Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 129 - 127: Vocalization

Wang Jian had no idea that a female actor named Vera Farmiga, with a resentful gaze, watched him leave.

He simply got into his car and quickly arrived at the building of the website.

Seeing his arrival, Tom hurried into the office.

"Wang, didn’t you say you were taking a day off? What brought you here all of a sudden?"

"It’s just as boring at home," Wang Jian removed his coat and carelessly tossed it over the back of the office chair.

"What do HBO and Netflix think about last night’s issues?"

"No need to worry," Tom’s mouth twitched slightly, "In terms of sex and violence, HBO’s limits are absolutely unparalleled in non-adult American channels."

"And Netflix, they aren’t even afraid of adult channels!"

Hearing this, Wang Jian suddenly felt a bit of toothache.

The two partners he had found had really no scruples.

"By the way, Wang, the author of ’Ugly Betty’ has accepted the suggestion to adapt, but he wants to adapt the screenplay himself."

"Apparently, that author has always dreamed of being a screenwriter."

"Let him speed up the process under the condition that we retain final edit rights," Wang Jian poured himself a coffee, "Due to the screenwriter’s strike, HBO is almost in a void."

"Understood," Tom nodded and handed over another document.

"This is a list of the most valuable IPs in the United States, as per your request."

"Okay, you go get busy."

After Tom left, Wang Jian sat back in the office chair.

To be honest, the fact that they could reach a revenue sharing agreement with HBO was entirely due to the strategic impact of AT&T.

It wasn’t actually due to the influence of the website itself.

As a provider of entertainment content, to have negotiating power in front of channel dealers, one needs IPs, and top-tier IPs at that.

This was completely unachievable with the ’Prison Break’ series.

This series, if made well, would just equate to similar things like ’Jason Voorhees’ and ’A Nightmare on Elm Street.’

So, what IPs truly have negotiating power?

It has to be either a massive production with a complete world view or a classic deeply ingrained over time!

However, since the website had been established for less than a year, discussing classics was out of the question.

Then, the only feasible approach was through major productions.

Currently on the website, the only ones that truly had the potential to be adapted into major productions were ’Arcane Throne’ and ’Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.’

However, both of these works would require substantial funds to complete the filming.

Honestly, the website could scrap together enough to produce a shoddy product by selling off their assets.

But whether the American audience would appreciate this type of work, Wang Jian was still unsure.

He opened the files and began to review the most valuable IPs in the United States.

Hmm,

As expected, the top two were both major science fiction franchises.

First, the ’Star Wars’ series;

Second, the ’Star Trek’ series.

Following those were the years-running sitcoms like ’Friends’ and ’Seinfeld.’

Then came the comic kings ’Spiderman’ and ’Iron Man.’

Wang Jian analyzed these themes: science fiction, comedy, superheroes.

But currently, the works on the website were mostly just slightly related to superheroes.

In these top-tier IPs, there was temporarily no successful precedent for a magic-themed television adaptation!

Before there was a willing big investor or before the website went public and accomplished financing, it was unwise to touch these two works.

Therefore, to engage others in investment and risk-sharing, it was essential to follow popular themes.

Science fiction...

Comedy...

He scrolled furiously with his mouse but still couldn’t find any decent works on the website.

Ah, wrong!

Suddenly, Wang Jian’s heart jolted sharply.

Science fiction and comedy really can coexist!

Isn’t "Anomalies and Creatures" essentially science fiction and comedy wrapped in a magical veneer?

It’s both science fiction and comedy combined.

"Damn it," Wang Jian cursed softly, "I’ve been too busy playing the businessman and almost forgot what my real job is."

"I’m naturally a relentless typing machine!"

He chuckled at himself and then began to delve into the "Anomalies and Creatures" in his mind.

A vast worldview, filled with imaginative space civilizations.

The most crucial issue was that the characters were all very lively and interesting, and the dialogue was full of humor.

"’Star Trek’ version of ’Friends’, a central coffee shop in space," Wang Jian muttered to himself, "I refuse to believe I can’t lure investors with this!"

The only problem was that the work was too focused on pure love.

It wasn’t until the end of "Anomalies and Creatures" that the protagonist’s romantic storyline became clear.

This was seriously out of sync with the current reality in the United States.

Looking at the popular American TV series, which protagonist doesn’t have a record of conquests by the hundreds?

If you only manage a count of ten, you might as well be called a nerd...

Should he change the romantic subplot or not?

Wang Jian pensively twirled his pen, a bit troubled.

Would dating a Husky or a pet cat provoke protests from the Animal Protection Organization?

While he was scratching his head and thinking about how to adapt the story,

In the office of Pixar Animation in Los Angeles,

Wozniak looked at his old friend Steve Jobs with a helpless wry smile.

"Steve, you’re still so arrogant!"

"That’s not arrogance!" Jobs glanced at his friend, "I’ve never held a grudge for being ousted by the shareholders from the Apple Company that I founded."

"Because the product I led at the time indeed failed."

"But, after kicking me out, what is the current state of Apple Company?"

"The newly launched products are massively unsold, and its status in the electronics industry has plummeted!"

"It has even become a laughingstock in the capital market."

Jobs sat behind his desk, his gaze fixed intensely on Wozniak.

"Do you know what the head of IBM’s personal computer business said to me when we chatted?"

"They said, disclosing the PC standard to compete with Apple was the biggest mistake in IBM’s history."

"If they hadn’t disclosed it, there wouldn’t be manufacturers like Hewlett-Packard and Dell emerging today."

Wozniak let out a wry smile, "So, what conditions did the board agree to for you to return to Apple?"

Steve Jobs tapped his fingers on the desk, pondered for a moment, and then said firmly, "I must have absolute control over the direction of future product designs."

"And the board must not interfere too much."

Wozniak took a deep breath, "At least, you have to give us a glimpse of your ideas."

Jobs looked deeply at him, "Alright, I trust you, Woz."

He opened the drawer, pulled out a few documents, and handed them over.

"First, we need to define the consumer and professional grades of the product. In the computer business, don’t create too many varieties, continue with our closed system approach."

Jobs paused and then continued, "As for other products, I suggest we start positioning in the mobile market."

"Looking at the current situation, digital music players are a good choice."

"But, Sony is leveraging its record label’s advantage to promote its MiniDisc worldwide. We have no involvement in the music market."

Jobs nodded, pulling out the newly released Nokia 9000.

"So, what do you think of partnering with a literary website to create a broadcasting company?"

"Turning beloved works into audio, how does that sound?"

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