[Chapter 157: Integration and Consolidation]
Before officially signing the acquisition contract, Linton demanded that the Weinstein brothers lay off all non-production staff at Miramax, keeping only distribution personnel and producers. These bastards had to be forced into doing it; there was no way he would bring those problems into the new company.
What surprised Linton greatly was that both Harvey and Bob Weinstein chose to stay and signed three-year employment contracts. From being movie company owners, they became employees. It was uncertain whether they would adapt to this shift in status. However, they didn't lose out, as the brothers held nearly 70% of the original company's shares. After this transfer, they received a huge cash payout, comfortably becoming multi-millionaires.
...
After the acquisition, Linton had private talks with Harvey and Bob, essentially using Soul Induction to question them.
"Harvey, why did you choose to stay?"
"I love the film industry, and all my skills lie in it. If I leave, I don't know what else I can do. Plus, powerful figures in Washington want me to stay in the film industry to maintain influence. You wouldn't let me go to other film companies, so I have no choice but to stay."
"Why didn't these Washington big shots step in to help your company through the crisis?"
"They've been disappointed in me lately. Not long ago, I asked them to help solve a major problem. Then there was this fire that wiped out the entire company. They probably think I'm not worth the effort to invest in."
So they abandoned him. No wonder the company collapsed so easily.
"Have you found out the real cause of the fire?"
"Didn't the fire department give their conclusion?"
"Two separate places caught fire at the same time. Don't you think that's too coincidental?"
"It is, but neither the police nor the fire department found evidence of foul play. I had to trust them."
"Do you or your brother have enemies?"
"No, at most we deceived a few actresses, but they didn't have the capacity for this."
Linton nodded with satisfaction, apparently they never doubted him. He continued, "Are you willing to just be an employee at my company?"
"Definitely not. This acquisition contract limits me. I'll keep a low profile here for three years, but after that, I'll start a new venture."
Indeed, they were unwilling to stay down quietly. But this wasn't Disney, and after three years, they couldn't just take a bunch of people and start over easily.
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When Linton used Soul Induction on Bob, his answers aligned with Harvey's, except regarding enemies.
"I don't have any enemies, but Harvey does. He deceived too many girls, sleeping with them but never fulfilling his promises. I strongly suspect one of them is seeking revenge, but I have no evidence."
"Did you tell the police?"
"How could I? Reporting it would only embarrass us. The police wouldn't investigate all those girls. More importantly, if I exposed this, those girls might sue Harvey and the company, which would be disastrous. We'd be shamed, lose money, and become untouchable in Hollywood."
Linton felt completely reassured. They never doubted him, because from their perspective, he had no reason to act otherwise.
...
Regarding the Step Up 2 scandal, Linton hadn't suffered any damage; instead, they paid $10 million in compensation and never realized they had been exposed. Naomi Watts wasn't seriously harmed during the Oscar night incident; if anything, Harvey had lost respect.
Indeed, winners don't hold grudges against losers, but unfortunately, they met someone who didn't play by the usual rules.
Looking at it this way, Harvey was a shameless womanizer with brazen audacity -- even his own brother disapproved. No wonder he eventually fell.
To protect the company's image and healthy growth, Harvey would no longer be allowed to wield hidden power.
...
After resolving these doubts, Linton began consolidating company resources. He decided not to keep the Miramax brand, instead breaking it up.
Following layoffs of non-production staff, the company retained only the production and distribution departments. Distribution was the core and most valuable asset, with over 70 employees. Besides the headquarters team of over 20 involved in marketing, planning, and content selection, most staff were stationed in various states.
...
The production department was small, just around 10 people, mostly a few producers and post-production personnel. Like many independent film companies, most crew members were hired temporarily during shoots.
Linton merged the former Miramax production team into Linton Films' production department, with Robert continuing as manager, and Bob Weinstein as deputy manager, responsible for independent films with budgets under $3 million.
With an established distribution network, these films were unlikely to lose money if costs were controlled.
...
The distribution department kept the original Miramax team, with Linton personally as manager and Harvey Weinstein as deputy manager. However, distribution would no longer be under Harvey's full control.
After testing the original distribution manager, Clinsman Reed, with Soul Induction, Linton found that although Reed was promoted by the Weinsteins, he was not blindly loyal. He showed strong ambition and sought recognition from the new management.
Naturally, Linton saw potential and promoted him to deputy manager, equal with Harvey.
Though the company currently had no films ready for distribution, the distribution business was upstream in Hollywood's industry, so no concerns there.
Previously, distribution focused on art house and horror films, mostly foreign films acquired from film festivals. They rarely handled commercial movies.
Though profitable, margins were thin except for a few Oscar-winning films.
It wasn't that they didn't want commercial films; rather, commercial films rarely approached them, preferring the major seven Hollywood distributors and their subsidiaries.
Now under Linton's ownership, future company movies would be distributed internally.
After a few successful cases, commercial films from other companies would naturally consider them, since the major seven's distribution terms were too strict.
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Since Miramax's offices had burned down, Linton seized the opportunity to rent the ninth floor as the distribution department's new office.
After moving into the new space, Linton called back all distribution personnel, including those stationed elsewhere, and held one-on-one meetings.
Through Soul Induction, he identified a small number of people deeply loyal to the Weinstein brothers; he noted them for future marginalization.
Thankfully, most staff retained an employee mindset: working for whoever paid, hoping for a bright company future and opportunities for promotion based on performance.
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Linton then held a full meeting, painting a promising future for the distribution division. He announced plans to shift towards commercial film distribution.
He promised that future commercial films would be handled by this team, giving them a chance to build reputation and attract more commercial productions, ultimately growing into a major influential Hollywood distributor.
Performance-based assessments were emphasized; company success would lead to higher bonuses, and top performers could expect promotion.
He also announced a 5% salary increase for all new and existing employees.
With these initiatives, Linton swiftly absorbed Miramax's assets and gained the full support of its staff.
*****
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