December 9th.
The Writers Guild of America's highly publicized strike, involving 11,000 registered screenwriters, had already been going on for a week. Every day, groups of screenwriters could be seen on the main streets of downtown Los Angeles, shouting and singing for the benefit of their group.
During this period, the executives, led by the Writers Guild, repeatedly tried to negotiate with representatives of the Producers Alliance, but were always rejected.
In short, it's not something you can talk about just because you want to!
Capital will not easily compromise!
On this day, representatives from major Hollywood film companies, American broadcast television and radio stations, and numerous independent producers—a total of 320 representatives—attended today's Producers Alliance meeting.
The main goal was to quickly resolve the disputes and resume work as soon as possible!
"Hahaha, Kyle, congratulations on making headlines again. I saw the news, and you're quite photogenic!"
As soon as Kyle arrived, Rupert Murdoch, the head of 20th Century Fox, walked straight over.
"Stop mocking me!"
Kyle glared at Murdoch, pouting, "If I hadn't been hit in the face with a shoe, these screenwriters would be making an even bigger fuss now. I'm the benefactor of the entire Producers Alliance."
Murdoch smiled and nodded, "That's a fair point."
Sumner Redstone, the head of Viacom and Paramount Pictures, also chimed in, "The rude and violent behavior during the strike, after being reported by the media, has pushed the striking screenwriters into the spotlight. Indeed, many people are condemning their violent actions."
Kyle hated White Sand, the attacker.
In fact, many of the screenwriters involved in the strike also cursed White Sand for being foolish.
As employees, screenwriters demanding a pay raise from film and television companies—the capital—due to low wages is a legitimate act granted to them by law, and it often receives support from the general public. However... White Sand's brazen attack on Kyle changed the nature of the incident.
Violence!
Violence!
Many people like to use violence,
But they also hate violent acts themselves!
White Sand's brazen attack on Kyle, to some extent, was an act that tarnished the Writers Guild, causing them to lose some potential supporters.
Therefore, Kyle saying he was the benefactor of the Producers Alliance was reasonable!
Before long... Michael Eisner, Chairman of the Walt Disney Company;
Steve Ross, Chairman of Time Warner Inc.;
Universal Pictures, Sony Columbia, DreamWorks, Dimension Films, Artisan Entertainment, MGM, and a host of other film companies were represented by either their CEOs or senior executives.
The number of billionaires present at the scene was in the dozens;
Every representative attending today's Producers Alliance meeting was a major figure with immense power in the American entertainment industry.
The caliber of the attendees was truly luxurious!
"Kirk Kerkorian, I heard you divorced your wife less than a month after getting married. What happened?"
Before the meeting officially began, Michael Eisner, Chairman of Disney, joked with Kirk Kerkorian, the head of MGM and known as the "King of Gambling," who was standing nearby.
Divorced less than a month after marriage?
It must be said that even those in high positions enjoy a good gossip.
Many people in the room pricked up their ears, and Kyle was no exception.
It should be known that Kyle had personally attended Kerkorian's wedding not long ago and offered his blessings.
"Kerkorian, don't look so glum, tell us about it." Redstone enjoyed the spectacle.
Kyle also said loudly, "Exactly, tell us about it."
Many people at the scene started shouting.
At this moment, even the 82-year-old King of Gambling, Kerkorian, couldn't help but twitch his old face.
Many even speculated that Kerkorian's divorce less than a month after marriage was most likely due to his body not being able to keep up, unable to satisfy his young wife.
After all, he was already 82 years old!
Of course, this was just a small interlude at today's Producers Alliance meeting... Soon, the meeting officially began.
Michael Eisner, Chairman of Disney and interim head of the Producers Alliance, spoke first: "Let me first state my position. Our Disney Group will not easily compromise with the screenwriters of the Writers Guild. Moreover, since the famous and promising Kyle was attacked, we absolutely cannot compromise."
No compromise!
This view was supported by many representatives of the producers.
Kyle was certainly the first to support it!
"If we compromise now, then everyone will surely follow suit in the future. What dignity will our production companies have left?"
In fact, Kyle's consistent principle was to be low-key and make a fortune quietly, and he didn't like to stick his neck out. But this matter was different, after all, the incident of Kyle being attacked had been widely reported by the media.
Murdoch: "Although our 20th Century Fox and News Corp. have excellent profits every year, our money doesn't just grow on trees. Why should we give them (the screenwriters) more money?"
Redstone: "I'm stating it here today: neither Viacom nor Paramount Pictures will ever bow down to a bunch of thugs."
Most people supported and approved the decision of the Disney chairman.
However... Steve Ross, Chairman of Time Warner Inc., one of the Hollywood Big Six and the world's largest media conglomerate, spoke up in opposition.
"I suggest we immediately negotiate with the striking screenwriters' representatives and consult with the Writers Guild to resolve the dispute as soon as possible."
"Gentlemen, don't forget..."
"Right now, it's only the screenwriters causing trouble, but can you guarantee that people from the Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild won't also jump out and stir up trouble?"
"You should know that once these people also jump out, the situation will inevitably escalate further, and at that point, the situation will no longer be determined by us. By then, the price we pay may be even greater."
When his voice fell, the scene couldn't help but quiet down.
Every time there's a Hollywood writers' strike, it's not just the screenwriters who participate; roles in the industry chain like actors and directors also jump out to seek higher demands.
This is something the Producers Alliance has to consider!
"Hmph!"
Kyle snorted, "Steve Ross, stop spreading rumors. If you want to compromise, go ahead. Don't think we don't know what you're thinking. Isn't Time Warner Group currently in a critical period of merger with America Online?"
Steve Ross: "..."
Everyone present was shrewd, and even if they had been fooled, they had now reacted.
Kyle wasn't afraid of offending Steve Ross; after all, Kyle's relationship with Time Warner Group wasn't great to begin with, so he wasn't afraid of offending him.
Michael Eisner, Chairman of Disney, said, "Steve, you're being disingenuous. This is the rhythm of a traitor!"
This statement received support from many people.
As a result, many people at the scene began to denounce Steve Ross and Time Warner.
Time slowly passed ~
The meeting lasted a full day before finally concluding.
The result was gratifying!
Everyone set a tone: no compromise, let them stew!
Of course, the Producers Alliance wasn't doing nothing.
The primary task was to stabilize the Screen Actors Guild, the Directors Guild... and other major guilds, to prevent them from also causing trouble, thereby isolating the Writers Guild.
Some radical producer representatives even stated, "Even if I give benefits to directors and actors, I'm unwilling to give benefits to screenwriters. After all, who makes them (the screenwriters) always jump out first every time there's a strike!"