Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 428 Capra's Wisdom
"This is Ronald's home. It's not convenient for me to answer the phone now. Please leave a message after the beep."

"It's me, Weintraub. Answer the phone."

Jerry Weintraub's voice rang through the answering machine at Ronald's house.

Since the last time Ronald helped him block the tackle, Weintraub has become much more affectionate with Ronald.He opened up to Ronald why he had to ask John G. Everson.

"Longwei Kid" has a total investment of 800 million US dollars, all raised by Jerry Weintraub, and Columbia is only responsible for distribution.Therefore, as a real investor, Weintraub is unwilling to have a low return on investment.

So Weintraub desperately needed a star in the film's production to secure free coverage and Columbia's cooperation for distribution.

In contrast, the cost of star directors is much lower than that of star actors.After John G. Everson's "Rocky", he didn't have any famous new works, and his agent only offered him a salary of 50 US dollars.And the most powerful male stars, such as Dustin Hoffman, who starred in "Tootsie," earned $580 million.

Even for a rising star like Tom Cruise, the price is generally above $100 million.

Weintraub is a man with lofty goals but careful operations. Of course, he chose the director award between the two Oscar winners.John G. Everson also won the best director, anyway, free coverage is the same.

But Ronald Lee was willing enough to help him cover up the scandal, and he hadn't taken the opportunity to threaten him.Weintraub, a street boy from the Bronx, knew that such an act of loyalty must be rewarded accordingly.

So I quickly contacted Ronald's agent, Nisita, and agreed to invest in Ronald's next film, whether it is a new film written by himself, or if the script purchased by Weintraub here is one that Ronald likes. .

Even once "Longwei Boy" is successful, he can also consider teaching him to direct the sequel.

"It's me, Jerry." Ronald answered the phone and spoke to Weintraub.

"You come to my office early tomorrow, and I'll introduce you to director John G. Everson. He likes your script very much. You can chat. Then we will go to Frank Price at Columbia, and he will give the green light. In the future, we can prepare for the filming of the crew. I have an idea, you participate in the production of this film throughout, and I will give you the title of co-producer."

What Weintraub meant was to give Ronald a little extra money in return.For the $20 script, he has readily paid the full amount.

"When, I will be there on time."

The next day, Ronald and Nisita went to Weintraub's office again.

At the door, they saw a middle-aged man in his 40s.The medium-length blond hair is neatly combed, slightly grayed.With a strong nose and sunken eye sockets, it can be seen that he must have been a handsome guy when he was young.

"Hello, Ronald, I'm John, John G. Everson"

The middle-aged handsome guy took the initiative to shake hands with Ronald.

"Hi Mr. Evelson, I'm a fan of your movie, 'Rocky' I especially like, and that shot of Rocky running on the steps of Philadelphia City Hall with his arms up, if I'm not mistaken, is the first Is it the first time to introduce a Steadicam lens in a movie?"

"Haha, yeah, that shot took Stallone half a day."

Evelson was very enthusiastic about Ronald and talked a lot about him when he was young.Ronald found that the two had a lot to do with each other.

Evelson is of Norwegian descent, and he started his career as a director by making exploitation films in his early years.At the earliest time, he worked in Cannon Films before the Minahan Brothers acquired it, specializing in making some Norwegian and Swedish films.

Although the film was shot in America, it was accompanied by dialogues in Nordic languages, which could trick a group of audiences into watching it. At that time, the film of the Swedish director Ingmar Bergman happened to be popular all over the world.And the exploitation films he shot had a lot of nude scenes, and the box office was really good. He was also the gold medal director of exploitation films for a period of time.

Later, he was appreciated by Jack Lemmon and directed "Save the Tiger", which fulfilled Jack Lemmon's dream of being an Oscar winner and was gradually accepted by the mainstream of Hollywood.Behind is the famous "Rocky".

The two chatted for a while, and the red-haired secretary named Susan Akins belatedly invited them in again.

"Hi, Susan, nice to meet you." Ronald greeted her with a smile. This kind of secretary who is a bit shy when meeting people is rare in Hollywood.Ronald nodded kindly to her.

"Hi, Ronald." Susan led the way.

"Hey, Honey, won't you join me for a drink tonight?" Everson and Susan flirted half-jokingly.

"Mr. Evelson", Susan continued to lead the way with a smile.

"John, Ronald, it's great that you have met. I'm about to tell you good news."

"What is it, Jerry?"

"You know, Ronald. The name of your movie 'The Karate Kid' happens to be the same name as a teenage hero in DC comics. I contacted DC and they were very kind and agreed to authorize We use that name so we don't have to change it."

"That's great, but I really didn't mean to copy them, I came up with this name myself." Ronald quickly argued that he didn't copy on purpose.

"Of course, if Susan hadn't checked the information and told me, I wouldn't know. There are too many comic heroes under DC, and we don't know many unknown ones."

"So, John, do you have any casting options?"

"I haven't started thinking about it yet, who do you have?"

"I have an idea, and you guys can help me think about it too." Weintraub began to talk about his blueprint.I think that for the role of master, it is better to invite the queen actor of director Akira Kurosawa, Toshiro Mifune.He has played so many Japanese swordsmen, and he is also well-known in America. "

"It's a great idea. We have to fly him to Los Angeles for an audition. I can't wait to work with him." Avelson winked at Ronald and immediately agreed to Weintraub's request.

"The male protagonist and his counterparts in the Cobra Kai dojo, I also have an idea, how about we invite the sons or nephews of famous actors to play. On the one hand, they don't need much acting skills, on the other hand Get a free wave of publicity. These stars really want to raise their children, don't they?"

"This?" Ronald didn't expect Weintraub to have such a big brain hole.He wrote this script, and he knows that the protagonist Danny is not so easy to act. From a weak boy, to practicing hard, and finally defeating himself and the enemy, the rhythm and level of emotional changes in the middle must be outstanding acting skills to control.

"Jerry, did Danny think about using professional actors? I think the ones Ricoppola picked in "Outside Urchin" are pretty good."

"Oh yeah? What do you think, John?" Weintraub asked Evelson.

"I think we might as well let them try it out. If there is a star whose son auditioned well, it would be a better choice."

"I think you're right. What about the heroine? What do you think?"

"Well, I don't have a fixed idea, what do you think?" Evelson seemed to have no idea of ​​his own.

"I need a very beautiful girl so that Danny and Johnny's love for her will be convincing."

"I think you're right, we're going to audition according to this template. What do you recommend, Ronald?"

"It depends on everyone's feelings. I don't care. I think it's good if most of the audience feel like the best girl next door." Ronald also learned to follow Weintraub's Speaking, this person's ego (Ego) is too big.

"I think you're right. Once Price gives the green light, we'll send out invitations to major brokerage firms. Let's set off to Columbia right away, lock our briefcases, and get the orders done." Weintraub said with a big hand With a wave, several people stood up and walked out.

After leaving the office, Ronald saw his secretary Susan getting up to see him off.

"Sweetie, do you really not consider going out with me at night for a romantic date?" Evelson resumed his handsome self, and teased her again, causing Susan to blush.

"Let's get in the car first, Susan, you and me. Ronald and John go to the other car."

"Ronald, do you know why I didn't comment on the casting in front of Weintraub?" Avelson got into the car and sat in the back seat with Ronald.It can be seen that he is in a good mood. After "Rocky", he hasn't directed a big project invested by Hollywood for a long time.

"I'm about to ask for advice." Ronald thought to himself, isn't it just flattering?

"I like your script very much. This is a story of an underdog's (UnderDog) counterattack success. I know that it is a talented person who can write it. But I have been rolling in Hollywood longer than you One point, you know why I didn’t make more big ones? Rocky is actually a small one.”

"Maybe their producers didn't see your talent, Mr. Everson?"

"Call me John. I didn't understand it until one day, I had the opportunity to meet Frank Capra. He is a three-time Oscar winner for best director. Do you know Clark Gable's Happiness One Night?"

"Ah, I saw it in my classic film appreciation class at NYU. Know his name."

"Oh, you're also from NYU, so it looks like we're still alumni," Everson said. "Where are we talking, by the way, I asked Frank Capra, how do you deal with those studio executives? Why do you get so many opportunities to direct big classics?"

After speaking, Evelson looked at Ronald.

"Then, why?" Ronald also became interested. Dealing with the high-level executives of the studio has always made him miserable. Those people don't understand art or business, but they only know how to secure a high-level position. He is an expert in office tricks.

"It's very simple, let them think that your idea is their own."

"Wisdom?" Ronald thought to himself, this is the wisdom of successful directors under the system of those big studios back then, and it is still of great reference value even now.Isn't that what it is?If I knew this secret at the time, I might have been able to become a director with tens of millions of productions.

Meanwhile, in another Mercedes.Weintraub was particularly concerned about Susan, "How do you feel working here these days? Your father and I are good friends, so you can tell me anything."

"I feel like I can learn a lot from you and meet a lot of interesting people. Overall I feel very lucky to be able to work in the film industry."

"Oh, who do you think is more interesting? Ronald?"

"He's very polite. I think Mr. Everson is funnier," replied Susan.

"Oh, hahaha, it looks like you like older ones," Weintraub continued. "Do you like riding horses? We'll ride my horses at the weekend, which I paid a fortune for." , always have no time to ride."

"Okay, I like horses, and I like the smell of grass in the racecourse."

(End of this chapter)