Chapter 83: What Did You Come to See Me For?
Chapter 83: What Did You Come to See Me For?
“I’m not someone gifted at giving speeches, nor am I good at saying inspiring things. So I’ll only promise one thing here: within the next three years, as long as your own work performance doesn’t become a problem, Pixar will not carry out any layoffs.”
After Jobs left, Eric said this to all the employees in the open office area.
This was also the issue they cared about most. During the past year or so, due to financial difficulties, Pixar had already gone through several rounds of layoffs.
Sure enough, after Eric made this promise, many people visibly let out sighs of relief.
Everyone knew Eric’s identity. The young man before them was someone who clearly was not short on money. Since he had made such a promise, he would not casually go back on his word.
“Alright, everyone continue working now. All management personnel, come to the conference room for a meeting.”
After a brief commotion, the Pixar core staff led by John Lasseter gathered in the conference room.
“Everyone definitely already knows who I am. And while reading through the information earlier, I also got a certain understanding of all of you. So we can temporarily skip the self-introduction part.”
Light laughter sounded through the conference room.
Eric smiled and waited a moment before continuing:
“Pixar’s previous situation was very bad, but things won’t continue like that from now on.”
“You’re probably all curious why I bought Pixar. I already mentioned this to John before. I’m interested in 3D animated films, and I just happened to have money available for investment, so I did it.”
“I assume none of you doubt my judgment when it comes to movies. Based on Pixar’s earlier short film Tin Toy, I came up with a very good feature-length story concept…”
“A wealthy young owner has an entire room full of toys. Since the cowboy Woody is the child’s favorite, he naturally becomes the leader of all the toys. But one day, the child suddenly brings home another new toy, Buzz Lightyear. Buzz looks novel and has advanced functions, and the child becomes obsessed with him.”
“As a result, Woody’s position as leader is threatened, so Woody begins trying every possible way to drive Buzz away. Through a chain of accidents, the two toys fall out of the room together and end up in the hands of a neighboring child who likes treating toys violently…”
After spending several minutes roughly explaining the story of Toy Story, Eric continued:
“The last time I met John, I told him I would invest thirty million dollars into this 3D animated film. Of course, the budget can be increased further. I only need you to make this animation the best it can possibly be.”
“As far as I’m concerned, failing once doesn’t matter. But I think Pixar can no longer afford another failure.”
Serious expressions appeared on the faces of Pixar’s executives.
Pixar’s previous situation had already become one where expenditures exceeded income. If the path of 3D animation still failed, Pixar likely would no longer be able to continue existing independently.
Eric was very satisfied with everyone’s reaction.
Although he knew that 3D animation would become the mainstream of animated films in the near future, if he said that outright now to encourage them, these people definitely would not believe it. It was better to apply some pressure instead.
“I know animated films usually require a very long production cycle. I plan to give you three years to make this movie.”
“Within those three years, Pixar will not undergo any changes. You also won’t need to continue taking advertising projects just to keep Pixar operating. You can devote all your energy entirely to producing Toy Story.”
“Alright, I’m finished speaking. Now let’s hear your thoughts.”
The pressure Jobs had left behind still lingered in the minds of Pixar’s upper management.
After cautiously asking several questions and confirming that Eric and Jobs were completely different kinds of people, everyone finally relaxed and began speaking freely.
Because the discussion became so engaging, everyone completely forgot about lunch.
Only after the sun began setting and the conference room—which was not particularly well positioned—started dimming did the group finally realize that night had already fallen.
In order to ensure that Toy Story would not deviate too drastically from its original incarnation in his previous life, Eric remained in Richmond for another full three days.
During that time, he personally wrote the complete screenplay for Toy Story and also hand-drew the appearances of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the entire toy lineup before handing them over to Pixar’s production staff.
Only after Fox president Barry Diller personally called him to remind the Eric who had disappeared for nearly a week to attend the celebration banquet for Pretty Woman did he finally have no choice but to leave Richmond.
Eric had not failed to consider relocating Pixar to Los Angeles. He privately mentioned the idea to John Lasseter once, but the conclusion was that it would be very difficult to implement.
Most of Pixar’s technical staff had lived around the San Francisco Bay Area for a long time. They had already grown accustomed to everything there, and many had even settled down permanently.
Moreover, the overall environment in Los Angeles was not particularly suitable for an animation studio like Pixar.
Richmond, on the other hand, was very close to Silicon Valley, where high-tech companies clustered together, making it far more suitable for Pixar’s survival.
After hearing John Lasseter’s explanation, Eric gave up the idea.
In any case, San Francisco was only five or six hundred kilometers away from Los Angeles. A flight only took about an hour. Traveling back and forth was very convenient, so Eric no longer insisted.
After staying in hotels for a week, he finally returned home.
He comfortably took a bath, and since there were still several hours left before the celebration banquet that evening, Eric could not be bothered making any preparations.
Wearing loose casual clothes, he sprawled lazily across the living room sofa and casually grabbed the remote control to turn on the television.
Just as he was getting drowsy, he heard the doorbell ring.
Opening the front door, he found a sneaky-looking woman waiting anxiously outside. She wore a wig and sunglasses along with very ordinary clothes, nervously glancing around from time to time.
“Why did you take so long to open the door? If paparazzi spot me, I’m doomed.”
Eric looked over Julia’s outfit and stepped aside to let her enter.
“What are you dressed up like this for? Oh… you kind of look like Allison?”
“I had Allison dress up as me and leave first. That’s how I managed to shake off the paparazzi and escape successfully.”
There was a faint trace of pride in Julia’s voice.
“What do you want to drink?”
After entering the living room, Eric asked while walking toward the refrigerator.
“Coffee. No sugar. And the water shouldn’t be too hot.”
“Oh.”
Eric responded and casually poured her a glass of juice instead.
Julia rolled her eyes at him speechlessly but still accepted the juice.
“You’re always this annoying.”
Eric slumped sideways onto the sofa again and looked at Julia with amusement.
“You really have changed quite a bit. Just look at the way you sit and listen to your tone. Top Hollywood actress aura is practically overflowing. I’m almost tempted to ask you for an autograph.”
“No problem. Where should I sign?”
Like performing magic, Julia produced a pen from inside her clothes.
Eric stared solemnly at the ceiling for a moment as though contemplating something.
Then he suddenly loosened the waistband of his lounge pants and glanced inside before shaking his head.
“No good. I don’t feel anything for you. Can’t sign.”
“Pah—”
Julia’s cheeks reddened slightly. She spat lightly at him and somewhat flusteredly picked up the juice to take a sip.
After a moment, she finally set the cup down.
“I heard you bought an animation studio?”
“Mm. Making live-action films is too exhausting, so I’m planning to switch careers and direct animated movies instead.”
Julia glared at Eric in mock annoyance.
“Can you be serious for once?”
“We’re already this familiar. Serious for whose benefit?”
As Eric spoke, he still sat up straight and asked:
“Alright then, what did you come to see me for?”