[7 September, 1975]
---At Newgate Mansion---
After having discussing so much, I went to my room to browse the news.
I want to know more about the outside world to see if I have any opportunities.
I don't want to have regret of having missing out on such good deals.
Not only that, Uncle have decided to invest the money earned by the GALAXY company in the share market.
Because of this, I wanted to know more about the share market.
After all, I only have some general knowledge on how it works but not in depth.
I started to learn more about it from the books but all I see is the same general knowledge.
It seems like, only experience is the one that I can get the knowledge from.
Sigh! Another one to learn.
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---Next Day---
[8 September, 1975]
Just like every day, I got up, done some exercise, freshen up and had breakfast.
Then went to my room with the newspapers and articles.
All the same news, about Viking 1 sent to Mars on Sept 5Th and it still continues.
Tennis star Martina Narvratilova asked for political asylum on Sept 6th which is getting more attention.
Jackie Wilson will be having a performance on 29th Sept in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
As I was browsing through the news, Aunt Sarah, the maid came in and reminded me to tell her the things to sort out, so that, I can go with Uncle Robert.
She dressed me up and sent me to the car.
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After a hour journey, I and Uncle Robert went to meet up with the Hanna-Barbera studios for the cartoons preparation.
I only got here after pestering my Uncle to take me here.
After all, this the legendary studio that made classics like 'Tom and Jerry', 'Scooby-Doo', 'Jonny Quest', 'The Smurfs' and many more.
I wanted to see it myself… with my own eyes…
This was not possible in my previous life, but now, it was and I wasn't going to take no for an answer.
After a while, I was taken by an employee to sight see the whole place.
It was the reason I came, so I went with him.
Though, it was bland and all, I did fulfil my wish of my past life.
Then, I asked him if it was possible to see how they work, he said that it was fine and showed how they worked on producing the animations.
All I can see is that many people drawing the sequence of images of moving objects, plants, animals, people etc…
It was different from the future, where many people work on computers or tablets in arranging the movements and all.
But, I did find some people experimenting and working on digital production of animations.
I went there and found out that it will some more years for it.
'Wow! It seems no wonder they are the top dogs of animations after the Disney.'
After a while, Uncle Robert came out and brought me to the car.
I then asked "Uncle, is it done?"
He smiled and said "Yes, Kid. They have agreed to make the shows."
"Though, it might cost us a bit more. Because they have many other clients and will take two months to start the project."
"They promised to complete the shows of the three works in a year."
"It cost $150,000 for each episode because we aim for high quality as you requested."
'Wow! A $150,000 an episode of 15 min, it means each min costs $10,000 dollars.'
'It is really costly... considering the timeline, where $150,000 might be 2-3 people annual income.'
Then I said at out loud "OMG! Each season costs roughly $1.8 to $2 million… and of three shows, it will be $6 million…"
"Uncle! Are we spending $6 million on the cartoon production?" asked with a surprised face masking and berating myself by speaking those words out loud.
Uncle Robert also surprised by my calculations and said "Yes, kid. But, you do seem getting good at numbers."
I awkwardly said "It's Aunt Sarah, who taught me numbers and math."
"She is very good at it. She also taught me words and helped in finishing my secret projects."
'Good thing, I had Aunt Sarah to teach and help me before.'
He then nodded his head and said "It seems like I should give her a raise."
With that, I was dropped at home and Uncle Robert went to his studio Newgate Productions.
-----
I spent my day drawing new characters for the previous works 'Strawberry Shortcake', 'Care Bears' and 'My Little Pony'.
Then, Aunt Sarah, the maid came and called for the dinner.
I put the work on hold and went to the dining table.
There, I saw Uncle Robert waiting for me.
After a hearty meal, Uncle Robert asked the maid to bring out the bag in his room.
Taking his bag, he opened it and took out three scripts.
He then put the bag aside and started reading the scripts.
I was curious about it and wanted to see the scripts.
Yesterday, I heard that Uncle Robert has been trying to shift his focus on producing A-grade films.
He is trying his best in transition of his studio from producing B-grade to real studio that produces real films.
For this, he was searching for a script to enter the stage.
After getting the setbacks and spending his time in producing B-grade films for years, he also done his best researching the market, expanding his theatres, connections with industry insiders and contacts with emerging talented directors and artists.
Now, for debuting, he is searching for a good script.
Even if it is not having commercially successful elements, it must be capable of securing some nominations for awards.
So, I took a look at the titles of other scripts to see if I can remember any details of them.
They were 'Rocky' and 'Close encounters with Third Kind'.
I was shocked.
'DAMN! What kind of luck is this?'
Then I looked at the one Uncle is holding and once again I was shocked.
It is 'A star is Born'.
'WOW! Uncle your luck is great. I can say for sure.'
'After all, who would find such films. They are all blockbusters and critically acclaimed films.'
'Also, they are also controversial films. The Rocky film was a success in future and Silvester Stallone is the backbone of it. Now, from the additional information inside the script, I can see many were interested but backdown due to casting him as a lead.'
'The Close encounters of Third Kind film is even more due to its budget of more than $10 million, only mad man chooses such film. After all, it is a difficult decision for many studios including the big ones. Columbia became angry and was considering postponing it.'
'A star is Born film, a film that I don't know much. But, I do know a film of same name released in 2018, which was a great success. It will be risk, but what I can remember was that its previous adaption was around 70's which was also a success.'
But how can I say this to Uncle, these are all hit and it will be no problem in investing such projects.
So, I sat beside him and began reading them while observing Uncle's reaction.
A half an hour later, Uncle put it aside and asked Edward "What are you doing, Kid?"
I said "Uncle, this Rocky script is great and engaging."
"Are you going to make a film about this. Then, I will definitely see the film."
He chuckled, "Ok, let me see it." and took the script from me.
Then, I took the 'A star is Born' script and started to browse it, to conform if it was same as I thought.
After a while, I put it aside and can barely control myself.
'It was the same story. I have to make Uncle to invest in it.'
'But it seems there is problem in it. There are some conflicts between the teams.'
'The budget is $6 million and First Artists Production Company is involved, where the artists have high power and control over the production.'
'It will be a problem over the creative content between the artists, directors and producers.'
'Sigh! We have to let it go. They were troublesome bunch from what I have seen in the additional pages attached to it.'
Then I quickly put it out showing a puzzled face, acting like not understanding the story well.
After all, I have to maintain a genius not some monster persona.
Uncle too have finished reading and said "Well, it is good. I will discuss about it with the team."
"Ok, Kid. Go to bed and have nice dreams."
Then shooed me away from the hall.
----
---Ten Days Later---
After that script's episode, Uncle seems to be coming late these days.
It has been ten days and I feel worried about him.
I wanted to stay awake for the night and talk to him.
But, who would have thought, he would come home early.
I went to him and asked "Uncle, why are coming home late, every day? Is there a problem?"
Uncle Robert was surprised a bit and said "Nothing, kid. I am just busy with work."
Robert finds the kid's expression cute and teases him "What, are you worried about me?"
I replied "Yes… I thought you would spend time with me every night. But, you didn't."
Uncle Robert felt a bit sorry and said "Sorry, kid. From now on, I will spend every night with you before going to bed. What do you say?"
I felt happy that he was convinced of my acting and said "Yes."
"But Uncle, why are you early today? I thought you would come back late like yesterday."
He smiled and said "Well, I got the film for my studio's debut."
I acted surprised "What is it, Uncle?"
He replied "It's the one you told me, Rocky."
"I have decided to produce it under Newgate Productions. Its budget is $2 million."
"Stallone wanted to have box office percentage as a writer and actor. Because of his additional requests, it took ten days to finalize the deal."
"Stallone will get $60,000 of which $30,000 as an actor and remaining $30,000 for the script and the sequel rights."
"The director is John G. Avildsen, who directed the film 'Save the Tiger' which was nominated for 6 categories."
"The film shooting will be completed in 40 days after the Principal photography and selections for remaining artist done in a week."
"After the shooting done and gets edited, it will be released in Summer. What do you think, kid?"
I was impressed and said "WOW! Uncle… You are going to make the film I told about. I am so happy."
Internally, I thought 'Uncle done a good job in securing the sequel rights and not giving him the box office percentage. It was really a wise decision.
'But, it seems the film will be screened in April. It was taking a long time to edit the film. A full 4 months.'
Uncle Robert smiled and said "I have another good news. Your GALAXY company earned about $6 million pure profit of now in four months."
"It spent $2 million in starting animation project and will also spend another $4 million in paying the instalments of the total $6 million animation project."
"Don't worry, they will pay $2 million when the project is midway and final $2 million completely after the project is done to Hanna-Barbera company."
"Now, your company has $4 million. It was decided to invest in shares of your choice. Meaning the choice of your industry and the GALAXY will create another company New Galaxy, together with Newgate company for the investment projects."
"Because the Newgate Toy company is earning more, they have decided to join in this venture."
"So, tell me your choice in week after learning about the shares means Sarah. Understood, Kid."
I said that it was ok and went to meet Aunt Sarah the maid to tell her to teach me about shares.
Meanwhile, inside my mind 'I was surprised to find that GALAXY was earning $6 million. An amount, I find truly shocking compared to my past life earnings.'
'I know that these greeting cards and toys of Care Bears, My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake will earn millions in future and grow in a billion-dollar franchise.'
'But, they are already started to earn me this much. I was thrilled and felt happy in earning this much.'
Aunt Sarah was doing the cleaning and I went to her and told about what Uncle said.
She was surprised and said that she will do her best and, I should get ready for extra lessons and higher knowledge.
I smiled and left to my room.
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---One Week Later---
[25 September, 1975]
During the week, Aunt Sarah only taught me basics and general knowledge.
I wondered how did she know all these things and asked her about it.
She smiled and said that her husband was a stock trader and that's how she knew about it.
I then asked her about him.
But, she smiled sadly and said that he left her after getting divorce for another woman.
I felt a bit awkward and I tried shifting the topic by asking her more questions.
She then, made me sure go through the news about the finance and, learn about the stocks and trends.
Finally, the day for me on choosing the stock and shares has come.
When Uncle returned from work, I went to him after he has some rest.
He saw me approaching and asked "What Kid? Did you decide on the things to invest?"
I saw the maid nodding at me and then went to Uncle to talk about it.
I said "Uncle, I want to invest in retail like Walmart; healthcare; Technology like HP, IBM, GE; Energy like General Motors, Exxon Mobil… etc"
"I want the excess money to be invested in these sectors."
Uncle Robert smiled at him and said "It seems like Sarah has taught you well enough. Ok, I will talk to the companies and make them invest in these sectors."
I felt happy that I was able to invest in these companies. Most of the ones I heard are still present in 80's and 90's with good profits.
It also felt safe investing in them.
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Note:
Rocky –
Produced by Chartoff-Winkler Productions on $1.1 million budget.
Distributed by United Artists on 20 Nov, 1976.
\ It earned about $117million in domestic release and international another $107 million; and world-wide gross was $225 million. /
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Thanks for the support.