Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Ronald, have you read the Chicago Sun-Times?" Weintraub called again. "Let me read it to you. Albert said good things about you throughout the article and gave you a perfect score of four stars. ”

"I'm reading," Ronald didn't bother Weintraub this time. He felt happy when he saw the words full of praise and Albert's admission that he had misjudged his directing ability.

"Ding dong", after making the call, the agent Richard rang the doorbell.

"Are we leaving now?" Ronald put on a new hand-sewn suit, which he found newly made by Armani Clothing in Los Angeles. Italian style tailoring, perfect for your figure.

Richard had changed into a larger Toyota Camry, and the two went to the headquarters of Twentieth Century Fox together. Today, Ronald received an offer from another studio that actively invited him to negotiate.

"We come to see Mr. Noel Black, we have an appointment."

Noel Black is still in the meeting. Ronald and Richard had to wait at the door.

"Didn't you agree on this time?" Ronald was a little dissatisfied. Now he is considered a successful director who can direct medium-sized productions. Even if you are a senior executive of a studio, it is impolite to be unpunctual.

"Ronald? Is that you? Ronald?"

Another shout of surprise came with a strong South African accent.

Ronald turned around and saw that this was not the time when he was working for Roger Corman. When he went to the Montreal Film Festival, the one he met... was the producer of "God Is Crazy", what was his name? …

"Mia Toski", the other party noticed Ronald's dilemma and took the initiative to remind him of his name.

"Mia, it's really been a long time no see. Are you here this time?"

"God Is Crazy has finally received permission for a large-scale release in America. This time we are coming to the top management of 20th Century Fox, hoping that they can give us more theaters. In any case, a mere fifty theaters are completely insufficient." of."

"That's really missing." Ronald still remembered this unique comedy. "What? The American government sanctioned you?"

"Yes, it has been loosened. Mandela of the African National Congress has been transferred from the poor conditions of Robin Island Prison to a prison with better conditions in Cape Town. The doctor is giving him a comprehensive physical examination. So, After a special application to the American Congress, we can finally put the film in America.”

"That's great. After we finish talking, we will find a place together today to chat."

"Definitely, we traveled a lot in America, and it's rare to see a Hollywood person like you who is so enthusiastic about helping us." Mia shook Ronald's hand and agreed.

…

"How about my script? I rewrote it based on my memories of my experiences when I was young. I am very attached to this memory and have been looking for opportunities to film it."

Noel Black finally finished the meeting and summoned Ronald in his office. When he came up, he handed the other party the script of "Heart and Soul".

"Written from memory," Ronald glanced at Blake, who was already in his forties, and thought to himself, "No wonder it smells musty. This is all a high school experience in the 1960s. Is kissing in high school already out of bounds?" Racing in classic cars and the stereotype that Latinos are bad people, how can young people in the 1980s tolerate this?”

"I know you are a screenwriter, and I respect your opinion very much. You can bring up anything you want." Noel Black was eager to promote the film in a short time, so he treated Ronald like a corporal.

"Mr. Black's script is very exciting. I have to read it carefully before I can give specific opinions. But from my simple reading, it seems that it is a little older. Those antique cars may not be understood by today's audience. ”

"No, Ronald, those are the beauties of my youth. Anyone who owns one will find it easy to pick up girls."

It seems that he really likes his script.

“Then let’s give the audience a little more ice cream, and let the male protagonist be seduced by this girl, and have a little revealing scene.

"Doesn't it have to be R-rated? I hope more people can see this movie, especially middle school children."

"This is a balancing act, Mr. Black." Ronald felt that he had nothing to say. He was so persistent with his script, so he might as well direct it himself. How can this kind of old script attract the audience if there are no interesting shots?

"Well, I'll think about it."

The words were not congenial, and the two of them couldn't talk anymore after talking for a while.

"It seems that he is also a director who prioritizes business. Should I listen to him and make an R-rated film? This way, although there will be fewer viewers, it may be able to be released for a longer period of time." Noel Black in Ronald After saying goodbye, he began to think about his thoughts, "No matter what, let's go according to his opinion. If we don't start filming this month, we will have long nights and dreams when the new president comes."

Ronald found Mia Toski and his party, and they found a small restaurant to eat and chat together.

"So you have a deal with Fox?"

"No, they still insist on only showing it in fifty theaters." Mia shook her head. Hollywood has always been biased against South African movies, believing that such a small market cannot produce high-quality products.

"Then what are you going to do?" Ronald felt that it was a crime that such a high-quality movie could not meet more American audiences.

"We plan to release it state by state." Mia Tosky is the daughter of the largest cinema chain owner in South Africa. She has made up her mind. Since 20th Century Fox, the only one of the seven major cinemas that is interested in them, is unwilling to release it on a large scale, it is mostly impossible to find other people to do it.

"Show it state by state?"

"Yes, don't you know? In your America, there is no law restricting producers from contacting cinema chains for screening. People look for distributors just because they think it is cheaper. I have great confidence in the quality of "The Gods Must Be Crazy". As long as we release it state by state, we can always accumulate good profits in a year."

Ronald raised his glass to express his admiration for Mia. This kind of distribution is very hard. The screening laws in each state are different. They have to take hundreds of copies and travel all the way along America. If they don't have a good idea about developing the American market, they will not be motivated to use such a stupid method.

"Since you said that, I guess you didn't sign an exclusive agreement with Fox. I do know two small-scale distributors here. They may be interested in your film, but most of their distribution theaters are relatively poor second-tier..."

"It doesn't matter, Ronald, we are willing..." Mia stood up excitedly.

"Relax, since you are interested, I can call them and we can make an appointment to watch the movie then."

Ronald was thinking of Roger Corman's Concorde and Menahan's Cannon. As long as one of them is willing to distribute, he can make a little money. In addition, he can participate in the domestic distribution market and have a deeper understanding of the film industry.

"You are right, I was too excited all of a sudden," Mia sat down. This matter finally found the right person to promote.

This world's largest film market is very open in technology. As long as someone is willing to watch your film, you can distribute it here. But in terms of atmosphere, it is very conservative. Audiences and distributors are prejudiced against films shot in small foreign markets.

Ronald has watched his own "God Must Be Crazy" and still thinks it is good. Just now at Fox, he negotiated directly with Vice President Noel Black, who showed respect to him in his words and actions. He must be an important figure in Hollywood now. He was accompanied by the man who looked like an agent in a suit.

Mia's business acumen made her start to flatter Ronald intentionally or unintentionally. Ronald was the key figure in "God is Crazy" to enter the American market.

"Ronald, I didn't expect you to have realized your dream and filmed four movies." Mia was very moved after learning about his recent situation.

"I know you directors want good scripts and actors. Are you willing to use foreign scripts and actors?"

"Of course, as long as they can speak English, I have nothing against it." Ronald affirmed Mia's idea, "Do you have anyone to recommend?"

"That depends on what kind of people you like. We foreign filmmakers who work hard in the Aramco market have a small circle, especially people like me who come from the southern hemisphere, who need to share what we have. We have a small party on the weekend. If you are interested, I will ask my assistant to pick you up... and your agent."

"That's good." Ronald thought to himself, it would be nice to meet foreign filmmakers.

Richard next to him smiled and did not object. He took out a notebook and wrote down Ronald's itinerary.

"Do you think our movie will be popular here?" Mia started talking about the distribution of "The Gods Must Be Crazy" again.

"I think it's really good. It's a rare high-quality movie."

"I don't quite understand why Fox is unwilling to release it on a large scale. They don't think highly of this movie."

"Well..." Ronald recalled the plot he had watched that year. "If there is any concern, it may be that there are too many slangs in South African African languages ​​in this movie. Americans will have a cultural gap when listening to it, and some humorous parts will be lost."

"We did encounter this problem. We can only explain it by putting subtitles on it during the screening."

"Subtitles are also troublesome to read. Young people nowadays don't like movies with subtitles." Richard interrupted.

"That makes sense." Mia nodded.

"Have you considered re-dubbing?" Ronald remembered the "Break Dance" he saw in his dream, which also talked about it.

"Dubbing?"

"Yes, find two local actors, rewrite the dialogue, and then replace the voices of the South African actors."

"That's a good idea," Mia suddenly realized. Who said that English movies can't be re-dubbed?

After parting with Mia, Richard drove Ronald back.

"Ronald, when you went into the office to talk, I seemed to see Barry Diller."

"Who?" Ronald was thinking about something and didn't hear clearly.

"Barry Diller, Chairman and CEO of Paramount. I saw him in the office of 20th Century Fox."

"Huh?" Ronald glanced at Richard, "Are you sure?"

"I am sure. I have photos of the seven senior executives. I am afraid that I will miss the opportunity if I don't recognize them. I will report to CAA tomorrow."