Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 678 Chapter 3 Are you that Ronald?

"Ronald! I knew you were a genius, sit down. I've got you the best brandy in Italy."

The president of Paramount, Ned Tanin, with a loud voice and a red face, went to the elevator directly connected to the president's office to welcome Ronald and his party.

"Top Gun's box office is expected to return to No. [-] next week. I am now at a high-level meeting at Paramount, and my words are well listened to. This is all thanks to you." Tanin said to the director who can make money, that is Baiyi Baishun.

"Mr. Tanin, this is your reward for your confidence in me."

"Ha ha ha, call me Ned, how many times have you said that. Come, come in and talk."

Ned Tannin had great respect for Ronald.The "Fast-paced Richmond High School" and "Night of the Comet" he made before are all low-cost movies. Hollywood can pop up one or two movies every year, but soon these famous directors also will fall silent.

Some people in the industry have a special term for this kind of movie, which is called "one-time success".If you don't know in advance that it will be a blockbuster, and it is difficult to sum up the reasons for the real blockbuster afterwards, it is a miracle that cannot be replicated.

Hollywood producers, on the other hand, have never been very interested in "one-time successes" that cannot be replicated.

Unless the main creators such as the director can continuously show their strength and let Hollywood recognize what type of movie they make will be a big hit, and then make a bet, this is the insight of the president and vice president with executive titles.

Ronald is a very different director. He doesn't follow the rules of Hollywood at all.He did not focus on one subject like most directors. He first started out with youth music and dance films, then jumped to science fiction films, then martial arts films, and finally came to shoot air combat films that no one in Hollywood has picked up for decades.

All the top studio executives in Hollywood were frightened by this kind of random shooting, and began to study Ronald, hoping to find the secret of his success, but found nothing.

For example, for a successful director like Spielberg, everyone knows that if he shoots aliens, children-related themes, or scary animal films, they will definitely sell well, and they can compete to invest in him.

However, other themes he filmed may not be able to achieve a breakthrough at the box office, worthy of his expensive director commission.You can invest, you can bet, but you will not compete.

In contrast, Ronald has no idea which movie to choose, and tries various genres everywhere, but every film is a hit.Everyone was a little jealous of Weintraub who invested in "The Dragon Boy". At that time, who knew that Ronald could still make martial arts movies?
If I knew this earlier, I might as well be like this layman, blindly trusting this young director, and he can shoot whatever he wants.Follow behind to harvest a popular fried chicken, anyway, you can brag about it anyway.

Today, the big sale of "Top Gun" is a foregone conclusion, and everyone has reached a consensus that maybe Ronald has an unknown secret.

He seems to have seen through the aesthetic tastes and values ​​of the new generation of young people after the baby boom ended.This kind of subconscious rooted in the new generation seems to be mastered by only a few new directors such as Ronald Lee and John Hughes.

Hollywood executives now only know that the new generation of audiences is no longer interested in the anti-war, left-wing, and rebellious values ​​of the previous generation.But it has not returned to the silent generation before World War II, the values ​​of keeping silent and working hard.

Just like the young Alex in Michael J. Fox's "Family Bond", they, like their grandparents, believed in the New Economic Policy brought by the Grand Commander, and the consumption imposed on them by consumerist advertisements Concept, accepted with equanimity.

But on the other hand, they have inherited the sexual openness of their parents.Traditional family values ​​such as Puritans and Catholics are rapidly disintegrating. They are the first generation to grow up with parents who have a high divorce rate. There are always a few friends or classmates who are single-parent families.

And almost everyone agrees that one must live together before marriage in order to be happy.Before getting married, it has gradually become the consensus of urban teenagers to get along with more than a dozen boyfriends and girlfriends and find the most suitable one.

High school sweethearts (high school sweethearts who get married and live happily ever after) have become something only in fairy tales, which is hard to see in real life.

But these characteristics that can be summed up in words seem to be unable to deduce why Ronald can be a blockbuster.What do audiences who like martial arts, fighter jets, science fiction, and high school life have in common?
He must have some qualities that allowed him to achieve success that ordinary people can't match. As long as he can be one step ahead and understand the secret of his success, he can discover a few more young directors like Ronald, and then he can enjoy at least five years The secret to success.

In short, as long as Ronald makes teenager films, Ned Tanin will rush to invest, so what are you afraid of?Whether he shoots sweet love or tank battles, it must be another miracle.

"So, what new ideas do you have now?"

After talking about some good news about how "Top Gun" was widely mentioned in the major media, Ned Tanin couldn't help but inquire about Ronald's next project.

"I'm still looking for inspiration, and there is no script that catches my eye for now."

"If you have one, be sure to tell me. Paramount can sign a First Look (First Look) agreement with you for three movies. We don't stipulate what movies you cooperate with us, nor do you and How many films do we cooperate with. We only ask you to show Paramount first when you are interested. We promise that you will give us priority when you give the same conditions as competitors.

We compete fairly with others, and we only ask for an opportunity where you consider Paramount first... no, consider me first under the same conditions. "

"I'm flattered, but even if we don't sign such an agreement, I will consider a company like Paramount first if I have a project."

Ronald refused to sign the agreement, but he didn't say anything.

If Paramount put forward such a condition before filming "Top Gun", even if Ronald did not agree, the agent would beg himself to agree.

However, with two consecutive movies, the box office has exceeded [-] million, and he has become a hot fried chicken in Hollywood.A long-term deal for several movies is out of the question.Let's talk about it one by one.

What's more, David Simkins, the script assistant I signed, has already recommended several good scripts.Some are still in the library of the other seven major studios, or have been put on the circulation list.

As long as you hook your fingers, those studio executives will submit the script without hesitation, and then negotiate an extremely favorable condition.

Anyway, I don't have much deep friendship with Ned Tanin, and the other party hasn't given me a helping hand, so don't blame myself for thinking about my own interests first.

"I knew you were a very commercially gifted director." Ned Tanin's heart was bleeding.If I had put on a posture of fully supporting Ronald back then, it would not be like this now.

It was rumored in the circle that Ronald was negotiating a new film with Frank Price, the president of Universal. Who made Price give the unknown Ronald a script purchase price of 35 US dollars?

"In short, don't forget Paramount's distribution strength. After this time, you can see very clearly that there is a reason why Tang and Jerry signed a long-term agreement with us. I can also give you the conditions they got, even Even better. I don’t care about the subject matter, casting, and team, as long as it’s released in Paramount.”

Ned Tannin raised his glass and touched Ronald.

Who wouldn't want a Ronald movie released?Now he makes movies like making money out of the air.With a wave of the magic wand in their hands, the audience obediently drove to the cinema, took out money from their pockets, and queued up to hand it to the box office staff.

It would be even better if there is an opportunity to embed some products in the movie.From sunglasses, to motorcycles, to model fighter jets, to navy recruiting platforms, and now for items that appear in "Top Gun", there are people obediently paying for them in long lines.

Ronald took a sip of the brandy. It tasted really good. It seemed to be made by a very good winery. "It's a nice brandy."

"Do you like it? My friend gave it to me. You can take a few bottles away." Ned Tanin pressed the bell and asked the secretary to come in and order her to pack a box into Ronald's car trunk and take it away.

"Speaking of distribution, I have a movie that you can consider." Ronald continued to taste the brandy.Paramount's distribution strength is indeed very strong. Among the seven big Hollywood, it can get the most films and the distribution team is the most professional.

That Australian film has yet to find its way...

"What movie? Are you directing, producing, or writing?"

Ned Tanin came to his spirits immediately, and it is very useful to send some good things to Ronald often.Ronald was born as a commoner, and this kind of exquisite object from the upper class will be given to him frequently in the future.

"Neither, it's an Australian film, and I happened to see them filming on the streets of Manhattan, New York before Christmas last year. I heard that their film broke Australia's box office record."

"Didn't you shoot it? You didn't participate?" Ned Tanin's interest was a little depressed.Looks like Ronald is doing a friend a favor?Maybe there's a pretty girl in it?

This kind of thing can also be a favor, but on the basis of business affairs, it is enough to sell a little face.As long as the quality is not too bad, there is nothing wrong with Paramount helping to release the film.

"You didn't hear what I said clearly. What I said was that they broke Australia's box office records over the years, over the years..."

Ronald was not satisfied with Tanin's appearance.Did you just recommend movies casually?After seeing the copy brought by Paul Hogan, I have long wanted to buy it, and it was released through Roger Coleman, or Minahan Golan's Cannon.

It's just a good horse with a good saddle, and the film is of very high quality, far exceeding Ronald's own estimates.Neither Coleman nor Minahan is capable of realizing the film's potential.Whether it is from the perspective of profit, or the perspective of helping friends become famous, it is best to leave it to the Seven.

If it weren't for the high quality of the film itself, Ronald would not recommend it to the seven major distribution companies for fear of delaying other people's opportunities.

"Are Australia's box office records so easy to break? In the past two years, Mel Gibson's two 'Crazy Max', which were the highest box office record holders for foreign films imported by Hollywood, are very powerful wasteland road action movies, directly Activated a type of mountain monster."

"What do you mean? Breaking Mad Max's Australian box office record?" Ned Tanin reacted, "What movie? Quickly introduce it to me."

"Crocodile Dundee."

"Crocodile Dundee? Horror animal film like Jaws?" Ned Tanning touched his head?
"It's not a crocodile named Dundee. The crocodile is the nickname of the protagonist named Dundee." Ronald said briefly about the plot.A beautiful reporter from a New York newspaper went to a primitive reserve in northern Australia to interview a warrior who killed a crocodile in a fight with a giant crocodile and survived.

Crocodile Dundee and the reporter endured hardships on a pristine reservation, saved her life, and produced first-rate reporting.Then the reporter came up with an idea to ask Dundee to go to New York and continue to write his story.

Dundee and reporter Su came to New York and made all kinds of jokes like a countryman entering the city. In the end, Dundee solved a lot of troubles with the enthusiasm and directness unique to Australians, and finally the two got married.

"You also thought it was an animal horror movie? It seems that when it is released in North America, the word crocodile in the title has to be put in quotation marks, so that the audience can know that it is a nickname. This is not the first time Ronald has received this kind of reaction.

"It's actually Tarzan of the Apes plus Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Those two genres haven't been made in a long time, and they're very good.

If you're interested, I'll let them chat.It is estimated that they have already come to Paramount, but they were rejected by your subordinates in the distribution department.If you're not interested, I'll go to [-]th Century Fox, and their boss, Barry Diller, also told me that movie recommendations are welcome.And their new boss is an Australian, so they must agree. "

"No, no, no... What is our relationship? Don't ask anyone else, just ask them to come over." Tanin pressed the bell and called in the secretary, "When will I be free tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, and I want to receive two Australian guests .”

"What role do you play in it? Are you a producer?" Tanin asked Ronald to leave Paul Hogan's phone number after setting the time.

"Their movies were filmed through crowdfunding. Now there is no remaining cost, and the arrangement of sharing can be accepted. But you don't want to buy it out at a cheap price. This will hurt the other party's heart. They may directly Find someone else.

My Daydream Films can be regarded as their distribution partner in America, and I will pay for the upfront expenses, when the time comes..."

"No problem. With your participation, I feel more at ease. I trust your vision of film selection the most. Buyout is impossible, but they have to sign an agreement with Paramount. If there is a sequel, Paramount will Participate in investment, including distribution business."

"You talk to them about it, I'm just helping a friend." Ronald drank the brandy with satisfaction.

"Okay then, I will sign them as soon as possible and arrange for them to be released at a suitable time. You go to London to attend the royal premiere first, and I have arranged everything... The wine is good, let's have some more..."

Rejecting Tanin's invitation to continue drinking, Ronald, Daydream's general manager Eddie, and his agent Nisita walked out of his president's office.Now Ned Tanin is in charge of the work, and most of the production business is under his management. It is up to him to decide whether to give the green light or not.

"Hi, may I ask if you are the director Ronald who filmed Dragon Might and Top Gun?"

Ronald, who had just walked out of the office, was stopped by a middle-aged woman sitting in the waiting seat in the corridor. She seemed to have been waiting outside Tanin's office for a long time.

"It's me, Ned and I finished chatting, it should be your turn soon." Ronald nodded to her.Reach out and shake her hand.Recently, as a director, Ronald has been recognized by many people.In the previous scandal, her photo was published on the mass media, and many people knew her face.

This middle-aged woman has thick eyebrows and a Jewish big nose. Although the facial features are actually good, they are a bit ugly when combined, a typical appearance of Eastern European Jews.

"No, Mr. Tanin has rejected me and my producer many times. We originally got the green light from MGM, but the change in the top management put my script into the limbo of the revolving hell.

I don't think my films are good enough for the seven major studios to make up their minds, I just want you to read my script.If you also feel that there is no future, then I will give up and go back to writing TV dramas honestly. "

"I'm just a film director, and I don't read scripts that haven't been delivered by an agent." Ronald rejected the other party.

Looks like she got the wrong guy.I am just a director, investing millions of dollars is tantamount to depleting my net worth, how could I take the risk of casting a movie whose origins are unknown to others.

Besides, the industry rules are like this, if there is no agent to deliver, and no legal agreement to waive copyright prosecution is signed, I will never read other people's scripts.

Maybe there is a plot similar to her script in my next movie, and there are many things that will be brought to court.

Last time, Don Simpson's "Lightning Dance" was sued by the character prototype, demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars.If it weren't for the agreement signed by the other party at the time to sell the story for $2800, she might have to pay her dozens or even millions of dollars.

"Ronald, can I call you Ronald? This is a teen movie I wrote with all my heart. I think only you can make it in America. I actually came to Paramount for you. I always I have a dream that you will direct my script.

I signed a contract with the producer but she didn't manage to make the project work and my agreement with her expires tomorrow so I'll get the legal papers ready and send them to you tomorrow okay? "

"Okay, you can send it to this address and show it to David Simkins. Remember to be ready to waive the copyright prosecution agreement." Ronald saw that she was very sincere, and praised himself again. It seemed that it was true. It's been a long time since the script.

So he took out the business card with Daydream's address in Hollywood, wrote the name of his script assistant, and handed it to the other party.

"By the way, what is your name? Why do you say that only I can make this movie?"

"Eleanor, Eleanor Bergstein", the middle-aged woman took the business card and carefully put it in the notebook.

"Because I've seen a lot of your videos, Madonna's 'Material Girl', and Cindy Lauper's 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun'. It's a musical based on my own experience, and I I feel that among all the directors in Hollywood, you are the only one who can make good musicals."

"Hahaha..." Ronald was very fond of this flattery, remembering that there were many singing and dancing scenes in his debut work "Rock High School", and he almost made the sequel of the musical "Grease", of course the most commendable The most important thing is the MV of the two female singers who dominate the MTV screen.

"Then I'll wait to read your masterpiece..." Ronald and Eleanor Bergstein waved their hands, and walked to the elevator with their left and right hands.

"Yes!" Eleanor Bergstein clenched her fist and whispered, running to the pay phone in the aisle and calling her producer.

"Linda, I'm Eleanor, and I've already found a famous director in the industry who is willing to read my script. If you still can't find me a studio, anyway, our production agreement will expire tomorrow..."

"Eleanor, don't be like this. I have already found a small production company that specializes in small productions that are not released in theaters and are directly distributed on videotapes. They specialize in making R-rated films. You just need to renew the production agreement with me, and I'll take care of you." Can arrange to meet with them about production. You don't understand, Hollywood celebrities like to make empty promises, but they have no money.

Although this videotape producer is not well-known and they make erotic R-rated films, they are really rich, you don't know how profitable the videotape business is now..."

"Anyway, I will seize this opportunity to try. He is different from what you said. He is not only famous, but also has money to invest."

"Hey, Eleanor, don't you think about it anymore? I have full confidence in your script. It is very likely that they will agree this time. Don't think they haven't done distribution business. Year's... hello?"

Eleanor Bergstein hung up.I have given Linda a year, and I have seen hope in MGM, but it was finally shattered.

On the contrary, Ronald seemed to have a great chance, and he promised himself to read the script.

And it was Paramount President Ned Tanin who personally sent him out just now.If he is willing to direct... no, even if he is only willing to be a producer, there must be many high-level executives from big factories chasing him to sign the distribution contract to them...

(End of this chapter)