Exploiting Hollywood 1980

On January 2, 1983, Ronald got up early and prepared to go to New World Company to discuss the filming arrangements for "Night of the Comet".

Roger Corman is a person who doesn't like to take vacations and likes to work. This year, he did not go on vacation with his wife Julie and three children. So Ronald made an appointment with him to go to the office today to discuss the arrangements for "Night of the Comet".

Although some funds have not been received, it does not prevent us from starting preparations in the early stage and setting up the crew. We also need to find the most important director of photography and art director, two key figures who must join in the early stage.

In addition, we need to notify major brokerage companies and start auditions for supporting roles. All of this requires some money to be invested in the early stage. Let's get things done first.

Ronald was tying his tie in front of the mirror, and the news from ABC morning news came on TV. .

"According to TASS, the Soviet Union's Cosmos 1402 nuclear-powered satellite has lost control and is falling uncontrollably into the Earth.

This is the second time a similar situation has occurred since Cosmos 954 crashed into Canada in 1978 and caused nuclear pollution. NASA in America said it would do its utmost to monitor the trajectory of satellite 1402 to ensure that no similar disasters occur."

"Wow." Ronald was about to go out, and he couldn't help but take a second look at the news when he heard this sensational news.

"It should be okay, right? The Earth is so big, it won't fall into America."

In a world where two powers compete for hegemony, "nuclear" is a word that makes people nervous. In addition, after the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in America, people have become allergic, and anything with the word "nuclear" will trigger an automatic defensive reaction.

After putting on his coat, Ronald drove to the office of New World.

This place is still as low-key as it was a few years ago. There is no corporate sign outside the door, but the red and white exterior wall is a little shabby compared to what I remember.

"I'm here to see Mr. Roger Coleman. I've made an appointment with him." Ronald introduced himself to the secretary quietly.

"Mr. Coleman has a guest. Please come and sit here for a while." The secretary led him to the lounge.

Coleman didn't keep the schedule, which is not common. Ronald drank coffee and thought about some key points to discuss with Roger today.

"Mary, open a bottle of champagne for us." Ronald, who was thinking about something, suddenly heard Coleman's voice and looked up.

Roger Coleman's office opened a crack, and Coleman stuck his head out of the office door with a smile on his face. He told the secretary to open the champagne, it seems that there is something good to celebrate.

"Ronald, are you here?" Coleman saw Ronald walking out of the lounge and quickly signaled to him, "Wait for me, I'll talk to you after I'm done here."

Ronald nodded and sat back on the sofa. This time he waited longer. After half an hour, he saw Roger Coleman send three people in suits out.

"We hope you will come to New World often in the future. We also want to put up a sign at the door." The bespectacled man who was the leader of the three men in suits said to Roger Corman.

"Larry, Harry, Larry, New World theoretically belongs to you three. You can do whatever you like to it, my friends. This office will belong to you next time you come." Corman hugged the three people one by one and said goodbye.

"We will take over the company after the New Year holiday and will invite a very good CEO to manage the company. We also hope that Mr. Corman will continue to make more exciting movies for New World. We have great confidence in your production ability."

"Who are you going to find as CEO?"

"There are several candidates, all of whom are senior management talents from the seven major studios..."

Coleman escorted the three well-dressed men out all the way.

"Huh?" Ronald thought to himself, "What's going on?"

"Mr. Corman sold the company?" Ronald walked over and whispered to Corman's secretary.

"They negotiated several times last year, and this time they came to talk for a while and the deal was done. Maybe they offered a very high price. Ronald. I know you worked here before, so it's okay to talk to you.

I've seen the last agreement, and they said they would introduce new management. I wonder if the new managers will respect us as much as Mr. Coleman. Or give us a raise?" The secretary quietly chatted with Ronald.

"Ronnie, let me talk to you about the next arrangement." After Roger Coleman sent the three men away, he returned to the office and waved Ronald to come in.

"Did you sell the company? Mr. Coleman." Ronald asked straight to the point. What he wanted to ask most was how to fulfill the distribution agreement he signed with Coleman.

"Yes, those three Hollywood lawyers, through Wall Street accountants, calculated, they thought my new world was worth a lot of money, and gave me a price I couldn't refuse. I don't think my distribution network is worth that much."

Coleman took a champagne glass and poured a glass for Ronald.

"Congratulations, Mr. Coleman. It seems that their offer is very good. You can retire and enjoy life." Ronald went up to him and clinked glasses with him.

"Yes, I can retire now," Roger Coleman picked up a check on the table and flicked it. "It will be in the newspaper tomorrow anyway. Seventeen million, one fucking seventeen million. I have been running New Century for ten years and I haven't made that much money."

"Oh," Ronald opened his mouth in surprise. Seventeen million is a lot of money for Ronald, equivalent to the cost of two medium-sized productions from major Hollywood studios, or one large-scale production.

Or, to be simpler, you can make three of Cameron's "Terminator" films and a dozen of your own "Night of the Comet."

"Lawyers are really rich nowadays." Ronald sighed.

"Hahaha, you are wrong, Ronald. That is not their own money, it was lent to them by Wall Street. Since last summer, the Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates very low. Now coupled with the low inflation today, many banks are willing to Lend money to these lawyers who are familiar with the situation to invest in the film industry.”

Coleman put his feet up on his desk, and his joy was palpable, "Seventeen million just bought all the distribution networks in New World, and I can also own the film library of all the movies I have shot in the past.

I reserve the rights to re-release them, sell them to TV stations, or make them into video tapes, and other derivative rights, including "Rock and Roll High School" that you helped me sell. I will probably sell it to MTV, and you can still get a share of it by then. Pen.

They are very optimistic about my distribution network and think that is the most valuable part of the company. Although I don't agree with their views, I really like the price they offered this time, hahaha. "

"Let's not talk about this anymore." Colman saw Ronald's slightly anxious smile and quickly changed the topic, "The distribution contract for your movie is included in the scope of the deal. You don't have to worry about it. It won't affect your other Financing.”

"That's great, congratulations again, Mr. Coleman." Ronald poured Coleman another glass of champagne. He was also happy for his former boss, who had worked hard for half a lifetime making exploitation films and finally made enough money to retire.

"Yeah," Coleman took another sip and unbuttoned his shirt. "My sales agreement with them includes that I will continue to serve as a senior consultant for two years. I will produce five films every year for them to distribute. The distribution fee is a very cheap 15%. I have included your film in this year's One of the five.

"By the way, what's the budget for your new movie?"

"I'm still at least two hundred thousand dollars short, and I'm still looking for it. I asked Gale to help me find the money as well."

"Well, the five hundred thousand investment in you should remain unchanged. When they take over the company, I will arrange for them to meet you again.

The new owners of New World Company may like your movie. When you come back to discuss the release schedule with them in two days, I'll help you ask if they intend to invest more to make up for this gap. superior. "

"Thank you very much, Mr. Coleman."

"Don't say that, I will make more money by helping your movie to be released, hahaha..."

…

"Gale, guess what I saw today? Coleman retired and sold his company to three lawyers for seventeen million."

Ronald returned home and immediately called Gail.

"How much? Seventeen million?" Gale exclaimed on the other end of the phone, "I have to go see him. Maybe with this kind of money, I can invest in Jim's new movie."

"Will he invest so much money? Coleman has never made big investments. And what I heard from him is that Roger will retire after taking this money."

"Don't listen to him. Don't you know Mr. Coleman's character? How can such a person be idle? And he has long been complaining that no one is willing to release low-cost movies now. The drive-in theaters are becoming more and more popular now." There are fewer and fewer of them. Nowadays, shopping malls and department stores are equipped with movie theaters.

His old multi-hundred-thousand-dollar laser gun Biu Biu Biu has long since stopped working. Let me tell you, Roger has long said that he also wants to invest two to five million US dollars in a science fiction movie to compare with Lucas's Star Wars. "

"Hahaha, let's see what he thinks. Now maybe he will make Jim's six million dollar laser Biu Biu Biu." Ronald replied.

"Yes, I will go to the New World with you at the right time. I will promote your project to the new managers of the New World. Maybe I can make up for the investment. Now Roger is in the honeymoon period with them. They I should still trust Roger’s vision.”

"Yes, Roger told me the same thing. We will go and ask together then."

After hanging up the phone, Ronald fell on the bed and began to think wildly.

Seventeen million, who said there is no money to be made in exploitation films? If you could have 17 million, what would you use it for?