Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 248 Want to grab the class and seize the power?
Ronald took the red-eye flight to Los Angeles. He was eating breakfast in the terminal hall of Los Angeles Airport, waiting for his agent Richard to pick him up.

When he got off the plane, the waiting hall broadcast to find someone. Ronald heard his name, went to the public phone and answered the call from CAA's secretary, knowing that Richard was delayed in answering the phone when he was about to leave.

Ronald drank the last sip of coffee, picked up the "Variety Show Weekend Edition" bought at the newsstand, and turned to the weekly box office column.

"No.1 Superman 2, 1400 million This is the second film adaptation of Superman comics,
No.2 Cannonball Speed, 1170 million, invested by Golden Harvest Company of Xiangjiang,

No.3 The Lost Ark of the Covenant 800 million..."

"The box office of The Lost Ark of the Covenant is very strong. The third week is only 4% lower than the first week. It seems that it will enter the long-term screening."

Ronald put down the newspaper. In the box office of the new week, "The Lost Ark of the Covenant" was only surpassed by two new films, ranking third. It seems that Hollywood will pursue this genius director Spielberg who dropped out of college again.

At this time Richard came over and greeted Ronald.The two walked out of the waiting hall and got into his Corolla car.

"Spielberg's assistant, Catherine, called and said that Steven has signed a contract with Universal to produce ET movies. He also wants to hear your opinion on the latest version of the script. Please go to his house to chat at night."

"Why? I'm afraid I can't give any new advice, and all the secrets of his spectacle movies are in Steven's own mind, and the script is actually not as important as other feature films.

Besides, I have to work on my own movie.Can you think of a way to push me away?richard. "

"This time, Mr. Spielberg invited you to his home and office, which is the big house that Universal built for him after the success of 'Jaws'. This is equivalent to a personal invitation. If you have some personal relationship with him, I'm afraid it will not be good for you. It will be very beneficial for future career.”

"But I'm going to be really busy, casting, scouting, interviewing DPs and art directors. I'd love to be a guest, but evaluating scripts will take up a lot of my time, and the rest of my work will be trivial. , will be troublesome."

CAA was keen on it, and Spielberg was reluctant to sign them.If Steven had a personal friend at CAA, it would be good for either putting actors in his films in the future or looking for an opportunity to offer him again.

Ronald himself is not very interested, he has already got the director's position, and the new social relationship is of limited help to him for the time being.Right now, the most important thing for my directing career is to make a high-grossing movie.

"After all, he is Steven, the owner of the highest-grossing movie in America. Having a personal relationship is very important for your long-term. At least don't reject him right away, go meet him, and try to push him away later. The job of script evaluation."

Richard is more sincere to himself than other agents, and his words are quite self-considering.Ronald nodded, "Okay, I'll think about it again."

"By the way, how do I ask Mr. Dean Candy, the director of photography you invited, to reply?" Ronald couldn't forget Candi, the director of photography of his first film "Rock High School". The low-cost production of the film is well shot, with high picture quality and uniform style.

"Kandy is still filming the sequel of 'Moonlight, Panic'. After that, there are more and more film appointments. He said that he would like to cooperate with you, but he has already agreed on other jobs. Universal gave you three recommendations, and you will see you when the time comes. Let them. Teen comedy doesn’t ask too much of the cinematography.”

"But Dean Candie is my own," thought Ronald.The crew is a chaotic place, some people know the basics, and people who have worked with them will work together, and the efficiency will be greatly improved.

"We'll go to Universal's project office first, and then I'll take you to the hotel. Art Linsen, one of the producers, will introduce you to the executive producer of the crew this morning. The accountant will also come to your office, All expenses incurred during the preparatory stage of the crew will be reimbursed by her."

The two soon arrived at Universal Studios, and Atlinson waited for him at the door, "Hi, Ronald, hello. Did you just get off the plane?"

The two embraced affectionately, and Lin Sen handed over a key, "The office is yours during this period, and another producer, Mr. Azoff, and I will often come to see it, sometimes just strolling over after lunch , very close."

"Thank you, I hope you will come and see it often", which is what it should mean. After confirming the director's level like Coleman, there are very few expert producers who let it go.

He looked around, but found no sign of anyone else, "Is the executive producer not here? When will he arrive? I want to talk to him earlier about the casting and scenography plans."

"It's morning. People in the film industry are not used to getting up early. You should be able to see me soon... But I want to correct two of your mistakes. It's her instead of him. She will serve as an associate producer. I Basically, I will come to the crew every day, and there is no need to set up a resident executive producer."

Well, it seems that Art Linsen has not given up on his dream of being a director. This time he has made it clear that he wants to stay on the set, to see more about how he is filming, and it also has a sense of supervision.

In this case, it is really not like those busy producers who need an executive producer to watch the booth on the spot and report any problems at any time.It is normal to arrange a named associate producer in this way.

The deputy producer of the crew has a big name, but the actual power is not fixed.It can be a relative or friend of the producer who puts up the name and puts subtitles on it.It can also be acting producer power, depending on the crew.

Anyway, it won't be the executive producer's working method of going deep into every shooting detail. For me, it's one less constraint from the crew.

The two waited in the office for a while, when a woman wearing dark glasses walked in, "Hi Art. Hi Ronald, we meet again." It was Amy Heckling, who lost the competition to direct .

"Hi, Amy," Ronald greeted Hekleen, who had failed to compete with him, "Is your new film confirmed? Art is also the producer?"

Although Heikelin did not get the "fast-paced" director, her personal relationship with Tom Mount was still known by the industry. One of CAA's agents, Lapke, signed her and landed her a directing deal with Universal.

This matter was told by Richard to himself. Back then, Lapke played tricks on Richard who wanted to climb out of the mail room, and the two had a grudge.

Ronald heard the news from Richard that Hekleen was digging for gold in Universal's script library.

"No, I haven't seen any good scripts that can compare to 'fast-paced Richmond High School', so Mr. Mount and I asked to come to the 'fast-paced' crew as an associate producer. I want to be this part of the movie.

"Huh?" Ronald wondered why Hekelin didn't find a script to set up a project, but wanted to join her crew.

"I can help you in many ways, Ronald. For example, I am very familiar with rock music. When I was reading the script, I added music to each plot. I also drew up a playlist, and each song Is irreplaceable...”

"This woman is really bold. Relying on the backing of Tom Mount, she just squeezed into the crew like this and wants to usurp her own power?"

Ronald hated in his heart, "Tom Mount is also a pig. He put himself and Hekleen on the same crew. Is he planning to find fault with himself and replace him with Heklein?"

"I just got off the plane and I have to go to the hotel. Let's talk about it tomorrow." Ronald didn't have an attack on the surface, but he didn't go to pick up her playlist. He turned around and greeted Lin Sen, the producer. Chad is gone.

"Go to CAA, I want to see Nisita." Ronald gave an order to Richard in the car.

Richard also didn't know that Hekelin was waiting for Ronald and started the car.He looked at Ronald's face, except for being too serious without a smile, he couldn't tell if he was very angry.

"Nisita, can you let Hekelin leave?" Seeing Nisita, Ronald put forward his request straight to the point.

Nisita didn't know what was going on, and looked at Richard.After listening to the brief introduction, he picked up the phone to negotiate with Lapke.

"His secretary said he was out of office."

"I want to see Ovitz." Ronald said calmly.

"Calm down, Ronald," Nisita stood up and took two steps, and said to Richard, "Can you give me and Ronald a little space to talk?"

Watching Richard exit the office, Nisita looked at Ronald and said:

"I know you are very dissatisfied with me, but I don't know about Hekelin's affairs. I will definitely stand by your side and protect your interests, which is to protect my own interests."

Then he squatted down slightly, approaching the sitting Ronald, "I won't admit that I said something out of this office.

You have to know that Hekleen is Jewish, and so is Universal's CEO Simberg. Although he chose you, he still admires Hekleen, who is also Jewish, and is happy to see her succeed. "

"And Ovitz too."

Ronald glanced at Nisita with a questioning look in his eyes.

"I'm Italian."

Ronald thought to himself that Tom Mount might be taking advantage of Simberg's ethnic psychology. Now that Spielberg has brought ET to Universal, if he is really replaced by Heklin because of lack of ability, I'm afraid he won't. will say anything.

"I still want to see Ovitz, I have to express my attitude." Ronald thought for a moment and said to Nisita.

Nisita put her hands on his shoulders. "Are you ready? Hollywood is a Colosseum."

"of course."

"Welcome to the industry." Nisita turned around and called Secretary Ovitz's office, "Yes..., yes... He is very angry, and I can't stop him."

After giving Ronald a wink, the two went to Ovitz's office together.

"Didn't you say CAA's culture is like a big family? Why did Lapke betray me, your client?"

Ovitz didn't seem to have expected Ronald's anger, and he handed the crying baby in the cradle next to the desk to the secretary, "Take her to another room, don't scare her, and change her a disposable diaper. "

"It's my youngest daughter. My wife complained that I didn't take care of her enough. I had to bring her to the office."

"I'm sorry, she's beautiful." Seeing that the baby was frightened, Ronald dropped his angry expression.

"It's going too far, but Ronald, it's just a small thing for the president of the MCA, to bother Mr. Sinberg for it...on the one hand he's not available, on the other hand he won't I will intervene again for this hour."

"Lapke knows that I am also a client of CAA, so why support Heikelin regardless of conflict of interest?"

"To be fair, Ronald, Hekleen is a quality client and Lapke didn't know this was going to happen when he signed her."

"Heikelin must want to squeeze me out of the crew. If I counterattack and squeeze Hekelin away, whose side are you on?"

"Of course I support you. I will tell Lapke to pay attention to conflicts of interest between clients in the future. I promise."

"Tell him to eat shit." Ronald left Ovitz's office angrily.

"Conflict of interest, if there is no conflict, where is the interest?" Ovitz smiled secretly, and told the secretary, "After changing the diaper, please bring my baby in."

Entering Nisita's office, Ronald no longer looked angry, but found Nisita's wine cabinet, opened a bottle of the most expensive whiskey, and poured himself, Nisita, and Richard each a glass.

"You impress me, Ronald." Nisita praised.

"I don't think it will be possible to let Hekleen leave in a short period of time. This is a long-term battle. I need you to do a few things for me." Ronald took a sip of dry whiskey without ice, and turned to Ni Sita said.

"Please say."

"First, I need to know any new trends of Hekelin. I know you have the ability."

"can."

"Second, contact Cameron Crowe and ask him to talk. I want to invite him to join the crew as a screenwriter and original author. I need more allies."

"no problem."

Ronald turned to Richard, "Reply to Mr. Spielberg's assistant, I'll be there at night."

In the afternoon Ronald urgently called Gail, the new producer of New World Company.Ask her how to play the power struggle of the crew.

"Power does not come from being appointed. A person with power not only appoints a new superior and gives him a letter of appointment, but also must convince everyone in the team so that they will obey your orders."

Gail has also worked in several crews, and has seen directors who have responded to everyone, and there are also directors who are collectively despised by subordinates.

"How is this authority obtained?"

"This can only be done through a little bit of fighting. If they obey your instructions, the daily dailies will be wonderful, and they will gradually obey you.

As you said, Heikelin took the initiative to undertake the soundtrack work, which is to show her ability to her superiors through things.

She won't compete with you in everything, but casting, soundtrack, this kind of thing that can show her ability in front of the producer, she will definitely stand out.

She may not necessarily come to such practical and unobtrusive jobs as scene scouting and script decomposition, because she can't impress her superiors.

Just like Jim, the stunt model he made in Jamaica was very good. The producer fired the original director and let him take over. This is the benefit of knowing how to show in front of the superiors. "

"Thank you Gail, I think I know what to do."

(End of this chapter)