Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 303 Voting decision
"If this goes on like this, we're just waiting to die. We must stud, at least to prevent the release of that teenage exploitation film." Tom Mount's eyes were red, after learning that ET's box office continued to rise, and "Fast Tempo" took back the R rating standard Later, it became a little hysterical.

John Landis, who had found his own excavation before and was now in a desperate situation, asked him to come out to bite Spielberg and drag him into the water, so that he would not have to pay for the one or two who died in the accident alone.

And my "friends" in the press, with Spielberg's negative news, can hedge against the unparalleled popularity of ET now, so that ET's box office growth is not so scary.

Then he asked a few retired old men to file a complaint with the MPAA in the name of conscientious film workers who had seen the internal test screening.Successfully downgraded the movie "Fast-paced Richmond High" to an X.

The board of directors' evaluation of the performance of the studio's top management is based on the decision of whether each film project is shot or not.I voted against both films, and the results of the box office will become negative KPIs in my year-end assessment. Now that Sinberg's influence on the MCA board of directors has soared, I can take advantage of this opportunity...

If he can drag the two films that Sinberg advocated to shoot as he wished, and prevent them from setting records at the box office, he will be able to keep his position at the MCA board meeting at the end of the year with the support of some high-level MCA executives.

In the position of the president of a large studio, he can decide the life and death of other people's projects with a single word. After experiencing this feeling, let him resign voluntarily to start his own production company. From then on, he can see the faces of others. Think about this kind of life All terrible.

But these two counterattacks were unsuccessful.

He asked Landis to read the eulogy at Vic Morrow's funeral, and Raspielberg went into the water.It was expected to release Steven's black material on this.

But who knew that Spielberg, an artist like a big boy, had matured, ignored the dirty water splashed by Randy Spear, and instead moved forward in a detour.

I gave Landis an idea, and the tricks I played were empty. Spielberg did not directly line up with Landis, and the focus of the discussion was whether he, like Landis, was responsible for Vic Morrow. Responsibility to come up.

After a few days of cold treatment, several newspapers and television media controlled by the Jews restarted, focusing on Landis and the pyrotechnician, helicopter pilot, who was the culprit.

Landis' public relations move to attend the funerals of several of the victims brought him even more notoriety, but it didn't hurt Spielberg's stature in the slightest.

The box office of ET aliens is also rising day by day.The 3000 additional copies have been sent to theaters across the country. Not only has the number of theaters showing the show increased to [-], but the box office of a single theater has not dropped. Instead, it has increased from [-] US dollars a day to more than [-].

This abnormal phenomenon fully demonstrates that "ET Aliens" will be a phenomenal movie.It is very likely to break the North American box office record and go down in history forever.

Why didn't I see it at the beginning?

Don’t say that I’m opposed to the release of ET’s Aliens. Even Frank Price, the president of Columbia, transferred the filming rights of ET to Universal and signed a contract to let Columbia share 5% of the net profit. The vice president sent by Coca-Cola criticized verbally and pen.

Scolding him for letting go of the biggest fish in the film market in [-], seeing that the position of the president was shaky.

Although I am not the same as the senior script reviewer Price, I have the support of the parent company's board of directors MCA.But if there are phenomenal movies in succession, they will be abandoned by their own supporters on the board of directors.They are not the only option for them to check and balance Simberg.

Who would have known that Hollywood, an industrial base that is already in its 70s and entering its twilight years, would show signs of returning to life?

All this is to blame the young director Ronald.He stopped Landis at the funeral and did not allow reporters to capture this point of strength. As a result, Landis suffered from a neurasthenia and gave up the chance to save himself in vain.

There is also "Fast-paced Richmond High School", which was originally a project I fancy. Whether it is David Lynch or later Amy Heckling, the success of this movie should be counted as my own credit. .

But now if this youth film sells well, it will become the discerning eye of rival Simberg.

Give it an X rating, and the box office is doomed.Unexpectedly, that Ronald, somehow cleverly cut up the negative, passed the third MPAA review, and regained the R-rated release permission.

He didn't choose to retake?The more Tom Mount thought about it, the more angry he was, and the follow-up set meal he prepared for Ronald was empty.

The prepared counterattack plan was missing the most critical link—a second-generation Jewish star who was oppressed, and his father had just died in an accident.

But no matter what, no plan can be executed flawlessly.This was the last attempt to save his own fate.

Tom Mount tore off his tie vigorously, threw it aside, picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Beep...beep..." After two beeps, an old but powerful voice answered the phone, "Hello, it's me."

"Call those old bigots, I need their help right now."

"It's time to consider a decent resignation, Tom. I sent you to Universal Productions to check Sinberg's power, not to do that..."

"The film market is dying...the future is cable TV...nobody will be going out in [-] years...people in the film industry can move to make TV...remember? Who said that to me?"

"Okay...for the sake of my daughter Nicola, I will support you one last time, this is the last time." The old man put down the phone and called in a subordinate, "To our old guys in Universal Get on the phone and get them to support Mason Mount."

After speaking, he shook his head lightly, pinched the base of the nose between the eyes with both hands and rubbed vigorously twice.This Mount is still too young, maybe it was a mistake to let him go to Universal at that time.

The key to Simberg's success in the MCA is that he tied Spielberg, and executives who can make money are the executives that the board of directors like.

Whether it's movies or cable TV, as long as you make money, those capitalists don't care what you do.

"Mr. President, this is a joint letter from current and retired Universal Pictures executives, stars who want to stop the release of 'fast-paced Richmond' high school."

Simberg is sitting in his office, looking at the latest box office data for ET.His thoughts were interrupted by the secretary.

"What's the reason?" Simberg didn't read the joint letter, but asked his secretary directly.He opened the drawer, took out a cigar, lit it, and started smoking. The box office of ET Aliens continues to rise, and the resources of the whole company are invested in this epoch-making work.

Whether the "fast pace" is a hit or not has become irrelevant.

"It's still the same old, over-promoting love between men and women, not in line with American values, too much exposure, and exploiting young Jewish actors..."

"Vic Morrow's daughter?" Simberg flicked the ashes of his cigar into the ashtray. "That's a fresh reason."

"But it's all old stuff. I promised Steven that the director's movie will be released as scheduled. What's special about this time, let you come in and tell me?"

"Because there are more than 20 signatures this time." The woman who has served as Simberg's secretary for a long time handed over the last page of the joint letter.

Simberg's face became a little dignified, he put on a cigar, and accepted the joint letter.

More than 20 people, including current and retired executives of various departments, and star actors in Universal's history.

"Are they going to have a one-off showdown?"

"I'm afraid yes, they said they've heard a lot of rumors and they're asking for a preview meeting to see if the film will be released."

"Shxt!" Simberg cursed after reading the letter.This untimely joint letter ruined my good mood to celebrate ET's box office is about to exceed [-] million US dollars.

"Pick me up Mr. Spielberg." Simberg gestured to the secretary.

"Hey, Steven. I'm afraid I can't protect your little friend when Tom Mount rallies twenty retired executives and retired stars to demand a re-examination of 'Fast Pace'."

"Yes, they gathered more than 20 retired executives and celebrities, and the momentum was very loud. I had to agree to their opinions and hold an internal viewing meeting."

"Of course, all results will be decided at the issuance meeting of five executives with voting rights. I have two votes in hand, and Mount also has an executive who takes orders from him. Maybe Ronald Jr.'s fate depends on Ned. Tanin meant it."

Ronald, who learned that the film will be collectively reviewed by several retired executives, is preparing for a national marketing tour for the premiere in two weeks. When he suddenly heard the news, he was a little dazed.

"Why do they have the power to decide the fate of my movie?"

"Because twenty retired executives and stars of the golden age wrote a letter to Schinberg demanding a re-examination of the release decision. If he didn't agree, they threatened to publish this letter in the newspaper and completely ruin the pornography. The release of the movie."

Richard, who came in a hurry, said to Ronald, "Mr. Spielberg called himself, and he said that after ET's celebration is over, he will personally arrange your next project. There is a film by Amberlin." There's a new teen movie waiting for you to revise the script, and when you get the green light from the studio, he'll ask you to direct."

"Thank him for me, Richard." Ronald walked quickly to Universal's large screening hall, where the old guys seldom set foot here since Universal contracted its film production business in the 60s.

"Hi, Linda."

"Hi, Mr. Smith."

Many retired executives and stars gathered again in this place that brought them glory and memories.Some stars have also filmed with James Stewart or Marlene Dietrich, and they brought their grandchildren.

Looking at these old people wearing outdated old-fashioned dresses and watching movies, Ronald seemed to be looking at actors who came out of a period drama.

Ronald, who was not yet qualified to chat with them and interrupt their reminiscence, sat at the edge of the auditorium and watched the audience's reaction.

The lights dimmed, and when the Universal opening title with MCA appeared on the screen, there was a sigh from the audience.

When the movie entered Spiccoli eating in class, being taught by Mr. Hand, and walking out of the classroom nonchalantly, the chairs on the scene began to creak.Ronald could think of the embarrassment of these old people.

When Linda taught Stacy to put carrots in her mouth in the high school cafeteria, the chairs creaked more frequently and intensively.

Brad fantasizes about Stacy emerging from the swimming pool like a lotus at home. During that dreamy plot, the sound of two chair springs being bounced, some retired executives can't bear it got up and left.

"No, grandpa, let me watch it again." His grandson refused to leave, and wanted to stay in his seat and finish watching this fun movie.

After the screening was over, the senior vice president in charge of production, Robert Remy, walked out angrily, "This is an outrageous movie. If our young people in America grow up watching this kind of movie, will they be okay? ?”

He has the vote that Tom Mount relies on.

Retired stars and executives are taking their grandkids with them, valuing more respectful invitations and reunions with old friends.As for the movies, that's secondary, they've made too many similar low-budget exploits in their lifetime, and this one is no exception.

However, their grandchildren liked to stand and watched the ending scene when the subtitles rose.Spiccoli and Brooke Shields, who appeared at the end of David Letterman's talk show scene, elicited cheers from them.

"I'm going to tell my friends, that pool bikini shot is amazing..."

"Yeah, it was so funny that Spiccoli saved Brooke Shields in the end, if only I could be like him..."

Ronald noticed that the grandchildren were discussing several plots in the movie.

The old people began to leave, and only an old lady, who had played many supporting roles in the golden age of Hollywood and later married a film executive, came to say goodbye to Ronald.

"To be honest, I don't like this movie, too much sexual innuendo. You are a capable director, but you need to watch more classic movies.

I can't quite understand the new Southern California dialect, but my granddaughter seems to love it, and the cheerleaders speak in the same grammatical way she does.

Also, good luck. "

"If there's nothing else to say, let's get to the vote." Hinberg presided over the ensuing meeting.

"I object, this movie should not be released. In the future, before our movie is released, it is best to have a meeting to vote." Robert Remy, senior vice president, first expressed his attitude.

Tom Mount got one vote, Remy is a very conservative guy.

"The distribution plan has been made, and if we withdraw it now, we will lose a sum of money."

Hinberg had the vote of the vice president of distribution.

Eyes focused on Ned Tanin.

Tanin hesitated.

If you agree, you can gamble on your own vision. At that time, I also agreed to Ronald's additional budget for reshoots.The box office can be counted as your own achievement.

But if the "fast-paced" movie does well, Simberg could be given greater authority, a voice inside Universal.The reduction of Tom Mount's powers is a high probability event.

Then it seems that I will also report to Simberg in the future?
Don't agree?If you don't agree to release it, you may be regarded as Mount's accomplice afterwards.

“I heard a comment from a retired actress that a lot of the characters in the movie spoke the valley accent of Southern California, and people from other places sounded impaired.”

Tanin finally spoke.

"It's not a movie that's going to be released nationally, but there's a good audience on the west coast. We can show it for a week or two, see how it does at the box office, and if it's good, we can sell it to Universal Television.

If it can achieve good box office results and stay in theaters for more than four weeks, it can be sold to NBC. "

……

Ronald waited outside the door for the decisions of the high-ranking people who would decide the fate of his debut film.

"Why can't I be present at the meeting that decides my own fate?"

Ronald, who was thinking wildly, saw Simberg, Tom Mount and others coming out.

"Not the best result, nor the worst." Simberg nodded to him.

"Let Mr. Tanin explain to you." Tanin's compromise at the last moment made both parties unsatisfied.

"National screenings are cancelled, and we're replacing the original schedule with Dolly Parton's 'Best Chicken House in Texas.' Your film has been moved to the first weekend of August, on the West Coast in May. It's showing in a hundred theaters. Good luck."

(End of this chapter)