Chapter 154: Sneak Preview

Simon no longer felt the need to always explain his intentions to others. Upon hearing Marvin Josephson's question, he simply shook his head and said, "Marvin, I don't want to waste time on this issue. You and Julia can think it over and give me a response by tomorrow morning. So, are there any other questions?"

Courtney Cox waited anxiously in the lounge for less than ten minutes before Simon's office door opened again. After sending off Marvin Josephson and Julia Roberts, Simon gestured for Courtney to come in.

Sitting down at his desk, Simon opened a budget proposal for "Scream" and said to Courtney across the desk, "Court, I've seen your audition tape. You're very suitable for the lead role in 'Scream'. However, this movie won't be much help to your acting career. Instead, it will tag you as a teen star, making it difficult for you to transition later on."

Courtney naturally took Simon's words as a rejection. Her eyes dimmed as she bit her lip and said softly, "Simon, you're still holding a grudge because I initially refused you, aren't you?"

Simon paused, then looked up at Courtney and shook his head, "Court, I've been through too much. Your refusal isn't significant enough to hold a grudge. I'm just discussing the matter factually."

"So, can I get the lead role in 'Scream'?" Courtney Cox stared at Simon and said, "I don't care about the impact on my acting career. My career isn't as smooth as Sandra Bullock's anyway."

"Well, Court, if you insist. But 'Scream' is actually a series. You'll need to sign on for three movies."

Courtney Cox didn't hesitate to say, "No problem."

Simon put down the pencil he had just picked up, stood up, and said, "In that case, you can go back now. I'll have someone contact Jonathan."

Courtney Cox didn't expect things to go so smoothly, but she couldn't feel happy about it. She even felt she might have missed something. As she watched Simon extend his hand across the desk, Courtney hesitated, then walked around the desk and hugged him.

Feeling Courtney's embrace, Simon patted her on the waist and said, "Court, you should go now."

Courtney Cox tightened her grip on Simon's hand and said, "Simon, I can come over to your place tonight."

Simon chuckled and shook his head, "That's not possible. I don't want to make the gossip headlines tomorrow."

"Then," Courtney Cox looked around and lowered her voice, "here is also fine."

Simon, recalling Julia Roberts' nearly identical hint before leaving, grabbed Courtney Cox's hand that was reaching for his belt and said more sternly, "Court, you should go now."

Courtney Cox was about to say something when the office door was suddenly knocked on. Reluctantly, she moved back to the other side of the desk, took out a business card from her purse, and handed it over, saying, "Simon, you can call me anytime."

Simon knew that the only people who could knock on the door without Susan's announcement were Amy and Jennifer. After taking Courtney's business card, he casually responded to the person outside, and Jennifer walked in with a folder, surprised to see Courtney, but still politely nodded at her before saying to Simon, "Boss, I'll come back later."

"No need, Court is leaving now."

Hearing Jennifer say that, Courtney Cox also took the initiative to leave.

After Courtney left, Simon sat down again and turned to his assistant, "What's up?"

"Dad has finalized the acquisition plan with that digital effects company in Toronto. He just sent the documents," Jennifer handed over the folder. As Simon opened it, she paused slightly and said, "Susan isn't outside. I thought you were alone after hearing the guest leave."

Simon caught Jennifer's fleeting expressions as she spoke and smiled, "You spoiled a good moment, huh? Want to make it up to me?"

"Not at all."

Simon flipped through the documents, "Then don't feel guilty."

Jennifer also felt something was off. Women are sensitive about certain things, and she noticed the unusual atmosphere between Simon and Courtney right after entering.

But.

She really shouldn't feel guilty. It was a certain bad guy who should, so she gathered her courage and reproached, "It's you who did something bad. I, I will tell Jenny."

Simon seemed not to hear Jennifer's threat and suddenly looked at the document with a puzzled expression, "This is a mistake, isn't it? How could it be this company?"

Jennifer, upon hearing this, approached Simon's desk, leaned in, and looked at the document, affirming, "Alias-Research, it's definitely this one. How could it be a mistake?"

As Jennifer leaned in, Simon suddenly lifted her chin and kissed her without reservation.

Jennifer froze the moment Simon caught her chin, passively responding to his kiss until Simon sat back down. Then she stepped back, her face flushed with embarrassment, and threatened again, "You, I will tell Jenny."

Simon continued to ignore Jennifer's threat, which lacked any deterrent effect, and instead smiled, "Jenny, help me think of a way to bring you home tonight without anyone noticing. There's a reward if you come up with something."

Jennifer suppressed the urge to run away and refused, "I won't go home with you."

"What if I go to your place?"

"My uncle will throw you out."

"Ah, suddenly I feel so pitiful."

"Flirt."

After a brief verbal spar, Simon turned his attention back to the document in front of him.

Alias-Research was a digital effects software company based in Toronto, Canada, founded in 1983. It had already developed a post-production software called Alias for live-action movies.

Not putting all his hopes on acquiring Pixar, Simon had, through introductions by Silicon Graphics, set his sights on two companies, including Wavefront-Technologies, which had already finalized an acquisition plan.

Both companies used Silicon Graphics' workstations as hardware platforms. Alias-Research's Alias software was mainly used for post-production in live-action films, while Wavefront-Technologies' products were geared towards 3D animation production. Although the effects achievable by both companies' software seemed rough to Simon, they were not much inferior to Pixar's. In fact, Pixar's technology at the time was also very rough.

Simon chose these two companies from the information provided by Silicon Graphics because he remembered that their software, especially Alias from Alias-Research, was involved in the production of a series of 90s blockbuster effects movies like "Terminator 2," "Jurassic Park," and "Independence Day."

In the late 90s, both companies were acquired, and their software was integrated, eventually evolving into Maya, a 3D animation software that became widely used in the 3D animation, CG effects, and video game industries.

Having acquired these two companies, Simon's next step was to accelerate the development of Maya software.

Even though the computing power at the time was far behind that of the future, it was already sufficient to achieve many of the CG effects seen in big movies.

The main reason digital effects did not start to develop rapidly until the 90s was financial constraints. Many effects software and companies improved through individual projects. Simon was not short of funds, and Danerys Studios could provide enough movie projects.

Thus, Simon had the capability to advance the development of digital effects ahead of time, with over thirty years of future memory ensuring he wouldn't have to take many detours in the process.

Today is March 11th, Friday. "When Harry Met Sally" officially began its limited sneak preview in major cities across North America.

As the afternoon approached on the West Coast, dusk was falling on the East Coast.

Janet had been busy all day with apartment renovations. In the evening, she met up with Catherine, and they planned to watch the sneak preview of "When Harry Met Sally" together. "Blue Angels" was also in preparation, with filming to take place in New York, bringing Catherine to Manhattan during this time.

After dining together past seven o'clock, they rushed to a theater in Midtown Manhattan showing "When Harry Met Sally," arriving just five minutes before the movie started. Entering the theater, which could accommodate over two hundred people, it was nearly full, and Janet and Catherine found two seats on the side.

"This script was my pick, and Simon liked it a lot too. He even participated in the scoring. It's a pity I couldn't see the finished film in Los Angeles beforehand," Janet said, holding a bucket of popcorn and looking around at the crowd, pleased with the turnout: "It seems the attendance rate is quite good."

Catherine, watching the trailers on the big screen, said, "The attendance rate for a sneak preview is bound to be high. A lot of the audience tonight are media journalists and film critics. The key will be the box office performance when it opens widely in two weeks."

As they chatted, the movie began.

The opening scene, featuring an old couple reminiscing about the past, caught all the viewers off guard. Some even wondered if they had entered the wrong theater or if the projectionist had made a mistake with the film reel.

Even Janet and Catherine were puzzled. Janet had read the script, but the version she read did not include these scenes.

Despite the confusion, the audience quickly settled down.

The production logos and opening credits confirmed that the theater hadn't made a mistake with the film.

Realizing this, many journalists and critics in the audience instinctively lowered their expectations for the movie. Such an unconventional and unimpressive opening could deter many viewers, especially young audiences during the Easter season.

However, as Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan appeared on screen, the narrative's charm and the protagonists' contrasting personalities captivated the audience.

Over time, the story progressed, and with each appearance of an old couple sharing their love story, the initial skepticism faded.

The film explored the evolution of Harry and Sally's relationship over twelve years, culminating in a heartfelt confession and a realization of love.

As the credits rolled to the classic song "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," many in the audience were still immersed in the story, contemplating the nuances of life and love.

Leaving the theater, Janet felt a deep connection to the film's message.

After the movie, Janet and Catherine, filled with excitement, rushed to the airport and returned to Los Angeles under the night sky.

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