Hollywood Art: System of sunnys

If the live-action film was good, it was simply because people failed to see the depth with which Billy brought the production of the seven Chronicles of Narnia films to life. Each movie was boldly enchanting in its own way, managing distinct color palettes and yielding, as a result, a solid and carefully ordered workflow for every installment.

-—I didn’t know you were back.— Anne commented.

She smiled warmly.

-—Well, I’ve been a bit busy with last-minute work, and of course, I got caught in the middle of a massive global rollout, traveling and doing so much promotion that my cheeks hurt from smiling.— Billy replied.

-—That’s good fortune.— Anne said. —Leaving all the work to me. Now that you’re here, I want to see everything you’ve done over the past month.—

Anne was the one who hurried day after day, determining how much work Billy needed to deliver each month. However, with the development of sagas for video game screens, things were different. First, the rights to Prince of Persia were acquired, while at the same time,e a series called Ratchet & Clank was launched, which would be divided into four games. Each character had their own story and different ways of pushing the gameplay to its broadest limits.

-—Now I’m working on a slightly edgy video game series called Conker. It’s a squirrel, but it would close the cycle of demi-human characters. It’s good, because we need at least thirty games for the Xbox console.— Billy commented, making air quotes, his way of implying that what would come next were different character categories added to the main game ecosystem, in a battle against Nintendo that was dangerously aggressive.

-—Another video game. That makes four this year.— Anne sighed. The ID Software agency was separated from Lux Animation by a barrier that only opened to collaborate with Pixar on the development of better software.

-—They’re producing something big at ID Software. They hired two independent studios and Pixar to continue the work. I think they’ll make something huge, something that will shut the world up.— Anne commented.

-—Has Bill said anything?— Billy asked.

-—Nothing, just the same as always.— Anne replied. —They ask for money, they want technology, they want to earn a lot by investing little. But I’ve been expanding our stake while he focuses on growth.—

-—Stealing a project from Mr. Gates is not a good idea.— Billy commented.

-—It isn’t, but gaining market share is.— Anne replied. —ID Software will take credit for all the games, and the account keeps rising. Billy, we’ve made 300 million in three years. And that’s not all—they use our resources.—

Anne sighed. There was also the debt: 500 million tied to the video game company, which had been the true engine of growth. It was a somewhat risky move on Gates’s part, now being paid off by Billy—only the first installments, but enough to secure guarantees and lock in a zero-percentage contract for video games with Billy’s companies over the next ten years.

When Bill saw that he was still moving forward, he decided to apply the same clause and create his own video game company—but it didn’t truly compete. ID Software was an IP dinosaur, smoothly running seven companies in a straight line that completed projects sent by Billy, one or two per company each year. It was a solid idea, as everything converged into AAA games—high-quality productions.

a. ID Software RPG Platforms

b. Raven Software

c. Parallax Software

d. Blizzard Entertainment

e. ID Software Atlanta

f. Epic Games

g. ID Software Nevada

-—We’ll buy another studio in a few months.— Billy commented, now knowing he could continue sending projects. The people working there understood exactly what he wanted from each game, how he wanted it, and how it had to be executed.

-—How much will it cost?— Anne asked.

-—We’ll buy every independent studio that’s good, based on their game catalog. Those catalogs are their résumés and portfolios. I already have some contacts checking whether they’re legitimate.— Billy replied.

Anne frowned deeply, on the verge of shouting. But now she understood the gaming market, and it was Billy’s most profitable company—millions of copies sold across different consoles and PC, helping balance finances. It had even surpassed Pixar, second only to Lux Comics. Still, managing all those people and groups would be a headache.

-—It’s not a bad idea. But we need people—someone to coordinate everything.— Anne commented.

-—I already have them in mind. Two people who created a company and went bankrupt within a year now work part-time as baristas. They’re dreamers, and they’ll be restrained by you and by Richard Boll, who is always cautious and prefers to grow quietly, without grand gestures. I promised him he’d have to attend other companies, but I’ll give him a generous investment for disproportionate growth. Oh—and I’ll give some shares to our best workers at ID Software. Count ten of them; they’ll become partners in a smaller proportion.—

-—You’ll do the same here?— Anne asked.

-—Yes, in all the companies. I’ll give everyone 1%, which is almost two billion dollars given away. My companies are expensive, Anne. Hey, don’t make that face—you’re special. You’ll receive other things.— Billy whispered, caressing her cheeks, making the animator in front of them widen his eyes in discomfort.

-—But…— Anne whispered, thinking about what was unfolding.

-—I have to go public one way or another, and that means I need people to follow me even when things don’t go well. It’s more common than you think to give away a portion of shares.— Billy commented. It would be a private offer for sthosewho had followed him from the beginning; others would receive bonds instead of shares—credit to spend across Billy’s many companies, which were now beginning to multiply as he aimed to enter the internet world.

His eleventh company, shining in that space.

-—By the end of the year?— Anne asked.

Billy nodded. Precision was everything when it came to creating magic in people’s lives. And that magic was uncertainty.

-—Then let’s watch the Narnia film.— Anne commented, a hint of fear in her voice—a fear that was entirely deplorable. Shares, power, and what he would do now that he had always secretly wanted influence in the market.

-—It’s simple, Anne.— Billy said, watching the beginning of the story, which easily lent itself to becoming a complete series, seven to eight seasons. Unlike real life, every conflict was clearly defined.

Each story was more fascinating than the last.

-—The second film is for Christmas. The previous one was very good and won several animation awards. The black-and-white footage responded with enthusiasm, playing with a story that felt timeless, accompanied by classical music that flowed naturally in its own rhythm.

Difficult. Dangerous. It was a challenge to make every step configure into a single ten-minute take, while silence filled the room. How hard and complicated it was. He understood, despite people and despite the wind, that each day his films challenged animators in an aggressive way. Art for children, art for adults, and convincing the Academy— they were among the best films at the Golden Globes, though unfortunately, they didn’t win.

Perhaps it was difficult.

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