Chapter 227 - 227. An Invitation
Magnus had initiated the plan to correct South African society and the economy. He didn't want any instability in the region when the referendum for the joining of Zimbabwe into Great Britain will take place. But he needed to make sure that the world saw what Britain was doing as good deeds.
Britain became the first country to sanction South Africa for its inhuman laws. It was made clear by them that the sanctions will only increase the more time they waste.
Then, the UNSC emergency meeting was also called by the United Kingdom and soon after the sanctions were passed. The USA didn't want it and was dissatisfied but the United Kingdom ensured the western powers that the South Africa won't go the communist way.
Next, Magnus now owned Warner Brothers, the company didn't have any news agencies so the first task was to buy one and widen the scope of the company. With him feeding them the best news before anybody else, the channel was bound to become famous and gain much credibility.
Currently, he was looking for someone to take over the MagicMade studio. This studio was going to be responsible for creating movies with the help of magic. They will be creating some really beautiful and scenic shots.
And after searching for a while and circulating words in the magical workers of his companies, finally, someone recommended a Half-Blood graduate from Hogwarts, he had graduated 10 years ago and was the creator of the Photography club of the school.
After school, he packed his bags and went straight to Hollywood to try his luck and learn to make some movies. However, he was still the 4th assistant director, who does not even get his name in the credits.
After Ted returned from South Africa, Magnus asked him to contact this man and tell him to come to Britain. He was going to build the studio here, away from Hollywood, since his studio needed to be secretive about its operations.
When the man heard about the opportunity, he booked a flight and quickly came back to Britain. After all, not every day you get to meet the upcoming King.
Magnus invited him to his top-floor office, "How was your journey, Mr Joubert?"
Wim Joubert although had prepared himself to meet a young boy, couldn't help but gawk. Magnus was, although tall, his face always gave it away that he was indeed young. He couldn't wait to grow a beard because of this.
"Your Majesty, it was normal. T-thank you for inviting me." Joubert stuttered every now and then.
"Come, have a seat. I have a business proposition for you. I heard you want to become a film director and make something good, right?" Magnus asked, although the other party most likely knew his intentions.
"Yes sir, it is my lifelong dream. Although my father is wealthy, he never forced me to take over the business. But he gave me 15 years to prove myself and show him my ability by earning more than he does in a year." Joubert revealed.
~Then he does have motivation.~ Magnus deduced.
"Then I want to tell you that I have bought Warner Brothers. However, I will not interfere in the production by the muggle studio. What I want to do is set up a new studio, which will only employ wizards, squibs or muggles-who-know. We will use our magic to create elaborate special effects, beautiful scenes that would cost a fortune if done with real technology, props. I want you to head this studio. Perhaps, if you do well, I might even make you the CEO of Warner Brothers." Magnus said, effectively pulling Joubert into the trap of a dream. But this dream was achievable, it was only a matter of his own abilities.
Hearing him, Joubert was excited, he had always thought about using magic in making movies, but he was scared of breaking the statute of secrecy. Now, if all people in the production studio were wizards and magic knowers, it would become easy. Also, the prospect of becoming the CEO. It was too juicy to not think about.
"I accept, sir." He blurted.
Magnus, frowned, ~He didn't even talk about the salary or money in general.~
"Let's discuss your salary. I ca..."
He was cut by Joubert, "I WILL WORK FOR FREE. Just give me food and a place to stay. I will only take money once I have proven myself to you."
~Nice, I saved some money then. He probably thinks he's winning points here...~ Magnus talked to himself.
"Fine, you will be given a trailer house at the production company's office. Here is your appointment letter. I have also gathered information about all the interested people who might want to work with you. But I do not know wizards interested in movie making, I suggest you contact your friends from the Photography club. The location where the studio will be set up has already been decided. The headquarters will be here, in this building. The studio will be outside London, in the area near Surrey Hills. I have bought 300 hectares of land there. The government was excited about the prospect of having a homegrown film industry.
"As we speak, elaborate sets and buildings are being built by Emrys Construction. They will create small desert wild west styled areas, victorian city look-alike sets, villages, many hills, lakes, castles, ships etc. You can go there and check if you need anything else, then contact the Assistant of CEO of Emrys Constructions. The CEO, Edgar is currently busy in Saudi Arabia or else he would have personally shown you the area." He gave dozens of instructions to Joubert, making him feel slightly nervous.
Joubert had thought that the scale of the operation would be small, but here he saw it, Magnus' plan was huge. Creating a whole movie studio with sets? How much would that cost?
Nervously, he tried to ask, "Sir, do you have any type of movies in mind you want me to make?"
Magnus fell silent, he tried to think about what would sell and what would be easiest to make. "Hmm... WAIT!"
"Haha... Joubert, we're wizards, we can construct anything, you should not keep yourself confined. I want you to start looking for scripts, for novels that can get a full-screen adaptation, it can be anything, fantasy, sci-fi or even DC Comics. You need not distress about money, just imagine Joubert, we can create huge destruction scenes and then repair everything. We can create an illusion that would seem real. We can cast fire, lights and water from our wands, enough to create any kind of effect. All we need is imagination, we can create anything." Magnus thoughtfully said, already having a picture of large-scale special effects movies that would take the world by storm.
Joubert nodded heavily, as this was indeed true. And this made him excited to no limit.
But, Magnus did have a movie in mind, "However, we should start from small so you can work on this project while the studio is being built. In horror movies, we can hire real ghosts and amplify their effect with magic, creating the scariest movie ever. The story can be pretty simple, put a haunted doll in the house, some years ago the boyfriend of a little girl's mother killed the girl while being drunk, the mother finds out, kills the man then kills herself. The girl's ghost took over the doll and is haunting the house in innocence. The alcoholic man is also there, nasty ghost hurts the people who come to live in the house. The mother will be a kinder soul who will help the house dwellers to deal with the whole situation.
"Keep the souls and ghosts vague, never show them clearly, and remember, sound effects are the major part of horror movies, focus on it more, also hire actors with good facial acting."
This was a pretty simple story, but all that mattered was the twist. The story of the girl should only be shown during the second half. Before that, the humans will believe the girl is a bad spirit and try to exorcise her.
Wim Joubert in amusement asked, "Did... when did you plan this story, sir?"
"Why plan? I just thought of it. *RING RING*" Magnus' phone rang as he was talking.
Joubert was taken aback, but he looked at the device with interest. He had of course seen the newly launched cell phones, but they were as big as a brick, while the one in Magnus' hand was small enough to be stored in the pocket easily.
Magnus talked, George was on the other side. "What? A goblin wants to meet me? Captain of warrior goblins?"
"Tell him I am very busy the whole day and will not be able to come to Gringotts," he replied.
George's voice soon replied, "Sir, he said he invites you to his house for dinner, he really wants to talk to you."
This rang an alarm in Magnus' head. He was never going to visit a place just like that, what if it was a trap?
"Does he have a family?" Magnus inquired. He listened to George talking to the Goblin on the other side.
"Yes, sir. He has a wife and a son." George answered.
All of a sudden a question arose in Magnus' mind, ~Hmm, I've never seen goblin kids. Let's see them today then.~
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