Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"What conditions?" Ronald's tone softened.

Agent Rick Niceta was holding the phone at a distance from his ear to avoid the outpouring of profanity, when suddenly his voice became barely audible.

He put the receiver up to his ears, leaned his upper body against the back of the chair, changed into a comfortable position, and then slowed down his speech, trying to make his voice sound as magnetic as possible.

"Universal President Tom Mount is also very dissatisfied with Timothy Hutton's threats. He is not yet Hollywood's golden boy, but he is just a candidate for golden boy and is dictating film projects.

But now he is very likely to get a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Universal needed him to raise capital. You know, Ronald, those bankers only recognize Oscar-nominated actors.

He admires your script very much. It just so happens that another project of Universal, "Fast-paced Richmond High" also needs a screenwriter to revise the script, and Mount promised to have you come..."

"Hi!"

Ronald laughed angrily, "I was originally helping Cameron Crowe, the author of the novel, revise the script. Are you using what I already have in exchange for me giving up the screenwriter for the Grease sequel?"

"No, no, listen to me, Ronald... don't hang up the phone." Niceta straightened her body again and quickly denied the exchange.

"I raised your expectations to Tom Mount. You want to participate in film shooting and learn to be a director. So Mount agreed that you can participate in the entire filming process as a director's assistant or a producer's assistant."

Ronald was silent for a moment, thinking about the validity of this promise and the extent to which it would accelerate his dream of becoming a director.

"Are you still there, Ronald? I think it's worth considering Mount's offer. You'll be paid the same amount, but you'll be rewriting the script for 'Fast-paced Richmond High' and stepping away from writing the Grease sequel..." ” Niceta started talking into the phone.

"The rules of Hollywood are very simple. Whoever can get the money has the right to speak. The bankers saw that Jane Fonda was willing to star, so it was easy to get a loan of 8 million, and she could get a guaranteed salary of 2 million. .

Timothy Hutton was at the height of his popularity, "Ordinary People" was both a hit and a hit, and bankers were willing to provide him with a 3 million mortgage loan, so Universal was able to get the project started. "

"So in this 'fast-paced Richmond High', who does the banker value?" Ronald asked, "How can I guarantee a foothold in this new crew? I can't guarantee that the guy the banker values, he Or maybe she doesn’t like me. In the end, I changed the script, but there’s still no room for her to participate.”

"Haha, this is the wonderful thing about this plan, Ronald." Niceta finally relaxed. Ronald has begun to seriously consider giving up the Grease sequel. In this case, Ronald will not agree to modify the contract and have a dispute with the president of Universal. Stiff trouble.

Niceta continued: "Universal decided to project this movie because of its director, and they have invited up-and-coming director David Lynch to direct this youth film. Director Lynch offered to read the completed script before deciding whether to Sign."

"It's not that the big shots in these studios don't understand the rules of artistic creation, Ronald. Sometimes they are forced to do nothing. Stars will propose to modify the script to make it fit their own image, but they are the guarantee of the box office, and the bank Investors must see the star's signature before agreeing to financing.

But every once in a while, they will have an opportunity to let the creative staff create movies in full accordance with the laws of art. For example, your teacher Scorsese's "Raging Bull" is like this.

This requires stars to be willing to sacrifice their own image for the overall artistic effect of the movie, such as Robert De Niro who gained 60 pounds to play the boxing champion. It also requires the director himself to be recognized by producers and bankers, such as Scorsese, who has produced "Taxi Driver".

David Lynch is such a cutting-edge director. His new film "The Elephant Man" has received very positive reviews from critics after its release. He hopes to compete with your teacher Scorsese in the awards season next year.

Lynch is an art-oriented director. You don't have to worry about him revising the script because of any stars. As long as your script satisfies him, he will definitely make it into a movie faithfully. "

Ronald was a little moved, "Of course I am confident that I can write a script that satisfies him, but can he guarantee that he will be faithful to the original intention, not blindly change the script, and can he allow me to participate in the entire filming process?"

Niceta covered the phone with her hand and couldn't hold back a smile. Young people often like to accept challenges, let them choose in the direction you want, sometimes just challenge their self-esteem in the areas they are good at.

"After careful consideration, I feel that Universal is sincere, Ronald. Lynch's 'The Elephant Man' is also adapted from a novel about a man with a deformed skull who performs a freak show in a circus and is later killed by a The story of a kind-hearted surgeon who saved the life.

Critics say the movie is very true to the spirit of the original work. You know what, Ronald. Lynch, who had directed only one feature film before, was making a living repairing people's roofs before a producer approached him. Mr. Mount, the president of Universal, is a discerning person and he gave the green light to the project.

All you lack is experience, Ronald. On this movie, you can take your pick of positions as assistant director and assistant producer. If you continue to learn the art of directing from Lynch, you might be able to find someone who appreciates you next time. "

"I have to think about it, Rick. In Hollywood, verbal promises are worthless."

"Of course, the relevant terms will be written into the contract. Do you prefer assistant director or assistant producer?"

To Nicita's surprise, Ronald preferred assistant producer. The reason he gave was also very simple. Assistant director is very busy on the set, while assistant producer just checks the shooting progress every day and has a lot of time to observe the director's methods.

"I will go to coordinate. The actual producer of this film is Art Lynson. He himself has a strong interest in directing and wants to learn directing skills by observing Lynch's shooting.

You will have a common language. I will try to arrange a meeting for you later, so that he can arrange as little work as possible for you, and focus on learning on the set." Rick Nicita said.

"Your main task now is to come up with the script, so that David Lynch can see the script earlier and finalize this matter earlier."

"I will, don't worry." Ronald put down the phone.

The assistant director is a position that has a very close relationship with the director and is usually designated by the director. Any position with the word "director" on the set, such as the first assistant director and the second assistant director, is a position where the director has greater power to decide who to hire.

Rather than asking the studio to fight for this position for you, it is better to be an observer. In fact, it doesn't matter what the position title is, as long as you can stay on the set and see how the director makes every decision, and then have the power to see the daily sample film and review the consequences of the director's decision.

Ronald believes that he can learn from it the shortcomings of his directorial ability that he urgently needs and how to train actors.

Aunt Karen looked at Ronald, who was worried, and asked what happened.

Ronald briefly said that his screenwriting work suffered a setback and he would lose the opportunity to work on the sequel to "Grease". The agent may compensate for the screenwriting revision work of another movie.

"Don't worry, Ronnie," Aunt Karen hugged him, "No matter what you choose, we support you and we are always proud of you, Ronnie."

"Thank you, aunt." Ronald sat down, and the TV debate was over.

He felt that he still needed to think about this matter carefully and ask his main agent Richard Lovett for his opinion.

CAA's policy of multiple agents also means that each agent can contact him independently. They negotiate business for Ronald independently. Sometimes they have disagreements among themselves, depending on which agent the client trusts more.

Compared with Rick Nicita, who has multiple clients and is more concerned about working with big studios, Ronald trusts Richard Lovett, who has only one client. His interests are highly consistent with his own.

"Don't worry, Ronnie." Auntie asked Donna to take out a VHS tape from the VCR. "I recorded it all. You can take it home and watch the debate carefully before deciding which candidate to vote for. The first time in life to vote for the president is exciting. I also joined President Kennedy's Peace Corps that year."

Ronald took the tape and thought, "Don't watch it. I will vote for whoever supports tax cuts. The tax on the film and television industry is too high. But so, the governor of California, who was a movie actor, will give the film industry some preferential policies after being elected?"

"ABC TV station took over the sample telephone survey during the debate. More than two-thirds of the audience believed that the former governor of California won the debate. In particular, he achieved an overwhelming advantage in solving the Persian hostage crisis, reducing inflation, and reducing taxes. The president's advantage on issues such as social security is not as obvious as expected."

The results of a telephone sample survey were displayed on the screen.

"Tax cuts are really necessary. I have to watch it carefully when I get back." Ronald looked at the tape in his hand.