Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 969 Chapter 1 Acquisition Intention
"The Wedding Banquet"

Early the next morning, Ronald saw the script brought by Ang Lee in the office.Except for the title and the summary of the first dozen pages translated into English, the content is all written in Chinese, and the English is a bit bad.

This story tells the story of a male Chinese student who lives with another young Western man. In order to meet the expectations of his parents, he has a false marriage with a female student from Xujiahui. The female student can also use this to get a green card.

Unexpectedly, with the continuous development of family disputes and cultural conflicts, their plans gradually become more and more complicated...

Ronald read quickly, and also read the Chinese part later.Then he closed the script and put it on the desk. After hesitating for a while, he still asked Ang Lee on the opposite side:

"Are you going to shoot an English dialogue, or a Chinese dialogue?"

"The main thing is Chinese, and some of them can use English." Ang Lee was still wearing the same suit that he went to see Broadway yesterday. Thinking of meeting Ronald by chance.

"Hmm..." Ronald sighed, knowing it was so.

"We've known each other for a long time, Ang. If I have something to say, I'll just say it. Actually, judging from your script, the cost of this movie will not be very high. But as an investment in the company, I am also responsible for the company's board of directors and employees. , the market for Chinese films in America is very small.”

"I understand, and a lot of people have told me that there is no future in the American box office, but I feel that this story can touch me. This is a script I started writing at the beginning of the year. My wife is tired of seeing me not working at home. , I ran to my friend Feng Guangyuan, and discussed with him while writing." Many plots in it are my own experience.So if I change it to English dialogue, I lose my original idea of ​​writing the script. "

"Tsk..." Ronald knew that Ang Lee belonged to someone who insisted on his own artistic views, and from an artistic point of view, his views were not unreasonable.This is a story of cultural conflict between East and West.

"That's how it is. I will decide to sign the options for your script. I asked my colleagues to ask if there is any American Chinatown Cinema Distribution Company that likes your story. If so, my daydream can contribute half of the funding.

If during this period, you can find other people who are willing to invest, we can also transfer at the original price.It would be great if this movie could be made. "

Although Ronald said he was talking about business, his feelings about the script told him that although the subject matter of this movie was sensitive and the language was difficult, there might be a breakthrough in art.

"Thank you, Ronald." Although Ang Lee didn't get the promise of shooting immediately, he was even happier in his heart.

Samuel Godwin Jr. talked about the hype before, exalted himself very high, and said that he would become a blockbuster in Hollywood, but when the heroine was fixed on Julia Roberts, he suddenly said that he would withdraw the investment and stop filming.

In contrast, Ronald put on a show and told the reasons and reasons frankly. This is what a producer who takes the right path in Hollywood does.

"By the way, do you have any other jobs now?" Ronald asked casually, glancing at Ang Lee's leather shoes.

"I just co-wrote a script called 'Mail Order Bride' with Joel Ross, and I'm helping him, and he has a vacation home on Long Island, so I can go out to work every day without being put off by my wife."

Ang Lee speaks very slowly, his spoken English is worse than his written English, and he is a bit shy.Although they are classmates, after not practicing for many years, Ronald has made rapid progress in his career, and the two of them always talk awkwardly.

"If the script can be solved as soon as possible, I would like to ask you to help my daydream to be an expert in the script department, help to select, and do a little rewriting work for the script doctor when necessary. When you are not busy, you can also You can participate in the work of other crews and get familiar with the set."

Ronald was still concerned about Ang Lee's face, and asked him to help out in his company, "We are a small company and cannot afford a big price, but we can give you a salary according to the industry level. If you want..."

"Of course I would." Ang Lee was very happy. Ronald was worthy of being the man of the year who carried forward the Delta Omega Epsilon fraternity at Tisch College of New York University.Still so like timely rain.

Although he dropped out of school after one year of study, the whole New York University, including other universities in New York, has the legend of this person-invite the Playboy cover girl, the fraternity of the party girl.

"That's good. We have an office in New York, and the script department is yours to use. You can work as long as you want. If you want to rest, you can get the keys with the secretary. We have two apartments next door for your rest." Luo Nader stands up and shakes his hand, "Welcome to join..."

"Thank you, thank you", Ang Lee held Ronald's hand very hard this time, and he happened to be at the worst moment, with only a few dozen dollars in his body.Can only be a househusband at home. "Then what... I have a question about the company's treatment." Ang Lee's face was a little red. Ronald gave him such a treatment, and he had to ask for it.

"Please tell..." Ronald raised his hand to signal him to speak.

"Can Daydream Company help me apply for a green card? If you are inconvenient, I will take the route of my wife's partner. It will take a few years after she officially enters the university teaching position..." Ang Lee's personal passage The experience was also included in the script he wrote.

"Ha, no problem, my lawyer will help you write a letter of recommendation. We have a good relationship with Mr. Molinari, Congressman of Staten Island. With his recommendation, your green card will be approved soon."

Ronald laughed. If Ang Lee did not get a green card, he would not be able to return to his hometown, and he would have to apply as an accompanying student for his wife. Now he can get a green card with his own ability and have a job in Hollywood. His family status is greatly improved.

"The head of our script department is David Simkins. I'll introduce him to you when he comes to New York. You have to read all the scripts here, then write your comments, and estimate the shooting cost. I'm here I need someone like you to help me in the future.”

Ronald felt that he was encouraging his old classmates, "In addition, your comments and evaluations should be written in English, you can just practice your English, Hollywood scripts, if there is a problem with English, it is difficult to send them to the real decision makers .This is also to prepare for your future filming."

Ang Lee has been in America for so many years, he has a wife and children, why is his English still so bad?In this way, how to communicate complex meanings on the set, and how to guide the actors?
Ronald not only helped his old classmates, Ang Lee's talent in the script was visible to the naked eye. The four-act structure of the script was very compact, and the ending of the reconciliation between the father and son also moved him very much.

Judging from Ang Lee’s student graduation works and his ability to help him shoot commercials, this person not only has artistic talent, but also understands various techniques on the set. Once there is a good opportunity, he will succeed. edge.

……

"Here is your classmate's green card application materials, here is the recommendation letter written by Councilor Molinari, and here is the certification material written by her daughter Susan City Councilor, here is your certification material, saying that Mr. Lee is a Brilliantly gifted director..."

Personal lawyer Lindsay Dole quickly helped Ronald handle various materials.Now, as a single mother with a one-year-old child, her work pace has also slowed down, and she concentrates on serving several major clients including Ronald.

The strong woman who graduated from Harvard Law School has now become a happy mother. After finishing her work, she began to show Ronald the photos she took of her son.

Ronald liked it very much, and took an unopened Sony home video recorder from the office and gave it to Lindsay. interesting."

Lindsay Dole turned it on. This kind of video recorder is so small that she can hold it with one hand and shoot.The videotape was neither VHS nor Sony's BetaMax, but a format called Video 8.

The technology of this kind of video tape is inherited from the movie camera. The video quality is high, and the video recorder can also collect stereo sound. The video tape is small, so the video recorder is also compact.Unlike VHS, the video recorders are all shoulder-mounted.

The only disadvantage of this VCR is that it cannot be shown on a VHS VCR (now the most common home video recorder in America), it can only be played directly through an external TV, and then dubbed on a VHS video tape.

However, a partner lawyer like Lindsay Dole would not care about these extra costs.Sure enough, she was very happy to hand over the gift.

"By the way, what you told me last time, I have found a suitable target for you." The lawyer lady took out a few documents from the leather briefcase and handed them to Ronald, "This is the most suitable target." You asked for a mid-sized Hollywood production and distribution company, now in financial trouble, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy."

Ronald took over the file, which he had previously entrusted to Lindsay to help him keep an eye on the Hollywood courtroom.The screenwriters' union continued to go on strike, and the filming of projects they had invested in continued to be suspended, and high interest was paid. Many small and medium-sized film producers and distributors that were already operating with high debts were doomed.This time is a good time to pick up cheap.

Chapter 11 is a number in the bankruptcy law of American companies. Companies that apply for this method of bankruptcy can also seek financial owners to invest in reorganizing business and debts while operating the company, which is very suitable for companies like Hollywood.

However, the news from Hollywood producers and agents is true or false, and it is not timely, so Ronald found another way and asked Miss Lawyer to keep an eye on several bankruptcy courts in Los Angeles.Move ahead once you hear from the court clerk.

"21st Century Films?" Ronald couldn't help laughing, isn't this Pengci?Twentieth Century Fox is the merger of two established film companies, Twentieth Century and Fox.This small company, which was only established in the 70s, just played tricks on the name, and it is a century older than others.

But looking at it, Ronald's expression gradually calmed down, and he stopped smiling.I have to say that the professional quality of the lawyer lady is very good. Now the bankruptcy court receives new applications every day. The conditions of this company are very suitable for the expansion needs of Daydream.

When this company first opened in the 70s, it was also a Roger Coleman-style company that integrated the production and distribution of low-cost exploitation films.

In addition to producing horror action films such as "Devil Lover" and "Blood Tide", this company has also introduced many foreign films like Coleman, and put them on the market with English dubbing.

This includes the sequels of Italy's "Emanuel" series, and many action movies of Xiangjiang.There's also Bruce Lee's Wing Chun documentary, and Jackie Chan's pre-fame "tricks and tricks".

Ronald smiled, isn't this just in line with his strategy?With the copyright of these films, I immediately rearranged the video tapes, and then in the 21st century, I can use all the talents who are familiar with Hong Kong Kung Fu films, the purchase channels of Italian lead pornographic films, and dubbing.

"How much do you estimate to restructure the company?"

"It won't be very expensive. They are in debt now. After Chapter 11 goes bankrupt, you don't have to pay the full amount, but just work with them and negotiate a compensation plan with the creditor. They also have an issuance contract with EMI, which is also worth it." Some money, as for the copyrights of these old films, I guess no one else thinks it is valuable except you. A total of one or two million can be won."

"Very well, now I ask you and my accountant Ed Bastian, the gray-eyed Mickey in Los Angeles, to form an acquisition negotiating team, and then go buy 21st Century Pictures."

"I still have to accompany the child, and I can't serve you all the time." Lindsay Dole shook her head, and now her son is a more important part of her life, "I can't travel more than three days a week, you have to be responsible for my Travel and babysitting expenses.”

"Everything is easy to talk about. You are the person I trust the most in the negotiation team. Just help me watch the whole negotiation process." What Ronald needed was a trustworthy person to represent himself.

"In addition, I suggest you find a consulting company. They may not be as smart as Mitch Kanter, but a team with different interests will come in and give you a second opinion."

"Very good, you help me get it done, and don't bother the two masters."

Soon the acquisition team was formed, with lawyers as the main core team, and issued an invitation to 21st Century Pictures for acquisition and reorganization.Under the coordination of the bankruptcy court, they will soon sit down with the management of the 21st century and the creditors to discuss (quarrel) the debt restructuring plan.

Ronald also happened to be back in Los Angeles, and he had other things to attend to.

Corey Yuen returned to Xiangjiang this time, and when he talked about Ronald's conditions, many dragon and tiger warriors became excited. They went to Jinshan to make movies to make money and sleep with foreign girls. How majestic and grand?
Similarly, because Ronald insisted that he come up with a complete script before filming started, he found a talent in the circle who had studied in America, Ronald’s translator Tsui Hark when he was in Xiangjiang, and invited him to come to Hollywood to discuss cooperation. .

(End of this chapter)