Exploiting Hollywood 1980

Ned Tanin gave Ronald a job opportunity. He suggested that Ronald be the producer of "Sixteen Candles".

John Hughes was a rookie who had never worked on a film set. He had only visited the filming site as a screenwriter for the two previous hit films. Tanin was actually full of doubts about such a rookie who didn't even know the Hollywood filming methods.

Ronald had rich experience and had worked in various types of jobs on the film set and in post-production. If he could be invited to be a producer, Tanin would feel like he had added insurance to his investment by looking at Hughes.

Even if Hughes was proven to be unable to be a director after filming began, there would be a candidate who could take over the director's job smoothly.

This arrangement of old and new (although Hughes was about ten years older than Ronald) was not uncommon in independent productions and large studio projects, but Ronald declined after considering it.

He didn't do it for two reasons. First, he was a spare tire, and Ronald was not very interested in being a producer now, and still wanted to be a creator.

Secondly, this was not respectful to John Hughes. This arrangement of replacing him if he was not able to do it was concealed from the other party. The inexperienced director could not see that Ronald was arranged to take over his director position at any time.

This reminded Ronald of when he was shooting "Fast and Furious Richmond High School", he was also arranged to take over at any time. This feeling was very uncomfortable for the director.

"Every director has his first time. Even if you want to ensure the filming of the movie, there is no need to do it this way. It is better to give him an experienced director of photography and art director. My first movie relied on two very talented people to overcome the difficulties of my first debut."

After hearing what Ronald said, Ned Tanin stopped trying to persuade him.

However, he turned around and found Michelle Manning (Mibsp;Manng) under Coppola's "Zeelegraph Productions" to take over as producer. She had served as the on-site supervisor of "The Naughty Boys" and "Fighting Fish". She was also an acquaintance of Ronald.

Tanin found this female producer, who had both director experience and had operated the shooting scene, and was experienced. She came to be the producer of "Sixteen Candles", and the backup plan was still being implemented.

On the other hand, the "King of Karate Kid" project also had some problems.

Avildsen no longer tried to persuade Weintraub to repeatedly reject Pat Morita to play the role of Master Miyagi, but directly gave him an ultimatum.

If Weintraub did not agree to Pat Morita's performance, he would also resign as director and no longer work on this project.

Weintraub did not expect Avildsen to be so stubborn. He thought that Avildsen would succumb to him after not directing a good movie for several years.

This is the habit of Jews in doing business. In the beginning, they try to make some rude requests. If the other party backs down, then they will try to squeeze the other party's surplus value as much as possible.

If you find a reasonable measure, both refute their rude parts and have a clearer understanding of the conditions you can offer in the market, the Jews will think you are an expert and respect you more.

Avildsen was very humble at first, but when it came to this casting, he was very tough, which caught Weintraub off guard.

"Susan, what do you think?" Weintraub found his assistant and lover Susan Aikins in the office. He wanted to talk to someone and get some inspiration. Should he give in or just fire the other party and find another director?

"Well, I think Director Avildsen must have his reasons, although I don't like him very much." Susan snuggled up to her boss and said slowly.

"Oh, he flirted with you again yesterday?" Weintraub was filled with hatred, and the scale tilted a lot in one direction.

"Yes, Jerry. I don't know how to respond to him. I have already expressed my disgust for his behavior to him as you taught me."

"It doesn't matter. I believe he won't bother you again." Weintraub gently stroked Susan's long red hair. He had a special feeling for this girl, not like those blonde beauties who were just playing around.

"No, I don't want you to fire him because of me, Jerry. You have to focus on the future of the project." Susan felt Weintraub's determination and tried to dissuade him.

"No, I feel that Avildsen has already made other choices. Even if I agree to his request, he may not wholeheartedly hope to make a comeback with this movie." Weintraub explained some tips for doing projects to Susan.

In addition to finding a former Oscar Best Director to cooperate with publicity and marketing, Avildsen has not reproduced his miracles after winning the award, making movies that are praised or popular at the box office, which are not expensive and can hardly refute his correct opinions.

I also saw that he wanted to make a comeback with this, and hoped that he would devote himself to directing.

"Then what will you do? Who should we find to direct? Besides, it's not far from the scheduled start time. If it's..."

Gu Yu

"It doesn't matter. I have already prepared a candidate, who is also an Oscar Best Director winner." Weintraub smiled. A successful and shrewd Jew would not let himself fall into such a crisis.

"Who is it? Do you want to invite Coppola to direct? I heard that his recent "The Untamed" didn't do well in terms of box office and reviews." Susan became interested.

"Not him. There are still many people willing to gamble on Coppola. I'm talking about another one, Michael Cimino, who once caused United Artists a lot of trouble."

"Him? I heard that he is also playing tricks in Paramount's new film. He spent tens of thousands of dollars on field interviews in the south." Susan Aikins heard about what Cimino did in the "Football" crew.

Shirley Lansing, who is also a female manager, spread this matter everywhere in the circle of female professional managers in Hollywood.

"Oh yeah?" Weintraub didn't know about this. She didn't expect that Cimino was still confused after being considered the culprit who caused United Artists to go bankrupt. The idea of ​​inviting him to direct should be reconsidered.

"Why don't you try to let Ronald Lee direct?" Susan Aikins felt good about Ronald, who was always polite to her.

"He's good, but we need a name. We can't afford big stars, so we can only find big directors." Weintraub was very patient with Susan's questions, and he also wanted to train her to be a senior executive of his film business in the future.

"Have you read the latest issue of 'Rock' magazine? The interview with Kubrick mentioned Ronald specifically." Susan Aikins got up and found the "Rock" magazine, turned to that page and handed it to Weintraub.

"Oh?" Weintraub took the interview. Kubrick commented on several Hollywood directors, and finally he talked about Ronald Lee among the young people.

"There is a movie called 'Night of the Comet' recently, which is very interesting. The director Ronald Lee is a cunning guy. I think he is a talent and has a way to make good movies with small and medium budgets."

"Aha..." Weintraub didn't expect Kubrick to specifically mention Ronald's name in the interview. Wouldn't this be material for hype?

Ronald received a call from his agent. Weintraub, the producer of "The Karate Kid", intended to let him take over the director's job.

So the next day, Ronald and Niceta went to Weintraub's mansion in Beverly Hills to meet with him.

"Thank you, Jane," Ronald thanked Mrs. Weintraub, the famous singer Jane Morgan, who opened the door to let them in.

"Hello, Jerry is waiting for you upstairs." Jane Morgan said and went out.

"Ronald, I have to admit that I'm in trouble. Avildsen and I have some irreconcilable conflicts in casting. I want you to take on more responsibilities as a producer team and enter the pre-production process. If Avildsen still refuses to give up the actor Pat Morita, you will take over as a director and we will move forward."

"What does this mean? I will join the crew as a producer again? And then replace Avildsen when he cannot perform his duties?"

Ronald was dissatisfied when he heard the conditions offered by Weintraub. These Jews are too calculating and are unwilling to give in to anything.

"I can't accept this condition." Ronald refused immediately, "I have no ill feelings towards Mr. Avildsen, and I don't want to do anything behind his back. If you want me to take over the director's job, I have two conditions."

"What conditions, tell me." Weintraub frowned, and the first attempt was met with strong resistance.

"First, I must sign the contract as a director. Second, I must talk to Mr. Avildsen first. I want to make sure that I am not hiding something from him while he has not given up the job."

"Talk to him first? That's no problem." Weintraub did not object to Ronald's second condition. This was actually within his scope of concession. "But can you tell me why?"

"It's very simple. When I was shooting my first movie, 'Fast and Furious Richmond High School', there was such a person next to me. As long as I did not meet the producer's requirements, he would replace me at any time. I didn't like that experience, so I didn't want to be the spare tire."

"Spare tire... your metaphor is very interesting. I promise you that I will let Susan contact Avildsen and you can talk to him yourself. But for the first requirement, I still have to see the result of your conversation. If Avildsen agrees to make concessions on casting, I will continue to let him be the director."

Weintraub stared at Ronald for a while to see his reaction, and then said.

"How about it? Do you still insist on your choice?"

"Of course, you let Miss Akins make an appointment with him, and I will visit him."