was suddenly broken by a song - "Something_just_like_this" sung by the famous director Don Walker and the famous actor Natalie Portman. Detonate North America immediately!

In the first week of its release, the record sold 18 million copies, breaking the record held by Michael Jackson in one fell swoop!

Of course, this is also related to Tang En giving up the income and selling at a low price.

Of course, Tang En didn't expect to make money selling albums. Although he sold 18 million albums in the first week, he could still earn US$4 million...

This money is all Natalie's pocket money.

Twain doesn't care about revenue, what he values ​​is publicity and popularization, because this is a "Song of Marvel"!

He wants to build momentum for "Spider-Man 2", which will be released in May!

The release schedule of "Spider-Man 2" is not as friendly as that of "Spider-Man 1". At that time, the competition with "Spider-Man 1" was the 90s-style action film "Sixty Seconds".

But two weeks after the release of "Spider-Man 2", he will encounter an extremely powerful enemy-"Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones"!

The heroine of the film is this year's Oscar winner Natalie Portman, which is even more publicity hotspot.

If "Spider-Man 2" wants to continue the myth of a box office of 1 billion US dollars, it must be ingenious in its promotional methods and keep attracting the attention of movie fans.

In any case, "Song of Marvel" is on fire!

Within a week of its launch, the record sales reached 18 million copies, and the major radio stations are also frantically ordering. The income from this demand has not yet been reimbursed, and it is initially estimated that it will not be less than 1 million US dollars.

The latest "Billboard" magazine was released, and "Song of Marvel" came in the air, squeezing out the popular Nickelback Band. In the Billboard TOP100 list, "Song of Marvel" went smoothly climb to the top!

This momentum is exactly the same as the invincibility of top superstars like Madonna and Michael Jackson when releasing new songs.

In this song, superheroes such as "Ghost Rider", "Thor", "Daredevil", "Iron Man", and "Ant-Man" have also become the focus of heated discussions among fans.

Many fans of Marvel comics found a strong sense of identity, began to show off their knowledge, and spread knowledge to their friends, which gave them a sense of accomplishment.

For Tang En, whether it is songs or writing, they are all small talk.

His goal is still movies.

Tang En Pictures acquired Dolby Laboratories in the form of "stock + cash", and the transaction has been completed.

Tang En made a special trip to Silicon Valley to visit Dolby Laboratories.

Dr. Dolby, the founder, and Dolby Jr., the current executive, treat each other warmly.

Dr. Dolby was getting older, and the inheritance of Dolby Laboratories was a big problem. Dunn Pictures acquired Dolby, and they got both cash and stock, which solved a big problem.

"That's the EA company next to it, right?"

Tang En warmly shook hands with Dolby and his son, and under their recommendation, he visited this technological sound effects company.

Little Dolby said: "That's right, we have business relations with EA, and most of their game special effects use our digital multi-channel video and audio system. Compared with game companies in the same industry, EA's games have better sound effects." Outstanding. The controllability of FIFA Soccer is not as good as that of Pro Evolution Soccer, and the sound effect is a highlight.”

Tang En was in a good mood, "Is that so? Our company will start the game business soon, and when the time comes, your help will be indispensable."

Little Dolby said in a continuous voice: "This is natural! When it comes to sound effects, Dolby Laboratories has the world's top noise reduction technology and stereo sound control, which can make games more realistic and immersive."

The old Dolby suddenly said: "The main business of Dolby Laboratories is still home theater, which is the direction of film and television, and we can't lose everything."

Tang En smiled, "Dr. Dolby, you are really wise!"

Under the leadership of Dolby and his son, Tang En visited several main businesses of the entire company.

In the Dolby headquarters building, there are more than 100 laboratories and more than 1,400 employees. These laboratories perform their own duties, from acoustics, to vision, to biophysics. Tang En felt a sense of mystery when he came here for the first time.

Tang En walked all the way, smiling all the way, and didn't express any opinions. When he met the employees, he shook hands and encouraged them, and praised them again and again.

The current Dolby laboratory has "Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound System", "Dolby AC-3 Decompression System", "Dolby Noise Reduction System", "Dolby Stereo System", "Dolby E", "Dolby HXPro" and other technologies.

With more than 800 various patents, it is definitely a leader in the field of audio technology in the world.

In terms of profitability, Dolby Laboratories mainly has three major business segments: 1. Sales of products in the theater and broadcasting fields, such as Dolby amplifiers, Dolby sound cards, and Dolby audio; 2. Technical support and technical consulting services; 3. , the share obtained from technology authorization.

In the past year, the turnover of Dolby Laboratories was 85 million US dollars, and the proportions of the three kinds of income were 13%, 4%, and 83% respectively.

To be honest, not many!

Dr. Dolby realized that Tang En hadn't made a statement, and realized something, "Sir, are you..."

Tang En quickly backed down, "Dr. Dolby, you are too polite, you can call me Tang En, or you can call me a kid."

Dr. Dolby nodded, "What do you think?"

Tang En was silent for a while before slowly saying: "After the end of the Cold War, the federal control policy became looser, especially the strong promotion of the Clinton administration in the past, which greatly promoted the integration of enterprises. When globalization came, the rapid A number of world-wide large group companies have emerged. The same is true for the media industry. It is necessary to open up the upstream and downstream relationships of the industrial chain and break down trade barriers."

Dolby and his son invited Tang En into the office and listened carefully.

Although this boss is young, his resume is too legendary, and age must not be used to measure ability.

"Twain Films is a film and television company with film as its leading role. The technology of Dolby Laboratories is precisely the necessary component of the film and television industry." Tang En paused for a moment, his eyes sharp, "But...Dr. Dolby, you didn't notice Is it? The business of Dolby Laboratories is only technical support, and in essence, it is a service industry.”

Old Dolby had a bad face.

Little Dolby was thoughtful, "Hasn't imax been acquired? Is it different? The function of technology is service."

Tang En smiled slightly, "Of course, I don't deny it, but we have to identify the target of the service. For example, the Dolby noise reduction system is used to remove impurities on the tape when the tape recorder is recording sound. But now ? Tape is obsolete, and so is the technology.”

Dr. Dolby shook his head and said, "No, the previous one was C-type noise reduction, but now it is S-type noise reduction, which can reduce noise when transcribing CDs, VCDs, and DVDs."

Tang En stared at him and said, "But how many years can DVDs survive? Don't forget, this is the digital age, and the Internet is the big trend in the future!"

Little Dolby frowned, "But discs are still the mainstream at the moment."

Tang En nodded, "Of course, I'm not saying that I want to ban the research and development of these projects, and I don't want to interfere with Dolby Laboratories' past business direction. I'm just saying... Dolby Laboratories is already a subsidiary of Dunn Pictures , if we can have better contacts in terms of business, we can maximize the benefits of this acquisition."

Dolby and his son looked slightly puzzled.

The company's strategic decision-making is definitely not something that can be figured out in an instant.

Tang En continued: "For example, imax company. They have imax cameras, imax giant screens, and they also have a good technical department. But what is the industry that can really complement the resources of Tang En Pictures? Imax theaters! You must listen Have you said it? With the emergence of DMR conversion technology, Tang En Pictures immediately cooperated, and the first imax blockbuster "Pirate Alliance" will be officially released in July!"

Dr. Dolby is a scientist, but he also realized at this time, "Is this what you mean by using movies as the leader to drive the improvement of the entire industry?"

"Of course! No matter how good the technology is, without a product to guide it, it can only be put on the shelf. Movies are the most influential products, especially the movies of our Dunn Pictures! I can say without exaggeration that the movies of Dunn Pictures are completely fine. Drive the new trend of film technology!" Tang En said vigorously.

Dr. Dolby looked quite excited, "You mean... you want to vigorously promote new technology for film?"

Tang En said with a smile: "Otherwise, I wouldn't have spent huge sums of money to acquire IMAX and Dolby Laboratories. To be honest, I also funded James Cameron's team to develop 3D movie technology."

Dr. Dolby said: "We have Dolby power amplifiers, which are the first choice for home theaters. The Dolby Pro Logic surround sound system will greatly enhance the viewing experience."

Tang En shook his head and said: "Not enough, not enough! The future of movies is not family, but movie theaters! There are currently 75 imax theaters in the United States, most of which show documentaries, and the attendance rate is dismal. But after the release of "Pirate League" , do you know what the result will be?"

Dolby Jr. majored in business management, and he was responsible for the transformation of Dolby Laboratories from a scientific research laboratory to a commercial company.

He immediately reacted and said: "If the DMR conversion technology is not bad, then the imax theaters will definitely be full! The market determines the capital. Next, more movie theaters will cooperate with the imax company to transform more imax theaters." , to meet the next imax movie that may blow out.”

Twain praised, "That's right, that's what it means! The share of imax theaters and technical support are the main source of income for Imax in the future. And all of this is inseparable from the movies of Twain Pictures to guide the direction. Dolby If the laboratory wants to increase revenue, it must firmly cooperate with Tang En Pictures on the basis of existing technical support!"