Chapter 75: A Message for Jobs
Chapter 75: A Message for Jobs
John Lasseter explained, "Mr. Williams, the girl’s movements do indeed appear slightly rigid. Before production, I already reminded Mr. Hansen about this problem, but it was Mr. Hansen who insisted that we make it anyway to see how the effect turned out."
Eric looked toward Jeffrey, and Jeffrey nodded.
"Is it really not possible to make it smoother? Mr. Lasseter, money is not an issue. This opening logo may be used for many years, so of course we must strive for perfection."
John Lasseter shook his head. "Mr. Williams, I guarantee that this is already the highest level of 3D animation currently available. Pixar only began attempting human motion modeling last year. Compared to the baby in our previous short film, Tin Toy, the movements of the little girl in the red dress in this opening are already much smoother. Other studios can’t even produce this level of quality."
When Eric heard the name Tin Toy, a thought flashed across his mind momentarily, but he failed to catch it; his primary attention was still focused on Firefly’s opening sequence.
Since it could not be improved any further, Eric and Jeffrey began to discuss the matter in low voices.
In the 30-second opening, aside from a slight flaw in the motion where the girl opens the bottle cap to release the fireflies, everything else was perfect. Moreover, after editing, an opening logo is generally around 15 seconds long. For shorter versions, such as trailers to be broadcast during the Super Bowl, perhaps only a brief five seconds of the fireflies tracing out the words "Firefly-Film" would be inserted. Therefore, the 30-second short film material was already sufficient to cut a more perfect logo.
Since that was the case, Eric did not request Pixar to redo the work. What followed became much simpler. They signed the documents and paid the final balance to John Lasseter. With all of this completed, John Lasseter declined Eric’s dinner invitation. Just as he was about to leave, Eric suddenly stopped John once more.
"Mr. Lasseter, I recall you mentioned Tin Toy just now?"
John Lasseter nodded. "Yes, Mr. Williams. We began producing this short film in February of last year. It runs about five minutes and has already been submitted for this year’s Oscar for Best Animated Short Film."
Hearing the other party mention the Oscars, Eric was completely certain.
"John—if you don't mind me calling you that, you can call me Eric. If you don't have urgent matters next, could you stay and chat for a while? I am very interested in 3D animation."
John Lasseter carefully scrutinized Eric’s expression. It suddenly occurred to him that by virtue of the box office returns for the movie Home Alone, Eric was on the verge of becoming Hollywood's youngest billionaire. Meanwhile, Pixar had reached the end of its rope and could disintegrate at any moment. Perhaps this young man before him might be able to save Pixar.
Thinking of this, John Lasseter’s heart grew fervent. "Of course, no problem, Eric."
Inside Firefly’s conference room, John Lasseter explained, "The creative concept for Tin Toy came from my little nephew. Last Christmas, I watched him crawling around amidst a pile of toys, turning neatly arranged toys into an utter mess. Afterward, the concept for this animated short film was born. Eric, if you’re interested, I can call my assistant and have the videotape sent over."
Eric also noticed the fervor in John Lasseter’s eyes, while simultaneously confirming that right now was the absolute best opportunity to capture Pixar. If his memory served him correctly, the reason Pixar was able to attract the attention of the animation giant Disney—and ultimately sign a contract with Disney for three 3D animated feature films—was precisely because Tin Toy won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
Originally, Eric thought he had five or six years to capture Pixar. Thinking about it now, if Pixar were to sign a contract with Disney again just as it had in his past life, there would be massive variables if he wanted to capture Pixar later.
To let John Lasseter know that he was truly interested in 3D animation, Eric agreed to John’s proposal. "If it's convenient, then I'll trouble your assistant to make a trip."
John Lasseter placed a phone call. Half an hour later, Eric and the others returned to the screening room once more.
The newly arrived toy soldier curiously examined everything in the room, and a clumsy, simple-minded baby crawled inside. The soldier was full of anticipation for its new master. However, the baby’s rough treatment of toys forced the soldier to attempt to escape the baby’s demonic clutches. But the musical instruments it carried on its body jingled loudly, attracting the baby’s attention. Thus, a chase sequence between vastly unequal sizes began...
John Lasseter sat on Eric’s right side. As the animation played, John quietly used accessible terms to explain some technical difficulties hidden within the seemingly simple images to Eric.
Eric listened attentively, nodding from time to time to show his understanding. The animation quickly finished playing. Although he really wanted to criticize the design of the baby in the animation, Eric outwardly praised the piece.
There was no helping it; whether it came to animation or games, Westerners strived for realism when creating. To Eric, who was an Easterner at his core, it looked like just one word: ugly. By contrast, in animations and games produced by Easterners, regardless of the intrinsic quality, the characters were all quite beautiful. This point was even more prominently displayed in 3D games—just one glance at whether the characters were beautiful was enough to determine a game’s general place of origin.
After playing the animation, Eric and the others did not leave the screening room again, but instead continued to chat about topics regarding 3D animation. Compared to John Lasseter, who still lacked much confidence in 3D technology, Eric knew the development prospects of 3D animation like the back of his hand. As they chatted further, Eric couldn't even help but reveal a little of the conceptual design for Toy Story.
"Eric, you must have developed this creative concept only after watching Tin Toy. I have actually had the notion to produce a 3D animated feature film as well, but you know, given Pixar’s current circumstances, realizing this plan is completely impossible."
Having finally arrived at the main topic after many twists and turns, Eric adopted a more solemn expression and asked in a low voice, "John, is Jobs about to reach the point where he can no longer hold on?"
This matter was not some secret within the industry; anyone could find out if they were intentional about it. John Lasseter did not hide it either. "Jobs just sold off Pixar’s hardware department, so only the software animation department remains now. If we don’t encounter some miracle," speaking up to this point, John cast a hopeful glance at Eric, then continued, "Pixar studio will either disband or be sold. However, not many people are willing to take over."
"Why is no one willing to take over? Pixar’s technology should be the most advanced in the industry, right?"
John Lasseter hesitated over this question, agonizing for a few seconds as he looked at Eric, a potential financial backer. But at his core, he was ultimately just a fanatical technical person, not a businessman accustomed to mutual deception. In the end, he decided to speak the truth. "Because 3D animation technology drains money too rapidly, yet yields very little output. Unless buying the animation studio can create a complementary effect for one's own other departments—like a giant such as Microsoft, or a film special effects company—otherwise, no one will take over a studio that purely drains money."
Eric was extremely satisfied with John Lasseter’s candor. Pretending to ponder for a minute to dangle John Lasseter’s appetite, he then spoke up. "John, I am very interested in 3D animation. Coincidentally, after Home Alone, I have another very large sum of money that needs investment. Therefore, if possible, I am willing to buy Pixar and invest in producing a 3D feature-length animation. Mmh... that creative concept regarding toys we just talked about is quite good."
John Lasseter originally thought Eric would lose interest upon hearing his explanation; he hadn't expected to hear such a statement instead, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.
The two of them had just chatted very pleasantly, and he still had a very good impression of this young man. Therefore, instinctively, John did not want Eric to sink into the "quagmire" of Pixar again just like Jobs had. The reason Jobs, a billionaire, had reached the end of his rope now was precisely because Pixar continuously drained funds from him without creating corresponding economic returns.
But on the other hand, he truly loved 3D animation technology intensely. Otherwise, he wouldn't have repeatedly declined the olive branches of his old employer, Disney, to stay at this Pixar studio that no one looked favorably upon.
After thinking back and forth, John Lasseter proposed a compromise: "Eric, I feel there is absolutely no necessity for you to buy Pixar. If you are interested in 3D animation, you can invest in a single 3D animated film with Pixar. This way won't cost too much money, and if... it fails, you can also withdraw gracefully."
Eric was somewhat surprised that from John’s own standpoint, he could actually propose such an honest and well-meaning piece of advice instead of trying every possible means to hoodwink him into the game.
But if he truly did as John suggested, it would be equivalent to acting as a selfless benefactor, setting up a windfall for Jobs. In his past life, after the success of Toy Story, Pixar’s stock price skyrocketed, and Jobs stepped straight from the brink of bankruptcy into the ranks of billionaires.
Eric adopted the tone of a wealthy, willful young man. "No, John. Bring a message to Mr. Jobs on my behalf: I am willing to buy Pixar studio for 20 million dollars. If this deal is reached, I will invest 30 million dollars to produce an animated movie."
"Eric, I feel that for 20 million dollars, Jobs will not agree. The amount he has poured into Pixar back and forth over these past few years is no less than 20 million."
Eric said, "John, in doing business, there are profits and there are losses. If you must recoup more than whatever amount you poured in, then that is not business. Just bring my message directly to Mr. Jobs. 20 million—not a single cent more. I am very busy and have no time to haggle over the price. If Mr. Jobs is dissatisfied with this price, then there is no need to contact me. I believe he will make a wise choice."
"Since that is the case, alright. I will bring your message faithfully to Jobs."
Having seen John Lasseter out, Eric said to Jeffrey, who had suppressed his words for a long time, "Jeffrey, how did you manage to hold back from advising against me this time?"
Jeffrey spread his hands. "Knowing it's useless, why say so much? But since you asked, I still have to say: buying Pixar is definitely not a wise choice."
Eric chuckled, teasing, "I originally wanted to make a bet with you, but unfortunately you don't have anything on your person that I'm interested in, so forget it."