January 20.

  The Golden Globes are often sidered a precursor to the Oscars, a stage to form alliances and manage public retions effectively to keep succeeding. Sometimes, a major win in one petition signals a bigger victory ahead, or vice versa — the success in one may bee a sotion prize for those who fall short elsewhere.

  -I heard they sent you an invitation to the Golden Globes, - ented Arnon Mi.

  -They did, but it surprised me... They invited me even though I’m just the writer and producer of Ice Age. They had already sent oo the Pixar team. After all, the produ team is theirs, not mi’s not worth attending, and I don’t think it’s the right moment, - said Billy, smiling. Of the three films I worked on, none of them made it to the Oscars. Seven didn’t make it, Nixon was just a small role without much impact, and even Before Sunrise only had a minimal effect.

  -I see. So that’s why you don’t like going,- asked Arnon Mi.

  -Yeah, I divide my time between the panies I manage, and it wouldn’t be fair to take credit for the work of those who spent the year creating the film. I’d go to the event, but even then, I wasn’t nominated for my tributions, like editing or writing,- expined Billy.

  -I uand that- replied Arnoing up from the table. They had been dining at an Italiaaurant for the sed time. This time, they were joined by a third guest, the very pourney Weaver. The three of them ughed and discussed the situation with great ease. Their test project was far more iing than they had anticipated. While David Fincher was having a tough time, they were enjoying themselves.

  -I have high hopes for L.A. fidential, - remarked Billy.

  -I think that’s everything, - Arnon Mi said calmly, as he left the restaurant. A man with many talents, he had an eye for the cssics... and for produg a certain type of film — gangster, police, military, crime, and suspehat’s what Billy noticed while reviewing Regency with Jim Gianopulos.

  -I wao go, - said Monica. Sometimes all it took was a look from a woman to get Billy to agree, though he wasn’t too happy about it.

  -We always buy tickets. They usually sell some to people in the industry. What do you think? - Billy said, turning to the brue.

  -Would you really buy a ticket? Why not just go with the invitation they gave you? - Winona questioned.

  -Same reason as before — it’s the night for the animators who worked day and night. They’re a hard-w group; some of them even sleep in the office to avoid wasting time or because they’re mentally exhausted... I respect their work more than just attending a gathering, - Billy replied, seeing it as a matter of principle.

  -Looking at it your way, I guess we wait a little, - Monica responded.

  ***

  It was a done deal. Anne made a few calls a with some key people. Within 48 hours, they had secured a tract for Happy Meal toys at Mald’s. The Happy Meal was an idea from Billy, ohat could prove to be valuable. With his tacts in Thaind, a, and Maysia, they would hahe majority of the toy distribution. They were paid for making the toys, for allowing the sale of those toys, and for the advertising — all thanks to Pixar.

  Even though Anne khe fast-food pany would secure its suppliers for movie-reted toys, the colboration itself wasn’t what mattered. What was crucial was leveraging that pany to further her career towards the Golden Globes, without directly relying on it. The advertising deal included a small cuse to ensure widespread distribution across North America, especially in key locations that Billy deemed essential, such as Fifth Avenue, major cities, and ercials on various televisioworks.

  A publicity campaign without spending any money!

  They even made some money—Hasbro would soon start paying royalties for Ice Age. The mammoth plush toys were nothing short of pure gold.

  Pixar tirelessly got back to work, creating a short animated clip for Ice Age, capturing brief, key moments that could be showcased.

  -I think this is the best way to use it,- ented James iganh, adjusting the sequence of the ercial. They had produced four 30-sed clips in just one week—a record time. But James loved satirizing his characters and pying with them.

  The ercial, along with two other videos for Ice Age, showed the famous squirrel chasing its a, only for the a to nd in a Happy Meal box. The squirrel leaped after it, only to get trapped, with the se transitioning to live a, where the toy was handed out at a Mald's.

  -The animation team has officially started w on the first ses of Shrek, - remarked Peter Docter, visibly exhausted from the workload. Before they could begin animating, they had to first develop every possible expression and movement using a new development program.

  James iganh grinned from ear to ear, as if he were a child receiving an award. He was eager to direct the Shrek ses, and although they had an excellent storyboard, when music, voice, movement, and the ess of the project were added, that’s when Pixar's magic came to life.

  -I ’t wait for us to finish, - said James, full of anticipation.

  -And in other news, while you were locked in that room st week—by the way, it smells like cheese in here— - Peter joked, opening a window. - They inaugurated a new building dedicated to produg 3D series. They’re w on a Star Wars series that’s been in development since 1992. It’ll be 50 episodes, with a 20 million budget. They’re creating proprietary software for all the space representations and CGI. -

  -I’m surprised they’re expanding so much... Now they’re doing a series? How am I just finding out about this now? - asked James, perplexed.

  Peter Docter facepalmed.

  -It’s been six months sihis news has been cirg throughout the studio, - Peter replied, a bit bewildered and out of tune by the question.

  -Wow, now it makes sense… I’ll have to stop by and say hi, - James responded, rubbing his head.

  Even though the film produ side wasn’t moving quickly, the animated world of Pixar and Lux Animation was buzzing with activity. So far, Pixar has two film teams, and one series team, while Lux Nation has three film teams, and Lux Toons has six series teams. They had uwo animation els, with a third el for adult audiences set to premiere year.

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