Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Good morning, Hubby!"

"Good morning, Wifey!"

Newlyweds Ronald and Diane always like to call each other by the nicknames of husband and wife, and they never seem to get tired of it.

Ronald discovered that most of his yearning for marriage was right. Having a beautiful wife and spending a new day with yourself every day is a wonderful experience.

"I made breakfast for you, come and eat it. Do you want orange juice or coffee?" Diane took the initiative to become a housewife after her marriage. Her parents divorced when she was a child, so she was confused by this typical scene of an American family. She also looks forward to it very much. Practicing on the ground is a kind of happiness for her.

"Just orange juice..." Ronald lowered his expectations and took a bite of the bacon and smoked salmon sandwich. The flavors of cream cheese and onions went well together, spreading in his mouth in rich layers, "Oh, it's really great. Delicious, how did you make it?”

This really exceeded Ronald's highest expectations.

"I walked around outside the hotel in the morning. There was a Jewish bakery, and another restaurant nearby also served half-boiled fried eggs. I bought them all to try. It really looks like lower Manhattan, with many small restaurants. "Everything is fine." Diane went to prepare delicious food for Ronald early in the morning. She knew that Ronald had a hard time last night...

"It's really delicious. Your taste is really the best..." Ronald and Diane set off from Stanton yesterday and took a private plane to Washington, DC. Ronald was a busy man in Hollywood and didn't have time to go on a honeymoon immediately, so the two of them traveled to several places in America partly for official business.

Washington, D.C. is a place full of memories for Diane. Here she really figured out what she wanted, and then she made up her mind to marry Ronald no matter what it took. She was happy to be here as her first stop.

Ronald lived in the big house that was the filming location for "Pretty Woman" at the time. This is the most upscale community in DC. It has a beautiful environment and good security. It is surrounded by stone buildings that are hundreds of years old. Even the restaurants that have been opened have been carefully selected over decades. They are indeed delicious.

"Where shall we go later?" Diane hugged Ronald's arm and listened to the lovely Hubby's arrangements.

"What's the biggest attraction in Washington, D.C.?" Ronald asked.

"Is it the Memorial to the Fallen Soldiers?" Diane thought of that experience again.

"It's the White House, idiot..." Ronald smiled and scratched Diane's nose.

…

"Happy wedding, Ronald." George Jr. and his wife, Laura, greeted Ronald and his wife outside the East Wing of the White House. This is the passage for the commander's personal friends to visit him and his family without having to go through the cumbersome security check in the West Wing.

"Thank you. Diane and I are very sorry that you can't come to the wedding." Ronald hugged them one by one, and little George also gave Diane a kiss on the hand in a funny way.

"As a family member of a general, it is really troublesome to have reporters watching every move." Little George waved his hand. He was recently selling the 'Screen Fund' of Roland Bates, a Wall Street fund tycoon and his father's close friend. shares, provoked a group of self-proclaimed righteous journalists with a biased stance, clamoring behind him to investigate the issue of insider trading, making it difficult for him to go out now. "

"Is the Commander-in-Chief still busy recently?" Ronald asked. At the beginning of taking office, George Sr. quickly visited several countries and often appeared on TV news.

"He's going to give a speech in Congress today, calling for the passage of the Central American Cooperation Act and providing support to the guerrillas in Nicaragua. He's also going to speak to the press and advocate for the Whistleblower Bill. His granddaughter hasn't seen him for several days. ”

George and his wife live in Texas and did not originally live in the White House. However, recently they needed the help of their father's connections for a big business. They have been living in the White House for a week, but they still haven't waited for their father to meet him. Discuss this matter. Barbara was already angry, but the commander-in-chief was busy with international affairs and really had no time to sell this small favor for his son.

Ronald enjoyed a lunch prepared by the White House's professional chef team in the guest area of ​​the White House. The taste was not the best, but it was passable. But in the end, the waiter brought a bill for Little George to sign. There was a charge for these private banquets.

Diane accompanied Laura to see her two twin daughters. They were eight years old and still had a good time in the White House, but they did not play the role of coquettishness to their grandfather that their parents wanted them to play.

"So, what were you talking about on the phone?" Ronald asked little George while drinking coffee.

"Do you know the Texas Rangers?"

“Have heard a little bit”

The Texas Rangers that George is talking about are a team in the MLB. His boss, Eddie Chiles, recently wanted to sell the team. George's college classmate William DeWitt happened to know about it and immediately came to discuss with the leader to make a good sum of money.

After Little George understood the situation, he immediately understood that this was his best opportunity to achieve financial freedom. The asset value of this kind of baseball team is closely related to their performance, and the commercial value of the Rangers is supported by the population of Texas. It has to be placed in the hands of talents who know how to run it, and it will definitely increase several times in a few years.

Roland Bates, the owner of the Screen Fund of which George Jr. serves as a director, is interested in buying a professional team. George Jr. was responsible for calling key people and convincing some committees in Texas to allow out-of-state capital to take over the team. Roland Bates could play with him and give him 2% of the shares.

But the problem lies in the 2% of the shares, which requires George to pay for it himself. The involvement of the leader's son in this kind of "good business" that is sure to make a profit without losing any money will definitely draw the magnifying glass of journalists who are generally supporters of the Donkey Party.

Roland Bates invested about 76 million to acquire 86% of the shares. According to the consideration, George Jr. had to pay about 700,000 in cash. He could not afford that much money personally.

In order to raise enough money, little George thought of many ways, first borrowing from the bank, but their house was not worth so much money. Then he wanted to withdraw from the screen fund, which caused controversy again. The money was not enough, and there was still a shortfall of about 500,000.

He and Laura discussed that the last resort was to liquidate the Harken Oil Company, their failed investment in Texas. In this way, they can collect enough money, regardless of the huge losses this investment has caused to their family.

Even so, Barbara warned her son. According to reports from professionals in the White House, Haken will still suffer huge losses. If George liquidates and withdraws, he might be targeted by reporters and accused of insider trading. The family members of Xiang Party politicians are at a disadvantage in front of the news media.

Ronald really wanted to lend the money to Little George privately in exchange for popularity. But again, this issue of the source of funds will be put under a magnifying glass when acquiring the Rangers.

"So, I want to withdraw the shares I invested in your film production company. Don't get me wrong. When I make money in this business, I will invest again. Hollywood is my blessed place, and you are my Hollywood's best friend. "Little George had no choice but to move his private investment money back everywhere, as long as he could get his principal back.

"It's not mine, it's little Douglas's..." Ronald corrected with a smile. He will not let George Jr. be associated with the assets in his name. In the early stages of filming "Love Is Not For Sale", Douglas Jr. established a company in Delaware and accepted an investment of $50,000 from George Jr.

Delaware's new corporate law can refuse to disclose the names of shareholders, which is equivalent to domestic offshore companies and is most convenient for conveying benefits. The dividends successively given to George in the past two years are equivalent to twice their investment.

"I'm going to make a call..." Ronald called little Doug in the White House. The box office revenue of "Love Is Not For Sale" is very good and has been fully recovered. The video revenue is also very good and is slowly creating a steady stream of income. But this company has more than just this investment. The low-cost production of Ronald's Daydream has received a lot of financing from him.

"How much do you need?", Ronald came back and asked little George.

"About 200,000 yuan in cash is enough. I can still get a mortgage loan of 300,000 yuan on my house."

"Don't borrow money, otherwise you will be found out again..." Ronald knew the reporter's pursuit spirit very well, "Little Doug's project company is selling a lot of goods about right and wrong. Your shares will make the future video tape Discounted on the sale proceeds, it’s worth $600,000.”

Little George was overjoyed and asked, "Is it really so profitable?" He was a little hesitant.

"This is the income brought by a big-selling movie. If the time is extended, it will not be so profitable. After all, about 70% of current movies lose money..."

What Ronald means is that if you make two more movies, you might lose money. If you withdraw your shares then, you won’t get so much. If you withdraw your shares now, the major shareholders just want to squeeze you out and will give you a discount. price. After all, production companies, unlike oil companies, have very dramatic income ups and downs. The reporters couldn't say anything but lamented George's "luck".

…

"Are you tired?" Ronald was about to fly to Los Angeles after meeting his friends in Washington. Several of his current projects are in early preparation or intense filming, so he can only go to Los Angeles first and wait for a chance to catch up on his honeymoon with Diane.

Fortunately, the wedding is for girls and the honeymoon is for boys. The Staten Island wedding had already made Diane very satisfied.

"Maybe I'm too tired from the wedding, and I always want to sleep now." As soon as Diane got on the business jet, she lay down to rest, and Ronald covered her with a blanket.

"Ronald, Ronald, Diane, Diane, can you take a picture of us?"

After leaving the Los Angeles Airport, a group of entertainment reporters had surrounded the newlyweds. They got the news from the returning best man and bridesmaid, and then learned Ronald's flight information from the agent Richard. They surrounded the airport and were waiting to rob them. news.

"Hollywood's most popular director in recent years was captured by a female star!"

Ronald put on his sunglasses with a smile, and also put on Diane's so that she wouldn't be afraid of the flash. Then the two stood together and let reporters take pictures.

"Diane, why isn't your and Ronald's wedding held in Los Angeles?" A reporter asked as the camera shutter clicked.

"Because Ronnie and I are both New Yorkers..." Diane laughed.

"Ronald, why didn't you invite the news media to your wedding?" A lot of gossip media in Los Angeles, such as The Hollywood Reporter and Variety Show reporters, were very dissatisfied. They didn't take pictures of the wedding of a Hollywood star actor and a big director.

"We want a quiet, private wedding..." Ronald replied with a smile, "Also, once you determine who you love, if you want to spend the rest of your life with her, you want to spend the rest of your life with her. Start soon."

"Oh oh..." The reporter was in an uproar. This kind of passionate show of love on the spot was so sweet.

"Crack, click, click", the reporters shot fiercely again...

"Ronald shows his love violently at the airport, Diane Lane finds love..."

"Where will you go on your honeymoon, Ronald?"

"We are discussing, maybe Japan, China, or Europe. Maybe we will go to all these places. But we are both very busy, and the honeymoon will be postponed. At this stage..." Ronald said to Diane Holding hands tightly, "We are only content to be together every day, no matter where we are."

"Ah ah ah..." The female reporters were going crazy. How could such an ideal husband be snatched away by Diane?

"Hollywood's most profitable director showed his love to his newlywed actor wife live! How many films can their marriage last?"

…

Since the new house in Hollywood Park had not yet been repaired, Ronald and Diane temporarily lived in the Pink Hotel near Beverly Hills and rented an independent house.

Directors such as Jonathan Demme, Kevin Costner, Penny Marshall, etc., because they were all busy with projects, called to congratulate Ronald after receiving the news.

Ronald and Diane are well-connected here in Hollywood, and while there won't be another wedding, they will be visiting some close friends so they don't feel left out.

However, the first people to visit were of course Ronald's leaders, Roger Corman and his wife, who had introduced him to the industry and joined the Directors Guild.

Roger Corman is very happy recently. "Sid's Sister" did not do well at the box office, but after winning the award at the Sundance Film Festival, TV broadcasts, overseas distribution, and video distribution were all good, and his Concord Company made a profit. A lot of money.

This gave him money to invest in more projects, and he came out of retirement, raised some investments, and started directing one of his favorite low-budget sci-fi films, firing piu piu piu green laser guns.

Ronald and Diane came to visit, which made him feel that he had not helped the wrong person. The two had dinner and discussed for a while what new low-budget projects they could shoot.

Ronald talked about his plans for shooting low-cost movies such as horror, action, romance, etc. Roger Corman also agreed, and the two decided to collaborate again this year.

Julie took Diane to visit the house, and Roger Corman lit a cigar. Every time a student he taught successfully made a movie, or got married for the first time, it was his happiest moment.

"Ronald, I think your recent... movies not directed by you, but produced by you, have begun to be wasted..." Coleman would not deliberately say nice things in front of Ronald. He felt uncomfortable when he saw it. The local government will also criticize.

"Which movie are you referring to? The Reincarnation of the Pretty Man?" Ronald replied.

"Yes, this movie cost too much money. Where did the $18 million budget go? I only see two has-been stars walking around in front of the camera. If I find someone new to play, It only costs 300, not 2 million to make it.”

Ronald chuckled to himself. Coleman was still so upright. He always felt that movies had to have real material and give the audience what they wanted to see. There are still many children in America who cannot go to school, the poor do not have enough to eat, the patients cannot see a doctor, and the veterans cannot get dignified jobs. How many people can be helped by this 18 million filming cost?

"Roger, do you remember the cost of the first movie I helped you make?" Ronald thought for a while, how to explain his thinking.

"Rock and Roll High School? Less than two million. I made three million just by selling it to TV stations and buying out distribution." Coleman was very confident in his ability to make money.

"It is no longer possible to distribute movies in theaters so cheaply now. Times are very difficult for movie theaters now, and TV stations are not as willing to spend money to buy movies and play them as they used to be."

"Fortunately, we have video tapes." Coleman also lamented that it is now difficult to go back to the old road due to the demise of drive-in theaters.

"But it's difficult for a movie aimed at the video market to be released in theaters. Had Sid Sisters not received good reviews from Sundance, it would have been difficult to release it. The experience of showing it on the big screen and watching a movie with a group of strangers is It’s getting more expensive.”

"Hey, that's right..." Coleman knew that Ronald was talking about distribution costs. Today's small productions, without the support of big stars, have higher publicity and distribution costs than large productions.

"Can you think of any new directors in the past five years?" Ronald continued to ask.

"..." Roger Corman thought for a long time. Except for Ronald and Cameron, there are not many new directors who have gained some momentum in recent years, and even fewer can make money with commercial films.

"I'm worried that film directors will become an endangered species like the dinosaurs, so if you have the opportunity to let a new director try his hand, it's worth losing a little money, Roger."

Using a small cost to train new directors, and using medium-sized productions to upgrade directors, this mechanism was originally implemented by assistant directors who became directors under the big studio system. After the 1960s, it was mainly achieved through various independent films.

Nowadays, the cost of a movie is getting higher and higher, and the risks are getting higher and higher. Studios are willing to give fewer and fewer opportunities to new directors. The disappearance of new directors is very fatal to Hollywood.

"You're right. It seems I have to give newcomers more opportunities to make low-budget movies." Roger Corman started to calculate again. He gave new directors opportunities and asked them to try medium-sized projects with Ronald. When they become famous, he would re-release the movies they directed here on videotapes...