Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 711 This is a check, I bought the production rights of Hot Body Dance

Eddie, as managing director of Daydream Pictures, has been working with "Dirty Dancing" writer Eleanor Bergstein, producer Linda Gottlieb, and distribution company Weston Films. Production manager Michelle Cannold discusses the production partnership on "Dirty Dancing."

"So, we're stuck here now, and now we have to figure out a way to move forward."

In the original Eddie's agent's office in New York, we chatted all morning, and finally Eddie summarized the three parties present at the meeting, the results of the morning's talks, or in other words, no results.

Weston is a Chicago-based company that has been outsourcing the production and distribution of videotapes to the Big Seven.After they gradually took back the videotape business in the Seventh National Congress, they urgently needed to transform themselves into distributing big-screen theatrical movies.

Originally, the condition that Ronald prepared was that Ronald's Daydream Films would bring Douglas Jr. with an investment of 150 million U.S. dollars, Weston contributed 300 million U.S. dollars, and the two parties shared a total of 450 million U.S. dollars to produce the film.

Then it was handed over to Weston for distribution in theaters across the country.

However, several parties have been unable to reach a consensus on the order of sharing.

What Weston fancy is that this film can be produced with a budget of less than 500 million US dollars, and then it can be used as the first theatrical film after the company's transformation to train the distribution team.

Producer and producer Linda Gottlieb is more concerned about her sharing contract.She was the first to see the potential of the play by her friend, screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein.Originally, MGM's distribution contract had been given the green light, but after Weintraub took control of MGM strongly, the project was suspended again and put on the circulation list.

Although screenwriter Eleanor is more inclined to cooperate with Ronald's daydream, Linda Gottlieb's interests are still maximized by cooperating with Weston.

If it is not agreed in advance, the producer has the right to distribute the film share.After the movie is profitable, everyone who participates in the share will be included in the cost.The next person who participates in the share, the allocated funds will be subtracted from the share of the previous person.

The further you go to the back, the less valuable the sharing rights will be.

After all, Weston is a novice in the theatrical distribution market. The pitfalls of these contracts are definitely easier to deal with than Ronald, who has cooperated with the studio for many films.

But if Ronald's daydreams are completely put aside, Weston's confidence in this project is seriously lacking.

As a Jewish producer who grew up in the entertainment industry, Linda's plan is to find the best interests between Daydream and Weston.

When she first saw the script, titled "Dirty Dancing," she knew it was a movie with the potential to make millions of dollars.Only by firmly nailing it can you bring yourself the first huge profit since entering the industry.

As for Ronald, it's relatively simple.On the one hand, he saw the potential of the script, and on the other hand, because he had dreamed about the movie, he was very confident in the box office.

"I feel that the producer Linda has a tendency to take advantage of both parties in the middle." Eddie said to Ronald during the lunch break.

"It's normal. The producer wants to turn a script into a movie. This process is so difficult. If you don't want to make a lot of money, you can't succeed." Ronald waved his hand, expressing that he doesn't mind the producer in the middle Divide some of the money.

"But this is a small-production film. We calculated the production cost to be between 450 million and 500 million. For such a film, if Linda and the distributor Weston share the box office first, and we participate in the final share, It takes at least 500 million yuan to get back the investment." Eddie has already calculated the possibility of profit.

"I think this movie, if it is made well, the box office will exceed this figure." Ronald is very confident.

"Actually, I think Weston's confidence in the film is much less than yours." Richard, the agent, interjected beside him, and he also participated in the negotiation. "And I think Linda, the producer, really wanted Weston to be in the movie so she could grab more money."

"Have you ever thought that since you are so optimistic about the prospects of this movie, you might as well buy the production rights of this movie, and then find cooperation with the seven majors?" Eddie said suddenly.

"That's not good. After all, Linda signed with screenwriter Eleanor before me. And they are good friends. I'm not sure about kicking her out." Ronald actually wanted to monopolize the production rights.

"For the negotiation in the afternoon, we still have to introduce the possibility of the seven major studios entering the game. In this way, we can take the initiative in the negotiation. At least the producer Linda and the screenwriter Eleanor have a new choice. The morning negotiation Here, Weston's manager, Michelle Cannold, is always stalling the negotiations."

"Just do it."

"Ronald, let me introduce you. This is one of our Weston bosses, Steve Tisch."

At the beginning of the afternoon meeting, Cannold, the manager of Weston Films, introduced a new negotiating participant, a young man in his early thirties with a thick neck, square jaw, and aggressive eyes.

"Hello, Mr. Tishi." The name Tishi moved Ronald's heart. The School of Art at New York University, the school he had attended for more than a year, seemed to be named after this surname.

"He is the benefactor of New York University Tisch College, the son of Bob Tisch." Eddie whispered in Ronald's ear.

"Their family is the owner of the NFL football team, the New York Giants. They have been playing in Hollywood since they were young." Richard added in the other ear.

"Nice to meet you, I have great admiration for your father's kindness."

"I know you, Ronald, and it is said in Hollywood that you are magical. But for this film, I invited Aaron Russo, an expert in musicals, who has a very insightful view on films."

Steve Tisch ignored Ronald's compliments to his father, and raised his hand to invite a man with a big and round face.

"Aaron Russo, the producer of The Rose, the film that gave Bette Midler an Oscar nomination." Richard was familiar with these Hollywood celebrities, and immediately whispered The opponent's resume.

"Hello, Aaron, any advice?"

Ronald looked at Aaron Russo, with his long greasy hair combed back, and his big round face with a Jewish nose, which made people feel a little funny.Unexpectedly, he was still the man who discovered the heroine of "The Evil Husband", Betty Midler.

"How are you going to shoot the film? What's the theme?"

Aaron Russo didn't talk to Ronald and the others, nor did he talk to the screenwriter and producer, nor bypassed Weston's manager, but directly asked the boss, Steve Tisch.

Ronald was surprised. Did this Aaron just come back from an alien planet?Don't know the popular Hollywood director Ronald Lee?

So Ronald coughed, and then slid his chair forward, closing the distance with this Aaron Russo. When the other party felt his approach and turned his head, Ronald said directly to him :
"I'm going to make it a story of a teenage girl's dream at a resort and the hero, a poor boy of a dancer, finishing the dance. Do you have any ideas?"

"If this is your idea, I have to tell you that if you shoot this way, your movie will not be successful." Aaron Russo did not flinch, and he also took a step forward, just a few feet away from Ronald. Looking at a distance of tens of centimeters, he replied with a wretched smile.

Ronald seemed to smell the bad breath coming from the other party's mouth, and he leaned back, "Are you sure?"

Where did this dude come from?Do you know that you are facing the hottest emerging director in Hollywood right now, guarding a film that has been in the works for [-] or [-]?Hollywood is not a place to respect the elderly if it still puts its old status in front of itself.

Aaron Russo turned his head again and spoke to Steve Tisch, "The current directors and producers don't know how to shoot musicals, if you believe me, it's better not to invest in this story .”

"If you want to make any comments, why don't you tell me?" Ronald was angry. How could this Aaron Russo always skip himself and talk directly to Weston's rich second-generation boss.

musical?Now who else in Hollywood can pretend to be a big guy, saying that he knows how to make musicals better than himself?

Sir, did you know that when you left Hollywood, I made a "Breakdance" movie?Not only did it sell [-] million at the box office, but the first lady, Nancy, had to learn how to dance, and the commander-in-chief also received me and several leading actors.

"You don't know Hollywood, young man. Let me tell you, no one in Hollywood will distribute your film if you make it like this."

After Aaron Russo and Ronald said the last word, they simply stood up, shook hands with Weston's boss, Steve Tisch, and walked out.

Steve Tisch remained silent, ignoring Aaron Russo's rudeness, and whispered a few words with Weston's manager, Michele Cannold.Then Michelle came over and asked everyone to suspend the meeting first, and Tisch needed to have a new communication with them.

"Who is this Aaron Russo? Hasn't he been in Hollywood for a few years?"

"I just came back from Britain. I guess I don't know much about the changes in Hollywood in recent years. He is now mainly focusing on TV dramas." Richard hurried to call Nisita and figured out Russo's situation in a few seconds. details.

"However, he has a strong relationship with Little Dishi, so I guess he will take his opinion seriously."

Richard added.

On the other side, screenwriter Eleanor and producer Linda were also whispering, and it seemed that they were also a little confused about this sudden situation.

Ronald waited for a while, and Steve Tisch and manager Cannold came over.Tishi waved his hand, and Kannold came over to speak.

"Ronald, Eleanor, Linda, and Weston have a new evaluation of the film, and we need Eleanor to revise the background and plot of Baby in the script.

First of all, Baby had better not be Jewish, and if she had to be Jewish, her lover had better not be Irish..."

"Nonsense, this is a complete story. If the heroine Baby is not Jewish, how can she go to a tourist destination dedicated to Jewish people? If she is not Irish, how can such a masculine dancer come from? "

Screenwriter Eleanor became angry and immediately interrupted Weston's request.

Ronald also looked sideways, why did the screenwriter react so strongly?
Ronald vaguely remembered that this seemed to be a script adapted by screenwriter Eleanor based on her own experience. Maybe she was the prototype of the Baby, and her first love was Irish?

Producer Linda covered her face. She understood that this was Eleanor's bottom line. She gave the script to herself in the first place to realize a dream of her youth on the screen.

"Sorry, Mr. Cannold, this plot is our bottom line. The whole story is based on the love between a Jewish girl and an Irish boy that crosses classes and races." She had no choice but to contact Weston explain.

"Aaron's point of view is very convincing. We feel that the prospects of this movie are worrying. If you are not willing to revise the script, this movie will be postponed indefinitely." Xiao Di said forcefully.

"Our funds have already entered the account of the project company. If you don't modify the script as required, we will have to withdraw the funds."

"I don't think there is any problem with this plot. If you don't want to invest, I can take over."

Ronald saw the opportunity and said suddenly.

The background of the character in the dream has not been modified. Baby is still a Jewish girl, and an actress with a big nose, Jennifer Gray, has been found to play it.

"Wait, let me talk to them first." Producer Linda held down the screenwriter Eleanor who was about to agree, and wanted to talk to Weston's boss first. She always felt that the other party's reason seemed very strong. .

"Eleanor, I like this movie very much. Originally, I also wanted to fully invest in it..." Ronald took the opportunity to go to the screenwriter and shared his thoughts with her.

After ten minutes, the producer Linda came back, "Eleanor, Ronald, if you insist on not revising the script, I will quit the role of producer of this film."

"Linda, you..." the screenwriter was anxious.

"I have good reasons. If you want to continue making this movie, Ronald, you might as well buy the production rights together." The producer pressed the screenwriter's hand.

"How much?" Ronald somehow remembered what Coppola told him about the past. He didn't insist on buying the "American Graffiti" directed by Lucas back then, and missed the opportunity for the diorama company to make a lot of money in one fell swoop. .

"A one-off price, 50 US dollars. In addition, I suggest that Eleanor also have a script transfer fee, so that her hard work can be guaranteed."

Producer Linda Gottlieb put forward her own conditions. Although the income was higher than expected, it was better than nothing.Then she whispered something in the ear of screenwriter Eleanor.

"This? Alright. Maybe you're right." Screenwriter Eleanor also listened, and turned to Ronald, "I'm willing to transfer the script to you."

"How much do you want?" Ronald turned to the screenwriter.

"US$20, plus 1% of the profits shared by Linda and I." Screenwriter Eleanor wrote down her asking price and pushed it over.

When Ronald heard the price, it was very cheap.He quickly took out the checkbook, wrote two checks, and handed them to the two ladies respectively, "My lawyer will prepare the contract immediately."

"Thank you," producer Linda folded the check and put it in her pocket.

"Thank you. We originally planned to invest 450 million in production costs. I hope that in your hands, I can shoot what I imagined."

The screenwriter Eleanor took the check with a look of reluctance.

"Ronald, they seem to agree too quickly, is there something wrong?" Richard felt that something was wrong, so he came to ask Ronald.

"No problem. Anyway, I can find a publisher to sign a contract and get some investment. Find a suitable director to guide. I am very optimistic about this story."

(End of this chapter)