Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 139 Speculative Script
Writing a script and then pitching it to various producers is called "speculative writing."Speculation means you start writing a script without knowing if anyone will buy it.

Speculative writing was banned by the Writers Guild order because it would create legal piracy problems.If a producer sees your script, pretends to reject it, and then asks someone to remake it on the basis of the script, turning your script into his.

Such behavior is difficult to define, and the screenwriters union has no way to protect the intellectual property rights of its members.The trade union's approach is to simply ban it, and the bureaucracy's thinking is simple and clear. If there is no such thing, there is no need for protection.

The method of prohibition is, on the one hand, declaring speculative writing illegal in union rules, and on the other hand, putting pressure on buyers, producers and agents of speculative scripts.After several court attacks and defenses, some producers really lost their lawsuits because they bought speculative scripts. Now the producers are not willing to read the scripts submitted by new screenwriters.

However, in order to enter the industry, the only way for newcomers to write their own scripts is to submit them. Therefore, before submitting, they will attach a release authorization letter, declaring in advance that if the other party reads their scripts, they will be exempted from legal disputes arising therefrom.

Many producers and agents, without this authorization letter, do not read the script to avoid trouble.

Obviously it is to protect the screenwriters, but after such a bureaucratic red tape (Red Tape) operation, the new screenwriters become even more vulnerable.Sometimes blatantly rewrite their speculative scripts, because of the prior disclaimer, so there is no way to sue.

After being notified by the secretary, I was not in a hurry to write and submit the manuscript immediately.Anyway, the agent had no shortage of speculative scripts. Ronald spent several months slowly polishing the script, and when the time came to send it to the agent named Rick Nisita, he would still read it.

Ronald wanted to write a romantic love story between a Chinese gangster man and an Italian female assistant prosecutor.

As a successor of a gang, the Chinese man wanted to transform the gang into a legal business, but he did not tell the Italian woman his true identity.The Italian woman often scares away men of the same ethnicity because of her work, and does not tell the other party that she is a prosecutor.The two fell in love without knowing each other's identity.

Ronald gave Spike Lee the outline of the script.

"Aren't you the same as Lubitsch's 'Corner Shop' in 1940? Men and women do not know each other's true identity, fall in love with each other's false identity, real identity they are hostile enemies, false identity they are romantic lovers, and finally Debunked, everyone is happy."

Spike criticized Ronald for plagiarizing the old plot, "Haven't you seen it? Starring Jimmy Stewart." Then he gave a general description of the plot of the corner store.

"I really haven't seen it," Ronald yelled. "This is only a little bit similar to the core. My details are completely different."

Then find Catherine Bigelow to discuss, this is also the all-round talent of the screenwriter and director.

"I like the drama core of this script very much, but why does the heroine give up the prosecutor, marry the actor, and the two run the company together? Don't you think the hero's background is complicated, he should give up his identity as the heir of the gangster, and find A normal job, supporting the heroine?"

"This? The audience doesn't like to watch it." Ronald muttered.

These people are all professionals. When they see the script, they analyze it from the direction of the screenwriter, how to write it, and how to change it. This is not the reaction of a normal audience at all.

Ronald decided not to ask them, but to ask ordinary people how they felt, starting with the newsstand owner.

"Jimmy, let me tell you a story. A man of Chinese descent, he is the successor of the gang..."

"Oh, why does the successor of the gangster have the idea of ​​​​quitting the arena? Look at the godfather, Mike succeeded the old godfather, and I gave her an offer that she couldn't refuse. Isn't it cool? What newspaper do you want to buy? It's still the same Daily variety show?"

"Yes, another Hollywood Reporter."

The ordinary way of thinking is more detached, and Ronald has also received a lot of real feedback. The point where they can't listen to it and start to wander is often the place where the drama is too weak, and they can go back and modify it.

……

Douglas Jr. who was studying in Columbia came to see Ronald again that day.

He is Ronald's best friend in the high school wrestling team. Some time ago, he failed to pursue Catherine Bigelow, a beauty who is 9 years older than him, but he has not given up his dream of finding a girlfriend in the showbiz. This time it is for the star girlfriend Plan to find Ronald.

"Did you know? The owner of Club 54 is going to jail soon."

Ronald was not very happy when he heard the name of the 54 club.That big doorman likes to take apart a pair of dates and put one in. Didn't he deliberately sabotage it?Just use this to increase your power.

"I haven't heard of it, why?"

"Tax evasion, cops in their basement, cash out millions of dollars."

Ronald looked at Little Doug, you didn't just come to tell me the news, did you?

"Hey, did you know? Before they go to prison, they will hold a big farewell party. Many female stars will go there. If they can go in, they will have the opportunity to meet some female stars."

"I can't get in, the guards there are very picky, unless you know someone important to take you in."

"Don't worry, I've already got two invitations." Douglas Jr. took out two invitations for the farewell party of the 54 Club, "but I lack an insider to introduce me into the circle. So..."

Ronald also wanted to see Club 54, the best nightclub in New York, so he readily agreed.

But they regretted it at the gate of the 54 club.

Howe Montorgue, the janitor at Club 54, read their invitation and winked at Ronald, "Same-sex couple huh? You're having fun, I remember you, the last time I came with Madonna, Just today..."

Douglas Jr. and Ronald looked at each other in blank dismay, and immediately separated after entering the club. This misunderstanding is not good.

The 54 club is really luxurious, a huge sculpture in the shape of a champagne bottle stands at the door, and scantily dressed male and female waiters serve a large amount of alcoholic drinks.A giant catwalk spanned the center of the dance floor, leading the stage with women in bikinis dancing to disco music.

Little Douglas met two acquaintances, a son and his young wife from a rich family like him.The son comes from the real estate industry and is now entering the Manhattan real estate industry. His beautiful wife is a Czechoslovak immigrant, and the two already have a child.

With the son leading the way, Douglas Jr. was soon introduced to the woman of his dreams, Farrah Fawcett.The former actor of the TV series "Charlie's Angels" has now specialized in movies. Although he already has a regular boyfriend Ryan O'Neal, the actor's charm is irresistible, and Douglas Jr. is still fascinated by it.

Ronald saw that he had achieved his wish, so he didn't bother, and walked through the 54 club by himself.Today is a farewell party, so the music is not so intense, but a little sad. Everyone will say goodbye.

Bee Gees' "Saturday Night Fever" music sounded, and a 70-year-old grandmother beside her began to dance, "Young man, won't you come and dance with me?"

Ronald saw that her dancing posture was still so vigorous, which was especially rare for such an elderly person, so he danced with her.

The old grandma was very happy, "You dance very well, why haven't I seen you before?"

"Oh, I came once, but I was stopped by Howe."

"Hahaha why didn't you mention my name, they call me Disco Sally. Howe knew me and they were all very nice to me. My husband passed away a few years ago and this is the only place I can find friends..."

I danced a song with Disco Sally, and more regular customers came to invite her as a farewell memorial.Ronald stepped back to look at the celebrities on the flyover above the dance floor.

There are Stallone who plays the rocky champion, actor Richard Gere, supermodel Gia Caranji, and many more stars that Ronald thinks are familiar but cannot be named.

Among them, Ronald also saw Brooke Shields, who "Endless Love" wanted to sign. She and her mother thought about the $100 million actress' sky-high salary offered by her mother, as well as the fraternity's praise for her. I don't know if the movie is Can finally invite her.

"She's such an American beauty, isn't she?"

When Ronald heard the question, he turned around and saw a tall man with a white shirt on his upper body, a brown T-shirt on the inside, tight jeans on his lower body, and a pair of big-toed leather shoes.The dress is simple, but very stylish.

It wasn't the one-and-done movie star look, but the designer look, where everything fit together just right.

"Yeah, he's the dream girl of every high school boy in America," Ronald replied.

"Hi, call me Calvin, I'm a fashion designer looking for a model for my women's jeans."

"You have a good vision. I have done the test, and she has a high degree of support among college students." Ronald smiled and told Calvin about the hormone test he had taken when casting the role.

"So you work in the film industry?" Calvin asked.

"Yes, I'm still an advertising director." Ronald handed over his business card, "My name is Ronald Lee."

"I'm Calvin Klein." Calvin shook hands with him, "Ronald Lee, where have I heard your name, chewing gum, right?"

"Chewels gum tastes better? That's right, I directed it."

"I appreciate the simplicity of that ad, we should talk some time, maybe you can do my jeans ad?"

"Which agency did you use? I usually work with Darcy Maguire from BBDO."

"No, I didn't hire any advertising agencies. They are all echoers without creativity. I will come up with ideas myself. How about you help me shoot them?"

"Why not?" Ronald took Calvin's business card, I will contact your secretary.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!..." Countless champagne bottles were opened, and the waiters wearing roller skates started a new round of parade. They held trays full of champagne with both hands, and they were able to pass through quickly. without spilling a drop of champagne.

"Cheers!" Ronald took two glasses and toasted to the new Calvin.

It's really a gold-selling cave, but it's a pity that it will be closed soon.

　I wrote it yesterday, Rick Nisita is still at William Morris, and I will jump to CAA later, I have revised it.In the following plot, he switched to CAA, so please don’t think I made a mistake.Thanks.

　
(End of this chapter)